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Proverbs 15:12 — Word Study

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WLCלֹ֣א יֶאֱהַב־ לֵ֭ץ הוֹכֵ֣חַֽ ל֑וֹ אֶל־ חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽךְ׃

BSAA mockerlûwts [scoffer, scorner, one who mocks or scorns] does notlôʼ loveʼâhab [have affection for, delight in] to be reprovedyâkach [corrected, rebuked, to rebuke or correct] nor will helôʼ consultʼêl [go to, seek advice from] the wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled, wise or skilled, having discernment]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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.Lekh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 15:12quick helps
In a sentenceA mocker rejects correction and does not seek wisdom.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on behavior.
Where we areIn a series of proverbs about wisdom and folly.
The hard wordלֵ֭ץ
Take awayRejecting correction leads to a lack of wisdom.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectלֵץ verbאָהֵב 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 15:12

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 Folly in Proverbsgenerated

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men!
12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 15:12 contrasts the attitudes of a mocker with those who seek wisdom. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of correction and the heart's condition, illustrating how a joyful heart and discernment lead to knowledge, while folly leads to destruction. This passage encourages readers to embrace wisdom and correction rather than mockery.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 15:10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
2Proverbs 9:7–8He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
3Amos 5:10There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
4John 3:18–21Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
5John 7:7The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word לֵ֭ץ, letzgenerated

The Hebrew word לֵץ (letz) refers to a mocker or scoffer, someone who derides others and shows disdain for wisdom. It captures an attitude of arrogance and contempt, often leading to a refusal to accept correction or guidance.

In this verse, the mocker is characterized by his unwillingness to love correction, indicating a deeper issue of pride and rejection of wise counsel. This behavior is contrasted with the wise, who are open to learning and growth.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses mocker to describe לֵ֭ץ. The KJV and several others use scorner, while the ASV and WEB opt for scoffer.

The translations agree on the core meaning of the term, but differ in the choice of English words to convey the same Hebrew concept.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֶאֱהַב־ (ye'ehav, he loves) governs the main clause, with a subject and an object phrase. The structure emphasizes the mocker's rejection of correction and the subsequent clause that indicates his refusal to seek wisdom.

The sentence is built around two main clauses, with the first clause focusing on the mocker's attitude towards reproof and the second on his lack of consultation with the wise.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, לֵ֭ץ is rendered as ἀπαίδευτος (uneducated or untaught), which suggests a broader interpretation of the mocker's character as someone lacking proper training or wisdom.

This choice reflects a narrowing of the meaning, focusing on the mocker's ignorance rather than just his scornful behavior.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 15:12 states that a mocker does not love being corrected and will not seek advice from wise people. This highlights the importance of being open to correction and the value of wisdom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be a mocker?

A mocker is someone who scorns or derides others, often rejecting correction and wise counsel.

Why is correction important?

Correction helps individuals grow and learn, guiding them towards wisdom and understanding.

How can one avoid being a mocker?

By being open to feedback, seeking wisdom, and valuing correction instead of rejecting it.

What does it mean to consult the wise?

Consulting the wise involves seeking advice and guidance from those who possess knowledge and discernment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I resist correction or advice?
  2. How can I cultivate a heart that seeks wisdom rather than mockery?
  3. What are some practical ways to seek counsel from wise individuals?
  4. How does pride hinder my ability to learn and grow?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 15:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him,.... He that makes a jest of religion; scoffs at godliness and godly men; treats the Gospel and the ministers of it with contempt; makes a mock at good

Read John Gill on Proverbs 15 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him neither will he go unto the wise - lest they should reprove him.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 15 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Loveth not, i.e. hateth and avoideth it; for more is here understood than is expressed, as it Isaiah 12:3, and elsewhere. Neither will he go unto, seek their company and conversation, as his duty and interest obligeth him, the wise, i.e. the godly, because he knows they who are so indeed will make conscience of reproving him.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 15 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.Ver. 12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him.] Nay, he "hateth those that reprove him in the gate," as Ahab did Micaiah; Herodias, John Baptist; the Pharisees, our Saviour. Bishop Ridley, lamenting, a little before his death, the state of England, even of the greatest magistrates, some, the king’ s highness excepted, evermore unkindly and urgently against those that went about most busily and wholesomely to cure their sore backs, spurned privily, and would not spare to speak evil of them, even to the prince himself; and yet would they toward the same preachers outwardly bear a jolly…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 15 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) A scorner.—See above on Proverbs 1:22.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 15 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. one that reproveth him] Rather, to be reproved, R.V.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 15 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. A scorner — Our term, a profane man, one who scoffs at sacred things. Such a one avoids the company of the wise and virtuous lest they should administer reproof to him.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 15 →

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 mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A scorner loveth not to be reproved: he will not go unto the wise.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go to the wise.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A scorner loueth not him that rebuketh him, neither will he goe vnto the wise.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A scorner does not love his reprover, || He does not go to the wise.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A scorner loveth not that one should admonish him: unto the wise doth he not go.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The mocker resents correction; he will not go to the wise.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.

Word by word, the decisions they made

לֵ֭ץletz a mocker H3887 3 different renderings
scornerDBY GNV ILT KJV LSV NETB NWB RVA YLT
scofferASV WEB
a mockerBSB MSB

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.

clauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיֶאֱהַבhe.lovessubjectלֵ֭ץa.mockerclause · objectverbהוֹכֵ֣חַֽreproofprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֑toוֹhimclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoחֲ֝כָמִ֗יםwise.[people]adverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיֵלֵֽךְhe.goes

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 align closely, with seven of the nine words matching. This indicates a strong consistency in the core message about the mocker and his attitude towards wisdom.

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

לֹ֣א יֶאֱהַב־ לֵ֭ץ הוֹכֵ֣חַֽ ל֑וֹ אֶל־ חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽךְ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹ֣אοὐκיֶאֱהַב־ἀγαπήσειלֵ֭ץἀπαίδευτοςל֑וֹαὐτόνחֲ֝כָמִ֗יםσοφῶνלֹ֣אοὐξיֵלֵֽךְ׃ὁμιλήσει

7 of the 9 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 15:12לֹאnotnotלֹאאָהֵבhe loveshe lovesאָהֵבלִיץa mockera mockerלִיץיָכַחreproofreproofיָכַחוֹto himto himוֹאֶלtotoאֶלחָכָםwise [peoplwise [people]חָכָםלֹאnotnotלֹאהָלַךְhe goeshe goesהָלַךְחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםהָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵאפֶּ֫תִיsimplesimpleפֶּ֫תִיזֵדarrogantarrogantזֵדלִיץto mockto mockלִיץפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתדֶּ֫רֶךְway: roadway: roadדֶּ֫רֶךְחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּה
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 15:12

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.

not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
יֶאֱהַב־ye.'e.hav- he loves H157 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
211× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Amplified meaning
have affection for, delight in
Tyndale gloss
to love: lover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָהֵב 216 vb. love

Qal

human love to human object

less oft. of appetite

love to God

esp. Pt.

of divine love

Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable

Pi.

friends

lovers

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H157 אָהֵב love

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

157 'ahab aw-hab'

or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for

(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,

friend.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.

: lover

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

1a5b) to people Israel

1a5c) to righteousness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) lovely (participle)

1b2) loveable (participle)

1c) (Piel)

1c1) friends

1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)

2) to like

Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.

: friend

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

Read the full entry →
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

luvz (Ps 45:1, title).

See PSALMS.

not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
לֵ֭ץletz a mocker H3887 Adj
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to mock or scorn someone, often by making fun of them or talking down to them. It can also refer to interpreting languages or acting as an ambassador. In some cases, it describes a person who is arrogant or boastful.
Amplified meaning
scoffer, scorner, one who mocks or scorns
Tyndale gloss
to mock
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לִיץ (luwts) means to scorn or mock, with various forms indicating actions like deriding or acting as a scorner. It can also refer to interpreting language or serving as an ambassador. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, including boasting and showing arrogance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לִיץ] vb. scorn

Qal scorn

Hiph.

deride

Pt. interpreter

Po‛lel scorners

Hithp. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3887 [לִיץ] scorn .scorn

. . deride

. Pt. interpreter

.scorners

. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3887 luwts loots

a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff;

hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to

interpret, or (generally) intercede:--ambassador, have in

derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful),

teacher.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לִיץ (luts) — to mock.

1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to boast

1a2) to scorn

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to mock, deride

1b2) to interpret (language)

1b2a) interpreter (participle)

1b2b) ambassador (fig.)

1c) (Hithpalpel) to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker

Also means: la.tsats (לָצַץ "to scorn" H3945)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
הוֹכֵ֣חַֽho.Khe.ach reproof H3198 Verb · Hiphil · infinitive absolute
59× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to rebuke or correct, and is used in the Bible to describe arguing, judging, or convincing someone of their wrongdoings. It is seen in the KJV translation as rebuke or reprove. The word is used in various forms, including to describe God's correction of his people.
Amplified meaning
corrected, rebuked, to rebuke or correct
Tyndale gloss
to rebuke
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָכַח (yakach) is a primitive root that encompasses a range of meanings related to judgment and correction, including to decide, prove, and rebuke. It appears in various forms, such as Hiphil for active judgment and Niphal for reasoning together. Notably, it conveys ideas of justification and argumentation, with some entries referencing the concept of being chastened.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָכַח] vb. Hiph. decide, adjudge, prove

Hiph.

decide, judge

adjudge, appoint

shew to be right, prove

convince, convict

reprove, chide

correct, rebuke

Hoph. he is chastened also with pain

Niph. come now and let us reason together; there an upright man might reason with him; and thou art set right, righted, justified

Hithp. with Israel he will argue

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3198 יָכַח Hiph. decide, adjudge, prove . . decide, judge

. adjudge, appoint

. shew to be right, prove

. convince, convict

. reprove, chide

. correct, rebuke

. he is chastened also with pain

. come now and let us reason together; there an upright man might reason with him; and thou art set right, righted, justified

. with Israel he will argue

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3198 yakach yaw-kahh'

a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to

argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict:--appoint,

argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute,

judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke,

reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכַח (ya.khach) — to rebuke.

1) to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to decide, judge

1a2) to adjudge, appoint

1a3) to show to be right, prove

1a4) to convince, convict

1a5) to reprove, chide

1a6) to correct, rebuke

1b) (Hophal) to be chastened

1c) (Niphal) to reason, reason together

1d) (Hithp) to argue

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Ptc — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive absolute
HVhaa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Le 19:17; Ps 141:5; Pr 9:7,8; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5,10,12,31,32; 17:10; 19:25; 21:11; 25:12; 26:5; 27:5,6; 28:23; Ec 7:5; Am 5:10; Mt 18:15-17; Lu 17:3,4; Joh 7:7; Ga 4:16; Eph 4:15; 5:11,13; Php 3:1; 1Th 5:14;

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God gives reproof to his own children

2Sa 7:14; Job 5:17; Ps 94:12; 119:67,71,75; Heb 12:6,7

- God gives, to the wicked

Ps 50:21; Isa 51:20

- Christ sent to give

Isa 2:4; 11:3

- The Holy Spirit gives

Joh 16:7,8

- Christ gives, in love

Re 3:19

- ON ACCOUNT OF

. Impenitence

Mt 11:20-24

. Not understanding

not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
ל֑וֹlo to him 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
not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
go to, seek advice from
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
חֲ֝כָמִ֗יםcha.kha.Mim wise [people] H2450 Adj
138× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Amplified meaning
intelligent, skilled, wise or skilled, having discernment
Tyndale gloss
wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכָם adj. wise

skilful in technical work

wise in the administration of affairs

shrewd, crafty, cunning

pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

prudent

wise, ethically and religiously

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work

. wise in the administration of affairs

. shrewd, crafty, cunning

. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

. prudent

. wise, ethically and religiously

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2450 chakam khaw-kawm'

from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or

artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),

man).

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.

1) wise, wise (man)

1a) skilful (in technical work)

1b) wise (in administration)

1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle

1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)

1e) prudent

1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not he loves a mocker reproof to him to wise [people] not he goes
יֵלֵֽךְ׃ye.Lekh he goes H1980 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

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

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

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

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

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

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

quite by itself

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

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

In combination with other verbal forms

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

pass away, die

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

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

. to intensify meaning of finite form

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

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

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

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

. quite by itself

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

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

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

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

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

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

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
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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