Isaiah 5:21 — Word Study
WLCה֖וֹי חֲכָמִ֣ים בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם וְנֶ֥גֶד פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם נְבֹנִֽים׃
BSAWoehôwy [a cry of sorrow, a lamentation] to those who are wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled, prudent] in their own eyesʻayin [their own understanding, perception] and cleverbîyn [discerning, astute] inneged their own sightpânîym [their own judgment, opinion]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ה֖וֹי | woe to! | Particle |
| חֲכָמִ֣ים | [people] wise | Adj |
| בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם | in own eyes their | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וְנֶ֥גֶד | and before | Conjunction |
| פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם | own faces their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| נְבֹנִֽים׃ | discerning [people] | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. |
| KJV | Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! |
| ASV | Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! |
| YLT | Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes, And — before their own faces — intelligent! |
| WEB | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! |
| BBE | Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge! |
Where they part company is חֲכָמִ֣ים — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, with a main clause followed by a predicate that elaborates on the subjects being condemned.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבִּין
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 — Isaiah 5:21
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 — Woes Against Moral Blindnessgenerated
Isaiah 5:21 presents a lamentation against those who consider themselves wise and clever, indicating a disconnect between their self-assessment and the truth. This verse is part of a larger passage that critiques moral failures and the perversion of good and evil, as seen in the preceding and following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 11:12 | But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! |
| 2 | Proverbs 3:7 | Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
| 3 | Proverbs 26:12–16 | Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. |
| 4 | John 9:41 | “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” |
| 5 | Romans 1:22 | Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חֲכָמִ֣ים, cha.kha.Mimgenerated
The word חָכָם (*chakam*) describes individuals who are wise, skilled, or prudent. It encompasses a range of meanings from intelligence to craftiness, suggesting a depth of understanding that can be both positive and negative.
In this context, it highlights a false sense of wisdom that leads to moral blindness. The parsing as an adjective indicates that it describes a characteristic of the people being addressed.
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. The BSB has wise, and so do the KJV, ASV, and YLT, maintaining the same meaning of חֲכָמִ֣ים.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main predicates: חֲכָמִ֣ים (*wise*) and נְבֹנִֽים (*discerning*), both describing the subjects of the lament. The structure emphasizes the characteristics attributed to the people who are being condemned.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the qualities of wisdom and discernment, indicating a strong critique of their self-perception.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חֲכָמִ֣ים as συνετοὶ (sensible), which narrows the focus to practical wisdom, suggesting that their cleverness is misguided.
This choice reflects an interpretation that emphasizes the folly of their self-assessment, aligning with the overall warning against misplaced confidence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 5:21 warns that those who see themselves as wise and clever are actually blind to their own faults. This verse is part of a larger message about moral failures and the dangers of self-deception.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to individuals who have a self-assured perception of their wisdom, often leading to poor judgments and moral failures.
This verse is part of a series of woes that critique various forms of moral blindness and the inversion of good and evil.
The word 'woe' expresses deep sorrow and lamentation, indicating the seriousness of the condemnation being pronounced.
It serves as a caution against self-deception and encourages humility in our understanding and judgments.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own understanding rather than seeking wisdom from God?
- How can I cultivate a mindset that values humility and openness to correction?
- What are some practical ways to discern between true wisdom and self-deception?
- How does this verse challenge societal views on intelligence and success?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church writers referenced this verse to discuss the dangers of relying on human wisdom over divine guidance.
That the Black One may find no means of entrance, let us flee from every vanity, let us utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 5 →
Who is the greatest subverter of the people of God—he who, relying on the power of free choice, despises the help of the Creator and is satisfied with following his own will,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 5 →
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight. For it is said, you yourselves appear to be wise, who follow human wisdom, not God's: and since you do not receive the power of God and the wisdom of God,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 5 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 5:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWoe unto [therm that are] wise in their own eyes,.... And yet betray such stupidity and sottishness, as to call things by their wrong names; and make such a perverse judgment of them, as before described.
Read John Gill on Isaiah 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWoe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto (them that are) wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat being puffed up with an opinion of their own wisdom, despise the counsels and instructions of God by his prophets, and prefer their own vain fancies before the judgment of the all-wise God, as appears by the error before mentioned, , that they affirmed that to be evil which God had declared to be good.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 5:21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!Ver. 21. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes.] Wiser than David - as the proud prince of Tyre thought himself - or than any prophet of them all. This self-conceitedness is πασηςτηςπροκοπηςεγκοπη, said that heathen, the hindrance of all true proficiency, and a mischievous marrer of good; here is a woe hung at the heels of it. And lest any should hold that to be a small matter, let them consider what befell Meroz after that bitter curse pronounced against it - the very name and memorial of it is utterly extinct and blotted out; as also what befell the barren fig tree when once cursed by…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 5 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes.—Here again the prophet would seem to have definite individual counsellors in his mind. For such men the ideal of statesmanship was a series of shifts and expedients, based upon no principle of righteousness. (Comp. Isaiah 29:15; Isaiah 30:1.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. The fifth woe, against the self-satisfied astuteness of the politicians. That the prophet has the statesmen in his eye is probable from such passages as Isaiah 28:9 f., Isaiah 29:14 f., Isaiah 30:1; Isaiah 30:10 f., Isaiah 31:1 f.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWo unto them that are wise ... - This is the fifth crime specified. It refers to those who are inflated with a false opinion of their own knowledge, and who are, therefore, self-confident and vain.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 5 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleFifth woe — on the scornful self-conceit of errorists, Isaiah 5:21.21.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 5 →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
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, those who think they possess understanding.
Tyndale line
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe unto them that are wise their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe vnto them that are wise in their owne eyes, and prudent in their owne sight.
Strictly literal
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and intelligent in their own esteem!
Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes, And — before their own faces — intelligent!
Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes, || And—before their own faces—intelligent!
Woe unto those that are wise in their own eyes, and intelligent in their own esteem!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own understanding!
From the Latin
Woe to you that rue wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits.
Simplified
Tragedy is coming to you who are wise in your own eyes and think you're so clever.
Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge!
Word by word, the decisions they made
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, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree on the wording of this verse, with the Septuagint providing a Greek equivalent that captures the essence of the Hebrew terms. The scrolls show minor restoration but maintain the same message.
ה֖וֹי חֲכָמִ֣ים בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם וְנֶ֥גֶד פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם נְבֹנִֽים׃
6 of the 6 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.
הוי חכמים בעיני׳הם ונגד פני׳הם נבונים
6 words on the leather.
הוי חכמים בעיני׳הם ונגד פני׳הם [נבנים]
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 1 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.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 5:21
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.
הוֹי (hoy) is an interjection expressing dissatisfaction and pain, often translated as 'ah,' 'alas,' or 'woe.' It is used in lamentations and conveys a sense of sorrow or distress. The word is a prolonged form of another Hebrew term, indicating its emotional weight.
הוֹי 81 interj. expressing usually dissatisfaction and pain, Ah, Alas, Ha (not distinctly Woe!) used in lamentations
base
H1945 הוֹי expressing usually dissatisfaction and pain, Ah, Alas, Ha (not distinctly Woe!) used in lamentations
1945 howy hoh'ee
a prolonged form of 1930 (akin to 188); oh!:--ah, alas, ho,
O, woe.
see HEBREW for 01930
see HEBREW for 0188
הוֹי (hoy) — woe!.
ah!, alas!, ha!, ho!, O!, woe!
Part — ParticleHTj
Is sometimes used in our Bibles where a softer expression would be at least equally proper: "Woe to such a one!" is in our language a threat or imprecation of some calamity, natural or judicial, to befall a person; but this is not always the meaning of the word in Scripture. We find the expression, "Woe is me!" that is, Alas for my sufferings! And, "Woe to the women with child, and those who give suck!" that is, Alas for their redoubled sufferings in times of distress! If in the denunciatory language of Christ, we should read, "Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida!" we should do not injustice to the general sentiments of the passage.
Yet in many cases the word woe is used in a fuller and more awful sense, expressing an inspired denunciation and foreshadowing of God’s wrath upon sinners; as when we read, "Woe to those who build houses by unrighteousness, and cities by blood;"…
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)
Adj — AdjHAampa
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
Prep | N-cd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncfdc/Sp3mp
נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.
נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
base
H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
5048 neged neh'-ghed
from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a
counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with
preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,
X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,
sight, X to view.
see HEBREW for 05046
נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.
subst
1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
adv
2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
3) in front of oneself, straightforward
4) before your face, in your view or purpose
with prep
5) what is in front of, corresponding to
6) in front of, before
7) in the sight or presence of
8) parallel to
9) over, for
10) in front, opposite
11) at a distance
prep
12) from the front of, away from
13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
14) from before, in front of
15) as far as the front of
Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Conj | Prep — ConjunctionHC/Acmsc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVNrmpa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…