Menu

Proverbs 10:4 — Word Study

Depth

WLCרָ֗אשׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה כַף־ רְמִיָּ֑ה וְיַ֖ד חָרוּצִ֣ים תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃

BSAIdlerᵉmîyâh [lazy, slothful] handskaph [the palm] makeʻâsâh one poorrûwsh [destitute, lacking material possessions] but diligentchărûwts [industrious, hard-working] handsyâd [the hand of the diligent, bringing strength] bring wealthʻâshar [to enrich, make rich, riches, financial prosperity]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ta.'a.Shir) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 10:4quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs contrasts the outcome of laziness with the rewards of hard work.
Who is speakingThe writer of Proverbs, offering wisdom on work and wealth.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of sayings about wise living and its consequences.
The hard wordרוּשׁ
Take awayDiligence leads to prosperity; laziness leads to need.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbרוּשׁ 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 10:4

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

Context — Wisdom on Work and Wealthgenerated

3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.
4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:4 presents a clear distinction between the outcomes of diligence and laziness. The surrounding verses emphasize the broader theme of righteousness and wisdom, illustrating how one's actions can lead to blessings or consequences. This wisdom literature encourages readers to reflect on their work ethic and its impact on their lives.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 6:6–11Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
2Proverbs 11:24One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
3Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
4Proverbs 19:15–24Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
5Proverbs 20:4–13The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

The Key Word רוּשׁ, Rashgenerated

The verb רוּשׁ (rash) means to be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone lacking material possessions. It can also imply spiritual poverty, as seen in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible.

In this verse, it highlights the result of idleness — that lazy hands lead to a state of need. The participle form indicates a continuous state of being poor, emphasizing the ongoing consequences of a lack of effort.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that idle hands lead to poverty, while diligent hands bring wealth.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs in the verse are עֹשֶׂ֥ה (o.seh) and תַּעֲשִֽׁיר (ta.a.shir), with the subject being the hands. The structure contrasts two actions: the first clause describes the outcome of laziness, while the second highlights the benefit of diligence.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the actions of the hands, underscoring the direct relationship between work and its results.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָד as ξεῖρες, which refers to hands, emphasizing the physical aspect of work. This choice aligns with the Hebrew focus on the actions of the hands.

The Greek word for diligent, ἀνδρείων, suggests strength and valor, which complements the Hebrew understanding of hard work leading to wealth.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 10:4 teaches that being lazy leads to poverty, while working hard leads to wealth. This verse encourages us to be diligent in our efforts, as our actions directly affect our well-being.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that idle hands make one poor?

It means that laziness and lack of effort can lead to a lack of resources and needs.

How do diligent hands bring wealth?

Diligent hands represent hard work and industriousness, which can lead to financial prosperity and success.

Why is the imagery of hands important in this verse?

Hands symbolize the actions we take; they represent our efforts in work and productivity.

What can we learn from this proverb about work ethic?

This proverb teaches that a strong work ethic is essential for achieving success and avoiding poverty.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life can I apply more diligence to avoid laziness?
  2. How do I view work in relation to my spiritual and material well-being?
  3. What practical steps can I take to ensure my hands are busy with productive work?
  4. How can I encourage others to adopt a diligent work ethic?

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

The commentary from Bede reflects on the moral implications of laziness and diligence, drawing from this verse to illustrate the consequences of one's actions.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Lazy hands lead to poverty, etc. Whoever lives negligently in this world will suffer lack of good things in the future; but whoever fights bravely for the Lord is rewarded with the riches of eternal blessedness.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 10:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand,.... That is either remiss in giving to the necessities of others, according to his abilities, and as cases require; or that is negligent and slothful in his business.

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

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. "Dealeth" - i.e., doeth his work (cf.

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

With a slack hand; negligently and slothfully, as appears from the diligence opposed to it in the next branch, and from the use of this word in this sense, ,27 19:15 . Heb. with a deceitful hand; so called, partly because it seems and pretends to do something, when in truth it doth nothing; and partly because such persons usually endeavour to maintain themselves by deceit and wickedness, which they cannot or will not do by honest labour and diligence. Maketh rich; not by itself, nor necessarily, as is manifest from experience, and is noted, , but through God’ s blessing, which commonly is given to such, by comparing this verse with , here following.

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

Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.Ver. 4. He becometh poor.] Lest any should say, If God do all, we need do the less. Doing you must be, saith the wise man, or else the beggar will catch you by the back. Labour also you must with your hands, "working the thing that is good, that ye may have to give to him that needeth." But the hand of the diligent.] Or, Of the nimble; that do motitare, saith Kimchi, are active and agile; that will lose nothing for looking after, but take care of smallest matters that all go right, being frugal and parsimonious of time, husbanding the opportunity of thriving and plenty. How did Boaz…

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

Verse 4. He becometh poor] God has ordered, in the course of his providence, that he who will not work shall not eat. And he always blesses the work of the industrious man.

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

4. He becometh poor] It has been thought that the change of a single vowel point would give A slack hand maketh poor, which is an exact parallel to the second clause of the verse, and is adopted by the Vulg., egestatem operata est manus remissa.

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

Slack - The word is elsewhere translated as “deceitful” Job 13:7; Psalms 120:2-3; Hosea 7:16; Jeremiah 48:10. The two thoughts run easily into each other.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 10 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

4. Slack hand — Idle, languid, or loose, in opposition to expert; the word is rendered “deceitful” in Job 13:9; Psalms 122:23; Hosea 9:16; Jeremiah 48:10, where, however, “negligently” appears in the margin as an alternate.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A slouthfull hand maketh poore: but the hand of the diligent maketh riche.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Poor [is] he who is working — a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Poor [is] he who is working [with] a slothful hand, || And the hand of the diligent makes rich.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

He becometh poor that laboreth with an indolent hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A lazy hand causes a person to be poor, but the hand of the diligent person gains riches.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand of the industrious getteth riches. He that trusteth to lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds that fly away.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Lazy hands make you poor, but hard-working hands make you rich.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth.

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.

clauseverbרָ֗אשׁ[is].poornoun phrase · subjectclauseverbעֹשֶׂ֥ה[one.who].worksnoun phrase · objectכַףa.palmרְמִיָּ֑הof.slacknessוְand.[the]clausenoun phrase · subjectיַ֖דhandחָרוּצִ֣יםof.diligent.[people]verbתַּעֲשִֽׁירit.gains.riches

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


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

The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in conveying the core message, though only three words match directly. The differences in word order and articles reflect the distinct syntactical choices of the Greek translators.

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

רָ֗אשׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה כַף־ רְמִיָּ֑ה וְיַ֖ד חָרוּצִ֣ים תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְיַ֖דξεῖρεςחָרוּצִ֣יםἀνδρείωνתַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃πλουτίζουσιν

3 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 10:4רוּשׁ[is] poor[is] poorרוּשׁעָשָׂה[one who] w[one who] worksעָשָׂהכַּףa palm ofa palm ofכַּףרְמִיָּהlaxnesslaxnessרְמִיָּהיָדand [the] hand [the] hand יָדחָרוּץdiligent [pdiligent [peoplחָרוּץעָשַׁרit gains riit gains richesעָשַׁרכָּפַףto bendto bendכָּפַףרָמָהto shootto shootרָמָהכַּףpalmpalmכַּףחָרַץto decideto decideחָרַץעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂרעָשִׁירrichrichעָשִׁירעִקֵּשׁtwistedtwistedעִקֵּשׁמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהתּוֹעֵבַהabominatioabominationתּוֹעֵבַהפָּרַשׂto spreadto spreadפָּרַשׂרֶ֫גֶלfootfootרֶ֫גֶלחָרוּץsharpsharpחָרוּץלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקנָצַלto rescueto rescueנָצַלטִיטmudmudטִיטרְמִיָּהdeceitdeceitרְמִיָּהעֹ֫שֶׁרrichesrichesעֹ֫שֶׁר
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 10:4

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

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

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
רָ֗אשׁRash [is] poor H7326 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone who lacks material possessions or is in need, as seen in the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:42. This verb can also be used to describe someone who is spiritually poor or lacking.
Amplified meaning
destitute, lacking material possessions
Tyndale gloss
be poor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּשׁ (ruwsh) means to be poor or in want, covering the state of lacking resources or necessities. It can refer to a poor man or the action of impoverishing oneself, as noted in various forms like the Qal and Hithpolel. The entries indicate a focus on destitution and neediness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רוּשׁ or רִישׁ] 24 vb. be in want, poor

Qal young lions are in want and hunger

Hithpō‛lēl one impoverishing himself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7326 [רוּשׁ or רִישׁ] be in want, poor

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7326 ruwsh roosh

a primitive root; to be destitute:--lack, needy, (make self)

poor (man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּשׁ (rush) — be poor.

1) to be poor, be in want, lack

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be poor

1a2) to be in want or hunger

1a3) poor man (subst)

1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)

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

poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):

I. In the Old Testament.

The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (De 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (De 15:5), and in De 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.

1. The Terms Employed:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Poor

The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19,21).

(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).

(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).

(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27;

Ps 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Ex 23:6 Pr 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Mt 25:42-45 Jas 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mr 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
עֹשֶׂ֥ה'o.Seh [one who] works H6213 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ GOOD

Jesus an example of Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38

Holy women should manifest 1Ti 2:10; 5:10

God remembers Ne 13:14; with Heb 6:9,10

Will be brought into judgment Ec 12:14; with 2Co 5:10

In the judgment, will be an evidence of faith Mt 25:34-40; with Jas 2:14-20

Servants should be patterns of Tit 2:7

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
כַף־khaf- a palm of H3709 Noun common · feminine singular construct
193× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to the palm of the hand, like in Exodus 29 where it describes the priest's hands being filled with offerings. It can also symbolize power or strength, like in Psalm 16. It's about the hand or its shape.
Amplified meaning
the palm
Tyndale gloss
palm
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3709 kaph kaf

from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an

animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,

the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);

figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,

(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.

see HEBREW for 03721

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כַּף (kaph) — palm.

: palm/hand

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

1c) sole (of the foot)

1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects

1d1) of thigh-joint

1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)

1d3) hollow (of sling)

1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)

1d5) handles (as bent)

כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.

: sole/paw

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

1c) sole (of the foot)

1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects

1d1) of thigh-joint

1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)

1d3) hollow (of sling)

1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)

1d5) handles (as bent)

כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.

: dish/socket

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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…

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
רְמִיָּ֑הre.mi.Yah laxness H7423 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Remiyah refers to slackness or deceit, describing someone who is idle or treacherous, as seen in various KJV translations. It implies a lack of effort or loyalty.
Amplified meaning
lazy, slothful
Tyndale gloss
deceit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רְמִיָּה (rmiyah) refers to both deceit and slackness. It is derived from the root word for remissness and encompasses meanings such as treachery, guile, and idleness. The entries indicate a dual focus on moral failure and a lack of diligence, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רְמִיָּה n.f. deceit, treachery

base

רְמִיָּה n.f. laxness, slackness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7423a רְמִיָּה deceit, treachery H7423b רְמִיָּה laxness, slackness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7423 rmiyah rem-ee-yaw'

from 7411; remissness, treachery:--deceit(- ful, -fully),

false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.

see HEBREW for 07411

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רְמִיָּה (re.miy.yah) — deceit.

deceit, treachery

רְמִיָּה (re.miy.yah) — slackness.

laxness, slackness, slackening

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
וְיַ֖דve.Yad and [the] hand of H3027 Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
1,619× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Amplified meaning
the hand of the diligent, bringing strength
Tyndale gloss
hand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָד 1604 n.f. hand

hand

Fig. = strength, power

Fig. = side

יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—

sign, monument

part, fractional part or share

time, repetition

axle-trees

stays, supports for laver

tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

a (beckoning) hand

יַד with prep.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3027 יָד hand . hand

. Fig. = strength, power

. Fig. = side

. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument

. part, fractional part or share

. time, repetition

. axle-trees

. stays, supports for laver

. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

. a (beckoning) hand

. יַד with prep.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3027 yad yawd

a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,

means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed

one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of

applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate

and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,

at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,

(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +

creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,

force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,

labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,

ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,

power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,

draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by

them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,

+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָד (yad) — hand.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: power.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common both singular construct
HC/Ncbsc
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…

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
חָרוּצִ֣יםcha.ru.Tzim diligent [people] H2742 Adj
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word for gold also means something sharp or dug, like a trench. It appears in poetic passages, describing valuable or precious things. In some cases, it refers to determination or eagerness.
Amplified meaning
industrious, hard-working
Tyndale gloss
sharp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָרוּץ (*charuwts*) is derived from a root meaning to incise or be incisive. It encompasses a range of meanings including sharp, diligent, strict decision, trench, and gold, with specific references in the Old Testament such as in Job 4:14 and Daniel 9:25. The lexicons agree on these meanings without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָרוּץ adj. sharp, diligent

base

חָרוּץ n.[m.] strict decision, only Jo 4:14, 14

ref

חָרוּץ n.[m.] trench, moat—only in Dn 9:25

ref

חָרוּץ n.m. gold, poet.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2742a חָרוּץ sharp, diligent H2742b חָרוּץ strict decision H2742c חָרוּץ trench, moat H2742d חָרוּץ gold poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2742 charuwts khaw-roots'

or charuts {khaw-roots'}; passive participle of 2782;

properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun

masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a

threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively)

determination; also eager:--decision, diligent, (fine) gold,

pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.

see HEBREW for 02782

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרוּץ (cha.ruts) — sharp.

adj

sharp-pointed, sharp, diligent

חָרוּץ (cha.ruts) — decision.

strict decision, decision

חָרוּץ (cha.ruts) — trench.

trench, moat, ditch

חָרוּץ (cha.ruts) — gold.

gold (poetical)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

[is] poor [one who] works a palm of laxness and [the] hand of diligent [people] it gains riches
תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃ta.'a.Shir it gains riches H6238 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singular
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to become or make rich, often describing financial prosperity or wealth, as seen in the story of Solomon's riches in 1 Kings 10. It is translated as 'to be rich' or 'enrich' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
to enrich, make rich, riches, financial prosperity
Tyndale gloss
to enrich
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשַׁר (ashar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become rich. It encompasses various forms, including the Qal (to become rich), Hiphil (to make rich), and Hithpael (to enrich oneself). The term appears in contexts related to wealth accumulation, as noted in 1 Kings 22:48. The entries collectively emphasize the act of gaining or pretending to have riches.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָשַׁר] vb. be or become rich

Qal I have become rich

Hiph.

make rich

gain riches

Hithp. one enriching himself.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6238 עָשַׁר be or become rich

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6238 `ashar aw-shar'

a primitive root; properly, to accumulate; chiefly

(specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich:--be(-come,

en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make (1 Kings 22:48 marg).

See 6240.

see HEBREW for 06240

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשַׁר (a.shar) — to enrich.

1) to be or become rich or wealthy, enrich, pretend to be rich

1a) (Qal) to be or become rich

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to make rich

1b2) to gain riches

1c) (Hithpael) to enrich oneself, pretend to be rich

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVhi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rich'-ez, rich'-iz: Used to render the following Hebrew and Greek words:

(1) `Osher, which should, perhaps, be considered the most general word, as it is the most often used (Ge 31:16; Ec 4:8; Jer 9:23). It looks at riches simply as riches, without regard to any particular feature. Alongside this would go the Greek ploutos (Mt 13:22; Eph 2:7).

(2) Chocen (Pr 27:24; Jer 20:5), nekhacim and rekhush (Ge 36:7; Da…

→ General scriptures concerning De 6:10-12; 8:10-18; 31:20; 32:15; 1Sa 2:7; Ps 37:16; Pr 10:2,22; 11:4,28; 13:7,8; 14:24; 15:6,16,17; 16:8; 19:4; 21:6; 23:4,5; 27:23,24; 28:8,20,22; 30:8,9; Ec 5:9-20; 6:1,2; 7:11,12; 10:19; Isa 5:8; Jer 48:36; Ho 12:8; Mt 6:19-21; 13:22; 19:16-29; Mr 4:19; 10:17-25; Lu…

- The true riches

Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7

- God gives

1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19

- To God belongs this world's riches

Hag 2:8

- God gives power to obtain

De 8:18

- The blessing of the Lord brings

Pr 10:22

- Give worldly power

Pr 22:7

- DESCRIBED AS

. Temporary

Pr 27:24

. Uncertain

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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate