Proverbs 20:25
It is a snare for a person to say rashly, “This thing is holy,” 1 and begin to think about what it means only after making his vow. 1
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
In Context
24A person's steps are directed by Yahweh; 1 how then can he understand his way? 1
26A wise king winnows the wicked 1 and he turns a threshing wheel over them. 1
Cross References
Leviticus 5:15“If anyone sins and acts unfaithfully in regard to the things that belong to Yahweh, but did so unintentionally, then he must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh. This offering must be a ram without blemish from the flock; its value must be appraised in silver shekels—the shekel of the sanctuary—as a guilt offering.
Leviticus 27:9If someone wants to sacrifice an animal to Yahweh, and if Yahweh accepts it, then that animal will be set apart to him.
Numbers 30:2When anyone makes a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind himself with a promise, he must not break his word. He must keep his promise to do everything that comes out of his mouth.
Deuteronomy 23:23That which has gone out from your lips you must observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, anything that you have freely promised with your mouth.
Judges 21:22When their fathers or their brothers come to protest to us, we will say to them, 'Show us favor! Let them remain because we did not get wives for each man during the war. You are innocent, since you did not give your daughters to them.'”
Ecclesiastes 5:2Do not be too quick to speak with your mouth, 2 and do not let your heart be too quick to bring any matter up before God. 1 God is in heaven, but you are on earth, 2 so let your words be few. 1
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:25
24 Man's goings are of the Lord ; how can a man then understand his own way? We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man… Read the whole commentary →