Proverbs 20:5
New International Version
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

New Living Translation
Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

English Standard Version
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Berean Standard Bible
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

King James Bible
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

New King James Version
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

New American Standard Bible
A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water, But a person of understanding draws it out.

NASB 1995
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

NASB 1977
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

Legacy Standard Bible
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of discernment draws it out.

Amplified Bible
A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well, But a man of understanding draws it out.

Christian Standard Bible
Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water; but a person of understanding draws it out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.

American Standard Version
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Contemporary English Version
Someone's thoughts may be as deep as the ocean, but if you are smart, you will discover them.

English Revised Version
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A motive in the human heart is like deep water, and a person who has understanding draws it out.

Good News Translation
A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.

International Standard Version
The intentions of a person's heart are deep waters, but a discerning person reveals them.

Majority Standard Bible
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

NET Bible
Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.

New Heart English Bible
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Webster's Bible Translation
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

World English Bible
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Counsel in the heart of a man [is] deep water, "" And a man of understanding draws it up.

Young's Literal Translation
Counsel in the heart of a man is deep water, And a man of understanding draweth it up.

Smith's Literal Translation
Deep waters are counsel in the heart of man; and a man of understanding will draw it out.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.

New American Bible
The intention of the human heart is deep water, but the intelligent draw it forth.

New Revised Standard Version
The purposes in the human mind are like deep water, but the intelligent will draw them out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The counsel in a king's heart is deep; but a wise man will draw it out.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The word in the heart of the King is deep, and a wise man will draw it out.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. 5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. 6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

1 Corinthians 2:11
For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? / I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Matthew 12:34-35
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Kings 3:9-12
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

John 2:24-25
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

Ecclesiastes 7:25
I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Psalm 64:6
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

1 Corinthians 2:11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

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Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














The intentions of a man’s heart
The phrase "intentions of a man’s heart" refers to the inner thoughts, motives, and desires that reside within an individual. In Hebrew, the word for "heart" is "leb," which often signifies the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. The heart is seen as the seat of moral and spiritual life. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the belief that God knows the depths of our hearts, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. The intentions are not always visible or easily understood, reflecting the complexity and depth of human nature.

are deep waters
"Deep waters" symbolize something profound, mysterious, and not easily accessible. In ancient times, deep waters were often associated with chaos and the unknown, as seen in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters. This imagery suggests that the true motives and thoughts within a person are not immediately apparent and require discernment to understand. The depth implies that there is more beneath the surface, encouraging believers to seek wisdom and insight to comprehend the true nature of one's heart.

but a man of understanding
The phrase "a man of understanding" refers to someone who possesses discernment and wisdom. In Hebrew, "understanding" is "biynah," which involves insight and the ability to perceive the true nature of things. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on wisdom as a divine gift, as seen in Proverbs 2:6, where the Lord gives wisdom. A man of understanding is someone who seeks God's guidance and applies His principles to discern the intentions of the heart, reflecting a life led by the Holy Spirit.

draws them out
"Draws them out" suggests the act of bringing hidden things to light. The Hebrew root "dalah" means to draw or lift, often used in the context of drawing water from a well. This imagery conveys the effort and skill required to uncover the deep intentions of the heart. In a conservative Christian view, this process is akin to seeking God's wisdom through prayer and study of Scripture, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal and refine the true motives within. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity and the pursuit of godly wisdom to navigate the complexities of human nature.

(5) Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water.--The wise thoughts of a "man," fitly so-called (comp. Proverbs 18:4), may be hid deep in his breast, like the waters of a well, but a man of understanding knows how to draw them out as by a windlass and bucket (Exodus 2:16).

Verse 5. - Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water. The thoughts and purposes of a man are hidden in his breast like deep water (Proverbs 18:4) in the bosom of the earth, hard to fathom, hard to get. But a man of understanding will draw it out. One who is intelligent and understands human nature penetrates the secret, and, by judicious questions and remarks, draws out (ἐξαντλήσει, Septuagint) the hidden thought.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The intentions
עֵצָ֣ה (‘ê·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of a man’s
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

heart
בְלֶב־ (ḇə·leḇ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

are deep
עֲ֭מֻקִּים (‘ă·muq·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6013: Deep

waters,
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

but a man
וְאִ֖ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of understanding
תְּבוּנָ֣ה (tə·ḇū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8394: Intelligence, an argument, caprice

draws them out.
יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃ (yiḏ·len·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1802: To dangle, to let down a, bucket, to deliver


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man (Prov. Pro Pr)
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