Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Original Language Analysis
מַשְׂכִּ֣יל
wisely
H7919
מַשְׂכִּ֣יל
wisely
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
1 of 8
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דָּ֭בָר
He that handleth a matter
H1697
דָּ֭בָר
He that handleth a matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 8
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יִמְצָא
shall find
H4672
יִמְצָא
shall find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
ט֑וֹב
good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
5 of 8
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ
and whoso trusteth
H982
וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ
and whoso trusteth
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Cross References
Isaiah 30:18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.Psalms 2:12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.Psalms 34:8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.Proverbs 19:8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.Psalms 146:5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:Proverbs 8:35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.Daniel 6:23Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.Daniel 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.Psalms 125:1They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Historical Context
The wisdom tradition valued skillful living, but biblical wisdom always subordinated human ability to divine providence. Unlike pagan wisdom, Israel's sages pointed beyond technique to trust in Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance using wisdom while ultimately trusting God's provision?
- Where are you tempted to trust your handling of matters rather than trusting the LORD?
Analysis & Commentary
Handling matters wisely finds good, but trusting the LORD brings blessedness. This distinguishes prudence from faith—both are necessary, but blessing flows ultimately from dependence on God, not mere competence. Happy is the one whose trust rests in the LORD, not personal wisdom.