Proverbs 18:9 — Word Study
WLCגַּ֭ם מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ אָ֥ח ה֝֗וּא לְבַ֣עַל מַשְׁחִֽית׃
BSAWhoevergam is slothfulrâphâh [extremely, exceedingly, slack, lazy, remiss] in his workmᵉlâʼkâh [occupation, employment, labor] is brotherʼâch [close relative, friend, companion] to himbaʻal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּ֭ם | also | Adverb |
| מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה | [one who] shows himself idle | Verb, Hithpael, participle (active) masculine singular |
| בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ | in work his | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אָ֥ח | [is] a brother | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| ה֝֗וּא | he | Pronoun |
| לְבַ֣עַל | of a master of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| מַשְׁחִֽית׃ | destruction | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. |
| KJV | He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. |
| ASV | He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer. |
| YLT | He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer. |
| WEB | One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. |
| BBE | He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction. |
All translations agree on the meaning of slothfulness and its consequences.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a predicate that connects slothfulness to destruction.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
verbרָפָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 18:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Work and Diligencegenerated
Proverbs 18:9 presents a stark warning about the consequences of laziness in one's work. The verse emphasizes that being slothful is not just a personal failing but aligns one with those who cause destruction. This theme resonates throughout the book of Proverbs, where diligence is consistently praised and laziness condemned, as seen in Proverbs 10:4 and Proverbs 24:30-34.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:4 | Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. |
| 2 | Proverbs 23:20–21 | Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. |
| 3 | Proverbs 24:30–34 | I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. |
| 4 | Matthew 25:26 | ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. |
| 5 | Romans 12:11 | Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה, mit.ra.Pehgenerated
The word מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה (mitra.Peh) is a Hithpael participle, indicating an active state of being idle or slack. It conveys a sense of relaxation or letting go, suggesting a failure to engage in necessary work.
This term captures the essence of someone who is not just lazy but actively shows idleness in their responsibilities, aligning them closely with destructive behavior.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the core message of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around a finite verb, מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה, is slothful, which governs the subject and predicate. The subject is implied as 'whoever', and the predicate describes the relationship to destruction.
The syntax highlights the contrast between the slothful worker and the one who destroys, illustrating the consequences of negligence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה is rendered with a form that conveys a similar meaning of idleness. This choice indicates a consistent understanding of the relationship between laziness and destruction.
The Greek translation maintains the essence of the Hebrew, reinforcing the idea that slothfulness leads to ruin.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 18:9 warns that being lazy in work makes one similar to a destroyer. This verse teaches the importance of diligence and the negative outcomes of neglecting responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being slothful means showing idleness or lack of effort in one's responsibilities, which can lead to negative consequences.
Laziness can result in neglecting important tasks, which may lead to ruin or failure in various aspects of life.
This proverb teaches the value of hard work and the dangers of being complacent or negligent in our duties.
Yes, verses like Proverbs 10:4 and Proverbs 24:30-34 also address the consequences of laziness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life am I being slothful, and how can I address that?
- How can I encourage others to be diligent in their work?
- What are some practical steps I can take to avoid laziness?
- How does this proverb challenge my understanding of work and responsibility?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, noting that laziness in work reflects the actions of a destroyer, emphasizing the importance of diligence.
He who is lazy and slack in his work, etc. Because he who does not strictly follow through with good beginnings imitates the hand of a destroyer through the laziness of negligence.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 18:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe also that is slothful in his work,.... Remiss in it; hangs down his hands, and does not care to make use of them, but neglects his business: is brother to him that is a great waster: a prodigal
Read John Gill on Proverbs 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey are alike; though they take several paths, yet both come to one end, even to extreme want and poverty.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.Ver. 9. He also that is slothful in his work.] As he must needs be that goes peddling about with tales, and buzzing evil reports into the ears of those that will hear them. See 1 Timothy 5:3, with the note there. Lata negligentia dolus est, saith the civilian. Is brother to him that is a great waster.] Est frater Domini disperditionis, will as certainly come to poverty as the greatest waster of good. A man dies no less surely, though not so suddenly, of a consumption than of an apoplexy.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) He also that is slothful in his work.—Whatsoever it may be that is committed to his care, is “brother to him that is a great waster,” or “destroyer “; neglect of duty causes almost as much mischief in life as active wickedness.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. He also that is slothful] A slothful man neglects his work, and the materials go to ruin: the waster, he destroys the materials. They are both destroyers.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. a great waster] Lit. a master of laying waste, or destroying; a destroyer, R.V. Comp. for a similar sentiment, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad,” Matthew 12:30.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 18 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9. He… is brother — Both courses lead to the same end, poverty; the one does not make what he ought, and the other destroys what is made. Great waster — Literally, master of destruction; destroyer. Comp. Proverbs 28:24.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
Tyndale line
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
Strictly literal
He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
He also that is remiss in his work, || He [is] a brother to a destroyer.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
From the Latin
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
Simplified
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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.
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 largely agree in their wording, with five of the seven words matched. The Septuagint's phrasing reflects the same concepts, though its word order differs.
גַּ֭ם מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ אָ֥ח ה֝֗וּא לְבַ֣עַל מַשְׁחִֽית׃
5 of the 7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 18:9
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.
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.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
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.
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
DirObjM — AdverbHD
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.'
רָפָה (raphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to slacken or relax. It encompasses a range of actions including sinking down, abating, and withdrawing. The word can be used in various forms, such as causing something to drop or refraining from action. It appears in different contexts, indicating both literal and figurative meanings.
רָפָה vb. sink, relax
Qal
sink down
sink, drop
sink, relax, abate
relax, withdraw
Niph. idle
Pi. causat.: let wings drop
Hiph. causat.
let drop
let go
refrain
Hithp. hast shewn thyself slack
base
H7503 רָפָה sink, relax .. sink down
. sink, drop
. sink, relax, abate
. relax, withdraw
. idle
. causat.: let wings drop
. causat. . let drop
. let go
. refrain
. hast shewn thyself slack
7503 raphah raw-faw'
a primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal
or figurative):--abate, cease, consume, draw (toward
evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle,
leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be
slothful, (be) weak(-en). See 7495.
see HEBREW for 07495
רָפָה (ra.phah) — to slacken.
1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sink down
1a2) to sink, drop
1a3) to sink, relax, abate
1a4) to relax, withdraw
1b) (Niphal) idle (participle)
1c) (Piel) to let drop
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake
1d2) to let go
1d3) to refrain, let alone
1d4) to be quiet
1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
V-Hithpael — Verb · Hithpael · participle (active) masculine singularHVtrmsa
In Mt 12:36, means empty and fruitless. The "idle word" which Christ condemns, is a word morally useless and evil.
מְלָאכָה (mla'kah) refers to work or occupation, encompassing various aspects such as business, craftsmanship, and service. It can denote both the act of working and the products resulting from labor. The term also extends to public and political business. There is a slight variation in emphasis among lexicons, with some highlighting its non-servile nature.
מְלָאכָה 167 n.f. occupation, work
occupation, business
property in which one is occupied
work as something done or made
workmanship
service, use
public business
base
H4399 מְלָאכָה occupation, work . occupation, business
. property in which one is occupied
. work as something done or made
. workmanship
. service, use
. public business
4399 mla'kah mel-aw-kaw'
from the same as 4397; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry;
generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or
concretely); also property (as the result of
labor):--business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation,
(+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of)
work((-man), -manship).
see HEBREW for 04397
מְלָאכָה (me.la.khah) — work.
1) occupation, work, business
1a) occupation, business
1b) property
1c) work (something done or made)
1d) workmanship
1e) service, use
1f) public business
1f1) political
1f2) religious
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
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.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
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
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
bruth'-er ('ach; adelphos = kin by birth, from the same parents or parent): Used extensively in both Old Testament and New Testament of other relations and relationships, and expanding under Christ's teaching to include the universal brotherhood of man. Chiefly employed in the natural sense, as of Cain and Abel (Ge 4:8); of Joseph and his brethren (Ge 42:3); of Peter and Andrew, of James and John (Mt 10:2). Of other relationships:
(1) Abram's nephew, Lot, is termed "brother" (Ge 14:14);
(2) Moses' fellow-countrymen are "brethren" (Ex 2:11; Ac 3:22; compare
Brother
(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt. 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen. 13:8; 14:16; Matt. 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt. 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:5).
The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as, Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew, (Genesis 13:8; 14:16) husband, (Solomon 4:9) One of the same tribe. (2 Samuel 19:13) Of the same people, (Exodus 2:11) or even of a cognate people. (Numbers 20:14) An ally. (Amos 1:9) Any friend, (Job 5:15) One of the same office. (1 Kings 9:13) A fellow man. (Leviticus 19:17) Metaphorically of any similarity, as in (
Signifies in Scripture the son of the same parent or parents, Mt 1:2 Lu 6:14; a cousin or near kinsman, Ge 13:8 14:16 Joh 7:3 Ac 1:14; one of the same stock or country, Mt 5:47 Ac 3:22 Heb 7:5; a fellow-man, and equal, Mt 5:23 7:3; one beloved, 2Sa 1:26; Christians, as sons of God, Ac 9:30 11:29. In
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
HPp3ms — PronounHPp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
בַּעַל (ba`al) means owner or lord, and can refer to a husband, citizens, or rulers. It is derived from a root meaning 'to own' and is used in various contexts, including relationships and leadership. The term also appears as a divine name, Baal, in the Old Testament.
בַּעַל 166 n.m. owner, lord
owner
husband
citizens, inhabitants
rulers, lords
n. of relation
Esp. lord, specif. as divine name, Baal.
base
H1167 בַּעַל owner, lord . owner
. husband
. citizens, inhabitants
. rulers, lords
. n. of relation
1167 ba`al bah'-al
from 1166; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively)
owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this
latter sense):--+ archer, + babbler, + bird, captain, chief
man, + confederate, + have to do, + dreamer, those to whom it
is due, + furious, those that are given to it, great, + hairy,
he that hath it, have, + horseman, husband, lord, man, +
married, master, person, + sworn, they of.
see HEBREW for 01166
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master.
: master/leader
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: husband.
: husband/groom
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: men.
: men/comrades
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: owning.
: owning/having
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: [master of].
: [master_of](DESCRIPTOR)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַשְׁחִית (mashchiyth) refers to ruin or destruction. It is derived from the root meaning to destroy and can denote both literal destruction and figurative corruption. The entries consistently emphasize its association with destructive outcomes.
מַשְׁחִית n.[m.] ruin, destruction
base
H4889 מַשְׁחִית ruin, destruction
4889 mashchiyth mash-kheeth'
from 7843; destructive, i.e. (as noun) destruction, literally
(specifically a snare) or figuratively
(corruption):--corruption, (to) destroy(-ing), destruction,
trap, X utterly.
see HEBREW for 07843
מַשְׁחִית (mash.chit) — destruction.
ruin, destruction
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.
Destruction
In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.
