Menu

Proverbs 16:10 — Word Study

Depth

WLCקֶ֤סֶם׀ עַֽל־ שִׂפְתֵי־ מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לֹ֣א יִמְעַל־ פִּֽיו׃

BSAA divine verdictqeçem [inspired, decision, judgment] is onʻal the lipssâphâh [language, words] of a kingmelek [ruler, monarch] his mouthpeh [speech, expression] must notlôʼ [under no circumstances] betraymâʻal [be unfaithful to, act treacherously against] justicemishpâṭ [righteous judgment, fairness]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 16
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (Piv) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 16:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse states that a king's words carry divine authority and must uphold justice.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, reflecting on the nature of kings and their speech.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discourse on wisdom and justice in leadership.
The hard wordקֶסֶם
Take awayA king's speech should reflect divine judgment and must not fail in justice.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectקֶסֶם verbמָעַל 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 16:10

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 — Wisdom in Leadershipgenerated

9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Proverbs 16:10 emphasizes the importance of a king's words, suggesting that they are divinely inspired and carry the weight of justice. This verse is situated within a broader discussion on how a ruler should govern with wisdom and fairness, as seen in the surrounding verses that highlight the relationship between human plans and divine guidance.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 16:12–13Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
2Genesis 44:5–15Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”
3Deuteronomy 17:18–20When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.
42 Samuel 23:3–4The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
5Psalm 45:6–7Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word קֶסֶם, Ke.semgenerated

The word קֶסֶם (ke.se.m) refers to divination and is often associated with seeking guidance through supernatural means. In this context, it implies that the king's words are not merely his own but are influenced by divine judgment, suggesting a higher authority behind his decisions.

This noun is feminine singular and emphasizes the king's role as a ruler whose speech must reflect divine wisdom. The lexicons indicate that while קֶסֶם can have negative connotations related to witchcraft, here it suggests a positive divine influence on the king's lips.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that the king's words are divinely inspired and must uphold justice.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is יִמְעַל, it will act unfaithfully, which governs the structure. The sentence begins with a prepositional phrase indicating the source of authority, followed by a noun phrase that identifies the subject — the king's lips — and concludes with the imperative about justice.

The structure emphasizes the divine authority behind the king's words, with the prepositional phrase עַל indicating that the king's speech is under the influence of divine judgment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates קֶסֶם as μαντεῖον, which refers to an oracle or prophetic declaration. This choice broadens the understanding of the king's words as not only authoritative but also as prophetic guidance.

This translation shows a shift from the Hebrew's more ambiguous connotation of divination to a clearer focus on the prophetic nature of the king's speech.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 16:10 tells us that a king's words carry a divine verdict, meaning they should reflect justice and righteousness. The verse warns that a king must not betray this justice through his speech.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that a king's lips have a divine verdict?

It means that the words spoken by a king are expected to reflect divine wisdom and authority, guiding his decisions in matters of justice.

Why is justice emphasized in this verse?

Justice is crucial for a king's rule, as it ensures fairness and righteousness in governance, which are essential for a stable society.

How does this verse relate to the role of kings in Israel?

In Israel, kings were seen as representatives of God on earth, and their words were expected to align with divine law and justice.

What are the implications if a king's words betray justice?

If a king's words betray justice, it undermines his authority and can lead to corruption and instability within the kingdom.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can leaders today ensure their words reflect justice and integrity?
  2. How can we discern whether our own words align with divine wisdom?
  3. What responsibilities do we have to speak justly in our daily interactions?
  4. How does understanding the divine authority behind our words change the way we communicate?

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

The commentary from Bede reflects on the divine nature of a king's speech, interpreting it as a sign of God's judgment.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Divination is on the lips of the king, etc. He signifies that king, of whom it was said, God, give your judgment to the king (Psalm XVII).
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 16:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king,.... Or "divination" (f), as the word signifies; or what is like to divination, as Aben Ezra and Gersom interpret it (g). What be says is as an oracle, and should be strictly true.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 16 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A divine sentence (is) in the lips of the king.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 16 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A divine sentence, Heb. divination, which is sometimes taken in a good sense for prudence, as it is . A great sagacity and piercing judgment to discern dubious and difficult cases. Is; or, should be; for the verb is wanting in the Hebrew, and this may be supplied as well as is. And he seems not so much to speak of the matter of fact, as if it were thus in all kings, which is notoriously and confessedly untrue, as of the duty of kings, in whom wisdom is a necessary qualification. For thus the two following proverbs concerning kings, ,13, must be understood, otherwise they are repugnant to common experience. Of the king; either, 1. Of wise kings, who only are worthy of that name and office…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 16 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 16:10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.Ver. 10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king.] It is, or should be. His words usually pass for oracles, and many times stand for laws. It should be his care, therefore, to "speak as the oracles of God." Yea, "so to speak, and so to do, as one that shall be judged by the law of liberty," or, as some read it, As they that should judge by the law of liberty. Our old word Koning, and by contraction King, comes of Con, saith Becanus, which comprehends three things, Possum, scio, audeo - I can do it, I know how to do it, and I dare do it. If either he want power, or skill, or courage to…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 16 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.—Or, should not transgress, as being the representative of God upon earth, and so distinguished by the title of “God” himself (Psalms 82:6). This verse recalls the days of Solomon’s youth, when it was his highest aspiration to judge his people righteously (1 Kings 3:9). Comp. David’s noble words (2 Samuel 23:3).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 16 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. A divine sentence] קסם kesem, "divination," as the margin has it. Is the meaning as follows? Though divination were applied to a righteous king's lips, to induce him to punish the innocent and spare the guilty, yet would not his lips transgress in judgment; so firmly attached is he to God, and so much is he under the Divine care and influence. Whatever judgment such a one pronounces, it may be considered as a decision from God.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 16 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. A divine sentence] Lit. divination, A.V. and R.V. marg. The word is generally used in a bad sense, “soothsaying.” See Deuteronomy 18:10, where it is positively forbidden, and 1 Samuel 15:23, where it is called a “sin.” Here, however, it has a good meaning: the true king in judgement, like the true prophet in preaching, “speaks as oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11. See 1 Kings 3:28).

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 16 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A divine sentence - See the margin, i. e., “soothsaying” in its darker aspect as contrasted with prophecy.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 16 →

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

A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A diuine sentence shalbe in the lips of the King: his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

An oath [is] on the lips of a king, || In judgment his mouth does not trespass.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.

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.

clausesubjectקֶ֤סֶםdivinationprepositional phrase · predicateעַֽל[is].onnoun phraseשִׂפְתֵי[the].lipsמֶ֑לֶךְof.a.kingclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּ֝inמִשְׁפָּ֗טjudgmentadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיִמְעַלit.will.act.unfaithfullynoun phrase · subjectפִּֽיmouthוhis

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


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

Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the divine authority attributed to a king's words across these traditions.

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

קֶ֤סֶם׀ עַֽל־ שִׂפְתֵי־ מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לֹ֣א יִמְעַל־ פִּֽיו׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
קֶ֤סֶם׀μαντεῖονעַֽל־ἐπὶשִׂפְתֵי־ξείλεσινמֶ֑לֶךְβασιλέωςבְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טκρίσειלֹ֣אοὐיִמְעַל־πλανηθῇפִּֽיו׃αὐτοῦ

8 of the 8 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 16:10קֶ֫סֶםdivinationdivinationקֶ֫סֶםעַל[is] on[is] onעַלשָׂפָה[the] lips [the] lips ofשָׂפָהמֶ֫לֶךְa kinga kingמֶ֫לֶךְמִשְׁפָּטin judgmentin judgmentמִשְׁפָּטלֹאnotnotלֹאמָעַלit will actit will act unfמָעַלפֶּהmouth hismouth hisפֶּהקָסַםto divineto divineקָסַםסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהעַלheightheightעַלנָחַשׁto divineto divineנָחַשׁכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּראַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּרחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדמַ֫עַלunfaithfulunfaithfulnessמַ֫עַל
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 16:10

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.

divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
קֶ֤סֶם׀Ke.sem divination H7081 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to the act of seeking guidance through witchcraft or divination, which was common among false prophets. It can also mean a reward or payment for such services. The Bible warns against these practices in Deuteronomy and other books.
Amplified meaning
inspired, decision, judgment
Tyndale gloss
divination
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֶ֫סֶם (qecem) refers to divination and witchcraft, often associated with false prophets and the practices of other nations. It can also imply a positive connotation, such as oracles from a king's lips. The word is derived from a root meaning 'lot' and encompasses various aspects of divination, including its fees.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫סֶם n.[m.] divination

of the nations

of false prophet

in good sense

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7081 קֶ֫סֶם divination

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7081 qecem keh'-sem

from 7080; a lot: also divination (including its fee),

oracle:--(reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft.

see HEBREW for 07080

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫סֶם (qe.sem) — divination.

1) divination, witchcraft

1a) of the nations, Balaam

1b) of false prophets

1c) in a good sense (king's lips as oracles)

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

div-i-na'-shun:

1. Definition

2. Kinds of Divination

3. Fundamental Assumption in Divination

4. Legitimate and Illegitimate Divination

5. The Bible and Divination

6. Modes of Divination Mentioned in the Bible:

Those Approved and Those Condemned

7. Terms Used in the Old Testament in Connection with Divination

8. Divination and Prophecy

LITERATURE

1. Definition:

Divination is the act of obtaining secret knowledge, especially that which relates to the future, by means within the reach almost exclusively of special classes of men.

2. Kinds of Divination:

Of this there are two main species:

(1) artificial,

(2) inspirational, or, as it was called in ancient times (Cicero, Lord Bacon, etc.), natural divination.

Artificial divination depends on the skill of the agent in reading and in interpreting certain signs called omens. See AUGURY. In inspirational or natural divination the agent is professedly under the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Divination

Of false prophets (Deut. 18:10, 14; Micah 3:6, 7, 11), of necromancers (1 Sam. 28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners (1 Sam. 6:2), of Balaam (Josh. 13:22). Three kinds of divination are mentioned in Ezek. 21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. The practice of this art seems to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines (Isa. 2:6; 1 Sam. 28). At a later period…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

is a "foretelling future events, or discovering things secret by the aid of superior beings, or other than human means." It is used in Scripture of false systems of ascertaining the divine will. It has been universal in all ages, and all nations alike civilized and savage. Numerous forms of divination are mentioned, such as divination by rods, (Hosea 4:12) divination by arrows, (Ezekiel 21:21) divination by cups, (Genesis 44:5) consultation of teraphim, (1 Samuel 15:23; Ezekiel 21:21; Zechariah 10:2) [TERAPHIM]; divination by the liver, (

divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
עַֽל־'al- [is] on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
שִׂפְתֵי־sif.tei- [the] lips of H8193 Noun common · feminine dual construct
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
language, words
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fd — Noun common · feminine dual construct
HNcfdc
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…

divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
מֶ֑לֶךְMe.lekh a king H4428 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
ruler, monarch
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

from 4427; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

King

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called KING OF KINGS Ezr 7:12; Eze 26:7; Da 2:37

→ Divinely authorized De 17:15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12; 1Ch 22:10; 2Ch 2:11,12; Pr 8:15; Da 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Ho 8:4; 13:11

→ How chosen

By divine appointment, Saul 1Sa 10:1

divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
בְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טbe.mish.Pat in judgment H4941 Preposition · 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
righteous 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
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is put, in Mt 5:21,22, for a court of judgment, a tribunal, namely, the tribunal of seven judges, which Josephus mentions as existing in every city, and which decided causes of minor importance. See under SYNAGOGUE.

For the expression, "judgment-hall," see PRETORIUM.

THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, for which the word "judgment" alone is sometimes used, is that great day, at the end of the world and of time, when Christ shall sit as judge over all the universe, and when every individual of the human race will be judged and recompensed according to his works, whether they be good or evil. The time of its coming and its duration are known only to God. It will break upon the world suddenly, and with a glorious but awful majesty. It will witness the perfect vindication of all the ways of God. The revelation of his justice, appalling but unstained…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ THE GENERAL 1Ch 16:33; Job 14:17; 21:30; 31:13-15; Ps 9:7; 50:3-6; 96:13; 98:9; Ec 3:17; 11:9; 12:14; Eze 18:20-28; Da 7:9,10; Am 4:12; Mt 3:12; 7:22,23; 8:29; 10:15; 11:22; 12:36,37,41,42; 13:30,40-43,49,50; 16:27; 22:11-13; 23:14; 25:1-46; Mr 4:22; 8:38; 13:32; Lu 3:17; 10:10-14; 11:31,32; 12:2-5; 13:24-29; 19:12-26; 20:45-47;

divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
under no circumstances
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
יִמְעַל־yim.'al- it will act unfaithfully H4603 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be unfaithful or act treacherously, covering up or acting secretly against someone. It's used to describe actions against people or God, such as committing a trespass or transgressing. The Bible translates it as 'transgress' or 'trespass'.
Amplified meaning
be unfaithful to, act treacherously against
Tyndale gloss
be unfaithful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָעַל (ma'al) means to act unfaithfully or treacherously, often in a religious context. It covers actions against people, God, or sacred things. The term is rooted in the idea of covertly transgressing or committing a trespass. Brown-Driver-Briggs emphasizes its priestly usage, while Strong's highlights its figurative sense of covering up.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָעַל vb. act unfaithfully, treacherously, a priestly word

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4603 מָעַל act unfaithfully, treacherously, a priestly word

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4603 ma`al maw-al'

a primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only

figuratively, to act covertly, i.e.

treacherously:--transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָעַל (ma.al) — be unfaithful.

1) to act unfaithfully, act treacherously, transgress, commit a trespass

1a) (Qal) to act unfaithfully or treacherously

1a1) against man

1a2) against God

1a3) against devoted thing

1a4) against husband

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
divination [is] on [the] lips of a king in judgment not it will act unfaithfully mouth his
פִּֽיו׃Piv mouth his H6310 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
speech, expression
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate