Trust in the LORD with all your heart
This phrase emphasizes complete reliance on God, a central theme throughout the Bible. Trusting in the LORD involves a deep, unwavering faith that goes beyond mere intellectual assent. In the Hebrew context, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. This call to trust is a call to surrender every aspect of one's life to God. The patriarch Abraham exemplifies this trust when he obeyed God's call to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1-4). Theologically, this trust is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. This trust is also a precursor to the New Testament's call to faith in Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God's trustworthiness (John 14:1).

and lean not on your own understanding;
This phrase warns against self-reliance and the limitations of human wisdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued, but this proverb cautions against elevating human reasoning above divine guidance. The Hebrew word for "lean" suggests support or reliance, indicating that one's understanding is insufficient as a foundation for life. This is echoed in Jeremiah 17:9, which describes the heart as deceitful, and in Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are declared higher than human thoughts and ways. The New Testament reinforces this idea in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where the wisdom of God is contrasted with human wisdom. This phrase calls believers to seek God's wisdom, as found in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit, rather than relying solely on their own insights.

1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His eternal nature and faithfulness to His people.

3. Israel
The original audience of the Proverbs, representing God's chosen people who were to live according to His wisdom and commandments.Complete Trust in God
Trusting in the LORD requires a wholehearted commitment. It is not partial or conditional but involves every aspect of our being.

Rejecting Self-Reliance
Leaning on our own understanding often leads to pride and error. We must recognize our limitations and seek God's wisdom.

Faith in Action
Trusting God is not passive; it involves active faith, demonstrated through obedience and reliance on His guidance.

Heart Alignment
Our hearts must be aligned with God's will, which requires regular prayer, study of Scripture, and openness to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Wisdom from Above
True wisdom comes from God. We should seek His wisdom through prayer and the study of His Word, rather than relying solely on human reasoning.Verse 5. - Trust in the Lord (b'takh el y'hovah); literally, trust in Jehovah. Entire reliance upon Jehovah, implied in the words, "with all thine heart," is here appropriately placed at the head of a series of admonitions which especially have God and man's relations with him in view, inasmuch as such confidence or trust, with its corresponding idea of the renunciation of reliance on self, is, as Zockler truly remarks, a "fundamental principle of all religion." It is the first lesson to be learnt by all, and no less necessary for the Jew than for the Christian. Without this reliance on or confidence in God, it is impossible to carry out any of the precepts of religion. Batakh is, properly, "to cling to," and so passes to the meaning of "to confide in," "to set one's hope and confidence upon." The preposition el with Jehovah indicates the direction which the confidence is to take (cf. Psalm 37:3, 5). Lean (tishshaen); Vulgate, innitaris; followed by el, like b'takh, with which it is very similar in meaning. Shaan, not used in kal, in hiph. signifies "to lean upon, rest upon," just as man rests upon a spear for support. Its metaphorical use, to repose confidence in, is derived from the practice of kings who were accustomed to appear in public leaning on their friends and ministers; cf. 2 Kings 5:18; 2 Kings 7:2, 17 (Gesenius). The admonition does not mean that we are not to use our own understanding (binab), i.e. form plans with discretion, and employ legitimate means in the pursuit of our ends; but that, when we use it, we are to depend upon God and his directing and overruling providence (Wardlaw); cf. Jeremiah 9:23, 24. "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom," etc. The teacher points out not only where we are to rely, but also where we are not to rely.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Trust
בְּטַ֣ח (bə·ṭaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure

in
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

with all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your heart,
לִבֶּ֑ךָ (lib·be·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

and lean
תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃ (tiš·šā·‘ên)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8172: To lean, support oneself

not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

on
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your own understanding;
בִּֽ֝ינָתְךָ֗ (bî·nā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 998: An understanding


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart (Prov. Pro Pr)