Proverbs 6:20 — Word Study
WLCנְצֹ֣ר בְּ֭נִי מִצְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־ תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃
BSAMy sonbên [descendant, child of God] keepnâtsar your father’sʼâb [parent, ancestor, or spiritual father] commandmentmitsvâh [instruction, law, or divine guidance] and do notʼal [refuse, neglect, or abandon] forsakenâṭash▸ [leave, reject, or turn away from] your mother’sʼêm [parent, nurturer, or caregiver] teachingtôwrâh [instruction, guidance, or wisdom]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נְצֹ֣ר | keep | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| בְּ֭נִי | O son my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מִצְוַ֣ת | [the] commandment of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אָבִ֑יךָ | father your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְאַל־ | and may not | Conjunction, particle |
| תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ | you forsake | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine singular |
| תּוֹרַ֥ת | [the] instruction of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אִמֶּֽךָ׃ | mother your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. |
| KJV | ¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: |
| ASV | My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: |
| YLT | Keep, my son, the command of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother. |
| WEB | My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. |
| BBE | My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother: |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a negative imperative, emphasizing the importance of both commands.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבֵּן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 6:20
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 — Parental Guidance in Proverbsgenerated
Proverbs 6:20 emphasizes the necessity of adhering to parental commandments and teachings. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the value of wisdom and the dangers of straying from it, as seen in the surrounding verses. The father’s advice serves as a foundational principle for living a wise and moral life, reinforcing the significance of family instruction.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 1:8–9 | Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. |
| 2 | Proverbs 7:1–4 | My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. |
| 3 | Proverbs 23:22 | Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. |
| 4 | Proverbs 30:11 | There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 21:18 | If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְצֹ֣ר, ne.Tzorgenerated
The verb נָצַר (natsar) means to keep, guard, or watch over. It conveys the idea of actively protecting or preserving something valuable, much like how a watchman guards a city or how the Israelites watched over the Passover in Exodus 12:42.
In this verse, the imperative form addresses the son directly, urging him to actively keep the commandments given by his father. This reflects a relational dynamic where the father's authority and wisdom are to be respected and followed.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is straightforward, with two main clauses connected by the conjunction וְ (and). The first clause is an imperative command: נְצֹ֣ר (keep) your father's commandment, while the second clause presents a negative imperative: אַל־תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ (do not forsake) your mother's teaching.
This structure emphasizes the dual responsibilities of the son towards both parents, highlighting the importance of their respective teachings.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew נְצֹ֣ר is rendered as τηρεῖν (tērein), which also means to keep or guard. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the protective nature of the command.
The LXX uses ἀπολείπῃ (apoleipē) for תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ, which means to leave or forsake, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also suggesting a sense of abandonment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 6:20 advises children to keep their father's commandments and not to forsake their mother's teachings. This verse highlights the importance of parental guidance and the wisdom that comes from following their instructions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep your father's commandment means to adhere to the guidance and rules he provides, which are intended for your benefit.
Forsaking your mother's teaching means ignoring valuable wisdom and guidance that can help shape your character and decisions.
You can apply this verse by actively seeking and following the advice and teachings of your parents, recognizing their experience and love.
Parental teachings can include moral values, practical life skills, and lessons learned from their own experiences.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How have my parents' teachings influenced my decisions?
- In what ways can I show respect for my parents' guidance?
- What are some specific commandments or teachings I find most valuable?
- How can I ensure that I pass on wisdom to the next generation?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse highlights the importance of adhering to parental guidance, as seen in Bede's writings.
Preserve, my son, the precepts of your father, etc. Now under the guise of the adulterous woman, he forbids listening to heresy.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 6 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 6:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy son, keep thy father's commandment,.... These are not the words of David to Solomon continued from Proverbs 4:4; but the words of Solomon to his son; and not to his son only, in a strict natural
Read John Gill on Proverbs 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Grown sons are apt to despise the mother.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 6 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleKeep thy father’ s commandment, so far as it is not contrary to God’ s command. Forsake not the law of thy mother, whom children are too apt to despise. See .
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father’ s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Ver. 20. My son, keep thy father’ s commandment.] The commandments of religious parents are the very commandments of God himself, and are therefore to be as carefully kept "as the apple of a man’ s eye."
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 6 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. Keep thy father's commandment] See on Proverbs 1:8.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesFourteenth Address. Chap. 6. Proverbs 6:20-35. The Evil WomanThe holy memories and sanctions of the family are invoked (Proverbs 6:20-23) to give weight to another earnest warning against the sin which destroys the purity and saps the foundations of family life (Proverbs 6:24-35).
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 6 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTO FILIAL , AND AGAINST , Proverbs 6:20-35. 20. My son, etc. — See Proverbs 1:8 for substantially the same formula. Compare, also, Proverbs 3:3.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 6 →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
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
My child, guard the commands of your father and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.
Tyndale line
¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:
My son, keep the commandment of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
My sonne, keepe thy fathers commandement, and forsake not thy mothers instruction.
Strictly literal
My son, observe thy father's commandment, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;
Keep, my son, the command of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother.
Keep, my son, the command of your father, || And do not leave the law of your mother.
Keep, O my son, the commandment of thy father, and reject not the teaching of thy mother:
My son, obey the command of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
From the Latin
My son, beep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Simplified
My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.
My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 6:20 reads, "נְצֹ֣ר בְּ֭נִי מִצְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־ תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃" which translates to, "My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching." The Septuagint, while not providing the exact text, shows a strong correspondence with the Masoretic Text, matching 7 of the 8 words, indicating a high degree of agreement in meaning. However, the specific wording and order may differ due to the nature of translation and the Greek language structure. There are no significant differences in the core message of the verse among the witnesses available, as both emphasize the importance of adhering to parental teachings.
נְצֹ֣ר בְּ֭נִי מִצְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־ תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃
7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 6:20
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.
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.
מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment
base
H4687 מִצְוָה commandment
4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'
from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,
the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.
1) commandment
1a) commandment (of man)
1b) the commandment (of God)
1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
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.
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
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)
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-".
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);
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
The Hebrew word נָטַשׁ (*natash*) is built from a primitive root meaning to pound or smite, which implies dispersing or thrusting off. It covers a range of meanings including to leave, forsake, permit, and abandon. The word can also refer to being forsaken or loosened, and is used in contexts such as deserted palaces.
נָטַשׁ vb. leave, forsake, permit
Qal
leave, let alone
usu. forsake, abandon
permit
Niph.
be forsaken
be loosened or loose (prop. be let alone, left to hang down) of ship’s tackle
be let go, spread abroad
Pu. palaces are abandoned, deserted
base
H5203 נָטַשׁ leave, forsake, permit .. leave, let alone
. usu. forsake, abandon
. permit
. . be forsaken
. be loosened or loose (prop. be let alone, left to hang down) of ship’s tackle
. be let go, spread abroad
. palaces are abandoned, deserted
5203 natash naw-tash'
a primitive root; properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by
implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to
disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusively,
reject, let alone, permit, remit, etc.):--cast off, drawn, let
fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose,
spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer.
נָטַשׁ (na.tash) — to leave.
1) to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to leave, let alone, lie fallow, entrust to
1a2) to forsake, abandon
1a3) to permit
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be forsaken
1b2) to be loosened, be loose
1b3) to be let go, spread abroad
1c) (Pual) to be abandoned, be deserted
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singularHVqj2ms
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and can refer to a human mother, an animal's dam, or even a figurative sense, such as Deborah's nurturing role for her people. It also conveys the idea of a point of departure or division. This word is built from a primitive root and encompasses both literal and figurative meanings.
אֵם 221 n.f. mother
lit. (human) mother
fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
of animals, dam
= point of departure or division
base
H517 אֵם mother . lit. (human) mother
. fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
. of animals, dam
. = point of departure or division
517 'em ame
a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a
wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam,
mother, X parting.
see HEBREW for 01
אֵם (em) — mother.
1) mother
1a) of humans
1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
1c) of animals
2) point of departure or division
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms