Proverbs 20:30 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

Note, 1. Many need severe rebukes. Some children are so obstinate that their parents can do no good with them without sharp correction; some criminals must feel the rigour of the law and public justice; gentle methods will not work upon them; they must be beaten black and blue. And the wise God sees that his own children sometimes need very sharp afflictions. 2. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good, as corrosives contribute to the cure of a wound, eating out the proud flesh. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil ,.... Rubs it off and scours it away, as the word F13 תמריק "abstesio", Piscator, Mercerus, Cocceius; "detersio", Montanus, Michaelis; "effricatio", Schultens. signifies, or is a clearing and rubbing it off; some men must be beaten black and blue, or must have very sore correction, before they can be reclaimed and reformed from their evil ways; so some interpret it of the evil man F14 ברע "in malo, sub, homine", Vatablus, Mercerus,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:30

The blueness of a wound - חברות chabburoth , from חבר chabar , to unite, to join together. Does it not refer to the cicatrice of a wound when, in its healing, the two lips are brought topether? By this union the wound is healed; and by the previous discharge the lace-rated ends of fibres and blood-vessels are purged away. So stripes, though they hurt for the time, become the means of correcting and discharging the moral evil of the inmost soul, the vice of the heart, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:24-30

The truth of life in diverse aspects We may divide the matter as follows. I. DIVINE PROVIDENCE . ( Proverbs 20:24 .) It is needful, for human wisdom is shortsighted, and human direction inadequate. It is a gracious fact, and, if acknowledged, brings blessing to the trustful mind and heart. Each man has a life vocation. God appoints it, and will reveal the means for the attainment of it. We cannot enter the kingdom except through the guidance of Christ. II. HUMAN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil. So the Vulgate, Livor vulneris absterget mala. Chaburoth means "stripes," and the proverb says that deep-cutting stripes are the only effectual cure of evil; i.e. severe punishment is the best healing process in cases of moral delinquency ( Proverbs 19:29 ). Painful remedies, incisions, cauteries, amputations, are often necessary in the successful treatment of bodily ailments; spiritual sickness needs sterner, more piercing, remedies. So do... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:30

Proverbs 20:30. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil Grievous wounds which make men black and blue, or severe punishments, are the means which are frequently most effectual to reclaim a wicked man, and to purge out his corruptions; so do stripes Hebrew, ומכות , and stripes, which answer to wounds in the former clause; the inward parts of the belly Hebrew, חדרי בשׂן , literally, the chambers of the belly, that is, the inward recesses of the mind. The sense of the whole is,... 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 20:30

cleanseth away = is cleansing. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "[though it be] an evil". evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . belly. Supply the Ellipsis from preceding clause, "[though they be an evil]" read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:30

"Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes reach the innermost parts.""Sharp blows purify the wicked; and stripes the innermost being."[36] The unmerciful use of corporal punishment in ancient times is emphasized by the terrible beatings and scourgings suffered by the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23-26). Such public scourgings were inflicted upon criminals during colonial times in America; and public reaction against such punishments has led to a near-abandonment of the very principle... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 20:30

Proverbs 20:30. The blueness of a wound— This is a very obscure passage. I think, says Dr. Grey, Le Clerc's interpretation the best I have met with; that a wicked man, who has received due correction for his crimes, will be cured of them, or will not so easily fall into the like again; and that though stripes chiefly affect the body, yet they have likewise an effect on (the chambers of the belly) the inward recesses of the mind; restraining the offender by the fear of punishment. That this is... read more