Exploring The Mind of God (Hebrew Word Study)Sample

A Broken Heart

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18 KJV)

Most modern Bible translations use the King James Version as a model. In doing so, they often move in lockstep with old and established renderings beloved by Christians throughout the centuries. Although the rendering of “broken heart” from lenisheveri lev is fully appropriate, it does not allow for the ambiguity of the Hebrew text.

My younger brother, who is a linguist and executive with Wycliffe Bible Translators, gave me some notes published by Wycliffe to assist me with my doctoral dissertation. In those notes, I read a statement from a former professor at Dallas Seminary who is now at Yale University. He said that many of our modern renderings often reflect the doctrine of the particular denomination or church that the translator represents. In translating, it is important to retain the ambiguity of many Hebrew words so that the readers will have the freedom to allow the Spirit of God to speak to them in ways that the teachings of their particular churches might limit.

The phrase lenisheveri lev is a perfect example of this. By rendering it as “broken heart” in keeping with tradition, we limit what the Holy Spirit can reveal to us personally. Again, let me say that “broken heart” is not a mistranslation; it is just a limiting one, for these words express so much more of what was going on in David’s heart. Lenisheveri, “broken,” comes from the root word shavar. The Hebrew letter lamed that comes at the beginning of that word is a preposition (to), and the letter nun that follows it indicates that it is in a niphal (reflexive) form. Rather than limiting our range of renderings, this only broadens it and gives the Holy Spirit a lot of leverage with which to speak to people’s hearts.

An Opportunity for a Breakthrough

One possible rendering for shavar is “a breakthrough.” The Lord is near to those who are experiencing a breakthrough in their hearts. A broken heart is often an opportunity for a breakthrough in one’s heart. You frequently hear about someone being on the “rebound” after a broken relationship. For their own sake, people are usually advised to wait a period of time before starting a new relationship after a breakup because their heart is very tender and they may seek to fill their emptiness with another relationship too quickly and end up making a serious mistake of judgment.

David knew that when his heart was broken by a false “god” in his life (such as lust, wealth, power, advisers, or even friends), there was another Suitor waiting at the door. When those other gods failed him, the Lord was there, ready for His chance to recapture David’s heart. Thus, David saw his broken heart as an opportunity. Just as a wound that is in the process of healing is very tender to the touch, his wounded heart would be very tender to the touch of God and would feel His touch in a way he never would have felt prior to his loss. We know that David had a heart after God’s heart. (See 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22.) This did not only mean he understood God’s heart but that his heart was constantly seeking to be joined with God’s. Hence, every wound he felt was an occasion to experience the touch of God in a way he could not experience it when all was well.

The Suitor at the Door

When you have a broken heart, what do you do? You may express your sorrow in different ways, such as weeping and mourning. These are normal responses, and grieving must be allowed, but don’t let your wound blind you to the Suitor who is waiting at the door. He is ready to touch your wounded heart, and like David, you can welcome your lenisheveri lev, or “broken heart,” as an opportunity, a breakthrough, to feel the touch of God in a way you could never have felt it before your brokenness.

When you suffer a broken heart, you might just want to be alone, but your Suitor wants to be alone with you in your hurt. Consider the mind of God and comprehend what He is quietly saying to you: “I understand what a broken heart is like, for My people have broken My heart many, many times. I will stay with you, comfort you, and heal your heart.”