Proverbs 3:5 kjv
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 nkjv
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5 niv
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5 esv
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 nlt
Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:6 | In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Promise for trusting God's guidance |
| Prov 28:26 | Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. | Danger of self-trust, folly vs. wisdom |
| Ps 37:3-5 | Trust in the Lord, and do good... Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. | Active trust leads to God's action |
| Isa 26:3-4 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you... Trust in the Lord forever. | Peace from sustained trust in God |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water... | Blessing for trusting God; cursed for man |
| Ps 118:8-9 | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. | Superiority of trusting God over man |
| Prov 16:3 | Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. | Surrendering plans to God's will |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. | God's sovereignty over human plans |
| Ps 62:8 | Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. | Constant, wholehearted trust and refuge |
| Matt 6:25-34 | Do not be anxious about your life... But seek first the kingdom of God... | Trusting God for provision, against worry |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer... the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... | Peace from trust beyond human understanding |
| 1 Cor 1:19, 25 | I will destroy the wisdom of the wise... the foolishness of God is wiser than men. | God's wisdom transcends human wisdom |
| 1 Cor 2:5 | That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. | Faith resting in God's power, not human reason |
| Rom 12:3 | For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. | Humility regarding self-perception and understanding |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. | Total devotion implies total trust |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | Wholehearted seeking for God's guidance |
| John 14:1 | "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." | Believing in God and Christ against distress |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. | Seeking God's wisdom, not relying on self |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | Faith is foundational for pleasing God |
| Ps 9:10 | And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. | Knowing God leads to trust |
| Prov 23:4 | Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist. | Reliance on God, not self-effort, for provision |
| 2 Cor 1:9 | Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. | Learning to depend on God through trials |
Proverbs 3 verses
Proverbs 3 5 Meaning
Proverbs 3:5 teaches the vital principle of absolute reliance on God while eschewing self-reliance. It calls for placing complete confidence in the Lord's character, wisdom, and plans, not merely as a partial measure but with the entirety of one's being. Conversely, it cautions against the human tendency to depend on one's own limited and often flawed intellectual or discerning abilities, recognizing that human understanding, left to its own devices, can lead astray.
Proverbs 3 5 Context
Proverbs 3:5 is a foundational teaching within a section (Proverbs 1-9) where a father instructs his son in the paths of wisdom. This chapter, specifically, highlights the blessings of divine wisdom, contrasting it with worldly perspectives. The admonitions are personal and paternal, aimed at shaping the character and conduct of the young individual to walk in God's favor. Historically, the audience would have been part of ancient Israelite society, where familial and communal instruction was central, and devotion to Yahweh was the cornerstone of their covenant identity. This verse stands in stark opposition to reliance on human reason or the 'wisdom' of surrounding pagan cultures that might prioritize self-reliance or ritualistic magic over genuine dependence on God. It sets the stage for the promise of God's guidance in the subsequent verse (3:6), emphasizing that divine direction is contingent upon wholehearted trust and humility.
Proverbs 3 5 Word analysis
- Trust: The Hebrew word is בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ), meaning to feel secure, to be confident, to rely safely on something or someone. It implies an active, unwavering reliance and rest in an assured state, rather than a mere intellectual agreement.
- in the Lord: The phrase בַּֽיהוָה (bā Yahweh) points directly to God, specifically by His covenantal name Yahweh, indicating the personal, relational, and powerful God of Israel. Trust is specifically placed in His immutable character and unfailing faithfulness.
- with all your heart: בְּכָל־לִבֶּךָ (bᵉkhol-libbekhā). The "heart" (לֵב - lev/levav) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the totality of a person's inner being: intellect, will, affections, and moral character. "All your heart" signifies complete, undivided, unreserved reliance and devotion. No part of the inner self is to be held back or operate independently.
- and lean not: The verb is שָׁעַן (sha'an), meaning to lean upon, to support oneself, to depend. It evokes a physical posture of reliance on an object for support, and here it's used metaphorically for intellectual and volitional dependence. The negative particle אַל (al) gives a strong prohibition, highlighting a clear contrast to trust in the Lord.
- on your own understanding: בִּינָתְךָ (bînātᵉkhā). "Understanding" (בִּינָה - binah) refers to discerning ability, insight, intelligence, or the capacity to distinguish between things. The emphasis on "your own" is crucial, pointing to human intellectual capacity or discernment independent of divine revelation or guidance. It's not a condemnation of intelligence itself, but of relying on it as the ultimate authority apart from God.
- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart": This phrase commands an active, holistic surrender of one's entire being – intellect, will, and emotion – to the reliability and wisdom of God. It's an internal posture of security and confidence in Him.
- "and lean not on your own understanding": This parallel command acts as a counter-balance and clarification. It prohibits relying on human wisdom or perception as the primary or ultimate guide, recognizing its inherent limitations and fallen nature when separated from divine insight. It underlines humility and the need to acknowledge God's superior wisdom.
Proverbs 3 5 Bonus section
This verse implies that true wisdom begins not with intellect, but with an act of the will—to choose to trust God above oneself. It confronts the inherent human inclination toward autonomy and self-determinism. The wisdom it imparts is not merely theoretical knowledge, but practical guidance for living. Trust in the Lord, here, is intrinsically linked to faith in His unseen hand guiding circumstances. It suggests that often, God's ways do not align with human reasoning, requiring a step of faith even when understanding is lacking. This foundational principle forms the basis for overcoming fear, anxiety, and the uncertainty of life by rooting one's security not in predictable outcomes or personal capabilities, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God.
Proverbs 3 5 Commentary
Proverbs 3:5 is a cornerstone of biblical wisdom, prescribing a life lived in profound dependence on the Creator. It’s an invitation to absolute reliance on God's sovereignty and wisdom. "Trusting with all your heart" demands a comprehensive surrender of one's inner being—thoughts, intentions, desires—to God's leading, allowing no reservation or divided allegiance. This trust is not passive optimism but an active commitment and confidence in His character, faithfulness, and providential care.
The contrasting instruction, "lean not on your own understanding," highlights the inherent limitations and potential pitfalls of human reason when it operates autonomously. It doesn't devalue intelligence but cautions against the arrogance of relying solely on finite human perspective, which can be swayed by self-interest, incomplete information, or a distorted worldview. God's ways and thoughts are often beyond human comprehension, and His wisdom far surpasses any earthly discernment.
The verse essentially calls for radical humility and a reorientation from self-sufficiency to divine sufficiency. It’s about recognizing that God's plan is perfect and His guidance true, even when it defies our logic or seems counterintuitive. Embracing this principle liberates one from anxiety and misguided decisions, preparing the heart for the straight paths promised in the subsequent verse (Prov 3:6). Practically, it means seeking God in prayer for discernment, consulting His Word, and being open to His unexpected leading, rather than devising a plan independently and then asking God to bless it. It shapes daily decisions, career paths, relationships, and how one responds to life's challenges.