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Proverbs 23:9 — Word Study

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WLCבְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־ תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־ יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃

BSADo notʼal [refrain from, let not be] speakdâbar to a foolkᵉçîyl [stupid person, one who rejects God] forkîy he will despisebûwz [hold in contempt, scorn] the wisdomsekel [understanding, prudence] of your wordsmillâh [speech, utterance]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 23
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (mi.Lei.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 23:9quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse advises against speaking to a fool, as they will disregard the wisdom in your words.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, addressing the reader.
Where we areA warning about the futility of sharing wisdom with those who reject it.
The hard wordכְּסִיל
Take awayWisdom is wasted on those who do not value it.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbדָבַר 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 23:9

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 and Foolishnessgenerated

8You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.

Proverbs 23:9 warns against engaging with fools, suggesting that they will not appreciate the wisdom shared with them. This follows a broader theme in Proverbs, where wisdom is often contrasted with foolishness, highlighting the importance of discernment in communication. The surrounding verses emphasize the consequences of sharing valuable insights with those who cannot recognize their worth.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 9:7–8He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
2Proverbs 26:4–5Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
3Isaiah 36:21But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
4Matthew 7:6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
5Acts 13:45–46But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.

The Key Word כְּסִיל, Khe.silgenerated

The Hebrew word כְּסִיל (*khe.sil*) describes a fool, someone characterized by a lack of wisdom and understanding. This term is often used to refer to those who reject God's wisdom, and it carries a connotation of silliness or arrogance. The parsing indicates that it is an adjective, which emphasizes the nature of the person being described.

In this verse, the focus is on the futility of speaking to such a person, as they are likely to scorn the wisdom offered. The use of this word serves as a caution against wasting one's efforts on those who are unwilling to listen or learn.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that the verse conveys a warning against speaking to a fool.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is תְּדַבֵּ֑ר, you speak, which is accompanied by a conditional clause introduced by אַל, may not, indicating prohibition. The structure highlights the relationship between the act of speaking and the character of the fool.

The syntax emphasizes that the speaker should refrain from engaging with the fool, as the subsequent clause explains the reason: כִּי־ יָ֝ב֗וּז, for he will despise. This arrangement underscores the cautionary nature of the advice.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates כְּסִיל as ἄφρονος (*aphronos*), which also means 'foolish' or 'unwise.' This choice indicates a consistent understanding of the term's connotation in both Hebrew and Greek contexts.

The Greek word μυκτηρίσῃ is used for 'he will despise,' suggesting a similar disdainful attitude towards wisdom, reinforcing the message of the original Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 23:9 advises not to speak to a fool because they will not value the wisdom in your words. This verse highlights the importance of choosing wisely whom to share insights with, as some people are not receptive to understanding.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to speak to a fool?

To speak to a fool means to engage with someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often resulting in wasted effort.

Why should we avoid speaking to fools?

We should avoid speaking to fools because they are likely to disregard and scorn the wisdom we offer, making the conversation unproductive.

How can we identify a fool?

A fool is often identified by their rejection of wisdom and understanding, as well as their foolish behavior.

What is the significance of wisdom in this verse?

Wisdom is portrayed as valuable and worthy of respect, and sharing it with those who appreciate it is encouraged, while avoiding those who do not is advised.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I tried to share wisdom with someone who did not value it?
  2. How can I discern when it is better to remain silent rather than engage with someone who is foolish?
  3. What are some examples of wisdom that I have found valuable in my own life?
  4. How can I encourage others to seek wisdom instead of foolishness?

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

Early commentators, such as Bede, connect this verse to similar teachings about not wasting valuable insights on those who cannot appreciate them.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Do not speak in the ears of fools, etc. This is similar to that of the Gospel, Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, etc. (Matthew 7:6).
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 23 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 23:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Speak not in the ears of a fool,.... For it is only beating the air, and speaking to the wind; it is casting pearls before swine, and that which is holy to dogs.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 23 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. Speak not (namely, wise words) in the ears of a fool - such as the miserly host just described (Proverbs 23:6-8; Proverbs 9:8).

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 23 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Speak not in the ears of a fool; cast not away good counsels upon obstinate and incorrigible sinners. We have the same advice given . He will despise the wisdom of thy words; he will scornfully reject thy wise and good admonitions.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 23 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.Ver. 9. Speak not in the ears of a fool.] That is, of a wilful fool, that seldom asketh council, but never followeth any, as it is said of James, King of Scotland. Daniel’ s History.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 23 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Speak not in the ears of a fool.—Do not waste thy time in explaining matters to him. A fool.—A dull, stupid person. (Comp. Proverbs 1:22.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 23 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The “fool” here is one willfully and persistently deaf to it, almost identical with the scorner.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 23 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9. Speak not in the ears of a fool — Compare Matthew 7:6 : “Cast [not] ye your pearls before swine.” Waste not your time in talking to him who despises all you say. Compare Proverbs 9:8.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 23 →

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

Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Speak not in the hearing of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not speak in the ears of a fool, || For he treads on the wisdom of your words.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Speak not before the ears of a fool; for he will despise the intelligence of thy words.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Don't talk to stupid people because they'll ridicule your wise words.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Say nothing in the hearing of a foolish man, for he will put no value on the wisdom of your words.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּin.[the]noun phraseאָזְנֵ֣יearsכְ֭סִילof.a.fooladverbialאַלdo.notverbתְּדַבֵּ֑רspeakכִּֽי(dm)clauseverbיָ֝ב֗וּזhe.will.despiseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ(to).thenoun phraseשֵׂ֣כֶלinsightnoun phraseמִלֶּֽיyour.wordsךָyour

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, "בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־ תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־ יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃" which translates to, "Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning and intent, as it closely matches the Hebrew wording in a word-for-word format, indicating a shared understanding of the verse's message. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, reinforcing the consistency of this teaching across these ancient witnesses.

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

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־ תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־ יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּאָזְנֵ֣יὦταכְ֭סִילἄφρονοςאַל־μηδὲνתְּדַבֵּ֑רλέγεכִּֽי־μήποτεיָ֝ב֗וּזμυκτηρίσῃלְשֵׂ֣כֶלσυνετοὺςמִלֶּֽיךָ׃σου

8 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 23:9אֹ֫זֶןin [the] eain [the] ears oאֹ֫זֶןכְּסִילa foola foolכְּסִילאַלmay notmay notאַלדָבַרyou speakyou speakדָבַרכִּיforforכִּיבּוּזhe will deshe will despiseבּוּזשֵׂ֫כֶל[the] insig[the] insight oשֵׂ֫כֶלמִלָּהwords yourwords yourמִלָּהאָזַןto listento listenאָזַןכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלשָׂכַלbe prudentbe prudentשָׂכַלמָלַלto speakto speakמָלַללֹאnotnotלֹאתְּנוּךְlobelobeתְּנוּךְנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהאִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעאַהֲבָהloveloveאַהֲבָהבִּינָהunderstandunderstandingבִּינָהחֵןfavorfavorחֵןאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶר
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 23:9

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.

in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
בְּאָזְנֵ֣יbe.'a.ze.Nei in [the] ears of H241 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
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.
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
HR/Ncfdc — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
HR/Ncfdc
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…

in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
כְ֭סִילKhe.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 person, one who rejects God
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

in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
refrain from, let not be
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
תְּדַבֵּ֑רte.da.Ber you speak H1696 Verb · Piel · jussive second person masculine singular
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Juss-2ms — Verb · Piel · jussive second person masculine singular
HVpj2ms
in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
כִּֽי־ki- for 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'.
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
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
יָ֝ב֗וּזya.Vuz he will despise H936 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To despise or hold in contempt is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which is used in the Bible to describe showing disrespect or disdain for someone or something, as seen in Proverbs. It can also mean to consider something insignificant. This term is translated as contemn or despise in the KJV Bible.
Amplified meaning
hold in contempt, scorn
Tyndale gloss
to despise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוּז (buwz) is a primitive root meaning to despise or hold in contempt. The entries consistently emphasize its connotation of disrespect and insignificance, particularly in the Qal form, which denotes a straightforward act of disdain. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בּוּז] vb. despise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H936 בּוּז

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

936 buwz booz

a primitive root; to disrespect:--contemn, despise, X

utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוּז (buz) — to despise.

1) to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant

1a) (Qal) to despise, show despite toward

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
לְשֵׂ֣כֶלle.Se.khel [the] insight of H7922 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means understanding or intelligence, implying success. It involves prudence and insight, as seen in Proverbs. It can also mean cunning or craft.
Amplified meaning
understanding, prudence
Tyndale gloss
understanding
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׂ֫כֶל (sekel) refers to intelligence and understanding, encompassing concepts like prudence, insight, and wisdom. It can imply success and good sense, but also has a negative connotation of cunning or craftiness. The term appears in contexts that highlight its importance in decision-making and discernment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל n.m. prudence, insight

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7922 שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7922 sekel seh'-kel

or sekel {say'-kel}; from 7919; intelligence; by implication,

success:--discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense,

understanding, wisdom, wise.

see HEBREW for 07919

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׂ֫כֶל (se.khel) — understanding.

1) prudence, insight, understanding

1a) prudence, good sense

1b) insight, understanding

1c) cunning, craft (bad sense)

Aramaic equivalent: sokh.le.ta.nu (שׇׂכְלְתָנוּ "insight" H7924)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in [the] ears of a fool may not you speak for he will despise [the] insight of words your
מִלֶּֽיךָ׃mi.Lei.kha words your H4405 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a word or speech, and can also refer to a topic or subject. It's used in the Bible to describe what people say or talk about.
Amplified meaning
speech, utterance
Tyndale gloss
speech
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִלָּה (millah) means 'word' or 'speech' and can refer to a discourse or topic. It is derived from a root that suggests collective speech or utterance. The term encompasses various forms of communication, including answers and by-words. The Aramaic equivalent is also מִלָּה.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִלָּה n.f. word, speech, utterance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4405 מִלָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4405 millah mil-law'

from 4448 (plural masculine as if from milleh {mil-leh'}; a

word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic:--+

answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to

speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.

see HEBREW for 04448

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִלָּה (mil.lah) — speech.

word, speech, utterance

Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
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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