Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 20:5
5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Proverbs 20:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- New International Version (NIV)The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
Context of Proverbs 20:5
3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. 4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. 6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? 7The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:5 word by word
מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֵצָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנָ֣ה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:5
- Proverbs 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
- Psalms 64:6They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.
- 1 Corinthians 2:11For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Counsel in the heart of man - Men of the deepest and most comprehensive minds are rarely apt, unsolicited, to join in any discourse, in which they might appear even to the greatest advantage; but a man of understanding will elicit this, by questions framed for the purpose, and thus pump up the salubrious waters from the deep and capacious well. The metaphor is fine and expressive.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5The contest between reticence on the one side and pertinacity in search on the other is represented as by a parable. The well may be very deep (compare the marginal reference), but the man of understanding” has enough skill to draw up the water even to the last drop. Every question is, as it were, a turning of the windlass.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5Verse 5 Though many capable of giving wise counsel are silent, yet something may be drawn from them, which will reward those who obtain it.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Counsel ... water--that is, deeply hidden (Pr 18:4; Psa 13:2). The wise can discern well.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:5
In the dictionaries
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
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