Ecclesiastes 4:13 — Word Study
WLCט֛וֹב יֶ֥לֶד מִסְכֵּ֖ן וְחָכָ֑ם מִמֶּ֤לֶךְ זָקֵן֙ וּכְסִ֔יל אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־ יָדַ֥ע לְהִזָּהֵ֖ר עֽוֹד׃
BSABetterṭôwb [more desirable, preferable] is a poormiçkên [needy, lacking necessities] but wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled] youthyeled [young person, child] than an oldzâqên [elderly, aged] but foolishkᵉçîyl [stupid, silly] kingmelek [royal person, ruler] whoʼăsher nolôʼ longerʻôwd knowsyâdaʻ■ [is unable to understand] how to take a warningzâhar [receive, heed, admonition, caution, to be guided by the wisdom of others]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ט֛וֹב | [is] good | Adj |
| יֶ֥לֶד | a youth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מִסְכֵּ֖ן | poor | Adj |
| וְחָכָ֑ם | and wise | Conjunction |
| מִמֶּ֤לֶךְ | more than a king | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| זָקֵן֙ | old | Adj |
| וּכְסִ֔יל | and a fool | Conjunction |
| אֲשֶׁ֛ר | who | Particle |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יָדַ֥ע | he knows | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לְהִזָּהֵ֖ר | to be warned | Preposition, verb niphal infinitive construct common |
| עֽוֹד׃ | still | Adv |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. |
| KJV | ¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. |
| ASV | Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. |
| YLT | Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more. |
| WEB | Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more. |
| BBE | A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the value of wisdom.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with comparative and relative clauses that provide additional context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָדַע
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 — Ecclesiastes 4:13
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 Value of Wisdomgenerated
Ecclesiastes 4:13 compares a poor but wise youth to an old but foolish king, illustrating that wisdom is more desirable than mere age or status. This theme resonates throughout Ecclesiastes, where the author frequently reflects on the futility of worldly pursuits and the importance of wisdom. The surrounding verses emphasize the strength found in companionship and the transient nature of power, as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:12 and Ecclesiastes 4:14.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 9:15–16 | Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. |
| 2 | Genesis 37:2 | This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. |
| 3 | Proverbs 19:1 | Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. |
| 4 | Proverbs 28:6–15 | Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 22:8 | The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָכָם, ve.cha.Khamgenerated
The Hebrew word חָכָם (chakam) means wise and encompasses various aspects of intelligence, skillfulness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to someone who is not only knowledgeable but also prudent and shrewd in their actions.
In this verse, the contrast between the wise youth and the foolish king highlights that wisdom is a critical quality, regardless of one's social status or age. The parsing indicates that it functions as an adjective, describing the youth's character.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the contrast between the wise youth and the foolish king.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around the finite verb טוֹב, is good, which serves as the predicate. The sentence contrasts two subjects: a poor but wise youth and an old but foolish king.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the comparison, with the wise youth positioned first, highlighting the value of wisdom over age.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חָכָם as σοφός, indicating a similar understanding of wisdom in the Greek context. This choice reflects the importance of wisdom as a virtue across both Hebrew and Greek traditions.
The consistent rendering of the Hebrew terms in the Septuagint suggests a shared emphasis on the qualities being contrasted in this verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 4:13 tells us that a poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king. This verse highlights the importance of wisdom over age and status, showing that being wise is more valuable than being powerful or old.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This suggests that wisdom is a greater asset than power or age, as the wise youth can make better decisions and understand situations more effectively.
It emphasizes that wisdom is not necessarily tied to age; a young person can possess insight and understanding that an older person may lack.
It implies that even those in positions of power can be lacking in wisdom, leading to poor decision-making.
It reflects the book's theme of valuing wisdom and understanding over earthly pursuits and status.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I seek wisdom, like the youth in this verse?
- How can I avoid the pitfalls of foolishness, regardless of my age or position?
- What examples of wise decision-making can I observe in my surroundings?
- How can I encourage others to value wisdom over status or age?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 4:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBetter [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,.... The wise man proceeds to show the vanity of worldly power and dignity, in the highest instance of it, which is kingly; and, in
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBetter is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. Better (in respect to condition; not moral character) (is) a poor and a wise child that an old and foolish king.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBetter; more happy. Now he proceeds to another vanity, even that of honour and power, and of the highest places. A poor child; who is doubly contemptible, both for his age, and for his poverty. An old king; venerable both for his age and gravity, and for his royal dignity. So that the comparison is made with the greatest disadvantage that may be. Who will no more be admonished; who hath neither wisdom to govern himself, nor to receive the counsels or admonitions of wiser men, but is foolish, and wilful, and incorrigible.
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 4:13 Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.Ver. 13. Better is a poor and wise child.] Such as was Joseph, David, Daniel, and his three comrades, &c.; apt to learn, ready to receive instruction, and as careful to follow it. And well doth the Preacher join poverty with wisdom, for, Nescio quomodo bonae mentis soror est paupertas, saith he in Petronius; and, Paupertas est philosophiae vernacula, - Poverty is the proper language of philosophy, and wisdom is undervalued little and set by. Those wisest of the Greeks were very poor - Aristides, Phocion, Pelopidas, Epaminondas, Socrates, Ephialtes. So were those worthies "of…
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) The section commencing here presents great difficulties of interpretation, in overcoming which we have little help from the context, on account of the abruptness with which, in this verse, a new subject is introduced. Poor.—The word occurs again in this book (Ecclesiastes 9:15-16), but not elsewhere in the Old Testament: kindred words occur in Deuteronomy 8:9; Isaiah 40:20. No confidence can be placed in the attempts made to find a definite historical reference in this verse and the next.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 4 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Better is a poor and a wise child] The Targum applies this to Abraham. "Abraham was a poor child of only three years of age; but he had the spirit of prophecy, and he refused to worship the idols which the old foolish king - Nimrod - had set up; therefore Nimrod cast him into a furnace of fire. But the Lord worked a miracle and delivered him. Yet here was no knowledge in Nimrod, and he would not be admonished." The Targum proceeds:
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. Better is a poor and a wise child] Better, young man. The words are general enough but the ingenuity of commentators has sought for examples in history, which the writer, according to the varying theories as to his date, may have had in his thoughts. Such, e.g. as Abraham and Nimrod, Joseph and Pharaoh, David and Saul (all these are named in the Midrash Koheleth, see Introduction, ch. vi.), Joash and Amaziah, Cyrus and Astyages, the high priest Onias and his nephew Joseph (circ. b.c. 246–221, see Joseph. Ant. xii. 4, and Note on next verse), or Herod and his son Alexander. None of these identifications are altogether satisfactory, and it is quite possible that the writer may simply have…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 4 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThese verses set forth the vanity of earthly prosperity even on a throne.
Read Albert Barnes on Ecclesiastes 4 →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
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.
Tyndale line
¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
Strictly literal
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who has not known to be warned anymore.
Better is a poor and a wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to be admonished any more.
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to listen to warnings.
From the Latin
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
Simplified
A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.
A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of Ecclesiastes 4:13, with all 12 words matched. This agreement indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across both traditions.
ט֛וֹב יֶ֥לֶד מִסְכֵּ֖ן וְחָכָ֑ם מִמֶּ֤לֶךְ זָקֵן֙ וּכְסִ֔יל אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־ יָדַ֥ע לְהִזָּהֵ֖ר עֽוֹד׃
12 of the 12 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 Ecclesiastes 4:13
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.
טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.
טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good
pleasant, agreeable to the senses
pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well
good, excellent, of its kind
good, rich, valuable in estimation
good, appropriate, becoming
c. מִן compar. = better
of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous
of man's intellectual nature, good understanding
good, kind, benign
good (ethical), right
base
טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare
welfare, prosperity, happiness
good things
good = benefit
moral good
base
טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good
welfare, prosperity, happiness
good things
bounty, good
base
H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses
. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well
. good, excellent, of its kind
. good, rich, valuable in estimation
. good, appropriate, becoming
. c. מִן compar. =better
. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous
. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding
. good, kind, benign
. good (ethical), right
H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good
2896 towb tobe
from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used
likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,
the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a
good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or
women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,
bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,
fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),
graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,
merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,
prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well
((-favoured)).
see HEBREW for 02895
טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.
adj
1) good, pleasant, agreeable
1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)
1c) good, excellent (of its kind)
1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation
1e) good, appropriate, becoming
1f) better (comparative)
1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)
1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)
1i) good, kind, benign
1j) good, right (ethical)
Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
טוֹב (tov) — good.
1) a good thing, benefit, welfare
1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness
1b) good things (collective)
1c) good, benefit
1d) moral good
טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.
1) welfare, benefit, good things
1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness
1b) good things (collective)
1c) bounty
Adj — AdjHAamsa
good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.
(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:
(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).
יֶ֫לֶד (yeled) refers to a child, son, or youth, encompassing meanings like offspring and young man. It can also figuratively denote apostate Israelites. The word is derived from a root meaning something born, indicating its connection to birth and lineage.
יֶ֫לֶד 89 n.m. child, son, boy, youth
base
H3206 יֶ֫לֶד child, son, boy, youth
3206 yeled yeh'-led
from 3205; something born, i.e. a lad or offspring:--boy,
child, fruit, son, young man (one).
see HEBREW for 03205
יֶ֫לֶד (ye.led) — youth.
1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth
1a) child, son, boy
1b) child, children
1c) descendants
1d) youth
1e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
מִסְכֵּן (miskēn) means 'poor' and is derived from the root word associated with neediness. It is used in the context of describing an indigent person, specifically noted in the book of Ecclesiastes. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as 'poor man' without significant variation.
מִסְכֵּן adj. poor, only Ec.
base
H4542 מִסְכֵּן
4542 micken mis-kane'
from 5531; indigent:--poor (man).
see HEBREW for 05531
מִסְכֵּן (mis.ken) — poor.
poor, poor man
Adj — AdjHAamsa
poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):
I. In the Old Testament.
The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (De 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (De 15:5), and in De 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.
1. The Terms Employed:
Poor
The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19,21).
(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).
(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).
(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the…
The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27;
Ps 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Ex 23:6 Pr 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Mt 25:42-45 Jas 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mr 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsa
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' and is used to refer to human beings, often as a noun for 'old man' or 'elder.' It encompasses meanings related to age and authority, indicating both age and leadership roles. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be old,' and it is consistently associated with the concept of elders in various contexts.
זָקֵן adj. old
old, of human beings
usu. as subst.
old man (or woman)
elder
base
H2205 זָקֵן old . old, of human beings
. usu. as subst. . old man (or woman)
. elder
2205 zaqen zaw-kane'
from 2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man,
men and...women), senator.
see HEBREW for 02204
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old: elder.
: elder/leader
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old.
: old
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
old.
See AGE, OLD.
כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.
כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool
base
H3684 כְּסִיל
3684 kciyl kes-eel'
from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or
silly:--fool(-ish).
see HEBREW for 03688
כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.
fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsa
Any person who does not act wisely, that is, does not follow the warnings and requirements of God, which are founded in infinite wisdom. Hence "a fool" is put for a wicked man, an enemy or neglecter of God, Ps 14:1 Pr 19:1. So folly is put for wickedness, 2Sa 13:12,13 Ps 38:5, foolish lusts for wicked lusts, etc. Foolish talking, foolish questions, are vain, empty, unprofitable conversation, 2Ti 2:23.
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Rel — ParticleHTr
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
זָהַר (zahar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to shine or emit light, and it also conveys the ideas of teaching and warning. It is primarily used in the Hiphil and Niphal forms, indicating actions like instructing or being admonished. The entries suggest a figurative sense of enlightenment through caution. There is an Aramaic equivalent, זְהַר, meaning 'to take heed'.
[זָהַר] vb. be light, shining
Hiph. intrans. (late) send out light, shine
base
[זָהַר] vb. only Hiph., Niph.
Hiph. instruct, teach, warn
Niph. be instructed, admonished, warned
base
H2094a זָהַר be light, shining . intrans. (late) send out light, shine
H2094b זָהַר only Hiph., Niph. . instruct, teach, warn
. be instructed, admonished, warned
2094 zahar zaw-har'
a primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by
caution):--admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing).
זָהַר (za.har) — to shine.
1) to shine, send out light, be light, be shining
1a) (Hiphil) to shine, send out light (fig.)
זָהַר (za.har) — to warn.
1) to admonish, warn, teach
1a) (Niphal) to be taught, be admonished
1b) (Hiphil) to teach, warn
Aramaic equivalent: ze.har (זְהַר "to take heed" H2095)
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb niphal infinitive construct commonHR/VNcc
עוֹד (owd) primarily denotes a sense of iteration or continuance, functioning mostly as an adverb meaning 'still,' 'yet,' or 'again.' It can also imply addition or repetition, as in 'more' or 'besides.' The word appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing persistence or continuation.
עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides
base
H5750 עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides
5750 `owd ode
or rod {ode}; from 5749; properly, iteration or continuance;
used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again,
repeatedly, still, more:--again, X all life long, at all,
besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer,
(any) more(-over), X once, since, (be) still, when, (good,
the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet
(within).
see HEBREW for 05749
עוֹד (od) — still.
subst
1) a going round, continuance
adv
2) still, yet, again, besides
2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence)
2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition)
2c) again
2d) still, moreover, besides
Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Adv — AdvHAcmsa
stil: "To be still" is "to keep silence" (Ps 4:4, etc.) and so "to be quiet" (Ps 107:29, etc.) or "inactive" in any way (Jud 18:9; 1Ki 22:3; Zec 1:11, etc.). So "be still" in Ps 46:10 means "desist from your war" (compare the Revised Version margin "let be"). The "still small voice" of 1Ki 19:12 (the Revised Version margin "sound of gentle stillness") is due to taking the Hebrew demamah in its literal force of "silent," but the word here means "whisper"--"a whispering, little voice." This familiar passage…