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Proverbs 29:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאִֽישׁ־ אֹהֵ֣ב חָ֭כְמָה יְשַׂמַּ֣ח אָבִ֑יו וְרֹעֶ֥ה ז֝וֹנ֗וֹת יְאַבֶּד־ הֽוֹן׃

BSAA manʼîysh [lover of wisdom, eager to learn] who lovesʼâhab [has affection for, cherishes] wisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, or good judgment] brings joysâmach [causes to be, results in, rejoicing, gladness] to his fatherʼâb [parent, ancestor] but a companionrâʻâh [friend, associate] of prostituteszânâh [those who fornicate, are unfaithful] squandersʼâbad [wastes, destroys] his wealthhôwn [substance, valuable possessions]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 29
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (Hon) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 29:3quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs teaches that loving wisdom brings joy to one's father, while associating with prostitutes leads to waste.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on the outcomes of different life choices.
Where we areThis verse is part of a series of proverbs contrasting the righteous and the wicked.
The hard wordחָ֭כְמָה
Take awayChoosing wisdom leads to joy, while unwise associations lead to loss.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָהֵב 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 29:3

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 Its Consequencesgenerated

2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Proverbs 29:3 contrasts the outcomes of wisdom and foolishness. The wise man brings joy to his father, indicating that wisdom is valued and leads to positive familial relationships. In contrast, the companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth, suggesting that poor choices lead to loss and regret. This theme of wisdom versus folly is prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs, as seen in Proverbs 10:1 and Proverbs 15:20.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2Proverbs 15:20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
3Proverbs 23:15–24My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice.
4Proverbs 27:11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
5Luke 1:13–17But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חָ֭כְמָה, chokh.mahgenerated

The Hebrew word חָ֭כְמָה (chokmah) refers to wisdom, encompassing skill, prudence, and good judgment. It is a feminine noun, indicating that wisdom is often personified in the scriptures. The root of the word suggests an understanding that leads to practical application in various areas of life, including moral and ethical decisions.

In this verse, wisdom is contrasted with the folly of associating with prostitutes, emphasizing the value of wise choices and their positive outcomes.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The sentence structure is governed by the finite verbs יְשַׂמַּ֣ח and יְאַבֶּד־, which express the actions of the subject. The first clause presents the subject, a man who loves wisdom, and the second clause contrasts this with a companion of prostitutes.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the actions of the wise man first, followed by the consequences of the foolish companion, highlighting the moral lesson.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חָ֭כְמָה as σοφίαν, which also means wisdom. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in both texts.

The Greek word for 'prostitutes' is πόρνας, which carries the same connotation of unfaithfulness and moral decay as the Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 29:3 teaches that a man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, while a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. This verse highlights the value of wisdom and the consequences of poor choices.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to love wisdom?

To love wisdom means to have a deep appreciation and desire for knowledge, understanding, and good judgment, which leads to positive outcomes in life.

How does associating with prostitutes lead to loss?

Associating with prostitutes symbolizes poor choices and moral failure, which can lead to financial ruin and diminished relationships.

What is the significance of a father’s joy?

A father’s joy signifies the positive impact that a wise and virtuous life can have on family relationships, reflecting values that are cherished in the community.

How does this verse relate to other proverbs?

This verse relates to other proverbs that emphasize the benefits of wisdom and the pitfalls of folly, reinforcing the overarching theme of the book.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I seek wisdom in my daily life?
  2. How do my choices reflect my values and the wisdom I pursue?
  3. What relationships in my life encourage me to grow in wisdom?
  4. How can I avoid the pitfalls of poor associations that lead to loss?

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

Clement of Alexandria quotes this verse to illustrate the importance of loving wisdom in preserving moral integrity.

Clement of AlexandriaThe Stromata Book 1 c. 150–215
In my view, the sketch of a soul which yearns to preserve the blessed tradition without losing a single drop runs something like this: “When a man loves wisdom,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 29 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 29:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father,.... He that is a philosopher, especially a religious one, that not only loves and seeks after natural wisdom, but moral wisdom and knowledge; and more

Read John Gill on Proverbs 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Loveth wisdom; and therefore hateth and escheweth all folly and wickedness. Keepeth company with harlots; whereby he plainly discovers himself to want wisdom; of which see , &c. Spendeth his substance; whereby he not only ruineth himself, but also grieveth his father, as is implied from the opposite clause.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.Ver. 3. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father.] But he that keepeth company with harlots.] Those she sinners, as they call them, are costly creatures, and they that keep them care not what cost they cast away upon them.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Whoso loveth wisdom . . .—This verse is illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 29 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. But he that keepeth company] רעה roeh, he that feedeth harlots, יאבד yeabed, shall utterly destroy his substance. Has there ever been a single case to the contrary?

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 29 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. wisdom] regarded, as the second clause of the verse shews, as leading to purity of life. Comp. Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 2:16. spendeth] Rather, wasteth, R.V. ἀπολεῖ, LXX. Comp. διεσκόρπισετὴνοὐσίαναὐτοῦ … ὁκαταφαγώνσουτὸνβίονμετὰτῶνπορνῶν, Luke 15:13; Luke 15:30.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 29 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Spendeth ... - The laws of parallelism would lead us to expect “troubleth his father,” but that is passed over as a thing about which the profligate would not care, and he is reminded of what comes

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 29 →

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

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A man that loueth wisdome, reioyceth his father: but he that feedeth harlots, wasteth his substance.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that is a companion of harlots destroyeth [his] substance.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A man loving wisdom rejoiceth his father, And a friend of harlots destroyeth wealth.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A man loving wisdom makes his father glad, || And a friend of harlots destroys wealth.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The man that loveth wisdom causeth his father to rejoice; but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] wealth.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but he who keeps company with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth bar lots, shall squander away his substance.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

A man who loves wisdom makes his father happy, but one who visits prostitutes throws away his money.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.

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 · subjectאִֽישׁa.personadjective phraseclauseverbאֹהֵ֣ב[who].lovesobjectחָ֭כְמָהwisdomverbיְשַׂמַּ֣חhe.makes.gladnoun phrase · objectאָבִ֑יfatherוhisוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbרֹעֶ֥ה[one.who].associates.withobjectז֝וֹנ֗וֹתprostitutesverbיְאַבֶּדhe.destroysobjectהֽוֹןwealth

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, "A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth." The Septuagint agrees with this verse, matching all nine words in a word-by-word correspondence, though its word order and articles may differ from the Hebrew. There are no significant differences in meaning between these two texts for this verse.

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

אִֽישׁ־ אֹהֵ֣ב חָ֭כְמָה יְשַׂמַּ֣ח אָבִ֑יו וְרֹעֶ֥ה ז֝וֹנ֗וֹת יְאַבֶּד־ הֽוֹן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אִֽישׁ־ἀνδρὸςאֹהֵ֣בφιλοῦντοςחָ֭כְמָהσοφίανיְשַׂמַּ֣חεὐφραίνεταιאָבִ֑יוαὐτοῦוְרֹעֶ֥הδὲז֝וֹנ֗וֹתπόρναςיְאַבֶּד־ἀπολεῖהֽוֹן׃πλοῦτον

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

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


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

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

Proverbs 29:3אִישׁa persona personאִישׁאָהֵב[who] loves[who] lovesאָהֵבחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהשָׂמַחhe makes glhe makes gladשָׂמַחאָבfather hisfather hisאָבבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדand [one whand [one who] aבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדזָנָהprostitutesprostitutesזָנָהאָבַדhe destroyshe destroysאָבַדהוֹןwealthwealthהוֹןחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁההוּןbe readybe readyהוּןאוֹןstrengthstrengthאוֹןרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵאתְּבוּנָהunderstandunderstandingתְּבוּנָהדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתגִּילto rejoiceto rejoiceגִּילשִׂמְחָהjoyjoyשִׂמְחָהקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַראֵםmothermotherאֵםרָבַץto stretchto stretchרָבַץעֵ֫דֶרflockflockעֵ֫דֶראֶתְנַןwageswagesאֶתְנַןזְנוּנִיםfornicatiofornicationזְנוּנִיםתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָה
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 29:3

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.

a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
אִֽישׁ־'ish- a person H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
lover of wisdom, eager to learn
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
אֹהֵ֣ב'o.Hev [who] loves H157 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
211× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Amplified meaning
has affection for, cherishes
Tyndale gloss
to love: lover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָהֵב 216 vb. love

Qal

human love to human object

less oft. of appetite

love to God

esp. Pt.

of divine love

Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable

Pi.

friends

lovers

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H157 אָהֵב love

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

157 'ahab aw-hab'

or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for

(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,

friend.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.

: lover

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

1a5b) to people Israel

1a5c) to righteousness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) lovely (participle)

1b2) loveable (participle)

1c) (Piel)

1c1) friends

1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)

2) to like

Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)

אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.

: friend

1) to love

1a) (Qal)

1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual

1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

1a3) human love for or to God

1a4) act of being a friend

1a4a) lover (participle)

1a4b) friend (participle)

1a5) God's love toward man

1a5a) to individual men

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

luvz (Ps 45:1, title).

See PSALMS.

a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
חָ֭כְמָהchokh.mah wisdom H2451 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
153× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
skill, prudence, or good judgment
Tyndale gloss
wisdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom

skill in war

wisdom, in administration

shrewdness, wisdom

wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

wisdom, ethical and religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war

. wisdom, in administration

. shrewdness, wisdom

. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

. wisdom, ethical and religious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2451 chokmah khok-maw'

from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,

wisely, wit.

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.

1) wisdom

1a) skill (in war)

1b) wisdom (in administration)

1c) shrewdness, wisdom

1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

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

wiz'-dum:

1. Linguistic

2. History

3. Religious Basis

4. Ideals

5. Teaching of Christ

6. Remainder of the New Testament

(1) James

(2) Paul

7. Hypostasis

LITERATURE

1. Linguistic:

In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Joseph Ge 41:16,25-39; Ac 7:10

→ Of Moses Ac 7:22

→ Of Bezaleel Ex 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1

→ Of Aholiab Ex 31:6; 35:34,35; 36:1

→ Of other skilled artisans Ex 36:2

→ Of women Ex 35:26

→ Of Hiram 1Ki 7:14; 2Ch 2:14

→ Of Solomon 1Ki 3:12,16-28; 4:29-34; 5:12; 10:24

a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
יְשַׂמַּ֣חye.sa.Mach he makes glad H8055 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
155× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Amplified meaning
causes to be, results in, rejoicing, gladness
Tyndale gloss
to rejoice
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad

Qal 126

in common life

rejoice religiously

subj. י׳

Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden

Hiph. = Pi.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8055 samach saw-makh'

a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.

(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or

gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),

be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.

1) to rejoice, be glad

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to rejoice

1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)

1a3) to rejoice (religiously)

1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
אָבִ֑יו'a.Viv father his H1 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
1,213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Amplified meaning
parent, ancestor
Tyndale gloss
father
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָב 1101 n.m. father

father of individual

of God as father of his people

head of household, family or clan

ancestor

originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

fig. of producer, generator

fig. of benevolence & protection

term of respect & honor

specif., ruler, chief (late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1 אָב father . father of individual

. of God as father of his people

. head of household, family or clan

. ancestor

. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

. fig. of producer, generator

. fig. of benevolence & protection

. term of respect & honor

. specif., ruler, chief (late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1 'ab awb

a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or

figurative and remote application):--chief,

(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names

in "Abi-".

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָב (av) — father.

1) father of an individual

2) of God as father of his people

3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan

4) ancestor

4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person

4b) of people

5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

6) of producer, generator (fig.)

7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)

8) term of respect and honour

9) ruler or chief (spec.)

Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;

Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)

אָב (av) — father of.

The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;

son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/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."

a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
וְרֹעֶ֥הve.ro.'Eh and [one who] associates with H7462 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
177× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Amplified meaning
friend, associate
Tyndale gloss
House of Shepherds
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָעָה (*ra'ah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to tend or pasture a flock. It covers a range of meanings including to graze, rule, associate with, and befriend. The term appears in contexts related to shepherding and companionship, with a specific mention of the 'binding-house of shepherds' in 2 Kings 10:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים perh. n.pr.loc. (binding-house of the shepherds) 2 K 10:12

base

רָעָה 167 vb. pasture, tend, graze

Qal

trans.

intrans.

Niph. poss.

Hiph. v.

base

[רָעָה] vb. prob. associate with

Qal cherish faithfulness

Hithp. do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man

base

[רָעָה] vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend;—Ju 14:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7462a בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים binding-house of shepherds H7462b רָעָה pasture, tend, graze H7462c רָעָה prob. associate with H7462d רָעָה vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7462 ra`ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it;

intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);

generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a

friend):--X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat

up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with,

herdman, keep (sheep)(-er), pastor, + shearing house,

shepherd, wander, waste.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים (bet-e.qed ha.ro.im) — House of Shepherds.

Ra'ah = "pasturing"

perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to pasture.

1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tend, pasture

1a1a) to shepherd

1a1b) of ruler, teacher (fig)

1a1c) of people as flock (fig)

1a1d) shepherd, herdsman (subst)

1a2) to feed, graze

1a2a) of cows, sheep etc (literal)

1a2b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig)

1b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess

Also means: ro.i (רֹעִי "to shepherd" H7473)

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to accompany.

1) to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable)

1a) (Qal) to associate with

1b) (Hithpael) to be companions

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to befriend.

(Piel) to be a special friend

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/Vqrmsa
a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
ז֝וֹנ֗וֹתzo.Not prostitutes H2181 Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine plural
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Amplified meaning
those who fornicate, are unfaithful
Tyndale gloss
to fornicate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָנָה (zanah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to commit fornication or to be a harlot. It encompasses a range of actions, including adultery and idolatry, with a focus on unfaithfulness, particularly in a figurative sense regarding one's relationship with God. The entries indicate that it can also refer to cult prostitution and moral defection, with various grammatical forms expressing different nuances of the term.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָנָה vb. commit fornication, be a harlot

Qal

be or act as a harlot

fig. of improper intercourse with foreign nations

of intercourse with other deities

of moral defection

Pu. fornication was not done (in going) after thee

Hiph.

cause to commit fornication

commit fornication

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2181 זָנָה commit fornication, be a harlot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2181 zanah zaw-naw'

a primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit

adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple

fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively,

to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the

spouse of Jehovah):--(cause to) commit fornication, X

continually, X great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be,

play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go

a-whoring, whorish.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָנָה (za.nah) — to fornicate.

1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication

1a2) to commit adultery

1a3) to be a cult prostitute

1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.)

1b) (Pual) to play the harlot

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to commit adultery

1c2) to force into prostitution

1c3) to commit fornication

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine plural
HVqrfpa
a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
יְאַבֶּד־ye.'a.bed- he destroys H6 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
184× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Amplified meaning
wastes, destroys
Tyndale gloss
to perish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to perish or be lost. It encompasses a range of meanings, including dying, vanishing, and destruction, often in a moral or judgment context. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, with uses related to individuals, nations, and inanimate objects. The lexicons indicate that it can also imply causing something to perish or stray.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָבַד vb. perish (M I אבד, As. abâtu Dl W 184 Aram אֲבַד, Syriac).—

Qal Pf. א׳ Nu 21:30 +; אָבְדוּ ψ 10:16 + (+ Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co) etc.; Impf. יֹאבַד Jb 3:3 Je 4:9; יֹאבֵ֑ד Jb 20:7 + 2t.; 3fs. תֹּאבַד Dt 22:3 + 4t.; תֹּאבֵ֑ד Jb 8:13 + 3t.; יֹאבְדוּ Ju 5:31 + 3t.; יֹאבֵ֑דוּ Jb 4:9 +; 3fpl. וַתֹּאבַדְנָה֙ I S 9:3; תֹּאבֵדוּן Dt 4:26 +; נֹאבֵ֑ד Jon 1:6

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6 אָבַד perish .. perish, die, of individuals

. fig. perish, vanish, subj. memory

. be lost, strayed

. . cause to perish, destroy, kill

. fig. cause to vanish, blot out, do away with

. cause to stray, lose

. . destroy, put to death, in judgment

. fig. obj. name of kings; hope; voice of mirth etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6 'abad aw-bad'

a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose

oneself; by implication to perish (causative,

destroy):--break, destroy(- uction), + not escape, fail,

lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be

undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָבַד (a.vad) — to perish.

1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) perish, die, be exterminated

1a2) perish, vanish (fig.)

1a3) be lost, strayed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate

1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.)

1b3) cause to stray, lose

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to destroy, put to death

1c1a) of divine judgment

1c2) object name of kings (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
a person [who] loves wisdom he makes glad father his and [one who] associates with prostitutes he destroys wealth
הֽוֹן׃Hon wealth H1952 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to wealth or substance, implying that something is enough or of high value. It can also be translated as riches or sufficiency.
Amplified meaning
substance, valuable possessions
Tyndale gloss
substance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוֹן (hown) refers to wealth, riches, or substance, and can also imply sufficiency or enough. It is primarily found in poetic contexts, particularly in Wisdom Literature like Proverbs. The term is derived from a related root that conveys the idea of wealth and value.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוֹן n.m. wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1952 הוֹן wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1952 hown hone

from the same as 1951 in the sense of 202; wealth; by

implication, enough:--enough, + for nought, riches, substance,

wealth.

see HEBREW for 01951

see HEBREW for 0202

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוֹן (hon) — substance.

1) wealth, riches, substance

1a) wealth

1b) price, high value

interj

2) enough!, sufficiency

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See RICHES

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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