God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 21:31
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.
- New International Version (NIV)The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
Context of Proverbs 21:31
29A wicked person puts up a bold front, but a decent person’s way of life is his own security. 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice ⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:31 word by word
ס֗וּס מ֭וּכָן לְי֣וֹם מִלְחָמָ֑ה וְ֝לַֽיהוָ֗ה הַתְּשׁוּעָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:31
- Psalms 20:7Some ⌞rely⌟ on chariots and others on horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.
- Psalms 33:17Horses are not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape.
- Psalms 147:10He finds no joy in strong horses, nor is he pleased by brave soldiers.
- Ecclesiastes 9:11I saw something else under the sun. The race isn’t ⌞won⌟ by fast runners, or the battle by heroes. Wise people don’t necessarily have food. Intelligent people don’t necessarily have riches, and skilled people don’t necessarily receive special treatment. But time and unpredictable events overtake all of them.
- Isaiah 31:1How horrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who depend on many chariots, who depend on very strong war horses. They don’t look to the Holy One of Israel. They don’t seek the Lord.
- Psalms 3:3But you, O Lord, are a shield that surrounds me. You are my glory. You hold my head high.
- Psalms 68:20Our God is the God of victories. The Almighty Lord is our escape from death.
- Psalms 144:10You are the one who gives victory to kings. You are the one who snatches your servant David away from a deadly sword.
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31The horse is prepared against the day of battle - Horses were not used among the Jews before the time of Solomon. There was a Divine command against them, Deuteronomy 17:16; but Solomon transgressed it; see 1 Kings 10:29. But he here allows that a horse is a vain thing for safety; and that however strong and well appointed cavalry may be, still safety, escape, and victory, are of the Lord. Among the ancient Asiatics, the horse was used only for war; oxen…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 30-31Verses 30-31 Means are to be used, but, after all, our safety and salvation are only of the Lord. In our spiritual warfare we must arm ourselves with the whole armour of God; but our strength must be in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-31Human wisdom is powerless against the Lord (see Proverbs 16:1, 3, 9, 33). Similarly, military power, symbolized by the horse, is powerless without the Lord's blessing.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 30-3130-31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Psa 20:7; 33:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:31
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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