Proverbs 16:2 kjv

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:2 nkjv

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

Proverbs 16:2 niv

All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

Proverbs 16:2 esv

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

Proverbs 16:2 nlt

People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the LORD examines their motives.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 2 Meaning

Proverbs 16:2 reveals the stark contrast between human self-perception and divine reality. People inherently tend to justify their actions and believe their intentions are pure. However, God, the sovereign Lord, looks beyond outward appearance, precisely evaluating the deepest motives and true intentions of the human spirit.

Proverbs 16 2 Context

Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature that offers practical and moral instructions for a life lived in accordance with divine principles. Chapter 16 specifically opens by emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty and foreknowledge over all human plans and perceptions, setting the stage for verses like 16:2. The broader historical and cultural context underscores the importance of wisdom, often presented as a contrast between human folly and divine truth. This verse particularly challenges the natural human inclination towards self-righteousness and asserts that the true standard for moral assessment rests solely with Yahweh, contrasting with contemporary pagan beliefs that might have focused more on external rituals or appeasing gods through visible actions.

Proverbs 16 2 Word analysis

• "All" (כָּל - kol): Denotes totality, emphasizing that every single path, conduct, or aspect of human activity falls under this subjective assessment. It highlights the pervasive nature of self-deception across human experience.

• "ways" (דֶּרֶךְ - dereḵ): Refers to one's entire course of life, conduct, character, and the moral choices made. It implies the direction and manner of living, not just isolated actions.

• "man" (אִֽישׁ - ʾîš): A generic term for humanity, signifying every individual regardless of status or perceived piety. It points to a universal human tendency.

• "clean" (טָהוֹר - ṭāhōr): Means pure, blameless, acceptable. In a spiritual and moral sense, it refers to being ritually and morally pure before God. Here, it describes how individuals subjectively perceive their own actions and intentions as justified or righteous.

• "in his own sight" (בְּעֵינָיו - bəʿênāw): Literally "in his eyes." This phrase stresses the highly subjective, biased, and often self-deceptive nature of human judgment. People see what they want to see, or what makes them comfortable, leading to self-justification.

• "but" (וְ - wə): A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a powerful contrast that challenges the previous statement. It signals a critical shift from the limited, biased human perspective to the infinite, objective divine reality.

• "the Lord" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His divine sovereignty, ultimate authority, absolute righteousness, and unparalleled knowledge. He is the ultimate, objective Judge and standard-setter.

• "weighs" (תּוֹכֵן - tôḵēn): Means to measure, test, prove, or evaluate with precise accuracy, often with the imagery of using scales. It implies a thorough, deep, and unerring assessment that penetrates beyond surface appearances, like calibrating something precisely.

• "spirits" (רוּחוֹת - rûḥôt): Plural of rûaḥ, referring to the innermost part of a person—their heart, mind, motives, intentions, disposition, and true character. It signifies the deep, hidden wellsprings from which actions spring, rather than merely the actions themselves.

• Words-group analysis

  • "All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight": This phrase succinctly captures the pervasive human tendency towards self-justification and spiritual blindness. It highlights that self-deception can color every aspect of a person's conduct, making them perceive even flawed actions as pure or well-intentioned.
  • "but the Lord weighs the spirits": This powerful contrasting statement asserts God's absolute omniscience and moral authority. While humans are prone to seeing only external actions or justifying internal ones, God penetrates to the deepest motivations, accurately discerning the true nature and condition of the heart, which is often flawed. The imagery of "weighing" signifies an exact and unchallengeable divine judgment based on a perfect standard.

Proverbs 16 2 Bonus section

• This proverb stands as a reminder of the pervasiveness of sin, affecting every part of a person (mind, will, emotions), leading to a deep-seated self-deception, particularly in spiritual matters.
• The wisdom of Proverbs often uses antithetical parallelism, powerfully contrasting human folly with divine truth. This verse is a prime example, emphasizing the infinite gap between limited human insight and God's perfect knowledge and judgment.
• It serves as a strong call to confession, repentance, and reliance on God's mercy rather than trusting in our own perceived goodness or external acts.
• The Hebrew verb tôḵēn ("weighs") implies meticulous, precise examination, like using finely calibrated scales. This suggests not just a casual assessment, but an accurate, unassailable divine verdict.

Proverbs 16 2 Commentary

Proverbs 16:2 profoundly highlights the radical divergence between human perception and divine judgment. We possess an inherent tendency to rationalize our actions and intentions, perceiving them as "clean" or morally upright. This self-assessment is deeply subjective, flawed by pride, self-interest, and spiritual blindness. However, the verse firmly asserts that the Lord—the sovereign, all-knowing God—does not merely observe outward deeds or listen to our self-justifications. Instead, He precisely "weighs the spirits," penetrating to the deepest wellsprings of our being: our true motives, underlying intentions, and the fundamental disposition of our heart. This truth calls us to profound humility, recognizing that our ultimate standard of righteousness lies not within ourselves but solely in God's perfect character. It prompts genuine introspection and leads us away from self-reliance toward dependence on God's grace for true purity of heart.