English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:24
24A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his 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?
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?
- New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Context of Proverbs 20:24
22Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 23Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way? 25It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. 26A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the 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 37:23The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
- Jeremiah 10:23I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
- Daniel 5:23but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk 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 know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.
- 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 indeed his offspring.'
- Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
- Proverbs 16:9The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
- Psalms 25:4Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
- Isaiah 10:6Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries