The figurative heart, used throughout the Holy Scriptures, stands for all that makes up the interior of the man: his desires, affections, passions, thoughts,purposes, imaginations, wisdom, skill, knowledge, belies, reasoning, etc.
Therefore, when in these Scriptures, you see the heart mentioned, except in the rare few cases where it is used to denote the actual physical organ, it means something far more than how the word heart is generally used today, especially in Western societies.
So, in the Scriptures the figurative heart is not confined to being the seat of affection and motivation, nor is it limited to the intellect. “Among the Semites . . . all that was peculiar to man, in the category of feelings as well as intellect and will, was attributed to the heart.” It is “the sum total of the interior man as opposed to the flesh, which is the exterior and tangible man.”—The Metaphorical Use of the Names of Parts of the Body in Hebrew and in Akkadian, by E. Dhorme, Paris, 1963, pp. 113, 114, 128 (in French)
I was asked, recently, to send someone Scriptures that reflect this usage of the word heart and I shall do so, but I thought it was such a good subject that I couldn't pass up sharing a few on a blog as well:
(Proverbs 17:3) 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah is the examiner of hearts.
(Proverbs 4:23) 23 More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life.
(1 Peter 3:3-4) 3 And do not let YOUR adornment be that of the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments, 4 but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible [apparel] of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God.
There are more, many more, almost a thousand if not more than, which could be shared here but , I do have to go to work.
The Holy Scriptures are beautifully written, great sources of comfort and wisdom for many whether Christian or no; please do consider reading them for yourself. I mean, how many people have said "I wish there was an instruction manual" for their husband, wife, child, etc. .. well, here it is. More information on the human psyche than your therapist will ever give you! Give it a try!
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