Proverbs 15:21 — Word Study
WLCאִ֭וֶּלֶת שִׂמְחָ֣ה לַחֲסַר־ לֵ֑ב וְאִ֥ישׁ תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה יְיַשֶׁר־ לָֽכֶת׃
BSAFollyʼivveleth [foolish behavior, silliness] is joysimchâh [gladness, happiness] to one who lackschâçêr [is destitute of, without] judgmentlêb [wisdom, discernment] but a manʼîysh [individual, person] of understandingtâbûwn [intelligence, insight] a straight pathyâshar▸ [smooth, upright, way, journey]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִ֭וֶּלֶת | foolishness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| שִׂמְחָ֣ה | [is] a joy | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לַחֲסַר־ | to [one] lacking of | Preposition |
| לֵ֑ב | heart | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְאִ֥ישׁ | and a person of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה | understanding | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| יְיַשֶׁר־ | he makes straight | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָֽכֶת׃ | to walk | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. |
| KJV | Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. |
| ASV | Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going. |
| YLT | Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going. |
| WEB | Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. |
| BBE | Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight. |
Where they part company is אִוֶּלֶת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence contains two main clauses connected by a conjunction, emphasizing the contrast between folly and wisdom.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאִוֶּלֶת
verbיָשַׁר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 15:21
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 — Contrasting Wisdom and Follygenerated
Proverbs 15:21 contrasts the joy that folly brings to those who lack judgment with the straight path walked by a wise person. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the importance of wisdom and the consequences of foolishness, as seen in the surrounding verses, including Proverbs 15:20 and Proverbs 15:22.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:23 | The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom. |
| 2 | Proverbs 14:9 | Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. |
| 3 | Proverbs 26:18–19 | Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, |
| 4 | Proverbs 11:12 | Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. |
| 5 | Proverbs 14:16 | A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אִוֶּלֶת, 'I.ve.let'generated
The Hebrew word אִוֶּלֶת ('ivveleth) refers to folly or foolishness, derived from a root meaning silliness. It is a feminine noun that describes absurd or nonsensical behavior, often highlighting the ridiculousness of one's actions.
In this verse, it emphasizes the joy that foolish behavior brings to those who are without wisdom. The word captures a sense of lacking discernment, which is crucial for understanding the contrast with the wise.
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 main clause centers around the finite verb יְיַשֶׁר (he makes straight), which governs the subject אִוֶּלֶת (folly) and the object לָכֶת (to walk). The structure emphasizes the relationship between folly and its consequences.
The sentence is constructed to show the contrast between the joy of folly and the straight path of the wise, highlighting the different outcomes of each.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, אִוֶּלֶת is rendered as ἀνοήτου (anōētou), which means 'of the foolish.' This choice narrows the focus to the state of being foolish rather than the behavior itself.
The translation reflects a more interpretive approach, emphasizing the inherent foolishness rather than simply describing the behavior.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 15:21 tells us that foolishness brings joy to those who lack understanding, while a wise person walks a straight path. This verse highlights the difference between the joy of folly and the righteousness of wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It suggests that those without wisdom may find pleasure in foolish actions, unaware of the consequences.
A man of understanding walks a straight path, implying a life of integrity and righteousness.
Understanding is crucial because it leads to wise decisions and a fulfilling life, as opposed to the absurdity of folly.
This verse teaches that true joy comes from understanding and living wisely, rather than indulging in foolishness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be experiencing joy in folly rather than wisdom?
- How can I cultivate understanding and discernment in my daily decisions?
- What steps can I take to walk a straight path in my life?
- How does this verse challenge my view of joy and fulfillment?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 15:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFolly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom,.... Or "that wants a heart" (q), a wise and understanding one; by "folly" is meant sin, for all sin is folly; and that is very pleasing and joyous
Read John Gill on Proverbs 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFolly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Folly (is) joy to (him that is) destitute of wisdom - (Proverbs 10:23.) "Folly," i:e., sin.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIs joy; he doth not only work wickedness, but taketh pleasure in it. Walketh uprightly, Heb. directeth or maketh straight his going, i.e. ordereth all his actions by the rule of God’ s word, and delighteth in so doing, which is understood from the opposite clause.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 15:21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.Ver. 21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding.] But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.] And he doth it with delight, as the opposition implies. Christ’ s "burden" is no more "grievous" to him than the wing is to the bird. His sincerity supplies him with serenity; the joy of the Lord, as an oil of gladness, makes him lithe and nimble in ways of holiness. And this spiritual joy, in some, is a habitual gladness of heart, which constantly, after assurance, is found in them, though they feel not the passions of joy; but in others there are felt at some times…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 15 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Folly.—Shown in wasted opportunities, and the commission of evil (Proverbs 10:23), while the “man of understanding” directs his way in accordance with the will of God.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. wisdom] Lit. heart, as in Proverbs 11:12. walketh uprightly] Lit. maketh straight his going. The parallelism consists in the contrast between the reckless “joy” with which the heartless fool revels in his “folly,” and the care and caution with which a man of understanding makes straight his way. Comp. βλέπετεἀκριβωςπῶςπεριπατεῖτε, μὴὡςἄσοφοι, ἀλλʼ ? ὡςσοφοί, Ephesians 5:15.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 15 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Biblei. e., The empty-hearted, rejoicing in folly, goes the wrong way; the man of understanding, rejoicing in wisdom, goes the right way.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 15 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible21. Destitute of wisdom — Hebrews, lacks heart; that is, understanding or intelligence. Walketh uprightly — Literally, makes straight going.
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
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.
Tyndale line
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Foolishnes is ioy to him that is destitute of vnderstanding: but a man of vnderstanding walketh vprightly.
Strictly literal
Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.
Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.
Folly is joy to one lacking heart, || And a man of intelligence directs [his] going.
Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding walketh straight forward.
Folly delights a person who lacks sense, but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.
From the Latin
Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
Simplified
Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the content of this verse, with a few differences in word order and phrasing. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, though some words are partially restored.
אִ֭וֶּלֶת שִׂמְחָ֣ה לַחֲסַר־ לֵ֑ב וְאִ֥ישׁ תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה יְיַשֶׁר־ לָֽכֶת׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אולת שמחה לחסר [לב] [ואיש] תבונה יישר לכת
5 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 15:21
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.
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.
אִוֶּ֫לֶת 25 n.f. folly
base
H200 אִוֶּ֫לֶת
200 'ivveleth iv-veh'-leth
from the same as 191; silliness:--folly, foolishly(-ness).
see HEBREW for 0191
אִוֶּ֫לֶת (iv.ve.let) — folly.
foolishness, folly
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
שִׂמְחָה (simchah) refers to joy, gladness, and mirth. It encompasses a range of meanings from general joyfulness to religious or festival-related happiness. The word is derived from שִׂמְחָה (H8056), which also relates to pleasure and rejoicing. The entries consistently highlight its positive connotations.
שִׂמְחָה 93 n.f. joy, gladness, mirth
base
H8057 שִׂמְחָה joy, gladness, mirth
8057 simchah sim-khaw'
from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or
festival):--X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth,
pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
see HEBREW for 08056
שִׂמְחָה (sim.chah) — joy.
1) joy, mirth, gladness
1a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
1b) joy (of God)
1c) glad result, happy issue
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…
חָסֵר (chacer) means 'lacking' or 'needy.' It conveys a sense of being without something essential, such as in need or want. The word is built from the root that indicates deficiency or absence. It appears in contexts where something is missing or required.
חָסֵר adj. needy, lacking, in want of
base
H2638 חָסֵר
2638 chacer khaw-sare'
from 2637; lacking; hence, without:--destitute, fail, lack,
have need, void, want.
see HEBREW for 02637
חָסֵר (cha.ser) — lacking.
in need of, lacking, needy, in want of
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHR/Aamsc
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.
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 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.
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
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
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
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)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads:
1. Various Meanings:
It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body. Fear, love, courage, anger, Joy, sorrow, hatred are always ascribed to the heart--especially in the Old Testament; thus courage for which usually ruach is used (Ps 27:14); joy (Ps 4:7); anger (De 19:6, "while his heart is hot," lebhabh); fear (1Sa 25:37); sorrow (Ps 13:2), etc.
Heart
According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. “Heart” and “soul” are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.
The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6;
The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.
אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)
base
H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)
376 'iysh eesh
contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root
meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male
person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and
in such cases frequently not expressed in
translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +
champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,
husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),
him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,
person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.
Compare 802.
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0802
אִישׁ (ish) — man.
: man
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.
: husband
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.
: anyone/someone
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
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.
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…
תְּבוּנָה (tebunah) means understanding and encompasses intelligence, skill, and insight. It can refer to both the act of understanding and the faculty itself, as well as the object of knowledge. The term is personified as a teacher in some contexts.
תְּבוּנָה n.f. understanding
the act
the faculty
the object of knowledge
personified as teacher.
base
H8394 תְּבוּנָה understanding
8394 tabuwn taw-boon'
and (feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah
{to-boo-naw'}; from 995; intelligence; by implication, an
argument; by extension, caprice:--discretion, reason,
skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
see HEBREW for 0995
תְּבוּנָה (ta.vu.nah) — understanding.
1) understanding, intelligence
1a) the act of understanding
1a1) skill
1b) the faculty of understanding
1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight
1c) the object of knowledge
1d) teacher (personification)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.
יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right
Qal
go straight
fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right
in ethical sense, straightforward, upright
Pi.
make smooth, straight
lead straight along, direct
esteem right, approve
Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work
Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee
base
H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right
3474 yashar yaw-shar'
a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be
(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,
fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right
(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be
upright(-ly).
יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.
1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go straight
1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)
1a3) to be straightforward, be upright
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight
1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along
1b3) to esteem right, approve
1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out
1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
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.
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
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
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
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
HVqcc — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct commonHVqcc
wok (peripatein): Aside from its frequent occurrence in the usual sense, the word "walk" is used figuratively of conduct and of spiritual states. (1) Observance of laws or customs: "Thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs" (Ac 21:21). (2) Of the spiritual life: "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light" (1Joh 1:7); "That like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life" (Ro 6:4); "Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Ga 5:16); "For we walk by faith, not by sight"…
Is often figuratively used to denote a man’s mode of life, or his spiritual character, course, and relations, Eze 11:20. He may walk as a carnal or as a spiritual man, Ro 8:1; with God, or in ignorance and sin, Ge 5:24 1Jo 5:21; in the fire of affliction, Isa 43:2, or in the light, purity, and joy of Christ’s favor here and in heaven, Ps 89:15 Re 3:4.