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Proverbs 17:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCעֶֽבֶד־ מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃

BSAA wisesâkal [prudent, circumspect] servantʻebed [slave, bondman] will rule overmâshal [have dominion, govern] a disgracefulbûwsh [shameful, bringing dishonor] sonbên [child, descendant] and sharechâlaq [divide, apportion] his inheritancenachălâh [possession, heritage] as one oftâvek the brothersʼâch [brethren, kin]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (na.cha.Lah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 17:2quick helps
In a sentenceA wise servant will rise to authority over a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on family dynamics.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of sayings about wisdom and folly.
The hard wordמַשְׂכִּיל
Take awayWisdom leads to elevation and shared blessings.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׂכַל 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 17:2

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 Family Dynamicsgenerated

1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.
3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

Proverbs 17:2 contrasts the roles of a wise servant and a disgraceful son, illustrating how wisdom and prudence can lead to authority and shared blessings within a family. This verse emphasizes the value of wisdom in navigating familial relationships and the potential for a servant to rise above a dishonorable child, as seen throughout the book of Proverbs, which often highlights the consequences of wisdom and folly.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 11:29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
2Proverbs 14:35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
3Genesis 24:4–67but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”
4Ecclesiastes 4:13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
5Proverbs 10:5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מַשְׂכִּיל, mas.Kilgenerated

The word מַשְׂכִּיל (*sakal*) is a participle from the root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It describes someone who acts with intelligence and foresight, often in a way that brings about positive outcomes.

In this context, the wise servant is portrayed as someone who not only understands his role but also acts wisely to gain authority over a disgraceful son. This implies a level of discernment and capability that elevates the servant's status.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word wise for מַשְׂכִּיל.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in this verse is יִ֭מְשֹׁל, he will rule, which governs the subject עֶֽבֶד־ and the object נַחֲלָֽה. This structure highlights the servant's authority and the inheritance shared among brothers.

The clause structure indicates that the wise servant's rule is contrasted with the disgraceful son, emphasizing the dynamics of authority and inheritance within the family.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עֶבֶד as οἰκέτης, meaning 'household servant'. This choice emphasizes the servant's role within the household structure, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.

The Greek word κρατήσει for יִ֭מְשֹׁל conveys a strong sense of ruling or governing, similar to the Hebrew, showing continuity in the concept of authority.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 17:2 teaches that a wise servant will gain authority over a shameful son and will share in the inheritance as if he were one of the brothers. This highlights the value of wisdom and the potential for a servant to rise in status.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a servant to rule over a disgraceful son?

It means that wisdom and prudence can elevate someone, even from a lowly position, to a place of authority over those who act dishonorably.

How does this verse reflect family dynamics?

The verse illustrates how wisdom can change the expected roles in a family, allowing a servant to gain respect and share in family blessings.

What is the significance of sharing an inheritance?

Sharing an inheritance signifies acceptance and equality within the family, regardless of one's original status.

Why is the servant described as wise?

The servant is wise because he acts prudently, making decisions that lead to his elevation and positive outcomes in the family context.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life can I apply wisdom to improve my circumstances?
  2. How do I view authority in my relationships — is it based on wisdom or status?
  3. What does it mean to me to share in the blessings of my family or community?
  4. How can I cultivate prudence and wisdom in my daily decisions?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,.... That does wicked and shameful actions: that is slothful, and will not attend to instruction or business; that is prodigal, wasteful,

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

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Shall have rule over a son that causeth shame; either as being by his father appointed tutor or guardian to his son; or being by his wisdom advanced to that estate and dignity which the other possibly hath lost by his folly. Shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren; partly as a just recompence for his faithful service, as ,3, &c., and partly as an obligation to him to take care of his children.

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

Proverbs 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.Ver. 2. A wise servant shall have rule over a son, &c.] God hath a very gracious respect unto faithful servants, and hath promised them "the reward of inheritance," which properly belongs to sons. This happens sometimes here, as to Joseph, Joshua, those subjects that married Solomon’ s daughters; but infallibly hereafter, when "they shall come from east and west to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven," and to "enter into their Master’ s joy," "but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out."

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame. . . .—This was strikingly exhibited in the case of Ziba, who by his timely succour to David (2 Samuel 16), first gained all the property of his master, Mephibosheth (i.e., the “man of shame”), and was later confirmed in the possession of half of it. Slaves, especially those “born in the house,” often rose to a position of great trust. (Comp. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:4-6.) Eliezer would have been Abraham’s heir had not Isaac been born (Genesis 15:3).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. a wise servant] or, a servant that dealeth wisely, R.V., in contrast with a son who causeth shame, or dealeth shamefully. Comp. “Free men shall minister unto a wise servant.” Sir 10:25, R.V. The proverb is exemplified in Eliezer of Damascus (Genesis 15:2), and Ziba (2 Samuel 16:4 with 1 Chronicles 2:34-35), and in Jeroboam, Solomon’s “servant” (1 Kings 11:26), who, being “industrious,” shared the inheritance with Rehoboam, “a son that dealt shamefully.”

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 17 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The “servant,” it must be remembered, was a slave, but (as in such cases as Genesis 15:2; 2 Samuel 16:4) might succeed to the inheritance.

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

2. A son that causeth shame — By his base conduct; “a degenerate son.” — Zockler. Among the brethren — The brothers of the family; that is, among the heirs.

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 wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully, and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A wise servant rules over a son causing shame, || And he apportions an inheritance in the midst of brothers.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A wise servant will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

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 · subjectעֶֽבֶדa.servantמַשְׂכִּ֗יל[who].acts.prudentlyverbיִ֭מְשֹׁלhe.will.ruleprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּovernoun phraseבֵ֣ןa.sonמֵבִ֑ישׁ[who].acts.shamefullyוּandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseת֥וֹךְamongאַ֝חִ֗יםbrothersverbיַחֲלֹ֥קhe.will.shareobjectנַחֲלָֽה[the].inheritance

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 wording of this verse, maintaining the same key terms and structure, which reinforces the consistency of the message across these traditions.

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

עֶֽבֶד־ מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עֶֽבֶד־οἰκέτηςמַשְׂכִּ֗ילνοήμωνיִ֭מְשֹׁלκρατήσειבְּבֵ֣ןδεσποτῶνמֵבִ֑ישׁἀφρόνωνוּבְת֥וֹךְἐνאַ֝חִ֗יםἀδελφοῖςיַחֲלֹ֥קδιελεῖταιנַחֲלָֽה׃μέρη

9 of the 9 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 17:2עֶ֫בֶדa servanta servantעֶ֫בֶדשָׂכַל[who] acts [who] acts prudשָׂכַלמָשַׁלhe will rulhe will ruleמָשַׁלבֵּןover a sonover a sonבֵּןבּוֹשׁ[who] acts [who] acts shamבּוֹשׁתָּ֫וֶךְand in amonand in amongתָּ֫וֶךְאָחbrothersbrothersאָחחָלַקhe will shahe will shareחָלַקנַחֲלָה[the] inher[the] inheritanנַחֲלָהעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהנָחַלto inheritto inheritנָחַלאָבfatherfatherאָבאָמָהmaidservanmaidservantאָמָהשִׁפְחָהmaidservanmaidservantשִׁפְחָהבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןמַ֫עַןbecausebecauseמַ֫עַןכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵןחָפֵרbe ashamedbe ashamedחָפֵרכָּלַםbe humiliabe humiliatedכָּלַםגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּרעֵשָׂו(Mount) Es(Mount) EsauעֵשָׂויוֹסֵףJosephJosephיוֹסֵףשָׁלָלspoilspoilשָׁלָל
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 17:2

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 servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
עֶֽבֶד־'e.ved- a servant H5650 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
slave, bondman
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

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

sur'-vant ('ebhedh; doulos): A very common word with a variety of meanings, all implying a greater or less degree of inferiority and want of freedom:

(1) The most frequent usage is as the equivalent of "slave" (which see), with its various shades in position (Ge 9:25; 24:9; Ex 21:5; Mt 10:24; Lu 17:7, and often); but also a hired workman where "hired servant" translates Hebrew and Greek expressions which differ from the above.

(2) An attendant in the service of someone, as Joshua was the "servant" the Revised Version (British and American) "minister" of Moses (Nu 11:28).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[SLAVE]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This word sometimes denotes a man who voluntarily dedicates himself to the service of another. Thus Joshua was the servant of Moses; Elisha of Elijah; and Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Paul were servants of Jesus Christ. The servants of Pharaoh, of Saul, and of David, were their subjects in general, and their court officers and counselors in particular. The Philistines, Syrians, and other nation were servants of David, that is, they obeyed and paid him tribute. The servants of God are those who are devoted to his service and obey his holy word.

In its primary sense, the word usually means in the Bible either a hired servant, or one whose service was the property of his master for a limited time and under various restrictions. Joseph is the first whom we read of as sold into bondage, Ge 37:27,28. The households of some of the early…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Distinguish a bondservant (Greek: doulos), who was a slave, from a hired servant (Greek: diakonos), who was not a slave

→ BOND

Laws of Moses concerning Ex 21:1-11,20,21,26,27,32; Le 19:20-22; 25:6,10,35-55; De 15:12,14,18; 24:7

Kidnapping forbidden De 21:10-14; 24:7; 1Ti 1:10; Re 18:13

Fugitive, not to be returned to his master De 23:15,16

David erroneously supposed to be a fugitive slave 1Sa 25:10

Instances of fugitive

a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
מַשְׂכִּ֗ילmas.Kil [who] acts prudently H7919 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Amplified meaning
prudent, circumspect
Tyndale gloss
be prudent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂכַל vb. be prudent

Qal be prudent, circumspect

Hiph.

look at

give attention to, consider, ponder

have insight, comprehension

cause to consider, give insight, teach

act circumspectly, prudently

prosper, have success

cause to prosper

base

[שָׂכַל] vb. Pi. lay crosswise;—Gn 48:14 (J)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect

. . look at

. give attention to, consider, ponder

. have insight, comprehension

. cause to consider, give insight, teach

. act circumspectly, prudently

. prosper, have success

. cause to prosper

H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7919 sakal saw-kal'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)

circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,

instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),

have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),

wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide

wittingly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.

1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to look at or upon, have insight

1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

1b3) to have insight, have comprehension

1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)

1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach

1b4a) the teachers, the wise

1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

1b6) to prosper, have success

1b7) to cause to prosper

Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.

(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
יִ֭מְשֹׁלYim.shol he will rule H4910 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
81× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Amplified meaning
have dominion, govern
Tyndale gloss
to rule
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָשַׁל (mashal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rule or have dominion. It can refer to human authority, the dominion of heavenly bodies, or God's sovereignty. The word has a Qal form indicating direct rule and a Hiphil form that implies causing someone to rule or exercising dominion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָשַׁל vb. rule, have dominion, reign

Qal

human subj., rule, have dominion over

of heavenly bodies

of God

Hiph. cause to rule; exercise dominion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4910 מָשַׁל rule, have dominion, reign .. human subj., rule, have dominion over

. of heavenly bodies

. of God

. cause to rule; exercise dominion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4910 mashal maw-shal'

a primitive root; to rule:--(have, make to have) dominion,

governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have)

rule(-ing, -r), have power.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to rule.

1) to rule, have dominion, reign

1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to rule

1b2) to exercise dominion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
בְּבֵ֣ןbe.Ven over a son H1121 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Amplified meaning
child, descendant
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The term "son" is used in Scripture language to imply almost any kind of descent or succession, as ben shanah , "son of a year," i.e. a year old; ben kesheth , "son of a bow," i.e. an arrow. The word bar is often found in the New Testament in composition, as Bar-timaeus.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Sometimes denotes a grandson, or any remote descendant, Ge 29:5 2Sa 19:24. At other times a son by adoption is meant, Ge 48:5; or by law, Ru 4:17; or by education, 1Sa 3:6 20:35; or by conversion, as Titus was Paul’s "son father the common faith," Tit 1:4. And again it denotes a mental or moral resemblance, etc., Jud 19:22 Ps 89:6 Isa 57:3 Ac 13:10. In a…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ FIGURATIVE

Of a person' s relation to God Ex 4:22

See ADOPTION

See GOD, FATHERHOOD OF

See JESUS, SON OF GOD

See JESUS, SON OF MAN

a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
מֵבִ֑ישׁme.Vish [who] acts shamefully H954 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Amplified meaning
shameful, bringing dishonor
Tyndale gloss
be ashamed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹשׁ (buwsh) is a Hebrew root meaning 'to be ashamed.' It encompasses feelings of shame, disappointment, and disconcertion. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to feel shame), Piel (to delay in shame), and Hiphil (to put to shame). The entries indicate a range of uses, from personal feelings of shame to actions that cause shame to others.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹשׁ 109 vb. be ashamed

Qal

abs. feel shame

sq. מִן, be ashamed of, i.e. disconcerted, disappointed by reason of

with obj. I am ashamed to ask

Polel delay (in shame)

Hiph.

put to shame

put to shame

act shamefully

to be put to shame

be ashamed

Hithp. ashamed before one another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H954 בּוֹשׁ be ashamed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

954 buwsh boosh

a primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to

be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or

delayed:--(be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with,

a-)shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry,

delay, be long.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹשׁ (bush) — be ashamed.

1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to feel shame

1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of)

1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to put to shame

1c2) to act shamefully

1c3) to be ashamed

1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
וּבְת֥וֹךְu.ve.Tokh and in among H8432 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
418× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Tyndale gloss
midst
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּ֫וֶךְ (tavek) means 'midst' or 'middle,' indicating a central position or location. It can also imply being 'among' or 'between' things, particularly in contexts involving separation or division. The term appears in various forms, such as 'into' or 'through,' especially after verbs of motion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּ֫וֶךְ 416 subst. midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8432 תָּ֫וֶךְ subst. midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8432 tavek taw'-vek

from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by

implication) the centre:--among(-st), X between, half, X

(there- ,where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among),

X out (of), X through, X with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּ֫וֶךְ (ta.vekh) — midst.

1) midst, middle

1a) midst, middle

1b) into, through (after verbs of motion)

1c) among (of a number of persons)

1d) between (of things arranged by twos)

1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/R/Ncmsc
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

AMONG',

AMONGST', preposition [Gr. See Mingle.]

1. In a general or primitive sense, mixed or mingled with; as tares among wheat.

2. Conjoined or associated with, or making part of the number.

Blessed art thou among women. Luke 1:1.

3. Of the number; as, there is not one among a thousand, possessing the like qualities.

{ A‐mong″ , A‐mongst″ , } prep. [OE. amongist, amonges, amonge, among, AS. onmang, ongemang, gemang, in a crowd or mixture. For the ending -st see Amidst. See Mingle.] 1. Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.

They heard,

And from his presence hid themselves among

The thickest trees.

Milton.

2. Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.

Blessed art thou among women.

Luke i. 28.

3. Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.; also, a relation of reciprocal action.

What news among the merchants?

Shak.

a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
אַ֝חִ֗ים'a.Chim brothers H251 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
630× 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 a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
brethren, kin
Tyndale gloss
brother: male-sibling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָח 630 n.m. brother

brother, born of same mother (& father)

indef. = relative

fig. of resemblance

in phr. one … another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H251 אָח brother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

251 'ach awkh

a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of

literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance

(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.

Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.

: male-sibling

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.

: male-relative

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.

: compatriot

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
יַחֲלֹ֥קya.cha.Lok he will share H2505 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To smooth means to make something slippery or deceitful, like in Proverbs where it warns against flattery. It can also mean to divide or separate something, like an inheritance.
Amplified meaning
divide, apportion
Tyndale gloss
to divide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָלַק (chalaq) is a Hebrew verb with two primary meanings: to divide or share, and to be smooth or slippery. It encompasses actions like apportioning, distributing, and even plundering, as well as the state of being smooth. The entries indicate a range of uses in different grammatical forms, including reflexive and passive. Notably, the lexicons also emphasize the figurative use of smoothness in relation to deceit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלַק vb. divide, share

Qal

divide, apportion

assign, distribute

assign, impart

share

divide up = plunder the temple

Niph. Impf.

reflex. divide oneself

pass. be divided

trans. assign, distribute

Pi.

divide, apportion

assign, distribute

scatter

Pu. be divided, of land

Hithp. divide land among themselves

Hiph. to receive a portion

base

חָלַק vb. be smooth, slippery

Qal smooth, slippery

Hiph. make smooth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2505a חָלַק divide, share .. divide, apportion

. assign, distribute

. assign, impart

. share

. divide up = plunder the temple

. Impf. . reflex. divide oneself

. pass. be divided

. trans. assign, distribute

. . divide, apportion

. assign, distribute

. scatter

. be divided, of land

. divide land among themselves

. to receive a portion

H2505b חָלַק be smooth, slippery

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2505 chalaq khaw-lak'

a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication

(as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or

separate:--deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have,

im-)part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self,

(be) smooth(-er).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלַק (cha.laq) — to divide.

1) to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assign

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to divide, apportion

1a2) to assign, distribute

1a3) to assign, impart

1a4) to share

1a5) to divide up, plunder

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to divide oneself

1b2) to be divided

1b3) to assign, distribute

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to divide, apportion

1c2) to assign, distribute

1c3) to scatter

1d) (Pual) to be divided

1e) (Hiphil) to receive a portion or part

1f) (Hithpael) to divide among themselves

חָלַק (cha.laq) — to smooth.

1) to be smooth, slippery, deceitful

1a) (Qal) to be smooth, slippery

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to be smooth

1b2) to flatter

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

shar.

See PLOW.

a servant [who] acts prudently he will rule over a son [who] acts shamefully and in among brothers he will share [the] inheritance
נַחֲלָֽה׃na.cha.Lah [the] inheritance H5159 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
222× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Amplified meaning
possession, heritage
Tyndale gloss
inheritance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance

property

portion, share

inheritance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property

. portion, share

. inheritance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'

from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something

inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an

heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or

portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.

Compare 5158.

see HEBREW for 05157

see HEBREW for 05158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.

1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage

1a) property

1b) portion, share

1c) inheritance, portion

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

in-her'-i-tans (nahalah, "something inherited," "occupancy," "heirloom," "estate," "portion"): The word is used in its widest application in the Old Testament Scriptures, referring not only to an estate received by a child from its parents, but also to the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Yahweh. And in the figurative and poetical sense, the expression is applied to the kingdom of God as represented in the consecrated lives of His followers. In a similar sense, the Psalmist is represented as speaking of the Lord as the portion of his inheritance. In addition to the above word, the King James Version translations as inheritance, morashah, "a possession," "heritage" (De 33:4; Eze 33:24); yerushshah, "something occupied," "a patrimony," "possession" (

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[HEIR]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The laws of inheritance among the Hebrews were very simple. Land might be mortgaged, but could not be alienated, Nu 36:6-9. See JUBILEE. The only permanent right to property was by heritage, or lineal succession. The eldest son had a double portion. Females had no territorial possession; but if a man left no sons, his daughters inherited-on condition of their marrying into a family within the tribe to which their father belonged. If a man had no children, his land passed to distant relatives, according to a law laid down in Nu 27:8-11. The Law of Moses rendered wills unnecessary; they were introduced, however, at a later period, Ga 3:15 Heb 9:17. Property was sometimes…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Provisions for inheritance under Levirate marriages Ge 38:7-11; Nu 36:6-9; De 25:5-10; Ru 3:1-8; 4:7-17

→ UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Ge 15:3; 21:9-11; 24:36; 25:5,6; 48:21,22; Nu 27:6-11; De 21:15-17; 1Ki 21:3; 2Ch 21:3; Job 42:15; Pr 17:2; 20:21;

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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