Proverbs 2:13 — Word Study
WLCהַ֭עֹ֣זְבִים אָרְח֣וֹת יֹ֑שֶׁר לָ֝לֶ֗כֶת בְּדַרְכֵי־ חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
BSAfrom those who leaveʻâzab [abandon, forsake] the straightyôsher [upright, righteous] pathsʼôrach [ways of righteousness, roads] in the waysderek [paths, roads] of darknesschôshek [spiritual gloom, wickedness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַ֭עֹ֣זְבִים | those [who] leave | Particle, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural |
| אָרְח֣וֹת | paths of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| יֹ֑שֶׁר | uprightness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לָ֝לֶ֗כֶת | to walk | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| בְּדַרְכֵי־ | in [the] ways of | Preposition, noun common both plural construct |
| חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ | darkness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, |
| KJV | Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; |
| ASV | Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness; |
| YLT | Who are forsaking paths of uprightness, To walk in ways of darkness, |
| WEB | who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness, |
| BBE | Who give up the way of righteousness, to go by dark roads; |
All translations reflect the same core meaning of leaving the straight paths for darkness.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with a noun phrase and an infinitive phrase, highlighting the actions and their consequences.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 2:13
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 — The Path of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 2:13 warns against those who forsake the straight paths, emphasizing the importance of adhering to righteousness. This verse is situated in a broader discussion about the value of wisdom and the consequences of choosing to walk in darkness. The surrounding verses highlight the dangers of evil and the need for discernment in one's journey through life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 21:16 | The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. |
| 2 | Psalm 14:3 | All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. |
| 3 | Psalm 36:3 | The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 18:26 | If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 33:12–13 | Therefore, son of man, say to your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked man cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. Nor will the righteous man be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins.’ |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 19 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָזַב, ha.'O.ze.vimgenerated
The word עָזַב (azav) is a verb that means to leave, forsake, or abandon. It conveys a sense of relinquishing something important, often implying a moral or spiritual choice. The parsing as a masculine plural participle indicates a group of individuals who are actively making this choice.
In this verse, it specifically refers to those who abandon the straight paths of righteousness, illustrating a deliberate choice to forsake moral integrity for a path that leads to darkness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the essence of the verse, conveying the idea of leaving the straight paths for darkness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb עֹ֣זְבִים (ozvim) governs the sentence, with a noun phrase describing the subjects and a prepositional phrase indicating the paths they leave. The structure emphasizes the action of forsaking as central to the meaning of the verse.
The syntax indicates a clear relationship between the subjects who leave the paths and the consequences of their choice, highlighting the moral implications of their actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָזַב as ἐγκαταλείποντες (egkataleipontes), which also means 'to leave behind' or 'to forsake.' This choice reflects a similar understanding of abandonment, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while emphasizing the act of leaving something significant.
This translation choice does not introduce new nuances but maintains the focus on the moral implications of forsaking the right path.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 2:13 warns against those who abandon the straight paths of righteousness to follow the ways of darkness. It emphasizes the importance of making wise choices in life and the dangers of straying from the right path.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Leaving the straight paths refers to abandoning moral integrity and choosing a life that leads away from righteousness.
Walking in darkness symbolizes a life of wickedness and spiritual gloom, leading to negative outcomes and separation from the light of truth.
Staying on the right path involves seeking wisdom, adhering to moral principles, and making choices that align with righteousness.
Darkness represents spiritual ignorance, evil, and the absence of moral clarity, contrasting with the light of righteousness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be tempted to leave the straight paths?
- How can I actively seek wisdom to guide my choices?
- What practices can help me remain aware of the dangers of walking in darkness?
- How can I encourage others to stay on the path of righteousness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, contrasting the straight path with dark ways, emphasizing the journey of right action.
Who leave the straight path, etc. Beautifully he has opposed dark ways to the straight path, because indeed the journey of right action is performed in light and leads to the joys of the supreme light.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 2 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 2:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWho leave the paths of uprightness,.... Or "righteousness", or the "right [and plain] ways" (u); which the light of nature and the law of God, and especially the Gospel of Christ, direct to; and in
Read John Gill on Proverbs 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who leave the paths uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness Their love of darkness rather than light is the reason why they
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe paths of uprightness; the way of God’ s precepts. Of darkness, i.e. of sin, which is oft called darkness, as , &c.; , because it comes from darkness, ignorance, and error, and loves darkness and hates light, and leads to utter darkness.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;Ver. 13. To walk in the ways of darkness.] As thieves, drunkards, dicers, and our other solifugae, that abuse even gospel light; that put not light under a bushel, but under a dunghill; that, when they have walked themselves weary in these byways, highways to hell, sit down "in darkness, and in the shadow of death," which posture imports, (1). Continuance there; (2). Content, as well paid of their seat. These "hate the light because their ways are evil." The light stands in the light of their wicked ways, as the angel did in Balaam’ s way to his sin.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 2 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible13-15. Who leave the paths of uprightness — A description of these evil men, needing no comment. Delighting in the frowardness, the wickedness of the wicked, is one of their worst features. Comp. Psalms 50:17-18; Romans 1:32.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 2 →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
from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,
who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness,
from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,
who leave the upright paths to walk on the dark ways,
Tyndale line
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;
Who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
And from them that leaue the wayes of righteousnes to walke in the wayes of darkenes:
Strictly literal
[from those] who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who are forsaking paths of uprightness, To walk in ways of darkness,
Who are forsaking paths of uprightness, || To walk in ways of darkness,
[From those] who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
who abandon the right paths and walk in the ways of darkness.
From the Latin
Who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways:
Simplified
who turn away from following what is right to walk down paths of darkness.
Who give up the way of righteousness, to go by dark roads;
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
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with a complete word-by-word correspondence. This consistency suggests a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these traditions.
הַ֭עֹ֣זְבִים אָרְח֣וֹת יֹ֑שֶׁר לָ֝לֶ֗כֶת בְּדַרְכֵי־ חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
6 of the 6 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 2:13
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.
עָזַב (azab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to leave, forsake, or let loose. It encompasses a range of actions from abandoning or neglecting to setting free. The entries suggest it can also imply restoration or repair, though this aspect is less emphasized. Notably, the term can describe both active and passive states, such as being forsaken or deserted.
עָזַב 213 vb. leave, forsake, loose
Qal
leave, c. acc.
leave, abandon, forsake
let loose, set free, let go
Niph.
be left to
be forsaken, of house of God
H5800a עָזַב leave, forsake, loose .. leave, c. acc.
. leave, abandon, forsake
. let loose, set free, let go
. . be left to
. be forsaken, of house of God
. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city
H5800b עָזַב restore, repair(?)
5800 `azab aw-zab'
a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit,
etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave
(destitute, off), refuse, X surely.
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: forsake.
1) to leave, loose, forsake
1a) (Qal) to leave
1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone
1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise
1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be left to
1b2) to be forsaken
1c) (Pual) to be deserted
עָזַב (a.zav) — to restore.
1) to restore, repair
1a) (Qal) to repair
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: release.
1) to leave, loose, forsake
1a) (Qal) to leave
1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone
1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise
1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be left to
1b2) to be forsaken
1c) (Pual) to be deserted
עָזַב (a.zav) — Forsaken.
This name means to restore, repair
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: neglect.
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine pluralHTd/Vqrmpa
אֹ֫רַח (orach) means 'way' or 'path,' and can refer to both literal and figurative routes in life, including one's manner of living or character. It also denotes a traveler or wayfarer. The word is derived from a root meaning a well-trodden road, and it encompasses various aspects of life’s journey.
אֹ֫רַח n.m. way, path
lit.
fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
fig. way, of mode of living, or character
by meton. traveller, wayfarer
base
H734 אֹ֫רַח way, path . lit.
. fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
. fig. way, of mode of living, or character
. by meton. traveller, wayfarer
734 'orach o'-rakh
from 732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively);
also a caravan:--manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,
(by-, high-)way.
see HEBREW for 0732
אֹ֫רַח (o.rach) — way.
1) way, path
1a) path, road
1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.)
1c) way of living (fig.)
1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton)
Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)
N-cp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
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…
The Hebrew word יֹ֫שֶׁר (*yosher*) refers to concepts of straightness and uprightness, encompassing moral implications of rightness and what is due. It is derived from a root meaning to be straight. The entries consistently highlight its application to both physical paths and ethical conduct.
יֹ֫שֶׁר n.m. straightness, uprightness
straightness, evenness, of paths
rightness, uprightness
what is due, right
base
H3476 יֹ֫שֶׁר straightness, uprightness . straightness, evenness, of paths
. rightness, uprightness
. what is due, right
3476 yosher yo'-sher
from 3474; the right:--equity, meet, right, upright(-ness).
see HEBREW for 03474
יֹ֫שֶׁר (yo.sher) — uprightness.
1) straightness, uprightness
1a) straightness, evenness (moral implications)
1b) rightness, uprightness
1c) what is right, what is due
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RIGHTEOUSNESS
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
wok (peripatein): Aside from its frequent occurrence in the usual sense, the word "walk" is used figuratively of conduct and of spiritual states. (1) Observance of laws or customs: "Thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs" (Ac 21:21). (2) Of the spiritual life: "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light" (1Joh 1:7); "That like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life" (Ro 6:4); "Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Ga 5:16); "For we walk by faith, not by sight"…
Is often figuratively used to denote a man’s mode of life, or his spiritual character, course, and relations, Eze 11:20. He may walk as a carnal or as a spiritual man, Ro 8:1; with God, or in ignorance and sin, Ge 5:24 1Jo 5:21; in the fire of affliction, Isa 43:2, or in the light, purity, and joy of Christ’s favor here and in heaven, Ps 89:15 Re 3:4.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common both plural constructHR/Ncbpc
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…
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (choshek) refers to darkness or obscurity, both in a literal sense and in various figurative contexts such as distress, ignorance, and evil. It can also denote secret or hiding places. The word is built from a root meaning 'dark' and encompasses a range of meanings related to judgment and confusion.
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ n.m. darkness, obscurity
darkness (opp. אוֹר)
= secret place(s); = hiding-place
fig.
= distress
= dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
= mourning
= perplexity; confusion
= ignorance
= evil, sin
= obscurity
base
H2822 חֹ֫שֶׁךְ darkness, obscurity . darkness (opp. אוֹר)
. = secret place(s); = hiding-place
. fig. . = distress
. = dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
. = mourning
. = perplexity; confusion
. = ignorance
. = evil, sin
. = obscurity
2822 choshek kho-shek'
from 2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness;
figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow,
wickedness:--dark(-ness), night, obscurity.
see HEBREW for 02821
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (cho.shekh) — darkness.
1) darkness, obscurity
1a) darkness
1b) secret place
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Darkness
The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (ver. 23).
When Jesus hung upon the cross (Matt. 27:45; Luke 23:44), from the “sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.”
is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (Job 10:21,22) and frequently, figuratively, for ignorance and unbelief, as the privation of spiritual light. (
The absence of natural light, Ge 1:2, and hence figuratively a state of misery and adversity, Job 18:6 Ps 107:10 Isa 8:22 9:1; also the absence of the sun and stars, and hence the fall of chief men and national convulsions, Isa 13:10 Ac 2:20. "Works of darkness," are the impure mysteries practiced in heathen worship, Eph 5:11. "Outer darkness" illustrates the gloom of those on whom the gates of heaven are closed, Mt 8:12. The darkness in Egypt,