Proverbs 21:1
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.
American King James Version (AKJV)
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.
Webster's Revision
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
World English Bible
The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
English Revised Version (ERV)
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Definitions for Proverbs 21:1
Clarke's Proverbs 21:1 Bible Commentary
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord - The Lord is the only ruler of princes. He alone can govern and direct their counsels. But there is an allusion here to the Eastern method of watering their lands. Several canals are dug from one stream; and by opening a particular sluice, the husbandman can direct a stream to whatever part he please: so the king's heart, wherever it turns; i.e., to whomsoever he is disposed to show favor. As the land is enriched with the streams employed in irrigation; so is the favourite of the king, by the royal bounty: and God can induce the king to give that bounty to whomsoever he will. See Harmer.
Barnes's Proverbs 21:1 Bible Commentary
Rivers of water - See the Psalm 1:3 note. As the cultivator directs the stream into the channels where it is most wanted, so Yahweh directs the thoughts of the true king, that his favors may fall, not at random, but in harmony with a divine order.
Wesley's Proverbs 21:1 Bible Commentary
21:1 The kings - He names kings not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than others.As rivers - Which husband - men draw by little channels into the adjacent grounds as they please.