The term "heart" in the Bible is a profound and multifaceted concept that encompasses the inner being of a person, including their emotions, will, intellect, and moral character. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, reflecting the core of human identity and spiritual life.

Biblical Usage and Significance

1. Seat of Emotions and Desires: The heart is often depicted as the center of emotions and desires. In Proverbs 4:23, we are admonished, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." This verse underscores the importance of protecting one's heart, as it influences all aspects of life.

2. Center of Thought and Intellect: The heart is also associated with the mind and understanding. In Proverbs 23:7, it is written, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." This highlights the heart's role in shaping thoughts and perceptions, indicating that one's true nature is reflected in their heart's meditations.

3. Moral and Spiritual Condition: The heart is a reflection of one's moral and spiritual state. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse reveals the fallen nature of the human heart, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and transformation.

4. Source of Faith and Belief: Faith and belief are deeply rooted in the heart. Romans 10:10 declares, "For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." This passage illustrates the heart's crucial role in the process of salvation, where belief in the heart leads to righteousness.

5. Object of God's Examination: God examines the heart to discern true intentions and character. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, "The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." This divine scrutiny calls for sincerity and purity of heart in one's relationship with God.

6. Transformation and Renewal: The Bible speaks of the need for a transformed heart. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is a work of God, enabling believers to live in obedience and love.

7. Expression of Love and Devotion: The heart is the seat of love and devotion to God. In the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment encapsulates the total devotion and love that God desires from His people.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of the heart is integral to understanding human nature and spirituality. It is the wellspring of life, the seat of emotions, thoughts, and moral character, and the focus of God's transformative work. The heart's condition is pivotal in one's relationship with God, underscoring the need for vigilance, purity, and divine renewal.2588. kardia -- heart
... heart. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kardia Phonetic Spelling:
(kar-dee'-ah) Short Definition: the heart, inner life, intention Definition: lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2588.htm - 7k3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 3819, 3820. leb. 3821 . inner man, mind, will, heart. Transliteration:
leb Phonetic Spelling: (labe) Short Definition: heart. Word ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... deadly (1), death (1), defenseless* (1), desire (12), desire* (2), discontented*
(1), endure* (1), feelings (1), fierce* (2), greedy* (1), heart (5), heart's (2 ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 3823b, 3824. lebab. 3825 . inner man, mind, will, heart. Transliteration:
lebab Phonetic Spelling: (lay-bawb') Short Definition: heart. ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

PM Moore. The Heart's Prayer.
... II. GOD. 96. PM Moore. The Heart's Prayer. 1 As, down in the sunless retreats
of the ocean, Sweet flowers are springing no mortal ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/96 p m moore the.htm

CM Bowring. The Heart's Worship.
... The Heart's Worship. 1 The offerings to Thy throne which rise, Of mingled praise
and prayer, Are but a worthless sacrifice, Unless the heart be there. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/19 c m bowring the.htm

Heart's-Ease
Heart's-ease. <. ... Heart's-ease. Happiness is perfectly hollow unless
there is a meaning behind it, unless it tells of intention ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brooks/hearts-ease/hearts-ease.htm

Heart's-ease
Heart's-ease. <. Heart's-ease Phillips Brooks. Produced by Al Haines Table
of Contents. Title Page. Heart's-ease. [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brooks/hearts-ease/

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
... THE HEART'S DESIRE GIVEN TO HELP MISSION WORK IN CHINA. "Sept.30
[1869]."From Yorkshire L50."Received also One Thousand Pounds ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/the hearts desire given to.htm

Heart's-ease
Heart's-ease. <. ... Title Page. Heart's-ease from. Phillips Brooks. COPYRIGHT,
1909, BY. CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY. NEW YORK. [Illustration: Cover art]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brooks/hearts-ease/title page.htm

Mrs. Hemans. The Heart's Inspiration.
... I. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 40. 6 & 10s. M. Mrs. Hemans. The Heart's Inspiration.
1 Father, who art on high! Weak is the melody Of harp or ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/40 6 & 10s m.htm

Free Will Has Its Function in the Heart's Conversion; but Grace ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 31 [XV.]"Free Will Has Its Function
in the Heart's Conversion; But Grace Too Has Its. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 31 xv free will has.htm

Ode viii.
... Thou, on Whose bosom hung the WORD: Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour,. ... The
Mother of the Incarnate Word: Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/ode viii 2.htm

On the Unutterable Heart-Rending Grief of the Pure Queen of Heaven ...
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER XVII. On The Unutterable Heart-Rending Grief of
The Pure Queen of Heaven. The Servant."Who will give my ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xvii on the unutterable.htm

Heart's (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Heart's (20 Occurrences). Matthew 5:6 Happy are those
whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire. ...
/h/heart's.htm - 12k

Vaunteth (2 Occurrences)
... WBS). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And the
covetous renounceth, yea , contemneth Jehovah. (See JPS). ...
/v/vaunteth.htm - 6k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings. ... (See NIV). Hosea 4:8 They
feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity. ...
/g/greedy.htm - 13k

Withholden (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS). Psalms 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not
withholden the request of his lips. Selah. (KJV JPS ASV DBY). ...
/w/withholden.htm - 10k

Turtle (5 Occurrences)
... It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth
his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Psalm 74:19). ...
/t/turtle.htm - 9k

Turtledove (5 Occurrences)
... It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth
his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Psalm 74:19). ...
/t/turtledove.htm - 10k

Turtle-dove (5 Occurrences)
... It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth
his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Psalm 74:19). ...
/t/turtle-dove.htm - 9k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... The evil of polygamy is apparent from the dismal rivalry arising between the two
sisters, each seeking by means of children to win the heart of Jacob. ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Renounceth (2 Occurrences)
... disciple. (ASV). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,
And the covetous renounceth, 'yea', contemneth Jehovah. (ASV). ...
/r/renounceth.htm - 6k

Renounces (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Renounces (2 Occurrences). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked
boasts of his heart's cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. ...
/r/renounces.htm - 6k

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