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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 20:30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/20_Pro_20_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 20:30 - Wine is a Mocker" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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such discipline purifies the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so <i>do</i> stripes the inward parts of the belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As <i>do</i> stripes the inner depths of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Bruising wounds clean away evil, And blows <i>cleanse</i> the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes <i>reach</i> the innermost parts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes <i>reach</i> the innermost parts of the body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Blows that wound cleanse away evil, And strokes reach to the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes reach the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A severe beating can knock all of the evil out of you! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes reach the innermost parts of the belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Brutal beatings cleanse away wickedness. Such beatings cleanse the innermost being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Blows that wound clean away evil; such beatings cleanse the innermost being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Blows that wound cleanse away evil, "" Also the scourges of the inner parts of the heart!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The bandages of a wound thou removest with the evil, Also the plagues of the inner parts of the heart!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The joining of a wound will cleanse against evil: and blows the chambers of the belly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more in- ward parts of the belly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Blows that wound cleanse away evil; beatings make clean the innermost parts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Misery and torment befall the evil men; and wounds smite the inner parts of their body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Misery and torment fall upon the evil, and affliction into the inner rooms of the belly. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; So do stripes that reach the inward parts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues <i>shall come</i> in the inward parts of <i>their</i> belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/20-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4141" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Wine is a Mocker</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2250.htm" title="2250: ḥab·bu·rō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A stripe, blow. Or chabburah; or chaburah; from chabar; properly, bound, i.e. A weal.">Lashes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6482.htm" title="6482: pe·ṣa‘ (N-ms) -- A bruise, wound. From patsa'; a wound.">and wounds</a> <a href="/hebrew/4838.htm" title="4838: tam·rīq (N-ms) -- To scour, polish. A primitive root; to polish; by implication, to sharpen; also to rinse.">scour</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: bə·rā‘ (Prep-b:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4347.htm" title="4347: ū·mak·kō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fpc) -- A blow, wound, slaughter. Or makkeh; from nakah; a blow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence.">and beatings</a> <a href="/hebrew/2315.htm" title="2315: ḥaḏ·rê- (N-mpc) -- A chamber, room. From chadar; an apartment.">cleanse the inmost parts.</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: ḇā·ṭen (N-fs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything."></a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Hebrews 12:11</a></span><br />No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/5-17.htm">Job 5:17-18</a></span><br />Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. / For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">2 Corinthians 4:16-17</a></span><br />Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a></span><br />But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-67.htm">Psalm 119:67</a></span><br />Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">1 Peter 4:1</a></span><br />Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-12.htm">Psalm 94:12</a></span><br />Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-32.htm">1 Corinthians 11:32</a></span><br />But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-5.htm">Deuteronomy 8:5</a></span><br />So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-19.htm">Revelation 3:19</a></span><br />Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-71.htm">Psalm 119:71</a></span><br />It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a></span><br />Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-33.htm">Lamentations 3:33-34</a></span><br />For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men. / To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-14.htm">2 Samuel 7:14</a></span><br />I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-4</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The blueness of a wound cleans away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Proverbs 19:25</a></b></br> Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, <i>and</i> he will understand knowledge.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-15.htm">Proverbs 22:15</a></b></br> Foolishness <i>is</i> bound in the heart of a child; <i>but</i> the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a></b></br> By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this <i>is</i> all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-44.htm">Bandages</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-29.htm">Beatings</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/job/37-21.htm">Cleanseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Deepest</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Inmost</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Innermost</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Inward</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/job/16-3.htm">Plagues</a> <a href="/psalms/79-9.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-19.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-3.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Scour</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-29.htm">Stripes</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Strokes</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Wound</a> <a href="/psalms/144-10.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/11-44.htm">Bandages</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-5.htm">Beatings</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-14.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">Cleanseth</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Deepest</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-16.htm">Inmost</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Innermost</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-11.htm">Inward</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-4.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-8.htm">Plagues</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Scour</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-3.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Stripes</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-6.htm">Strokes</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Wound</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proper Living</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Lashes and wounds scour evil</b><br>This phrase suggests the use of physical discipline as a means to correct and purify moral behavior. In the ancient Near Eastern context, corporal punishment was a common method for maintaining order and justice. The idea of using physical pain to drive out evil is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as <a href="/proverbs/13-24.htm">Proverbs 13:24</a>, which states, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." The concept here is not merely punitive but corrective, aiming to remove moral impurities. Theologically, this can be seen as a metaphor for God's discipline, as described in <a href="/hebrews/12-6.htm">Hebrews 12:6</a>, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."<p><b>and beatings cleanse the inmost parts</b><br>This part of the verse emphasizes the transformative power of discipline, suggesting that it reaches deep into a person's character and soul. The "inmost parts" refer to the heart and mind, the seat of moral and spiritual life in biblical anthropology. This aligns with the biblical theme of inner purification, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The cleansing aspect can also be connected to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where physical acts of sacrifice were meant to symbolize and effect spiritual purification. In a typological sense, this can be seen as pointing to the ultimate cleansing through Jesus Christ, whose suffering and sacrifice purify believers from sin, as described in 1 <a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a>, "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/discipline.htm">Discipline</a></b><br>The concept of discipline, both physical and moral, is central to this verse. It reflects the ancient practice of using physical punishment as a means to correct behavior and instill wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_discipline.htm">The Purpose of Discipline</a></b><br>Discipline is not merely punitive but serves a corrective and purifying purpose. It is intended to remove evil and foster righteousness within us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering_in_growth.htm">The Role of Suffering in Growth</a></b><br>Just as physical wounds can lead to healing, spiritual and moral challenges can lead to personal growth and deeper faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_loving_correction.htm">God's Loving Correction</a></b><br>God's discipline is an expression of His love and desire for us to grow in holiness. We should embrace it as a necessary part of our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination_and_repentance.htm">Self-Examination and Repentance</a></b><br>Reflect on areas in your life where you may need correction. Seek God's guidance and be open to His discipline as a means of transformation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engage with a community of believers who can provide support and accountability, helping each other grow through constructive discipline.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_jailing.htm">What does the Bible say about incarceration?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_rehab_views_conflict_with_proverbs_20_30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 states punishment cleanses away evil--do contemporary views on rehabilitation versus punishment conflict with this concept?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_expect_change_from_violent_tenants.htm">Luke 20:9-16: How can a just God expect a different outcome after repeatedly sending messengers and then His Son to violent tenants?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_anyone_fully_embody_proverbs_31.htm">How can one person realistically fulfill all the ideal qualities described in Proverbs 31:10-31 without ever falling short?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">The blueness of a wound.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">the stripes of a wound, </span>or wounds which cut into the flesh, cleanse away evil.<p><span class= "bld">So do stripes the inward parts of the belly.--</span>Better, <span class= "ital">and blows </span>(which reach) <span class= "ital">the inward parts of the belly, i.e., </span>which are felt in the inmost recesses of the heart (comp. <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm" title="The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.">Proverbs 20:27</a>). Kindness is thrown away upon some people: they can only be touched by punishment.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil.</span> So the Vulgate, <span class="accented">Livor vulneris absterget mala. Chaburoth</span> means "stripes," and the proverb says that deep-cutting stripes are the only effectual cure of evil; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> severe punishment is the best healing process in cases of moral delinquency (<a href="/proverbs/19-29.htm">Proverbs 19:29</a>). Painful remedies, incisions, cauteries, amputations, are often necessary in the successful treatment of bodily ailments; spiritual sickness needs sterner, more piercing, remedies. <span class="cmt_word">So do stripes the inward parts of the belly;</span> or better, <span class="accented">and strokes that reach</span>, etc. The stings of conscience, warnings and reproofs which penetrate to the inmost recesses of the heart, chastisement which affects the whole spiritual being. - these are needful to the correction and purification of inveterate evil. Aben Ezra connects this verse with the preceding thus: as strength gives a glory to young men, and hoar hairs adorn an old man, so wounds and bruises, so to speak, ornament the sinner, mark him out, and at the same time heal and amend him. It may also be connected with ver. 27. If a man will not use the lamp which God has given him for illumination and correction, he must expect severe chastisement and sternest discipline. Septuagint, "Bruises (<span class="greek">ὑπώπια</span>) and contusions befall bad men, and plagues that reach to the chambers of the belly." St. Gregory, 'Moral.,' 23:40, "By the blueness of a wound he implies the discipline of blows on the body. But blows in the secret parts of the belly are the wounds of the mind within, which are inflicted by compunction. For as the belly is distended when filled with food, so is the mind puffed up when swollen with wicked thoughts. The blueness, then, of a wound, and blows in the secret parts of the belly, cleanse away evil, because both outward discipline does away with faults, and compunction pierces the distended mind with the punishment of penance. But they differ from each other in this respect, that the wounds of blows give us pain, the sorrows of compunction have good savour. The one afflict and torture, the others restore when they afflict us. Through the one there is sorrow in affliction, through the other there is joy in grief" (Oxford transl.). <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/20-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Lashes</span><br /><span class="heb">חַבֻּר֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥab·bu·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stripe, blow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wounds</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֭צַע</span> <span class="translit">(pe·ṣa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6482.htm">Strong's 6482: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bruise, wound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scour</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּמְר֣וּק</span> <span class="translit">(tam·rūq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4838.htm">Strong's 4838: </a> </span><span class="str2">To polish, to sharpen, to rinse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and beatings</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מַכּ֗וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mak·kō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wound, carnage, pestilence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cleanse the inmost parts.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַדְרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaḏ·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2315.htm">Strong's 2315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chamber, room</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/20-30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil and beatings (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/20-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 20:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>