Proverbs 17:28 — Word Study
WLCגַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃
BSAEvengam [also, too] a foolʼĕvîyl [foolish, unwise] is consideredchâshab▸ [reckoned, esteemed] ◂wisechâkâm [intelligent, discerning] if he keeps silentchârash [holds, maintains, quiet, still] [and] discerningbîyn [prudent, understanding] when he holdsʼâṭam [shuts, closes] his tonguesâphâh [lips, language]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּ֤ם | also | Adverb |
| אֱוִ֣יל | a fool | Adj |
| מַ֭חֲרִישׁ | [who] keeps silent | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| חָכָ֣ם | wise | Adj |
| יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב | he is considered | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֹטֵ֖ם | [who] shuts | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| שְׂפָתָ֣יו | lips his | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| נָבֽוֹן׃ | discerning | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. |
| KJV | Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. |
| ASV | Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent. |
| YLT | Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent! |
| WEB | Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. |
| BBE | Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense. |
Where they part company is חָכָ֣ם — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has two main clauses connected by 'and', each with a conditional phrase that elaborates on the circumstances under which the fool is perceived as wise.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָרֵשׁ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 17:28
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 Silencegenerated
Proverbs 17:28 presents a reflection on the nature of wisdom and the power of silence. It emphasizes that even someone considered foolish can be perceived as wise if they choose to remain quiet. This verse follows a series of proverbs that explore the consequences of speech and the importance of restraint, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss the impact of foolishness and knowledge.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 15:2 | The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. |
| 2 | Job 13:5 | If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 5:3 | As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 10:3–14 | Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֱוִיל, 'e.Vilgenerated
The Hebrew word אֱוִיל ('e.Vil) means 'foolish' and describes someone who lacks wisdom, often mocking or disregarding it. This term is used to characterize individuals who are quarrelsome or licentious, indicating a moral failing.
In this verse, the word is pivotal as it sets the stage for the contrast between perceived wisdom and actual foolishness. The context shows that silence can elevate the status of a fool, allowing them to be seen as wise.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses a fool, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two clauses connected by the conjunction גַּ֤ם, also. The first clause describes the fool and his silence, while the second clause highlights the discernment that comes from holding one's tongue.
The finite verb יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב, he is considered, governs the two main ideas: the fool being seen as wise and discerning in silence. This structure emphasizes the relationship between silence and perceived wisdom.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֱוִיל as ἀνοήτῳ (anoētō), which means 'foolish' or 'unwise.' This translation reflects a consistent understanding of the term across both texts, maintaining the focus on the lack of wisdom.
The use of λογισθήσεται for יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב suggests a similar concept of being regarded or esteemed, aligning with the idea that silence can alter perceptions of wisdom.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 17:28 teaches that even a fool can be seen as wise if he remains silent. This verse highlights the importance of knowing when to speak and when to hold back, suggesting that silence can sometimes convey more wisdom than words.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that by choosing to remain silent, a fool can avoid revealing their ignorance and thus be perceived as wise by others.
Silence is valued because it can prevent foolishness from being exposed and allows for a more thoughtful consideration of words before they are spoken.
This verse encourages individuals to think before they speak, suggesting that sometimes it is wiser to remain quiet rather than risk saying something foolish.
Verses like Proverbs 15:2 and Proverbs 17:27 emphasize the importance of wise speech and the impact of words on relationships.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations have I chosen to remain silent, and what was the outcome?
- How can I apply the principle of this proverb in my conversations?
- What are some ways I can improve my discernment in knowing when to speak and when to be silent?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of wisdom and foolishness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers reflect on the wisdom of silence and discernment. Quotations are provided from John Cassian and Gregory the Dialogist, who explore the implications of this proverb.
It falls to the intellect to discern the divisions and the outlines of questions, and understanding’s highest function is to know that you do not know.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →
Understanding is required to discern the distinctions and the drift of questions; and it is a main part of knowledge to understand how ignorant you are.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →
As in a house, when the door is shut, it is not known what members there are hidden within, so, generally speaking, if a fool hold his peace, it is hidden whether he be wise or foolish, only, however, if no other works come to light,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 17 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise,.... Not only one that is sparing of his words, and is really a man of knowledge and understanding; but even a feel, if he is but silent, and
Read John Gill on Proverbs 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIs counted wise, because he is sensible of his own folly, and therefore forbears to speak, lest he should discover it; which is a great point of true wisdom.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.Ver. 28. Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, &c.] “παςτιςαπαιδευτοςφρονιμωτατοςεστισιωπιων.” "Oh that you would altogether hold your peace, and it should be your wisdom," saith Job to his friends that spake much, but said little
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. Even a fool] He is counted wise as to that particular. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be golden-mouthed and silver-tongued in eloquence; but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than diamonds. But who that thinks he can speak well can refrain from speaking? His tongue has no rest.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. he that shutteth &c.] Or, with R.V. text, when he (i.e. the fool of the former clause of the verse) shutteth … he is esteemed as prudent. Mr Horton (Book of Proverbs, p. 177) quotes the old Norse proverb, “An unwise man when he comes among the people Had best be silent: no one knows That he nothing knows, unless he talks too much.”
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 17 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleIs esteemed - Or, “is” (simply). The maxim would imply that silence is in any case good.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 17 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible28. Is esteemed a man of understanding — Of discernment, discreetness.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 17 →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
Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.
Tyndale line
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Strictly literal
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, || He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent!
Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
Even a fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent; when he keeps his mouth shut, he is considered to be intelligent.
From the Latin
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Simplified
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 17:28 states, "גם אויל מחריש חכם יחשב אוטם שפתיו נבון," which translates to, "Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue." The Septuagint does not provide a complete translation here, but it matches 4 of the 8 words in the Hebrew text, indicating some agreement in content, although the specific wording and structure differ. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not have surviving texts for this verse, so no additional comparison can be made with those witnesses. Overall, while the Septuagint shows partial agreement, the Masoretic Text stands as the primary source for this verse's wording.
גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃
4 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 17:28
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.
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
אֱוִיל (eviyl) means 'foolish' and describes someone who despises wisdom, mocks when guilty, is quarrelsome, or licentious. It is derived from an unused root suggesting perversion. The word is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote a person lacking wisdom.
אֱוִיל 26 adj. foolish
base
H191 אֱוִיל foolish
191 'eviyl ev-eel'
from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively)
silly:--fool(-ish) (man).
אֱוִיל (e.vil) — fool(ish).
1) be foolish, foolish
1a) (subst)
1a1) of one who despises wisdom
1a2) of one who mocks when guilty
1a3) of one who is quarrelsome
1a4) of one who is licentious
Adj — AdjHAamsa
Any person who does not act wisely, that is, does not follow the warnings and requirements of God, which are founded in infinite wisdom. Hence "a fool" is put for a wicked man, an enemy or neglecter of God, Ps 14:1 Pr 19:1. So folly is put for wickedness, 2Sa 13:12,13 Ps 38:5, foolish lusts for wicked lusts, etc. Foolish talking, foolish questions, are vain, empty, unprofitable conversation, 2Ti 2:23.
The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.
[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise
Qal
cut in, engrave
plough
devise
Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed
Hiph. fabricating mischief against
base
[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.
Qal
be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray
be deaf
Hiph.
be silent (= exhibit silence)
once causat. make silent
be deaf, shew deafness
base
H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless
. be deaf; chiefly poet.
2790 charash khaw-rash'
a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to
engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate
(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);
hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;
hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of
dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,
ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,
plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep
silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,
worker.
חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.
1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut in, engrave
1a2) to plough
1a3) to devise
1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed
1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil
חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.
1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be silent
1a2) to be deaf
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to be silent, keep quiet
1b2) to make silent
1b3) to be deaf, show deafness
1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word חָשַׁב (chashab) is a primitive root meaning to think, account, or devise. It encompasses a range of actions including planning, valuing, and inventing, both for humans and in relation to God. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of thought and consideration.
חָשַׁב vb. think, account
Qal
of man:
think, account
devise, plan, mean
charge, impute
esteem, value, regard
invent ingenious and artistic things
of God:
think
devise, plan, mean
inpute, reckon
esteem, value, regard
invent ingenious and artistic things
Niph.
be accounted, thought, esteemed
be computed, reckoned
be imputed to any one
Pi.
think upon, consider, be mindful of
think to do, devise, plan
count, reckon, the years since a sale of land
Hithp. among the nations it shall not reckon itself
base
H2803 חָשַׁב think, account .. of man: . think, account
. devise, plan, mean
. charge, impute
. esteem, value, regard
. invent ingenious and artistic things
. of God: . think
. devise, plan, mean
. inpute, reckon
. esteem, value, regard
. invent ingenious and artistic things
. . be accounted, thought, esteemed
. be computed, reckoned
. be imputed to any one
. . think upon, consider, be mindful of
. think to do, devise, plan
. count, reckon, the years since a sale of land
. among the nations it shall not reckon itself
2803 chashab khaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e.
(literally) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; figuratively, to
plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from
the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute:--(make)
account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work,
workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine,
impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made),
regard, think.
חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: design.
: design/skillful
1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to think, account
1a2) to plan, devise, mean
1a3) to charge, impute, reckon
1a4) to esteem, value, regard
1a5) to invent
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed
1b2) to be computed, be reckoned
1b3) to be imputed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of
1c2) to think to do, devise, plan
1c3) to count, reckon
1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: count.
: count/regard_as
1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to think, account
1a2) to plan, devise, mean
1a3) to charge, impute, reckon
1a4) to esteem, value, regard
1a5) to invent
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed
1b2) to be computed, be reckoned
1b3) to be imputed
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms
אטם (atam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to shut or close. It can refer to shutting lips or ears, and in a figurative sense, it describes the wicked stopping their ears. The root conveys a sense of narrowing or stopping, with various usages in the Old Testament.
[אטם] vb. shut, shut up
Qal shut, stop
Hiph. of adder, stopping ears, sim. of wicked.
base
H331 אטם shut, shut up
331 'atam aw-tam'
a primitive root; to close (the lips or ears); by analology
to contract (a window by bevelled jambs):--narrow, shut,
stop.
אָטַם (a.tam) — to shutter.
1) to shut, shut up, close
1a) (Qal) to shut, stop (of lips)
1b) (Hiphil) of the wicked stopping their ears (fig.)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
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.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
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
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)
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp3ms
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singularHVNrmsa
