Proverbs 21:1
Proverbs 21:1 in Multiple Translations
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.
The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the riuers of waters: he turneth it whithersoeuer it pleaseth him.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
Yahweh controls what kings do [MTY] like he controls how streams flow; he causes kings to do just what he wants them to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 21:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 21:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פַּלְגֵי
מַ֣יִם
לֶב
מֶ֭לֶךְ
בְּ/יַד
יְהוָ֑ה
עַֽל
כָּל
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
יַחְפֹּ֣ץ
יַטֶּֽ/נּוּ
פַּלְגֵי
peleg
H6388
stream
N-mp
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
לֶב
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms
מֶ֭לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יַחְפֹּ֣ץ
châphêts
H2654
to delight in
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יַטֶּֽ/נּוּ
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 21:1
פַּלְגֵי
peleg
H6388
"stream"
N-mp
A small channel of water, like a stream or irrigation ditch, is what this Hebrew word means. It appears in the Bible as a river or stream. In Genesis, it describes a small waterway.
Definition: channel, canal
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: river, stream. See also: Job 29:6; Proverbs 5:16; Psalms 1:3.
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
לֶב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
מֶ֭לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יַחְפֹּ֣ץ
châphêts
H2654
"to delight in"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Definition: 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. See also: Genesis 34:19; Psalms 51:21; Psalms 18:20.
יַטֶּֽ/נּוּ
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 21:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 21:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:1
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
- Sermons on Proverbs 21:1
Context — The King’s Heart
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:9 | A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. |
| 2 | Proverbs 20:24 | A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? |
| 3 | Ezra 6:22 | For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel. |
| 4 | Acts 7:10 | and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. |
| 5 | Proverbs 16:1 | The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. |
| 6 | Daniel 4:35 | All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” |
| 7 | Ezra 7:27–28 | Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me. |
| 8 | Psalms 106:46 | He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive. |
| 9 | Isaiah 43:19 | Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. |
| 10 | Nehemiah 2:4 | “What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven |
Proverbs 21:1 Summary
This verse means that God is in control of everything, even the decisions of powerful leaders. Just like a waterway is guided by its banks and currents, God guides the hearts of kings and can direct their actions as He pleases. This is a comforting truth because it means that God is sovereign over all things, and we can trust Him to work everything out for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have peace and confidence, even in uncertain times, and remember that He is always guiding and directing us, as seen in Psalm 23:2-3 which says that He leads us beside still waters and guides us on the right paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the king's heart is a waterway in the hand of the Lord?
This phrase means that even those in positions of power are under God's control, and He can direct their decisions and actions as He pleases, just as a waterway is guided by its banks and currents, as seen in Proverbs 21:1 and supported by Psalm 103:19 which says that God's sovereignty is over all.
Does this mean that God forces kings to do His will?
No, it means that God can influence and guide the decisions of kings, but it does not necessarily mean that He forces them to do His will, as humans still have free will, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19 where we are given the choice to choose life or death.
How does this apply to my life if I'm not a king?
This principle applies to everyone, as God is sovereign over all people and circumstances, and we can trust that He is guiding and directing the events of our lives, as stated in Romans 8:28 which says that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
What should be my response to this truth?
Our response should be one of humility, trust, and surrender, recognizing God's sovereignty and submitting to His will, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 which instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty in my life today, even when things seem uncertain or out of control?
- How does the truth of God's control over world leaders and events affect my prayers and my trust in Him?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to surrender to God's will and guidance, and how can I do that?
- How can I balance the truth of God's sovereignty with the reality of human free will, and what implications does this have for my relationships and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart [is] in the hand of the Lord, [as] the rivers of water,.... The heart of every king, and all that is in it, his thoughts, counsels, purposes, and designs; the hearts of bad kings, as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
CHAPTER 21 The king’ s heart; his very inward purposes and inclinations, which seem to be most in a man’ s own power, and out of the reach of all others, and much more his tongue and hand, and all his outward actions. He names kings not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than other men. As the rivers of water; which husbandmen or gardeners can draw by little channels into the adjacent grounds as they please, and as their occasions require. He turneth it; directeth and boweth, partly by suggesting those things to their minds which have a commanding influence upon their wills; and partly by a direct and immediate motion of their wills and affections, which being God’ s creatures must needs be as subject to his power and pleasure as either men’ s minds or bodies are, and which he moves sweetly and suitably to their own nature, though strongly and effectually. Withersoever he will; so as they shall fulfil his counsels and designs, either of mercy or of correction to themselves, or to their people.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
Proverbs 21:1 The king’ s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Ver. 1. The king’ s heart is in the hand of the Lord.] Be kings never so absolute and unaccountable to any, yet are they ruled and overruled by him "that is higher than the highest,." God’ s heart is not in the king’ s hand, as that foolish prince in Mexico pretends, when at his coronation he swears that it shall not rain unseasonably, neither shall there be famine or pestilence during his reign in his dominions; but "the king’ s heart," that is, his will, desires, devices, resolutions, are God’ s to dispose of. He turneth them this way or that way with as much ease as the ploughman doth the water course with his paddle, or the gardener with his hand. Thus he turned the heart of Pharaoh to Joseph; of Saul to David; of Nebuchadnezzar to Jeremiah; of Darius to Daniel; of Cyrus, and afterwards of Alexander the Great, to the Jews; of some of the Roman persecutors to the primitive Christians; and of Charles V, who ruled over twenty-eight flourishing kingdoms, to the late reformers, Melanchthon, Pomeran, and other famous men of God, whom, when he had in his power, after he had conquered the Protestant princes, he not only determined not anything extremely against them, but also, entreating them gently, he sent them away, not so much as once forbidding them to publish openly the doctrine that they professed: albeit, all Christendom had not a more prudent prince than he was, saith Mr Foxe, nor the Church of Christ almost a a sorer enemy. Acts and Mon., fol. 1784.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
XXI. (1) As the rivers of water.—Channels for irrigation (comp. Psalms 1:3). He turns the heart of the king, whose favour is as the latter rain (Proverbs 16:15) and dew (Proverbs 19:12), now towards one suppliant and now towards another, as He thinks fit, for “the hearts of kings are in His rule and governance.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
CHAPTER XXI The king's heart is in the hand of God. We should practise mercy and justice. The lying tongue. The quarrelsome woman. The punishment of the wicked. The uncharitable. The private gift. The happiness of the righteous. The wicked a ransom for the righteous. The treasures of the wise.
He who guards his tongue. Desire of the sluggard. The false witness. Salvation is of the Lord. NOTES ON CHAP. XXI Verse 1. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord] The Lord is the only ruler of princes. He alone can govern and direct their counsels. But there is an allusion here to the Eastern method of watering their lands. Several canals are dug from one stream; and by opening a particular sluice, the husbandman can direct a stream to whatever part he please: so the king's heart, wherever it turns; i.e., to whomsoever he is disposed to show favour.
As the land is enriched with the streams employed in irrigation; so is the favourite of the king, by the royal bounty: and God can induce the king to give that bounty to whomsoever he will. See Harmer.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:1
1. rivers] Lit. streams, or channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah. The comparison is drawn from artificial irrigation. The irrigator has complete control over the water supply. He cuts his channels and directs his streams whithersoever and in whatever measure he pleases. Comp. Psalms 1:3.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:1
Rivers of water - See the Psalms 1:3 note. As the cultivator directs the stream into the channels where it is most wanted, so Yahweh directs the thoughts of the true king, that his favors may fall,
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:1
1. King’s heart… hand of the Lord — A ruler is an official and representative person in an eminent degree. What he does affects others directly and indirectly.
Sermons on Proverbs 21:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Christian Revolution by Winkie Pratney | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Daniel and the lions' den as an example of serving the Lord and facing challenges. He emphasizes the importance of unity in a na |
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Lessons From Daniel by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the dark days in Israel described in the first two verses of the Bible. The people of God are in captivity in Babylon under the rule of Nebuch |
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(Through the Bible) Proverbs 21-25 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of listening to wise instruction and applying it to our lives. The main message is to trust in the Lord. The speaker also warn |
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The Rich and the Poor Part 1 by Chuck Smith | The video is a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith on the book of Proverbs, specifically focusing on Proverbs 21:1. Pastor Chuck explains that the purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom |
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The Supremacy of Christ in an Age of Terror by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the reason for the existence of a troubled and terrorized world is not because God is not in control. The Bible clearly states that God |
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(Spiritual Guidelines for Courtship) Testimonies of Godly Courtship by Rick Leibee | In this video, a couple shares highlights from their courtship and testimonies. They mention the verse from Isaiah 61 that speaks about God turning ashes into beauty and bringing j |
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Christmas Miracles by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting that without Christmas, there would be no Easter or Pentecost. He explains how God |