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Job 31:11 — Word Study

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WLCכִּי־ הִ֥יא זִמָּ֑ה וְ֝ה֗וּא עָוֹ֥ן פְּלִילִֽים׃

BSAForkîy that [would be]hûwʼ a heinous crimezimmâh [wicked, an act of moral evil] an iniquityʻâvôn [sin] to be judgedpâlîyl [punished by the judges, condemned]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 31
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 (pe.li.Lim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 31:11quick helps
In a sentenceJob declares that the act in question is a serious moral failure.
Who is speakingJob, affirming his integrity and moral stance.
Where we areIn a passage where Job defends himself against accusations of wrongdoing.
The hard wordזִמָּה
Take awayThe moral implications of actions are significant and subject to judgment.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהִיא 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 — Job 31:11

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 — Job's Defense of His Integritygenerated

10then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.
11For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.
12For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.
13If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,

Job 31:11 is part of Job's lengthy defense where he asserts his righteousness amidst the accusations of his friends. Job emphasizes that certain actions are not just wrong but are heinous crimes deserving of judgment. He reflects on the moral standards he has upheld throughout his life, contrasting them with the actions he condemns.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 20:9Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
2Genesis 26:10“What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.”
3Genesis 39:9No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
4Exodus 20:14You shall not commit adultery.
5Proverbs 6:29–33So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word זִמָּה, zi.Mahgenerated

The word זִמָּה (zimmah) is a feminine singular noun meaning wickedness or moral evil. It refers to plans or actions that are morally corrupt, including adultery and idolatry. The parsing indicates it is used here as the predicate of the sentence, asserting the nature of the crime Job is discussing.

This term captures a range of immoral intentions, emphasizing that such actions are not merely wrong but are deeply rooted in wickedness. Job's use of this word highlights the seriousness of the transgression he is denouncing.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree here, all rendering זִמָּה as 'wickedness' or 'heinous crime.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE consistently convey the moral weight of Job's statement.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The sentence is structured around a main clause with a subject and predicate: הִ֥יא (hi') as the subject and זִמָּה (zimmah) as the predicate, indicating that what Job is referring to is indeed wickedness. The conjunction וְ֝הוּא (ve.hu') connects this statement to the subsequent declaration about iniquity.

The word order places emphasis on the nature of the crime, as the subject precedes the predicate, underscoring Job's assertion of moral clarity.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates זִמָּה as a term that conveys a similar sense of moral wrongdoing, though the exact Greek word is not provided here. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the moral implications of the actions Job condemns.

The translation choices in the LXX indicate a recognition of the severity of the actions Job describes, aligning with the Hebrew text's emphasis on wickedness.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 31:11 states that certain actions are not just wrong but are serious moral failures deserving of judgment. Job emphasizes the gravity of these actions, asserting that they are heinous crimes against moral law.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'heinous crime'?

Job refers to actions that are morally reprehensible and deserving of severe consequences.

Why is iniquity significant in this verse?

Iniquity represents a deeper moral failing, indicating guilt and the need for judgment.

How does Job defend his integrity?

Job contrasts his own actions with the wickedness he condemns, asserting that he has lived righteously.

What role do judges play in this context?

Judges are mentioned as those who would hold individuals accountable for their moral failings.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What actions in my life might be considered morally wrong, and how can I address them?
  2. How do I understand the concept of iniquity in my own moral framework?
  3. In what ways can I ensure that my actions align with my moral beliefs?
  4. How can I support others in recognizing and addressing their moral failures?

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

Early commentary on Job's moral assertions can be found in the writings of Gregory the Dialogist, who emphasizes the severity of the crimes Job discusses.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXI c. 540–604
For this is an heinous crime; and the chiefest iniquity. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and that rooteth out all increase.
Early Church Fathers on Job 31 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 31:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For this [is] an heinous crime,.... Adultery; it is contrary to the light of nature, and is condemned by it as a great sin, Genesis 20:9; as well as contrary to the express will and law of God,

Read John Gill on Job 31 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; Job asserts his innocence of adultery. Deceived - hath let itself be seduced (Proverbs 7:8, etc.; Genesis 39:7-12).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 31 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To wit, adultery, whether committed by choice and design, or by the solicitation of the woman, . Heb. an iniquity of the judges, i.e. which belongs to them to take cognizance of, and to punish, and that with death; and that not only by the law of Moses, , but even by the law of nature, as appears from the known laws and customs of heathen nations in that case. See also . This is opposed to those secret and lesser sins, which are only known to and punished by God.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 31 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 31:11 For this [is] an heinous crime; yea, it [is] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judges.Ver. 11. For this is an heinous crime] Hoc enim grande flagitium est, so the Tigurines translate; for this is a wickedness with a witness, though counted by some a light offence, a peccadillo. The Popish priests, deeply guilty of it themselves, seldom cried out against it in their sermons; this the great ones, and others, observed; and, therefore, ran into it, as if it had been a venial sin, if any sin at all. But we have not so learned Christ; and there was once found an English bishop (Adelm, elect bishop of Sherborn, A.D. 705) who boldly and sharply reproved Pope Sergius to his face for this…

Read John Trapp on Job 31 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 11. For this is a heinous crime] Mr. Good translates, "For this would be a premeditated crime, And a profligacy of the understanding." See also Job 31:28. That is, It would not only be a sin against the individuals more particularly concerned, but a sin of the first magnitude against society; and one of which the civil magistrate should take particular cognizance, and punish as justice requires.

Read AdamClarke on Job 31 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. a heinous crime] Or, an enormity, Hosea 6:9 marg.; cf. Leviticus 18:17. Adultery was a capital crime in Israel, Deuteronomy 22:22; John 8:5.

Read Cambridge on Job 31 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For this is an heinous crime - This expresses Job’s sense of the enormity of such an offence. He felt that there was no palliation for it; he would in no way, and on no pretence, attempt to vindicate it.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 31 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

11. A heinous crime — æîä, the usual Thorah word for the shameless, subtle encroachments of sensual desires.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 31 →

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

For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For I would have committed a shameful act, an iniquity to be judged.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For that were a heinous crime; Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges:

RVARevised Version, American1894

For that were an heinous crime; yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For this is a hainous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For this is a wickednes, and iniquitie to bee condemned:

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For this is an infamy; yea, it is an iniquity [to be judged by] the judges:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For it [is] a wicked thing, and a judicial iniquity;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For it [is] a wicked thing, and a judicial iniquity;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For this would be incest; yea, it would be an iniquity [to be punished by] the judges;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For that would be a terrible crime; indeed, it would be a crime to be punished by judges.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For that would be wicked, a sin deserving punishment,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For that would be a crime; it would be an act for which punishment would be measured out by the judges:

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.

כִּי(dm)clausesubjectהִ֥יאitpredicateזִמָּ֑ה[is].wickednessוְ֝andclausesubjectה֗וּאitnoun phrase · predicateעָוֺ֥ן[is].iniquityפְּלִילִֽיםjudges

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads: כִּי־ הִ֥יא זִמָּ֑ה וְ֝ה֗וּא עָוֹ֥ן פְּלִילִֽים׃. The Septuagint matches only 3 of the 6 words, indicating some differences in wording but maintaining the overall meaning. The primary themes of moral failure and judgment are preserved across both texts.

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

כִּי־ הִ֥יא זִמָּ֑ה וְ֝ה֗וּא עָוֹ֥ן פְּלִילִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּי־γὰρעָוֹ֥ןτὸפְּלִילִֽים׃μιᾶναι

3 of the 6 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.

Job 31:11כִּיforforכִּיהוּאthatthatהוּאזִמָּה[is] wicked[is] wickednessזִמָּההוּאand thatand thatהוּאעָוֹן[is] iniqui[is] iniquityעָוֹןפָּלִילjudgesjudgesפָּלִילזָמַםto planto planזָמַםפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלעָוָהto twistto twistעָוָהאֲבַדto destroyto destroyאֲבַדטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעזְנוּתfornicatiofornicationזְנוּתעֶרְוָהnakednessnakednessעֶרְוָהפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgresstransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהצוּרrockrockצוּר
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 Job 31:11

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.

for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
כִּי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
הִ֥יאhu' that H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
זִמָּ֑הzi.Mah [is] wickedness H2154 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
wicked, an act of moral evil
Tyndale gloss
wickedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זִמָּה (zimmah) refers to a plan or device, particularly one that is wicked or malicious. It encompasses meanings related to evil intentions, such as lewdness and mischief. The term is derived from a root meaning to plot or devise, and it captures various forms of moral wrongdoing, including adultery and idolatry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זִמָּה n.f. plan, device, wickedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2154 זִמָּה plan, device, wickedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2154 zimmah zim-maw'

or zammah {zam-maw'}; from 2161; a plan, especially a bad

one:--heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose,

thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness).

see HEBREW for 02161

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זִמָּה (zim.mah) — wickedness.

1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose

1a) plan, purpose

1b) evil device, wickedness

1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wik'-ed-nes:

1. In the Old Testament:

The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…

for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
וְ֝ה֗וּאve.hi' and that H1931 Conjunction · pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Pp3ms — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
עָוֹ֥ן'a.Von [is] iniquity H5771 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
233× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Amplified meaning
sin
Tyndale gloss
iniquity: crime
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5771 `avon aw-vone'

or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from

5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,

mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

see HEBREW for 07

see HEBREW for 05753

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.

: crime

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.

: guilt

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.

: punishment

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in-ik'-wi-ti (`awon; anomia): In the Old Testament of the 11 words translated "iniquity," by far the most common and important is `awon (about 215 times). Etymologically, it is customary to explain it as meaning literally "crookedness," "perverseness," i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion (from `iwwah, "to bend," "make crooked," "pervert"). Driver, however (following Lagarde), maintains that two roots, distinct in Arabic, have been confused in Hebrew, one equals "to bend," "pervert" (as above), and the other equals "to err," "go astray"; that `awon is derived from the latter, and consequently expresses the idea of error, deviation from the right path, rather than that of perversion (Driver, Notes on Sam, 135 note) Whichever etymology is adopted, in actual usage it has three meanings which almost imperceptibly pass into each other:

(1) iniquity,

Thompson Chain Reference topics

general references to

Job 15:16; Ps 41:6; 53:1; Isa 5:18; Jer 30:14; Eze 9:9; Ho 14:1

Mic 2:1; Mt 23:28; 24:12; Ro 6:19

for that [is] wickedness and that [is] iniquity judges
פְּלִילִֽים׃pe.li.Lim judges H6414 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a judge or magistrate, like those in the book of Exodus. It refers to someone who makes decisions and settles disputes. This word is used to describe leaders in Israel.
Amplified meaning
punished by the judges, condemned
Tyndale gloss
judge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּלִיל (paliyl) means 'judge' and is derived from the root word for assessment or estimate. The term refers specifically to a magistrate or someone who judges. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to judgment without significant disagreement among the sources.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּלִיל] n.m. judge

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6414 [פָּלִיל] judge

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6414 paliyl paw-leel'

from 6419; a magistrate:--judge.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּלִיל (pa.lil) — judge.

judge, assessment, estimate

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors; not supreme magistrates, succeeding to the authority of Moses and Joshua. Their power only extended over portions of the country, and some of them were contemporaneous. Their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war; they then administered justice to the people, and their authority supplied the want of a regular government. Even while the administration of Samuel gave something like a settled government to the south, there was scope for the irregular exploits of Samson on the borders of the Philistines; and Samuel at last established his authority as judge and prophet, but still as the servant of Jehovah, only to see it so abused by his sons as to exhaust the patience of the people, who at length demanded a king , after the pattern of the surrounding nations. The…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Hebrew Shophetim, were the rulers, chiefs, or leaders of Israel, from Joshua to Saul. They were very different from the ordinary administrators of justice among the Hebrews, respecting whom, see JUSTICE. The Carthaginians, a colony of the Tyrians, had likewise governors, whom they called Suffetes, or Sophetim, with authority almost equal to that of kings.

The dignity of judge was for life; but the succession was not always constant. There were anarchies, or intervals, during which the commonwealth was without rulers. There were likewise long intervals of foreign servitude and oppression, under which the Hebrews groaned without deliverers. Although God alone regularly appointed the judges, yet the people, on some occasions, chose that individual who appeared to them most proper to deliver them from oppression; and as it often happened that the oppressions which occasioned recourse to…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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