Proverbs 3:20 NIV

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 3:20

clouds, &c. = skies. dew = night mist. See note on Psalms 133:3 . "Dew" falls only when there are no clouds. read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 3:19-20

Proverbs 3:19-20. The Lord by wisdom, &c.— See Job 38:4; Job 38:41. The effects which we call natural are the productions of the Creator's sovereign wisdom. Some understand by the depths broken up, the waters of the deluge; others, the original creation and distribution of the waters. The dews in Palestine are much more abundant than in our countries, whence the wise man gives them the same origin with the rain, namely the clouds; though the dew does not descend from so great a height. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 3:13-35

5. The value of Wisdom 3:13-35"Sages reserve the laudatory exclamation blessed (’asre [Proverbs 3:13]) for people who experience life optimally, as the Creator intended." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . ., p. 256.] Long life, riches, and honor (Proverbs 3:16) were the rewards God promised the godly under the Old Covenant. The tree of life figure (Proverbs 3:18) implies that wisdom is the source and sustainer of a long and beneficial life (cf. Proverbs 3:16). [Note: See Ralph Marcus, "The Tree of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 3:1-35

The Blessings of Obedience and of ChastisementThe first and third divisions, 1-10, 21-35, are exhortations to good conduct and promises of consequent blessing. The second, 11-20, declares the profitableness of divine chastening and the value of wisdom.1. Law] or ’direction.’ The teacher speaks as one having authority. 3. Mercy] RM ’kindness.’ He is to retain kindness and faithfulness, as he would the signet-ring which hangs from his neck by a cord (Genesis 38:18; Song of Solomon 8:6), or as the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 3:20

(20) Are broken up.—Or, burst forth: the word used in Genesis 7:11 of the breaking forth of the waters from the interior of the earth at the flood. (Comp. Job 38:8.)Drop down the dew.—Of great importance in countries where for months together there is no rain read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 3:1-35

Self-reliant Or God-reliant? Proverbs 3:5-6 No one who reads the book of Proverbs can fail to see that its maxims are of the utmost value. We should truly be the poorer without its pithy, practical sayings, which bear upon almost every phase of life. How much we need to remember the verses that I read as our text. I. It is Often Considered a Fine Thing to be Self-Reliant. Many men boast that they rely only on themselves. A man will point with pride to his prosperous business and say, 'I... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-35

CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 3:1-25

CHAPTER 3 1. The call and promise of wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-10 ) 2. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-20 ) 3. Promise and instruction (Proverbs 3:21-25 ) Proverbs 3:1-10 . The call to obedience is followed by promise. The promise is like all the promises to an earthly people “for length of days and long life”. Here are some blessed exhortations loved and cherished by all His people (Proverbs 3:5-7 ). How happier, and more fruitful the children of God would be if they... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-35

The nature of this book makes divisions of its chapters rather arbitrary, and ours may not always be the best, but it is hoped it may prove useful in some degree. The opening of chapter four suggests a new beginning, for which reason we conclude this lesson at the close of chapter three. It begins with an advertisement (Proverbs 1:1-6 ), in which mention is made of the author (Proverbs 1:1 ), the object of the book (Proverbs 1:2-3 ), and its great value (Proverbs 1:4-6 ). Then follows its... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Proverbs 3:1-35

The Programme of Life Proverbs 3:0 There is a tenderness peculiar to the paternal voice; if its tones are apparently harsher than those of the maternal appeal, yet they tremble with as true a pathos. There are few more subduing sights than that of the father instructing the child in the ways of wisdom. He adopts no cold and formal method of communication. His ministry is full of the heart's fondest love. He speaks not as a mere hireling, but with an affection unconstrained, profound,... read more