Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

ט֕וֹב
ט֕וֹב
Root word good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
Dictionary form: טוֹב · tobe

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: better
good ×127 the good ×26 better ×25 is good ×22 is better ×21 a good ×13 well ×12 for good ×11
More options
good — Default all-purpose rendering; works in most contexts.
fine — Lighter register; suits quality, appearance, or craftsmanship.
pleasant — Emphasises enjoyment or sensory appeal.
beautiful — Prefer when describing physical attractiveness or appearance.
prosperous — Use when tob refers to welfare, wealth, or flourishing.
favorable — Suits attitudes, conditions, or outcomes seen as advantageous.

BDB3305 H2896

BDB3304 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3306

II. טוֺב adjective pleasant, agreeable, good (see LagBN 26; Aramaic טַב, Palmyrene טב VogNo. 81, טבא VogNo. 75) — masculine ׳ט Gen 2:12 + 22 t., טוֺבָם Mic 7:4 feminine טוֺבָה Esth 8:5 + 50 t., טֹבָה Deut 6:18 + 2 t.; construct טוֺבַת Gen 26:7 + 6 t., טֹבַת Gen 24:16 plural טוֺבִים Jer 44:17 + 28 t.; טֹבִים Gen 27:9 + 4 t.; construct טוֺבֵי Dan 1:4 + 2 t.; plural טוֺבוֺת Esth 2:2, טֹבוֺת Jer 24:2 + 6 t., טֹבֹת Gen 6:2 + 4 t.; —

1. pleasant, agreeable to the senses:
  a. to the sight, fair, of daughters of men Gen 6:2 (J); of a son Exod 2:2 (E), 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 20:3, young men (but read herds ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Bu) 1Sam 8:16 מראיהם their appearance Dan 1:15, טֹבַת מראה Gen 24:16; Gen 26:7 (both J), 2Sam 11:2; Esth 1:11; Esth 2:3; Esth 2:7 טוב ראי 1Sam 16:12 טוב תאר 1Kgs 1:6 טובַת חן Nah 3:4 טוֺבוֺת מראה Esth 2:2 טוֺבֵי מראה Dan 1:4 טוב לעינים Eccl 11:7 טובה בעיניו fair in his eyes Esth 8:5 of mantle Josh 7:21 (J); goodly houses Isa 5:9; Deut 8:12 cities Deut 6:10 situation of city 2Kgs 2:19.
  b. to the taste, good, sweet, agreeable for eating למאכל Gen 2:9; Gen 3:6 (both J); ears of grain Gen 41:5; Gen 41:22; Gen 41:24; Gen 41:26 (E); figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3 (twice in verse); Jer 24:5 honey Prov 24:13 כְּיֵין הטוב Song 7:10 as wine of the best sort (Hi reads כַּיַּיִן); תְּנוּבָתִי הַטּוֺבָּה Judg 9:11 my sweet fruit (|| מָתְקִי).
  c. to the smell, sweet-scented, of ointment Song 1:3 קנה הטוב Jer 6:20 the fragrant cane.
  d. of pleasant shadow of tree Hos 4:13.
2. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well:
  a. of time: יום טוב good day, festal day 1Sam 25:8; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:22 of feasts Zech 8:19 prosperous years Gen 41:35 (E).
  b. of place, טוב בית הנשׁים Esth 2:9 the best part of the women's house; לוֺ ׳בַּטּ Deut 23:17, בְּעֵינֵי ׳בַּטּ Gen 20:15 (see c f below)
  c. of persons, (אתה) טוב בעיני pleasing in the eyes of 1Sam 29:6 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:9 ׳טוב בעיני י Mal 2:17 (compare verb 4, and f below); later לִפְנֵי Eccl 2:26 (twice in verse); Eccl 7:26 inserted in 1Sam 29:10 ᵐ5 We Dr; compare עם ׳ט 1Sam 2:26.
  d. of word or message, בְּשׂוֺרָה טוֺבָה 2Sam 18:27 good tidings; ׳שְׁמוּעָה ט good report 1Sam 2:24; Prov 15:30; Prov 25:25 דבר בעתו Prov 15:23 a word in its season; דבר טוב Prov 12:25 an agreeable word (maketh the heart glad); דבר טוב Ps 45:2 a good theme.
  e. of other things, דֶּרֶךְ טובה 1Sam 24:20 a pleasant, prosperous journey; מנחה כי טוב Gen 49:15 (poem); of unity of brethren מה טוב ומה נעים Ps 133:1 how good and how pleasant it is! טוב לְ (יהיה) it shall be well for Eccl 2:3; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13 (compare verb 3); הֲטוֺב כִּי Job 13:9 will it be advantageous that (see 5). feminine עשׂה הטוב בעיני do what is pleasing in the eyes of Gen 16:5 (J), Judg 19:24; 1Sam 1:23; 1Sam 3:18; 1Sam 14:40 2 Sam 10:12> = 1Chr 19:13; 2Sam 19:19; 2Sam 19:28; 2Sam 19:39; 2Kgs 10:5; 2Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3; 1Chr 21:23 = 2Sam 24:22 where object of העלה; ׳עשׂה (כ) (כל) (ה)טוב בע Gen 19:8 (J), Judg 10:15; 1Sam 11:10; 1Sam 14:36; Esth 3:11 (כ)הטוב עשׂה ׳ו(כ)הישׁר בע) Deut 12:28; Josh 9:25 (D), 2Chr 14:1; Jer 26:14, compare Esth 8:8 nouns reversed Deut 6:18 עשׂה הטוֺב והישׁר לפני 2Chr 31:20 ׳טוב בע in other combinations Num 36:6 (P), Jer 40:4 ראה הטוב והישׁר 2Kgs 10:3 ׳דבּר ט 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12; Num 10:29 (J), 1Sam 19:4; Esth 7:9 דבּר מטוב עדרֿע speak either good or bad Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29 (E); למרע ועד טוב 2Sam 13:22 רע או טוב Gen 24:50 (J); ׳התנבא ט 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:18 = 2Chr 18:17 compare 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12.
3. good, excellent of its kind:
  a. of the several creations, וירא אלהים כי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, excellent Gen 1:4; Gen 1:10; Gen 1:12; Gen 1:18; Gen 1:21; Gen 1:25 (P); טוֺב מאר כל אשׁר עשׂה והנּה Gen 1:31 (P) God saw all that he had made, and behold it was very excellent. So
  b. of land, soil, fruitful, fertile: ארץ Exod 3:8; Num 13:19 (both J), Num 14:7 (P), Deut 1:25; Deut 1:35; Deut 3:25; Deut 4:21; Deut 4:22; Deut 6:18; Deut 8:7; Deut 8:10; Deut 9:6; Deut 11:17; Josh 23:16 (D), Judg 18:9; 1Chr 28:8 אדמה 1Kgs 14:15; Josh 23:13; Josh 23:15 (D); הר Deut 3:25 חלקה 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25 שׂדה Ezek 17:8 נָוֶה Ezek 34:14 מרעה 1Chr 4:40; Ezek 34:14; Ezek 34:18.
  c. of vegetation, choice, fruitful זֵיתִים 1Sam 8:14 עץ 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25; Ezek 31:16 שׁמן טוב 2Kgs 20:13 precious oil = Isa 39:2; Ps 133:2; Eccl 7:1 of seed, אם שׁניהם טובים Eccl 11:6 whether both of them will be fruitful.
  d. of animals, fat בקר Gen 18:7 (J); עזים Gen 27:9 (J); פרות Gen 41:26 (E); יָרֵךְ Ezek 24:4.
  e. of minerals, fine, pure זהב Gen 2:12 (J), 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:8 כֶּתֶם Lam 4:1 brass Ezra 8:27, soldering Isa 41:7.
4. good, rich, valuable in estimation:
  a. in quantity, שׂיבה טובה good old age Gen 15:15 (R), Gen 25:8 (P), Judg 8:32; 1Chr 29:28 dowry Gen 30:20 (E; many sons); treasury Deut 28:12 (from which ׳י sends blessings).
  b. in price, goodly, valuable: of the estimation put upon house, beast, and tithe Lev 27:10 (twice in verse); Lev 27:12; Lev 27:14; Lev 27:33 (H); profit Prov 31:18 hire Eccl 4:9 מחמדי הטבים Joel 4:5 my goodly precious things.
5. good, appropriate, becoming, טוב אשׁר Eccl 7:18 (compare Eccl 5:4 below); טובה חכמה עם נחלה Eccl 7:11 wisdom is good with an inheritance (other transitive see in VB); || יָפֶה Eccl 5:17 with עֵצָה 2Sam 17:7; 2Sam 17:14 good advice; טוב פתר Gen 40:16 (E) that he interpreted well; טוב הדבר (לא) Exod 18:17 (E) the thing is (not) good, wise, so Deut 1:14; 1Sam 26:16 טוב (ה)דבר the word is good, is well said 1Sam 9:10; 1Kgs 2:38; 1Kgs 2:42; 1Kgs 18:24; 2Kgs 20:19 = Isa 39:8, for which abbreviated טוב well! good! exclamation Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 20:7; 2Sam 3:13; 1Kgs 2:18 followed by כּי it is good that 2Sam 18:3; Ruth 2:22; Lam 3:27; Job 10:3 (compare Job 13:9 2 e); with infinitive Gen 2:18 (J), Ps 73:28; Ps 92:2; Ps 147:1; Prov 25:27 (compare below 10); with וְ (strangely) ׳טוֺב וְיָחִיל וגו Lam 3:26 it is good that one wait (see דּוּמָם, יָחִיל); בלא דעת נֶפֶשׁ לא טוב Prov 19:2 that a soul be without knowledge is not good.
6. with מִן comparative = better, followed by infinitive Gen 29:19 (E), Exod 14:12 (J), Ps 118:8; Ps 118:9; Prov 16:19; Prov 25:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:2 infinitive omitted Prov 21:9; Prov 21:19; Prov 25:24 מן omitted Num 14:3 (J; comparative only implied); with מן person Judg 15:2; Ruth 4:15; 1Sam 1:8; 1Sam 9:2; 1Sam 15:28; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Chr 21:13; Prov 12:9; Prov 16:32; Prov 19:1; Prov 19:22; Prov 27:10; Prov 28:6; Lam 4:9; Esth 1:19; Eccl 4:3; Eccl 4:9; Eccl 4:13; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 7:5; Eccl 7:8 with מן of thing Judg 8:2; 1Sam 15:22; 2Sam 17:14; 1Kgs 21:2; 2Kgs 5:12; Hos 2:9; Amos 6:2; Isa 56:5; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8; Ps 37:16; Ps 63:4; Ps 84:11; Ps 119:72; Prov 3:14; Prov 8:11; Prov 8:19; Prov 15:16; Prov 15:17; Prov 16:8; Prov 16:16; Prov 17:1; Prov 22:1; Prov 27:5; Song 1:2; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 7:1; Eccl 7:3; Eccl 7:8; Eccl 7:10; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:16; Eccl 9:18 followed by -מִשֶּׁ Eccl 5:4 מַהטּֿוֺב ֗֗֗ הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם is it better ... or ? Judg 9:2 הֲטוב ֗֗֗ אוֺ Judg 18:19 אין -טוב שֶׁ Eccl 2:24 (read -מִשֶּׁ see Commentaries); אין טוב מאשׁר Eccl 3:22 אין טוב כִי אִם Eccl 3:12; Eccl 8:15 so 1Sam 27:1 ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu (ᵑ0 only כי with Imperfect)
7. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous: טוב לב merry, glad heart Prov 15:15; Esth 5:9; Eccl 9:7 טוֺבֵי לב 1Kgs 8:65 = 2Chr 7:10 טובים וַנּהיה Jer 44:17 we were prosperous; similarly Ps 112:5.
8. of man's intellectual nature, שֵׂכֶל טוֺב good understanding 2Chr 30:22; Ps 111:10; Prov 3:4; Prov 13:15 טוֺבַת שֶׂכֶל 1Sam 25:3.
9. good, kind, benign:
  a. of men, themselves 1Sam 25:15; 2Sam 18:27; 2Chr 10:7 the eye Prov 22:9 דברים טובים kind words 1Kgs 12:7 = 2Chr 10:7.
  b. of God, himself Nah 1:7; 2Chr 30:18; Ps 86:5 כי טוב for he is good, kind Ps 34:9; Ps 100:5; Ps 135:3; Jer 33:11 כי טוב כי לעולם חסדוֺ 1Chr 16:34; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 טוב לְ kind to Ps 73:1; Ps 145:9; Lam 3:25 יד (ה)טובה על Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Neh 2:8; Neh 2:18 רוחךָ (ה)טובה Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 שׁמךָ כי טוב Ps 52:11; Ps 54:8 כּי טוב חסדךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 הדבר(ים) הטוב(יםׅ the good, kind word(s) spoken in promise Josh 21:43; Josh 23:14; Josh 23:15 (D), 1Kgs 8:56; Jer 29:10; Jer 33:14; Zech 1:13.
10. good (ethical), right: מה טוב || what Yahweh requires Mic 6:8, || משׁפט Job 34:4:
  a. of man himself || ישׁר Mic 7:4 אישׁ טוב Prov 14:14 (ה)טוב(יםׅ = (the) good 2Chr 19:11; Ps 125:4; Prov 2:28; Prov 12:2; Prov 13:22; Prov 14:19; Prov 15:3; Eccl 9:2 (twice in verse); man's deeds דברים 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 19:3 מעשׂה 1Sam 19:4; Eccl 12:14 מעללים Ezek 36:31 דֶּרֶךְ הטובה והישׂרה 1Sam 12:23 the good and right way; (הַ)דֶּרֶךְ (ה)טוב(הׅ (the) good way 1Kgs 8:36 = 2Chr 6:27; Isa 65:2; Jer 6:16; Ps 36:5; Prov 16:29 דבריךָ טובים ונכחים 2Sam 15:3 good and right is thy case; דבר טוב good thing 1Kgs 14:13 לא טוב הדבר Neh 5:9 אשׂר לא טוב עשׂה Ezek 18:18 so of מאזני מרמה etc., Prov 20:23 לא טובc. infinitive (see 5 it is not good or right to: ענושׁ לצדּיק Prov 17:26 פני רשׁע שׂאת Prov 18:5 הכּר פנים Prov 28:21; Prov 24:23 (בל טוב).
  b. of God טוב אתה ומטיב Ps 119:68 טוב וישׁר יהוה Ps 25:8 משׁפטיך טובים Ps 119:39 his commands מצות Neh 9:13 חקים Ezek 20:25 (לא טובים); לקח טוב Prov 4:2 מפי עליון לא תצא הרעות והטוב Lam 3:38.


BDB3306 H2896

BDB3305 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3307

III. טוֺב noun masculineJer 17:6 (compare טוֺבָה noun feminine) a good thing. benefit, welfare: — ׳ט Gen 26:29 + 134 t.; —

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 אם טוב ואם רע Jer 42:6 whether prosperity or adversity; יבוא טוב Jer 17:6 prosperity cometh; ׳שׂמח בט Deut 26:11; 2Chr 6:41 ׳ראה בט Eccl 2:1; Jer 29:32 object of ראה Ps 4:7; Ps 34:13; Eccl 2:24; Eccl 3:13; Job 7:7 of דרשׁ Esth 10:3 of בקשׁ Ps 122:9 מנע Ps 84:12; Jer 5:25 נתן Ps 85:13 קוה Job 30:26 מצא Prov 16:20; Prov 17:20; Prov 18:22; Prov 19:8 נחל Prov 28:10 חסר Ps 34:11 בשׂר 1Kgs 1:42; Isa 52:7 ׳חול לט Mic 1:12 ׳חכמה וט 1Kgs 10:7 טוב וחסד Ps 23:6 בטוב in prosperity Ps 25:13; Job 21:13; Job 36:11; Eccl 7:14 מטוב because of prosperity Zech 1:17 afar from happiness Ps 39:3 כטוב Hos 10:1 לטוב Deut 30:9; Jer 15:11 לטוב לָנוּ Deut 6:24 for good to us, = for our good, Deut 10:13 (לְךָ), Jer 32:39 (לָהֶם; compare לרע ל Jer 7:6; Jer 25:7).
2. good things, (collective) ברכ(ו)ת ׳ט blessing of good things Ps 21:4; Prov 24:25 מִלֵּא ׳בָתֵּיהֶם ט Job 22:18 filled their houses with good things; object of שׂבע Job 104:28; Prov 12:14 מלא Ps 107:9 אכל Prov 13:2; Isa 55:2 לקח Hos 14:3 ׳השׂביע בט Ps 103:5 goods, possessions 1Sam 15:9.
3. good = benefit: גְּמָלַתְהוּ טוֺב וְלֹארָֿע Prov 31:12 she doeth him good and not evil; תַּאֲוַת צַדִּיקִים אַךְטֿוֺב Prov 11:23 the desire of the righteous is only good; object of קבּל Job 2:10 מנע Prov 3:27 שׁחר Prov 11:27 שׁלּם Prov 13:21 עשׂה Gen 26:29 (J), Ps 119:65 היטיב Num 10:32 (J); ׳ערב לט Ps 119:122 ׳חֹרְשֵׁי ט Prov 14:22 who devise good.
4. moral good, ידע טוב ורע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5; Gen 3:22 (J), Deut 1:39 בין טוב לרע 2Sam 19:36 in antithesis with רע elsewhere Deut 30:15; 2Sam 14:17; 1Kgs 3:9; Isa 5:20 (twice in verse); Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16; Amos 5:14; Amos 5:15; Mic 3:2; Ps 34:15; Ps 37:27; Ps 52:5 ׳זנח ט Hos 8:3 cast off good; עשׂה טוֺב do good Ps 14:1; Ps 14:3 = Ps 53:2; Ps 53:4; Ps 37:3; Eccl 7:20, in Eccl 3:12 this meaning seems less fitting; read perhaps ׳לִרְאוֺת ט (Gr, see also De) and tr. to 1; ׳רדף ט Ps 38:21 pursue good; ׳מַעְגַּלטֿ Prov 2:9 path of good.


BDB3309 H2896

BDB3308 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3310

טוֺבָה noun feminine welfare, benefit, good things, good; — absolute ׳ט Deut 28:11 + 54 t.; construct טוֺבַת Ps 106:5 suffix טוֺבָתִי Ps 16:2 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; plural טוֺבוֺת Jer 12:6 טֹבוֺת 2Kgs 25:28; Jer 52:32 suffix טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שׁלום Deut 23:7; Jer 33:9; Ezra 9:12; Lam 3:17 יוֺם טובה Eccl 7:14 day of prosperity; טוֺבָתִי בַּלעָֿלָיךָ Ps 16:2 is not my welfare dependent upon thee? ׳תְּבוֺאָֽתְךָ ט Job 22:21 prosperity shall come to thee; לטובה Gen 50:20 (E), Deut 28:11; Deut 30:9; 2Chr 18:7; Jer 14:11 לרעה ולא לטובה Amos 9:4; Jer 21:10; Jer 39:16; Jer 44:27 object of verb בקּשׁ Neh 2:10 הביא Jer 32:42 ראה Job 9:25; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 6:6 אבּד Eccl 9:18 ׳ראה בט Ps 106:5 ׳חסר מט Eccl 4:8 object of אכל figurative Job 21:25 = taste happiness; of שׂבע Eccl 6:3 after נחם על Jer 18:10.
2. good things (collective):
  a. of good words, object of דבּר 1Sam 25:30; 2Sam 7:28 = 1Chr 17:26; Jer 18:20 plural דבּר טובות Jer 12:6; Jer 52:32 = 2Kgs 25:28.
  b. of material possessions ׳ברבות הט Eccl 5:10 when good things increase.
3. bounty, good שְׁנַת טוֺבָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 65:12 year of thy bounty (harvest bestowed by God), so also טובתך Ps 68:11 עשׂה ׳(ה)ט Exod 18:9 (E), Num 24:13 (JE), Judg 8:35; Judg 9:16; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 2:6; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 7:10; 2Chr 24:16; Jer 33:9 object of נמל 1Sam 24:18 שׁלּם 1Sam 24:20 רעה תחת טובה Gen 44:4 (J), 1Sam 25:21; Ps 35:12; Ps 38:21; Ps 109:5; Prov 17:13; Jer 18:20 תחת קללה ׳ט 2Sam 16:12 ׳זכר לי לט remember it for me for good Neh 5:19; Neh 13:31 לטובה Ezra 8:22; Neh 2:18; Jer 24:5; Jer 24:6; Ps 86:17 plural טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19 his benefits (i.e. good deeds of Tobiah).


BDB9554 H2869 H2896

BDB9553 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9555

טָב adjective good; — absolute ׳ט Dan 2:32 pure gold; = pleasing to (עַל person) Ezra 5:17 (compare Ezra 6:18, Biblical Hebrew טוֺב 5).

good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
ṭôb
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
  • (adj) good, pleasant, agreeable
    • pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
    • "pleasant (to the higher nature)"good, excellent (of its kind)"good, rich, valuable in estimation"good, appropriate, becoming"better (comparative)"glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)"good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)"good, kind, benign"good, right (ethical)
    (n m) a good thing, benefit, welfare
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
    • "good things (collective)"good, benefit"moral good
    (n f) welfare, benefit, good things
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
    • "good things (collective)"bounty

מְלֹ֥א
מְלֹ֥א
Root word full, fulness, therein, all, fill, …
Dictionary form: מְלֹא · meh-LOH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

full ×8 and the fulness ×5 and all that is therein ×4 a multitude ×2 all ×1 an handful ×1 and all ×1 and all that therein is ×1
More options
fullness — Most natural modern spelling; preferred in most prose contexts.
abundance — Emphasizes plenty or overflow; good for poetic passages.
entirety — Highlights completeness; suits 'all that it contains' sense.
contents — Concrete and plain; ideal when referring to what fills a space.
handful — Use only when the measured quantity is literally a hand's fill.
multitude — Reserve for crowds or large numbers, not physical filling.

BDB4650 H4393

BDB4649 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4651

מְלֹא, [מְלוֺא] noun masculineIsa 8Isa 1:4 fulness, that which fills (Arabic Lane2729); — ׳מ construct Gen 48:19 + 19 t.; מְלוֺ Ezek 41:8 suffix מְלוֺאוֺ Isa 42:10 + 3 t.; מְלוֺאָהּ Deut 33:16 + 12 t.; —

1. fulness of hand (= handful) Eccl 4:6 (twice in verse) followed by accusative of material חָפְנֵיכֶם פִּיחַ ׳מ Exod 9:8 compare Lev 16:12; 1Kgs 17:12 so homer-full of manna; Exod 16:33 compare Lev 16:12; Num 22:18; Num 24:13; Judg 6:38 simil. מְלֹא בְגְדוֺ 2Kgs 4:39 rarely followed by מִן Lev 2:2; Lev 5:12, compare Exod 16:32 (but read perhaps מִלְאוּ so ᵐ5 see Di).
2. mass of shepherds Isa 31:4 (in sim); multitude of nations Gen 48:19 (compare Arabic Qor 2:247 and elsewhere)
3. fullness = that which fills, entire contents, of אֶרֶץ Deut 33:16; Ps 24:1; Isa 6:3; Isa 8:8; Isa 34:1; Mic 1:2; Jer 8:16; Jer 47:2; Ezek 12:19; Ezek 19:7; Ezek 30:12; Ezek 32:15 תֵּבֵל Ps 50:12; Ps 89:12 יָם Isa 42:10; 1Chr 16:32; Ps 96:11; Ps 98:7 עִיר Amos 6:8.
4. phrases: — קוֺמָתוֺ ׳מ = at full length 1Sam 28:20 full line, or portion הַחֶ֫בַל ׳מ 2Sam 8:2 הַקָּנֶה ׳מ Ezek 41:8 full rod (reed).

full, fulness, therein, all, fill, …
mĕlōʾ
fulness (literally or figuratively)
  • fullness, that which fills
    • fulness, handful
    • "mass, multitude"fulness, that which fills, entire contents"full length, full line

כַ֖ף
כַ֖ף
Root word hands, hand, spoon, spoons, sole, …
Dictionary form: כַּף · kahp

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: is an handful
spoon ×12 his hands ×11 hand ×8 their hands ×7 and the spoons ×6 hands ×5 my hands ×5 out of the hand ×5
More options
palm — Most precise: the hollow, open part of the hand.
hand — General use; good when context doesn't stress the hollow.
sole — Use specifically when referring to the bottom of the foot.
hollow — Emphasizes cupped or concave shape of hand or foot.
spoon — Cultic/tabernacle contexts; bowl-shaped vessel.
handful — Use when quantity or measure is in view.

BDB4151 H3709

BDB4150 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4152

כַּף192 noun feminine1Kgs 8:54 hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, pan (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic id., Assyrian kappu, hand, pan, kippatu, hollow; Arabic palm, hand) — absolute ׳כ Job 29:9 +, so read probably also Ezek 29:7b for ᵑ0 כָּתֵף (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Sm Co, compare va); כָּ֑ף 2Kgs 11:12 +; more often construct כַּף Gen 40:11 +; suffix כַּפִּי Judg 12:3, כַּפְּךָ Job 13:31, etc.; in Ezek 29:7 read כַּף Qr for כפך Kt (so Ew Hi Sm Co Da); dual כַּפַּיִם Isa 49:16 +; construct כַּפֵּי Exod 29:24 (twice in verse) + 3 t.; suffix כַּפַּי Gen 20:5 +, כַּפָּיו Num 24:10 +, כַּפֵּיהֶם Isa 59:6 + 2 t., כַּפֵּימוֺ Job 27:23, etc.; plural כַּפּוֺת (especially of soles, and in metaphor senses) absolute Num 4:7 +; construct 2Kgs 9:35 +, suffix כַּפֹתָיו Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16

1. a. of human beings, hollow or flat of hand, palm, (c. 116 t.) 2Kgs 4:34 (twice in verse); ׳נָתַן אֵת הַכּוס עַלכּכַּף פ Gen 40:11; Gen 40:21 (E), set the cup upon the palm of Pharaoh (compare vGen 40:11a וְכוֺס פַּרְעֹה בְּיָדִי), similarly Lev 8:27 (twice in verse) (P) +; הַשֶּׁמֶן אֲשֶׁר עַלכּכַּפּוֺ Lev 14:16; Lev 14:17; Lev 14:18; Lev 14:27; Lev 14:28 as distinguished from wrist and arm, Deut 25:12 rarely with ידים (always כַּכּוֺת), שְׁתֵּי כַּפּוֺת ידיו 1Sam 5:4 (of Dagon), הַיָּדַיִם ׳כ 2Kgs 9:35, compare Dan 10:10 כַּף הַשְּׂמָאלִית Lev 14:15; Lev 14:26 note especially קֶמַח ׳מְלֹא כ 1Kgs 17:12 a handful of meal (literally palmful), compare Eccl 4:6 (where distinguished from מלא חָפְנַיִם a double fistful; in both these passages of a very small quantity); compare וַיְמַלֵּא כַּפּוֺ מִן Lev 9:17 (reference to מְלֹא קֻמְצוֺ Lev 2:2; Lev 5:12 compare Lev 6:8). In Exod 4:4 (JE), Prov 31:19; Ezek 21:16; Ps 129:7, etc., the thought is that of grasping.
  b. anthropomorph. of ׳י covering Moses over with his palm, וְשַׂכֹּתִי כַפִּי עָלֶיךָ Exod 33:22 (J), and so figurative (with שׁית) Ps 139:5 withdrawing ( הֵסִירׅ his hand Exod 33:23 (J); removing ( הִרְהִּיק ׅ his afficting hand Job 13:21 עַלכּכַּפַּיִם כִּסָּה אוֺר Job 36:32, i.e. he (God) hath filled his palms with light.
  c. once of animals, הוֺלֵךְ עַלכּכַּפָּיו Lev 11:27 going upon their palms, i.e. paws (cats, dogs, etc.).
  d. phrases are: — (I) הִכָּה כַּף = clap the hands, in applause 2Kgs 11:12 so ׳תָּקַע כ Ps 47:2, ׳מָחָא כ Isa 55:12 (figurative of trees), Ps 98:8 (figurative of rivers); but especially in scorn, contempt, etc., סָפַק אֶתכַּֿפָּיו Num 24:10 (J), יִשְׂפֹּק עָלֵימוֺ כַפֵּ֑ימוֺ Job 27:23 so תָּקַע כַּף עלֿ Nah 3:19, הִכָּה כַפִּי אֶלֿ Ezek 22:13 (of ׳י); absolute, בְכַפְּךָהִכָּה Ezek 6:11 (as מחא יד Ezek 25:6), הִכָּה כַּף אֶלכַּֿף Ezek 21:19, אַכֶּה כַפִּי אֶלכַּֿפִּי v.Ezek 21:22 (of ׳י). (2) תָּפַשׂ בַּכַּף grasp, seize with the hand Ezek 29:7 compare vEzek 29:7 (on text see above) (3) of hand-grasp as pledge לַזָּר כַּפֶּיךָתָּקַעְתָּ Prov 6:1 (if) thou hast smitten thy palms (given a double hand-grasp), for another (so De; || עָרַבְתָּ לְרֵעֶ֑ךָ); so absolute תקע כף Prov 17:18; Prov 22:26 (compare תקע ליד Job 17:3). (4) often of hand spread out in prayer, as sign of longing to receive, with פָּרַשׂ אֶלֿ Exod 9:29; Exod 9:33 (J), 1Kgs 8:38 = 2Chr 6:29, etc. (see יד Ps 143:6; Lam 1:17 and יָד 1 d, above; also פרשׂ, נשׂא, שׁטח). (5) שׂים כַּף לְפֶה, in respectful silence, Job 29:9. (6) figurative בְכַפִּיוָאָשִׂימָה נַפְשִׁי Judg 12:3 = I have taken my life in my hand (i.e. hazarded it), so 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 28:21; Job 13:14 and (without verb) Ps 119:109. (7) ׳נִקְיֹן כ Gen 20:5 cleanness of palms is figurative for purity of act, compare Ps 26:6, also Job 9:30; Job 22:30; Ps 24:4; Ps 73:13 conversely, ( לֹא ) חָמָס בְּכַפָּ֑י Job 16:17; 1Chr 12:18; Isa 59:6; Jonah 3:8, compare Isa 59:3 (so ידים Isa 1:15), Job 31:7; Ps 7:4. — In many cases כַּף is not to be distinguished from יָד; so in phrase ׳יְגִיעַ כ toil of the hands Gen 31:42; Hag 1:11; Job 10:3; Ps 128:2 ׳פֹּעַל כ Ps 9:17, ׳חֵפֶץ כ Prov 31:13 ׳תְּבוּנוֺת כ Ps 78:72, ׳פְּרִי כ Prov 31:16 ; compare Mic 7:3.
2. = power (i.e. grasp) of any one, נתן בכף Judg 6:13 = deliver into the power of, so Jer 12:7, compare בּוֺא בכף Prov 6:3 usually הוֺשִׁיעַ, פּדָה, הִצִּיל etc., with מִכַּף = out of the power of Judg 6:14; 1Sam 4:3; 2Sam 14:16; 2Sam 19:10 (twice in verse); 2Sam 22:1 (twice in verse) = Ps 18:1 (title), 2Kgs 16:7 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 20:6 = Isa 38:6; Mic 4:10; Jer 15:21; 2Chr 30:6; 2Chr 32:11; Ezra 8:31; Ps 71:4 (compare יָד 5 g, p. 391 above)
3. רַגְלָהּכַּף, etc., = sole of foot, Gen 8:9 (J), Josh 3:13; Josh 4:18 (both J E), 1Kgs 5:17; 2Kgs 19:24 = Isa 37:25; Deut 11:24; Deut 28:56; Deut 28:65; Josh 1:3 (D) Ezek 43:7; Mal 3:21 קָדְקֳדוֺמִכַּף רַגְלוֺ וְעַד 2Sam 14:25; Job 2:7, compare Isa 1:6 (figurative); ׳ר ׳מִדְרַךְ כ Deut 2:5 treading-place for the sole of a foot; of the cherubim Ezek 1:7, of a calf, (in simile) vEzek 1:7., (according to MT; compare however Co).
4. of various hollow, bending or bent objects: —
  a. hollow (i.e. socket), of the thigh-joint, יָרֵךְ ׳כ Gen 32:26 (twice in verse); Gen 32:33 (twice in verse) (J).
  b. pan, vessel (as hollow), used in ritual, Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16; Num 5:7; Num 7:14 + 15 t. Num 7; 1Kgs 7:50 = 2Chr 4:22; 2Kgs 25:14 = Jer 52:18; Jer 52:19; 2Chr 24:14.
  c. hollow of sling, 1Sam 25:29.
  d. כַּפּוֺת תְּמָרִים Lev 23:40 = of huge hand-shaped branches (or fronds) of palm-trees.
  e. כַּפּוֺת הַמַּנְעוּל Song 5:5 the (bent) handles of the bolt.

hands, hand, spoon, spoons, sole, …
kap
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
  • palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
    • palm, hollow or flat of the hand
    • "power"sole (of the foot)"hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
      • of thigh-joint
      • "pan, vessel (as hollow)"hollow (of sling)"hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)"handles (as bent)

נָ֑חַת
נָ֑חַת
Root word rest, set, down, quiet, quietness
Dictionary form: נַחַת · na-HAHT

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: with quietness
and rest ×1 and that which should be set ×1 hath more rest ×1 in quiet ×1 our rest ×1 rest ×1 the lighting down ×1 with quietness ×1
More options
tranquility — Broad, modern; suits emotional or situational calm.
quietness — Modernizes KJV; good for inner stillness or silence.
rest — Common rendering; prefer when physical repose is in view.
repose — Slightly elevated register; suits restful peace or ease.
calm — Concise; fits contexts of settled, undisturbed states.
settling down — Captures the 'lighting down / descending' sense of the root.

BDB5051 H5183 H5184

BDB5050 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5052

I. נַ֫חַת noun [feminine] (apparently masculine Job 36:16, but see below) quietness, rest (under this √ Thes Ol§ 164 c Sta§ 201 d ii. 172 f.; > below נחת DlProl. 118 ff.); — ׳נ Isa 30:15 + 2 t., נָ֑חַת Job 17:16 + 2 t.; construct נַ֫חַת Job 36:16

1. quietness, quiet attitude Isa 30:15 (|| הַשְׁקֵט); נִשְׁמָעִים ׳דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים בְּנ Eccl 9:17 opposed to עָמָל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ Eccl 4:6 opposed to רָגַז, שָׂחַק Prov 29:9 of comfort of one's table, i.e. its satisfying plenty, שֻׁלְחָֽנְךָ מָלֵא דָ֑שֶׁן ׳וְנ Job 36:16 the comfort of thy table, which (i.e. the table) was full of fat (Di, compare Bu; > that which is set on thy table shall be, etc. De and others, making ׳נ subject of מָלֵא, and so masculine).
2. rest of death Job 17:16 read נֵחָ֑ת (ᵐ5 Du Dr), √ נחת = descend (compare Job 21:13); of a stillborn child Eccl 6:5. — II, III. נַחַת see נחת.


BDB5150 H5183

BDB5149 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5151

II. נַ֫חַת noun [masculine] descent; — only construct, of ׳י's arm in judgment Isa 30:30. — I. נַחַת see below נוח.

rest, set, down, quiet, quietness
naḥat
a descent, i.e., imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food); restfulness
  • rest, quietness
    • quietness, quiet attitude
    • "rest (of death)
    descent (of judgment)

מִ מְּלֹ֥א
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
מְּלֹ֥א
Root word full, fulness, therein, all, fill, …
Dictionary form: מְלֹא · meh-LOH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: full
full ×8 and the fulness ×5 and all that is therein ×4 a multitude ×2 all ×1 an handful ×1 and all ×1 and all that therein is ×1
More options
fullness — Most natural modern spelling; preferred in most prose contexts.
abundance — Emphasizes plenty or overflow; good for poetic passages.
entirety — Highlights completeness; suits 'all that it contains' sense.
contents — Concrete and plain; ideal when referring to what fills a space.
handful — Use only when the measured quantity is literally a hand's fill.
multitude — Reserve for crowds or large numbers, not physical filling.

BDB4650 H4393

BDB4649 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4651

מְלֹא, [מְלוֺא] noun masculineIsa 8Isa 1:4 fulness, that which fills (Arabic Lane2729); — ׳מ construct Gen 48:19 + 19 t.; מְלוֺ Ezek 41:8 suffix מְלוֺאוֺ Isa 42:10 + 3 t.; מְלוֺאָהּ Deut 33:16 + 12 t.; —

1. fulness of hand (= handful) Eccl 4:6 (twice in verse) followed by accusative of material חָפְנֵיכֶם פִּיחַ ׳מ Exod 9:8 compare Lev 16:12; 1Kgs 17:12 so homer-full of manna; Exod 16:33 compare Lev 16:12; Num 22:18; Num 24:13; Judg 6:38 simil. מְלֹא בְגְדוֺ 2Kgs 4:39 rarely followed by מִן Lev 2:2; Lev 5:12, compare Exod 16:32 (but read perhaps מִלְאוּ so ᵐ5 see Di).
2. mass of shepherds Isa 31:4 (in sim); multitude of nations Gen 48:19 (compare Arabic Qor 2:247 and elsewhere)
3. fullness = that which fills, entire contents, of אֶרֶץ Deut 33:16; Ps 24:1; Isa 6:3; Isa 8:8; Isa 34:1; Mic 1:2; Jer 8:16; Jer 47:2; Ezek 12:19; Ezek 19:7; Ezek 30:12; Ezek 32:15 תֵּבֵל Ps 50:12; Ps 89:12 יָם Isa 42:10; 1Chr 16:32; Ps 96:11; Ps 98:7 עִיר Amos 6:8.
4. phrases: — קוֺמָתוֺ ׳מ = at full length 1Sam 28:20 full line, or portion הַחֶ֫בַל ׳מ 2Sam 8:2 הַקָּנֶה ׳מ Ezek 41:8 full rod (reed).

full, fulness, therein, all, fill, …
mĕlōʾ
fulness (literally or figuratively)
  • fullness, that which fills
    • fulness, handful
    • "mass, multitude"fulness, that which fills, entire contents"full length, full line

חָפְנַ֛יִם
חָפְנַ֛יִם
Root word hands, fists, hand, handfuls
Dictionary form: חֹפֶן · hoh-PEN

Noun — Common, masculine dual, absolute state dual — a natural pair ("two ___")

In the KJV here: than both the hands
and his hands ×1 in his fists ×1 than both the hands ×1 the hands ×1 thine hand ×1 to you handfuls ×1
More options
handful — Best for quantity/measure contexts; most common usage.
cupped hands — Emphasizes the hollow, carrying gesture of both hands.
fist — Prefer when force or grip is implied.
palm — Suits contexts of open-handed giving or receiving.
double handful — Captures the dual/paired sense of the Hebrew noun.

BDB2998 H2651

BDB2997 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2999

[חֹ֫פֶן] noun [masculine] hollow of hand (Late Hebrew חוֺפֶן, Aramaic חָפְנִי, חוּפְנָא, ; Ethiopic — also Arabic hollow in the ground; and, acc, to ZehnpfBAB i, 635, Assyrian —upunnu, bowl, but = ?) — only dual חָפְנַיִם Eccl 4:6 construct חָפְנֵי Ezek 10:7 (strike out Co internal grounds); suffix חָפְנֶיךָ Ezek 10:2 חָפְנָיו Lev 16:2; Prov 30:4 חָפְנֵינֶם Exod 9:8 ׳מַלֵּא ה Ezek 10:2 + vEzek 10:7 (strike out Co compare above); — ׳מְלֹא ח = handful Exod 9:8; Lev 16:12 (both P), Eccl 4:6, material follows in implicit accusative; ׳מיאֿסף רוח בח Prov 30:4.

hands, fists, hand, handfuls
ḥōpen
a fist (only in the dual)
  • handfuls, hollow of the hand

עָמָ֖ל
עָמָ֖ל
Root word labour, mischief, misery, travail, trouble, …
Dictionary form: עָמָל · aw-MAWL

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: with travail
his labour ×5 mischief ×5 my labour ×4 the labour ×4 in his labour ×2 labour ×2 also and sorrow ×1 and in thy labour ×1
More options
toil — Best for exhausting physical or mental effort.
trouble — Broad; suits contexts of hardship or distress.
misery — Emphasizes emotional or existential suffering.
wickedness — Prefer when moral wrongdoing is in view.
hardship — Neutral, modern; good for general suffering contexts.
grief — Suits lamenting or sorrowful poetic passages.

BDB6137 H5999

BDB6136 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6138

I. עָמָל noun masculineJob 4:8 feminineEccl 10:15 (against AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 113, see Synt. § 249 m) trouble, labour, toil (on this form as abstract see LagBN 143 BaNB 105); — ׳ע Num 23:21 +; construct עֲמַל Judg 10:16 +; suffix עֲמָלִי Gen 41:51 +, etc.; —

1. trouble (|| sorrow): one's own suffering, עָמָל וְיָגוֺן Jer 20:18 וָכַעַס ׳ע Ps 10:14 עֳנִי ׳וע Deut 26:7; Ps 25:18 וָאָ֑וֶן ׳ע Ps 90:10 || אָוֶן Num 23:21; Job 5:6 || שָֽׁוְא Job 7:3 נפשׁו ׳ע Isa 53:11 בְּעֵינָ֑י ׳ע Ps 73:16 מֵעֵינָ֑י ׳וַיַּסְתֵּר ע Job 3:10 ׳מְנַחֲמֵי ע Job 16:2 ׳אדם לע יוּלָּד Job 5:7 אנושׁ אינימוֺ ׳בע Ps 73:5 ׳שׁכח ע Job 11:16 ׳נַשַּׁנִי ע Gen 41:51 (E); לא זכר ׳ע Prov 31:7 תקצר ׳נפשׁו בע Judg 10:16.
2. trouble, mischief, as done to others: || שֹׁד Prov 24:2 ׳יֹצֵר ע Ps 94:20 || רָע Hab 1:13 בְראֹשׁוֺ ׳יָשׁוּב ע Ps 7:17 וָאָ֑וֶן ׳ע Ps 10:7 ׳און וע Ps 55:11 || אָוֶן Isa 10:1; Isa 59:4; Hab 1:3; Ps 7:15; Job 4:8; Job 15:35 עֲמַל שְׂפָתֵימוֺ Ps 140:10 mischief of their lips.
3. toil, labour (late in Hebrew): Eccl 2:10 (twice in verse); Eccl 2:21; Eccl 2:24; Eccl 3:13; Eccl 4:4; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 4:8; Eccl 4:9; Eccl 5:14; Eccl 5:18; Eccl 6:7; Eccl 8:15; Eccl 10:15 with עָמַל (q. v.) Eccl 1:3; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:19; Eccl 2:20; Eccl 5:17 שֶׁאֲנִי שְׁהוּא) עָמֵל ׳ע Eccl 2:18; Eccl 2:22 אֲשֶׁר עָמֵל ׳ע Eccl 9:9 = fruit of labour, לְאֻמִּים יִירָ֑שׁוּ ׳ע Ps 105:44 לִבָּם ׳וַיַּכְנַע בע Ps 107:12 he humbled their mind by toil.

labour, mischief, misery, travail, trouble, …
ʿāmāl
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
  • toil, trouble, labor
    • trouble
    • "trouble, mischief"toil, labor

וּ רְע֥וּת
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
רְע֥וּת
Root word vexation
Dictionary form: רְעוּת · reh-OOT

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: and vexation
and vexation ×7
More options
frustration — Most natural modern word; suits Ecclesiastes' tone well.
vexation — Modernized from KJV; still widely understood.
anguish — Emphasizes emotional suffering over mere annoyance.
grief — Softer register; highlights sorrow rather than irritation.
torment — Strong register; for contexts of intense distress.

BDB8014 H7469

BDB8013 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8015

II. רְעוּת noun feminine longing, striving; — construct, רוּחַ ׳הֶבֶל וּר Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 2:26; Eccl 4:4; Eccl 6:9 רוּחַ ׳עָמָל וּר Eccl 4:6.

vexation
rĕʿût
a feeding upon, i.e., grasping after
  • longing, striving

רֽוּחַ
רֽוּחַ
Root word spirit, wind, breath, winds, mind, …
Dictionary form: רוּחַ · ROO-ah

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of spirit
the spirit ×47 spirit ×35 wind ×28 the wind ×27 and the spirit ×25 my spirit ×16 of spirit ×12 winds ×8
More options
spirit — Best for divine, human, or supernatural inner essence.
wind — Prefer for natural, meteorological, or cosmic contexts.
breath — Captures life-force nuance; close to physical or animating sense.
mind — Use when context emphasizes inner disposition or attitude.
gust — More vivid, concrete alternative for a sudden burst of wind.
courage — Fits idioms where רוּחַ denotes resolve or morale.

BDB7797 H7307 H5315 H3824 H1320 H3820

BDB7796 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7798

רוּחַ378 noun feminineGen 41:8 (less often masculineExod 10:13 +) breath, wind, spirit; — absolute ׳ר Gen 8:1 +, ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 construct רוּחַ Gen 6:17 +; suffix רוּחִי vGen 6:3 +, רוּחֲךָ Ps 104:30 +, etc.; plural רוּחוֺת vPs 104:4 +, רֻחוֺת Jer 49:36, רוּחֹת Num 16:22; Num 26:16 (see Brרוח in O.T., JBL xix (1900), 132 ff., full statement of all passages); —

1. breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.):
  a. רוּחַ פִּיו Job 15:30 breath of his mouth, compare Job 19:17 רוּחַ אַפֵּינוּ Lam 4:20 (figurative of king), of idols לֹא רוּחַ בָּם Jer 10:14 = Jer 51:17, Hab 2:19; Ps 135:17 compare Job 9:18.
  b. as mere breath: compare 2 e. דִּבְרֵירֿוּחַ Job 16:3 i.e. windy words; נוֺאָשׁ לְרוּחַ אִמְרֵי Job 6:26, הַנְּבִיאִים יִהְיוּ לְרוּחַ Jer 5:13.
  c. as word of command: (1) of God: (נעשׂו) בְּרוּחַ פִּיו כָּלֿ צְבָאָםPs 33:6, compare Isa 34:16 (|| פֶּה); (2) of Messianic king: בְּרוּחַ שְׂפָתָיו יָמִית רָשָׁע Isa 11:4.
  d. as hard breathing through the nostrils in anger: (1) of God: מֵרוּח אַפּוֺ יִכְלוּ Job 4:9; Exod 15:8 (poem), 2Sam 22:16 = Ps 18:16; Isa 30:28; Isa 59:19 (2) of man: רוּחַ עָרִיצִים Isa 25:4.
  e. as sign and symbol of life: רוּחַ חַיִּים breath of life Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו Gen 7:22 (P); Ezek 37:5, compare vEzek 37:6 vEzek 37:8 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:10 vEzek 37:14 (breath or spirit), Eccl 3:19.
2. wind (117 t.):
  a. wind of heaven: Gen 8:1 (P) Exod 15:10 (E) Num 11:31 (J) 1Kgs 18:45 +, Jer 10:13, thence Jer 51:16; Ps 135:7 ׳רוּחַ י Hos 13:15; Isa 40:7, compare Job 26:13 (Di Bu); רוּחַ (ה)קָדִים east wind Exod 10:13 (twice in verse); Exod 14:21 (J) Ps 48:8; Jer 18:17; Ezek 17:10; Ezek 19:12; Ezek 27:26; Jonah 4:8 צָפוֺן ׳ר north wind Prov 25:23 יָם ׳ר sea wind (west wind) Exod 10:19 (J); . הַיּוֺם ׳ר day wind, evening wind Gen 3:8 (J; compare Song 2:17; Song 4:6); אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת four winds Jer 49:36; Ezek 37:9 (quarters?) Dan 8:8; Dan 11:4 (figurative quarters; compare b), Zech 2:10; Zech 6:5 רוּחַ סְעְרָה storm wind Ps 107:25; Ps 148:8; Ezek 1:4 (סְעָרוֺת ׳ר), Ezek 13:11; Ezek 13:13 רוּחַ סֹעָה rushing wind Ps 55:9 (read possibly סערה Hup); בַּעְיָם רוּחוֺ Isa 11:15 (read ׳בְּעֹצֶם ר, see עֲיָם, עֹצֶם), etc; wind personified: כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ 2Sam 22:11 = Ps 18:11; Ps 104:3, compare Hos 4:19; Ps 104:4.
  b. quarter (of wind), side: רוּחַ הַקָּדִים Ezek 42:16 east side; רוּחַ הַצָּפוֺן vEzek 42:17 north side; רוּחַ הַדָּרוֺם vEzek 42:18 south side; רוּחַ הַיָּם vEzek 42:19 west side; אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת vEzek 42:20; 1Chr 9:24 four sides; ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 on the sides.
  c. breath of air: שָׁאֲפוּ רוּחַ כַּתַּנִּים Jer 14:6 רוּחַ לֹא יָבֹא בֵּינֵיהֶם Job 41:8.
  d. air, gas, from womb (dubious): כְּמוֺ יָלַדְנוּ רוּחַ Isa 26:18 (Di, e); רוּחֲכֶם אֵשׁ תֹּאכַלְכֶם (RV breath) Isa 33:11 (Du, 3 c).
  e. vain, empty thing: רוּחַיָּי֑ Job 7:7 my life is wind; דַּעַת רוּחַ Job 15:2 רוּחַ וָתֹהוּ נִסְכֵּיהֶם Isa 41:29 רְעוּת רוּחַ striving for wind Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 2:26; Eccl 4:4; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 6:9 compare Eccl 1:17; Eccl 4:16; Eccl 5:15.
3. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.; so, distinctively, as compared with נֶפֶשׁ and לֵבָב):
  a. spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour: לֹא הָיָה בָהּ עוֺד רוּחַ 1Kgs 10:5 = 2Chr 9:4 מַהזֶּֿה רוּחֲךָ סָרָה 1Kgs 21:5 וַתְּחִי רוּחַ Gen 45:27 (E); וַתָּשָׁב רוּחוֺ Judg 15:19; 1Sam 30:12.
  b. courage: ׳לֹא הָיָה בָם עוֺד ר Josh 5:1 נְגִידִים ׳יִבְצֹר ר Ps 76:13 מִצְרַיִם ׳וְנָָֽבְקָה ר Isa 19:3 תתעטּף רוּחִי Ps 77:4; Ps 142:4; Ps 143:4 לֹא קָמָה ׳עוֺד ר Josh 2:11 אִישׁ יְכַלְכֵּל מַחֲלֵהוּ ׳ר Prov 18:14.
  c. temper, especially anger: ׳רוּחַ רָעָה בֵּין וגו Judg 9:23 אָז רָֽפְתָה רוּחָם Judg 8:3 משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ Prov 16:32, compare Prov 25:28; Prov 29:11; Job 15:13 הֵנִיחוּ אֶתרֿוּחִי Zech 6:8; Eccl 7:9; Eccl 10:4.
  d. impatience or patience: קֹצֶר רוּחַ Exod 6:9 (P) impatience, hastiness of temper, compare (of ׳י) Mic 2:7 קְצַררֿוּחַ Prov 14:29 (|| אֶרֶךְ אַפַיִם); הֱצִיקַתְנִי רוּחַ בִּטְנִי Job 32:18 (Du breath; Di Bu divine spirit, compare vJob 32:8); אִם מַדּוּעַ לֹאתִֿקְצַר רוּחִי Job 21:4 ׳הֲקָצַר רוּחַ י Mic 2:7 ׳אֶרֶךְ ר Eccl 7:8.
  e. spirit, disposition, as troubled, bitter, or discontented; וַתִּפָּעֶם רוּח(וׅ (his) spirit was troubled Gen 41:8 (E) Dan 2:3, compare vDan 2:1 מֹרַת רוּחַ Gen 26:35 (P) bitterness of spirit; ׳עֲצוּבַת ר Isa 54:6, compare Ezek 3:14; Job 6:4. feminine as crushed: וְכִהֲתָה כָלרֿוּחַ Ezek 21:12, compare Isa 61:3; Prov 15:4; Prov 15:13; Prov 17:22; Prov 18:14; Ps 143:7.
  g. disposition of various kinds, often unaccountable and uncontrollable impulse: הֵעִיר אֶתרֿוּחַ 1Chr 5:26 (twice in verse); 2Chr 21:16; 2Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Ezra 1:5; Jer 51:11; Hag 1:14 (3 t. in verse); הִנְנִי נ(וֺ)תֵן בּוֺ רוּח2Kgs 19:7 = Isa 37:7; Num 14:24 (J; see עִם 4 b), Mal 2:15 (twice in verse); Mal 2:16; Deut 2:30 רוּחַ קִנְאָה jealous disposition Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:30 (P); רוּחַ וְנוּנִים Hos 4:12; Hos 5:4 רוּחַ עִוְעִיםIsa 19:14 רוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט Isa 28:6 אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלהִֹרם בּוֺ (administrative) Gen 41:38 (E); קַר רוּחַ אִישׁ הְּבוּנָה Prov 17:27.
  h. prophetic spirit: יְהוֺשֻׁעַ אִישׁ אֲשֶׁרֿ רוּחַ בּזֹNum 27:18 (P; or g, as Gen 41:38); רוּחַ אֵלִיָּהוּ עַלאֱֿלִישָׁע2Kgs 2:15, compare v2Kgs 2:9 רוּחַ תַּרְדֵמָה spirit of deep sleep (ecstatic, compare Gen 2:21; Gen 15:12, but Di and others g, as Isa 19:14) Isa 29:10; Mic 2:11 רוּחַ הַטֻמְאָה Zech 13:2 (of lying prophets), compare Ezek 13:3.
4. spirit of the living, breathing being, dwelling in the בָּשָׂר of men and animals, || נֶפֶשׁ (25 t.):
  a. gift and creation of God: יֹצֵר רוּחַ אָדָם בְּקִרְבּוֺ Zech 12:1 רוּחַ אֱלוֺהַּ בְּאַפִּי Job 27:3, compare Isa 42:5.
  b. God preserves it: פְּקֻדָּֽתְךָ שָֽׁמְרָה רוּחִי Job 10:12, compare Job 12:10 אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר Num 16:22; Num 27:16 (P); תֹּכֵן רוּחוֺת Prov 16:2.
  c. it is therefore God's spirit: Gen 6:3 (J; see דִּין near the end).
  d. it departs at death: Ps 78:39 (Dr a wind that passeth away 2 e); חַיֵּי רוּחִי Isa 38:16 (Di principle of life), Ps 146:4 especially Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30; Job 17:1; Job 34:14 (compare vJob 34:15), Isa 57:16; Eccl 8:8 (twice in verse) (wind Wild); אֵינְךָ יוֺדֵעַ מַהדֶּֿרֶךְ הָרוּחַ Eccl 11:5, compare Eccl 3:21 over ag. הָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶלהָֿאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ Eccl 12:7 בְּיָָֽדְךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי Ps 31:6.
  e. disembodied being (dubious, Di Du breath of wind): וְרוּחַ עַלפָּֿנַי יַחֲלֹף Job 4:15.
5. spirit as seat of emotion = נֶפֶשׁ:
  a. desire (possibly 3 g), Isa 26:9 (|| נֶפֶשׁ).
  b. sorrow, trouble (probably 3 e), Job 7:11 (|| נֶפֶשׁ). — 1Sam 1:15 see קָשֶׁה.
6. occasionally, (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts, || לֵב, or synonym with it: רוּחַ חָכְמָה Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9 (both P; probably 3 g); תּעֵי רוּחַ Isa 29:24, compare Job 20:3 (Hi Bu Du wind of Job's words), Ps 77:7 (ᵐ5 Symm ᵑ6 Jerome troubled disposition); רוּחַ יהוה Isa 40:13 come into mind (compare לֵב Isa 65:17; Jer 3:16 +); 1Chr 28:12.
7. rarely of the will; also = רוּחַ נָכוֺן לֵב Ps 51:12 (= לֵב נָכוֺן Ps 57:8 (twice in verse) +); רוּחַ נְדִיבָה vPs 51:14 נָָֽדְבָה רוּחוֺ Exod 35:21 (P; compare נְדִיב לֵב Exod 35:5; Exod 35:22 (P) 2Chr 29:31).
8. רוּחַ especially of moral character; also = ׃לֵב רוּחַ חֲדָשָׁהEzek 11:19; Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 רוּחִי vEzek 36:27; Isa 59:21 (רוּחִי, || דְּבָרַי; but probably prophetic spirit 9 b); לֵב חָדָשׁ Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 נְכֵה רוּחַ Isa 66:2 דַּכְּאֵי רוּחַ Ps 34:19 (compare לֵב נִדְכָּאִים Isa 57:15); מִשֵּׁבֶר רוּחַ Isa 65:14 (compare 3 f); רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרֶה Ps 51:19 (|| לֵב נִשְׁבָּר, compare נִשְׁבְּרֵי לֵב Ps 34:19; Isa 61:1); Ps 32:2; Prov 11:13; Prov 16:18; Ps 78:8; Eccl 7:8 (compare גְּבַהּלֵב Prov 16:5); שְׁפַל רוּחַ Prov 16:19; Prov 29:23; Isa 57:15 רוּחַ שְׁפָלִים vIsa 57:15 (compare 3 f).
9. spirit of God (94 t.; not D or Jeremiah or any Deuteronomic writer; conception of its activity in inspiring prophecy probably discredited from abuse by false prophets, see נביא, נבא):
  a. as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy, Num 11:17; Num 11:25 (twice in verse); Num 11:26; Num 11:29 (J), 1Sam 10:6; 1Sam 10:10 (compare v1Sam 10:5), 1Sam 19:20; 1Sam 19:23 as inciting to deeds of frenzy, in the ecstatic state; hence conceived as אֱלֹהִים רָעָה ׳ר 1Sam 16:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 16:16, = ׳רָעָה מֵאֵת י ׳ר v1Sam 16:14 = רָעָה ׳א ׳צלח ר 1Sam 18:10 (other narrative) = רָעָה ׳י ׳ר 1Sam 19:9 ׳א ׳ר 1Sam 16:23 = רוּחַ הָרָעָה v1Sam 16:23, compare הָרוּחַ 1Kgs 22:21 = שֶׁקֶר ׳ר v1Kgs 22:22 v1Kgs 22:23 = 2Chr 18:20; 2Chr 18:21; 2Chr 18:22 = ׳רוּחַ י 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 compare also (in earlier prophets) אִישׁ הָרוּחַ, i.e. one possessed by the spirit in the ecstatic state, || הַנָּבִּיא Hos 9:7 ׳רוּחַ י Mic 3:8 (|| בֹּחַ) is probably gloss (We Now); וְלֹא רוּחִי Isa 30:1 רוּחַ dealing with Ezek.: Ezek 2:2; Ezek 3:12; Ezek 3:14; Ezek 3:24; Ezek 8:3; Ezek 11:1; Ezek 11:5; Ezek 11:24 (Co gloss), Ezek 37:1; Ezek 43:5 (all implying ecstatic state of vision), compare Elijah 1Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 2:16.
  b. spirit as impelling prophets to utter instruction or warning (higher and later conception): transition probably Num 24:2; 2Sam 23:2; 1Chr 12:18 elsewhere in Chronicles: 2Chr 15:1; 2Chr 20:14; 2Chr 24:20 distinctly in Isa2, Isa 48:16, compare Isa 61:1 so of ancient prophets, Zech 7:12; Neh 9:30 compare, of future prophetic gift, Joel 3:1; Joel 3:2.
  c. imparting warlike energy, and executive and administrative power: (1) to שֹׁפְטִים, מוֺשִׁיעִים, מְלָכִים, of ancient Israel: וַתְּהִי רוּחַ על ׳י Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29, compare Judg 6:34; Judg 13:25; Judg 14:6; Judg 14:19; Judg 15:14; 1Sam 11:6; 1Sam 16:13; 1Sam 16:14 so also עַד יֵעָרֶה עָלֵינוּ רוּחַ מִמָּרוֺם Isa 32:15 (2) resting upon Messianic king: Isa 11:2 (3 t. in verse); upon servant of ׳י, Isa 42:1.
  d. late, as endowing men with various gifts: technical skill Exod 31:3; Exod 35:31 (P); understanding Job 32:8 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); poured out by divine wisdom Prov 1:23.
  e. as energy of life: רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַלפְּֿנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם Gen 1:2 (P); רוּחַ אֵל עָשָׂ֑תְנִי Job 33:4 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); as vital power, opposed to בָשָׂר: Isa 31:3 in cherubic chariot: Ezek 1:12, compare vEzek 1:20 vEzek 1:21; Ezek 10:17 reviving Israel Ezek 39:29; Zech 12:10; Isa 44:3. feminine = ancient angel of the presence and later Shekina: קָדְשׁוֺ ׳ר Isa 63:10; Isa 63:11 = ׳י ׳ר vIsa 63:14 (= מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו vIsa 63:9), compare Ps 106:33 so also קָדְשְׁךָ ׳ר Ps 51:13 (in national prayer), compare Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 prophets of restoration conceive of the divine spirit as standing in their midst and about to fulfil all divine promises: רוּחִי עֹמֶדֶת בְּתוֺכֲכֶם Hag 2:5; Zech 4:6 this conception culminates in רוּחַ = divine Presence, and as such omnipresent, Ps 139:7 (|| פָּנֶיךָ; compare vPs 139:8).


BDB9892 H7307 H7381

BDB9891 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9893

רוח (√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew id., רוּח, רֵיחַ).

spirit, wind, breath, winds, mind, …
rûaḥ
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
  • wind, breath, mind, spirit
    • breath
    • "wind
      • of heaven
      • "quarter (of wind), side"breath of air"air, gas"vain, empty thing
      spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
      • spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
      • "courage"temper, anger"impatience, patience"spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)"disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse"prophetic spirit
      spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
      • as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
      spirit (as seat of emotion)
      • desire
      • "sorrow, trouble
      spirit
      • as seat or organ of mental acts
      • "rarely of the will"as seat especially of moral character
      spirit of God
      • as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy
      • "as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning"imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power"as endowing men with various gifts"as energy of life"ancient angel and later Shekinah

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
ט֕וֹב Zaqef Gadol — a strong break מְלֹ֥א כַ֖ף Tipeha — a lesser break נָ֑חַת Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מִמְּלֹ֥א חָפְנַ֛יִם Tevir — a lesser break עָמָ֖ל Tipeha — a lesser break וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ Silluq — end of the verse

טוֹב מְלֹא כַף נָחַת מִמְּלֹא חָפְנַיִם עָמָל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃
6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Cross References

Proverbs 15:16

טוֹב-מְעַט בְּיִרְאַת יְהוָה מֵאוֹצָר רָב וּמְהוּמָה בֽוֹ׃
16
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Proverbs 16:8

טוֹב-מְעַט בִּצְדָקָה מֵרֹב תְּבוּאוֹת בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּֽט׃
8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Psalms 37:16

טוֹב-מְעַט לַצַּדִּיק מֵהֲמוֹן רְשָׁעִים רַבִּֽים׃
16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Proverbs 17:1

טוֹב פַּת חֲרֵבָה וְשַׁלְוָה-בָהּ מִבַּיִת מָלֵא זִבְחֵי-רִֽיב׃
1
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.