Proverbs 20:1-30

20:1 | Wine and strong drink are personified as troublemakers - a mocker (“scoffer” already mentioned in 19:25, 29) and a brawler. Such beverages cloud one’s thinking and judgement, hampering the ability to make wise decisions (23:29-35; Gen. 9:20-22; Hosea 4:11).

20:7 | One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is a name that they will be proud of, because their parents have lived with integrity.

20:16 | Taking on the financial obligations of a stranger (a mere acquaintance) is not wise, thus the recommendation to require some collateral - such as a garment or some other pledge - so that the one guaranteeing the loan will repay (Ex. 22:25-27).

20:20 | Although the primary message in the proverb is that children are not to curse or invoke evil on their parents (Ex. 21:17), it also carries the idea of not speaking harmfully of them. The warning is that such speech harms the speaker most. God will take note and punish the offender (Matt. 15:4).

20:25 | Making a vow rashly can get someone in as much trouble as if he or she stepped into an animal trap (snare). So people should be careful about making promises without thinking them through (Deut. 23:21-23; Eccl. 5:4-5). Getting into something is much easier than getting out.

20:27 | Spirit is literally “breath” (that which was “breathed” into the first human being; Gen. 2:7). The proverb asserts that every individual lives because of God and His inscrutable knowledge of His creation.