Proverbs 16:24 — Word Study
WLCצוּף־ דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי־ נֹ֑עַם מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּפֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם׃
BSAPleasantnôʻam [kind, delightful] wordsʼêmer [sayings of pleasantness] are a honeycombtsûwph [as sweet as honey] sweetmâthôwq [pleasant, agreeable] to the soulnephesh [the essence of a person] and healingmarpêʼ [health, restoration] to the bonesʻetsem [the body, the inner being]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צוּף־ | [are] a honeycomb of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| דְּ֭בַשׁ | honey | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אִמְרֵי־ | words of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| נֹ֑עַם | kindness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מָת֥וֹק | a sweet [thing] | Adj |
| לַ֝נֶּפֶשׁ | to the soul | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וּמַרְפֵּ֥א | and healing | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לָעָֽצֶם׃ | to the bone[s] | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
| KJV | Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
| ASV | Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
| YLT | Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone. |
| WEB | Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
| BBE | Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning, portraying pleasant words as sweet and beneficial.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two predicates that describe the effects of pleasant words.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 16:24
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 in Speechgenerated
Proverbs 16:24 presents a metaphor comparing pleasant words to a honeycomb, suggesting that just as honey is sweet and desirable, so are kind words beneficial to the soul and body. This verse is situated within a series of proverbs that instruct on the value of wise speech and its impact on relationships and well-being, echoing themes found throughout the book of Proverbs.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:18 | Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:23–26 | A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word! |
| 3 | Proverbs 23:16 | My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. |
| 4 | Proverbs 25:11–12 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
| 5 | Proverbs 27:9 | Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צוּף, tzuf-generated
The word צוּף (tzuf) is a noun referring specifically to a honeycomb, the structure where bees store honey. Its root suggests a connection to dripping, highlighting the sweetness associated with honey. In this verse, it symbolizes the delightful and rewarding nature of pleasant words.
The use of צוּף in this context emphasizes the idea that just as honeycomb is a source of sweetness, so too are kind words nourishing to the soul. The metaphor suggests that pleasant speech can bring joy and healing, making it an essential aspect of wise living.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations of this verse agree on the essential meaning, portraying pleasant words as sweet and beneficial.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is built around the main clause: דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי־ נֹ֑עַם, pleasant words are a honeycomb. This clause is followed by two predicates that describe the effects of these words: מָת֥וֹק and מַרְפֵּ֥א, meaning sweet and healing, respectively. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the sweetness and healing nature of the words.
The verse employs a poetic structure, with the first part establishing the metaphor of pleasant words and the second part elaborating on their beneficial effects on the soul and body.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word צוּף is rendered as κηρία, which also refers to honeycomb. This choice maintains the sweetness imagery but may imply a broader connotation of nourishment.
The translation choice indicates a consistent understanding of the metaphorical significance of sweetness in relation to speech, aligning with the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 16:24 tells us that pleasant words are like a honeycomb, bringing sweetness to the soul and healing to the body. This verse highlights the importance of kind speech in our lives and its positive effects on ourselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This metaphor suggests that just as honeycomb is sweet and desirable, pleasant words can bring joy and nourishment to our spirit.
Words can heal by providing comfort, encouragement, and support, just as sweet food can nourish the body.
Speaking kindly can positively impact relationships and promote well-being, reflecting the wisdom found in this proverb.
Pleasant words can include compliments, expressions of gratitude, and words of encouragement.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I incorporate more pleasant words into my daily conversations?
- In what ways have kind words impacted my life or the lives of others?
- What are some situations where I can choose to speak more kindly?
- How can I remind myself to focus on the sweetness of my words in challenging conversations?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on the significance of pleasant words, drawing from this verse to emphasize the importance of wise speech.
This course … will bring you honor and true glory. With your ears opened to give heed and your hands ready to execute the command you have heard, let your tongue be silent and keep your heart under custody.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →
The sea is holy Scripture which has within it profound meanings and the mysterious depths of the prophets. Into this sea many rivers have entered. Delightful and clear are these streams.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →
You who love instruction and are eager to listen, receive once again the sacred words: delight yourselves in the honey of wisdom;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 16:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePleasant words [are as] an honeycomb,.... Jarchi interprets it of the words of the law; but it may be much better understood of the doctrines of the Gospel; such as the doctrines of God's everlasting
Read John Gill on Proverbs 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Pleasant words (are as) an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. "Pleasant words" are "words of the pure" (Proverbs 15:26).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePleasant words; the discourses of the wise last mentioned, , which yield both profit and delight; their wholesome counsels and refreshing comforts. To the bones; to the body, synecdochically expressed by the bones, the strongest and greatest parts of it, and the supporters of the rest.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 16:24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.Ver. 24. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb.] Dainty and delicious, such as "the preacher set himself to search out"; such as his father David found God’ s words to be; "wells of salvation." "Breasts of consolation"; the honey drops of Christ’ s mouth. Oh, hang upon his holy lips, as they did! Hast thou found honey with Samson? Eat it as he did. Eat God’ s book as John did; find fatness and sweetness in it. Get "joy and gladness" out of it. And if at any time the word, in searching our wounds, put us to pain, as honey will cause pain to exulcerate parts, let us bear it, and not be like children…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 16 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(24) Pleasant words.—Comp. Proverbs 15:26. Health to the bones.—Comp. 1 Samuel 14:27.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 16 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 24. Pleasant words are as a honey-comb] The honey of which is sweeter than that which has been expressed from it, and has a much finer flavour before it has come in contact with the atmospheric air.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges24. health] i.e. healthy or wholesome. There is no necessary reference to any medicinal properties in honey. Comp. Proverbs 4:22, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 13:17; and Jonathan’s experience, when he was exhausted with pursuing the enemy: “See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey,” 1 Samuel 14:29.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 16 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHoney took its place not only among the luxuries, but among the medicines of the Israelites.
Read Albert Barnes 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
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Tyndale line
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are as a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Faire wordes are as an hony combe, sweetenesse to the soule, and health to the bones.
Strictly literal
Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, || Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
From the Latin
Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Simplified
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
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 show agreement in the essential meaning of the verse, with five of the eight words matched between the two. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the core imagery of sweetness and healing remains intact.
צוּף־ דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי־ נֹ֑עַם מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּפֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם׃
5 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.
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 16:24
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.
צוּף (tsuwph) refers to a honeycomb, specifically the structure that exudes honey. It is derived from a root meaning to drip, indicating its association with honey production. The entries consistently define it as a honeycomb without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
צוּף n.m. (honey-)comb (as exuding honey)
base
H6688 צוּף
6688 tsuwph tsoof
from 6687; comb of honey (from dripping):--honeycomb.
see HEBREW for 06687
צוּף (tsuph) — honeycomb.
honeycomb
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
דְּבַשׁ (dbash) means honey, derived from a root that suggests stickiness. It encompasses the substance itself and can also refer to syrup. The entries consistently identify it as honey without significant variation.
דְּבַשׁ 64 n.m. honey
base
H1706 דְּבַשׁ honey
1706 dbash deb-ash'
from an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its
stickiness); by analogy, syrup:--honey((-comb)).
דְּבַשׁ (de.vash) — honey.
honey
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hun'-i (debhash; meli): One familiar with life in Palestine will recognize in debhash the Arabic dibs, which is the usual term for a sweet syrup made by boiling down the juice of grapes, raisins, carob beans, or dates. Dibs is seldom, if ever, used as a name for honey (compare Arabic 'asal), whereas in the Old Testament debhash probably had only that meaning. The honey referred to was in most cases wild honey (De 32:13; Jud 14:8,9; 1Sa 14:25,26,29,43), although the offering of honey with the first-fruits would seem to indicate that the bees were also domesticated (2Ch 31:5). The bees constructed their honeycomb and deposited their honey in holes in the ground (
Honey
(1.) Heb. ya’ar, occurs only 1 Sam. 14:25, 27, 29; Cant. 5:1, where it denotes the honey of bees. Properly the word signifies a forest or copse, and refers to honey found in woods.
(2.) Nopheth, honey that drops (Ps. 19:10; Prov. 5:3; Cant. 4:11).
(3.) Debash denotes bee-honey (Judg. 14:8); but also frequently a vegetable honey distilled from trees (Gen. 43:11; Ezek. 27:17). In these passages it may probably mean “dibs,” or syrup of grapes, i.e., the juice…
The Hebrew debash in the first place applied to the product of the bee, to which exclusively we give the name of honey. All travellers agree in describing Palestine as a land "flowing with milk and honey," (Exodus 3:8) bees being abundant even in the remote parts of the wilderness, where they deposit their honey in the crevices of rocks or in hollow trees. In some parts of northern Arabia the hills are so well stocked with bees that no sooner are hives placed than they are occupied. In the second place the term debash applies to a decoction of the juice of the grape, which is still called dibs , and which forms an article of commerce in the East, it was this, and not ordinary bee-honey, which Jacob sent to Joseph, (Genesis 43:11) and which the Tyrians purchased from Palestine. (
Was formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and hence the frequent expressions of Scripture which import that that country was a land flowing with milk and honey, Le 20:24. Wild bee honey was often found in hollow trees and clefts in the rocks, De 32:13 Ps 81:16; and on this John the Baptist fed, Mt 3:4. Honey was highly prized, Ps 19:10 Pr 5:3 27:7. Modern travellers observe that it is still very common there, and that the inhabitants mix it in all their sauces. Forskal says the caravans of Mecca bring honey from Arabia to Cairo, and that he has often seen honey…
The Hebrew word אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.
אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
base
H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
561 'emer ay'-mer
from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,
saying, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0559
אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.
utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
N-mp — 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…
נֹ֫עַם (no`am) refers to concepts of pleasantness, delightfulness, and beauty. It is derived from a root meaning agreeableness and is used in contexts such as the delightfulness of God in the temple (Psalms 27:4, 90:17) and as a symbolic name for one of two staves in Zechariah 11:7. The word encompasses kindness and favor.
נֹ֫עַם n.m. ψ 90:17 delightfulness, pleasantness (Ecclus נועם תירוש 32:6);—נ׳ abs. Zc 11:7 + 4 t.; cstr. ψ 27:4 90:17;—
delightfulness of י׳: contemplated in temple ψ 27:4, shewn in his favour, וִיהִי נ׳ אדני ... עָלֵינוּ 90:17.
H5278 נֹ֫עַם delightfulness, pleasantness
5278 no`am no'-am
from 5276; agreeableness, i.e. delight, suitableness,
splendor or grace:--beauty, pleasant(-ness).
see HEBREW for 05276
נֹ֫עַם (no.am) — pleasantness.
1) kindness, pleasantness, delightfulness, beauty, favour
1a) delightfulness
1b) symbolic name of one of two staves
1c) pleasantness
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
kind'-nes (checedh; chrestotes): "Kindness" in the Old Testament is (with one exception) the translation of checedh, "kindness," "favor," "mercy," etc., used chiefly of man but also of God (Ge 20:13; 40:14; 1Sa 15:6; 20:14,15; 2Sa 9:3; Ne 9:17; Ps 141:5; Isa 54:8,10, etc.); Tobh, "good," is once so translated (2Sa 2:6). In the New Testament chrestotes, "usefulness," "beneficence," is rendered "kindness" 4 t in the King James Version (2Co 6:6;
מָתוֹק (mathowq) means 'sweet' and can refer to both the adjective and noun forms, indicating sweetness or pleasantness. It is derived from another Hebrew root, noted as H4985, but the specific details of that root are not provided here. The word appears in contexts related to taste and pleasant experiences.
מָתוֹק adj. sweet, and n.[m.] sweetness
base
H4966 מָתוֹק sweet, and sweetness
4966 mathowq maw-thoke'
or mathuwq {maw-thook'}; from 4985; sweet:--
sweet(-er, -ness).
see HEBREW for 04985
מָתוֹק (ma.toq) — sweet.
adj
1) sweet
n m
2) sweetness, pleasant (thing)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
sol (nephesh; psuche; Latin anima):
1. Shades of Meaning in the Old Testament:
(1) Soul, like spirit, has various shades of meaning in the Old Testament, which may be summarized as follows: "Soul," "living being," "life," "self," "person," "desire," "appetite," "emotion" and "passion" (BDB under the word). In the first instance it meant that which breathes, and as such is distinguished from basar, "flesh" (Isa 10:18; De 12:23); from she'er, "the inner flesh," next the bones (Pr 11:17, "his own flesh"); from beTen, "belly" (Ps 31:10, "My soul and my belly are consumed with grief"), etc.
The ancients supposed the soul, or rather the animating principle of life, to reside in the breath, that it departed from the body with the breath. Hence the Hebrew and Greek words which, when they refer to man, in our Bibles are translated "soul," are usually rendered "life" or "breath" when they refer to animals, Ge 2:7 7:15 Nu 16:22 Job 12:10 34:14,15 Ps 104:29 Ec 12:7 Ac 17:25.
But together with this principle of life, which is common to men and brutes, and which in brutes perishes with the body, there is in man a spiritual, reasonable, and immortal soul, the…
→ See SPIRIT
→ See IMMORTALITY
→ See MAN, A SPIRIT
→ See RIGHTEOUS, FUTURE STATE OF
→ See WICKED, PUNISHMENT OF
מַרְפֵּא (marpe') refers to healing, cure, and health, often in a figurative sense. It is derived from the root meaning 'curative' and can imply both literal medicine and abstract concepts like deliverance or placidity. The term encompasses various aspects of health, including the idea of being incurable.
מַרְפֵּא, מַרְפֵּה n.m. healing, cure, health (usu. fig.)
base
H4832 מַרְפֵּא, מַרְפֵּה healing, cure, health (usu. fig.)
4832 marpe' mar-pay'
from 7495; properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a
medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely)
deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity:--((in-))cure(-able),
healing(-lth), remedy, sound, wholesome, yielding.
see HEBREW for 07495
מַרְפֵּא (mar.pe) — healing.
1) health, healing, cure
1a) healing, cure
1b) health, profit, sound (of mind)
1c) healing
1c1) incurable (with negative)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
hel'-ing (marpe', te`alah, kehah): In the Old Testament this word is always used in its figurative sense; marpe', which literally means "a cure," is used in Jer 14:19 twice, and in Mal 4:2; te`alah, which literally means "an irrigation canal," here means something applied externally, as a plaster, in which sense it is used metaphorically in Jer 30:13; kehah occurs only in Na 3:19 the King James Version and is translated "assuagings" in the Revised Version (British and American).
In the New Testament 5 times the verb is therapeuo; once (Ac 10:38) iaomai; in the other passages it is either iama, as in
עֶ֫צֶם (etsem) primarily means 'bone' but extends to concepts of substance and self. It can refer to the physical body, limbs, or essence. The word is derived from a root related to strength, indicating a connection between physicality and identity.
עֶ֫צֶם 125 n.f. bone, substance, self
base
H6106 עֶ֫צֶם bone, substance, self
6106 `etsem eh'tsem
from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body;
figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:--body,
bone, X life, (self-)same, strength, X very.
see HEBREW for 06105
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone.
: bone/limb
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: same.
: same/very
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: body.
: body
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa