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Proverbs 9:18 — Word Study

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WLCוְֽלֹא־ יָ֭דַע כִּֽי־ רְפָאִ֣ים שָׁ֑ם בְּעִמְקֵ֖י שְׁא֣וֹל קְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃ פ

BSABut they do notlôʼ knowyâdaʻ [are unaware, have no understanding] thatkîy the deadrâphâʼ [Rephaim, departed spirits] are thereshâm [in that place] that her guestsqârâʼ [those she's invited, called] [are] in the depthsʻâmêq [unfathomable, deep places] of Sheolshᵉʼôwl [the underworld, hell, grave]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 18 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 (ke.ru.'Ei.ha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 9:18quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse warns that many are unaware of the presence of the dead and the fate of those invited to partake in the consequences.
Who is speakingThe speaker is likely Wisdom, personified, calling out to those who pass by.
Where we areThis verse is part of a passage where Wisdom invites the simple to partake in her offerings.
The hard wordרְפָאִ֣ים
Take awayUnderstanding the reality of death and its implications is crucial.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectרְפָאִים verbיָדַע 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 9:18

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 — The Invitation of Wisdomgenerated

15calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 9:18 warns that many do not recognize the danger of ignoring Wisdom's call. The passage illustrates the contrast between the allure of secret pleasures and the grim reality of death, emphasizing the importance of discernment. Wisdom invites the simple, but those who indulge in folly remain unaware of the consequences awaiting them in Sheol, the underworld.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
2Psalm 82:5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
32 Peter 3:5But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
4Proverbs 2:18–19For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits.
5Proverbs 5:5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.

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


The Key Word רְפָאִ֣ים, re.fa.'Imgenerated

The word רְפָאִים (repha'im) refers to the spirits of the dead, often translated as 'shades' or 'ghosts.' It is used in the plural form and indicates a connection to the deceased, suggesting a haunting presence in the context of this verse.

The use of this term highlights the seriousness of the warning: those who are oblivious to Wisdom's call may find themselves among these departed spirits, facing the depths of Sheol without understanding the peril they are in.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the ignorance of those who do not recognize the presence of the dead and the consequences of their actions.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יָדַע (yada'), meaning 'he knows,' governs the main clause, with a negation and two phrases describing what is unknown. The structure emphasizes the lack of awareness regarding the dead and their guests.

The sentence's arrangement places the emphasis on the verb and the subjects, drawing attention to the ignorance of those being addressed.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates רְפָאִים as γηγενεῖς, which can imply a broader understanding of the dead, potentially indicating those who have passed on from the earthly realm.

This choice of word in the Greek suggests a nuanced interpretation of the spirits of the dead, possibly expanding the concept beyond mere shades to include a more general idea of the deceased.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 9:18 warns that many do not realize the presence of the dead and the fate of those invited to partake in folly. Wisdom calls out to the simple, but those who indulge in secret pleasures remain unaware of the dangers that await them in Sheol, the underworld.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the dead are there?

It means that the spirits of the deceased are present, serving as a warning to those who ignore Wisdom's call.

Why is it important to know about Sheol?

Understanding Sheol highlights the consequences of ignoring Wisdom and the reality of death, urging discernment in our choices.

What does Wisdom offer in this passage?

Wisdom offers insight and understanding, inviting those who are simple to turn away from folly and embrace knowledge.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Proverbs?

This verse underscores the importance of wisdom and understanding in making choices that lead to life rather than death.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I sometimes ignore the warnings of wisdom in my life?
  2. How can I become more aware of the consequences of my choices?
  3. What are some secret pleasures that may lead me away from wisdom?
  4. How can I share the importance of discernment with others?

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

The early commentary from Bede interprets this verse, noting that the ignorant do not understand the presence of unclean spirits in their lives.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
And he did not know that giants are there, etc. The adulteress does not know, the heretic does not know, that unclean spirits inhabit their houses,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 9:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there,.... In the house of this foolish and wicked woman, into which she invites passengers to turn; the simple, that is persuaded by her, does not consider

Read John Gill on Proverbs 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. But he knoweth not that the dead (are) there; and that her guests (are) in the depths of hell.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Knoweth not, i.e. he doth not consider it seriously, whereby he proveth his folly.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.Ver. 18. That the dead are there.]

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 9 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) The dead are there.—Comp. on Proverbs 2:18.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there] See on Proverbs 2:18. He does not know that it was in this way the first apostates from God and truth walked. רפאים rephaim; γιγαντες, the GIANTS. - Septuagint. The sons of men, the earth-born, to distinguish them from the sons of God, those who were born from above. See Clarke on Genesis 6:1, c. Her guests are in the depths of hell.] Those who have been drawn out of the way of understanding by profligacy have in general lost their lives, if not their souls, by their folly. The Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic make a long addition to this verse: "But draw thou back, that thou mayest not die in this place neither fix thy eyes upon her; so…

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

18. the dead] To enter her house is to quit the land of the living, and enter the dark abode of the “shades,” Heb. Rephaim. See Proverbs 2:18, note. hell] Heb. Sheol. See Proverbs 9:5, note, and comp. Proverbs 2:18, Proverbs 7:27. The LXX. after their manner, expand the warning here, and repeat the figure of “waters” and the “fountain,” Proverbs 5:15-18.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Compare the marginal reference. With this warning the long introduction closes, and the collection of separate proverbs begins. Wisdom and Folly have each spoken; the issues of each have been painted in life-like hues.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 9 →

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

But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

RVARevised Version, American1894

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But he knoweth not, that ye dead are there, and that her ghestes are in the depth of hell.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; [that] her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And he has not known that Rephaim [are] there, || Her invited ones in deep places of Sheol!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

But he knoweth not that the departed are there; that in the depths of the nether world are her guests.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But he does not know that the dead are there, that her invited guests are in the depths of Sheol.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But they don't know that the dead are there, that those she's invited are in the depths of the grave.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.

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.

וְֽandclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbיָ֭דַעhe.knowsclause · objectכִּֽי(dm).thatclausesubjectרְפָאִ֣ים[the].shadespredicateשָׁ֑ם[are].thereclauseprepositional phrase · predicateבְּ[are].innoun phraseעִמְקֵ֖יthe.depthsשְׁא֣וֹלof.Sheolnoun phrase · subjectקְרֻאֶֽיher.invitedהָ[men]

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 eight words matching. The Septuagint, however, presents the text in a different order, reflecting its own syntactical style.

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

וְֽלֹא־ יָ֭דַע כִּֽי־ רְפָאִ֣ים שָׁ֑ם בְּעִמְקֵ֖י שְׁא֣וֹל קְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְֽלֹא־οὐκיָ֭דַעοἶδενכִּֽי־ὅτιרְפָאִ֣יםγηγενεῖςשְׁא֣וֹלᾅδουקְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃ פσυναντᾷ

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

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


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

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

Proverbs 9:18לֹאand notand notלֹאיָדַעhe knowshe knowsיָדַעכִּיthatthatכִּירְפָאִים[the] shade[the] shadesרְפָאִיםשָׁם[are] there[are] thereשָׁםעָמֵק[are] in [t[are] in [the] עָמֵקשְׁאוֹלSheolSheolשְׁאוֹלקָרָאinvited [oninvited [ones] קָרָארָפָאto healto healרָפָאעָמֹקbe deepbe deepעָמֹקשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַלאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעבַּלnotnotבַּללֵב(Leb)-kama(Leb)-kamaiלֵבנָדַחto banishto banishנָדַחגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּרכָּבֵדheavyheavyכָּבֵדלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןיָגוֹןsorrowsorrowיָגוֹןשֵׂיבָהgreyheadedgreyheadedשֵׂיבָה
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 9:18

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.

and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
וְֽלֹא־ve.lo'- and not H3808 Conjunction · 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.
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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
יָ֭דַעYa.da' he knows H3045 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
are unaware, have no understanding
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
כִּֽי־ki- that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
רְפָאִ֣יםre.fa.'Im [the] shades H7496 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the spirits of the dead, or ghosts, and is only used in the plural form, as seen in Isaiah 14:9.
Amplified meaning
Rephaim, departed spirits
Tyndale gloss
shade
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רְפָאִים (rapha'im) refers to shades or ghosts, specifically the spirits of the deceased. The term is derived from a root meaning 'lax' and is used in the plural form. Various lexicons consistently describe it as relating to the dead or deceased.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רְפָאִים n.m. pl. shades, ghosts

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7496 רְפָאִים shades, ghosts

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7496 rapha' raw-faw'

from 7495 in the sense of 7503; properly, lax, i.e.

(figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only):--dead,

deceased.

see HEBREW for 07495

see HEBREW for 07503

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רְפָאִים (ra.pah) — shade.

ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
שָׁ֑םSham [are] there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Amplified meaning
in that place
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
בְּעִמְקֵ֖יbe.'im.Kei [are] in [the] depths of H6012 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes something as deep or unfathomable, like a mysterious idea or a deep emotion, as expressed in Psalm 92:5.
Amplified meaning
unfathomable, deep places
Tyndale gloss
unfathomable
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָמֵק (ameq) means deep or unfathomable, often used to describe something that is unintelligible, particularly in speech. It is derived from a root meaning depth and can imply both a literal and figurative sense of depth. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲמִיק (amiq), also meaning deep.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָמֵק] adj. deep, unfathomable;—i.e. unintelligible of speech

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6012 [עָמֵק] deep, unfathomable;—i.e. unintelligible of speech

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6012 `ameq aw-make'

from 6009; deep (literally or figuratively):--deeper,

depth, strange.

see HEBREW for 06009

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמֵק (a.meq) — unfathomable.

1) deep, unfathomable

1a) unintelligible (of speech)

Aramaic equivalent: a.miq (עֲמִיק "deep" H5994)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HR/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
שְׁא֣וֹלshe.'ol Sheol H7585 Noun common · both singular absolute
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
the underworld, hell, grave
Tyndale gloss
hell: Sheol
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁאוֹל (sh'owl) refers to the underworld or the realm of the dead in Hebrew. It encompasses concepts such as hell, the grave, and a pit, often associated with punishment for the wicked and a place from which the righteous are not abandoned. The term implies a location of extreme degradation and is noted for its lack of praise for God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל n.f. Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7585 שְׁאוֹל, שְׁאֹל Shᵉ’ōl, underworld (√ dub.; i.e. place of inquiry)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7585 sh'owl sheh-ole'

or shol {sheh-ole'}; from 7592; Hades or the world of the

dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories

and inmates:--grave, hell, pit.

see HEBREW for 07592

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁאוֹל (she.ol) — hell: Sheol.

Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit

1a) the underworld

1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead

1b1) place of no return

1b2) without praise of God

1b3) wicked sent there for punishment

1b4) righteous not abandoned to it

1b5) of the place of exile (fig)

1b6) of extreme degradation in sin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

she'-ol (she'ol):

1. The Name

2. The Abode of the Dead

(1) Not a State of Unconsciousness

(2) Not Removed from God's Jurisdiction

(3) Relation to Immortality

3. Post-canonical Period

1. The Name:

This word is often translated in the King James Version "grave" (e.g. Ge 37:35; 1Sa 2:6; Job 7:9; 14:13; Ps 6:5; 49:14; Isa 14:11, etc.) or "hell" (e.g. De 32:22; Ps 9:17; 18:5; Isa 14:9; Am 9:2, etc.); in 3 places by "pit"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sheol

(Heb., “the all-demanding world” = Gr. Hades, “the unknown region”), the invisible world of departed souls. (See HELL.)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See HELL (Hades)

and not he knows that [the] shades [are] there [are] in [the] depths of Sheol invited [ones] her
קְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃ פke.ru.'Ei.ha invited [ones] her H7121 Verb qal participle (passive) masculine plural common · suffix
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
those she's invited, called
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c | Suff — Verb qal participle (passive) masculine plural common · suffix
HVqsmpc/Sp3fs
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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