Proverbs 20:3
in Proverbs 20It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
KJV
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
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This verse in Proverbs 20
Commentary
3 notes on this verseThis site's exposition
It is honorable for a man to resolve
on Proverbs 20:3-5
"It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel," the wise response to conflict set against the fool. The intentions of a man's heart are "deep waters," and only "a man of understanding draws them out" with quiet, unhurried wisdom.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
It is an honoer for a man - The same sentiment as Pro 19:11.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כָּב֣וֹד | kavod | [is] honor | H3519 → | 200 times |
| לָ֭אִישׁ | laish | to <the> person | H376 → | 1663 times |
| שֶׁ֣בֶת | shevet | cessation | H7674 → | |
| מֵרִ֑יב | meriv | from strife | H7379 → | 61 times |
| וְכָל־ | vekhol | and every | H3605 → | 5413 times |
| אֱ֝וִ֗יל | ʾevil | fool | H191 → | 26 times |
| יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃ | yitgala' | he bursts out | H1566 → | 3 times |
כָּב֣וֹד[is] honor
kavodH3519 →200 times
לָ֭אִישׁto <the> person
laishH376 →1663 times
שֶׁ֣בֶתcessation
shevetH7674 →
מֵרִ֑יבfrom strife
merivH7379 →61 times
וְכָל־and every
vekholH3605 →5413 times
אֱ֝וִ֗ילfool
ʾevilH191 →26 times
יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃he bursts out
yitgala'H1566 →3 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 16:32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
it leads to
- James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
- James 1:19
Through
Proverbs 19:11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
it leads to
- Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Colossians 3:12–13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Proverbs 16:32
Through
Proverbs 14:29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
it leads to
- Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
- Ecclesiastes 7:9
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).