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Proverbs 16:1 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

Proverbs 16:1 beautifully encapsulates a profound truth about the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.”

This verse emphasizes a twofold reality: firstly, that humans have the capacity to plan and determine their actions. It acknowledges the role of free will in our life, as the “plans of the heart” undeniably belong to us. We are endowed with the power to envision, strategize, and make decisions.

Yet, the verse promptly presents a counterbalance to this human autonomy by reminding us that “the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.” In essence, while we are free to make our plans, it is ultimately Jehovah who determines the outcomes. This doesn’t negate or diminish our efforts but rather situates them within the wider context of Jehovah’s providential guidance.

The verse serves as a comforting assurance for believers that even though they may devise their own paths, it is Jehovah who directs their steps. This underscores the Bible’s broader theme of Jehovah’s sovereignty. No matter what plans we may conceive in our hearts, it is Jehovah’s purpose that prevails.

Furthermore, the “answer of the tongue” can also be seen as the ultimate truth or final verdict. While humans can make plans based on their limited understanding and perspective, Jehovah, with His perfect wisdom and omniscience, delivers the final word.

This verse is a gentle admonition to depend on Jehovah’s guidance in our lives, recognizing that our own plans are subject to His divine will. It reminds us to trust in Jehovah’s wisdom and to seek His direction in all we do, reinforcing the notion that true success and fulfillment lie in aligning our personal ambitions with Jehovah’s greater plans.

Exegetical Insights

“The plans of the heart belong to man”: This first phrase in Proverbs 16:1 underscores the fact that God, in His sovereign design, has allowed humans the autonomy to formulate plans, make decisions, and aspire toward their chosen goals. In the Hebrew worldview, the “heart” often symbolizes the seat of intellect, emotion, and will, thus the “plans of the heart” signify the personal intentions, decisions, and goals conceived within an individual’s inner self.

“But”: This conjunction serves as a pivot point, creating a contrast between the autonomy given to humans and the overarching control exerted by the divine.

“The answer of the tongue is from Jehovah”: In this section of the verse, we observe a distinct shift from human initiative to divine sovereignty. The phrase “the answer of the tongue” represents the realization of these human plans, expressed through spoken words or actions. However, the verse states that these answers, or ultimate outcomes, come “from Jehovah.” This doesn’t suggest that Jehovah manipulates every spoken word, but rather that the success or failure of our plans—how things eventually turn out—remains under God’s ultimate providential control.

God, in His sovereignty, allows for the unfolding of human plans, but He doesn’t manipulate every spoken word or predestine every action. The phrase “the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah” signifies that the ultimate outcomes or results of our plans rest under God’s providential control rather than being predestined.

Jehovah’s sovereignty does not negate human free will. Humans have the autonomy to make decisions and form plans, and God’s foreknowledge encompasses understanding all the potential outcomes of these free will decisions in every conceivable situation. This foreknowledge does not imply that God fixes our destiny or predestines our choices.

Thus, this verse in Proverbs communicates the harmony between human free will and divine sovereignty and does not contradict the notion that God has not fixed our destiny or predestined our decisions. Rather, it is an affirmation of the truth that while we have the agency to devise plans, the outcomes are within God’s overarching control, in line with His wisdom and righteousness. This means that we should always align our decisions and plans with God’s will for the best outcomes.

Through this verse, Scripture imparts a profound truth: while we have the agency to devise plans, the outcomes—expressed in our words and actions—are guided by Jehovah’s sovereignty. It’s a call to believers to acknowledge their human efforts within the larger context of God’s providence, striking a balance between human initiative and reliance on God. The verse emphasizes the necessity of aligning our intentions and ambitions with Jehovah’s will as a route to true success and fulfillment. It brings home the significance of trusting in Jehovah while executing our plans, thus acknowledging His ultimate authority in the course of our lives.

Historical and Cultural Context

Proverbs 16:1, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah,” is a striking piece of wisdom literature from the Old Testament, deeply rooted in the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel. As we delve into this, it’s important to keep the time, place, and societal norms of the Proverbs’ origin in mind.

Historically, this verse is likely composed during the reign of Solomon in the 10th century B.C.E., a period of relative peace and prosperity for Israel. Solomon, known for his wisdom, would have been keen to guide his people in wise living, especially given their recent establishment as a significant regional power.

Culturally, ancient Israel was a theocratic society where the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty was integral to every facet of life. Their worldview was firmly monotheistic, and they saw Jehovah as the supreme ruler who had the final say in all matters.

In Proverbs 16:1, this worldview is articulated through the wisdom saying that contrasts human planning (“the plans of the heart belong to man”) with divine prerogative (“but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah”). The “plans of the heart” encapsulate human intention and design, reflecting the active role that individuals in Israelite society were expected to play in their lives. The phrase is not disparaging human planning; indeed, prudence and initiative were valued traits.

However, the second half of the verse, “but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah,” makes it clear that, regardless of human intention and design, the outcome is ultimately in Jehovah’s hands. The “answer of the tongue” can be seen as the realization or outcome of the plans made in the heart.

This reflects a common theme throughout Scripture, and especially in wisdom literature, where human endeavor is viewed in the context of divine sovereignty. This belief served as a spiritual compass for the Israelites, guiding their actions and decisions. It cultivated a sense of humility, a reliance on Jehovah’s guidance, and a respect for His sovereignty.

In the context of ancient Israel, this verse would have functioned as practical wisdom, guiding individuals in their daily lives. It would encourage them to make plans while also reminding them of Jehovah’s overarching control, suggesting that a successful life involves a balance of personal initiative and reliance on God’s will.

Given these insights, our reading of Proverbs 16:1 today is greatly enriched. We’re reminded that while we’re called to act wisely and purposefully, it’s equally essential to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to hold our plans with open hands, knowing the final outcomes rest with Him. This verse, like much of the book of Proverbs, thus holds timeless wisdom, as relevant today as it was to the ancient Israelites.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).