Proverbs 27:15 — Word Study
WLCדֶּ֣לֶף ט֭וֹרֵד בְּי֣וֹם סַגְרִ֑יר וְאֵ֥שֶׁת מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים נִשְׁתָּוָֽה׃
BSAA constantṭârad [continual, steady] drippingdeleph [like a faucet] on a rainyçagrîyd△ [very rainy, pouring] dayyôwm [period of time] and a contentiousmâdôwn [argumentative, bitter-tongued] womanʼishshâh [wife, female person] are alikeshâvâh■ [similar, equal]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דֶּ֣לֶף | a dripping | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| ט֭וֹרֵד | continuous | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| בְּי֣וֹם | on a day of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| סַגְרִ֑יר | persistent rain | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְאֵ֥שֶׁת | and a wife of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים | contentions | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| נִשְׁתָּוָֽה׃ | she is like | Verb plural, third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— |
| KJV | A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. |
| ASV | A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: |
| YLT | A continual dropping in a day of rain, And a woman of contentions are alike, |
| WEB | A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: |
| BBE | Like an unending dropping on a day of rain is a bitter-tongued woman. |
The translations agree on the metaphorical comparison made in this verse.
The sentence presents a straightforward comparison between two subjects, emphasizing their similarity.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbטָרַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 27:15
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 Challenges of Relationshipsgenerated
Proverbs 27:15 illustrates the frustration that can arise in relationships, particularly through the metaphor of a constant dripping on a rainy day, likening it to the behavior of a contentious woman. This verse is part of a larger discourse on interpersonal dynamics, emphasizing the challenges that can arise from nagging or argumentative behavior. The surrounding verses provide additional context on how certain actions can lead to discomfort or strife in relationships.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 19:13 | A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 2 | Proverbs 21:9–19 | Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 3 | Proverbs 25:24 | Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 4 | Job 14:19 | as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דֶּ֣לֶף, De.lefgenerated
The noun דֶּ֣לֶף (deleph) specifically refers to dripping or dropping, often associated with rain. It conveys the idea of something that is leaking or continuously falling, much like a faucet that does not stop.
In this verse, it serves as a metaphor for the persistent annoyance caused by a contentious woman. The word's root suggests a connection to the idea of something that is unceasing, which aligns with the behavior being described.
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 finite verb נִשְׁתָּוָֽה, she is like, governs the whole sentence, linking the two subjects: a constant dripping and a contentious woman. The structure emphasizes the comparison being made.
The sentence is built around this main verb, with two noun phrases describing each subject: the dripping and the woman, both of which are linked by the conjunction 'and'. This structure highlights the parallel drawn between the two.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דֶּ֣לֶף as σταγόνες, which means 'drops' or 'drips'. This choice emphasizes the physical aspect of dripping, which aligns with the Hebrew meaning.
The Greek translation of the contentious woman as γυνὴ maintains the focus on the female subject, similar to the Hebrew, but it does not carry the same connotation of argumentativeness.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 27:15 compares a constant dripping on a rainy day to a contentious woman, suggesting that both can be equally annoying. This verse highlights the challenges of dealing with persistent negativity in relationships.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A contentious woman is someone who is argumentative or quarrelsome, often causing strife in relationships, similar to the annoyance of constant dripping.
The metaphor illustrates how small, continuous annoyances can accumulate over time, leading to frustration in relationships, much like the persistent sound of dripping water.
The comparison serves to highlight the detrimental effects of nagging behavior in relationships, suggesting that it can drive people away just as incessant dripping can be unbearable.
Yes, other verses in Proverbs also address contentious behavior and its impact on relationships, such as in Proverbs 19:13 and Proverbs 25:24.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I can avoid being contentious in my relationships?
- How can I address persistent annoyances in a constructive manner?
- In what situations do I find myself being argumentative, and how can I change that?
- What practical steps can I take to foster peace in my interactions with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers have commented on this verse, noting its implications for spiritual and relational care, drawing parallels between physical annoyances and spiritual neglect.
Solomon remarks that the same thing happens to the soul in a spiritual way when he says in other words, “Leaks drive a person out of his house on a stormy day.” Neatly, then, does he compare spiritual carelessness with a neglected roof,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 27 →
Solomon tells us that the same thing happens spiritually to the soul when he says in other words: “Dripping water drives a man out of the house on a stormy day.” Elegantly then he compares spiritual carelessness to a roof and tiles that…Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 27:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleA continual dropping in a very rainy day,.... That is, through the roof of a house which is not well covered, or which lets in rain by one means or another; so that in a thorough rainy day it keeps
Read John Gill on Proverbs 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryA continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 19:13.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 27 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAre equally troublesome, the first not suffering a man to go abroad with comfort, the latter not permitting him to stay at home with quietness.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.Ver. 15. A continual dropping.]
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 27 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) A continual dropping in a very rainy day.—See above on Proverbs 19:13.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 27 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. A continual dropping] See Proverbs 19:13.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 27 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleContinual dropping - Here, as in the marginal reference, the flat, earthen roof of Eastern houses, always liable to cracks and leakage, supplies the groundwork of the similitude.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15. A continual dropping… rainy day — A pouring rain. The word occurs only here. “In a winter’s day, or a stormy day.” — Septuagint. “In a day of cold.” — Vulgate.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 27 →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
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.
Tyndale line
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike:
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike:
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
A continual dropping in the day of raine, and a contentious woman are alike.
Strictly literal
A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike:
A continual dropping in a day of rain, And a woman of contentions are alike,
A continual dropping in a day of rain, || And a woman of contentions are alike,
A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
A quarreling wife is like the constant dripping on a rainy day;
From the Latin
Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.
Simplified
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
Like an unending dropping on a day of rain is a bitter-tongued woman.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with five of the seven words matching directly. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same concepts but may differ in word order and articles.
דֶּ֣לֶף ט֭וֹרֵד בְּי֣וֹם סַגְרִ֑יר וְאֵ֥שֶׁת מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים נִשְׁתָּוָֽה׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 27:15
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.
דֶּ֫לֶף (deleph) refers to a dripping or dropping, particularly noted in the context of rain. It can also figuratively describe a contentious wife. The word is derived from a related term, indicating its specific meaning within the Old Testament.
דֶּ֫לֶף n.m. a dropping (of rain)
base
H1812 דֶּ֫לֶף
1812 deleph deh'-lef
from 1811; a dripping:--dropping.
see HEBREW for 01811
דֶּ֫לֶף (de.leph) — dripping.
1) a dropping, dripping
1a) of contentious wife (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
טָרַד (tarad) is a primitive root meaning to pursue or chase, and it can also imply a sense of continuity. The entries indicate that it can describe a continual action, such as dripping, and it has an Aramaic equivalent meaning to chase away. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[טָרַד] vb. pursue, chase, be continuous
base
H2956 טָרַד
2956 tarad taw-rad'
a primitive root; to drive on; figuratively, to follow
close:--continual.
טָרַד (ta.rad) — to pursue.
1) to pursue, chase, be continuous
1a) (Qal) dripping (participle)
Aramaic equivalent: te.rad (טְרַד "to chase away" H2957)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
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…
סַגְרִיר (sag.rid) refers to steady or persistent rain. It is likely derived from a root meaning to sweep away, indicating a pouring rain. The term appears in Proverbs 27:15, where it describes a consistent downpour.
סַגְרִיר n.[m.] steady, persistent rain;—abs. Pr 27:15
ref
H5464 סַגְרִיר, סַגְרִיד
5464 cagriyd sag-reed'
probably from 5462 in the sense of sweeping away; a pouring
rain:--very rainy.
see HEBREW for 05462
סַגְרִיר (sag.rid) — rain.
steady or persistent rain
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
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:
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.
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…
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
אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.
אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female
woman
Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
Female of animals
With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
base
H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman
. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
. Female of animals
. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
802 'ishshah ish-shaw'
feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym
{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as
582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,
one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
see HEBREW for 0376
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0582
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.
: woman
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.
: wife/widow
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.
: another
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
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…
מִדְיָן (midyan) refers to strife or contention, indicating a state of disagreement or conflict. The term is associated with brawling and is derived from a variation of another Hebrew word for contention. It appears in contexts relating to disputes or arguments.
מָדוֹן n.m. strife, contention
strife, contention
object of contention
base
H4079 דִּין, דּוּן
4079 midyan mid-yawn'
a variation for 4066:--brawling, contention(-ous).
see HEBREW for 04066
מִדְיָן (mid.yan) — contention.
strife, contention
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
שָׁוָה (shavah) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of being even or smooth, and extends to meanings like agreeing, resembling, or making something like another. It is built from a primitive root and covers a range of uses, including to level, set, or adjust. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of the verb.
שָׁוָה vb. (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble
Qal it was not equalled to me, i.e. not requited
Pi. he hath levelled
Hiph. make like
Nithp. (appar.) are alike
base
[שָׁוָה] vb. Pi. set, place
base
H7737a שָׁוָה (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble . make like
. (appar.) are alike
H7737b שָׁוָה Pi. set, place
7737 shavah shaw-vaw'
a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize;
figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e.
counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield,
etc.):--avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail,
(be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a- )like, make plain, profit,
reckon.
שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — be like.
1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be like
1a2) equivalent (participle)
1a3) to set, place
1a4) setting (participle)
1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still
1c) (Hiphil) to make like
1d) (Nithpael) to be alike
Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)
שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — to set.
(Piel) to set, place
Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be set" H7739B)
V-D-Perf-3fs — Verb plural · third person masculine singularHVDp3ms