Proverbs 20:13 — Word Study
WLCאַל־ תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב שֵׁ֭נָה פֶּן־ תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ פְּקַ֖ח עֵינֶ֣יךָ שְֽׂבַֽע־ לָֽחֶם׃
BSADo notʼal [refuse to, let not] loveʼâhab▸ [have affection for, be enamored with] sleepshênâh [idleness, lethargy] orpên you will grow pooryârash▸ [come to poverty, be in need] openpâqach [be observant, awaken] your eyesʻayin [sight, understanding] [and] you will have plentysâbaʻ of foodlechem [be satisfied with, have an abundance of, bread, nourishment]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַל־ | may not | Particle |
| תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב | you love | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine singular |
| שֵׁ֭נָה | sleep | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| פֶּן־ | lest | Particle |
| תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ | you should become impoverished | Verb, Niphal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| פְּקַ֖ח | open | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| עֵינֶ֣יךָ | eyes your | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| שְֽׂבַֽע־ | be satisfied | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| לָֽחֶם׃ | food | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. |
| KJV | Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. |
| ASV | Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. |
| YLT | Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes — be satisfied [with] bread. |
| WEB | Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. |
| BBE | Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough. |
The translations agree on the core message of the verse, emphasizing the relationship between sleep and poverty.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by consequences and imperatives, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָהֵב
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 20:13
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 — Practical Wisdom in Proverbsgenerated
Proverbs 20:13 advises against the love of sleep, which can lead to poverty. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of being alert and diligent in life. This wisdom is echoed throughout the book of Proverbs, where the consequences of laziness are frequently highlighted, as seen in Proverbs 6:9-11 and Proverbs 10:4.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:9–11 | How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:4 | Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. |
| 3 | Proverbs 12:11 | The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. |
| 4 | Proverbs 13:4 | The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. |
| 5 | Proverbs 19:15 | Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב, te.'e.Havgenerated
The verb אָהֵב ('ahab) means 'to love' and encompasses a range of affections, from romantic love to a fondness for food or wisdom. Its jussive form here suggests a strong encouragement or prohibition against loving sleep.
This usage highlights the potential consequences of such affection — leading to laziness and, ultimately, poverty. The word captures the essence of desire and attachment, emphasizing the need for balance in our pursuits.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, consistently conveying the warning against loving sleep and the benefits of being awake and observant.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains a main clause and three subordinate clauses. The finite verb תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב, you love, governs the structure, with the object שֵׁ֭נָה, sleep, following it. The subsequent clauses detail the consequences of loving sleep and the imperative to open one's eyes.
The structure emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship: loving sleep leads to poverty, while being observant leads to abundance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אָהֵב as ἀγάπα (agapa), which also means 'to love.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on affection.
The translation of פְּקַ֖ח as διάνοιχον (dianichon) suggests an active awakening, aligning with the Hebrew imperative to 'open' one's eyes.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 20:13 warns against loving sleep, suggesting that doing so can lead to poverty. Instead, it encourages being awake and observant, promising that this vigilance will result in having plenty of food. This advice is part of a broader teaching in Proverbs about the importance of hard work and alertness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Loving sleep refers to a preference for idleness and lethargy, which can lead to negative consequences such as poverty.
Opening your eyes symbolizes being alert and aware, which can lead to opportunities for success and fulfillment.
Proverbs frequently warns that laziness leads to poverty and need, emphasizing the value of diligence.
This verse aligns with other teachings in Proverbs that stress the importance of hard work and the dangers of slothfulness, as seen in passages like Proverbs 6:9-11.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be tempted to choose idleness over diligence?
- How can I cultivate a mindset of awareness and alertness in my daily routine?
- What practical steps can I take to ensure I am not led into poverty by laziness?
- How can I encourage others to be vigilant and hardworking, as this verse advises?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, interpreting it as a warning against the sleep of sin and slothfulness, linking it to the call to awaken from spiritual lethargy.
Do not love sleep, etc. Do not love the sleep of sin and slothfulness, about which the Apostle says, "It is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 20:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty,.... Sleep is a very great natural blessing; it is a gift of God, what nature requires, and is desirable; it is to be loved, though not immoderately; it is
Read John Gill on Proverbs 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Love not sleep.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLove not sleep, i.e. immoderate sleep, or sloth, or idleness. Take sleep because necessity requires it, not from any love to it. Open thine eyes; awake out of sleep, shake off sloth, and betake thyself to thy employment with diligence and rigour.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.Ver. 13. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty.] In sleep there is no use either of sight or hearing, or any other sense. And as little is there of the spiritual senses in the sleep of sin. It fared with the good prophet as with a drowsy person, who though awake and set to work, yet was ready to sleep at it; and Peter, James, and John, if the spirit hold not up their eyes, may be in danger to fall asleep at their prayers, and so fall into spiritual poverty: for if prayer stands still, the whole trade of godliness stands still. And a powerless prayer, proceeding from a…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) Open thine eyes.—Be up and stirring.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty] Sleep, indescribable in its nature, is an indescribable blessing; but how often is it turned into a curse! It is like food; a certain measure of it restores and invigorates exhausted nature; more than that oppresses and destroys life. A lover of sleep is a paltry, insignificant character.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. Comp. Proverbs 6:9-11; Proverbs 19:15.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOpen thine eyes - Be vigilant and active. That is the secret of prosperity.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 20 →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
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.
Tyndale line
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Strictly literal
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes — be satisfied [with] bread.
Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, || Open your eyes—be satisfied [with] bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thy eyes, so wilt thou be satisfied with bread.
Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.
From the Latin
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
Simplified
If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.
Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 20:13 states, 'Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.' The Septuagint closely aligns with this verse, matching 8 of the 9 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although it presents the text in a different word order and structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a direct witness for this specific verse, so we cannot confirm any differences or agreements from those sources. Overall, the primary witnesses agree on the essential message of the verse, emphasizing the importance of diligence over laziness in achieving abundance.
אַל־ תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב שֵׁ֭נָה פֶּן־ תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ פְּקַ֖ח עֵינֶ֣יךָ שְֽׂבַֽע־ לָֽחֶם׃
8 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 20:13
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.
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singularHVqj2ms
luv ('ahebh, 'ahabhah, noun; phileo, agapao, verb; agape, noun): Love to both God and man is fundamental to true religion, whether as expressed in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Jesus Himself declared that all the law and the prophets hang upon love (Mt 22:40; Mr 12:28-34). Paul, in his matchless ode on love (1Co 13), makes it the greatest of the graces of the Christian life--greater than speaking with tongues, or the gift of prophecy, or the possession of a faith of superior excellence; for without love all these gifts and graces, desirable and useful as they are in themselves, are as nothing, certainly of no permanent value in the sight of God. Not that either Jesus or Paul underestimates the faith from which all the graces proceed, for this grace is recognized as…
Love
This word seems to require explanation only in the case of its use by our Lord in his interview with “Simon, the son of Jonas,” after his resurrection (John 21:16, 17). When our Lord says, “Lovest thou me?” he uses the Greek word agapas; and when Simon answers, he uses the Greek word philo, i.e., “I love.” This is the usage in the first and second questions put by our Lord; but in the third our Lord uses Simon’s word. The distinction between these two Greek words is thus fitly described by Trench:, ”Agapan has more of judgment and deliberate choice; philein has more of attachment and peculiar personal affection. Thus the ‘Lovest thou’ (Gr. agapas) on the lips of the Lord seems to Peter at this moment too cold a word, as though his Lord were keeping him at a distance, or at least not inviting him to draw near, as in the…
GOD IS LOVE; AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM, 1Jo 4:16. Love is a chief attribute of Jehovah, the length and breadth and height and depth of which are beyond comprehension, for they are infinite, Eph 3:18,19. Between the three Persons of the Godhead, love is unutterable full, perfect, and blissful; towards holy angels and Christians, God’s love is an infinite fatherly complacency and affection; towards sinners, it is immeasurable compassion. It is shown in all his works and ways, and dictated his holy law, but is most signally displayed in the gospel, Joh 3:16. "Herein is love."
Holy love in man would make the whole heart and soul supremely delight in and obey God, and cordially and practically love all beings according to their character-the good…
→ OF CHILDREN FOR PARENTS
See CHILDREN
→ OF GOD, LOVE OF
The Hebrew word שֵׁנָה, transliterated as she.nah, means 'sleep.' It is derived from a root that suggests a state of rest. The word appears in contexts related to sleep, such as in Psalm 127:2. There is an Aramaic equivalent, also meaning 'sleep,' noted in the entries.
שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שֵׁנָת n.f. sleep
base
H8142 שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שֵׁנָת sleep
8142 shehah shay-naw'
or shena (Psa. 127:2) {shay-naw'}; from 3462;
sleep:--sleep.
see HEBREW for 03462
שֵׁנָה (she.nah) — sleep.
sleep
Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "sleep" H8139)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
פֶּן־ (pen) is a conjunction meaning 'lest' or 'not,' often used to express a warning or fear of a potential negative outcome. It is derived from a root meaning 'removal' and is typically found in constructions that indicate a precautionary context. The entries consistently emphasize its adverbial use in cautionary statements.
פֶּן־ 133 (alw. with Makkeph) conj. (adverting or deprecating), lest
with impf.
with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place
base
H6435 פֶּן־ (alw. with Makkeph) (adverting or deprecating), lest . with impf.
. with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place
6435 pen pane
from 6437; properly, removal; used only (in the construction)
adverb as conjunction, lest:--(lest) (peradventure),
that...not.
see HEBREW for 06437
פֶּן־ (pen) — lest.
conj
1) lest, not, beware lest
adv
2) lest
Conj — ParticleHTc
The Hebrew word יָרַשׁ (*yarash*) is a verb meaning to take possession, inherit, or dispossess. It encompasses a range of actions from seizing and occupying land to impoverishing or ruining others. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of possession and dispossession.
יָרַשׁ 229 vb. take possession of, inherit, dispossess
Qal
take possession of, esp. bu force, have as a possession, often with collat. idea of taking in place of others, succeeding to, inheriting
inherit, sq. acc. pers. = be one's heir
= impoverish
Niph. be (dispossessed =) impoverished, come to poverty
Pi. the fruit of thy ground shall the cricket get full possession
Hiph.
cause to possess or inherit
cause (others) to possess or inherit, then gen. dispossess
= impoverish
nearly = bring to ruin, destroy
take possession of a land
base
H3423 יָרַשׁ take possession of, inherit, dispossess .. take possession of, esp. bu force, have as a possession, often with collat. idea of taking in place of others, succeeding to, inheriting
. inherit, sq. acc. pers. = be one's heir
. = impoverish
. be (dispossessed =) impoverished, come to poverty
. the fruit of thy ground shall the cricket get full possession
. . cause to possess or inherit
. cause (others) to possess or inherit, then gen. dispossess
. = impoverish
. nearly = bring to ruin, destroy
. take possession of a land
3423 yarash yaw-rash'
or yaresh {yaw-raysh'}; a primitive root; to occupy (by
driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place);
by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel,
to impoverish, to ruin:--cast out, consume, destroy,
disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, X
without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) +
magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make
to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon,
succeed, X utterly.
יָרַשׁ (ya.rash) — to possess: possess.
: possess/inherit
1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take possession of
1a2) to inherit
1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor
1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty
1c) (Piel) to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to possess or inherit
1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit
1d3) to impoverish
1d4) to dispossess
1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
יָרַשׁ (ya.rash) — to possess: take.
: take/conquer/drive_out
1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take possession of
1a2) to inherit
1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor
1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty
1c) (Piel) to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to possess or inherit
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVNi2ms
פָּקַח (paqach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to open, specifically referring to the eyes and, on one occasion, the ears. It can denote both the physical act of opening and a figurative sense of being observant. The word appears in various forms, including the Qal and Niphal stems, indicating both active and passive meanings.
פָּקַח vb. open eyes and (once) ears
Qal
open eyes
open ears
Niph. be opened, of eyes
base
H6491 פָּקַח open eyes and (once) ears
6491 paqach paw-kakh'
a primitive root; to open (the senses, especially the eyes);
figuratively, to be observant:--open.
פָּקַח (pa.qach) — to open.
1) to open (the eyes)
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to open (the eyes)
1a2) to open (the ears)
1b) (Niphal) to be opened
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
o'-p'-n: In the Old Testament represents chiefly pathach, but also other words, as galah, "to uncover"; of the opening of the eyes in vision, etc. (thus Balaam, Nu 22:31; 24:4; compare Job 33:16; 36:10; Ps 119:18; Jer 32:11,14). In the New Testament the usual word is anoigo (of opening of mouth, eyes, heavens, doors, etc.). A peculiar word, trachelizomai (literally, to have the neck bent back, to be laid bare), is used for "laid open" before God in Heb 4:13.
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp2ms
שָׂבֵעַ (saba`) means to be sated or satisfied, particularly in relation to food. It can also imply having one's desires fulfilled or being surfeited with excess. The verb has various forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which cover meanings from simply being full to enriching or satisfying others. The entries indicate a focus on both literal and figurative senses of satisfaction.
[שָׂבֵעַ], שָׂבַע 96 vb. be sated, satisfied, surfeited
Qal 79
be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
have in excess, be surfeited with
Niph. Pt. sated
Pi. satisfy
Hiph.
satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
c. acc. of food pers., י׳ subj.
י׳ subj.
י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
enrich
sate, glut (with the undesired)
base
H7646 שָׂבֵעַ, שָׂבַע be sated, satisfied, surfeited .. be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
. more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
. have in excess, be surfeited with
. Pt. sated
. satisfy
. . . satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
. c. acc. of food + pers., י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
. enrich
. sate, glut (with the undesired)
7646 saba` saw-bah'
or sabeay {saw-bay'-ah}; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill
to satisfaction (literally or figuratively):--have enough,
fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty
of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.
שָׂבֵעַ (sa.va) — to satisfy.
1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be sated (with food)
1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied)
1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with
1a3a) to be weary of (fig)
1b) (Piel) to satisfy
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to satisfy
1c2) to enrich
1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
לֶ֫חֶם (lechem) means bread or food, encompassing items like grain and provisions for both humans and animals. It is derived from a related root and is used in various contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its primary association with bread, though they also acknowledge its broader meaning as food.
לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food
base
H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food
3899 lechem lekh'-em
from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or
grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit,
loaf, meat, victuals. See also 1036.
see HEBREW for 03898
see HEBREW for 01036
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food.
: food(eating)
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: bread.
: bread/loaf
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: allowance.
: allowance
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
food:
I. VEGETABLE FOODS
1. Primitive Habits
2. Cereals
3. Leguminous Plants
4. Food of Trees
II. ANIMAL FOOD
LITERATURE
In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.
Food
Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…
The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…
In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.
