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Proverbs 10:17 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאֹ֣רַח לְ֭חַיִּים שׁוֹמֵ֣ר מוּסָ֑ר וְעוֹזֵ֖ב תּוֹכַ֣חַת מַתְעֶֽה׃

BSAWhoever heedsshâmar [pays attention to, regards] instructionmûwçâr [discipline, correction] is on the pathʼôrach [way, journey] to lifechay [being alive, spiritual life] but he who ignoresʻâzab [refuses, forsakes] reprooftôwkêchâh [rebuke, correction] goes astraytâʻâh [errs, wanders morally]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 10
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 (mat.'Eh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 10:17quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse contrasts the outcomes of heeding instruction versus ignoring reproof.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, conveying wisdom about life choices.
Where we areIn the context of guidance and moral living, specifically in Proverbs.
The hard wordמוּסָר, mu.Sar
Take awayHeeding instruction leads to life; ignoring correction leads to moral failure.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁמַר 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 — Proverbs 10:17

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 — Wisdom in Instruction and Correctiongenerated

16The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.
17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.
18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:17 emphasizes the importance of receiving guidance and correction in life. It presents a clear choice between following the path of wisdom, which leads to life, and rejecting reproof, which results in straying from the right way. This theme is consistent throughout the book of Proverbs, where wisdom is often personified and instruction is portrayed as essential for living a righteous life.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 3:1–2My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2Proverbs 4:4–13he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
3Proverbs 12:1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
4Proverbs 22:17–19Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
5Matthew 7:24–27Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

The Key Word מוּסָר, mu.Sargenerated

The Hebrew word מוּסָר (*mūsar*) refers to discipline or correction, emphasizing moral guidance. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of instruction and chastening, often used in the context of learning from mistakes or receiving guidance from God.

In this verse, מוּסָר highlights the necessity of heeding correction to stay on the path of life. It underscores the idea that discipline is not merely punitive but is intended for growth and understanding.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.' This wording is consistent across several translations, including the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is שׁוֹמֵ֣ר, keeps, which governs the structure of the sentence. It is followed by the object מוּסָר, instruction, indicating what is being kept.

The verse contrasts two clauses: the first describes the one who heeds instruction, while the second describes the one who neglects reproof. This structure emphasizes the consequences of each action.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term מוּסָר is rendered as παιδεία (*paideia*), which emphasizes the instructional aspect of discipline, aligning with the concept of moral education.

The Greek word πλανᾶται is used to translate the idea of going astray, indicating a moral deviation, similar to the Hebrew מַתְעֶֽה.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 10:17 teaches that paying attention to instruction leads to life, while ignoring correction leads to wandering off the right path. This verse highlights the importance of accepting guidance and learning from mistakes.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to heed instruction?

To heed instruction means to pay attention to and follow guidance, which can lead to a fulfilling and wise life.

Why is ignoring reproof dangerous?

Ignoring reproof can lead to moral failure or straying from the right path, resulting in negative consequences.

How can discipline be beneficial?

Discipline can provide valuable lessons and help individuals grow, leading to a better understanding of right and wrong.

What is the significance of the path to life?

The path to life symbolizes a journey of righteousness and fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of wise choices.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to be more receptive to instruction?
  2. How can I better respond to correction when it is offered to me?
  3. What are some practical ways to stay on the path to life in my daily choices?
  4. How does understanding discipline as guidance change my perspective on correction?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 10:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He [is in] the way of life,.... Of eternal life, which is truly, properly, and by way of eminency, "life", Matthew 19:17; and which is a life of glory; a life of perfection, of perfect holiness,

Read John Gill on Proverbs 10 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 10 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The way of life; which leadeth to life and blessedness. That keepeth instruction; that observeth and obeyeth the wholesome counsels of God, and of good men. Erreth, to wit, from the way of life, or into the ways of sin, and so of death; Heb. leadeth into error, or seduceth, to wit, himself, as appears by the opposition of this to the former clause; he wittingly and willingly exposeth himself to temptation and wickedness, because he rejecteth that admonition which is a proper preservative from it.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 10 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 10:17 He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.Ver. 17. He is in the way of life.] Rich fools refuse reproof; hold themselves above admonition, Tange montes et fumigabunt, and are therefore, by the just judgment of God, led through a fool’ s paradise into a true prison. Divitibus ideo amicus deest, quia nihil deest. Rich men have few faithful counsellors.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 10 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) Erreth.—Literally, committeth error. This is probably the true sense, and harmonises better with being “in the way of life,” which occurs just before, than the marginal rendering, “causeth to err.” The word occurs in a similar sense in Jeremiah 42:20 (there translated, “ye have dissembled”).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 10 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. He is in the way of life] The truly religious man accumulates knowledge that he may the better know how to live to God, and do most good among men.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 10 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. in the way &c.] Rather (with R.V. marg.), A way of life is he that heedeth correction:But he that forsaketh reproof causeth to err. The one by his example and influence is a way of life to his fellow men; in measure and degree he can say what only the Perfect Example could say fully, “I am the way.” The other on the contrary not only goes himself, but leads others, astray.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 10 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

literally, A way of life is he that keepeth instruction. The verb “erreth” is better rendered in the margin. The influence for good or evil spreads beyond the man himself.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 10 →

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

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who heeds instruction is on the way to life, but the one who rejects rebuke goes astray.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He is in the way of life that heedeth correction; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He is in the way of life that heedeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproof erreth.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that regardeth instruction, is in the way of life: but he that refuseth correction, goeth out of the way.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A traveller to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A traveler to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, || And whoever is forsaking rebuke is erring.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

On the way unto life is he that observeth correction; but he that forsaketh reproof is in error.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

There is a path to life for the one who follows discipline, but the one who rejects correction is led astray.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs goeth astray.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you accept instruction, you're on the path to life, but if you reject correction you'll go astray.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who takes note of teaching is a way of life, but he who gives up training is a cause of error.

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 · predicateאֹ֣רַח[is].a.pathprepositional phraseלְ֭toחַיִּיםlifenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbשׁוֹמֵ֣ר[one.who].keepsobjectמוּסָ֑רdisciplineוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbעוֹזֵ֖ב[one.who].neglectsobjectתּוֹכַ֣חַתrebukeverbמַתְעֶֽה[is].leading.astray

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 Proverbs 10:17 states, "אֹ֣רַח לְ֭חַיִּים שׁוֹמֵ֣ר מוּסָ֑ר וְעוֹזֵ֖ב תּוֹכַ֣חַת מַתְעֶֽה׃" which translates to, "Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation, matches 5 of the 7 words from the Masoretic Text, indicating a significant degree of agreement. However, the exact phrasing and structure differ, as the Septuagint reflects its own word order and articles. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, thus supporting the reading found in the Masoretic Text without notable differences.

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

אֹ֣רַח לְ֭חַיִּים שׁוֹמֵ֣ר מוּסָ֑ר וְעוֹזֵ֖ב תּוֹכַ֣חַת מַתְעֶֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֹ֣רַחὁδοὺςלְ֭חַיִּיםζωῆςשׁוֹמֵ֣רφυλάσσειמוּסָ֑רπαιδείαמַתְעֶֽה׃πλανᾶται

5 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.

Proverbs 10:17אֹ֫רַח[is] a path[is] a pathאֹ֫רַחחַיto lifeto lifeחַישָׁמַר[one who] k[one who] keepsשָׁמַרמוּסָרdisciplinedisciplineמוּסָרעָזַבand [one whand [one who] nעָזַבתּוֹכֵחָהrebukerebukeתּוֹכֵחָהתָּעָה[is] leadin[is] leading asתָּעָהאָרַחto journeyto journeyאָרַחחָיָהto liveto liveחָיָהיָסַרto disciplto disciplineיָסַריָכַחto rebuketo rebukeיָכַחיָשַׁרto smoothto smoothיָשַׁררֶ֫גֶלfootfootרֶ֫גֶלעוֹףbirdbirdעוֹףשָׂדַיfieldfieldשָׂדַימִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתchargechargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתמִצְוָהcommandmencommandmentמִצְוָהתּוֹכֵחָהrebukerebukeתּוֹכֵחָהאֱוִילfool(ish)fool(ish)אֱוִילנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסמוּסָרdisciplinedisciplineמוּסָרחֵמָהragerageחֵמָהאָשַׁרto blessto blessאָשַׁרשָׁגָהto wanderto wanderשָׁגָה
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 Proverbs 10:17

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.

[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
אֹ֣רַח'O.rach [is] a path H734 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A way or path, describing a road or journey, whether physical or metaphorical. This term is used to talk about travel, direction, and life's journey, often in wisdom literature and prophetic writings. It is found in books like Proverbs and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
way, journey
Tyndale gloss
way
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֹ֫רַח (orach) means 'way' or 'path,' and can refer to both literal and figurative routes in life, including one's manner of living or character. It also denotes a traveler or wayfarer. The word is derived from a root meaning a well-trodden road, and it encompasses various aspects of life’s journey.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫רַח n.m. way, path

lit.

fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life

fig. way, of mode of living, or character

by meton. traveller, wayfarer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H734 אֹ֫רַח way, path . lit.

. fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life

. fig. way, of mode of living, or character

. by meton. traveller, wayfarer

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

734 'orach o'-rakh

from 732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively);

also a caravan:--manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,

(by-, high-)way.

see HEBREW for 0732

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫רַח (o.rach) — way.

1) way, path

1a) path, road

1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.)

1c) way of living (fig.)

1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton)

Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
לְ֭חַיִּיםLe.chai.yim to life H2416 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Amplified meaning
being alive, spiritual life
Tyndale gloss
alive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַי adj. alive, living

of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

of man

of animals, alive, living

animals and man

(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

of water, fresh

(dub.) lively, active

reviving

base

[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18

ref

חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal

animal

in general

wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

living beings, of the cherubic chariot

life, only in late poetry

appetite, activity of hunger

revival, renewal

base

חַיָּה n.f. community

base

חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life

life: physical

life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

sustenance, maintenance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

. of man

. of animals, alive, living

. animals and man

. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

. of water, fresh

. (dub.) lively, active

. reviving

H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general

. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

. living beings, of the cherubic chariot

. life, only in late poetry

. appetite, activity of hunger

. revival, renewal

H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical

. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

. sustenance, maintenance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2416 chay khah'-ee

from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,

year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine

singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether

literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)

beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living

(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)

old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

see HEBREW for 02421

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַי (chay) — alive.

adj

1) living, alive

1a) green (of vegetation)

1b) flowing, fresh (of water)

1c) lively, active (of man)

1d) reviving (of the springtime)

Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.

kinsfolk

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.

1) living thing, animal

1a) animal

1b) life

1c) appetite

1d) revival, renewal

Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.

community

חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.

1) life (abstract emphatic)

1a) life

1b) sustenance, maintenance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):

I. THE TERMS

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING

1. Popular Use of the Term

2. Complexity of the Idea

III. IN THE APOCRYPHA

IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In the Synoptic Gospels

2. In the Fourth Gospel

3. In the Ac of the Apostles

4. In the Writings of Paul

5. In the Writings of John

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament

LITERATURE

I. The Terms.

Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Life

Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Breath of Ge 2:7

Called SPIRIT OF GOD Job 27:3

Tree of Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Pr 3:18; 13:12; Re 2:7

→ (SACREDNESS OF, an inference from what is taught in the law concerning murder)

See HOMICIDE

Long life promised to obedient children Ex 20:12; De 5:16

To those who keep the commandments De 4:40; 22:7

Vanity of Ec 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Hated Ec 2:17

[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
שׁוֹמֵ֣רsho.Mer [one who] keeps H8104 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular common
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Amplified meaning
pays attention to, regards
Tyndale gloss
to keep: obey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve

Qal 425

keep, have charge of

keep, guard, captives

hence, watch for, wait for

watch, observe

keep, retain, of storing up (food)

keep within bounds, restrain

observe, celebrate

keep sabbath

of other obligations

observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

sts. י׳ subj.

keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

Niph.

36be on one's guard

keep oneself, refrain, abstain

be kept, guarded

Pi. those paying regard to false vanities

Hithp. I kept myself from

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of

. keep, guard, captives

. hence, watch for, wait for

. watch, observe

. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)

. keep within bounds, restrain

. . observe, celebrate

. keep sabbath

. of other obligations

. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

. sts. י׳ subj.

. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

. . be on one's guard

. keep oneself, refrain, abstain

. be kept, guarded

. those paying regard to false vanities

. I kept myself from

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8104 shamar shaw-mar'

a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),

i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,

be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,

look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save

(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.

: obey/observe

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

1a3) to watch for, wait for

1a4) to watch, observe

1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

1a8) to keep, preserve, protect

1a9) to keep, reserve

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

1b3) to be kept, be guarded

1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.

: guard

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular common
HVqrmsc
[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
מוּסָ֑רmu.Sar discipline H4148 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew term means discipline or correction, often used to describe God's guidance. In Psalm 50:17, it warns against rejecting God's discipline, while in Proverbs 1:7, it emphasizes the importance of discipline in gaining wisdom. It involves learning from mistakes.
Amplified meaning
discipline, correction
Tyndale gloss
discipline
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline, chastening, and correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, and can also imply restraint or bonds. The entries consistently highlight its focus on moral and instructional aspects, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּסָר n.m. discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4148 מוּסָר discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4148 muwcar moo-sawr'

from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof,

warning or instruction; also restraint:--bond, chastening

((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline,

doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

see HEBREW for 03256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline.

: discipline/punishment

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: instruction.

: instruction

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: bonds.

: bonds/noose

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

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

dis'-i-plin (mucar): In the King James Version only in Job 36:10, where it refers to moral discipline, the strenuous cultivation of the righteous life; the Revised Version (British and American) "instruction." the Revised Version (British and American) in 2Ti 1:7 has "discipline" for a Greek word (sophronismos) meaning "sobering"; in 2Ti 3:16 margin, for Greek paideia, "instruction." In classic Greek paideia means "education," mental culture. Through the influence of the Septuagint, which translates the Hebrew mucar by paideia, the meaning of "chastisement" accompanies paideia in the New Testament. Compare Heb 12:5,7,8,11.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of armies, for disobedience of orders Jos 7:10-26; Jud 21:5-12

→ See ARMIES

→ CHURCH DISCIPLINE

See CHURCH, DISCIPLINE IN

[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
וְעוֹזֵ֖בve.'o.Zev and [one who] neglects H5800 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
215× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Amplified meaning
refuses, forsakes
Tyndale gloss
Forsaken
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַב (azab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to leave, forsake, or let loose. It encompasses a range of actions from abandoning or neglecting to setting free. The entries suggest it can also imply restoration or repair, though this aspect is less emphasized. Notably, the term can describe both active and passive states, such as being forsaken or deserted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָזַב 213 vb. leave, forsake, loose

Qal

leave, c. acc.

leave, abandon, forsake

let loose, set free, let go

Niph.

be left to

be forsaken, of house of God

Pu. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

base

[עָזַב] vb. restore, repair (?);—Qal Ne 3:8

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5800a עָזַב leave, forsake, loose .. leave, c. acc.

. leave, abandon, forsake

. let loose, set free, let go

. . be left to

. be forsaken, of house of God

. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

H5800b עָזַב restore, repair(?)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5800 `azab aw-zab'

a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit,

etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave

(destitute, off), refuse, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: forsake.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — to restore.

1) to restore, repair

1a) (Qal) to repair

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: release.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — Forsaken.

This name means to restore, repair

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: neglect.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
HC/Vqrmsc
[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
תּוֹכַ֣חַתto.Kha.chat rebuke H8433 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means argument, correction, or reproof, often referring to a verbal rebuke or chastisement. It involves reasoning or proof to make a point or correct someone.
Amplified meaning
rebuke, correction
Tyndale gloss
rebuke
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תּוֹכֵחָה (towkechah) refers to rebuke or correction, while תּוֹכַ֫חַת (towkachath) pertains to argument or reproof. Both terms involve verbal expressions of correction or chastisement. The entries emphasize their use in contexts of correction and reasoning, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תּוֹכֵחָה n.f. rebuke, correction

base

תּוֹכַ֫חַת n.f. argument, reproof

argument, impeachment, spoken by lips and mouth

reproof, chiding

correction, rebuke

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8433a תּוֹכֵחָה rebuke, correction H8433b תּוֹכַ֫חַת argument, reproof . argument, impeachment, spoken by lips and mouth

. reproof, chiding

. correction, rebuke

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8433 towkechah to-kay-khaw'

and towkachath {to-kakh'-ath}; from 3198; chastisement;

figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in

defence):--argument, X chastened, correction, reasoning,

rebuke, reproof, X be (often) reproved.

see HEBREW for 03198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תּוֹכֵחָה (to.khe.chah) — rebuke.

rebuke, correction, punishment, chastisement

תּוֹכַ֫חַת (to.kha.chat) — argument.

1) argument, reproof

1a) argument, impeachment

1b) reproof, chiding

1c) correction, rebuke

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

re-buk': As a verb "rebuke" is in the Old Testament the translation of ga`ar and yakhach; another word, ribh, in Ne 5:7, is in the Revised Version (British and American) translated "contended with." "Rebuke" (noun) is most frequently the translation of ge`arah; also in the King James Version of cherpah (Isa 25:8; Jer 15:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "reproach"), and of a few other words signifying reproach, etc. "Rebuker" (mucar, literally, "correction," "chastisement") in Ho 5:2 has the Revised Version margin "Hebrew `rebuke.'" In the New Testament "to rebuke" is most often the translation of epitimao (Mt…

[is] a path to life [one who] keeps discipline and [one who] neglects rebuke [is] leading astray
מַתְעֶֽה׃mat.'Eh [is] leading astray H8582 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Amplified meaning
errs, wanders morally
Tyndale gloss
to go astray
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּעָה (ta`ah) is a Hebrew verb that means to wander or go astray, both physically and ethically. It can refer to being led astray, as in a moral sense, or to the effects of intoxication. The word has various forms, including Qal (to err), Niphal (to be made to wander), and Hiphil (to cause to wander).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּעָה vb. err

Qal

physically wander about

of intoxication

ethically

Niph.

be made to wander about, as a drunkard

ethically: be led astray

Hiph.

physically cause to wander about

of intoxication

mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8582 תָּעָה err .. physically wander about

. of intoxication

. ethically

. . be made to wander about, as a drunkard

. ethically: be led astray

. . physically cause to wander about

. of intoxication

. mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8582 ta`ah taw-aw'

a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally

or figuratively); also causative of both:--(cause to) go

astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant,

seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the

way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּעָה (ta.ah) — to go astray.

1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger

1a) (Qal) to err

1a1) to wander about (physically)

1a2) of intoxication

1a3) of sin (ethically)

1a4) wandering (of the mind)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard)

1b2) to be led astray (ethically)

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander

1c1) to cause to wander about (physically)

1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication)

1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)

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

a-stra' (ta`ah, "to wander," "to err"; planaomai, "to go astray," each carrying the idea of being lost): With one exception (Ex 23:4 "his ass going astray") used metaphorically of moral wandering, going astray in paths of error and sin, like "sheep going astray" (1Pe 2:25 the King James Version; Isa 53:6; Ps 119:176).

This wandering may be due

(1) to inherent evil (Ps 58:3);

(2) to false shepherds (Jer 50:6); contrast the beautiful and classic passage, Mt 18:12,13, the Son of man (verse 12) seeketh that which is…

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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