Many a man proclaims his loving devotion
The phrase "Many a man" suggests a commonality among people, indicating that the behavior being described is widespread. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "רַב" (rav), which means "many" or "abundant." This sets the stage for a reflection on human nature, emphasizing that the tendency to boast or declare one's virtues is not limited to a few but is a widespread human trait. The phrase "proclaims his loving devotion" uses the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love." This word is rich in meaning, encompassing loyalty, faithfulness, and mercy. The act of proclaiming such devotion suggests a verbal declaration, which may not always align with one's actions. Historically, in the ancient Near Eastern context, public declarations of loyalty were common, often serving as a means to gain favor or status. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the sincerity behind such proclamations.

but who can find a trustworthy man?
The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast, highlighting the disparity between what is often proclaimed and what is genuinely found. The phrase "who can find" implies a search or quest, suggesting that a truly "trustworthy man" is rare and valuable. The Hebrew word for "trustworthy" is "נֶאֱמָן" (ne'eman), which conveys the idea of faithfulness, reliability, and truth. In the biblical context, trustworthiness is a highly esteemed virtue, often associated with righteousness and integrity. The rhetorical question posed here serves to provoke introspection, urging the reader to reflect on their own character and the authenticity of their commitments. Historically, the search for trustworthy individuals has been a timeless pursuit, as communities and relationships are built on trust. This verse, therefore, calls believers to aspire to be genuine in their devotion, aligning their actions with their words, and to seek out and value those who embody true faithfulness.

(6) Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.--Will be full of his benevolent intentions, "but a faithful man," who carries out these promises, "who can find?"

Verse 6. - Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; chesed, "kindness," "mercy," "liberality," as in Proverbs 19:22. So Ewald and others, Hitzig and Kamphausen translate, "Many a man one names his dear friend;" Delitzsch and Nowack prefer, "Most men meet a man who is gracious to them;" i.e. it is common enough to meet a man who seems benevolent and well disposed. Vulgate, "Many men are called merciful;" Septuagint, "Man is a great thing, and a merciful man is a precious thing." The renderings of most modern commentators imply the statement that love and mercy are common enough, at least in outward expression. The Authorized Version pronounces that men are ready enough to parade and boast of their liberality, like the hypocrites who were said proverbially to sound a trumpet when they performed their almsdeeds (Matthew 6:2). Commenting on the Greek rendering of the clause given above, St. Chrysostom observes, "This is the true character of man to be merciful; yea, rather the character of God to show mercy... Those who answer not to this description, though they partake of mind, and are never so capable of knowledge, the Scripture refuses to acknowledge them as men, but calls them dogs, and horses, and serpents, and foxes, and wolves, and if there be any animals more contemptible" ('Hom. 4 in Phil.' and 'Hom. 13 in 1 Tim.,' Oxford transl.). The contrast between show, or promise, and performance is developed in the second clause. But a faithful man who can find? The faithfulness intended is fidelity to promises, the practical execution of the vaunted benevolence; this is rare indeed, so that a psalmist could cry, "I said in my haste, All men are liars" (Psalm 116:11; comp. Romans 3:4). Lesetre refers to Massillon's sermon, 'Sur la Gloire Humaine,' where we read (the preacher, of course, rests on the Latin Version), "Ces hommes vertueux dont le monde se fait tant d'honneur, n'ont au fond souvent pour eux que l'erreur publique. Amis fideles, je le veux; mais c'est le gout, la vanite ou Pin teret, qui les lie; et dans leur amis, ils n'amient qu' eux-memes En un mot, dit l'Ecriture, on les appelle misericordieux, ils ont toutes les vertus pour le public; mais n'etant pas fideles a Dieu, ils n'en ont pas une seule pour eux-memes."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Many
רָב־ (rāḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

a man
אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

proclaims
יִ֭קְרָא (yiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

his
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

loving devotion,
חַסְדּ֑וֹ (ḥas·dōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

but who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can find
יִמְצָֽא׃ (yim·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

a trustworthy
אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים (’ĕ·mū·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 529: Established, trusty, trustworthiness

man?
וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


Proverbs 20:6 NIV
Proverbs 20:6 NLT
Proverbs 20:6 ESV
Proverbs 20:6 NASB
Proverbs 20:6 KJV

Proverbs 20:6 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 20:6 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 20:6 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 20:6 French Bible
Proverbs 20:6 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:6 Many men claim to be men (Prov. Pro Pr)