The big picture
Proverbs 16 opens in verse 1 with “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD .”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth…”, and closes in verse 33 with “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD .” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, lips, evil, heart, better. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 33Proverbs 16:1-7
1–7: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is…
Proverbs 16:1–7 opens with “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD .” and reaches “When a man’s ways please the LORD , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 16 develops its own movement around LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, with particular weight carried by LORD, evil, hand.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include answer, heart, LORD. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 16:1-7
King James Version1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD .
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works unto the LORD , and thy thoughts shall be established.
4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD : though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the LORD , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:8-14
8–14: Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 16:8–14 opens with “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” and reaches “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 16 develops its own movement around LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, with particular weight carried by king, kings, lips.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” Naming Better keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Proverbs 16:8-14
King James Version8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11A just weight and balance are the LORD’s : all the weights of the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Proverbs 16:15-21
15–21: In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a…
Proverbs 16:15–21 opens with “In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.” and reaches “The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 16 develops its own movement around LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, with particular weight carried by better, spirit, chosen.
Context that brings the passage to life
“In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cloud, countenance, favour. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 16:15-21
King James Version15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD , happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Proverbs 16:22-28
22–28: Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the…
Proverbs 16:22–28 opens with “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is…” and reaches “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 16 develops its own movement around LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, with particular weight carried by laboureth, lips, mouth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.” Naming Understanding keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Proverbs 16:22-28
King James Version22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 16:29-33
29–33: A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that…
Proverbs 16:29–33 opens with “A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.” and reaches “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD .” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 16 develops its own movement around LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, with particular weight carried by anger, better, bringeth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.” The line’s distinctive content terms include enticeth, good, leadeth. Its relationship to verses 30 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 16:29-33
King James Version29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 16:1 begins with “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD .”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 16:17 forms a natural hinge: “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
The final note
Proverbs 16:33 leaves the reader with “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, lips, evil, heart, better, mouth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.