Proverbs 24:5
in Proverbs 24A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might.
KJV
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
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This verse in Proverbs 24
Commentary
6 notes on this verseA wise man is strong - His wisdom enables him to construct a great variety of machines, by which, under his own influence, he can do the labor of a hundred or even a thousand men. But in all cases wisdom gives power and influence; and he who is wise to salvation can overcome even Satan himself. The Septuagint has: “The wise is better than the strong; and the man who has prudence, than a stout husbandman.”
This site's exposition
A wise man is strong
on Proverbs 24:5-6
"A wise man is strong" sets knowledge beside physical power and ranks it equal or higher. The next line applies the claim to warfare: "Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors." A plan improves under more than one mind.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
A wise man is strong, etc. Not everyone who is strong and wise, but everyone who is wise is to be called strong, because even if he is weak in body, if wisdom is present, he conquers all struggles of his adversary, that is, of …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
A wise man will compass that by his wisdom which a strong man cannot effect by force of arms. The spirit is strengthened both for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare by true wisdom. (4.) It will govern a house and a kingdom too, and the affairs of both,
A wise man is strong,.... He can do that sometimes by his wisdom, and which requires strength and courage too, which another cannot do by his strength; see Pro 21:22. This may be understood of one that is spiritually wise, wise unto salvation, wise for another world, is made to know true wisdom in the hidden part.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Is strong - literally, as in the margin; i. e., rooted and established in strength.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| גֶּֽבֶר־ | gever- | a man | H1397 → | 65 times |
| חָכָ֥ם | chakham | wise | H2450 → | 138 times |
| בַּע֑וֹז | baoz | [who is] in <the> strength | H5797 → | 92 times |
| וְאִֽישׁ־ | veish- | and a person of | H376 → | 1663 times |
| דַּ֝֗עַת | daat | knowledge | H1847 → | 92 times |
| מְאַמֶּץ־ | meametz- | [is] making firm | H553 → | 41 times |
| כֹּֽחַ׃ | koach | strength | H3581 → | 126 times |
גֶּֽבֶר־a man
gever-H1397 →65 times
חָכָ֥םwise
chakhamH2450 →138 times
בַּע֑וֹז[who is] in <the> strength
baozH5797 →92 times
וְאִֽישׁ־and a person of
veish-H376 →1663 times
דַּ֝֗עַתknowledge
daatH1847 →92 times
מְאַמֶּץ־[is] making firm
meametz-H553 →41 times
כֹּֽחַ׃strength
koachH3581 →126 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
Isaiah 40:31But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
it leads to
- Lamentations 3:25–26
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
- Psalms 27:13–14
Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
- Psalms 103:5
who satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
- Lamentations 3:25–26
Through
Colossians 1:11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
it leads to
- Ephesians 3:16
I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
- Ephesians 3:16
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.