Proverbs 19:28 — Word Study
WLCעֵ֣ד בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָלִ֣יץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְבַלַּע־ אָֽוֶן׃
BSAA corruptbᵉlîyaʻal [worthless, ungodly] witnessʻêd [who sees or experiences something] mockslûwts▸ [scorneth, makes fun of] justicemishpâṭ [judgment, God's righteous judgment] and a wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, evil, Belial, worthless] mouthpeh [lip, edge of something] swallowsbâlaʻ▸ [devoureth, gulps down] iniquityʼâven [evil, wickedness, trouble]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֵ֣ד | a witness of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| בְּ֭לִיַּעַל | worthlessness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יָלִ֣יץ | he mocks | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מִשְׁפָּ֑ט | justice | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּפִ֥י | and [the] mouth of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יְבַלַּע־ | it swallows up | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אָֽוֶן׃ | wickedness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. |
| KJV | An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. |
| ASV | A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity. |
| YLT | A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity. |
| WEB | A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity. |
| BBE | A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream. |
Where they part company is רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', presenting parallel ideas about the corrupt witness and the wicked mouth.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbלִיץ
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 19:28
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 on Justice and Integritygenerated
Proverbs 19:28 discusses the implications of false testimony and the nature of wickedness. The verse highlights how a corrupt witness undermines justice, while a wicked mouth contributes to wrongdoing. This is part of a broader discourse on the importance of honesty and righteousness in society, echoing themes found throughout the book of Proverbs.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 21:10–13 | But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” |
| 2 | Acts 6:11–13 | Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” |
| 3 | Psalm 10:5–11 | He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. |
| 4 | Isaiah 28:14–18 | Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. |
| 5 | Luke 18:2–4 | “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֵד, 'edgenerated
The word עֵד ('ed) translates to 'witness' and refers to someone who testifies based on what they have seen or experienced. This term is significant in legal contexts, where the reliability of testimony is crucial.
In this verse, it emphasizes the role of the witness in justice, suggesting that a corrupt witness not only fails to uphold truth but actively mocks the very concept of justice.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the terms corrupt and witness consistently with other translations like the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses, each with a verb and its respective object: יָלִ֣יץ (he mocks) and יְבַלַּע־ (it swallows up). The structure emphasizes the actions of the corrupt witness and the wicked mouth.
The first clause focuses on the mocking of justice, while the second highlights the destructive nature of wicked speech, creating a parallel between the two.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָלִ֣יץ with καθυβρίζει, meaning 'to mock or deride', which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning of scorn.
For מִשְׁפָּ֑ט, the Greek uses δικαίωμα, referring to a legal right or justice, indicating a consistent understanding of justice across the translations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 19:28 warns that a corrupt witness makes fun of justice, while a wicked mouth consumes wrongdoing. This highlights the importance of truthfulness and integrity in our words and actions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A corrupt witness is someone who lies or distorts the truth, undermining the justice system.
A wicked mouth spreads lies and promotes wrongdoing, leading to moral decay.
Justice ensures fairness and accountability, which are essential for a healthy and functioning community.
We should strive to speak truthfully and avoid spreading falsehoods, as our words have the power to influence others.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I ensure that my words reflect truth and integrity?
- In what situations have I seen the consequences of false testimony?
- What steps can I take to promote justice in my community?
- How can I guard against speaking wickedness or spreading lies?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAn ungodly witness scorneth judgment,.... Or, "a witness of Belial" (z).
Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAn ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. An ungodly witness (Hebrew, a witness of Belial) scorneth judgment - justice.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleScorneth judgment; hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there, nor to that sacred and solemn work of executing judgment, but in spite of all gives in a false testimony. Devoureth iniquity; uttereth with as great greediness, and delight, and ease, as they swallow down delicious meats and drinks. Compare .
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.Ver. 28. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment.] As if he were out of the reach of God’ s rod. And because "judgment is not presently executed, therefore his heart is set in him to do wickedly," he looks upon God as an abettor of his perjury. His mouth devoureth iniquity, as some savoury morsel. But know they not that there will be bitterness in the end? Let them but mark what follows.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment.—Despises the orders of the Law to avoid perjury (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 5:1). (Comp. 1 Kings 8:31). The mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.—As a dainty morsel. (Comp. Proverbs 18:8.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. ungodly] Rather, worthless. See Proverbs 6:12, note.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 19 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleUngodly witness - literally, “Witness of Belial,” “worthless,” “untruthful.” Devoureth iniquity - Seizes on it eagerly, as a dainty, lives on it.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 19 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible28. An ungodly witness — One not of God, untruthful. Scorneth judgment — Mocketh, derideth it. He hath no concern that justice be done. Devoureth iniquity — Greedily, as a dainty morsel.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Tyndale line
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
A wicked witnes mocketh at iudgement, and the mouth of ye wicked swalloweth vp iniquitie.
Strictly literal
A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
A worthless witness scorns judgment, || And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
An ungodly witness scorneth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth mischief.
A corrupt witness mocks justice and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
From the Latin
An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
Simplified
A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.
A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.
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 reads: עֵ֣ד בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָלִ֣יץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְבַלַּע־ אָֽוֶן׃. The Septuagint matches five of the eight words, showing a strong correspondence in meaning, though the order and structure differ.
עֵ֣ד בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָלִ֣יץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְבַלַּע־ אָֽוֶן׃
5 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 19:28
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.
עֵד (ed) means 'witness' and encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies. It is derived from a root suggesting emphatic affirmation. The term can refer to evidence of things or to individuals providing testimony.
עֵד 69 n.m. witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming)
witness, testimony, evidence, of things
witness, a person
base
H5707 עֵד witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming) . witness, testimony, evidence, of things
. witness, a person
5707 `ed ayd
contracted from 5749 ; concretely, a witness; abstractly,
testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:--witness.
see HEBREW for 05749
עֵד (ed) — witness.
1) witness
1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things)
1b) witness (of people)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (bliya`al) refers to worthlessness or wickedness, often associated with destruction. It is derived from roots meaning 'without profit' and can describe ungodly individuals. The term appears in contexts related to moral depravity and is linked to concepts of ruin. Some sources emphasize its use as a name, similar to 'Satan'.
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל 27 n.[m.] worthlessness
abstr.
concr. elliptical
ruin, destruction
base
H1100 בְּלִיַּ֫עַל worthlessness
1100 bliya`al bel-e-yah'-al
from 1097 and 3276; without profit, worthlessness; by
extension, destruction, wickedness (often in connection with
376, 802, 1121, etc.):--Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men),
wicked.
see HEBREW for 01097
see HEBREW for 03276
see HEBREW for 0376
see HEBREW for 0802
see HEBREW for 01121
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial.
A name like sa.tan (שָׂטָן "Satan" H7854)
This name means worthless, base, wicked
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial: destruction.
: destruction
1) worthlessness
1a) worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow
1b) wicked
1c) ruin, destruction (construct)
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) — Belial: worthless.
: worthless
1) worthlessness
1a) worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow
1b) wicked
1c) ruin, destruction (construct)
Also means: be.liy.ya.al (בְּלִיַּ֫עַל ": destruction" H1100H)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
לִיץ (luwts) means to scorn or mock, with various forms indicating actions like deriding or acting as a scorner. It can also refer to interpreting language or serving as an ambassador. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, including boasting and showing arrogance.
[לִיץ] vb. scorn
Qal scorn
Hiph.
deride
Pt. interpreter
Po‛lel scorners
Hithp. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
base
H3887 [לִיץ] scorn .scorn
. . deride
. Pt. interpreter
.scorners
. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
3887 luwts loots
a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff;
hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to
interpret, or (generally) intercede:--ambassador, have in
derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful),
teacher.
לִיץ (luts) — to mock.
1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to boast
1a2) to scorn
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to mock, deride
1b2) to interpret (language)
1b2a) interpreter (participle)
1b2b) ambassador (fig.)
1c) (Hithpalpel) to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker
Also means: la.tsats (לָצַץ "to scorn" H3945)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.
מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment
judgment
justice, right, rectitude
ordinance
decision
one's (legal) right, privilege, due
proper, fitting, measure
custom, manner
what manner of
plan
base
H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment
. justice, right, rectitude
. ordinance
. decision
. one's (legal) right, privilege, due
. . proper, fitting, measure
. custom, manner
. what manner of
. plan
4941 mishpat mish-pawt'
from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree
(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or
collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the
crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a
participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or
even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,
custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,
fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),
(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,
ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
see HEBREW for 08199
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)
1c) ordinance
1d) decision (in law)
1e) right, privilege, due (legal)
1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
jus'-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered "righteousness." This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have "just" and "justice" in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "righteous" and "righteousness." It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.
See RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1. Human Justice:
Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Le 19:35,36; De 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Pr 11:1; 16:11…
Justice
Is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.
A principle of righteousness and equity, controlling our conduct, and securing a due regard to all the rights of others-their persons, property, character, and interests. It has to do, not with pecuniary transactions alone, but with all our intercourse with society. It forms a chief element of the character approved in God’s word; and a truly just man has but to "love mercy, and walk humbly with God," to fulfil all righteousness. Justice in magistrates, rulers, and judges, must be fearless and impartial, and all its decisions such as will bear revision before the court of heaven, De 1:16,17 2Sa 23:3 2Ch 19:6-10. Judgement is peculiarly the prerogative of God, and every earthly tribunal lies under the shadow of the "great white…
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:1-3,6-8; Le 19:13-15; De 16:18-20; 25:1-4; Ezr 7:26; Ps 72:1,2; 82:2-4; Pr 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 22:27; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; Ec 3:16,17; 5:8; 7:7; Isa 1:17; 56:1; 59:14,15; Jer 22:1-4; La 3:35,36; Am 5:7,11,12;
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
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.
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…
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
בָּלַע (bala) is a Hebrew verb meaning to swallow down or engulf. It encompasses various forms, including actions of devouring and being consumed, as well as figurative uses like squandering. The entries indicate that it can be used in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, each with slightly different nuances.
בָּלַע vb. swallow down, swallow up, engulf
Qal
swallow down
swallow up, engulf
Niph. swallowed up, i.e. devastated
Pi.
swallow
swallow up, engulf
Pu. be swallowed up
Hithp. their wisdom is all gone, ‘they are at their wit’s end’
base
H1104 בָּלַע swallow down, swallow up, engulf
1104 bala` baw-lah'
a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by
swallowing); generally, to destroy:--cover, destroy, devour,
eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up).
בָּלַע (ba.la) — to swallow up.
1) to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to swallow down
1a2) to swallow up, engulf
1b) (Niphal) to be swallowed up
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to swallow
1c2) to swallow up, engulf
1c3) squandering (fig.)
1d) (Pual) to be swallowed up
1e) (Hithpael) to be ended
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness
trouble, sorrow
idolatry
trouble of iniquity, wickedness
base
H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness
205 'aven aw-ven'
from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,
to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);
strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;
specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,
iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,
unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.
see HEBREW for 0369
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
wik'-ed-nes:
1. In the Old Testament:
The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…