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Psalms 119:66 — Word Study

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WLCט֤וּב טַ֣עַם וָדַ֣עַת לַמְּדֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י בְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃

BSATeach melâmad [guide, instruct] goodṭûwb [moral, excellent] judgmentṭaʻam [discernment, wisdom] and knowledgedaʻath [understanding, insight] forkîy [because, since] I believeʼâman [have faith, trust] in Your commandmentsmitsvâh [divine, heavenly, laws, instructions]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 66 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 (he.'e.Ma.ne.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:66quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist asks God to teach him moral discernment and understanding because he trusts in God's commandments.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal plea for wisdom.
Where we areThis verse is part of a meditation on God's goodness and guidance.
The hard wordטוּב
Take awayThe psalmist seeks divine instruction to align his understanding with God's laws.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָמַן 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 — Psalms 119:66

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 — A Plea for Wisdom and Understandinggenerated

65You are good to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.
68You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.

Psalms 119:66 expresses a desire for moral guidance and insight, reflecting the psalmist's commitment to God's commandments. This verse is situated within a broader context where the psalmist acknowledges God's goodness and seeks to deepen his understanding of divine law, as seen in the surrounding verses that emphasize God's character and the importance of His teachings.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:34Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
2Psalm 72:1–2Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
31 Kings 3:9–28Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
4Proverbs 2:1–9My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
5Proverbs 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

The Key Word טוּב, tuvgenerated

The word טוּב (tuv) signifies goodness, beauty, or gladness, emphasizing the positive qualities of something. It is derived from a root meaning 'good' and is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to express moral excellence and the goodness of God.

In this verse, it highlights the psalmist's request for moral discernment, suggesting that true understanding is rooted in recognizing and embodying goodness.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations of this verse generally agree on the meaning, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all conveying the psalmist's request for good judgment and knowledge.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb לַמְּדֵ֑נִי (teach me) governs the main request of the verse, with two noun phrases following it: טוּב (good) and וָדַ֣עַת (knowledge).

The structure highlights the psalmist's plea for guidance, indicating that the request for teaching is central to understanding God's commandments.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates טוּב as ξρηστότητα (goodness), which conveys a similar sense of moral quality, though the Greek term may carry slightly different connotations in its usage.

This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the Hebrew text's emphasis on moral excellence and the divine nature of God's laws.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 119:66 is a request for God to teach the psalmist good judgment and knowledge, rooted in his trust in God's commandments. This reflects a desire for moral understanding and guidance in following God's laws.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'good judgment'?

The psalmist seeks moral discernment and the ability to make wise decisions in accordance with God's laws.

Why does the psalmist ask for knowledge?

Knowledge here refers to understanding and insight, which the psalmist believes are essential for living according to God's commandments.

How does faith relate to the psalmist's request?

The psalmist's faith in God's commandments underlies his plea for wisdom, indicating that trust in God is foundational for gaining understanding.

What role do commandments play in this verse?

Commandments are seen as divine instructions that guide the psalmist's life, and understanding them is crucial for moral living.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's guidance for better judgment?
  2. How can I actively pursue knowledge and understanding in my spiritual journey?
  3. What role do I believe God's commandments play in my decision-making?
  4. How can I deepen my faith to align more closely with God's teachings?

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

Early interpretations, such as Augustine of Hippo's, highlight the psalmist's plea for increased understanding and knowledge in relation to God's commandments.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
"O learn me sweetness, and understanding, and knowledge," he says, "for I have believed Your commandments" [Psalms 119:66]. He prays these things may be increased and perfected.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:66 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,.... Or, "a good taste" (p): of the Lord himself, how good and gracious he is; of his grace and love, which is better than wine; of his word and the truths of it,

Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Teach me good judgment and knowledge. "Judgment" ( ta`am (H2940)) - literally, taste. So experimental understanding (Psalms 34:8). On "good," cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Good judgment; whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falsehood, good and evil, between the mind of God and my own or others’ inventions; that so I may be kept from those mistakes and errors in which many are involved, that I may truly judge what thy law requires or permits, and what it forbids. Heb. the goodness of taste, an experimental sense and relish of divine things. Compare . Knowledge; a spiritual and experimental knowledge. And judgment, or taste, and knowledge may, by a usual figure called hendiadis, be put for judicious, or solid, or practical knowledge. I have believed thy commandments; I have believed the Divine authority of them, and the truth and certainty of those…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.Ver. 66. Teach me good judgment] Heb. good taste, for the soul also hath her senses; and as the mouth tasteth meat, so the ear trieth words; the mind relisheth religion. For I have believed thy commandments] But would do yet more: 1 John 5:13. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life; and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

TETH. (66) Good judgment.—More exactly, good taste. Here, however, in a moral, not ζsthetic sense. Perhaps tact or delicate moral perception represents it. We may compare St. Paul’s use of the Greek words, ἐπιγνώσις and αἰσθήσις in Philippians 1:9.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge] טוב טעם ודעי למדני tob taam vedaath lammnedeni. Teach me (to have) a good taste and discernment. Let me see and know the importance of Divine things, and give me a relish for them.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

66. good judgment] Lit. goodness of taste, the power to distinguish promptly and surely between right and wrong. for I have believed in thy commandments] Prayer for further instruction is grounded on past loyalty to the known Will of God.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Teach me good judgment - The word here rendered “judgment” means, properly, “taste,” that power by which we determine the quality of things as sweet, bitter, sour, etc.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Teach me proper discernment and understanding! For I consider your commands to be reliable.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Teach me good judgment and knowledge; for I have believed in thy commandments.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Teach me good iudgement and knowledge: for I haue beleeued thy commandements.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed in thy commandments.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The goodness of reason and knowledge teach me, For in Thy commands I have believed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Teach me the goodness of reason and knowledge, || For I have believed in Your commands.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The best of discernment and knowledge do thou teach me; for in thy commandments do I believe.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Teach me proper discernment and understanding, for I have believed in your commandments.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Now teach me wise judgment and discernment because I believe in your instructions.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clausenoun phrase · second objectnoun phraseט֤וּבgoodnessטַ֣עַםof.discernmentוָandדַ֣עַתknowledgeverbלַמְּדֵ֑teachobjectנִיmeכִּ֖י(dm)clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseמִצְוֺתֶ֣יcommandmentsךָyourverbהֶאֱמָֽנְתִּיI.trust

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 align closely, with six of the seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also preserve a similar text, affirming the consistency of this verse across ancient witnesses.

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

ט֤וּב טַ֣עַם וָדַ֣עַת לַמְּדֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י בְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
ט֤וּבξρηστότηταוָדַ֣עַתγνῶσινלַמְּדֵ֑נִיμεכִּ֖יὅτιבְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָσουהֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃ἐπίστευσα

6 of the 7 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

טוב טעם ודעת למד׳ני כי במצוותי׳כה האמנתי

7 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.

Psalms 119:66טוּבgoodness ofgoodness ofטוּבטַ֫עַםdiscernmentdiscernmentטַ֫עַםדַּ֫עַתand knowledand knowledgeדַּ֫עַתלָמַדteach meteach meלָמַדכִּיforforכִּימִצְוָהin commandmin commandmentsמִצְוָהאָמַןI trustI trustאָמַןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעטוֹבbe pleasinbe pleasingטוֹבטָעַםto perceivto perceiveטָעַםצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהיָמַןto turn rito turn rightיָמַןחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקדָּגָןgraingrainדָּגָןשָׂבֵעַto satisfyto satisfyשָׂבֵעַלָשָׁדjuicy bitjuicy bitלָשָׁדעֻגָהbunbunעֻגָהבְּלִיwithoutwithoutבְּלִיחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹת
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 Psalms 119:66

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.

goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
ט֤וּבtuv goodness of H2898 Noun common · masculine singular construct
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes goodness, beauty, or gladness, emphasizing the positive aspects of something. It is used in various books, including Psalms and Proverbs. This word highlights the best or most excellent qualities of something.
Amplified meaning
moral, excellent
Tyndale gloss
goodness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוּב (tuv) refers to goodness in various forms, including good things, property, beauty, and joy. It encompasses both concrete and abstract notions of goodness, such as welfare and the goodness of God. The word is derived from a root meaning 'good' and is used broadly in the Old Testament to express positive qualities.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוּב n.m. good things, goods, goodness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2898 טוּב good things, goods, goodness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2898 tuwb toob

from 2895; good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially

goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness,

welfare:--fair, gladness, good(-ness, thing, -s), joy, go well

with.

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוּב (tuv) — goodness.

1) goods, good things, goodness

1a) good things

1b) goods, property

1c) fairness, beauty, joy, prosperity, goodness (abstract)

1d) goodness (of taste, discernment)

1e) goodness (of God) (abstract)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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…

goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
טַ֣עַםTa.'am discernment H2940 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to have a taste or perception of something, and is often used to describe judgment or intelligence. It appears in Proverbs 1:7, where wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. In the Bible, it can also mean a decree or decision.
Amplified meaning
discernment, wisdom
Tyndale gloss
taste
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טַ֫עַם (ta`am) primarily means 'taste' but also extends to concepts like 'judgment' and 'understanding.' It is derived from a root meaning perception and can imply intelligence or discretion. The term can refer to decisions or decrees, highlighting its figurative use in contexts of behavior and reasoning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טַ֫עַם n.m. taste, judgment

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2940 טַ֫עַם taste, judgment

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2940 ta`am tah'-am

from 2938; properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception;

by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate:--

advice, behaviour, decree, discretion, judgment, reason,

taste, understanding.

see HEBREW for 02938

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טַ֫עַם (ta.am) — taste.

1) taste, judgment

1a) taste

1b) judgment (fig.)

1c) decision, decree

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
וָדַ֣עַתva.Da.'at and knowledge H1847 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
92× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
understanding, insight
Tyndale gloss
knowledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דַּ֫עַת (da`ath) means knowledge, encompassing perception, skill, and moral understanding. It is associated with prophetic knowledge and is noted for its divine aspect, particularly in the context of wisdom literature. The entries highlight its use in various forms of knowledge, including discernment and understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דַּ֫עַת n.f. knowledge

knowledge, perception

= skill (in workmanship)

of proph. knowledge

esp. knowledge with moral quality

knowledge possessed by God

esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1847 דַּ֫עַת knowledge . . knowledge, perception

. = skill (in workmanship)

. of proph. knowledge

. esp. knowledge with moral quality

. knowledge possessed by God

. esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1847 da`ath dah'-ath

from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge),

(un-)awares (wittingly).

see HEBREW for 03045

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דַּ֫עַת (da.at) — knowledge.

1) knowledge

1a) knowledge, perception, skill

1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
HC/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of good and evil Ge 2:9,17; 3:22

→ Is power Pr 3:20; 24:5

→ Desire for 1Ki 3:9; Ps 119:66; Pr 2; 3; 12:1; 15:14; 18:15

→ Rejected Ho 4:6

→ Those who reject are destroyed Ho 4:6

→ Fools hate Pr 1:22,29

→ A divine gift 1Co 12:8

→ Is pleasant Pr 2:10

→ Shall be increased Da 12:4

goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
לַמְּדֵ֑נִיla.me.De.ni teach me H3925 Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
86× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To learn or teach in the Bible means to guide someone, like using a rod to direct an animal. It is about instructing or training someone, as seen in Proverbs and Psalms. Teaching is an important theme in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
guide, instruct
Tyndale gloss
to learn: teach
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָמַד (lamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to learn or teach. It encompasses the ideas of exercising in a skill, being trained, and instructing others. The root suggests a connection to motivation or incentive, as seen in the context of teaching with a rod. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to learn), Piel (to teach), and Pual (to be taught).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָמַד vb. exercise in, learn

Qal learn something

Piel teach

Pual trained; taught

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3925 לָמַד exercise in, learn .learn something

.teach

.trained; taught

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3925 lamad law-mad'

a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to

teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive):(un-) accustomed,

X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -

ing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: teach.

: teach

1) to learn. teach, exercise in

1a) (Qal) to learn

1b) (Piel) to teach

1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained

Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)

לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: learn.

: learn

1) to learn. teach, exercise in

1a) (Qal) to learn

1b) (Piel) to teach

1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVpv2ms/Sp1bs
goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
כִּ֖יki for 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'.
Amplified meaning
because, 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
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
בְמִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָve.mitz.vo.Tei.kha in commandments your H4687 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
182× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Amplified meaning
divine, heavenly, laws, instructions
Tyndale gloss
commandment
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4687 מִצְוָה commandment

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'

from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,

the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,

precept.

see HEBREW for 06680

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.

1) commandment

1a) commandment (of man)

1b) the commandment (of God)

1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms
goodness of discernment and knowledge teach me for in commandments your I trust
הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃he.'e.Ma.ne.ti I trust H539 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
106× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
have faith, trust
Tyndale gloss
be faithful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַן (aman) is a Hebrew root meaning to support or confirm, with applications ranging from nurturing (as a foster parent or nurse) to establishing trust and reliability. It encompasses concepts of faithfulness, permanence, and assurance. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including verbs and nouns, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support

Qal

as vb. support, nourish

as subst. foster-father

foster-mother, nurse

pillars, supporters of the door

Niph.

carried by nurse

made firm, sure, lasting

confirmed, established, sure

verified, confirmed

reliable, faithful, trusty

Hiph.

stand firm

trust, believe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H539 אָמַן confirm, support .. as vb. support, nourish

. as subst. foster-father

. foster-mother, nurse

. pillars, supporters of the door

. . carried by nurse

. made firm, sure, lasting

. confirmed, established, sure

. verified, confirmed

. reliable, faithful, trusty

. . stand firm

. trust, believe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

539 'aman aw-man'

a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster

as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or

faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet;

morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21;

interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand:--hence,

assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful

(of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty,

verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the

right.

see HEBREW for 0541

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַן (a.man) — be faithful.

1) to support, confirm, be faithful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish

1a1a) foster-father (subst.)

1a1b) foster-mother, nurse

1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm

1b1a) to be carried by a nurse

1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting

1b1c) confirmed, established, sure

1b1d) verified, confirmed

1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in

1c1a) stand firm

1c1b) trust, believe

Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See FAITH

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God is the true object of

Ps 65:5

- The fear of God leads to

Pr 14:26

- ENCOURAGEMENTS TO

. The everlasting strength of God

Isa 26:4

. The goodness of God

Na 1:7

. The loving-kindness of God

Ps 36:7

. The rich bounty of God

1Ti 6:17

. The care of God for us

1Pe 5:7

. Former deliverances

Ps 9:10; 2Co 1:10

- Should be with the whole heart

Pr 3:5

- Should be from youth up

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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