2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people 1 Kings 3:9
Introduction
When we are told to “follow our heart” in 21st-century culture, we are usually being encouraged to chase a romantic impulse, a gut instinct, or a fleeting emotion. We have been taught by modern pop culture to view the heart as the warm, emotional side of our humanity, often standing in direct opposition to the “cold” logic of the mind. However, in the ancient Hebrew world, this modern divide between the head and the heart simply did not exist.
In the Hebrew Bible, the heart—known as the lev (לֵב) or levav (לֵבָב)—is far more than a seat of emotions; it is the integrated “control center” of the entire inner person. To the ancient Israelites, the heart was the place where wisdom was stored, where logic happened, and where life-defining decisions were made. It was considered the “engine room” of personality, the source from which all drive, motivation, and conscious resolve emanated.
Understanding this Hebraic perspective changes how we read nearly every page of Scripture. Whether it is King Solomon asking for an “understanding heart” to judge with wisdom or the Psalmist pleading for a “pure heart,” these are not requests for emotional highs, but for a realignment of the intellect, will, and intentions.
The Heart: A Hebrew Perspective
Let’s explore the “Hebrew anatomy” of the heart. Rediscovering the biblical meaning of the heart shifts faith from sentimentality to a profound, holistic devotion to God.
The Power of the Lev (Heart): Within the Hebrew Bible, the Lev (לֵב) or Levav (לֵבָב) functions as the comprehensive control hub for the individual’s inner being, it is the place where you think. Unlike modern Western thought, which often separates logic (the head) from emotion (the heart), the biblical authors viewed the heart as the place where information is processed, wisdom is stored, and life-defining decisions are made. A person’s character is the “complete sum of all his thoughts,” because “as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
The “Steering Wheel” of Life: Conscious resolve and volition stem from the heart. It’s frequently referred to as the “steering wheel” or “engine room” of one’s life. Every choice made, from how one treats a neighbor to what one speaks, begins in the lev. As the physical heart pumps blood to the rest of the body, the spiritual heart serves as the “fountain” or “wellspring” for all moral attitudes and outward behaviors.
The Linguistic Meaning (Authority in the “House”): The power of the lev is even reflected in the ancient Hebrew letters that form the word.
- Lamed (ל): Represents a shepherd’s crook, a symbol of authority to control a flock.
- Bet (ב): Represents the floor plan of a tent, signifying a home or house. Together, these letters depict the heart as the authority that controls the house—specifically the earthly body in which we dwell.
When placed together, the letters Lamed and Bet create a word-picture of the “authority that controls the house”. While this could refer to a physical home, in the context of the lev, the “house” more accurately describes the earthly body in which the person dwells. Just as a shepherd guides a flock or an authority manages a household, the lev is meant to guide the person’s life in alignment with wisdom and divine truth.
The Spiritual Power (Where God Interacts): The heart is the inner forum where a person encounters God and responds to His commands. The heart serves as the inner sanctuary, the holy of holies, where individuals connect with God and choose to obey His directives. While humans look at outward appearances, God looks directly at the heart. It is the infallible index of a person’s true character. God’s power is needed to provide a “new heart” because the natural man’s heart can become “stony” (cold and unresponsive). The repentance process reorients a person’s purpose and essence to match divine truth.
A Prerequisite for Sacred Space and Ruling: Possessing a “pure heart” is a recurring requirement for those who wish to “stand in the holy place” or “ascend into the hill of the Lord”. Jeffrey Bradshaw points out: “The Psalm 15 temple entrance text combines the concept of “truth” with a person’s “heart” (v. 2), while in the book of First Kings, walking in the “truth” with all of one’s “heart” is a divinely mandated prerequisite for occupying the kingly throne in ancient Israel (1 Kings 2:4; cf. Isaiah 16:5).12 Indeed, in Psalm 86:11 the Israelite king proclaims the he will indeed walk in God’s “truth” (cf. Isaiah 38:3; 1 Kings 3:6)”.
Latter-Day Scriptures and the Heart
Restoration scriptures echo the Hebraic view of the heart as the seat of one’s true desires, thoughts, intent, and spiritual state. “…the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent… has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2). “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26). Alma describes the Tree of Life as growing from a seed “planted in the heart” (Alma 32:28). “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:9).
To be of one heart, we must seek pure hearts, and that requires a mighty change of heart. But that doesn’t mean changing my heart to align with yours. Nor does it mean changing your heart to align with mine. It means that we all change our hearts to align with the Savior.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Summary
The ancient Hebrew concept of the heart lev (לֵב) or levav (לֵבָב) was the central hub for the person’s character which governed thoughts, decisions, and feelings. Scripture strongly urges us to diligently protect our hearts, as they “determine the course of your life.” Leaving the heart unguarded is compared to surrendering a fortress or a besieged stronghold to an enemy. If our “control center” is compromised by sin or divided loyalties, our entire life becomes dysfunctional. President Oaks noted, “Our heart is right with God when we truly desire what is righteous—when we desire what God desires”.
