What Does Proverbs 22:20 Mean in the King James?
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The counsel on the page is meant to become knowledge by encounter, not information kept at a distance.
THE MEANING
This verse meets you with instruction that joins counsel to knowing. Knowledge here reaches beyond facts: it is recognition gained through encounter, so what is written becomes living wisdom for you now.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that reading wisdom means only collecting information; this verse joins what is written to counsel and knowledge that are personally known.
THE ROOT
דַּעַת
da'at
GROWS FROM
י־ד־ע
y-d-ʿ
to know, perceive, or recognize through encounter
דַּעַת (da’at, knowledge) grows from יָדַע (yada, to know by encounter), so the verse’s knowledge is not mere possession of facts. It is counsel known from within experience; the English phrase holds instruction and lived recognition together.
ALSO GROWS
yada: to know, perceive, recognize
יָדַע
This verb is the seed of the noun for knowledge, joining what is written to knowing through encounter.
maddaʿ: knowledge, understanding
מַדָּע
This related noun shows the root can name knowledge as a capacity for discernment, not only a store of facts.
מֹעֵצוֹת
mo'etsot
GROWS FROM
י־ע־ץ
y-ʿ-ts
to advise, deliberate, or consult
The word rendered ‘counsels’ comes from a root of advising and consulting, so the verse presents wisdom as considered guidance, not a bare statement. Joined to knowledge, counsel is something examined and received.
ALSO GROWS
etsah: counsel, advice
עֵצָה
This is the singular form behind the verse’s plural counsels, making the instruction concrete as guidance.
yo'ets: adviser, counselor
יוֹעֵץ
This branch names one who gives counsel, illuminating the relational source behind the guidance.
שָׁלִישִׁים
shalishim
GROWS FROM
ש־ל־ש
sh-l-sh
three, or to make threefold
The rare Hebrew term behind ‘excellent things’ is tied to the root for three; it also permits the sense ‘thirty sayings.’ Beside the KJV’s wording, this adds a shade of instruction that is measured and deliberately arranged.
ALSO GROWS
shalosh: three
שָׁלוֹשׁ
This is the number carried by the root behind shalishim.
shelishi: third
שְׁלִישִׁי
This ordinal form carries the idea of order and distinction that can add depth to ‘excellent things.’
THE PATTERN
Wisdom’s words open into knowing and discernment as they are received.
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.THE THREAD
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.Proverbs 2:6 repeats דַּעַת (da’at, knowledge), the same noun grounded in יָדַע (yada, to know by encounter). It opens this verse further by naming the LORD as the source from whose mouth wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come.
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