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Proverbs 11:25 — Word Study

Depth

WLCנֶֽפֶשׁ־ בְּרָכָ֥ה תְדֻשָּׁ֑ן וּ֝מַרְוֶ֗ה גַּם־ ה֥וּא יוֹרֶֽא׃

BSAA generousBᵉrâkâh [liberal, giving freely] soulnephesh [living being, essence of a person] will prosperdâshên [be made fat, to anoint or satisfy] and he who refreshes othersrâvâh [watereth, to quench or satisfy] will himselfhûwʼ [also, even he] be refreshedyârâh [watered, to receive in return]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 11
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 25 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 (yo.Re') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 11:25quick helps
In a sentenceA generous person will prosper, and one who refreshes others will also be refreshed.
Who is speakingThe writer of Proverbs, sharing wisdom on generosity.
Where we areIn the context of teachings about generosity and its rewards.
The hard wordנֶ֫פֶשׁ
Take awayGenerosity leads to prosperity and mutual refreshment.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbדָּשֵׁן 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 11:25

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 Generositygenerated

24One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

Proverbs 11:25 presents a principle of generosity, contrasting those who give freely with those who withhold. The surrounding verses emphasize the outcomes of these behaviors, illustrating that generosity leads to blessings, while greed leads to poverty. This theme resonates throughout the book of Proverbs, where wisdom often highlights the benefits of a generous spirit.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 28:27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
2Job 29:13–18The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.
3Job 31:16–20If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,
4Isaiah 32:8But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
5Isaiah 58:7–11Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

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


The Key Word נֶ֫פֶשׁ, ne.fesh-generated

The word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) is a feminine singular noun meaning 'soul' or 'living being.' It encompasses the essence of a person, including life, breath, and vitality. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence, often reflecting the inner self and emotional state.

In this verse, it signifies the generous nature of a person, suggesting that the essence of a generous soul is one that thrives and flourishes, aligning with the promise of prosperity.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is תְדֻשָּׁ֑ן, he will be made fat, which governs the sentence. The structure includes a subject noun phrase and two clauses that describe the conditions of generosity and its effects.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the generous soul first, highlighting its importance in the overall message of the verse.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נֶ֫פֶשׁ as ψυξὴ, which carries the same connotation of 'soul' or 'life.' This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the term within the Greek-speaking Jewish community.

The Greek word εὐλογουμένη for בְּרָכָה emphasizes the blessed state of the generous, aligning with the Hebrew concept of divine favor.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 11:25 teaches that a generous person will prosper, and one who refreshes others will also be refreshed. This verse highlights the importance of generosity and its positive effects on both the giver and the receiver.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to have a generous soul?

A generous soul refers to a person who freely gives of themselves and their resources, embodying kindness and a willingness to help others.

How does refreshing others lead to being refreshed?

Refreshing others can mean providing support, encouragement, or resources, and in turn, this act often brings joy and fulfillment back to the giver.

What are some examples of generosity in daily life?

Examples include donating to charity, volunteering time, helping a neighbor, or simply offering kind words to someone in need.

Why is prosperity linked to generosity in this verse?

The verse suggests that generosity creates a cycle of blessings, where giving leads to receiving, thus promoting overall well-being and prosperity.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I practice generosity in my daily life?
  2. How have I experienced refreshment through helping others?
  3. What are some barriers that prevent me from being more generous?
  4. How can I encourage others to be generous in their own lives?

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

Bede comments on this verse, illustrating the principle that those who bless others will receive blessings in return.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
The soul that blesses will be enriched, etc. He who outwardly blesses by preaching receives inwardly the fatness of increase.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 11 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 11:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The liberal soul shall be made fat,.... Or, "the soul of blessing" (c): that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others,

Read John Gill on Proverbs 11 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 11 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The liberal soul, Heb. the soul of blessing; that man who is a blessing to others, who blesseth them, i.e. doeth good to them, as blessing is oft used for a gift, as . Shall be made fat; shall be greatly enriched, both with temporal and spiritual blessings. He that watereth shall be watered also himself possibly it is a metaphor from a fountain, which when it poureth forth its waters is instantly filled again, whereas if it be stopped it groweth empty, and the water seeketh another course. Others render it, he shall be a rain, i.e. he shall receive such liberal supplies from God, that he shall be able to pour forth showers of good things upon others.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 11 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.Ver. 25. The liberal soul shall be made fat.] and my "Common Place of Alms."

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 11 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 25. The liberal soul shall be made fat] He who gives to the distressed, in the true spirit of charity, shall get a hundred fold from God's mercy. How wonderful is the Lord! He gives the property, gives the heart to use it aright, and recompenses the man for the deed, though all the fruit was found from himself! He that watereth] A man who distributes in the right spirit gets more good himself than the poor man does who receives the bounty. Thus it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 11 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. The liberal soul] Lit. the soul of blessing (ψυχὴεὐλογουμένη, LXX.); the soul that is ready to benefit and bless in will and deed. Comp. “a blessing” = “a gift,” 2 Kings 5:15, and ὁσπείρωνἐπʼ ? εὐλογίαις, 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 11 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Liberal soul - literally, “the soul that blesses,” i. e., gives freely and fully. The similitudes are both of them essentially Eastern.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 11 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

25. The liberal soul — Hebrews, the soul of blessing; that is, the man who imparts blessings. Shall be made fat — Richly nourished.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 11 →

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

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The liberall person shall haue plentie: and he that watereth, shall also haue raine.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A liberal soul is made fat, And whoso is watering, he also is watered.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A liberal soul is made fat, || And whoever is watering, he also is watered.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A beneficent soul will be abundantly gratified; and he that refresheth [others] will be also refreshed himself.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The soul which blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.

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 · subjectנֶֽפֶשׁa.personבְּרָכָ֥הof.blessingverbתְדֻשָּׁ֑ןhe.will.be.made.fatוּ֝andclauseclauseמַרְוֶ֗ה[one.who].gives.waterclausenoun phrase · subjectגַּםalsoה֥וּאheverbיוֹרֶֽאhe.will.be.watered

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 core message of the verse, with five out of seven words matched. The Septuagint's wording reflects its own structure, but the essential meaning remains consistent with the Hebrew.

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

נֶֽפֶשׁ־ בְּרָכָ֥ה תְדֻשָּׁ֑ן וּ֝מַרְוֶ֗ה גַּם־ ה֥וּא יוֹרֶֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
נֶֽפֶשׁ־ψυξὴבְּרָכָ֥הεὐλογουμένηתְדֻשָּׁ֑ןἁπλῆוּ֝מַרְוֶ֗הδὲיוֹרֶֽא׃εὐσξήμων

5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 11:25נֶ֫פֶשׁa person ofa person ofנֶ֫פֶשׁבְּרָכָהblessingblessingבְּרָכָהדָּשֵׁןhe will be he will be madeדָּשֵׁןרָוָהand [one whand [one who] gרָוָהגַּםalsoalsoגַּםהוּאheheהוּאיָרָאhe will be he will be giveיָרָאדֶּ֫שֶׁןashesashesדֶּ֫שֶׁןנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁבָּרַךְto blessto blessבָּרַךְבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַיקְלָלָהcursecurseקְלָלָהגֶּ֫שֶׁםrainrainגֶּ֫שֶׁםחֵ֫לֶבfatfatחֵ֫לֶבדָּםbloodbloodדָּםשָׂבֵעַto satisfyto satisfyשָׂבֵעַתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתחֵץarrowarrowחֵץ
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 11:25

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.

a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
נֶֽפֶשׁ־ne.fesh- a person of H5315 Noun common · feminine singular construct
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
living being, essence of a person
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — 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…

a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
בְּרָכָ֥הbe.ra.Khah blessing H1293 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
69× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a blessing is a gift from God, bringing prosperity and praise. It appears in Genesis and Psalms, where people bless God and each other. This concept is central to Jewish and Christian traditions.
Amplified meaning
liberal, giving freely
Tyndale gloss
blessing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּרָכָה (berakah) means 'blessing' and encompasses a range of meanings including prosperity, praise of God, gifts, and treaties of peace. It is derived from the root word for 'to bless.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּרָכָה n.f. blessing

blessing

source of blessing

blessing, prosperity

blessing, praise of God

a gift, present

treaty of peace

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1293 בְּרָכָה blessing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1293 Brakah ber-aw-kaw'

from 1288; benediction; by implication prosperity:--blessing,

liberal, pool, present.

see HEBREW for 01288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּרָכָה (be.ra.khah) — blessing.

1) blessing

2) (source of) blessing

3) blessing, prosperity

4) blessing, praise of God

5) a gift, present

6) treaty of peace

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

(berakhah; eulogia): Sometimes means the form of words used in invoking the bestowal of good, as in De 33:1; Jos 8:34; and Jas 3:10. Sometimes it means the good or the benefit itself which has been conferred, as in Ge 27:36, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" and Pr 10:22, "The blessing of Yahweh, it maketh rich." "The cup of blessing" (to poterion tes eulogias, a special use of the word in 1Co 10:16), means the cup for which we bless God, or which represents to us so much blessin g from God.

James M. Gray

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Referring both to God and to man. When God blesses, he bestows that efficacy which renders his blessing effectual. His blessings are either temporal or spiritual, bodily or mental; but in every thing they really convey the good which they import, Nu 6:23-27. The blessings of men to other men, unless they be inspired prophecies, as in Ge 32:32 De 33:1 1:1-29, are only good wishes, personal or official, and as it were a peculiar kind of prayer to the Author of all good for the welfare of the subject of them. Blessing, on the part of man towards God, is an act of thanks-giving for his mercies, Ps 103:1; or rather, for that special mercy which at the time occasions the act of…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ For blessing before eating, see PRAYER

→ See THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER BEFORE TAKING FOOD

→ See also BENEDICTIONS

→ RESPONSIVE BLESSINGS OF THE LAW De 28:1-14

For the responsive curses of the law, see CURSE

→ CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE Ex 15:26; 19:5; 20:6; 23:22; Le 26:3-43; De 4:1,40; 5:10,29; 7:9,12-15; 11:26-28; 12:28; 15:4,5; 28:1-14; 29:9; 30:1-10,15-20; Jos 1:8; 1Ki 2:3,4; 3:14; 8:23; 9:3-9; 1Ch 22:13; 28:7,8; 2Ch 7:17-22; 26:5; 27:6; 30:9; 31:10;

a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
תְדֻשָּׁ֑ןte.du.Shan he will be made fat H1878 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person feminine singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To prosper or be fat is the meaning of this word, which can also mean to anoint or satisfy. It is often used to describe God's blessing and prosperity.
Amplified meaning
be made fat, to anoint or satisfy
Tyndale gloss
to prosper
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּשֵׁן (dashen) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become fat, often symbolizing prosperity and joy. It can also refer to anointing and the act of removing ashes from burnt offerings. The word encompasses various forms, including causative and passive uses, reflecting both physical and metaphorical senses of abundance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּשֵׁן vb. be fat, grow fat

Qal fig. of Isr.’s prosperity

Pi. causat. make fat i.e. anoint, symbol of festivity and joy; of bodily effect of good news; find a burnt-offering fat = acceptable; elsewhere denom.;—take away, clear away the fat ashes (acc. of altar cleared)

Pu. pass. of causat. Pi. be made fat, of dust saturated

Hothp. of Yahweh’s sword:—it hath fattened itself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1878 דָּשֵׁן be fat, grow fat .fig. of Isr.’s prosperity

. causat. make fat i.e. anoint, symbol of festivity and joy; of bodily effect of good news; find a burnt-offering fat = acceptable; elsewhere denom.;—take away, clear away the fat ashes (acc. of altar cleared)

. pass. of causat. Pi. be made fat, of dust saturated

. of Yahweh’s sword:—it hath fattened itself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1878 dashen daw-shane'

a primitive root; to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or

regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to

satisfy; denominatively (from 1880) to remove (fat) ashes (of

sacrifices):--accept, anoint, take away the (receive) ashes

(from), make (wax) fat.

see HEBREW for 01880

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּשֵׁן (da.shen) — to prosper.

1) to be fat, grow fat, become fat, become prosperous, anoint

1a) (Qal) of prosperity (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make fat, anoint

1b2) to find fat (of offering-acceptable)

1b3) to take away ashes (from altar)

1c) (Pual) to be made fat

1d) (Hothpael) to fatten oneself (of Jehovah's sword)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVPi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(chelebh, chelebh): The layer of subcutaneous fat and the compact suet surrounding the viscera and imbedded in the entrails, which, like the blood, was forbidden as food in the Mosaic code (Le 3:17). It was to be sacrificed to God by being burnt upon the altar (Le 3:16; 30). This had to be done on the very day on which a beast had been slaughtered, to remove temptation from the Israelite to use it otherwise (Ex 23:18). The law was probably a sanitary restriction, for, at an early date, leprosy, scrofula and disfiguring cutaneous diseases were thought to be caused by the use of fat as food. It was, moreover, an important pedagogical provision teaching the idea of self-denial, and the maxim that the richest and best meat of the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fat

(Heb. heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal, or the fattest of the flock, in the account of Abel’s sacrifice (Gen. 4:4). It sometimes denotes the best of any production (Gen. 45:18; Num. 18:12; Ps. 81:16; 147:47). The fat of sacrifices was to be burned (Lev. 3:9-11; 4:8; 7:3; 8:25; Num. 18:17. Comp. Ex. 29:13-22; Lev. 3:3-5).

It is used figuratively for a dull, stupid state of mind (Ps 17:10).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

i.e. VAT, the word employed in the Authorized Version to translate the Hebrew term yekeb , in (Joel 2:24; 3:13) The word commonly used for yekeb is "winepress" or "winefat," and once "pressfat." (Haggai 2:16) The "vats" appear to have been excavated out of the native rock of the hills on which the vineyards lay.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The fat portions of animals offered in sacrifice were always to be consumed, as being the choice part and especially sacred to the Lord. The blood was also sacred, as containing the life of the animal. The Jews were forbidden to eat either, Le 3:16,17; 7:23-27.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
וּ֝מַרְוֶ֗הu.mar.Veh and [one who] gives water H7301 Conjunction · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To quench means to satisfy a strong desire or thirst, like drinking water to fill an empty stomach, and is used in the Bible to describe physical and spiritual satisfaction. It can also mean to be drunk or intoxicated.
Amplified meaning
watereth, to quench or satisfy
Tyndale gloss
to quench
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָוָה (ravah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to saturate or quench thirst, often applied to drinking one's fill. It includes various forms such as being intoxicated or abundantly watering something. The entries indicate that it can express both the act of satisfying thirst and the causative action of drenching or saturating.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָוָה] vb. be saturated, drink one's fill

Qal we will take our fill of love

Pi.

intens. be intoxicated, drunk

causat. drench, water abundantly

Hiph. saturate, water

Hoph. Impf.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7301 רָוָה be saturated, drink one's fill .we will take our fill of love

. . intens. be intoxicated, drunk

. causat. drench, water abundantly

. saturate, water

. Impf.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7301 ravah raw-vaw'

a primitive root; to slake the thirst (occasionally of other

appetites):--bathe, make drunk, (take the) fill, satiate,

(abundantly) satisfy, soak, water (abundantly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָוָה (ra.vah) — to quench.

1) to be satiated or saturated, have or drink one's fill

1a) (Qal) to take one's fill

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to be drunk, be intoxicated

1b2) to drench, water abundantly, saturate

1c) (Hiphil) to saturate, water, cause to drink

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil — Conjunction · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vhrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):

(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.

(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.

(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CISTERN and WELLS.

In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5

→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9

→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11

→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20

→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5

→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22

→ Libation of 1Sa 7:6

→ Irrigation with

See IRRIGATION

→ Miraculously supplied

To the Israelites Ex 17:1,6; Nu 20:11

To Samson Jud 15:19

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- One of the elements of the world

Ge 1:2

- GOD ORIGINALLY

. Created the firmament to divide

Ge 1:6,7

. Collected into one place

Ge 1:9

. Created fowls and fishes, &c from

Ge 1:20,21

- Necessary to vegetation

Ge 2:5,6; Job 14:9; Isa 1:30

- Some plants particularly require

Job 8:11

- Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man

Isa 41:17; Zec 9:11

- COLLECTED IN

. Springs

a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
גַּם־gam- also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
ה֥וּאhu' he H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
also, even he
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

It resumes the subj. with emph.

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

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

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

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

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

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

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

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

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

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

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

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a person of blessing he will be made fat and [one who] gives water also he he will be given water
יוֹרֶֽא׃yo.Re' he will be given water H3384 Verb · Hophal · imperfect third person masculine singular
80× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Amplified meaning
watered, to receive in return
Tyndale gloss
to shoot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour

Qal shoot with arrows

Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers

Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered

base

יָרָה vb. throw, shoot

Qal

throw, cast

cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar

shoot arrows

throw water, rain

Niph. shot through (with arrows)

Hiph.

throw, cast

shoot (arrows)

throw water, rain

point out, shew

direct, teach, instruct

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast

. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar

. shoot arrows

. throw water, rain

. shot through (with arrows)

. . throw, cast

. shoot (arrows)

. throw water, rain

. point out, shew

. direct, teach, instruct

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3384 yarah yaw-raw'

or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;

properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to

lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);

figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to

teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,

shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.

1) to shoot, pour

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to shoot arrows

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to shoot at

1b2) part. shooter, archer

1c) to throw water, rain

יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.

1) to point out, show

1b) to direct, teach, instruct

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hophal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVHi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):

(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.

(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.

(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CISTERN and WELLS.

In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5

→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9

→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11

→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20

→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5

→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22

→ Libation of 1Sa 7:6

→ Irrigation with

See IRRIGATION

→ Miraculously supplied

To the Israelites Ex 17:1,6; Nu 20:11

To Samson Jud 15:19

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- One of the elements of the world

Ge 1:2

- GOD ORIGINALLY

. Created the firmament to divide

Ge 1:6,7

. Collected into one place

Ge 1:9

. Created fowls and fishes, &c from

Ge 1:20,21

- Necessary to vegetation

Ge 2:5,6; Job 14:9; Isa 1:30

- Some plants particularly require

Job 8:11

- Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man

Isa 41:17; Zec 9:11

- COLLECTED IN

. Springs

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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