Proverbs 20:24
Proverbs 20:24 in Multiple Translations
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?
A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?
The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
From Jehovah [are] the steps of a man, And man — how understandeth he his way?
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
Yahweh is the one who has decided what will happen to us, so ◄how can we <understand/know> what will happen before it happens?/we humans certainly cannot <understand/know> what will happen before it happens.► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 20:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 20:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֵ/יהוָ֥ה
מִצְעֲדֵי
גָ֑בֶר
וְ֝/אָדָ֗ם
מַה
יָּבִ֥ין
דַּרְכּֽ/וֹ
מֵ/יהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
מִצְעֲדֵי
mitsʻâd
H4703
step
N-mp
גָ֑בֶר
geber
H1397
great man
N-ms
וְ֝/אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Conj | N-ms
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יָּבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
דַּרְכּֽ/וֹ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 20:24
מֵ/יהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִצְעֲדֵי
mitsʻâd
H4703
"step"
N-mp
Mitsad is a step or a pace, and can also mean companionship or walking together with someone.
Definition: step
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: going, step. See also: Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 20:24; Daniel 11:43.
גָ֑בֶר
geber
H1397
"great man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for a great man or warrior, emphasizing strength or ability to fight, used to describe a person of valor. It is translated as 'man' or 'mighty' in the KJV. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of strong leaders.
Definition: man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: every one, man, [idiom] mighty. See also: Exodus 10:11; Psalms 88:5; Psalms 34:9.
וְ֝/אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Conj | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יָּבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
דַּרְכּֽ/וֹ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
Study Notes — Proverbs 20:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 20:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 20:24
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 20:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
- Sermons on Proverbs 20:24
Context — Wine Is a Mocker
22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. 26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:9 | A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 10:23 | I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps. |
| 3 | Psalms 25:12 | Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him. |
| 4 | Psalms 37:23 | The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. |
| 5 | Psalms 25:4 | Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. |
| 6 | Proverbs 14:8 | The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. |
| 7 | Acts 17:28 | ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ |
| 8 | Daniel 5:23 | Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. |
| 9 | Isaiah 10:6–7 | I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. |
Proverbs 20:24 Summary
[This verse means that God is in control of our lives and directs our paths, even when we don't understand what's happening. It's like Psalm 23:3 says, 'He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake.' We can trust that God is working everything out for our good, even when we don't see the whole picture. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have peace and confidence in our daily lives, knowing that He is guiding us every step of the way, as Jeremiah 29:11 says, 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that a man's steps are from the Lord?
This means that God is sovereign over our lives and directs our paths, as seen in Proverbs 16:9 and Jeremiah 10:23, which remind us that our plans are under God's control.
How can we understand our own way if our steps are from the Lord?
This verse is not saying we will never understand our way, but rather that our understanding is limited, and we must trust in God's sovereignty, as Psalm 119:105 says, 'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.'
Does this verse mean that we have no free will?
While our steps are from the Lord, we still have the ability to make choices, but our choices are under God's sovereign guidance, as seen in Proverbs 19:21, which says, 'Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.'
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by trusting in God's sovereignty and seeking His guidance, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance?
- How can I balance my desire to make plans with the understanding that my steps are from the Lord?
- What are some ways that I can seek God's guidance and wisdom in my daily decisions?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty when I don't understand what's happening in my life?
- What are some Bible verses that remind me of God's sovereignty and guidance, and how can I apply them to my life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings [are] of the Lord,.... In a natural and literal sense, the instruments of going are of the Lord; the act of motion from place to place is not without the concourse of his providence; as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? Man's (Hebrew, gaaber (H1397): a mighty man's) goings (are) of the Lord.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
Man’ s goings, all men’ s purposes and actions, are of the Lord; are ordered and overruled by God’ s wise and powerful providence to accomplish his own counsel and good pleasure, and not what men list or intend. His own way; either, 1. What course he ought to take; which he cannot know without God’ s direction and assistance: compare . Or, 2. What is the issue of his designs will be, whether they shall succeed or be disappointed; the way being taken for the end or event to which it leads, as it is in many other places. The scope of the proverb is to show that all the events of human life are neither ordered nor foreseen by man’ s, but only by God’ s providence, and therefore men should only mind the doing of their duty, and then quietly depend upon God for a good issue to their endeavours.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
Proverbs 20:24 Man’ s goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? Ver. 24. Man’ s goings are of the Lord.] God brought Paul to Rome by a way that he little dreamed of. Augustine once travelling lost his way, and fetching a compass came safe to the place he intended; whereas, had he kept the right way, he had been caught by an armed band of the Donatists that lay in wait for him. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord," and he finds himself sometimes crossed with a blessing. As when Isabel, Queen of England, was to repass from Zeland into this kingdom with an army, in favour of her son against her husband, she had utterly been cast away had she come to the port intended, being there expected by her enemies; but providence, against her will, brought her to another place where she safely landed. Good, therefore, and worthy of all acceptation is the wise man’ s counsel, "In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he shall direct thy path." Augustin. in Enchirid. ad Laurent., cap. 17.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
(24) Man’s goings are of the Lord.—Comp. Jeremiah 10:23 and the collect, “O God, from whom . . . all just works do proceed.” How can a man then understand his own way?—i.e., how he should go. So much the more reason for the prayer of Psa 25:3, “Shew me thy ways, O Lord.” (Comp. Psalms 119:33, ff, Psalms 143:8.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
Verse 24. Man's goings are of the Lord] He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: "They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers."
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 20:24
24. Comp. Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 20:24
The order of a man’s life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not where he is going, or for what God is educating him.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:24
24. Man’s goings are of the Lord — The results of his steps or ways are of God’s appointing. How can a man then understand his own way — So understand it as infallibly to insure success. Mr.
Sermons on Proverbs 20:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Man’s Way vs. God’s Way (Isaiah 55:8,9) by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the contrast between man's ways and God's ways, highlighting how God's beginnings are often small and hidden but lead to lasting value, unlike man's ten |
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Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 1 by Keith Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the journey of faith. They encourage listeners to seek solutions and growth in their spiritual |
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Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 4 by Keith Green | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of money and the potential loss that can occur if we don't take breaks. He emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and not consta |
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(Education for Exultation) if the Lord Wills by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper focuses on James 4:13-16 and the importance of humbling ourselves under the sovereignty of God. He addresses the issue of making plans without con |
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Automobile Evangelism by William Booth | This sermon reflects on the inspiring courage and determination of William Booth, a 75-year-old man who embraced innovative methods like using a motor car for campaigning in 1904, |
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The Light We Need by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following Jesus and trusting in Him to avoid walking in darkness. He relates a personal story from his senior year in high |
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Digestive System by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith | In this sermon, the speaker continues to discuss the evidence for the existence of God in biology. He criticizes the Darwinian theory and argues that randomness is the enemy of mea |