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Psalms 94:4 — Word Study

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WLCיַבִּ֣יעוּ יְדַבְּר֣וּ עָתָ֑ק יִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּ כָּל־ פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

BSAThey pour outnâbaʻ [utter, speak] arrogantʻâthâq [proud, bold] wordsdâbar [speaking boastfully] allkôl [every, everything] workerspâʻal [doers, performers] of iniquityʼâven [evil, wickedness] boastʼâmar [praise themselves, speak proudly]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 94
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 ('A.ven) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 94:4quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist observes the arrogant speech of the wicked and their boastful nature.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing the LORD.
Where we areIn a lament about the oppression of the righteous by the wicked.
The hard wordעָתָק
Take awayThe wicked are characterized by their boastful and arrogant speech.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָבַע 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 94:4

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 Arrogance of the Wickedgenerated

3How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult?
4They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.
5They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage.
6They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.

Psalm 94:4 reflects the psalmist's observation of the wicked who speak arrogantly and boastfully. This verse is part of a larger lament where the psalmist questions how long the wicked will continue to exult and oppress the righteous, as seen in the preceding and following verses. The psalmist's concern for God’s people is evident as he highlights the injustices they face.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 31:18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.
2Psalm 59:7–12See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
3Psalm 64:3–4who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
4Psalm 73:8–9They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
5Psalm 140:3They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah

The Key Word יַבִּ֣יעוּ, ya.Bi.'ugenerated

The verb יַבִּ֣יעוּ (ya.Bi.'u) is a Hiphil imperfect form meaning 'they pour forth.' It is derived from the root נָבַע (naba`), which conveys the idea of bubbling or gushing forth. This term captures the essence of words that flow out abundantly, whether good or bad.

In this context, it emphasizes the overflowing nature of the wicked's speech, which is characterized by arrogance and pride. The choice of this verb suggests a continuous action, indicating that their boastful words are not occasional but rather a persistent feature of their character.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase 'They pour out arrogant words' is consistent with the KJV and ASV, all translating יַבִּ֣יעוּ as 'pour out'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse features two main verbs: יַבִּ֣יעוּ (they pour forth) and יְדַבְּר֣וּ (they speak), with the adjective עָתָק (arrogance) describing the nature of the words being spoken. This arrangement emphasizes the actions of the wicked alongside their characteristics.

The Hebrew word order places the verbs at the forefront, highlighting the actions of the wicked as the primary focus of the verse, while the description of their speech follows.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יַבִּ֣יעוּ as φθέγχονται (they utter), which suggests a more formal or literary expression of speech compared to the more dynamic Hebrew term. This choice indicates a slight shift in nuance, emphasizing the act of speaking rather than the overflowing nature of the words.

The Greek word ἀδικίαν for אָוֶן reflects a focus on injustice or wrongdoing, aligning with the overall theme of the psalm regarding the wicked's actions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 94:4 describes how the wicked speak arrogantly and boast about their actions. This verse highlights the psalmist's concern over the prideful words of those who do evil, emphasizing their ongoing oppression of God's people.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the wicked 'pour out arrogant words'?

It means they continuously express their pride and boastfulness, showing a lack of humility and respect.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Psalm 94?

This verse illustrates the psalmist's lament over the oppression of the righteous by the wicked, highlighting their arrogant attitude.

What is the significance of the word 'arrogance' in this context?

It indicates a boldness in their speech that is disrespectful and defiant, reflecting their character.

How can we understand the boastfulness of the wicked today?

It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, and the importance of humility in our own speech.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see arrogance manifest in my own words or actions?
  2. How can I cultivate humility in my speech to reflect God's character?
  3. What are some examples of boastful attitudes in society today, and how can we respond?
  4. How does this verse challenge me to consider the impact of my words on others?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 94:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

How long shall they utter and speak hard things?,.... Against Christ, his person and offices, his ministers, his people, his truths and ordinances; this is very applicable to antichrist, who has a

Read John Gill on Psalms 94 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? Lord, how long shall the wicked ... triumph?

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 94 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Utter; or, pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters, as this Hebrew word signifies. Hard things; grievous, and insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people; blasphemous, malicious, contemptuous, and minatory words. Boast themselves; boast of their invincible power, and prosperous success in their wicked designs.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 94 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 94:4 [How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?Ver. 4. How long shall they utter] Heb. They will bluster (or well-out, as a fountain), they will speak hard things (speak millstones, throw daggers), they will boast themselves (talk largely of their good parts and practices); all this is expressed by an elegant asyndeton, to show that they did all this ordinarily and incessantly. Aκολαστονεχοντεςγλωσσαν, αισχιστηννοσον(Euripid.). A rhetorical figure which omits the conjunction.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 94 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) How long . . . and.—It is better to omit the italics, and render: They speak out of utter impudence: all evil-doers boast. The word rendered “boast” is by modern scholars connected with the Arabian title Emir, a “commander.” They make themselves out to be persons of distinction, or, perhaps, lord it over God’s people.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 94 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 4. They utter and speak] יביאו yabbiu, their hearts get full of pride and insolence; and then, from the abundance of such vile hearts, the mouth speaks; and the speech is of hard things, threatenings which they are determined to execute, boastings of their power, authority, &c.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 94 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. The verses run in pairs, and it seems preferable, with A.V., to regard Psalms 94:4 as a continuation of the question in Psalms 94:3, rather than, with R.V., to render it as an affirmative sentence. Workers of iniquity is the subject to the whole verse. (How long) shall all workers of iniquity Belch out, talk arrogantly, act haughtily? Cp. Psalms 59:2; Psalms 59:7; Psalms 31:18. The exact sense of the last verb is doubtful. It may mean ‘exalt themselves,’ or ‘speak proudly one with another.’

Read Cambridge on Psalms 94 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? - The word rendered utter means to pour forth - as water from a fountain; to pour forth copiously.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 94 →

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

They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They pour out arrogant words. All the evildoers boast.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They spew out threats and speak defiantly; all the evildoers boast.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They prate, they speak arrogantly: all the workers of iniquity boast themselves.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They prate and speake fiercely: all the workers of iniquitie vaunt themselues.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

[How long] shall they utter [and] speak insolence — all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They utter — they speak an old saw, All working iniquity do boast themselves.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They utter—they speak arrogance, || All working iniquity boast [about] themselves.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

They sputter, they speak hard things: all the workers of wickedness boast themselves.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They pour out their arrogant words; all those who do evil boast.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

How long will you let them pour out their arrogant words? How long will these evil people go on boasting?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Words of pride come from their lips; all the workers of evil say great things of themselves.

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.

clauseverbיַבִּ֣יעוּthey.pour.forthclauseverbיְדַבְּר֣וּthey.speakobjectעָתָ֑קarrogantclauseverbיִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּthey.boastnoun phrase · subjectכָּלallnoun phraseפֹּ֥עֲלֵי[those.who].doאָֽוֶן(of).wickedness

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 94:4 states, 'יַבִּ֣יעוּ יְדַבְּר֣וּ עָתָ֑ק יִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּ כָּל־ פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃' which translates to 'They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.' The Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, maintaining the same essential meaning, though its word order and articles differ due to its Greek structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q84) partially preserve the text, with some words supplied by an editor, but agree with the Masoretic Text in the main phrases. Overall, the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls support the reading of the Masoretic Text, confirming the same core message regarding the arrogance of the wicked.

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

יַבִּ֣יעוּ יְדַבְּר֣וּ עָתָ֑ק יִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּ כָּל־ פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יַבִּ֣יעוּφθέγχονταιיְדַבְּר֣וּλαλήσουσινעָתָ֑קἀδικίανיִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּλαλήσουσινכָּל־πάντεςפֹּ֥עֲלֵיἐργαζόμενοιאָֽוֶן׃ἀνομίαν

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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q84a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[יביעו] [ידברו] עתק [יתאמרו] [כל] [פעלי] [און]

nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 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 94:4נָבַעthey pour fthey pour forthנָבַעדָבַרthey speakthey speakדָבַרעָתָקarrogancearroganceעָתָקאָמַרthey boastthey boastאָמַרכֹּלallallכֹּלפָּעַל[those who][those who] doפָּעַלאָ֫וֶןwickednesswickednessאָ֫וֶןעָתַקto proceedto proceedעָתַקכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלאַ֫יִןnothingnothingאַ֫יִןשָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָהפֶּהliplipפֶּהמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןגָּבֹהַּhighhighגָּבֹהַּדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהאָ֫וֶןevil: wickevil: wickednesאָ֫וֶןעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָל
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 94:4

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.

they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
יַבִּ֣יעוּya.Bi.'u they pour forth H5042 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine plural
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To bubble means to gush forth, like water or words, and can also mean to utter good or bad things, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
utter, speak
Tyndale gloss
to bubble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַע (naba`) is a primitive root meaning to gush forth or bubble up. It encompasses actions like flowing, pouring out, and emitting, with uses in both literal and figurative contexts, including the utterance of words. The entries indicate that it can also refer to producing a foul odor, as in belching forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַע] vb. flow, spring, bubble up, poet. and late

Qal a flowing wady

Hiph. pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5042 נָבַע

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5042 naba` naw-bah'

a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good

or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor):--belch

out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַע (na.va) — to bubble.

1) to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment

1a) (Qal) to flow

1b)(Hiphil) to pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

1b1) to pour out

1b2) to cause to bubble, ferment

1b3) to pour forth, emit, belch forth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVhi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement

(1) forward,

(2) out of,

(3) beyond a certain boundary.

In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
יְדַבְּר֣וּye.da.be.Ru they speak H1696 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Amplified meaning
speaking boastfully
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVpi3mp
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
עָתָ֑ק'a.Tak arrogance H6277 Adj
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means being arrogant or bold, often in a negative way. It describes someone who speaks or acts with impudence, being stiff or unyielding in their attitude.
Amplified meaning
proud, bold
Tyndale gloss
arrogant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָתָק (athaq) primarily means 'forward' or 'arrogant,' particularly in the context of speech. It is derived from a root that suggests a sense of license or impudence. The entries consistently emphasize its connotation of boldness and arrogance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָתָק forward, arrogant (of speech)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6277 עָתָק forward, arrogant (of speech)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6277 `athaq aw-thawk'

from 6275 in the sense of license; impudent:--arrogancy,

grievous (hard) things, stiff.

see HEBREW for 06275

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָתָק (a.taq) — arrogant.

1) forward, bold, arrogant

1a) of speech

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning 1Sa 2:3; Pr 8:13; Isa 13:11

→ See PRIDE

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
יִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּyit.'a.me.Ru they boast H559 Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine plural
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Amplified meaning
praise themselves, speak proudly
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVti3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bost (halal, "to praise"; kauchaomai, "to vaunt oneself," used both in a good and a bad sense): To praise God: "In God have we made our boast all the day long" (Ps 44:8); to praise oneself, to vaunt (Ps 10:3). In the New Testament the Revised Version (British and American) frequently translates "glory," where the King James Version has "boast," in a good sense (2Co 7:14). In the sense of self-righteousness (Eph 2:9; Ro 2:17,23). Boaster (alazon, "a braggart") occurs in the King James Version (Ro 1:30; 2Ti 3:2); the…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every, everything
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
פֹּ֥עֲלֵיPo.'a.lei [those who] do H6466 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To work or do something is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, often used to describe habitual or systematic actions. It can also mean to make or practise something.
Amplified meaning
doers, performers
Tyndale gloss
to work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּעַל (pa'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, often used in a systematic or habitual sense. It encompasses actions like committing, ordaining, and working, with a poetic nuance compared to the more common verb for 'to do' (עָשָׂה). The entries consistently highlight its usage in the Qal stem, emphasizing its foundational role in expressing action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּעַל 67 vb. do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Qal

do

make

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6466 פָּעַל do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6466 pa`al paw-al'

a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and

habitually), especially to practise:--commit, (evil-)

do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּעַל (pa.al) — to work.

1) to do, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do

1a2) to make

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVqrmpc
they pour forth they speak arrogance they boast all [those who] do wickedness
אָֽוֶן׃'A.ven wickedness H205 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
77× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Amplified meaning
evil, wickedness
Tyndale gloss
evil: wickedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness

trouble, sorrow

idolatry

trouble of iniquity, wickedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

205 'aven aw-ven'

from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,

to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);

strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;

specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,

iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,

unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.

see HEBREW for 0369

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.

1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow

1a) trouble, sorrow

1b) idolatry

1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness

Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)

אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.

1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow

1a) trouble, sorrow

1b) idolatry

1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wik'-ed-nes:

1. In the Old Testament:

The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…

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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