Psalms 107:17 — Word Study
WLCאֱ֭וִלִים מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ פִּשְׁעָ֑ם וּֽ֝מֵעֲוֹֽנֹתֵיהֶ֗ם יִתְעַנּֽוּ׃
BSA◂Foolsʼĕvîyl [because of their transgression, stupid] in their rebelliouspeshaʻ [disobedient, sinful] waysderek and through their iniquitiesʻâvôn [moral evil, sin] suffered afflictionʻânâh▸ [were afflicted, humbled, trouble, punishment]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֱ֭וִלִים | fools | Adj |
| מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ | from [the] way of | Preposition, noun common both singular construct |
| פִּשְׁעָ֑ם | transgression their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּֽ֝מֵעֲוֹֽנֹתֵיהֶ֗ם | and from iniquities their | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine plural construct |
| יִתְעַנּֽוּ׃ | they were afflicted | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction. |
| KJV | Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. |
| ASV | Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. |
| YLT | Fools, by means of their transgression, And by their iniquities, afflict themselves. |
| WEB | Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities. |
| BBE | Foolish men, because of their sins, and because of their wrongdoing, are troubled; |
Where they part company is אֱוִילִים — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the subject and their actions, summarizing the consequences of foolishness.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֱוִיל
verbעָנָה
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 — Psalms 107:17
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 Consequences of Foolishnessgenerated
Psalm 107:17 discusses the consequences faced by fools due to their rebellion and iniquities. This verse is part of a larger passage that reflects on the suffering of those who stray from wisdom and righteousness, emphasizing the need for repentance and turning back to God. The surrounding verses illustrate the cycle of affliction and deliverance that characterizes the human experience.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 14:1 | The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. |
| 2 | Psalm 92:6 | A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand, |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:22 | “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? |
| 4 | Proverbs 7:7–22 | I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, |
| 5 | Psalm 38:1–8 | O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֱוִילִים, 'E.vi.limgenerated
The word אֱוִיל (eviyl) describes a foolish person, someone who despises wisdom and often mocks their guilt. It is derived from a root suggesting perversion and is used to depict individuals who are quarrelsome or licentious. This term appears frequently in the Old Testament to highlight a lack of wisdom and understanding.
In this verse, the fools are identified as those who suffer affliction due to their rebellious ways and transgressions. Their foolishness leads them away from the right path, resulting in trouble and punishment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses fools for אֱוִילִים. The KJV translates it similarly, while the ASV and others emphasize their foolishness by adding because of their transgression or stupid.
The translations agree on the core meaning of the verse, with variations in how they express the consequences of foolishness and rebellion.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יִתְעַנּוּ (they were afflicted), which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes several phrases: a subject phrase identifying the fools, and prepositional phrases detailing their ways and iniquities.
The Hebrew word order places the subject first, emphasizing the fools' actions and their resulting affliction, which is a common structure in Hebrew poetry.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִדֶּרֶךְ as ὁδοῦ (hodos), meaning 'way' or 'path'. This choice reflects the same moral implications found in the Hebrew, emphasizing the consequences of one's life choices.
The translation of פִּשְׁעָם as αὐτῶν (autōn) indicates a focus on the personal nature of their transgressions, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on individual accountability.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 107:17 describes how fools suffer because of their rebellious actions and sins. This verse highlights the consequences of turning away from wisdom and the afflictions that follow. It serves as a reminder of the importance of following the right path in life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
In this context, 'fools' refers to those who despise wisdom and act rebelliously, leading to their suffering.
Rebellious ways refer to actions that defy God's commands and moral standards, resulting in negative consequences.
Iniquity signifies moral evil, and in this verse, it is shown to lead to affliction and punishment for those who engage in it.
The verse conveys that foolishness and rebellion against wisdom lead to suffering, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to righteousness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the consequences of foolish actions in my own life?
- How can I seek wisdom to avoid the pitfalls of rebellion?
- What steps can I take to turn away from iniquity and towards a righteous path?
- How does this verse encourage me to reflect on my own actions and choices?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 107:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFools, because of their transgression,.... Or, "because of the way" (h) "of it"; their sinful course of life; for it is not for a single transgression they are afflicted, but for a continued series
Read John Gill on Psalms 107 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Fools - sinners, in Bible diction; because sin is suicidal folly.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 107 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFools, i.e. wicked men, whom he calls fools, because of the mischiefs which through their own folly they bring upon themselves. Because of their transgression, Heb. because of the way of their transgression, i.e. their custom and course of sinning, as the word way is used, . They did not fall into sin once or twice, as good men may do, but it was their usual practice, and therefore they are justly punished. Afflicted with wasting sickness, as appears from ,20. Compare , &c.; , &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 107 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.Ver. 17. Fools because of their transgression] Propter viam defectionis sum, by means of their defection, their departing away from the living God, through an evil heart of unbelief, Hebrews 3:12. And because of their iniquities] The flood gates whereof are set open, as it were, by that their defection from God; for now what should hinder? Are afflicted] Heb. do afflict themselves, procure their own ruth, if not ruin, and so prove sinners against their own souls, as those, Numbers 16:30-33
Read John Trapp on Psalms 107 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. Fools because of their transgression] This is the THIRD comparison; the captivity being compared to a person in a dangerous malady. Our Version does not express this clause well: Fools מדרך פשעם midderech pisham, because of the way of their transgressions, are afflicted. Most human maladies are the fruits of sin; misery and sin are married together in bonds that can never be broken.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 107 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17–22. A third example of Divine goodness, in the restoration of those who have been punished with sickness for their sins, based upon Job 33:19-26.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 107 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFools, because of their transgression - Wicked people, considered as fools, because they “are” transgressors. Compare Psalms 14:1, note; Psalms 73:3, note; Psalms 75:4, note.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 107 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17. Fools—The word denotes one who is thoughtless, inconsiderate, slack, and at the same time perverse. The ethical notion does not exclude intellect, but only a just foresight of consequences.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 107 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.
Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.
Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.
They acted like fools in their rebellious ways, and suffered because of their sins.
Tyndale line
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Fooles by reason of their transgression, and because of their iniquities are afflicted.
Strictly literal
Fools, because of their way of transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted;
Fools, by means of their transgression, And by their iniquities, afflict themselves.
Fools, by means of their transgression, || And by their iniquities, afflict themselves.
Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
They were foolish in their rebellious ways and afflicted because of their sins.
Simplified
They were stupid because they rebelled; they suffered for their sins.
Foolish men, because of their sins, and because of their wrongdoing, are troubled;
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 reads: אֱוִילִים מִדֶּרֶךְ פִּשְׁעָם וּמֵעֲוֹנֹתֵיהֶם יִתְעַנּוּ׃. The Septuagint matches four of the five words in this verse, indicating a strong agreement between these ancient texts.
אֱ֭וִלִים מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ פִּשְׁעָ֑ם וּֽ֝מֵעֲוֹֽנֹתֵיהֶ֗ם יִתְעַנּֽוּ׃
4 of the 5 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 Psalms 107:17
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.
אֱוִיל (eviyl) means 'foolish' and describes someone who despises wisdom, mocks when guilty, is quarrelsome, or licentious. It is derived from an unused root suggesting perversion. The word is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote a person lacking wisdom.
אֱוִיל 26 adj. foolish
base
H191 אֱוִיל foolish
191 'eviyl ev-eel'
from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively)
silly:--fool(-ish) (man).
אֱוִיל (e.vil) — fool(ish).
1) be foolish, foolish
1a) (subst)
1a1) of one who despises wisdom
1a2) of one who mocks when guilty
1a3) of one who is quarrelsome
1a4) of one who is licentious
Adj — AdjHAampa
- All men are, without the knowledge of God
- Deny God
Ps 14:1; 53:1
- Blaspheme God
- Reproach God
- Make a mock at sin
- Despise instruction
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular constructHR/Ncbsc
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…
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression
base
H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression
6588 pesha` peh'-shah
from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or
religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.
see HEBREW for 06586
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.
1) transgression, rebellion
1a1) transgression (against individuals)
1a2) transgression (nation against nation)
1a3) transgression (against God)
1a3a) in general
1a3b) as recognised by sinner
1a3c) as God deals with it
1a3d) as God forgives
1a4) guilt of transgression
1a5) punishment for transgression
1a6) offering for transgression
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.
עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
base
H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
5771 `avon aw-vone'
or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from
5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,
mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
see HEBREW for 07
see HEBREW for 05753
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.
: crime
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.
: guilt
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.
: punishment
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Conj | Prep | N-cp | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/R/Ncfpc/Sp3mp
עָנָה (anah) is a Hebrew verb with a range of meanings related to affliction and humility. It can denote being occupied, as well as being bowed down, depressed, or afflicted. The word has various forms, including ways to humble oneself or to afflict others, and it appears in contexts of discipline and humility, particularly in relation to fasting.
[עָנָה] vb. be occupied, busied with
base
[עָנָה] vb. be bowed down, afflicted
Qal
be put down or become low, of song of triumph
be depressed, downcast
be afflicted
Niph.
humble oneself
be afflicted
Pi.
humble, mishandle, afflict
humble, a woman by cohabit.
afflict as a discipline
humble, weaken
Pu.
be afflicted, in discipline by God
be humbled by fasting
Hiph. afflict, in discipline
Hithp.
humble oneself
be afflicted
humble oneself in fasting
base
H6031a עָנָה be occupied, busied with H6031b עָנָה be bowed down, afflicted .. be put down or become low, of song of triumph
. be depressed, downcast
. be afflicted
. . humble oneself
. be afflicted
. . humble, mishandle, afflict
. humble, a woman by cohabit.
. afflict as a discipline
. humble, weaken
. . be afflicted, in discipline by God
. be humbled by fasting
. afflict, in discipline
. . humble oneself
. be afflicted
. humble oneself in fasting
6031 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root (possibly rather ident. with 6030 through
the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally
or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various
applications, as follows):--abase self, afflict(-ion, self),
answer (by mistake for 6030), chasten self, deal hardly with,
defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt,
ravish, sing (by mistake for 6030), speak (by mistake for
6030), submit self, weaken, X in any wise.
see HEBREW for 06030
see HEBREW for 06030
see HEBREW for 06030
see HEBREW for 06030
עָנָה (a.nah) — be occupied.
(Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
עָנָה (a.nah) — to afflict.
1) to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be put down, become low
1a2) to be depressed, be downcast
1a3) to be afflicted
1a4) to stoop
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to humble oneself, bow down
1b2) to be afflicted, be humbled
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to humble, mishandle, afflict
1c2) to humble, be humiliated
1c3) to afflict
1d4) to humble, weaken oneself
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be afflicted
1d2) to be humbled
1e) (Hiphil) to afflict
1f) (Hithpael)
1f1) to humble oneself
1f2) to be afflicted
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָי "to afflict" H6033)
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVti3mp
→ DUTY TO THE Job 6:14; 22:29; Isa 58:6,7,10; Mt 25:34-45; Lu 10:30-37; Php 2:1,2; 1Ti 5:10; Jas 5:13-15