Proverbs 21
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 21:1-31) rivers--irrigating channels (Psa 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare Deu 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pro 16:9; Psa 33:15).
Open source ↗The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water,.... The heart of every king, and all that is in it, his thoughts, counsels, purposes, and designs; the hearts of bad kings, as Pharaoh, whom the Lord hardened and softened at pleasure; the antichristian kings, into whose hearts he put it to give their kingdoms to the beast, Rev 17:17; the hearts of good kings, as David, Solomon, Cyrus, and others: and if the hearts of kings are in the hands of the Lord, which are full of things of the greatest importance with respect to the government of the world; and which are generally more untractable and unmanageable; and who are more resolute and positive, and will have their own wills and ways, especially arbitrary princes; then much more the hearts of other persons. And which are as "rivers of water"; for so the words may be rendered, as rivers of water is "the heart of a king", which is "in the hand of the Lord"; unstable, fluid, and fluctuating; and yet the Lord can stay and settle, and fix them, and keep them steady and within bounds: or which, like a torrent of water, comes with force and impetus; and so the Septuagint render it, "the force of waters"; and bears all before it, as do the wills of despotic kings; and yet these the Lord can stop and bound, and rule and overrule: or like rivers of water, reviving and refreshing, so is the heart of a good king, full of wisdom and prudence, of integrity and faithfulness, of clemency and goodness; the streams of whose bounty and kindness flow among his subjects, to their great pleasure and profit; so Christ, the King of kings, is said to be as "rivers of water", Isa 32:2. The allusion is to gardeners, that make channels for the water to run in, to water their gardens; or to husbandmen, that cut aqueducts from rive…
Open source ↗The group, like the preceding one, now closes with a proverb of the king. A king's heart in Jahve's hand is like brooks of water; He turneth it whithersoever He will. Brook and canal (the Quinta: ὑδραγωγοί) are both called פּלג, or פּלג, Job 20:17, Arab. falaj (from פּלג, to divide, according to which Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, διαρέσεις; Venet. διανομαί; Jerome, divisiones); Jkt has the explanation of the word: "falaj is the name given to flowing water, particularly the brook from a spring, and every canal which is led from a spring out over flat ground." Such brooks of water are the heart of a king, i.e., it is compared to such, in Jahve's hand. The second line contains the point of comparison: He inclines it, gives to it the direction (הטּה, causat. of נטה, Num 21:15) toward whatever He will (חפץ denotes willing, as a bending and inclining, viz., of the will; vid., at Pro 18:2). Rightly Hitzig finds it not accidental that just the expression "brooks of water" is chosen as the figure for tractableness and subjection to government. In Isa 32:2, the princes of Judah are compared to "rivers of water in a dry place" with reference to the exhaustion of the land during the oppression of the Assyrian invasion; the proverb has specially in view evidences of kindness proceeding from the heart, as at Pro 16:15 the favour of the king is compared to clouds of latter rain emptying themselves in beneficent showers, and at Pro 19:12 to the dew refreshing the plants. But the speciality of the comparison here is, that the heart of the king, however highly exalted above his subjects, and so removed from their knowledge he may be, has yet One above it by whom it is moved by hidden influences, e.g., the prayer of the oppressed; for man is indeed free, yet he acts under the in…
Open source ↗Note, 1. Even the hearts of men are in God's hand, and not only their goings, as he had said, Pro 20:24. God can change men's minds, can, by a powerful insensible operation under their spirits, turn them from that which they seemed most intent upon, and incline them to that which they seemed most averse to, as the husbandman, by canals and gutters, turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, which does not alter the nature of the water, nor put any force upon it, any more than God's providence does upon the native freedom of man's will, but directs the course of it to serve his own purpose. 2. Even kings' hearts are so, notwithstanding their powers and prerogatives, as much as the hearts of common persons. The hearts of kings are unsearchable to us, much more unmanageable by us; as they have their arcana imperii - state secrets, so that they have great prerogatives of their crown; but the great God has them not only under his eye, but in his hand. Kings are what he makes them. Those that are most absolute are under God's government; he puts things into their hearts, Rev 17:17; Ezr 7:27.
Open source ↗21:1 A king was the most powerful individual in an ancient nation, and it seemed that he could do as he pleased. However, God directs the heart of the king.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388) — a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to…
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… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) 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,… לִבָּה (libbâh, H3826) — the heart
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the…
Open source ↗רוּם (rûwm, H7312) — (literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָחָב (râchâb, H7342) — roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… נִיר (nîyr, H5215) — properly, plowing, i.e. (concretely) freshly plowed land רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… חֲרוּץ (chărûwts, H2742) — properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench… מוֹתָר (môwthâr, H4195) — literally gain; figuratively, superiority אוּץ (ʼûwts, H213) — to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw מַחְסוֹר (machçôwr, H4270) — deficiency; hence, impoverishment
Open source ↗פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… נָדַף (nâdaph, H5086) — to shove asunder, i.e. disperse בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);…
Open source ↗שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person גָּרַר (gârar, H1641) — to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e. ruminate); by analogy, to… מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
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… הֲפַכְפַּךְ (hăphakpak, H2019) — very perverse וָזָר (vâzâr, H2054) — crime זַךְ (zak, H2134) — clear פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… פִּנָּה (pinnâh, H6438) — an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar מִדְיָן (midyân, H4079) — {a contest or quarrel} מָדוֹן (mâdôwn, H4066) — a contest or quarrel אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman חֶבֶר (cheber, H2267) — a society; also a spell בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person אָוָה (ʼâvâh, H183) — to wish for רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗לוּץ (lûwts, H3887) — properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign… עָנַשׁ (ʻânash, H6064) — properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict apenalty, specifically, to fine פְּתִי (pᵉthîy, H6612) — silly (i.e. seducible) חָכַם (châkam, H2449) — to be wise (in mind, word or act) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person סָלַף (çâlaph, H5557) — properly, to wrench, i.e. (figuratively) to subvert רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗אָטַם (ʼâṭam, H331) — to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs) אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) זַעַק (zaʻaq, H2201) — a shriek or outcry דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;…
Open source ↗מַתָּן (mattân, H4976) — a present סֵתֶר (çêther, H5643) — a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) כָּפָה (kâphâh, H3711) — properly, to bend, i.e. (figuratively) to tame or subdue אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… שַׁחַד (shachad, H7810) — a donation (venal or redemptive) חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively) עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.
Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
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.)