Proverbs 20:26
Proverbs 20:26 in Multiple Translations
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.
A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king is scattering the wicked, And turneth back on them the wheel.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king scatterreth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
Wise kings find out [MET] which people have done what is wrong, and they punish them very severely [IDM].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 20:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 20:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מְזָרֶ֣ה
רְ֭שָׁעִים
מֶ֣לֶךְ
חָכָ֑ם
וַ/יָּ֖שֶׁב
עֲלֵי/הֶ֣ם
אוֹפָֽן
מְזָרֶ֣ה
zârâh
H2219
to scatter
V-Piel
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
חָכָ֑ם
châkâm
H2450
wise
Adj
וַ/יָּ֖שֶׁב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
עֲלֵי/הֶ֣ם
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
אוֹפָֽן
ʼôwphân
H212
wheel
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 20:26
מְזָרֶ֣ה
zârâh
H2219
"to scatter"
V-Piel
This Hebrew verb means to scatter or toss something about, and can also imply diffusing or winnowing. It is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including the books of Psalms and Isaiah. The word has different meanings based on context, such as casting away or spreading out.
Definition: 1) to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow, disperse, compass, spread, be scattered, be dispersed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to scatter 1a2) to fan, winnow 1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be dispersed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to scatter, disperse (intensive of Qal) 1c2) to winnow, sift 1d) (Pual) to be scattered, be spread out
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow. See also: Exodus 32:20; Jeremiah 49:32; Psalms 44:12.
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
חָכָ֑ם
châkâm
H2450
"wise"
Adj
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Definition: 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.
וַ/יָּ֖שֶׁב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
עֲלֵי/הֶ֣ם
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אוֹפָֽן
ʼôwphân
H212
"wheel"
N-ms
Refers to a wheel, like a chariot wheel or the wheels in Ezekiel's vision. It is also used to describe the wheels on the bases beneath the lavers in Solomon's temple, as mentioned in the Bible.
Definition: 1) wheel 1a) chariot wheel 1b) wheel in Ezekiel's vision 1c) wheels of the ten bases beneath the lavers in Solomon's temple
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: wheel. See also: Exodus 14:25; Ezekiel 1:21; Proverbs 20:26.
Study Notes — Proverbs 20:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 20:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 20:26
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 20:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
- Sermons on Proverbs 20:26
Context — Wine Is a Mocker
24A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being. 28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 20:8 | A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 12:31 | David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem. |
| 3 | Psalms 101:5–8 | Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure. My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence. Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 4:9–12 | But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! How much more, when wicked men kill a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth!” So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. |
| 5 | Isaiah 28:27–28 | Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it. |
Proverbs 20:26 Summary
[This verse means that a wise king will make sure to separate the good people from the bad people, and punish those who are wicked. This is like what God does, as we see in Matthew 25:32-33, where He separates the sheep from the goats. We can apply this to our own lives by trying to live in a way that is pleasing to God, and staying away from things that are bad for us, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. By doing so, we can live a life that is righteous and holy, just like God calls us to in 1 Peter 1:15-16.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a king to separate out the wicked?
This means that a wise king will identify and distinguish between those who are righteous and those who are wicked, much like God separates the righteous from the wicked in judgment, as seen in Matthew 25:32-33
What is the significance of driving the threshing wheel over them?
The threshing wheel is a symbol of judgment and punishment, as seen in Isaiah 28:27-28, where God uses it to describe His judgment on the wicked
How can I apply this verse to my own life?
As a believer, you can apply this verse by separating yourself from wicked influences and behaviors, and instead seeking to live a righteous life, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Is this verse only applicable to kings?
While the verse specifically mentions a king, the principle of separating the wicked from the righteous is applicable to all believers, as we are called to be holy and separate from the world, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can separate myself from wicked influences in my own life?
- How can I discern between what is righteous and what is wicked in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean to 'drive the threshing wheel' over the wicked in a spiritual sense, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- In what ways can I seek to live a righteous life, and what are some practical steps I can take to do so?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:26
A wise king scattereth the wicked,.... Or "fans [them] away" (i); separates them from his good counsellors, courtiers, and subjects; scatters them from his presence and court, and breaks their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:26
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. A wise king scattereth the wicked - like chaff before the wind (Proverbs 20:8).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
A wise king, who seriously minds his duty and his true interest, scattereth the wicked; breaks their companies and confederacies, and forceth them to flee several ways for their own safety; driveth them from his presence, and from the society of honest men, as the chaff is by the husbandman separated from the corn, and driven away by the wind, of which this Hebrew word is commonly used, and to which the next clause hath some reference. Bringeth the wheel over them, as the cart-wheel was anciently turned over the sheaves to beat the corn out of them, ,28. He punisheth them severely, as their offences deserve. This or such-like punishments were not unusual among the Eastern nations, as we may gather from 12:31 .
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.Ver. 26. A wise king scattereth the wicked.] Drains the country of them by his just severity, yet with due discretion, as appears by the latter words, "and bringeth the wheel over them," compared with Isaiah 28:27-28. The Turks’ justice will rather cut off two innocent men, than let one offender escape. The Venetians punish with death whosoever shall misappropiated a penny of the public money to his own private profit. Durescite, durescite, o infaelix Lantgravic, said the poor smith to the Landgrave of Thuring, that was more mild than was for his people’ s good. The sword of justice must, I confess, be furbished with the oil of mercy; but yet there are cases wherein severity ought to cast the scale. Blunt’ s Voyage, p. 12. Zevecat. in Observ. Polit.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
(26) A wise king scattereth the wicked.—Rather, winnows them. And bringeth the wheel over them.—Comp. Isaiah 28:27. A sort of sledge or cart was driven over the stalks of corn spread upon the threshing-floor, by means of which the grain was separated from the husk. A wise king winnows out evil persons from among his people, thus putting an end to their corrupting influence. (Comp. Matthew 3:12.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
Verse 26. Bringeth the wheel over them.] He threshes them in his anger, as the wheel does the grain on the threshing-floor. Every one knows that grain was separated from its husks, in Palestine, by the feet of the oxen trampling among the sheaves, or bringing a rough-shod wheel over them. Asiatic kings often threshed their people, to bring out their property; but this is not what is intended here.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 20:26
26. scattereth] Rather, winnoweth. λικμήτωρἀσεβῶνβασιλεὺςσοφὸς, LXX. the wheel] sc. of his threshing wain. Comp. Isaiah 28:27. He executes righteous judgement upon them, Psalms 62:4; Romans 13:4.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 20:26
The wheel - The threshing wheel Isaiah 28:27-28, which passes over the grain and separates the grain from the chaff.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:26
26. A wise king scattereth the wicked, etc. — Conjectures are numerous as to the import of this verse. Some think it may refer to the scattering (sowing) of grain in the field, and afterwards rolling it in.
Sermons on Proverbs 20:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Step 10 on Slander or Calumny. by St. John Climacus | St. John Climacus preaches about the dangers of slander, highlighting how it stems from hatred and malice, draining the blood of charity and leading to the ruin of chastity. He emp |
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1 Corinthians 16:10 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of correcting others with love and gentleness, emphasizing the need to approach reproof with care and compassion. He highlights the si |
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Our Daily Homily - 2 Samuel by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the life of David in 2 Samuel, emphasizing the beauty of love and forgiveness as demonstrated by David's tribute to Saul and Jonathan. He highlights the impo |
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As the Lord Liveth, Who Hath Redeemed My Soul by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the faithfulness of God in David's life, emphasizing how God redeemed him from adversity and established his path. Meyer encourages believers to trust in the |