Proverbs 20 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 20 Pr 20:1-30 . 1. mocker-- scorner. Such men are made by wine. strong drink-- made by spicing wine (compare Is 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, Psa 109:10 ).
5. Counsel ... water-- that is, deeply hidden ( Pr 18:4 ; Psa 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 ; Psa 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 ( Psa 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 Psa 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 ).