Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost…”

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

World English Bible

The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

American Standard Version

The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.

Geneva Bible 1599

The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.

Darby Translation

Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.

Young's Literal Translation

The breath of man [is] a lamp of Jehovah, Searching all the inner parts of the heart.

Bible in Basic English

The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“spirit”

1 Corinthians 2:11 Job 32:8 1 John 3:19–21 Genesis 2:7 Romans 2:15 2 Corinthians 4:2–6

1 Corinthians 2:11 · BSB

For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Job 32:8 · BSB

But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

1 John 3:19–21 · BSB

And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:

Genesis 2:7 · BSB

Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Romans 2:15 · BSB

So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them

2 Corinthians 4:2–6 · BSB

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the…

“searching”

Proverbs 20:30 Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 4:13

Proverbs 20:30 · BSB

Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.

Hebrews 4:12 · BSB

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 · BSB

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

Read Proverbs 20