Proverbs 20:5

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֵצָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנָ֣ה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃

Transliteration

mayim ʿamūqqîm ʿēṣâ in-lēb-ʾîš and-ʾîš təbûnâ yidlennâ

Grammar Details

*mayim*: noun, masculine plural - waters
*ʿamūqqîm*: adjective, masculine plural - deep
*ʿēṣâ*: noun, feminine singular - counsel/advice/plan
*lēb*: noun, masculine singular construct - heart
*ʾîš*: noun, masculine singular - man
*təbûnâ*: noun, feminine singular - understanding/discernment
*yidlennâ*: verb, Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular with 3rd feminine singular suffix - will draw it out

Word Meanings

*mayim*: waters/water
*ʿamūqqîm*: deep/profound
*ʿēṣâ*: counsel/advice/plan/purpose
*lēb*: heart/mind/inner self
*ʾîš*: man/person
*təbûnâ*: understanding/discernment/intelligence
*yidlennâ*: will draw it out/will bring it up

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 18:4 : 4 The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
1 Cor 2:11 : 11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save {G3361} the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save {G3361} the Spirit of God.
Ps 64:6 : 6 They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, [say they], a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 18:4
79%
4The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Prov 19:20-21
2 verses
75%
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
Prov 1:5-6
2 verses
74%
5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
6To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Prov 18:15
74%
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Prov 16:21-23
3 verses
74%
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Prov 27:19
74%
19As in water face [answereth] to face, So the heart of man to man.
Prov 20:6
73%
6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
Prov 15:14
72%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 20:27
72%
27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.
Prov 14:33
72%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 28:11
71%
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Prov 16:1
71%
1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
Job 38:36
71%
36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the mind?
Prov 15:22-23
2 verses
71%
22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
Prov 25:3
71%
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Prov 16:9
71%
9A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
Prov 18:1-2
2 verses
71%
1He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Prov 5:15
71%
15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well.
Prov 12:23
70%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Ps 49:3
70%
3My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Prov 17:27
70%
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Eccl 7:24
70%
24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
Prov 2:6
70%
6For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding:
Prov 20:18
70%
18Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.
Prov 8:5
70%
5O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
Prov 21:1
70%
1The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: {H4325} He turneth it whithersoever he will.
Prov 24:5
70%
5A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might.
Matt 12:35
70%
35The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Prov 21:20
70%
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Prov 3:13
69%
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
Job 28:12
69%
12But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
Prov 15:7
69%
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Prov 3:5
69%
5Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:
Prov 19:8
69%
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Prov 21:22
69%
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Prov 25:26
69%
26[ As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Luke 6:45
69%
45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil [man] out of the evil [treasure] {G846} {G2588} bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Prov 2:2
69%
2So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;
Prov 14:29
69%
29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Prov 29:11
69%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Job 8:10
69%
10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?
Prov 12:15
69%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Prov 3:20
69%
20By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.
Prov 10:13
69%
13In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.