15 There is H3426 gold, H2091 and a multitude H7230 of rubies: H6443 but the lips H8193 of knowledge H1847 are a precious H3366 jewel. H3627
She is more precious H3368 than rubies: H6443 and all the things thou canst desire H2656 are not to be compared H7737 unto her.
But where H370 shall wisdom H2451 be found? H4672 and where is the place H4725 of understanding? H998 Man H582 knoweth H3045 not the price H6187 thereof; neither is it found H4672 in the land H776 of the living. H2416 The depth H8415 saith, H559 It is not in me: and the sea H3220 saith, H559 It is not with me. It cannot be gotten H5414 for gold, H5458 neither shall silver H3701 be weighed H8254 for the price H4242 thereof. It cannot be valued H5541 with the gold H3800 of Ophir, H211 with the precious H3368 onyx, H7718 or the sapphire. H5601 The gold H2091 and the crystal H2137 cannot equal H6186 it: and the exchange H8545 of it shall not be for jewels H3627 of fine gold. H6337 No mention H2142 shall be made of coral, H7215 or of pearls: H1378 for the price H4901 of wisdom H2451 is above rubies. H6443 The topaz H6357 of Ethiopia H3568 shall not equal H6186 it, neither shall it be valued H5541 with pure H2889 gold. H3800
The tongue H3956 of the just H6662 is as choice H977 silver: H3701 the heart H3820 of the wicked H7563 is little worth. H4592 The lips H8193 of the righteous H6662 feed H7462 many: H7227 but fools H191 die H4191 for want H2638 of wisdom. H3820
How much better H2896 is it to get H7069 wisdom H2451 than gold! H2742 and to get H7069 understanding H998 rather to be chosen H977 than silver! H3701
As an earring H5141 of gold, H2091 and an ornament H2481 of fine gold, H3800 so is a wise H2450 reprover H3198 upon an obedient H8085 ear. H241
And moreover, H3148 because the preacher H6953 was wise, H2450 he still taught H3925 the people H5971 knowledge; H1847 yea, he gave good heed, H239 and sought out, H2713 and set in order H8626 many H7235 proverbs. H4912 The preacher H6953 sought H1245 to find out H4672 acceptable H2656 words: H1697 and that which was written H3789 was upright, H3476 even words H1697 of truth. H571 The words H1697 of the wise H2450 are as goads, H1861 and as nails H4930 fastened H5193 by the masters H1167 of assemblies, H627 which are given H5414 from one H259 shepherd. H7462
How G4459 then G3767 shall they call on G1941 him in G1519 whom G3739 they have G4100 not G3756 believed? G4100 and G1161 how G4459 shall they believe in G4100 him of whom G3739 they have G191 not G3756 heard? G191 and G1161 how G4459 shall they hear G191 without G5565 a preacher? G2784 And G1161 how G4459 shall they preach, G2784 except G3362 they be sent? G649 as G2531 it is written, G1125 How G5613 beautiful G5611 are the feet of them G4228 that preach the gospel G2097 of peace, G1515 and bring glad tidings G2097 of good things! G18
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 20
Commentary on Proverbs 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 20
Pr 20:1-30.
1. mocker—scorner. Such men are made by wine.
strong drink—made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, 22); and it may include wine.
raging—or boisterous as a drunkard.
deceived—literally, "erring," or reeling.
2. (Compare Pr 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Ro 13:2).
3. to cease from strife—or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life.
fool … meddling—(Pr 17:14).
4. shall … beg—literally, "ask" (in this sense, Ps 109:10).
5. Counsel … water—that is, deeply hidden (Pr 18:4; Ps 13:2). The wise can discern well.
6. Boasters are unreliable.
goodness—or, "kind disposition."
7. The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pr 4:26; Ps 112:1, 2).
8. As in Pr 14:35; 16:10, 15, this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.
9. The interrogation in the affirmative strengthens the implied negation (compare Job 15:14; Ec 7:20).
10. Various measures, implying that some are wrong (compare Pr 11:1; 16:11).
11. The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mt 7:16).
12. Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Ps 94:9).
13. Activity and diligence contrasted with sloth (Pr 6:9; 10:11).
lest … poverty—literally, "be deprived of inheritance."
14. when … his way—implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.
15. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).
16. Take his garment—implies severe exaction, justified by the surety's rashness.
a strange woman—by some readings "strangers," but the former here, and in Pr 27:13, is allowable, and strengthens the sense. The debauchee is less reliable than the merely careless.
17. Bread … sweet—either as unlawfully (Pr 9:17) or easily obtained.
mouth … gravel—well expresses the pain and grief given at last.
18. (Compare Pr 15:22). Be careful and considerate in important plans.
19. Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets.
flattereth … lips—(compare Margin; Pr 1:10).
meddle … him—literally, "join," or "associate with."
20. his lamp—(Compare Pr 13:9; 24:20).
21. gotten hastily—contrary to God's providence (Pr 28:20), implying its unjust or easy attainment; hence the man is punished, or spends freely what he got easily (compare Pr 20:17).
22. (Compare Ps 27:14; Ro 12:17-19).
23. (Compare Pr 20:10; 11:1).
24. Man's goings—literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man."
a man—any common man.
understand—or, "perceive."
25. devoureth … holy—or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.
26. (Compare Pr 20:8).
bringeth … over them—The wheel was used for threshing grain. The figure denotes severity (compare Am 1:3).
27. The spirit … Lord—Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare Pr 20:5; Pr 18:8, 17; 1Co 2:11).
28. (Compare Pr 3:3; 16:6, 12).
29. The glory of young men … the beauty of old men—Each age has its peculiar excellence (Pr 16:31).
30. blueness—literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter.
stripes … belly—So punishment provides healing of soul (Pr 18:8), by deterring from evil courses.