מַעֲרָךְ

From the study of Proverbs 16:1

Range of meaning

The noun occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible, so its meaning comes from its root, the verb 'arakh, 'to set in order, lay out in rows, arrange'. That verb is used for: drawing up an army in battle lines (1 Sam 17:8; the related noun ma'arakhah means 'battle line'); setting out the rows of bread in the sanctuary (Lev 24:6); setting a table (Ps 23:5); and, most relevant here, laying out words or a legal case: 'I would lay out my case before him' (Job 23:4), 'set your words in order before me' (Job 33:5), 'he has not arranged words against me' (Job 32:14). In Ps 5:3 it may mean setting out one's plea before God in the morning.

Against the English

BSB, WEB, ESV and NASB have 'plans', KJV 'preparations', YLT 'arrangements'. 'Plans' is not wrong, but in modern English it suggests life goals, career strategy or projects. The root points more narrowly to arranging, drafting and composing, and here, given the pairing with 'answer of the tongue', to composing what one will say. YLT's 'arrangements' and KJV's 'preparations' are closer to the picture.

How it drifted

'Plans' is a reasonable general rendering. The drift comes from reading the verse alone, or blending it with 16:9 ('the heart of man plans his way'), so that it becomes a saying about life decisions and their outcomes rather than about prepared speech and the words actually spoken.

Used elsewhere in the period

Within the Bible the root's use for marshalling arguments in Job (23:4; 32:14; 33:5; 37:19) is the closest parallel. A plural noun from the same root (ma'arekhet) is the standard term for the 'rows' of the bread of the Presence.