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Proverbs 3:25 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאַל־ תִּ֭ירָא מִפַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹ֑ם וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים כִּ֣י תָבֹֽא׃

BSADo notʼal [never, under no circumstances] fearyârêʼ [be afraid of, dread] suddenpithʼôwm [unexpected, without warning] dangerpachad [fear, panic] or the ruinshôwʼ [desolation, devastation] thatkîy overtakesbôwʼ [comes upon, strikes] the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, unrighteous, those who are guilty of crime or sin against God or others]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 25 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 (ta.Vo') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 3:25quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse advises against fearing sudden danger or the destruction that befalls the wicked.
Who is speakingThe speaker is addressing the reader directly, giving a command not to fear.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger section that offers wisdom and reassurance.
The hard wordרְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים
Take awayTrust in God provides confidence against fear.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָרֵא 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 3:25

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Wisdom and Reassurance in Proverbsgenerated

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
27Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.

Proverbs 3:25 is part of a passage that encourages the reader to trust in God for safety and confidence. The surrounding verses emphasize a peaceful life free from fear, highlighting the protective nature of faith in the Lord. This wisdom literature provides practical guidance for living a life aligned with God's principles, as seen in verses like Proverbs 3:24 and Proverbs 3:26.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 5:21–22You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes.
2Job 11:13–15As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
3Psalm 27:1–2The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?
4Psalm 46:1–3God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
5Psalm 91:5You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

The Key Word אַל, 'al-generated

The particle אַל (al) is a negative form meaning 'not' or 'no,' used here to express a strong prohibition against fear. It emphasizes a complete absence of fear in the face of danger, reinforcing the command not to succumb to anxiety.

This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where a wish or command is being made. Its function here is to assert a decisive stance against fear, indicating that one should not let fear dictate their response to sudden threats.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the core message of the verse, maintaining the command against fear.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is introduced by the verb תִּ֭ירָא (ti.ra'), which commands the reader not to fear. This is followed by two prepositional phrases: מִפַּ֣חַד (mi.pachad) and וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥ת (u.mi.sho'ah), specifying the sources of fear.

The structure highlights the imperative nature of the command and the specific dangers being addressed, creating a clear and direct admonition to the reader.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אַל as οὐ (ou), which also serves as a negation. This choice aligns with the Hebrew intent to prohibit fear.

The Greek translation maintains the essence of the original Hebrew, emphasizing the command against fear while adapting to the linguistic style of the Greek audience.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 3:25 tells us not to be afraid of sudden danger or the destruction that comes to wicked people. It encourages trust in God for safety and confidence, reminding us that we can rely on Him in times of trouble.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to not fear sudden danger?

It means to trust in God and not let fear control your actions when unexpected threats arise.

How can I apply this verse in my life?

You can practice trusting God more and remind yourself of His protection when facing fears.

What does the term 'wicked' refer to in this context?

It refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty of sin against God or others.

Why is it important not to fear?

Not fearing allows you to live with confidence and peace, trusting that God is in control.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some fears that I need to bring to God in prayer?
  2. How can I remind myself of God's promises when I feel afraid?
  3. In what situations do I find it hardest to trust God?
  4. How can I encourage others not to fear in their difficult times?

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

The early commentary from Isaac of Nineveh reflects on the importance of trusting God for provision and not being anxious about worldly concerns.

Isaac of NinevehASCETICAL HOMILIES 5 7th c.
If you believe that God makes provision for you, why be anxious and concerned about temporal affairs and the needs of your flesh? But if you do not believe that God makes provision for you,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Be not afraid of sudden fear,.... Of anything terrible that comes unawares, unthought of, by any of the above things mentioned in the preceding note; or by any rumours and reports of danger being

Read John Gill on Proverbs 3 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 3 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Be not afraid, i.e. thou shalt not be afraid. For that it is a promise, seems most probable from the context; only it is for greater emphasis delivered in the form of a precept; I allow thee and require thee not to be afraid, which is both thy duty and privilege. Of sudden fear; for sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful and grievous. And fear is here put for the evils feared, as ,27, and oft elsewhere. The desolation of the wicked; either, 1. Actively, which they bring upon thee. Or, rather 2. Passively, which befalls them, when the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, as it is expressed, ; and thou mayst be apt to fear lest thou…

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 3 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.Ver. 25. Be not afraid.] Or, Thou shalt not be afraid. Nec si fractus illabatur orbis. Sudden evils do commonly disspirit people, and expectorate their abilities; they be at their wits’ end. But let a David "walk through the vale of the shadow of death," that is, the darkest side of death - death in its most horrid and hideous representations, he will not fear, no though he should go back again the same way; "for thou art with me," saith he. He had God by the hand, and so long he feared no colours.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) Desolation of the wicked.—That is, the storm which overwhelms them.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. Be not afraid] Dean Plumptre (Speaker’s Comm.) points out that, “under the form of this strong prohibition there is of course an equally strong promise,” so that these two verses add yet another to the advantages to be gained from Wisdom: it confers both strength and beauty (Proverbs 3:22); it preserves alike in action and in repose (Proverbs 3:23-24); it is equal to every emergency of life (Proverbs 3:25-26). desolation] or, storm, R.V. marg. of the wicked] This may mean, brought upon thee by the wicked. So Maurer, who compares, “rescue my soul from their destructions.” Psalms 35:17; and Vulg. irruentes tibi potentias impiorum. But it is perhaps better to understand it of the…

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 3 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Under the form of this strong prohibition there is an equally strong promise. So safe will all thy ways be that to fear will be a sin.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 3 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

25. Be not afraid — The imperative form here is put for a strong indicative. Thou shalt not, or needest not, be afraid of any sudden fear, or object of terror.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 3 →

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

Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

NETBNew English Translation2006

You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked;

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:

RVARevised Version, American1894

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare, neither for the destruction of the wicked, when it commeth.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Be not afraid of sudden fear, And of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not be afraid of sudden fear, || And of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Thou needest not to be afraid of sudden dread, neither of the [unlooked-for] tempest over the wicked, when it cometh.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the wicked falling upon thee.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:

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.

clauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתִּ֭ירָאbe.afraidprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseפַּ֣חַדterrorפִּתְאֹ֑םsuddenlyוּandclauseclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfrom.[the]noun phraseשֹּׁאַ֥תdevastationרְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםof.wicked.[people]clauseכִּ֣י(dm)clauseverbתָבֹֽאit.will.come

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with only minor differences in structure and style. Both texts convey the same core message about not fearing sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked.

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

אַל־ תִּ֭ירָא מִפַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹ֑ם וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים כִּ֣י תָבֹֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַל־οὐתִּ֭ירָאφοβηθήσῃמִפַּ֣חַדπτόησινפִּתְאֹ֑םἐπελθοῦσανוּמִשֹּׁאַ֥תὁρμὰςרְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםἀσεβῶνתָבֹֽא׃ἐπερξομένας

7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Proverbs 3:25אַלmay notmay notאַליָרֵאyou be afrayou be afraidיָרֵאפַּ֫חַדfrom terrorfrom terrorפַּ֫חַדפִּתְאֹםsuddenlysuddenlyפִּתְאֹםשׁוֹאand from [tand from [the] שׁוֹארָשָׁעwicked [peowicked [people]רָשָׁעכִּיthatthatכִּיבּוֹאit will comit will comeבּוֹאפָּחַדto dreadto dreadפָּחַדפֶּתַעsuddennesssuddennessפֶּתַערָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁעלֹאnotnotלֹאחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאאַלnotnotאַלפַּ֫חַתpitpitפַּ֫חַתאֵידcalamitycalamityאֵידמְשׁוֹאָהdesolationdesolationמְשׁוֹאָהפִּתְאֹםsuddenlysuddenlyפִּתְאֹםצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁ
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 3:25

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.

may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
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
never, under no circumstances
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
may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
תִּ֭ירָאTi.ra' you be afraid H3372 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
315× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Amplified meaning
be afraid of, dread
Tyndale gloss
to fear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵא vb. fear

Qal

fear, be afraid

stand in awe of

fear, reverence, honour

Niph.

be fearful, dreadful

cause astonishment and awe

inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

Piel. make afraid, terrify

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid

. stand in awe of

. fear, reverence, honour

. . be fearful, dreadful

. cause astonishment and awe

. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe

. make afraid, terrify

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3372 yare' yaw-ray'

a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to

frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)

fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,

terrible (act, -ness, thing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.

: frightening(DANGER)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.

: awesome(god)

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed

1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
HVqj2ms
may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
מִפַּ֣חַדmi.Pa.chad from terror H6343 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 word refers to a feeling of terror or dread, often caused by something sudden or frightening. In the Bible, it describes the fear of God or the dread of His judgment. The prophet Isaiah used it to describe the terror of God's wrath.
Amplified meaning
fear, panic
Tyndale gloss
dread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פַּ֫חַד (pachad) refers to the concept of dread or terror, often indicating both the feeling of fear and the object that inspires it. The word is derived from a root meaning to be alarmed, and it encompasses a range of meanings related to fear and terror.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פַּ֫חַד 49 n.m. dread

dread

= object of dread

as design. dei

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6343 פַּ֫חַד dread . dread

. = object of dread

. as design. dei

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6343 pachad pakh'-ad

from 6342; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by

implication, the feeling):--dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great

(fear, -ly feared), terror.

see HEBREW for 06342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פַּ֫חַד (pa.chad) — dread.

1) terror, dread

1a) dread

1b) object of dread

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
פִּתְאֹ֑םpit.'Om suddenly H6597 Adverb
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means happening suddenly or quickly, like an unexpected event. It is used in the Bible to describe surprising things that happen to people like Jacob and Joseph.
Amplified meaning
unexpected, without warning
Tyndale gloss
suddenly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פִּתְאֹם (pit'om) means 'suddenly' and can also refer to 'suddenness.' It is primarily used as an adverb to describe an unexpected occurrence. The word is derived from another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide specific verses where it is used.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פִּתְאֹם, once פֵּתְאוֹם subst. suddenness, usu. as adv. acc. suddenly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6597 פִּתְאֹם, once פֵּתְאוֹם suddenness, usu. as adv. acc. suddenly

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6597 pith'owm pith-ome'

or pith.om {pith-ome'}; from 6621; instantly:--straightway,

sudden(-ly).

see HEBREW for 06621

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פִּתְאֹם (pit.om) — suddenly.

adv

1) suddenly, surprisingly

subst

2) suddenness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥תu.mi.sho.'At and from [the] devastation of H7722 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Devastation or destruction, this word describes a place or thing that has been ruined or laid waste, like the desolate land described in Jeremiah 4:23, or the destruction caused by a storm, as in Psalm 107:25.
Amplified meaning
desolation, devastation
Tyndale gloss
ravage
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוֹא (sho') and its feminine form שׁוֹאָה (sho'ah) relate to concepts of ravage and devastation. The word conveys meanings such as ruin, waste, and destruction, often implying a sense of overwhelming force or storm. The entries suggest a connection to a root meaning to rush over, emphasizing the intensity of the devastation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שׁוֹא] n.[m.] ravage (?)

base

שׁוֹאָה, שֹׁאָה n.f. devastation, ruin, waste

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7722a שׁוֹא ravage? H7722b שׁוֹאָה, שֹׁאָה devastation, ruin, waste

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7722 show' sho

or (feminine) showtah {sho-aw'}; or shoah {sho-aw'}; from an

unused root meaning to rush over; a tempest; by implication,

devastation:--desolate(-ion), destroy, destruction, storm,

wasteness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוֹא (sho) — ravage.

ravage

שׁוֹאָה (sho.ah) — devastation.

1) devastation, ruin, waste

1a) devastation, ruin

1b) ruin, waste (of land)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-fs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/R/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםre.sha.'Im wicked [people] H7563 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
263× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
morally wrong, unrighteous, those who are guilty of crime or sin against God or others
Tyndale gloss
wicked
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7563 rasha` raw-shaw'

from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad

person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did

wrong.

see HEBREW for 07561

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.

1) wicked, criminal

1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)

1b) wicked (hostile to God)

1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Compared with

Abominable branches Isa 14:19

Ashes under the feet Mal 4:3

Bad fish Mt 13:48

Animals Ps 49:12; 2Pe 2:12

Blind people Zep 1:17; Mt 15:14

Bronze and iron Jer 6:28; Eze 22:18

Briers add thorns Isa 55:13; Eze 2:6

The bulls of Bashan Ps 22:12

may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
כִּ֣יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
may not you be afraid from terror suddenly and from [the] devastation of wicked [people] that it will come
תָבֹֽא׃ta.Vo' it will come H935 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Amplified meaning
comes upon, strikes
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kum: The translation of many Hebrew and Greek words. In the phrase "The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him" (Jud 14:6,19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:10; 11:6; 16:13), the word is tsaleah; Jud 14:6; 15:14 "came mightily," which is the uniform translation of the Revised Version (British and American) (compare Jud 13:25 "to move," i.e. to disturb or stir up). In Jud 6:34; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20, it is labhesh, "to clothe"; the Revised Version, margin "The Spirit .... clothed itself with Gideon" and .... "with Zechariah,"…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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