Proverbs 20:4 — Word Study
WLCמֵ֭חֹרֶף עָצֵ֣ל לֹא־ יַחֲרֹ֑שׁ וְשָׁאַ֖ל בַּקָּצִ֣יר וָאָֽיִן׃
BSA◂The slackerʻâtsêl [lazy, sluggish, or idle] does notlôʼ plowchârash▸ [to cultivate or till the soil] in seasonchôreph [at the proper or appointed time] at harvest timeqâtsîyr [the time of reaping or gathering, a time of fruitfulness] he looksshâʼal▸ [or seeks, to ask or inquire] but nothing is thereʼayin [a state of emptiness or nonexistence, or exists, to be found]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מֵ֭חֹרֶף | from winter | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עָצֵ֣ל | a sluggard | Adj |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יַחֲרֹ֑שׁ | he plows | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וְשָׁאַ֖ל | and he asks | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| בַּקָּצִ֣יר | at the harvest | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וָאָֽיִן׃ | and nothing | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. |
| KJV | The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. |
| ASV | The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. |
| YLT | Because of winter the slothful plougheth not, He asketh in harvest, and there is nothing. |
| WEB | The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. |
| BBE | The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing. |
Where they part company is in the emphasis on the slacker's actions and their consequences.
The main clause presents the slacker's failure, followed by details about the timing and the resulting emptiness.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעָצֵל
verbחָרַשׁ
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 20:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Diligence and Lazinessgenerated
Proverbs 20:4 contrasts the diligent worker with the slacker, emphasizing the consequences of laziness. The surrounding verses discuss conflict resolution and the nature of trustworthiness, reinforcing the theme of wise living through hard work and preparation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:4 | Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. |
| 2 | Proverbs 19:15–24 | Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
| 3 | Proverbs 26:13–16 | The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” |
| 4 | Proverbs 6:10–11 | A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, |
| 5 | Proverbs 19:15 | Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָצֵל, 'a.Tzelgenerated
The Hebrew word עָצֵל (atsel) describes a person who is habitually lazy or idle. It indicates a state of sluggishness and is often associated with a lack of motivation to work. This term appears frequently in Proverbs, underscoring the value of diligence.
In this verse, the slacker's failure to plow in season leads to a lack of harvest, illustrating the direct consequences of laziness. The word serves as a warning against neglecting responsibilities, particularly in agricultural contexts where timely action is crucial.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that the slacker does not plow in season and is left with nothing at harvest time.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יַחֲרֹ֑שׁ, he plows, which is negated by לֹא, not. The structure reveals a clear cause-and-effect relationship: the slacker does not prepare, leading to nothing at harvest time.
The sentence is organized with the subject עָצֵל at the beginning, followed by the negation and the verb, creating a straightforward declaration about the slacker's actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָצֵל as ὀκνηρὸς, which carries a similar meaning of laziness or sluggishness. This choice aligns with the Hebrew's emphasis on the character of the slacker.
The Greek term captures the essence of the Hebrew word, maintaining the focus on the consequences of idleness.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 20:4 teaches that a lazy person does not prepare their fields when they should, and when it's time to gather the harvest, they find nothing. This verse highlights the importance of being diligent and ready for the right season.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means failing to prepare or work when it is necessary, leading to a lack of results later.
Harvest time is a period of reaping the benefits of one's labor; if one does not prepare, there will be nothing to gather.
Laziness leads to missed opportunities and results in emptiness or lack when it is time to benefit from one's efforts.
The verse emphasizes the necessity of diligence and preparation to achieve fruitful outcomes.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to be more diligent and proactive?
- How can I ensure that I am preparing for future opportunities rather than waiting until it's too late?
- What are some consequences I have faced due to procrastination or laziness?
- How can I encourage others to develop a strong work ethic and avoid laziness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist and Bede reflect on this verse to discuss the consequences of slothfulness and the importance of diligence in one's duties.
For the most part the slothful, while he neglects to do things that are necessary, sets before him some that are difficult, but is inconsiderately afraid of others;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
Because of the cold, the sluggard would not plough, etc. He who now neglects to labor in the service of God due to sloth will beg in the coming day of the kingdom, and it will not be given to him, because whatever a man sows,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 20:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold,.... Or, "in the cold"; in the time of cold, as Aben Ezra; in the time of autumn, which is the time of ploughing, when it begins to be cold weather,
Read John Gill on Proverbs 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold - Hebrew, the winter. Disinclination is never in want of excuses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy reason of the cold of the ploughing season, which is in autumn and towards winter. He hates and avoids all laborious and difficult work, although his own necessity and interest oblige him to it. And have nothing; and not obtain an alms; not in that time of plenty and bounty, because men’ s hearts are justly hardened against that man who by his own sloth and wilfulness hath brought himself to want.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.Ver. 4. The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold.] So the spiritual sluggard either dreams of a delicacy in the ways of God, which is a great vanity; or else, if heaven be not to be had without the hardship of holiness, Christ may keep his heaven to himself. The young man in the gospel went away grieved that Christ required such things that he could not be willing to yield to. The Hebrews have a common proverb among them: He that on the even of the Sabbath hath not gathered what to eat, shall not at all eat on the Sabbath; meaning thereby that none shall reign in…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. The sluggard will not plough] For other parts of this character, see the preceding chapter. It is seldom that there is a season of very cold weather in Palestine; very cold days sometimes occur, with wind, rain, and sleet. They begin their ploughing in the latter end of September, and sow their early wheat by the middle of October. And this is often the case in England itself. The meaning of the proverb is: the slothful man, under the pretence of unfavourable weather, neglects cultivating his land till the proper time is elapsed.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. cold] Rather, winter, A.V. marg. and R.V. See Genesis 8:22, where the Heb. word here used is rendered “winter,” and another Heb. word is used for “cold.” beg] This rendering, which is retained in R.V. text, gives a forcible picture of the destitution to which the slothful will be reduced: though he beg as a mendicant, men’s hearts, even when enlarged by the plenty of harvest, will have no pity on him. Some, however, take it to mean, when he seeketh in harvest (when others are reaping the fruit of their labour) there shall be nothing, R.V. marg.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePlowing time in Palestine is in November and December, when the wind blows commonly from the North.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. Not plough by reason of the cold — îçø, (mehhoreph.) The word without the prefix means, the autumn, which is made also to include winter.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
Tyndale line
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
Strictly literal
The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Because of winter the slothful plougheth not, He asketh in harvest, and there is nothing.
The slothful does not plow because of winter, || He asks in harvest, and there is nothing.
Because it is winter's cold, will the sluggard not plough: when he therefore seeketh in the harvest time, there will be nothing.
The lazy person does not plow in autumn; he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have nothing.
From the Latin
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
Simplified
Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.
The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
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 largely agree in their wording, with six out of seven words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same ideas present in the Hebrew text, though its word order differs.
מֵ֭חֹרֶף עָצֵ֣ל לֹא־ יַחֲרֹ֑שׁ וְשָׁאַ֖ל בַּקָּצִ֣יר וָאָֽיִן׃
6 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 20:4
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.
חֹ֫רֶף (choreph) refers to the harvest time or autumn season, and it can also imply winter. It is derived from a root meaning the crop gathered, indicating a connection to the ripeness of age. The term is associated with both the autumn and winter seasons.
חֹ֫רֶף n.m. harvest-time, autumn
base
H2779 חֹ֫רֶף harvest-time, autumn
2779 choreph kho'-ref
from 2778; properly, the crop gathered, i.e. (by implication)
the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of
age:--cold, winter (-house), youth.
see HEBREW for 02778
חֹ֫רֶף (cho.reph) — autumn.
1) harvest time, autumn
2) (CLBL) winter
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
win'-ter (choreph, from charaph, "to inundate," "overflow"): The rainy season, also the autumn harvest season (Ge 8:22; Ps 74:17; Zec 14:8). It is also the time of cold (Jer 36:22; Am 3:15). The verb "to winter" occurs in Isa 18:6. Cethaw has the same meaning as Choreph (So 2:11). cheimon, corresponds to choreph as the rainy season, and the verb paracheimazo, signifies "to pass the winter" (Ac 27:12), the noun from which is paracheimasia (same place).
See CANAAN.
- God makes
- Yearly return of, secured by covenant
- Coldness and inclemency of, noticed
- UNSUITED FOR
. Travelling
עָצֵל (atsel) refers to a state of being indolent or lazy, often describing a sluggard. It is derived from the root word for slothfulness and is used in various contexts to denote sluggishness.
עָצֵל 14 adj. sluggish, lazy
base
H6102 עָצֵל
6102 `atsel aw-tsale'
from 6101; indolent:--slothful, sluggard.
see HEBREW for 06101
עָצֵל (a.tsel) — sluggish.
1) sluggish, lazy
1a) sluggard (subst)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
slug'-ard: Found only in the Old Testament, and there only in Proverbs. It is the rendering given the word 'atsel everywhere in the Revised Version (British and American), but in the King James Version only in Pr 6:6,9; 10:26; 13:4; 20:4; 26:16 (elsewhere the King James Version translates by "slothful"). The root meaning of ['atsel] is "to be sluggish," "stupid." The English word "slug" is said to be "allied to slack" (Webster).
→ (A very lazy person)
→ See IDLENESS
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.
[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise
Qal
cut in, engrave
plough
devise
Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed
Hiph. fabricating mischief against
base
[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.
Qal
be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray
be deaf
Hiph.
be silent (= exhibit silence)
once causat. make silent
be deaf, shew deafness
base
H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless
. be deaf; chiefly poet.
2790 charash khaw-rash'
a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to
engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate
(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);
hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;
hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of
dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,
ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,
plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep
silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,
worker.
חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.
1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut in, engrave
1a2) to plough
1a3) to devise
1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed
1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil
חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.
1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be silent
1a2) to be deaf
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to be silent, keep quiet
1b2) to make silent
1b3) to be deaf, show deafness
1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to ask or inquire, often in the context of requesting a favor or borrowing. It covers a range of uses, including seeking counsel, consulting deities, and even begging. The verb can appear in different forms, such as asking for oneself or granting requests. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, שְׁאֵל (she.el), meaning 'to ask'.
שָׁאַל 170 vb. ask, inquire
Qal
ask, ask for
specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow
in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
inquire of
inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.
in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
Niph. ask for oneself
Pi.
inquire carefully
beg, practise beggary
Hiph. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)
base
H7592 שָׁאַל ask, inquire .. . ask, ask for
. specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow
. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
. . inquire of
. inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.
. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)
. ask for oneself
. . inquire carefully
. beg, practise beggary
. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)
7592 sha'al shaw-al'
or shael {shaw-ale'}; a primitive root; to inquire; by
implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask
(counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand,
desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend,
pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.
שָׁאַל (sha.al) — to ask.
1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to ask, ask for
1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow
1a3) to enquire, enquire of
1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle)
1a5) to seek
1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully
1c2) to beg, practise beggary
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to be given on request
1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to
Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
קָצִיר (qatsiyr) refers to the act of harvesting or the harvest itself, encompassing the process, the crop, and the time of harvest. It can also denote boughs or branches of trees. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to sever,' indicating its connection to reaping.
קָצִיר n.m. harvesting, harvest
process of harvesting
what is reaped, harvested, crop
time of harvest
base
קָצִיר n.m. usually coll., boughs, branches
base
H7105a קָצִיר harvesting, harvest H7105b קָצִיר usually coll., boughs, branches
7105 qatsiyr kaw-tseer'
from 7114; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the
time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or
simply foliage):--bough, branch, harvest (man).
see HEBREW for 07114
קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — harvest.
1) harvest, harvesting
1a) process of harvesting
1b) crop, what is harvested or reaped
1c) time of harvest
קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — foliage.
boughs, branches
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
har'-vest (qatsir; therismos): To many of us, harvest time is of little concern, because in our complex life we are far removed from the actual production of our food supplies, but for the Hebrew people, as for those in any agricultural district today, the harvest was a most important season (Ge 8:22; 45:6). Events were reckoned from harvests (Ge 30:14; Jos 3:15; Jud 15:1; Ru 1:22; 2:23; 1Sa 6:13; 2Sa 21:9; 23:13). The three principal feasts of the Jews corresponded to the three harvest seasons (
Harvest
The season for gathering grain or fruit. On the 16th day of Abib (or April) a handful of ripe ears of corn was offered as a first-fruit before the Lord, and immediately after this the harvest commenced (Lev. 23:9-14; 2 Sam. 21:9, 10; Ruth 2:23). It began with the feast of Passover and ended with Pentecost, thus lasting for seven weeks (Ex. 23:16). The harvest was a season of joy (Ps. 126:1-6; Isa. 9:3). This word is used figuratively Matt. 9:37; 13:30; Luke…
[AGRICULTURE]
→ Sabbath to be observed in Ex 34:21
→ Sabbath desecrated in Ne 13:15-22
→ Of wheat at Pentecost, in Palestine Ex 34:22; Le 23:15-17
→ And of wheat before harvest time Le 26:5
אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.
אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought
to nothing, as nothing
cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
in circumst. clauses
with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
with prefixes
base
H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing
. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
. in circumst. clauses
. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
. with prefixes
369 'ayin ah'-yin
as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not
exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative
particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,
in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,
thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),
well-nigh, without. Compare 370.
see HEBREW for 0370
אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.
1) nothing, not, nought n
1a) nothing, nought neg
1b) not
1c) to have not (of possession) adv
1d) without w/prep
1e) for lack of
Conj | Part — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
nuth'-ing (lo', lo' @me'umah, etc.; medeis, oudeis): "Nothing" is represented by various words and phrases, often with lo', which is properly a substantive with the meaning of "nothing." Most frequently we have lo' me'umah, "not anything" (Ge 40:15; Jud 14:6).
Other forms are lo' dhabhar, "not anything"; (Ge 19:8); lo'khol, "not any(thing)" (Ge 11:6; Pr 13:7); la' (Aramaic), "no," "nothing" (Da 4:35, "as nothing"); 'ephec, "end," "cessation" (Isa 34:12); bilti, "without," "save," "not" (
