Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

פְּֽרִי
פְּֽרִי
Root word fruit, fruits, fruitful, reward, boughs, …
Dictionary form: פְּרִי · peh-REE

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

In the KJV here: the fruit
the fruit ×25 fruit ×12 and the fruit ×11 her fruit ×6 of the fruit ×5 and in the fruit ×4 the fruit of them ×4 fruits ×3
More options
fruit — Most natural, universal rendering across nearly all contexts.
produce — Emphasizes agricultural yield; good for harvest or land contexts.
crop — Concrete, collective sense; suits field or orchard settings.
reward — Metaphorical sense; use when פְּרִי denotes consequence or outcome.
offspring — Figurative; fits idioms like 'fruit of the womb'.
result — Abstract register; captures metaphorical 'fruit' of actions or labor.

BDB6763 H6529

BDB6762 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6764

פְּרִי119 noun masculineHos 14:9 fruit; — absolute ׳פ Hos 9:16 +, פֶּ֑רִי Jer 12:12 +; especially construct פְּרִי Gen 4:3 +; suffix פִּרְיִי Prov 8:19, פֶּרְיְךָ Hos 14:9, פִּרְיוֺ Gen 3:6 +, וּפֶרְיְכֶם Ezek 36:8, פְּרִיהֶם Amos 9:14, פִּרְיָם Lam 2:20 +, פִּרְיָמוֺ Ps 21:11, פְּרִיהֶן Jer 29:28, פִּרְיָן vJer 29:5, etc.; —

1. פְּרִי הָאֲרָמָה Gen 4:3 (J), fruit of the ground, of produce in general, so Deut 7:13 + 9 t. Deuteronomy + 3 t.; הָאֶרֶץ ׳פ Num 13:20; Num 13:26; Num 13:27 (JE) + 5 t., compare Ezek 25:4 fruit of vineyard 2Kgs 19:29 = Isa 37:30; Zech 8:12; Isa 65:21; Song 8:11; Song 8:12, in figure Hos 10:11 + 5 t. + Ezek 17:14 (but strike out ᵐ5 Co and others); especially הָעֵץ ׳פ Gen 3:2; Gen 3:3; Gen 3:6; Exod 10:15 (all J) + 21 t., also, in figure, Amos 2:9; Hos 9:16 + 4 t. + Ezek 17:23 (read פּאֹרָה branches Co and others); of gardens Amos 9:14; Jer 29:5; Jer 29:28, figurative Song 4:12; Song 4:16 עֵץ פְּרִי is fruit-tree Gen 1:11; Ps 148:9, compare Eccl 2:5 אֶרֶץ פְּרִי Ps 107:34 פְּרִי תְּבוּאָךְ vPs 107:37 fruit of (consisting in) a crop; Ps 72:16 is dubious; Che Du interpret as 2; Bae proposes יִפְרוּ.
2. = offspring: fruit of womb (בֶּטֶן) Gen 30:2; Deut 7:13 + 9 t., compare Lam 2:20; Ps 21:11 of cattle (בְּהֵמָה) Deut 28:4; Deut 28:11; Deut 28:51; Deut 30:9 of serpent, figurative of power conquering Philistia Isa 14:29.
3. figurative of fruit of actions, i.e. their consequences: good Isa 3:10; Ps 58:12 bad Hos 10:13; Prov 1:31; Mic 7:13, of thoughts Jer 6:19 of result of removing sin Isa 27:9 result of labour (fruit of hands) Prov 31:16; Prov 31:31 product of works of ׳י Ps 104:13, of wisdom Prov 8:19 צְדָקָה ׳פ Amos 6:12, compare צַדִּיק ׳פ Prov 11:30 (read צֶדֶק ᵐ5 Hi Toy); of doings (i.e. course of life, or character) Jer 17:10; Jer 21:14; Jer 32:19 פִיאִֿישׁ ׳פ i.e. speech Prov 12:14; Prov 13:2; Prov 18:20 fruit of arrogance Isa 10:12 is arrogant speech; fruit of tongue Prov 18:21 = consequences of speech.


I, II. פָּרָה see III. פרר. פֶּרֶה see פֶּרֶא.


[פֵּרָה], פֵּרוֺת Isa 2:20 see [ חֲפַרְפָּרָה].

fruit, fruits, fruitful, reward, boughs, …
pĕrî
fruit (literally or figuratively)
  • fruit
    • fruit, produce (of the ground)
    • "fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb)"fruit (of actions) (figuratively)

צַ֭דִּיק
צַ֭דִּיק
Root word righteous, just, lawful
Dictionary form: צַדִּיק · tsahd-DEEK

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of the righteous
the righteous ×49 of the righteous ×37 of the just ×9 righteous ×9 the just ×7 a righteous ×6 is righteous ×6 a just ×5
More options
righteous — Modernized from KJV; broadest theological and ethical use.
just — Emphasizes fairness and legal uprightness; good in legal contexts.
upright — Highlights moral integrity; suits wisdom literature tone.
innocent — Prefer when contrasted with the guilty in legal settings.
virtuous — Stresses moral excellence; works well in narrative prose.
godly — Foregrounds devotion to God; suits psalms and prophetic texts.

BDB6944 H6662

BDB6943 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6945

צַדִּיק206 adjective just, righteous; — absolute ׳צ Gen 6:9+; plural צַדִּיקִים Exod 23:8+, etc.; —

1. just, righteous, in government:
  a. of Davidic king 2Sam 23:3 צֶמַהּ Jer 23:5; Zech 9:9 (|| victorious).
  b. of judges, Ezek 23:45; Prov 29:2 (see Toy; Kau questions this meaning in all these).
  c. of law, ׳מִשְׁפָּטִים צ Deut 4:8.
  d. of God Deut 32:4; Ps 119:137; Ps 129:4; Job 34:17, opposed to Pharaoh Exod 9:27 (J); in discrimination Jer 12:1; Zeph 3:5; Ps 7:10; Ps 7:12; Ps 11:7 condemnation 2Chr 12:6; Dan 9:14; Lam 1:18; Ezra 9:15; Neh 9:33 redemption Isa 45:21; Ps 116:5 keeping promises Neh 9:8 in all his ways Ps 145:17.
2. just in one's cause, right: Exod 23:7; Exod 23:8 (E) Deut 16:19; Deut 25:1; 1Kgs 8:32 = 2Chr 6:23; Isa 5:23; Isa 29:21; Job 32:1; Job 36:7; Prov 17:15; Prov 17:26; Prov 18:5; Prov 18:17; Prov 24:24; Amos 2:6; Amos 5:12; Hab 1:4; Hab 1:13 right in law, not under penalty 2Sam 4:11; 1Kgs 2:32 innocent of specific offence 2Kgs 10:9 with מְן compare 1Sam 24:18.
3. just, righteous, in conduct and character:
  a. towards God Gen 7:1; Gen 18:23; Gen 18:24 (twice in verse); Gen 18:25 (twice in verse); Gen 18:26; Gen 18:28 (J) Gen 20:4 (E), Hab 2:4; Mal 3:18.
  b. in general, ethically: Ps 5:13; Ps 7:10; Ps 11:3; Ps 11:5 + 21 t. Psalms (+below), Prov 2:20; Prov 3:33; Prov 4:18; Prov 9:9 + 56 t. Proverbs; Eccl 3:17 + 7 t. Ecclesiastes; Isa 3:10; Isa 57:1 (twice in verse); Jer 20:12; Lam 4:13; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 3:21 (twice in verse) + 12 t. Ezekiel; Hos 14:10 || תמים Gen 6:9 (P) Job 12:4 || נָקִי Job 17:9; Job 22:19; Job 27:17; Ps 94:21 || יִשְׁרֵי לֵב Ps 32:11; Ps 64:11; Ps 97:11.
4. righteous, as justified and vindicated by ׳י, especially servant of ׳י Isa 53:11, so his people, usually plural Isa 60:21; Ps 33:1 + 8 t. Psalms (see also above); ׳אָהֳלֵי צ Ps 118:15 tents of the righteous; ׳גּוֺרַל צ Ps 125:3 ׳עֲדִת צ Ps 1:5 ׳דֶּרֶךְ צ vPs 1:6 singular collective Ps 34:20; Ps 34:22; Ps 75:11; Isa 24:16; Isa 26:7 (twice in verse); גּוֺי צַדִּיק vIsa 26:2 (|| שֹׁמֵר אֱמֻנִים).
5. right, correct, Isa 41:26 (compare אֱמֶת Isa 43:9); lawful ׳שְׁבִי צ Isa 49:24 EV; but read עָרִיץ.

righteous, just, lawful
ṣaddîq
just
  • just, lawful, righteous
    • just, righteous (in government)
    • "just, right (in one's cause)"just, righteous (in conduct and character)"righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)"right, correct, lawful

עֵ֣ץ
עֵ֣ץ
Root word wood, tree, trees, timber, stick, …
Dictionary form: עֵץ · ayts

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

In the KJV here: is a tree
wood ×57 tree ×41 trees ×32 the trees ×26 of wood ×13 the tree ×13 the wood ×11 the gallows ×7
More options
tree — Best for living, standing specimens in narrative or poetry.
wood — Best for the material substance or cut lumber.
timber — Use for construction-grade or structural wood.
stick — Prefer for small, discrete pieces or rods.
pole — Good for upright posts, including execution poles/gallows.
plank — Use when flat, sawn boards are in view.

BDB6281 H6086

BDB6280 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6282

עֵץ329 noun masculineGen 2:9 tree, trees, wood; — ׳ע absolute Gen 3:3 +, construct Gen 3:24 +, עֵץֿ Gen 2:16 +; suffix ֵ˜עצְךָ Deut 28:42, etc.; plural עֵצִים Judg 9:8 +, construct עֲצֵי Isa 7:2 +, suffix עֵצֶיךָ Deut 29:10, עֵצֵינוּ Lam 5:4, etc.; —

1. (c. 150 t.)
  a. a standing tree Gen 18:4; Gen 18:8 (J) +, Exod 15:25 (J; of shrub ?), Jer 17:18 = Ps 1:3 (simile); to be felled Deut 19:5; 2Kgs 6:6 הָעֵצִים (apparently including vine and bramble) in allegory Judg 9:8 + 6 t. Judg 9 עֵץ הַחַיִּים Gen 2:9; Gen 3:22; Gen 3:24 (J), compare חַיִּים ׳ע figurative of source of (life and) happiness Prov 3:18; Prov 11:30; Prov 13:12; Prov 15:4 הַדַּעַת טוֺב וָדָע ׳ע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:16 (J); עֲצֵי (ה)יַעַר Isa 7:2 (simile), Isa 44:14; Ezek 15:2 +; עֲצֵי הַשָּׂדֶה Isa 55:12; Ezek 17:24 (figurative), +; עֲצֵי לְבָנוֺן 2Chr 2:7 עֲצֵימַֿיִם Ezek 31:14 ׳עֲצֵי י Ps 104:16 עֲצֵי עֵדֶן Ezek 31:9; Ezek 31:16; Ezek 31:18 (twice in verse); עֲצֵי לְבוֺנָה Song 4:14 of vine עֵץ הַגֶּפֶן Ezek 15:2; Ezek 15:6 תַּחַת כָּלעֵֿץ רַעֲנָ֑ן place of illicit worship Deut 12:2; Jer 2:20; Jer 3:6; Jer 3:13; 1Kgs 14:23; 2Kgs 16:4; 2Kgs 17:10; Ezek 6:13; Isa 57:5; 2Chr 28:4, compare עַלעֵֿץ רַעֲנָן Jer 17:2 כָּלעַֿץ עָבֹת Ezek 20:28.
  b. collective trees, עֵץהַֿגָּן Gen 2:16; Gen 3:1; Gen 3:2; Gen 3:8 (all J); usually later, ׳י Gen 1:12; Gen 1:29 (twice in verse) (P), +; עֵץ פְּרִי fruit-bearing trees Gen 1:11 (P), Ps 148:9, compare Eccl 2:5, פְּרי עֵץ Exod 10:15 (J), Ezek 36:30; Lev 23:40 (H), compare Joel 2:22 עֵץמַֿאֲכָל Deut 20:20; Lev 19:23 (H), Ezek 47:12; Neh 9:25 עֵץ הַזַּיִת Hag 2:19 olive trees, עֵץ שֶׁמֶן Neh 8:15, עֵץשָֿׁ֑מֶן Isa 41:19 סֲבָחעֵֿץ Ps 74:5 thicket of trees; עֵץ הַשָּׂרֶה Exod 9:25 (J), +; עֵץ הַיַּעַר Ezek 15:6, compare Isa 10:19; Isa 44:23 כִּימֵי הָעֵץ Isa 65:22 (simile of great age).
  c. plural of trees felled for building, 1Kgs 5:20; 1Kgs 5:32 (+ אֲבָנִים); עֲצֵי אֲרָזִים 2Sam 5:11 = 1Chr 14:1 + 7 t.; עֲצֵי בְרוֺשִׁים Jer 52:22; Jer 52:24; Jer 9:11 ׅ׳עֲצֵי לְמֻגִּים (אַלְגּ, see ׳אַלְגּ above
2. (approximately 175 times; approximately 120 times plural, to denote pieces [or articles] of wood)
  a. wood, as material; for building, 2Kgs 12:13 (+ אַבְנֵי מַתְצֵב), 2Kgs 22:6 = 2Chr 34:11 (both + id.), Neh 2:8 +; עֲצֵי שָׁ֑מֶן 1Kgs 6:23; 1Kgs 6:31; 1Kgs 6:33 compare v1Kgs 6:32 עֲצֵיגֹּֿפֶר Gen 6:14 (Noah's ark), עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים Exod 25:5; Exod 25:10 + 20 t. Exodus (of tabernacle and its furniture; all P) Deut 10:3 מִגְדַּלעֵֿץ Neh 8:4 מוֺטִת עֵץ Jer 28:13 (in figurative; opposed to בַּרְזֶל ׳מ); כְּלִיעֵֿץ article of wood Lev 11:32; Lev 15:12; Num 31:20, compare Num 35:18 (all P). Hence
  b. עֵצִים = articles of wood Exod 7:19 (P; || אֲבָנִים), 1Chr 29:2 so עֲצֵי בְרוֺשִׁים 2Sam 6:5 (but see בְּרוֺשׁ near the end); specifically הָעֵץ = helve of axe Deut 19:5 עֵץ חֲנִית(וֺׅ 1Sam 17:7 Qr (Kt חֵץ) = 1Chr 20:5; 2Sam 21:19; 2Sam 23:7 עֲצֵי הָעֲגָלָה 1Sam 6:14 (i.e. wood of which cart was made), עֲצֵי הָאֲשֵׁרָה Judg 6:26 especially timbers of a house Zech 5:4; Hab 2:11; Lev 14:45, of a city 1Kgs 15:22 = 2Chr 16:5; Ezek 26:12 עֵץ of pole on which bodies of slain (criminals and others) were exposed (perhaps originally trees) Gen 40:19 (E), Josh 8:29 (twice in verse); Josh 10:26 (twice in verse); Josh 10:27 (all J E), Deut 21:22; Deut 21:23 late (in Persian) used for executing criminals (? by hanging = gallows), תָּלָח עַלעֵֿץ Esth 2:23 + 8 t. Esther.
  c. of idols, עֵץ וָאֶבֶן Deut 4:28; Deut 28:36; Deut 28:64; Deut 29:16; 2Kgs 19:18 = Isa 37:19; Ezek 20:32, compare Jer 2:27; Jer 3:9; Hab 2:19 so עֵץ alone Hos 4:12; Isa 40:20, of.Isa 44:19; Isa 45:20 אֲשֵׁרָה כָּלעֵֿץ Deut 16:21.
  d. (fire-) wood Josh 9:23; Josh 9:27 (J), vJosh 9:21 (P), Deut 19:5; Isa 30:33 +, read עֵצִים also Ezek 24:5 (for ᵑ0 עצמים) Ew Sm Co Berthol Toy; especially for sacrifices 1Kgs 18:23 (twice in verse) +, Gen 22:7; Gen 22:9 (twice in verse); Lev 1:7 + 6 t. Leviticus (all P), 2Sam 24:22 || 1Chr 21:23, +; עֲצֵי עוֺלָה Gen 22:3; Gen 22:6 (P).
  e. עֵץ (הָ)אֶרֶז cedar-wood, used in purifications Lev 14:4; Lev 14:6; Lev 14:49; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:52; Num 19:6 (all P). feminine פִּשְׁתֵּי הָעֵץ Josh 2:6 woody-flax, i.e. flax on the stalk. — Jer 10:8 Gie proposes הֶבֶל מֹעֲצֹתָו for ᵑ0 הֲבָלִים עִץ הוּא. — מֹאֶסֶת כָּלעֵֿץ Ezek 21:15 is dubious, Sm proposes מָאֵסְתָּ כָלעֵֿץ, Co מֹאֲסֵי כָלעֹֿז, Berthol וּמְנַסֵּף כָּלעַֿז; SiegfKau Toy leave untranslated.


BDB9330 H636 H6086

BDB9329 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9331

אָע noun masculineEzra 5:8 wood (so ᵑ7, for עָע; Egyptian Aramaic עק S-CH5; Biblical Hebrew עֵץ, √ II. עצה); —

1. absolute ׳א timber, for building Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:4 beam vEzra 6:11.
2. emphatic אָעָא wood, material of idols Dan 5:4; Dan 5:23.

wood, tree, trees, timber, stick, …
ʿēṣ
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
  • tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows
    • tree, trees
    • "wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

חַיִּ֑ים
חַיִּ֑ים
Root word life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …
Dictionary form: חַי · hai

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

In the KJV here: of life
liveth ×63 of life ×31 live ×29 beast ×24 the living ×24 of the living ×23 alive ×21 of his life ×16
More options
living — Broadest adjectival use; alive, animate, or active.
life — Core noun form; vitality, existence, or lifespan.
alive — Emphasizes the state of being living, not dead.
creature — Prefer for living animals or beings in context.
fresh — Use for water ('running/fresh water') or raw flesh.
vigor — Captures vitality, appetite, or life-force nuance.

BDB2716 H2416

BDB2715 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2717

I. חַי adjective alive, living; — ׳ח Gen 25:6 +; חָ֑י Gen 3:20 +, חֵי Amos 8:14 + 15 t. (Ew§ 329 explains as construct, but Ges«GKC:93»§ 93, R 7 n and others as contracted absolute); feminine חַיָּה Gen 1:20 +; plural חַיִּים Ps 116:9 +; —

1. a. of God, as the living one, the fountain of life אֵל חַי Josh 3:10 (J), Hos 2:1; Ps 42:3; Ps 84:3 אלהים חי 2Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:16 = Isa 37:4; Isa 37:17 אלהים חיים Deut 5:23; 1Sam 17:26; 1Sam 17:36; Jer 10:10; Jer 23:36 חי יהוה Yahweh is living Ps 18:47 = 2Sam 22:47 גאלי חי my avenger is living Job 19:25 the formula of the oath is ׳חַי י Judg 8:19; Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 14:39; 1Sam 14:45; 1Sam 19:6; 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 25:34; 1Sam 26:10; 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 28:10; 1Sam 29:6; 2Sam 4:9; 2Sam 12:5; 2Sam 14:11; 2Sam 15:21; 1Kgs 1:29; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 17:1; 1Kgs 17:12; 1Kgs 18:10; 1Kgs 22:14 = 2Chr 18:13; 2Kgs 5:16; 2Kgs 5:20; Hos 4:15; Jer 4:2; Jer 5:2; Jer 12:16; Jer 16:14; Jer 16:15; Jer 23:7; Jer 23:8; Jer 38:16 חי אל Job 27:2 האלהים ׳ח 2Sam 2:27 ׳חי אדני י Jer 44:26 צבאות ׳תי י 1Kgs 18:15; 2Kgs 3:14 as used by God Himself it is חי אנכי Deut 32:40, elsewhere חי אני Num 14:21; Num 14:28 (P) Isa 49:18; Jer 22:24; Jer 46:18; Ezek 5:11; Ezek 14:16; Ezek 14:18; Ezek 14:20; Ezek 16:48; Ezek 17:16; Ezek 17:19; Ezek 18:3; Ezek 20:3; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:33; Ezek 33:11; Ezek 33:27; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 35:6; Ezek 35:11; Zeph 2:9, compare also חֵי דרך באר שׁבע, חֵי אלהיך דן Amos 8:14 with the exception of בְּחֵי הָעֹולָם by him who liveth for ever Dan 12:7, חֵי is always (as an artificial distinction of scribes) used of non-sacred oaths, see b. b. of man: אָדָם חַי a living man Lam 3:39, in antith חי חי ׃מֵת Isa 38:19 הַחַי collective Eccl 7:2 Absalom 2Sam 19:7 Naboth 1Kgs 21:15 a son or lad 2Sam 12:21; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:23 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:25; 1Kgs 3:26 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:27; 1Kgs 17:23 usually plural חיים alive, living Num 16:30; Num 16:33 (J), Num 17:13 (P), Deut 4:4; Deut 5:3; Isa 8:19; Ps 55:16; Ps 124:3; Prov 1:12; Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:5; Ruth 2:20 taking prisoners alive Josh 8:23 (J) 1Sam 15:8; 1Kgs 20:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 7:12; 2Kgs 10:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 25:12 living (prosperously) 1Sam 25:6 (We reads לָחִי = לְאָחִי (see Klo Dr) to my brother, after ᵑ9 fratribus meis); elsewhere in phrase (פני) האדמה כלהֿימים אשׁר הֵם (אַתֶּם) חיים על all the days that they (ye) live upon (the face of) of the land Deut 4:10; Deut 12:1; Deut 31:13; 1Kgs 8:40 = 2Chr 6:31. Note phrases: עוֺד חַי (יםׅ yet alive Gen 25:6; Gen 43:7; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:28; Gen 45:28; Gen 46:30 (J), Gen 45:3; Gen 45:26; Exod 4:18 (E), Deut 31:27; 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 20:32 בהיות חי 2Sam 12:18; 1Kgs 12:6; 2Chr 10:6 אֶרֶץ (ה)חַיִים land of the living Isa 38:11; Isa 53:8; Jer 11:19; Ezek 26:20; Ezek 32:23; Ezek 32:24; Ezek 32:25; Ezek 32:26; Ezek 32:27; Ezek 32:32; Ps 27:13; Ps 52:7; Ps 142:6; Job 28:13 ׳ארצות הח Ps 116:9 ׳ספר ח Ps 69:29 ׳צרור הח bundle of the living 1Sam 25:29 ׳אור הח light of the living Job 33:30; Ps 56:14. In the oath by life of men חי is pointed always חֵי אדני ׃חֵי המלך as my lord the king liveth 2Sam 15:21 חֵי פרעה Gen 42:15; Gen 42:16 (E); חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 2Sam 14:19 ׳חַ וְחֵי נַפְשְׁךָ ׳י as Yahweh liveth and as thy soul (or thyself) liveth 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 חַיֶּךָ ׳וְחֵי נ 2Sam 11:11 (but on text see We Dr).
  c. of animals, alive, living: ox Exod 21:35; Exod 22:3 (E); goat Lev 16:10; Lev 16:20; Lev 16:21 (P); bird Lev 14:4; Lev 14:6 (twice in verse); Lev 14:7; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:53 dog, לְכֶלֶב חַי הוּא טוֺב מִןהָֿאַרְיֵה הַמֵּת Eccl 9:4 (compare Arabic proverb Kelb µei wa-lâ meijit, a living dog and no dead lion WetzstVerhand. Berl. Anthrop. Ges. 1878, 388); reptiles Gen 1:28 (P); animals in general Gen 9:3 (P); בשׂר חי living, raw flesh Lev 13:10; Lev 13:14; Lev 13:15 (twice in verse); Lev 13:16 (P) 1Sam 2:15.
  d. animals and man, phrases for either or both: ׳כל ח Gen 3:20; Gen 8:21 (J) Job 12:10; Job 28:21; Job 30:23; Ps 143:2; Ps 145:16 כל החי Gen 6:19 (P); נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (P) Gen 2:7; Gen 2:19 (J); כל נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (P) Ezek 47:9 כל נפשׁ החיה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10; Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (P).
  e. (dubious) of vegetation, as thorns, green, Ps 58:10 (Ges Ew Ol Pe, but De Ri Che Bae raw flesh, see
  c. above near the end) feminine of water, flowing, fresh מים חיים Gen 26:19 (J), Lev 14:5; Lev 14:6; Lev 14:50; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:52; Lev 15:13; Num 19:17 (P), Jer 2:13; Jer 17:13; Zech 14:8; Song 4:15.
2. (dubious) lively, active: אישׁ חַי an active man 2Sam 23:20 (but Qr אישׁ חַיִל is to be preferred); איבי חיים mine enemies are lively Ps 38:20 (RV, but Houb Ol Ew Hu Che and others read חִנָּם, || שׁקר).
3. reviving: כָּעֵת חַיָּה at the time (when it is) reviving, the spring Gen 18:10; Gen 18:14 (J), 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:17.


BDB2717 H2416

BDB2716 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2718

II. [חַי] noun [masculine] kinsfolk (Arabic a group of families united by vital ties RSK 36-40 Dr Sm 119), plural suffix חַיַּי 1Sam 18:18, incorrectly pointed with the interpretation my life RV, but read חַיִּי my kins-flok, We Ki Dr RS SS RVm VB. It is explained by the gloss משׁפחת אבי We (Klo reads אַחַי וּ).


BDB2718 H2416

BDB2717 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2719

I. חַיָּה noun feminine living thing, animal (Zinjirli wild beast DHMSendsch. 34) — ׳ח Gen 8:17 +; construct חַיַּת Isa 57:10 +; old case ending (poetic) חַיְתוֺ Gen 1:24; Ps 50:10; Ps 79:2; Ps 104:11; Ps 104:20; Isa 56:9 (twice in verse); Zeph 2:14 suffix חַיָּתִי Ps 143:3, etc.; plural חַיּוֺת Lev 14:4 + 12 t. —

1. animal, as living, active being:
  a. in general, Gen 8:17; Lev 11:2; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:47 (twice in verse); Num 35:3 (P) Ps 104:25; Isa 46:1; Dan 8:4.
  b. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity Gen 7:14; Gen 7:21; Gen 8:1; Gen 8:19; Gen 9:5 (P) Lev 17:13; Lev 25:7 (H) Job 37:8; Ps 148:10; Isa 40:16; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 33:27; Zeph 2:14; Zeph 2:15 ׳ח קנה Ps 68:31 wild animal of the reeds; רעה ׳ח evil beast Gen 37:20; Gen 37:33 (JE) Lev 26:6 (H) Ezek 5:17; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 14:21; Ezek 34:25 טמאה ׳ח Lev 5:2 (P) unclean beast; הארץ ׳ח Gen 1:25; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:2; Gen 9:10 (twice in verse) (P) 1Sam 17:46; Ezek 29:5; Ezek 32:4; Ezek 34:28; Job 5:22 חיתו ארץ Gen 1:24 (P) Ps 79:2 השׂדה ׳ח Exod 23:11; Exod 23:29 (covt. code.) Lev 26:22 (H) Deut 7:22; 2Sam 21:10; 2Kgs 14:9 = 2Chr 25:18; Hos 2:14; Hos 2:20; Hos 4:3; Hos 13:8; Hos 28:14; Hos 39:4; Hos 39:15 השׂדה ׳כל ח Gen 2:19; Gen 2:20; Gen 3:1; Gen 3:14 (J) Job 40:20; Jer 12:9; Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:13; Ezek 34:5; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 39:17 חיתו שׂדי Isa 56:9; Ps 104:11 חיתו (ב)יער Isa 56:9; Ps 50:10; Ps 104:20 פְּרִיץ חיות Isa 35:9 destroyer among beasts.
  c. living beings, of the cherubic chariot Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:14; Ezek 1:15 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:20; Ezek 1:21; Ezek 1:22; Ezek 3:13; Ezek 10:15; Ezek 10:17; Ezek 10:20.
2. life, only in late poetry, Ps 143:3; Job 33:18; Job 33:20; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 36:14; Ezek 7:13 (twice in verse), and (dubious) Ps 74:19; Ps 78:50.
3. appetite, activity of hunger: חית כפרים appetite of young lions Job 38:39.
4. revival, renewal: חַיַּת יָדֵךְ מָצָאתְ thou didst find renewal of thy strength (re-invigoration) Isa 57:10 see חָיָה
2..


BDB2719 H2416

BDB2718 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2720

II. חַיָּה noun feminine (si vera lectio) community ( = feminine of II. חַי according to ZMG, 1886, 176) — וְחַיַּת פְּלִשְׁתִּים חֹנָה and a community of Philistines (i.e. a group of allied families, making a raid together) was encamping 2Sam 23:13 ( = מַחֲנֵה 1Chr 11:15); perhaps also Ps 68:11 (compare below)

Note. — Several other passages are dubious: וַיֵּאָסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לַחַיָּה 2Sam 23:11 assembled into a troop, or by bands (RV, but neither rendering justified: Ew We Klo Dr rightly read לֶ֫חְיָה to Leµi, compare Judg 15:9 word omitted by accident in || 1Chr 11:13 Dr); חַיָּ˜תְךָ יָָֽשְׁבוּבָֿהּ Ps 68:11 thy troop dwelt in it (Thes SS RVm Hi Ri Che, but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Jerome Pe thy (living) creatures, of the people; Hup id., reference to quails; improbable); אַלתִּֿתֵּן לְחַיַּת נֶפֶשׁ תּוֺרֶךָ חַיַּת עֲנִיֶּיךָ אַלתִּֿשְׁכַּח לָנֶ֫צַח Ps 74:19 give not the soul of thy turtle-dove to the wild beasts, the life of thine afflicted do not forget for ever: RV Hi Pe Bae Sch render thus, giving חית different meanings in the two clauses, the former being archaic feminine absolute Ges«GKC:80»§ 80, 2. R. 2; text doubtless corrupt, read possibly למות Schr Ri, for לחית, or לשׁחת Kroch; Gr either of these; Che either, or better לחרב.


BDB2721 H2416

BDB2720 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2722

חַיִּים noun masculineDeut 28:66 plural abstract emphatic life, ׳ח Gen 2:7 +; חַיִּין Job 24:22 (Aramaism Ges«GKC:87»§ 87 (1) a); חַיֵּי Gen 23:1 +; suffix חַיַּי Gen 47:9 +; חַיָּ֑יְכִי Ps 103:4 (Ges«GKC:91»§ 91 (2) R. 2), etc.; —

1. life: physical Gen 27:46; Exod 1:14 (P), Deut 28:66 (twice in verse); 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 15:21; Isa 38:12; Jer 8:23; Lam 3:53; Lam 3:58; Ezek 7:13; Job 3:20; Job 7:7; Job 9:21; Job 10:12; Job 24:22; Ps 7:6; Ps 17:14; Ps 21:5; Ps 26:9; Ps 31:11; Ps 34:13; Ps 63:4; Ps 64:2; Ps 66:9; Ps 88:4; Ps 103:4; Prov 18:21; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:13; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); Eccl 10:19; Jonah 2:7; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8 חַיֵּי שׂרה life of Sarah Gen 23:1(P) ׳שְׁנֵי ח years of the life of 2Sam 19:35; Gen 23:1; Gen 25:7; Gen 25:17; Gen 47:8; Gen 47:9 (twice in verse); Gen 47:28; Exod 6:16; Exod 6:18; Exod 6:20 (P); ׳שָׁנָה לח Gen 7:11 (P); שְׁנוֺת חַיִּים Prov 3:2; Prov 4:10; Prov 9:11 ׳יְמֵי ח days of the life of Eccl 2:3; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 5:19; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:15; Eccl 9:9 ׳כֹּל יְמֵי ח Gen 3:14; Gen 3:17 (J) Deut 4:9; Deut 6:2; Deut 16:3; Deut 17:19; Josh 1:5; Josh 4:14 (D) 1Sam 1:11; 1Sam 7:15; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:5; 1Kgs 15:6; 1Kgs 2:29; 1Kgs 2:30 = Jer 52:33; Jer 52:34; Isa 38:20 (poem of Hez.) Ps 23:6; Ps 27:4; Ps 128:5; Prov 31:12 ׳בּח in or during one's life Gen 27:46 (P) Lev 18:18 (H) Judg 16:30; 2Sam 1:23; 2Sam 18:18; Ps 49:19; Ps 63:5; Ps 104:33; Ps 146:2; Job 10:1; Eccl 3:12; Eccl 9:3 ׳רוּחַ ח Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); רוּחִי ׳ח Isa 38:16 (poem of Hez.); בשׂרים ׳ח Prov 14:30 ׳נִשְׁמַת (רוּחַ) ח Gen 2:7; Gen 7:22 (J).
2. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence Prov 16:15 as consisting of earthly felicity combined (often) with spiritual blessedness Deut 30:6; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19 (twice in verse); Deut 30:20; Deut 32:47; Ps 30:6; Ps 133:3; Prov 3:22; Prov 4:13; Prov 4:22; Prov 8:35; Prov 10:16; Prov 11:19; Prov 12:28; Prov 19:23; Prov 21:21; Prov 22:4; Mal 2:5 used only once distinctly of eternal life (late) עולם ׳ח Dan 12:2 אֵל חַיָּ֑י Ps 42:9 God of my life; ׳מעוז ח Ps 27:1 ׳מקור ח Ps 36:10; Prov 10:11; Prov 13:14; Prov 14:27; Prov 16:22 עֵץ (ה)חַיִּים Gen 2:9; Gen 3:22; Gen 3:24 (J) Prov 3:18; Prov 11:30; Prov 13:12; Prov 15:4 ׳ארח ח Ps 16:11; Prov 5:6; Prov 15:24 ׳ארח לח Prov 10:17 ׳ארחות ח Prov 2:19 דֶּרֶךְ (ה)חַיִּים Prov 6:23; Jer 21:8 ׳חקּות ח Ezek 33:15 ׳תּוצאות ח Prov 4:23 sources (origin and direction) of life; ׳תוכחת ח Prov 15:31 כָּתוּב לַחַיִּים Isa 4:3 written unto life.
3. sustenance, maintenance: חַיִּים לְנַעֲרוֺתֶיךָ Prov 27:27 maintenance for thy maidens, see מִחְיַה below


BDB9522 H2416 H2417

BDB9521 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9523

חַי adjective living (Biblical Hebrew id); —

1. of God: absolute ׳ח Dan 4:31, emphatic חַיָא Dan 6:21. 27; men, plural emphatic חַיַיָא the lilving Dan 2:30; Dan 4:14.
2. plural as abstract noun life (Biblical Hebrew חַיִּים): חַיִּין Dan 7:12 construct חַיֵּי Ezra 6:10.


BDB9523 H2416 H2423

BDB9522 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9524

חֵיוָא, חֵיוָה noun feminine beast (Biblical Hebrew II. חַיָה); — absolute אָ֯ Dan 4:13, הָ֯ Dan 7:5. Dan 7:7 emphatic חֵיוְתָא Dan 7:6. Dan 7:11. Dan 7:19; Dan 7:23, and (collective) Dan 4:11; Dan 4:12; Dan 5:21 construct (collective) חֵיוַת בָּרָא Dan 2:38; Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29 plural absolute חֵיוָן Dan 7:3, emphatic חֵיוָתָא Dan 7:7; Dan 7:12. Dan 7:17.

life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …
ḥay
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
  • (adj) living, alive
    • green (of vegetation)
    • "flowing, fresh (of water)"lively, active (of man)"reviving (of the springtime)
    (n m) relatives"life (abstract emphatic)
    • life
    • "sustenance, maintenance
    (n f) living thing, animal
    • animal
    • "life"appetite"revival, renewal
    community

וְ לֹקֵ֖חַ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
לֹקֵ֖חַ
Root word took, take, taken, away, receive, …
Dictionary form: לָקַח · law-KA

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: and he that winneth
took ×130 take ×108 and took ×72 and take ×34 and he took ×32 shall take ×25 and they took ×21 and thou shalt take ×19
More options
take — Most versatile; fits nearly any context.
receive — Prefer when subject is a passive recipient.
fetch — Use when retrieval or going-to-get is implied.
seize — Forceful or sudden acquisition; strong register.
acquire — Suits commercial or legal contexts (buying, marriage).
bring — When focus is on conveying something to a destination.

BDB4450 H3947

BDB4449 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4451

לָקַח verb take (Late Hebrew id., especially buy, and (Niph`al) be taken in marriage; MI17; 20 Imperfect ואקח; Phoenician לקח; Assyrian li‡û, la‡û DlHWB 384; Arabic conceive (of female), IV. impregnate; Ethiopic receive; Zinjirli לקח DHMSendsch. 59; Aramaic also Inscription of Carpentras3 (Imperative קחי); compare CookGloss Aramaic Inscr); —

Qal Perfect ׳ל Gen 2:22 +, לָקָח֑ Gen 27:36 + (קָח Ezek 17:5 is textual error; omitted by ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co, compare Ges«GKC:19»§ 19, 3. a); suffix לְקָחַנִי Gen 24:7, לְקָחָם Jer 27:20 (for קָחָם Hos 11:3 read probably אֶקָּחֵם ᵐ5 ᵑ7 Ew St Sta§ 384, 4 Now Che Or We); 2 masculine singular לָקַחְתָּ Gen 20:3 +, etc.; Imperfect יִקַּח Exod 21:10 +, וַיִּקַּח (Num 16:1 read וַיָּקָם We Di Dr2Sam 18:18; 1Sam 30:20 read וַיִּקְחוּ We Dr Kit Bu); suffix יִקָּחֵנִי 2Sam 22:27 +; יִקָּחֲךָ Job 15:12 3 feminine singular תִּקַּח Gen 38:23 +; 1 singular אֶקַּח Gen 14:23 +, וָאֶקְחָה Zech 11:13 1 plural נִקַּח Gen 34:6 +, נִקְחָה 1Sam 4:3 +; וַנִּקַּח Deut 3:8; Deut 29:7 Imperative לְקַח Exod 29:1; Prov 20:16 + Ezek 37:16 (Co וְלָקַחְתָּ֫, after ᵐ5); feminine singular לִקְחִי 1Kgs 17:11 usually קַח Gen 6:21 +, קְחָה Gen 15:9, suffix 3 masculine singular, קָחֶנּוּ 1Sam 16:11 + 2 t.; suffix 3 feminine singular קָחֶנָּה Jer 36:14 suffix 3 masculine plural קָחֶםנָֿא Gen 48:9 (compare i. 330 Ges«GKC:61»§ 61, 2); feminine singular קְחִי Isa 23:16 +3 t.; masculine plural קְחוּ Gen 42:33 +, suffix 3 masculine singular קָחֻהוּ 1Kgs 20:33 Infinitive absolute לָקוֺחַ Jer 32:14 + 2 t., לָקֹחַ Deut 31:26 construct קַחַת Jer 5:3 +; קְחַתֿ 2Kgs 12:9 (i. 318); usually with preposition לָקַ֫חַת Gen 4:11 +, מִקַּ֫חַת 1Kgs 22:3 +, etc.; suffix קַחְתִּי Ezek 24:25, קַחְתֵּךְ Gen 30:15 +, etc.; Participle active לֹקֵחַ Gen 27:46 +, etc.; passive plural לְקֻחִים Prov 24:11
1. take, take in the hand, followed by accusative of thing, Exod 7:15 (J), Exod 17:5 (E), Num 25:7 (P), 2Kgs 4:29 (all with בְּיַד) 2Sam 18:14 (with בְּכַף), compare Gen 8:9 (J), Exod 4:17; Exod 12:22 (JE), Deut 15:17 + often; Gen 40:11 (E; of plucking grapes. 2Sam 4:6 read סֹקְלָהfor לֹקְחֵי, see חִטָּה, p. 334 above, and סקל). This easily passes into
2. take and carry along with oneself, כֶּסֶף קְחוּ בְיֶדְכֶם Gen 43:12 (J), Josh 9:11 (JE), 1Kgs 14:3; 2Kgs 5:5; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9; 2Kgs 9:1 all Prov 7:20 (all with בְּיַד); Gen 43:15; Josh 9:4 (both J E), +.
3. a. take from, or out of, followed by active of thing or person, + מִן local: Gen 2:22 (rib from man), Gen 3:22 (man from ground; both J); Deut 19:12; 1Sam 17:49; 1Kgs 17:19 +; וַיִּקַּ ח אֶתהַֿחֶרֶב מֵעַל יֶרֶךְ יִמִינוֺ Judg 3:21 (i.e. drew it); with ב instrumental בְּמֶלְקָחַיִם מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳ל Isa 6:6 followed by מִן partitive 2Sam 12:4.
  b. take, carry away: Ezek 3:14 sprit lifited me up and carried me away; figurativeof passion carrying one away Job 15:12.
  c. take away from, so as to deprive of, followed by accusative Gen 42:36 (E); followed by accusative+ מִן, Gen 44:29 (מֵעִם; J), 1Kgs 11:34; Ps 51:13 לֹקֵחַ אֶתֿ ׳י אֲדֹנֶיךָ מֵעַל ראֹשֶׁ֑ךָ 2Kgs 2:3 ׳י is about to take away thy lord from over thy head, so v2Kgs 2:5 compare absolute אֵינֶנּוּ אֹתוֺ אלהים ׳כִּילֿ Gen 5:24 (P); more often without מִן, Gen 27:36 (twice in verse); Gen 30:15 (twice in verse); Gen 31:1 (all J), Judg 11:13; Judg 11:15; Judg 15:6; Judg 18:24; 1Sam 12:3 (twice in verse); 2Sam 12:4; 1Kgs 11:34; Job 12:20 absolute Job 1:21 אֶתֶּןלְֿךָ מֶלֶךְ בְּאַפִּי וְאֶקַּח בְּעֶבְרָתִי Hos 13:11 of the sword, taking away its victims Ezek 33:4; Ezek 33:6 figurative of taking away understanding Hos 4:11.
  d. especially take away life 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Ps 31:14; Prov 1:19; Jonah 4:3.
4. take to or for a person:
  a. for oneself, followed by accusative + לְ, = appropriate to oneself Deut 7:25; Num 8:16 (P), Deut 22:7; 2Kgs 12:6 with לְ as dativus commodi [dative of benefit], Zech 11:7 אֶתשְֿׁנֵי יְלָדַי לוֺ לַעֲבָדִים ׳ל 2Kgs 4:1 to take my two sons for himself for slaves; so (without לְ reflexive), תִּקָּחֶנּוּ לְעֶבֶד עוֺלָם Job 40:28 wilt thou take him as slave for ever?
  b. = procure, get, followed by accusative + לְ, קְחוּ לָכֶם תֶּבֶןExod 5:11 (J) get you straw; לֹקֵחַ לוֺ קָלוֺן Prov 9:7 getteth to himself shame; so often, especially קַח לְךָ, etc., Gen 6:21; Gen 12:19; Gen 16:21; Gen 45:19 +; without לְ, Neh 5:2 let us procure corn, and eat and live; of acquiring a field Prov 31:16.
  c. take possession of, followed by accusative, of land Deut 29:7; Josh 11:16; Josh 11:23 (all D), 2Chr 16:5 compare פְּקֻדָּתוֺ יִקַּח אַחֵר Ps 109:8 his office let another take; figurative הַלַּיְלָה הַהוּא יִקָּחֵהוּ אֹפֶל Job 3:6 that night — let darkness take possession of it!
  d. = select, choose, ׳י ׳וְאֶתְכֶם לDeut 4:20, compare vDeut 4:34 ( + לוֺ), 1Kgs 11:37 of men Deut 1:15; Josh 3:12 (J E; + לָכֶם); + מִן Deut 1:23; Josh 4:2 (JE).
  e. especially take in marriage: (I) for another, especially a son, with לְ, וְלָקַחְתָּ֫ אִשָּׁה לִבְנִי, Gen 24:4 and thou shalt take a wifefor my son, so vGen 24:7 vGen 24:38 vGen 24:40 vGen 24:48 (all J), Gen 21:21 (E), Jer 29:6b; (2) more often for oneself, usually with לְ reflexive (sometimes + לְאִשָּׁה), Gen 4:19; Gen 6:2; Gen 11:29; Gen 12:19 (all J), + often; without לְ Gen 20:2; Gen 20:3 (E), etc. feminine = receive, accept, especially a bribe, gift, ransom, etc., 1Sam 8:3; 1Sam 12:4 (both followed by מִן), Amos 5:12; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 5:16; 2Kgs 5:20; 2Kgs 5:23; 2Kgs 5:26 (twice in verse); Ps 15:5 interest-money Ezek 18:13; Ezek 18:17; Ezek 22:12 inheritance Josh 13:8; Josh 18:7(both D), Num 34:14 (twice in verse); Num 34:15 (P); of earth, receiving Abel's blood Gen 4:11(J); chastisement Isa 40:2 of perceiving a sound, Job 4:11 mine ear received a whisper of it; receive mentally: וְלָקַח בְּעָלָיו Exod 22:10 (E) i.e. shall accept the oath as satisfactory; בָּרֵךְ לָקַחְתִּי Num 23:20 (JE), i.e. I have received (commandment by revelation) to bless; receive instruction Prov 24:32; Jer 2:30 +; entanglements of temptation Prov 22:25.
  g. take, as preliminary to further action: Gen 31:34(E), she took them and put them; Judg 3:25 take key and open; Josh 2:4 she took the two men and hid them; 1Kgs 18:4 Obadiah took 100 prophets and hid them; 1Kgs 19:21 Elisha took the yoke of oxen and slew them, compare 2Sam 17:19; 2Sam 18:18 sometimes wholly redundant, קְחוּ וַעֲשׂוּ עֲגָלָה חֲדָשָׁה 1Sam 6:7 take and prepare a new cart, etc.; somewhat different is הַלֹּקְחִים לְשׁוֺנָם וַיִּנְאֲמוּ נְאֻם Jer 23:31, i.e. they take (= make use of) their own tongues, and talk oracles.
5. take up, upon =put upon, followed by ׃עַל וַתִּקַּת תָּמָר אֵפֶר עַלרֿאֹשָׁהּ 2Sam 13:19 and Tamar put ashes upon her head; וַיִּקָּחֶהָ עַלהַֿחֲמוֺר Judg 19:28 compare יִפְרשֹׁ כְּנָפָיו יִקָּחֵהוּ Deut 32:11 he spreadeth his wings, he taketh him up.
6. = fetch: קְחִינָֿא לִי מְעַטמַֿיִם 1Kgs 17:10 fetch me, pray, a little water, compare v1Kgs 17:11 v1Kgs 17:11, 2Kgs 2:20; 2Kgs 4:41 וְקַחלִֿי מִשָּׁם שְׁנֵי גְּדָיֵי עִוִּים Gen 27:9 and fetch me thence two kids, compare vGen 27:13 (J); + בְּיָדִי 1Sam 21:9 an offering Lev 12:8 (P; || הֵבִיא vLev 12:6); with human object often nearly = summon, לָקֹב אֹיְבַי לְקַחְתִּיךָ Num 33:11 (JE) to curse mine enemies did I summon thee, Judg 11:5; 1Sam 16:11 שְׁלַח וְקַח אֹתוֺ אֵלַי 1Sam 20:31 send and bring him unto me; 2Kgs 3:15; 2Kgs 6:13 +; of ׳י, summoning his people from exile, מִשָּׁם יְקָּחֶ֑ךָ Deut 30:4.
7. take=lead, conduct (with or without contact): וַיִּקַּח אֶתשְֿׁנֵי בָנָיו עִמּוֺ Gen 48:1 גַּם בְּקַרְכֶם קְחוּ Exod 12:32 (both E); וְאֶתעַֿמּוֺ לָקַח עִמּוֺ Exod 14:6 (J) and his people he took with him; compare vExod 14:7 (J), Josh 8:1 (JE), Judg 4:6 אֶקָּֽחֲךָ אֶלמָֿקוֺם אַחֵר Num 23:27 I will take thee unto another place, compare vNum 23:14 vNum 23:28 (all J E); ׳י subject, וָאֶקַּח אֶתאֲֿבִיכֶם Josh 24:3 (E) and I took your father Abraham from beyond the river; לַמָּוֶת הַצֵּל לְקֻחִים rescue those led to death.
8. take = capture, seize: לָקַחְתִּי בְחָזְקָה 1Sam 2:16 I will take by force, that is, flesh; of spoils, ׳בֶּצַע כֶּסֶף לֹא ל Judg 5:19 gain of silver they took not; of capture of ark 1Sam 5:1 bronze 2Sam 8:3, etc.; territory Gen 48:22 (E), Deut 3:14 cities Num 21:25 (JE),.Deut 3:14; Josh 11:19 (D), 1Sam 7:14; 2Sam 8:1 of capture of hippopotamus Job 40:24 of seductions of woman, וְאַלתִּֿקָּֽחֲךָ בְּעַפְעַפֶּיהָ Prov 6:25 and let her not capture thee with her eyelids.
9. take = carry off:
  a. as booty Gen 14:11; 1Sam 27:9; 1Sam 30:16; 1Sam 30:18; 1Sam 30:19; 1Sam 30:20; 1Kgs 14:26 (twice in verse).
  b. as prisoners Gen 14:12; 2Kgs 18:32 = Isa 36:17; 2Kgs 23:34 = 2Chr 36:4.
10. inphrase take vengeance: וְנִקְחָה נִקְמָתֵנוּ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 20:10 and we will take our vengeance upon him; absolute נָקָם אֶקַּח Isa 47:3 vengeance will I take.Niph`al Perfect נִלְקַח 1Sam 4:22 נִלְקָ֑ח 1Sam 4:11; Ezek 33:6 3 feminine singular נִלְקָ֑חָה 1Sam 4:17 Imperfect 3 feminine singular וַתִּלָּקַח Esth 2:8; Esth 2:16 1 singular אֶלָּקַח 2Kgs 2:9 Infinitive construct הִלָּקַח 1Sam 4:19; 1Sam 4:21, suffix הִלָּֽקְחוֺ 1Sam 21:7
1. be captured, of ark 1Sam 4:11; 1Sam 4:17; 1Sam 4:19; 1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 4:22.
2. be taken away, removed, of shewbread 1Sam 21:7 of removal by death Ezek 33:6 of translation of Elijah 2Kgs 2:9 (with מֵעִם person)
3. be taken, brought unto (אֶלֿ), only Esth 2:8; Esth 2:16. Pu`al Perfect לֻקַּח Gen 3:23 +, 3 feminine singular לְֻקָֿחָהֿ Gen 2:23, 2 masculine singular לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ Gen 3:19, etc.; —
1. be taken from, out of ( מִן of source) Gen 2:23; Gen 3:19; Gen 3:23 (all J); compare וְלֻקַּח מֵהֶם קְלָלָה Jer 29:22 and there shall be taken from them ( derived from their case) a curse-formula.
2. = be stolen from, Judg 17:2 ( ל person)
3. be taken captive, Jer 48:46, compare Isa 52:5.
4. be taken away, removed ( = Niph`al 2 ), of Elijah's translation 2Kgs 2:10 (with מֵאֵת person), of death Isa 53:8 (with מִן, probably instrumental) Hoph`al Imperfect יֻקַּח Gen 18:4 +, etc.; —
1. be taken, brought unto Gen 12:15 (J; followed by בֵּית to the house of), Gen 18:4 (absolute)
2. be taken out of Job 28:2 (מִן of source ), from, of Ezek 15:3 (מִן partitive)
3. be taken away from Isa 49:24 (מִן person); absolute vIsa 49:25. Hithpa`el Participle feminine singular אֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּ֫חַת literally fire taking hold of itself, of lightning Exod 9:24 (JE), Ezek 1:4, exact significance dubious; in close succession, incessant Di Sm, infolding itself, i.e. a mass of fire, Thes Rob-Ges A VB SS, > of quivering flashes Buhl, of forked or zigzag lightning Da.

took, take, taken, away, receive, …
lāqaḥ
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
  • to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
    • (Qal)
      • to take, take in the hand
      • "to take and carry along"to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away"to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept"to take up or upon, put upon"to fetch"to take, lead, conduct"to take, capture, seize"to take, carry off"to take (vengeance)
      (Niphal)
      • to be captured
      • "to be taken away, be removed"to be taken, brought unto
      (Pual)
      • to be taken from or out of
      • "to be stolen from"to be taken captive"to be taken away, be removed
      (Hophal)
      • to be taken unto, be brought unto
      • "to be taken out of"to be taken away
      (Hithpael)
      • to take hold of oneself
      • "to flash about (of lightning)

נְפָשׂ֣וֹת
נְפָשׂ֣וֹת
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

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

In the KJV here: souls
my soul ×101 soul ×38 his soul ×28 thy soul ×28 the souls ×23 the soul ×21 thy life ×16 my life ×15
More options
soul — Broad default; fits spiritual or inner-self contexts.
life — Prefer when physical existence or survival is in view.
being — Good for 'living being'; avoids religious overtones.
person — Use when נֶפֶשׁ refers to a countable individual or body.
self — Reflexive contexts: 'with all your self / whole self.'
appetite — Fitting for desire, craving, or longing passages.

BDB5310 H5315

BDB5309 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5311

נֶ֫פֶשׁ756 noun feminineGen 49:6 (so even Gen 2:19; Num 31:28; 1Kgs 19:2 see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42 SS) soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion (Eccl 3:18; Eccl 4:1 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 13:12; Eccl 14:11); — ׳נ Gen 1:20 +; נָ֑פֶשׁ Gen 37:21 +; suffix נַפְשִׁי Gen 12:13 +; plural נְפָשׁוֺת Ezek 13:18 + 13 t.; נְפָשֹׁת Exod 12:4; Lev 27:2 construct נַפְשׁוֺת Gen 36:6 + 4 t.; נַפְשֹׁת Lev 21:11 נְפָשִׁים Ezek 13:20 (but read חָפְשִׁים, see Co Berthol Toy); suffix נַפְשׁוֺתָם 2Sam 23:17 +; נַפְשֹׁתָם Num 17:3 +: —

1. = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being = ψυχή, anima, the soul, the inner being of man:
  a. distinguished from ׃בָּשָׂר מִנֶּפֶשׁ וְעַד בָּשָׂר Isa 10:18 הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר Deut 12:23 from שְׁאֵר Prov 11:17 from בֶּטֶן body Ps 31:10.
  b. both the inner נפשׁ and the outer בשׂר are conceived as resting on a common substratum: אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֺ עָלָיו יִכְאָ֑ב וְנַפְשׁוֺ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָֽל׃ Job 14:22 only his flesh upon him is in pain, and his soul upon him mourneth; compare Ps 42:5; Ps 42:7; Ps 131:2; Job 30:16; Lam 3:20 [see עַל 1 d], all poetical (compare 6 c).
  c. ׳נ departs at death and returns with life: וַיְתִי בְּצֵאת נַפְשָׁהּ כִּי מֵתָה Gen 35:18 (E) and it came to pass when her soul was going forth (for she died); נָָֽפְחָה נַפְשָׁהּ Jer 15:9 she breathed out her soul, compare 1Kgs 17:21; 1Kgs 17:22; Job 11:20; Job 31:39.
  d. often desired that the נפשׁ may be delivered: from Sh®°ôl Ps 16:10; Ps 30:4; Ps 49:16; Ps 86:13; Ps 89:49; Prov 23:14 from שַׁחַת, the pit of Sh®°ôl, Isa 38:17; Job 33:18; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 33:30.
2. The נפשׁ becomes a living being: by God's breathing נשׁמת חיים into the nostrils of its בשׂר; of man Gen 2:7 (J); by implication of animals also Gen 2:19 (J); so Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30 compare Ps 66:9 man is נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, a living, breathing being Gen 2:7 (J); elsewhere נפשׁ חיּה always of animals Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (all P), Ezek 47:9 so נפשׁ החיּה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10 (both P), Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ השׁרצת Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ כל חי Job 12:10. נפשׁ is frequently used with the verb ׃חיה וחיתה נפשׁ Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (both J), 1Kgs 20:32 (E), Ps 119:175; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20 חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 14:9; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 (all J E); compare ׳יְחַיֶּה נ 1Kgs 20:31 (E), Ezek 18:27; Ps 22:30 also Gen 19:19; Isa 55:3; Prov 3:22.
3. The נפשׁ (without חיה noun or verb) is specified:
  a. a living being whose life resides in the blood [so in Arabic WeSkizzen iii. 217 G. JacobArab. Dicht. iv. 9 f.] (hence sacrificial use of blood, and its prohib. in other uses; first in D), Deut 12:23; Deut 12:24 only be sure that thou eat not the blood, for the blood is the living being (הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ); and thou shalt not eat the living being with the flesh (הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר); thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water; this is enlarged in H, Lev 17:10; Lev 17:11; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:14 and in P Gen 9:4; Gen 9:5, compare Jer 2:34.
  b. a serious attack upon the life is an attack upon this inner living being 2Sam 1:9; Jer 4:10; Jonah 2:6; Ps 69:2; Ps 124:4; Ps 124:5; Job 27:3.
  c. נפשׁ is used for life itself 171 t., of animals Prov 12:10, and of man Gen 44:30 (J); נפשׁ תחת נפשׁ life for life Exod 21:23 (E), Lev 24:18 (H), 1Kgs 20:39; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 10:24 נפשׁנו תחתיכם Josh 2:14 (J); נפשׁ בנפשׁ Deut 19:21 בנפשׁ for the life of 2Sam 14:7; Jonah 1:14 שׂם נפשׁ בכף put life in one's own hand Judg 12:3; 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 28:21; Job 13:14 חרף נפשׁו למות Judg 5:18 risked his life to die; בנפשׁ at the risk of life Num 17:3 (P), 2Sam 23:17 = 1Chr 11:19 (twice in verse), 1Kgs 2:23; Prov 7:23; Lam 5:9 בקּשׁ נפשׁ Exod 4:19 (J), 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 22:23 (twice in verse); 1Sam 23:15; 1Sam 25:29; 2Sam 4:8; 2Sam 16:11; 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Jer 4:30; Jer 11:21; Jer 19:7; Jer 19:9; Jer 21:7; Jer 22:25; Jer 34:20; Jer 34:21; Jer 38:16; Jer 44:30 (twice in verse); Jer 46:26; Jer 49:37; Ps 35:4; Ps 38:13; Ps 40:15; Ps 54:5; Ps 63:10; Ps 70:3; Ps 86:14; Prov 29:10 ׳שׁאל נ 1Kgs 3:11 = 2Chr 1:11; 1Kgs 19:4 = Jonah 4:8 הִכָּה נפשׁ smite mortally Gen 37:21 (J), Deut 19:6; Deut 19:11; Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 ׳לקח נ 1Kgs 19:4; Jonah 4:3; Ps 31:14; Prov 1:19 הִצִּיל נֶפֶשׁ מִמָּוֶת deliver life from death Josh 2:13; Ps 33:19; Ps 56:14 מלּט נפשׁ1Sam 19:11; 2Sam 19:6 (4 t. in verse); 1Kgs 1:12 (twice in verse); Jer 48:6; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:45; Ezek 33:5; Amos 2:14; Amos 2:15; Ps 89:49; Ps 116:4 פדה ׳נ 2Sam 4:9; 1Kgs 1:29; Ps 34:23; Ps 49:16; Ps 55:19; Ps 71:23 ׳שׁמר נ Ps 25:20; Ps 97:10; Job 2:6; Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5.
4. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself:
  a. paraphrase for personal pronoun especially in poetry and ornate discourse, 70 t.; (1) נַפְשִׁי = me: אל תבא נפשׁי Gen 49:6 let me not enter (poem in J); מות ישׁרים ׳תָּמֹת נ Num 23:10 let me die, etc. (poem); תָּמוֺת נַפְשְׁי Judg 16:30 (J); אמרה נפשׁי Lam 3:24 I say. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thee: לְאֻמִּים תַּחַת נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ Isa 43:4 peoples instead of thee; אָֽמְרוּ לְנַפְשֵׁךְ Isa 51:23. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = he: נפשׁו בטוב תלין Psalms he will not dwell in good circumstances. (4) נַפְשֵׁנוּ = we: נַפְשֵׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֺר נִמְלְטָה מִפַּח יוֺקְשִׁים Ps 124:7. (5) נַפְשָׁם = they, them: נַפְשָׁם בַּשְּׁבִי הָלָ֑כָה Isa 46:2 they are gone into captivity; אוי לנפשׁם Isa 3:9.
  b. = reflexive, self, 53 t.: אסר על נפשׁ bind oneself Num 30:3; Num 30:5 (twice in verse); Num 30:6; Num 30:7; Num 30:8; Num 30:9; Num 30:10; Num 30:11; Num 30:12 ׳לְעַנֹּת נ Num 30:14 to afflict oneself . (1) נַפְשִׁי = myself: לא אדע נפשׁי Job 9:21 I know not myself. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thyself: ׳שׁמר נ Deut 4:9 keep thyself. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = himself: ׳אהב כנ 1Sam 18:1; 1Sam 18:3; 1Sam 20:17 loved as himself. (4) נַפְשָׁהּ = herself: ׳צדּקה נ Jer 3:11 justified herself. (5) נַפְשָׁם = themselves: ׳הציל נ deliver themselves Isa 47:14; Ezek 14:14; Ezek 14:20. (6) נַפְשְׁכֶם, נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם = yourselves: ׳אַלתַּֿשִּׁאוּ נ Jer 37:9 deceive not yourselves, also Jer 42:20; Jer 44:7 ׳ענּה נ Lev 16:29; Lev 16:31; Lev 23:27; Lev 23:32; Num 29:7 (P); ׳נשׁמרתם לנ Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (D). (7) נַפְשׁוֺתֵינוּ = ourselves: ׳על נ Jer 26:19 against ourselves.
  c. = person of man, individual, 144 t., first in D2; especially in H, P, and kindred writers: (1) with אָדָם: אדם ׳נ Lev 24:17 opposed to בהמה ׳נ Lev 24:18 (both H), and so אדם ׳נ human persons Num 31:35; Num 31:40; Num 31:46 (P) 1Chr 5:21; Ezek 27:13. Elsewhere without אדם: ברכה ׳נ Prov 11:25 one who blesses; רְמִיָּה ׳נ Prov 19:15 idle person; ׳תחת נ ׳נ person in place of person, Job 16:4 כפּר ׳על נ Exod 30:15; Exod 30:16; Num 15:28; Num 31:50 (all P) Lev 17:11 (H). (2) נפשׁ = person, any one: Deut 24:7; Deut 27:25; Prov 28:17; Ezek 18:4 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 33:6 elsewhere only H P: Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 4:27; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:2; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15; Lev 5:17; Lev 5:21; Lev 7:18; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:25; Lev 7:27; Lev 23:29; Lev 23:30 (twice in verse); Num 5:6; Num 15:27; Num 15:30; Num 19:22; Num 31:19; Num 31:28; Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:30 (twice in verse); Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Lev 17:10; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:15; Lev 20:6 (twice in verse); Lev 22:6; Lev 22:11 (all H); ׳נכרתה הנ הַהִוא מן that person shall be cut off from: only in Gen 17:14; Exod 12:15; Exod 12:19; Exod 31:14; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:27; Num 9:13; Num 15:30; Num 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (all P), Lev 19:8; Lev 22:3 (both H). (3) נפשׁ collective for persons, in enumerations: Deut 10:22; Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 (twice in verse); Josh 10:39; Josh 11:11 (all D2) Jer 43:6; Jer 52:29; Jer 52:30 (twice in verse); Ezek 22:25 elsewhere only Gen 12:5; Gen 46:15; Gen 46:18; Gen 46:22; Gen 46:25; Gen 46:26 (twice in verse); Gen 46:27 (twice in verse); Exod 1:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:16; Num 31:35; Num 31:40 (all P). (4) נְפָשׁוֺת persons Gen 36:6; Exod 12:4; Exod 16:16; Num 19:18 (all P), Lev 18:29; Lev 20:25; Lev 27:2 (all H), 2Kgs 12:5; Prov 11:30; Prov 14:25; Ezek 13:18 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 13:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 13:20 (twice in verse); Ezek 17:17; Ezek 18:4; Ezek 22:27 (נפשׁים Ezek 13:20 see above). (5) נפשׁ = deceased person, sometimes with מֵת, נֶפֶשׁ מֵת Num 6:6 (P), נַפְשֹׁת מֵת (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 נֶפֶשׁ) Lev 21:11 (H); usually without מֵת, נפשׁ (ה)אדם Num 9:6; Num 9:7; Num 19:11; Num 19:13 (P); or simply נפשׁ, Lev 19:28; Lev 21:1; Lev 22:4 (all H) Num 5:2; Num 6:11; Num 9:10 (all P); elsewhere only Hag 2:13.
5. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.) —
  a. hunger: רְעֵבָה ׳נ hungry soul Ps 107:9; Prov 27:7 with noun or verb of שׂבע satisfy Isa 56:11; Isa 58:10; Jer 50:19; Ezek 7:19; Ps 63:6; Ps 107:9; Prov 13:25; Prov 27:7 ׳מתוק לנ Prov 16:24 sweet to the taste.
  b. thirst: עֲיֵפָה ׳נ weary soul Prov 25:25; Jer 31:25 כארץ עיפה ׳נ Ps 143:6 ׳צמאה נ Ps 42:3; Ps 63:2.
  c. appetite in general: יַקִּיפוּ עָלָיו ׳אֹיְבַי בנ Ps 17:9 my enemies compass me about with greed; הִרְחִיבָה שְׁאוֺל נַפְשָׁהּ וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14 Sh®°ôl enlarged her appetite, etc., compare Hab 2:5; Prov 23:2 בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ; Ecclesiastes uses נפשׁ only in the sense of a, b, c; the נפשׁ craves, lacks, and is filled with good things: Eccl 2:24; Eccl 4:8; Eccl 6:2; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 6:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:28.
6. = ׳נ seat of emotions and passions (151 t.) —
  a. desire: ׳אִוְּתָה נ soul desires Deut 12:20; Deut 14:26; 1Sam 2:16; 2Sam 3:21; 1Kgs 11:37; Job 23:13; Prov 13:4; Prov 21:10; Mic 7:1 ׳תַּאֲוַת נ Ps 10:3; Isa 26:8 ׳אַוַּת נ Deut 12:15; Deut 12:20; Deut 12:21; Deut 18:6; 1Sam 23:20; Jer 2:24 so also לנפשׁ according to one's desire Deut 21:14; Ps 78:18; Jer 34:16 כנפשׁ Deut 23:25 האח נפשׁנו ah, our desire Ps 35:25 בנפשׁ at one's desire Ps 105:22; Ezek 16:27 יָָֽצְאָה ׳נ בְדַבְּרוֺ Song 5:6 ׳נשׂא נ lift up the soul, desire Deut 24:15; 2Sam 14:14 (read אליהם, not אלהים), Ps 24:4; Ps 25:1; Ps 86:4; Ps 143:8; Prov 19:8; Jer 22:27; Jer 44:14; Hos 4:8.
  b. abhorrence, loathing: ׳געלה נ soul abhorreth Lev 26:11; Lev 26:15; Lev 26:30; Lev 26:43 (H) Jer 14:19 בחלה בי ׳וגם נ Zech 11:8 and their soul also fell a loathing against me.
  c. sorrow and distress: ׳מרי נ bitter, gloomy, discontented of soul Judg 18:25 (E) 2Sam 17:8; Job 3:20; Prov 31:6 ׳מר נ 1Sam 22:2 compare Job 7:11; Job 10:1; Isa 38:15; Ezek 27:1 ׳עָֽגְמָה נ Job 30:35 grieved; ׳אגמי נ sad of soul Isa 19:10 ׳תבכה נ my soul shall weep Jer 13:17 ירעה ׳נ his soul trembleth Isa 15:4 ׳צרת נ distress of soul Gen 42:21 (E).
  d. joy: תגיל ׳נ my soul rejoiceth Ps 35:9; Isa 61:10 ׳שׂמּח נ rejoice the soul Ps 86:4 also Ps 94:19; Ps 138:3; Prov 29:17.
  e. love: ׳אהבה נ my soul loveth Song 1:7; Song 3:1; Song 3:2; Song 3:3; Song 3:4 ׳יְדִדוּת נ darling of my soul Jer 12:7 ׳ב ׳דבקה נ his soul clave unto Gen 34:3 (J), with אחרי Ps 63:9 חשׁקה ׳ב ׳נ soul is attached to Gen 34:8 (P). feminine alienation, hatred, revenge: מן ׳תֵּקַע נ the soul is alienated from Jer 6:8; Ezek 23:17; Ezek 23:18 מן ׳נקעה נ Ezek 23:18; Ezek 23:22; Ezek 23:28 ׳שְׂנֻאי נ hated of soul 2Sam 5:8 (Qr); ׳שׂנאה נ Ps 11:5; Isa 1:14.
  g. other emotions and feelings: ׳השׁיב נ bring back soul Lam 1:11; Lam 1:19 (i.e. revive, compare with שׁוּב 1Kgs 17:21f.), hence figurative refresh, cheer, v1Kgs 17:16; Ps 19:8; Prov 25:14; Ruth 4:15 ׳שׁובב נ Ps 23:3 ׳מַחְמַל נ your souls' compassion Ezek 24:21 ׳קצרה נ soul was impatient Num 21:4 (E), Judg 10:16; Judg 16:16; Zech 11:8 כי ׳אאריך נ that I should prolong my patience Job 6:11 הגר ׳ידעתם אתנֿ ye know the feeling of the stranger Exod 23:9 (RD).

7. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts + לבב (see 10); possibly also alone, owing to unconscious assimilation by late writers; but most, if not all, examples may be otherwise explained: נפשׁי ידעת מאד Ps 139:14 my soul knoweth well (or I know well; compare 4a); בלא לא טוב ׳דעת נ Prov 19:2 that the soul be without knowledge is not good (but RVm desire without knowledge, compare 6 a); ׳דעה חכמה לנ Prov 24:14 know wisdom for thy soul (or according to thy desire, compare 6 a); ׳אל תדמי בנ Esth 4:13 think not in thy soul (or in thyself, compare 4 b); כמו שׁער ׳בג Prov 23:7 as he reckoneth in his soul (but RV in himself, compare 4 b); ׳מה תאמר נ 1Sam 20:4 (but AV RV following ᵐ5 ἐπιθυμεῖ = תְּאַוֶּה; see 6 a).

8. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dubious: אם ישׁ נפשׁכם (את) if it is your purpose Gen 23:8 (P) 2Kgs 9:15 (or if it is your desire, 6 a); ׳בחרה נ my soul chooseth Job 7:15 ׳מאנה נ my soul, refuseth Job 6:7; Ps 77:3 חפצה ׳נ their soul delighteth in Isa 66:3 רצתה ׳נ my soul delighteth in Isa 42:1 (all perhaps emotional, 6 b, d, g).

9. נפשׁ = character is still more dubious: בּוֺ ׳לאֹיָָֽֿשְׁרָה נ Hab 2:4 his soul is not right in him (but ᵐ5 οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ [εὐδοκεῖ = רצתה], see
6.); נַפְשִׁי לאֹ מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 my soul hath not (or I have not, 4 a) been polluted.
10. ׳נin D, when used with לבב, is assimilated to it, and shares with it the meanings of 7, 8, 9; and so in later writers influenced by D (unless we may think that ׳ל is used of intellect, while ׳נ is used of the feelings): thus, בכל לבב ובכל נפשׁ (see לבב): with דרשׁ Deut 4:29; 2Chr 15:12 עשׂה Deut 26:16 אהב Deut 6:5; Deut 13:4; Deut 30:6 ידע Josh 23:14 עבד Deut 10:12; Deut 11:13; Josh 22:5 שׁמע בקלו Deut 30:2 שׁוב אל Deut 30:10; 1Kgs 8:48 = 2Chr 6:38; 2Kgs 23:25 שׁמר מצות 2Kgs 23:3 = 2Chr 34:31 הלך לפני1Kgs 2:4 and Deut 11:18; 1Sam 2:35; 1Chr 22:19; 1Chr 28:9; Jer 32:41; Ps 13:8; Prov 2:10; Prov 24:12. Note. — In three cases is generally found closer approach to supposed radical meaning breath:
  a. שׁמן וקטרת ישׂמח לב ומתק רעהו מעצת נפשׁ Prov 27:9. Ges (after Döderlein) renders a. ׳מעצת נ more than odorous trees, so later edds., even Buhl; but ᵑ9 De SS transpose) מֵעֲצַת רֵעֵהוּ ׳וּמֶתֶק נ. ᵐ5 Hi Bi ומתקרעה = the soul is rent asunder by cares. In any case נפשׁis || לב, compare
10. b. נַפְשׁוֺ גֶּחָלִים תְּלַהֵט Job 41:13 his breath kindleth coals (of the crocodile).The piece is one of the latest in the book; primitive meaning hardly in such a passage; context favours reference to passion or fury; perhaps below 6 f, his passion or fury kindleth coals.
  c. בָּתֵּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ Isa 3:20 perfume boxes; meaning evident from context; but not necessarily scent (breath)-boxes; may be 6 a, boxes of desire, or 5, boxes exciting the sense of smell; = smelling boxes or bottles. No sufficient evidence in Biblical Hebrew, therefore, for meaning breath, odour. — See, for complete study of נֶפֶשׁ (all passages), BrJBL 1897,17 ff.


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).

soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
nepeš
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
    • that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
    • "living being"living being (with life in the blood)"the man himself, self, person or individual"seat of the appetites"seat of emotions and passions"activity of mind
      • dubious
      activity of the will
      • dubious
      activity of the character
      • dubious

חָכָֽם
חָכָֽם
Root word wise, men, cunning, mans, man, …
Dictionary form: חָכָם · haw-KAWM

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is wise
wise ×17 of the wise ×16 a wise ×15 the wise ×13 is wise ×7 that are wise ×3 the wise men ×3 and the wise ×2
More options
wise — Modernized KJV core rendering; broadly applicable across contexts.
sage — Elevated register; suits royal courts or honored counselors.
shrewd — Emphasizes practical, street-smart wisdom over moral virtue.
discerning — Highlights perceptive judgment; good for wisdom-literature passages.
skilled — Use when חָכָם denotes technical expertise, e.g. craftsmen.
prudent — Stresses careful forethought; fits proverbial, ethical contexts.

BDB2735 H2450

BDB2734 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2736

חָכָם adjective wise, ׳ח Deut 4:6 + 67 t.; construct חֲכַם Isa 3:3 + 9 t.; plural חֲכָמִים Deut 1:13 + 39 t.; construct חַכְמֵי Exod 28:3 + 4 t.; suffix חֲכָמֶיךָ Isa 19:12 etc. + 8 t.; feminine חֲכָמָה 2Sam 14:2; 2Sam 20:16 construct חַכְמַת Exod 35:25 plural חֲכָמוֺת Jer 9:16 construct חַכְמוֺת Judg 5:29; Prov 14:1(but read חָכְמוֺת De) —

1. skilful in technical work; artificers Isa 3:3 sailors Ezek 27:8, so (probably) vEzek 27:9 mourning women Jer 9:16 artisans of tabernacle and temple and their furniture Exod 28:3; Exod 31:6; Exod 35:10; Exod 36:1; Exod 36:2; Exod 36:4; Exod 36:8 (P), 1Chr 22:15; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 2:13 (twice in verse); women in spinning Exod 35:25 (P); goldsmiths and other artisans Jer 10:9 makers of idol-images Isa 40:20.
2. wise in the administration of affairs: Joseph in Egypt Gen 41:33; Gen 41:39 (E); heads of tribes Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15; Judg 16:19 David 2Sam 14:20, of Solomon 1Kgs 2:9; 1Kgs 3:12; 1Kgs 5:21 = 2Chr 2:11 the prince of Tyre, in satire Ezek 28:3 of kings in general Prov 20:26 class of political advisers of Judah Isa 29:14; Jer 18:18, apparently also Isa 5:21 of Egypt Isa 19:11 (twice in verse); Isa 19:12, Edom Obad 1:8, the nations Jer 10:7 so of God Isa 31:2.
3. shrewd, crafty, cunning: Jonadab 2Sam 13:3 the princesses Judg 5:29 אשׁה חכמה wise woman 2Sam 14:2; 2Sam 20:16 generally, Jer 9:22 intelligent animals Prov 30:24 בערמם ׳לכד ח taking the cunning in their craft Job 5:13 חכם בעיני wise in one's own eyes Prov 3:7; Prov 26:5; Prov 26:12; Prov 26:16; Prov 28:11 חכמי לב wise of mind (in their own mind) Job 37:24.
4. plural class of learned and shrewd men, including astrologers, magicians and the like, of Egypt Gen 41:8 (E), Exod 7:11 (P; compare Isa 19:11 (twice in verse); Isa 19:12); Babylon Isa 44:25; Jer 50:35; Jer 51:57 Persia Esth 1:13; Esth 6:13.
5. prudent, towards king Prov 16:14 in controversies Prov 11:29; Prov 29:8; Prov 29:9; Prov 29:11 religious affairs Hos 13:13; Hos 14:10; Jer 4:22; Jer 8:8; Jer 8:9; Deut 4:6; Deut 32:6; Ps 107:43 אישׁ ׳ח Jer 9:11.
6. wise, ethically and religiously,. in Wisdom Literature:
  a. as adjective, חֲכַם לֵב wise of mind Prov 10:8; Prov 16:21 לֵב חָכָם Eccl 8:5 of the son Prov 10:1 = Prov 15:20; Prov 13:1; Prov 23:24; Eccl 2:19 ׳ילד ח Eccl 4:13 wise boy; ׳גבר ח Job 34:34 wise man; ׳מוכיח ח wise reprover Prov 25:12.
  b. = substantive: (1) as a wise learner in school of wisdom, he fears God and departs from evil Prov 14:16 is silent Prov 17:28 hearkens to counsel Prov 12:15 hears and increases in learning Prov 1:5 his ear seeketh knowledge Prov 18:15 he receives it Prov 21:11 and stores it up Prov 10:14 his ears hearken to the reproof which giveth life Prov 15:31 and he becomes wiser through it Prov 9:8; Prov 9:9. (2) as a wise teacher, a sage, he does not answer with windy knowledge Job 15:2 he tells the experience of the past Job 15:48 has knowledge Job 34:2 teaches it Eccl 12:9 disperses it Prov 15:7 his tongue is health Prov 12:18 it utters knowledge aright Prov 15:2 his mind instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips Prov 16:23 his words are gracious Eccl 10:12 it is good to hear his rebuke Eccl 7:5 his instruction is a fountain of life Prov 13:14 one walking with him becomes wiser Prov 13:20. The חכמים recall the Greek σόφοι, having their schools, pupils (בֵן), discipline (מוּסָר), principles and collections of wisdom, דברי חכמים Prov 1:6; Prov 22:17 (compare Prov 24:23), Eccl 9:17; Eccl 12:11 God himself is חכם לבב Job 9:4. (3) the wise are prosperous: true, in sceptical view of Ecclesiastes, they have no advantage over the fool Eccl 6:8 but die as the fool Eccl 2:16 (twice in verse); Ps 49:11 they will not be able to find the works of God Eccl 8:17 like others are in the hands of God Eccl 9:1 they do not secure bread Eccl 9:11 but elsewhere reverse is true: precious treasure is in his dwelling Prov 21:20 his lips preserve him Prov 14:3 they inherit glory Prov 3:35 wealth is their crown Prov 14:24 the wise man is strong Prov 24:5; Eccl 7:19 his eyes are in his head Eccl 2:14 his mind is at his right hand Eccl 10:2 he interprets things Eccl 8:1 (4) the wise man is a blessing to others: he wins men Prov 11:30 scales the city of the mighty Prov 21:22 though poor he delivers the city Eccl 9:15 is a reproof to scorners Prov 15:12 his mind is in the house of mourning Eccl 7:4 injustice makes him foolish Eccl 7:7 Job finds no wise men among his cruel friends Job 17:10.


BDB9525 H2445 H2450

BDB9524 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9526

[חַכִּים]14 noun masculine wise man (see Biblical Hebrew חכם); — plural absolute חַכִּימִין Dan 2:21 elsewhere of the class possessed of occult learning in Babylonian V:27, emphatic מַיָא- vDan 2:13; Dan 5:15 construct מֵי- Dan 2:12. Dan 12:14 + 7 t. Daniel.

wise, men, cunning, mans, man, …
ḥākām
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
  • wise, wise (man)
    • skilful (in technical work)
    • "wise (in administration)"shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle"learned, shrewd (class of men)"prudent"wise (ethically and religiously)

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.
פְּֽרִי צַ֭דִּיק Dechi — a lesser break עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְלֹקֵ֖חַ נְפָשׂ֣וֹת חָכָֽם Silluq — end of the verse

פְּֽרִי-צַדִּיק עֵץ חַיִּים וְלֹקֵחַ נְפָשׂוֹת חָכָֽם׃
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Cross References

Daniel 12:3

וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָֽרַבִּים כַּכּוֹכָבִים לְעוֹלָם וָעֶֽד׃
3
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

James 5:20

γινωσκέτω ὅτι ἐπιστρέψας ἁμαρτωλὸν ἐκ πλάνης ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ σώσει ψυχὴν ἐκ θανάτου καὶ καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν
20
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 9:19

Ἐλεύθερος γὰρ ὢν ἐκ πάντων πᾶσιν ἐμαυτὸν ἐδούλωσα ἵνα τοὺς πλείονας κερδήσω·
19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made servant myself unto all, that I might gain the more.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

τίς γὰρ ἡμῶν ἐλπὶς χαρὰ στέφανος καυχήσεως οὐχὶ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν τῇ αὐτοῦ παρουσίᾳ
19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Proverbs 3:18

עֵץ-חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ וְֽתֹמְכֶיהָ מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃
18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Matthew 4:19

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων
19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Luke 5:9

θάμβος γὰρ περιέσχεν αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ τῶν ἰχθύων συνέλαβον
9
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

John 4:36

καὶ θερίζων μισθὸν λαμβάνει καὶ συνάγει καρπὸν εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἵνα καὶ σπείρων ὁμοῦ χαίρῃ καὶ θερίζων
36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Proverbs 15:4

מַרְפֵּא לָשׁוֹן עֵץ חַיִּים וְסֶלֶף בָּהּ שֶׁבֶר בְּרֽוּחַ׃
4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.