Proverbs 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 16:1-33) preparations--schemes. in man--or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
Open source ↗The preparations of the heart in man,.... The sense of these words, according to our version, depends upon the next clause, and the meaning of the whole is, that a man can neither think nor speak without God: the "orderings" or "marshallings of the heart" (a), as it may be rendered; that is, of the thoughts of the heart, which are generally irregular and confused; the ranging them in order, as an army in battle array, or as things regularly placed on a well furnished table; the fixing them on any particular subject, though about things civil and natural, so as closely to attend to them, and proceed in a regular manner in the consideration of them, are not without the concurrence of divine Providence: and whereas the thoughts of men's hearts are evil, and that continually, and nothing but evil thoughts naturally proceed from thence; the ordering and marshalling of them, and fixing them to the attention and consideration of divine and spiritual things, are not without the supernatural grace of God; for we cannot think a good thought of ourselves, nor indeed anything of ourselves in a spiritual manner, Co2 3:5; all preparations for religious service and duty, whether it be to pray unto God, or to preach in his name, are from the Lord; it is he that works in men both "to will and to do"; that gives them the willing mind, or a suitable frame for service, as well as ability to perform it; that pours out the Spirit of grace and supplication on them, and disposes and directs their minds to proper petitions, and furnishes his ministering servants in their studies with agreeable matter for their ministrations, Psa 10:17; and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord; who made man's mouth, and teaches him what to say, both before God and man; what he shall say in prayer to him, or…
Open source ↗Four proverbs of God, the disposer of all things: 1 Man's are the counsels of the heart; But the answer of the tongue cometh from Jahve. Gesen., Ewald, and Bertheau incorrectly understand 1b of hearing, i.e., of a favourable response to what the tongue wishes; 1a speaks not of wishes, and the gen. after מענה (answer) is, as at Pro 15:23; Mic 3:7, and also here, by virtue of the parallelism, the gen. subjecti Pro 15:23 leads to the right sense, according to which a good answer is joy to him to whom it refers: it does not always happen to one to find the fitting and effective expression for that which he has in his mind; it is, as this cog. proverb expresses it, a gift from above (δοθήσεται, Mat 10:19). But now, since מענה neither means answering, nor yet in general an expression (Euchel) or report (Lwenstein), and the meaning of the word at 4a is not here in question, one has to think of him whom the proverb has in view as one who has to give a reason, to give information, or generally - since ענה, like ἀμείβεσθαι, is not confined to the interchange of words - to solve a problem, and that such an one as requires reflection. The scheme (project, premeditation) which he in his heart contrives, is here described as מערכי־לב, from ערך, to arrange, to place together, metaphorically of the reflection, i.e., the consideration analyzing and putting a matter in order. These reflections, seeking at one time in one direction, and at another in another, the solution of the question, the unfolding of the problem, are the business of men; but the answer which finally the tongue gives, and which here, in conformity with the pregnant sense of מענה (vid., at Pro 15:23, Pro 15:28), will be regarded as right, appropriate, effective, thus generally the satisfying reply to the demand plac…
Open source ↗As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phi 2:13; Psa 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 1. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.
Open source ↗16:1 Our own plans will come to fruition only if God allows (see also 16:9, 33; Jas 4:13-16).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַעֲרָךְ (maʻărâk, H4633) — an arrangement, i.e. (figuratively) mental disposition לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) מַעֲנֶה (maʻăneh, H4617) — a reply (favorable or contradictory) לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… זַךְ (zak, H2134) — clear עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God תָּכַן (tâkan, H8505) — to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively, arrange, equalize,… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗גָּלַל (gâlal, H1556) — to roll (literally or figuratively) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise מַעֲנֶה (maʻăneh, H4617) — a reply (favorable or contradictory) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗גָּבָהּ (gâbâhh, H1362) — lofty (literally or figuratively) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָקָה (nâqâh, H5352) — to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense)…
Open source ↗חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or… יִרְאָה (yirʼâh, H3374) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רָצָה (râtsâh, H7521) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;…
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) תְּבוּאָה (tᵉbûwʼâh, H8393) — income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… צַעַד (tsaʻad, H6806) — a pace or regular step
Open source ↗קֶסֶם (qeçem, H7081) — a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… פֶּלֶס (peleç, H6425) — a balance מֹאזֵן (môʼzên, H3976) — (only in the dual) a pair of scales יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone כִּיס (kîyç, H3599) — a cup; also a bag formoney or weights מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רֶשַׁע (reshaʻ, H7562) — a wrong (especially moral) כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. I will help both of you to speak, and I will teach you what to do.
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,
O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)