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Proverbs 20:13 — Word Study

Depth

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]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 20
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 13 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (La.chem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 20:13quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse warns against the dangers of loving sleep, urging the reader to be awake and aware to avoid poverty.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, providing practical wisdom.
Where we areIn a series of sayings about wisdom and folly, this verse emphasizes the importance of diligence.
The hard wordתִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ
Take awayLaziness leads to need; awareness leads to abundance.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָהֵב The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 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

12Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

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

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 6:9–11How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
2Proverbs 10:4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
3Proverbs 12:11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
4Proverbs 13:4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
5Proverbs 19:15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

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

What does it mean to love sleep?

Loving sleep refers to a preference for idleness and lethargy, which can lead to negative consequences such as poverty.

How can opening my eyes lead to abundance?

Opening your eyes symbolizes being alert and aware, which can lead to opportunities for success and fulfillment.

What are the consequences of laziness according to Proverbs?

Proverbs frequently warns that laziness leads to poverty and need, emphasizing the value of diligence.

How does this verse relate to other teachings in Proverbs?

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

  1. In what areas of my life might I be tempted to choose idleness over diligence?
  2. How can I cultivate a mindset of awareness and alertness in my daily routine?
  3. What practical steps can I take to ensure I am not led into poverty by laziness?
  4. 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.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
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 Bible

Love 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 Commentary

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.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Love 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 Testaments

Proverbs 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 Bible

Verse 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 Colleges

13. Comp. Proverbs 6:9-11; Proverbs 19:15.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Open 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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes — be satisfied [with] bread.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, || Open your eyes—be satisfied [with] bread.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thy eyes, so wilt thou be satisfied with bread.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

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.

clauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתֶּֽאֱהַ֣בloveobjectשֵׁ֭נָהsleepפֶּןlestclauseverbתִּוָּרֵ֑שׁyou.should.become.impoverishedclauseverbפְּקַ֖חopennoun phrase · objectעֵינֶ֣יeyesךָyourclauseverbשְֽׂבַֽעbe.satisfiedobjectלָֽחֶםfood

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.

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

אַל־ תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב שֵׁ֭נָה פֶּן־ תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ פְּקַ֖ח עֵינֶ֣יךָ שְֽׂבַֽע־ לָֽחֶם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַל־μὴתֶּֽאֱהַ֣בἀγάπαשֵׁ֭נָהκαταλαλεῖνפֶּן־μὴתִּוָּרֵ֑שׁἐχαρθῇςפְּקַ֖חδιάνοιχονעֵינֶ֣יךָσουלָֽחֶם׃ἄρτων

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.

Proverbs 20:13אַלmay notmay notאַלאָהֵבyou loveyou loveאָהֵבשֵׁנָהsleepsleepשֵׁנָהפֶּן־lestlestפֶּן־יָרַשׁyou should you should becoיָרַשׁפָּקַחopenopenפָּקַחעַ֫יִןeyes youreyes yourעַ֫יִןשָׂבֵעַbe satisfiebe satisfiedשָׂבֵעַלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶםיָשֵׁןto sleepto sleepיָשֵׁןפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהלָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםלֹאnotnotלֹאחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵאתְּנוּמָהslumberslumberתְּנוּמָהיָקַץto awaketo awakeיָקַץפָּגַעto fall onto fall onפָּגַעשָׁכַחto forgetto forgetשָׁכַחיַרְדֵןJordanJordanיַרְדֵןעִוֵּרblindblindעִוֵּראֱלִישָׁעElishaElishaאֱלִישָׁעחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶםפֶּן־lestlestפֶּן־
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 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.

may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
refuse to, let not
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
תֶּֽאֱהַ֣בte.'e.Hav you love H157 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
211× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Amplified meaning
have affection for, be enamored with
Tyndale gloss
to love: lover
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H157 אָהֵב love

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
HVqj2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ OF CHILDREN FOR PARENTS

See CHILDREN

→ OF GOD, LOVE OF

→ OF MAN FOR GOD Ex 20:6; De 5:10; 6:5; 7:9; 10:12; 11:1,13,22; 13:3; 30:6,16,20; Jos 22:5; 23:11; Ps 18:1; 31:23; 37:4; 45:10,11; 63:5,6; 69:35,36; 73:25,26; 91:14; 97:10; 116:1; 145:20; Pr 8:17; 23:26; Isa 56:6,7; Jer 2:2,3; Mt 22:37,38; Mr 12:29,30,32,33; Lu 11:42;

may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
שֵׁ֭נָהShe.nah sleep H8142 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sleep or be asleep, like when God put Adam to sleep in Genesis 2:21. It is also used to describe a state of unconsciousness. This word is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
idleness, lethargy
Tyndale gloss
sleep
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שֵׁנָת n.f. sleep

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8142 שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שֵׁנָת sleep

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8142 shehah shay-naw'

or shena (Psa. 127:2) {shay-naw'}; from 3462;

sleep:--sleep.

see HEBREW for 03462

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁנָה (she.nah) — sleep.

sleep

Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "sleep" H8139)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

slep: Represents many words in Hebrew and Greek. For the noun the most common are shenah, and hupnos; for the verb, yashen, shakhabh, and katheudo. The figurative uses for death (De 31:16, etc.) and sluggishness (Eph 5:14, etc.) are very obvious.

See DREAM.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ From God Ps 127:2

→ Of the sluggard (very lazy person) Pr 6:9,10

→ Of Jesus Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38; Lu 8:23

→ A symbol of death Job 14:12; Mt 9:24; Mr 5:39; Lu 8:52; Joh 11:11,12; 1Th 4:14

→ See DEATH

may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
פֶּן־pen- lest H6435 Particle
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Tyndale gloss
lest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6435 פֶּן־ (alw. with Makkeph) (adverting or deprecating), lest . with impf.

. with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6435 pen pane

from 6437; properly, removal; used only (in the construction)

adverb as conjunction, lest:--(lest) (peradventure),

that...not.

see HEBREW for 06437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּן־ (pen) — lest.

conj

1) lest, not, beware lest

adv

2) lest

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁti.va.Resh you should become impoverished H3423 Verb · Niphal · imperfect second person masculine singular
231× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Amplified meaning
come to poverty, be in need
Tyndale gloss
to possess: possess
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVNi2ms
may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
פְּקַ֖חpe.Kach open H6491 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to open, like opening your eyes or ears to something new. It can also mean being observant and aware of your surroundings. In the Bible, it is used to describe physical and spiritual awakening.
Amplified meaning
be observant, awaken
Tyndale gloss
to open
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּקַח vb. open eyes and (once) ears

Qal

open eyes

open ears

Niph. be opened, of eyes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6491 פָּקַח open eyes and (once) ears

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6491 paqach paw-kakh'

a primitive root; to open (the senses, especially the eyes);

figuratively, to be observant:--open.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
עֵינֶ֣יךָ'ei.Nei.kha eyes your H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
sight, understanding
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp2ms
may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
שְֽׂבַֽע־se.va'- be satisfied H7646 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
97× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Tyndale gloss
to satisfy
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
may not you love sleep lest you should become impoverished open eyes your be satisfied food
לָֽחֶם׃La.chem food H3899 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
298× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Amplified meaning
be satisfied with, have an abundance of, bread, nourishment
Tyndale gloss
food
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

I. Vegetable Foods.

1. Primitive Habits:

Orientals in general are vegetarians, rather than flesh eaters. There is some reason to believe that primitive man was a vegetarian (see Ge 2:16; 3:2,6). It would seem, indeed, from a comparison of Ge 1:29 f…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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.

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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