Proverbs 20:30

30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Proverbs 20:30 in Other Translations

KJV
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
ESV
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
NLT
30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
MSG
30 A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.
CSB
30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:30 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:30

The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil
Rubs it off and scours it away, as the word F13 signifies, or is a clearing and rubbing it off; some men must be beaten black and blue, or must have very sore correction, before they can be reclaimed and reformed from their evil ways; so some interpret it of the evil man F14: sanctified afflictions to God's people are the means of purging away their iniquities, their dross, and their sin; but there is nothing so effectually cleanses from sin as the blood of Jesus, or heals or cures of it as his blue wounds and stripes; see ( Isaiah 27:9 ) ( 53:5 ) ; so [do] stripes the inward part of the belly;
or heart and conscience; by means of corrections and chastisement men are brought to an inward sense of sin; they are shown their transgressions wherein they have exceeded, and are commanded to return from iniquity, ( Job 36:9 Job 36:10 ) ; they lament and mourn over sin, confess it and forsake it; and then may the inwards of the heart, the mind and conscience, defiled with them, be said to be cleansed from them; especially when led by these stripes and corrections to the stripes, wounds, and blood of Christ which, being applied, cleanse from all, sin inwardly and outwardly.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (qyrmt) "abstesio", Piscator, Mercerus, Cocceius; "detersio", Montanus, Michaelis; "effricatio", Schultens.
F14 (erb) "in malo, sub, homine", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "in malo (homine nequam)", Schultens, so Aben Ezra.

Proverbs 20:30 In-Context

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Psalms 51:2; Proverbs 22:15
  • 2. Isaiah 1:5
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