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Ecclesiastes 7:19 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃

BSAWisdomchokmâh [skill and good judgment, prudence] makes the wise manchâkâm [intelligent, crafty] stronger thanʻâzaz [to be strong, prevail] tenʻeser [a decade, numerous] rulersshallîyṭ [domineering, in charge] in a cityʻîyr [a town, excitement]

Word
Listen & take awayEcclesiastes 7
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 19 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ba.'Ir) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ecclesiastes 7:19quick helps
In a sentenceWisdom provides strength that surpasses even the authority of multiple rulers.
Who is speakingThe author of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the value of wisdom.
Where we areIn a section discussing the benefits of wisdom in life.
The hard wordתָּעֹ֣ז
Take awayWisdom is a powerful asset for those who possess it.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbעָזַז The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Ecclesiastes 7:19

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Value of Wisdomgenerated

18It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.
19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
20Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
21Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

Ecclesiastes 7:19 emphasizes the superiority of wisdom over mere authority. The verse illustrates that wisdom equips the wise person with strength that exceeds that of ten rulers in a city, highlighting the importance of wisdom in governance and life decisions. This section of Ecclesiastes contrasts the fleeting nature of life with the enduring value of wisdom, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ecclesiastes 9:15–18Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
22 Samuel 20:16–22a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”
3Proverbs 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
4Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
5Colossians 1:9–11For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.Ecclesiastes 9:15–18 2 Samuel 20:16–22 Proverbs 21:22 Proverbs 24:5 Colossians 1:9–11

The Key Word חָכְמָה, ha.cha.khe.Mahgenerated

The Hebrew word חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.

In this verse, wisdom is portrayed as a source of strength, indicating that a wise person has capabilities that can surpass those of multiple rulers. This reflects the belief that wisdom is not just knowledge but the ability to apply that knowledge effectively.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the sentence is תָּעֹ֣ז, it gives strength, which governs the subject הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה (wisdom) and describes the comparison to שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים (rulers). The structure emphasizes the relationship between wisdom and strength.

The phrase מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ (more than ten) serves as a comparative element, highlighting that wisdom's strength surpasses that of multiple rulers, illustrating the superiority of wisdom in leadership.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חָכְמָה is rendered as σοφία (sophia), which also means wisdom. This choice aligns with the broader Greek understanding of wisdom as encompassing both knowledge and practical application.

The translation of תָּעֹ֣ז as βοηθήσει (boēthēsei, meaning 'will help') suggests a focus on the supportive role of wisdom, indicating that wisdom not only empowers but also assists in overcoming challenges.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ecclesiastes 7:19 states that wisdom makes a wise person stronger than ten rulers in a city. This highlights the significant power and influence that wisdom can provide, surpassing even the authority of many leaders.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers?

It means that the insight and understanding gained through wisdom provide a person with greater strength and capability than simply having authority or power.

How can wisdom surpass the strength of rulers?

Wisdom involves discernment and good judgment, which can lead to better decision-making and outcomes than brute force or mere authority.

Is wisdom more valuable than power?

This verse suggests that wisdom is indeed more valuable than power, as it equips individuals to navigate challenges effectively.

How can I gain wisdom?

Wisdom can be gained through study, experience, and seeking counsel from those who are wise, as well as through reflection and learning from life's experiences.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life can I seek wisdom to make better decisions?
  2. How have I seen the impact of wisdom in the lives of others around me?
  3. What steps can I take to cultivate wisdom in my own life?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of strength and authority?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and its superiority over mere authority, as shown in their quotations.

Origen of AlexandriaHOMILIES ON Jeremiah 8:1.3 c. 185–253
The inhabited world arises in no other way than in the wisdom of God. For “wisdom gives strength to the wise beyond ten rulers who live in the city.” “And the one who despises wisdom and instruction is miserable, and his hope empty,
Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Didymus the BlindCOMMENTARY ON Ecclesiastes 219:8 c. 313–398
Look for the might of a general in his wisdom rather than in the size of his troops.… If a city has many mighty men but lacks wisdom, these cannot help the city.
Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →
JeromeCommentary on Ecclesiastes c. 347–420
"It is good that you should take hold of this, and do not withdraw your hand; for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. "It is good to do good to righteous men, but also being kind to sinners is not wicked.
Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 7:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise,.... Against such extremes as before mentioned; it is a guard about him, as well as a guide unto him; it is a defence unto him, as before observed, Ecclesiastes 7:12;

Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Wisdom - Hebrew, "The wisdom," i:e., the true wisdom, religion (2 Timothy 3:15).

Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Wisdom; true wisdom, which is always joined with the fear of God, and which teacheth a man to keep close to the rule of his duty, without turning either to the right hand or to the left. Strengtheneth the wise; supporteth him in and secureth him against troubles and dangers. Ten, i.e. many, uniting the forces together.

Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.Ver. 19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise, &c.] Prudence excelleth puissance, and counsel valour. This made Agamemnon set such a price upon Ulysses; Darius, upon Zopyrus; the Syracusans, upon Archimedes; the Spartans, upon Leonidas, who, with six hundred men, dispersed five hundred thousand of Xerxes his host. Those that are wise to salvation go ever under a double guard; the peace of God within them, the power of God without them. No sultan of Babylon or Egypt (who have that title from the Hebrew word here rendered mighty men) did ever go so well guarded. Justin., lib. ii.

Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Mighty men.—The word is translated “governor” Genesis 42:6, and so see Ecclesiastes 10:5; see also Ecclesiastes 8:8. The preacher returns to the topic of Ecc 7:12. Of the “For” in the next verse, only forced explanations have been given; the sentiment is Solomon’s (1 Kings 8:46).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 7 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise] One wise, thoroughly learned, and scientific man, may be of more use in fortifying and defending a city, than ten princes. Witness the case of Syracuse, when attacked by the Romans both by sea and land. Archimedes, by his engines, burnt and dashed their fleet to pieces, and destroyed all that came near the walls. And had not the city been betrayed, and he killed, all their force and skill could not have taken it.

Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise] The fact that the Debater had not forgotten that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 111:10; Job 28:21) serves as the connecting link between this and the preceding verse. The “ten mighty men” stand as a vague number, certus pro incerto (comp. Genesis 31:7; Numbers 14:22), and it is a fantastic line of interpretation to connect them with any definite political organization, Assyrian viceroys, Persian vice-satraps, Roman decurions, or the like. It is, however, an interesting coincidence, pointed out by Mr Tyler, that a city was defined by the Mishna (Megila i. 3) to be a town in which there were ten Batlanim, or men of…

Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

19. This and the following verses refer to the imperfectness of the examples of great men.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ecclesiastes 7 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Be not thou wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] that are in a city.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The wisdom gives strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Wisdom giveth more strength to the wise than ten rulers which were in the city.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Wisdom is powerful in the wise man, more than ten rulers in a city.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a town.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clausenoun phrase · subjectהַֽ(the)חָכְמָ֖הwisdomverbתָּעֹ֣זit.gives.strengthprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֶtonoun phrasethe.wiseחָכָ֑ם[person]prepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵֽmorenoun phrasenoun phraseעֲשָׂרָה֙than.tenשַׁלִּיטִ֔יםrulersrelpאֲשֶׁ֥רwhoclauseverbהָי֖וּthey.areprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּinnoun phrasetheעִֽירcity

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text of Ecclesiastes 7:19 states, "Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all eight words correspond, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q109) preserve six words from the verse, but four of these are restored by an editor, indicating partial agreement with the Masoretic Text while lacking a complete textual match.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הַֽחָכְמָ֖הσοφίαתָּעֹ֣זβοηθήσειלֶחָכָ֑םσοφῶמֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙δέκαשַׁלִּיטִ֔יםἐχουσιάζονταςאֲשֶׁ֥רτουςהָי֖וּὄνταςבָּעִֽיר׃πόλει

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q109a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[החכמה] תעזר [מעשרה] [שליטים] [שהיו] בעיר

6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 4 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Ecclesiastes 7:19חָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהעָזַזit gives stit gives strengעָזַזחָכָםto the wiseto the wise [peחָכָםעֶשֶׂרmore than tmore than tenעֶשֶׂרשַׁלִּיטrulersrulersשַׁלִּיטאֲשֶׁרwhowhoאֲשֶׁרהָיָהthey arethey areהָיָהעִירin the cityin the cityעִירחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםעָשַׂרto titheto titheעָשַׂרשָׁלַטto domineeto domineerשָׁלַטעוּרto rouseto rouseעוּרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתתְּבוּנָהunderstandunderstandingתְּבוּנָהכּוּשַׁןCushan-risCushan-rishathaכּוּשַׁןיָדhandhandיָדכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילמָלֵאfullfullמָלֵארֹ֫חַבwidthwidthרֹ֫חַבהוּאhe/she/ithe/she/itהוּאצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁלָכַדto captureto captureלָכַד
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Ecclesiastes 7:19

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
הַֽחָכְמָ֖הha.cha.khe.Mah wisdom H2451 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
153× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
skill and good judgment, prudence
Tyndale gloss
wisdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom

skill in war

wisdom, in administration

shrewdness, wisdom

wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

wisdom, ethical and religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war

. wisdom, in administration

. shrewdness, wisdom

. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

. wisdom, ethical and religious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2451 chokmah khok-maw'

from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,

wisely, wit.

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.

1) wisdom

1a) skill (in war)

1b) wisdom (in administration)

1c) shrewdness, wisdom

1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wiz'-dum:

1. Linguistic

2. History

3. Religious Basis

4. Ideals

5. Teaching of Christ

6. Remainder of the New Testament

(1) James

(2) Paul

7. Hypostasis

LITERATURE

1. Linguistic:

In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Joseph Ge 41:16,25-39; Ac 7:10

→ Of Moses Ac 7:22

→ Of Bezaleel Ex 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1

→ Of Aholiab Ex 31:6; 35:34,35; 36:1

→ Of other skilled artisans Ex 36:2

→ Of women Ex 35:26

→ Of Hiram 1Ki 7:14; 2Ch 2:14

→ Of Solomon 1Ki 3:12,16-28; 4:29-34; 5:12; 10:24

wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
תָּעֹ֣זta.'Oz it gives strength H5810 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be strong or prevail, and can also mean to make something firm. It's used in the Bible to describe God strengthening someone or someone becoming strong. The KJV translates it as 'harden' or 'strengthen'.
Amplified meaning
to be strong, prevail
Tyndale gloss
be strong
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַז (azaz) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong or to prevail. It can refer to both literal and figurative strength, with uses in the Qal form indicating strength or prevailing, and in the Hiphil form suggesting making firm or strengthening. The entries highlight its application in contexts of boldness, particularly in relation to a wicked man.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָזַז] vb. be strong

Qal be strong, prevail

Hiph. a wicked man maketh firm (sheweth boldness) with his face

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5810 [עָזַז] be strong .be strong, prevail

. a wicked man maketh firm (sheweth boldness) with his face

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5810 `azaz aw-zaz'

a primitive root; to be stout (literally or

figuratively):--harden, impudent, prevail, strengthen (self),

be strong.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַז (a.zaz) — be strong.

1) to be strong

1a) (Qal) to be strong, prevail

1b) (Hiphil) to make firm, strengthen

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
לֶחָכָ֑םle.cha.Kham to the wise [person] H2450 Preposition
138× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Amplified meaning
intelligent, crafty
Tyndale gloss
wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכָם adj. wise

skilful in technical work

wise in the administration of affairs

shrewd, crafty, cunning

pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

prudent

wise, ethically and religiously

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work

. wise in the administration of affairs

. shrewd, crafty, cunning

. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

. prudent

. wise, ethically and religiously

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2450 chakam khaw-kawm'

from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or

artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),

man).

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.

1) wise, wise (man)

1a) skilful (in technical work)

1b) wise (in administration)

1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle

1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)

1e) prudent

1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HRd/Aamsa
wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙me.'a.sa.Rah more than ten H6235 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
a decade, numerous
Tyndale gloss
ten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶשֶׂר (eser) means 'ten' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root related to counting, specifically indicating the number ten and its use in combination with other numbers. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂר (asar), also meaning 'ten.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6235 עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה ten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6235 `eser eh'ser

masculine of term aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from 6237; ten (as an

accumulation to the extent of the digits):--ten, (fif-,

seven-)teen.

see HEBREW for 06237

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) — ten.

1) ten

1a) ten

1b) with other numbers

Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(`eser; deka).

See NUMBER.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Used for an indefinite number) Ge 31:7; Le 26:26; Nu 14:22; Zec 8:23

wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
שַׁלִּיטִ֔יםsha.li.Tim rulers H7989 Adj
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is in charge or has power over others, like a ruler or warrior. It is used to convey strength and leadership. In the Bible, it is translated as 'governor' or 'ruler'.
Amplified meaning
domineering, in charge
Tyndale gloss
domineering
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁלִּיט (shalit) refers to someone who has mastery or is domineering, often used to describe a ruler or someone in power. It is derived from the root meaning to have power, and can denote a prince or warrior. The term emphasizes authority and control.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁלִּיט adj. having mastery, domineering

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7989 שַׁלִּיט having mastery, domineering

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7989 shalliyt shal-leet'

from 7980; potent; concretely, a prince or

warrior:--governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler.

see HEBREW for 07980

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁלִּיט (shal.lit) — domineering.

1) having mastery, domineering, master

1a) having mastery

1a1) ruler (subst)

1b) domineering, imperious

Aramaic equivalent: shal.lit (שַׁלִּיט "ruling" H7990)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Appointed and removed by God)

→ See GOVERNMENT, GOD IN

→ Chastised Da 4

→ See NATION

→ Monarchical

See KINGS

→ Patriarchal Ge 27:29,37

→ INSTANCES OF

Nimrod Ge 10:8-10

Abraham Ge 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:21-32

Melchizedek Ge 14:18

Isaac Ge 26:26-31

Judah Ge 38:24

Heads of families Ex 6:14

Ishmael Ge 17:20

Esau, and the dukes of Edom Ge 36

Theocratic

See GOVERNMENT

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher who H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTr — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
הָי֖וּha.Yu they are H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
wisdom it gives strength to the wise [person] more than ten rulers who they are in the city
בָּעִֽיר׃ba.'Ir in the city H5892 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
1,090× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
a town, excitement
Tyndale gloss
excitement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage

base

עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town

city, town, abode of men

of fortress in a city

appar. fortified place, of any size

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men

. of fortress in a city

. appar. fortified place, of any size

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5892 `iyr eer

or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)

{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a

watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or

post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.

see HEBREW for 05782

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִיר (ir) — excitement.

1) excitement, anguish

1a) of terror

עִיר (ir) — city.

1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)

1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)

1a) city, town

עִיר (ir) — City (of On).

Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)

This name means city, town

Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)

עִיר (ir) — Ir-.

#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;

son of: Tehinnah (H8468)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):

I. THE CANAANITE CITY

1. Origin

2. Extent

3. Villages

4. Sites

5. External Appearance

6. General

II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION

1. Tower or Stronghold

2. High Place

3. Broad Place

4. Streets

5. General Characteristics

III. STORE CITIES

IV. LEVITICAL CITIES

LITERATURE

I. The Canaanite City.

1. Origin:

The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

City

The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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