Proverbs 20:25

Proverbs 20:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
• New International Version (NIV)It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.

Context of Proverbs 20:25

23Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good. 24The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way? It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry. 26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 27Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.

Proverbs 20:25 word by word

מוֹקֵ֣שׁ אָ֭דָם יָ֣לַע קֹ֑דֶשׁ וְאַחַ֖ר נְדָרִ֣ים לְבַקֵּֽר׃Read the interlinear

• snareמוֹקֵשׁmôqêsh môqêsh · snareH4170
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• vowsנֶ֫דֶרneder nêder · vowH5088

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:25

• Proverbs 18:7A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
• Leviticus 5:15If any one act unfaithfully and sin through inadvertence in the holy things of Jehovah, then he shall bring his trespass-offering to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the small cattle, according to thy valuation by shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass-offering.
• Leviticus 22:10And no stranger shall eat the holy thing; the sojourner with the priest, and the hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
• Leviticus 27:30And as to every tithe of the land, of the seed of the land, and of the fruit of the tree, it is Jehovah's: it is holy to Jehovah.
• Malachi 3:8Will a man rob God? But ye rob me. And ye say, Wherein do we rob thee? [In] tithes and heave-offerings.
• Leviticus 27:9And if it be a beast whereof men bring an offering unto Jehovah, all that they give of such unto Jehovah shall be holy.
• Numbers 30:2If a man vow a vow to Jehovah, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; according to all that hath gone out of his mouth shall he do.
• Ecclesiastes 5:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
• Matthew 5:33Again, ye have heard that it has been said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt render to the Lord what thou hast sworn.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25Who devoureth that which is holy - It is a sin to take that which belongs to God, his worship, or his work, and devote it to one's own use. And after vows to make inquiry - That is, if a man be inwardly making a rash vow, the fitness or unfitness, the necessity, expediency, and propriety of the thing should be first carefully considered. But how foolish to make the vow first, and afterwards to inquire whether it was right in the sight of God to do it!…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25Better, It is a snare to a man to utter a vow (of consecration) rashly, and after vows to inquire whether he can fulfill them. Both clauses are a protest against the besetting sin of rash and hasty vows. Compare the marginal reference.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25Verse 25 The evasions men often use with their own consciences show how false and deceitful man is.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25It is important to consider the cost before making a promise to God (see Judges 11:29–40; Ecclesiastes 5:4–6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. devoureth ... holy--or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:25

• Vows

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Err; Error
• Inquire

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