English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:5
5The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
Context of Proverbs 20:5
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 7The righteous who walks in his 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
Words taken from the KJV.
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 search out injustice, saying, "We have accomplished a diligent search." For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
- 1 Corinthians 2:11For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries