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Proverbs 19:10 — Word Study

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WLCלֹֽא־ נָאוֶ֣ה לִכְסִ֣יל תַּעֲנ֑וּג אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־ לְעֶ֤בֶד׀ מְשֹׁ֬ל בְּשָׂרִֽים׃

BSALuxurytaʻănûwg [delicate living, delightful living] is unseemlynâʼveh [not lovely, not seemly] for a foolkᵉçîyl [stupid person, one who rejects God] how much worseʼaph [much less] for a slaveʻebed [servant, one in bondage] to rulemâshal [have power over, govern] over princessar [rulers, leaders]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 19
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 (be.sa.Rim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 19:10quick helps
In a sentenceProverbs warns that luxury is inappropriate for a fool, and even more so for a slave who rules over princes.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, offering wisdom on the nature of folly and authority.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of proverbs that provide moral and practical guidance.
The hard wordתַּעֲנ֑וּג
Take awayThe verse highlights the absurdity of a foolish person indulging in luxury and the irony of a slave ruling over those of higher status.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectתַּעֲנוּג verbמָשַׁל 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 19:10

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 on Folly and Authoritygenerated

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Proverbs 19:10 illustrates the folly of luxury being unsuitable for a fool, emphasizing that it is even more inappropriate for a slave to have authority over princes. This verse fits within a broader discussion in Proverbs about the nature of wisdom and foolishness, as seen in the surrounding verses, which also address the consequences of deceit and the importance of patience and insight in leadership.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 30:21–22Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
21 Samuel 25:36When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
3Esther 3:15The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
4Isaiah 5:11–12Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.
5Isaiah 22:12–14On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.

The Key Word תַּעֲנ֑וּג, ta.'a.Nuggenerated

The word תַּעֲנוּג (ta'anuwg) refers to luxury or delightful living, indicating a state of indulgence or comfort. It is derived from a root meaning to be soft or delicate, suggesting a sense of refined enjoyment. In this context, it highlights the absurdity of a fool engaging in such a lifestyle.

The adjective describes a lifestyle that is not only extravagant but also inappropriate for someone lacking wisdom. The use of this term underscores the contrast between the expectations of a fool and the reality of their situation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, we look at the verse as rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term luxury to capture the essence of תַּעֲנוּג.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause centers around the verb מְשֹׁ֬ל, to rule, which governs the subject תַּעֲנוּג and the predicate נָאוֶ֣ה. The structure indicates a clear relationship between the elements, emphasizing the folly of the situation described.

The sentence's arrangement places the focus on the foolishness of luxury, followed by the contrasting situation of a slave ruling over princes, thus highlighting the absurdity of both scenarios.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תַּעֲנוּג as τρυφή, which conveys a sense of indulgence and luxury. This choice reflects a similar understanding of excess as inappropriate for those lacking wisdom.

The Greek term used in the Septuagint captures the essence of the Hebrew word, reinforcing the idea that such a lifestyle is unsuitable for a fool.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 19:10 tells us that luxury is not suitable for a fool, and it is even more inappropriate for a slave to rule over princes. This verse emphasizes the foolishness of indulging in excess and the absurdity of a lowly person having authority over those of higher status.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the verse mean by 'luxury is unseemly for a fool'?

It suggests that a fool, who lacks wisdom, should not indulge in luxury, as it is inappropriate for someone who does not understand its value.

Why is it worse for a slave to rule over princes?

This highlights the irony and absurdity of a person of low status having authority over those who are naturally leaders, emphasizing a reversal of expected roles.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Proverbs?

It reflects the broader themes of wisdom and folly in Proverbs, illustrating the consequences of foolish behavior and the proper order of authority.

What can we learn from the comparison between a fool and a slave ruling over princes?

We learn about the importance of wisdom and the dangers of excess, as well as the need for appropriate leadership based on merit rather than status.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see luxury or indulgence affecting my decisions?
  2. How can I ensure that I am making wise choices rather than foolish ones in my life?
  3. What does this verse teach about the nature of authority and leadership?
  4. How can I apply the lessons of this verse to my own understanding of success and status?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Delight is not seemly for a fool,.... Such an one as Nabal, whose name and nature were alike; and whose prosperity ill became him, and the mirth and delight he had in it, 1 Samuel 25:25; for, as the

Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. Delight is not seemly for a fool.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Delight, to live in pleasure, and plenty, and outward glory, is not seemly for a fool; it doth not become him, nor suit with him; partly because prosperity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad; and partly because it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others. He implies that a rod or punishment is fitter for him than pleasure, as is noted, 26:3. A servant; who is of a servile condition and disposition, not much differing from a fool; who is a servant to his lusts, and wholly unfit to rule other men. Over princes, i.e. over men of better quality than himself; for servants are commonly ignorant, and when they are advanced, they grow…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.Ver. 10. Delight is not seemly for a fool.] Dignitas in indigno est ornamentum in luto, saith Salvian. Health, wealth, nobility, beauty, honour, and the like, are ill bestowed upon a wicked man, who will abuse them all to his own and other men’ s undoing. The wisest have enough to do to manage these outward good things. What may we hen expect from fools? If they make wise men fools, they will make fools mad men. Much less for a servant to rule over princes.] As Abimelech, that bramble, did over the cedars of Lebanon; as Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, sought to do over Nehemiah and the…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Delight is not seemly for a fool.—He is ruined by prosperity and luxury: much more is a slave unfit to rule over princes. The writer has in his mind the case of an emancipated slave being raised to high place by court favour, and then insolently trampling on those who were once far above him. (Comp. Proverbs 30:22; Ecclesiastes 10:6-7.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. Delight is not seemly for a fool] תענוג taanug, splendid or luxurious living, rank, equipage, c. These sit ill on a fool, though he be by birth a lord. For a servant to have rule over princes.] I pity the king who delivers himself into the hands of his own ministers. Such a one loses his character, and cannot be respected by his subjects, or rather their subjects. But it is still worse when a person of mean extraction is raised to the throne, or to any place of power he is generally cruel and tyrannical.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. delight] Rather, luxury, or delicate living, R.V. οὐσυμφέρειἄφρονιτρυφὴ, LXX. Comp. οἱἐντρυφῇὑπάρχοντεςἐντοῖςβασιλείοιςεἰσίν, Luke 7:25; as “a servant” would be if he had “rule over princes.” On this second clause Dean Plumptre (Speaker’s Comm.) quotes Claudian in Eutrop. 1. 183: “nec bellua tetrior ulla est, Quam servi rabies in libera colla furentis.”

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 19 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

“Delight,” high unrestrained enjoyment, is to the “fool” who lacks wisdom but a temptation and a snare.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 19 →

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

Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

NETBNew English Translation2006

Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Pleasure is not comely for a foole, much lesse for a seruant to haue rule ouer princes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Luxury is not fitting for a fool, || Much less for a servant to rule among princes.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Delicacy is not seemly for a fool: much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— much less for a slave to rule over princes.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹֽאnotpredicateנָאוֶ֣ה[is].suitableprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִforכְסִ֣ילa.foolsubjectתַּעֲנ֑וּגluxuryclauseאַ֝֗ףindeed?clauseכִּֽי(dm)clauseprepositional phrase · predicateלְforעֶ֤בֶדa.slavenoun phrase · subjectclauseverbמְשֹׁ֬לto.ruleprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּoverשָׂרִֽיםprinces

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 19:10 states that "Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!" The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all nine words correspond, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. There are no significant differences in the core message between these texts, indicating a strong consistency in this verse across these ancient witnesses.

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

לֹֽא־ נָאוֶ֣ה לִכְסִ֣יל תַּעֲנ֑וּג אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־ לְעֶ֤בֶד׀ מְשֹׁ֬ל בְּשָׂרִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹֽא־οὐנָאוֶ֣הσυμφέρειלִכְסִ֣ילἄφρονιתַּעֲנ֑וּגτρυφήאַ֝֗ףκαὶכִּֽי־ἐὰνלְעֶ֤בֶד׀οἰκέτηςמְשֹׁ֬לἄρχηταιבְּשָׂרִֽים׃δυναστεύειν

9 of the 9 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 19:10לֹאnotnotלֹאנָאוֶה[is] suitab[is] suitableנָאוֶהכְּסִילfor a foolfor a foolכְּסִילתַּעֲנוּגluxuryluxuryתַּעֲנוּגאַףindeed?indeed?אַףכִּיforforכִּיעֶ֫בֶדfor a slavefor a slaveעֶ֫בֶדמָשַׁלto ruleto ruleמָשַׁלשַׂרover princeover princesשַׂרנָאָהbe lovelybe lovelyנָאָהכָּסַלbe stupidbe stupidכָּסַלעָנֹגto delightto delightעָנֹגעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדשָׂרַרto ruleto ruleשָׂרַריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדתְּהִלָּהpraisepraiseתְּהִלָּהכְּסִילfoolfoolכְּסִילאִוֶּ֫לֶתfollyfollyאִוֶּ֫לֶתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםשִׁירto singto singשִׁירבֵּןson: childson: childבֵּןבַּלnotnotבַּליָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעאָמָהmaidservanmaidservantאָמָהשִׁפְחָהmaidservanmaidservantשִׁפְחָהכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּא
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 19:10

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.

not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
לֹֽא־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.
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
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
נָאוֶ֣הna.Veh [is] suitable H5000 Adj
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.
Amplified meaning
not lovely, not seemly
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
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
לִכְסִ֣ילlikh.Sil for a fool H3684 Preposition
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Amplified meaning
stupid person, one who rejects God
Tyndale gloss
fool
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3684 כְּסִיל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3684 kciyl kes-eel'

from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or

silly:--fool(-ish).

see HEBREW for 03688

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

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 luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
תַּעֲנ֑וּגta.'a.Nug luxury H8588 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to luxury or delightful living, like the pleasure of enjoying good food or comfortable circumstances. It appears in books like Genesis and Esther, where it is used to describe the lives of wealthy or privileged people. The concept of luxury is often associated with the excesses of the rich.
Amplified meaning
delicate living, delightful living
Tyndale gloss
luxury
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּעֲנוּג (ta`anuwg) refers to concepts of luxury, daintiness, and exquisite delight. It is derived from the root meaning to be soft or delicate. The term encompasses ideas of pleasantness and comfort, highlighting a sense of refined enjoyment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּעֲנוּג n.[m.] daintiness, luxury, exquisite delight

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8588 תַּעֲנוּג

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8588 ta`anuwg tah-an-oog'

or taanug {tah-an-oog'}; and (feminine) taeanugah

{tah-ah-oog-aw'}; from 6026; luxury:--delicate, delight,

pleasant.

see HEBREW for 06026

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּעֲנוּג (ta.a.nug) — luxury.

1) daintiness, luxury, exquisite delight, pleasantness, delight, comfort

1a) luxury

1b) dainty

1c) delight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
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 luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
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 luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
לְעֶ֤בֶד׀le.'E.ved for a slave H5650 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
servant, one in bondage
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Slave

Jer. 2:14 (A.V.), but not there found in the original. In Rev. 18:13 the word “slaves” is the rendering of a Greek word meaning “bodies.” The Hebrew and Greek words for slave are usually rendered simply “servant,” “bondman,” or “bondservant.” Slavery as it existed under the Mosaic law has no modern parallel. That law did not originate but only regulated the already existing custom of slavery (Ex. 21:20, 21, 26, 27; Lev. 25:44-46; Josh. 9:6-27). The gospel in its spirit and genius is hostile to slavery in every form, which under its influence is gradually disappearing from among men.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The institution of slavery was recognized, though not established, by the Mosaic law with a view to mitigate its hardship and to secure to every man his ordinary rights. I. Hebrew slaves. -- The circumstances under which a Hebrew might be reduced to servitude were-- (1) poverty; (2) the commission of theft; and (3) the exercise of paternal authority. In the first case, a man who had mortgaged his property, and was unable to support his family, might sell himself to another Hebrew, with a view both to obtain maintenance and perchance a surplus sufficient to redeem his property. (Leviticus 25:25,39) (2) The commission of theft rendered a person liable to servitude whenever restitution could not be made on the scale prescribed by the law. (Exodus 22:1,3) The thief was bound to work…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Jer 2:14; Re 18:13. See SERVANT.

not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
מְשֹׁ֬לme.Shol to rule H4910 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
81× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Amplified meaning
have power over, govern
Tyndale gloss
to rule
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָשַׁל (mashal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rule or have dominion. It can refer to human authority, the dominion of heavenly bodies, or God's sovereignty. The word has a Qal form indicating direct rule and a Hiphil form that implies causing someone to rule or exercising dominion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָשַׁל vb. rule, have dominion, reign

Qal

human subj., rule, have dominion over

of heavenly bodies

of God

Hiph. cause to rule; exercise dominion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4910 מָשַׁל rule, have dominion, reign .. human subj., rule, have dominion over

. of heavenly bodies

. of God

. cause to rule; exercise dominion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4910 mashal maw-shal'

a primitive root; to rule:--(have, make to have) dominion,

governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have)

rule(-ing, -r), have power.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to rule.

1) to rule, have dominion, reign

1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to rule

1b2) to exercise dominion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
not [is] suitable for a fool luxury indeed? for for a slave to rule over princes
בְּשָׂרִֽים׃be.sa.Rim over princes H8269 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
421× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Amplified meaning
rulers, leaders
Tyndale gloss
ruler
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8269 sar sar

from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain

(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,

lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.

see HEBREW for 08323

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׂר (sar) — ruler.

1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain

1a) chieftain, leader

1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)

1c) captain, general, commander (military)

1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)

1e) heads, princes (of religious office)

1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)

1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)

1h) patron-angel

1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)

1j) warden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics
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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