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Proverbs 14:33 — Word Study

Depth

WLCבְּלֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן תָּנ֣וּחַ חָכְמָ֑ה וּבְקֶ֥רֶב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃

BSAWisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, or good judgment] restsnûwach [to settle down and remain, to abide] in the heartlêb [the mind, feelings, and will] of the discerningbîyn [those who understand, have insight] even amongqereb foolskᵉçîyl [stupid and silly people, those who reject God] she is knownyâdaʻ [made aware, perceived, learned]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 14
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 33 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 (ti.va.De.a') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 14:33quick helps
In a sentenceWisdom finds its home in the heart of those who understand, and even fools can recognize her.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, reflecting on the nature of wisdom.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of wise sayings addressing the contrast between the wise and the foolish.
The hard wordחָכְמָה
Take awayWisdom is a quality that can be found and recognized, even in the midst of folly.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectחׇכְמָה verbבִּין 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 14:33

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 — The Nature of Wisdomgenerated

32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

Proverbs 14:33 presents a contrast between the wise and the foolish, illustrating that wisdom resides in the hearts of those who are discerning. This verse emphasizes the value of understanding and insight, suggesting that even those who lack wisdom can still recognize its presence. The surrounding verses further highlight the outcomes of righteousness and the consequences of foolishness, framing wisdom as a key element in living a good life.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 12:16–23A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
2Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
3Proverbs 15:2–28The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
4Proverbs 29:11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
5Ecclesiastes 10:3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.Proverbs 12:16–23 Proverbs 13:16 Proverbs 15:2–28 Proverbs 29:11 Ecclesiastes 10:3

The Key Word חָכְמָה, chokh.mahgenerated

The Hebrew word חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including practical and ethical prudence. It is derived from the root word חָכַם (chakam), which indicates a deep understanding and application of knowledge.

In this verse, wisdom is described as resting in the heart of the discerning, indicating that true understanding is not merely intellectual but also involves the emotions and will. This reflects a holistic view of wisdom as integral to one's character and decision-making.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb תָּנ֣וּחַ (it rests) governs the main clause, with a prepositional phrase indicating where wisdom resides, followed by a participial phrase that describes its recognition among fools. The structure emphasizes the resting of wisdom as a central action.

The arrangement of the phrases highlights the contrast between the wise and the foolish, with wisdom being the focal point that connects the heart of the discerning to the recognition of fools.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, חָכְמָה is rendered as σοφία (sophia), which also means wisdom but carries connotations of skill and expertise. This choice aligns with the broader understanding of wisdom in Greek thought.

The Greek term for 'heart' is καρδίᾳ (), which similarly encompasses emotions and intellect, reflecting the holistic view of wisdom found in both Hebrew and Greek traditions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 14:33 tells us that wisdom is found in the heart of those who understand, highlighting the importance of discernment. Even foolish people can recognize wisdom, showing that it is a quality that transcends intelligence and is vital for making good decisions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that wisdom rests in the heart?

It means that true understanding and good judgment are deeply rooted in a person's inner self, influencing their thoughts and actions.

How can fools recognize wisdom?

Fools may not embody wisdom themselves, but they can still perceive it in others, indicating that wisdom is recognizable even to those who lack it.

Why is discernment important?

Discernment allows individuals to make wise choices and understand complex situations, which is essential for living a good and moral life.

What is the significance of the heart in this context?

The heart represents the center of one's emotions, thoughts, and will, suggesting that wisdom is not just intellectual but also involves emotional intelligence and moral character.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen wisdom influence my decisions?
  2. How can I cultivate a discerning heart to better recognize wisdom in my life?
  3. What are some examples of foolish behavior that reject wisdom?
  4. How can I help others to understand the value of wisdom in their lives?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 14:33 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding,.... It is in his heart, as the treasury where it is laid up, and where it is kept in safety; here it lies hid and undiscerned, unmolested

Read John Gill on Proverbs 14 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 14 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Resteth; is laid up and hid there, and not vainly nor rashly uttered by him, but only upon necessary or fit occasions. In the midst, i.e. in the heart, which is expressed by this very word, , and elsewhere. That folly which is there instead of wisdom; or, that small degree of wisdom or knowledge which they have. Is made known; they will publish it in all times and companies, without any consideration or discretion.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 14 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.Ver. 33. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him, &c.] He sets not his good parts and practices a-sunning, as vain glorious fools used to do, that they may be praised and applauded. As Jerome calls Crates the philosopher, we may call the whole nation of them so, Gloriae animal, popularis aurae vile mancipium, a base hunter after praise of men. The truly wise concealeth himself till he seeth a fit time, and may be compared to the red rose, which though outwardly not so fragrant, is inwardly far more cordial than the damask, being more thrifty of its sweetness, and…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 14 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(33) But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.—“Wisdom” is the subject of this as of the former half of the verse. “Wisdom rests in the heart of him that hath understanding;” he does not care to drag it out and exhibit it, but the fool cannot keep to himself anything which he thinks he knows.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 14 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

33. the midst] Rather (answering to the heart in the 1st clause) the inward part, R.V. Adopting this, we may render, either with A.V. and R.V. text, “that which is in the inward part” (i.e. their folly, comp. Proverbs 12:23); or “but in the inward part of fools it (wisdom, any modicum of it which they have or think they have), so far from resting and biding its time, is blurted out.”

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 14 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Omit “that which is.” “Wisdom” is the subject of both clauses. She is “made nown,” i. e., by the very force of contrast, in the midst of fools; or she is reserved and reticent in the one, noisy and boastful in the other.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 14 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

33. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding — Reposeth there, not obtruding itself, or being solicitous of notice.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 14 →

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

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is known even in the heart of fools.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath vnderstanding, and is knowen in the mids of fooles.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent [man]; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

In the heart of the intelligent wisdom doth rest. And in the midst of fools it is known.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Wisdom rests in the heart of the intelligent. And it is known in the midst of fools.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

In the heart of the man of understanding resteth wisdom: but [the little which is] in the bosom of fools is made known.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but even among fools she lets herself be known.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Wisdom has her resting-place in the mind of the wise, but she is not seen among the foolish.

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 · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseלֵ֣בa.heartנָ֭בוֹןdiscerningverbתָּנ֣וּחַit.restssubjectחָכְמָ֑הwisdomוּandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseקֶ֥רֶבthe.inward.part[s]כְּ֝סִילִ֗יםof.foolsverbתִּוָּדֵֽעַit.is.made.known

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads, "Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known," while the Septuagint has a similar structure but with variations in word order and articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q103) contain parts of the verse, with three words fully supplied by an editor, indicating some textual restoration. Overall, the core idea of wisdom being associated with the discerning and known among fools is preserved across these witnesses, although the exact wording and structure differ slightly.

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

בְּלֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן תָּנ֣וּחַ חָכְמָ֑ה וּבְקֶ֥רֶב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּלֵ֣בκαρδίᾳחָכְמָ֑הσοφίαוּבְקֶ֥רֶבδὲכְּ֝סִילִ֗יםἀφρόνωνתִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃διαγινώσκεται

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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q103a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[בלב] [נבון] תנוח חכמה ובקרב כסילים [תודע]

3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.

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 14:33לֵבin [the] hein [the] heart לֵבבִּיןa discernina discerning [pבִּיןנוּחַit restsit restsנוּחַחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהקֶ֫רֶבand in [theand in [the] inקֶ֫רֶבכְּסִילfoolsfoolsכְּסִיליָדַעit is made it is made knowיָדַעחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםקָרֵבto presentto present: comקָרֵבכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַללֵבָבheartheartלֵבָביָנוּםJanimJanimיָנוּםחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרשָׁקַטto quietto quietשָׁקַטחֵמָהragerageחֵמָהתְּבוּנָהunderstandunderstandingתְּבוּנָהחֵ֫לֶבfatfatחֵ֫לֶבבָּעַרto burn: bto burn: burnבָּעַראִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּין
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 14:33

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.

in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
בְּלֵ֣בbe.Lev in [the] heart of H3820 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
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
the mind, feelings, and will
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
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…

in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
נָ֭בוֹןNa.Von a discerning [person] H995 Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singular
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
those who understand, have insight
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVNrmsa
in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
תָּנ֣וּחַta.Nu.ach it rests H5117 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rest means to settle down and remain in one place, and can be used literally or figuratively. This verb appears in many parts of the Bible, including Exodus 20:11 and Matthew 11:28.
Amplified meaning
to settle down and remain, to abide
Tyndale gloss
to rest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נוּחַ (nuwach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rest or settle down. It encompasses a wide range of applications, including both literal and figurative uses, such as to dwell, be quiet, or let something remain. The verb can appear in various forms, indicating actions like causing rest or allowing to depart. It is noted for its versatility in expressing different aspects of rest and stillness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נוּחַ vb. rest

Qal

rest, settle down and remain

repose, be quiet, have rest

Hiph.

cause to rest = give rest to

cause to rest (i.e. light) upon

lay or set down, deposit, let lie

let remain, leave (in present condition)

leave = depart from

abandon

let alone (refrain from interfering with)

permit

Hoph.

no rest is granted to us

as subst. = space left, open space

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5117 נוּחַ rest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5117 nuwach noo'-akh

a primitive root; to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great

variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive,

transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let

alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.):--cease, be confederate,

lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give,

have, make to) rest, set down. Compare 3241.

see HEBREW for 03241

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּחַ (nu.ach) — to rest.

1) to rest

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to rest, settle down and remain

1a2) to repose, have rest, be quiet

1b) (Hiph)

1b1) to cause to rest, give rest to, make quiet

1b2) to cause to rest, cause to alight, set down

1b3) to lay or set down, deposit, let lie, place

1b4) to let remain, leave

1b5) to leave, depart from

1b6) to abandon

1b7) to permit

1c) (Hoph)

1c1) to obtain rest, be granted rest

1c2) to be left, be placed

1c3) open space (subst)

Also means: ya.nach (יָנַח "to rest" H3240)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
חָכְמָ֑הchokh.mah wisdom H2451 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
153× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
skill, prudence, or good judgment
Tyndale gloss
wisdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom

skill in war

wisdom, in administration

shrewdness, wisdom

wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

wisdom, ethical and religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war

. wisdom, in administration

. shrewdness, wisdom

. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

. wisdom, ethical and religious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2451 chokmah khok-maw'

from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,

wisely, wit.

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.

1) wisdom

1a) skill (in war)

1b) wisdom (in administration)

1c) shrewdness, wisdom

1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

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

wiz'-dum:

1. Linguistic

2. History

3. Religious Basis

4. Ideals

5. Teaching of Christ

6. Remainder of the New Testament

(1) James

(2) Paul

7. Hypostasis

LITERATURE

1. Linguistic:

In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Joseph Ge 41:16,25-39; Ac 7:10

→ Of Moses Ac 7:22

→ Of Bezaleel Ex 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1

→ Of Aholiab Ex 31:6; 35:34,35; 36:1

→ Of other skilled artisans Ex 36:2

→ Of women Ex 35:26

→ Of Hiram 1Ki 7:14; 2Ch 2:14

→ Of Solomon 1Ki 3:12,16-28; 4:29-34; 5:12; 10:24

in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
וּבְקֶ֥רֶבu.ve.Ke.rev and in [the] inward part[s] of H7130 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
227× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Tyndale gloss
entrails: among
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֶ֫רֶב (qereb) refers to the inward part or midst of something, encompassing both physical and figurative meanings. It can denote the center of a person or object, as well as the seat of thought and emotion. The term also relates to the entrails of sacrificial animals. It is used in various contexts, including references to being among or within a group.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫רֶב 227 n.[m.] inward part, midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7130 קֶ֫רֶב inward part, midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7130 qereb keh'-reb

from 7126; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center,

whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with

preposition):--X among, X before, bowels, X unto charge, +

eat (up), X heart, X him, X in, inward (X -ly, part, -s,

thought), midst, + out of, purtenance, X therein, X through, X

within self.

see HEBREW for 07126

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫רֶב (qe.rev) — entrails: among.

: among/within

1) midst, among, inner part, middle

1a) inward part

1a1) physical sense

1a2) as seat of thought and emotion

1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion

1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons)

1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals)

Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)

קֶ֫רֶב (qe.rev) — entrails: inner parts.

: inner_parts

1) midst, among, inner part, middle

1a) inward part

1a1) physical sense

1a2) as seat of thought and emotion

1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion

1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons)

1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/R/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…

in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
כְּ֝סִילִ֗יםke.si.Lim fools H3684 Adj
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Amplified meaning
stupid and silly people, those who reject God
Tyndale gloss
fool
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3684 כְּסִיל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3684 kciyl kes-eel'

from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or

silly:--fool(-ish).

see HEBREW for 03688

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- All men are, without the knowledge of God

Tit 3:3

- Deny God

Ps 14:1; 53:1

- Blaspheme God

Ps 74:18

- Reproach God

Ps 74:22

- Make a mock at sin

Pr 14:9

- Despise instruction

Pr 1:7; 15:5

- Hate knowledge

Pr 1:22

- Delight not in understanding

Pr 18:2

- Sport themselves in mischief

Pr 10:23

- Walk in darkness

Ec 2:14

- Hate to depart from evil

in [the] heart of a discerning [person] it rests wisdom and in [the] inward part[s] of fools it is made known
תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃ti.va.De.a' it is made known H3045 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person feminine singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
made aware, perceived, learned
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

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

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

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

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

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

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

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

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

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

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

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

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

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

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

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVNi3fs
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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