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Proverbs 16:9

16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

KJV

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A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

A man’s heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.

16:10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A divine: Heb. Divination

What does Proverbs 16:9 mean?

Proverbs 16:9 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אָדָם (ʼâdâm), לֵב (lêb), חָשַׁב (châshab). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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A
man'sאָדָםʼâdâm/aw-dawm'/H120ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
heartלֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
devisethחָשַׁבchâshab/khaw-shab'/H2803properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute
his
way:דֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
but
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
directethכּוּןkûwn/koon/H3559properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)
his
steps.צַעַדtsaʻad/tsah'-ad/H6806a pace or regular step

Commentary on Proverbs 16:9

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 16:9
Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men devise their way, so as to make God's glory their end and his will their rule, they may expect that he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace, so that they shall not miss their way nor come short of their end. But let men devise their worldly affairs ever so politely, and with ever so great a probability of success, yet God has the ordering of the event, and sometimes directs their steps to that which they least intended. The design of this is to teach us to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that ( Jam. iv. 14, 15 ), and to have our eye to God, not only in the great turns of our lives, but in every step we take. Lord, direct my way, 1 Thess. iii. 11 . The Duties of Kings. 1

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Proverbs 16:1

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. preparations: or, disposings

Proverbs 16:2

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

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 17:15

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 26:8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. bindeth: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Wrath: Heb. Wrath is cruelty, and anger an overflowing envy: or, jealousy?

Luke 2:46

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

Romans 8:5

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. to be carnally: Gr. the minding of the flesh to be spiritually: Gr. the minding of the Spirit

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: conversation: or, we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven, or, for obtaining heaven

James 2:3

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: in: or, well, or, seemly

Topics

Providence of God, the

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 16:9.

Genesis 6:5

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. every: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires continually: Heb. every day

Genesis 6:6

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Genesis 8:21

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. a sweet: Heb. a savour of rest or, satisfaction for the imagination: or, through the imagination

Exodus 23:20

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Genesis 2:15

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. the man: or, Adam

Genesis 2:16

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: thou: Heb. eating thou shalt eat

Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. meet: Heb. as before him

Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Adam: or, the man

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 16:9 say?

Proverbs 16:9 (King James Version) reads: "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

Is Proverbs 16:9 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 16:9 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 16:9, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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