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Proverbs 13:13 — Word Study

Depth

WLCבָּ֣ז לְ֭דָבָר יֵחָ֣בֶל ל֑וֹ וִירֵ֥א מִ֝צְוָ֗ה ה֣וּא יְשֻׁלָּֽם׃

BSAHe who despisesbûwz [despises with contempt, holds in low esteem] instructiondâbâr [words of advice, guidance] will pay the penaltychâbal [suffer destruction, be punished] but the one who respectsyârêʼ [fears with reverence, honors] a commandmitsvâh [law, divine instruction] will be rewardedshâlam [repaid, blessed with peace]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 13 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 (ye.shu.Lam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 13:13quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse contrasts two attitudes towards instruction: contempt leads to punishment, while respect leads to reward.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on the consequences of our attitudes.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of sayings that emphasize the value of wisdom and instruction.
The hard wordבָּ֣ז
Take awayOur response to guidance shapes our future outcomes.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא verbבּוּז 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 13:13

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

Context — Wisdom in Proverbsgenerated

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.

Proverbs 13:13 contrasts two responses to guidance: despising instruction leads to dire consequences, while respecting commands results in reward. This verse is situated in a broader context that highlights the importance of wisdom and understanding, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss the benefits of heeding wise counsel and the dangers of ignoring it.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 1:25–30because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,
22 Samuel 12:9–10Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.
32 Chronicles 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
4Jeremiah 43:2Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to reside there.’
5Jeremiah 44:16–17“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!

The Key Word בָּ֣ז, bazgenerated

The Hebrew word בּוּז (buwz) is a verb in the Qal form, meaning to despise or hold in contempt. It conveys a strong sense of disrespect, indicating that one considers something or someone insignificant or unworthy of regard. This term is used in the context of instruction, emphasizing the negative consequences of such an attitude.

In this verse, the participle form suggests an ongoing state of contempt towards instruction. The lexicons consistently underline its connotation of disdain, reinforcing the idea that a lack of respect for guidance leads to detrimental outcomes.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse revolves around two main clauses connected by a conjunction: the first clause states the consequence of despising instruction, while the second presents the outcome of respecting a command. The finite verbs בָּ֣ז and יְשֻׁלָּֽם anchor each clause, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the actions of despising and respecting, placing them at the forefront of the message. The conjunction וִירֵ֥א serves to connect these contrasting ideas, highlighting the stark difference in outcomes based on one's attitude.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בָּ֣ז as καταφρονηθήσεται, which carries a similar meaning of contempt or disdain, reinforcing the idea of punishment for such an attitude. This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the Hebrew term.

For the second part, the LXX uses ὑγιαίνει for the outcome of respecting a command, suggesting a sense of health or well-being, which aligns with the idea of being rewarded for honoring divine instruction.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 13:13 teaches that those who show contempt for instruction will face consequences, while those who respect commands will receive rewards. This verse emphasizes the importance of valuing guidance and wisdom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to despise instruction?

To despise instruction means to hold it in low esteem and disregard the advice or guidance it offers, which can lead to negative consequences.

What kind of rewards come from respecting a command?

Respecting a command can lead to rewards such as peace, safety, and a sense of fulfillment, as one aligns with wise and divine guidance.

How can I avoid despising instruction?

Avoiding contempt for instruction involves approaching guidance with an open mind and a willingness to learn, recognizing the value in advice and wisdom.

What are some examples of commands I should respect?

Examples of commands to respect include moral and ethical guidelines found in religious texts, as well as practical advice from wise individuals in our lives.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I struggle to respect instruction or guidance?
  2. How can I cultivate a greater appreciation for wise counsel?
  3. What specific commands or guidelines do I find challenging to follow?
  4. How might my attitude towards instruction affect my relationships and decisions?

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

The early commentators reflect on the moral implications of this verse. When they quote or discuss it, their insights are presented here from various works.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
"He who disparages something," etc. He who disparages a good thing binds himself in the future because, by doing what he ought not to, he prepares a punishment for himself by which he may be bound.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 13 →
BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
"But he who fears the command," etc. It is better, therefore, for anyone to fear concerning his own weakness so that he may not transgress the divine commands, than to foolishly tear apart the errors of others with his mouth,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 13 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 13:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed,.... The word of God.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Despiseth; disobeyeth it wilfully and presumptuously. The word; the word of God, which is called the word by way of eminency, , compared with , and elsewhere. Shall be destroyed, except he repent, and return to his obedience. That feareth the commandment; that hath a reverence to its authority, and is afraid to violate it.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.Ver. 13. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed.] Bishop Banner’ s chaplain called the Bible, in scorn, his little pretty God’ s book. Gifford and Rainold said it contained doctrinam peregrinam , strange doctrine - yea, some things profane and apocryphal. The more modest Papists account traditions the touchstone of doctrine and foundation of faith; and repute the Scriptures to be rather a kind of storehouse for advice in matters of religion. We account them the divine beam and most exact balance, cor et animam Dei, the heart and soul of God, as Gregory calleth them; the…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) Shall be destroyed.—Literally, brings ruin on himself. Or the sense may be, “is (still) bound to it,” even although he may contemptuously neglect it. Comp. the advice (Matthew 5:25), to “agree with our adversary quickly,” that is, satisfy the requirements of the law of God while there is time, lest it appear as our adversary at the day of judgment.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 13 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 13. Whoso despiseth the word] The revelation which God has in his mercy given to man - shall be destroyed; for there is no other way of salvation but that which it points out. But he that feareth the commandment] That respects it so as to obey it, walking as this revelation directs - shall be rewarded; shall find it to be his highest interest, and shall be in peace or safety, as the Hebrew word may be translated.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

13. the word] sc. of God, as in Proverbs 16:20. The commandment, in the parallel clause, seems to make this clear, though the reference is not necessarily to the Law of Moses. See Introd. Ch. 1., p. 13. The R.V. appears to suggest another rendering, handleth a matter negligently, by referring to Proverbs 16:20, where “he that giveth heed unto the word” in R.V. text is “he that handleth a matter wisely,” in R.V. margin, as in A.V. text. With this agrees ὄςκαταφρονεῖπράγματος, LXX. (adding a second form, however, of the proverb). shall be destroyed] Rather, bringeth destruction upon himself, R.V. text. The rendering, is bound by it (maketh himself a debtor thereto, R.V. marg.), i.e. cannot…

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

13. Despiseth the word (of God, or of Wisdom) shall be destroyed — Bring destruction to himself; the idea is, that the despiser, or neglecter, or violator of the word, is in legal bondage to it, and

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 13 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but whoever esteems instruction will be rewarded.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Whoever despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that despiseth the worde, hee shall be destroyed: but hee that feareth the commandement he shalbe rewarded.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Whoever is despising the word is destroyed for it, || And whoever is fearing the command is repaid.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Whoso despiseth the word shall fall in debt to it; but he that feareth the commandment will be rewarded.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Whoever despises instruction brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself for the time to come: but he that feareth the commandment, shall dwell in peace. Deceitful souls go astray in sins: the just are merciful, and shew mercy.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you despise words of advice, you'll pay for it; but if you respect what you're told, you'll be rewarded.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who makes sport of the word will come to destruction, but the respecter of the law will be rewarded.

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 · subjectclauseverbבָּ֣ז[one.who].despisesprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ֭(to).aדָבָרwordverbיֵחָ֣בֶלhe.will.be.pledgedprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֑toוֹitוִand.[one]clauseclausenoun phraseירֵ֥אfearingמִ֝צְוָ֗ה(of).a.commandmentclausesubjectה֣וּאheverbיְשֻׁלָּֽםhe.will.be.rewarded

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 for Proverbs 13:13. The Septuagint reflects the same ideas but with different phrasing, particularly in the verbs used for the consequences of each attitude.

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

בָּ֣ז לְ֭דָבָר יֵחָ֣בֶל ל֑וֹ וִירֵ֥א מִ֝צְוָ֗ה ה֣וּא יְשֻׁלָּֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לְ֭דָבָרπράγματοςיֵחָ֣בֶלκαταφρονηθήσεταιל֑וֹαὐτοῦוִירֵ֥אδὲמִ֝צְוָ֗הἐντολήνה֣וּאοὗτοςיְשֻׁלָּֽם׃ὑγιαίνει

7 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 13:13בּוּז[one who] d[one who] despiבּוּזדָּבָרa worda wordדָּבָרחָבַלhe will be he will be pledחָבַלוֹto itto itוֹיָרֵאand [one] fand [one] feariיָרֵאמִצְוָהa commandmea commandmentמִצְוָההוּאheheהוּאשָׁלֵםhe will be he will be rewaשָׁלֵםדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַריָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהאַהֲבָהloveloveאַהֲבָהיֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶרסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶריָתוֹםorphanorphanיָתוֹםתָּםcompletecompleteתָּםיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתנֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶר
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 13:13

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

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

[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
בָּ֣זbaz [one who] despises H936 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To despise or hold in contempt is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which is used in the Bible to describe showing disrespect or disdain for someone or something, as seen in Proverbs. It can also mean to consider something insignificant. This term is translated as contemn or despise in the KJV Bible.
Amplified meaning
despises with contempt, holds in low esteem
Tyndale gloss
to despise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוּז (buwz) is a primitive root meaning to despise or hold in contempt. The entries consistently emphasize its connotation of disrespect and insignificance, particularly in the Qal form, which denotes a straightforward act of disdain. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בּוּז] vb. despise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H936 בּוּז

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

936 buwz booz

a primitive root; to disrespect:--contemn, despise, X

utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוּז (buz) — to despise.

1) to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant

1a) (Qal) to despise, show despite toward

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
לְ֭דָבָרLe.da.vor a word H1697 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Amplified meaning
words of advice, guidance
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

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

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

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

. sg. a word, words

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

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

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

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

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

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

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

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

wurd: The commonest term in the Old Testament for "word" is dabhar (also "matter" "thing"); in the New Testament logos ("reason," "discourse," "speech"); but also frequently rhema. Rhema is a "word" in itself considered; logos is a spoken word, with reference generally to that which is in the speaker's mind. Some of the chief applications of the terms may thus be exhibited:

(1) We have the word of Yahweh (or God; see below)

(a) as the revelation to the patriarch, prophet, or inspired person (Ge 15:1; Ex 20:1; Nu 22:38, etc.);

(b) as spoken forth by the prophet (Ex 4:30; 34:1; 2Ki 7:1;

One of the titles of the second person of the Trinity, indicating perhaps that by his acts and teachings God is revealed, somewhat as thought is by words, 1Jo 1:1 5:7 Re 19:13. "The word of the Lord" was a common phrase in the Old Testament, always denoting some revelation of Jehovah. Long before the coming of Christ, the Jewish paraphrasts of the Bible used "The Word" in the passage where Jehovah occurred in the original; and the term was familiar to Jewish writers as the name of a divine being, the Son of God.

To show its true meaning and its application to our Savior, was of great importance to John, the last of the inspired writers, in whose later years certain errors as to the person of Christ, borrowed from Eastern philosophy, had begun to creep into the Christian church. He describes "The Word" as a personal and divine Being…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A title of Jesus Joh 1:1,14; 1Jo 5:7; Re 19:13

→ See JESUS, NAMES OF

[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
יֵחָ֣בֶלye.Cha.vel he will be pledged H2254 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Amplified meaning
suffer destruction, be punished
Tyndale gloss
to pledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַל (chabal) is a Hebrew root meaning to bind or pledge, often in the context of taking a pledge. It also conveys the ideas of destruction or corruption, as well as the physical act of writhing or travailing, particularly in childbirth. The lexicons note its use in various forms, including to spoil or be ruined, but do not indicate significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַל] vb. bind, pledge

Qal

bind

bind by taking a pledge of

Niph. Impf. becometh pledged to it

Pi. writhe, twist, hence travail

base

חָבַל vb. act (ruinously) corruptly

Qal act corruptly against

Niph. Impf. shall be ruined

Pi. ruin, destroy

Pu. be ruined, broken

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2254a חָבַל bind, pledge .. bind

. bind by taking a pledge of

. Impf. becometh pledged to it

H2254b חָבַל act (ruinously) corruptly .act corruptly against

. Impf. shall be ruined

. ruin, destroy

. be ruined, broken

H2254c חָבַל bind, pledge . writhe, twist, hence travail

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2254 chabal khaw-bal'

a primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind;

specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy;

also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition):--X at all,

band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay

&Š to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, X very, withhold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַל (cha.val) — to pledge.

1) to bind

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bind

2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge

2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge

2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged

חָבַל (cha.val) — to destroy.

1) to destroy, spoil, deal corruptly, offend

1a) (Qal) to spoil, corrupt, offend

1b) (Niphal) to be ruined

1c) (Piel) to destroy, ruin

1d) (Pual) to be ruined, be broken

Aramaic equivalent: cha.val (חֲבַל "to destroy" H2255)

חָבַל (cha.val) — be in labour.

1) to bring forth, travail

1a) (Piel) to writhe, twist, travail

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
ל֑וֹlo to it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
וִירֵ֥אvi.Re' and [one] fearing H3373 Conjunction
64× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is afraid or fearful, and is also used to convey a sense of reverence or respect. It's often translated as 'afraid' in the KJV. In the Bible, it's used to describe people's reactions to God or scary situations.
Amplified meaning
fears with reverence, honors
Tyndale gloss
afraid
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵא (yare') is an adjective and verb derived from the root יָרֵא (H3372), meaning 'to fear.' It encompasses meanings such as 'afraid' and 'reverent.' The entries indicate a moral aspect to fear, suggesting a sense of reverence alongside being fearful.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵא adj. verb. v. supr. [j.df.aa] Pt.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3373 יָרֵא adj. verb. v. supr. [3372] Pt.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3373 yare' yaw-ray'

from 3372; fearing; morally, reverent:--afraid, fear (-ful).

see HEBREW for 03372

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵא (ya.re) — afraid.

fearing, reverent, afraid

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsc
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
מִ֝צְוָ֗הmitz.Vah a commandment H4687 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
182× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Amplified meaning
law, divine instruction
Tyndale gloss
commandment
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4687 מִצְוָה commandment

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'

from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,

the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,

precept.

see HEBREW for 06680

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.

1) commandment

1a) commandment (of man)

1b) the commandment (of God)

1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
ה֣וּאhu' 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.
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
HPp3ms — 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
[one who] despises a word he will be pledged to it and [one] fearing a commandment he he will be rewarded
יְשֻׁלָּֽם׃ye.shu.Lam he will be rewarded H7999 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
116× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Amplified meaning
repaid, blessed with peace
Tyndale gloss
to complete
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Hebrew root meaning to be complete or sound, covering a range of meanings from finishing or restoring to making peace. It can refer to being uninjured, completing a task, or making recompense. The verb also has a denominative form indicating a covenant of peace, suggesting relationships of harmony and safety.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁלֵם] 103 vb. be complete, sound

Qal

be complete, finished, ended

be sound, uninjured

Pi.

complete, finish, temple

make safe

make whole or good, restore

make good, i.e. pay, vows

requite, recompense, reward

Pu.

be performed, of vow

be repaid, requited

Hiph.

complete, perform

make an end of

base

[שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace

Qal be at peace

Pu. Pt. one in covt. of peace

Hiph.

make peace with

cause to be at peace

Hoph. live at peace with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7999a שָׁלֵם be complete, sound .. be complete, finished, ended

. be sound, uninjured

. . complete, finish, temple

. make safe

. make whole or good, restore

. make good, i.e. pay, vows

. requite, recompense, reward

. . be performed, of vow

. be repaid, requited

. . complete, perform

. make an end of

H7999b [שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace .be at peace

. Pt. one in covt. of peace

. . make peace with

. cause to be at peace

. live at peace with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7999 shalam shaw-lam'

a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate);

figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by

implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in

various applications):--make amends, (make an) end, finish,

full, give again, make good, (re-)pay (again), (make) (to) (be

at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make)

prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution,

restore, reward, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) — to complete.

1) to be complete, be sound

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended

1a2) to be sound, be uninjured

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to complete, finish

1b2) to make safe

1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation

1b4) to make good, pay

1b5) to requite, recompense, reward

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be performed

1c2) to be repaid, be requited

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to complete, perform

1d2) to make an end of

Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)

שָׁלַם (sha.lam) — to ally.

1) to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be at peace

1a2) peaceful one (participle)

1b) (Pual) one in covenant of peace (participle)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make peace with

1c2) to cause to be at peace

1d) (Hophal) to live in peace

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVPi3ms
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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