The Heart
- Pastor Sean Smith
- Feb 8, 2025
- 2 min read
Question: In Hebrew thought, what body part was associated with belief?
Answer: The heart (lev/levav - לב/לבב)
Reference: Romans 10:10 reflects this Hebrew concept: "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness"
Interesting Tidbit: The Hebrew concept of heart included both emotional and intellectual aspects, unlike our modern separation of heart and mind
In Hebrew understanding, the heart (לב - "lev" or לבב - "levav") was considered the center of a person's entire being - far more comprehensive than our modern Western notion of the heart as simply the seat of emotions. This has profound implications for understanding biblical concepts of belief.
The Hebrew heart (לב) encompassed:
Intellectual activity (thinking, reasoning)
Emotional states
Decision-making capacity
Memory
Wisdom and understanding
Will and intentions
When Romans 10:10 states "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness," it's drawing on this rich Hebrew understanding. The Greek word used here (καρδία - kardia) is attempting to capture the Hebrew concept of לב (lev).
Some key examples that demonstrate this heart-belief connection:
Psalm 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart (לב) that I might not sin against you" - showing the heart as a place of storing and acting on knowledge
Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart (לב)" - demonstrating belief as a whole-person activity
Jeremiah 24:7 - "I will give them a heart (לב) to know me" - connecting the heart with true knowledge of God
Deuteronomy 6:6 - "These commandments... are to be on your heart (לב)" - showing the heart as the center of understanding and commitment
Greater Context: Western thinking often separates "head knowledge" from "heart knowledge." However, in Hebrew thought, true belief (אָמַן - aman) necessarily involved the whole person - their thoughts, emotions, and will - all centered in the לב (lev/heart).
Application: Jesus quoted the greatest commandment in Mark 12:30 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart..." - drawing on the Hebrew understanding of the heart as the core of human consciousness, belief, and action.
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