The term "inclineth" is an archaic English word often found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is derived from the verb "incline," which means to bend, lean, or turn towards something. In the context of Scripture, "inclineth" typically refers to the act of turning one's heart, ear, or mind towards God, His commandments, or His wisdom.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Inclining the Heart: The concept of inclining one's heart is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of a willing and obedient heart towards God. In Proverbs 2:2 , it is written, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding." Here, the act of inclining the heart signifies a deliberate choice to seek and embrace divine wisdom and understanding.

2. Inclining the Ear: The phrase "incline your ear" is often used to describe the act of listening intently to God's word or instruction. In Psalm 78:1 , the psalmist calls, "Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth." This call to incline the ear underscores the necessity of attentiveness and receptivity to God's teachings.

3. God's Inclination: The Bible also speaks of God inclining His ear to the prayers of His people. In Psalm 116:2 , the psalmist expresses gratitude, saying, "Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." This portrays a compassionate and responsive God who listens to the cries of His faithful.

4. Moral and Spiritual Implications: The act of inclining one's heart or ear is not merely a passive gesture but involves an active and intentional pursuit of righteousness and truth. In Proverbs 4:20-21 , it is advised, "My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart." This passage highlights the moral responsibility of believers to actively engage with and internalize God's word.

5. Warnings Against Misguided Inclination: Scripture also warns against inclining one's heart towards evil or idolatry. In Joshua 24:23 , Joshua commands the Israelites, "Now, therefore, put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel." This admonition serves as a reminder of the dangers of turning away from God and the necessity of exclusive devotion to Him.

Theological Significance

The concept of "inclineth" in the Bible underscores the dynamic relationship between God and humanity. It reflects the call for believers to actively seek God, listen to His voice, and align their hearts with His will. This act of inclining is both a response to God's grace and an expression of faith and obedience. It is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a posture of humility and receptivity to the divine, ensuring that one's life is oriented towards God's purposes and truth.

The Motives to this Oversight
... Sin dwelleth in us, when we have preached ever so much against it; and one degree
prepareth the heart for another, and one sin inclineth the mind to more. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 the motives to.htm

Of Lowly Submission
... God protecteth and delivereth the humble man, He loveth and comforteth the humble
man, to the humble man He inclineth Himself, on the humble He bestoweth great ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii of lowly submission.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... 11. "Nature inclineth thee to created things, to thine own flesh, to vanities and
dissipation; but Grace draweth to God and to virtues, renounceth creatures ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

Atheists.
... Lord Bacon remarks, that "A little philosophy inclineth a man's mind to Atheism,
but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for, while the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/atheists.htm

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... reason, as it is impossible in nature that a stone, of its own nature and proper
motion, should fly upwards: for as a stone of its own nature inclineth and is ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm

The Endless Quest
... "It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism: but depth
in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion: for while the mind of man ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxiii the endless quest.htm

The Contemplative State More Perfect. ...
... ejus, et amorem ejus; that is, The love of God, or love which is God, to wit, the
Holy Ghost pouring himself into the love of man (inclineth and) applieth man ...
/.../chapter iii the contemplative state.htm

The Heart: a Gift for God
... of wisdom say, "My son, if thou wouldst be kept from drunkenness and gluttony, from
wantonness and chambering, and everything that the heart inclineth to, give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the heart a gift for.htm

Friendship.
... friend," says Robert Hall, "may be said to have doubled his mental resources." No
man is wise enough to be his own counselor, for he inclineth too much to ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/viii friendship.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ...
... So long as, through the deceitfulness of Satan, the false heart inclineth to the
old bias, and hath its eye upon any thing in itself, from whence it draweth ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter viii how to make.htm

Inclineth (10 Occurrences)
...Inclineth (10 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Numbers 21:15 And the slope of the valleys That
inclineth toward the dwelling of Ar, And leaneth upon the border of Moab. ...
/i/inclineth.htm - 9k

Leaneth (6 Occurrences)
... Leaneth (6 Occurrences). Numbers 21:15 And the slope of the valleys That inclineth
toward the dwelling of Ar, And leaneth upon the border of Moab. (ASV JPS). ...
/l/leaneth.htm - 8k

Inclining (1 Occurrence)

/i/inclining.htm - 7k

Inclinest (1 Occurrence)

/i/inclinest.htm - 6k

Rivulets (11 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 21:1 Rivulets of waters 'is' the heart of a king in the hand
of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. (YLT). ...
/r/rivulets.htm - 9k

Expected (18 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 40:1 To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. I have diligently expected
Jehovah, And He inclineth to me, and heareth my cry, (YLT). ...
/e/expected.htm - 11k

Pleaseth (13 Occurrences)
... (ASV WBS). Proverbs 21:1 Rivulets of waters 'is' the heart of a king in the
hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. (YLT). ...
/p/pleaseth.htm - 10k

Powerfully (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:30 and Samson saith, 'Let me die with the Philistines,' and he inclineth
himself powerfully, and the house falleth on the princes, and on all the ...
/p/powerfully.htm - 8k

Shades (29 Occurrences)
... bands asunder. (WBS). Proverbs 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death,
And her paths unto the dead; (See JPS BBE RSV). Proverbs 9 ...
/s/shades.htm - 13k

Sinketh (5 Occurrences)
... to the earth. (YLT). Proverbs 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death,
And her paths unto the dead; (See JPS). Ecclesiastes 10:18 ...
/s/sinketh.htm - 7k

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