A wise kingIn ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed leader, responsible for maintaining justice and righteousness. Wisdom was a crucial attribute for a king, as seen in Solomon's request for wisdom to govern his people (
1 Kings 3:9). The king's wisdom is not just intellectual but moral, aligning with God's laws and principles. This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment and moral integrity in leadership.
separates out the wicked
The act of separating the wicked from the righteous is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting God's desire for purity among His people. This separation is akin to the process of refining, where impurities are removed to reveal the true value. In a historical context, kings were expected to uphold justice by identifying and punishing wrongdoers, ensuring the community's well-being. This echoes the parable of the wheat and the tares inMatthew 13:24-30, where the separation of good and evil is ultimately God's work.
and drives the threshing wheel over them
Threshing was an agricultural process used to separate grain from chaff, symbolizing judgment and purification. The imagery of a threshing wheel suggests a thorough and decisive action against the wicked. In biblical times, threshing was a familiar process, and its use here underscores the inevitability and thoroughness of divine justice. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who will execute final judgment, separating the righteous from the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46). The threshing wheel signifies the king's role in executing justice, reflecting God's ultimate authority and judgment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Wise KingRepresents a ruler or leader who exercises discernment and justice. In the context of ancient Israel, this would be a king who follows God's laws and seeks to maintain righteousness in the land.
2.
WickedRefers to those who act in opposition to God's laws and principles, causing harm and injustice within the community.
3.
Threshing WheelAn agricultural tool used in ancient times to separate grain from chaff. Symbolically, it represents the process of judgment and purification.
Teaching Points
Discernment in LeadershipA wise leader must have the ability to discern between good and evil, making decisions that promote righteousness and justice.
The Role of JusticeJustice is a key component of godly leadership. Leaders are called to actively remove wickedness to maintain peace and order.
Symbolism of WinnowingJust as winnowing separates grain from chaff, spiritual discernment helps separate truth from falsehood in our lives.
Personal Application of JusticeWhile not all are kings, each believer is called to uphold justice in their personal spheres, standing against wickedness in their communities.
God's Ultimate JudgmentThe imagery of the threshing wheel reminds us of God's ultimate judgment, where He will separate the righteous from the wicked.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20
What does the Bible say about true friendship?
In Psalm 101:7, how can David promise no one deceitful will enter his presence when biblical narratives show him associating with flawed individuals?
Proverbs 17:5 suggests God is directly involved in consequences for mocking the poor. How do we reconcile this with observable reality where such mockery often seems unpunished?
What are the consequences of a father's past actions?(26)
A wise king scattereth the wicked.--Rather,
winnowsthem.
And bringeth the wheel over them.--Comp.Isaiah 28:27. A sort of sledge or cart was driven over the stalks of corn spread upon the threshing-floor, by means of which the grain was separated from the husk. A wise king winnows out evil persons from among his people, thus putting an end to their corrupting influence. (Comp.Matthew 3:12.)
Verse 26. -
A wise king scattereth the wicked (ver. 8). The verb is
zarah, which means "to winnow, or sift." The king separates the wicked and the good, as the winnowing fan or shovel divides the chaff from the wheat. The same metaphor is used of Christ (
Matthew 3:12), "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (comp.
Jeremiah 15:7). Septuagint, "A winnower (
λικμήτωρ) of the ungodly is a wise king."
And bringeth the wheel over them. The threshing wheel is meant (see
Isaiah 28:27;
Amos 1:3). This was a wooden frame with three or four rollers under it armed with iron teeth. It was drawn by two oxen, and, aided by the weight of the driver, who had his seat upon it, it crushed out the grain, and cut up the straw into fodder. Another machine much used in Palestine was made of two thick planks fastened together side by side, and having sharp stones fixed in rows on the lower surface. It is not implied that the king employed the corn drag as an instrument of punishment, which was sometimes so used in war, as possibly may be inferred from
2 Samuel 12:31;
1 Chronicles 20:3; and
Amos 1:3. The idea of threshing is carried on, and the notion is rather of separation than of punishment, though the latter is not wholly excluded. The wise ruler will not only distinguish between the godless and the good, but will show his discrimination by visiting the evil with condign puuishment. Septuagint, "He will bring the wheel upon them;" the Vulgate has curiously,
Incurvat super eos fornicem, "He bends an arch over them," which Latin commentators explain as a triumphal arch, meaning that the king conquers and subdues the wicked, and celebrates his victory over them. A patent anachronism which needs no comment!
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
A wiseחָכָ֑ם(ḥā·ḵām)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450:Wisekingמֶ֣לֶךְ(me·leḵ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingseparates outמְזָרֶ֣ה(mə·zā·reh)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2219:To toss about, to diffuse, winnowthe wickedרְ֭שָׁעִים(rə·šā·‘îm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563:Wrong, an, bad personand drivesוַיָּ֖שֶׁב(way·yā·šeḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againthe threshing wheelאוֹפָֽן׃(’ō·w·p̄ān)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 212:A wheelover them.עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם(‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against
Links
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked (Prov. Pro Pr) 
