English Standard Version
Proverbs 22:20
20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,
Proverbs 22:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
- New International Version (NIV)Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,
- New Living Translation (NLT)I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.
Context of Proverbs 22:20
18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,
Read all of Proverbs 22Proverbs 22:20 word by word
הֲלֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּי לְ֭ךָ שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים בְּמ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת וָדָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 22:20
- Proverbs 8:6Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,
- Psalms 12:6The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
- Hosea 8:12Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing.
- 2 Timothy 3:15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Peter 1:19And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
Commentaries on Proverbs 22:20
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Excellent things - A meaning of the word derived from “the third,” i. e., “the chief of three warriors in a chariot” (compare Exodus 14:7 note). Another reading of the Hebrew text gives “Have I not written to thee long ago?” and this would form a natural antithesis to “this day” of Proverbs 22:19. The rendering of the Septuagint is: “write them for thyself three times;” that of the Vulgate, “I have written it (i. e., my counsel) In threefold form;” the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-21Verses 17-21 To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the word of truth, is to make conscience of our duty.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20thirty sayings: Early scribes observed that the Hebrew word for thirty was written in an unusual form (shlshwm) instead of the usual form (shlyshym). All early translations of the Old Testament, such as the Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, and Syriac Peshitta, interpret it as thirty. However, some choose to translate the word as excellent sayings.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. excellent things--or probably of former times. counsels and knowledge--both advice and instruction.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 22:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 22
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries