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Proverbs 10:9 — Word Study

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WLCהוֹלֵ֣ךְ בַּ֭תֹּם יֵ֣לֶךְ בֶּ֑טַח וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכָ֗יו יִוָּדֵֽעַ׃

BSAHe who walkshâlak [in a morally upright manner, with integrity] in integritytôm [completeness, moral purity] securelybeṭach [with confidence, in safety] but he who pervertsʻâqash [twists, distorts] his waysderek [path, manner of life] will be found outyâdaʻ [known, revealed, made manifest]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (yi.va.De.a') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 10:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse contrasts the secure life of the upright with the inevitable exposure of the dishonest.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon.
Where we areIn a collection of wise sayings, offering moral guidance.
The hard wordמְעַקֵּשׁ
Take awayIntegrity leads to security, while deceit leads to exposure.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָלַךְ 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 10:9

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 Proverbsgenerated

8A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
9He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:9 presents a contrast between two types of individuals: those who walk with integrity and those who twist their paths. The surrounding verses emphasize the value of wisdom and the consequences of foolishness, highlighting the importance of moral conduct in life. This wisdom literature serves as practical guidance for living righteously and avoiding pitfalls.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 28:18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
2Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
3Psalm 25:21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You.
4Psalm 26:11–12But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.
5Psalm 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

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


The Key Word בַּ֭תֹּם, Ba.tomgenerated

The noun תֹּם (tom) refers to completeness or integrity. It suggests a state of moral purity and innocence, indicating a life lived without deceit. The parsing shows it is a common masculine singular noun, emphasizing its role as a quality of character.

In this verse, it describes the manner in which one conducts their life, implying that integrity is foundational for a secure existence.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs הוֹלֵ֣ךְ and יֵ֣לֶךְ govern the main clauses, indicating the actions of the subjects. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the two types of conduct.

The first clause describes the secure walk of the upright, while the second clause highlights the fate of the one who distorts his ways, showcasing the moral implications of each path.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בַּ֭תֹּם as ἁπλῶς, meaning 'simply' or 'plainly', which aligns with the concept of integrity as straightforwardness.

The choice of διαστρέφων for מְעַקֵּשׁ indicates a moral twisting, reinforcing the idea of perversion in character and conduct.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 10:9 teaches that those who live with integrity will find security in their lives, while those who twist their paths will ultimately be exposed. This verse encourages moral uprightness and warns against deceitful behavior.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to walk in integrity?

Walking in integrity means living in a way that is morally upright and honest, without deceit.

What are the consequences of perverting one's ways?

Perverting one's ways leads to being exposed and facing the repercussions of dishonesty.

How does integrity provide security?

Integrity provides security by fostering trust and confidence in oneself and in relationships with others.

What does the verse suggest about moral conduct?

The verse suggests that moral conduct is essential for a secure and stable life.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life can I strive to be more upright and honest?
  2. What are the potential consequences I have seen in others who do not walk in integrity?
  3. How can I encourage others to live with integrity?
  4. What steps can I take to ensure my own paths are straight and honest?

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

Early commentators like John Chrysostom and Bede reference this verse to discuss the nature of integrity and the consequences of deceitful behavior.

John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON Ephesians 15 c. 347–407
Absalom was a treacherous man and “stole all men’s hearts.” Observe how great was his treachery. It is recorded, “He went about, and said ‘Have you no judgment?’ ” wishing to conciliate everyone to himself. But David was guileless.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →
BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Whoever walks uprightly, walks securely, etc. He who knows he lives uprightly, easily disregards all adverse things, because he trusts he will come to joy through them, saying with the prophet: The Lord is the protector of my life;
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 10:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely,.... Or, "that walketh in perfection" (c) as the Targum.

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

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely. "Uprightly," "in integrity" or 'sincerity,' as David did (1 Kings 9:4).

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

He that walketh uprightly; who is sincere, and just, and faithful in his dealings with God and with men. Surely; or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies, and is here rendered by all the ancient interpreters, and by most of the others; quietly resting upon God’ s favour and gracious providence for his protection, and being supported by the testimony of a good conscience, and therefore not fearing nor caring who knows or observes his actions, which he endeavours to approve both to God and to men. That perverteth his ways; that walks perversely, or frowardly, or in crooked and sinful paths; that dealeth hypocritically and deceitfully with God, or with men, using all…

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

Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.Ver. 9. He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely.] Because, keeping within God’ s precincts, he keeps under his protection: as the king undertakes to secure him that travels the highway, and between sun and sun. He is tutus sub umbra leonis, safe under the hollow of God’ s hand, "under the shadow of his wing." Shall be known.] All shall out to his utter disgrace. See Proverbs 10:7. Or, He shall be known by some examplary judgment of God inflicted upon him, for a terror to others; as one that is hanged up in gibbets.

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

(9) Walketh surely.—He has no cause to fear lest anything to his discredit should come out, but can trust quietly in the Lord (Psalms 112:7); while he that goeth by crooked paths will be found out (Matthew 10:26), and the fear of this gives him perpetual uneasiness. Or the meaning may be that he will be “instructed,” i.e., punished by misfortune, as Jeremiah 31:19.

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

Verse 9. He that walketh uprightly] The upright man is always safe; he has not two characters to support; he goes straight forward, and is never afraid of detection, because he has never been influenced by hypocrisy or deceit.

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

9. known] i.e. found out. Comp. 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Timothy 3:9. Some, however, render, “shall be punished,” shall be taught by bitter experience his folly, comparing Jeremiah 31:19, where the same Heb. word is rendered, “I was instructed.”

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

Shall be known - literally, “shall be made to know” (see Jeremiah 31:19; Judges 8:16 margin) in the sense of exposed.

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

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who conducts himself in integrity will live securely, but the one who behaves perversely will be found out.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that walketh vprightly, walketh boldely: but he that peruerteth his wayes, shalbe knowen.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Whoso is walking in integrity walketh confidently, And whoso is perverting his ways is known.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Whoever is walking in integrity walks confidently, || And whoever is perverting his ways is known.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

He that walketh uprightly ever walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways will be punished.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He who walks in integrity walks in safety, but the one who makes his ways crooked, he will be found out.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He that walketh sincerely, walketh confidently: but he that perverteth his ways, shall be manifest.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Honest people will live in safety, but those who behave deceitfully will be caught out.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He whose ways are upright will go safely, but he whose ways are twisted will be made low.

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 · subjectclauseverbהוֹלֵ֣ךְ[one.who].walksprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּ֭innoun phrase(the)תֹּםintegrityverbיֵ֣לֶךְhe.walksadverbialבֶּ֑טַחsecurityוּandclausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ[one.who].makes.crookednoun phrase · objectדְּ֝רָכָ֗יwaysוhisverbיִוָּדֵֽעַhe.will.become.known

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 10:9 states, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out." The Septuagint closely aligns with this verse, matching six out of seven words, indicating a strong agreement with the Masoretic Text. However, the Septuagint's word order and articles differ, reflecting its own syntactical style rather than a direct translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, thereby reinforcing the consensus found in the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint.

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

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בַּ֭תֹּם יֵ֣לֶךְ בֶּ֑טַח וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכָ֗יו יִוָּדֵֽעַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בַּ֭תֹּםἁπλῶςיֵ֣לֶךְπορεύεταιבֶּ֑טַחπεποιθώςוּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁδιαστρέφωνדְּ֝רָכָ֗יוαὐτοῦיִוָּדֵֽעַ׃γνωσθήσεται

6 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 10:9הָלַךְ[one who] w[one who] walksהָלַךְתֹּםin integritin integrityתֹּםהָלַךְhe walkshe walksהָלַךְבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַחעָקַשׁand [one whand [one who] pעָקַשׁדֶּ֫רֶךְways hisways hisדֶּ֫רֶךְיָדַעhe will beche will become יָדַעהָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְתָּמַםto finishto finishתָּמַםבָּטַחto trustto trustבָּטַחדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְדֶּ֫רֶךְway: roadway: roadדֶּ֫רֶךְחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהמָשַׁךְto drawto drawמָשַׁךְקֶ֫שֶׁתbowbowקֶ֫שֶׁתחָרַדto trembleto trembleחָרַדשָׁקַטto quietto quietשָׁקַטהָלַךְto go: walto go: walkהָלַךְפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּין
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 10:9

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.

[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
הוֹלֵ֣ךְho.Lekh [one who] walks H1980 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Amplified meaning
in a morally upright manner, with integrity
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance

twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

quite by itself

13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

In combination with other verbal forms

Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:

pass away, die

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently

. to intensify meaning of finite form

. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance

. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

. quite by itself

. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety

of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,

apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,

depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,

forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,

out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,

march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),

be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,

still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,

on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,

(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
בַּ֭תֹּםBa.tom in integrity H8537 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means being complete or having integrity, and is used to describe someone who is innocent and morally pure. In the Bible, it describes people who are full of integrity and live with simplicity. It is often translated as 'integrity' or 'upright'.
Amplified meaning
completeness, moral purity
Tyndale gloss
integrity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תֹּם (tom) refers to completeness or integrity, encompassing notions of fullness, innocence, and simplicity. It is derived from a root meaning to be complete or perfect. The word appears in contexts related to moral uprightness and wholeness, though the specific verses are not detailed in the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תֹּם n.[m.] completeness, integrity

completeness, fulness

innocence, simplicity

integrity

תֻּמִּים

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8537 תֹּם completeness, integrity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8537 tom tome

from 8552; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually

(morally) innocence:--full, integrity, perfect(-ion),

simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See 8550.

see HEBREW for 08552

see HEBREW for 08550

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תֹּם (tom) — integrity.

1) integrity, completeness

1a) completeness, fulness

1b) innocence, simplicity

1c) integrity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in-teg'-ri-ti (tom, tummah): The translation of tom, "simplicity," "soundness," "completeness," rendered also "upright," "perfection." Its original sense appears in the phrase letom (1Ki 22:34; 2Ch 18:33), "A certain man drew his bow at a venture" margin "Hebrew, in his simplicity" (compare 2Sa 15:11, "in their simplicity"). It is translated "integrity" (Ge 20:5,6; 1Ki 9:4; Ps 7:8; 25:21; 26:1,11; 41:12; 78:72; Pr 19:1; 20:7), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ge 18:19; Ex 18:21; De 16:19,20; 2Sa 22:21; Job 10:7; 13:15,18; 16:17; 27:4-6; 29:14; 31:1-40; Ps 7:3-5,8; 15:1-5; 17:3; 18:20; 24:3-5; 26:1-3; 69:4; 73:2-22; 119:121; Pr 1:3; 2:2,5,9; 3:3,4; 4:25-27; 10:9; 11:3,5; 12:22; 14:30; 15:21; 16:11; 19:1; 20:7; 21:3,15; 22:11; 28:6,20; Isa 26:7; 33:15,16; 56:1; Jer 7:5,7; Eze…

[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
יֵ֣לֶךְYe.lekh he walks H1980 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance

twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

quite by itself

13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

In combination with other verbal forms

Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:

pass away, die

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently

. to intensify meaning of finite form

. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance

. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

. quite by itself

. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety

of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,

apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,

depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,

forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,

out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,

march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),

be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,

still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,

on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,

(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
בֶּ֑טַחBe.tach security H983 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Security refers to a feeling of safety or refuge, like a place where one can feel protected, as the Bible describes God as a rock or fortress, providing assurance and hope to those who trust in Him.
Amplified meaning
with confidence, in safety
Tyndale gloss
security
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֶּ֫טַח (betach) refers to security or safety, encompassing both the concept of a secure place and the feelings of trust and assurance. It can also be used adverbially to mean 'safely' or 'securely.' The word is derived from a root meaning 'to trust' and is linked to the idea of refuge.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶּ֫טַח n.[m.] security

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H983 בֶּ֫טַח security

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

983 betach beh'takh

from 982; properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both

the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb

with or without preposition) safely:--assurance, boldly,

(without) care(- less), confidence, hope, safe(-ly, -ty),

secure, surely.

see HEBREW for 0982

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫טַח (be.tach) — security.

1) security, safety

adv

2) securely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ FOR DEBT

See DEBT

→ See SURETY

→ FALSE

From the evils of sin; promises peace and a long life Job 29:18

Is ignorant of God and truth Ps 10:4; 50:21

Trusts in lies Isa 28:15; Re 3:17

Is inconsiderate and forgetful Isa 47:7

Relies on earthly treasures Jer 49:4,16

Is deceived by pride Ob 1:3; Re 18:7

Puts off the evil day Am 6:3

Leads to increased guilt Ec 8:11

[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁu.me.'a.Kesh and [one who] perverts H6140 Conjunction · verb piel participle (active) masculine singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to twist or distort something, and can also refer to acting or speaking in a perverse way. It is used to describe someone who is being dishonest or unfair. The KJV translates it as make crooked or perverse.
Amplified meaning
twists, distorts
Tyndale gloss
to twist
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָקַשׁ (‘aqash) means to twist or distort, often in a moral or figurative sense, implying perversion or crookedness. The word can describe someone who is devious or whose paths are made crooked. It appears in various forms, such as declaring something crooked or being perverse.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָקַשׁ] vb. twist

Niph. one crooked in ways

Pi. their paths they have twisted. all that is straight they make crooked

Hiph. he hath declared me crooked, devious (in life)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6140 [עָקַשׁ] twist . one crooked in ways

. their paths they have twisted. all that is straight they make crooked

. he hath declared me crooked, devious (in life)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6140 `aqash aw-kash'

a primitive root; to knot or distort; figuratively, to

pervert (act or declare perverse):--make crooked, (prove,

that is) perverse(-rt).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָקַשׁ (a.qash) — to twist.

1) to be perverse, twist, pervert, make crooked, prove perverse, declare perverse

1a) (Niphal) to be crooked

1b) (Piel) to twist, distort, pervert, make crooked

1c) (Hiphil) to declare crooked

1d) (Qal) perverse

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel — Conjunction · verb piel participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vprmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
דְּ֝רָכָ֗יוde.ra.Khav ways his H1870 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Amplified meaning
path, manner of life
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/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."

[one who] walks in integrity he walks security and [one who] perverts ways his he will become known
יִוָּדֵֽעַ׃yi.va.De.a' he will become known H3045 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
known, revealed, made manifest
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
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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