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Proverbs 28:17 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־ נָפֶשׁ עַד־ בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־ יִתְמְכוּ־ בֽוֹ׃

BSAA manʼâdâm [oppressed, laden] burdenedʻâshaq by bloodguiltdâm [violence against the blood of any person, guilty of murder] will fleenûwç [be a fugitive, keep running away] intoʻad the Pitbôwr [the grave, underworld] let no oneʼal [no man] supporttâmak [stay, help]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 (vo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 28:17quick helps
In a sentenceA man guilty of murder will run away to the grave; no one should help him.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, addressing the consequences of bloodguilt.
Where we areIn a section discussing the moral implications of actions and their consequences.
The hard wordעָשֻׁ֣ק
Take awayThe consequences of guilt lead to isolation.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbעָשַׁק 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 28:17

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 — Consequences of Bloodguiltgenerated

16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Proverbs 28:17 warns of the fate of a man burdened by bloodguilt, emphasizing the seriousness of taking a life and the resulting shame that drives him to flee. This verse fits within a broader discourse on justice and moral behavior, where the consequences of one's actions are highlighted, especially regarding violence and its repercussions. The surrounding verses also discuss leadership and integrity, contrasting the oppressor with those who act righteously.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 9:6Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.
2Exodus 21:14But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.
3Numbers 35:14–34Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge.
41 Kings 21:19–23Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’ ”
52 Kings 9:26‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.Genesis 9:6 Exodus 21:14 Numbers 35:14–34 1 Kings 21:19–23 2 Kings 9:26 2 Chronicles 24:21–25 Matthew 27:4–5 Acts 28:4

The Key Word עָשֻׁ֣ק, 'a.Shukgenerated

The verb עָשַׁק (ashaq) means 'to oppress' and is used here in its passive participle form, indicating a state of being oppressed or burdened. This word conveys a sense of being weighed down by guilt, particularly in the context of violence.

In this verse, the use of עָשַׁק highlights the moral weight of bloodguilt, suggesting that the man is not only guilty but also suffering from the consequences of his actions. The participial form emphasizes his ongoing state of oppression due to his guilt.


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 main verb יָ֝נ֗וּס (he will flee) governs the sentence, indicating the man's action. It is supported by a series of phrases that describe his state and the consequences of his actions.

The structure places emphasis on the man's guilt and the resulting isolation, with the negative particle אַל (may not) introducing a prohibition against support, highlighting the moral stance taken in this context.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אָדָם as ἄνδρα (andra), which emphasizes the male subject but retains the general meaning of 'man' or 'person.' This choice reflects a focus on the individual rather than humanity as a whole.

The translation of עָשַׁק is not directly represented in the LXX, indicating a potential interpretive gap or a different nuance in the Greek understanding of oppression.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 28:17 tells us that a man who is guilty of murder will run away to the grave, and no one should help him. This verse highlights the serious consequences of bloodguilt and the isolation that follows.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be burdened by bloodguilt?

Being burdened by bloodguilt refers to the heavy moral weight and shame that comes from taking a life unjustly.

Why should no one support a man burdened by bloodguilt?

The verse suggests that supporting such a person may enable further wrongdoing or fail to address the moral implications of their actions.

How does this verse relate to the concept of justice?

This verse emphasizes the importance of accountability for one's actions, particularly in matters of life and death.

What are some biblical examples of bloodguilt?

Examples include the stories of Cain and Abel, as well as the consequences faced by King David after his actions regarding Uriah.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this verse teach about the consequences of our actions?
  2. How can we apply the principle of accountability in our own lives?
  3. In what ways can guilt affect a person's relationships and community?
  4. What steps can we take to support justice and righteousness in our surroundings?

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

The commentary from Bede interprets this verse in the context of moral cultivation, suggesting that both physical and spiritual nourishment are essential for fulfillment.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
"A man who slanders blood," etc. Whether the land of the field or the land of the body, whoever cultivates it shall be satisfied; one with grain, the other with virtues. Whoever despises both shall be filled with poverty.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 28 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 28:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person,.... That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in Genesis 9:6.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person, that sheddeth any man’ s blood, or taketh away his life unjustly, shall flee to the pit; shall speedily be destroyed, being pursued by Divine vengeance, and the horrors of a guilty conscience, and the avengers of blood. Let no man stay him: so it is a prohibition that no man should endeavour to save the life of a wilful murderer, either by intercession, or by offering satisfaction, or any other way; of which see . Or, as the ancient and many other interpreters render it, no man shall stay him; none shall desire or endeavour to save him from his deserved punishment; he shall die without pity, being an object of public hatred.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 28 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 28:17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.Ver. 17. A man that doth violence unto the blood.] The Hebrew word Adam, here rendered man, hath one letter in the original less than the rest, to show that a blood shedder is not worthy to be called man. Shall flee to the pit, let no man stay him,] i.e., Let him die without mercy; let no man mediate for him, lest he pay down, as Ahab did, life for life, people for people, lest he draw upon the land guilt of blood, and hinder the man slayer from repentance to salvation never to be repented of. To blame then are the Papists that open sanctuaries to such; and if a cardinal put his…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person.—Rather, that is burdened with his blood, has wilfully murdered any one. Shall flee to the pit.—Fulfilling the curse of Gen 9:6. Let no man stay him—i.e., attempt to rescue him from the punishment he has deserved.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 28 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. That doeth violence to the blood] He who either slays the innocent, or procures his destruction, may flee to hide himself: but let none give him protection. The law demands his life, because he is a murderer; and let none deprive justice of its claim. Murder is the most horrid crime in the sight of God and man; it scarcely ever goes unpunished, and is universally execrated.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. doeth violence to] Rather, is laden with, R.V. See Genesis 9:6.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 28 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The case of willful murder, not the lesser crime of manslaughter for which the cities of refuge were appointed. One, with that guilt on his soul, is simply hasting on to his own destruction.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 28 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

A man that is laden with the blood of any person shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A man that doeth violence against the blood of a person, shall flee vnto the graue, and they shall not stay him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, || Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

A man oppressed by the load of having shed human blood will flee even to the pit: let no man hold him.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

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 · subjectאָ֭דָםa.personadjective phraseclauseverbעָשֻׁ֣קoppressedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּby.[the]noun phraseדַםbloodנָפֶשׁof.a.personprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַדtoבּ֥וֹר[the].pitverbיָ֝נ֗וּסhe.will.fleeclauseadverbialאַלnotverbיִתְמְכוּlet.people.supportprepositional phrase · prepositionalבֽ(in)וֹhim

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads: אָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־ נָפֶשׁ עַד־ בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־ יִתְמְכוּ־ בֽוֹ׃. The Septuagint matches 4 of the 10 words, but its word order and articles differ, indicating some interpretive variation in translation.

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

אָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־ נָפֶשׁ עַד־ בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־ יִתְמְכוּ־ בֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אָ֭דָםἄνδραעַד־בּ֥וֹרἐγγυώμενοςבֽוֹ׃ἐν

4 of the 10 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 28:17אָדָםa persona personאָדָםעָשַׁקoppressedoppressedעָשַׁקדָּםby [the] blby [the] blood דָּםנֶ֫פֶשׁa lifea lifeנֶ֫פֶשׁעַדtotoעַדבּוֹר[the] pit[the] pitבּוֹרנוּסhe will flehe will fleeנוּסאַלmay notmay notאַלתָּמַךְpeople supppeople supportתָּמַךְוֹhimhimוֹאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםדָּמַםto silenceto silence: staדָּמַםנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁבּוּרto explainto explainבּוּרעָשַׂקto contendto contendעָשַׂקעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדלֹאnotnotלֹאדְּמוּתlikenesslikenessדְּמוּתבְּהֵמָהanimalanimalבְּהֵמָהגָּזֵלrobberyrobberyגָּזֵלרָצַץto crushto crushרָצַץזָרַקto scatterto scatterזָרַקנָקִיinnocentinnocentנָקִיבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַימָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶבשָׁלַךְto throwto throwשָׁלַךְ
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 28:17

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
אָ֭דָם'A.dom a person H120 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
551× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Amplified meaning
oppressed, laden
Tyndale gloss
the man (Adam)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind

a man = human being

coll. man, mankind

n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)

n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being

. coll. man, mankind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

120 'adam aw-dawm'

from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the

species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common

sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָדָם (a.dam) — man.

1) man, mankind

1a) man, human being

1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)

1c) Adam, first man

1d) city in Jordan valley

אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).

The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;

married to Eve (H2332);

father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;

Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)

man, human being

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
עָשֻׁ֣ק'a.Shuk oppressed H6231 Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To oppress means to press upon or defraud someone, often violently. It is used to describe wrongdoing in the Bible, such as in the book of Exodus.
Tyndale gloss
to oppress
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשַׁק (ashaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to oppress, wrong, or extort. It conveys actions of pressing upon, defrauding, and committing violence. The word can also imply being exploited or crushed in its passive form. It is rooted in a primitive form and is related to the concept of deceitful gain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשַׁק oppress, wrong, extort

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6231 עָשַׁק oppress, wrong, extort

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6231 `ashaq aw-shak'

a primitive root (compare 6229); to press upon, i.e. oppress,

defraud, violate, overflow:--get deceitfully, deceive,

defraud, drink up, (use) oppress((-ion)), -or), do violence

(wrong).

see HEBREW for 06229

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשַׁק (a.shaq) — to oppress.

1) to press upon, oppress, violate, defraud, do violence, get deceitfully, wrong, extort

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to oppress, wrong, extort

1a2) to oppress

1b) (Pual) to be exploited, be crushed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular
HVqsmsa
a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
בְּדַם־be.dam- by [the] blood of H1818 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
360× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Amplified meaning
violence against the blood of any person, guilty of murder
Tyndale gloss
blood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּם 300 n.m. blood

blood of man or animal

usually blood become visible

blood used with religious significance

fig. of wine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1818 דָּם blood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1818 dam dawm

from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed

causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of

the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed

(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +

innocent.

see HEBREW for 01826

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּם (dam) — blood.

1) blood

1a) of wine (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
נָפֶשׁNa.fesh a life H5315 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):

I. THE TERMS

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING

1. Popular Use of the Term

2. Complexity of the Idea

III. IN THE APOCRYPHA

IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In the Synoptic Gospels

2. In the Fourth Gospel

3. In the Ac of the Apostles

4. In the Writings of Paul

5. In the Writings of John

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament

LITERATURE

I. The Terms.

Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Life

Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Breath of Ge 2:7

Called SPIRIT OF GOD Job 27:3

Tree of Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Pr 3:18; 13:12; Re 2:7

→ (SACREDNESS OF, an inference from what is taught in the law concerning murder)

See HOMICIDE

Long life promised to obedient children Ex 20:12; De 5:16

To those who keep the commandments De 4:40; 22:7

Vanity of Ec 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Hated Ec 2:17

a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
עַד־'ad- to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
בּ֥וֹרBor [the] pit H953 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Amplified meaning
the grave, underworld
Tyndale gloss
pit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹר (bor) refers to a pit, well, or cistern, often used for water storage or as a dungeon. It can also denote a grave pit. The term appears in various contexts, including the specific location known as the cistern of Sirah, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:26. The entries consistently emphasize its function as a hole or pit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹר n.m. pit, cistern, well

cistern, containing water, made by digging

later appar. well

pit

dungeon

(poet. & late; never c. art.) pit of the grave

base

בּוֹר הַסִּרָה n.pr.loc. 2 S 3:26 (cistern of Sirah)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H953a בּוֹר pit, cistern, well H953b בּוֹר הַסִּרָה (cistern of Sirah)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

953 bowr bore

from 952 (in the sense of 877); a pit hole (especially one

used as a cistern or a prison):--cistern, dungeon, fountain,

pit, well.

see HEBREW for 0952

see HEBREW for 0877

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹר (bor) — pit.

pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave

בּוֹר (bor) — Cistern.

Cistern of Sirah

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

The word translates different Hebrew words of which the most important are:

(1) bor, "pit" or "cistern," made by digging, (Ge 37:20); hence, "dungeon" (Jer 38:6, margin "pit");

(2) be'er, "pit" or "well" made by digging (Ge 21:25);

(3) she'ol, generally rendered "hell" in the King James Version (see HELL);

(4) shachath, a pit in the ground to catch wild animals. (1), (2) and (4) above are used metaphorically of the pit of the "grave" or of "sheol" (Ps 28:1; 30:3; Job 33:24). the King James Version sometimes incorrectly renders (4) by "corruption."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Pit

A hole in the ground (Ex. 21:33, 34), a cistern for water (Gen. 37:24; Jer. 14:3), a vault (41:9), a grave (Ps. 30:3). It is used as a figure for mischief (Ps. 9:15), and is the name given to the unseen place of woe (Rev. 20:1, 3). The slime-pits in the vale of Siddim were wells which yielded asphalt (Gen. 14:10).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[HELL]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A reservoir, either natural or artificial, for water. Pits were sometimes used as dungeons, Ge 37:20; Jer 38:6; or being slightly covered, and baited, they served as traps to catch wild beasts, a device which illustrates the plots of designing men and women, Ps 119:85; Pr 22:14; 26:27; Eze 19:4. The word pit is also used to denote the grave, Ps 28:1; 30:3,9; and hell, Re 20:1.

a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
יָ֝נ֗וּסya.Nus he will flee H5127 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Amplified meaning
be a fugitive, keep running away
Tyndale gloss
to flee
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נוּס (nus) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flee or escape. It encompasses various nuances, including taking flight, disappearing, or driving hastily to safety. The word appears in different forms, such as Qal, Polel, Hithpolel, and Hiphil, indicating actions like fleeing, causing to disappear, or putting to flight. An Aramaic equivalent is noted as נוּד (nud).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נוּס 160 vb. flee, escape

Qal

flee

escape

take flight, depart, disappear

fly (to the attack) on horseback.

Po‛lel the breath of י׳ driveth at it, driveth it on

Hithpo‛l. in order to take flight before the bow

Hiph.

put to flight

drive hastily to a safe place

cause to disappear, hide

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5127 נוּס flee, escape

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5127 nuwc noos

a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape;

causatively, chase, impel, deliver):--X abate, away, be

displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, X hide,

lift up a standard.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּס (nus) — to flee.

1) to flee, escape

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to flee

1a2) to escape

1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear

1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback

1b) (Polel) to drive at

1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to put to flight

1d2) to drive hastily

1d3) to cause to disappear, hide

Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fle.

See FLY.

a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
no man
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
יִתְמְכוּ־yit.me.khu- people support H8551 Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine plural
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to grasp or hold something, like taking hold of a person or object. It is used in books like Genesis and Psalms to describe helping or supporting someone.
Amplified meaning
stay, help
Tyndale gloss
to grasp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word תָּמַךְ (tamak) is a primitive root meaning to grasp, support, or attain. It covers actions like holding fast, maintaining, and helping. The Qal form includes meanings such as to hold up or keep, while the Niphal form suggests being seized or held. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[תָּמַךְ] vb. grasp, support, attain

Qal

grasp, lay hold of

hold up, support

hold, keep

Niph. in the cords of his sin is he seized

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8551 תָּמַךְ grasp, support, attain

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8551 tamak taw-mak'

a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep

fast; figuratively, to help, follow close:--(take, up-)hold

(up), maintain, retain, stay (up).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) — to grasp.

1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain

1a2) to hold up, support

1a3) to hold, keep

1a4) to take hold of each other

1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-3mp — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine plural
HVqj3mp
a person oppressed by [the] blood of a life to [the] pit he will flee may not people support him
בֽוֹ׃vo him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
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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