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Proverbs 15:2 — Word Study

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WLCלְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

BSAThe tonguelâshôwn [language, speech, or the tongue that speaks] of the wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled, or prudent] commendsyâṭab [presents, or makes attractive] knowledgedaʻath [understanding, or insight] but the mouthpeh [lip, or the edge of something] of the foolkᵉçîyl [stupid, silly, or unwise] spoutsnâbaʻ [pours out, or bubbles forth] follyʼivveleth [foolishness, or silliness]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 ('i.Ve.let) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 15:2quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs contrasts the speech of the wise and the fool, highlighting the value of knowledge over folly.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, likely Solomon, sharing wisdom on speech.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of sayings about wise and foolish behavior.
The hard wordאִוֶּֽלֶת
Take awayWise speech promotes understanding; foolish speech produces nonsense.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָטַב 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 15:2

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 Speechgenerated

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:2 contrasts the speech of the wise and the fool, emphasizing the importance of wise communication. The surrounding verses also discuss the impact of words on relationships and the consequences of speech, illustrating how wisdom can lead to peace while folly can stir conflict.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 15:23–28A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
2Proverbs 12:23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
3Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
4Proverbs 16:23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
5Proverbs 25:11–12A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

pourethPsalm 59:7

The Key Word לָשׁוֹן, le.Shongenerated

The Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (*lashon*) primarily means 'tongue,' referring to the organ of speech and also to language itself. In this context, it signifies the spoken words of the wise, which are intended to convey knowledge and understanding.

This word appears frequently throughout the Bible, often in discussions about communication and expression. Its use here underscores the role of speech in imparting wisdom.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses commends for the wise and spouts for the fool, which aligns with the KJV and ASV. These versions emphasize the active role of speech in communicating knowledge versus folly.

Where translations differ is in the rendering of כְ֝סִילִ֗יםfools (ASV, KJV) versus stupid (FBV). This reflects a choice in conveying the nature of foolishness in speech.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses, each with a noun phrase subject: לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים (the tongue of the wise) and וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים (the mouth of the fool). The structure highlights the contrast between the two types of speech.

The first clause describes how the wise use their tongue to commend knowledge, while the second illustrates the foolishness that pours forth from the fool's mouth.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates לָשׁוֹן as γλῶσσα (tongue), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the physical aspect of speech.

For אִוֶּֽלֶת, the LXX uses κακά (bad things), which broadens the interpretation to include negative outcomes of foolish speech, indicating a moral judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 15:2 teaches that wise people use their words to share knowledge, while foolish people speak nonsense. This verse highlights the importance of what we say and how it can affect others.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for the tongue of the wise to commend knowledge?

It means that wise individuals use their speech to promote understanding and insight, making knowledge attractive to others.

How does the mouth of the fool spout folly?

This indicates that foolish individuals often speak without thought, producing nonsensical or harmful words.

Why is the contrast between wise speech and foolish speech important?

This contrast emphasizes the impact of our words on ourselves and others, encouraging us to choose our speech wisely.

What can we learn from this verse about our own speech?

We should strive to speak wisely and thoughtfully, using our words to uplift and share knowledge rather than to spread foolishness.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I seen the difference between wise and foolish speech in my life?
  2. How can I ensure that my words reflect wisdom and understanding?
  3. What are some practical ways to commend knowledge in my conversations?
  4. How do I respond when I hear foolishness being spoken?

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

Early church commentary references this verse to discuss the nature of wise and foolish speech, illustrating its moral implications.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, etc. The tongue of the Catholic Fathers adorns the knowledge of divine words, by broadly explaining what the canonical Scripture has placed obscurely or has left written only in a historical manner.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 15 →
BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
And the mouth of fools pours out folly. By perversely understanding the words of sacred Scripture, and by preferring their own interpretations over its authority.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 15 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 15:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright,.... As the heart of a wise and good man is filled with useful knowledge, civil, moral, spiritual, and evangelical; so he takes care to communicate it,

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

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

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

Useth knowledge aright; expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully; taking due care both what, and when, and to whom, and in what manner he speaks. Poureth out, plentifully, continually, promiscuously, and vehemently, as a fountain doth waters, as this word signifies.

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

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.Ver. 2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright.] Heb., Deals kindly with her; offers her no abuse, by venting her unseasonably, and making her overly cheap, and little set by. Eloquence wisely ordered is very commendable, and avails much: but what a poor praise was that to the Duke of Buckingham, that speaking to the Londoners in the behalf of that usurper, Richard III, he gained the commendation, that no man could deliver so much bad matter in so good words and quaint phrases. Here was eloquentiae satis, sapientiae parum. The tongue was given us for better purpose; it was…

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

XV. (2) Useth knowledge aright.—Brings it forth at the proper time and place.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 15 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Useth knowledge aright] This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 15 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. useth knowledge aright] Or, uttereth, &c. R.V. Lit. maketh good knowledge, i.e. turns it to good account, makes the best of it. Comp. “they make goodly (lit. as here, make good) images or pillars,” Hosea 10:1. The contrast is between the good use of knowledge which adds to its usefulness, and the reckless pouring forth of folly which increases its hurtfulness; between the pure stream flowing in useful channels, and the pestilential flood bursting forth unrestrained. Comp. Proverbs 13:16, and Proverbs 15:28 below.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 15 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Useth knowledge aright - Rather, makes knowledge goodly. The power of well-considered speech to commend true wisdom, is contrasted with the pouring (literally as in the margin) forth of folly.

Read Albert Barnes 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

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The tongue of the wise vseth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fooles babbleth out foolishnesse.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good, || And the mouth of fools utters folly.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge acceptable; but the mouth of fools sputtereth out folly.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.

Word by word, the decisions they made

כְ֝סִילִ֗יםkhe.si.Lim fools H3684 2 different renderings
foolsASV DRA ILT KJV LSV NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
stupidFBV

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 · subjectלְשׁ֣וֹן[the].tongueחֲ֭כָמִיםof.wise.[people]verbתֵּיטִ֣יבit.makes.goodobjectדָּ֑עַתknowledgeוּand.[the]clausenoun phrase · subjectפִ֥יmouthכְ֝סִילִ֗יםof.foolsverbיַבִּ֥יעַit.pours.forthobjectאִוֶּֽלֶתfoolishness

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 agree closely, with all words matched in the Hebrew and Greek. The Dead Sea Scrolls also reflect the same content, though some words are restored and not fully preserved.

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

לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לְשׁ֣וֹןγλῶσσαחֲ֭כָמִיםσοφῶνתֵּיטִ֣יבκαλὰדָּ֑עַתἐπίσταταιוּפִ֥יστόμαכְ֝סִילִ֗יםἀφρόνωνיַבִּ֥יעַἀναγγελεῖאִוֶּֽלֶת׃κακά

8 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.

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

[לשון] חכמים תיטיב [דעת] [ופי] כסילים יביע אולת

nothing on the leather here — 5 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 15:2לָשׁוֹן[the] tongu[the] tongue ofלָשׁוֹןחָכָםwise [peoplwise [people]חָכָםיָטַבit makes goit makes goodיָטַבדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתפֶּהand [the] mand [the] mouthפֶּהכְּסִילfoolsfoolsכְּסִילנָבַעit pours foit pours forthנָבַעאִוֶּ֫לֶתfoolishnessfoolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶתלָשַׁןto slanderto slanderלָשַׁןחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלאֱוִילfool(ish)fool(ish)אֱוִילכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילחֵךְpalatepalateחֵךְהָגָהto mutterto mutterהָגָהדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתמַעֲלָלdeeddeedמַעֲלָלבְּלִיwithoutwithoutבְּלִיחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחאִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםשָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָה
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 15:2

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.

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
לְשׁ֣וֹןle.Shon [the] tongue of H3956 Noun common · both singular construct
117× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Amplified meaning
language, speech, or the tongue that speaks
Tyndale gloss
tongue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (*lashon*) primarily means 'tongue,' referring to both the organ of speech in humans and animals. It can also denote 'language' and has figurative uses, such as a 'tongue-shaped' wedge or bay. The entries highlight its literal and metaphorical applications, but do not present any significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָשׁוֹן n.m. and (more oft.) f. tongue

tongue of men

= language

tongue of animals

tongue of fire

= (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold

= (tongue-shaped) bay of sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3956 לָשׁוֹן tongue . tongue of men

. = language

. tongue of animals

. tongue of fire

. = (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold

. = (tongue-shaped) bay of sea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3956 lashown law-shone'

or lashon {law-shone'}; also (in plural) feminine lshonah

{lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used

literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech),

and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of

water):--+ babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker,

tongue, wedge.

see HEBREW for 03960

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue.

: tongue/words

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: language.

: language

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: bar.

: bar/projection/bay

1) tongue

1a) tongue (of men)

1a1) tongue (literal)

1a2) tongue (organ of speech)

1b) language

1c) tongue (of animals)

1d) tongue (of fire)

1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular construct
HNcbsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
חֲ֭כָמִיםCha.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, or prudent
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…

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
תֵּיטִ֣יבtei.Tiv it makes good H3190 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singular
117× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
presents, or makes attractive
Tyndale gloss
be good
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָטַב (yatab) is a primitive root meaning to be good or pleasing. It encompasses a range of meanings including being glad, making something good or right, and dealing well with others. The entries highlight its use in both a literal sense (like sound or beautiful) and a figurative sense (like happy or successful).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָטַב] vb. be good, well, glad, pleasing

Qal

be glad, joyful

be well placed

impers. be well for or with, go well with

be pleasing

Hithp.

make glad, rejoice

do good to, deal well with

do well or thoroughly

make a thing good, right, beautiful

do well, right, ethically

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3190 יָטַב be good, well, glad, pleasing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3190 yatab yaw-tab'

a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally

(sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful,

right):--be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make)

better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content,

diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad,

do (be, make) good((-ness)), be (make) merry, please (+ well),

shew more (kindness), skilfully, X very small, surely, make

sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat,

go, have) well (said, seen).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָטַב (ya.tav) — be good.

1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be glad, be joyful

1a2) to be well placed

1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with

1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to make glad, rejoice

1b2) to do good to, deal well with

1b3) to do well, do thoroughly

1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful

1b5) to do well, do right

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVhi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
דָּ֑עַתDa.'at knowledge H1847 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
92× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
understanding, or insight
Tyndale gloss
knowledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דַּ֫עַת (da`ath) means knowledge, encompassing perception, skill, and moral understanding. It is associated with prophetic knowledge and is noted for its divine aspect, particularly in the context of wisdom literature. The entries highlight its use in various forms of knowledge, including discernment and understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דַּ֫עַת n.f. knowledge

knowledge, perception

= skill (in workmanship)

of proph. knowledge

esp. knowledge with moral quality

knowledge possessed by God

esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1847 דַּ֫עַת knowledge . . knowledge, perception

. = skill (in workmanship)

. of proph. knowledge

. esp. knowledge with moral quality

. knowledge possessed by God

. esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1847 da`ath dah'-ath

from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge),

(un-)awares (wittingly).

see HEBREW for 03045

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דַּ֫עַת (da.at) — knowledge.

1) knowledge

1a) knowledge, perception, skill

1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of good and evil Ge 2:9,17; 3:22

→ Is power Pr 3:20; 24:5

→ Desire for 1Ki 3:9; Ps 119:66; Pr 2; 3; 12:1; 15:14; 18:15

→ Rejected Ho 4:6

→ Those who reject are destroyed Ho 4:6

→ Fools hate Pr 1:22,29

→ A divine gift 1Co 12:8

→ Is pleasant Pr 2:10

→ Shall be increased Da 12:4

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
וּפִ֥יu.Fi and [the] mouth of H6310 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
lip, or the edge of something
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. external organ

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

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

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

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

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

1e) extremity, end pim

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

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

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

1e) extremity, end pim

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

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

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

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/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…

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
כְ֝סִילִ֗יםkhe.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, silly, or unwise
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

[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
יַבִּ֥יעַya.Bi.a' it pours forth H5042 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To bubble means to gush forth, like water or words, and can also mean to utter good or bad things, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
pours out, or bubbles forth
Tyndale gloss
to bubble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַע (naba`) is a primitive root meaning to gush forth or bubble up. It encompasses actions like flowing, pouring out, and emitting, with uses in both literal and figurative contexts, including the utterance of words. The entries indicate that it can also refer to producing a foul odor, as in belching forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַע] vb. flow, spring, bubble up, poet. and late

Qal a flowing wady

Hiph. pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5042 נָבַע

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5042 naba` naw-bah'

a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good

or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor):--belch

out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַע (na.va) — to bubble.

1) to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment

1a) (Qal) to flow

1b)(Hiphil) to pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

1b1) to pour out

1b2) to cause to bubble, ferment

1b3) to pour forth, emit, belch forth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement

(1) forward,

(2) out of,

(3) beyond a certain boundary.

In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] tongue of wise [people] it makes good knowledge and [the] mouth of fools it pours forth foolishness
אִוֶּֽלֶת׃'i.Ve.let foolishness H200 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means foolishness or silliness, describing someone's ridiculous behavior. It is used to convey a sense of absurdity or nonsense, as seen in the KJV translations of folly and foolishness.
Amplified meaning
foolishness, or silliness
Tyndale gloss
folly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִוֶּ֫לֶת (ivveleth) refers to folly or foolishness. It is derived from a root meaning silliness, and is categorized as a feminine noun. The term appears in contexts discussing foolish behavior or actions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִוֶּ֫לֶת 25 n.f. folly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H200 אִוֶּ֫לֶת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

200 'ivveleth iv-veh'-leth

from the same as 191; silliness:--folly, foolishly(-ness).

see HEBREW for 0191

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִוֶּ֫לֶת (iv.ve.let) — folly.

foolishness, folly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
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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