Proverbs 20:25
WEB
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
BSB
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
KJV
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H4170
n-m — noose, hook
Derivation: or מֹקֵשׁ; from 3369;
a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
KJV: be ensnared, gin, (is) snare(-d), trap.
n.m — a bait
מוֹקֵשׁ n.m. prop. a bait or lure in a fowler's net; then fig. a snare
H120
n-m — ruddy, human being, mankind
Derivation: from 119;
ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
KJV: × another, hypocrite, common sort, × low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
n.m — Adam
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
1. a man = human being
2. coll. man, mankind
3. n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
4. n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
H3216
v — blurt
Derivation: a primitive root;
to blurt or utter inconsiderately
KJV: devour.
vb — talk wildly
[לוּע, or לָעַע] vb. talk wildly
H6944
n-m — sacred, sanctity
Derivation: from 6942;
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.
n.m — apartness
קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness
H310
adv a — the hind part, after
Derivation: from 309;
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
adv — the hinder
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
1. adv.
a. of place, behind
b. of time, afterwards
2. prep.
a. of place, behind, after
b. of time, after
3. conj. after that.
H5088
n-m — promise, thing promised
Derivation: or נֵדֶר; from 5087;
a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
KJV: vow(-ed).
n.m — vow
נֶ֫דֶר, נֵ֫דֶר n.m. vow
H1239
v — plough, break, inspect, admire, care for, consider
Derivation: a primitive root;
properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider
KJV: (make) inquire (-ry), (make) search, seek out.
vb — inquire
[בָּקַר] vb. inquire, seek—only Pi.
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Verse 25
Proverbs 20:25
Two things, by which God is greatly affronted, men are here said to be ensnared by, and entangled not only in guilt, but in trouble and ruin at length: - 1. Sacrilege, men's alienating holy things and converting them to their own use, which is here called devouring them. What is devoted in any way to the service and honour of God, for the support of religion and divine worship or the relief of the poor, ought to be conscientiously preserved to the purposes designed; and those that directly or indirectly embezzle it, or defeat the purpose for which it was given, will have a great deal to answer for. Will a man rob God in tithes and offerings? Mal 3:8. Those that hurry over religious offices (their praying and preaching) and huddle them up in haste, as being impatient to get done, may be said to devour that which is holy. 2. Covenant-breaking. It is a snare to a man, after he has made vows to God, to enquire how he may evade them or get dispensed with, and to contrive excuses for the violating of them. If the matter of them was doubtful, and the expressions were ambiguous, that was his fault; he should have made them with more caution and consideration, for it will involve his conscience (if it be tender) in great perplexities, if he be to enquire concerning them afterwards (Ecc 5:6); for, when we have opened our mouth to the Lord, it is too late to think of going back, Act 5:4.
Cross-references: Mal 3:8 · Eccl 5:6 · Acts 5:4