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Proverbs 17:28 — Word Study

Depth

WLCגַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃

BSAEvengam [also, too] a foolʼĕvîyl [foolish, unwise] is consideredchâshab [reckoned, esteemed] wisechâkâm [intelligent, discerning] if he keeps silentchârash [holds, maintains, quiet, still] [and] discerningbîyn [prudent, understanding] when he holdsʼâṭam [shuts, closes] his tonguesâphâh [lips, language]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 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.Von) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 17:28quick helps
In a sentenceEven a fool is regarded as wise if he remains silent.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on speech.
Where we areA proverb illustrating the value of silence.
The hard wordאֱוִ֣יל
Take awaySilence can convey wisdom, even from those who lack it.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחָרֵשׁ 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 17:28

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 Silencegenerated

25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.
27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 17:28 presents a reflection on the nature of wisdom and the power of silence. It emphasizes that even someone considered foolish can be perceived as wise if they choose to remain quiet. This verse follows a series of proverbs that explore the consequences of speech and the importance of restraint, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss the impact of foolishness and knowledge.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
2Job 13:5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
3Ecclesiastes 5:3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
4Ecclesiastes 10:3–14Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.Proverbs 15:2 Job 13:5 Ecclesiastes 5:3 Ecclesiastes 10:3–14

The Key Word אֱוִיל, 'e.Vilgenerated

The Hebrew word אֱוִיל ('e.Vil) means 'foolish' and describes someone who lacks wisdom, often mocking or disregarding it. This term is used to characterize individuals who are quarrelsome or licentious, indicating a moral failing.

In this verse, the word is pivotal as it sets the stage for the contrast between perceived wisdom and actual foolishness. The context shows that silence can elevate the status of a fool, allowing them to be seen as wise.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses a fool, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two clauses connected by the conjunction גַּ֤ם, also. The first clause describes the fool and his silence, while the second clause highlights the discernment that comes from holding one's tongue.

The finite verb יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב, he is considered, governs the two main ideas: the fool being seen as wise and discerning in silence. This structure emphasizes the relationship between silence and perceived wisdom.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֱוִיל as ἀνοήτῳ (anoētō), which means 'foolish' or 'unwise.' This translation reflects a consistent understanding of the term across both texts, maintaining the focus on the lack of wisdom.

The use of λογισθήσεται for יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב suggests a similar concept of being regarded or esteemed, aligning with the idea that silence can alter perceptions of wisdom.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 17:28 teaches that even a fool can be seen as wise if he remains silent. This verse highlights the importance of knowing when to speak and when to hold back, suggesting that silence can sometimes convey more wisdom than words.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a fool to be considered wise?

It means that by choosing to remain silent, a fool can avoid revealing their ignorance and thus be perceived as wise by others.

Why is silence valued in this proverb?

Silence is valued because it can prevent foolishness from being exposed and allows for a more thoughtful consideration of words before they are spoken.

How can this verse apply to everyday life?

This verse encourages individuals to think before they speak, suggesting that sometimes it is wiser to remain quiet rather than risk saying something foolish.

What other verses in Proverbs discuss the theme of speech?

Verses like Proverbs 15:2 and Proverbs 17:27 emphasize the importance of wise speech and the impact of words on relationships.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I chosen to remain silent, and what was the outcome?
  2. How can I apply the principle of this proverb in my conversations?
  3. What are some ways I can improve my discernment in knowing when to speak and when to be silent?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of wisdom and foolishness?

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

The early Church Fathers reflect on the wisdom of silence and discernment. Quotations are provided from John Cassian and Gregory the Dialogist, who explore the implications of this proverb.

John Cassian c. 360–435
It falls to the intellect to discern the divisions and the outlines of questions, and understanding’s highest function is to know that you do not know.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →
John CassianCONFERENCE 4:9 c. 360–435
Understanding is required to discern the distinctions and the drift of questions; and it is a main part of knowledge to understand how ignorant you are.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job 11.35 c. 540–604
As in a house, when the door is shut, it is not known what members there are hidden within, so, generally speaking, if a fool hold his peace, it is hidden whether he be wise or foolish, only, however, if no other works come to light,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise,.... Not only one that is sparing of his words, and is really a man of knowledge and understanding; but even a feel, if he is but silent, and

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

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

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

Is counted wise, because he is sensible of his own folly, and therefore forbears to speak, lest he should discover it; which is a great point of true wisdom.

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

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.Ver. 28. Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, &c.] “παςτιςαπαιδευτοςφρονιμωτατοςεστισιωπιων.” "Oh that you would altogether hold your peace, and it should be your wisdom," saith Job to his friends that spake much, but said little

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

Verse 28. Even a fool] He is counted wise as to that particular. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be golden-mouthed and silver-tongued in eloquence; but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than diamonds. But who that thinks he can speak well can refrain from speaking? His tongue has no rest.

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

28. he that shutteth &c.] Or, with R.V. text, when he (i.e. the fool of the former clause of the verse) shutteth … he is esteemed as prudent. Mr Horton (Book of Proverbs, p. 177) quotes the old Norse proverb, “An unwise man when he comes among the people Had best be silent: no one knows That he nothing knows, unless he talks too much.”

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

Is esteemed - Or, “is” (simply). The maxim would imply that silence is in any case good.

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

28. Is esteemed a man of understanding — Of discernment, discreetness.

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

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, || He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Even a fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent; when he keeps his mouth shut, he is considered to be intelligent.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.

Word by word, the decisions they made

אֱוִ֣יל'e.Vil a fool H191 2 different renderings
a foolASV BSB DBY DRA ILT KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
foolishBBE
חָכָ֣םcha.Kham wise H2450 3 different renderings
wiseASV BBE DRA GNV ILT KJV NWB RVA
intelligentDBY FBV LSV ULB YLT
discerningBSB MSB NETB WEB

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.

clauseclausenoun phrase · subjectגַּ֤םalsonoun phraseאֱוִ֣ילa.foolמַ֭חֲרִישׁ[who].keeps.silentobjectחָכָ֣םa.wise.[person]verbיֵחָשֵׁ֑בhe.is.consideredclausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbאֹטֵ֖ם[one.who].shutsnoun phrase · objectשְׂפָתָ֣יlipsוhisobjectנָבֽוֹן[one.who].has.understanding

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 17:28 states, "גם אויל מחריש חכם יחשב אוטם שפתיו נבון," which translates to, "Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue." The Septuagint does not provide a complete translation here, but it matches 4 of the 8 words in the Hebrew text, indicating some agreement in content, although the specific wording and structure differ. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not have surviving texts for this verse, so no additional comparison can be made with those witnesses. Overall, while the Septuagint shows partial agreement, the Masoretic Text stands as the primary source for this verse's wording.

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

גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֱוִ֣ילἀνοήτῳמַ֭חֲרִישׁἐπερωτήσαντιחָכָ֣םσοφίανיֵחָשֵׁ֑בλογισθήσεται

4 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 17:28גַּםalsoalsoגַּםאֱוִילa foola foolאֱוִילחָרַשׁ[who] keeps[who] keeps silחָרַשׁחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםחָשַׁבhe is consihe is considereחָשַׁבאטם[who] shuts[who] shutsאטםשָׂפָהlips hislips hisשָׂפָהבִּיןdiscerningdiscerningבִּיןחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםכַּ֫עַסvexationvexationכַּ֫עַסמוּסָרdisciplinedisciplineמוּסָרקָצֵרbe shortbe shortקָצֵרכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילמַחֲשָׁבָהplotplotמַחֲשָׁבָהכַּרְמֶלplantationplantationכַּרְמֶלחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןפֹּהherehereפֹּהיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןחָכָםwisewiseחָכָם
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 17:28

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.

also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
גַּ֤םgam also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Amplified meaning
also, too
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
אֱוִ֣יל'e.Vil a fool H191 Adj
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a foolish person, someone who despises wisdom or mocks when guilty. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are quarrelsome or licentious. The KJV translates it as 'fool' or 'foolish man'.
Amplified meaning
foolish, unwise
Tyndale gloss
fool(ish)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱוִיל (eviyl) means 'foolish' and describes someone who despises wisdom, mocks when guilty, is quarrelsome, or licentious. It is derived from an unused root suggesting perversion. The word is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote a person lacking wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱוִיל 26 adj. foolish

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H191 אֱוִיל foolish

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

191 'eviyl ev-eel'

from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively)

silly:--fool(-ish) (man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱוִיל (e.vil) — fool(ish).

1) be foolish, foolish

1a) (subst)

1a1) of one who despises wisdom

1a2) of one who mocks when guilty

1a3) of one who is quarrelsome

1a4) of one who is licentious

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

also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
מַ֭חֲרִישׁMa.cha.rish [who] keeps silent H2790 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb can mean to be quiet or silent, but also to scratch or engrave, like a farmer plowing a field. It is used in various contexts, including being silent or deaf. The KJV translates it in different ways, including 'cease' or 'hold peace'.
Amplified meaning
holds, maintains, quiet, still
Tyndale gloss
to plow/plot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise

Qal

cut in, engrave

plough

devise

Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed

Hiph. fabricating mischief against

base

[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.

Qal

be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray

be deaf

Hiph.

be silent (= exhibit silence)

once causat. make silent

be deaf, shew deafness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless

. be deaf; chiefly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2790 charash khaw-rash'

a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to

engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate

(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);

hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;

hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of

dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,

ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,

plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep

silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,

worker.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.

1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cut in, engrave

1a2) to plough

1a3) to devise

1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed

1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil

חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.

1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be silent

1a2) to be deaf

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to be silent, keep quiet

1b2) to make silent

1b3) to be deaf, show deafness

1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
חָכָ֣םcha.Kham wise H2450 Adj
138× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Amplified meaning
intelligent, discerning
Tyndale gloss
wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכָם adj. wise

skilful in technical work

wise in the administration of affairs

shrewd, crafty, cunning

pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

prudent

wise, ethically and religiously

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work

. wise in the administration of affairs

. shrewd, crafty, cunning

. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like

. prudent

. wise, ethically and religiously

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2450 chakam khaw-kawm'

from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or

artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),

man).

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.

1) wise, wise (man)

1a) skilful (in technical work)

1b) wise (in administration)

1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle

1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)

1e) prudent

1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
יֵחָשֵׁ֑בye.cha.Shev he is considered H2803 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
124× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Amplified meaning
reckoned, esteemed
Tyndale gloss
to devise: count
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָשַׁב (chashab) is a primitive root meaning to think, account, or devise. It encompasses a range of actions including planning, valuing, and inventing, both for humans and in relation to God. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of thought and consideration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָשַׁב vb. think, account

Qal

of man:

think, account

devise, plan, mean

charge, impute

esteem, value, regard

invent ingenious and artistic things

of God:

think

devise, plan, mean

inpute, reckon

esteem, value, regard

invent ingenious and artistic things

Niph.

be accounted, thought, esteemed

be computed, reckoned

be imputed to any one

Pi.

think upon, consider, be mindful of

think to do, devise, plan

count, reckon, the years since a sale of land

Hithp. among the nations it shall not reckon itself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2803 חָשַׁב think, account .. of man: . think, account

. devise, plan, mean

. charge, impute

. esteem, value, regard

. invent ingenious and artistic things

. of God: . think

. devise, plan, mean

. inpute, reckon

. esteem, value, regard

. invent ingenious and artistic things

. . be accounted, thought, esteemed

. be computed, reckoned

. be imputed to any one

. . think upon, consider, be mindful of

. think to do, devise, plan

. count, reckon, the years since a sale of land

. among the nations it shall not reckon itself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2803 chashab khaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e.

(literally) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; figuratively, to

plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from

the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute:--(make)

account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work,

workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine,

impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made),

regard, think.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: design.

: design/skillful

1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to think, account

1a2) to plan, devise, mean

1a3) to charge, impute, reckon

1a4) to esteem, value, regard

1a5) to invent

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed

1b2) to be computed, be reckoned

1b3) to be imputed

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of

1c2) to think to do, devise, plan

1c3) to count, reckon

1d) (Hithpael) to be considered

חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: count.

: count/regard_as

1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to think, account

1a2) to plan, devise, mean

1a3) to charge, impute, reckon

1a4) to esteem, value, regard

1a5) to invent

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed

1b2) to be computed, be reckoned

1b3) to be imputed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
אֹטֵ֖ם'o.Tem [who] shuts H331 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to shut or close something, like lips or ears, and is used to describe stopping or blocking something, as seen in the KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
shuts, closes
Tyndale gloss
to shutter
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אטם (atam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to shut or close. It can refer to shutting lips or ears, and in a figurative sense, it describes the wicked stopping their ears. The root conveys a sense of narrowing or stopping, with various usages in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אטם] vb. shut, shut up

Qal shut, stop

Hiph. of adder, stopping ears, sim. of wicked.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H331 אטם shut, shut up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

331 'atam aw-tam'

a primitive root; to close (the lips or ears); by analology

to contract (a window by bevelled jambs):--narrow, shut,

stop.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָטַם (a.tam) — to shutter.

1) to shut, shut up, close

1a) (Qal) to shut, stop (of lips)

1b) (Hiphil) of the wicked stopping their ears (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
שְׂפָתָ֣יוse.fa.Tav lips his H8193 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
lips, language
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/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."

also a fool [who] keeps silent wise he is considered [who] shuts lips his discerning
נָבֽוֹן׃na.Von discerning H995 Verb · Niphal · 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
prudent, understanding
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
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVNrmsa
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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