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Proverbs 22:20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written to you excellent things In counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Haven&#8217;t I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Haven&#8217t I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have written thirty sayings filled with sound advice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/22.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Didn't I write to you previously with advice and knowledge<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Haven&#8217;t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I not written to you three times "" With counsels and knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Did I not write to thee three days ago in counsels and knowledge?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge : <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Have I not written for you thirty sayings, containing counsels and knowledge, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I not written for you thirty sayings of admonition and knowledge,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, this is the third time that I have written them to you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And look, I have written these things to you three times<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/22-20.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=4522" 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/22.htm">Thirty Sayings of the Wise</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">19</span>So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today&#8212;yes, you. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: ha&#774;&#183;l&#333; (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Have I not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: &#7733;&#257;&#183;&#7791;a&#7687;&#183;t&#238; (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">written</a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257; (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">for you</a> <a href="/hebrew/8032.htm" title="8032: &#353;il&#183;&#353;&#333;m (N-mp) -- Three days ago, day before, yesterday. Or shilshom; from the same as Shelesh; trebly, i.e. day before yesterday.">thirty sayings</a> <a href="/hebrew/4156.htm" title="4156: b&#601;&#183;m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;&#7779;&#333;&#7791; (Prep-b:: N-fp) -- Counsel, plan, principle, device. From ya'ats; a purpose.">about counsel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: w&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#7791; (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">and knowledge,</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/proverbs/1-1.htm">Proverbs 1:1-6</a></span><br />These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, / for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, / and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Proverbs 3:1-4</a></span><br />My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. / Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1-2</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father&#8217;s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. / For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Proverbs 8:6-10</a></span><br />Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. / For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. / All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-9.htm">Proverbs 9:9-10</a></span><br />Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. / The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Proverbs 15:28</a></span><br />The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-20.htm">Proverbs 19:20-21</a></span><br />Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. / Many plans are in a man&#8217;s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:9-10</a></span><br />Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. / The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Isaiah 28:9-10</a></span><br />Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast? / For they hear: &#8220;Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: &#8220;Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth&#8212;for I delight in these things,&#8221; declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a></span><br />Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-52.htm">Matthew 13:52</a></span><br />Then He told them, &#8220;For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-47.htm">Luke 6:47-49</a></span><br />I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. / But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell&#8212;and great was its destruction!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16-17</a></span><br />&#8220;My teaching is not My own,&#8221; Jesus replied. &#8220;It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a></span><br />Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Proverbs 8:6</a></b></br> Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips <i>shall be</i> right things.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-6.htm">Psalm 12:6</a></b></br> The words of the LORD <i>are</i> pure words: <i>as</i> silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Hosea 8:12</a></b></br> I have written to him the great things of my law, <i>but</i> they were counted as a strange thing.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/15-32.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Counsels</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Suggestions</a> <a href="/esther/4-11.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/job/42-13.htm">Three</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Times</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/psalms/102-18.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/psalms/149-9.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-1.htm">Counsels</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Suggestions</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-10.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Three</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-28.htm">Times</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">A good name is more desirable than great wealth</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>Have I not written for you</b><br>This phrase suggests a personal and intentional communication from the author, traditionally understood to be Solomon. It implies a direct relationship between the writer and the reader, emphasizing the importance of the teachings. In the context of ancient Israel, written communication was a significant means of preserving wisdom and instruction, often used by leaders and teachers to guide their people.<p><b>thirty sayings</b><br>The reference to "thirty sayings" may allude to a structured collection of wisdom, similar to other ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, such as the Egyptian "Instruction of Amenemope," which also contains thirty chapters. This connection highlights the shared cultural practice of compiling wisdom teachings in a systematic way. The number thirty could symbolize completeness or a comprehensive set of teachings.<p><b>about counsel and knowledge</b><br>Counsel and knowledge are central themes in wisdom literature, emphasizing the importance of guidance and understanding in living a righteous life. In the biblical context, counsel often refers to advice that aligns with God's will, while knowledge implies a deeper understanding of God's laws and principles. These concepts are echoed throughout Proverbs and other wisdom books, such as Ecclesiastes and Job, underscoring their significance in the pursuit of a godly life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He is believed to have compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and guidance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_audience.htm">The Audience</a></b><br>The intended recipients of these proverbs are the people of Israel, particularly the young and those seeking wisdom and understanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The Book of Proverbs is set in ancient Israel, a society that valued wisdom literature as a means of teaching moral and ethical behavior.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br><a href="/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20</a> emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and knowledge. As believers, we are called to pursue godly wisdom through Scripture and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_guidance.htm">The Role of Scripture in Guidance</a></b><br>The thirty sayings represent a structured approach to imparting wisdom. Similarly, we should approach the Bible as a comprehensive guide for living a life that honors God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_teaching_and_learning.htm">The Importance of Teaching and Learning</a></b><br>Just as Solomon wrote these sayings for instruction, we should be committed to teaching and learning from God's Word, passing on wisdom to future generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/application_of_knowledge.htm">Application of Knowledge</a></b><br>Knowledge without application is incomplete. We must strive to apply the counsel and knowledge from Scripture in our daily lives, making decisions that reflect our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_continuity_of_god's_wisdom.htm">The Continuity of God's Wisdom</a></b><br>The wisdom found in Proverbs is timeless and continues to be relevant. We should seek to understand how these ancient truths apply to our modern context.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_show_your_knowledge_well.htm">What does the Bible say about work-life balance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_align_resolutions_with_christian_values.htm">How can I align my resolutions with Christian values?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_actual_grace.htm">How can a young man purify his path?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_8's_wisdom_align_with_john_1.htm">Throughout Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified. Does this depiction align or conflict with other biblical references to God's attributes (e.g., John 1:1-3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge?</span> There is a difficulty about the word tendered "excellent things." The Khetib has <span class="hebrew">&#x5e9;&#x5c1;&#x5dc;&#x5e9;&#x5c1;&#x5d5;&#x5dd;</span>, "the day before yesterday, formerly;" but the word occurs nowhere alone, and, as Nowack says, can hardly have been the original reading. However, Ewald, Bertheau, and others, adopting it, suppose that the author refers to some earlier work. Cheyne cites Bickell's rendering, "Now, years before now, have I written unto thee long before with counsels and knowledge," and considers the words to mean either that the compiler took a long time over his work, or that this was not the first occasion of his writing. One does not see why stress should be here laid on former instruction, unless, perhaps, as Plumptre suggests, in contrast to "this day" of the previous verse. The LXX. renders the word <span class="greek">&#x3c4;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3c3;&#x1ff6;&#x3c2;</span> thus, "And do thou record them for thyself triply for counsel and knowledge upon the table of thine heart." St. Jerome has, <span class="accented">Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientiis.</span> Other versions have also given a numerical explanation to the term. In it is seen an allusion to the three supposed works of Solomon - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles - which is absurd; others refer it to the threefold division of the Testament - Law, Prophets, and Hagiographa; others, to three classes of youths for whom the admonitious were intended; others, again, think it equivalent to "oftentimes," or "in many forms." But the reading is as doubtful as the explanations of it are unsatisfactory. The genuine word is doubtless preserved in the Keri, which gives <span class="hebrew">&#x5e9;&#x5c1;&#x5b8;&#x5dc;&#x5b4;&#x5e9;&#x5c1;&#x5b4;&#x5d9;&#x5dd;</span> (<span class="accented">shalishim</span>), properly a military term, applied to chariot fighters and men of rank in the army. The LXX. translates the word by <span class="greek">&#x3c4;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3c4;&#x1f70;&#x3c4;&#x3b7;&#x3c2;</span> <span class="accented">e.g.</span> <a href="/exodus/14-7.htm">Exodus 14:7</a>; <a href="/exodus/15-4.htm">Exodus 15:4</a>), which is equivalent to "chieftain." Hence the Hebrew term, understood in the neuter gender, is transferred to the chief among proverbs - "choice proverbs," as Delitzsch calls them. The Venetian, by a happy turn, gives <span class="greek">&#x3c4;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3bc;&#x1f73;&#x3b3;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3c4;&#x3b1;</span>. Thus we come back to the rendering of the Authorized Version as meet correct and intelligible. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/22-20.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">Have I not</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1458;&#1500;&#1465;&#1444;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#774;&#183;l&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">written</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1464;&#1514;&#1463;&#1443;&#1489;&#1456;&#1514;&#1468;&#1460;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7733;&#257;&#183;&#7791;a&#7687;&#183;t&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for you</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1453;&#1498;&#1464;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">thirty sayings</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1464;&#1500;&#1460;&#1497;&#1513;&#1473;&#1460;&#1425;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;&#257;&#183;l&#238;&#183;&#353;&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8032.htm">Strong's 8032: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three days ago, day before, yesterday</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about counsel</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1502;&#1430;&#1493;&#1465;&#1506;&#1461;&#1510;&#1465;&#1443;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;&#7779;&#333;&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4156.htm">Strong's 4156: </a> </span><span class="str2">Counsel, plan, principle, device</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and knowledge,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1464;&#1491;&#1464;&#1469;&#1506;&#1463;&#1514;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Knowledge</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/22-20.htm">Proverbs 22:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/22-20.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/22-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 22:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:21" /></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>

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