CINXE.COM

<!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 20:24 A man's steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/20_Pro_20_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 20:24 - Wine is a Mocker" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A man's steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?" /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/20-24.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/20-24.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 24</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm" title="Proverbs 20:23">◄</a> Proverbs 20:24 <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm" title="Proverbs 20:25">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A person&#8217s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Man's goings <i>are</i> of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A man’s steps <i>are</i> of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man’s steps are <i>ordained</i> by the LORD; How then can a person understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Man&#8217s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Man’s steps are <i>ordained</i> by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The steps of a man are from Yahweh, How then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Man’s steps are ordered <i>and</i> ordained by the LORD. How then can a man [fully] understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man&#8217s steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How can we know what will happen to us when the LORD alone decides? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD is the one who directs a person's steps. How then can anyone understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD has determined our path; how then can anyone understand the direction his own life is taking? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A man's steps are directed by the LORD; how then can anyone understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The steps of a person are ordained by the LORD--so how can anyone understand his own way? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The steps of a man [are] from YHWH, "" And man—how does he understand his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> From Jehovah are the steps of a man, And man -- how understandeth he his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />From Jehovah man's steps; and how shall man understand his way?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Our steps are from the LORD; how, then, can mortals understand their way? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All our steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can we understand our own ways?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A man's steps are directed by the LORD; who is the man, then, who can direct his own way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The steps of a man are before LORD JEHOVAH, and who is the man that will order his way?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A man's goings are of the LORD; How then can man look to his way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A man's goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/20-24.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=4097" 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">23</span>Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: ḡā·ḇer (N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">A man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4703.htm" title="4703: miṣ·‘ă·ḏê- (N-mpc) -- A step. From tsa'ad; a step; figuratively, companionship.">steps</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: mē·h·wå̄h (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">are from the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">so how</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: wə·’ā·ḏām (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">can anyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: yā·ḇîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understand</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·kōw (N-csc:: 3ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">his own way?</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.…<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="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a></span><br />I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Psalm 37:23</a></span><br />The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-15</a></span><br />Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a></span><br />A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-16.htm">Psalm 139:16</a></span><br />Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a></span><br />In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13-14</a></span><br />But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. / For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-24.htm">Isaiah 14:24</a></span><br />The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-10.htm">Psalm 33:10-11</a></span><br />The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:11</a></span><br />He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-36</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">1 Corinthians 2:9-10</a></span><br />Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?</p><p class="hdg">man's</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Psalm 37:23</a></b></br> The steps of a <i>good</i> man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a></b></br> O LORD, I know that the way of man <i>is</i> not in himself: <i>it is</i> not in man that walketh to direct his steps.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/5-23.htm">Daniel 5:23</a></b></br> But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath <i>is</i>, and whose <i>are</i> all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:</p><p class="hdg">how</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-8.htm">Proverbs 14:8</a></b></br> The wisdom of the prudent <i>is</i> to understand his way: but the folly of fools <i>is</i> deceit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a></b></br> A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-4.htm">Psalm 25:4,12</a></b></br> Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/4-11.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-21.htm">Goings</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Ordered</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Goings</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-33.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-11.htm">Ordered</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Way</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>A man’s steps are from the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty of God in the life of individuals. Throughout the Bible, the concept of divine providence is prevalent, suggesting that God orchestrates the events of the world and the lives of people. In the context of ancient Israel, this understanding would have been comforting, as it assured the Israelites that their lives were under divine guidance. This aligns with passages like <a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a>, which acknowledges that a person's path is not solely determined by their own decisions. Theologically, this reflects the belief that God has a plan for each person, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10</a>, where believers are described as created for good works prepared by God.<p><b>so how can anyone understand his own way?</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights human limitations in comprehending the full scope of God's plan. It suggests humility and reliance on divine wisdom rather than human understanding. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, wisdom literature often explored themes of human limitation and the need for divine insight. This is echoed in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding. The phrase also resonates with the story of Joseph in Genesis, where his life's path, though fraught with challenges, ultimately fulfilled God's purpose. This underscores the idea that while humans may not always understand their journey, it is part of a larger divine narrative.<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 writings often explore themes of divine guidance and human understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His sovereignty and involvement in the lives of His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/man.htm">Man</a></b><br>Represents humanity in general, highlighting the limitations of human understanding compared to divine wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty.htm">Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of our lives. Our steps are directed by Him, and we must trust His plan even when we do not understand it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitation.htm">Human Limitation</a></b><br>Acknowledge our limited understanding. We often cannot comprehend the full scope of God's plan, which calls for humility and reliance on His wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Encourage believers to trust in God's guidance. Even when the path seems unclear, faith in God's sovereignty provides peace and assurance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seek_god's_guidance.htm">Seek God's Guidance</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of prayer and seeking God's direction in decision-making. Regularly ask for His wisdom and discernment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/live_by_faith.htm">Live by Faith</a></b><br>Encourage living by faith, not by sight. Trusting in God's unseen hand requires faith that He is working all things for our good.<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/why_is_kidron_valley_important.htm">What defines punitive justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'if_the_lord_wills'_mean.htm">Who guides our steps despite our own plans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_medicine_fit_with_god's_lifespan.htm">Psalm 39:4 - If God determines our lifespan, how can we reconcile that with modern medicine's ability to extend life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_8_11-13_conflict_with_god's_mercy.htm">Job 8:11-13 compares the fate of sinners to papyrus plants withering; does this metaphor conflict with other biblical teachings about God's mercy?</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>(24) <span class= "bld">Man's goings are of the Lord.--</span>Comp. <a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm" title="O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.">Jeremiah 10:23</a> and the collect, "O God, from whom . . . all just works do proceed."<p><span class= "bld">How can a man then understand his own way?--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, how he should go. So much the more reason for the prayer of <a href="/psalms/25-3.htm" title="Yes, let none that wait on you be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.">Psalm 25:3</a>, "Shew me thy ways, O Lord." (Comp. <a href="/psalms/119-33.htm" title="Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I shall keep it to the end.">Psalm 119:33</a>, <span class= "ital">ff, </span><a href="/psalms/143-8.htm" title="Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning; for in you do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you.">Psalm 143:8</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Man's goings are of the Lord.</span> In the first clause the word for "man" is <span class="accented">geber</span>, which implies "a mighty man;" in the second clause the word is <span class="accented">adam</span>, "a human creature." So the Septuagint has <span class="greek">ἀνὴρ</span> in one clause and <span class="greek">θνητὸς</span> in the other. The proverb says that the steps of a great and powerful man depend, as their final cause, upon the Lord; he conditions and controls results. Man has free will, and is responsible for his actions, but God foreknows them, and holds the thread that connects them together; he gives preventing grace; he gives efficient grace: and man blindly works out the designs of Omnipotence according as he obeys or resists. A similar maxim is found in <a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Psalm 37:23</a>, "A man's goings are established of the Lord," but the meaning there is that it is God's aid which enables a man to do certain actions. Here we have very much the same intimation that is found in <a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a> and Proverbs 19:21; and see note on Proverbs 16:9. Hence arises the old prayer used formerly at prime, and inserted now (with some omissions) at the end of the Anglican Communion Service: "O almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, our thoughts, words, and actions, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection we may be preserved both here and forever." If man cannot see all sides, as God does, cannot comprehend the beginning, middle, and end in one view, how then can a man (a weak mortal) understand his own ways. How can he find out of himself whither he should go, or what will be the issue of his doings (comp. <a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm">Proverbs 16:25</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a>)? St. Gregory, "It is well said by Solomon [<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:1</a>], 'There are righteous and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God; and yet no man knoweth whether he is deserving of love or of hatred; but all things are kept uncertain for the time to come.' Hence it is said again by the same Solomon, 'What man will be able to understand his own way?' And any one doing good or evil is doubtless known by the testimony of his own conscience. But it is said that their own way is not known to men, for this reason, because, even if a man understands that he is acting rightly, yet he knows not, under the strict inquiry, whither he is going" ('Moral.,' 29:34). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/20-24.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">A man’s</span><br /><span class="heb">גָ֑בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḡā·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">steps</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְעֲדֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·‘ă·ḏê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4703.htm">Strong's 4703: </a> </span><span class="str2">A step, companionship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] from the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵיהוָ֥ה‪‬‪‬‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so how</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can anyone</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אָדָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָּבִ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his own way?</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(dar·kōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/20-24.htm">Proverbs 20:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/20-24.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are from Yahweh (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 20:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 20:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:25" /></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>