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Proverbs 25:14 — Word Study

Depth

WLCנְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־ שָֽׁקֶר׃

BSA[Like] cloudsnâsîyʼ [bringing no refreshment] and windrûwach [a blast of air] withoutʼayin raingeshem [a refreshing downpour] [is] the manʼîysh [a male person, individual] who boastshâlal [to shine, make a show] of giftsmattâth [reward] never givensheqer [with deception, falsely, in a false manner]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 14 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 (Sha.ker) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 25:14quick helps
In a sentenceThis proverb compares boastful individuals to clouds and wind that bring no rain.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, likely Solomon, addressing the nature of false boasting.
Where we areIn a collection of wise sayings that offer practical insights on life.
The hard wordמִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל
Take awayBoasting without substance is ultimately empty and deceptive.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectגֶּשֶׁם verbהָלַל 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 25:14

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 Literature of Proverbsgenerated

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

Proverbs 25:14 presents a vivid metaphor, likening a boastful person to clouds and wind that fail to deliver rain. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the value of trustworthiness and the consequences of deception, as seen in the surrounding verses that emphasize the importance of reliability and the dangers of false promises.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 20:6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
21 Kings 22:11Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”
3Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
4Luke 18:10–14“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
52 Corinthians 11:13–18For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל, mit.ha.Lelgenerated

The word הָלַל (halal) is a Hithpael participle, meaning 'to boast' or 'to shine.' It is derived from a root that suggests making a show or celebrating, often in a way that may appear foolish. In this context, it describes someone who boasts about gifts that are never actually given, highlighting the emptiness of such claims.

This participle form indicates an ongoing action, suggesting that the boasting is a habitual behavior of the individual. The emphasis is on the inconsistency between the boast and reality, which is a central theme in this proverb.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל governs the sentence, with two main noun phrases acting as the subject and predicate. The structure emphasizes the comparison made in the verse, linking the boastful person directly to the imagery of clouds and wind without rain.

The Hebrew word order places the metaphorical elements at the beginning, drawing attention to the comparison before introducing the subject, which reinforces the emptiness of the boast.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נְשִׂיאִ֣ים as ἄνεμοι (anemoi), meaning 'winds.' This choice broadens the metaphor, focusing on the transient and unreliable nature of both wind and boastful claims.

The use of καυξώμενοι for מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל suggests an emphasis on the act of boasting, which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly different connotation in the Greek context.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 25:14 compares a boastful person to clouds and wind that do not bring rain. It teaches that making claims without following through is empty and deceptive, similar to how clouds can promise rain but deliver nothing.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to boast of gifts never given?

It refers to making claims about generosity or giving that are not fulfilled, leading to disappointment.

How does this proverb relate to trustworthiness?

It highlights the importance of being reliable and not making promises that one cannot keep.

What can we learn from the metaphor of clouds and wind?

The metaphor illustrates the futility of empty boasts, encouraging honesty and integrity in our words.

Why is humility valued in contrast to boasting?

Humility is often seen as the foundation of wisdom, while boasting can lead to deception and disappointment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I find myself making promises I cannot keep?
  2. How can I practice humility in my interactions with others?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure my words align with my actions?
  4. How does understanding the emptiness of false boasting impact my relationships?

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

Early commentators have reflected on this verse, often discussing the themes of humility and the consequences of false boasting.

John Cassian c. 360–435
Humility, then, is the teacher of all the virtues; it is the most firm foundation of the heavenly edifice; it is the Savior’s own magnificent gift.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 25 →
John CassianCONFERENCE 15:7 c. 360–435
Humility therefore is the teacher of all virtues; it is the surest foundation of the heavenly building; it is the special and splendid gift of the Savior.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 25 →
BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Clouds and wind, etc. This seems similar to what was said earlier, Do not beguile anyone with your lips. But that verse specifically contains this, that you do not promise to take a person in and then deceive by not fulfilling it;
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 25:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift,.... Of his charity and alms deeds; bragging of great things he does this way, when he does nothing; or who is very vain in making large promises of what he

Read John Gill on Proverbs 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. Whose boasteth himself of a false gift - raising expectations by promises which he never fulfills. (Is like) clouds and wind without rain.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift, pretending that he hath given, or promising that he will give, a man those gifts, which he neither hath given, nor intendeth to give him, is like clouds and wind without rain; like empty clouds carried about with wind, and not affording that rain which by their appearance they promise.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.Ver. 14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift] As Ptolemy, surnamed Dωσων, from his fair promises, slack performances; as Sertorius, the Roman, that fed his creditors and clients wlth fair words, but did nothing for them, Pollicitis dives quilibet esse potest; as that pope and his nephew, of whom it is recorded that the one never spoke as he thought, the other never performed what he spoke; lastly, as the devil who promised Christ excelsa in excelsis, mountains on a mountain, and said, "All this will I give thee," whenas that all was just nothing more than a show, a representation, a semblance, or…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift—i.e., talks loudly of what he is going to do for another, and then does nothing. Clouds and wind.—Generally followed by heavy rain, (Comp. 1 Kings 18:45.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 14. A false gift] מתת שקר mattath shaker, a lying gift, one promised, but never bestowed. "Whoso maketh greate boastes, and giveth nothing;" COVERDALE. SO the VULGATE: "Vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens;" "A bragging man, who does not fulfil his promises," is like clouds which appear to be laden with vapour, and like the wind which, though it blow from a rainy quarter, brings no moistness with it. So the vain boaster; he is big with promise, but performs nothing.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. Lit., Clouds and wind and no rain; A man who boasts himself of a gift of falsehood. The rising wind and gathering clouds (1 Kings 18:45) which, un-accompanied by rain, disappoint the expectation of the thirsty earth are an apt emblem of a man who promises much and performs nothing. The Vulg. is true to the original, and forcible: Nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes, Vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 25 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The disappointment caused by him who promises much and performs little or nothing, is likened to the phenomena of an eastern climate; the drought of summer, the eager expectation of men who watch the

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 25 →

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

Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

RVARevised Version, American1894

As clouds and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A man that boasteth of false liberalitie, is like cloudes and winde without raine.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Clouds and wind without rain, || [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Like clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that vaunteth falsely of a gift.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Someone who boasts about a gift they never give is like cloud and wind without rain.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As clouds and wind without rain, so is one who takes credit for an offering he has not given.

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 · predicateנְשִׂיאִ֣יםcloudsוְ֭andרוּחַwindוְandnoun phraseclausesubjectגֶ֣שֶׁםrainpredicateאָ֑יִןthere.[is].notnoun phrase · subjectאִ֥ישׁa.personadjective phraseclauseverbמִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל[who].boastsprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseמַתַּתa.giftשָֽׁקֶרof.falsehood

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in content, with seven of the eight words matching. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the original meaning across these textual traditions.

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

נְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־ שָֽׁקֶר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְ֭רוּחַἄνεμοιוְגֶ֣שֶׁםὑετοὶאָ֑יִןἐπιφανέστατοιאִ֥ישׁοἱמִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗לκαυξώμενοιבְּמַתַּת־δόσειשָֽׁקֶר׃ψευδεῖ

7 of the 8 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 25:14נָשִׂיאcloudscloudsנָשִׂיארוּחַand windand windרוּחַגֶּ֫שֶׁםand [is] raand [is] rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםאַ֫יִןthere notthere notאַ֫יִןאִישׁa persona personאִישׁהָלַל[who] boast[who] boastsהָלַלמַתַּתin a gift oin a gift ofמַתַּתשֶׁ֫קֶרfalsehoodfalsehoodשֶׁ֫קֶררִיחַto smellto smellרִיחַגשׁםto rainto rainגשׁםשָׁקַרto dealto dealשָׁקַרנָשָׂאto lift: rto lift: raiseנָשָׂאאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהמַתָּןgiftgiftמַתָּןמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהנְשָׁמָהbreathbreathנְשָׁמָהקָדִיםeasteastקָדִיםמַלְקוֹשׁspring raispring rainמַלְקוֹשׁמָטַרrainrainמָטַרכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַיָהּLORDLORDיָהּהִיןhinhinהִיןעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָל
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 25:14

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.

clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
נְשִׂיאִ֣יםne.si.'Im clouds H5387 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Amplified meaning
bringing no refreshment
Tyndale gloss
leader
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָשִׂיא (nasiy') refers to an exalted figure, such as a chief, prince, or ruler, and also denotes a rising mist or vapor. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to lift up.' Its meanings encompass leadership roles and atmospheric phenomena, as noted in various lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשִׂיא 128 n.m. one lifted up, i.e. a chief prince

base

[נָשִׂיא] n.[m.] rising mist, vapour

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5387a נָשִׂיא one lifted up, i.e. a chief prince H5387b נָשִׂיא rising mist, vapour

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5387 nasiy' naw-see'

or nasi8 {naw-see'}; from 5375; properly, an exalted one,

i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist:--captain, chief,

cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour.

see HEBREW for 0nasi8

see HEBREW for 05375

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשִׂיא (na.si) — leader.

one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader

נָשִׂיא (na.si) — mist.

rising mist, vapour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the summer season of Palestine, were an unlooked-for phenomenon, 1Sa 12:17,18, and rising from off the Mediterranean, betokened rain, 1Ki 18:44 Lu 12:54. Clouds are the symbol of armies and multitudes, probably by their grand and majestic movements, Isa 60:8 Jer 4:13 Heb 12:1. They betokened the presence of Jehovah, as on mount Sinai,

Ex 19:9 24:12-18; in the temple, Ex 40:34 1Ki 8:10; in the cloudy…

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Formed from the sea

1Ki 18:44; Am 9:6

- Are garment of the sea

Job 38:9

- GOD

. Established

Pr 8:28

. Balanced in the air

Job 37:16

. Disposed in order

Job 37:15

. Brings over the earth

Ge 9:14

. Binds up

Job 26:8

. Spreads out

Job 26:9

. Scatters

Job 37:11

- Power and wisdom of God exhibited in forming

clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
וְ֭רוּחַVe.Ru.ach and wind H7307 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Amplified meaning
a blast of air
Tyndale gloss
spirit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit

breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

wind (117 t.)

spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

spirit of the living, breathing being

spirit as seat of emotion

occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

rarely of the will

רוּחַ esp. of moral character

spirit of God (94 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)

. wind (117 t.)

. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)

. spirit of the living, breathing being

. spirit as seat of emotion

. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts

. rarely of the will

. רוּחַ esp. of moral character

. spirit of God (94 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7307 ruwach roo'-akh

from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or

even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,

unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by

resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including

its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X

cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),

tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).

see HEBREW for 07306

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.

: spirit

1) wind, breath, mind, spirit

1a) breath

1b) wind

1b1) of heaven

1b2) quarter (of wind), side

1b3) breath of air

1b4) air, gas

1b5) vain, empty thing

1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)

1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour

1c2) courage

1c3) temper, anger

1c4) impatience, patience

1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)

1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse

1c7) prophetic spirit

1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)

1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being

1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)

1e1) desire

1e2) sorrow, trouble

1f) spirit

1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts

1f2) rarely of the will

1f3) as seat especially of moral character

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
HC/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wind (anemos:

1. Causes:

Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.

See WHIRLWIND.

2. West Wind:

In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blasting 2Ki 19:7,35

→ East

Hot and blasting in Egypt Ge 41:6

In the valley of the Euphrates River Eze 19:12

In Canaan Ho 13:15; Lu 12:55

At the city of Nineveh Jon 4:8

Tempestuous in the land of Uz Job 27:21

→ West

Took away the plague of locusts from the land of Egypt Ex 10:19

→ North

Free from humidity in Canaan Pr 25:23

→ South

Soothing Job 37:17

clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
וְגֶ֣שֶׁםve.Ge.shem and [is] rain H1653 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a shower or rain, like a refreshing downpour from the sky. It appears in the Bible to describe weather. In the KJV, it is translated as rain or shower.
Amplified meaning
a refreshing downpour
Tyndale gloss
rain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גֶּ֫שֶׁם (geshem) refers to rain or a shower. It is derived from a related word and is consistently defined across sources. The entries indicate its use in contexts involving precipitation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גֶּ֫שֶׁם n.m. rain, shower

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1653 גֶּ֫שֶׁם rain, shower

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1653 geshem gheh'-shem

from 1652; a shower:--rain, shower.

see HEBREW for 01652

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גֶּ֫שֶׁם (ge.shem) — rain.

rain, shower

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ran (maTar, Arabic (?), maTar, "rain" geshem, "heavy rain" moreh, "early rain," yoreh, "former rain," malqosh, "latter rain"; brecho, huetos):

1. Water-Supply in Egypt and Palestine:

In Egypt there is little or no rainfall, the water for vegetation being supplied in great abundance by the river Nile; but in Syria and Palestine there are no large rivers, and the people have to depend entirely on the fall of rain for water for themselves, their animals and their fields. The children of Israel when in Egypt were promised by Yahweh a land which "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" (De 11:11). Springs and fountains are found in most of the valleys, but the flow of the springs depends directly on the fall of rain or snow in the mountains.

2. Importance of Rain in Season:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Rain

There are three Hebrew words used to denote the rains of different seasons, (1.) Yoreh (Hos. 6:3), or moreh (Joel 2:23), denoting the former or the early rain. (2.) Melqosh, the “latter rain” (Prov. 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, “the rains.” The heavy winter rain is mentioned in Gen. 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The “early” or “former” rains commence in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November (Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; comp.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14 Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2

clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
אָ֑יִן'A.yin there not H369 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
אִ֥ישׁ'ish a person H376 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, individual
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗לmit.ha.Lel [who] boasts H1984 Verb · Hithpael · participle (active) masculine singular
165× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Amplified meaning
to shine, make a show
Tyndale gloss
to shine
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[הָלַל] vb. shine

Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.

Hiph. flash forth light

base

[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise

Qal be boastful

Pi.

praise man or woman

usually praise י׳

appar. boast, make one’s boast

Pu. be praised

Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast

Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of

Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)

Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful

. . praise man or woman

. usually praise י׳

. appar. boast, make one’s boast

. be praised

. glory, boast, make one’s boast

.make into a fool, make a fool of

.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)

. act madly, or like a madman

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1984 halal haw-lal'

a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of

color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to

be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate;

also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,

(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,

feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy

of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.

1) to shine

1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)

1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.

: praise

1) to praise, boast, be boastful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be boastful

1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to praise

1b2) to boast, make a boast

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise

1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.

1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool

1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.

: boast

1) to praise, boast, be boastful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be boastful

1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to praise

1b2) to boast, make a boast

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hithpael — Verb · Hithpael · participle (active) masculine singular
HVtrmsa
clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
בְּמַתַּת־be.ma.tat- in a gift of H4991 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mattah means a gift or reward, and is used to describe something given to someone.
Amplified meaning
reward
Tyndale gloss
gift
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַתַּת (mattath) is a feminine noun meaning 'gift' or 'reward.' It is derived from a root that suggests the concept of giving. The entries consistently define it as a present, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַתַּת] n.f. id. [n.gg.ai];—gift = reward

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4991 מַתַּת, מַתָּת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4991 mattath mat-tawth'

feminine of 4976 abbreviated form; a present:--gift.

see HEBREW for 04976

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַתַּת (mat.tat) — gift.

gift, reward

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
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…

clouds and wind and [is] rain there not a person [who] boasts in a gift of falsehood
שָֽׁקֶר׃Sha.ker falsehood H8267 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
113× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Amplified meaning
with deception, falsely, in a false manner
Tyndale gloss
deception
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫קֶר (sheqer) refers to deception, falsehood, and disappointment. It encompasses various forms of deceit, including fraud and wrongful testimony. The word is built from the root associated with untruths and can imply sham or lying. It is used in contexts involving false prophets and general dishonesty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫קֶר 113 n.m. deception, disappointment, falsehood

deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one

deceit, fraud, wrong

injurious falsehood, in testimony

falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets

lie, falsehood, in gen.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8267 שֶׁ֫קֶר deception, disappointment, falsehood . deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one

. deceit, fraud, wrong

. injurious falsehood, in testimony

. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets

. lie, falsehood, in gen.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8267 sheqer sheh'-ker

from 8266; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often

adverbial):--without a cause, deceit(-ful),

false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain

(thing), wrongfully.

see HEBREW for 08266

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) — deception.

1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood

1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)

1b) deceit, fraud, wrong

1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)

1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony)

1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely

1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets)

1e) lie, falsehood (in general)

1e1) false tongue

1f) in vain

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

fols'-hood.

See LYING.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;

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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