Bible/Proverbs/16

Proverbs 16:2

16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. preparations: or, disposings
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

KJV

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All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.

16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Commit: Heb. Roll

What does Proverbs 16:2 mean?

Proverbs 16:2 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דֶּרֶךְ (derek), אִישׁ (ʼîysh), זַךְ (zak). It connects to 2 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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All
the
waysדֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
of
a
manאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
are
cleanזַךְzak/zak/H2134clear
in
his
own
eyes;עַיִןʻayin/ah'-yin/H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
but
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
weighethתָּכַןtâkan/taw-kan'/H8505to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively, arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment. estimate, test)
the
spirits.רוּחַrûwach/roo'-akh/H7307wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)

Commentary on Proverbs 16:2

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 16:2
rd weigheth the spirits. Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought. 2. The judgment of God concerning us, we are sure, is according to truth: He weighs the spirits in a just and unerring balance, knows what is in us, and passes a judgment upon us accordingly, writing Tekel upon that which passed our scale with approbation— weighed in the balance and found wanting; and by his judgment we must stand or fall. He not only sees men's ways but tries their spirits, and we are as our spirits are. 3 Commit thy works unto the Lord , and thy thoughts shall be established.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Matthew 8:20

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Topics

Self-Righteousness

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 16:2.

Genesis 16:7

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

Genesis 19:31

And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

Genesis 19:8

Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

Genesis 24:16

And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. very: Heb. good of countenance

Genesis 24:21

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

Genesis 24:29

And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

Genesis 24:30

And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

Genesis 24:42

And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 16:2 say?

Proverbs 16:2 (King James Version) reads: "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits."

Is Proverbs 16:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 16:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 16:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 16:2
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