Proverbs 16:15 — Word Study
WLCבְּאוֹר־ פְּנֵי־ מֶ֥לֶךְ חַיִּ֑ים וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ כְּעָ֣ב מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃
BSAWhen a king’smelek [royal person, ruler] facepânîym [presence, countenance] brightensʼôwr [shines, is cheerful] there is lifechay [abundant, eternal, physical and spiritual, wellbeing] his favorrâtsôwn [acceptance, delight] is like a rain cloudʻâb [similar to, comparable with, dark, refreshing, thicket] in springmalqôwsh [season of new life, harvest]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּאוֹר־ | [is] in [the] light of | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| פְּנֵי־ | [the] face of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| מֶ֥לֶךְ | a king | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חַיִּ֑ים | life | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ | and favor his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| כְּעָ֣ב | [is] like a cloud of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃ | spring rain | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. |
| KJV | In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. |
| ASV | In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. |
| YLT | In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain. |
| WEB | In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. |
| BBE | In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain. |
Translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, particularly regarding the king's face and favor.
The sentence has one main clause with two subordinate phrases that provide additional context and comparison.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectחַיִּים
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 16:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Nature of a King's Favorgenerated
Proverbs 16:15 illustrates the significant role a king's demeanor plays in the lives of his subjects. A brightened face signifies not just personal joy but also a flourishing environment for those under his rule. The surrounding verses emphasize wisdom and the importance of a ruler's disposition in maintaining peace and prosperity, as seen in Proverbs 16:14 and Proverbs 16:16.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 19:12 | A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
| 2 | Job 29:23–24 | They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers. |
| 3 | Psalm 4:6 | Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. |
| 4 | Psalm 21:6 | For You grant him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence. |
| 5 | Acts 2:28 | You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אוֹר, be.'or-generated
The word אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight and spiritual light from God. This word can also refer to happiness and prosperity, highlighting the connection between a ruler's demeanor and the wellbeing of his subjects.
In this verse, אוֹר is used to describe the brightness of a king's face, suggesting that his cheerful presence brings life and vitality. The parsing indicates it functions as a noun in the construct state, linking it directly to the king's face.
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 is governed by the finite verb חַיִּ֑ים, there is life, which is supported by two phrases: a prepositional phrase describing the king's face and a second clause comparing his favor to a rain cloud. The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between the king's demeanor and the life it brings.
The Hebrew word order places the subject, חַיִּ֑ים, at the forefront, highlighting the significance of life in relation to the king's countenance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, אוֹר is rendered as φωτὶ (phōtē), which also means 'light.' This choice reinforces the connection between the brightness of the king's face and the life it brings, showing a consistent interpretation of the Hebrew text.
The translation of the phrase regarding the king's favor as νέφος (nephos) indicates a focus on the protective and nourishing aspects of a cloud, which aligns with the agricultural significance of rain in the context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 16:15 teaches that when a king is cheerful, it brings life to those around him. His favor is compared to a refreshing rain cloud in spring, symbolizing nourishment and growth.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies joy and approval, which can lead to a flourishing environment for his subjects.
A king's favor brings life and prosperity, much like spring rain nourishes crops.
It emphasizes the refreshing and life-giving nature of a ruler's approval, crucial for growth and wellbeing.
Light symbolizes joy, clarity, and life, reflecting the positive impact of a king's demeanor on his kingdom.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I reflect a positive demeanor in my own leadership or interactions with others?
- In what ways have I experienced the impact of someone's favor in my life?
- What are some examples of how a cheerful presence can change a situation for the better?
- How can I cultivate a spirit of encouragement and positivity in my community?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reflect on the significance of this verse in understanding the nature of a ruler's favor and its impact on life and wellbeing.
In the cheerfulness of the face is the life of the king. Whoever deserves to see the cheerful face of Christ, will be given to live with Him forever.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →
And mercy is like the late rain. The late rain in Judea until this day is accustomed to come to the already mature crops; where the Lord also promises the early rain, saying through the prophet,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 16:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn the light of the king's countenance [is] life,.... When he looks with a pleasant smiling countenance on a person that has been under his displeasure, and especially if under a sentence of death,
Read John Gill on Proverbs 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn the light of the king’ s countenance is life; his favour and smiling countenance is most sweet and refreshing, especially to him that was under a sentence of death, . His favour is as a cloud of the latter rain; as acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest; of which see .
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 16:15 In the light of the king’ s countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain. Ver. 15. In the light of the king’ s countenance is life.] As when it is well with the head, it is the better with all the members; and as when the sky is clear, the bodies of men are in better temper. When David had given Ziba the land, "I humbly beseech thee," said he, "that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord king." As if he should say, I had rather have the king’ s favour than the lands. Artabazus (in Xenophon) complained when Cyrus had given him a cup of gold, and Chrysantas a kiss in token of his special favour, saying, that the cup that he gave him was not so good…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 16 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) A cloud of the latter rain.—This fell at the end of March, maturing the barley and wheat crops before the harvest in April. It was eagerly looked for as of great importance. (Comp. Psalms 72:6 for the same figure.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. the latter rain] i.e. the spring rain, which swelled and matured the corn for harvest, just as the “former” or autumn rain prepared the ground, after the drought of summer, for the sowing. Such a cloud was big with the double blessing of the fertilizing shower and the consequent harvest. Comp. the description by “The sweet Psalmist of Israel”: “One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God, He shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds; When the tender grass springeth out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain.”—2 Samuel 23:3-4, R.V. And again: “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, As showers that water…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 16 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe “latter rain” is that which falls in March or April just before the harvest.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 16 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15. Light of the king’s countenance — When a man is pleased his countenance lights up.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 16 →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
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.
Tyndale line
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of the Kings coutenance is life: and his fauour is as a cloude of the latter raine.
Strictly literal
In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king’s face [is] life, || And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring rain.
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
From the Latin
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
Simplified
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
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 of Proverbs 16:15 states, "בְּאוֹר־ פְּנֵי־ מֶ֥לֶךְ חַיִּ֑ים וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ כְּעָ֣ב מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃" which translates to, "When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring." The Septuagint, while it matches 6 of the 7 words from the Masoretic Text, presents a different word order and articles, indicating a variation in translation but not in the core message. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide differing readings for this verse, thus aligning with the Masoretic Text in meaning and content.
בְּאוֹר־ פְּנֵי־ מֶ֥לֶךְ חַיִּ֑ים וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ כְּעָ֣ב מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
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 16:15
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.
אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.
אוֹר 121 n.m. light
light as diffused in nature, light of day
morning light, dawn
light of the heavenly luminaries
daylight
lightning
light of lamp
light of life
light of prosperity
light of instruction
light of face
Yahweh
base
H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day
. morning light, dawn
. light of the heavenly luminaries
. daylight
. lightning
. light of lamp
. light of life
. light of prosperity
. light of instruction
. light of face
. Yahweh
216 'owr ore
from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every
sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,
+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
see HEBREW for 0215
אוֹר (or) — light.
1) light
1a) light of day
1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars)
1c) day-break, dawn, morning light
1d) daylight
1e) lightning
1f) light of lamp
1g) light of life
1h) light of prosperity
1i) light of instruction
1j) light of face (fig.)
1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular constructHR/Ncfsc
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 פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
N-cp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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 מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):
I. THE TERMS
II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING
1. Popular Use of the Term
2. Complexity of the Idea
III. IN THE APOCRYPHA
IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. In the Synoptic Gospels
2. In the Fourth Gospel
3. In the Ac of the Apostles
4. In the Writings of Paul
5. In the Writings of John
6. In the Other Books of the New Testament
LITERATURE
I. The Terms.
Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…
Life
Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).
In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…
רָצוֹן (ratsown) refers to concepts of goodwill, favor, acceptance, and will. It encompasses ideas of delight, desire, and pleasure, particularly in the context of personal relationships and sacrifices. The word is derived from a root meaning to delight, and it captures both voluntary will and the notion of being acceptable.
רָצוֹן n.[m.] goodwill, favour, acceptance, will
goodwill, favour
acceptance, of persons, offering sacrifice
will, desire, pleasure
base
H7522 רָצוֹן goodwill, favour, acceptance, will . goodwill, favour
. acceptance, of persons, offering sacrifice
. will, desire, pleasure
7522 ratsown raw-tsone'
or ratson {raw-tsone'}; from 7521; delight (especially as
shown):--(be) acceptable(-ance, -ed), delight, desire,
favour, (good) pleasure, (own, self, voluntary) will,
as...(what) would.
see HEBREW for 07521
רָצוֹן (ra.tson) — acceptance.
1) pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will
1a) goodwill, favour
1b) acceptance
1c) will, desire, pleasure, self-will
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
עָב (‘ab) refers to a dark cloud or cloud mass, and can also mean a thicket. The word is derived from a root meaning to envelop or cover, suggesting density or darkness. It appears in contexts related to clouds and thick vegetation, as noted in 2 Chronicles 4:17.
עָב 53 n.m. dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
base
H5645 עָב dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
5645 `ab awb
(masculine and feminine); from 5743; properly, an envelope,
i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4:17); specifically, a
(scud) cloud; also a copse:--clay, (thick) cloud, X thick,
thicket. Compare 5672.
see HEBREW for 05743
see HEBREW for 05672
עָב (av) — cloud.
1) darkness, cloud, thicket
1a) dark cloud
1b) cloud mass
1c) thicket (as refuge)
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/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…
מַלְקוֹשׁ (malqowsh) refers to the latter or spring rain, specifically the showers that occur in March and April, which are crucial for maturing crops. It is derived from a root meaning to be weak or faint, and it can also figuratively suggest eloquence. The entries consistently emphasize its agricultural significance.
מַלְקוֹשׁ n.m. latter-rain, spring-rain (i.e. showers of March-April; important as strengthening and maturing crops)
base
H4456 מַלְקוֹשׁ latter-rain, spring-rain (i.e. showers of March-April; important as strengthening and maturing crops)
4456 malqowsh mal-koshe'
from 3953; the spring rain (compare 3954); figuratively,
eloquence:--latter rain.
see HEBREW for 03953
see HEBREW for 03954
מַלְקוֹשׁ (mal.qosh) — spring rain.
1) latter rain, spring rain
1a) the March and April rains which mature the crops of Palestine
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ran (maTar, Arabic (?), maTar, "rain" geshem, "heavy rain" moreh, "early rain," yoreh, "former rain," malqosh, "latter rain"; brecho, huetos):
1. Water-Supply in Egypt and Palestine:
In Egypt there is little or no rainfall, the water for vegetation being supplied in great abundance by the river Nile; but in Syria and Palestine there are no large rivers, and the people have to depend entirely on the fall of rain for water for themselves, their animals and their fields. The children of Israel when in Egypt were promised by Yahweh a land which "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" (De 11:11). Springs and fountains are found in most of the valleys, but the flow of the springs depends directly on the fall of rain or snow in the mountains.
2. Importance of Rain in Season:
Rain
There are three Hebrew words used to denote the rains of different seasons, (1.) Yoreh (Hos. 6:3), or moreh (Joel 2:23), denoting the former or the early rain. (2.) Melqosh, the “latter rain” (Prov. 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, “the rains.” The heavy winter rain is mentioned in Gen. 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The “early” or “former” rains commence in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November (Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; comp.
In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers…
In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14 Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2