Proverbs 30:28 — Word Study
WLCשְׂ֭מָמִית בְּיָדַ֣יִם תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ וְ֝הִ֗יא בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי מֶֽלֶךְ׃ פ
BSA◂and the lizardsᵉmâmîyth△ [small reptile, unclean creature] can be caughttâphas▸ [seized, taken hold of] in one’s handsyâd [open palms] yet ithûwʼ [the lizard, she] [is found] in the palaceshêykâl [dwells, resides, temples, large public buildings] of kingsmelek [royal rulers, monarchs]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שְׂ֭מָמִית | a lizard | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בְּיָדַ֣יִם | in [two] hands | Preposition, noun common both dual absolute |
| תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ | you will grasp | Verb, Piel, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וְ֝הִ֗יא | and it | Conjunction, pronoun |
| בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי | [is] in [the] palaces of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| מֶֽלֶךְ׃ פ | a king | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings. |
| KJV | The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. |
| ASV | The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings’ palaces. |
| YLT | A spider with two hands taketh hold, And is in the palaces of a king. |
| WEB | You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces. |
| BBE | You may take the lizard in your hands, but it is in kings' houses. |
Where they part company is שְׂמָמִית — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases that provide additional context about the lizard's ability and its unexpected habitat.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהִיא
verbתָּפַשׂ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 30:28
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 — Observations on Small Creaturesgenerated
Proverbs 30:28 presents the lizard as a creature that, despite its small size and vulnerability, can be found in the opulent surroundings of kings. This verse highlights the contrast between the lizard's humble nature and its presence in royal palaces, emphasizing a theme of unexpected appearances in life. The surrounding verses discuss other creatures, illustrating a broader reflection on the natural world and its inhabitants.
Cross References
The Key Word — שְׂמָמִית, Se.ma.mitgenerated
The Hebrew word שְׂמָמִית (Se.ma.mit) refers to a type of lizard, often regarded as unclean in biblical texts. It is a feminine noun, indicating a specific creature that is small and often seen as impure, as noted in Leviticus 11:29-30.
This word suggests a creature that, despite its lowly status, has the ability to be caught in one's hands, which adds to the irony of its presence in the palaces of kings. The lizard's inclusion in this context serves to remind readers of the unexpected nature of life and the places where even the smallest creatures can be found.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb governing the sentence is תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ, you will grasp, which connects the subject and object in a straightforward manner. The structure emphasizes the action of catching the lizard, with the additional phrases providing context about where it can be found.
The sentence is constructed with a subject הִ֗יא (it), followed by the verb and prepositional phrases that describe both the action and the location, creating a clear and direct statement about the lizard's nature and its unexpected habitat.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term שְׂמָמִית is translated as ξερσὶν (kserin), which suggests a focus on the lizard's physical attributes. This choice may reflect a broader understanding of the creature's characteristics in the Greek-speaking world.
The translation emphasizes the lizard's ability to be caught, while also maintaining the context of its presence in royal settings, thus preserving the original meaning while adapting it to a different cultural perspective.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 30:28 tells us that the lizard can be easily caught in one's hands, yet it is found in the grand palaces of kings. This highlights the contrast between its small size and humble nature and the opulence of royal settings, reminding us that even the smallest creatures can occupy significant places.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The lizard symbolizes humility and the unexpected presence of small creatures in places of power and grandeur.
The lizard is considered unclean according to Levitical law, which lists it among animals that the Israelites were forbidden to eat.
The lizard's presence in kings' palaces suggests that even the lowliest creatures can find a place in significant or unexpected environments.
This verse contributes to the theme of observing nature and learning lessons about life, humility, and the unexpected.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the presence of small creatures in significant places teach us about humility?
- How can we apply the lesson of the lizard to our own lives and the way we view ourselves?
- In what ways do we see unexpected things in our daily lives that challenge our perceptions?
- What other examples from nature can remind us of the contrasts in life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reflect on the significance of the lizard's presence in royal settings, discussing themes of humility and unexpectedness.
The lizard advances with its hands, etc. The lizard advances with its hands because it does not have wings to carry it. And it dwells in the king’s palaces, signifying the humility of those who, though naturally slow in intellect,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
The stellio: A kind of house lizard marked with spots like stars, from whence it has its name.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe spider taketh hold with her hands,.... On the thread she spins, or on the flies and bees she catches in her web. This is a small creature, yet very wise; what a curious thread does she spin! what a fine web does she weave!
Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. The term here, sªmaamiyt (H8079), different from that in Job 8:14 `akaabiysh (H5908).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe spider taketh hold of the thread which she spins out of her own bowels with her hands; with her legs, which he calls hands, because they serve her for the same purpose, to do her work, to weave her web, and to catch gnats or flies, &c. Is in kings’ palaces; is not only in poor cottages, but many times in palaces also, where she makes a shift to keep her abode, notwithstanding all the care and pains which is taken to sweep and cleanse it.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.Ver. 28. The spider taketh hold with her hands.] Some render it the ape, and the Hebrew semamith is somewhat like the Latin simia, a creature that is very witty, active, and imitative, taking hold with his hands (such as they are) and doing strange feats; being therefore much in king’ s palaces, who delight to look upon them, as Solomon did, for recreation. If we take it for the spider, she doth her work painfully and curiously, spins a finer thread than any woman can do, builds a finer house than any man can do, in manner and form like to the tent of an emperor. This base creature may teach us this wisdom, saith…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) The spider taketh hold with her hands.—The lizard, rather than the spider, seems to be here intended. As each first line of these four verses is an expression of weakness, it has been proposed to translate thus: “The lizard thou canst catch with the hands, and yet,” etc. (Comp. for this praise of wisdom, Ecclesiastes 9:14 sqq.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. the spider] Rather, the lizard. The Heb. word occurs here only. taketh hold with her hands] If this rendering be retained, the reference may be to the animal “taking hold of,” catching its prey (“Quid, cum me domi sedentem stellio, muscas captans vel araneas retibus suis implicans, sæpe intentum fecit?” August. Confess, 10. 35). But it is better to understand it of the marvellous power of “taking hold of,” adhering to, the surfaces over which it glides. “Many members of this family of Saura are characterised by a peculiar lamellated structure on the under surface of the toes, by means of which they are enabled to run over the smoothest surfaces, and even in an inverted position, like…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSpider - Rather, the Gecko (or Stellio), a genus of the lizard tribe, many species of which haunt houses, make their way through crevices in the walls, and with feet that secrete a venomous exudation
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible24-28. Four things… little — Here is the enigma of the four small and contemptible things, that are yet esteemed for their wisdom and other qualities. The ants — See Proverbs 6:6; and notes there. The conies — Rabbits.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 30 →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
and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.
and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
a lizard you can catch with the hand, but it gets into the palaces of the king.
Tyndale line
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings’ palaces.
The lizard taketh hold with her hands, yet is she in kings’ palaces,
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king's palaces.
The spider taketh holde with her handes, and is in Kings palaces.
Strictly literal
thou takest hold of the lizard with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces.
A spider with two hands taketh hold, And is in the palaces of a king.
A spider with two hands takes hold, || And is in the palaces of a king.
The spider thou canst catch with [thy] hands, and yet she is in the palaces of a king.
As for the lizard, you can hold it in your two hands, yet they are found in kings' palaces.
From the Latin
The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth in kings’ houses.
Simplified
Lizards—you can catch them in your hands, but they live in the king's palace.
You may take the lizard in your hands, but it is in kings' houses.
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 show agreement on the overall meaning of the verse. However, there are differences in specific word choices, with the Septuagint providing a different term for the lizard, which may reflect variations in understanding the creature.
שְׂ֭מָמִית בְּיָדַ֣יִם תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ וְ֝הִ֗יא בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי מֶֽלֶךְ׃ פ
4 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 30:28
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.
שְׂמָמִית (smamiyth) refers to a type of lizard, as noted in various lexicons. The term may derive from a root associated with poisoning, reflecting ancient beliefs about its harmfulness. It appears in Proverbs 30:28.
שְׂמָמִית n.f. a kind of lizard;—abs. Pr 30:28
ref
H8079 שְׂמָמִית
8079 smamiyth sem-aw-meeth'
probably from 8074 (in the sense of poisoning); a lizard
(from the superstition of its noxiousness):--spider.
see HEBREW for 08074
שְׂמָמִית (se.ma.mit) — lizard.
a kind of lizard
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
liz'-ard: The list of unclean "creeping things" in Le 11:29,30 contains eight names, as follows:
1. Names:
(1) choledh, English Versions of the Bible "weasel" (which see);
(2) `akhbar, English Versions of the Bible "mouse" (which see);
(3) tsabh, the King James Version "tortoise," the Revised Version (British and American) "great lizard" (which see);
(4) 'anaqah, the King James Version "ferret," the Revised Version (British and American) "gecko" (which see);
(5) koach, the King James Version "chameleon," the Revised Version (British and American) "land-crocodile" (which see);
(6) leTa'ah, English Versions of the Bible "lizard"; compare Arabic laTa', "to cling to the ground";
(7) chormeT, the King James Version "snail," the Revised Version (British and American) "sand-lizard" (which see);
Lizard
Only in Lev. 11:30, as rendering of Hebrew letaah, so called from its “hiding.” Supposed to be the Lacerta gecko or fan-foot lizard, from the toes of which poison exudes. (See CHAMELEON.)
(that which clings to the ground) (Heb. letaah . (Leviticus 11:30) Lizards of various kinds abound in Egypt, Palestine and Arabia. The lizard denoted by the Hebrew word is probably the fan-foot lizard (Ptyodactylus gecko) which is common in Egypt and in parts of Arabia, and perhaps is found also in Palestine. It is reddish brown spotted with white. The gecko lives on insects and worms, which it swallows whole. It derives its name from the peculiar sound which some of the species utter.
A cold-blooded animal, with much resemblance to the serpent, but having four feet. Large numbers are found in Syria, varying greatly in size, appearance, and place of abode; some dwelling partly in water, and others on the rocks of the desert, or among old ruins. Lizards were unclean by the Levitical law, Le 11:30.
יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
יָד 1604 n.f. hand
hand
Fig. = strength, power
Fig. = side
יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—
sign, monument
part, fractional part or share
time, repetition
axle-trees
stays, supports for laver
tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
a (beckoning) hand
יַד with prep.
base
H3027 יָד hand . hand
. Fig. = strength, power
. Fig. = side
. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument
. part, fractional part or share
. time, repetition
. axle-trees
. stays, supports for laver
. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
. a (beckoning) hand
. יַד with prep.
3027 yad yawd
a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,
means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed
one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of
applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate
and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,
at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,
(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +
creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,
force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,
labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,
ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,
power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,
draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by
them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,
+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,
יָד (yad) — hand.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: power.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
Prep | N-cd — Preposition · noun common both dual absoluteHR/Ncbda
תָּפַשׂ (taphas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lay hold of or seize. It encompasses actions like capturing, wielding, and handling, with nuances in different forms such as being seized or caught. The entries suggest a range of physical and figurative uses, including the idea of manipulation or unwarranted use.
תָּפַשׂ vb. lay hold of, wield
Qal
lay hold of, seize
grasp in order to wield, wield, use skilfully
Niph. be seized, arrested, caught
Pi. a lizard thou mayest grasp with the hands
base
H8610 תָּפַשׂ lay hold of, wield
8610 taphas taw-fas'
a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to
capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use
unwarrantably:--catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over),
stop, X surely, surprise, take.
תָּפַשׂ (ta.pha.s) — to capture.
1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch
1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully
1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured
1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singularHVpi2ms
grasp: The word harpagmos (Php 2:6), is rendered by the King James Version "robbery," by the Revised Version (British and American) "a prize," and by the American Standard Revised Version "a thing to be grasped." By derivation the term may denote either an act of seizing or the aim or result of the action. In the context Paul is discussing, not Christ's opinion of His equality with God, but His amazing self-sacrifice in laying aside His equally for our sakes. He but laid it aside for us. It is better to render with the Revised Version (British and American) "a prize."
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp3fs
הֵיכָל (heykal) refers to a large public building, primarily a palace or temple. It encompasses various meanings, including the palace of God as king and specific structures like the nave of Ezekiel's temple. The entries suggest a focus on both earthly and heavenly temples, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
הֵיכָל n.m. palace, temple
rather seld. (royal) palace
of palace of God considered as king, = house of God or of י׳, temple
base
H1964 הֵיכָל palace, temple
1964 heykal hay-kawl'
probably from 3201 (in the sense of capacity); a large public
building, such as a palace or temple:--palace, temple.
see HEBREW for 03201
הֵיכָל (he.khal) — temple.
: temple
1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary
1a) palace
1b) temple (palace of God as king)
1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple)
1d) temple (of heavenly temple)
הֵיכָל (he.khal) — temple: palace.
: palace
1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary
1a) palace
1b) temple (palace of God as king)
1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple)
1d) temple (of heavenly temple)
הֵיכָל (he.khal) — temple: nave.
: nave/hallway
1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary
1a) palace
1b) temple (palace of God as king)
1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple)
1d) temple (of heavenly temple)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…