Proverbs 20:26
A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 20:26
A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights how a wise king separates the wicked from the good, like winnowing grain. The "wheel" refers to a threshing tool used to crush and divide, showing how the king powerfully exposes and breaks apart evil, making it distinct from the righteous.
This verse is part of a collection of wisdom sayings that offer practical advice for living a righteous life and governing wisely. It follows verses detailing how wine and strong drink can lead to error, and precedes a general statement about the trustworthiness of God's Word. The imagery draws from agricultural practices, comparing the king's role to separating grain from chaff.
Ever feel like good and bad get mixed up in a community? This verse paints a picture of decisive action.
The image here is powerful! A wise king doesn't just tolerate wickedness; he actively separates the wicked from the good. The word for 'winnows' (or 'scattereth') points to the agricultural practice of separating grain from its husk. Think of a farmer using a fan or a strong wind to blow away the useless chaff, leaving the valuable grain. A wise ruler does the same for his people, sifting out the corrupting influences so that righteousness can flourish.
Beyond just sorting, there's a forceful action described. What does 'driving the wheel over them' really mean?
The 'wheel' mentioned isn't just a casual turn; it refers to a heavy threshing implement. This tool was used to crush grain stalks, separating the edible kernels from the rest. In the context of a king, this signifies decisive and severe judgment. It’s not about random destruction, but about bringing firm, righteous consequences upon those who are wicked. This action crushes their power and ensures they can no longer harm the community. It’s the king’s duty to enact justice that leaves no room for the wicked to thrive.
Understand the original words
chakam · Hebrew Adjective
One who possesses divine insight and follows God's law, characterized by the ability to apply knowledge to life situations and exercise godly leadership.
rasha · Hebrew Noun
Those who act in opposition to God’s moral order, characterized by persistent disobedience to His law and lack of reverence for Him.
This passage directly echoes the imagery of separating the good from the bad, comparing God's judgment to a farmer winnowing grain and burning the chaff, which mirrors the king's action of separating the wicked.
Isaiah 28:27-28This prophetic passage describes the agricultural threshing process using a wheel, providing the specific imagery that the proverb in Proverbs alludes to for the king's decisive action against the wicked.
Psalm 62:4This psalm speaks to the consequence of slander and deceit, describing how people plot to bring down the upright, which the 'wise king' in Proverbs would actively counter and punish.
Romans 13:4This New Testament passage directly states that rulers 'bear the sword' not in vain, as they are God's servants to execute wrath on the wrongdoer, aligning with the king's role in justly punishing the wicked.
Jeremiah 15:7This verse describes God's judgment against Judah, using the imagery of scattering and destruction like a winnowing fork, reflecting the thoroughness and finality of the wise king's actions against wickedness.
barnesProverbs 20:26: "A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them."
The wheel - The threshing wheel Isaiah 28:27-28 , which passes over the grain and separates the grain from the chaff. The proverb involves therefore the idea of the division of the good from the evil, no less than that of the punishment of the latter.
ellicottProverbs 20:26: "A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them."
(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.)
This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights how a wise king separates the wicked from the good, like winnowing grain. The "wheel" refers to a threshing tool used to crush and divide, showing how the king powerfully exposes and breaks apart evil, making it distinct from the righteous.
This verse is part of a collection of wisdom sayings that offer practical advice for living a righteous life and governing wisely. It follows verses detailing how wine and strong drink can lead to error, and precedes a general statement about the trustworthiness of God's Word. The imagery draws from agricultural practices, comparing the king's role to separating grain from chaff.
This verse is part of a collection of wisdom sayings that offer practical advice for living a righteous life and governing wisely. It follows verses detailing how wine and strong drink can lead to error, and precedes a general statement about the trustworthiness of God's Word. The imagery draws from agricultural practices, comparing the king's role to separating grain from chaff.
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"A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them." — This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights how a wise king separates the wicked from the good, like winnowing grain. The "wheel" refers to a threshing tool used to crush and divide, show…