Proverbs 20:5

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it 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 to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. 6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? 7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Proverbs 20:5 word by word

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֵצָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנָ֣ה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Counselעֵצָה‛êtsâh · counselH6098
• in the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• deepעָמֹק‛âmôq · deepH6013
• waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• of understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
• will draw it outדָּלָהdâlâh · to draw (up/out)H1802

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:5

• Proverbs 18:4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
• Psalms 64:6They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
• 1 Corinthians 2:11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows 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

• Cross-Questioning
• Prudence

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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