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Proverbs 26:27 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכֹּֽרֶה־ שַּׁ֭חַת בָּ֣הּ יִפֹּ֑ל וְגֹ֥לֵ֥ל אֶ֝בֶן אֵלָ֥יו תָּשֽׁוּב׃

BSAHe who digskârâh [to excavate, pierce] a pitshachath [a grave, destruction] will fallnâphal [to be defeated, come to ruin] and he who rollsgâlal [to move in a rolling motion] a stoneʼeben [a rock, a weight] will have it roll backshûwb [to return, turn back] on himʼêl [toward himself, against him]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 26
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 27 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 (ta.Shuv) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 26:27quick helps
In a sentenceThe one who digs a pit for others will find themselves in it, and the one who rolls a stone will have it return upon them.
Who is speakingThe wise teacher, warning against the dangers of deceit and treachery.
Where we areIn a series of proverbs about the consequences of wickedness and deceit.
The hard wordכֹּֽרֶה־
Take awayThe actions we take against others can often backfire.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbכָּרָה 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 26:27

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 — Consequences of Wickednessgenerated

25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

Proverbs 26:27 warns that those who plot harm against others will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the nature of deceitful behavior and the inevitable downfall that follows. It reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on moral order and justice, where the wicked are ensnared by their own schemes, as also seen in Proverbs 28:10 and Psalm 7:15-16.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 28:10He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
2Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
3Psalm 7:15–16He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.
4Psalm 9:15The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
5Psalm 10:2In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word כֹּֽרֶה־, ko.re.ho.Sha-generated

The word כֹּֽרֶה־ (ko.re.ho.Sha-) is a participle form of the verb כָּרָה (ka.rah), meaning 'to dig' or 'to excavate'. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, often implying a sense of plotting or scheming against someone.

In this verse, it indicates the active role of a person who is digging a pit, suggesting intent and premeditation. The participial form emphasizes ongoing action, highlighting the continuous nature of such treachery.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that the one who digs a pit will fall into it, maintaining the core meaning of the original Hebrew.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The sentence structure centers around two main clauses connected by 'and'. The finite verbs are יִפֹּ֑ל (he will fall) and תָּשֽׁוּב (it will return), each governing their respective phrases.

The first clause describes the action of digging a pit and the resulting consequence, while the second clause describes rolling a stone and its repercussions. This parallel structure emphasizes the reciprocal nature of actions and consequences.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שַּׁ֭חַת as βόθρον (bóthron), which means 'pit'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew, maintaining the imagery of a pit as a place of downfall.

The use of ἐμπεσεῖται for יִפֹּ֑ל suggests a similar understanding of falling into danger, reinforcing the theme of self-inflicted consequences.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 26:27 teaches that those who try to harm others will end up facing the consequences of their actions. If someone digs a pit for someone else, they will fall into it themselves, and if they roll a stone, it will roll back on them.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to dig a pit?

To dig a pit means to create a trap or a scheme to harm someone, often leading to one's own downfall.

How can rolling a stone relate to consequences?

Rolling a stone symbolizes taking actions that may seem harmless but can backfire, causing harm to the one who initiated the action.

What is the overall message of this proverb?

The overall message is that treachery and deceit often lead to self-destruction, emphasizing the moral principle that one reaps what they sow.

Are there other verses that convey a similar message?

Yes, similar themes can be found in other proverbs, such as Proverbs 28:10 and Psalm 7:15-16, which also highlight the consequences of wicked actions.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I might unintentionally dig a pit for myself or others?
  2. How can I ensure my actions do not come back to harm me?
  3. What lessons can I learn from the consequences faced by those who act deceitfully?
  4. In what ways can I promote honesty and integrity in my interactions with others?

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

Early church fathers referenced this verse to illustrate the principle that those who plot against others will ultimately face their own downfall.

John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF John 51 c. 347–407
“He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it.” And this happened even then. For they wished to destroy [Jesus] in order to suppress his preaching, but just the opposite took place.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 26 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 26:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein,.... That devises mischief against others, it shall come upon himself.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 26 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 26 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whoso diggeth a pit, that another may fall into it. It is a metaphor from hunters, who used to dig deep pits, and then to cover them slightly with earth, that wild beasts passing that way might fall into them, and sometimes in the heat of pursuit fell into them themselves. That rolleth a stone, to wit, up the hill, with design to do mischief to some person or thing with it.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 26 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.Ver. 27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall thereinto.] This is the same with Psalms 7:15, from which it seems to be taken; Heathen writers have many proverbs to like purpose. See Erasm. Chiliad. And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.] Cardinal Benno relates a memorable story of Pope Hildebrand, or Gregory VII, that he hired a base fellow to lay a great stone upon a beam in the church where Henry IV, the emperor, used to pray, and so to lay it that it might fall as from the top of the church upon the emperor’ s head, and kill him. But while this wretch was attempting to do…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 26 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein,—A simile taken from hunters making pits as traps for wild animals. The same doctrine of retribution being brought upon the sinner’s head by God the righteous Judge is taught in Psalms 7:11, sqq.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 26 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 27. Whoso diggeth a pit] See Clarke on Psalms 7:15. There is a Latin proverb like this: Malum consilium consultori pessimum, "A bad counsel, but worst to the giver." Harm watch; harm catch.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 26 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Rolleth a stone - The illustration refers, probably, to the use made of stones in the rough warfare of an earlier age. Compare Judges 9:53; 2 Samuel 11:21. The man is supposed to be rolling the stone up to the heights.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 26 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

27. Diggeth a pit — That is, with evil intent. Shall fall therein — There are many facts illustrative of this proverb. Wicked men often involve themselves in the mischief they intend for others.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 26 →

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

He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone – it will come back on him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Whoever is digging a pit falls into it, || And the roller of a stone, it turns to him.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who makes a hole in the earth will himself go falling into it: and on him by whom a stone is rolled the stone will come back again.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbכֹּֽרֶה[one.who].digsobjectשַּׁ֭חַתa.pitprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּ֣inהּitverbיִפֹּ֑לhe.will.fallוְandclauseclauseverbגֹ֥לֵ֥ל[one.who].rollsobjectאֶ֝בֶןa.stoneclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵלָ֥יtoוhimverbתָּשֽׁוּבit.will.return

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 on the wording of this verse, with six out of eight words matched. The Septuagint's structure and articles differ, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.

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

כֹּֽרֶה־ שַּׁ֭חַת בָּ֣הּ יִפֹּ֑ל וְגֹ֥לֵ֥ל אֶ֝בֶן אֵלָ֥יו תָּשֽׁוּב׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שַּׁ֭חַתβόθρονיִפֹּ֑לἐμπεσεῖταιוְגֹ֥לֵ֥לδὲאֶ֝בֶןλίθονאֵלָ֥יוἑαυτὸνתָּשֽׁוּב׃κυλίει

6 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Proverbs 26:27כוּר[one who] d[one who] digsכוּרשַׁ֫חַתa pita pitשַׁ֫חַתהָin itin itהָנָפַלhe will falhe will fallנָפַלגָּלַלand [one whand [one who] rגָּלַלאֶ֫בֶןa stonea stoneאֶ֫בֶןאֶלto himto himאֶלשׁוּבit will retit will returnשׁוּבשׁוּחַto sinkto sinkשׁוּחַפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהשׁוּחָהpitpitשׁוּחָהשַׁ֫חַתpit: gravepit: graveשַׁ֫חַתכוּרto digto digכוּררֶ֫שֶׁתnetnetרֶ֫שֶׁתגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלעֵ֫דֶרflockflockעֵ֫דֶרחֶרְפָּהreproachreproachחֶרְפָּהיָקָרpreciouspreciousיָקָרלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַיִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫השְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹן
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 26:27

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] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
כֹּֽרֶה־ko.re.ho.Sha- [one who] digs H3738 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to dig or pierce, and is used in various contexts, including excavating the earth or plotting against someone, as seen in the stories of Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
to excavate, pierce
Tyndale gloss
to dig
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כוּר (khur) and כָּרָה (ka.rah) are Hebrew roots primarily meaning to dig or excavate. They can also imply figurative actions like plotting. The entries note that כוּר appears in Psalm 22:17, while כָּרָה can refer to digging graves or pits, with a figurative sense related to judgment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כוּר] vb. mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew—only Qal ψ 22:17

ref

כָּרָה vb. dig

Qal dig a grave; a well; a pit

Niph. until the pit be digged of the wicked, fig. of judgment.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3738a כוּר mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew H3738b כָּרָה dig

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3738 karah kaw-raw'

a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot;

generally, to bore or open:--dig, X make (a banquet), open.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כוּר (khur) — to dig.

1) to dig, excavate, dig through, cut

1a) (Qal) to dig

כָּרָה (ka.rah) — to pierce.

1) to pierce, excavate, dig through

1a) (Qal) to dig

1b) (Niphal) to be dug

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
שַּׁ֭חַתSha.chat a pit H7845 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun refers to a pit or grave, and it is often used figuratively to describe destruction or corruption, as seen in Proverbs and other books.
Amplified meaning
a grave, destruction
Tyndale gloss
pit: grave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שַׁ֫חַת (shachath) means 'pit' and is derived from a root that suggests destruction or corruption. It covers a range of meanings including a physical pit, grave, and figuratively, hell or destruction. The entries note its use in contexts related to traps and Sheol, the grave.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁ֫חַת n.f. pit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7845 שַׁ֫חַת pit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7845 shachath shakh'-ath

from 7743; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively,

destruction:--corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit.

see HEBREW for 07743

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — Pit: hell.

Pit, of hell

Another name of she.ol (שְׁאוֹל "Sheol" H7585)

This name means pit, grave

שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — pit: grave.

1) pit, destruction, grave

1a) pit (for catching lions)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The word translates different Hebrew words of which the most important are:

(1) bor, "pit" or "cistern," made by digging, (Ge 37:20); hence, "dungeon" (Jer 38:6, margin "pit");

(2) be'er, "pit" or "well" made by digging (Ge 21:25);

(3) she'ol, generally rendered "hell" in the King James Version (see HELL);

(4) shachath, a pit in the ground to catch wild animals. (1), (2) and (4) above are used metaphorically of the pit of the "grave" or of "sheol" (Ps 28:1; 30:3; Job 33:24). the King James Version sometimes incorrectly renders (4) by "corruption."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Pit

A hole in the ground (Ex. 21:33, 34), a cistern for water (Gen. 37:24; Jer. 14:3), a vault (41:9), a grave (Ps. 30:3). It is used as a figure for mischief (Ps. 9:15), and is the name given to the unseen place of woe (Rev. 20:1, 3). The slime-pits in the vale of Siddim were wells which yielded asphalt (Gen. 14:10).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[HELL]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A reservoir, either natural or artificial, for water. Pits were sometimes used as dungeons, Ge 37:20; Jer 38:6; or being slightly covered, and baited, they served as traps to catch wild beasts, a device which illustrates the plots of designing men and women, Ps 119:85; Pr 22:14; 26:27; Eze 19:4. The word pit is also used to denote the grave, Ps 28:1; 30:3,9; and hell, Re 20:1.

[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
בָּ֣הּbah in it H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
יִפֹּ֑לyi.Pol he will fall H5307 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
435× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Amplified meaning
to be defeated, come to ruin
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fol (vb.): The idea of falling is most frequently expressed in Hebrew by naphal, but also by many other words; in Greek by pipto, and its compounds. The uses of the word in Scripture are very varied. There is the literal falling by descent; the falling of the countenance in sorrow, shame, anger, etc. (Ge 4:5,6); the falling in battle (Ge 14:10; Nu 14:3, etc.); the falling into trouble, etc. (Pr 24:16,17); prostration in supplication and reverence (Ge 17:3; Nu 14:5, etc.); falling of the Spirit of Yahweh (Eze 11:5

[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
וְגֹ֥לֵ֥לve.Go.Lel and [one who] rolls H1556 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'to roll' means to move something in a rolling motion, and it can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in various forms, such as rolling away or rolling down, and is used in different contexts throughout the Bible. This verb can also mean to flow down or to seek occasion.
Amplified meaning
to move in a rolling motion
Tyndale gloss
to roll
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּלַל (galal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to roll, with various nuances including rolling away, rolling down, and rolling together. It appears in different forms, such as Qal (to roll), Niph (to roll up), and Hiphil (to roll away). The word conveys both literal and figurative actions, and its Aramaic equivalent is גְּלָל (H1560).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[גָּלַל] vb. roll, roll away

Qal roll a stone

Niph. roll, roll up or along

Pilp. and I will roll thee down from the rocks

Pō‛al garment rolled (dabbed, rolled over and over) in blood.

Hithpo. roll oneself over and over

Hithpalp. cf. Hithpo.

Hiph. roll away stone from upon mouth of well

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1556 [גָּלַל] roll, roll away

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1556 galal gaw-lal'

a primitive root; to roll (literally or

figuratively):--commit, remove, roll (away, down, together),

run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּלַל (ga.lal) — to roll.

1) to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together

1a) (Qal) to roll

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to roll up

1b2) to flow down

1c) (Pilpel) to roll

1d) (Poal) to be rolled

1e) (Hithpoel) to roll oneself

1f) (Hithpalpel) to roll oneself

1g) (Hiphil) to roll away

Aramaic equivalent: ge.lal (גְּלָל "great" H1560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

of prophecy

Isa 8:1; Jer 36:2; Eze 2:9; 3:1; Zec 5:1

[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
אֶ֝בֶן'E.ven a stone H68 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
273× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Amplified meaning
a rock, a weight
Tyndale gloss
stone: weight
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶ֫בֶן (*eben*) means 'stone' and encompasses various types, including common stones, precious stones, and stones used as weights or tools. It can also refer to metaphorical uses, such as a hardened heart or sinking in water. The entries highlight its physical and symbolic significance, with no notable disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫בֶן 274 n.f. stone

in natural state

stone, as material

precious stone, gen. with modifying word

stone containing metal, = ore

a weight, as orig. stone

plummet

objects like stone

in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

In topogr. terms

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H68 אֶ֫בֶן stone . in natural state

. stone, as material

. precious stone, gen. with modifying word

. stone containing metal, = ore

. a weight, as orig. stone

. plummet

. objects like stone

. in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

. In topogr. terms

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

68 'eben eh'-ben

from the root of 1129 through the meaning to build; a

stone:--+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, (chalk-, hail-,

head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).

see HEBREW for 01129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone.

: stone

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

1e) weight

1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal

1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice

1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines

1i) (simile)

1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness

1i2) strength, firmness, solidity

1i3) commonness

1j) (metaph)

1j1) petrified with terror

1j2) perverse, hard heart

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone: weight.

: weight

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Stone

Stones were commonly used for buildings, also as memorials of important events (Gen. 28:18; Josh. 24:26, 27; 1 Sam. 7:12, etc.). They were gathered out of cultivated fields (Isa. 5:2; comp. 2 Kings 3:19). This word is also used figuratively of believers (1 Pet. 2:4, 5), and of the Messiah (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11, etc.). In…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The allusion in Re 2:17 may be to the practice at the Olympic games of giving the successful competitor a white stone, inscribed with his name and the value of his prize; or to the mode of balloting with black and white stones on the question of the acquittal of an accused person, or his admission to certain privileges; if the stones deposited in the urn by the judges were all white, the decision was favorable. In early ages, flint-stone knives were in common use, instead of steel, Ex 4:25 Jos 5:2.

It was also customary to raise a heap or mound of stones in commemoration of any remarkable event, Ge 31:46 Jos 4:5-7 7:26 8:29…

[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
אֵלָ֥יו'e.Lav to him H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
toward himself, against him
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
[one who] digs a pit in it he will fall and [one who] rolls a stone to him it will return
תָּשֽׁוּב׃ta.Shuv it will return H7725 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Amplified meaning
to return, turn back
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

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Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

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Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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