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Psalms 19:7 — Word Study

Depth

WLCתּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ עֵד֥וּת יְהוָ֥ה נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה מַחְכִּ֥ימַת פֶּֽתִי׃

BSAendqâtseh heavenshâmayim exitmôwtsâʼ circuittᵉqûwphâh uponʻal endqâtsâh nothingʼayin to hideçâthar heatchammâh

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 19
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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 (Pe.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 19:7quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes the perfection of the Law of the LORD and its ability to restore the soul and impart wisdom.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the nature of God's Law and its effects.
Where we areIn a section celebrating the glory of God's creation and His Law.
The hard wordתְּ֭מִימָה
Take awayGod's Law is perfect and has restorative power.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁמַיִם 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 19:7

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 Perfection of God's Lawgenerated

6it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

Psalm 19:7 is part of a passage that extols the beauty of God's creation and the perfection of His Law. The psalmist emphasizes how the Law serves not only as a guide but also as a source of renewal and wisdom for those who are simple or inexperienced. This section reflects the deep connection between divine instruction and human flourishing, affirming that adherence to God's commandments leads to true understanding and vitality.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 78:1–7Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
2Psalm 119:72–96The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
3Psalm 147:19–20He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.
4Deuteronomy 6:6–9These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
5Deuteronomy 17:18–20When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

The Key Word תְּ֭מִימָה, Te.mi.mahgenerated

The word תְּ֭מִימָה (te.mimah) means perfect or unblemished. It conveys the idea of being whole and complete, free from any defect. In this context, it describes the Law of the LORD as flawless, indicating that it is entirely trustworthy and beneficial for those who follow it.

The parsing as a feminine singular adjective highlights its role in describing the Law, emphasizing that it is not only perfect in its essence but also in its application to human life.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains two main clauses connected by the conjunction 'and'. The first clause centers on the Law of the LORD, with the finite verb תְּ֭מִימָה (is perfect) serving as the predicate. The second clause describes the testimony of the LORD, with נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה (is trustworthy) as its predicate.

The structure emphasizes the dual focus on both the Law and the testimony, highlighting their respective qualities and effects on the soul and the simple.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word תְּ֭מִימָה is rendered as ἄκρου (akrou), which suggests a similar notion of completeness or perfection. This choice indicates a consistent understanding of the Law's unblemished nature across translations.

The use of ἀπ’ (ap’) for יְהוָ֣ה further emphasizes the divine origin of the Law, reinforcing its authority and reliability.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 19:7 tells us that the Law of the LORD is perfect and can revive the soul. It also states that the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the simple wise. This verse highlights the importance of God's instruction in guiding and renewing our lives.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the Law is perfect?

The Law is described as perfect because it is complete and without flaws, providing a perfect guide for human behavior and moral living.

How does the Law revive the soul?

The Law revives the soul by restoring and refreshing the inner being, helping individuals return to a right relationship with God.

What is meant by the testimony of the LORD?

The testimony of the LORD refers to His laws and instructions, which serve as a witness to His character and guidance for living.

Who are the simple mentioned in this verse?

The simple refers to those who are inexperienced or naive, who can gain wisdom and discernment through following God's Law.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced the renewing power of God's Law in my life?
  2. How can I better understand and apply the teachings of the LORD to gain wisdom?
  3. What steps can I take to share the importance of God's instructions with others?
  4. How does recognizing the perfection of God's Law change my perspective on following it?

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

The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of God's Law and its impact on the soul. Quotations from Augustine of Hippo and Diodorus of Tarsus illustrate their theological reflections on the text.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 19 354–430
"The law of the Lord is undefiled, converting souls" [Psalms 19:7].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 19 →
Augustine of HippoON VARIOUS QEUSTIONS TO SIMPLICIAN 1:1.7 354–430
The law cannot be fulfilled except by spiritual persons, and there cannot be such save by grace. The more one is assimilated to the spiritual law, the more one attains to a spiritual disposition, and the more one fulfills the law.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 19 →
Diodorus of TarsusCOMMENTARY ON Psalms 19 d. c. 390
What the written law does by teaching its intentions to those with a knowledge of writing the law in nature does by teaching those with an understanding eye that there is a Creator of visible realities.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 19 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 19:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The law of the Lord [is] perfect,.... By which is meant, not the law of Moses, or the ten commandments, but the "doctrine" of the Lord; as the word תורה, "torah", signifies, even the whole word of God, as in Isaiah 8:20.

Read John Gill on Psalms 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The law of the Lord, i.e. the doctrine delivered by God to his church, whether by Moses or by other prophets, and holy men of God after him; for the title of law is given not only to the ten commandments, or the moral law, as it is ,25,27 3:31, but also to the whole word of God, as 119:70 &c.; ; to the Psalms, as 15:25, compared with 35:19; and to the writings of the prophets, , compared with ; yea, even to the gospel itself, as 42:4 5:4,7 Romans 3:27 . And in this general sense it must be here understood, because the effects here following do not flow from one, but from all the parts of it, precepts, and counsels, and threatenings, and promises, and God’ s gracious covenant made with man…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.Ver. 7. The law of the Lord is perfect] Or, doctrine; the whole word of God, commonly distinguished into law and gospel, is perfect, immaculate, sincere, entire, complete. If Cicero dared to say, that the law of the twelve tables in Rome did exceed all the libraries of philosophers, both in weight of authority and fruitfulness of matter, how much rather is this true of God’ s law! saith a learned writer. Nothing may be added to it without marring it, Proverbs 30:6. Note this against Jewish, Popish, and Turkish traditions and additions; as also against…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 19 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) The law.—The ear catches even in the English the change of rhythm, which is as marked as the change of subject. Instead of the free lyric movement of the preceding verse, we come suddenly upon the most finished specimen of didactic poetry in regular metre, exhibiting a perfect balance of expression as well as of thought, so perfect in the original, that in Psalms 19:7-9 the number of words is the same in each clause. In each clause, too, the Law, under one or another of its many names and aspects, is praised, first for its essential character, then for its results. The law . . . . the testimony.—These are collective terms embracing, under different regards, the whole body of statutes…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 19 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. The law of the Lord] And here are two books of Divine Revelation: 1. The visible HEAVENS, and the works of creation in general. 2. The BIBLE, or Divinely inspired writings contained in the Old and New Testaments. These may all be called the LAW of the Lord; תורה torah, from ירה yarah, to instruct, direct, put straight, guide. It is God's system of instruction, by which men are taught the knowledge of God and themselves, directed how to walk so as to please GOD, redeemed from crooked paths, and guided in the way everlasting. Some think that תורה torah means the preceptive part of Revelation. Some of the primitive fathers have mentioned three LAWS given by God to man: 1. The law of…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7–11. Yet more wonderful than this declaration of God’s glory, more beneficent than the sun’s life-giving light and heat, is Jehovah’s revelation of His will, which quickens and educates man’s moral nature. Its essential characteristics and its beneficent influences are described with an enthusiastic and loving admiration. Note the peculiar rhythm of Psa 19:7-9, in which each line is divided by a well-marked caesura. Cp. Lamentations 1:1 ff. See Introd. p. lx.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 19 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The law of the Lord - Margin, doctrine. The word used here - תורה tôrâh - is that which is commonly employed in the Old Testament with reference to the law of God, and is usually rendered “law.”

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 19 →

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

The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The Lawe of the Lord is perfite, conuerting the soule: the testimonie of the Lord is sure, and giueth wisedome vnto the simple.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The law of Jehovah [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of Jehovah [are] stedfast, Making wise the simple,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, || The testimonies of YHWH [are] steadfast, || Making the simple wise,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(19:8) The law of the Lord is perfect, quieting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Yahweh is reliable, making the simple wise.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The Lord fulfill all thy petitions: now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed. He will hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is in powers.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The Lord's law is beneficial, renewing spiritual life. The Lord's teaching is trustworthy, making inexperienced people wise.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul: the witness of the Lord is certain, giving wisdom to the foolish.

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 · subjectתּ֘וֹרַ֤תthe.instructionיְהוָ֣הof.Yahwehpredicateתְּ֭מִימָה[is].perfectclauseverbמְשִׁ֣יבַתrestoringobjectנָ֑פֶשׁ(of).lifeclausenoun phrase · subjectעֵד֥וּתthe.testimonyיְהוָ֥הof.Yahwehverbנֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה[is].reliableclauseverbמַחְכִּ֥ימַתmaking.wiseobjectפֶּֽתִי(of).a.simple.person

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as it stands, while the Septuagint aligns closely with it, showing a strong correspondence in meaning. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that support the overall message of the verse, though some words are restored by editors due to damage.

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

תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ עֵד֥וּת יְהוָ֥ה נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה מַחְכִּ֥ימַת פֶּֽתִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
תּ֘וֹרַ֤תἀπ’יְהוָ֣הἄκρουתְּ֭מִימָהτοῦמְשִׁ֣יבַתοὐρανοῦעֵד֥וּתαὐτοῦיְהוָ֥הκαὶמַחְכִּ֥ימַתαὐτοῦפֶּֽתִי׃ἕως

8 of the 10 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 — 11Q7a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[מקצי] [השמים] [מוצא׳ו] [ותקופת׳ו] [על] [קצות׳מה] [ואין] [נסתר] [מחמת׳ו]

9 words of the verse are on this fragment — 9 supplied entire by an editor.

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 19:7תּוֹרָה[the] instr[the] instructiתּוֹרָהיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהתָּמִים[is] perfec[is] perfectתָּמִיםשׁוּבrestoringrestoringשׁוּבנֶ֫פֶשׁlifelifeנֶ֫פֶשׁעֵדוּת[the] testi[the] testimonyעֵדוּתיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהאָמַן[is] reliab[is] reliableאָמַןחָכַםmaking wisemaking wiseחָכַםפֶּ֫תִיa simple pea simple personפֶּ֫תִיהָיָהto beto beהָיָהיָרָאto shootto shootיָרָאתָּמַםto finishto finishתָּמַםנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁפָּתָהto open wito open wideפָּתָהעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדיָמַןto turn rito turn rightיָמַןנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאלִיץto mockto mockלִיץסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרכָּתַבto writeto writeכָּתַבכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַי
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 19:7

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.

[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
תּ֘וֹרַ֤תto.Rat [the] instruction of H8451 Noun common · feminine singular construct
219× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Tyndale gloss
instruction
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law

instruction

law (prop. direction)

custom, manner

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction

. law (prop. direction)

. custom, manner

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8451 towrah to-raw'

or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,

especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.

see HEBREW for 03384

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.

1) law, direction, instruction

1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)

1a1) body of prophetic teaching

1a2) instruction in Messianic age

1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction

1a4) body of legal directives

1b) law

1b1) law of the burnt offering

1b2) of special law, codes of law

1c) custom, manner

1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
יְהוָ֣הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
תְּ֭מִימָהTe.mi.mah [is] perfect H8549
91× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means unblemished or perfect, like an animal without defects. It describes something or someone that is whole and complete, like the sacrifices in Leviticus. It is used to describe integrity and truth.
Tyndale gloss
unblemished
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) means complete, sound, or whole. It encompasses notions of integrity, truth, and being unblemished or innocent. The word can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is entire or in accord with truth. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being entire or perfect.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּמִים 91 adj. complete, sound

complete, whole, entire

whole, sound, healthful

complete, entire, of time

sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8549 תָּמִים complete, sound . complete, whole, entire

. whole, sound, healthful

. complete, entire, of time

. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

. as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8549 tamiym taw-meem'

from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also

(as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full,

perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled,

upright(-ly), whole.

see HEBREW for 08552

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished.

: unblemished/perfect

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: blameless.

: blameless

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: complete.

: complete

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAafsa
HAafsa
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
מְשִׁ֣יבַתme.Shi.vat restoring H7725 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) feminine singular common
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhrfsc — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) feminine singular common
HVhrfsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
נָ֑פֶשׁNa.fesh life H5315 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):

I. THE TERMS

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING

1. Popular Use of the Term

2. Complexity of the Idea

III. IN THE APOCRYPHA

IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In the Synoptic Gospels

2. In the Fourth Gospel

3. In the Ac of the Apostles

4. In the Writings of Paul

5. In the Writings of John

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament

LITERATURE

I. The Terms.

Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Life

Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Breath of Ge 2:7

Called SPIRIT OF GOD Job 27:3

Tree of Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Pr 3:18; 13:12; Re 2:7

→ (SACREDNESS OF, an inference from what is taught in the law concerning murder)

See HOMICIDE

Long life promised to obedient children Ex 20:12; De 5:16

To those who keep the commandments De 4:40; 22:7

Vanity of Ec 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Hated Ec 2:17

[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
עֵד֥וּת'e.Dut [the] testimony of H5715 Noun common · feminine singular construct
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Tyndale gloss
testimony
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'

feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.

see HEBREW for 05707

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.

testimony

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
יְהוָ֥הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗הne.'e.ma.Nah [is] reliable H539 Verb · Niphal · participle (active) feminine 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.
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
HVNrfsa — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) feminine singular
HVNrfsa
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
מַחְכִּ֥ימַתmach.Ki.mat making wise H2449 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) feminine singular common
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be wise means to have good judgment and act intelligently, as described in the Bible. This word is used in Proverbs and other books to encourage people to seek wisdom and make wise decisions, like King Solomon.
Tyndale gloss
be wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכַם (chakam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be wise or to act wisely. It encompasses various forms, including teaching wisdom and showing oneself wise. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, such as making others wise or dealing shrewdly. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכַם vb. be wise

Qal be or become wise, act wisely

Pi. make wise, teach wisdom

Pu. made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom

Hiph. making wise the simple

Hithp. let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); make or shew thyself wise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2449 חָכַם be wise .be or become wise, act wisely

. make wise, teach wisdom

. made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom

. making wise the simple

. let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); make or shew thyself wise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2449 chakam khaw-kam'

a primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act):--X

exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal

(never so) wisely, make wiser.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָכַם (cha.kham) — be wise.

1) to be wise

1a) (Qal) to be or become wise, act wisely

1b) (Piel) to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct

1c) (Pual) to be made wise

1d) (Hiphil) to make wise

1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself wise, deceive, show one's wisdom

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhrfsc — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) feminine singular common
HVhrfsc
[the] instruction of Yahweh [is] perfect restoring life [the] testimony of Yahweh [is] reliable making wise a simple person
פֶּֽתִי׃Pe.ti a simple person H6612 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means being simple or naive, like someone who is easily influenced. It appears in Proverbs 1:4, where Solomon advises against being foolish. In the Bible, it often refers to someone lacking wisdom.
Tyndale gloss
simple
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫תִי adj. simple, poss. as open-minded

base

[פְּתִי] n.f. simplicity (i.e. lack of wisdom), Pr 1:22.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6612a פֶּ֫תִי simple, poss. as open-minded H6612b פְּתִי simplicity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫תִי (pe.ti) — simple.

adj

simple, foolish, open-minded

פְּתִי (pe.ti) — simplicity.

simplicity, naivete

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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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