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Proverbs 17:7 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלֹא־ נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־ יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־ לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־ שָֽׁקֶר׃

BSAEloquentyether [fine, excellent] wordssâphâh are unfitlôʼ [not suitable, do not become] for a foolnâbâl [foolish, stupid person] how much worseʼaph [much less] are lyingsheqer [false, deceptive] lipssâphâh [language, speech] to a rulernâdîyb [noble, prince]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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 (Sha.ker) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 17:7quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs teaches that eloquent speech does not suit a fool, and lying lips are even worse for a ruler.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, addressing wisdom and folly.
Where we areIn a section discussing the nature of speech and its appropriateness.
The hard wordנָאוָ֣ה
Take awayEloquent words are not suitable for fools, and deceptive speech is inappropriate for those in authority.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 17:7

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 on Speechgenerated

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.
7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!
8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

Proverbs 17:7 reflects on the appropriateness of speech, contrasting eloquence with foolishness and deception. The surrounding verses emphasize the value of wise communication and the consequences of unwise speech, as seen in Proverbs 17:6 and 17:8.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 26:7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
2Psalm 50:16–17To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
3Matthew 7:5You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
4Proverbs 16:10–13A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
5Proverbs 29:12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

lying lipsProverbs 12:19

The Key Word נָאוֶה, na.Vahgenerated

The word נָאוֶה (na'vah) means suitable or beautiful, often used to describe something that is pleasing or appropriate. It is derived from roots suggesting beauty and attractiveness, indicating that eloquent words should be fitting and not just ornate.

In this verse, it highlights that eloquent words do not befit a fool, suggesting that the beauty of language is wasted on those who lack wisdom.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that eloquent words are inappropriate for fools, with variations in phrasing but consistent meaning across versions like the BSB, KJV, ASV, and others.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is governed by the finite verb נָאוָ֣ה, is suitable, with the subject being 'eloquent words' and the predicate describing their unsuitability for a fool. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the two subjects.

The sentence is complex, with a subordinate clause that introduces the comparison of lying lips to a ruler, creating a layered argument about the nature of speech.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses ἁρμόσει for נָאוֶה, indicating a similar focus on suitability, but the choice of words may reflect a broader interpretation of the Hebrew context.

The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew while adapting it for a Hellenistic audience, suggesting an understanding of the importance of appropriate speech.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 17:7 tells us that eloquent words are not suitable for a fool, and lying lips are even worse for a ruler. This verse warns against the misuse of language and emphasizes the importance of wisdom in speech.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that eloquent words are unfit for a fool?

It means that beautiful or articulate speech is wasted on someone who lacks wisdom or understanding.

Why are lying lips considered worse for a ruler?

For a ruler, deception undermines trust and authority, making it far more damaging than foolish speech.

How does this verse relate to the theme of wisdom in Proverbs?

This verse reflects the broader theme in Proverbs that emphasizes the value of wise and truthful speech over eloquence without substance.

What can we learn about communication from this verse?

We learn that the appropriateness of our words matters, and that wisdom should guide our speech, especially in positions of authority.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I seen eloquent speech misused?
  2. How can I ensure my words are suitable for my audience?
  3. What role does honesty play in my communication with others?
  4. How can I cultivate wisdom in my speech?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Excellent speech becometh not a fool,.... A wicked man. Eloquence, or a sublime grand way of speaking, a copiousness and fluency of expression, become not such; because hereby he may be capable of

Read John Gill on Proverbs 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. Excellent speech (a lip of excellency) becometh not a fool; much less do lying lips (a lip of lying) a prince.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Excellent speech; either, 1. Discourse of high and excellent things far above his capacity. Or, 2. Lofty or eloquent speech, which fools oft affect, Or, 3. Virtuous and godly discourse. A fool; either properly so called; or, as this word is most commonly used in this book, a wicked man, whose actions give the lie to his expressions.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.Ver. 7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool.] A Nabal, a sapless, worthless fellow, in whom all worth is withered and decayed, - qui nullas habet dicendi vires, as Cicero hath it, that can say no good except it be by rote, or at least by book, - what should he do discoursing of high points? God likes not fair words from a foul mouth. Christ silenced the devil when he confessed him to be the Son of the most high God. The leper’ s lips should be covered, according to the law. The Lacedemonians, when a bad man had uttered a good speech in their council house, liking the speech but not the speaker, commanded…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Excellent speech becometh not a fool.—Rather, perhaps, Superfluous or pretentious words become not a vile person (nâbhâl), such as is described in Isaiah 32:6. (Comp. 1 Samuel 25:25.) Much less do lying lips a prince.—Or, liberal person (Isaiah 32:8): noblesse oblige.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 17 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool] This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often fine words are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and irrelevant as a cart wheel among clockwork.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 17 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The margin renderings are more literal and give greater emphasis. What is pointed out is not the unfitness of lying lips for the princely-hearted, but the necessity of harmony, in each case, between character and speech.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 17 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7. Excellent speech — Hebrew, lips of excellence. A fool — Several different words in this book are rendered by our word fool. They all seem to imply some bad qualifies, moral as well as intellectual.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

NETBNew English Translation2006

Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A lip of excellence is not fitting for a fool, much less a lip of falsehood for a noble.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Eloquent speech is not suitable for a fool; much less are lying lips suitable for royalty.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹאnotpredicateנָאוָ֣ה[is].suitableprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְforנָבָ֣לa.foolnoun phrase · subjectשְׂפַתa.lipיֶ֑תֶרof.excellenceclauseאַ֝֗ףindeed?clauseכִּֽי(dm)clauseprepositional phrase · predicateלְforנָדִ֥יבa.noble.[person]noun phrase · subjectשְׂפַתa.lipשָֽׁקֶרof.deception

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree, with 9 out of 10 words matched. The differences lie in the arrangement and specific word choices, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.

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

לֹא־ נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־ יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־ לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־ שָֽׁקֶר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹא־οὐξנָאוָ֣הἁρμόσειלְנָבָ֣לἄφρονιשְׂפַת־ξείληיֶ֑תֶרπιστὰכִּֽי־οὐδὲלְנָדִ֥יבδικαίῳשְׂפַת־ξείληשָֽׁקֶר׃ψευδῆ

9 of the 10 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 17:7לֹאnotnotלֹאנָאוֶה[is] suitab[is] suitableנָאוֶהנָבָלfor a foolfor a foolנָבָלשָׂפָהa lip ofa lip ofשָׂפָהיֶ֫תֶרexcellenceexcellenceיֶ֫תֶראַףindeed?indeed?אַףכִּיforforכִּינָדִיבfor a noblefor a noble [peנָדִיבשָׂפָהa lip ofa lip ofשָׂפָהשֶׁ֫קֶרdeceptiondeceptionשֶׁ֫קֶרסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהנָאָהbe lovelybe lovelyנָאָהנָבֵלbe senselebe senselessנָבֵליָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרנָדַבbe willingbe willingנָדַבשָׁקַרto dealto dealשָׁקַריְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדתְּהִלָּהpraisepraiseתְּהִלָּהכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילאֲבִינֵרAbnerAbnerאֲבִינֵרחֶרְפָּהreproachreproachחֶרְפָּהסָגָןrulerrulerסָגָןאַרְבֶּהlocustlocustאַרְבֶּהבַּלnotnotבַּליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַע
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 17:7

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.

not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
לֹא־lo'- 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
not suitable, do not become
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
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
נָאוָ֣הna.Vah [is] suitable H5000
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means something or someone is lovely or beautiful, like a pleasant scene in Genesis. It describes what is suitable or pleasing to the eye. In the Bible, it is used to describe beautiful places or people.
Tyndale gloss
lovely
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָאוֶה (na'veh) is an adjective meaning suitable, beautiful, or comely. It conveys a sense of attractiveness or appropriateness in appearance. The word is derived from roots that suggest beauty and suitability, but the lexicons do not provide specific verse references or significant disagreements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָאוֶה adj. comely, seemly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5000 נָאוֶה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5000 na'veh naw-veh'

from 4998 or 5116; suitable, or beautiful:--becometh,

comely, seemly.

see HEBREW for 04998

see HEBREW for 05116

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָאוֶה (na.eh) — lovely.

1) comely, beautiful, seemly

1a) comely, beautiful

1b) seemly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAafsa
HAafsa
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
לְנָבָ֣לle.na.Val for a fool H5036 Preposition
18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A foolish person is someone who acts stupidly or wickedly, often in a way that is impious or against God. This word is used to describe someone who lacks sense or wisdom.
Amplified meaning
foolish, stupid person
Tyndale gloss
foolish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָבָל (nabal) means foolish or senseless, particularly describing a person lacking ethical and religious understanding. It conveys notions of ignobility and disgracefulness. The word is derived from a root meaning 'stupid' or 'wicked.' It can also refer to a vile person.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָבָל adj. foolish, senseless, esp. of the man who has no perception of ethical and religious claims, and with collat. idea of ignoble, disgraceful; elsewh. as subst. (impious and presumptuous) fool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5036 נָבָל foolish, senseless, esp. of the man who has no perception of ethical and religious claims, and with collat. idea of ignoble, disgraceful

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5036 nabal naw-bawl'

from 5034; stupid; wicked (especially impious):--

fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person.

see HEBREW for 05034

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבָל (na.val) — foolish.

foolish, senseless, fool

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ps 5:5; 14:1; 53:1; 74:18-22; 107:17; Pr 1:7,22; 3:35; 9:6-8,13-17; 10:1,8,10,13,14,18,23; 14:1,7-9,15; 15:7,20,21; 17:24,25; 18:2,6,7; 19:13; 20:3; 21:20; 26:3-12; 29:9,11; Ec 4:5; 7:9; 10:11-15; Mt 7:26,27; Tit 3:3

→ PARABLES OF

Of the foolish virgns Mt 25:1-13

Of the rich fool Lu 12:16-20

not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
שְׂפַת־se.fat- a lip of H8193 Noun common · feminine singular 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.
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-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…

not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
יֶ֑תֶרYe.ter excellence H3499 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
102× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cord or rope, also meaning excess or remainder, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of leftovers or abundant resources.
Amplified meaning
fine, excellent
Tyndale gloss
remainder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יֶ֫תֶר (*yether*) encompasses meanings related to remainder, excess, and excellence, as well as a small cord. It is derived from a root meaning 'to remain' and can refer to both a surplus or remnant and a physical string. The entries consistently highlight its dual meanings without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֶ֫תֶר 94 n.m. remainder, excellence, excess

base

יֶ֫תֶר n.m. cord (prop. as hanging over or down)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3499a יֶ֫תֶר remainder, excellence, excess H3499b יֶ֫תֶר cord

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3499 yether yeh'-ther

from 3498; properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an

excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging

free):--+ abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what

they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue,

rest, string, with.

see HEBREW for 03498

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֶ֫תֶר (ye.ter) — remainder.

1) remainder, excess, rest, remnant, excellence

1a) remainder, remnant

1b) remainder, rest, other part

1c) excess

1d) abundantly (adv)

1e) abundance, affluence

1f) superiority, excellency

יֶ֫תֶר (ye.ter) — cord.

cord

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
אַ֝֗ף'Af indeed? H637 Particle
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Amplified meaning
much less
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

637 'aph af

a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or

conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +

although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less

(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַף (aph) — also.

conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)

1) also, yea, though, so much the more

adv

2) furthermore, indeed

Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Particle
HTj
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
לְנָדִ֥יבle.na.Div for a noble [person] H5081 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Noble or generous, describing someone of high rank or character, like a prince, or a person with a willing and liberal heart, as seen in the stories of David and Solomon.
Amplified meaning
noble, prince
Tyndale gloss
noble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָדִיב (nadiyb) conveys meanings of being inclined, generous, and noble. It is derived from a root meaning voluntary or willing, and can refer to a noble person or grandee, sometimes with a connotation of tyranny. The word appears in contexts related to nobility and willingness, including a mention in Song of Solomon 6:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָדִיב adj. and n.m. inclined, generous, noble

incited, inclined, willing

noble, princely, in rank

noble in mind and character

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5081 נָדִיב inclined, generous, noble

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5081 nadiyb naw-deeb'

from 5068; properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence,

magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant):--free,

liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ((hearted)).

see HEBREW for 05068

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָדִיב (na.div) — noble: willing.

: willing

n m

1) noble one

adj

2) inclined, willing, noble, generous

1a) incited, inclined, willing

1b) noble, princely (in rank)

1c) noble (in mind and character)

Also means: na.div (נָדִיב ": noble" H5081H)

§ A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12

נָדִיב (na.div) — noble.

: noble

n m

1) noble one

adj

2) inclined, willing, noble, generous

1a) incited, inclined, willing

1b) noble, princely (in rank)

1c) noble (in mind and character)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
שְׂפַת־se.fat- a lip of H8193 Noun common · feminine singular 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, speech
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-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…

not [is] suitable for a fool a lip of excellence indeed? for for a noble [person] a lip of deception
שָֽׁקֶר׃Sha.ker deception H8267 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
113× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Amplified meaning
false, deceptive
Tyndale gloss
deception
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫קֶר (sheqer) refers to deception, falsehood, and disappointment. It encompasses various forms of deceit, including fraud and wrongful testimony. The word is built from the root associated with untruths and can imply sham or lying. It is used in contexts involving false prophets and general dishonesty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫קֶר 113 n.m. deception, disappointment, falsehood

deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one

deceit, fraud, wrong

injurious falsehood, in testimony

falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets

lie, falsehood, in gen.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8267 שֶׁ֫קֶר deception, disappointment, falsehood . deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one

. deceit, fraud, wrong

. injurious falsehood, in testimony

. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets

. lie, falsehood, in gen.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8267 sheqer sheh'-ker

from 8266; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often

adverbial):--without a cause, deceit(-ful),

false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain

(thing), wrongfully.

see HEBREW for 08266

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) — deception.

1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood

1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)

1b) deceit, fraud, wrong

1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)

1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony)

1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely

1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets)

1e) lie, falsehood (in general)

1e1) false tongue

1f) in vain

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

→ INSTANCES OF

By Satan Ge 3:4

Abraham, in stating that Sarah was his sister Ge 12:13; 20:2

Isaac, in stating that his wife was his sister Ge 26:7

Jacob and Rebekah, in imposing Jacob on his father, and Jacob's impersonating Esau Ge 27:6-23

Jacob's sons, in entrapping the Shechemites Ge 34:13-31

In representing to their father that Joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts Ge 37:29-35

Joseph, in his ruse with his brothers Ge 42; 43; 44

The Gibeonites, in misrepresenting their habitat Jos 9:3-15

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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