Proverbs 16:2

Context

16:2 All a person’s ways¹ seem right² in his own opinion,³

but the Lord evaluates⁴ the motives.⁵

Proverbs 21:2

Context

21:2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,⁶

but the Lord evaluates⁷ the motives.⁸

Proverbs 24:12

Context

24:12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,”

does not the one who evaluates⁹ hearts consider?

Does not the one who guards your life know?

Will he not repay each person according to his deeds?¹⁰

[16:2] ¹tn Heb “ways of a man.”

[16:2] ²sn The Hebrew term translated “right” (z~E) means “innocent” (NIV) or “pure” (NAB, NRSV, NLT). It is used in the Bible for pure oils or undiluted liquids; here it means unmixed actions. Therefore on the one hand people rather naively conclude that their actions are fine.

[16:2] ³tn Heb “in his eyes.”

[16:2] ⁴tn The figure (a hypocatastasis) of “weighing” signifies “evaluation” (e.g., Exod 5:8; 1 Sam 2:3; 16:7; Prov 21:2; 24:12). There may be an allusion to the Egyptian belief of weighing the heart after death to determine righteousness. But in Hebrew thought it is an ongoing evaluation as well, not merely an evaluation after death.

[16:2] ⁵tn Heb “spirits” (so KJV, ASV). This is a metonymy for the motives, the intentions of the heart (e.g., 21:2 and 24:2).

[21:2] ⁶tn Heb “in his own eyes.” The term “eyes” is a metonymy for estimation, opinion, evaluation.

[21:2] ⁷tn Heb “weighs” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “examines”; NCV, TEV “judges.”

[21:2] ⁸tn Heb “the hearts.” The term לֵב (lev, “heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for thoughts and motives (BDB 660-61 s.v. 6-7). Even though people think they know themselves, the Lord evaluates motives as well (e.g., Prov 16:2).

[24:12] ¹¹tn Heb “weighs” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV) meaning “tests” or “evaluates.”

[24:12] ¹²sn The verse completes the saying by affirming that people will be judged responsible for helping those in mortal danger. The verse uses a series of rhetorical questions to affirm that God knows our hearts and we cannot plead ignorance.