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Habakkuk 2:4 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהִנֵּ֣ה עֻפְּלָ֔ה לֹא־ יָשְׁרָ֥ה נַפְשׁ֖וֹ בּ֑וֹ וְצַדִּ֖יק בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ יִחְיֶֽה׃

BSALook athinnêh [behold, take notice] the proud oneʻâphal [the man of pride, lifted up] his soulnephesh [the essence of his being, living being] is notlôʼ uprightyâshar [straight, smooth] but the righteoustsaddîyq [just, made right with God] will livechâyâh [have life, be revived] by faithʼĕmûwnâh [faithfulness, trust in God, his faith]

Word
Listen & take awayHabakkuk 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 (yich.Yeh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Habakkuk 2:4quick helps
In a sentenceHabakkuk contrasts the proud person with the righteous, emphasizing that the latter will live by faith.
Who is speakingThe prophet Habakkuk, addressing the people.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discussion about the fate of the proud and the promise of life for the righteous.
The hard wordעֻפְּלָ֔ה
Take awayPride leads to downfall, while faithfulness is the path to life.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectצַדִּיק verbעָפַל 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 — Habakkuk 2:4

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 Contrast of the Proud and the Righteousgenerated

3For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.
4Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright — but the righteous will live by faith —
5and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.
6Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’

Habakkuk 2:4 presents a stark contrast between the proud individual, whose soul is not upright, and the righteous person, who will live by faith. This verse emphasizes the moral and spiritual implications of pride versus righteousness, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of one's character and choices. The surrounding verses elaborate on the fate of the proud and the ultimate vindication of the righteous, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and faithfulness.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 40:11–12Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
2Daniel 4:30–37the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
3Daniel 5:20–23But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
4Luke 18:14I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
52 Thessalonians 2:4He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

The Key Word צַדִּיק, ve.tza.Dikgenerated

The word צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) refers to someone who is just or righteous, embodying moral integrity and alignment with God's standards. It is derived from a root that emphasizes lawful behavior and ethical conduct, often used to describe individuals who are upright in their actions.

In this verse, the righteous are contrasted with the proud, highlighting their dependence on faith for life. The parsing indicates that it functions as a subject in the sentence, underscoring the importance of righteousness in the context of divine evaluation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the wording aligns closely with the original Hebrew, particularly in its use of righteous for צַדִּיק.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יָשְׁרָ֥ה (yashrah) governs the main clause, with several phrases elaborating on the subject and its condition. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the proud and the righteous.

The word order places the proud one first, establishing a clear distinction between the two types of individuals being discussed. The use of the conjunction וְ (ve) to introduce the righteous emphasizes their importance in the overall message.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word עֻפְּלָ֔ה is rendered as ὑποστείληται (hyposteilētai), which also conveys a sense of being lifted up or proud. This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of pride in both texts.

The Greek translation of צַדִּיק as δίκαιος (dikaios) maintains the moral and ethical implications of righteousness, aligning closely with the Hebrew understanding.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Habakkuk 2:4 contrasts the proud, whose soul is not upright, with the righteous, who will live by faith. This verse highlights the consequences of pride and the promise of life for those who are just and faithful.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith?

This phrase indicates that the righteous person's life is sustained by their trust and faithfulness to God, which is a central theme in biblical teachings.

How does pride affect one's relationship with God?

Pride is seen as a barrier to a right relationship with God, as it leads to self-reliance rather than dependence on Him.

Why is faith emphasized in this verse?

Faith is emphasized as the means by which the righteous maintain their relationship with God and experience true life, contrasting with the fate of the proud.

What can we learn from the contrast between the proud and the righteous?

This contrast teaches the importance of humility and righteousness, encouraging believers to trust in God rather than their own strength.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen pride manifest in my own life, and how can I address it?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper faith that sustains my life and actions?
  3. What are some practical steps I can take to live righteously in my daily interactions?
  4. How does understanding this verse impact my view of God's justice and mercy?

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

Early church fathers have commented on this verse, using it to discuss themes of righteousness and faith in God, as well as the dangers of pride.

CyprianTreatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 12:1.5 c. 200–258
“And if you will not believe, neither will you understand.” Also the Lord in the Gospel: “For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.” Moreover, righteousness should subsist by faith.
Early Church Fathers on Habakkuk 2 →
Theodore of MopsuestiaCOMMENTARY ON Habakkuk 2:1-4 c. 350–428
“But the righteous one will live from my faith.” So even if someone should be uncertain in their trust in the future and doubt if it will really happen, such a one is very much the object of dislike to me,
Early Church Fathers on Habakkuk 2 →
Augustine of HippoLETTER 140:30 354–430
Therefore pride is contrary to this justice of God, because it puts its trust in its own works. Thus the psalm continues, “Let not the foot of pride come to me.” This justice is the grace of the New Testament,
Early Church Fathers on Habakkuk 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Habakkuk 2:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him,.... This and the following clause describe two sorts of persons differently affected to the Messiah, and the promise of his coming.

Read John Gill on Habakkuk 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Behold, his soul which is lifted up - the Chaldean's soul (Maurer). The unbelieving Jew's soul (Henderson).

Read Robert Jamieson on Habakkuk 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Behold; note it: there are two sorts of persons who concern themselves in this puzzling question of the Divine providence; some object. and quarrel contest with God, proudly, discontentedly, and impatiently; others inquire humbly, submitting themselves to God, and waiting for him. His soul, the heart and mind of every such one, which is lifted up; that proudly contests with the justice and wisdom of the Divine Providence, that slights promises of deliverance at so great a distance, and provides for his own safety by his own wit; is not upright; is very corrupt and wicked, full of (not only distrusts, but) positive conclusions against God’ s future punishing the wicked: such a one is so…

Read Matthew Poole on Habakkuk 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.Ver. 4. Behold, his soul which is lifted up] Ebulat, protuberat, which swelleth like a bubble, and reaketh through its own weakness; he that by unbelief or carnal security withdraweth from God, and confideth in the creature; seeking to shift and save himself some other way, as he is a proud and presumptuous person, so let him know that, His soul is not upright in him] That is, it is very corrupt and crooked, stark naught; and God’ s soul can take no pleasure in him; but he will punish him as a runaway, as one that hath fled from his colours, forsaken his captain, revolted to the…

Read John Trapp on Habakkuk 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Behold his soul. . . .—Better, Behold his soul within him is puffed up, it is not upright. The soul of the Chaldæan invader is inflated with pride, self-dependence ousting from his mind all thoughts of God. It is therefore unsound and distorted. Habakkuk leaves the inference “and therefore it shall die” to be imagined, and hastens to the antithesis, “But the righteous man shall live by his faith.” The word live is emphatic. The reward promised to patient waitings on God is life—deliverance from destruction. How far the promise extends, and whether it includes that aspiration after future life which is plainly expressed by many Hebrew poets and prophets, we cannot determine. The student…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Habakkuk 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 4. Behold, his soul which is lifted up] Hee that presumes on his safety without any special warrant from God, is a proud man; and whatever he may profess, or think of himself, his mind is not upright in him. But he that is just by faith shall live - he that believes what God hath said relative to the Chaldeans besieging Jerusalem, shall make his escape from the place, and consequently shall save his life. The words in the New Testament are accommodated to the salvation which believers in Christ shall possess. Indeed, the just - the true Christians, who believed in Jesus Christ's words relative to the destruction of Jerusalem, when they found the Romans coming against it, left the…

Read AdamClarke on Habakkuk 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. Habakkuk 2:4 gives the contents of the vision. The present text reads: Behold his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; But the righteous shall live by his faithfulness. The term “puffed up” is perhaps properly said of ground, and means to be uneven, to have swelling heights, and when applied to the mind to swell, be puffed up or arrogant. The opposite idea is “upright,” properly even, without ruggedness or heights (Isaiah 40:3-4). Cf. Proverbs 30:32; Psalms 131:2. Instead of “is puffed up” the parallelism of the verse would naturally require a noun as subject, opposed to “the righteous” of next clause: Behold the …, his soul is not upright in him, but the righteous &c. No…

Read Cambridge on Habakkuk 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, his soul which is lifted up - literally, swollen Is not upright in him - The construction is probably that of a condition expressed absolutely. Lo, swollen is it, not upright is his soul in him.

Read Albert Barnes on Habakkuk 2 →

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

Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright — but the righteous will live by faith —

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—

NETBNew English Translation2006

Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Behold, his soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Beholde, he that lifteth vp himselfe, his minde is not vpright in him, but the iust shall liue by his fayth,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright within him: but the just shall live by his faith.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Lo, a presumptuous one! Not upright is his soul within him, And the righteous by his stedfastness liveth.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Behold, a presumptuous one! His soul is not upright within him, || And the righteous lives by his faith.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Behold, disturbed, not at rest is the soul of [the wicked] in him; but the righteous ever liveth in his [trustful] faith.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Look! The one whose desires are not right within him is puffed up. But the righteous will live by his faith.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Behold, he that is unbelieving, his soul shall not be right in himself: but the just shall live in his faith.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Look at those who are proud! They do not live right. But those who live right do so through their trust in God.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As for the man of pride, my soul has no pleasure in him; but the upright man will have life through his good faith.

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.

clauseclauseהִנֵּ֣הthere!clauseverbעֻפְּלָ֔הit.is.swollenclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbיָשְׁרָ֥הit.is.uprightnoun phrase · subjectנַפְשׁ֖selfוֹhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalבּ֑inוֹhimוְand.[the]clausesubjectצַדִּ֖יקrighteousprepositional phrase · prepositionalבֶּbynoun phraseאֱמוּנָת֥faithfulnessוֹhisverbיִחְיֶֽהhe.will.live

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 Habakkuk 2:4 reads, 'Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright — but the righteous will live by faith.' The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, though it presents the words in its own Greek structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically 4Q82, contain fragments that match the Masoretic Text closely, but some words are partly restored or supplied by an editor. The Mur88 scroll, however, does not preserve any text for this verse and similarly has words supplied entirely by an editor. Overall, the primary agreement is between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, while the Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial support with some editorial restoration.

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

הִנֵּ֣ה עֻפְּלָ֔ה לֹא־ יָשְׁרָ֥ה נַפְשׁ֖וֹ בּ֑וֹ וְצַדִּ֖יק בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ יִחְיֶֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הִנֵּ֣הἐὰνעֻפְּלָ֔הὑποστείληταιלֹא־οὐκיָשְׁרָ֥הεὐδοκεῖנַפְשׁ֖וֹψυξήבּ֑וֹαὐτῷוְצַדִּ֖יקδίκαιοςבֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹμουיִחְיֶֽה׃ζήσεται

9 of the 9 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 — 4Q82a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[הנה] [עפלה] [לא] ישרה נפש׳ו [ב׳ו] [וצדיק] [באמונת׳ו] [יחיה]

1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — Mur88a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[הנה] [עפלה] [לא] [ישרה] [נפש׳ו] [ב׳ו] [וצדיק] [באמונת׳ו] [יחיה]

nothing on the leather here — 9 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.

Habakkuk 2:4הִנֵּהthere!there!הִנֵּהעָפַלit is swollit is swollenעָפַללֹאnotnotלֹאיָשַׁרit is uprigit is uprightיָשַׁרנֶ֫פֶשׁself hisself hisנֶ֫פֶשׁוֹin himin himוֹצַדִּיקand [the] rand [the] rightצַדִּיקאֱמוּנָהby faithfulby faithfulnessאֱמוּנָהחָיָהhe will livhe will liveחָיָהנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקהֵןlook!look!הֵןאֵמֻןfaithfulfaithfulאֵמֻןחָוָהto explainto explainחָוָהצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָהנֶ֫גַעplagueplagueנֶ֫גַעחֲלוֹםdreamdreamחֲלוֹםיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדאֹ֫רַחwaywayאֹ֫רַחבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַירָשָׁעwickedwickedרָשָׁעעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלצֶ֫דֶקRighteousnRighteousnessצֶ֫דֶקדּוֹרgenerationgenerationדּוֹר
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 Habakkuk 2:4

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.

there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
הִנֵּ֣הhi.Neh there! H2009 Particle
843× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
behold, take notice
Tyndale gloss
behold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2009 hinneh hin-nay'

prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.

see HEBREW for 02005

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.

behold, lo, see, if

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
עֻפְּלָ֔ה'u.pe.Lah it is swollen H6075 Verb · Pual · perfect third person feminine singular
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to presume or be elated, showing a sense of pride or arrogance. In the Bible, it is used to warn against being heedless or proud.
Amplified meaning
the man of pride, lifted up
Tyndale gloss
to swell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָפַל (aphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to swell or be lifted up, with a figurative sense of presumption or heedlessness. The entries indicate that it can denote both a physical swelling and a metaphorical elevation in attitude. It appears in contexts such as Habakkuk 2:4 and Numbers 11:44.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָפַל vb. swell;—Pu. Hb 2:4 acc. to MT

ref

[עָפַל] vb. perhaps be heedless

Hiph. shew heedlessness Nu 11:44 (J E)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6075a עָפַל swell H6075b עָפַל perhaps be heedless

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6075 `aphal aw-fal'

a primitive root; to swell; figuratively, be elated:--be

lifted up, presume.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָפַל (a.phal) — to swell.

1) to lift up, swell, be lifted up

1a) (Pual) to swell

1b) (Hiphil) to be bold, be swelled

עָפַל (a.phal) — to presume.

1) to presume, be heedless

1a) (Hiphil) to be heedless, show heedlessness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Perf-3fs — Verb · Pual · perfect third person feminine singular
HVPp3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

swol'-'-n (pimprasthai, only in Ac 28:6): The Melitans expected to see Paul poisoned by the viper's bite. the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version translate it "swollen," but the word is used by certain medical writers in the sense of inflammation; see Nicander, Theriaca, 306; Hesiod, Theogonia, 856, expressing thereby the burning up by a thunderbolt. Swelling accompanies the local lesion of snake-bite and often large purpuric exudation of blood, as well as paralysis, especially of the lower limbs.

there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
יָשְׁרָ֥הya.she.Rah it is upright H3474 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be straight or smooth is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe something as right or pleasant. It is used in Proverbs 11:5 to describe a righteous person, and in Psalm 23:3 to describe a path that is straight and right.
Amplified meaning
straight, smooth
Tyndale gloss
to smooth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right

Qal

go straight

fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right

in ethical sense, straightforward, upright

Pi.

make smooth, straight

lead straight along, direct

esteem right, approve

Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work

Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3474 yashar yaw-shar'

a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be

(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,

fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right

(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be

upright(-ly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.

1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go straight

1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)

1a3) to be straightforward, be upright

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight

1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along

1b3) to esteem right, approve

1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out

1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
נַפְשׁ֖וֹnaf.Sho self his H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
the essence of his being, living being
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
בּ֑וֹbo in him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
וְצַדִּ֖יקve.tza.Dik and [the] righteous H6662 Conjunction
206× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Amplified meaning
just, made right with God
Tyndale gloss
righteous
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'

from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.

1) just, lawful, righteous

1a) just, righteous (in government)

1b) just, right (in one's cause)

1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)

1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)

1e) right, correct, lawful

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Compared with

The sun Jud 5:31; Mt 13:43

Stars Da 12:3

Lights Mt 5:14; Php 2:15

Mount Zion Ps 125:1,2

Lebanon Ho 14:5-7

Treasure Ex 19:5; Ps 135:4

Jewels Mal 3:17

Gold Job 23:10; La 4:2

there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹbe.'e.mu.na.To by faithfulness his H530 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for faithfulness, meaning firmness, security, or fidelity. It describes being steady and trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations of faith, stability, and truth. This concept is essential in the Bible, particularly in relationships and commitments.
Amplified meaning
faithfulness, trust in God, his faith
Tyndale gloss
faithfulness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (*emuwnah*) is built from the root of H529, indicating concepts of firmness and steadfastness. It encompasses meanings such as fidelity, trust, and stability. The entries consistently highlight its moral implications, particularly in relation to faithfulness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱמוּנָה n.f. firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

lit. firmness, steadiness

steadfastness

faithfulness, trust

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H530 אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity . lit. firmness, steadiness

. steadfastness

. faithfulness, trust

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

530 'emuwnah em-oo-naw'); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'

feminine of 529; literally firmness; figuratively security;

morally fidelity:--faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set

office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.

see HEBREW for 0529

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱמוּנָה (e.mu.nah) — faithfulness.

firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

there! it is swollen not it is upright self his in him and [the] righteous by faithfulness his he will live
יִחְיֶֽה׃yich.Yeh he will live H2421 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
282× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Amplified meaning
have life, be revived
Tyndale gloss
to live
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָיָה (chayah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to live or have life, encompassing both literal and figurative senses. It includes various nuances such as reviving, preserving life, and restoring health. The entries detail its use in different stems, with Qal focusing on living and being quickened, while Piel and Hiphil emphasize giving life and reviving. No specific verse references are provided.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָיָה 283 vb. live

Qal 203

live

be quickened, revive

Pi.

preserve alive, let live

give life

quicken, revive, refresh

Hiph.

preserve alive, let live

quicken, revive

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2421 חָיָה live .. live

. be quickened, revive

. . preserve alive, let live

. give life

. quicken, revive, refresh

. . preserve alive, let live

. quicken, revive

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2421 chayah khaw-yaw'

a primitive root (compare 2331, 2421); to live, whether

literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:--keep

(leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let,

suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken,

recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save

(alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.

see HEBREW for 02331

see HEBREW for 02421

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָיָה (cha.yah) — to live.

1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to live

1a1a) to have life

1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive

1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon

1a1d) to live (prosperously)

1a2) to revive, be quickened

1a2a) from sickness

1a2b) from discouragement

1a2c) from faintness

1a2d) from death

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to preserve alive, let live

1b2) to give life

1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh

1b3a) to restore to life

1b3b) to cause to grow

1b3c) to restore

1b3d) to revive

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to preserve alive, let live

1c2) to quicken, revive

1c2a) to restore (to health)

1c2b) to revive

1c2c) to restore to life

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
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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