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Proverbs 1:3 — Word Study

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WLCלָ֭קַחַת מוּסַ֣ר הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃

BSA[and] for receivinglâqach [gaining, obtaining] instructionmûwçâr [training, discipline] in wise livingsâkal [prudent, circumspect, conduct, behavior] and in righteousnesstsedeq [uprightness] justicemishpâṭ [judgment, fairness] and equitymêyshâr [straightness, evenness]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (u.mei.sha.Rim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 1:3quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse emphasizes the importance of receiving instruction in wise living and moral principles.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, addresses the reader.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger introduction to the teachings of wisdom in the book of Proverbs.
The hard wordמוּסָר
Take awayInstruction in wisdom and righteousness is essential for a just life.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׂכַל 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 — Proverbs 1:3

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 Purpose of Proverbsgenerated

2for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,
3and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
4To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
5let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 1:3 outlines the purpose of the book, which is to provide wisdom and guidance. This verse specifically highlights the need for instruction in wise living, righteousness, justice, and equity, which are foundational principles for a moral life. The surrounding verses emphasize the value of wisdom and the importance of learning from it.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 2:1–9My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
2Proverbs 8:10–11Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
3Job 22:22Receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.
41 Kings 3:28When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מוּסָר, mu.Sargenerated

The Hebrew word מוּסָר (*mūsar*) refers to discipline or correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and adhering to moral standards.

In this verse, it signifies the training necessary for wise living, indicating that wisdom is not merely acquired but is a discipline that requires correction and guidance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations agree on the rendering of מוּסָר as 'instruction' or 'discipline'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is לָקַחַת, to receive, which governs the entire clause. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose of the instruction and a series of noun phrases that describe the types of instruction being received.

This arrangement emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the instruction, covering various aspects of wise living and moral conduct.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the term for מוּסָר is rendered as παιδείαν, which conveys the idea of education or training. This choice reflects a focus on the formative aspect of wisdom and instruction.

The Greek translation captures the essence of moral and ethical training, aligning with the Hebrew emphasis on discipline and correction.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 1:3 teaches that receiving instruction in wise living is essential. It emphasizes the importance of being disciplined and understanding righteousness, justice, and fairness in our actions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to receive instruction in wise living?

It means to learn and apply principles that lead to prudent and moral behavior, which is essential for a good life.

Why is discipline important in gaining wisdom?

Discipline helps correct mistakes and guides individuals toward making better choices, which is crucial for developing wisdom.

How do righteousness and justice relate to wise living?

Righteousness and justice are foundational elements of wise living, guiding individuals to act fairly and ethically in their interactions.

What role does instruction play in personal development?

Instruction provides the knowledge and skills necessary for personal growth and moral development, helping individuals navigate life's challenges.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can seek instruction in wise living?
  2. How can I apply the principles of righteousness and justice in my daily life?
  3. In what areas do I need discipline to grow in wisdom?
  4. How can I help others receive instruction in wise living?

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

The early Church Fathers often referenced Proverbs to discuss moral instruction and the nature of wisdom. Quotations from Jerome illustrate the significance of discipline and justice in the pursuit of wisdom.

JeromeHOMILIES ON THE PSALMS, ALTERNATE SERIES 60 (Psalms 10) c. 347–420
Even as there is one true God, and as there are many who are called gods by participation in him, and as there is one begotten Son of God, but others are called sons by adoption;
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 1 →
JeromeFor unless there were also false justice, the justice of God would never be referred to as true justice. Against the PELAGIANS 1:14A c. 347–420
To confess that we are imperfect; that we have not yet laid hold of it; and that we have not yet obtained it. This is true wisdom in man: to know that he is imperfect;
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 1 →
JeromeHOMILIES ON THE PSALMS, ALTERNATE SERIES 61 (Psalms 15) c. 347–420
According to Proverbs, “That resourcefulness may be imparted to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” [is a statement that may be taken in a good sense but also] in a bad sense,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 1:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

To receive the instruction of wisdom,.... Or "prudence" (h); of wise and prudent men; and especially of Christ himself, who bears those names, whose instructions this book is full of; and the design

Read John Gill on Proverbs 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity - "wisdom" [ haskeel (H7919)]; a different Hebrew word

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To receive the instruction; willingly to receive the counsels of others, which is a good step to wisdom, and a part of it. Of wisdom; such as is wise, and tends to make men wise and prudent. This is opposed to the instruction of fools and folly, of which 19:27. For folly or wickedness hath its school, and multitudes of scholars, that are very apt to learn its lessons. Justice, and judgment, and equity; which teach men just judgment or equity, to wit, their whole duty, both to God and to others, and to themselves. These three words seem to signify the same thing, and are heaped together to note either the necessity of the precept, or the exactness and diligence which is required in the…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;Ver. 3. To receive the instruction.] Tertullian calls the Bible (and the Proverbs by a specialty) nostra digesta, from the lawyers; and others our pandects, from them also. Is there not a thin veil laid over them, which is more ratified by reading, and at last wholly worn away? Surely as by much reading the statute book men grow worldly wise; and as a friend (it is Chrysostom’ s comparison) that is acquainted with his friend will get out the meaning of a letter or phrase which another could not that is a stranger, so it is in Scripture. And herein, as one well observeth, the poorest idiot being a sound…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) To receive the instruction of wisdom.—To take in, or appropriate, the “discipline” which results in “prudence” (haskçl) or practical wisdom; so David “behaved himself wisely” (1 Samuel 18:5). Equity.—Literally, what is straight, so true, honest.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 1 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. To receive the instruction] השכל haskel, the deliberately weighing of the points contained in the teaching, so as to find out their importance. Equity] משרים mesharim, rectitude. The pupil is to receive wisdom and instruction, the words of wisdom and understanding, justice and judgment, so perfectly as to excel in all. Wisdom itself, personified, is his teacher; and when God's wisdom teaches, there is no delay in learning.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. the instruction of wisdom] Rather, instruction (or discipline) in wise dealing, R.V. The word is not the same as that rendered wisdom in Proverbs 1:2; Proverbs 1:7. justice] Rather, righteousness, R.V. as a wider word. The three words, righteousness, judgement, equity, may be simply cumulative and comprehensive; or possibly righteousness may denote the abstract and inclusive principle, as it affects the character; judgement, the same principle in action generally; equity (lit. equities, marg.), the varied application of that principle in different cases.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 1 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wisdom - Not the same word as in Proverbs 1:2; better, perhaps, thoughtfulness. Justice - Rather, righteousness.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 1 →

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

and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

NETBNew English Translation2006

To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;

RVARevised Version, American1894

To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness and judgment and equity;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To receiue instruction to do wisely, by iustice and iudgement and equitie,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

to receive the instruction of wisdom, righteousness and judgment, and equity;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For receiving the instruction of wisdom, Righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For receiving the instruction of wisdom, || Righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

To accept the instruction of intelligence, righteousness, and justice, and equity;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

that you may receive instruction in order to live by doing what is right, just, and fair.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

To understand the words of prudence: and to receive the instruction of doctrine, justice, and judgment, and equity:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They provide education in what makes sense, living right, judging correctly, and acting fairly.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

To be trained in the ways of wisdom, in righteousness and judging truly and straight behaviour:

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֭toclauseverbקַחַתreceivenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseמוּסַ֣רcorrectionהַשְׂכֵּ֑לof.insightnoun phraseצֶ֥דֶקrighteousnessוּ֝andמִשְׁפָּ֗טjusticeוּandמֵישָׁרִֽיםuprightness(es)

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 largely agree in this verse, with four out of the six words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it conveys a similar message regarding the importance of instruction and moral living.

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

לָ֭קַחַת מוּסַ֣ר הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לָ֭קַחַתτεצֶ֥דֶקδικαιοσύνηνוּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טκρίμαוּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃κατευθύνειν

4 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.

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.

Proverbs 1:3לָקַחto receiveto receiveלָקַחמוּסָרcorrection correction ofמוּסָרשָׂכַלinsightinsightשָׂכַלצֶ֫דֶקrighteousnerighteousnessצֶ֫דֶקמִשְׁפָּטand justiceand justiceמִשְׁפָּטמֵישָׁרand uprightand uprightnessמֵישָׁריָסַרto disciplto disciplineיָסַרצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטיָשַׁרto smoothto smoothיָשַׁרמוּסָרdisciplinedisciplineמוּסָראִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהתּוֹכֵחָהrebukerebukeתּוֹכֵחָהאֱוִילfool(ish)fool(ish)אֱוִילבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןמַ֫עַןbecausebecauseמַ֫עַןמֵישָׁרuprightnesuprightnessמֵישָׁראֵיפָהephahephahאֵיפָהחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקמַעְגָּלtracktrackמַעְגָּלצֶ֫דֶקRighteousnRighteousnessצֶ֫דֶק
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 Proverbs 1:3

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.

to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
לָ֭קַחַתLa.ka.chat to receive H3947 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
966× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Amplified meaning
gaining, obtaining
Tyndale gloss
to take: take
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָקַח 965 vb. take

Qal

take, take in hand

take and carry along with oneself

take from, or out of

take, carry away

take away from, so as to deprive of

esp. take away life

take to or for a person

take up, upon = put upon

= fetch

take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)

take = capture, seize

take = carry off

in phr. take vengeance

Niph.

be captured, of ark

be taken away, removed

be taken, brought unto

Pu.

be taken from, out of

= be stolen from

be taken captive

be taken away, removed

Hoph.

be taken, brought unto

be taken out of

be taken away from

Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand

. take and carry along with oneself

. . take from, or out of

. take, carry away

. take away from, so as to deprive of

. esp. take away life

. take to or for a person

. take up, upon = put upon

. = fetch

. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)

. take = capture, seize

. take = carry off

. in phr. take vengeance

. . be captured, of ark

. be taken away, removed

. be taken, brought unto

. . be taken from, out of

. = be stolen from

. be taken captive

. be taken away, removed

. . be taken, brought unto

. be taken out of

. be taken away from

. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3947 laqach law-kakh'

a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of

applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,

get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,

seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.

: take

1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to take, take in the hand

1a2) to take and carry along

1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away

1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept

1a5) to take up or upon, put upon

1a6) to fetch

1a7) to take, lead, conduct

1a8) to take, capture, seize

1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be captured

1b2) to be taken away, be removed

1b3) to be taken, brought unto

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be taken from or out of

1c2) to be stolen from

1c3) to be taken captive

1c4) to be taken away, be removed

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto

1d2) to be taken out of

1d3) to be taken away

1e) (Hithpael)

1e1) to take hold of oneself

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
מוּסַ֣רmu.Sar correction of H4148 Noun common · masculine singular construct
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew term means discipline or correction, often used to describe God's guidance. In Psalm 50:17, it warns against rejecting God's discipline, while in Proverbs 1:7, it emphasizes the importance of discipline in gaining wisdom. It involves learning from mistakes.
Amplified meaning
training, discipline
Tyndale gloss
discipline
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline, chastening, and correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, and can also imply restraint or bonds. The entries consistently highlight its focus on moral and instructional aspects, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּסָר n.m. discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4148 מוּסָר discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4148 muwcar moo-sawr'

from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof,

warning or instruction; also restraint:--bond, chastening

((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline,

doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

see HEBREW for 03256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline.

: discipline/punishment

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: instruction.

: instruction

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: bonds.

: bonds/noose

1) discipline, chastening, correction

1a) discipline, correction

1b) chastening

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
הַשְׂכֵּ֑לhas.Kel insight H7919 Verb · Hiphil · infinitive absolute
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Amplified meaning
prudent, circumspect, conduct, behavior
Tyndale gloss
be prudent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂכַל vb. be prudent

Qal be prudent, circumspect

Hiph.

look at

give attention to, consider, ponder

have insight, comprehension

cause to consider, give insight, teach

act circumspectly, prudently

prosper, have success

cause to prosper

base

[שָׂכַל] vb. Pi. lay crosswise;—Gn 48:14 (J)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect

. . look at

. give attention to, consider, ponder

. have insight, comprehension

. cause to consider, give insight, teach

. act circumspectly, prudently

. prosper, have success

. cause to prosper

H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7919 sakal saw-kal'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)

circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,

instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),

have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),

wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide

wittingly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.

1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to look at or upon, have insight

1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

1b3) to have insight, have comprehension

1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)

1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach

1b4a) the teachers, the wise

1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

1b6) to prosper, have success

1b7) to cause to prosper

Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.

(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Ptc — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive absolute
HVhaa
to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
צֶ֥דֶקTze.dek righteousness H6664 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Amplified meaning
uprightness
Tyndale gloss
Righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness

what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

righteousness, in government

righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

rightness, in speech

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

. righteousness, in government

. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

. rightness, in speech

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek

from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also

(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X

that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)

(cause, -ly, - ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.

1) justice, rightness, righteousness

1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)

1b) righteousness (in government)

1b1) of judges, rulers, kings

1b2) of law

1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah

1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government

1b5) of God's attribute

1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)

1d) rightness (in speech)

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity

1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption

1f2) in name of Messianic king

1f3) of people enjoying salvation

1f4) of Cyrus

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.

This name means justice, righteousness

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

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

ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent

2. Social Customs and Righteousness

3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power

4. Righteousness as Inner

5. Righteousness as Social

6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth

LITERATURE

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:

In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Righteousness

See JUSTIFICATION.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,

→ By faith Ge 15:6; Ro 4:3,5,9,11,13,20,22,24

→ Garment of Job 29:14; Mt 22:11-14

→ Counted (regarded) for the sake of obedience De 6:25; Job 33:26

→ FRUITS OF De 6:25; Jos 22:31; Ps 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; 101:3,4; 106:3; 112:4-8; Pr 2:5-20; 10:2,16; 11:5,6,18,19,30; 12:28; 13:6; 14:34; 21:3; 29:7; Isa…

to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טu.mish.Pat and justice H4941 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
422× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
judgment, fairness
Tyndale gloss
justice: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment

judgment

justice, right, rectitude

ordinance

decision

one's (legal) right, privilege, due

proper, fitting, measure

custom, manner

what manner of

plan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment

. justice, right, rectitude

. ordinance

. decision

. one's (legal) right, privilege, due

. . proper, fitting, measure

. custom, manner

. what manner of

. plan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4941 mishpat mish-pawt'

from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)

pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree

(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or

collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the

crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a

participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or

even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,

custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,

fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),

(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,

ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

see HEBREW for 08199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

1c) ordinance

1d) decision (in law)

1e) right, privilege, due (legal)

1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jus'-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered "righteousness." This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have "just" and "justice" in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "righteous" and "righteousness." It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.

See RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Human Justice:

Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Le 19:35,36; De 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Pr 11:1; 16:11…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Justice

Is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A principle of righteousness and equity, controlling our conduct, and securing a due regard to all the rights of others-their persons, property, character, and interests. It has to do, not with pecuniary transactions alone, but with all our intercourse with society. It forms a chief element of the character approved in God’s word; and a truly just man has but to "love mercy, and walk humbly with God," to fulfil all righteousness. Justice in magistrates, rulers, and judges, must be fearless and impartial, and all its decisions such as will bear revision before the court of heaven, De 1:16,17 2Sa 23:3 2Ch 19:6-10. Judgement is peculiarly the prerogative of God, and every earthly tribunal lies under the shadow of the "great white…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:1-3,6-8; Le 19:13-15; De 16:18-20; 25:1-4; Ezr 7:26; Ps 72:1,2; 82:2-4; Pr 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 22:27; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; Ec 3:16,17; 5:8; 7:7; Isa 1:17; 56:1; 59:14,15; Jer 22:1-4; La 3:35,36; Am 5:7,11,12;

to receive correction of insight righteousness and justice and uprightness
וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃u.mei.sha.Rim and uprightness H4339 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absolute
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Uprightness refers to being fair and just, as seen in the Bible. It can also mean smoothness or straightness, often used to describe doing things rightly.
Amplified meaning
straightness, evenness
Tyndale gloss
uprightness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֵישָׁר (meyshar) refers to concepts of evenness, uprightness, and equity. It is derived from a root meaning 'to be straight' and can figuratively denote prosperity or concord. The term is used in various contexts to express rectitude and fairness, often appearing in plural form with a singular sense.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מֵישָׁר] n.m. evenness, uprightness, equity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4339 [מֵישָׁר] evenness, uprightness, equity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4339 meyshar may-shawr'

from 3474; evenness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity or

concord; also straightness, i.e. (figuratively) rectitude

(only in plural with singular sense; often

adverbially):--agreement, aright, that are equal, equity,

(things that are) right(-eously, things), sweetly,

upright(-ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 03474

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֵישָׁר (me.shar) — uprightness.

1) evenness, uprightness, straightness, equity

1a) evenness, level, smoothness

1b) uprightness, equity

1c) rightly (as adv)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See RIGHTEOUSNESS

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God is perfect in

Isa 26:7

- God has pleasure in

1Ch 29:17

- God created man in

Ec 7:29

- Man has deviated from

Ec 7:29

- SHOULD BE IN

. Heart

2Ch 29:34; Ps 125:4

. Speech

Isa 33:15

. Walk

Pr 14:2

. Judging

Ps 58:1; 75:2

. Ruling

Ps 78:72

- The being kept from presumptuous sins is necessary to

Ps 19:13

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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