Job 35:11

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

מַ֭לְּפֵ נוּ
מַ֭לְּפֵ
Root word learn, teach, teacheth, uttereth
נוּ
Suffix — pronoun our / us
Dictionary form: אָלַף · aw-LAHP

Verb — Piel, Participle Active, masculine singular, construct state intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: who teacheth
and i shall teach ×1 thou learn ×1 uttereth ×1 who teacheth ×1
More options
teach — Most common active sense; imparting knowledge or skill.
instruct — Slightly more formal; suits structured or authoritative teaching.
learn — Passive/reflexive sense; acquiring knowledge from another.
train — Emphasizes repeated practice leading to mastery.
utter — Rare sense; expressing wisdom or sayings aloud.

BDB501 H502

BDB500 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB502

I. [אָלַף] verb learn (Arabic keep, cleave to, become familiar with; Aramaic אֲלַף, , learn, , Pa teach). Qal Imperfect 2 masculine singular תֶּאֱלַף אֹרְחֹתָו֯ Prov 22:25 Pi`el teach, followed by accusative יְאַלֵּף פִּיךָ Job 15:5 (subject עֲוֺנְךָ); so Participle מַלְּפֵנוּ (for ׳מְאַלְּ Sta§ lll, 3 1, 388 Ge:§ 68 fin., compare Ew§ 73 b) Job 35:11 followed by 2 accusative אֲאַלֶּפְךָ חָכְמָה Job 33:33.

learn, teach, teacheth, uttereth
ʾālap
hence, to learn (and causatively to teach)
  • to learn
    • (Qal) to learn
    • "(Piel) to teach

מִ בַּהֲמ֣וֹת
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
בַּהֲמ֣וֹת
Root word beast, cattle, beasts
Dictionary form: בְּהֵמָה · beh-hay-MAW

Noun — Common, feminine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: us more than the beasts
beast ×26 and beast ×18 cattle ×9 beasts ×8 the beasts ×8 of beasts ×6 the cattle ×6 of thy cattle ×5
More options
animal — Broadest, most neutral modern term; widely applicable.
livestock — Best when context implies domesticated or farm animals.
creature — Useful in poetic or theological contexts emphasizing created life.
beast — Retain when emphasizing wildness or contrast with humanity.
cattle — Use only when bovines or herded animals are clearly in view.

BDB936 H929

BDB935 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB937

בְּהֵמָה187 noun feminine beast, animal, cattle (Arabic ) — ׳בּ Gen 1:24 + 137 t.; construct בֶּהֱמַת Num 3:41 (twice in verse) + 10 t.; suffix בְּהֶמְתְּךָ Lev 19:19 + 4 t.; בְּהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָ Exod 20:10 + 4 t.; בְּהֶמְתּוֺ Gen 36:6; Prov 12:10 plural absolute בְּהֵמוֺת Deut 32:24 + 6 t. + Ps 73:22 (see below); construct בַּהֲמוֺת Ps 8:8 + 5 t.; — beast, & collective beasts (Gen 8:1 + very often)

1. of living creatures other than man (אָדָם) Gen 8:1; Exod 8:13; Exod 8:14; Exod 9:9; Exod 9:10; Exod 9:22; Exod 22:18; Lev 18:23 (twice in verse) (where ׳בּ is male, so Lev 20:16) Deut 27:21; Ps 36:7 etc.; ׳מֵאָדָם וְעַד בּ (׳בּ including all the larger animals) Exod 9:25; Exod 12:12; Ps 135:8; Jer 50:3 etc.; as inferior to man Job 18:3; Ps 49:13; Ps 49:21, so also Eccl 3:18; Eccl 3:19 (twice in verse); Eccl 3:21 opposed to also birds & reptiles Gen 6:7; Gen 7:23; Gen 8:17 compare Ezek 44:31 etc.; also to fishes 1Kgs 5:13; Job 12:7 compare vJob 12:8, Ps 8:9; Zeph 1:3.
2. opposed to also to wild beasts חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ, הַשָּׂדֶה ׳ח Gen 1:24; Gen 1:25; Gen 1:26; Gen 2:20; Gen 3:14; Gen 7:14; Gen 7:21; Gen 9:10; Ps 50:10; Ps 148:10; Isa 46:1 etc.; especially therefore cattle, as owned and used by man, Gen 47:18 (׳מִקְנֵה הַבּ) Exod 20:10 = Deut 5:14; Lev 19:19; Lev 26:22; Num 3:41 (twice in verse); Num 3:45 (twice in verse); Deut 2:35; Deut 11:15; Jonah 4:11; Zech 2:8; Zech 8:10; Zech 14:15; Neh 10:37 etc.; in one (late) passage of animal for riding (horse ? mule ?) Neh 2:12 (twice in verse); Neh 2:14.
3. rarely of wild beasts, especially carnivora, יַעַר ׳בּ Mic 5:7 הָאָרֶץ ׳בּ Deut 28:26; Isa 18:6 (twice in verse); Jer 7:33; Jer 15:3; Jer 16:4; Jer 19:7; Jer 34:20 הַשָּׂדֶה ׳בּ 1Sam 17:44 alone, Prov 30:30 שֶׁןבְּֿהֵמוֺת Deut 32:24 ׳שֹׁד בּ Hab 2:17. — On בְּהֵמוֺת Ps 73:22 compare below

beast, cattle, beasts
bĕhēmâ
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
  • beast, cattle, animal
    • beasts (coll of all animals)
    • "cattle, livestock (of domestic animals)"wild beasts

אָ֑רֶץ
אָ֑רֶץ
Root word land, earth, ground, country, countries, …
Dictionary form: אֶרֶץ · eh-RETS

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of the earth
the land ×425 the earth ×247 in the land ×246 of the earth ×197 of the land ×197 land ×130 out of the land ×66 in the earth ×43
More options
land — Best default; territory, region, or promised land.
earth — Prefer for cosmic or global scope (whole creation).
ground — Physical soil or surface; localized, tangible contexts.
country — Distinct nation-territory; political or ethnic emphasis.
region — Geographical area without strong political connotation.
world — Rare; only when universal scope is clearly intended.

BDB780 H776

BDB779 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB781

אֶ֫רֶץ2407 noun feminineGen 10:11 & (seldom) masculineGen 13:16 earth, land (Phoenician, MI ארץ, Assyrian irƒitu COTGloss, Arabic , Sabean ארץֿ e.g. Os9 DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaic אֲרַע, ) — ׳א absolute Gen 1:24 +; construct Gen 2:11 +; אָ֑רֶץ Gen 1:10 +; with article always הָאָ֫רֶץ Gen 1:11 +; with ָ  ה locative אַ֫רְצָה Gen 11:31 +, (this form also in poetry = אֶרֶץ Job 34:13 +); suffix אַרְצִי Job 20:15 +; (אַרְצֶ֑ךָ) אַרְצְךָ Job 12:1 +, etc.; plural אֲרָצוֺת Jer 28:8 + 65 t.; construct אַרְצוֺת Ezek 39:27 + 6 t.; suffix אַרְצֹתָם Gen 10:5 + 2 t.; —

1. a. earth, whole earth (opposed to a part) Gen 18:18; Gen 18:25; Gen 22:18 (= הָאֲדָמָה Gen 12:3) Jer 25:26; Jer 25:29; Jer 25:30; Jer 26:6; Isa 37:16; Isa 37:20 = 2Kgs 19:15; 2Kgs 19:19; Zech 4:10; Zech 4:14 +.
  b. earth, opposed to heaven, sky Gen 1:2; Exod 20:4; Deut 5:8; Deut 30:19; Judg 5:4; Lam 2:1; Isa 37:16 = 2Kgs 19:15; Ps 146:6; 1Chr 21:16; 1Chr 29:11; 2Chr 2:11 +; as permanent Eccl 1:4 built on foundations, or pillars 1Sam 2:8; Ps 104:5; Job 38:4; Isa 48:13; Isa 51:13; Isa 51:16 compare also Isa 24:18; Ps 82:5 firm, so that its shaking is something terrible, & token of terrible power 1Sam 14:4; 2Sam 22:8 = Ps 18:8; Job 9:6 compare Ps 46:2 & vPs 46:6 so also Amos 8:8; Isa 2:19; Isa 2:21; Isa 24:18; Isa 24:19; Isa 24:20; Ps 60:4; Ps 77:19; Ps 99:1; Ps 114:7 as hung on nothing Job 26:7 with waters under it Exod 20:4 = Deut 5:8 compare Gen 7:11 personified, especially as addressed, called to witness, etc. Deut 32:1; Jer 6:19; Jer 22:29; Isa 1:2; Mic 1:2; Job 16:18.
  c. earth = inhabitants of earth Gen 6:11; 1Kgs 2:2; 1Kgs 10:24; Ps 33:8; Ps 66:4 + compare ׳תֵּבֵל א Prov 8:31; Job 37:12.
2. land =
  a. country, territory, שִׁנְעָר ׳א Gen 10:10, מִצְרַיִם ׳א Gen 21:21 compare also Gen 10:11; Gen 11:28; Gen 11:31; Gen 13:10; Gen 47:6; Gen 47:27; Gen 50:8; Isa 7:18; Isa 23:1; Isa 23:13; Isa 27:13; Ps 78:12; Jer 25:20; 1Chr 1:43 personified Isa 62:4; Eccl 10:16; Eccl 10:17.
  b. district, region Gen 19:28; Gen 22:2; Josh 11:3; Ps 42:7.
  c. tribal territory Deut 34:2; Judg 21:21; 1Sam 9:4; 1Sam 9:16; 1Sam 13:7; 1Kgs 15:20; Isa 8:23 and still smaller territories 1Sam 9:4; 1Sam 9:5.
  d. piece of ground Gen 23:15.
  e. specifically land of Canaan, or Israel Gen 11:31; Gen 12:1; Gen 12:5; Gen 12:6; Gen 12:7; Gen 31:3; Deut 17:14; Deut 18:9; 2Kgs 5:2; 2Kgs 5:4 +; especially object of יָרַשׁ possess Deut 3:20 + often Deuteronomy, Psalms and elsewhere; so after נָחַל Josh 19:49 +; נָתַן Deut 1:21 +. feminine = inhabitants land Lev 19:29; Ezek 14:13 + compare Deut 24:4; Zech 12:12 etc.
  g. used even of Sh®°ôl Job 10:21; Job 10:22 (compare Assyrian irƒit la târat, land without return, in Descent of Ishtar, see Jr10. 65); see also Ps 139:15; Isa 44:23.
3. a. ground, surface of ground = אֲדָמָה q. v. Gen 1:26; Gen 1:30; Gen 18:2; Gen 33:3; Gen 38:9; Exod 4:3; Exod 16:4; Ruth 2:10; 1Sam 5:4 + very often in Samuel.
  b. soil, as productive = אֲדָמָה Gen 1:11; Gen 1:12; Lev 19:9; Lev 25:9; Lev 26:4 compare Num 14:7; Num 14:8; Isa 36:7 = 2Kgs 18:32; Ps 72:6; Ps 72:16; Ps 107:34; Ps 107:35; Ezra 9:12; Neh 9:35.
4. אֶרֶץ in phrases:
  a. people of the land ׳עַםהָֿא of non-Israelites Gen 23:7; Gen 23:12; Gen 23:13 (P) Num 14:9 (JE); as well as Israel Lev 20:4 (H) 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 21:24 (twice in verse); especially common people, opposed to officials, princes Lev 4:27 (P) Ezek 7:27; 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 11:19.
  b. in measurements of distance, ׳כִּבְרַת הָא the space or distance of country (see כּברה) Gen 35:16, so ׳כִּבְרַת א some distance Gen 48:7; 2Kgs 5:19.
  c. אֶרֶץ הַמִּישׁוֺר the country of the plain, level or plain country Deut 4:33; Jer 48:21 מִישׁוֺר ׳א figurative Ps 143:10 (but read אֹרַח ᵑ6 Bi Gr Che, compare Ps 27:11).
  d. חַיִּים ׳א land of the living Ps 27:13 הַחַיִּים ׳א Ps 142:6.
  e. ׳קְצֵה הָא end(s) of the earth Isa 42:10; Isa 43:6 (|| רָחוֺק) Ps 135:7; Prov 17:24, so ׳אַפְסֵי א Prov 30:4 +; ׳קְצוֺת הָא Isa 40:28; Isa 41:5; Isa 41:9.
5. plural אֲרָצוֺת is almost wholly late, Jer 16:15 + 6 t. Jeremiah; 23 t. Ezekiel; Isa 36:20; Isa 37:11 = 2Kgs 18:35; 2Kgs 19:11 (Isa 37:18 read הַגּוֺיִם see Che Di & compare 2Kgs 19:17); 22 t. Chronicles; Dan 9:7; Dan 11:40; Dan 11:42; Ps 105:44; Ps 106:27; Ps 107:3; Ps 116:9 besides these only P Gen 10:5; Gen 10:20; Gen 10:31; Lev 26:36; Lev 26:39, except Gen 26:3; Gen 26:4 (JR) Gen 41:54 (JE); it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc., see especially absolute Ezek 20:32; Ezek 22:4 = the various petty divisions of Canaan afterward united under Israel's control Gen 26:3; Gen 26:4, compare 1Chr 13:2 אַרְצוֺת יִשְׂרָאֵל, 2Chr 11:23 אַרְצוֺת יְהוּדָה.


BDB9347 H772 H776

BDB9346 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9348

[אֲרַע]21 noun [feminine] earth (so ᵑ7 Syriac; = Biblical Hebrew אֶרֶץ, q. v.); — emphatic אַרְעָא Dan 2:35; Dan 2:39 + 16 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11; Jer 10:11b; אַ֫רְעָא (D§§ 9, 5 a; 44, 1 n) = אֲרַע + ָ֯ of direction, earthward, i.e. downward, אַרְעָא מִנָּח Dan 2:39 Kt lower than thou, i.e. inferior to thee Qr אֲרַע (compare ᵑ7 אֲרַע מִן Ruth 4:4); — Jer 10:11a see [ אֲרַק].

land, earth, ground, country, countries, …
ʾereṣ
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • land, earth
    • earth
      • whole earth (as opposed to a part)
      • "earth (as opposed to heaven)"earth (inhabitants)
      land
      • country, territory
      • "district, region"tribal territory"piece of ground"land of Canaan, Israel"inhabitants of land"Sheol, land without return, (under) world"city, city-state
      ground, surface of the earth
      • ground
      • "soil
      (in phrases)
      • people of the land
      • "space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)"level or plain country"land of the living"end(s) of the earth
      (almost wholly late in usage)
      • lands, countries
        • often in contrast to Canaan

וּ מֵ ע֖וֹף
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מֵ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
ע֖וֹף
Root word fowls, fowl, birds, bird, flying, …
Dictionary form: עוֹף · ope

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

In the KJV here: than the fowls
fowl ×9 the fowls ×8 fowls ×7 unto the fowls ×4 for the fowls ×3 shall the fowls ×3 the birds ×3 and over the fowl ×2
More options
bird — Most natural modern singular; broadly understood.
birds — Best default plural for most narrative contexts.
flying creature — Captures the root sense of flight; poetic or inclusive contexts.
winged creature — Emphasizes physical trait; useful in creation or legal texts.
wildlife of the air — Collective sense; good for dominion or ecological passages.

BDB5895 H5775

BDB5894 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5896

עוֺף70 noun masculineGen 40:17 collective flying creatures, fowl, insects; — ׳ע absolute Gen 1:20 +, construct vGen 1:21 +; —

1. fowl, birds, Gen 40:17; Gen 40:19 (E), Gen 7:8 (J), Gen 1:20; Gen 1:22 (P), 1Kgs 5:13 +; especially (38 t.) הַשָּׁמַיִם ׳ע fowl of sky, Gen 2:19; Gen 2:20 (J), Gen 1:26; Gen 1:28; Gen 1:30 (P), Hos 2:20; Eccl 10:20 +, carrion birds 1Sam 17:44; 1Sam 17:46; 2Sam 21:10; 1Kgs 14:11 + 11 t.; הָרִים ׳ע Ps 50:11, נוֺדֵד ׳ע Isa 16:2, ׳כִּכְלוּב מָלֵא ע Jer 5:27 redundantly כָּנָף ׳ע fowl of wing Gen 1:21 (P), Ps 78:27 (for food); for food also Lev 7:26 (P), Lev 17:13; Lev 20:25 (both H), compare Lev 11:13; Lev 11:46 (H, clean and unclean); for offering Gen 8:20 (J; הַטָּהוֺר ׳הָע), Lev 1:14 (P).
2. winged insects (clean and unclean) הַהֹלֵךְ עַלאַֿרְבַּע ׳שֶׁרֶץ הָע Lev 11:20; Lev 11:21 (H), ׳הָע ׳שׁ Deut 14:19, so probably ׳הָע alone vDeut 14:20 ׳הָע ׳שׁ אֲשֶׁרלֿוֺ אַרְבַּע רַגְלָ֑ יִם Lev 11:23 (H).

fowls, fowl, birds, bird, flying, …
ʿôp
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
  • flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds
    • fowl, birds
    • "winged insects

הַ שָּׁמַ֣יִם
הַ
Prefix — article the
שָּׁמַ֣יִם
Root word heaven, heavens, air
Dictionary form: שָׁמַיִם · shaw-ma-YIM

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of heaven
heaven ×76 of heaven ×74 the heavens ×50 the heaven ×22 of the heaven ×20 of the air ×19 from heaven ×15 in heaven ×15
More options
sky — Best for atmospheric or visible dome contexts.
heavens — Modernized plural; suits poetic or cosmic scope.
heaven — Theological or divine dwelling; singular register.
atmosphere — Technical/scientific contexts; birds, weather, air.
cosmos — Emphasizes vast, ordered universe; rare but vivid.
firmament — Retains ancient cosmological feel; use sparingly.

BDB8792 H8064

BDB8791 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8793

[שָׁמַי]noun masculineDeut 33:28 only plural שָׁמַ֫יִם421 (Sta§324 a) heavens, sky (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian šamû plural šamê, šamûtu, also šamâmu, compare Phoenician שמם; Sabean סמה HomChr 46, 124; Arabic Ethiopic Aramaic שְׁמַיָּא ; Palmyrene, Nabataean שמ(י)ן in proper name (compounded with בעל) Lzb153 GACooke45; on plural form see BaZMG xiii (1888), 341 f.); — absolute ׳שׁ Gen 1:1 +, מָ֑יִם- Gen 2:4 +; הַשָּׁמַ֫יְמָה Exod 9:8 +; construct שְׁמֵי Deut 10:14 + 9 t.; suffix שָׁמֶיךָ Ps 8:4 +2 t., שָׁמָיו Deut 33:28, שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19, with verb plural, Hos 2:23

1. a. visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are Judg 5:20; Gen 15:5 (J), Deut 4:19; Gen 1:14; Gen 1:15; Gen 1:17 (P), hence ׳כּוֺכְבֵי הַשּׁ Gen 22:17 (JE) = 9 t. (usually as countless), ׳(כָּלֿ) צְבָא הַשּׁ Deut 4:19; Jer 8:2 + ( ׳צ 1 c; rarely of angels, ׳צ 1 b; before which fowl fly Gen 1:20 (P), compare Deut 4:17; Jer 8:7; Prov 30:19, ׳עוֺף הַשּׁ Gen 2:19 (J), Gen 1:19 (P) + (עוֺף 1), ׳צִפֹּר שׁ Ps 8:9, ׳נִשְׁרֵי שׁ Lam 4:19 as רָקִיע (q. v.) Gen 1:8 (P), Ps 19:2, with waters beneath and above Gen 1:9 (P, compare vGen 1:7), Ps 148:4, darkened with clouds 1Kgs 18:45, cleared by wind Job 26:13 whence comes rain Gen 8:2 (J), Judg 5:4; Deut 11:11 +, and dew Gen 27:28 (J), vGen 27:39 (E), Deut 33:28 (poem) +. compare ׳בִּרְכֹת שׁ Gen 49:25 (poem in J), ׳מֶגֶר שׁ Deut 33:13 (poem), but also (destructive) fire 2Kgs 1:10 (twice in verse); Job 1:16 + (see also 2 a below); ׳הֹבְרֵישׁ Isa 47:13, i.e. astrologers, compare ׳אוֺתוֺתהַשּׁ Jer 10:2 as high Gen 11:4 (J), Amos (:2 (opposed to שְׁאוֺל), vGen 11:6 (opposed to אֶרֶץ) +, ׳עַדלֵֿב הַשּׁ Deut 4:11as over all the earth, ׳תַּחַת (כָּלֿ)הַשּׁ Gen 6:17; Gen 7:19 (both P), Deut 2:25; Eccl 1:13 ׳מִתַּחַת וגו (of extermination) Exod 17:14 (E), Deut 7:24; Deut 9:14 +; specifically of Israel, שָׁמֶיךָ Deut 28:23, שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19 (H); וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ ׳בֵּין הַשּׁ 2Sam 18:9 (hung from tree), 1Chr 21:16 (of angel), compare Ezek 8:3 (Ezekiel in vision), Zech 5:9 (flying ephah); וְעַדקְֿצֵה ׳מִקְּצֵה הַשּׁ ׳הַשּׁ of limits of horizon Deut 4:32, compare Deut 30:4; Neh 1:9; Ps 19:7 as made by God Jer 51:15 (opposed to תֵּבֵל), Ps 8:4 + enduring Deut 11:21; Job 14:12; Ps 89:30 especiallyוְ(הָ)אָרֶץ ׳(הַ)שּׁ = universe (compare in Sabean, SabDenkmNo.41.42, l.3) Deut 3:24; Gen 1:1 (P) + (especially Deuteronomy, Isa2, Psalms), + הַיָם Exod 20:11; Hag 2:6, etc., + מַיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ Exod 20:4= Deut 5:8,.compare Prov 30:4, etc.; opposed to תְּהוֺם Prov 8:27 (+ אֶרֶץ vProv 8:29) חֲרָשִׁים וְהָאָרֶץ חֲרָשָׁה ׳שׁ as part of future glory Isa 65:17; Isa 66:22.
  b. phrases are: ׳אֲרֻבּוֺת הַשּׁ (letting rain through) Gen 7:11; Gen 8:2 (P), Mal 3:10 (figurative), compare ׳בַּשּׁ ׳א ׳הֲיַעֲשֶׂה י 2Kgs 7:2; 2Kgs 7:19, so ׳דַּלְתֵי שׁ Ps 78:23 (for manna), compare ׳דְָּגַן שׁ, vPs 78:24, ׳לֶחֶם שׁ Ps 105:40 ׳מוֺסְדוֺת הַשּׁ 2Sam 22:8 (|| הָאָרֶץ; in || Ps 18:8 חָרִים ׳מ), ׳עַמּוּרֵי שׁ Job 26:11, ׳חוּג שׁ Job 22:14 towards the sky is הַשָּׁמַ֫יְמָה Josh 8:20(J), Exod 9:8; Exod 9:10 (P), Job 2:12; Judg 13:20; Judg 20:40; 2Chr 6:13 עַלהַֿשָּׁמַיִם Exod 9:22; Exod 9:23; Exod 10:21; Exod 10:22(all E), ׳אֶלשֿׁ Deut 32:40 (poem), Dan 12:7, ׳שׁ alone 1Kgs 8:22; 1Kgs 8:54; Job 35:5; Prov 23:5.
2. a. as abode of God (׳י) 1Kgs 8:30; 1Kgs 8:32 + often, where he sits enthroned Ps 2:3; Isa 66:1, etc., compare ׳רֹכֵבשׁ Deut 33:26(poem), Ps 68:34, whence he rains brimstone Gen 19:24 (J), bread Exod 16:4 (E), compare Neh 9:15, casts hailstones Josh 11:11 (E), talks with Israel Exod 20:22 (E; Gi vExod 20:19) +, compare Gen 21:17; Gen 22:11; Gen 22:15 (E), looks down Deut 26:15 +, hears his people Ps 20:7+ 10 t. Chronicles, etc.; he thunders ׳בַּשּׁ 1Sam 2:10; Ps 18:14,|| ׳מִןשֿׁ 2Sam 22:14 he bends (נטה) ׳שׁ to come down v2Sam 22:10= Ps 18:10, compare Ps 144:5 and (rend) Isa 63:19 ׳נִפְּתְּחוּ הַשּׁ Ezek 1:1 in vision of God, compare ׳שַׁעַר הַשּׁ Gen 28:17 (E; + בֵּית אֱלֹהִים); though even ׳שְׁמֵי הַשּׁ the highest heuvens cannot hold him Deut 10:14; 1Kgs 8:27 2 Chron 6:18, 2Chr 2:5; Neh 9:6; Ps 148:4, שְׁמֵי שְׁמֵיקֶֿדֶם Ps 68:34 he is called ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַשּׁ (post-exilic title) Ezra 1:2 = 2Chr 36:23 + 11 t. Ezra Nehemiah; Jonah 1:9 (compare Aramaic, Dan 2:18; Dan 2:19; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:44 in Gen 24:7 add with ᵐ5 וֵאלֹהֵי הָאָרֶץ, as vGen 24:3), ׳אֵלהַֿשׁ Ps 136:26 his sword is ׳בַּשׁ Isa 34:5, but also his חֶסֶד Ps 36:6, צֶדֶק Ps 85:12, אֱמוּנָח Ps 89:3, his word fixed Ps 119:89. — ׳שׁ are שָׁמָיו (of Israel) Deut 33:28 (poem), שְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:19 שָׁמֶיךָ Ps 8:4; Ps 144:5, ׳שְׁמֵי י Lam 3:66, קָדְשׁוֺ ׳שׁ Ps 20:7.
  b. Elijah taken up ׳הַשּׁ in whirlwind 2Kgs 2:1, compare v2Kgs 2:11.
3. ׳הַשּׁ personified in various relations Isa 1:2; Jer 2:12; Job 15:15; Ps 19:2; Ps 50:6 = Ps 97:6; Ps 89:6; Ps 148:4.
4. מְלֶכֶת ׳הַשּׁ see ׳מ p. 573.


I, II. שַׁמָּה see שׁמם. שָׂ֫מָּה see שָׁם.


BDB9965 H8064 H8065

BDB9964 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9966

[שְׁמַ֫יִן] noun masculine plural heavens (Biblical Hebrew [שָׁמַי], שָׁמַיִם, √ שׁמה); — always emphatic שְׁמַיָּא:

1. visible sky Jer 10:11; Dan 4:8; Dan 4:10; Dan 4:17; Dan 4:19; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:27; Dan 4:28 ׳עוֺף שׁ Dan 2:38 ׳צִפֲּרֵי שׁ Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18 ׳טַל שׁ v.Dan 4:12 v.Dan 4:20 v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:30; Dan 5:21 ׳רוּחֵי שׁ Dan 7:2 winds of the sky; ׳עֲנָנֵי שׁ vDan 7:13 heavens + earth = universe Jer 10:11, where God shews signs Dan 6:28.
2.heavens as abode of God Dan 2:28; Dan 4:31, hence, figurative, as ruling v.Dan 4:23 (׳שׁ sometimes = God in Late Hebrew, J, Aramaic, DWorte Jesu 179; Eng.Tr.218 f.); as abode of angels v.Dan 4:32 (Dr); elsewhere in phrase ׳אֱלָהּ שׁ Dan 2:18; Dan 2:19; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:44; Ezra 5:11; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 6:9; Ezra 6:10; Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:23 (twice in verse), ׳מֶלֶךְ שׁ Dan 4:34, ׳מָרֵא שׁ Dan 5:23.

heaven, heavens, air
šāmayim
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • heaven, heavens, sky
    • visible heavens, sky
      • as abode of the stars
      • "as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
      Heaven (as the abode of God)

יְחַכְּמֵֽ נוּ
יְחַכְּמֵֽ
Root word wise, wiser, wisely, exceeding, wisdom
נוּ
Suffix — pronoun our / us
Dictionary form: חָכַם · haw-KAHM

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: and maketh us wiser
wise ×4 and be wise ×3 be wise ×2 always wise ×1 and maketh us wiser ×1 and wherein i have shewed myself wise ×1 are exceeding ×1 for he was wiser ×1
More options
be wise — Most direct rendering; fits commands and general statements.
grow wise — Emphasizes process or development of wisdom over time.
gain wisdom — Noun-based phrasing; natural in contemporary prose.
become wise — Highlights transformation; good for narrative or result clauses.
act wisely — Foregrounds conduct; suits practical or ethical contexts.
show wisdom — Relational nuance; wisdom demonstrated before others.

BDB2734 H2449

BDB2733 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2735

חָכַם verb be wise (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic , חֲכַם id.; Zinjirli חכמה wisdom, DHMSendsch.57; Assyrian —akâmu, know (with exceptional חֿ see DlPr 178 f.); Arabic restrain from acting in an evil manner, judge, govern; IV.make firm, sound, free from defect by the exercise of skill) —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Prov 23:15 3 feminine singular חָֽכְמָה Zech 9:2 הָכַמְתָּ Prov 9:12 (twice in verse), etc. + 3 t. Perfect; Imperfect יֶחְכַּם Prov 9:9; Prov 21:11 וַיֶּחְכַּם 1Kgs 5:11 יֶחְכָּ֑ם Prov 20:1+; וֶ֯חְכָּ֑ם Prov 13:20 תֶּחְכַּם Prov 19:20 אֶחְכָּ֑מָה Eccl 7:23 plural יֶחְכָּ֑מוּ Job 32:9 Imperative חֲכַם Prov 27:11 חֲכָ֑ם Prov 6:6; Prov 23:19 + Prov 13:20 Kt; חֲכָ֑מוּ Prov 8:33be or become wise, act wisely Deut 32:29 (poetry) 1Kgs 5:11; Job 32:9; Prov 6:6; Prov 8:33; Prov 9:9; Prov 9:12 (twice in verse); Prov 13:20; Prov 19:20; Prov 20:1; Prov 21:11; Prov 23:19; Prov 27:11; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 7:23; Zech 9:2 אם חכם לבך if thy mind be wise Prov 23:15 with accusative שׁחכמתי Eccl 2:19 wherein I have acted wisely. Pi`el Imperfect יְחַכֵּם Ps 105:22 suffix יְחַכְּמֵנוּ Job 35:11 תְּחַכְּמֵנִי Ps 119:98 all make wise, teach wisdom, with acc Pu`al Participle made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom חוֺבֵר חֲבָרִים מְחֻכָּם Ps 58:6, plural הֵמָּה חֲכָמִים מְחֻכָּמִים Prov 30:24 (of intelligent animals). Hiph`il Participle construct מַחְכִּימַת פֶּ֑תִי Ps 19:8 making wise the simple. Hithpa`el Imperfect נִתְחַכְּמָה לוֺ Exod 1:10 (E) let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); 2 masculine singular תִּתְחַכַּם Eccl 7:16 make or shew thyself wise.

wise, wiser, wisely, exceeding, wisdom
ḥākam
to be wise (in mind, word or act)
  • to be wise
    • (Qal) to be or become wise, act wisely
    • "(Piel) to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct"(Pual) to be made wise"(Hiphil) to make wise"(Hithpael) to show oneself wise, deceive, show one's wisdom

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ Dechi — a lesser break מִבַּהֲמ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּמֵע֖וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ Silluq — end of the verse

מַלְּפֵנוּ מִבַּהֲמוֹת אָרֶץ וּמֵעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ׃
11
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
Cross References

Psalms 94:12

אַשְׁרֵי׀ הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר-תְּיַסְּרֶנּוּ יָּהּ וּֽמִתּוֹרָתְךָ תְלַמְּדֶֽנּוּ׃
12
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Job 36:22

הֶן-אֵל יַשְׂגִּיב בְּכֹחוֹ מִי כָמֹהוּ מוֹרֶֽה׃
22
Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

Job 32:8

אָכֵן רֽוּחַ-הִיא בֶאֱנוֹשׁ וְנִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי תְּבִינֵֽם׃
8
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Genesis 1:26

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַֽעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ וְיִרְדּוּ בִדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל-הָאָרֶץ וּבְכָל-הָרֶמֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָֽרֶץ׃
26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:7

וַיִּיצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָֽאָדָם עָפָר מִן-הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים וַֽיְהִי הָֽאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃
7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.