Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 16:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
• New International Version (NIV)In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Context of Proverbs 16:9

7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better a few ⌞possessions⌟ gained honestly than many gained through injustice. A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps. 10When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips, he cannot voice a wrong judgment. 11Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord. He made the entire set of weights.

Proverbs 16:9 word by word

לֵ֣ב אָ֭דָם יְחַשֵּׁ֣ב דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יָכִ֥ין צַעֲדֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A man’sאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• devisethחָשַׁבchâshab · to devise: deviseH2803
• his wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
• but the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• directethכּוּןkûn · to establish: establishH3559
• his stepsצַ֫עַדtsa‛ad · stepH6806

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:9

• Proverbs 16:1The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord.
• Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of the Lord will endure.
• Proverbs 20:24The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. How then can anyone understand his own way?
• Proverbs 21:30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice ⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord.
• Psalms 37:23A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, and the Lord delights in his way.
• Isaiah 46:10From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.”
• Jeremiah 10:23O Lord, I know that the way humans act is not under their control. Humans do not direct their steps as they walk.

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9A man's heart deviseth his way - This is precisely the same sentiment as that contained in the first verse, on the true meaning of which so much has been already said.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Deviseth his way - i. e., Thinks it out with anxious care; yet it is the Lord and He only who directs the steps. Compare Proverbs 16:1.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. (Compare Pr 16:3). directeth--establisheth.Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Providence
• Whisperer
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings