The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Parallel translations
- WEB Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
- BSB Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
- NKJV Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
- NASB Bruising wounds clean away evil, And blows cleanse the innermost parts.
- NLT Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Painful discipline can cleanse away evil and purge the inner person. It matters because correction, though hard, can produce moral renewal.
Overview
The proverb acknowledges that severe correction — even physical chastening — may be needed to drive out wickedness deeply rooted in a person. While not glorifying harshness, it recognizes that discipline serves cleansing and reform (Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:11). God himself disciplines those he loves for their good and holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Heb 12:10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
- Prov 22:15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
- Prov 19:25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
- Isa 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
- Isa 27:9By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 20:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.