Proverbs 20:24

Proverbs 20:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
• New International Version (NIV)A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
• English Standard Version (ESV)A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?
• New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?

Context of Proverbs 20:24

22Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you. 23Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord, And fraudulent scales are not good. Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord. How then can a man [fully] understand his way? 25It is a trap for a man to [speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!” And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it]. 26A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].

Proverbs 20:24 word by word

מֵיהוָ֥ה מִצְעֲדֵי־גָ֑בֶר וְ֝אָדָ֗ם מַה־יָּבִ֥ין דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Man’sגָּבֶרgeber · great manH1397
• goingsמִצְעָדmits‛âd · stepH4703
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• how can a manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• then understandבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• his own wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:24

• Psalms 37:23The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].
• Jeremiah 10:23O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].
• Daniel 5:23And you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven, and the vessels of His house have been brought before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But the God who holds in His hand your breath of life and your ways you have not honored and glorified [but have dishonored and defied].
• Acts 17:28For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
• Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
• Proverbs 16:9A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.
• Psalms 25:4Let me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
• Isaiah 10:6I send Assyria against a godless nation And commission it against the people of My wrath To take the spoil and to seize the plunder, And to trample them down like mud in the streets.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Man's goings are of the Lord - He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: "They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers."Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24The order of a man‘s life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not where he is going, or for what God is educating him.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 How can we form plans, and conduct business, independently of the Lord?Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24God clearly guides our steps (see Proverbs 16:1, 9, 33). We do not need to understand why things happen. We should not lose hope because God is in control.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. Man's goings--literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man." a man--any common man. understand--or, "perceive."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:24

• Ignorance

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Providence
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings