Proverbs 20:26 — Word Study
WLCמְזָרֶ֣ה רְ֭שָׁעִים מֶ֣לֶךְ חָכָ֑ם וַיָּ֖שֶׁב עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם אוֹפָֽן׃
BSAA wisechâkâm [intelligent, skilled, prudent] kingmelek [ruler, monarch, leader] separates outzârâh [scatters, winnows, drives away] the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty, sinful] and drivesshûwb▸ the threshing wheelʼôwphân [a device for punishing, a means of judgment] over themʻal [upon, above, against]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מְזָרֶ֣ה | [is] winnowing | Verb, Piel, participle (active) masculine singular |
| רְ֭שָׁעִים | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| מֶ֣לֶךְ | a king | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חָכָ֑ם | wise | Adj |
| וַיָּ֖שֶׁב | and he brought back | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם | over them | Preposition, suffix |
| אוֹפָֽן׃ | a wheel | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. |
| KJV | A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. |
| ASV | A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them. |
| YLT | A wise king is scattering the wicked, And turneth back on them the wheel. |
| WEB | A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them. |
| BBE | A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, consistently depicting the wise king's actions.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by two phrases that elaborate on the king's actions.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָרָה
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 20:26
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 — Qualities of a Wise Kinggenerated
Proverbs 20:26 presents a wise king who actively separates the wicked from the righteous, employing judgment as a means of governance. This verse emphasizes the role of discernment in leadership, illustrating how a ruler must manage moral integrity within their realm. The surrounding verses further explore the themes of vows and the spirit's role in understanding one's true nature, reinforcing the importance of wisdom in decision-making.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 20:8 | A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 4:9–12 | But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, |
| 3 | Psalm 101:5–8 | Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 12:31 | David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem. |
| 5 | Isaiah 28:27–28 | Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מְזָרֶ֣ה, me.za.Rehgenerated
The verb זָרָה (zarah) means to scatter or winnow, indicating an action of separation or judgment. In this verse, it conveys the idea of a king actively distinguishing the wicked from the righteous, which is essential for maintaining justice and order.
The active participle form suggests ongoing action, implying that a wise king continually engages in this discerning process. This reflects the king's responsibility to uphold moral standards and ensure that justice prevails.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree in their rendering of the verse, consistently depicting the wise king's action of separating the wicked and applying judgment.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is מְזָרֶ֣ה (he separates), which governs the action of the subject, מֶ֣לֶךְ (a king). The structure emphasizes the king's role as the active agent in the separation of the wicked.
The second verb, וַיָּ֖שֶׁב (and he brought back), connects to the prepositional phrase עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם (over them), indicating the means of judgment applied to the wicked.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מְזָרֶ֣ה as λικμήτωρ, which carries the connotation of a separator or one who winnows. This choice suggests a focus on the act of discernment and judgment inherent in the role of a ruler.
The Greek term emphasizes the action of separating, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also reflecting a broader interpretation of the king's responsibility.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 20:26 tells us that a wise king knows how to separate the wicked from the good and applies judgment against them. This verse highlights the importance of discernment in leadership and the role of a king in maintaining justice.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the king actively discerns between good and evil, ensuring that justice is served and the wicked are held accountable.
This verse illustrates that wisdom in leadership involves moral discernment and the ability to make difficult judgments for the good of the people.
The threshing wheel symbolizes judgment and punishment, indicating the seriousness of the king's role in dealing with the wicked.
We can strive to discern right from wrong in our decisions and actions, promoting justice and integrity in our relationships and communities.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What qualities do you think are essential for a wise leader?
- How can discernment play a role in your daily decisions?
- In what ways can you promote justice in your community?
- What challenges might a leader face when separating the wicked from the good?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, such as Bede, reference this verse to discuss the qualities of a wise king and the importance of justice in leadership.
A wise king scatters the wicked, etc. It was the custom of the ancients, when victory was achieved over an enemy, to erect arches for themselves in which they described the praises of their virtues, as we read in the work of Saul.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 20:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleA wise king scattereth the wicked,.... Or "fans [them] away" (i); separates them from his good counsellors, courtiers, and subjects; scatters them from his presence and court, and breaks their
Read John Gill on Proverbs 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryA wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. A wise king scattereth the wicked - like chaff before the wind (Proverbs 20:8).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleA wise king, who seriously minds his duty and his true interest, scattereth the wicked; breaks their companies and confederacies, and forceth them to flee several ways for their own safety; driveth them from his presence, and from the society of honest men, as the chaff is by the husbandman separated from the corn, and driven away by the wind, of which this Hebrew word is commonly used, and to which the next clause hath some reference. Bringeth the wheel over them, as the cart-wheel was anciently turned over the sheaves to beat the corn out of them, ,28. He punisheth them severely, as their offences deserve. This or such-like punishments were not unusual among the Eastern nations, as we may…
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.Ver. 26. A wise king scattereth the wicked.] Drains the country of them by his just severity, yet with due discretion, as appears by the latter words, "and bringeth the wheel over them," compared with Isaiah 28:27-28. The Turks’ justice will rather cut off two innocent men, than let one offender escape. The Venetians punish with death whosoever shall misappropiated a penny of the public money to his own private profit. Durescite, durescite, o infaelix Lantgravic, said the poor smith to the Landgrave of Thuring, that was more mild than was for his people’ s good. The sword of justice must, I confess, be…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) A wise king scattereth the wicked.—Rather, winnows them. And bringeth the wheel over them.—Comp. Isaiah 28:27. A sort of sledge or cart was driven over the stalks of corn spread upon the threshing-floor, by means of which the grain was separated from the husk. A wise king winnows out evil persons from among his people, thus putting an end to their corrupting influence. (Comp. Matthew 3:12.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Bringeth the wheel over them.] He threshes them in his anger, as the wheel does the grain on the threshing-floor. Every one knows that grain was separated from its husks, in Palestine, by the feet of the oxen trampling among the sheaves, or bringing a rough-shod wheel over them. Asiatic kings often threshed their people, to bring out their property; but this is not what is intended here.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. scattereth] Rather, winnoweth. λικμήτωρἀσεβῶνβασιλεὺςσοφὸς, LXX. the wheel] sc. of his threshing wain. Comp. Isaiah 28:27. He executes righteous judgement upon them, Psalms 62:4; Romans 13:4.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe wheel - The threshing wheel Isaiah 28:27-28, which passes over the grain and separates the grain from the chaff.
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
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.
Tyndale line
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them.
A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king scatterreth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
Strictly literal
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king is scattering the wicked, And turneth back on them the wheel.
A wise king is scattering the wicked, || And turns the wheel back on them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and turneth over them the threshing-wheel.
A wise king winnows the wicked and he turns a threshing wheel over them.
From the Latin
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
Simplified
A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of Proverbs 20:26, with all seven words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the verse's meaning across these texts.
מְזָרֶ֣ה רְ֭שָׁעִים מֶ֣לֶךְ חָכָ֑ם וַיָּ֖שֶׁב עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם אוֹפָֽן׃
7 of the 7 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 20:26
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.
זָרָה (zarah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to scatter, fan, or winnow. It encompasses various actions such as tossing about, dispersing, and spreading. The word appears in different forms, including Qal (to scatter), Niphal (to be scattered), and Piel (to intensively scatter). Notably, it is used in contexts like the scattering of the Israelites and the winnowing of grain.
[זָרָה] vb. scatter, fan, winnow (Ar. Arabic cause to fly, scatter (of wind), winnow; Aram. דְּרָא, Syriac; Eth. Ethiopic)—
Qal
scatter, the powder into which the golden calf was ground
fan, winnow
Niph. be scattered, dispersed, of Israel
Pi.
(intens. of Qal) scatter, disperse, esp. of peoples
winnow, sift
Pu. be scattered
base
H2219 [זָרָה] scatter, fan, winnow
2219 zarah zaw-raw'
a primitive root (compare 2114); to toss about; by
implication, to diffuse, winnow:--cast away, compass,
disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow.
see HEBREW for 02114
זָרָה (za.rah) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow, disperse, compass, spread, be scattered, be dispersed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to scatter
1a2) to fan, winnow
1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be dispersed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to scatter, disperse (intensive of Qal)
1c2) to winnow, sift
1d) (Pual) to be scattered, be spread out
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singularHVprmsa
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
אוֹפַן (o.fan) means 'wheel' and is derived from a root meaning to revolve. It specifically refers to wheels in various contexts, including chariot wheels, the wheels in Ezekiel's vision, and those found in Solomon's temple. The entries consistently emphasize its association with circular objects used for movement.
אוֹפַן, אוֹפָן n.m. wheel
base
H212 אוֹפַן, אוֹפָן wheel
212 'owphan o-fawn'
or (shortened) pophan {o-fawn'}; from an unused root meaning
to revolve; a wheel:--wheel.
אוֹפָן (o.phan) — wheel.
1) wheel
1a) chariot wheel
1b) wheel in Ezekiel's vision
1c) wheels of the ten bases beneath the lavers in Solomon's temple
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hwel:
(1) 'ophan, is the usual word (Ex 14:25, etc.). In Pr 20:26; Isa 28:27 the rollers of a threshing wagon are meant (see AGRICULTURE).
(2) galgal, "rolling thing," generally in the sense of "wheel" (Isa 5:28, etc.), but the Revised Version (British and American) in Eze 10:2,6,13 has "whirling wheels," an advantageous change. The "wheel .... broken at the cistern" in Ec 12:6 is the windlass for drawing the water, and by the figure the breakdown of the old man's breathing apparatus is probably meant. In Ps…
Wheel
(Heb. galgal; rendered “wheel” in Ps. 83:13, and “a rolling thing” in Isa. 17:13; R.V. in both, “whirling dust”). This word has been supposed to mean the wild artichoke, which assumes the form of a globe, and in autumn breaks away from its roots, and is rolled about by the wind in some places in great numbers.
Ps 83:13, translated "rolling thing" in Isa 17:13. Mr. Thomson, for many years a missionary in Syria, thinks the wild artichoke may here be referred to. This plant sends out numerous stalks or branches of equal length in all directions, forming a globe a foot in diameter. These globes become rigid and light as a feather in autumn, and thousands of them fly rolling and bounding over the plains, the sport of every wind. This "rolling thing" furnishes the modern Arabs with a current proverb and a curse.
