lev denotes the inner person as the seat of commitment, thought, feeling, and inward condition in the Bible.

The sampled verses most often use lev for a person’s inward orientation and commitment, whether wholehearted, willing, turned, or set toward a course. It also names the inner sphere of understanding and deliberation, emotional responses such as joy or fear, and, in a rare depiction, inward collapse.

1. Inward orientation and commitment · dominant

   The noun identifies the inward disposition with which people seek, serve, offer, or turn. In 1 Chronicles 28:9 the APB renders service “with a whole heart,” while the same verse says that the LORD searches every heart and understands intentions; 2 Chronicles 12:14 depicts failure because a king had not set his heart to seek the LORD. In 1 Kings 11:3 and 2 Chronicles 30:12, the APB renders a heart being turned or a people being given “one heart” for a commanded action.

   1 Chronicles 28:92 Chronicles 12:141 Kings 11:32 Chronicles 30:121 Chronicles 29:92 Chronicles 29:31
2. Understanding, deliberation, and inward speech · common

   The noun can locate discernment, wisdom, and a person’s internal reasoning. In 1 Kings 3:9 the APB renders an “understanding heart” for judging and discerning, and in 1 Kings 10:24 it places wisdom in Solomon’s heart. In 1 Kings 12:26 and 1 Samuel 27:1, the APB renders a speaker saying something “in his heart,” marking private deliberation before action.

   1 Kings 3:91 Kings 3:121 Kings 10:241 Kings 12:261 Samuel 27:11 Samuel 1:13
3. Emotional response and courage · common

   The noun marks inward joy, fear, and discouragement in response to circumstances. In 1 Samuel 2:1 the APB renders Hannah’s heart rejoicing, while in 1 Samuel 28:5 Saul’s heart trembles greatly when he sees the Philistine camp. In 1 Samuel 17:32, David speaks against a man’s heart failing because of the Philistine.

   1 Samuel 2:11 Samuel 28:51 Samuel 17:321 Kings 8:662 Chronicles 7:101 Chronicles 16:10
4. Inward condition expressed as hardening or collapse · occasional

   The noun can portray a severe inward state through what happens to it. In 1 Samuel 6:6 the APB renders hearts being hardened, and in 1 Samuel 25:37 it says that Nabal’s heart “died within him” and that he became like stone. These clauses present an inward condition rather than deliberation or willing commitment.

   1 Samuel 6:61 Samuel 25:372 Chronicles 26:162 Chronicles 32:252 Chronicles 32:26

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly presents the noun with “heart,” including phrases such as “whole heart,” “understanding heart,” and “heart trembled.” Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, its varied English clauses confirm the verse contexts but do not establish separate English equivalents for every occurrence.