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Proverbs 17:10 — Word Study

Depth

WLCתֵּ֣חַת גְּעָרָ֣ה בְמֵבִ֑ין מֵהַכּ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל מֵאָֽה׃

BSAA rebukegᵉʻârâh [stern warning, correction] cuts intonâchath a man of discernmentbîyn [one who understands, having insight] deeper than a hundredmêʼâh [numerous, many] lashes [cut into]nâkâh [blows, strikes] a foolkᵉçîyl [one who is stupid, silly, rejecting God's wisdom]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (me.'Ah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 17:10quick helps
In a sentenceA rebuke has a profound effect on a discerning person, far more than physical punishment affects a fool.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, likely Solomon, addressing the nature of wisdom and correction.
Where we areA section in Proverbs focusing on wisdom, correction, and the contrast between the wise and the foolish.
The hard wordתֵּ֣חַת
Take awayThe impact of words can be more significant than physical pain.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them › clause subjectגְּעָרָה verbנָחֵת 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 17:10

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 Wisdom and Correctiongenerated

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 17:10 contrasts the effects of a rebuke on a wise person with the effects of physical punishment on a fool. It emphasizes that a discerning person values correction, while a fool remains unresponsive to wisdom. This passage is part of a broader discourse on the importance of wisdom and the consequences of foolishness, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss relationships and the nature of evil.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 9:8–9Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
2Proverbs 13:1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
3Proverbs 15:5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
4Proverbs 19:25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
5Proverbs 27:22Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.

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

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.Proverbs 9:8–9 Proverbs 13:1 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 19:25 Proverbs 27:22 Proverbs 29:19 Psalm 141:5 Revelation 3:19

The Key Word תֵּ֣חַת, Te.chatgenerated

The verb נָחֵת (nachath) means to go down or descend, indicating a deep impact. In this context, it suggests that a rebuke penetrates deeply into the heart and mind of a wise person, affecting them profoundly.

This word can also imply pressing down or being broken, reflecting the weight and seriousness of a rebuke. The parsing indicates it is in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing effect rather than a one-time occurrence.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the contrasting effects of a rebuke versus physical punishment.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb תֵּ֣חַת governs the main clause, describing how a rebuke affects a discerning person. The structure emphasizes the comparison between the wise and the foolish, with the rebuke as the central action.

The sentence is structured to highlight the depth of the rebuke's impact, with the comparison to a hundred lashes serving as a vivid illustration of the difference in response between the wise and the fool.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תֵּ֣חַת as συντρίβει (it crushes), which emphasizes the destructive nature of a rebuke on a discerning person, suggesting a more intense interpretation of the impact.

This choice reflects a narrowing of the meaning, focusing on the crushing effect of words rather than merely their depth.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 17:10 teaches that a wise person is deeply affected by a rebuke, more so than a fool is affected by physical punishment. This shows the value of wisdom and the seriousness of correction.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that a rebuke cuts deeper?

It means that wise people are more affected by correction than fools are by physical punishment, highlighting the importance of understanding and wisdom.

Why is a fool described as one who rejects God's wisdom?

A fool is someone who ignores wise counsel and does not learn from their mistakes, leading to foolish behavior.

How can a rebuke be beneficial?

A rebuke can guide a person back to the right path, helping them to grow and learn from their mistakes.

What is the significance of comparing a rebuke to lashes?

The comparison illustrates the profound impact of words on a wise person, suggesting that emotional and spiritual pain can be more significant than physical pain.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I respond to correction in my life? Am I more like the wise person or the fool?
  2. What are some ways I can offer constructive rebukes to others in a loving manner?
  3. In what situations have I experienced the deep impact of a rebuke?
  4. How can I cultivate discernment to better understand and accept correction?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A reproof entereth more into a wise man,.... A single verbal reproof, gently, kindly, and prudently given, not only enters the ear, but the heart of a wise and understanding man; it descends into

Read John Gill on Proverbs 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.Ver. 10. A reproof entereth more into a wise man, &c.] A word to the wise is sufficient. A look from Christ brake Peter’ s heart, and dissolved it into tears. Augustus being in a great rage, ready to pass sentence of death upon many, was taken off by these words of his friend Maecenas, written in a note, and cast into his lap, Tandem aliquando surge carnifex. Pray rise at last executioner! When Luther was once in a great heat, Melanchthon cooled him and qualified him by repeating that verse, Vince animos iramque tuam, qui caetera vincis: Master your passions, you that so easily master all things else.…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. A reproof entereth more] Though the rod, judiciously applied, is a great instrument of knowledge, yet it is of no use where incurable dulness or want of intellect, prevails. Besides, there are generous dispositions on which counsel will work more than stripes.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. more] Rather, deeper, R.V.; as we say, makes a deeper impression. See Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 26:22. Maurer compares “altius in pectus descendit” (Sall. Jug. 11), “curam in animos descensuram” (Liv. 2. 52); and for the sentiment, “nobilis equus umbra quoque virgæ regitur, ignavus ne calcari quidem concitari potest” (Curt. 7. 4): “a noble steed is ruled even by the shadow of the whip; a sluggish one cannot be roused even by the spur.”

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 17 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

10. A reproof entereth more into a wise man — Takes firmer hold of his judgment and conscience, and so affects more his habits of thought and life, and does more to correct any evil, than a hundred

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 17 →

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 rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than an hundred stripes into a fool.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Rebuke comes down on the intelligent || More than one hundred stripes on a fool.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A rebuke goes deeper into a person who has understanding than a hundred blows go into a fool.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.

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.

clauseverbתֵּ֣חַתit.goes.downsubjectגְּעָרָ֣הa.rebukeprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinמֵבִ֑ין[one.who].has.understandingprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵmoreclauseverbהַכּ֖וֹתthan.strikingobjectכְּסִ֣ילa.fooladverbialמֵאָֽהa.hundred.[times]

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 the core message of the verse, with four out of six words matched between the two texts, indicating a strong consistency in the understanding of this proverb.

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

תֵּ֣חַת גְּעָרָ֣ה בְמֵבִ֑ין מֵהַכּ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל מֵאָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
תֵּ֣חַתσυντρίβειגְּעָרָ֣הἀπειλὴבְמֵבִ֑יןφρονίμουכְּסִ֣ילἄφρων

4 of the 6 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 17:10נָחֵתit goes deeit goes deepנָחֵתגְּעָרָהa rebukea rebukeגְּעָרָהבִּיןin [one whoin [one who] unבִּיןנָכָהmore than smore than strikנָכָהכְּסִילa foola foolכְּסִילמֵאָהa hundred [a hundred [timeמֵאָהגָּעַרto rebuketo rebukeגָּעַרכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםנְחוּשָׁהbronzebronzeנְחוּשָׁהחֵץarrowarrowחֵץחֵמָהragerageחֵמָהדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתמַכָּהwoundwoundמַכָּהפְּלִשְׁתִּי(Sea of th(Sea of the) Phפְּלִשְׁתִּיאִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתאֶ֫לֶףthousandthousandאֶ֫לֶףחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyfiftyחֲמִשִּׁים
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 17:10

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.

it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
תֵּ֣חַתTe.chat it goes deep H5181 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
11× 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 to go down or descend, like going down a mountain or into a valley. It can also mean to press down or be broken. It appears in various forms, such as when the Israelites went down to Egypt.
Tyndale gloss
to descend
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָחֵת (nachath) is a Hebrew verb meaning to go down or descend. It can refer to a literal descent, as well as a figurative one, such as descending in chastisement. The word also encompasses meanings like pressing down or causing something to come down. Its Aramaic equivalent is נְחֵת (ne.chat), which shares a similar meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָחֵת] vb. (Aram. and poet.) go down, descend

Qal

go down, descend

fig. descend in chastisement

Niph. = penetrate

Pi. cause to descend = press down

Hiph. thither bring down thy heroes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5181 [נָחֵת] (Aram. and poet.) go down, descend .. go down, descend

. fig. descend in chastisement

. = penetrate

. cause to descend = press down

. thither bring down thy heroes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5181 nachath naw-khath'

a primitive root; to sink, i.e. descend; causatively, to

press or lead down:--be broken, (cause to) come down, enter,

go down, press sore, settle, stick fast.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָחֵת (na.chat) — to descend.

1) to go down, descend

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go down, descend

1a2) to descend, descend into (chastisement) (fig.)

1b) (Niphal) to come down into, penetrate

1c) (Piel) to cause to descend, press down, stretch (a bow)

1d) (Hiphil) to bring down

Aramaic equivalent: ne.chat (נְחֵת "to descend" H5182)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(tehom; abussos, Lu 8:31 the King James Version; Ro 10:7 the King James Version; bathos, Lu 5:4; buthos, 2Co 11:25):

The Hebrew word ("water in commotion") is used

(1) of the primeval watery waste (Ge 1:2), where some suggest a connection with Babylonian Tiamat in the creation-epic;

(2) of the sea (Isa 51:10 and commonly);

(3) of the subterranean reservoir of water (Ge 7:11; 8:2; 49:25; De 33:13; Eze 31:4, etc.).…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Deep

Used to denote (1) the grave or the abyss (Rom. 10:7; Luke 8:31); (2) the deepest part of the sea (Ps. 69:15); (3) the chaos mentioned in Gen. 1:2; (4) the bottomless pit, hell (Rev. 9:1, 2; 11:7; 20:13).

it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
גְּעָרָ֣הge.'a.Rah a rebuke H1606 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A rebuke is a stern warning or correction, often given to someone who has done wrong. It is a way of reproof, aiming to guide the person back to the right path.
Amplified meaning
stern warning, correction
Tyndale gloss
rebuke
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גְּעָרָה (g'arah) means 'rebuke' or 'reproof.' It is derived from the root word גָּעַר (ga'ar), which also relates to chiding. The entries consistently define it within the context of reprimanding or correcting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גְּעָרָה n.f. rebuke

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1606 גְּעָרָה rebuke

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1606 g`arah gheh-aw-raw'

from 1605; a chiding:--rebuke(-ing), reproof.

see HEBREW for 01605

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גְּעָרָה (ge.a.rah) — rebuke.

a rebuke, reproof

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

re-buk': As a verb "rebuke" is in the Old Testament the translation of ga`ar and yakhach; another word, ribh, in Ne 5:7, is in the Revised Version (British and American) translated "contended with." "Rebuke" (noun) is most frequently the translation of ge`arah; also in the King James Version of cherpah (Isa 25:8; Jer 15:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "reproach"), and of a few other words signifying reproach, etc. "Rebuker" (mucar, literally, "correction," "chastisement") in Ho 5:2 has the Revised Version margin "Hebrew `rebuke.'" In the New Testament "to rebuke" is most often the translation of epitimao (Mt…

it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
בְמֵבִ֑יןve.me.Vin in [one who] understands H995 Preposition · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
one who understands, having insight
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil — Preposition · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
HR/Vhrmsa
it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
מֵהַכּ֖וֹתme.ha.Kot more than striking H5221 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common
500× 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 to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Amplified meaning
blows, strikes
Tyndale gloss
to smite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָכָה (nakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to strike or smite, encompassing a range of actions from lightly hitting to fatal blows. It appears in various forms, indicating actions like attacking, punishing, or causing disease. The entries suggest its use in both literal and figurative contexts, including divine judgment and applause. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכָה] 501 vb. smite (not in Qal)

Niph. and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

Pu. both be smitten down by the hail

Hiph.

lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

smite repeatedly, beat a man

and they clapped hands (in applause)

give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

smite, of sun

Smite fatally

Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

Of God

smite with a plague, disease, etc.

smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

of God’s destroying palaces

Hoph. be smitten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5221 נָכָה smite (not in Qal) . and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

. both be smitten down by the hail

. . . lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

. smite repeatedly, beat a man

. and they clapped hands (in applause)

. give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

. smite, of sun

. Smite fatally

. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

. Of God . smite with a plague, disease, etc.

. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

. of God’s destroying palaces

. be smitten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5221 nakah naw-kaw'

a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally

or figuratively):--beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), X

go forward, X indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer,

punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike,

be stricken, (give) stripes, X surely, wound.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכָה (na.khah) — to smite.

1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill

1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust

1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast)

1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage

1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy

1d) (Hophal) to be smitten

1d1) to receive a blow

1d2) to be wounded

1d3) to be beaten

1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain

1d5) to be attacked and captured

1d6) to be smitten (with disease)

1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common
HR/Vhcc
it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
כְּסִ֣ילke.Sil a fool H3684 Adj
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Amplified meaning
one who is stupid, silly, rejecting God's wisdom
Tyndale gloss
fool
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3684 כְּסִיל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3684 kciyl kes-eel'

from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or

silly:--fool(-ish).

see HEBREW for 03688

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Any person who does not act wisely, that is, does not follow the warnings and requirements of God, which are founded in infinite wisdom. Hence "a fool" is put for a wicked man, an enemy or neglecter of God, Ps 14:1 Pr 19:1. So folly is put for wickedness, 2Sa 13:12,13 Ps 38:5, foolish lusts for wicked lusts, etc. Foolish talking, foolish questions, are vain, empty, unprofitable conversation, 2Ti 2:23.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ps 5:5; 14:1; 53:1; 74:18-22; 107:17; Pr 1:7,22; 3:35; 9:6-8,13-17; 10:1,8,10,13,14,18,23; 14:1,7-9,15; 15:7,20,21; 17:24,25; 18:2,6,7; 19:13; 20:3; 21:20; 26:3-12; 29:9,11; Ec 4:5; 7:9; 10:11-15; Mt 7:26,27; Tit 3:3

→ PARABLES OF

Of the foolish virgns Mt 25:1-13

Of the rich fool Lu 12:16-20

it goes deep a rebuke in [one who] understands more than striking a fool a hundred [times]
מֵאָֽה׃me.'Ah a hundred [times] H3967 Adj
581× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Amplified meaning
numerous, many
Tyndale gloss
hundred
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֵאָה (me'ah) means 'hundred' in Hebrew. It can refer to a simple number, a component of a larger number, or a fraction representing one one-hundredth. The entries consistently describe its use as a numeral without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֵאָה 583 n.f. hundred

as simple number

as part of larger number

a hundredth part

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3967 מֵאָה hundred . as simple number

. as part of larger number

. a hundredth part

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3967 me'ah may-aw'

or metyah {may-yaw'}; properly, a primitive numeral; a

hundred; also as a multiplicative and a

fraction:--hundred((-fold), -th), + sixscore.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֵאָה (me.ah) — hundred.

1) hundred

1a) as simple number

1b) as part of larger number

1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100)

Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcfsa
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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