Proverbs 3:30 — Word Study
WLCאַל־ תָּרִ֣יב עִם־ אָדָ֣ם חִנָּ֑ם אִם־ לֹ֖א גְמָלְךָ֣ רָעָֽה׃
BSADo notʼal [without reason or cause] accuserîyb▸ a manʼâdâm [the individual, Adam] without causechinnâm [for nothing, without justification] whenʼim he has donegâmal■ you nolôʼ [treated you, acted towards you] harmraʻ [no evil, no bad]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַל־ | may not | Particle |
| תָּרִ֣יב | you contend | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine singular |
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| אָדָ֣ם | anyone | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חִנָּ֑ם | without cause | Adverb |
| אִם־ | if | Particle |
| לֹ֖א | not | Particle |
| גְמָלְךָ֣ | he has dealt out to you | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| רָעָֽה׃ | evil | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm. |
| KJV | ¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. |
| ASV | Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. |
| YLT | Strive not with a man without cause, If he have not done thee evil. |
| WEB | Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. |
| BBE | Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. |
Where they part company is חִנָּ֑ם — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main prohibition with a conditional phrase that clarifies the context of the prohibition.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרִיב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 3:30
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 on Interpersonal Conductgenerated
Proverbs 3:30 is part of a series of admonitions that guide ethical behavior in relationships. This verse specifically warns against making unfounded accusations against others, highlighting the importance of fairness and justice in our interactions. The surrounding verses also emphasize the value of trust and integrity in community life, as seen in Proverbs 3:29 and Proverbs 3:31.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 17:14 | To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. |
| 2 | Proverbs 18:6 | A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. |
| 3 | Proverbs 25:8–9 | do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 4 | Proverbs 29:22 | An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:39–41 | But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חִנָּ֑ם, chi.Namgenerated
The word חִנָּם (chi.Nam) is an adverb meaning 'for nothing' or 'without cause.' It conveys the idea of an action being done without justification or reason. The parsing indicates it functions as an adverb, modifying the verb to express the manner in which the accusation is made.
This term is often used to highlight actions that lack merit or purpose, suggesting that accusations should not be made lightly or without solid grounds. The lexicons confirm its usage in contexts where something is done in vain or without cause.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The only variation comes from the BBE, which translates it as 'for nothing,' indicating a slight difference in emphasis but retaining the core meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is composed of multiple clauses, with the main clause being a prohibition against accusing: אַל־ תָּרִ֣יב, Do not accuse. This is followed by a conditional clause introduced by אִם־, if, which sets the stage for the conditions under which the accusation is made.
The clauses are interconnected, emphasizing the relationship between the action of accusing and the justification for that action. The word order in Hebrew places the prohibition first, highlighting its importance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חִנָּם is rendered as μάτην, which also means 'in vain' or 'without cause.' This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the lack of justification for an accusation.
The use of φιλεξθρήσῃς for תָּרִ֣יב indicates a focus on the relational aspect of contention, suggesting that the act of accusing is seen as a form of relational strife.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 3:30 advises against accusing someone without a valid reason. It reminds us to be fair and just in our dealings with others, especially when they have not harmed us.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to make an accusation against someone when there is no valid reason or evidence to support that claim.
Accusing someone without cause can lead to unjust harm, damage reputations, and create conflict.
Always seek evidence and consider the context before making any claims against someone.
Instead of accusing them, consider discussing the issue directly to resolve misunderstandings.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- Have I ever accused someone without fully understanding the situation?
- How can I practice fairness in my interactions with others?
- What steps can I take to resolve conflicts without resorting to accusations?
- In what ways can I promote trust and integrity in my relationships?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, emphasizing the importance of justifying one's contentions and the necessity that compels them.
“Do not contend with a person for no reason,” etc. He does not forbid contending with the one who does wrong in order to correct him, because that is not done without purpose, but out of certain necessity which compels it to be done.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleStrive not with a man without cause, Either by words, in a wrangling, quarrelsome, and contentious way, for mere trifles; when there is no foundation for it, no just reason given to form a complaint,
Read John Gill on Proverbs 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryStrive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Solomon forbids all avoidable strifes and disputes.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleStrive not; either by words before the magistrate; or otherwise by thine actions. Without cause; without just and necessary cause. If he have done thee no harm; whereby he clearly implies that in case of injury a man may by all lawful means defend himself.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.Ver. 30. Strive not with a man without cause.] If men’ s hurts were not bigger than their suits, there would not be half so many. It is a fault to go lightly to law, but especially with such as have done thee no harm. Zuinglius renders this text thus: Ne temere litem cum quoquam suscipias, quominus superior factus, malum tibi retribuat; others, sim mendax, nisi rependat tibi malum. How Cardinal Wolsey, when he became Lord Chancellor, paid home Sir James Paulet, for setting him by the heels, when as yet he was but a poor schoolmaster, is well known. How much better Archbishop Cranmer, of whom the proverb passed…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 30. Strive not with a man] Do not be of a litigious, quarrelsome spirit. Be not under the influence of too nice a sense of honour. If thou must appeal to judicial authority to bring him that wrongs thee to reason, avoid all enmity, and do nothing in a spirit of revenge. But, if he have done thee no harm, why contend with him? May not others in the same way contend with and injure thee!
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 3 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible30. Strive not — Avoid all unnecessary litigations with men. It is often better to suffer wrong than to go to law. 1 Corinthians 6:7.
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
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
Do not accuse anyone without legitimate cause, if he has not treated you wrongly.
Tyndale line
¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he hath done thee no harm.
Striue not with a man causelesse, when he hath done thee no harme.
Strictly literal
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Strive not with a man without cause, If he have not done thee evil.
Do not strive with a man without cause, || If he has not done you evil.
Quarrel not with any man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
From the Latin
Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil.
Simplified
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording, with all nine words matched. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the original meaning across these texts.
אַל־ תָּרִ֣יב עִם־ אָדָ֣ם חִנָּ֑ם אִם־ לֹ֖א גְמָלְךָ֣ רָעָֽה׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 3:30
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.
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.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
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
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
רִיב (riyb) means to strive or contend, often in a figurative sense of grappling or wrangling. It can refer to physical struggle, verbal disputes, legal cases, or complaints. The entries indicate that it encompasses a range of meanings from quarreling to defending one's position. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
רִיב vb. strive, contend
Qal strive
Hiph. (those) displaying contention against him
base
H7378 רִיב strive, contend
7378 riyb reeb
or ruwb {roob}; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e.
grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a
controversy; (by implication) to defend:--adversary, chide,
complain, contend, debate, X ever, X lay wait, plead, rebuke,
strive, X thoroughly.
רִיב (riv) — to contend.
1) to strive, contend
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to strive
1a1a) physically
1a1b) with words
1a2) to conduct a case or suit (legal), sue
1a3) to make complaint
1a4) to quarrel
1b) (Hiphil) to contend against
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singularHVqj2ms
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
HR — PrepositionHR
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.
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
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
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
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
חִנָּם (chinnam) means 'for nothing' or 'gratis,' indicating something given without cost or reason. It conveys ideas of being free, undeserved, or in vain. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be devoid of advantage.' Various lexicons emphasize its use in contexts that highlight lack of purpose or cause.
חִנָּם subst., used chiefly in the accus. as adv.—lit. out of favour; i.e.
gratis, gratuitously, for nothing
for no purpose, in vain
gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly
base
H2600 חִנָּם lit. out of favour; i.e. . gratis, gratuitously, for nothing
. for no purpose, in vain
. gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly
2600 chinnam khin-nawm'
from 2580; gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or
advantage:--without a cause (cost, wages), causeless, to cost
nothing, free(-ly), innocent, for nothing (nought, in vain.
see HEBREW for 02580
חִנָּם (chin.nam) — for nothing.
1) freely, for nothing, without cause
1a) gratis, gratuitously, for nothing
1b) for no purpose, in vain
1c) gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly
Adv — AdverbHD
kos: In both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "for this cause" (the King James Version "cause") occurs in Ex 9:16 as the rendering of ba`abhur zo'th = "in order that"; "to the end that"; so also in Da 2:12 for kol-qebhel denah, and in 2Ch 32:20 the King James Version for `al-zo'th, where RVS read "because of." In the New Testament the word is used adverbially in the translation of several Greek phrases: heneka toutou (Mt 19:5; Mr 10:7); dia touto, Joh 12:27; Ro 1:26; 13:6; 15:9…
→ See ACTIONS AT LAW
אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.
אִם conj.
hypoth. part. if
Interrog. part.
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
H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if
. Interrog. part.
H518b 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
518 'im eem
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;
interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh
that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,
doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +
more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,
+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,
none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,
whereas, whether, while, + yet.
אִם (im) — if.
: if/whether_or/though
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
אִם (im) — if: surely no.
: surely_no
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: surely yes.
: surely_yes
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: until.
: until/except
Conj — ParticleHTc
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
גָּמַל (gamal) is a Hebrew root meaning to deal fully or adequately with someone, which includes concepts like recompensing or rewarding. It also specifically refers to weaning a child and can denote the ripening of fruit, particularly almonds. The entries consistently highlight these meanings without significant disagreement.
גָּמַל vb. 1. deal fully or adequately with, deal out to. 2. wean. 3. ripen
Qal
deal out to, do to
deal bountifully with
recompense, repay, requite
wean a child (complete his nursing)
trans. ripen, bear ripe (almonds)
Niph. be weaned
base
H1580 גָּמַל 1. deal fully or adequately with, deal out to. 2. wean. 3. ripen
1580 gamal gaw-mal'
a primitive root; to treat a person (well or ill), i.e.
benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e.
(specifically) to wean:--bestow on, deal bountifully, do
(good), recompense, requite, reward, ripen, + serve, mean,
yield.
גָּמַל (ga.mal) — to wean.
1) to deal fully with, recompense
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to deal out to, do to
1a2) to deal bountifully with
1a3) to recompense, repay, requite
2) (Qal) to wean a child (Niphal) to be weaned
3) (Qal) to ripen, bear ripe (almonds)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp2ms
רַע (ra) is a Hebrew word meaning bad or evil, encompassing a range of negative qualities such as distress, misery, and ethical wrongdoing. It can describe unpleasantness, harm, or low value, and is used in various contexts, including emotional states and moral judgments. The entries also note its comparative form, indicating worse than or worst. The word has feminine forms, such as רָעָה (ra.ah), which similarly convey concepts of evil and distress.
רַע 228 adj. bad, evil
bad, disagreeable, malignant
bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
evil, displeasing
bad of its kind
bad, , i.e. of low value
מִן comp., worse than
sad, unhappy
devise evil (hurtful) device
bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
ethically bad, evil, wicked
base
רַע 126 n.m. evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
evil, distress, adversity
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
רָעָה 310 n.f. evil, misery, distress, injury
evil, misery, distress
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
H7451a רַע bad, evil . bad, disagreeable, malignant
. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
. evil, displeasing
. bad of its kind
. bad, , i.e. of low value
. + מִן comp., worse than
. sad, unhappy
. devise evil (hurtful) device
. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
. ethically bad, evil, wicked
H7451b רַע evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity . evil, distress, adversity
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
H7451c רָעָה evil, misery, distress, injury . evil, misery, distress
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
7451 ra` rah
from 7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):--
adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure),
distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X
great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured),
+ mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not
please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex,
wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
(Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
see HEBREW for 07489
רַע (ra) — bad: harmful.
: harmful
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)
1e) bad (of value)
1f) worse than, worst (comparison)
1g) sad, unhappy
1h) evil (hurtful)
1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)
1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts
1j2) deeds, actions
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
1) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
1a) evil, distress, adversity
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רָעָה (ra.ah) — distress: harm.
: harm
1) evil, misery, distress, injury
1a) evil, misery, distress
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
: evil
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
ev'-'-l, e'-vil ra`; poneros, @kakos, @kakon:
In the Bible it is represented as moral and physical. We choose to discuss the subject under these heads. Many of the evils that come upon men have not been intended by those who suffer for them. Disease, individual and national calamity, drought, scarcity of food, may not always be charged to the account of intentional wrong. Many times the innocent suffer with, and even for, the guilty. In such cases, only physical evil is apparent. Even when the suffering has been occasioned by sin or dereliction of duty, whether the wrong is active or passive, many, perhaps the majority of those who are injured, are not accountable in any way for the ills which come upon them. Neither is God the author of moral evil. "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man" (Jas 1:13).
→ APPEARANCE OF, TO BE AVOIDED Ro 14:1-23; 1Co 8:7-13; 10:28-33; 1Th 4:11,12; 5:22
→ INSTANCES OF
Paul, in refusing to eat what had been offered to idols 1Co 8:13
In supporting himself 1Co 9:7-23