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Proverbs 29:14 — Word Study

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WLCמֶ֤לֶךְ שׁוֹפֵ֣ט בֶּֽאֱמֶ֣ת דַּלִּ֑ים כִּ֝סְא֗וֹ לָעַ֥ד יִכּֽוֹן׃

BSAA kingmelek [ruler, monarch] who judgesshâphaṭ [to govern, vindicate] the poordal [weak, needy, destitute] with fairnessʼemeth [truth, justice, equity] his thronekiççêʼ [seat of power, authority] will be establishedkûwn [set up, secured] foreverʻad [for all eternity, perpetually]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 29
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 (yi.Kon) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 29:14quick helps
In a sentenceA king who judges the poor fairly will have a throne that lasts forever.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, reflecting on the nature of just leadership.
Where we areA section on the characteristics of wise and just rulers.
The hard wordשׁוֹפֵ֣ט
Take awayFair judgment of the needy is essential for lasting authority.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁפַט 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 29:14

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 — The Nature of Just Leadershipgenerated

13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.
15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

Proverbs 29:14 emphasizes the importance of a king who judges the poor with fairness. This verse is part of a larger discussion about the qualities of rulers and the consequences of their actions. The surrounding verses highlight the relationship between justice, wisdom, and the welfare of the community, illustrating how a ruler's decisions impact both the poor and the overall stability of their reign.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 29:4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
2Proverbs 16:12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
3Proverbs 20:28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
4Proverbs 25:5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
5Proverbs 28:16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

The Key Word שׁוֹפֵ֣ט, sho.Fetgenerated

The verb שָׁפַט (*shaphat*) means to judge or govern. It is derived from a root that encompasses a range of actions including pronouncing sentences and executing judgments. In this context, it describes the king's role in ensuring justice for the poor.

The participial form indicates an ongoing action, suggesting that the king is actively engaged in judging the poor. This reflects a commitment to fairness and equity, essential qualities for effective leadership.


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 שׁוֹפֵ֣ט, judges, governs the whole clause, indicating the action taken by the king. The structure emphasizes the relationship between the king and the poor, showing that the king's judgment is central to the verse's message.

The phrase בֶּֽאֱמֶ֣ת (in truth) modifies the verb, highlighting the quality of the judgment. The sentence is straightforward, with a clear subject-verb-object order, which underscores the importance of the king's role.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שׁוֹפֵ֣ט as κρίνων, meaning judging. This choice reflects a direct connection to the act of judgment, emphasizing the king's responsibility to uphold justice.

The use of βασιλέως for מֶ֤לֶךְ indicates the authority of the king, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also emphasizing the role of the king as a ruler in a broader sense.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 29:14 tells us that a king who judges the poor fairly will have a throne that lasts forever. This verse highlights the importance of fairness in leadership, especially in relation to those who are weak or in need.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a king to judge the poor with fairness?

It means that the king treats the poor with justice and equity, ensuring their rights are protected.

Why is a king's throne established forever when he judges fairly?

A fair king builds trust and stability within his kingdom, leading to a lasting reign.

How does this verse relate to the treatment of the poor?

It emphasizes the responsibility of leaders to care for the vulnerable and ensure justice for all.

What qualities are essential for a just ruler according to this verse?

Fairness, truth, and a commitment to justice are essential qualities for a ruler.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I ensure that I treat others with fairness and justice?
  2. How can leaders be held accountable for their treatment of the poor?
  3. What does this verse teach about the relationship between justice and authority?
  4. How can I apply the principles of fair judgment in my own life?

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

The early church fathers often referenced this verse to discuss the nature of just governance and the qualities of righteous leaders.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
The king who judges the poor in truth, etc. And the Psalmist about Christ the king, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom" (Psalms 45).
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 29 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 29:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,.... That truly executes justice and judgment among all his subjects, particularly the poor, who are too often neglected, because they cannot afford persons

Read John Gill on Proverbs 29 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. The king that faithfully judgeth (without partiality to the rich, does justice to) the poor, his throne shall be established forever .

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 29 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Judgeth the poor, and the rich too; but he names the poor, because these are most oppressed and injured by others, and least regarded by princes, and yet committed to their more special care by the King of kings.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 29 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 29:14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.Ver. 14. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, &c.] An office not unbeseeming the greatest king, to sit in person to hear the poor man’ s cause. James IV of Scotland was for this cause called the poor man’ s king. I have seen, saith a late traveller, the King of Persia many times to alight from his horse, only to do justice to a poor body. "Help, O king!" said the poor woman to Jehoram. And if thou will not hear and right me, why dost thou take upon thee to be king? said another woman to Philip, King of Macedonia. It is a mercy to have judges mode audeant quae sentiunt, as the orator hath…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 29 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) His throne shall be established for ever.—Comp. the promise made to Judah (Jeremiah 22:3-4).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 29 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

14. Faithfully — Truthfully — according to the truth and facts. Comp. Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 25:5. The King of kings and the Lord of lords is the patron of the poor.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 29 →

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 king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

NETBNew English Translation2006

If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

A King that iudgeth the poore in trueth, his throne shalbe established for euer.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

A king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

a king that is judging truly the poor, His throne for ever is established.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

A king that is judging the poor with truth, || His throne is established forever.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

When a king judgeth in truth the indigent, his throne shall stand firmly for ever.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If a king judges the poor by the truth, his throne will be established forever.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for ever.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If a king judges the poor fairly, he will have a long rule.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.

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.

clauseclausenoun phraseמֶ֤לֶךְa.kingadjective phraseclauseverbשׁוֹפֵ֣ט[who].judgesprepositional phrase · prepositionalבֶּֽinאֱמֶ֣תtruthobjectדַּלִּ֑יםpoor.[people]clausenoun phrase · subjectכִּ֝סְא֗throneוֹhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforeverעַ֥דalwaysverbיִכּֽוֹןit.will.be.established

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 only minor variations in translation. The Septuagint captures the essence of the Hebrew text while presenting it in a different syntactical structure.

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

מֶ֤לֶךְ שׁוֹפֵ֣ט בֶּֽאֱמֶ֣ת דַּלִּ֑ים כִּ֝סְא֗וֹ לָעַ֥ד יִכּֽוֹן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מֶ֤לֶךְβασιλέωςבֶּֽאֱמֶ֣תἀληθείᾳדַּלִּ֑יםπτωξοὺςכִּ֝סְא֗וֹαὐτοῦלָעַ֥דμαρτύριονיִכּֽוֹן׃κατασταθήσεται

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 29:14מֶ֫לֶךְa kinga kingמֶ֫לֶךְשָׁפַט[who] judge[who] judgesשָׁפַטאֱמֶתin truthin truthאֱמֶתדַּלpoor [peoplpoor [people]דַּלכִּסֵּאthrone histhrone hisכִּסֵּאעַדfor everfor everעַדכּוּןit will be it will be estaכּוּןמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְאָמַןbe faithfube faithfulאָמַןדָּלַלto languisto languishדָּלַלכָּסָהto coverto coverכָּסָהעָדָהto advanceto advanceעָדָהנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּראַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּרשֹׁטֵרofficialofficialשֹׁטֵרצֶ֫דֶקRighteousnRighteousnessצֶ֫דֶקחֶ֫סֶדkindnesskindnessחֶ֫סֶדשָׁלוֹםPeacePeaceשָׁלוֹםעָשִׁירrichrichעָשִׁיראֶבְיוֹןneedyneedyאֶבְיוֹןמַלְכוּתroyaltyroyaltyמַלְכוּתעוֹלָםforever: aforever: antiquעוֹלָםתֵּבֵלworldworldתֵּבֵלכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּא
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 29:14

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.

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
מֶ֤לֶךְMe.lekh a king H4428 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
ruler, monarch
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

from 4427; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

King

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called KING OF KINGS Ezr 7:12; Eze 26:7; Da 2:37

→ Divinely authorized De 17:15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12; 1Ch 22:10; 2Ch 2:11,12; Pr 8:15; Da 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Ho 8:4; 13:11

→ How chosen

By divine appointment, Saul 1Sa 10:1

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
שׁוֹפֵ֣טsho.Fet [who] judges H8199 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
202× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Amplified meaning
to govern, vindicate
Tyndale gloss
to judge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁפַט (shaphat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to judge or govern. It encompasses a range of actions including pronouncing sentences, executing judgments, and deciding controversies in various contexts such as civil and religious matters. The word can also imply being judged or entering into legal disputes. There is a specific mention of its use in the context of final judgment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁפַט 185 vb. judge, govern

Qal

act as law-giver, judge, governor

specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions

execute judgment

Niph.

recipr., enter into controversy, plead

pass. be judged

Pô‛el = my opponent-at-law

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8199 שָׁפַט judge, govern .. act as law-giver, judge, governor

. specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions

. execute judgment

. . recipr., enter into controversy, plead

. pass. be judged

.= my opponent-at-law

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8199 shaphat shaw-fat'

a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or

against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by

extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or

figuratively):--+ avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend,

execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead,

reason, rule.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁפַט (sha.phat) — to judge.

1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man)

1a1a) to rule, govern, judge

1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man)

1a3) to execute judgment

1a3a) discriminating (of man)

1a3b) vindicating

1a3c) condemning and punishing

1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together

1b2) to be judged

1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors; not supreme magistrates, succeeding to the authority of Moses and Joshua. Their power only extended over portions of the country, and some of them were contemporaneous. Their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war; they then administered justice to the people, and their authority supplied the want of a regular government. Even while the administration of Samuel gave something like a settled government to the south, there was scope for the irregular exploits of Samson on the borders of the Philistines; and Samuel at last established his authority as judge and prophet, but still as the servant of Jehovah, only to see it so abused by his sons as to exhaust the patience of the people, who at length demanded a king , after the pattern of the surrounding nations. The…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Hebrew Shophetim, were the rulers, chiefs, or leaders of Israel, from Joshua to Saul. They were very different from the ordinary administrators of justice among the Hebrews, respecting whom, see JUSTICE. The Carthaginians, a colony of the Tyrians, had likewise governors, whom they called Suffetes, or Sophetim, with authority almost equal to that of kings.

The dignity of judge was for life; but the succession was not always constant. There were anarchies, or intervals, during which the commonwealth was without rulers. There were likewise long intervals of foreign servitude and oppression, under which the Hebrews groaned without deliverers. Although God alone regularly appointed the judges, yet the people, on some occasions, chose that individual who appeared to them most proper to deliver them from oppression; and as it often happened that the oppressions which occasioned recourse to…

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
בֶּֽאֱמֶ֣תbe.'e.Met in truth H571 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means truth, faithfulness, or stability, and is often used to describe God's character and promises. In Psalm 100:5, it says God's truth endures forever, and in Proverbs 12:17, it emphasizes the importance of truthful speech.
Amplified meaning
truth, justice, equity
Tyndale gloss
truth: faithful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness

reliability, sureness

stability, continuance

faithfulness, reliableness

truth

adv. in truth, truly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness

. stability, continuance

. faithfulness, reliableness

. truth

. adv. in truth, truly

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

571 'emeth eh'-meth

contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,

truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,

faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.

: faithful

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

1d3) of divine instruction

1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge

1d5) true doctrine

adv

2) in truth, truly

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.

: true

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

1d3) of divine instruction

1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge

1d5) true doctrine

adv

2) in truth, truly

אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.

: certain/fixed

1) firmness, faithfulness, truth

1a) sureness, reliability

1b) stability, continuance

1c) faithfulness, reliableness

1d) truth

1d1) as spoken

1d2) of testimony and judgment

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

trooth (`emeth, emunah, primary idea of "firmness," "stability" (compare Ex 17:12), hence "constancy," "faithfulness," etc.; the Septuagint's Apocrypha and the New Testament, aletheia (Ro 3:7), pistis (Ro 3:3); in adjectival and adverbial sense, "in truth," "of a truth," "faithful," etc.; alethos (Lu 21:3; Joh 6:14; 7:40; 1Th 2:13); alethinos (Joh 17:3); ontos (1Co 14:25); pistos (1Ti 3:1); in the King James…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Truth

Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called “the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:5), “the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, “I am the way, and the truth” (John 14:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Saints should worship God in Joh 4:24; with Ps 145:18

→ Serve God in Jos 24:14; 1Sa 12:24

→ Walk in the presence of God in 1Ki 2:4; 2Ki 20:3

→ Keep religious feasts with 1Co 5:8

→ Esteem, as inestimable Pr 23:23

→ Love Zec 8:19

→ Rejoice in 1Co 13:6

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God is a God of

De 32:4; Ps 31:15

- Christ is

Joh 14:6; 7:18

- Christ was full of

Joh 1:14

- Christ spoke

Joh 8:45

- The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of

Joh 14:17

- The Holy Spirit guides into all

Joh 16:13

- The word of God is

Da 10:21; Joh 17:17

- God regards, with favour

Jer 5:3

- The judgments of God are according to

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
דַּלִּ֑יםda.Lim poor [people] H1800 Adj
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Amplified meaning
weak, needy, destitute
Tyndale gloss
poor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word דַּל (dal) is built from the root meaning 'dangling' or 'weak.' It covers a range of meanings including low, weak, poor, and thin, and is particularly noted in wisdom literature and poetry. The entries consistently emphasize its connotations of neediness and weakness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דַּל adj. low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1800 דַּל low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1800 dal dal

from 1809; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or

thin:--lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.

see HEBREW for 01809

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דַּל (dal) — poor.

low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
כִּ֝סְא֗וֹkis.'O throne his H3678 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
135× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a throne, symbolizing a seat of power or authority, often canopied or covered. It is used to describe the throne of God or a king, representing royal dignity and power.
Amplified meaning
seat of power, authority
Tyndale gloss
throne
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) refers to a seat of honour or throne, often associated with royal dignity and authority. It is derived from a root meaning 'covered' and encompasses meanings like stool and seat. The entries consistently highlight its significance in both literal and figurative contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה 133 n.m. seat of honour, throne

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3678 כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה seat of honour, throne

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3678 kicce' kis-say'

or kicceh {kis-say'}; from 3680; properly, covered, i.e. a

throne (as canopied):--seat, stool, throne.

see HEBREW for 03680

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne.

1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool

1a) seat (of honour), throne

1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — (Hall of) the Throne.

Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197I)

This name means throne, seat

כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne: seat.

1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool

1a) seat (of honour), throne

1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
לָעַ֥דla.'Ad for ever H5703 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means forever or eternity, describing something that has no end, like God's existence. It's used in the Bible to talk about things that last forever. In Genesis, it describes God's eternal nature.
Amplified meaning
for all eternity, perpetually
Tyndale gloss
perpetuity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד, transliterated as ad, refers to the concept of perpetuity, encompassing both past and future time. It signifies a duration that can imply eternity or continuous existence. The term is associated with ancient mountains in the context of the past and is used to denote the idea of forever in relation to the future, particularly in reference to God's existence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד and וָעֶ֑ד (so alw.) n.m. perpetuity (= advancing time)

of past time: ancient mountains

of future time, לָעַד for ever

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5703 עַד, וָעֶ֑ד perpetuity . of past time: ancient mountains

. of future time, לָעַד for ever

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5703 `ad ad

from 5710; properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by

implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity

(substantially as a noun, either with or without a

preposition):--eternity, ever(- lasting, -more), old,

perpetually, + world without end.

see HEBREW for 05710

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — perpetuity.

1) perpetuity, for ever, continuing future

1a) ancient (of past time)

1b) for ever (of future time)

1b1) of continuous existence

1c) for ever (of God's existence)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
a king [who] judges in truth poor [people] throne his for ever it will be established
יִכּֽוֹן׃yi.Kon it will be established H3559 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
217× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Amplified meaning
set up, secured
Tyndale gloss
to establish: prepare
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.

Niph.

be set up, established, fixed

in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

prepare, be ready

pass. be prepared, of judgments

Hiph.

establish, set up

fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

provide for, provide, furnish

direct one's face toward

arrange, order

Hoph.

be established, of throne

be prepared for

Po‛lēl.

set up, establish

constitute, make, a man (in womb)

fix, so as to be ready

direct

Po‛lal. be established

Hithpo‛l. be established

base

נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed

. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

. prepare, be ready

. pass. be prepared, of judgments

. . establish, set up

. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

. provide for, provide, furnish

. direct one's face toward

. arrange, order

. . be established, of throne

. be prepared for

. . set up, establish

. constitute, make, a man (in womb)

. fix, so as to be ready

. direct

. be established

. be established

H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3559 kuwn koon

a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand

perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great

variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper

or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,

fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,

ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),

provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,

fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very

deed.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.

: prepare/direct

1) to be firm, be stable, be established

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed

1a1a) to be firmly established

1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring

1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined

1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)

1a3) to prepare, be ready

1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm

1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish

1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)

1b4) to arrange, order

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be established, be fastened

1c2) to be prepared, be ready

1d) (Polel)

1d1) to set up, establish

1d2) to constitute, make

1d3) to fix

1d4) to direct

1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared

1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored

נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
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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