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Proverbs 18:2 — Word Study

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WLCלֹֽא־ יַחְפֹּ֣ץ כְּ֭סִיל בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֝֗י אִֽם־ בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת לִבּֽוֹ׃

BSAA foolkᵉçîyl [stupid, foolish, rejecting God's wisdom] does notlôʼ delightchâphêts [take pleasure, be pleased] in understandingtâbûwn [insight, wisdom, discretion] but onlykîy [exclusively] in airinggâlâh [expressing, revealing] his opinionslêb [thoughts, heart's desires, own mind]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 18
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 (li.Bo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 18:2quick helps
In a sentenceA fool does not take pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his thoughts.
Who is speakingThe writer of Proverbs, warning against foolish behavior.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discourse on wisdom and folly.
The hard wordכְּסִיל
Take awayUnderstanding requires humility and a willingness to learn.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectכְּסִיל verbחָפֵץ 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 18:2

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 and Folly in Proverbsgenerated

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 18:2 contrasts the attitudes of a fool with the pursuit of wisdom. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of understanding and sound judgment, highlighting the consequences of foolishness. This section serves as a reminder of the value of discernment in our thoughts and actions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 1:7–22The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
2Proverbs 17:16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
3Psalm 1:1–2Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
4Matthew 8:34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
51 Corinthians 8:1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word כְּסִיל, Ke.silgenerated

The word כְּסִיל (ke.sil) is an adjective that describes a fool or someone who is foolish and simple-minded. It is often associated with a rejection of God's wisdom, indicating a lack of insight and understanding. The parsing as an adjective suggests it describes a characteristic of the person rather than an action.

In this verse, the fool is contrasted with the wise, as he does not delight in understanding but rather in voicing his own opinions. This highlights the foolishness of prioritizing personal expression over the pursuit of wisdom.


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 has a fool, and so do the KJV, ASV, and others: all maintain the straightforward description of foolishness.

Where others part company with the BSB they part company over the rendering of כְּסִיל. Some versions, like the FBV, use stupid, while the BBE opts for foolish. These variations reflect different nuances in interpreting the Hebrew term.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains a main clause with a finite verb, יַחְפֹּ֣ץ (he delights), which governs the subject כְּסִיל (a fool) and two phrases that elaborate on what the fool does not take pleasure in: בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה (in understanding) and בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת (in revealing itself). The structure emphasizes the fool's rejection of wisdom.

The word order places the negative particle לֹא (not) at the beginning, underscoring the fool's lack of delight in understanding, which is central to the message of the verse.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew כְּסִיל is rendered as ἀφροσύνῃ (foolishness), which broadens the concept from merely being a fool to embodying a state of folly. This choice reflects an interpretation that emphasizes the nature of foolishness rather than just the label of a fool.

The Greek translation also captures the essence of the original Hebrew, maintaining the contrast between the fool and the pursuit of understanding.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 18:2 tells us that a fool does not take pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his own opinions. This verse warns against the foolishness of prioritizing personal thoughts over the pursuit of wisdom and insight.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be a fool according to this verse?

A fool is someone who lacks understanding and rejects wisdom, focusing instead on expressing personal opinions.

Why is understanding important?

Understanding is crucial because it leads to wisdom and sound judgment, helping individuals make better decisions.

How can I avoid being foolish in my own life?

To avoid foolishness, one should seek wisdom, be open to learning, and prioritize understanding over simply voicing opinions.

What are the consequences of being a fool?

Consequences of foolishness include poor decision-making, a lack of insight, and potential harm to oneself and others.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I prioritize my opinions over understanding?
  2. How can I cultivate a greater desire for wisdom and insight?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure I am not acting foolishly in my decisions?
  4. How does this verse challenge my current thinking about knowledge and understanding?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 18:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A fool hath no delight in understanding,.... In natural understanding, and in the improvement of his mind in it; he delights not in books, nor in the conversation of men of learning and sense: or in

Read John Gill on Proverbs 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. A fool hath no delight in understanding (for its own sake), but that his heart may discover itself. Display of self is his aim.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In understanding; in getting sound and saving knowledge, either by his own study, or by the instructions of wise and good men. But that his heart may discover itself. Heb. but (his delight is) in the discovery of his own heart, i.e. in uttering that folly and wickedness which is in his heart; being more forward to speak than to hear, which is one badge of a fool.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.Ver. 2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.] Or, In discovering his own heart - i.e., in following his own humour, against all that can be said to the contrary. He is wilful, and so stands as a stake in the midst of a stream; lets all pass by him, but he stands where he was. It is easier to deal with twenty men’ s reasons, than with one man’ s will. He hath made his conclusion, you may as soon remove a rock as him. Quicquid vult valde vult, quicquid vult sanctum est. His will is his rule, and when a man hath said and done his utmost to convince him by…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) But that his heart may discover itself—i.e., unless his cleverness can be displayed thereby; he does not prize understanding for itself, apart from his own interests.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. But that his heart may discover itself.] It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own nonsense and emptiness. But this verse may be understood as confirming the view already given of the preceding, and may be translated thus: "But a fool doth not delight in understanding, though it should even manifest itself:" so I understand כי אם בהתגלות ki im behithgalloth. The separated person seeks understanding in every hidden thing, and feels his toil well repaid when he finds it, even after the most painful and expensive search: the other regards it not, though its secret springs should be laid open to him without toil or expense.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. but that] The added word in R.V., but only that, brings out the force of the Heb.; q.d. so far from having any delight in understanding, his only delight is in blurting out his own ideas and opinions. There is perhaps, as Speaker’s Comm. suggests, an implied contrast with the “other form of egotism,” condemned in the preceding verse.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 18 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Another form of egotism. In “understanding,” i. e., self-knowledge, the “fool” finds no pleasure; but self-assertion, talking about himself and his own opinions, is his highest joy.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 18 →

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 fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A fool does not delight in understanding, || But in uncovering his heart.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.

Word by word, the decisions they made

כְּ֭סִילKe.sil a fool H3684 3 different renderings
a foolASV BSB DBY DRA ILT KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
stupidFBV
foolishBBE

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.

clauseclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיַחְפֹּ֣ץhe.delightssubjectכְּ֭סִילa.foolprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּinתְבוּנָ֑הunderstandingclauseconjunction phraseכִּ֝֗י(dm)אִֽם(if)clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinclauseverbהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹתrevealing.itselfnoun phrase · subjectלִבּֽheartוֹhis

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions." The Septuagint, while it retains some of the key terms, presents a different structure and wording that does not directly translate to the same meaning as the Masoretic Text. The exact wording of the Septuagint is not provided here, but it is noted that 6 of the 8 words correspond, indicating some agreement in content but a divergence in expression. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls are not mentioned in this context, suggesting they may not provide additional insight or agreement on this specific verse.

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

לֹֽא־ יַחְפֹּ֣ץ כְּ֭סִיל בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֝֗י אִֽם־ בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת לִבּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹֽא־οὐבִּתְבוּנָ֑הσοφίαςכִּ֝֗יμᾶλλονאִֽם־γὰρבְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹתἄγεταιלִבּֽוֹ׃ἀφροσύνῃ

6 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 18:2לֹאnotnotלֹאחָפֵץhe delightshe delightsחָפֵץכְּסִילa foola foolכְּסִילתְּבוּנָהin understain understandinתְּבוּנָהכִּיthatthatכִּיאִםexceptexceptאִםגָּלָהin revealinin revealing itגָּלָהלֵבheart hisheart hisלֵבכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדיְקָרpreciousnepreciousnessיְקָראִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁעֶרְוָהnakednessnakednessעֶרְוָהגּוֹלָהcaptivitycaptivityגּוֹלָהחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵר
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 18:2

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.

not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
יַחְפֹּ֣ץyach.Potz he delights H2654 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Amplified meaning
take pleasure, be pleased
Tyndale gloss
to delight in
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָפֵץ (chaphets) is a Hebrew verb meaning to delight in or take pleasure in something. It can refer to both human desire and divine pleasure, indicating a sense of inclination or favor. The word is also noted to mean to bend down, though this usage is rare. The entries suggest a range of meanings focused on desire and pleasure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָפֵץ vb. delight in

base

[חָפַץ] vb. bend down—only Qal Jb 40:17

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2654a חָפֵץ delight in H2654b חָפֵץ bend down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2654 chaphets khaw-fates'

a primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication

(literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased

with, desire:--X any at all, (have, take) delight, desire,

favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will,

would.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָפֵץ (cha.phets) — to delight in.

1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with

1a) (Qal)

1a1) of men

1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in

1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do

1a2) of God

1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in

1a2b) to be pleased to do

חָפַץ (ch.ph) — to sway.

1) to move, bend down

1a) (Qal) to bend down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
כְּ֭סִילKe.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
stupid, foolish, 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

not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
בִּתְבוּנָ֑הbit.vu.Nah in understanding H8394 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tabún means understanding or intelligence, implying skill or insight. It is translated as discretion, reason, or wisdom in the KJV Bible, referring to the act or faculty of understanding.
Amplified meaning
insight, wisdom, discretion
Tyndale gloss
understanding
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תְּבוּנָה (tebunah) means understanding and encompasses intelligence, skill, and insight. It can refer to both the act of understanding and the faculty itself, as well as the object of knowledge. The term is personified as a teacher in some contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תְּבוּנָה n.f. understanding

the act

the faculty

the object of knowledge

personified as teacher.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8394 תְּבוּנָה understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8394 tabuwn taw-boon'

and (feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah

{to-boo-naw'}; from 995; intelligence; by implication, an

argument; by extension, caprice:--discretion, reason,

skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.

see HEBREW for 0995

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תְּבוּנָה (ta.vu.nah) — understanding.

1) understanding, intelligence

1a) the act of understanding

1a1) skill

1b) the faculty of understanding

1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight

1c) the object of knowledge

1d) teacher (personification)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
כִּ֝֗יKi that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Amplified meaning
exclusively
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
אִֽם־'im- except H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹתbe.hit.ga.Lot in revealing itself H1540 Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct common
186× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Amplified meaning
expressing, revealing
Tyndale gloss
to reveal: reveal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word גָּלָה (galah) is a primitive root meaning to uncover or remove, with implications of revealing, disclosing, or going into exile. It encompasses various forms, including reflexive and passive uses, and can refer to both physical uncovering and metaphorical revelation. The word is notably associated with disgraceful exposure and the act of exile.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּלָה 189 vb. uncover, remove

Qal

uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him

intr. remove, depart

go into exile

Niph.

refl.

uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)

discover or shew oneself

pass.

be uncovered (one’s nakedness)

be disclosed, discovered

be removed

Pi.

uncover

disclose, discover, lay bare

make known, shew, reveal

Pu. be uncovered

Hiph. carry away into exile, take into exile

Hoph. carried into exile

Hithp.

was uncovered (naked)

that his heart may reveal itself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1540 גָּלָה uncover, remove .. uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him

. intr. remove, depart

. go into exile

. . refl. . uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)

. discover or shew oneself

. pass. . be uncovered (one’s nakedness)

. be disclosed, discovered

. be removed

. . uncover

. disclose, discover, lay bare

. make known, shew, reveal

. be uncovered

. carry away into exile, take into exile

. carried into exile

. . was uncovered (naked)

. that his heart may reveal itself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1540 galah gaw-law'

a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful

sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually

stripped); figuratively, to reveal:--+ advertise, appear,

bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity),

depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly,

publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell,

uncover.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶגְלָם (ga.lah) — Heglam.

A man of the tribe of Benjamin living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.7;

son of: Ehud (H0164);

brother of: Naaman (H5283J), Ahijah (H0281K), Uzza (H5798H) and Ahihud (H0284); also called Heglam (KJV: "removed"; NIV: "deported") at 1Ch.8.7;

Another name of ge.ra (גֵּרָא "Gera" H1617J)

to reveal oneself

גָּלָה (ga.lah) — to reveal: reveal.

: reveal[information]

1) to uncover, remove

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to uncover

1a2) to remove, depart

1a3) to go into exile

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) (reflexive)

1b1a) to uncover oneself

1b1b) to discover or show oneself

1b1c) to reveal himself (of God)

1b2) (passive)

1b2a) to be uncovered

1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered

1b2c) to be revealed

1b3) to be removed

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to uncover (nakedness)

1c1a) nakedness

1c1b) general

1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare

1c3) to make known, show, reveal

1d) (Pual) to be uncovered

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct common
HR/Vtcc
not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his
לִבּֽוֹ׃li.Bo heart his H3820 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Amplified meaning
thoughts, heart's desires, own mind
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

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

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

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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