Proverbs 20:5
WEB
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
BSB
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
KJV
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H4325
n-m — water, juice, urine, semen
Derivation: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
KJV: piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
n.m — waters
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
H6013
a — deep
Derivation: from 6009;
deep (literally or figuratively)
KJV: (× exceeding) deep (thing).
adj — deep
עָמֹק 17 adj. deep
1. lit.
2. = unsearchable
H6098
n-f — advice, plan, prudence
Derivation: from 3289;
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
KJV: advice, advisement, counsel([-lor]), purpose.
n.f — counsel
עֵצָה n.f. counsel, advice
H3820
n-m — heart, feelings, will, intellect, centre
Derivation: a form of 3824;
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
KJV: care for, comfortably, consent, × considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), × heed, × I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), × regard(-ed), × themselves, × unawares, understanding, × well, willingly, wisdom.
n.m — inner man
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
I. seldom of things in the midst of the sea
II. elsewhere of men
1. the inner man in contrast with the outer
2. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
3. specific reference to mind
4. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
5. spec. ref. to conscience
6. [various]
7. for the man himself
8. as seat of appetites
9. as seat of emotions and passions
10. seat of courage
H376
n-m — man
Derivation: contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant);
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), none, one, people, person, steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare 802.
n.m — man
אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)
H8394
n-m — intelligence, argument, caprice
Derivation: and (feminine) תְּבוּנָה; or תּוֹבֻנָה; from 995;
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
KJV: discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
n.f — understanding
תְּבוּנָה n.f. understanding
1. the act
2. the faculty
3. the object of knowledge
4. personified as teacher.
H1802
v — dangle, let down a bucket, deliver
Derivation: a primitive root (compare 1809);
properly, to dangle, i.e. to let down a bucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver
KJV: draw (out), × enough, lift up.
vb — draw
דָּלָה vb. draw (water)
Qal draw
Pi. thou hast drawn me up
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Verse 5
Proverbs 20:5
A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them, 1. To get the knowledge of them. Though men's counsels and designs are ever so carefully concealed by them, so that they are as deep water which one cannot fathom, yet there are those who by sly insinuations, and questions that seem foreign, will get out of them both what they have done and what they intend to do. Those therefore who would keep counsel must not only put on resolution, but stand upon their guard. 2. To get knowledge by them. Some are very able and fit to give counsel, having an excellent faculty of cleaving a hair, hitting the joint of a difficulty, and advising pertinently, but they are modest, and reserved, and not communicative; they have a great deal in them, but it is loth to come out. In such a case a man of understanding will draw it out, as wine out of a vessel. We lose the benefit we might have by the conversation of wise men for want of the art of being inquisitive.