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Proverbs 12:8 — Word Study

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WLCלְֽפִי־ שִׂ֭כְלוֹ יְהֻלַּל־ אִ֑ישׁ וְנַעֲוֵה־ לֵ֝֗ב יִהְיֶ֥ה לָבֽוּז׃

BSAA manʼîysh [male person, individual] is praisedhâlal [commended, celebrated] accordingpeh to his wisdomsekel [understanding, intelligence] but a twistedʻâvâh [perverse, warped] mindlêb [heart, intellect] ishâyâh despisedbûwz [held in contempt, looked down on]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 12
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 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 (la.Vuz) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 12:8quick helps
In a sentenceA person is praised for their wisdom, while a twisted heart is held in contempt.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, likely Solomon, conveying wisdom about human character.
Where we areIn the context of contrasting the righteous and the wicked in Proverbs 12.
The hard wordעָוָה
Take awayWisdom brings honor; moral distortion brings disgrace.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאִישׁ verbהָלַל 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 12:8

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 and Character in Proverbsgenerated

7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

Proverbs 12:8 contrasts the outcomes of wisdom and moral distortion. The verse emphasizes that a person's worth is recognized through their understanding, while those who are perverse in thought face disdain. This theme of wisdom and folly is prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs, offering insight into the moral fabric of society.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 41:39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
21 Samuel 16:18One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”
31 Samuel 18:30Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.
4Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
5Luke 12:42–44And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?

The Key Word שֵׂ֫כֶל, Sikh.lovgenerated

The word שֵׂ֫כֶל (*sekel*) refers to understanding or intelligence, indicating a capacity for prudence and insight. It implies success in decision-making and discernment, often linked to moral and ethical considerations.

This noun is in the construct state, showing possession, as in 'his understanding.' The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, emphasizing the individual nature of wisdom and its impact on a person's reputation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that a person is praised for their wisdom and that a twisted mind is despised.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יְהֻלַּל, he is praised, governs the main clause, with two noun phrases and a prepositional phrase detailing the subject and the basis of the praise. The structure emphasizes the relationship between wisdom and reputation.

The sentence is structured to present a clear contrast: the first part highlights the positive recognition of wisdom, while the second part introduces the negative aspect of a twisted heart.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שֵׂ֫כֶל as συνετοῦ, which conveys a similar meaning of understanding or intelligence. This choice aligns with the Hebrew intent but may reflect a broader interpretation regarding the nature of wisdom.

The Greek word for 'twisted' is not directly provided in the data, but the overall structure in the Septuagint suggests a consistent interpretation of moral character.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 12:8 tells us that a person is recognized for their wisdom, while those with a twisted heart are looked down upon. This verse highlights the importance of understanding in gaining respect and the consequences of moral distortion.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be praised according to wisdom?

Being praised according to wisdom means that a person's understanding and insight are recognized and celebrated by others.

What is a twisted mind?

A twisted mind refers to a person whose thoughts and intentions are morally corrupt or perverse, leading to disdain from others.

How does wisdom affect a person's reputation?

Wisdom positively influences a person's reputation, as it is associated with good judgment and moral integrity.

What are the consequences of having a twisted heart?

Having a twisted heart results in being despised or held in contempt by others, reflecting a lack of moral clarity.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen wisdom recognized in others around me?
  2. How can I cultivate understanding and insight in my own life?
  3. What are some characteristics of a twisted mind that I should be aware of?
  4. How does my own heart reflect my understanding and moral character?

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

Early commentators like Bede reflect on the implications of wisdom and moral character in this verse, emphasizing the importance of understanding in one's life.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
A man will be known by his doctrine. Scripture usually calls those endowed with divine virtues men. Hence the Apostle: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men (I Cor. XVI).
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 12 →
BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
However, he who is vain and foolish, etc. Because he himself despises having the strength of manly courage.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 12 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 12:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,.... Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in;

Read John Gill on Proverbs 12 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. A man shall be commended according to (literally, according to the mouth of: a Hebrew idiom for in proportion to) his wisdom.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 12 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A man shall be commended, to wit, by wise and good men, according to his wisdom; more or less according to the degree of wisdom which his discourses and actions discover to be in him. He that is of a perverse heart, which he showeth by his wicked words and conversation, shall be despised by God and all wise men.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 12 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.Ver. 8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom.] And all wisdom consists in this, Ut Deum quis cognoscat et colat, saith Lactantius; - That a man rightly know and worship God. This did not Apollonius, whom yet Philostratus commendeth, that he was non doctus, sed natus sapiens, not instructed, but born wise. See the contrary, Job 11:12. Nor Archimedes, who yet had the name and note, saith Plutarch, of a divine, and not human wisdom; nor Aristotle, whom yet Averroes admires, as the very rule and copy that nature invented, wherein to set forth the utmost of human…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 12 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) According to his wisdom—i.e., intelligent observance of the ends to be pursued in life, and the best means of attaining to them; in other words, finding out the will of God and how to fulfil it. Shall be despised.—Comp. 1 Samuel 2:30.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 12 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8. According to his wisdom — Shrewdness or prudence. In proportion to it shall he be applauded. Perverse — Crooked of heart. Shall be despised — Literally, it shall be for contempt.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 12 →

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 man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A person is praised in accordance with his wisdom, but the one who has a twisted mind is despised.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A man shall be commended for his wisedome: but the froward of heart shalbe despised.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A man is praised according to his wisdom, || And the perverted of heart becomes despised.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

In accordance with his intelligence is a man praised; but he that is perverse of heart will come to be despised.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

People are appreciated for talking sense, but those with perverted minds are despised.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְֽtonoun phraseפִיthe.mouthnoun phraseשִׂ֭כְלhis.insightוֹhisverbיְהֻלַּלhe.is.praisedsubjectאִ֑ישׁa.personוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectנַעֲוֵה[one.who.is].pervertedלֵ֝֗בof.heartverbיִהְיֶ֥הhe.will.becomeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ(into)בֽוּזcontempt

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 largely agree in their wording, with six of the eight words matching. The differences in word order and specific articles reflect the distinct grammatical structures of Hebrew and Greek.

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

לְֽפִי־ שִׂ֭כְלוֹ יְהֻלַּל־ אִ֑ישׁ וְנַעֲוֵה־ לֵ֝֗ב יִהְיֶ֥ה לָבֽוּז׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לְֽפִי־στόμαשִׂ֭כְלוֹσυνετοῦיְהֻלַּל־ἐγκωμιάζεταιאִ֑ישׁἀνδρόςוְנַעֲוֵה־δὲלֵ֝֗בνωθροκάρδιος

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

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


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

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

Proverbs 12:8פֶּהto [the] moto [the] mouth פֶּהשֵׂ֫כֶלprudence hiprudence hisשֵׂ֫כֶלהָלַלhe is praishe is praisedהָלַלאִישׁa persona personאִישׁעָוָהand a [persand a [person] עָוָהלֵבheartheartלֵבהָיָהhe will beche will becomeהָיָהבּוּזcontemptcontemptבּוּזפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהשָׂכַלbe prudentbe prudentשָׂכַלבּוּזto despiseto despiseבּוּזאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחבִּינָהunderstandunderstandingבִּינָהחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָהּLORDLORDיָהּרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַרָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁעחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָאחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםשַׁאֲנָןsecuresecureשַׁאֲנָן
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 12:8

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.

to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
לְֽפִי־le.fi.Si- to [the] mouth of H6310 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
שִׂ֭כְלוֹSikh.lov prudence his H7922 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means understanding or intelligence, implying success. It involves prudence and insight, as seen in Proverbs. It can also mean cunning or craft.
Amplified meaning
understanding, intelligence
Tyndale gloss
understanding
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׂ֫כֶל (sekel) refers to intelligence and understanding, encompassing concepts like prudence, insight, and wisdom. It can imply success and good sense, but also has a negative connotation of cunning or craftiness. The term appears in contexts that highlight its importance in decision-making and discernment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל n.m. prudence, insight

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7922 שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7922 sekel seh'-kel

or sekel {say'-kel}; from 7919; intelligence; by implication,

success:--discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense,

understanding, wisdom, wise.

see HEBREW for 07919

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׂ֫כֶל (se.khel) — understanding.

1) prudence, insight, understanding

1a) prudence, good sense

1b) insight, understanding

1c) cunning, craft (bad sense)

Aramaic equivalent: sokh.le.ta.nu (שׇׂכְלְתָנוּ "insight" H7924)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/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."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
יְהֻלַּל־ye.hu.lal- he is praised H1984 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
165× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Amplified meaning
commended, celebrated
Tyndale gloss
to shine
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[הָלַל] vb. shine

Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.

Hiph. flash forth light

base

[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise

Qal be boastful

Pi.

praise man or woman

usually praise י׳

appar. boast, make one’s boast

Pu. be praised

Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast

Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of

Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)

Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful

. . praise man or woman

. usually praise י׳

. appar. boast, make one’s boast

. be praised

. glory, boast, make one’s boast

.make into a fool, make a fool of

.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)

. act madly, or like a madman

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1984 halal haw-lal'

a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of

color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to

be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate;

also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,

(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,

feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy

of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.

1) to shine

1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)

1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.

: praise

1) to praise, boast, be boastful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be boastful

1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to praise

1b2) to boast, make a boast

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise

1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.

1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool

1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.

: boast

1) to praise, boast, be boastful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be boastful

1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to praise

1b2) to boast, make a boast

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVPi3ms
to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
אִ֑ישׁ'Ish a person H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
male person, individual
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
וְנַעֲוֵה־ve.na.'a.veh- and a [person] perverted of H5753 Conjunction · verb niphal participle (active) masculine singular common
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to do wrong or commit iniquity, like when people turn away from God's laws. It appears in various forms, such as doing wickedly or perverting what is right. In the Bible, it is often used to describe those who stray from God's path.
Amplified meaning
perverse, warped
Tyndale gloss
to twist
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָוָה (avah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bend or twist, both literally and figuratively. It encompasses actions like distorting paths, committing iniquity, and doing wrong. The entries indicate various forms, such as being bent or perverted (Niphal) and committing iniquity (Hiphil). There is some overlap in the definitions across the lexicons, but they consistently emphasize the themes of distortion and moral wrongdoing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָוָה] vb. bend, twist

Niph. be bent, bowed down, twisted

Pi. my paths hath he twisted; its surface will he distort

Hiph. the right have I perverted

base

[עָוָה] vb. denom. commit iniquity, do wrong

Qal (late) she hath done wrong

Hiph. commit iniquity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5753a עָוָה bend, twist . be bent, bowed down, twisted

. my paths hath he twisted; its surface will he distort

. the right have I perverted

H5753b עָוָה vb. denom. commit iniquity, do wrong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5753 `avah aw-vaw'

a primitive root; to crook, literally or figuratively (as

follows):--do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity,

pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, X turn, do wickedly, do

wrong.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוָה (a.vah) — to twist.

1) to bend, twist, distort

1a) (Niphal) to be bent, be bowed down, be twisted, be perverted

1b) (Piel) to twist, distort

1c) (Hiphil) to do perversely

עָוָה (a.vah) — to pervert.

1) to commit iniquity, do wrong, pervert

1a) (Qal) to do wrong, commit iniquity

1b) (Hiphil) to commit iniquity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal — Conjunction · verb niphal participle (active) masculine singular common
HC/VNrmsc
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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
לֵ֝֗בLev heart H3820 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Amplified meaning
heart, intellect
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

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

hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads:

1. Various Meanings:

It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body. Fear, love, courage, anger, Joy, sorrow, hatred are always ascribed to the heart--especially in the Old Testament; thus courage for which usually ruach is used (Ps 27:14); joy (Ps 4:7); anger (De 19:6, "while his heart is hot," lebhabh); fear (1Sa 25:37); sorrow (Ps 13:2), etc.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Heart

According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. “Heart” and “soul” are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.

The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6;

to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
יִהְיֶ֥הyih.Yeh he will become H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-kum':

(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.

(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.

to [the] mouth of prudence his he is praised a person and a [person] perverted of heart he will become contempt
לָבֽוּז׃la.Vuz contempt H937 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun refers to contempt or disrespect, and can stem from evil, prosperity, or judgment, as described in the book of Job. It is used to describe a negative attitude or feeling towards someone or something. This term is translated as contempt or despised in the KJV Bible.
Amplified meaning
held in contempt, looked down on
Tyndale gloss
contempt
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוּז (buwz) means contempt, indicating a sense of disrespect or disdain. It can arise from various sources, including evil, prosperity, or judgment. The term appears in contexts related to divine judgment, suggesting a serious tone in its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוּז n.m. contempt

contempt

judicial, poured out by God, in judgment

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H937 בּוּז contempt

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

937 buwz booz

from 936; disrespect:--contempt(-uously), despised, shamed.

see HEBREW for 0936

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוּז (buz) — contempt.

1) contempt

1a) springing from evil

1b) springing from prosperity

1c) springing from judgment

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Sin of

Job 31:13,14; Pr 14:21

- Folly of

Pr 11:12

- A characteristic of the wicked

Pr 18:3; Isa 5:24; 2Ti 3:3

- FORBIDDEN TOWARDS

. Parents

Pr 23:22

. Christ's little ones

Mt 18:10

. Weak brethren

Ro 14:3

. Young ministers

1Co 16:11

. Believing masters

1Ti 6:2

. The poor

Thompson Chain Reference topics

for the Righteous

1Sa 17:28; Ne 2:19; 4:3; Ps 80:6; 119:22; Mt 13:55; Joh 9:34

--SEE Derision, DERISION

Despisers, DESPISERS

Mocking, MOCKING

Reviling, SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

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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