Proverbs 22:20

Proverbs 22:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
• New International Version (NIV)Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
• English Standard Version (ESV)Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

Context of Proverbs 22:20

18For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind [incorporating them as guiding principles]; Let them be ready on your lips [to guide and strengthen yourself and others]. 19So that your trust and reliance and confidence may be in the Lord, I have taught these things to you today, even to you. Have I not written to you excellent things In counsels and knowledge, 21To let you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you? 22Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless], Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],

Proverbs 22:20 word by word

הֲלֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּי לְ֭ךָ שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים בְּמ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת וָדָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Have not I writtenכָּתַבkâthab · to writeH3789
• to theeשִׁלְשֹׁםshilshôm shilshôm · three days agoH8032
• excellent thingsשָׁלִישׁshâlîysh shâlôsh shâlôsh · officerH7991
• in counselsמוֹעֵצָהmô‛êtsâh · counselH4156
• and knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847

Cross-references for Proverbs 22:20

• Proverbs 8:6Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
• Psalms 12:6The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
• Hosea 8:12I wrote for him the ten thousand precepts of My law, But they are regarded as a strange thing [which does not concern him].
• 2 Timothy 3:15and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness].
• 2 Peter 1:19So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Commentaries on Proverbs 22:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Excellent things - A meaning of the word derived from “the third,” i. e., “the chief of three warriors in a chariot” (compare Exodus 14:7 note). Another reading of the Hebrew text gives “Have I not written to thee long ago?” and this would form a natural antithesis to “this day” of Proverbs 22:19. The rendering of the Septuagint is: “write them for thyself three times;” that of the Vulgate, “I have written it (i. e., my counsel) In threefold form;” the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-21Verses 17-21 To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the word of truth, is to make conscience of our duty.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20thirty sayings: Early scribes observed that the Hebrew word for thirty was written in an unusual form (shlshwm) instead of the usual form (shlyshym). All early translations of the Old Testament, such as the Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, and Syriac Peshitta, interpret it as thirty. However, some choose to translate the word as excellent sayings.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. excellent things--or probably of former times. counsels and knowledge--both advice and instruction.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 22:20

• Instruction
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Evil
• Hide
• Lender
• Prudent
• Rob
• Train
• Assemblies, Masters of
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Sirach, the Alphabet of
• Proverbs, Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 22

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings