Psalms 73:12 — Word Study
WLCהִנֵּה־ אֵ֥לֶּה רְשָׁעִ֑ים וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י ע֝וֹלָ֗ם הִשְׂגּוּ־ חָֽיִל׃
BSABeholdhinnêh [look, see] these [are]ʼêl-leh [specific, particular ones] the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin] alwaysʻôwlâm [forever, continually] carefreeshâlêv [at ease, prosperous] as they increasesâgâh■ [grow, become more powerful] their wealthchayil [riches, material possessions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הִנֵּה־ | here! | Particle |
| אֵ֥לֶּה | these | Particle |
| רְשָׁעִ֑ים | [are] wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י | and [people] at ease of | Conjunction |
| ע֝וֹלָ֗ם | perpetuity | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| הִשְׂגּוּ־ | they increase | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person common plural |
| חָֽיִל׃ | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth. |
| KJV | Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. |
| ASV | Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches. |
| YLT | Lo, these [are] the wicked and easy ones of the age, They have increased strength. |
| WEB | Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. |
| BBE | Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased. |
Where they part company is שַׁלְוֵי — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence features a main clause followed by two phrases that describe the state and actions of the wicked.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֵלֶּה
verbשָׂגָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 73:12
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 State of the Wickedgenerated
Psalm 73:12 reflects on the condition of the wicked, who seem to live without worry while accumulating wealth. This observation is part of a larger discourse about the justice of God and the fate of the righteous versus the unrighteous, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist grapples with the apparent success of the wicked and the struggles faced by the faithful, leading to a deeper reflection on divine justice.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:35 | I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, |
| 2 | Psalm 52:7 | “Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.” |
| 3 | Jeremiah 12:1–2 | Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? |
| 4 | Luke 16:19 | Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. |
| 5 | James 5:1–3 | Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רְשָעִים, re.sha.'Imgenerated
The word רְשָע (rasha`) identifies individuals who are morally wrong or guilty of sin. It is a masculine plural noun, suggesting a collective group of wicked people. This term is often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe those who oppose God and act unjustly, emphasizing their moral corruption.
In this verse, the psalmist categorizes these individuals as the wicked, highlighting their carefree and prosperous state. The use of this term sets a contrast between the perceived success of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous.
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 finite verb הִשְׂגּוּ (they increase) governs the entire sentence, with a subject and an object following it. The subject is אֵלֶּה (these), referring to the wicked, and the object is חָֽיִל (wealth), indicating what they are increasing.
The structure emphasizes the contrast between the subject and their state of being at ease, as expressed in the conjunction וְ (and) leading into שַׁלְוֵי (at ease). This arrangement highlights the carefree nature of the wicked as they grow in wealth.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew רְשָעִים is rendered as ἁμαρτωλοὶ (hamartōloi), meaning 'sinners'. This choice broadens the moral implications of the term, emphasizing not just wickedness but also a general state of sinfulness.
The Greek word for שַׁלְוֵי is εὐθηνοῦνται (euthinountai), which conveys a sense of prosperity and ease, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but also suggesting a flourishing state.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 73:12 describes the wicked as those who seem to live without worries while they grow in wealth. The psalmist notes their carefree nature, contrasting it with the struggles of the righteous. This observation leads to reflections on the nature of justice and the fate of the wicked.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being carefree suggests that the wicked live without concern for moral consequences or the fate that awaits them, enjoying their wealth and comfort.
The psalmist observes that the wicked often appear to thrive, raising questions about divine justice and the struggles faced by the righteous.
Wealth is portrayed as a source of comfort for the wicked, highlighting their moral state and the apparent ease of their lives compared to the trials of the faithful.
This verse contributes to the theme of Psalm 73, which grapples with the tension between the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, ultimately leading to reflections on God's justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I perceive the prosperity of those who do wrong in my own life?
- What does it mean to be carefree in the context of wealth and morality?
- In what ways can I remain steadfast in my faith despite the apparent success of the wicked?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of justice and righteousness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse in his exposition, discussing the thoughts of the wicked regarding God's knowledge.
"And they said, How has God known, and is there knowledge in the Most High?" [Psalms 73:11]. See through what thought they pass.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 73 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 73:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBehold, these are the ungodly,.... Who say and do as before declared; such as these must be without the knowledge of God, the fear, love, and worship of him: who prosper in the world; in worldly and
Read John Gill on Psalms 73 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBehold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. -The mental conflict which resulted in the Psalmist's mind from the anomalous prosperity of sinners. Verse 12.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 73 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThese are the ungodly; this is their condition and carriage in it. These seem to be the words of the psalmist, summing up the matter, and preparing his passage to the other part of the Psalm.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 73 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 73:12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.Ver. 12. Behold, these are the ungodly] q.d. If God do take knowledge of things here below, and ordereth all events, how is it that the ungodly prosper, while better men suffer? Who prosper in the world] An ill character, everything considered. See Psalms 17:14. Behold, these are the ungodly, the fortunate men of the world, so some render it. He that liveth in the height of the world’ s blandishments is not far from destruction. Periculosa est summe bona corporis valetudo, saith Hippocrates, The height of health is nearest to sickness and death. They increase in riches] They wallow in wealth…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 73 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11-14) The mutual relation of these verses has been the subject of many conflicting opinions. The following is the arrangement that seems preferable— “And people say, How shall God know? And does the Most High take notice of it? Lo! there are wicked men, And yet, always at ease, they amass riches. It is in vain then that I have kept my heart pure. And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been plagued every day, And my punishments (come) every morning.” —this reflection being put into the mouth of the public who are onlookers at the career of these timeservers. But the poet immediately goes on to disclaim it for himself.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 73 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. These are the ungodly] The people still speak. It is the ungodly that prosper, the irreligious and profane.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 73 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–14. Faith tried by the sight of the prosperity of the wicked.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 73 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBehold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world - This is also to be understood as the language of the good man perplexed and embarrassed by the fact that the wicked are prosperous and happy.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 73 →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
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer.
Tyndale line
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches.
Strictly literal
Behold, these are the wicked, and they prosper in the world: they heap up riches.
Lo, these [are] the wicked and easy ones of the age, They have increased strength.
Behold, these [are] the wicked and easy ones of the age, || They have increased strength.
Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.
From the Latin
But God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
Simplified
Look at these wicked people! They don't have a care in the world, and they're always making money!
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 73:12 reads, "הִנֵּה־ אֵ֥לֶּה רְשָׁעִ֑ים וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י ע֝וֹלָ֗ם הִשְׂגּוּ־ חָֽיִל׃" which translates to, "Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth." The Septuagint closely matches this text, with all seven words corresponding to the Hebrew. Therefore, both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording and meaning of this verse, indicating a consistent understanding of the text across these ancient witnesses.
הִנֵּה־ אֵ֥לֶּה רְשָׁעִ֑ים וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י ע֝וֹלָ֗ם הִשְׂגּוּ־ חָֽיִל׃
7 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.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 73:12
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.
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
her, in composition:
אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.
אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these
in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
with preps.
base
H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
. with preps.
428 'el-leh ale'-leh
prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one
sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,
thus, which, who(-m).
see HEBREW for 0411
אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.
1) these
1a) used before antecedent
1b) used following antecedent
Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Pron — ParticleHTm
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word שָׁלֵו (*shalev*) is derived from the root meaning to be at ease or tranquil. It encompasses a range of meanings including quietness, prosperity, and security, but can also imply carelessness in a negative sense. The entries highlight its use in describing both people and land as being at ease.
שָׁלֵו, שָׁלֵיו, שְׁלֵיו adj. quiet, at ease
base
H7961 שָׁלֵו, שָׁלֵיו, שְׁלֵיו, שְׁלַוָה
7961 shalev shaw-lave'
or shaleyv {shaw-lave'}; feminine shlevah {shel-ay-vaw'};
from 7951; tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly,
security:--(being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity),
quiet(-ness), wealthy.
see HEBREW for 07951
שָׁלֵו (sha.lev) — at ease.
1) quiet, at ease, prosperous
1a) at ease (of persons)
1b) quiet (of land)
1c) quiet, ease
1d) ease (subst)
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aampc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
שָׂגָא (sagah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to grow or increase. It can refer to the growth of plants or the figurative sense of becoming great or magnified. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, with the latter emphasizing an increase in wealth or status. Notably, Brown-Driver-Briggs mentions a verse about the righteous growing like cedar.
[שָׂגָא] vb. grow, grow great
Qal (of plant)
Hiph.
make great
magnify, laud
base
[שָׂגָה] vb. grow, increase
Qal righteous shall grow great like cedar
Hiph. they have increased riches.
base
H7685a שָׂגָא grow, grow great H7685b שָׂגָה grow, increase
7685 sagah saw-gaw'
a primitive root; to enlarge (especially upward, also
figuratively):--grow (up), increase.
שָׂגָה (sa.gah) — to grow.
1) to grow, increase
1a) (Qal) to grow (of plant)
שָׂגָה (sa.gah) — to increase.
1) to grow, increase
1a) (Qal) to grow (great)
1b) (Hiphil) to increase
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common pluralHVhp3cp
in'-kres, (noun), in-kres' (verb): Employed in the English Bible both as verb and as noun, and in both cases to represent a number of different words in the original. As a verb it is used in the ordinary sense of the term. As a noun it is usually used of plant life, or of the herds and flocks, to denote the fruitage or the offspring; more rarely of money, to denote the interest. As examples of the different terms translated by this word, students who read Hebrew or Greek may compare De 7:22; Pr 16:21; Job 10:16 the King James Version; Job 12:23; Nu 18:30; De 7:13…
The Hebrew word חַ֫יִל (*chayil*) encompasses meanings related to strength, efficiency, wealth, and army. It is derived from a root meaning force and can refer to physical might, moral virtue, or resources. The entries consistently highlight its application to soldiers and military forces, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
חַ֫יִל 244 n.m. strength, efficiency, wealth, army
strength, usu. physical
ability, efficiency, often involving moral worth
wealth
force, army
base
H2428 חַ֫יִל strength, efficiency, wealth, army
2428 chayil khah'-yil
from 2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other
resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:--able,
activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great)
forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong,
substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war,
worthy(-ily).
see HEBREW for 02342
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
חֵילֵךְ (che.lek) — Helech.
§ Helech = "your army"
a place near Arvad and Gammad
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength.
: strong
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army, soldiers/army
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: rich.
: rich/wealth
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: worthy.
: worthy
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RICHES