Proverbs 20:25-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:25

It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy. This verse, which is plainly a warning against rash vows, has received more than one interpretation. The Vulgate has, Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, which is explained to mean that it is destruction for a man to persecute the saints of God. But the word devorare is not certain, as the manuscripts vary between this and four other readings, viz. devotares, denotare, devovere, and devocare. The Authorized Version signifies... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:26

A wise king scattereth the wicked ( Proverbs 20:8 ). The verb is zarah, which means "to winnow, or sift." The king separates the wicked and the good, as the winnowing fan or shovel divides the chaff from the wheat. The same metaphor is used of Christ ( Matthew 3:12 ), "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (comp. Jeremiah 15:7 ). Septuagint, "A winnower ( λικμήτωρ ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of men is the candle ( lamp ) of the Lord. Neshamah, "spirit," or "breath," is the principle of life breathed into man by God himself ( Genesis 2:7 ), distinguishing man from brutes—the conscious human soul. We may consider it as equivalent to what we Christians call conscience, with its twofold character of receiving light and illumination from God, and sitting as judge and arbiter of actions. It is named "the Lord's lamp," because this moral sense is a direct gift of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

The inward light Man may be said to be governed from above, from without, and also from within; by the power which is from heaven, by human society, and also by the forces which are resident in his own spiritual nature. I. OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE . God created man in his own image; i.e. he created him a spirit. God is a spirit; so also is man, his offspring, his human child. Our spiritual nature is endowed with the faculties of perception, of memory, of imagination, of reason.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:25

Proverbs 20:25. It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy He is insnared in a crime, who takes away, and applies to his own use, any thing consecrated to God, and intended to be used in support of his worship and service; or who alienates any holy thing, and employs it to a secular purpose, which is here called devouring it: and after vows to make inquiry After a man hath made vows, to consider whether he can possibly, or may lawfully, keep them; or to inquire of others... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:26

Proverbs 20:26. A wise king Who seriously minds his duty, and his true interest; scattereth the wicked Breaks their companies and confederacies, and forces them to flee several ways for their own safety; or drives them from his presence, and from the society of good men, as the chaff is separated from the corn, by the husbandmen, and driven away by the wind; as the word מזרה , here used, commonly signifies; and to which the next clause hath some reference. And bringeth the wheel over... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:27

Proverbs 20:27. The spirit of a man That is, the rational soul; is the candle, &c. Is a clear and glorious light, set up in man for his information and direction. It is said to be the candle of the Lord, because it comes from God in a more immediate manner than the body, Ecclesiastes 12:7; and because it is in God’s stead, to observe and judge all our actions. Searching all the inward parts of the belly Discerning not only man’s outward actions, which are visible to others, but his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:25

devoureth = rashly promises. holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:26

scattereth = winnoweth out. wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. the wheel: i.e. of the threshing instrument. Compare Isaiah 28:27 . read more

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