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Proverbs 24:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּי־ שֹׁ֭ד יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑ם וְ֝עָמָ֗ל שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥ם תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה׃

BSAforkîy their heartslêb [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] devisehâgâh [plan, plot, or meditate on] violenceshôd [destruction, social sin, or ruin] and their lipssâphâh [language, edge, or border of expression] declaredâbar [speak, communicate, or talk about] troubleʻâmâl [hard work, worry, pain, or mischief]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (te.da.Be.re.nah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 24:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse explains the wickedness of certain individuals, highlighting their inner thoughts and outward expressions.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, addressing the reader directly.
Where we areIn the wisdom literature of Proverbs, which offers practical guidance for living.
The hard wordשֹׁד
Take awayWicked intentions lead to harmful actions and speech.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָגָה 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 24:2

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 — The Dangers of Associating with the Wickedgenerated

1Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;
2for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.
3By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;
4through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

Proverbs 24:2 warns against envying the wicked and desiring their company. It reveals the inner workings of their hearts and the destructive nature of their speech. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of aligning with those who plot harm, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discernment in our associations.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 24:8He who plots evil will be called a schemer.
2Proverbs 6:14With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.
31 Samuel 23:9When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
4Esther 3:6–7And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.
5Job 15:35They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שֹׁד, shodgenerated

The noun שֹׁד (shod) signifies violence or destruction, often linked to social sin and ruin. It is derived from a root that suggests oppression and robbery, indicating a deep-seated moral corruption.

In this verse, it describes the wicked intentions that lead to harmful actions. The use of this word underscores the severity of their plans and the impact of their choices on society.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses, each with its own subject and verb. The first clause centers on the heart's plotting, while the second focuses on the lips' declarations.

The structure emphasizes the connection between inner thoughts and outward expressions, illustrating how wicked intentions manifest in speech.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שֹׁד as ψεύδη, which means 'lies.' This choice shifts the focus from physical violence to the deceitful nature of the wicked, highlighting the moral implications of their actions.

This interpretation suggests a broader understanding of wickedness that includes not only violent acts but also the falsehoods that accompany them.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 24:2 warns against envying wicked individuals, stating that their hearts plot violence and their lips speak trouble. This verse highlights the connection between their harmful thoughts and the negative impact of their words.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that their hearts devise violence?

It indicates that their inner thoughts are focused on planning harm or destruction.

Why are their lips described as declaring trouble?

This suggests that their speech reflects their wicked intentions, communicating negativity and mischief.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Proverbs?

It emphasizes the importance of wisdom and the dangers of associating with those who have harmful intentions.

What can we learn from this verse about our own speech?

It reminds us to be mindful of our words and the intentions behind them, encouraging us to speak positively and constructively.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I guard my heart against negative influences?
  2. How can I ensure that my speech reflects positive intentions?
  3. What are some examples of wickedness in society today that I should be aware of?
  4. How can I apply the wisdom of this verse in my relationships with others?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 24:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For their heart studieth destruction,.... To others; to good men, that separate from them, and reprove them, or are in their way; or any ways hinder them in the prosecution of their wicked designs;

Read John Gill on Proverbs 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. For their heart studieth destruction - against others, which recoils on themselves (Proverbs 11:3; Proverbs 11:5-6; Job 5:2).

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Studieth destruction; how they may oppress and destroy others, which yet at last falls upon their own heads.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 24:2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.Ver. 2. For their heart studieth destruction.] Great students they are; wittily wicked; but they consult shame and confusion to them and theirs. And their lips talk of mischief.] The mischief that they machinate budgeth and blistereth out at their tongues’ ends. They are even big with it, and not well till delivered.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. destruction] Better, violence, or, oppression. Comp. Proverbs 21:7, where the same Heb. word is rendered robbery, A.V., and violence, R.V. These Proverbs 24:1-2, as compared with Proverbs 3:31-32, and Proverbs 23:17-18, are an example of the repetition in this Book of the same injunction, supported by a different reason.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 24 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

1, 2. Be not thou envious — ú÷ðà, (tekanne,) jealous, angry, or excited.The radical idea is heat. See Proverbs 24:19; also Proverbs 28:5; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 23:3; Proverbs 23:6; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

NETBNew English Translation2006

for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For their heart studieth oppression, and their lips talk of mischief.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For their heart imagineth destruction, and their lippes speake mischiefe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For destruction doth their heart meditate, And perverseness do their lips speak.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For their heart meditates [on] destruction, || And their lips speak perverseness.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For their heart meditateth destruction, and of mischief do their lips speak.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

because their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about trouble.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

for they think up cruel plans and discuss how to cause trouble.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For the purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.

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.

כִּי(dm)clauseobjectשֹׁ֭דviolenceverbיֶהְגֶּ֣הit.plotsnoun phrase · subjectלִבָּ֑heartםtheirוְ֝andclauseobjectעָמָ֗לtroublenoun phrase · subjectשִׂפְתֵיlipsהֶ֥םtheirverbתְּדַבֵּֽרְנָהthey.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 states, "for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble," which translates to "כִּי־ שֹׁ֭ד יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑ם וְ֝עָמָ֗ל שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥ם תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה." The Septuagint aligns closely with this meaning, as it matches 6 of the 7 words from the Hebrew text, although the exact wording and structure differ due to its Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional textual variants for this verse, indicating that they agree with the Masoretic Text in this instance.

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

כִּי־ שֹׁ֭ד יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑ם וְ֝עָמָ֗ל שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥ם תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שֹׁ֭דψεύδηיֶהְגֶּ֣הμελετᾷלִבָּ֑םκαρδίαוְ֝עָמָ֗לπόνουςשִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥םξείληתְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה׃λαλεῖ

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.

Proverbs 24:2כִּיforforכִּישֹׁדviolenceviolenceשֹׁדהָגָהit plotsit plotsהָגָהלֵבheart theirheart theirלֵבעָמָלand troubleand troubleעָמָלשָׂפָהlips theirlips theirשָׂפָהדָבַרthey speakthey speakדָבַרעָמַלto toilto toilעָמַלשָׁדַדto wasteto wasteשָׁדַדסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָההָגִיגmeditationmeditationהָגִיגלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָבלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחָמָסviolenceviolenceחָמָסשֶׁ֫בֶרbreakingbreakingשֶׁ֫בֶרקִירof Moabiteof Moabite citiקִיריוֹנָהdovedoveיוֹנָהחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםאָ֫וֶןevil: wickevil: wickednesאָ֫וֶןיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהמֹשֶׁהMosesMosesמֹשֶׁה
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 24:2

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.

for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
כִּי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
שֹׁ֭דshod violence H7701 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means violence or destruction, often referring to social sin or ruin, as seen in the desolation of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah. It is used to describe the devastating effects of war and oppression. This concept is discussed in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Amplified meaning
destruction, social sin, or ruin
Tyndale gloss
violence
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֹׁד (shod) refers to concepts of violence and destruction, encompassing havoc, devastation, and ruin. It is derived from a root that suggests oppression and robbery. The term appears in contexts related to social sin and the consequences of violence, as noted in Job 5:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֹׁד, שׁוֹד n.m. violence, havoc, devastation, ruin

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7701 שֹׁד, שׁוֹד violence, havoc, devastation, ruin

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7701 shod shode

or showd (Job 5:21) {shode}; from 7736; violence,

ravage:--desolation, destruction, oppression, robbery,

spoil(-ed, -er, - ing), wasting.

see HEBREW for 07736

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֹׁד (shod) — violence.

1) havoc, violence, destruction, devastation, ruin

1a) violence, havoc (as social sin)

1b) devastation, ruin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
יֶהְגֶּ֣הyeh.Geh it plots H1897 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To mutter or ponder, as seen in Psalm 1:2 where it means to meditate on God's law, and also in Psalm 37:35 where it describes plotting evil.
Amplified meaning
plan, plot, or meditate on
Tyndale gloss
to mutter
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָגָה (hagah) encompasses a range of meanings related to vocal expressions, including to moan, growl, and utter. It can imply both inarticulate sounds and more deliberate actions like meditation and devising thoughts. The entries suggest uses in various contexts, including distress and magical mutterings, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָגָה vb. moan, growl, utter, speak, muse (only poet.)

Qal

of inarticulate sounds

growl, of lion growling over prey

groan, moan, in distress (like dove)

utter

of inarticulate sounds

(soliloquize) meditate, muse

imagine, devise

Po. a conceiving and an uttering, out of the heart, lying words

Hiph. those that make chirpings and mutterings, of necromancers and wizards

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1897 הָגָה moan, growl, utter, speak, muse (only poet.) .. of inarticulate sounds . growl, of lion growling over prey

. groan, moan, in distress (like dove)

. utter

. of inarticulate sounds . (soliloquize) meditate, muse

. imagine, devise

. a conceiving and an uttering, out of the heart, lying words

. those that make chirpings and mutterings, of necromancers and wizards

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1897 hagah daw-gaw'

a primitive root (compare 1901); to murmur (in pleasure or

anger); by implication, to ponder:--imagine, meditate, mourn,

mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.

see HEBREW for 01901

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָגָה (ha.gah) — to mutter.

1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to roar, growl, groan

1a2) to utter, speak

1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine

1b) (Poal) to utter

1c) (Hiphil) to mutter

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
לִבָּ֑םli.Bam heart their H3820 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Amplified meaning
the seat of feelings, will, and intellect
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
וְ֝עָמָ֗לve.'a.Mal and trouble H5999 Conjunction · noun common both singular absolute
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to trouble or hard work that causes worry or pain, whether physical or mental, like the struggles of the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
Amplified meaning
hard work, worry, pain, or mischief
Tyndale gloss
trouble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָמָל (amal) refers to trouble, labor, or toil. It encompasses a range of meanings including physical and mental effort, as well as sorrow and mischief. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of wearing effort and can imply grievance or wickedness. It appears in contexts related to suffering and toil.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמָל n.m. f. trouble, labor, toil

trouble (∥ sorrow): one’s own suffering

trouble, mischief, as done to others

toil, labour (late in Heb.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5999 עָמָל trouble, labor, toil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5999 `amal aw-mawl'

from 5998; toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of

body or mind:--grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour,

mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow,

toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness.

see HEBREW for 05998

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמָל (a.mal) — trouble.

1) toil, trouble, labour

1a) trouble

1b) trouble, mischief

1c) toil, labour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common both singular absolute
HC/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ 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

for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥םsif.tei.Hem lips their H8193 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
language, edge, or border of expression
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp3mp
for violence it plots heart their and trouble lips their they speak
תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה׃te.da.Be.re.nah they speak H1696 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person feminine plural
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
speak, communicate, or talk about
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-3fp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person feminine plural
HVpi3fp
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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