Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart
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In biblical literature, the metaphor of "deep water" is often used to describe the profound and hidden aspects of human thought and wisdom. This imagery is particularly evident in the context of counsel and understanding, where the heart is seen as a reservoir of deep, often concealed, insights and intentions.

Biblical References and Interpretation

One of the key verses that encapsulate this metaphor is found in Proverbs 20:5: "The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out" . This proverb highlights the complexity and depth of human motives and thoughts, suggesting that true wisdom involves the ability to discern and extract these hidden truths.

The "deep waters" symbolize the intricate and sometimes unfathomable nature of the human heart. In ancient Near Eastern culture, water was often associated with mystery and the unknown, reflecting the belief that the heart's true intentions are not always immediately apparent. The verse implies that while the heart's counsel is profound, it requires discernment and understanding to access and interpret it.

The Role of Understanding

The "man of understanding" in Proverbs 20:5 is portrayed as someone who possesses the skill and insight necessary to navigate these deep waters. This person is not only wise but also perceptive, able to draw out the hidden counsel within the heart. This process involves patience, discernment, and a reliance on divine wisdom, as human understanding alone may not suffice to fully grasp the depths of the heart's intentions.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of deep waters in the heart underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in understanding human motives and decisions. It suggests that while human wisdom is valuable, it is ultimately limited without the illumination provided by God. The Bible frequently emphasizes the need for divine insight, as seen in James 1:5: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" .

Practical Application

In practical terms, this metaphor encourages believers to approach decision-making and interpersonal relationships with humility and a reliance on God's wisdom. It serves as a reminder that understanding others—and even oneself—requires more than surface-level observation. It calls for a deep engagement with the heart, guided by prayer and reflection, to uncover the true counsel that lies within.

Conclusion

The imagery of "deep water" in relation to counsel in the heart is a powerful biblical metaphor that speaks to the complexity of human thought and the necessity of divine wisdom. It challenges individuals to seek understanding beyond the superficial, recognizing that true insight comes from a combination of human discernment and divine guidance. As believers navigate the waters of life, they are encouraged to draw upon the deep well of God's wisdom to illuminate the hidden depths of the heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

We are Taught by David and Solomon How to Take Counsel with Our ...
... For: "Counsel in the heart of a man is as deep waters." [578] "Let no stranger,"
it says, "share it with thee. Let the fountain of thy water be thine own, and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i we are taught.htm

A String of Pearls
... therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.5. Counsel in the heart of man
is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.6. Most men ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a string of pearls.htm

Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
... life, and fallen in its rugged road, with no counsel, no strength ... Water of Life"Sermons ...
Not one of deep speculation, quiet thoughts, and bright visions; but a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iv out of the deep.htm

Thou Shalt not Kill.
... And finally, that the heart be not ill disposed ... those murderers who do not afford
counsel and help in ... one navigating and laboring in deep water [and struggling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not kill.htm

A Caution against Various Temptations, by which the Young Convert ...
... would rather choose to live on bread and water, or indeed to ... wisest of men has observed
that when "counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters," that ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxi a caution against.htm

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So ...
... no drawing by mechanical means from a deep well; but the ... still, and crying for one
drop of water to cool his ... as well as dreary work to take counsel with one's ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter i perhaps there is.htm

Psalm XLII.
... Fountain of Truth." Perhaps avarice whispers in thine ear some dark counsel, hisses
against ... Deep calleth unto deep with the voice of thy water-spouts" [1258 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlii.htm

The Water of Life;
... Ezekiel 47:3,4). But what is ankle-deep to that ... He that refuses this water now, shall
not have so much ... of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

The Indwelling and Outgoing Works of God.
... his unsuspecting victim, burying his fangs deep into the ... the thoughts of His heart,
His counsel, and His ... often discover that many baptized with water but not ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iii the indwelling and outgoing.htm

Psalm 107
... they wrought rebelliously,. And they the counsel did contemn. ... 24Within the deep
these men God's works. ... 33He to dry land turns water-springs,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 107.htm

Resources
What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be born of water? | GotQuestions.org

Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Dowsing

Water

Water Baptism

Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price

Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy

Water of Hostile Armies

Water of Jealousy

Water of Persecutions

Water of Persecutors

Water of Separation

Water of Separation or of Uncleanness

Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit

Water of the Support of God

Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes

Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification

Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person

Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage

Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The

Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart

Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction

Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise

Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention

Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition

Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice

Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions

Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People

Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ

Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror

Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God

Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny

Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked

Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death

Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel

Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities

Water: Carried in Vessels

Water: Changed to Wine

Water: City Waterworks

Water: Cleansing

Water: Collected in Brooks

Water: Collected in Fountains

Water: Collected in Ponds

Water: Collected in Pools

Water: Collected in Rivers

Water: Collected in Springs

Water: Collected in Streams

Water: Collected in The Clouds

Water: Collected in The Sea

Water: Collected in Wells

Water: Congealed by Cold

Water: Covered the Whole Earth

Water: Creation of

Water: Daily Allowance of

Water: Domestic Love

Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain

Water: Fluid

Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use

Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place

Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From

Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide

Water: Jesus Walks Upon

Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots

Water: Libation of

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock

Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven

Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap

Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To

Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In

Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On

Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites

Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man

Water: Necessary to Vegetation

Water: One of the Elements of the World

Water: Penetrating

Water: Purified by Elisha

Water: Red Sea Divided

Water: Reflecting Images

Water: Refreshing

Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds

Water: some Plants Particularly Require

Water: Symbolical

Water: The Jordan River

Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity

Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By

Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By

Water: Turned Into Blood

Water: Unstable

Water: Vision of, by Ezekiel

Water: Water of Affliction

Water: Water of Life

Water: Water of Salvation

Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances

Related Terms

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)

Water-vessel (14 Occurrences)

Water-springs (12 Occurrences)

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)

Water-courses (9 Occurrences)

Water-holes (8 Occurrences)

Water-plants (7 Occurrences)

Water-gate (5 Occurrences)

Water-brooks (6 Occurrences)

Water-doorway (4 Occurrences)

Water-streams (4 Occurrences)

Drinking-water (4 Occurrences)

Water-vessels (2 Occurrences)

Water-jugs (2 Occurrences)

Water-town (2 Occurrences)

Water-hen (2 Occurrences)

Water-jug (1 Occurrence)

Water-pipe (1 Occurrence)

Water-door (1 Occurrence)

Water-spouts (1 Occurrence)

Water-flood (1 Occurrence)

Water-skins (1 Occurrence)

Water-pot (1 Occurrence)

Water's (2 Occurrences)

Water-skin (1 Occurrence)

Snow-water (1 Occurrence)

Sail (32 Occurrences)

Springing (16 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Ablution

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Streaming (16 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Swell (9 Occurrences)

Knee-deep (1 Occurrence)

Compacted (3 Occurrences)

Soak (1 Occurrence)

Shoal (2 Occurrences)

Swim (8 Occurrences)

Sooner (21 Occurrences)

Storing (10 Occurrences)

Swamp (1 Occurrence)

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Siloah (1 Occurrence)

Shelah (18 Occurrences)

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)

Siloam (4 Occurrences)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Crystal (7 Occurrences)

Agitated (9 Occurrences)

Stank (6 Occurrences)

Shihor (5 Occurrences)

Sink (16 Occurrences)

Soap (4 Occurrences)

Sluice

Shrink (10 Occurrences)

Scant (4 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Hyssop (12 Occurrences)

Augury (5 Occurrences)

Cistern (21 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Camest (27 Occurrences)

Salim (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Adullam (10 Occurrences)

Slope (29 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Vast (54 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The
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