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 people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. 10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. 11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

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 16:1We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
• Proverbs 19:21You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
• Proverbs 20:24The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
• Proverbs 21:30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
• Psalms 37:23The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
• Isaiah 46:10Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
• Jeremiah 10:23I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.

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