Proverbs 31:9 — Word Study
WLCפְּתַח־ פִּ֥יךָ שְׁפָט־ צֶ֑דֶק וְ֝דִ֗ין עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ פ
BSAOpenpâthach [to speak freely, uttering words of justice] your mouthpeh judgeshâphaṭ [vindicate, govern with righteousness] righteouslytsedeq [with fairness, according to God's standard] and defend the causedîyn [plead, minister justice to, on behalf of, to help] of the poorʻânîy [afflicted, humble] and needyʼebyôwn [oppressed, in need of help]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| פְּתַח־ | open | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| פִּ֥יךָ | mouth your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| שְׁפָט־ | judge | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| צֶ֑דֶק | righteousness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְ֝דִ֗ין | and plead [the] cause of | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine singular |
| עָנִ֥י | [the] poor | Adj |
| וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ פ | and [the] needy | Conjunction |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
| KJV | Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
| ASV | Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. |
| YLT | Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!' |
| WEB | Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.” |
| BBE | Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of שְׁפָט־ — see How Translations Differ.
The main verb leads the verse, with two imperative phrases following it that detail the actions required for justice.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּתַח
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 31:9
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 — Instructions for Just Livinggenerated
Proverbs 31:9 emphasizes the importance of speaking out for justice and defending the vulnerable. This verse is part of a larger passage that highlights the qualities of a righteous life, particularly in relation to social justice and moral integrity. The context encourages individuals to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, aligning with the broader themes found throughout Proverbs regarding wisdom and righteousness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:12 | Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. |
| 2 | Proverbs 20:8 | A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. |
| 3 | Leviticus 19:15 | You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 1:16 | At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 16:18–20 | You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 22 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שְׁפָט־, she.fot-generated
The verb שָׁפַט (shaphat) means 'to judge' and encompasses a range of actions such as governing, vindicating, and executing judgment. It is often used in a legal context, where a judge makes decisions based on evidence and fairness.
In this verse, the imperative form calls the listener to actively engage in judgment, emphasizing the need for righteous and fair decisions, particularly in favor of the oppressed.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses judge righteously.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb פְּתַח־, open, governs the entire verse, with three phrases following it: a command to judge, a description of how to judge, and a call to defend the cause of the poor.
This structure emphasizes the actions required: speaking out, judging justly, and defending the needy, all of which are interconnected in the pursuit of justice.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׁפָט־ as διάκρινε, which means 'to distinguish' or 'to judge'. This choice highlights a focus on discernment in judgment, suggesting an active engagement in evaluating cases fairly.
This choice of word indicates a broader understanding of judgment that includes not just legal decisions but also moral discernment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 31:9 instructs us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to make fair judgments. This verse emphasizes the importance of defending the rights of the poor and needy, showing that justice is a vital part of a righteous life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To judge righteously means to make decisions based on fairness and justice, in accordance with God's standards.
Defending the cause of the poor is crucial because it reflects God's concern for justice and care for the vulnerable in society.
You can apply this verse by advocating for those who are marginalized, speaking out against injustice, and making fair decisions in your own community.
Opening your mouth in this context means to speak up and take action, using your voice to advocate for justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations can I advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves?
- How can I ensure that my judgments are fair and just?
- What are some practical ways to support the poor and needy in my community?
- How does this verse challenge me to reflect on my own actions and decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, emphasizing the need to judge justly and advocate for the poor, highlighting the moral responsibility of the speaker.
Open your mouth, judge justly, etc. Just as in the previous verse he commanded to open the mouth for the cause and liberation of the poor, so in this one he admonishes to justly chastise and judge the poor themselves when they err.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 31:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOpen thy mouth, judge righteously,.... Having heard the cause, pronounce a righteous sentence; deliver it freely and impartially, with all readiness and boldness, not caring for the censures of
Read John Gill on Proverbs 31 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOpen thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.Ver. 9. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.] These are God’ s great care, as appears in many texts. Job comforted himself in this, that he had been "eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the poor," &c. Ebedmelech is renowned for pleading the cause of the poor prophet, and so should Pharaoh’ s butler have been if he had done it sooner. Master Holt, who was of counsel to Master Pryn, when so unjustly censured in the Star Chamber, but refused, through cowardice, to sign his answer, according to promise, being overawed by the prelates, bewailed his own baseness to his wife and friends; and…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. plead the cause of] Rather, minister judgement to, R.V. Lit judge.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 31 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9. Plead the cause — Vindicate the right of the poor and the needy. The language and ideas are very similar to some portions of Psalms 72. Compare Proverbs 31:2; Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:12-14 of that psalm.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 31 →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
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Tyndale line
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth: iudge righteously, and iudge the afflicted, and the poore.
Strictly literal
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'
Open your mouth, judge righteously, || Both the cause of the poor and needy!”
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide the cause of the poor and needy.
Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
From the Latin
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Simplified
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
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 largely agree in their wording, with six out of seven words matched. This consistency underscores the shared emphasis on justice and advocacy for the poor and needy.
פְּתַח־ פִּ֥יךָ שְׁפָט־ צֶ֑דֶק וְ֝דִ֗ין עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ פ
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 31:9
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.
פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.
פָּתַח vb. open
Qal open sack
Niph. be opened
Pi. be opened
free, i.e. ungird, camels
loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
open gates, doors
Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
base
[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave
Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.
base
H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack
. be opened
. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels
. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
. open gates, doors
. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave
6605 pathach paw-thakh'
a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);
specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break
forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),
(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.
1) to open
1a) (Qal) to open
1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to free
1c2) to loosen
1c3) to open, open oneself
1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself
Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.
1) to carve, engrave
1a) (Piel) to engrave
1b) (Pual) to be engraved
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
o'-p'-n: In the Old Testament represents chiefly pathach, but also other words, as galah, "to uncover"; of the opening of the eyes in vision, etc. (thus Balaam, Nu 22:31; 24:4; compare Job 33:16; 36:10; Ps 119:18; Jer 32:11,14). In the New Testament the usual word is anoigo (of opening of mouth, eyes, heavens, doors, etc.). A peculiar word, trachelizomai (literally, to have the neck bent back, to be laid bare), is used for "laid open" before God in Heb 4:13.
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
שָׁפַט (shaphat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to judge or govern. It encompasses a range of actions including pronouncing sentences, executing judgments, and deciding controversies in various contexts such as civil and religious matters. The word can also imply being judged or entering into legal disputes. There is a specific mention of its use in the context of final judgment.
שָׁפַט 185 vb. judge, govern
Qal
act as law-giver, judge, governor
specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions
execute judgment
Niph.
recipr., enter into controversy, plead
pass. be judged
Pô‛el = my opponent-at-law
base
H8199 שָׁפַט judge, govern .. act as law-giver, judge, governor
. specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions
. execute judgment
. . recipr., enter into controversy, plead
. pass. be judged
.= my opponent-at-law
8199 shaphat shaw-fat'
a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or
against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by
extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or
figuratively):--+ avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend,
execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead,
reason, rule.
שָׁפַט (sha.phat) — to judge.
1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man)
1a1a) to rule, govern, judge
1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man)
1a3) to execute judgment
1a3a) discriminating (of man)
1a3b) vindicating
1a3c) condemning and punishing
1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together
1b2) to be judged
1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
juj (shopheT; New Testament dikastes, krites): In the early patriarchal times the heads of families and the elders of the tribes were the judges (compare Ge 38:24), and their authority was based on custom. In the wilderness Moses alone was the judge until Jethro suggested a scheme of devolution. On his advice Moses divided the people into groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and over each group a wise and good man was set as a judge. Thereafter only the most important cases were brought before Moses (Ex 18:13-26; De 1:9-17). This arrangement ceased to be practicable when the children of Israel settled down in Canaan. Although David took counsel with the heads of thousands and hundreds (
Judge
(Heb. shophet, pl. shophetim), properly a magistrate or ruler, rather than one who judges in the sense of trying a cause. This is the name given to those rulers who presided over the affairs of the Israelites during the interval between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul (Judg. 2:18), a period of general anarchy and confusion. “The office of judges or regents was held during life, but it was not hereditary, neither could they appoint their successors. Their authority was limited by the law alone, and in doubtful cases they were directed to consult the divine King through the priest by Urim and Thummim (Num. 27:21). Their authority extended only over those tribes by whom they had been elected or acknowledged. There was no income attached to their office, and they…
→ Appointed by the Persians Ezr 7:25
→ Kings and other rulers as 2Sa 8:15; 15:2; 1Ki 3:16-28; 10:9; 2Ki 8:1-6; Ps 72:1-4; Mt 27:11-26; Ac 23:34,35; 24; 25:11,12
→ Priests and Levites as De 17:9; 2Ch 19:8; Eze 44:23,24; Mt 26:57-62
צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.
צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness
what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures
righteousness, in government
righteousness, justice, in a case or cause
rightness, in speech
righteousness, as ethically right
righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity
base
H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures
. righteousness, in government
. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause
. rightness, in speech
. righteousness, as ethically right
. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity
6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek
from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also
(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X
that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)
(cause, -ly, - ness).
see HEBREW for 06663
צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.
1) justice, rightness, righteousness
1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)
1b) righteousness (in government)
1b1) of judges, rulers, kings
1b2) of law
1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah
1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government
1b5) of God's attribute
1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)
1d) rightness (in speech)
1e) righteousness (as ethically right)
1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity
1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption
1f2) in name of Messianic king
1f3) of people enjoying salvation
1f4) of Cyrus
צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.
This name means justice, righteousness
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent
2. Social Customs and Righteousness
3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power
4. Righteousness as Inner
5. Righteousness as Social
6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth
LITERATURE
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:
In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…
Righteousness
See JUSTIFICATION.
Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,
דִּין (diyn) means to judge or govern, encompassing actions like executing judgment, pleading a cause, and contending. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating both active and passive roles in judgment and strife. Strong's entry also notes a connection to a straight course, particularly in Genesis 6:3.
דִּין vb. judge
Qal
act as judge, minister judgment
plead the cause
execute judgment, vindicate
execute judgment, requite
govern
he cannot contend with one mightier than he
Niph. and all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel
base
H1777 דִּין judge .. act as judge, minister judgment
. plead the cause
. execute judgment, vindicate
. execute judgment, requite
. govern
. he cannot contend with one mightier than he
. and all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel
1777 diyn deen
or (Gen. 6:3) duwn {doon}; a primitive roy a straight course,
i.e. sail direct:--(come) with a straight course.
דִּין (din) — to judge.
1) to judge, contend, plead
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to act as judge, minister judgment
1a2) to plead a cause
1a3) to execute judgment, requite, vindicate
1a4) to govern
1a5) to contend, strive
1b) (Niphal) to be at strife, quarrel
Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "to judge" H1778)
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singularHC/Vqv2ms
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…
עָנִי (aniy) describes a state of being poor, afflicted, or humble. It is built from the root meaning to be depressed in mind or circumstances. The entries indicate it covers a range of meanings including needy, lowly, and wretched. There is a noted disagreement regarding its relationship to another word, עָנָה (anah), with some lexicons viewing one as subjective and the other as objective.
עָנִי adj. poor, afflicted, humble
base
H6041 עָנִי poor, afflicted, humble
6041 `aniy aw-nee'
from 6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically
the same as 6035, although the margin constantly disputes
this, making 6035 subjective and 6041 objective):--afflicted,
humble, lowly, needy, poor.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06041
עָנִי (a.ni) — afflicted.
1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched
1a) poor, needy
1b) poor and weak
1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched
1d) humble, lowly
Adj — AdjHAamsa
poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):
I. In the Old Testament.
The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (De 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (De 15:5), and in De 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.
1. The Terms Employed:
Poor
The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19,21).
(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).
(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).
(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the…
The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27;
Ps 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Ex 23:6 Pr 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Mt 25:42-45 Jas 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mr 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19
The Hebrew word אֶבְיוֹן (*ebyown*) means needy or poor, derived from a root indicating want. It describes individuals who are destitute, oppressed, or in need of help, particularly from God. This term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, often referring to the lowest social class and the importance of caring for such individuals.
אֶבְיוֹן adj. in want, needy, poor,—so, alw. abs., Dt 15:4 + 40 t.; אֶבְיֹנְךָ Ex 23:6 Dt 15:11; אֶבְיוֹנִים Am 4:1 + 14 t.; אֶבְיוֹנֵי (אֶבְיֹנֵי) Ex 23:11 Is 29:19; אֶבְיוֹנֶיהָ ψ 132:15—(Hex. only JED; mostly poet., 23 t. ψ) needy, chiefly poor (in material things); as adj. Dt 15:7, 7, 9; 24:14 ψ 109:16 (both ∥ עָנִי); elsewhere subst.; ψ 49:3 (∥ עָשִׁיר); Dt 15:4, 11; subj. to oppression & abuse Am 2:6…
Read the full entry →H34 אֶבְיוֹן in want, needy, poor
34 'ebyown eb-yone'
from 14, in the sense of want (especially in feeling);
destitute:--beggar, needy, poor (man).
see HEBREW for 014
אֶבְיוֹן (ev.yon) — needy.
1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person
2) subject to oppression and abuse
3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God
4) general reference to lowest class
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsa
ned'-i ('ebhyon).
See POOR.