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 even reconciles his enemies to himself. 8Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps. 10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice. 11Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

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 intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
• Proverbs 19:21There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand.
• Proverbs 20:24The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord – so how can anyone understand his own way?
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the Lord.
• Psalms 37:23The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable.
• Isaiah 46:10who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,’
• Jeremiah 10:23Lord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them.

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