This chapter continues with thirty short proverbs, each of two lines, most forming antithetical parallelism ("this... but that..."); a few are simple observations but most have a teaching.
Proverbs 20:1, Under the influence
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Too much alcohol leads to mockery, brawling, straying from the smooth and straight path. (See Proverbs 23:29-35 for an expanded description of the one who drinks too much wine.)
It is possible, says Alter, that the Hebrew word shekar, translated here "beer" and elsewhere "strong drink", is "a strong drink made from grapes, which is to say, grappa" (or brandy.)
Kidner says that the Hebrew word shagah, translated here "led astray", could also mean "stagger" or "lurch" (see Isaiah 28:7 for an example) and so we have vivid play on the two meanings of this word.
Proverbs 20:2, Keep the king happy!
A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion;
he who angers him forfeits his life.
It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Recommended: avoid quarrels if you can. As said elsewhere, a quick temper is the sign of a fool.
Proverbs 20:4, Empty harvest
A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Laziness at one time has consequences that appear later. If one does not plant in the spring, there will be nothing to eat in the winter.
Proverbs 20:5, Deep waters
The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
I really like this proverb. It has an emphasis on empathy. The phrase "draws them out" could also be translated "draws them up", as if reaching deep into a pool and pulling up the cold water. A wise person, "a man of understanding", will look for those deep waters.
Proverbs 20:6-7, Faithful and blameless
Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?
The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.
It is easy to claim loyalty and unfailing love -- it is another thing to truly provide it. But loyalty and honesty are a reward to one's children.
Proverbs 20:8, A king and justice
When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
This (like others in Proverbs) assumes that the king is just! This assumption is reasonable given that the proverbs were collected by kings (such as Solomon and Hezekiah.)
Proverbs 20:9, A completely pure heart doesn't happen
Who can say,
"I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin"?
I've known people who insist on "pure motives"; my reaction is that they don't really examine their heart and motives!
Proverbs 20:10, Dishonest scales
Differing weights and differing measures--
the LORD detests them both.
Another verse on honest transactions, leaning on the ANE practice of using scales to measure both produce and payment. (Payment was often certain weights of silver.)
Proverbs 20:11, Children's actions
Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right.
Although motives are discussed elsewhere, one's actions are visible and important. Even the inclination of a child is visible by his/her actions.
Proverbs 20:12, Ears and eyes and their Maker
Ears that hear and eyes that see--
the LORD has made them both.
Since YHWH made both ears and eyes, the hint is that He too can see and hear -- everything. (See verse 27 as a follow up to this teaching.)
Proverbs 20:13, Sleep and hunger
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Unnecessary sleep leads to hunger. This is similar in message to Proverbs 19:15.
Proverbs 20:14, No good, no good!
"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer;
then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
This statement is just an observation of humans in the market. One interpretation of the proverb would be that the buyer claims that the product is worthless and then buys it at a lower price while grumbling about being cheated. later, out of the hearing of the seller, he brags about getting a good product on the cheap. Alter says that the Hebrew text might allow an interpretation in which a miserly individual misses a good deal yet brags about his cleverness in refusing it.
Proverbs 20:15, Words to treasure
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
The real treasure is in words of wisdom. (So read this book of Proverbs!)
Proverbs 20:16, Take the garment
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
Worth less than security for a stranger is security for one who is untrustworthy and off the rails. The impression here is that if such an idiot offers security, one should just take it!
Proverbs 20:17, Mouth of gravel
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
Recall Proverbs 9:17 about stolen waters...
Proverbs 20:18, Seek counsel!
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
Good guidance and counsel is important at all levels.
Proverbs 20:19, Talks too much
A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.
As good speech is a sign of wisdom, gossip is a sign of foolishness.
Proverbs 20:20, Lamp snuffed out
If a man curses his father or mother,
his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
This proverb echoes the Fifth of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:12.)
Proverbs 20:21, Quickly gained
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end.
On fast money and get-rich-quick schemes -- see Proverbs 13:11, Proverbs 21:5-6 and Proverbs 28:20,22.
Proverbs 20:22, Vengeance is God's
Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!"
Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
Leave vengeance to God. As Alter points out, this proverb reflects the plea of Abigail to David in 1 Samuel 25:23-31.
Proverbs 20:23, Dishonest scales
The LORD detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
See verse 10.
Proverbs 20:24, YHWH directs
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Since God directs one's steps -- maybe our own planning is something we don't understand? Psalm 37:23 views this as an encouragement for those who seek YHWH and His righteousness.
Proverbs 20:25, Rash vows
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider his vows.
One should be careful about one's promises. An example of a rash vow is that of Jephthah in Judges 11:30-31. See also Ecclesiastes 5:5.
Proverbs 20:26, Kingly wisdom
A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
A grain harvesting metaphor is given for the justice of a wise king. (And every king should seek to be wise and just, see verse 28!)
Proverbs 20:27, Lamp of YHWH
The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man;
it searches out his inmost being.
In verse 12 we are told thst YHWH made both ears and eyes; here we see Him then searching out man's thoughts and motives, like one with a lamp moving through a dark house.
Proverbs 20:28, A faithful king
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
Righteousness is important for the security of both a nation and king.
Proverbs 20:29, Age and experience,
The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
When I was young, I could run forever, be a star in softball, drive all night. Now my hairline is thinning, I have arthritis and I am content to watch the clouds move across the sky and listen to the wind in the trees. That is OK.
Proverbs 20:30, Punishment for evil
Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
In the ANE culture, blows and beating were part of the judicial system. Indeed, flogging is still used as a penalty in some countries and the missionary Paul was whipped numerous times (2 Corinthians 11:23-25.) Even the Messiah was flogged (see Isaiah 53:5, John 19:1-3.)
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