Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 20:24
24Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way?
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
22Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you. 23Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair. Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way? 25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows. 26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:24 word by word
מֵיהוָ֥ה מִצְעֲדֵי־גָ֑בֶר וְ֝אָדָ֗ם מַה־יָּבִ֥ין דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:24
- Psalms 37:23A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way.
- Jeremiah 10:23I know, Lord, that a person’s way of life is not his own; no one who walks determines his own steps.
- Daniel 5:23Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life.
- Acts 17:28For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
- Proverbs 14:8The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
- Proverbs 16:9A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.
- Psalms 25:4Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths.
- Isaiah 10:6I will send him against a godless nation; I will command him to go against a people destined for my rage, to take spoils, to plunder, and to trample them down like clay 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
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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