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Proverbs 10:19 — Word Study

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WLCבְּרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֶחְדַּל־ פָּ֑שַׁע וְחֹשֵׂ֖ךְ שְׂפָתָ֣יו מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃

BSAWhen wordsdâbâr [many spoken things, an abundance of speech] are manyrôb [in multitude, numerous] sinpeshaʻ [transgression, rebellion] is unavoidablelôʼ [will not cease, cannot be stopped] but he who restrainschâsak [withholds, spares] his lipssâphâh [language, the edge of the tongue] is wisesâkal [prudent, circumspect, having good judgment]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 19 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (mas.Kil) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 10:19quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs teaches that excessive words lead to sin, while wisdom lies in restraint.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering practical wisdom.
Where we areIn a collection of sayings about wise living and the consequences of speech.
The hard wordפָּ֑שַׁע
Take awayWords have power; wise speech is measured and thoughtful.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectפֶּשַׁע verbחָדַל 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 10:19

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

Context — Wisdom in Speechgenerated

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.
20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

Proverbs 10:19 is part of a series of proverbs that emphasize the importance of wise speech and the dangers of excessive words. This verse highlights that while many words can lead to sin, those who are careful with their speech demonstrate wisdom. The surrounding verses reinforce this theme, contrasting the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked in their use of language.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ecclesiastes 5:3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
2Ecclesiastes 10:13–14The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
3James 3:2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
4Proverbs 17:27–28A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
5Psalm 39:1I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חֹשֵׂ֖ךְ, cho.sekhgenerated

The verb חָשַׂךְ (chasak) means to restrain or withhold. It implies an active choice to control one's words, suggesting that wisdom comes from knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

This word is parsed as a participle in the masculine singular, indicating an ongoing action. The emphasis is on the individual who actively restrains their speech, showing prudence and good judgment.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations are consistent in conveying the idea that many words lead to sin and that restraint is wise.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is יֶחְדַּל (yech.dal), meaning 'it ceases.' The structure revolves around the contrast between excessive words and the wisdom of restraint.

The sentence is built around this main action, with phrases elaborating on the consequences of speech and the characteristics of the wise person.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἁμαρτίαν (hamartian) to translate פֶּשַׁע, indicating a focus on sin or wrongdoing. This choice emphasizes the moral implications of speech.

The use of φειδόμενος (pheidomenos) for חֹשֵׂךְ suggests a similar understanding of restraint, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also reflecting the Greek context.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 10:19 teaches that when there are many words, sin is likely to happen. However, a wise person knows how to hold back their speech. This verse encourages careful communication and highlights the value of restraint.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that sin is unavoidable with many words?

It suggests that excessive talking can lead to mistakes, misunderstandings, and wrongdoing.

How can one practice restraint in speech?

By being mindful of what is said, thinking before speaking, and choosing words carefully.

Why is restraint considered wise?

Restraint allows for thoughtful communication and helps avoid conflicts or misinterpretations.

What are the consequences of careless words?

Careless words can lead to hurt feelings, damaged relationships, and even moral failings.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations do I find it difficult to restrain my words?
  2. How can I apply wisdom in my conversations with others?
  3. What are some examples of times when my words have led to misunderstandings?
  4. How can I encourage others to practice restraint in their speech?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on the themes of speech and wisdom found in this verse, illustrating its relevance to moral teaching.

Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF John 5:4-5 c. 185–253
How can teaching accomplish anything without a multitude of words, understood in the simpler sense, since even wisdom herself declares to the perishing, “I stretched out words,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →
Ephrem the SyrianCOMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 22:4 c. 306–373
Stir up your soul, so that, by his wisdom, you may know what is fitting, and that, by his will, what is in the commandment may come to pass. One who is pleasing to the wicked is more evil than they.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →
Ambrose of MilanOn Cain and Abel c. 339–397
Learn what your door is: Place, O Lord, a guard at my mouth, and a door protector around my lips. And Paul asks to be prayed for: That a door may be opened to me, he says, to speak the mystery of Christ.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 10:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin,.... Where a great deal is said, without care and forethought, there will not only be many weak things uttered, but much falsehood, and at least many

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

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

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

Men that love and commonly use much talking, do frequently run into many miscarriages, because such persons, for the most part, want wisdom to order their words aright, , and speak hastily, without care and consideration. That refraineth his lips; that forbeareth to utter what cometh into his mind, before he hath weighed whether it be true and fit to be spoken or not.

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

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.Ver. 19. In the multitude of words.] In multiloquio stultiloquium. Many words are hardly well managed. Non est eiusdera, saith one. It is seldom seen that a man of many words miscarries not. But he that refraineth his lips.] As Elihu did, and as Epaminondas is worthily praised by Plutarch for this, quod nemo plura noscet, et pauciora loqueretur; that no man knew more, and spake less than he did.

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

(19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, for they are sure to fail in truthfulness, or charity, or opportuneness, and will come under the condemnation of Mat 12:36, as being the outcome of a careless heart.

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

Verse 19. In the multitude of words] It is impossible to speak much, and yet speak nothing but truth; and injure no man's character in the mean while.

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

19. A Greek parallel has been cited from Stobζus: πολυλογίαπολλὰσφάλματαἔχει, and a Latin from Cato: Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam. Proximus ille Deo est qui scit ratione tacere.

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

There wanteth not sin - Some render this, “Sin shall not cease,” etc., i. e., many words do not mend a fault. Silence on the part both of the reprover and the offender is often better.

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

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

NETBNew English Translation2006

When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.

RVARevised Version, American1894

In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression: but he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that restraineth his lips is wise.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

In many wordes there cannot want iniquitie: but he that refrayneth his lippes, is wise.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining his lips [is] wise.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

In the abundance of words transgression does not cease, || And whoever is restraining his lips [is] wise.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

In a multitude of words transgression cannot be avoided; but he that refraineth his lips is intelligent.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

When there are many words, transgression is not lacking, but he who is careful in what he says is wise.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips is most wise.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you talk too much, you'll say something wrong. Be wise and take care what you say.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseרֹ֣בa.multitudeדְּ֭בָרִיםof.wordsadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיֶחְדַּלit.ceasessubjectפָּ֑שַׁעtransgressionוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbחֹשֵׂ֖ךְ[one.who].restrainsnoun phrase · objectשְׂפָתָ֣יlipsוhisverbמַשְׂכִּֽיל[is].acting.prudently

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in the overall message of the verse, though the Septuagint's phrasing differs. The key concepts of restraint and the consequences of many words are preserved.

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

בְּרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֶחְדַּל־ פָּ֑שַׁע וְחֹשֵׂ֖ךְ שְׂפָתָ֣יו מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹ֣אοὐκיֶחְדַּל־ἐκφεύχῃפָּ֑שַׁעἁμαρτίανוְחֹשֵׂ֖ךְφειδόμενοςשְׂפָתָ֣יוξειλέων

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

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 10:19רֹבin a multitin a multitude רֹבדָּבָרwordswordsדָּבָרלֹאnotnotלֹאחָדַלit ceasesit ceasesחָדַלפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgressitransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעחָשַׂךְand [one whand [one who] rחָשַׂךְשָׂפָהlips hislips hisשָׂפָהשָׂכַל[is] acting[is] acting pruשָׂכַלרָבַבto multiplto multiplyרָבַבדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהחָשַׁךְto darkento darkenחָשַׁךְעֹ֫שֶׁרrichesrichesעֹ֫שֶׁרכֹּחַreptilereptileכֹּחַיֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶרסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדגִּלְעָד(Mount) Gi(Mount) Gileadגִּלְעָדחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהעָוֹןiniquity: iniquity: crimeעָוֹןחָדַלto ceaseto ceaseחָדַלשָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָהיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹן
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 10:19

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

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

in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
בְּרֹ֣בbe.Ro in a multitude of H7230 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
149× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
in multitude, numerous
Tyndale gloss
abundance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֹב (rov) refers to a multitude or abundance, encompassing ideas of greatness and numerousness. It is derived from a related root and can describe anything from a large quantity to excellence. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, emphasizing its broad application in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֹב 151 n.m. multitude, abundance, greatness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7230 רֹב multitude, abundance, greatness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7230 rob robe

from 7231; abundance (in any respect):--abundance(- antly),

all, X common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number),

huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much,

multitude, plenty(-ifully), X very (age).

see HEBREW for 07231

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֹב (rov) — abundance.

1) multitude, abundance, greatness

1a) multitude

1a1) abundance, abundantly

1a2) numerous

1b) greatness

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
דְּ֭בָרִיםDe.va.rim words H1697 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Amplified meaning
many spoken things, an abundance of speech
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

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

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

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

. sg. a word, words

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

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

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

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

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Jesus

Gracious Lu 4:22

Are spirit and life Joh 6:63

Of eternal life Joh 6:68

Will judge Joh 12:47,48

→ Of the wise

As goads, and as well-fastened nails Ec 12:11

Gracious Ec 10:12

→ Spoken at the proper moment Pr 15:23; Isa 50:4

→ Aptly spoken, like apples of gold in filigree of silver Pr 25:11

→ Of the complete man, gentle Jas 3:2

in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
לֹ֣אlo' 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.
Amplified meaning
will not cease, cannot be stopped
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
in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
יֶחְדַּל־yech.dal- it ceases H2308 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cease means to stop or end something, like when God told the Israelites to cease work on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10. It can also mean to be idle or lacking. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in action or behavior.
Tyndale gloss
to cease
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָדַל (chadal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cease or come to an end. It conveys the idea of stopping, leaving off, or forgoing something. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including the Qal stem, which indicates simple action. There is a specific note in the Hophil form suggesting a passive sense of being made to leave.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָדַל vb. cease

Qal

cease, come to an end

cease, leave off

Hoph. should I be made to leave

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2308 חָדַל cease .. cease, come to an end

. cease, leave off

. should I be made to leave

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2308 chadal khaw-dal'

a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by

implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or

idle:--cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let

alone, rest, be unoccupied, want.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָדַל (cha.dal) — to cease.

1) to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cease, come to an end

1a2) to cease, leave off

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
פָּ֑שַׁעPa.sha' transgression H6588 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
93× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Transgression refers to a revolt or rebellion against God or others, resulting in guilt and punishment, as in Genesis 3:6-7. It involves intentional disobedience.
Amplified meaning
transgression, rebellion
Tyndale gloss
transgression
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6588 pesha` peh'-shah

from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or

religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.

see HEBREW for 06586

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.

1) transgression, rebellion

1a1) transgression (against individuals)

1a2) transgression (nation against nation)

1a3) transgression (against God)

1a3a) in general

1a3b) as recognised by sinner

1a3c) as God deals with it

1a3d) as God forgives

1a4) guilt of transgression

1a5) punishment for transgression

1a6) offering for transgression

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

trans-gresh'-un: From "transgress," to pass over or beyond; to overpass, as any rule prescribed as the limit of duty; to break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or known principle of rectitude; breach of command; offense; crime; sin. In the Old Testament pesha`, occurs 80 times, rendered in all versions by "transgression." Its meaning is "rebellion"; see REBELLION. The word "rebellion" differs from this word in that it may be in the heart, though no opportunity should be granted for its manifestation: "An evil man seeketh only rebellion" (Pr 17:11). Here the wise man contemplates an evil heart, looking for an excuse or opportunity to rebel.

The New Testament uses parabasis, "trespass": "The law .... was added because of transgressions" (

in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
וְחֹשֵׂ֖ךְve.cho.Sekh and [one who] restrains H2820 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to withhold or restrain something. It can also mean to spare, preserve, or observe. In the Bible, it is used to describe holding back or keeping something for oneself.
Amplified meaning
withholds, spares
Tyndale gloss
to withhold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָשַׂךְ (chasak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to withhold or refrain. It encompasses actions like restraining, keeping back, and sparing, with nuances of preserving and holding in check. The word appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating both active and passive meanings. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its definitions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָשַׂךְ vb. withhold, refrain

Qal

withhold, keep back, keep for oneself

keep one from evil, calamity

hold in check

refrain

spare

reserve for

(abs.) restrain, check (pain) i.e. assuage

Niph. at the day of calamity the wicked is spared

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2820 חָשַׂךְ withhold, refrain

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2820 chasak khaw-sak'

a primitive root; to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by

implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; also (by interch.

with 2821) to observe:--assuage, X darken, forbear, hinder,

hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare,

withhold.

see HEBREW for 02821

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָשַׂךְ (cha.sakh) — to withhold.

1) to withhold, restrain, hold back, keep in check, refrain

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to withhold, keep back, keep for oneself, keep from, hold in check, refrain, spare, reserve

1a2) to restrain, check

1b) (Niphal) to assuage, be spared

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
HC/Vqrmsc
in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
שְׂפָתָ֣יוse.fa.Tav lips his H8193 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
language, the edge of the tongue
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/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."

in a multitude of words not it ceases transgression and [one who] restrains lips his [is] acting prudently
מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃mas.Kil [is] acting prudently H7919 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Amplified meaning
prudent, circumspect, having good judgment
Tyndale gloss
be prudent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂכַל vb. be prudent

Qal be prudent, circumspect

Hiph.

look at

give attention to, consider, ponder

have insight, comprehension

cause to consider, give insight, teach

act circumspectly, prudently

prosper, have success

cause to prosper

base

[שָׂכַל] vb. Pi. lay crosswise;—Gn 48:14 (J)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect

. . look at

. give attention to, consider, ponder

. have insight, comprehension

. cause to consider, give insight, teach

. act circumspectly, prudently

. prosper, have success

. cause to prosper

H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7919 sakal saw-kal'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)

circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,

instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),

have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),

wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide

wittingly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.

1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to look at or upon, have insight

1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

1b3) to have insight, have comprehension

1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)

1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach

1b4a) the teachers, the wise

1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

1b6) to prosper, have success

1b7) to cause to prosper

Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.

(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
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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