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Psalms 25:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCמִי־ זֶ֣ה הָ֭אִישׁ יְרֵ֣א יְהוָ֑ה י֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יִבְחָֽר׃

BSAWhomîy [what man, a person of reverence] is the manʼîysh [a male person, individual] who fearsyârêʼ [has reverence for, is afraid of] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the supreme God] He will instruct himyârâh [teach, show, guide] in the pathderek [way, journey, manner of life] chosen [for him]bâchar [selected, preferred]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (yiv.Char) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 25:12quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist asks who fears the LORD and assures that such a person will be guided in their chosen path.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the nature of reverence for God.
Where we areThis verse is part of a meditation on the relationship between reverence for God and divine guidance.
The hard wordיְהוָ֑ה
Take awayReverence for God leads to divine instruction.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbבָּחַר 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 — Psalms 25:12

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 — The Path of the Reverentgenerated

11For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.
12Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.
13His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
14The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.

Psalms 25:12 asks who is the man that fears the LORD, emphasizing that such a person will receive guidance in their life choices. This theme of divine instruction for the reverent is echoed throughout the psalm, particularly in verses 11-14, which highlight the significance of fearing God and the blessings that come from it. The psalmist connects reverence with wisdom and prosperity, suggesting a deep relationship between one's attitude towards God and the direction of their life.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
2Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
3Proverbs 2:5then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.
4Proverbs 15:33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
5Proverbs 16:6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

The Key Word יְהוָ֑ה, Yah.wehgenerated

The name יְהוָ֑ה (Yahweh) is the proper name of the God of Israel, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. In this context, it signifies the supreme authority that guides those who revere Him.

This verse highlights that the one who fears Yahweh will be instructed in the path chosen for him, indicating a personal and divine involvement in the believer's journey.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates the key phrase as He will instruct him, aligning with the KJV and ASV that also emphasize divine guidance.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is י֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּ (he teaches him), which governs the structure. The sentence begins with an interrogative phrase asking about the man who fears the LORD, followed by the instruction that he will receive.

The structure highlights a relationship: the one who fears is the subject, and the instruction is the outcome, emphasizing that reverence leads to guidance.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְהוָ֑ה as κύριος (Kyrios), meaning 'Lord', which is a common rendering that emphasizes authority and divinity. This choice reflects the Greek-speaking audience's understanding of God's nature.

The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used for 'man', aligning with the Hebrew meaning but broadening the focus to humanity in general.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 25:12 asks who is the man that fears the LORD, promising that he will be taught the path chosen for him. This verse connects reverence for God with receiving guidance in life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to fear the LORD?

Fearing the LORD means having a deep respect and reverence for God, recognizing His authority and holiness, which leads to wisdom and guidance.

How does God instruct those who fear Him?

God instructs those who fear Him through His Word, His Spirit, and through the wise counsel of others, guiding them in their life choices.

What is the significance of the chosen path?

The chosen path signifies the specific direction and purpose God has for an individual's life, which is revealed to those who seek Him with reverence.

Can anyone fear the LORD?

Yes, anyone can fear the LORD by choosing to recognize His greatness and authority, leading to a relationship where they can receive His guidance.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced God's guidance in my life?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper reverence for God?
  3. What steps can I take to seek the path He has chosen for me?
  4. How can I encourage others to fear the LORD and seek His guidance?

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

Early Church Fathers like Augustine and Cassiodorus reflect on this verse, discussing the nature of fear and wisdom in relation to God.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 25 354–430
"Who is the man that fears the Lord?" from which fear he begins to come to wisdom. "He shall establish a law for him in the way, which he has chosen" [Psalms 25:12].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 25 →
CassiodorusEXPLANATION OF THE Psalms 25:12 c. 485–585
He now comes to the third section in which the psalmist discusses in detail who it is who fears the Lord or with what gift the Lord expresses his thanks.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 25:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

What man [is] he that feareth the Lord? That is, how happy a man is he!

Read John Gill on Psalms 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. Him shall he teach. Yahweh, by His Spirit, will teach him effectually the path which he must choose in order to be saved.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

What man is he, i.e. whosoever he be, whether Jew or Gentile, whether more innocent, or a greater sinner, which is my case. That he shall choose, i.e. which God appointeth or approveth. Or, which he, i.e. such person, should choose; for the future tense is oft put potentially, and so as to express a man’ s duty, as 2:7.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 25:12 What man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall choose.Ver. 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord?] This question implieth, first, a paucity of such, as Hosea 14:9; secondly, the felicity of such as, out of a reverential fear of God, sue to him for pardon of sin, and seek to be made his servants. O quanta est felicitas istius viri! Oh the heaped up happiness of such a rare man! (Vatab.) David admireth it here (utitur exclamations Mol.); and well he may, for he hath close communion with God, and sweet communication of Christ’ s secrets, as followeth. Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose] i.e. That the good man shall pitch…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) What man is he . . .?—For the emphatic question compare Psalms 34:12. The way that he shall choose.—Rather, the way that he should choose—i.e., the way of right choice. The LXX. and Vulg., however, refer it to God—“the way in which He took delight.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 12. That feareth the Lord] Who has a proper apprehension of his holiness, justice, and truth; and who, at the same time, sees himself a fallen spirit, and a transgressor of God's holy law, and consequently under the curse. That is the person that truly and reverently fears God. Him shall he teach] Such a person has a teachable spirit. The way that he shall choose.] The way that in the course of Providence he has chosen, as the way in which he is to gain things honest in the sight of all men; God will bless him in it, and give him as much earthly prosperity as may be useful to his soul in his secular vocation.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. What man &c.] A rhetorical question, equivalent to whosoever. Cp. Psalms 34:12. him shall he teach] R.V., him shall he Instruct, as in Psalms 25:8. in the way that he shall choose] In the course of life which His Providence chooses for him: or, in the way that he should choose; what course to take in circumstances of doubt or difficulty; or, in the way that he chooseth; he chooses ‘the fear of the Lord’ which is ‘the way of truth,’ and Jehovah instructs him in it. This is most in accordance with Psalms 119:30; Psalms 119:173; Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 3:31.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 25 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What man is he - Who is he. The statement in this verse is intended to include every man; or to be universal.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 25 →

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

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The Lord shows his faithful followers the way they should live.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

What man is he that feareth Jehovah? Him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose.

RVARevised Version, American1894

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

What man is he that feareth the Lord? him wil he teache the way that hee shall chuse.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

What man is he that feareth Jehovah? him will he instruct in the way [that] he should choose.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Who [is] this — the man fearing Jehovah? He directeth him in the way He doth choose.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Who [is] this—the man fearing YHWH? He directs him in the way He chooses.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Who is that man that feareth the Lord? to him will he point out the way which he is to choose?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Who is the man who fears Yahweh? The Lord will instruct him in the way that he should choose.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Who are those who respect the Lord? He will show them the path to choose.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

If a man has the fear of the Lord, the Lord will be his teacher in the way of his pleasure.

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.

clausepredicateמִיwho?noun phrase · subjectזֶ֣הthisnoun phrasenoun phraseהָ֭[is].theאִישׁpersonnoun phraseיְרֵ֣א(the).fearingיְהוָ֑ה(of).Yahwehclauseverbי֝וֹרֶ֗heobjectנּוּteaches.himprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּ(in).[the]noun phraseדֶ֣רֶךְwayclauseverbיִבְחָֽר[which].he.will.choose

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, although the Septuagint's phrasing differs in structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls partially restore the text, confirming the key elements but with some words supplied by an editor.

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

מִי־ זֶ֣ה הָ֭אִישׁ יְרֵ֣א יְהוָ֑ה י֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יִבְחָֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִי־τίςזֶ֣הἐστινהָ֭אִישׁἄνθρωποςי֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּαὐτῷבְּדֶ֣רֶךְὁδῷיִבְחָֽר׃ᾑρετίσατο

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

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q83a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[מי] [זה] [האיש] [ירא] [יהוה] יור׳נו בדרך [יבחר]

nothing on the leather here — 2 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.

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.

Psalms 25:12מִיwho?who?מִיזֶהthisthisזֶהאִישׁ[is] the pe[is] the personאִישׁיָרֵאfearingfearingיָרֵאיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהיָרָאhe teaches he teaches himיָרָאדֶּ֫רֶךְ[the] way[the] wayדֶּ֫רֶךְבָּחַר[which] he [which] he willבָּחַריָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאהָיָהto beto beהָיָהדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְמָהwhat?what?מָהזֶהthisthisזֶהזֹהthisthisזֹהאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהיָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹאַיwhere?where?אַיהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַתָּםcompletecompleteתָּםיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאחֵץarrowarrowחֵץ
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 Psalms 25:12

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.

who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
מִי־mi- who? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Amplified meaning
what man, a person of reverence
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
זֶ֣הzeh this H2088 Particle
1,180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2088 zeh zeh

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this

or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the

one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,

such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on

that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,

2098.

see HEBREW for 02063

see HEBREW for 02090

see HEBREW for 02097

see HEBREW for 02098

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶה (zeh) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTm — Particle
HTm
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
הָ֭אִישׁHa.'ish [is] the person H376 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
a male person, individual
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
יְרֵ֣אye.Re' fearing H3373 Adj
64× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is afraid or fearful, and is also used to convey a sense of reverence or respect. It's often translated as 'afraid' in the KJV. In the Bible, it's used to describe people's reactions to God or scary situations.
Amplified meaning
has reverence for, is afraid of
Tyndale gloss
afraid
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵא (yare') is an adjective and verb derived from the root יָרֵא (H3372), meaning 'to fear.' It encompasses meanings such as 'afraid' and 'reverent.' The entries indicate a moral aspect to fear, suggesting a sense of reverence alongside being fearful.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵא adj. verb. v. supr. [j.df.aa] Pt.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3373 יָרֵא adj. verb. v. supr. [3372] Pt.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3373 yare' yaw-ray'

from 3372; fearing; morally, reverent:--afraid, fear (-ful).

see HEBREW for 03372

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵא (ya.re) — afraid.

fearing, reverent, afraid

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsc
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
יְהוָ֑הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the supreme God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
י֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּyo.Re.nu he teaches him H3384 Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
80× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Amplified meaning
teach, show, guide
Tyndale gloss
to shoot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour

Qal shoot with arrows

Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers

Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered

base

יָרָה vb. throw, shoot

Qal

throw, cast

cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar

shoot arrows

throw water, rain

Niph. shot through (with arrows)

Hiph.

throw, cast

shoot (arrows)

throw water, rain

point out, shew

direct, teach, instruct

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast

. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar

. shoot arrows

. throw water, rain

. shot through (with arrows)

. . throw, cast

. shoot (arrows)

. throw water, rain

. point out, shew

. direct, teach, instruct

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3384 yarah yaw-raw'

or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;

properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to

lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);

figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to

teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,

shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.

1) to shoot, pour

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to shoot arrows

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to shoot at

1b2) part. shooter, archer

1c) to throw water, rain

יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.

1) to point out, show

1b) to direct, teach, instruct

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVhi3ms/Sp3ms
who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbe.De.rekh [the] way H1870 Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
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
way, journey, 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
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
HR/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wa ('orach, orcha', 'erets, bo', derekh, halikhah, ma`galah, nathibh; hodos, parodos, poreia, tropos; "highway," mecillah, meclul; diexodoi ton hodon): The list just cited contains only a portion of the words translated "way" or "highway" in the King James Version. Most of them have the primary meaning of "road," "customary path," "course of travel" (Ge 3:24; Ex 23:20; Nu 20:17, etc.). By a very easy and natural figure "way" is applied to the course of human conduct, the manner of life which one lives (Ex 18:20; 32:8; Nu 22:32; 1Sa 8:3;

Of sin, broad Mt 7:13

Jesus is the Joh 14:6; Heb 9:8

Doctrines taught by Christ Ac 9:2; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14,22

who? this [is] the person fearing Yahweh he teaches him [the] way [which] he will choose
יִבְחָֽר׃yiv.Char [which] he will choose H977 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Amplified meaning
selected, preferred
Tyndale gloss
to choose
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּחַר vb. choose

Qal

with בְּ,

divine choice

man’s choice

with אֲשֶׁר:

divine choice

man’s choice

with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for

with acc. and מִן, choose, select from

acc.

divine choice

man’s choice

with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction

with לְ of acc. chosen

test, try

Niph. to be chosen

Pu. chosen, selected

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try

. prove, test, try

. to be tried, proved

. the trial has been made

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

977 bachar baw-khar'

a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)

select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,

join, be rather, require.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.

1) to choose, elect, decide for

1a) (Qal) to choose

1b) (Niphal) to be chosen

1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
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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