Psalms 119:130 — Word Study
WLCפֵּ֖תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽים׃
BSAThe unfoldingpêthach△ [entrance, opening] of Your wordsdâbâr [what You have said, divine message] gives lightʼôwr▸ [sheds, brings, understanding, spiritual illumination] it informsbîyn [gives understanding, teaches] the simplepᵉthîy [naive, easily influenced, lacking discernment]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| פֵּ֖תַח | [the] opening of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ | words your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יָאִ֗יר | it gives light | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מֵבִ֥ין | [it is] giving understanding to | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| פְּתָיִֽים׃ | simple people | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple. |
| KJV | The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. |
| ASV | The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple. |
| YLT | The opening of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple. |
| WEB | The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. |
| BBE | The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple. |
Where they part company is not evident in this verse, as translations agree on the core message.
The main clause is complemented by two subordinate phrases that clarify the action and its effect.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאוֹר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 5 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 119:130
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 Significance of God's Wordsgenerated
Psalm 119:130 highlights the transformative power of God's words. The psalmist emphasizes that these words not only provide light but also guide and teach those who are simple and lacking discernment. This theme of enlightenment through divine instruction is prevalent throughout Psalm 119, which is dedicated to celebrating God's law and its impact on the believer's life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:23 | For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, |
| 3 | Isaiah 8:20 | To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. |
| 4 | Luke 1:77–79 | to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, |
| 5 | Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פֵּ֖תַח, Pe.tachgenerated
The word פֵּ֖תַח (Pe.tach) is a noun meaning 'opening' or 'entrance,' derived from the root for 'to open.' It conveys both a physical sense of an opening, such as a door, and a figurative sense of revelation or disclosure. In this verse, it refers to the way God's words reveal truth and understanding.
As a masculine singular construct noun, it connects directly with the following word, indicating that the opening of God's words is what brings light. This emphasizes the active role of God's revelation in enlightening the mind and heart.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase the unfolding of Your words gives light.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יָאִ֗יר (ya.'Ir), meaning 'gives light', governs the whole verse, with two phrases hanging off it: a noun phrase that serves as the subject and another verb phrase that indicates what is being understood.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between the opening of God's words and the light they provide, showing that understanding flows from this divine revelation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word פֵּ֖תַח is translated as φωτιεῖ, which means 'it gives light.' This choice reflects a direct connection to the theme of illumination present in the Hebrew text.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew, emphasizing the enlightening effect of God's words on the simple.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:130 tells us that the opening of God's words brings light and understanding to those who are simple. This verse highlights how God's teachings illuminate our minds and guide us in discernment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's teachings provide clarity, understanding, and guidance, helping us navigate life and discern right from wrong.
The 'simple' refers to those who are naive or lacking discernment, indicating that God's words are especially beneficial for those who may be easily influenced or misled.
You can seek to understand and apply God's words in your life, allowing them to guide your decisions and illuminate your path.
Understanding is crucial because it empowers us to make wise choices and avoid being easily influenced or led astray.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How have I experienced the enlightening effect of God's words in my own life?
- In what ways can I ensure that I am not among the 'simple' who lack discernment?
- What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God's teachings?
- How can I share the light of God's words with others who may be struggling to understand?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, highlighting that God's word gives light and understanding to His followers.
"When your word goes forth," he says, "it gives light, and makes His little ones to understand" [Psalms 119:130].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:130 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe entrance of thy words giveth light,.... The beginning of them; the first three chapters in Genesis, what light do they give into the origin of all things; the creation of man, his state of
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. The entrance of thy words giveth light - like the sun's beam entering through an aperture into a dark room.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 130. The entrance of thy words; the very beginnings and rudiments of them; the first discoveries of those sacred mysteries; and much more the depths of them, in which their chief excellency consists. Or, as others both ancient and later interpreters render the place, The opening of thy words; by which may be understood, either, 1. The opening of men’ s minds by the word of God; but that seems to be the same thing with giving light, which here follows; or, 2. The opening or declaration of God’ s mind made in and by his word. Unto the simple; to the most ignorant and unlearned persons, who are but willing to learn.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.Ver. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light] So soon as men are over the threshold of thy house, sese lux quaedam inenarrabilis conspiciendam offert, a marvellous light shineth about them; so little cause is there that any should accuse God’ s word of darkness and hardness; or give way to negligence and carelessness of the Scriptures, because they are wonderful. Lex, lux, the law is a light, Proverbs 6:23, and the gospel a great light, Matthew 4:16 2 Peter 1:19. It giveth understanding to the simple] And maketh them subtle, Proverbs 1:4, so they be but docible. The very first rudiments of…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersPE. (130) Entrance.—Literally, opening, which the LXX. and Vulg. better represent by “manifestation,” “declaration.” (Comp. “opening and alleging,” Acts 17:3.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light] פתח pethach, the opening of it: when I open my Bible to read, light springs up in my mind. Every sermon, every prayer, every act of faith, is an opening by which light is let into the seeking soul.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges130. The entrance of thy words] R.V. the opening of thy words, the setting forth or unfolding of them. Cp. the use of the cognate verb in Psalms 49:4. P.B.V. when thy word goeth forth follows Luther’s earlier rendering wenn dein Wort ausgehet. the simple] Who need instruction to enable them to discern between right and wrong. Cp. Psalms 19:7 note; Psalms 116:6; Proverbs 1:4.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe entrance of thy words giveth light - The Septuagint translates this, “the manifestation (or declaration) - ἡδήλωσις hē dēlōsis - of thy words enlightens.” So the Vulgate.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →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
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.
Tyndale line
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
The opening of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.
The entrance into thy wordes sheweth light, and giueth vnderstanding to the simple.
Strictly literal
The entrance of thy words giveth light, giving understanding unto the simple.
The opening of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple.
The opening of Your words enlightens, || Instructing the simple.
The opening of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the untrained.
Simplified
Studying your words brings light so that even the uneducated can understand.
The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.
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 aligns with the Septuagint in its core message, although the Septuagint's word order differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide a close match to the Masoretic Text, confirming the consistency of this verse across ancient witnesses.
פֵּ֖תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽים׃
3 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.
פתח דברי׳כה והאר מבין פותאים
5 words on the leather.
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 119:130
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.
פֵּ֫תַח (pethach) means 'opening' or 'entrance,' derived from the root word for 'to open.' It covers meanings related to physical openings, like doorways, as well as figurative senses like disclosure. The term is referenced in Psalm 119:130.
פֵּ֫תַח n.m. opening, unfolding;—cstr. ψ 119:130
ref
H6608 פֵּ֫תַח
6608 pethach pay'-thakh
from 6605; opening (figuratively) i.e.
disclosure:--entrance.
see HEBREW for 06605
פֵּ֫תַח (pe.tach) — opening.
opening, unfolding, entrance, doorway
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
אוֹר (or) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become light, covering various contexts such as shining of the sun, illumination by celestial bodies, and lighting lamps. It has different forms: Qal (to shine), Niphal (to be illuminated), and Hiphil (to give light). The entries emphasize both literal and metaphorical uses, including making one's face shine and enlightening the eyes.
[אוֹר] 43 vb. be or become light
Qal;—become light, shine of sun (esp. in early morn.)
Niph.—become lighted up of day-break
Hiph.—
give light, of sun, moon & stars
light up, cause to shine, shine
light a lamp
lighten, of the eyes
make shine, of face of God
base
H215 אוֹר be or become light .—become light, shine of sun (esp. in early morn.)
.—become lighted up of day-break
.— . give light, of sun, moon & stars
. light up, cause to shine, shine
. light a lamp
. lighten, of the eyes
. make shine, of face of God
215 'owr ore
a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally
and metaphorically):--X break of day, glorious, kindle, (be,
en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.
אוֹר (or) — to light.
1) to be or become light, shine
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become light (day)
1a2) to shine (of the sun)
1a3) to become bright
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be illuminated
1b2) to become lighted up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give light, shine (of sun, moon, and stars)
1c2) to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine
1c3) to kindle, light (candle, wood)
1c4) lighten (of the eyes, his law, etc)
1c5) to make shine (of the face)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words):
1. Origin of Light
2. A Comprehensive Term
(1) Natural Light
(2) Artificial Light
(3) Miraculous Light
(4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light
3. An Attribute of Holiness
(1) God
(2) Christ
(3) Christians
(4) The Church
4. Symbolism
5. Expressive Terms
1. Origin of Light:
The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Ge 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. Something akin, possibly, to the all-pervasive electro-magnetic activity of the aurora borealis penetrated the chaotic night of the world. The ultimate focusing of light (on the 4th day of creation,
Light
The offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). “All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light” (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance…
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of…
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
פֶּ֫תִי (pethiy) refers to a state of being simple or foolish, with implications of being open-minded or naive. It encompasses both an adjective describing a person as simple-minded and a noun indicating simplicity or lack of wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 1:22. The term is derived from a root meaning to be open or seducible.
פֶּ֫תִי adj. simple, poss. as open-minded
base
[פְּתִי] n.f. simplicity (i.e. lack of wisdom), Pr 1:22.
ref
H6612a פֶּ֫תִי simple, poss. as open-minded H6612b פְּתִי simplicity
6612 pthiy peth-ee'
or pethiy {peh'-thee}; or pthaeiy {peth-aw-ee'}; from 6601;
silly (i.e. seducible):--foolish, simple(-icity, one).
see HEBREW for 06601
פֶּ֫תִי (pe.ti) — simple.
adj
simple, foolish, open-minded
פְּתִי (pe.ti) — simplicity.
simplicity, naivete
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…