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Proverbs 16:29 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאִ֣ישׁ חָ֭מָס יְפַתֶּ֣ה רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא־ טֽוֹב׃

BSAA violentchâmâç [wicked] manʼîysh [of great cruelty, chaos] enticespâthâh [deceives, leads astray] his neighborrêaʻ [close friend, companion] down a pathderek [way, journey] [that is] notlôʼ [totally, completely, lacking, devoid of] goodṭôwb [pleasant, beneficial, welfare]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 16
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 29 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Tov) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 16:29quick helps
In a sentenceA violent man leads his neighbor astray down a bad path.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, warning against wicked behavior.
Where we areIn a collection of wise sayings about morality and conduct.
The hard wordחָמָס
Take awayWickedness leads to harm for oneself and others.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbפָּתָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 16:29

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 on Conduct and Moralitygenerated

28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:29 is part of a series of proverbs that warn against immoral behavior and its consequences. This verse specifically addresses the actions of a violent person who misleads a close companion, highlighting the dangers of such conduct. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right path in life, contrasting it with the destructive influence of wickedness. The surrounding verses further explore themes of dissension and righteousness, reinforcing the moral teachings throughout the chapter.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 1:10–14My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
2Proverbs 2:12–15to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,
3Proverbs 3:31Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
41 Samuel 19:11–17Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”
51 Samuel 22:7–9Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?

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

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.Proverbs 1:10–14 Proverbs 2:12–15 Proverbs 3:31 1 Samuel 19:11–17 1 Samuel 22:7–9 1 Samuel 23:19–21 Nehemiah 6:13 2 Peter 3:17

The Key Word חָמָס, Cha.mosgenerated

The Hebrew word חָמָס (chamac) means violence or wrongdoing, often linked to acts of cruelty and injustice. Its root implies violent actions, and it is used in contexts that condemn oppressive behaviors, as seen in the writings of the prophets.

The parsing indicates that it is a common noun in the masculine singular form, which emphasizes its general application to any person who engages in violent behavior. This word serves as a critical descriptor in the verse, setting the tone for the consequences of such actions.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses violent to describe the man.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse revolves around two main verbs: יְפַתֶּ֣ה (he deceives) and הוֹלִיכ֗וֹ (and he leads). The subject, אִ֣ישׁ (a man), is introduced first, followed by the actions he takes toward his neighbor.

The sentence flows logically, with the verbs connected to the subject and the object, creating a clear depiction of the man's actions and their implications. The use of the prepositional phrase בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ (in a way) adds depth to the description of the path being taken.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אִישׁ as ἀνὴρ (man), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice emphasizes the human aspect of the character being described.

For חָמָס, the LXX uses παράνομος (lawless), which broadens the interpretation from mere violence to include a sense of moral lawlessness, reflecting a deeper level of wrongdoing.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 16:29 warns that a violent man tricks his friend and leads him down a bad path. This verse teaches about the dangers of following someone who does wrong and the negative influence they can have.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that a violent man entices his neighbor?

It means that a person who engages in wrongdoing can mislead those close to him, leading them away from good choices.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding verses?

This verse fits into a larger context that discusses the consequences of immoral behavior and the importance of wise conduct.

What is the significance of the path being described as not good?

The path represents the choices one makes in life, and saying it is not good indicates that these choices lead to negative outcomes.

What can we learn from this verse?

We learn to be cautious of influences from those who act violently or wickedly, as they can lead us away from what is right.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen the influence of others lead me down a wrong path?
  2. How can I ensure that I choose friends who encourage good behavior?
  3. What are some practical steps I can take to avoid being led astray by negative influences?
  4. How does this verse challenge me to reflect on my own actions and their impact on others?

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

Bede comments on this verse, noting that it speaks to the nature of wicked individuals who mislead others, drawing parallels to broader themes of sin and morality.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
A wicked man coaxes his friend, etc. It can also be understood about the heretic and every doer of evil. For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul, and he who does iniquity is blessed (James I).
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 16:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A violent man enticeth his neighbour,.... As false teachers do, who are grievous wolves, not sparing the flock, and who by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple; and as the man

Read John Gill on Proverbs 16 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way (that is) not good.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 16 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A violent man, Heb. a man of violence, i.e. devoted to violent and injurious courses, enticeth his neighbour into a confederacy with him in his wicked practices, as it follows. That is not good, i.e. that is very sinful, as this phrase is used, 18:5, and oft elsewhere.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 16 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.Ver. 29. A violent man enticeth his neighbour.] As those seducers at Ephesus "dragged disciples after them" compelling them by their persuasions to embrace distorted doctrines, such as cause convulsions of conscience. Such are said to "thrust men out of God’ s ways"; as Jeroboam did the house of Israel; as Julian and other cunning persecutors did in the primitive times, prevailing as much by their tising tongues, as by their terrifying saws. Hebrews 11:37, "They were sawn asunder, they were tempted." The apostle ranks and reckons their alluring promises among their violent practices. But…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 16 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) A violent man enticeth his neighbour. . . .—Comp. Proverbs 1:10, sqq.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 16 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. enticeth] Comp. Proverbs 1:10-19, where the same Heb. word for “entice” is used.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 16 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

29. Enticeth — Persuades or seduces him to evil. Leadeth him — Causes him to go. On first clause comp. Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 1:10, et seq.; Matthew 12:34.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way that is not good.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A wicked man deceiueth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A violent man entices his neighbor, || And causes him to go in a way [that is] not good.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clausenoun phrase · subjectאִ֣ישׁa.personחָ֭מָסof.violenceverbיְפַתֶּ֣הhe.deceivesnoun phrase · objectרֵעֵ֑neighborהוּhisוְ֝andclauseverbהוֹלִיכ֗heobjectוֹleads.himprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseדֶ֣רֶךְa.wayclauseadverbialלֹאnotpredicateטֽוֹבgood

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on all eight words of the verse, maintaining a consistent message about the nature of the violent man and his actions. The Septuagint's choice of words, while different, retains the core meaning of the Hebrew text.

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

אִ֣ישׁ חָ֭מָס יְפַתֶּ֣ה רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא־ טֽוֹב׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אִ֣ישׁἀνὴρחָ֭מָסπαράνομοςיְפַתֶּ֣הἀποπειρᾶταιרֵעֵ֑הוּφίλωνוְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹαὐτοὺςבְּדֶ֣רֶךְὁδοὺςלֹא־οὐκטֽוֹב׃ἀγαθάς

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 16:29אִישׁa person ofa person ofאִישׁחָמָסviolenceviolenceחָמָספָּתָהhe deceiveshe deceivesפָּתָהרֵעַneighbor hineighbor hisרֵעַהָלַךְand he leadand he leads hiהָלַךְדֶּ֫רֶךְin a wayin a wayדֶּ֫רֶךְלֹאnotnotלֹאטוֹבgoodgoodטוֹבחָמַסto injureto injureחָמַסדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְטוֹבbe pleasinbe pleasingטוֹבאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדHouse of SHouse of Shepheבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדהָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַשֹׁדviolenceviolenceשֹׁדכָּסָהto coverto coverכָּסָהאַחְאָבAhabAhabאַחְאָבנָאַףto commit to commit adultנָאַףאִישׁmanmanאִישׁדֶּ֫רֶךְway: roadway: roadדֶּ֫רֶךְחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹל
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 16:29

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.

a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
אִ֣ישׁ'ish a person of H376 Noun common · masculine singular construct
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
of great cruelty, chaos
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
חָ֭מָסCha.mos violence H2555 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
60× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes violence, injustice, or cruelty, often referring to unfair treatment of others. In Isaiah and Jeremiah, it condemns oppressive behaviors, highlighting the need for justice and fairness. It involves wrongdoing and harm to others.
Amplified meaning
wicked
Tyndale gloss
violence
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָמָס (chamac) refers to concepts of violence and wrongdoing. It encompasses terms like cruelty, injustice, and unjust gain. The word is built from a root that implies violent actions or dealings. The entries consistently highlight its negative connotations without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָמָס n.m. violence, wrong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2555 חָמָס violence, wrong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2555 chamac khaw-mawce'

from 2554; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust

gain:--cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, X oppressor,

unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing),

wrong.

see HEBREW for 02554

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָמָס (cha.mas) — violence.

violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
יְפַתֶּ֣הye.fa.Teh he deceives H6601 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To patah means to entice or deceive someone, often by making something seem simple or appealing.
Amplified meaning
deceives, leads astray
Tyndale gloss
to open wide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּתָה (pathah) is a Hebrew verb that means to be spacious or open, and it can also imply simplicity or gullibility. It encompasses a range of meanings from enticing and deceiving to persuading and being persuaded. The lexicons suggest that it can refer to both physical openness and moral or mental simplicity, with some entries indicating a sinister aspect of deception.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּתָה] vb. be spacious, wide, open

Qal poss. one open as to lips

Hiph. may God make wide for Japhet (give him an extensive inheritance)

base

[פָּתָה] vb. denom. be simple

Qal

be open-minded (?), simple

be enticed, deceived

Niph. be deceived

Pielpersuade, woman, seduce, virgin; entice, husband; a man to sin

deceive

Pual

be persuaded

be deceived

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6601a פָּתָה be spacious, wide, open H6601b [פָּתָה] vb. denom. be simple

.

. be open-minded (?), simple

. be enticed, deceived

. be deceived

.

. persuade, woman, seduce, virgin; entice, husband; a man to sin

. deceive

.

. be persuaded

. be deceived

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6601 pathah paw-thaw'

a primitive root; to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy;

usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be

(causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)

delude:--allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade,

silly (one).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּתָה (pa.tah) — to open wide.

1) to be spacious, be open, be wide

1a) (Qal) to be spacious or open or wide

1b) (Hiphil) to make spacious, make open

פָּתָה (pa.tah) — to entice.

1) to be simple, entice, deceive, persuade

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be open-minded, be simple, be naive

1a2) to be enticed, be deceived

1b) (Niphal) to be deceived, be gullible

1c) (Piel)

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to persuade, seduce

1c2) to deceive

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be persuaded

1d2) to be deceived

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
רֵעֵ֑הוּre.'E.hu neighbor his H7453 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
188× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Amplified meaning
close friend, companion
Tyndale gloss
neighbor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7453 rea` ray'-ah

or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less

close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,

neighbour, X (an-)other.

see HEBREW for 0reya2

see HEBREW for 07462

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.

1) friend, companion, fellow, another person

1a) friend, intimate

1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)

1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
וְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹve.ho.li.Kho and he leads him H1980 Verb hiphil sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

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

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

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

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

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

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

quite by itself

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

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

In combination with other verbal forms

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

pass away, die

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

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

. to intensify meaning of finite form

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

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

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

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

. quite by itself

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

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

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

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

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

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

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vhq3ms/Sp3ms — Verb hiphil sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vhq3ms/Sp3ms
a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbe.De.rekh in a way H1870 Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Amplified meaning
way, journey
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
HR/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wa ('orach, orcha', 'erets, bo', derekh, halikhah, ma`galah, nathibh; hodos, parodos, poreia, tropos; "highway," mecillah, meclul; diexodoi ton hodon): The list just cited contains only a portion of the words translated "way" or "highway" in the King James Version. Most of them have the primary meaning of "road," "customary path," "course of travel" (Ge 3:24; Ex 23:20; Nu 20:17, etc.). By a very easy and natural figure "way" is applied to the course of human conduct, the manner of life which one lives (Ex 18:20; 32:8; Nu 22:32; 1Sa 8:3;

Of sin, broad Mt 7:13

Jesus is the Joh 14:6; Heb 9:8

Doctrines taught by Christ Ac 9:2; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14,22

a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
totally, completely, lacking, devoid of
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a person of violence he deceives neighbor his and he leads him in a way not good
טֽוֹב׃Tov good H2896 Adj
538× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Amplified meaning
pleasant, beneficial, welfare
Tyndale gloss
pleasant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good

pleasant, agreeable to the senses

pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

good, excellent, of its kind

good, rich, valuable in estimation

good, appropriate, becoming

c. מִן compar. = better

of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

good, kind, benign

good (ethical), right

base

טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

good = benefit

moral good

base

טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

bounty, good

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses

. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

. good, excellent, of its kind

. good, rich, valuable in estimation

. good, appropriate, becoming

. c. מִן compar. =better

. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

. good, kind, benign

. good (ethical), right

H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2896 towb tobe

from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used

likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,

the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a

good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or

women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,

bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,

fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),

graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,

merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,

prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well

((-favoured)).

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.

adj

1) good, pleasant, agreeable

1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)

1c) good, excellent (of its kind)

1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation

1e) good, appropriate, becoming

1f) better (comparative)

1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)

1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)

1i) good, kind, benign

1j) good, right (ethical)

Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

טוֹב (tov) — good.

1) a good thing, benefit, welfare

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) good, benefit

1d) moral good

טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.

1) welfare, benefit, good things

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) bounty

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

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

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

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

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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