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Proverbs 21:13 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאֹטֵ֣ם אָ֭זְנוֹ מִזַּעֲקַת־ דָּ֑ל גַּֽם־ ה֥וּא יִ֝קְרָ֗א וְלֹ֣א יֵעָנֶֽה׃

BSAWhoever shutsʼâṭam [stops, closes] his earsʼôzen [ability to hear, listen] to the cryzaʻaq [outcry, shriek] of the poordal [needy, weak, destitute] hehûwʼ [the same person] toogam [also, even] shall cry outqârâʼ [call for help, shout] and receive no answerʻânâh [get, obtain, not any, response, reply]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 21
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 13 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 (ye.'a.Neh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 21:13quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse warns that ignoring the cries of the poor leads to being ignored in one's own time of need.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, addressing moral behavior.
Where we areIn the context of wisdom literature, emphasizing justice and compassion.
The hard wordאֹטֵ֣ם
Take awayThe principle of reciprocity in how we treat others.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָטַם 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 21:13

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Teachings of Proverbsgenerated

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 21:13 addresses the moral obligation to listen to the cries of the needy. It emphasizes that those who refuse to hear the pleas of the poor will find themselves in a similar position when they cry out for help. This teaching aligns with the broader themes in Proverbs about justice, mercy, and the consequences of one's actions, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 58:4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,
2Zechariah 7:11But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
3Acts 7:57At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him.
4Proverbs 28:27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
5Deuteronomy 15:7–11If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.

The Key Word אֹטֵ֣ם, 'o.Temgenerated

The word אֹטֵ֣ם ('o.Tem) is a participle that means 'shuts' or 'closes'. It describes an active state of blocking or stopping something, particularly in the context of hearing. This word is used to illustrate a refusal to listen, especially to the cries of those in need.

As a participle in the active voice, it indicates ongoing action. The use of this word highlights the moral failing of ignoring the plight of the poor, which is a recurring theme in wisdom literature.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the core meaning of the verse, emphasizing the consequences of ignoring the poor.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses, with the first clause introducing the subject who shuts his ears and the second clause detailing the consequence of that action. The finite verbs are אֹטֵ֣ם ('o.Tem) and יִ֝קְרָ֗א (yik.Ra'), indicating the actions of shutting and calling out.

The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between ignoring the cries of the poor and the resulting lack of response when one is in need.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֹטֵ֣ם as σφραγίζων (sphragizō), which means 'to seal' or 'to close off'. This choice suggests a more definitive action of shutting off communication, which may imply a stronger moral condemnation.

The rendering of the poor as πτωχῶν (ptōchōn) aligns with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the needy.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 21:13 teaches that if someone ignores the cries of the poor, they will also find themselves in need and will not be heard. This verse highlights the importance of compassion and justice.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to shut one's ears to the poor?

It means to ignore or refuse to listen to the needs and cries of those who are disadvantaged or in distress.

What is the consequence of ignoring the poor?

The verse warns that those who do not listen to the poor will also find themselves in a position where their own cries for help go unanswered.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Proverbs?

It reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on justice, mercy, and the moral responsibilities individuals have toward one another.

What can we learn from this verse about helping others?

We are encouraged to be attentive and responsive to the needs of others, particularly those who are vulnerable or in need.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I be more attentive to the needs of those around me?
  2. Have I ever ignored someone in need? How did that make me feel?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure I am not shutting my ears to the cries of the poor?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of compassion and justice?

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

Early Church Fathers reflect on this verse to emphasize the moral obligation to care for the poor, highlighting the consequences of neglecting their needs.

CyprianTreatise VIII. On Works and Alms 5 c. 200–258
He will not be able to merit the mercy of God who himself has not been merciful, nor will [he] gain any request from the divine love by his prayers who has not been humane toward the prayer of the poor.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 21 →
Basil of CaesareaON MERCY AND JUSTICE c. 330–379
Benefactions to the needy, financed by unjust gains, are not acceptable with God. Even one who refrains from committing injustices, and yet does not share the goods he possesses with anyone,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 21 →
Cyril of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 103 c. 376–444
Do you not agree that poverty, as I said, is more cruel than any beast of prey? Therefore you must aid those who are fallen under it.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 21 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 21:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,.... For want of bread; or, "of the weak", as the Septuagint and other versions; for want of help and protection, when in the greatest distress; and,

Read John Gill on Proverbs 21 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 21 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, when they cry out by reason of oppression or want, and beg relief from him, he also shall cry himself unto God or men, in his straits which God will bring upon him.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 21 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.Ver. 13. Whoso stoppeth his ear at the cry, &c.] This was fulfilled in Pharaoh; Haman; the rich glutton; Hatto, archbishop of Mentz; Mauricius, the emperor, and many others, who might have better provided for their own comfort in sickness, and other exigencies, had they been more pitiful to poor people. Whereas now, when they shall lie tossing and tumbling upon their sick beds, roaring as bulls, and "tabering upon their breasts," God will not hear them; men will say, It is good enough for them. All hearts, by a divine hand, will be strangely set off from the merciless, as it…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 21 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.—Because he showed no mercy. (Comp. Matthew 5:7; Matthew 18:30; James 2:13.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 21 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 13. Whoso stoppeth his ears] See the conduct of the priest and Levite to the man who fell among thieves; and let every man learn from this, that he who shuts his ear against the cry of the poor, shall have the ear of God shut against his cry. The words are quite plain; there is no difficulty here.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 21 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

13. Whoso stoppeth his ears — Refuseth to listen to entreaty. Shall not be heard — His “cry” shall not be answered. It is implied that this shall happen because of his stopping his ears.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 21 →

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

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore, he shall also cry and not be heard.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, || He also cries, and is not answered.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He whose ears are stopped at the cry of the poor, will himself get no answer to his cry for help.

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.

clauseclauseverbאֹטֵ֣ם[one.who].shutsnoun phrase · objectאָ֭זְנearוֹhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfrom.[the]noun phraseזַּעֲקַתcryדָּ֑לof.[the].poorclauseclausenoun phrase · subjectגַּֽםalsoה֥וּאheverbיִ֝קְרָ֗אhe.will.call.outוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיֵעָנֶֽהhe.will.be.answered

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 generally agree in meaning, with the Septuagint providing a slightly different phrasing but retaining the essential message about the consequences of ignoring the poor.

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

אֹטֵ֣ם אָ֭זְנוֹ מִזַּעֲקַת־ דָּ֑ל גַּֽם־ ה֥וּא יִ֝קְרָ֗א וְלֹ֣א יֵעָנֶֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אָ֭זְנוֹὦταדָּ֑לἀσθενοῦςגַּֽם־καὶה֥וּאαὐτὸςיִ֝קְרָ֗אἐπικαλέσεταιוְלֹ֣אοὐκ

6 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 21:13אטם[one who] s[one who] shutsאטםאֹ֫זֶןear hisear hisאֹ֫זֶןזְעָקָהfrom [the] from [the] cry זְעָקָהדַּל[the] poor[the] poorדַּלגַּםalsoalsoגַּםהוּאheheהוּאקָרָאhe will calhe will call ouקָרָאלֹאand notand notלֹאעוּןhe will be he will be answעוּןאָזַןto listento listenאָזַןזָעַקto cry outto cry outזָעַקדָּלַלto languisto languishדָּלַלעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןפֹּהherehereפֹּהתְּנוּךְlobelobeתְּנוּךְנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהרָעַשׁto shaketo shakeרָעַשׁשֶׁ֫בֶרbreakingbreakingשֶׁ֫בֶרעָשִׁירrichrichעָשִׁיראֶבְיוֹןneedyneedyאֶבְיוֹןתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתצוֹםfastfastצוֹם
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 21:13

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.

[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
אֹטֵ֣ם'o.Tem [one 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
stops, 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
[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
אָ֭זְנוֹ'a.ze.no ear his H241 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
187× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Amplified meaning
ability to hear, listen
Tyndale gloss
ear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹ֫זֶן (*ozen*) means 'ear' and is derived from a root that suggests broadness. It refers to the physical ear as well as the organ of hearing, and can also imply the act of revealing or receiving divine revelation. The term appears in contexts such as Exodus 29:20.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫זֶן 188 n.f. Ex 29:20 ear

ear, as part of body

especially as organ of hearing

open ears of, reveal to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H241 אֹ֫זֶן ear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

241 'ozen o'-zen

from 238; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form

in man):--+ advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, +

show.

see HEBREW for 0238

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear.

: ear

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: hearing.

: hearing

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: to ears.

: to[ears_of](PERSON)

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/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."

[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
מִזַּעֲקַת־mi.za.'a.kat- from [the] cry of H2201 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a loud cry or shriek, often expressing distress, like the outcry in Exodus 2:23. It can also describe a clamor or cry for help. In the Bible, it appears in various forms, such as crying out to God.
Amplified meaning
outcry, shriek
Tyndale gloss
outcry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זְעָקָה (ze'aqah) refers to a cry or outcry, often associated with distress or clamour. It is derived from the root word meaning to cry out, and its usage encompasses various forms of vocal expression, particularly in moments of urgency or need.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זְעָקָה n.f. cry, outcry

outcry, against

cry of distress

outcry, clamour

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2201 זְעָקָה cry, outcry

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2201 za`aq zah'-ak

and (feminine) zoaqah {zeh-aw-kaw'}; from 2199; a shriek or

outcry:--cry(-ing).

see HEBREW for 02199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זְעָקָה (ze.a.qah) — outcry.

1) cry, outcry

1a) outcry

1b) cry of distress

1c) outcry, clamour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
דָּ֑לDal [the] poor H1800 Adj
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Amplified meaning
needy, weak, destitute
Tyndale gloss
poor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word דַּל (dal) is built from the root meaning 'dangling' or 'weak.' It covers a range of meanings including low, weak, poor, and thin, and is particularly noted in wisdom literature and poetry. The entries consistently emphasize its connotations of neediness and weakness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דַּל adj. low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1800 דַּל low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1800 dal dal

from 1809; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or

thin:--lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.

see HEBREW for 01809

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דַּל (dal) — poor.

low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):

I. In the Old Testament.

The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (De 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (De 15:5), and in De 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.

1. The Terms Employed:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Poor

The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19,21).

(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).

(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).

(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27;

Ps 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Ex 23:6 Pr 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Mt 25:42-45 Jas 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mr 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19

[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
גַּֽם־gam- 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, even
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.'

[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
ה֥וּאhu' he H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
the same person
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
יִ֝קְרָ֗אyik.Ra' he will call out H7121 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
call for help, shout
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
וְלֹ֣אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · 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
HC/Tn — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[one who] shuts ear his from [the] cry of [the] poor also he he will call out and not he will be answered
יֵעָנֶֽה׃ye.'a.Neh he will be answered H6030 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
332× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Amplified meaning
get, obtain, not any, response, reply
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּן] vb. dwell

base

עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond

Qal

answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

money meets all demands

specif. respond as a witness, testify

less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

Niph.

make answer

be answered

Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

base

עָנָה vb. sing

Qal sing, utter tunefully

Pi. sing sweetly of it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

. money meets all demands

. . specif. respond as a witness, testify

. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

. . make answer

. be answered

. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

H6030c עָנָה sing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6030 `anah aw-naw'

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,

i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to

begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,

announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),

(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,

hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing

(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

See also 1042, 1043.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 01042

see HEBREW for 01043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּן (un) — to dwell.

(Qal) to dwell

עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.

1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to answer, respond to

1a2) to testify, respond as a witness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to make answer

1b2) to be answered, receive answer

Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.

(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
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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