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Ecclesiastes 9:17 — Word Study

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WLCדִּבְרֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֔ים בְּנַ֖חַת נִשְׁמָעִ֑ים מִזַּעֲקַ֥ת מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃

BSAThe calmNachath [peaceful, quiet] wordsdâbâr of the wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled] are heededshâmaʻ [heard and obeyed, listened to] over the shoutszaʻaq [outcry, loud cry] of a rulermâshal [one who has power] among foolskᵉçîyl [stupid, silly]

Word
Listen & take awayEcclesiastes 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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.ke.si.Lim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ecclesiastes 9:17quick helps
In a sentenceWise words spoken calmly are more effective than loud cries from a ruler among foolish people.
Who is speakingThe author of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the value of wisdom.
Where we areThis verse is part of a reflection on wisdom and its impact in society.
The hard wordחֲכָמִ֔ים
Take awayCalmness in communication is more persuasive than loud authority.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁמַע 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 9:17

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 — Reflections on Wisdomgenerated

15Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
17The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.
18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 discusses the contrast between the wise and the foolish, emphasizing that the calm words of wise individuals are more impactful than the loud cries of those in power. This verse highlights the value of wisdom and its ability to be heard in a noisy world, as seen in the surrounding verses that reflect on the nature of wisdom and its reception.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 41:33–40Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.
21 Samuel 7:3–6Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
3Proverbs 28:23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
4Isaiah 42:2–4He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets.
5James 1:20for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.Genesis 41:33–40 1 Samuel 7:3–6 Proverbs 28:23 Isaiah 42:2–4 James 1:20 James 3:17–18

The Key Word חֲכָמִ֔ים, cha.kha.Mimgenerated

The word חָכָם (chakam) refers to individuals who possess wisdom or skill, indicating intelligence and prudence. It describes a person who is not only knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.

This term encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including practical skills and ethical understanding, suggesting that wise individuals are often those who can navigate complex situations with insight.


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 finite verbs in this verse are נִשְׁמָעִ֑ים, are heard, and מוֹשֵׁ֖ל, ruler. The structure presents a comparison between the calm words of the wise and the loud cries of a ruler, establishing a clear contrast in authority and effectiveness.

The word order emphasizes the calmness and wisdom of the speaker by placing it first, highlighting its importance in the context of the louder, less effective cries of authority.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates דִּבְרֵ֣י as λόγοι (logoi), meaning 'words' or 'sayings', which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a broader connotation in the Greek context.

The choice of σοφῶν (sophōn) for חֲכָמִ֔ים emphasizes the wisdom of the individuals being referenced, suggesting a depth of understanding that resonates with the Greek audience.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ecclesiastes 9:17 teaches that wise people who speak calmly are listened to more than loud rulers among foolish people. This shows the importance of wisdom and how it can be more effective than mere authority.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the words of the wise are heeded?

It means that wise advice, especially when delivered calmly, is more likely to be listened to and followed than loud commands from those in power.

Why are the words of the wise considered calm?

Calm words suggest thoughtfulness and clarity, which often resonate more with people than loud or aggressive speech.

How does this verse relate to the concept of wisdom?

This verse highlights that true wisdom is not just about knowledge but also about how one communicates that knowledge effectively.

What is the implication of being among fools?

Being among fools suggests a lack of understanding or wisdom, where the loudest voices may drown out the more insightful and calm advice.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I seen calm words have a greater impact than loud arguments?
  2. How can I practice speaking wisely and calmly in my own life?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the value of wisdom in decision-making?
  4. How can I discern wise advice from foolishness in my daily interactions?

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

Jerome comments on the importance of wise words, noting that they are more effective than the loud cries of authority, emphasizing the value of wisdom in communication.

JeromeCommentary on Ecclesiastes c. 347–420
"The gentle words of the wise are heard above the shouts of a king over fools. "Whosoever you see in the Church declaiming and arousing applause by whatever refinery or charm,
Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 9:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The words of wise [men are] heard in quiet,.... That is, by some persons and at some times, though not by all persons and always; or they are to be heard, or should be heard, though they seldom be,

Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. The words of wise (men are) heard in quiet.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Wise men, though poor, as may be gathered both from the foregoing relation, and because he is opposed to the ruling fool in the next clause, are heard, to wit, by wise men; or should be heard, as such words are oft taken, as , and elsewhere; for that they were not always actually heard, he declared in the last words of the foregoing verse. In quiet; uttered with a modest and low voice, to which the following cry is opposed. The cry, the clamorous and senseless discourses, of him that ruleth among fools; of a rich and potent, but foolish man, who hath some influence upon fools, like himself, but is justly neglected, and his words disregarded, by wise men.

Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ecclesiastes 9:17 The words of wise [men are] heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.Ver. 17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet.] The submissive words of a poor man speaking with good understanding, are rather heard than the big and boisterous words of proud fools. Fuit Nestorius homo indoctus, superbus, audax et magnae loquentiae, saith Zanchy. Nestorius, the heretic, was an ignorant, proud, bold, big spoken man, and prevailed very much thereby with some silly simples. How much better Chrysostom, of whom it is said that he was graviter suavis, et suaviter gravis, gravely sweet, and sweetly grave, and he was much admired for it! Gentle showers and dews that…

Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet] In the tumult of war the words of Archimedes were not heard; and his life was lost.

Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet] The thought is like that of the “great cry and little wool” of the English proverb. That which tells on men, in the long run, is the wisdom whose words are wary, and calm, and few, not the declamation of the wind-bags of popular oratory. Comp. the description of the highest type of wisdom in Isaiah 42:2; Matthew 12:19. He that “ruleth among fools” is not the foolish ruler, but the man who takes the highest place in the company of fools, and graduates, as it were, as the Senior Wrangler in that class-list. Such an one is as the “prating fool” of Proverbs 10:10.

Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 9 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

17. An antithesis here begins, the concluding part of which is in the end of the next verse. The insertion of though, here, would give clearness to the thought. “Though the words of wise men,” etc.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ecclesiastes 9 →

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

The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The words of the wise spoken in quiet are heard more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The wordes of the wise are more heard in quietnes, then the crye of him that ruleth among fooles.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The words of the wise are heard in quiet, || More than the cry of a ruler over fools.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The words of wise men heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The words of wise people spoken quietly are heard better than the shouts of any ruler among fools.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

It's better to listen to the calm words of a wise person than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The words of the wise which come quietly to the ear are noted more than the cry of a ruler among the foolish.

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 · subjectnoun phraseדִּבְרֵ֣י[the].wordsחֲכָמִ֔יםof.wise.[people]prepositional phraseבְּinנַ֖חַתquietnessverbנִשְׁמָעִ֑יםheardprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ[are].morenoun phraseזַּעֲקַ֥תthan.[the].crynoun phraseclauseverbמוֹשֵׁ֖לof.a.rulerprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּamongnoun phrase(the)כְּסִילִֽיםfools

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek translations, indicating a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions.

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

דִּבְרֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֔ים בְּנַ֖חַת נִשְׁמָעִ֑ים מִזַּעֲקַ֥ת מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
דִּבְרֵ֣יλόγοιחֲכָמִ֔יםσοφῶνבְּנַ֖חַתἀναπαύσειנִשְׁמָעִ֑יםἀκούονταιמִזַּעֲקַ֥תκραυγηνמוֹשֵׁ֖לἐχουσιαζόντωνבַּכְּסִילִֽים׃ἀφροσύναις

7 of the 7 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.

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 9:17דָּבָר[the] words[the] words ofדָּבָרחָכָםwise [peoplwise [people]חָכָםנַ֫חַתin quietnesin quietnessנַ֫חַתשָׁמַע[are] heard[are] heardשָׁמַעזְעָקָהmore than [more than [the]זְעָקָהמָשַׁלa rulera rulerמָשַׁלכְּסִילamong foolsamong foolsכְּסִילדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםזָעַקto cry outto cry outזָעַקכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלנְחַתto descendto descendנְחַתנוּחַto restto restנוּחַיֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶרסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתמְלֹאfullnessfullnessמְלֹאזֶהthisthisזֶהקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁברָעַשׁto shaketo shakeרָעַשׁשֶׁ֫בֶרbreakingbreakingשֶׁ֫בֶרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאאִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶת
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 9:17

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.

[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
דִּבְרֵ֣יdiv.Rei [the] words of H1697 Noun common · masculine plural construct
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

. sg. a word, words

. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or

thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X

any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +

dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +

eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,

+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,

message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +

please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,

question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,

sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),

somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,

X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,

what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
חֲכָמִ֔יםcha.kha.Mim wise [people] H2450 Adj
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, skilled
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
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
בְּנַ֖חַתbe.Na.chat in quietness H5183 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a descent or a coming down, often in the sense of a punishment or a judgment from God. It can also mean restfulness or quietness, like the stillness after a storm.
Amplified meaning
peaceful, quiet
Tyndale gloss
quietness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַ֫חַת (nachath) has meanings related to both rest and descent. It can refer to quietness or a state of rest, as well as a descent that may imply judgment or punishment. The word is built from the root meaning to rest or settle down. It appears in contexts such as Isaiah 30:30, where it is associated with divine judgment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַ֫חַת n.[f.] quietness, rest

base

נַ֫חַת n.[m.] descent;—only cstr., of י׳’s arm of judgment Is 30:30

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5183a נַ֫חַת quietness, rest H5183b נַ֫חַת descent

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5183 Nachath nakh'-ath

from 5182; a descent, i.e. imposition, unfavorable

(punishment) or favorable (food); also (intransitively;

perhaps from 5117), restfulness:--lighting down,

quiet(-ness), to rest, be set on.

see HEBREW for 05182

see HEBREW for 05117

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַ֫חַת (na.chat) — quietness.

1) rest, quietness

1a) quietness, quiet attitude

1b) rest (of death)

נַ֫חַת (na.chat) — descent.

descent (of judgment)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
נִשְׁמָעִ֑יםnish.ma.'Im [are] heard H8085 Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine plural
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
heard and obeyed, listened to
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Inf-c — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVNrmpa
[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
מִזַּעֲקַ֥תmi.za.'a.Kat more than [the] cry of H2201 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a loud cry or shriek, often expressing distress, like the outcry in Exodus 2:23. It can also describe a clamor or cry for help. In the Bible, it appears in various forms, such as crying out to God.
Amplified meaning
outcry, loud cry
Tyndale gloss
outcry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זְעָקָה (ze'aqah) refers to a cry or outcry, often associated with distress or clamour. It is derived from the root word meaning to cry out, and its usage encompasses various forms of vocal expression, particularly in moments of urgency or need.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זְעָקָה n.f. cry, outcry

outcry, against

cry of distress

outcry, clamour

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2201 זְעָקָה cry, outcry

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2201 za`aq zah'-ak

and (feminine) zoaqah {zeh-aw-kaw'}; from 2199; a shriek or

outcry:--cry(-ing).

see HEBREW for 02199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זְעָקָה (ze.a.qah) — outcry.

1) cry, outcry

1a) outcry

1b) cry of distress

1c) outcry, clamour

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
מוֹשֵׁ֖לmo.Shel a ruler H4910 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
81× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Amplified meaning
one who has power
Tyndale gloss
to rule
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָשַׁל (mashal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rule or have dominion. It can refer to human authority, the dominion of heavenly bodies, or God's sovereignty. The word has a Qal form indicating direct rule and a Hiphil form that implies causing someone to rule or exercising dominion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָשַׁל vb. rule, have dominion, reign

Qal

human subj., rule, have dominion over

of heavenly bodies

of God

Hiph. cause to rule; exercise dominion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4910 מָשַׁל rule, have dominion, reign .. human subj., rule, have dominion over

. of heavenly bodies

. of God

. cause to rule; exercise dominion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4910 mashal maw-shal'

a primitive root; to rule:--(have, make to have) dominion,

governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have)

rule(-ing, -r), have power.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to rule.

1) to rule, have dominion, reign

1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to rule

1b2) to exercise dominion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rool'-er:

1. In the Old Testament:

(1) moshel, "ruler," "prince," "master" (tyrant), applied to Joseph in Egypt (Ge 45:8; compare Ps 105:21); to the Philistines (Jud 15:11); to David's descendants, the future kings of Israel (2Ch 7:18; compare Jer 33:26); to Pharaoh (Ps 105:20); to a wicked prince, a tyrant (Pr 28:15; compare Isa 14:5; 49:7); to theocratic king, the Messiah (Mic 5:2); it is often used in…

[the] words of wise [people] in quietness [are] heard more than [the] cry of a ruler among fools
בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃ba.ke.si.Lim among fools H3684 Preposition
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Amplified meaning
stupid, silly
Tyndale gloss
fool
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3684 כְּסִיל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3684 kciyl kes-eel'

from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or

silly:--fool(-ish).

see HEBREW for 03688

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HRd/Aampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- All men are, without the knowledge of God

Tit 3:3

- Deny God

Ps 14:1; 53:1

- Blaspheme God

Ps 74:18

- Reproach God

Ps 74:22

- Make a mock at sin

Pr 14:9

- Despise instruction

Pr 1:7; 15:5

- Hate knowledge

Pr 1:22

- Delight not in understanding

Pr 18:2

- Sport themselves in mischief

Pr 10:23

- Walk in darkness

Ec 2:14

- Hate to depart from evil

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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