Heart (metaphor)

In the Bible, the word “heart” is often used as a metaphor. The word “heart” can be used to talk about several different things.

Often the word “heart” is used to talk about what a person thinks, feels, or wants. That is, the word “heart” is used to talk about the inner person (see: Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 5:8; Mark 12:30; Romans 8:27; 10:10; Ephesians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
The words “hard heart” or “heart of stone” are used to talk about a person who is stubborn and refuses to obey God (see: Exodus 7:3; Ezekiel 2:4; 36:26; Mark 10:5).
To do something “with all my heart” or “with my whole heart” is a way of talking about being completely willing and committed to doing something (see: Psalm 119:34).
The word “brokenhearted” is used to talk about someone who is very sad (see: Psalm 34:18; 147:3; Isaiah 61:1).
The words “take it to heart” are used to talk about treating something very seriously and changing what one does because of it (see: Isaiah 42:25).
The word “heart” can be used to talk about the center or middle of something (see: Jonah 2:3; Matthew 12:40).

See: Metaphor; Inner Person