Wisdom Wednesday: The Mind of Wisdom—Part 2
References to the Mind in the Old Testament
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“ Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.” Psa. 26:2 (NASB 95)
O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds. Psa. 7:9. (NASB 7:9)
The Old Testament contains many references that contain the English word “mind” in most translations. In the two verses above that distinguish heart and mind, the word that is translated as “mind” is a Hebrew word, kilyah, that literally means “kidney” and refers to the innermost or inward part of a person. English translations, in the context of these verses distinguish this as the mind. In both verses, the mind is distinguished from the “heart”–the Hebrew word leb, which is also refers to the innermost part of the will.
Jeremiah also recognized the distinction between the mind and heart:
Yet, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, Who see the mind and the heart; Let me see Your vengeance on them; For to You I have set forth my cause. (Jer 20:12 NASB).
The translators seek to make a careful distinction between the mind and heart, our mind’s thoughts, reasoning, focus and attention–and our heart’s will, determination, and conviction. These two Hebrew words are the 2 major words (out of 8 Hebrew words) that are translated into the English word “mind” in the English Standard Version (ESV), depending on the context in which they are used. In the New American Standard (NASB) translation that is used in these articles, there are over 85 references to the “mind” of God and the “mind” of man.
Consider just a few of the key things we learn about the use of “mind” in several of these passages:
- God knows our thoughts, intent, and will. David speaking to Solomon: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts.” (NASB 1 Chron 28:9).
- We remember God’s faithfulness in our mind (Deut. 30:11) and this gives hope to our mind (Lam. 3:21)
- God can place concepts in our mind (Neh. 2:12; cf. Psalm 16:9) as He has done in “visions” envisioned by prophets (e.g. Dan. 7:1)
- Wisdom is related to having a “breadth of mind” or great understanding (1 Kings 4:29; Job 38:36)
- In our mind, we conceive plans (Prov. 16:9; 1 Chron 28:12) as well as mischief and deception (Job 15:35; Prov. 17:20; Ez. 38:10)
- In our mind, we seek to learn (Eccl. 1:3; 2:3;2:23; 7:25)
- Unity of purpose in a group is called being of “one mind” (I Chron 12:38; Psa. 83:5)
God knows our mind – what we are thinking, learning and planning, our intentions behind the thoughts, and our willingness to serve Him. The mind is our capacity for thought, or cognition; it is our intellect, memory, and our thinking process.
In this series, we look at how we may apply our mind to worship and serve the Lord.