Written by: Lucas Bueno
Proverbs 3:5-6. Some of you might already be reciting the verse in your minds right now. This is one of the most well-known and beloved verses of Scripture.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Recently, during an opening devotional in my intermediate Hebrew class, we took a closer look at this verse. The professor highlighted something in the original Hebrew that made us see it in a different light and that hopefully can help you gain a deeper appreciation of this verse.
As we examined the passage in Hebrew, our professor highlighted the use of the word translated in many Bibles as “acknowledge.” The root of the Hebrew is “yada,” which is most commonly translated as “to know.”
The word “yada” is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the intimate relationship between Adam and Eve, as well as the close relationship that God desires to have with each person He created. This word shows the depth of connection that God wants with you. He wants to be involved in all aspects of your life—not just on Sabbaths or in daily devotions, but every day, every moment.
However, as with every relationship, both parties must contribute. If God wants to know us, we must also want to know Him.
Let’s read Proverbs 3:5-6 again, but now with a slightly different translation of the word containing the root “yada.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all
your ways know Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
I am not trying to argue that “acknowledge” is an inaccurate or wrong word to use in our English translations of these powerful verses. However, use of the word “know,” based the way it has been used to describe God’s relationship with His people, adds greater depth to these verses.
Verse 5 urges us to trust only in the Lord and not in ourselves, and in verse 6, we are called to know the Lord, and by doing so, our wayward, haphazard paths will be made straight by His most powerful will and plan.
Let us not just acknowledge the Lord in our lives, but let us know Him. Let us walk with Him every moment. Let us read the love letter of the Holy Scriptures He has given to us. By knowing Him, may we become more like Him each day.
By knowing Him, may our walks of life be made straight, and may our paths lead us to join with Him for life everlasting.
