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Proverbs 3:6 — Word Study

Depth

WLCבְּכָל־ דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃

BSAin allkôl [every aspect of life] your waysderek [journeys, paths, or manner of life] acknowledge Himyâdaʻ [recognize, give ear to, or know, the Lord, God] and Hehûwʼ [the Almighty, Creator] will makeyâshar [direct, smooth, or straighten] your paths {straight}ʼôrach [way of life, footsteps, or journey, right, pleasant, or smooth]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 ('O.re.cho.Tei.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 3:6quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse instructs to recognize God in every aspect of life, promising guidance in return.
Who is speakingThe writer of Proverbs, addressing the reader directly.
Where we areThis verse is part of a broader teaching on wisdom and trust in God.
The hard wordדָעֵ֑הוּ
Take awayAcknowledging God leads to a smooth and directed path in life.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא verbיָשַׁר 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 3:6

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 Trust in Godgenerated

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:6 emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God in all aspects of life. This verse is part of a larger discourse that encourages trust in the Lord, as seen in the preceding and following verses, which discuss reliance on God's understanding rather than one's own. The overall message is one of faith and divine guidance, urging the reader to seek God's direction in their journey.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 16:3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
2Proverbs 23:17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
31 Samuel 4:11–12The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
41 Samuel 30:8and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
51 Chronicles 28:9As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

The Key Word דָעֵ֑הוּ, da.'E.hugenerated

The word דָעֵ֑הוּ (da'ehū) is a verb in the imperative form, meaning 'to acknowledge' or 'to know.' It is derived from the root יָדַע (yada`), which encompasses a range of meanings including perception, recognition, and experience. In this context, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and giving heed to God in every aspect of life.

The imperative form indicates a command, urging the reader to actively acknowledge God. This acknowledgment is not merely intellectual but involves a relational understanding, suggesting a deep awareness of God's presence and guidance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term acknowledge.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in this verse is דָעֵ֑הוּ, acknowledge, which governs the action of the sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase בְּכָל־, in all, specifying the extent of the acknowledgment.

The structure emphasizes the relationship between the acknowledgment of God and the promise of guidance, with the finite verb leading the sentence and the subsequent phrases elaborating on the context and implications.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates דָעֵ֑הוּ as αὐτήν, which means 'Him.' This choice reflects a direct acknowledgment of God, aligning with the Hebrew intent but presenting it in a way that emphasizes the personal relationship with the divine.

The Greek word πάσαις for בְּכָל־ indicates a similar comprehensive scope, suggesting that all aspects of life are to be considered in this acknowledgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 3:6 tells us to acknowledge God in everything we do, promising that He will guide our paths. This means we should recognize His presence and direction in our lives, leading to a smoother journey.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to acknowledge God in all your ways?

To acknowledge God means to recognize His authority and presence in every aspect of life, seeking His guidance and wisdom.

How can I practically acknowledge God in my daily life?

You can acknowledge God by praying for guidance, reading scripture, and making decisions that align with His teachings.

What are the benefits of acknowledging God?

Acknowledging God can lead to a sense of peace, direction, and assurance that you are on the right path in life.

Does acknowledging God mean I won't face difficulties?

Acknowledging God does not mean life will be free of challenges, but it assures you that He will guide you through them.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to acknowledge God more fully?
  2. How can I remind myself to seek God's guidance in my daily decisions?
  3. What are some specific ways I have experienced God's direction in my life?
  4. How can I encourage others to acknowledge God in their paths?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

In all thy ways acknowledge him,.... Or "know him" (l); the Lord: set him before thee; have him always in view; consider him as ever present with thee, observing every step thou takest; and take not

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

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

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

Ways; designs and undertakings for the things of this life or of the next. Acknowledge him, Heb. know him, to wit, practically; or, own him; his wisdom, in following his counsels; his power and goodness, in expecting success from him; his sovereignty, in managing all thy affairs so as to please and glorify him. Direct thy paths; assist and bless all thine endeavours, and keep thee from the paths of sin and destruction.

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

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Ver. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him.] Ask counsel at his mouth, aim at his glory, be evermore in the sense of his presence, and light of his countenance. It is reported of a worthy divine of Scotland, that he did even eat and drink and sleep eternal life. This is to walk with God; this is to live by faith; this is to see him that is invisible (Moses’ s optic); this is to go the upper way, even that "way of life that is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath." And he shall direct thy paths.] As he carefully chose out the Israelites’ way in the wilderness; not the shortest, but yet the safest for…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him.] Begin, continue, and end every work, purpose, and device, with God. Earnestly pray for his direction at the commencement; look for his continual support in the progress; and so begin and continue that all may terminate in his glory: and then it will certainly be to thy good; for we never honour God, without serving ourselves. This passage is well rendered in my old MS. Bible: Have trost in the Lord of all thin herte and ne lene thou to thi prudence: in all thi weys think hym, and he shal right rulen thi goynges; ne be thou wiis anentis thiself. Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall of Adam. The grand…

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. direct] Or, make straight or plain, R.V. marg. Comp. Proverbs 11:5, ἵναὀρθοτομῇ, LXX.; diriget, Vulg.

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

Not in acts of solemn worship or great crises only, but “in all thy ways;” and then God will make the “path” straight and even.

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

6. Acknowledge — Or, recognise. This is intimately connected with the preceding verse, and supplies a strong motive to obey the counsel there given.

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

in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

RVARevised Version, American1894

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy wayes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

In all thy ways know thou Him, And He doth make straight thy paths.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

In all your ways know Him, || And He makes your paths straight.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make level thy paths.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseכָלallnoun phraseדְּרָכֶ֥יwaysךָyourverbדָעֵ֑acknowledgeobjectהוּhimוְ֝andclausesubjectה֗וּאheverbיְיַשֵּׁ֥רhe.will.make.straightnoun phrase · objectאֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיpathsךָyour

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads בְּכָל־ דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃, which matches the Septuagint closely with all six words corresponding. This indicates a strong agreement between the two texts in conveying the same message.

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

בְּכָל־ דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בְּכָל־πάσαιςדְּרָכֶ֥יךָσουדָעֵ֑הוּαὐτήνוְ֝ה֗וּאἵναיְיַשֵּׁ֥רὀρθοτομῇאֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃σου

6 of the 6 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 3:6כֹּלin allin allכֹּלדֶּ֫רֶךְways yourways yourדֶּ֫רֶךְיָדַעacknowledgeacknowledge himיָדַעהוּאand heand heהוּאיָשַׁרhe will makhe will make stיָשַׁראֹ֫רַחpaths yourpaths yourאֹ֫רַחכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְאָרַחto journeyto journeyאָרַחעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתאֹ֫רַחwaywayאֹ֫רַחצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָהיָשַׁרto smoothto smoothיָשַׁררֶ֫גֶלfootfootרֶ֫גֶל
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 3:6

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.

in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
בְּכָל־be.khol in all H3605 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every aspect of life
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

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

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
דְּרָכֶ֥יךָde.ra.Khei.kha ways your H1870 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Amplified meaning
journeys, paths, or manner of life
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
דָעֵ֑הוּda.'E.hu acknowledge him H3045 Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
recognize, give ear to, or know, the Lord, God
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVqv2ms/Sp3ms
in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
וְ֝ה֗וּאve.Hu' and he H1931 Conjunction · pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
the Almighty, Creator
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
יְיַשֵּׁ֥רye.ya.Sher he will make straight H3474 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be straight or smooth is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe something as right or pleasant. It is used in Proverbs 11:5 to describe a righteous person, and in Psalm 23:3 to describe a path that is straight and right.
Amplified meaning
direct, smooth, or straighten
Tyndale gloss
to smooth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right

Qal

go straight

fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right

in ethical sense, straightforward, upright

Pi.

make smooth, straight

lead straight along, direct

esteem right, approve

Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work

Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3474 yashar yaw-shar'

a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be

(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,

fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right

(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be

upright(-ly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.

1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go straight

1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)

1a3) to be straightforward, be upright

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight

1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along

1b3) to esteem right, approve

1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out

1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Name of a street in Damascus Ac 9:11

→ FIGURATIVE

Of righteousness, “straight paths,” Isa 40:3,4; Mt 3:3; Heb 12:13

in all ways your acknowledge him and he he will make straight paths your
אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃'O.re.cho.Tei.kha paths your H734 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A way or path, describing a road or journey, whether physical or metaphorical. This term is used to talk about travel, direction, and life's journey, often in wisdom literature and prophetic writings. It is found in books like Proverbs and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
way of life, footsteps, or journey, right, pleasant, or smooth
Tyndale gloss
way
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֹ֫רַח (orach) means 'way' or 'path,' and can refer to both literal and figurative routes in life, including one's manner of living or character. It also denotes a traveler or wayfarer. The word is derived from a root meaning a well-trodden road, and it encompasses various aspects of life’s journey.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫רַח n.m. way, path

lit.

fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life

fig. way, of mode of living, or character

by meton. traveller, wayfarer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H734 אֹ֫רַח way, path . lit.

. fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life

. fig. way, of mode of living, or character

. by meton. traveller, wayfarer

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

734 'orach o'-rakh

from 732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively);

also a caravan:--manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,

(by-, high-)way.

see HEBREW for 0732

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫רַח (o.rach) — way.

1) way, path

1a) path, road

1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.)

1c) way of living (fig.)

1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton)

Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2ms
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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