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Proverbs 11:6 — Word Study

Depth

WLCצִדְקַ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים תַּצִּילֵ֑ם וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗ת בֹּגְדִ֥ים יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃

BSAThe righteousnesstsᵉdâqâh [justice, virtue, and morality] of the uprightyâshâr [those who are straight or just, doing what is right] delivers themnâtsal [rescues, snatches away from danger] but the faithlessbâgad [transgressors, acting treacherously] are trappedlâkad [captured, seized] by their own desireshavvâh [strong desires, ruin, or calamity]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 11
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 (yi.la.Khe.du) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 11:6quick helps
In a sentenceRighteousness saves the upright, while the faithless are ensnared by their own desires.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, reflecting on moral truths.
Where we areIn a collection of wise sayings, focusing on the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
The hard wordיְ֭שָׁרִים
Take awayRighteous living leads to deliverance, while treachery leads to downfall.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbבָּגַד 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 11:6

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 Contrast of Righteousness and Wickednessgenerated

5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.

Proverbs 11:6 contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the faithless. The verse emphasizes that the righteousness of those who live uprightly brings deliverance, while those who are treacherous find themselves ensnared by their own desires. This theme of moral consequences is prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs, which offers wisdom on how to live a life that aligns with God's standards.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 30:33So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.”
2Genesis 31:37You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.
31 Samuel 12:3–4Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
4Proverbs 5:22The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.
51 Kings 2:32–33The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word צִדְקַ֣ת, tzid.Katgenerated

The word צִדְקַ֣ת (tzid.kat) is a feminine singular noun meaning 'righteousness.' It encompasses justice, virtue, and morality, often describing the ideal standard for human behavior. This term not only reflects God's attributes but also serves as a guideline for personal conduct and societal norms.

In this verse, it signifies that the righteousness of the upright serves as a protective force, delivering them from danger. The parsing as a noun in the construct state indicates a possessive relationship, showing that this righteousness belongs to the upright.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is תַּצִּילֵ֑ם, it delivers, which governs the subject צִדְקַ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים (the righteousness of the upright). The structure emphasizes the action of deliverance as the central idea, with the contrast of the faithless introduced by the conjunction וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗ת (and by the craving of).

The sentence is constructed with a clear contrast between the righteous and the faithless, highlighting the consequences of their respective actions. The syntax underscores the relationship between righteousness and deliverance, and the treachery leading to being trapped.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, צִדְקַ֣ת is rendered as δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē), which carries a similar meaning of righteousness. This choice reflects the moral and ethical dimensions of the Hebrew term.

The Greek translation captures the essence of the original Hebrew, emphasizing the protective nature of righteousness while also aligning with the moral teachings found in the Greek-speaking Jewish community.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 11:6 tells us that the righteousness of the upright protects them, while those who act treacherously are caught by their own desires. This verse highlights the importance of living a righteous life, as it leads to safety and deliverance from harm.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that righteousness delivers the upright?

It means that living a life of integrity and virtue provides protection and safety from harm, guiding individuals away from danger.

How do desires lead to being trapped?

Desires can lead to poor choices and actions that result in negative consequences, ensnaring individuals in situations they cannot escape.

What is the significance of contrasting the upright with the faithless?

This contrast emphasizes the moral teachings of Proverbs, illustrating the outcomes of different ways of living and the consequences of one's actions.

Can righteousness be seen as a form of justice?

Yes, righteousness encompasses justice, virtue, and morality, serving as a standard for ethical behavior.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I practice righteousness in my daily life?
  2. How can I guard against desires that may lead me astray?
  3. What examples of righteousness have I seen in others, and how did it impact their lives?
  4. How does understanding the consequences of my actions influence my choices?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 11:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,.... From death, as in Proverbs 11:4; and from falling by sin, totally and finally; or into it, so as to perish eternally; as well as it shall

Read John Gill on Proverbs 11 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them - from all fatal dangers, and from everlasting death.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 11 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Shall deliver them from many snares and dangers.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 11 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness.Ver. 6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them.] As Noah’ s integrity prevailed for his safety. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but out of them all they are sure to be delivered. No country hath more venomous creatures than Egypt - none more antidotes. So godliness hath many troubles, and as many helps against trouble. As Moses’ hand, it turns a serpent into a rod; and as the tree that Moses cast into the waters of Marsh, it sweeteneth the bitter waters of affliction. Well may it be called the divine nature, for as God brings light out of…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 11 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) In their own naughtiness.—Rather, passionate desire, as at Proverbs 10:3. Their own strong passions are their ruin. His expectation.—What he hoped for, worldly prosperity. (Comp. Wis 5:14.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 11 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. naughtiness] mischief, R.V., ἀπωλεία, LXX. But desires (as the same Heb. word is rendered in Proverbs 10:3, R.V.), or aims gives a good sense: “in insidiis suis capiuntur iniqui.” Vulg.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 11 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

6. Upright… transgressors — This seems a repetition of the sentiment of the previous verse in a little different form. Naughtiness — Badness; might also be rendered desire (so Miller and Stuart) and wickedness.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 11 →

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

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the faithless will be captured by their own desires.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The righteousnesse of the iust shall deliuer them: but the transgressers shall be taken in their owne wickednes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The righteousness of the upright delivereth them, And in mischief the treacherous are captured.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, || And in mischief the treacherous are captured.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them; but through their own sinful desires are the treacherous caught.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectצִדְקַ֣ת[the].righteousnessיְ֭שָׁרִיםof.upright.[people]verbתַּצִּילֵ֑itobjectםdelivers.themוּ֝andclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְby.[the]noun phraseהַוַּ֗תdesireבֹּגְדִ֥יםof.[those.who].act.treacherouslyverbיִלָּכֵֽדוּthey.are.caught

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 11:6 states, "צִדְקַ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים תַּצִּילֵ֑ם וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗ת בֹּגְדִ֥ים יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃" which translates to, "The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires." The Septuagint, while it has a word-by-word correspondence with four of the six words from the Masoretic Text, does not provide a direct translation in this instance, indicating some differences in wording or structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, thus aligning with the Masoretic Text in meaning.

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

צִדְקַ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים תַּצִּילֵ֑ם וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗ת בֹּגְדִ֥ים יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
צִדְקַ֣תδικαιοσύνηתַּצִּילֵ֑םαὐτούςוּ֝בְהַוַּ֗תδὲיִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃ἁλίσκονται

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 11:6צְדָקָה[the] right[the] righteousצְדָקָהיָשָׁרupright [peupright [peopleיָשָׁרנָצַלit deliversit delivers theנָצַלהַוָּהand by [theand by [the] crהַוָּהבָּגַדtreacheroustreacherous [peבָּגַדלָכַדthey are cathey are caughtלָכַדצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקיָשַׁרto smoothto smoothיָשַׁרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקמִשְׁפָּטjustice: jjustice: judgemמִשְׁפָּטעַ֫יִןeyeeyeעַ֫יִןצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָהשָׁקַלto weighto weighשָׁקַללָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןרָזִיwastingwastingרָזִילָחַםto fightto fightלָחַם
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 11:6

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.

[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
צִדְקַ֣תtzid.Kat [the] righteousness of H6666 Noun common · feminine singular construct
157× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Amplified meaning
justice, virtue, and morality
Tyndale gloss
righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It can refer to God's attribute of sovereignty, righteousness in governance, and even justification or salvation. The term also implies righteous acts and has an Aramaic equivalent, צִדְקָה (tsid.qah).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צְדָקָה 157 n.f. righteousness

righteousness, in government

God's attribute as sovereign

righteousness, in a case or cause

righteousness = truthfulness

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

pl. righteous acts

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6666 צְדָקָה righteousness . righteousness, in government

. God's attribute as sovereign

. righteousness, in a case or cause

. righteousness = truthfulness

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

. pl. righteous acts

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw'

from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude),

objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively

(prosperity):--justice, moderately, right(-eous)

(act, -ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צְדָקָה (tse.da.qah) — righteousness.

1) justice, righteousness

1a) righteousness (in government)

1a1) of judge, ruler, king

1a2) of law

1a3) of Davidic king Messiah

1b) righteousness (of God's attribute)

1c) righteousness (in a case or cause)

1d) righteousness, truthfulness

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation

1f1) of God

1f2) prosperity (of people)

1g) righteous acts

Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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…

[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
יְ֭שָׁרִיםYe.sha.rim upright [people] H3477 Adj
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jashar refers to being straight or just, like doing what is convenient and right. A man named Jashar lived before Israel's monarchy, as mentioned in Joshua 10:13. He wrote a book of poetry and songs, now lost.
Amplified meaning
those who are straight or just, doing what is right
Tyndale gloss
Jashar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשָׁר (yashar) means straight or upright, covering a range of meanings from physical straightness to moral correctness. It can refer to something that is pleasing, just, or fitting, as well as the concept of uprightness itself. The term is also associated with a figure named Jashar, mentioned in Joshua 10:13.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשָׁר adj. straight, right

straight, level

right, pleasing

straightforward, just, upright

abstr., uprightness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3477 יָשָׁר straight, right . straight, level

. right, pleasing

. straightforward, just, upright

. abstr., uprightness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3477 yashar yaw-shawr'

from 3474; straight (literally or figuratively):--convenient,

equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous),

straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 03474

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.

1) straight, upright, correct, right

1a) straight, level

1b) right, pleasing, correct

1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper

1d) uprightness, righteous, upright

1e) that which is upright (subst)

Also means: ya.shar (יָשָׁר "upright" H3477I)

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — Jashar.

A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.

1) straight, upright, correct, right

1a) straight, level

1b) right, pleasing, correct

1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper

1d) uprightness, righteous, upright

1e) that which is upright (subst)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
תַּצִּילֵ֑םta.tzi.Lem it delivers them H5337 Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rescue means to snatch away or deliver from danger. It can also mean to strip or plunder, depending on the context, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
rescues, snatches away from danger
Tyndale gloss
to rescue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is built from a primitive root meaning to snatch away, with various usages across different stems. It covers a range of meanings including to rescue, deliver, plunder, and strip. The word appears in contexts of delivering oneself or being delivered, as well as rescuing from enemies or sin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָצַל] 212 vb. not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver

Niph.

reflex. tear oneself away, deliver oneself

passive, be torn out or away

Pi.

strip off, spoil

deliver

Hiph.

take away, snatch away

rescue, recover

deliver from

deliver from sin and guilt

Hoph. as a brand plucked out of the burning

Hithp. and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5337 נָצַל not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5337 natsal naw-tsal'

a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad

sense:- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without

fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save,

spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָצַל (na.tsal) — to rescue.

1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder

1a)(Niphal)

1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself

1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to strip off, spoil

1b2) to deliver

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to take away, snatch away

1c2) to rescue, recover

1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)

1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt

1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out

1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
HVhi3fs/Sp3mp
[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗תu.ve.ha.Vat and by [the] craving of H1942 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Havvah refers to a strong desire, but often in a bad sense, and can also mean ruin or calamity. It's used to describe something naughty or wicked, like mischief or iniquity. This concept appears in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
strong desires, ruin, or calamity
Tyndale gloss
desire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הַוָּה (havvah) primarily means 'desire,' often with a negative connotation, indicating a bad or wicked desire. It can also refer to a 'chasm' or figuratively to destruction and calamity. The word is built from the root associated with eager coveting and falling into ruin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הַוָּה n.f. 1. desire; 2. chasm, fig. destruction

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1942 הַוָּה 1. desire; 2. chasm, fig. destruction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1942 havvah hav-vaw'

from 1933 (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon;

by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin:--calamity,

iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty,

noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הַוָּה (hav.vah) — desire.

1) desire

1a) desire (in bad sense)

2) chasm (fig. of destruction)

2a) engulfing ruin, destruction, calamity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-fs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/R/Ncfsc
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…

[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
בֹּגְדִ֥יםbo.ge.Dim treacherous [people] H898 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To act treacherously means to be deceitful or unfaithful, as seen in Job 31:27-28, where Job denies acting treacherously. It involves covering or hiding one's true intentions, often to pillage or offend others.
Amplified meaning
transgressors, acting treacherously
Tyndale gloss
to act treacherously
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּגַד (bagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to act treacherously or deceitfully. It is derived from a root that suggests covering or acting covertly, and it encompasses actions such as offending or being unfaithful. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting themes of betrayal and unfaithfulness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּגַד] vb. act or deal treacherously

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H898 בָּגַד act or deal treacherously

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

898 bagad baw-gad'

a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to

act covertly; by implication, to pillage:--deal deceitfully

(treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or),

(depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly,

man), X very.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּגַד (ba.gad) — to act treacherously.

1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously

1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

[the] righteousness of upright [people] it delivers them and by [the] craving of treacherous [people] they are caught
יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃yi.la.Khe.du they are caught H3920 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine plural
121× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to capture or seize, often using a net or trap. In the Bible, it is used to describe taking control of something or someone, and is also used figuratively to describe being caught or stuck in a situation.
Amplified meaning
captured, seized
Tyndale gloss
to capture
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָכַד (lakad) means to capture, seize, or take, often by lot. It can refer to catching in a net or trap, as well as figuratively to describe things sticking together. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to capture), Niphal (to be captured), and Hithpael (to grasp each other).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָכַד 121 vb. capture, seize, take (by lot)

Qal

capture, seize

fig. of entrapping men

of taking by lot

Niph.

be captured in war

of men, be caught

be taken by lot

Hithp. they grasp each other, and cannot be separated

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3920 לָכַד capture, seize, take (by lot)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3920 lakad law-kad'

a primitive root; to catch (in a net, trap or pit);

generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot);

figuratively, to cohere:--X at all, catch (self), be frozen,

be holden, stick together, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָכַד (la.khad) — to capture.

1) to capture, take, seize

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to capture, seize

1a2) to capture (of men) (fig.)

1a3) to take (by lot)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be captured

1b2) to be caught (of men in trap, snare) (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael) to grasp each other

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVNi3mp
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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