Menu

Proverbs 28:13 — Word Study

Depth

WLCמְכַסֶּ֣ה פְ֭שָׁעָיו לֹ֣א יַצְלִ֑יחַ וּמוֹדֶ֖ה וְעֹזֵ֣ב יְרֻחָֽם׃

BSAHe who concealskâçâh [hides, covers up] his sinspeshaʻ [transgressions, rebellions against God] will notlôʼ [ever] prospertsâlach [succeed, experience success] but whoever confessesyâdâh [freely, openly, acknowledges, admits guilt] and renounces themʻâzab [forsakes, turns away from] will find mercyrâcham [receive, obtain, compassion, loving-kindness]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 28
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.ru.Cham) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 28:13quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse contrasts the fate of those who hide their sins with those who confess and forsake them.
Who is speakingThe wise teacher, offering guidance on the consequences of sin.
Where we areThis verse is part of a broader discussion on righteousness and the behavior of the wicked.
The hard wordמְכַסֶּ֣ה
Take awayConcealing sin leads to failure, while confession brings mercy.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbכָּסָה 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 28:13

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 — Wisdom on Righteousness and Singenerated

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

Proverbs 28:13 teaches that hiding one's sins results in failure, while confessing and renouncing them leads to mercy. This reflects a broader theme in Proverbs about the importance of honesty and integrity in one's relationship with God and others. The surrounding verses emphasize the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, illustrating the consequences of their actions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
2Proverbs 17:9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
3Genesis 3:12–13And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
4Genesis 4:9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
51 Samuel 15:13–24When Samuel reached him, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you. I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”

The Key Word מְכַסֶּ֣ה, me.kha.Sehgenerated

The word כָּסָה (*kacah*) is a Piel participle, meaning 'to cover' or 'to conceal.' It implies an active role in hiding something, often to protect oneself from consequences. In this verse, it describes a person who actively chooses to hide their transgressions, leading to negative outcomes.

This verb appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where covering is associated with protection or concealment. The act of hiding sins suggests a refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing, which contrasts sharply with the call to confession and repentance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations of this verse are consistent in conveying the central message.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains two main clauses connected by a conjunction: the first clause focuses on the act of concealing sins, while the second contrasts this with the act of confessing and renouncing them. The finite verbs are מְכַסֶּ֣ה and יְרֻחָֽם, indicating the actions of the subjects.

The structure highlights a clear dichotomy: the consequences of hiding versus the benefits of confession. The Hebrew word order emphasizes the actions taken by the subjects, drawing attention to the outcomes of each behavior.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term מְכַסֶּ֣ה is rendered as ἀσέβειαν (asébeian), which translates to 'ungodliness' or 'wickedness.' This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the act of concealing sins as not just a personal failing but a moral and spiritual rebellion against God.

This rendering emphasizes the severity of the act of hiding one's sins, aligning it with a lack of reverence for God, which deepens the understanding of the consequences outlined in the verse.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 28:13 teaches that hiding one's sins will lead to failure, but those who confess and turn away from their wrongdoings will receive mercy. This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and repentance in our relationship with God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to conceal sins?

To conceal sins means to hide or cover up wrongdoing instead of acknowledging it, which ultimately leads to negative consequences.

Why is confession important?

Confession is important because it allows individuals to acknowledge their wrongs, seek forgiveness, and receive mercy from God.

What happens when someone hides their sins?

When someone hides their sins, they will not prosper, as they are avoiding the truth and the consequences of their actions.

How can one find mercy?

One can find mercy by openly confessing their sins and renouncing them, which aligns with God's desire for repentance and forgiveness.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I try to conceal my mistakes instead of confessing them?
  2. How can I practice honesty in my relationships with others and with God?
  3. What steps can I take to renounce behaviors that lead me away from God?
  4. How does understanding God's mercy impact my willingness to confess my sins?

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

Early church fathers have commented on this verse, highlighting the significance of confession and the healing it brings.

Aphrahat the Persian SageDEMONSTRATIONS 7:12 c. 270–345
I address you too, the penitents. You should not keep back from yourselves this means of healing [confession] that has been given you.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 28 →
JeromeLETTER 122.3 c. 347–420
“As confession and beauty are in the sight of God,” so a sinner who confesses his sins and says, “My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness” loses his foul wounds and is made whole and clean.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 28 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 28:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper,.... God may cover a man's sins, and it is an instance of his grace, and it is the glory of it to do it, but a man may not cover his own: it is right in

Read John Gill on Proverbs 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. He that covereth his sins (by denying or extenuating them, 1 Samuel 15:20-21) shall not prosper.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

That covereth his sins; that doth not confess them (as appears by the opposite clause) to God, and to men too, when occasion requires it; that being convinced or admonished of his sins, either justifieth, or denieth, or excuseth them. Shall not prosper; shall not succeed in his design of avoiding punishment by the concealment of his sins; shall not find mercy, as is implied from the next clause. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, by hearty dislike and hatred of all his sins, and by a resolved cessation from a sinful course of life. This is added, to show, that although the dissembling or hiding one’ s sins is sufficient for his damnation, yet mere confession without forsaking of sin is…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 28 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.Ver. 13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.] Sin is a traitor and must not be hid; for if so, now it sucks a man’ s breast, shortly it will suck his blood. Sin is a sore and must be opened, a sickness, and must be declared to the physician; the concealing of one circumstance may endanger all. Sin is a deformity that must be uncovered, or God will never cover it: see it we must to confession, or see it we shall to our confusion. If Job had covered his transgression as Adam - or "after the manner of men" - he had undone himself. It is the manner of men - and they…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) He that covereth his sins.—As Adam and Eve did, when they had transgressed (Genesis 3:8), as David did to his own loss (Psalms 32:3.) Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy, and be at once completely forgiven; though he must still suffer the punishment due for his offences (2 Samuel 12:14, sqq.), and will, for having yielded to temptation, be the less able to resist it when next assailed by it.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 28 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 13. He that covereth his sins] Here is a general direction relative to conversion. 1. If the sinner do not acknowledge his sins; if he cover and excuse them, and refuse to come to the light of God's word and Spirit, lest his deeds should be reproved, he shall find no salvation. God will never admit a sinful, unhumbled soul, into his kingdom. 2. But if he confess his sin, with a penitent and broken heart, and, by forsaking every evil way, give this proof that he feels his own sore, and the plague of his heart, then he shall have mercy. Here is a doctrine of vital importance to the salvation of the soul, which the weakest may understand.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 28 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The conditions of freedom are confession and amendment, confession to God of sins against Him, to men of sins against them.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

13. Covereth… not prosper — See this proverb illustrated in Psalms 32:1-5; 1 John 1:9-10.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 28 →

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 conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He that hideth his sinnes, shall not prosper: but he that confesseth, and forsaketh them, shall haue mercy.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, || And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

He that concealeth his transgressions will not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them will obtain mercy.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.

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 · subjectclauseverbמְכַסֶּ֣ה[one.who].concealsnoun phrase · objectפְ֭שָׁעָיtransgressionsוhisadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיַצְלִ֑יחַhe.will.prosperוּandclausenoun phrase · subjectמוֹדֶ֖ה[one.who].confessesוְandעֹזֵ֣ב[one.who].forsakes.[them]verbיְרֻחָֽםhe.will.be.shown.mercy

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with six of the seven words matching. This consistency suggests a stable transmission of the text, reinforcing the message about the consequences of sin and the importance of confession.

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

מְכַסֶּ֣ה פְ֭שָׁעָיו לֹ֣א יַצְלִ֑יחַ וּמוֹדֶ֖ה וְעֹזֵ֣ב יְרֻחָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
פְ֭שָׁעָיוἀσέβειανלֹ֣אοὐκיַצְלִ֑יחַεὐοδωθήσεταιוּמוֹדֶ֖הδὲוְעֹזֵ֣בἐλέγξουςיְרֻחָֽם׃ἀγαπηθήσεται

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Proverbs 28:13כָּסָה[one who] c[one who] conceכָּסָהפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgressitransgressions פֶּ֫שַׁעלֹאnotnotלֹאצָלַחhe will prohe will prosperצָלַחיָדָהand [one whand [one who] cיָדָהעָזַבand [one whand [one who] fעָזַברָחַםhe will be he will be showרָחַםפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעיָדhandhandיָדכָּשָׂהbe satedbe satedכָּשָׂהשַׂקsackclothsackclothשַׂקעָנָןcloudcloudעָנָןחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהעָוֹןiniquity: iniquity: crimeעָוֹןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדרָRamothRamothרָרוּחַspiritspiritרוּחַהָלַלto shineto shineהָלַלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסהָמָהto roarto roarהָמָה
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 28:13

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] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
מְכַסֶּ֣הme.kha.Seh [one who] conceals H3680 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
152× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cover something means to fill up hollows or hide something from view, as seen in many biblical stories. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, such as to cover oneself with clothing or to conceal something for protection. It can also mean to overwhelm or spread over something.
Amplified meaning
hides, covers up
Tyndale gloss
to cover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כָּסָה] vb. cover

Qal

conceal

pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)

Niph. covered

Pi.

cover, clothe

cover, conceal blood

cover (with covering of protection)

cover, spread over

cover, overwhelm

cover over

Pual.

be covered

be clothed

Hithp. cover, clothe oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal

. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)

. covered

. . cover, clothe

. cover, conceal blood

. cover (with covering of protection)

. cover, spread over

. cover, overwhelm

. cover over

. . be covered

. be clothed

. cover, clothe oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3680 kacah kaw-saw'

a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;

by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad

self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,

overwhelm. Compare 3780.

see HEBREW for 03780

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.

1) to cover, conceal, hide

1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to be covered

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cover, clothe

1c2) to cover, conceal

1c3) to cover (for protection)

1c4) to cover over, spread over

1c5) to cover, overwhelm

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be covered

1d2) to be clothed

1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
HVprmsa
[one who] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
פְ֭שָׁעָיוFe.sha.'av transgressions his H6588 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
93× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Transgression refers to a revolt or rebellion against God or others, resulting in guilt and punishment, as in Genesis 3:6-7. It involves intentional disobedience.
Amplified meaning
transgressions, rebellions against God
Tyndale gloss
transgression
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6588 pesha` peh'-shah

from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or

religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.

see HEBREW for 06586

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.

1) transgression, rebellion

1a1) transgression (against individuals)

1a2) transgression (nation against nation)

1a3) transgression (against God)

1a3a) in general

1a3b) as recognised by sinner

1a3c) as God deals with it

1a3d) as God forgives

1a4) guilt of transgression

1a5) punishment for transgression

1a6) offering for transgression

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/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] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
ever
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[one who] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
יַצְלִ֑יחַyatz.Li.ach he will prosper H6743 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To prosper or succeed, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis, who rose to power in Egypt. This Hebrew word means to push forward and make progress. It is used to describe success and prosperity.
Amplified meaning
succeed, experience success
Tyndale gloss
to rush
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָלַח (tsalach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rush or advance, with a focus on prospering or succeeding. It can refer to both literal and figurative progress, and can be used transitively or intransitively. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including causing prosperity. There is an Aramaic equivalent, צְלַח (tse.lach), which also means to prosper.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָלַח] vb. rush

base

[צָלֵחַ, צָלַח] vb. advance, prosper

Qal prosper

Hiph.

make prosperous, bring to successful issue

shew, experience, prosperity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6743a צָלַח rush H6743b צָלֵחַ, צָלַח advance, prosper

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6743 tsalach tsaw-lakh'

or tsaleach {tsaw-lay'-akh}; a primitive root; to push

forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive

or intransitive):--break out, come (mightily), go over, be

good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to,

send) prosper(-ity, -ous, - ously).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָלַח (tsa.lach) — to rush.

(Qal) to rush

צָלֵחַ (tsa.lech) — to prosper.

1) to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable

1a) (Qal) to prosper

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper

1b2) to show or experience prosperity, prosper

Aramaic equivalent: tse.lach (צְלַח "to prosper" H6744)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
[one who] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
וּמוֹדֶ֖הu.mo.Deh and [one who] confesses H3034 Conjunction · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
114× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To give thanks or praise, originally meaning to throw or cast, like shooting an arrow. In the Bible, it's used to describe worship or confession with extended hands. It appears in Psalms and other books, like 1 Chronicles.
Amplified meaning
freely, openly, acknowledges, admits guilt
Tyndale gloss
to give thanks
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדָה (yadah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast, particularly in the context of shooting arrows or stones. It also encompasses the meanings of giving thanks, praising, and confessing, especially in a ritual context. The word is built from a primitive root and has various forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָדָה] vb. throw, cast

Qal shoot (arrows) at

Pi. and they cast (stones) on me

Hiph.

give thanks, laud, praise

confess

Hithp.

confess

give thanks, in ritual worship

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3034 [יָדָה] throw, cast .shoot (arrows) at

. and they cast (stones) on me

. . give thanks, laud, praise

. confess

. . confess

. give thanks, in ritual worship

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3034 yadah yaw-daw'

a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027;

literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to

throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or

worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by

wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion),

praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).

see HEBREW for 03027

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדָה (ya.dah) — to give thanks.

1) to throw, shoot, cast

1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)

1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise

1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to confess (sin)

1d2) to give thanks

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil — Conjunction · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vhrmsa
[one who] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
וְעֹזֵ֣בve.'o.Zev and [one who] forsakes [them] H5800 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
215× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Amplified meaning
forsakes, turns away from
Tyndale gloss
Forsaken
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָזַב (azab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to leave, forsake, or let loose. It encompasses a range of actions from abandoning or neglecting to setting free. The entries suggest it can also imply restoration or repair, though this aspect is less emphasized. Notably, the term can describe both active and passive states, such as being forsaken or deserted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָזַב 213 vb. leave, forsake, loose

Qal

leave, c. acc.

leave, abandon, forsake

let loose, set free, let go

Niph.

be left to

be forsaken, of house of God

Pu. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

base

[עָזַב] vb. restore, repair (?);—Qal Ne 3:8

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5800a עָזַב leave, forsake, loose .. leave, c. acc.

. leave, abandon, forsake

. let loose, set free, let go

. . be left to

. be forsaken, of house of God

. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city

H5800b עָזַב restore, repair(?)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5800 `azab aw-zab'

a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit,

etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave

(destitute, off), refuse, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: forsake.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — to restore.

1) to restore, repair

1a) (Qal) to repair

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: release.

1) to leave, loose, forsake

1a) (Qal) to leave

1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone

1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise

1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be left to

1b2) to be forsaken

1c) (Pual) to be deserted

עָזַב (a.zav) — Forsaken.

This name means to restore, repair

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: neglect.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vqrmsa
[one who] conceals transgressions his not he will prosper and [one who] confesses and [one who] forsakes [them] he will be shown mercy
יְרֻחָֽם׃ye.ru.Cham he will be shown mercy H7355 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to have compassion or show love, often used to describe God's mercy towards humanity, as seen in the Bible. It involves deep feelings of sympathy and kindness. In the KJV, it is translated as having mercy or pity.
Amplified meaning
receive, obtain, compassion, loving-kindness
Tyndale gloss
to have compassion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָחַם (racham) is a Hebrew verb meaning to love or have compassion. It conveys a sense of deep affection and mercy, applicable to both God and humans. The root emphasizes tenderness and pity, with forms indicating active compassion (Piel) and being shown compassion (Pual). The entries consistently highlight its emotional depth and relational aspect.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָחַם] vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion

Qal I love thee

Pi. have compassion, compassionate

Pu. be shewn compassion, compassionated

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7355 רָחַם vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7355 racham raw-kham'

a primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love,

especially to compassionate:--have compassion (on, upon),

love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon),

(have) pity, Ruhamah, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָחַם (ra.cham) — to have compassion.

1) to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion

1a) (Qal) to love

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to have compassion, be compassionate

1b1a) of God, man

1c) (Pual) to be shown compassion, be compassionate

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVPi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mercy

Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The divine goodness exercised towards the wretched and the guilty, in harmony with truth and justice, Ps 85:10. The plan by which God is enabled to show saving mercy to men, for Christ’s sake, is the most consummate work of infinite wisdom and love. The soul that has truly experienced the mercy of God will be merciful like him, Lu 6:36, compassionate to the wretched, Ps 41:1,2, and forgiving towards all, Mt 5:7 18:33.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning 2Sa 22:26; Ps 18:25; 37:25,26; 85:10; Pr 3:3,4; 11:17; 12:10; 14:21,22,31; 20:28; 21:21; Ho 4:1; 12:6; Mic 6:8; Mt 5:7; 23:23; Lu 6:36; Ro 12:8; Col 3:12,13; Jas 2:13

→ See GOD, MERCY OF

→ See KINDNESS

→ INSTANCES OF

The prison keeper, to Joseph Ge 39:21-23

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- After the example of God

Lu 6:36

- Enjoined

2Ki 6:21-23; Ho 12:6; Ro 12:20,21; Col 3:12

- To be engraved on the heart

Pr 3:3

- Characteristic of saints

Ps 37:26; Isa 57:1

- SHOULD BE SHOWN

. With cheerfulness

Ro 12:8

. To our brethren

Zec 7:9

. to those that are in distress

Lu 10:37

. To the poor

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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate