Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

PROVERBS 3:5KJV
Know the Bible

Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 3:5 mean?

Proverbs 3:5 calls for wholehearted confidence in the LORD rather than making one’s own judgment the final support. The verse places that confidence in a relationship with God, not merely in a set of ideas about what seems sensible.

The saying addresses a learner as “my son” in the surrounding passage. Its picture of leaning suggests putting weight on a support, so the contrast concerns where that weight is placed.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 3:5

  • “heart” — לֵב (lev): This word can refer to the inner life, including thought and intention. “All thine heart” therefore reaches beyond feelings to the whole person’s inward commitment.
  • “lean” — שָׁעַן (shaʿan): This word can mean to rest or rely on something. The physical picture makes “thine own understanding” sound like a support on which a person might place weight.

Why Proverbs 3:5 matters

  • The verse sets confidence in the LORD against reliance on one’s own understanding. The contrast is marked by “and lean not,” which follows the call to trust.
  • The surrounding passage connects that trust with a person’s direction. Verse 6 speaks of acknowledging the LORD “in all thy ways” and says that he will “direct thy paths.”
  • The passage also places a warning about self-confidence beside the instruction. Verse 7 says, “Be not wise in thine own eyes,” sharpening the concern about treating one’s own judgment as enough.

Where else these words appear

“lean” Hebrew H8172 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
  • Job 24:23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.

“understanding” Hebrew H998 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
  • Job 39:17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
  • Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

“Trust” Hebrew H982 · used in 117 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
  • Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
  • Isaiah 30:12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: