Proverbs 3:5-6 in Context
Proverbs 3:5-6 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
— Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
Proverbs 3:5-6 appears in Proverbs chapter 3, verse 5. Solomon likely wrote this proverb around 950 BC during Israel's golden age. As the wisest king in history (1 Kings 3:12), Solomon understood that even extraordinary human wisdom had limits. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature emphasized practical skill for living, but Solomon pointed beyond human capability to complete reliance on Yahweh.
The Verse Itself
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
— Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp Proverbs 3:5-6 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. Proverbs 3 as a whole carries forward the theme of guidance, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
Solomon instructs us to place complete trust in God rather than relying on our limited human wisdom. When we acknowledge God in every area of life, He promises to guide our steps.
Cross-References
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