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Proverbs 21:28 — Word Study

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WLCעֵד־ כְּזָבִ֥ים יֹאבֵ֑ד וְאִ֥ישׁ שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ לָנֶ֥צַח יְדַבֵּֽר׃

BSAA lyingkâzâb [false, deceitful] witnessʻêd [one who testifies] will perishʼâbad [ultimately, completely, be destroyed, lost] but the manʼîysh [a male person] who listens [to truth]shâmaʻ [attentively, with obedience, reliable, faithful words] will speakdâbar [declare, proclaim] forevernetsach [for perpetuity, eternally]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 21
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 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 (ye.da.Ber) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 21:28quick helps
In a sentenceA false witness will ultimately perish, while a man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
Who is speakingThe verse contrasts the fate of a deceitful witness with that of a truthful listener.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discourse on wisdom and integrity.
The hard wordכְּזָבִ֥ים
Take awayTruth prevails and endures, while deceit leads to destruction.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָבַד 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 21:28

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 in Witnessinggenerated

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:28 contrasts the fate of a lying witness with that of a man who listens to truth. The surrounding verses discuss the nature of wickedness and righteousness, emphasizing the importance of integrity in testimony. This passage is part of the wisdom literature, guiding readers in moral conduct and the value of truthful speech.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 6:19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
2Proverbs 19:5–9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
3Proverbs 25:18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
4Exodus 23:1“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
5Deuteronomy 19:16–19If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עֵד, 'ed-generated

The word עֵד ('ed) means 'witness' and refers to someone who testifies to what they have seen or experienced. It carries the connotation of providing evidence and is foundational in legal contexts, as seen in Deuteronomy.

This noun is in the masculine singular construct form, indicating a specific witness. The root suggests emphatic affirmation, highlighting the importance of truthful testimony in society.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates the key terms consistently with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs יֹאבֵ֑ד (yo.ved) and יְדַבֵּֽר (ye.daber) govern the two main clauses of the verse. The structure contrasts the outcomes for the lying witness and the man who listens to truth.

The sentence is built around these two verbs, with the subject and additional phrases following, creating a clear dichotomy between the two characters.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the Greek word μάρτυς (martys) for 'witness', which aligns with the Hebrew עֵד. This choice emphasizes the role of the witness in providing testimony.

The Greek term ψευδὴς (pseudes) for 'lying' further highlights the deceitful nature of the witness, paralleling the Hebrew concept of falsehood.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 21:28 teaches that a lying witness will be destroyed, while a person who listens to the truth will speak forever. This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and the lasting power of truth.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a lying witness to perish?

It indicates that deceitful testimony leads to ultimate destruction, both morally and possibly in a legal sense.

Why is listening to truth so important?

Listening to truth fosters integrity and leads to lasting communication, as emphasized in this verse.

How does this verse relate to other teachings in Proverbs?

It aligns with the broader themes in Proverbs about the value of wisdom, integrity, and the consequences of deceit.

What can we learn from the contrast between the lying witness and the truthful listener?

The contrast highlights the moral imperative to speak truthfully and the enduring nature of truth in communication.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I seen the consequences of dishonesty?
  2. How can I practice listening to truth in my daily life?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure my words reflect integrity?
  4. How does the concept of truth influence my relationships with others?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early commentaries, such as those by Bede, interpret this verse to emphasize the consequences of false testimony versus true actions.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
The false witness will perish, etc. He who testifies that he serves God, but does not follow through with deeds, will perish.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 21 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 21:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

A false witness shall perish,.... As witness he shall perish in his reputation, no credit shall be given him, he shall not be admitted an evidence, or a witness in any cause, being found a false one;

Read John Gill on Proverbs 21 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 21 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A false witness, Heb. a witness of lies; one who is forward to swear or speak false things, or such things as he hath not heard nor learned from others, nor seen, but devised in his own heart. Shall perish; shall be severely punished, either by God or men, and shall be confounded and silenced, because none will for the future regard or credit his testimony. The man that heareth; he who hears before he speaks, and witnesseth nothing but what he hath heard or seen, and knows to be true. Speaketh constantly; doth not contradict himself, but always affirmeth the same thing. Or, as most other interpreters render the words, speaketh (or, may speak, dare speak freely and boldly) for ever; when…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 21 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 21:28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.Ver. 28. A false witness shall perish.] The Scythians had a law that if any man did duo peccata contorquere, bind two sins together, a lie and an oath, he was to lose his head, because this was the way to take away all faith and truth among men. But the man that heareth speaketh constantly.] He testifieth confidently what he knoweth assuredly; he is always also in the same tale, as Paul was in the plea to the chief captain, to Felix, to Festus, and to Agrippa. Not so Bellarmine. How oft doth that loud liar forget himself, and write contradictions? As for instance, in one place he affirmeth that it can…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 21 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) But the man that heareth (carefully, and repeats accurately) speaketh constantly (his testimony will live).—Comp., “he being dead yet speaketh,” Hebrews 11:4.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 21 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. that heareth] Either (1) who listens to the voice of duty and of conscience (ἀνὴρὑπήκοος, LXX.; vir obediens, Vulg.); or (2) who simply states in evidence what he has heard, “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” (qui non nisi quζ ipse audivit testatur Maurer). Comp. ὃἑωράκαμενκαὶἀκηκόαμενἀπαγγέλλομενὑμῖν, 1 John 1:3. constantly] Lit. for ever, so as to endure, R.V. marg. He will live on to speak, in contrast to the false witness who will perish. This preserves the parallelism better than shall speak unchallenged, (R.V. text), i.e. shall speak on, without being interrupted by cross-questioning, or objection, because his testimony will carry conviction, and be listened…

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 21 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Speaketh constantly - His testimony abides evermore who repeats simply what he has heard, whether from the lips of men or from the voice within, in contrast with “the false witness.”

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 21 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

28. A false witness — A witness of lies; one who testifies falsely. Shall perish — éàáã, (yobhedh.) It is possible that this verb is used here in its primitive sense, shall lose himself, namely, by wandering.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 21 →

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

A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

NETBNew English Translation2006

A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A false witnes shall perish: but hee that heareth, speaketh continually.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A false witness perishes, || And an attentive man speaks forever.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A false witness will be cut off, ...

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectעֵדa.witnessכְּזָבִ֥יםof.liesverbיֹאבֵ֑דhe.will.perishוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectאִ֥ישׁa.personשׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ[who].listensprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָtoנֶ֥צַחperpetuityverbיְדַבֵּֽרhe.will.speak

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 in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same meanings as the Hebrew, maintaining the integrity of the original text.

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

עֵד־ כְּזָבִ֥ים יֹאבֵ֑ד וְאִ֥ישׁ שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ לָנֶ֥צַח יְדַבֵּֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עֵד־μάρτυςכְּזָבִ֥יםψευδὴςיֹאבֵ֑דἀπολεῖταιוְאִ֥ישׁἀνὴρשׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַὑπήκοοςלָנֶ֥צַחφυλασσόμενοςיְדַבֵּֽר׃λαλήσει

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.

Proverbs 21:28עֵדa witness oa witness ofעֵדכָּזָבliesliesכָּזָבאָבַדhe will perhe will perishאָבַדאִישׁand a persoand a personאִישׁשָׁמַע[who] liste[who] listensשָׁמַענֵ֫צַחto perpetuito perpetuityנֵ֫צַחדָבַרhe will spehe will speakדָבַרעוּדto upholdto upholdעוּדכָּזַבto lieto lieכָּזַבנָצַחto conductto conductנָצַחאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהשֶׁ֫קֶרdeceptiondeceptionשֶׁ֫קֶרפּוּחַto breatheto breatheפּוּחַקָסַםto divineto divineקָסַםתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהשָׁמַדto destroyto destroyשָׁמַדרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבשָׁכַחto forgetto forgetשָׁכַחבַּלnotnotבַּלמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹן
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 21:28

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.

a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
עֵד־'ed- a witness of H5707 Noun common · masculine singular construct
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.
Amplified meaning
one who testifies
Tyndale gloss
witness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵד (ed) means 'witness' and encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies. It is derived from a root suggesting emphatic affirmation. The term can refer to evidence of things or to individuals providing testimony.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵד 69 n.m. witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming)

witness, testimony, evidence, of things

witness, a person

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5707 עֵד witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming) . witness, testimony, evidence, of things

. witness, a person

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5707 `ed ayd

contracted from 5749 ; concretely, a witness; abstractly,

testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:--witness.

see HEBREW for 05749

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵד (ed) — witness.

1) witness

1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things)

1b) witness (of people)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
כְּזָבִ֥יםke.za.Vim lies H3577 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A lie or falsehood is what this word represents, whether it is a literal untruth or a figurative idol, and is often used to describe the deceitful nature of humanity.
Amplified meaning
false, deceitful
Tyndale gloss
lie
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּזָב (kazab) refers to a lie or falsehood, encompassing meanings like deceit and untruth. It is derived from a root that suggests the concept of deception. The entries consistently describe it as a term for falsehood without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּזָב n.m. lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3577 כָּזָב lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3577 kazab kaw-zawb'

from 3576; falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively

(idol):--deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying.

see HEBREW for 03576

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּזָב (ka.zav) — lie.

a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
יֹאבֵ֑דyo.Ved he will perish H6 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
184× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Amplified meaning
ultimately, completely, be destroyed, lost
Tyndale gloss
to perish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to perish or be lost. It encompasses a range of meanings, including dying, vanishing, and destruction, often in a moral or judgment context. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, with uses related to individuals, nations, and inanimate objects. The lexicons indicate that it can also imply causing something to perish or stray.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָבַד vb. perish (M I אבד, As. abâtu Dl W 184 Aram אֲבַד, Syriac).—

Qal Pf. א׳ Nu 21:30 +; אָבְדוּ ψ 10:16 + (+ Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co) etc.; Impf. יֹאבַד Jb 3:3 Je 4:9; יֹאבֵ֑ד Jb 20:7 + 2t.; 3fs. תֹּאבַד Dt 22:3 + 4t.; תֹּאבֵ֑ד Jb 8:13 + 3t.; יֹאבְדוּ Ju 5:31 + 3t.; יֹאבֵ֑דוּ Jb 4:9 +; 3fpl. וַתֹּאבַדְנָה֙ I S 9:3; תֹּאבֵדוּן Dt 4:26 +; נֹאבֵ֑ד Jon 1:6

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6 אָבַד perish .. perish, die, of individuals

. fig. perish, vanish, subj. memory

. be lost, strayed

. . cause to perish, destroy, kill

. fig. cause to vanish, blot out, do away with

. cause to stray, lose

. . destroy, put to death, in judgment

. fig. obj. name of kings; hope; voice of mirth etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6 'abad aw-bad'

a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose

oneself; by implication to perish (causative,

destroy):--break, destroy(- uction), + not escape, fail,

lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be

undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָבַד (a.vad) — to perish.

1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) perish, die, be exterminated

1a2) perish, vanish (fig.)

1a3) be lost, strayed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate

1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.)

1b3) cause to stray, lose

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to destroy, put to death

1c1a) of divine judgment

1c2) object name of kings (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
וְאִ֥ישׁve.'Ish and a person H376 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
a male person
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַSho.Me.a' [who] listens H8085 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
attentively, with obedience, reliable, faithful words
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
לָנֶ֥צַחla.Ne.tzach to perpetuity H5331 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Amplified meaning
for perpetuity, eternally
Tyndale gloss
perpetuity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֵ֫צַח (netsach) encompasses concepts of eminence, enduring strength, and perpetuity. It is derived from a root meaning 'goal' or 'bright object' and conveys ideas of splendor, truthfulness, and confidence. The term is used to express notions of victory and continual existence, often implying an everlasting quality.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֵ֫צַח n.m. eminence, enduring, everlasting, perpetuity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5331 נֵ֫צַח eminence, enduring, everlasting, perpetuity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5331 netsach neh'-tsakh

or netsach {nay'-tsakh}; from 5329; properly, a goal, i.e.

the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence

(figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or

(objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially),

continually (i.e. to the most distant point of

view); --alway(-s), constantly, end, (+ n-)ever(more),

perpetual, strength, victory.

see HEBREW for 05329

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֵ֫צַח (ne.tsach) — perpetuity.

1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness

1a) eminence

1b) enduring of life

1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end

1d) everlastingness, ever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
a witness of lies he will perish and a person [who] listens to perpetuity he will speak
יְדַבֵּֽר׃ye.da.Ber he will speak H1696 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Amplified meaning
declare, proclaim
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
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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