Proverbs 19:21 kjv

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Proverbs 19:21 nkjv

There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD's counsel?that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 niv

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 esv

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 nlt

You can make many plans,
but the LORD's purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 21 Meaning

Many schemes, intentions, and thoughts originate in the human mind and heart, reflecting diverse personal desires and wisdom. However, despite the multitude of human plans, the eternal counsel and sovereign will of the Lord are what ultimately stand firm, are established, and are realized. This verse underscores the supreme sovereignty of God over all human endeavors, reminding us that His ultimate design will invariably prevail.

Proverbs 19 21 Context

Proverbs 19:21 stands within a collection of wisdom sayings in the Book of Proverbs, offering practical guidance for daily life alongside profound theological truths. This chapter broadly touches on themes such as wisdom vs. foolishness, the consequences of sin, the value of integrity, and divine attributes. Specifically, verse 21 follows an admonition to heed instruction and accept discipline (v. 20) and precedes a statement about the value of steadfast love and a poor person being better than a liar (v. 22). It places human initiative and deliberation squarely within the larger framework of divine sovereignty.

The book of Proverbs as a whole emphasizes the "fear of the Lord" as the beginning of wisdom, integrating human moral choices with a robust understanding of God's control. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, people undoubtedly planned for their livelihoods, families, and national security. This proverb served as a crucial theological corrective to any self-reliant arrogance or fatalistic worldview, teaching that while diligent planning is wise, the ultimate outcome rests not on human acumen or effort, but on the unfailing purpose of YHWH, the covenant God. It would have served as a bulwark against polytheistic notions of capricious deities or impersonal fate, affirming the consistent, deliberate will of the one true God.

Proverbs 19 21 Word analysis

• Many: רַבִּים (rabbim) – A plural form emphasizing abundance or multitude. It highlights the vast number and variety of designs originating from humans.
• are the plans: מַחֲשָׁבוֹת (machashavot) – From the root חָשַׁב (chashav), "to think, devise, reckon." This term refers to thoughts, devices, schemes, intentions, or designs. It captures the comprehensive scope of human ideation—from grand ambitions to simple daily considerations.
• in a person’s heart: לֶב־אִישׁ (lev-ish) – לֶב (lev), "heart," in Hebrew thought, encompasses the entire inner being, including intellect, will, emotions, and conscience, not just the physical organ. אִישׁ (ish) means "person" or "man." This phrase signifies that plans originate from the innermost thoughts and desires of an individual.
• but it is the Lord’s purpose: וַעֲצַת יְהוָה (va'atzat Adonai) – The וְ (ve-) acts as a strong contrast, "but" or "yet." עֲצַת (atzat) from עֵצָה (etsah) denotes "counsel, advice, plan, purpose, or determination." It often refers to divine counsel or decree, emphasizing a well-considered and firm decision. יְהוָה (YHWH), "the Lord," signifies the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, indicating that this purpose is from the ultimate divine authority.
• that prevails: הִיא תָקוּם (hi' takum) – הִיא (hi') is the pronoun "it," referring back to "the Lord's purpose." תָקוּם (takum) from the verb קוּם (kum), means "to rise, stand up, be established, endure, or prevail." This term strongly conveys that God's purpose is not merely a suggestion or possibility, but an immutable certainty that will be brought to pass and ultimately triumph.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Many are the plans in a person’s heart": This clause sets the scene by acknowledging the inherent human capacity and propensity for planning, devising, and aspiring. It highlights the intellectual and volitional aspect of human beings, recognizing the multiplicity and diversity of intentions conceived in the inner person. It implicitly refers to both well-intentioned and ill-conceived plans.
• "but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails": This contrasting clause asserts divine sovereignty as the ultimate governing principle over all human activity. The emphasis on "the Lord's purpose" (specifically YHWH's deliberate counsel) standing or prevailing declares that God's will is decisive, unthwartable, and ultimately triumphant. This truth frames all human endeavors within the larger, unfolding design of God, offering both comfort and a call to humble submission.

Proverbs 19 21 Bonus section

• This proverb stands against two extremes:
  • Fatalism: It does not suggest human plans are entirely pointless, thus leading to inaction. We are still responsible moral agents called to live wisely and make decisions.
  • Humanism/Self-Sufficiency: It directly counters the belief that human intellect or power is the ultimate determinant of events. Our deepest ambitions and most intricate strategies are still ultimately held accountable to God's decree.
• The "purpose of the Lord" often implies His overarching redemptive plan for humanity, in which individual lives and world events play a part according to His divine orchestration. It underscores that God is never reactive but proactive, implementing His will across time.
• The wisdom in Proverbs consistently points to humble reliance on God in all matters, rather than pride in human ability. This verse is a powerful call to align one's desires and plans with God’s known will revealed in Scripture and to trust His sovereign hand even when our personal plans seem to fail.

Proverbs 19 21 Commentary

Proverbs 19:21 offers a succinct theological declaration regarding the interplay between human intention and divine sovereignty. It acknowledges that human beings are agents capable of intricate thought and extensive planning. Every individual, every family, and every nation formulates countless "plans" born from desire, intellect, or perceived necessity. However, this verse firmly posits that while humans plan, the final outcome and ultimate realization of events reside not in their ingenuity or efforts, but in the steadfast, unyielding "purpose of the Lord."

This proverb is not meant to discourage prudent planning, which other Proverbs encourage (e.g., Prov 21:5). Rather, it teaches a crucial truth: planning must be undertaken with humility, recognizing that our schemes are provisional and always subject to God’s ultimate will. His "purpose" is His sovereign decree, eternally formed, perfectly wise, and unfailingly enacted in history. When human plans clash with divine purpose, it is always the Lord’s purpose that prevails, demonstrating His absolute control over circumstances, nations, and individual lives. This truth offers comfort to the faithful who trust that even thwarted ambitions serve a greater divine design, and it calls the self-reliant to acknowledge God’s supreme authority.

• A business owner meticulously plans a market expansion, but unforeseen regulations shift their strategy, leading them to a more successful, unexpected niche guided by providential opportunities.
• A couple prays and plans for a specific family dynamic, but God’s purpose unfolds differently, perhaps through adoption or through a challenging health journey, ultimately bringing unexpected blessings and deeper faith.
• A ministry designs an outreach campaign, but unforeseen circumstances force a change in method, leading them to reach a group or location they hadn't initially intended, demonstrating God's direct leading beyond their original scope.