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Proverbs Chapter 20

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 30 Verses

What is Proverbs 20 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own life.
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
7A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.
8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for foreigners.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.
19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.
23Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.
24A man`s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?
25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, [It is] holy, And after vows to make inquiry.
26A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the [threshing] -wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.
28Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.
29The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes [reach] the innermost parts.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging, etc.] Wine deceives a man; it not only overcomes him before he is aware, but it promises him a pleasure which it does not give; but, on the contrary, excessive drinking gives him pain, and so mocks him; yea, it exposes him to reproach and disgrace, and to the mockery and derision of others; as well as it sets him to scoff at his companions, and even to mock at religion, and all that is good and serious; (see <280705>Hosea 7:5); and strong drink not only disturbs the brain, and puts the spirits in a ferment, so that a man rages within, but it sets him a raving and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 20:1-30) mocker--scorner. Such men are made by wine. strong drink--made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, Isa 5:22); and it may include wine. raging--or boisterous as a drunkard. deceived--literally, "erring," or reeling.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
““Wine” and “strong drink” are personified as themselves doing what they make men do. The latter (see Leviticus 10:9 note) is here, probably, the “palm-wine” of Syria. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“A mocker - Wine immoderately drunk makes men mockers. Raging - Makes men full of rage. Proverbs 20:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“20:1 Too much alcohol clouds a person’s judgment. The Old Testament is not against drinking wine in moderation (3:10; 9:5; Ps 104:14-15), but it adamantly opposes excessive drinking (Prov 21:17; 23:29-35; 31:4-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Pro 23:29-35, Pro 31:4; Gen 9:21-23, Gen 19:31-36; Sa1 25:36-38; Sa2 11:13; Sa2 13:28; Kg1 20:16-21; Isa 28:7; Hos 4:11, Hos 7:5; Hab 2:15, Hab 2:16; Co1 6:10; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:18 Proverbs 20:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“This proverb warns against the debauchery with which free-thinking is intimately associated. Wine is a mocker, mead boisterous; And no one who is overtaken thereby is wise. The article stands with יין. Ewald maintains that in 10:1-22:6 the article occurs only here and at Pro 21:31, and that it is here, as the lxx shows, not original. Both statements are incorrect. The article is found, e.g., at Pro 19:6; Pro 18:18, Pro 18:17, and here the personification of "wine" requires it; but that it is wanting to שׁכר shows how little poetry delights in it; it stands once for twice. The effects of wine and mead (שׁכר from…”
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Related study paths

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