Proverbs 20:5 kjv
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5 nkjv
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5 niv
The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
Proverbs 20:5 esv
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5 nlt
Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
a person with understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 64:6 | They search out wickedness; they accomplish a diligent search. For the inward thought... deep. | Evil intentions are hidden deeply. |
| Prov 18:4 | The words of a man's mouth are deep waters... | Deep words contain profound truth or hidden motives. |
| Prov 25:3 | As the heavens for height... so the heart of kings is unsearchable. | The deepest thoughts of influential people are hard to know. |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things... I, the Lord, search the heart... | God alone fully knows the deep recesses of the heart. |
| Matt 12:34 | For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. | Words reveal what is in the heart. |
| 1 Cor 2:11 | For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person...? | Only the inner spirit truly knows inner thoughts. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God's Word discerns deepest human motives. |
| 1 Kin 3:9 | Give your servant therefore an understanding heart... discern between good and evil. | A prayer for wisdom to discern justly. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | True understanding originates from the Lord. |
| Prov 4:7 | Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. | Prioritize gaining wisdom and understanding. |
| Prov 15:28 | The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer... | A righteous person carefully considers speech and motives. |
| Prov 1:5 | Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance... | Wisdom enables learning and guidance from others. |
| Prov 12:16 | The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. | A wise person shows discernment in response to conflict. |
| Prov 16:23 | The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. | Wisdom guides communication effectively. |
| John 4:10 | Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying... give me a drink," you would have asked him... and he would have given you living water. | A deeper, spiritual meaning of "deep water" and provision. |
| Jam 1:19 | Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... | Patient listening is key to understanding others. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up... | Speaking well and building others requires understanding. |
| 2 Tim 2:7 | Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. | Rely on divine understanding for deep truth. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Gracious speech helps draw out communication. |
| Prov 20:24 | A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his own way? | Man often doesn't fully understand his own paths; discernment helps. |
| Eccl 7:24 | Whatever has come to be is far off and deep; who can find it out? | The profound nature of life's mysteries, often requiring divine wisdom. |
Proverbs 20 verses
Proverbs 20 5 Meaning
Proverbs 20:5 states that the true intentions, thoughts, or plans residing deep within a person's heart are like water in a deep well – hidden and difficult to access. However, a person who possesses deep insight, wisdom, and discernment can, through skill and understanding, bring forth these hidden counsels or extract the truth. It highlights the value of discernment in understanding others and their true motives.
Proverbs 20 5 Context
Proverbs 20 is part of the collection of Solomonic proverbs, offering practical wisdom for daily living, governance, and moral conduct. This particular verse fits into a broader theme of discernment, the nature of man, and the importance of wisdom in dealing with others. It appears among verses that warn against deceit, emphasize God's role in human affairs, and highlight various aspects of character, both positive and negative. The historical and cultural context values insight for leadership, judicial decision-making, and navigating complex social interactions, where outward appearances or initial statements might not reveal true intentions.
Proverbs 20 5 Word analysis
- Counsel (עֵצָה - ‘eṣah): This Hebrew term signifies advice, purpose, plan, or hidden intention. It denotes thoughts or strategies that a person holds inwardly, which may not be readily apparent. It's about what is truly held in the mind and heart.
- Heart (לֵב - lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions but also the center of intellect, will, reason, and one's deepest character and motivations. It represents the inner person, the core of one's being where plans and purposes are formed.
- Deep water (מַיִם עֲמֻקִּים - mayim ‘amuqqiym): A powerful metaphor. Water in a deep well is not easily accessible; it requires effort, equipment, and skill to draw it out. Similarly, the deepest thoughts, intentions, or truths within a person are hidden and challenging to bring to the surface. The "deep" implies profundity, but also difficulty of access.
- Man of understanding (אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה - ‘iysh tebunah): This phrase describes someone possessing tebunah, which is insight, discernment, and practical wisdom derived from deep thought and often from divine revelation. This person is not just knowledgeable, but also perceptive, capable of comprehending subtle cues and underlying truths. They possess an ability to see beyond the surface.
- Will draw it out (יְדַלֶּנָּה - yidallena): This verb means "to draw water from a well" or "to bring forth." It suggests a deliberate, skillful, and patient effort, much like drawing water. It implies that the person of understanding does not force, but rather patiently and sagaciously elicits the hidden counsel.
Words-group analysis
- Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water: This establishes the problem – the opacity of human intention. It emphasizes that while counsel exists, it's not transparent; it's submerged. This highlights the inherent difficulty in truly knowing another's deepest thoughts and motives without specific discernment.
- But a man of understanding will draw it out: This presents the solution and elevates the value of true understanding. It underscores that this ability is not common but characteristic of someone truly wise, implying a divine gift or a wisdom cultivated through experience and God's leading. The "drawing out" implies both patient effort and skill.
Proverbs 20 5 Bonus section
The "deep water" metaphor in the Bible often connotes something profound, powerful, or even dangerous (e.g., God's unsearchable judgments or overwhelming trials). In this verse, while it suggests difficulty, it can also imply that the "counsel" held deep within can be valuable, like pure water from a deep well, if only it can be properly accessed. The ability to "draw it out" signifies not just skill, but also a reliance on wisdom that often comes from a close walk with God, as the heart is ultimately known only to Him (Jer 17:9-10). It highlights that effective communication and relational depth require spiritual insight.
Proverbs 20 5 Commentary
Proverbs 20:5 vividly illustrates a fundamental challenge in human interaction: discerning the true thoughts and intentions of others. The "deep water" metaphor portrays that people's deepest plans, motives, or feelings are not easily discovered; they are concealed, whether deliberately or simply by their profound nature. This counsel could be anything from unstated wisdom, potential for good, to hidden resentment or manipulative schemes.
The proverb then offers hope through the "man of understanding," who possesses the unique capacity to uncover these hidden depths. This individual is not characterized by mere knowledge, but by an intuitive, insightful, and often spiritually gifted discernment (tebunah) that allows them to ask the right questions, observe subtle cues, and create an environment where the hidden truths can emerge. This process requires patience and skill, akin to lowering a bucket into a deep well to bring forth water.
Practically, this verse is invaluable for leadership, conflict resolution, counseling, and personal relationships. Leaders must discern the true motivations of their advisors or subjects. Those seeking reconciliation must be able to draw out unspoken grievances. Parents must wisely understand their children's hidden struggles. This understanding often comes through careful listening, prayerful discernment, and a gentle, humble approach rather than forceful interrogation. It points to a wisdom that goes beyond surface-level conversation, striving to grasp the very core of a matter.