Proverbs 24:10 — Word Study
WLCהִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ בְּי֥וֹם צָרָ֗ה צַ֣ר כֹּחֶֽכָה׃
BSAIf you faintrâphâh■ [give way, lose hope] in the dayyôwm [time of trouble, period of adversity] of distresstsârâh [adversity, hardship] how smalltsar [weak, limited] [is] your strengthkôach [power, might, ability to cope]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ | you have shown yourself without courage | Verb, Hithpael, perfect second person masculine singular |
| בְּי֥וֹם | in a day of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| צָרָ֗ה | trouble | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| צַ֣ר | [is] narrow | Adj |
| כֹּחֶֽכָה׃ | strength your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength! |
| KJV | If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. |
| ASV | If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. |
| YLT | Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power, |
| WEB | If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. |
| BBE | If you give way in the day of trouble, your strength is small. |
The translations agree on the meaning of הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause introduces a conditional statement, followed by phrases that elaborate on the circumstances and consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָפָה
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 24:10
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 Times of Troublegenerated
Proverbs 24:10 addresses the importance of resilience during challenging times. The wise teacher cautions that if one gives way in moments of distress, it reveals a lack of strength. This proverb is part of a larger discourse on wisdom and conduct, emphasizing the need for fortitude in the face of adversity, much like in other teachings found throughout the book of Proverbs.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 27:1 | David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” |
| 2 | Job 4:5 | But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed. |
| 3 | Isaiah 40:28–31 | Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. |
| 4 | John 4:8 | (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 4:1 | Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ, Hit.ra.pi.tagenerated
The verb הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ (Hit.ra.pi.ta) comes from the root רָפָה (raphah), meaning to slacken or relax. It conveys a sense of losing courage or hope, suggesting a withdrawal from the struggle at hand. This form is a perfect tense in the Hithpael stem, indicating a completed action in the second person masculine singular.
The passive nature of this verb implies that the subject has allowed themselves to be disheartened, rather than actively choosing to be strong. This highlights the vulnerability of the human spirit in times of trial.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses the term faint, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ governs the sentence, indicating the action of losing courage. The clause structure follows with a prepositional phrase describing the time of distress and a noun phrase that reflects on the state of strength.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the condition of fainting before discussing the consequences, highlighting the progression from action to result.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ with ἐμμολυνθήσεται, suggesting a notion of being defiled or stained, which introduces a different nuance compared to the Hebrew emphasis on courage.
This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the consequences of despair, linking it to moral or spiritual impurity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 24:10 warns that if you lose courage in tough times, it shows how limited your strength is. This verse encourages resilience and the importance of maintaining strength when facing difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To faint means to lose courage or hope during difficult times, indicating a lack of strength to face challenges.
Strength is crucial as it enables one to endure hardships and overcome obstacles, reflecting resilience and fortitude.
Building strength can involve developing mental resilience, seeking support from others, and nurturing faith or confidence in oneself.
Distress can come from various sources, such as personal loss, health issues, financial troubles, or relational conflicts.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel tempted to give way during difficult times?
- How can I cultivate strength and resilience in the face of adversity?
- What practical steps can I take to support others who are struggling?
- How does my understanding of strength change when I consider spiritual versus physical challenges?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, discussing the dangers of despair and its impact on fortitude in life and faith.
If you despair, being wearied in the day of distress, etc. Nothing is more detestable than despair, which those who have, lose the constancy of fortitude both in the general labors of this life and, which harms most, in the fight of faith.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 24 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 24:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[If] thou faint in the day of adversity,.... When under bodily afflictions, stripping providences, reduced to great straits and wants; or under the violent persecutions of men, which is sometimes the
Read John Gill on Proverbs 24 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIf thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 24 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIf thou faint; if thou art impatient, and unable to bear sufferings; if thy resolution flag, and thou givest way to despondency or dejection of mind. Is small, Heb. is narrow; it lives in a little compass; it is as strait as thy condition is; for there is an elegant allusion in the Hebrew words. The sense is, This is a sign that thou hast but little Christian strength or courage, for that is best known by adversity.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 24 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 24:10 [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.Ver. 10. If thou faint in the day of adversity.] Afflictions try what sap we have, as hard weather tries what health. Withered leaves fall off in a wind: rotten boughs break when weight is laid on them; so do earthen vessels when set empty to the fire. "As is the man, so is his strength," said they to Gideon. Joseph’ s "bow abode in strength, though the archers sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; and the arms of his hand were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob."
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 24 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) If thou faint in the day of adversity.—And prove unable to help thyself or others; an exhortation to courage (comp. Hebrews 12:12). A “more excellent way” is shown in the following verse.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 24 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. If thou faint] If thou give way to discouragement and despair in the day of adversity - time of trial or temptation. Thy strength is small.] צר כחכה tsar cochachah, thy strength is contracted. So the old MS. Bible excellently: Gif sliden thou dispeire, in the dai of anguyfs, schal be made litil thy strengthe. In times of trial we should endeavour to be doubly courageous; when a man loses his courage, his strength avails him nothing.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. faint] Or, art slack. The Heb. word is the same as in Proverbs 18:9. is small] as is proved to be the case by thy “fainting” under pressure. But the proverb may mean, because of thy fainting thy strength will be small; want of courage will cause want of strength to meet the emergency. So Vulg., imminuetur fortitudo tua; and Maurer, impar eris ferendis malis. Comp. “Let us not be weary (ἐγκακῶμεν, turn cowards, lose heart, Bp Lightfoot) in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not,” Galatians 6:9; where see note in this Series.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 24 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10. If thou faint — Adversity tests the moral strength of men. To faint under trial is a sign of moral weakness. The interpreters differ as to the exact sense.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 24 →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
If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!
If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!
If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small!
Tyndale line
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
If thou faintest in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
If thou bee faint in the day of aduersitie, thy strength is small.
Strictly literal
[If] thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small.
Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power,
You have showed yourself weak in a day of adversity, || Your power is restricted,
If thou despond on the day of distress, thy strength is small.
If you become weak with fear in the day of trouble, then your strength is small.
From the Latin
If thou lose hope being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished.
Simplified
If you give up in times of trouble, it shows how weak you are.
If you give way in the day of trouble, your strength is small.
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 presents the verse as הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ בְּי֥וֹם צָרָ֗ה צַ֣ר כֹּחֶֽכָה׃, while the Septuagint matches four of the five words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, though with some interpretive differences.
הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ בְּי֥וֹם צָרָ֗ה צַ֣ר כֹּחֶֽכָה׃
4 of the 5 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 24:10
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.
רָפָה (raphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to slacken or relax. It encompasses a range of actions including sinking down, abating, and withdrawing. The word can be used in various forms, such as causing something to drop or refraining from action. It appears in different contexts, indicating both literal and figurative meanings.
רָפָה vb. sink, relax
Qal
sink down
sink, drop
sink, relax, abate
relax, withdraw
Niph. idle
Pi. causat.: let wings drop
Hiph. causat.
let drop
let go
refrain
Hithp. hast shewn thyself slack
base
H7503 רָפָה sink, relax .. sink down
. sink, drop
. sink, relax, abate
. relax, withdraw
. idle
. causat.: let wings drop
. causat. . let drop
. let go
. refrain
. hast shewn thyself slack
7503 raphah raw-faw'
a primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal
or figurative):--abate, cease, consume, draw (toward
evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle,
leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be
slothful, (be) weak(-en). See 7495.
see HEBREW for 07495
רָפָה (ra.phah) — to slacken.
1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sink down
1a2) to sink, drop
1a3) to sink, relax, abate
1a4) to relax, withdraw
1b) (Niphal) idle (participle)
1c) (Piel) to let drop
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake
1d2) to let go
1d3) to refrain, let alone
1d4) to be quiet
1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
V-Hithpael-Perf-2ms — Verb · Hithpael · perfect second person masculine singularHVtp2ms
kur'-aj: Hebrew chazaq, "to show oneself strong" (Nu 13:20; 2Sa 10:12; 1Ch 19:13; 2Ch 15:8; Ezr 10:4; Ps 27:14; 31:24; Isa 41:6); ruach, "spirit," "animus" (Jos 2:11 the King James Version); 'amats, "to be alert" (physically and mentally), "to be agile," "quick," "energetic" (De 31:6,7,23; Jos 1:6,9,18; 10:25;
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word צָרָה (*tsarah*) is built from the root meaning tightness or trouble. It covers a range of meanings including dearth, distress, and adversary, as well as specifically referring to a rival wife. The entries note its use in contexts of adversity and anguish, with a specific reference to 1 Samuel 1:6.
בַּצָּרָה n.f. dearth, destitution
base
צָרָה 72 n.f. id. [r.dz.ac] straits, distress
base
[צָרָה] n.f. vexer, rival-wife;—sf. 1 S 1:6.
ref
H6869a בַּצָּרָה dearth, destitution H6869b צָרָה id. [6862b] H6869c צָרָה vexer, rival-wife
6869 tsarah tsaw-raw'
feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble);
transitively, a female rival:--adversary, adversity,
affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06862
בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah) — dearth.
death, destitution
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — distress.
straits, distress, trouble
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — vexer.
vexer, rival wife
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ BORROWING Mt 6:25-34; Mr 5:35,36; Joh 14:1; 16:6,7; Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7
See AFFLICTION
See SUFFERING
→ INSTANCES OF
Israelites at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-12
About water Ex 15:23-25; 17:2,3; Nu 20:1-13
Food Ex 16:2,3; Nu 11:4-33
When Moses waited upon the mountain Ex 32:1
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
Adj — AdjHAamsa
כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.
כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon
ref
כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power
base
H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power
3581 koach ko'-akh
or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning
to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)
or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its
hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,
fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.
1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.
1) strength, power, might
1a) human strength
1b) strength (of angels)
1c) power (of God)
1d) strength (of animals)
1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms