Proverbs 12:9

ט֣וֹב

Root word good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …

Dictionary form: טוֹב · tobe

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is better

good ×127 the good ×26 better ×25 is good ×22 is better ×21 a good ×13 well ×12 for good ×11

More options

good — Default all-purpose rendering; works in most contexts.

fine — Lighter register; suits quality, appearance, or craftsmanship.

pleasant — Emphasises enjoyment or sensory appeal.

beautiful — Prefer when describing physical attractiveness or appearance.

prosperous — Use when tob refers to welfare, wealth, or flourishing.

favorable — Suits attitudes, conditions, or outcomes seen as advantageous.

BDB3305 H2896

II. טוֺב adjective pleasant, agreeable, good (see Lag^{BN 26}; Aramaic טַב, Palmyrene טב Vog^{No. 81}, טבא Vog^{No. 75}) — masculine ׳ט Gen 2:12 + 22 t., טוֺבָם Mic 7:4 feminine טוֺבָה Esth 8:5 + 50 t., טֹבָה Deut 6:18 + 2 t.; construct טוֺבַת Gen 26:7 + 6 t., טֹבַת Gen 24:16 plural טוֺבִים Jer 44:17 + 28 t.; טֹבִים Gen 27:9 + 4 t.; construct טוֺבֵי Dan 1:4 + 2 t.; plural טוֺבוֺת Esth 2:2, טֹבוֺת Jer 24:2 + 6 t., טֹבֹת Gen 6:2 + 4 t.; —

1. pleasant, agreeable to the senses:
a. to the sight, fair, of daughters of men Gen 6:2 (J); of a son Exod 2:2 (E), 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 20:3, young men (but read herds ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Bu) 1Sam 8:16 מראיהם their appearance Dan 1:15, טֹבַת מראה Gen 24:16; Gen 26:7 (both J), 2Sam 11:2; Esth 1:11; Esth 2:3; Esth 2:7 טוב ראי 1Sam 16:12 טוב תאר 1Kgs 1:6 טובַת חן Nah 3:4 טוֺבוֺת מראה Esth 2:2 טוֺבֵי מראה Dan 1:4 טוב לעינים Eccl 11:7 טובה בעיניו fair in his eyes Esth 8:5 of mantle Josh 7:21 (J); goodly houses Isa 5:9; Deut 8:12 cities Deut 6:10 situation of city 2Kgs 2:19.
b. to the taste, good, sweet, agreeable for eating למאכל Gen 2:9; Gen 3:6 (both J); ears of grain Gen 41:5; Gen 41:22; Gen 41:24; Gen 41:26 (E); figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3 (twice in verse); Jer 24:5 honey Prov 24:13 כְּיֵין הטוב Song 7:10 as wine of the best sort (Hi reads כַּיַּיִן); תְּנוּבָתִי הַטּוֺבָּה Judg 9:11 my sweet fruit (|| מָתְקִי).
c. to the smell, sweet-scented, of ointment Song 1:3 קנה הטוב Jer 6:20 the fragrant cane.
d. of pleasant shadow of tree Hos 4:13.

2. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well:
a. of time: יום טוב good day, festal day 1Sam 25:8; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:22 of feasts Zech 8:19 prosperous years Gen 41:35 (E).
b. of place, טוב בית הנשׁים Esth 2:9 the best part of the women's house; לוֺ ׳בַּטּ Deut 23:17, בְּעֵינֵי ׳בַּטּ Gen 20:15 (see c f below)
c. of persons, (אתה) טוב בעיני pleasing in the eyes of 1Sam 29:6 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:9 ׳טוב בעיני י Mal 2:17 (compare verb 4, and f below); later לִפְנֵי Eccl 2:26 (twice in verse); Eccl 7:26 inserted in 1Sam 29:10 ᵐ5 We Dr; compare עם ׳ט 1Sam 2:26.
d. of word or message, בְּשׂוֺרָה טוֺבָה 2Sam 18:27 good tidings; ׳שְׁמוּעָה ט good report 1Sam 2:24; Prov 15:30; Prov 25:25 דבר בעתו Prov 15:23 a word in its season; דבר טוב Prov 12:25 an agreeable word (maketh the heart glad); דבר טוב Ps 45:2 a good theme.
e. of other things, דֶּרֶךְ טובה 1Sam 24:20 a pleasant, prosperous journey; מנחה כי טוב Gen 49:15 (poem); of unity of brethren מה טוב ומה נעים Ps 133:1 how good and how pleasant it is! טוב לְ (יהיה) it shall be well for Eccl 2:3; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13 (compare verb 3); הֲטוֺב כִּי Job 13:9 will it be advantageous that (see 5). feminine עשׂה הטוב בעיני do what is pleasing in the eyes of Gen 16:5 (J), Judg 19:24; 1Sam 1:23; 1Sam 3:18; 1Sam 14:40 2 Sam 10:12> = 1Chr 19:13; 2Sam 19:19; 2Sam 19:28; 2Sam 19:39; 2Kgs 10:5; 2Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3; 1Chr 21:23 = 2Sam 24:22 where object of העלה; ׳עשׂה (כ) (כל) (ה)טוב בע Gen 19:8 (J), Judg 10:15; 1Sam 11:10; 1Sam 14:36; Esth 3:11 (כ)הטוב עשׂה ׳ו(כ)הישׁר בע) Deut 12:28; Josh 9:25 (D), 2Chr 14:1; Jer 26:14, compare Esth 8:8 nouns reversed Deut 6:18 עשׂה הטוֺב והישׁר לפני 2Chr 31:20 ׳טוב בע in other combinations Num 36:6 (P), Jer 40:4 ראה הטוב והישׁר 2Kgs 10:3 ׳דבּר ט 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12; Num 10:29 (J), 1Sam 19:4; Esth 7:9 דבּר מטוב עדרֿע speak either good or bad Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29 (E); למרע ועד טוב 2Sam 13:22 רע או טוב Gen 24:50 (J); ׳התנבא ט 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:18 = 2Chr 18:17 compare 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12.

3. good, excellent of its kind:
a. of the several creations, וירא אלהים כי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, excellent Gen 1:4; Gen 1:10; Gen 1:12; Gen 1:18; Gen 1:21; Gen 1:25 (P); טוֺב מאר כל אשׁר עשׂה והנּה Gen 1:31 (P) God saw all that he had made, and behold it was very excellent. So
b. of land, soil, fruitful, fertile: ארץ Exod 3:8; Num 13:19 (both J), Num 14:7 (P), Deut 1:25; Deut 1:35; Deut 3:25; Deut 4:21; Deut 4:22; Deut 6:18; Deut 8:7; Deut 8:10; Deut 9:6; Deut 11:17; Josh 23:16 (D), Judg 18:9; 1Chr 28:8 אדמה 1Kgs 14:15; Josh 23:13; Josh 23:15 (D); הר Deut 3:25 חלקה 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25 שׂדה Ezek 17:8 נָוֶה Ezek 34:14 מרעה 1Chr 4:40; Ezek 34:14; Ezek 34:18.
c. of vegetation, choice, fruitful זֵיתִים 1Sam 8:14 עץ 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25; Ezek 31:16 שׁמן טוב 2Kgs 20:13 precious oil = Isa 39:2; Ps 133:2; Eccl 7:1 of seed, אם שׁניהם טובים Eccl 11:6 whether both of them will be fruitful.
d. of animals, fat בקר Gen 18:7 (J); עזים Gen 27:9 (J); פרות Gen 41:26 (E); יָרֵךְ Ezek 24:4.
e. of minerals, fine, pure זהב Gen 2:12 (J), 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:8 כֶּתֶם Lam 4:1 brass Ezra 8:27, soldering Isa 41:7.

4. good, rich, valuable in estimation:
a. in quantity, שׂיבה טובה good old age Gen 15:15 (R), Gen 25:8 (P), Judg 8:32; 1Chr 29:28 dowry Gen 30:20 (E; many sons); treasury Deut 28:12 (from which ׳י sends blessings).
b. in price, goodly, valuable: of the estimation put upon house, beast, and tithe Lev 27:10 (twice in verse); Lev 27:12; Lev 27:14; Lev 27:33 (H); profit Prov 31:18 hire Eccl 4:9 מחמדי הטבים Joel 4:5 my goodly precious things.

5. good, appropriate, becoming, טוב אשׁר Eccl 7:18 (compare Eccl 5:4 below); טובה חכמה עם נחלה Eccl 7:11 wisdom is good with an inheritance (other transitive see in VB); || יָפֶה Eccl 5:17 with עֵצָה 2Sam 17:7; 2Sam 17:14 good advice; טוב פתר Gen 40:16 (E) that he interpreted well; טוב הדבר (לא) Exod 18:17 (E) the thing is (not) good, wise, so Deut 1:14; 1Sam 26:16 טוב (ה)דבר the word is good, is well said 1Sam 9:10; 1Kgs 2:38; 1Kgs 2:42; 1Kgs 18:24; 2Kgs 20:19 = Isa 39:8, for which abbreviated טוב well! good! exclamation Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 20:7; 2Sam 3:13; 1Kgs 2:18 followed by כּי it is good that 2Sam 18:3; Ruth 2:22; Lam 3:27; Job 10:3 (compare Job 13:9 2 e); with infinitive Gen 2:18 (J), Ps 73:28; Ps 92:2; Ps 147:1; Prov 25:27 (compare below 10); with וְ (strangely) ׳טוֺב וְיָחִיל וגו Lam 3:26 it is good that one wait (see דּוּמָם, יָחִיל); בלא דעת נֶפֶשׁ לא טוב Prov 19:2 that a soul be without knowledge is not good.

6. with מִן comparative = better, followed by infinitive Gen 29:19 (E), Exod 14:12 (J), Ps 118:8; Ps 118:9; Prov 16:19; Prov 25:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:2 infinitive omitted Prov 21:9; Prov 21:19; Prov 25:24 מן omitted Num 14:3 (J; comparative only implied); with מן person Judg 15:2; Ruth 4:15; 1Sam 1:8; 1Sam 9:2; 1Sam 15:28; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Chr 21:13; Prov 12:9; Prov 16:32; Prov 19:1; Prov 19:22; Prov 27:10; Prov 28:6; Lam 4:9; Esth 1:19; Eccl 4:3; Eccl 4:9; Eccl 4:13; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 7:5; Eccl 7:8 with מן of thing Judg 8:2; 1Sam 15:22; 2Sam 17:14; 1Kgs 21:2; 2Kgs 5:12; Hos 2:9; Amos 6:2; Isa 56:5; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8; Ps 37:16; Ps 63:4; Ps 84:11; Ps 119:72; Prov 3:14; Prov 8:11; Prov 8:19; Prov 15:16; Prov 15:17; Prov 16:8; Prov 16:16; Prov 17:1; Prov 22:1; Prov 27:5; Song 1:2; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 7:1; Eccl 7:3; Eccl 7:8; Eccl 7:10; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:16; Eccl 9:18 followed by -מִשֶּׁ Eccl 5:4 מַהטּֿוֺב ֗֗֗ הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם is it better ... or ? Judg 9:2 הֲטוב ֗֗֗ אוֺ Judg 18:19 אין -טוב שֶׁ Eccl 2:24 (read -מִשֶּׁ see Commentaries); אין טוב מאשׁר Eccl 3:22 אין טוב כִי אִם Eccl 3:12; Eccl 8:15 so 1Sam 27:1 ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu (ᵑ0 only כי with Imperfect)

7. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous: טוב לב merry, glad heart Prov 15:15; Esth 5:9; Eccl 9:7 טוֺבֵי לב 1Kgs 8:65 = 2Chr 7:10 טובים וַנּהיה Jer 44:17 we were prosperous; similarly Ps 112:5.

8. of man's intellectual nature, שֵׂכֶל טוֺב good understanding 2Chr 30:22; Ps 111:10; Prov 3:4; Prov 13:15 טוֺבַת שֶׂכֶל 1Sam 25:3.

9. good, kind, benign:
a. of men, themselves 1Sam 25:15; 2Sam 18:27; 2Chr 10:7 the eye Prov 22:9 דברים טובים kind words 1Kgs 12:7 = 2Chr 10:7.
b. of God, himself Nah 1:7; 2Chr 30:18; Ps 86:5 כי טוב for he is good, kind Ps 34:9; Ps 100:5; Ps 135:3; Jer 33:11 כי טוב כי לעולם חסדוֺ 1Chr 16:34; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 טוב לְ kind to Ps 73:1; Ps 145:9; Lam 3:25 יד (ה)טובה על Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Neh 2:8; Neh 2:18 רוחךָ (ה)טובה Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 שׁמךָ כי טוב Ps 52:11; Ps 54:8 כּי טוב חסדךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 הדבר(ים) הטוב(יםׅ the good, kind word(s) spoken in promise Josh 21:43; Josh 23:14; Josh 23:15 (D), 1Kgs 8:56; Jer 29:10; Jer 33:14; Zech 1:13.

10. good (ethical), right: מה טוב || what Yahweh requires Mic 6:8, || משׁפט Job 34:4:
a. of man himself || ישׁר Mic 7:4 אישׁ טוב Prov 14:14 (ה)טוב(יםׅ = (the) good 2Chr 19:11; Ps 125:4; Prov 2:28; Prov 12:2; Prov 13:22; Prov 14:19; Prov 15:3; Eccl 9:2 (twice in verse); man's deeds דברים 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 19:3 מעשׂה 1Sam 19:4; Eccl 12:14 מעללים Ezek 36:31 דֶּרֶךְ הטובה והישׂרה 1Sam 12:23 the good and right way; (הַ)דֶּרֶךְ (ה)טוב(הׅ (the) good way 1Kgs 8:36 = 2Chr 6:27; Isa 65:2; Jer 6:16; Ps 36:5; Prov 16:29 דבריךָ טובים ונכחים 2Sam 15:3 good and right is thy case; דבר טוב good thing 1Kgs 14:13 לא טוב הדבר Neh 5:9 אשׂר לא טוב עשׂה Ezek 18:18 so of מאזני מרמה etc., Prov 20:23 לא טובc. infinitive (see 5 it is not good or right to: ענושׁ לצדּיק Prov 17:26 פני רשׁע שׂאת Prov 18:5 הכּר פנים Prov 28:21; Prov 24:23 (בל טוב).
b. of God טוב אתה ומטיב Ps 119:68 טוב וישׁר יהוה Ps 25:8 משׁפטיך טובים Ps 119:39 his commands מצות Neh 9:13 חקים Ezek 20:25 (לא טובים); לקח טוב Prov 4:2 מפי עליון לא תצא הרעות והטוב Lam 3:38.

BDB3306 H2896

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

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 אם טוב ואם רע Jer 42:6 whether prosperity or adversity; יבוא טוב Jer 17:6 prosperity cometh; ׳שׂמח בט Deut 26:11; 2Chr 6:41 ׳ראה בט Eccl 2:1; Jer 29:32 object of ראה Ps 4:7; Ps 34:13; Eccl 2:24; Eccl 3:13; Job 7:7 of דרשׁ Esth 10:3 of בקשׁ Ps 122:9 מנע Ps 84:12; Jer 5:25 נתן Ps 85:13 קוה Job 30:26 מצא Prov 16:20; Prov 17:20; Prov 18:22; Prov 19:8 נחל Prov 28:10 חסר Ps 34:11 בשׂר 1Kgs 1:42; Isa 52:7 ׳חול לט Mic 1:12 ׳חכמה וט 1Kgs 10:7 טוב וחסד Ps 23:6 בטוב in prosperity Ps 25:13; Job 21:13; Job 36:11; Eccl 7:14 מטוב because of prosperity Zech 1:17 afar from happiness Ps 39:3 כטוב Hos 10:1 לטוב Deut 30:9; Jer 15:11 לטוב לָנוּ Deut 6:24 for good to us, = for our good, Deut 10:13 (לְךָ), Jer 32:39 (לָהֶם; compare לרע ל Jer 7:6; Jer 25:7).

2. good things, (collective) ברכ(ו)ת ׳ט blessing of good things Ps 21:4; Prov 24:25 מִלֵּא ׳בָתֵּיהֶם ט Job 22:18 filled their houses with good things; object of שׂבע Job 104:28; Prov 12:14 מלא Ps 107:9 אכל Prov 13:2; Isa 55:2 לקח Hos 14:3 ׳השׂביע בט Ps 103:5 goods, possessions 1Sam 15:9.

3. good = benefit: גְּמָלַתְהוּ טוֺב וְלֹארָֿע Prov 31:12 she doeth him good and not evil; תַּאֲוַת צַדִּיקִים אַךְטֿוֺב Prov 11:23 the desire of the righteous is only good; object of קבּל Job 2:10 מנע Prov 3:27 שׁחר Prov 11:27 שׁלּם Prov 13:21 עשׂה Gen 26:29 (J), Ps 119:65 היטיב Num 10:32 (J); ׳ערב לט Ps 119:122 ׳חֹרְשֵׁי ט Prov 14:22 who devise good.

4. moral good, ידע טוב ורע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5; Gen 3:22 (J), Deut 1:39 בין טוב לרע 2Sam 19:36 in antithesis with רע elsewhere Deut 30:15; 2Sam 14:17; 1Kgs 3:9; Isa 5:20 (twice in verse); Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16; Amos 5:14; Amos 5:15; Mic 3:2; Ps 34:15; Ps 37:27; Ps 52:5 ׳זנח ט Hos 8:3 cast off good; עשׂה טוֺב do good Ps 14:1; Ps 14:3 = Ps 53:2; Ps 53:4; Ps 37:3; Eccl 7:20, in Eccl 3:12 this meaning seems less fitting; read perhaps ׳לִרְאוֺת ט (Gr, see also De) and tr. to 1; ׳רדף ט Ps 38:21 pursue good; ׳מַעְגַּלטֿ Prov 2:9 path of good.

BDB3309 H2896

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

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שׁלום Deut 23:7; Jer 33:9; Ezra 9:12; Lam 3:17 יוֺם טובה Eccl 7:14 day of prosperity; טוֺבָתִי בַּלעָֿלָיךָ Ps 16:2 is not my welfare dependent upon thee? ׳תְּבוֺאָֽתְךָ ט Job 22:21 prosperity shall come to thee; לטובה Gen 50:20 (E), Deut 28:11; Deut 30:9; 2Chr 18:7; Jer 14:11 לרעה ולא לטובה Amos 9:4; Jer 21:10; Jer 39:16; Jer 44:27 object of verb בקּשׁ Neh 2:10 הביא Jer 32:42 ראה Job 9:25; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 6:6 אבּד Eccl 9:18 ׳ראה בט Ps 106:5 ׳חסר מט Eccl 4:8 object of אכל figurative Job 21:25 = taste happiness; of שׂבע Eccl 6:3 after נחם על Jer 18:10.

2. good things (collective):
a. of good words, object of דבּר 1Sam 25:30; 2Sam 7:28 = 1Chr 17:26; Jer 18:20 plural דבּר טובות Jer 12:6; Jer 52:32 = 2Kgs 25:28.
b. of material possessions ׳ברבות הט Eccl 5:10 when good things increase.

3. bounty, good שְׁנַת טוֺבָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 65:12 year of thy bounty (harvest bestowed by God), so also טובתך Ps 68:11 עשׂה ׳(ה)ט Exod 18:9 (E), Num 24:13 (JE), Judg 8:35; Judg 9:16; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 2:6; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 7:10; 2Chr 24:16; Jer 33:9 object of נמל 1Sam 24:18 שׁלּם 1Sam 24:20 רעה תחת טובה Gen 44:4 (J), 1Sam 25:21; Ps 35:12; Ps 38:21; Ps 109:5; Prov 17:13; Jer 18:20 תחת קללה ׳ט 2Sam 16:12 ׳זכר לי לט remember it for me for good Neh 5:19; Neh 13:31 לטובה Ezra 8:22; Neh 2:18; Jer 24:5; Jer 24:6; Ps 86:17 plural טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19 his benefits (i.e. good deeds of Tobiah).

BDB9554 H2869 H2896

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

good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …

ṭôb

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)

(adj) good, pleasant, agreeable

pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

welfare, prosperity, happiness

welfare, prosperity, happiness

נִ֭קְלֶה

Root word base, contemned, despised, esteemed, light, …

Dictionary form: קָלָה · kaw-LAW

Verb — Niphal, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: he that is despised

and lightly esteemed ×1 and the base ×1 be he that setteth light ×1 he that is despised ×1 shall be contemned ×1 should seem vile ×1

More options

despise — Strong active contempt; suits most narrative and poetic contexts.

hold in contempt — Slightly formal; good for legal or prophetic registers.

treat as worthless — Emphasizes the evaluative dimension of the root.

look down on — Idiomatic and accessible; fits relational or social contexts.

regard as insignificant — Highlights the 'light/trivial' semantic strand of the lemma.

dishonor — Useful when social shame or status loss is in view.

BDB7441 H7034

II. [קָלָה] verb Niph`al belightly esteemed, dishonoured (|| form of קלל; compare Late Hebrew קָלוֺן, ᵑ7 קְלנָא disgrace, shame); — Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְנִקְלָה Isa 16:14; Deut 25:3 Participle נִקְלֶה Isa 3:5 + 2 t.; — be lightly esteemed, held of little account, Isa 16:14 (glory of Moab); אִישׁ רָשׁ וְנִקְלֶה 1Sam 18:23 so (Participle as substantive) Isa 3:5 (opposed to נִכְבָּד), Prov 12:9 (opposed to מִתְכַּבֵּד); more positively, be dishonoured, degraded, Deut 25:3 (עֵינֶיךָ). Hiph`il treat with contempt, dishonour, Participle ׳מַקְלֶה אָבִיו וגו Deut 27:16 one dis-honouring [i.e. opposed to כַּבֵּד of 5th Command].

base, contemned, despised, esteemed, light, …

qālâ

to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be [causatively, hold] in contempt)

to disgrace, dishonor, be lightly esteemed, be dishonored, be despised

(Niphal) to be dishonored, be despised, be lightly esteemed

וְ עֶ֣בֶד

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

עֶ֣בֶד

Root word servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

Dictionary form: עֶבֶד · eh-BED

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and hath a servant

thy servant ×90 his servants ×68 thy servants ×56 servants ×53 my servant ×40 the servant ×40 his servant ×30 and his servants ×22

More options

servant — Broadest, most neutral choice for most contexts.

slave — Emphasizes legal ownership; use when bondage is explicit.

attendant — Highlights personal service to a superior; courtly contexts.

subject — Good for political/royal contexts; stresses subordination.

worker — Downplays social status; use cautiously, may be too weak.

bondservant — Retains covenantal nuance; useful in theological passages.

BDB5735 H5650

I. עֶ֫בֶד₇₉₉ noun masculine slave, servant (on formation Lag^{BN 77}); — ׳ע Gen 9:25 +, עָ֑בֶד Gen 44:10 +; suffix עַבְדִּי Gen 26:24 +; עַבְדְּךָ Gen 19:19 +; עַבְדֶּ֫ךָ Gen 18:3 +; plural עֲבָדִים Gen 9:25 +, עַבְדֵי Gen 21:25 +, suffix עֲבָדַי Lev 25:42 +, עַבְדֵיכֶם Josh 9:11 +, etc.; —

1. slave, servant of household Gen 39:17; Gen 39:19; Gen 41:12; Gen 50:2; Exod 21:2 +; man-servant, || אמה Exod 20:10; Lev 25:6; Deut 5:14; Job 31:13 +; || שׁפחה Gen 12:16; Gen 32:6; Jer 34:11; Isa 14:2 +; + אדון Deut 23:16; Isa 24:2; Mal 1:6 +; מִקְנַת כֶּסֶף Exod 12:44 or יְלִיד בַּיִת Jer 2:14 עֶבֶד עֲבָדִים servant of servants, humblest servant, Gen 9:25 בֵּית עֲבָדִים house of slaves, especially Israel in Egypt Exod 13:3; Exod 13:14 (D ?) Deut 5:6; Deut 6:12; Deut 7:8; Deut 8:14; Deut 13:6; Deut 13:11; Josh 24:17; Judg 6:8; Jer 34:13; Mic 6:4 וזכרת כי עבד היית מצרים ב(ארץׅ and thou shalt remember that thou wast a slave in (the land of) Egypt Deut 5:15; Deut 15:15; Deut 16:12; Deut 24:18; Deut 24:22 king of Babylon is slave to ׳י Jer 25:9; Jer 27:6; Jer 43:10 the borrower to the lender Prov 22:7 figurative of beast Job 40:28 of things Gen 47:19.

2. Subjects, of chief Gen 26:15; Gen 26:19; Gen 26:25; Gen 26:32; Gen 27:37; Gen 32:17 (twice in verse) +; of king Gen 21:25; Exod 7:28; Exod 7:29; 1Kgs 9:27; Deut 29:1 +; vassal kings 2Sam 10:19 tributary nations 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; 2Sam 8:14 = 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13 specifically officers of king 1Sam 19:1; 1Sam 21:8; 2Sam 11:13; Prov 14:35 +; עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה Gen 40:20; Gen 41:10 שָׁאוּל ׳ע 1Sam 16:17; 1Sam 18:22; 1Sam 28:7 הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ע 1Kgs 1:47; Esth 3:3 +; עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 22:12 = 2Chr 34:20 (a court offical); opposed to שַׂר Prov 19:10; Eccl 10:7 מֶלֶךְ Prov 30:22 ambassadors Num 22:18; 2Sam 10:2 soldiers of army 1Sam 17:8; 1Sam 25:10; 2Sam 2:12, + officers of army 1Sam 29:3; 1Kgs 11:26; 2Kgs 25:8; Isa 36:9.

3. Servants, worshippers, of God: עַבְדֵי יהוה 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 10:23; Isa 54:17, compare Gen 50:17; Isa 56:6 עֲבָדָיו Deut 32:36 = Ps 135:14; Isa 65:15; Isa 66:14; Ps 34:23; Ps 69:37; Neh 2:20 || עַמּוֺ Ps 105:25 compare Deut 32:43 עֲבָּדַי Isa 65:8; Isa 65:9; Isa 65:13 (twice in verse); Isa 69:13; Isa 69:14 עֲבָדֶיךָ 1Kgs 8:23; Isa 63:17 (|| שִׁבְטֵי נחלתך), Ps 89:51; Ps 90:13; Ps 90:16; Ps 102:15; Ps 102:29; Ps 119:91; Ps 79:2; Ps 79:10 (|| חֲסִידֶיךָ); delivered from Egypt Lev 25:42; Lev 25:55 (twice in verse); Lev 26:13 (P); עַבְדְּךָ Ps 119:125; Ps 143:2, || בֶּןאֲֿמָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 86:16; Ps 116:16 (twice in verse); specifically angels Job 4:18 and ancient worthies, patriarchs Exod 32:13 (J) Deut 9:27 Abraham Gen 26:24 (J) Ps 105:6; Ps 105:42 Isaac Gen 24:14 (J); Jacob, Israel Ezek 28:25; Ezek 37:25; 1Chr 16:13 Moses Exod 14:31; Josh 18:7 (J) Num 12:7; Num 12:8 (E) Deut 34:5 (?) Josh 1:1; Josh 1:2; Josh 1:7; Josh 1:13; Josh 1:15; Josh 8:31; Josh 8:33; Josh 9:24; Josh 11:12; Josh 11:15; Josh 12:6 (twice in verse); Josh 13:8; Josh 14:7; Josh 22:2; Josh 22:4; Josh 22:5 (all D), 1Kgs 8:53; 1Kgs 8:56; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 21:8; 1Chr 6:34; 2Chr 1:3; 2Chr 24:6; 2Chr 24:9; Neh 1:8; Neh 9:14; Neh 10:30; Ps 105:26; Mal 3:22; Dan 9:11 Joshua Josh 24:29 (E) Judg 2:8 Caleb Num 14:24 (J); Job Job 1:8; Job 2:3; Job 42:7; Job 42:8 (3 t. in verse); David 2Sam 3:18; 2Sam 7:5; 2Sam 7:8; 2Sam 7:26 + 27 t.; Hezekiah 2Chr 32:16 Zerubbabel Hag 2:23 Eliakim Isa 22:20. — The צֶמַח Zech 3:8 compare Zech 6:12 is also servant of ׳י as Messianic builder of temple (see Br^{MP 442 ff}).

4. Servant of ׳י, in a special sense: of Levitical singers using benedictions in temple Ps 113:1; Ps 134:1; Ps 135:1 usually of prophets, עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִיאִים my servants the prophets 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 17:13; Jer 7:25; Jer 26:5; Jer 29:19; Jer 35:15; Jer 44:4; Ezek 38:17; Zech 1:6 עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 21:10; 2Kgs 24:2; Jer 25:4; Amos 3:7; Dan 9:10 עֲבָדֶיךָ הנביאים Ezra 9:11; Dan 9:6 specifically Ahia 1Kgs 14:18; 1Kgs 15:29 Elijah 2Kgs 9:36; 2Kgs 10:10 Jonah 2Kgs 14:25 Isaiah Isa 20:3 עַבְדּוֺ, || מלאכיו Isa 44:26 as one calling to fear ׳י Isa 50:10.

5. Israel as a people is servant of ׳׃י יִשְׂרָאֵל Isa 41:8; Isa 41:9; Isa 44:21 (twice in verse); Isa 49:3; Ps 136:22 יעקב Isa 44:1; Isa 44:2; Isa 45:4; Isa 48:20; Isa 46:27; Isa 47:28 עַבְדִּי = עֶבֶד יהוה, || מַלְאָכִי, as having a mission to the nations Isa 42:19 (twice in verse); and chosen as witness of ׳י Isa 43:10. But there is also an ideal servant chosen and endowed with the divine Spirit to be a covenant of Israel and a light of the nations Isa 42:1 (compare vIsa 42:2-6); formed to bring back Jacob, raise up the tribes, and become salvation to the end of the earth Isa 49:5; Isa 49:6; Isa 49:7 bearing the sins of all as a lamb and a trespass-offering, and yet prospering and justifying many as interposing martyr Isa 52:13; Isa 53:11: many understand of ideal Israel, contrasted with the actual; al. of personified || with Zion the wife and mother, distinguished from unworthy Israel as Zion from her apostate children; al. of ideal prophetic writer; al. of ideal prophetic person; al. (especially in Isa 53) of an actual prophecy known to writer and his readers; [in any case it is Messianic, see Matt 8:16; Matt 8:17; Matt 12:16-21; Luke 4:17-22; Phil 2:5-11]; see De^{Isa ii. 174} Da^{Expos. 1884, 358 ff.} Di Du Che and others on Isa 42; Isa 53, Dr^{Is 168 ff.} Br^{MP 345 ff.}, also Gie^{Beitr. 146 ff.} Berthol^{Isa 53}.

6. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 person singular, I, Gen 18:3; 1Sam 20:7; 1Sam 20:8 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 8:13 +; עֲבָדֶיךָ thy servants = we Gen 42:11; Isa 36:11 also עַבְדּוֺ his servant = I, 1Sam 26:18; 1Sam 26:19; 2Sam 14:22; 2Sam 24:21 +; also in addressing God, especially in prayer Exod 4:10; Num 11:11; Judg 15:18; 1Sam 3:9; 1Sam 3:10; 1Sam 25:39; 2Sam 24:10; Ps 19:12; Ps 19:14; Ps 27:9; Ps 31:17; Ps 35:27; Ps 69:18; Ps 109:28; Ps 143:2 +.

7. Phrases are: עבד (היה), with לְ person, become servant to Gen 9:26; Gen 9:27; Gen 44:10; Gen 44:16; Gen 44:17; Gen 44:33; Gen 47:19; Gen 47:26 (J) Deut 6:21; Deut 15:17; 2Sam 8:14; 2Kgs 17:3; 2Kgs 24:1; 1Chr 18:2; 1Chr 18:6; 1Chr 18:13; 2Chr 10:7; Prov 11:29; Prov 12:9; Prov 22:7 היה לעבד, with לְ person, Gen 44:9 (J) Gen 50:18 (E) 1Sam 8:17; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 27:12; 2Sam 8:2; 2Sam 8:6; Jer 34:16 כבשׁ לעבדים 2Chr 28:10; Neh 5:5; Jer 34:11 ׳לקח לע Gen 43:18 (J) 2Kgs 4:1; Job 40:28.

BDB9746 H5649 H5650

[עֲבַד D^p.105, or עֲבֵד K^{§ 54, 3.} γ)] noun masculine slave, servant (Biblical Hebrew עֶ֫בֶד); — construct עֲבֵד Dan 6:21 servant of God; plural suffix of king, עבדיך Kt (K^{§ 53 Anm. b})), עַבְדָּךְ Qr Ezra 4:11, עַבְדָךְ Qr Dan 2:4 suffix of God, עַבְד֫וֺתִי, Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Ezra 5:11, of king Dan 2:7.

servants, servant, bondmen, manservant, bondage, …

ʿebed

a servant

slave, servant

slave, servant, man-servant

ל ֑וֹ

ל

Preposition to, for

֑וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Preposition

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

מִ ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד

מִ

Prefix — preposition from, out of

֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד

Root word honour, heavy, honourable, glorify, glorified, …

Dictionary form: כָּבַד · kaw-BAHD

Verb — Hithpael, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state reflexive — "he did it to / for himself" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: than he that honoureth

heavy ×7 glorious ×4 honour ×4 glorify ×3 was heavy ×3 doth honour ×2 hardened ×2 he was more honourable ×2

More options

honor — Best default; covers most uses across contexts.

heavy — Prefer for physical or emotional weight/burden.

glorify — Use in liturgical or theological contexts.

weighty — Captures both literal heaviness and figurative importance.

harden — Specific to stubbornness contexts, e.g. hardened heart.

distinguished — Prefer when describing high social status or rank.

BDB3882 H3513

כָּבֵד verb be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured (Late Hebrew Pi`el honour, and derivatives, כֹּבֶד weight; Phoenician proper name, feminine כבדת = honoured one, and in compound proper name; Ethiopic be heavy, etc.; Assyrian kabâdu or kabâtu, grow or be heavy, Dl^HWB; compare Arabic difficulty, distress; III. struggle with difficulties, etc.; Zinjirli כבדו honour, DHM^{Sendsch. 58}; Sabean כבודת gifts of honour, = Hebrew נדבה freewill offering DHM^{ZMG 1883, 341 f.} —

Qal Perfect ׳כ Isa 24:20 3 feminine singular כָּֽבְדָה Gen 18:20 + 4 t.; כָּבֵ֑דָה Judg 20:34 3 masculine plural כָּֽבְדוּ Gen 48:10 Imperfect יִכְבַּד Exod 9:7; Isa 66:5 יִכְבָּ֑ד Job 6:3; Job 33:7 + 10 t. Imperfect (כָּבֵד Gen 12:10 + is given as 3 masculine Perfect by some; but it is probably taken better as adjective SS make כָּבֵד Ps 38:5 infinitive absolute; < Thes adjective ). —

1. be heavy, in weight, of misfortune, heavier than sand Job 6:3 of God's hand in punishment 1Sam 5:11, with אֶל 1Sam 5:6 עַל Ps 32:4 of man's hand in war Judg 1:35 יָדִי כָּֽבְדָה עַלאַֿנְחָתִי my hand is heavy upon my groaning Job 23:2 is explained by ᵑ7 Hrz Schlottm as hand smiting me; but read rather with ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew De Reu Di יָדוֺ of God's hand; of pressure אַכְפִּי Job 33:7 (ᵐ5 כַּפִּי); = vehement, sore, of battle Judg 20:34 with אֶל 1Sam 31:3 = עַל 1Chr 10:3 burdensome, grievous; וְלֹא נִכְבַּד עָלֶי֑ךָ lest we be burdensome unto thee 2Sam 13:23 of work laid upon one, bondage, with עַל Exod 5:9 (JE) Neh 5:18 of sin conceived as a burden Gen 18:20 (J), iniquities Ps 38:5 transgressions, with עַל Isa 24:20.

2. heavy, insensible, dull,of the eyes, so as to be unable to see Gen 48:10 (JE); of the ears Isa 59:1 of the לֵב, hard, insensible Exod 9:7 (J; P and E's synonym is חָזַק, q. v.)

3. be honoured (compare βαρύς) of a man Job 14:21 (opposed to יצערו: compare Hiph`il 3 ), of Tyre Ezek 27:25, of Yahweh Isa 66:5.

Niph`al Perfect נִכְבַּד 2Sam 6:20, נִכְבָּ֔ד 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 23:23; 1Chr 11:21 נִכְבַּדְתָּ Isa 43:4 + 2 t. Perfect; Imperfect אֶכָּבֵד Lev 10:3; Isa 49:5 אִכָּֽבְדָה Exod 14:4; Exod 14:17 אִכָּבֵ֑דָה 2Sam 6:22 אִכָּֽבְדָ֯ Hag 1:8 Imperative הִכָּבֵד 2Kgs 14:10 Infinitive הִכָּֽבְדִי Exod 14:18; Ezek 39:13 Participle נִכְבָּד Gen 34:19 + 6 t.; plural נִכְבָּדִים Num 22:15 construct נִכְבַּדֵּי Isa 23:8; Isa 23:9; Prov 8:24 נִכְבַּדֶּיהָ Nah 3:10 נִכְבְּדֵיהֶם Ps 149:8 Plural feminine נִכְבָּדוֺת Ps 87:3 —

1. passive
a. be made heavy from abundance, מַעְיָנוֺת נִכְבַּדֵּיֿ מָ֑יִם fountains abounding in water Prov 8:24.
b. be honoured, enjoy honour, of man 1Sam 9:6; 1Sam 22:14; 2Sam 6:20; 2Sam 6:22; 2Sam 23:19 = 1Chr 11:21; 2Sam 23:23; 2Kgs 14:10; Isa 43:4; Isa 49:5; 1Chr 4:9 וַיְהִי נִכְבָּד, 1Chr 11:25 נִכְבָּד הוּא (altered from 2Sam 23:23); but more frequent in participle as substantive honourable, honoured, distinguished man Gen 34:19; Num 22:15 (JE) Isa 3:5; Isa 23:8; Isa 23:9; Nah 3:10; Ps 149:8 נִכְבָּדוֺת Ps 87:3 glorious things; הַשֵּׁם הַנִּכְבָּד וְהַנּוֺרָא Deut 28:58 the glorious and awe-inspiring name (of Yahweh).

2. medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God Isa 26:15; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 39:13; Hag 1:8 with בְּ in or by any one Exod 14:4; Exod 14:17; Exod 14:18 (P); עַלפְּֿנֵי Lev 10:3 (P).

Piel Perfect 2 masculine suffix כִּבַּדְתָּ֫נִי Isa 43:23 3 masculine plural כִּבְּדוּ 1Sam 6:6 + 3 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְכַבֵּד Mal 1:6 + 3 t.; suffix יְכַבְּדָ֑נְנִי Ps 50:23 3 feminine singular suffix תְּכַבְּדֵנִי Isa 43:20 אֲכַבְּדָה Ps 86:12 + 12 t. Imperfect; Imperative כַּבֵּד Exod 20:12 + 2 t.; + 3 t. Imperative; Infinitive absolute כַּבֵּד Num 22:17 + 2 t. Infinitive; Participle מְכַבֵּד 2Sam 10:3 + 4 t. Participle; —

1. make heavy, insensible (compare Qal 2) the לב(בׅ 1Sam 6:6 (twice in verse).

2. make honourable, honour, glorify, usually with human subject:
a. human object, parents Exod 20:12 = Deut 5:16 Dec.), Mal 1:6 Balaam Num 22:17 (twice in verse); Num 22:37; Num 24:11 (twice in verse)(JE); sons of Eli 1Sam 2:29 Saul 1Sam 15:30 Nahash 2Sam 10:3 = 1Chr 19:3 Jerusalem Lam 1:8 more generally Ps 15:4 subject God 1Sam 2:30b Ps 91:15, compare Prov 4:8.
b. object things, sacred place Isa 60:13 (God subject); the Sabbath Isa 58:13.
c. God object 1Sam 2:30 a Isa 24:15; Isa 25:3; Isa 43:20; Ps 22:24; Ps 50:15; Ps 50:23; Prov 14:31 + accusative of thing זבחיך Isa 43:23 + בְּ instrumental (lips) Isa 29:13 + (מֵהוֺנֶ֑ךָ) מִן Prov 3:9 object the name of ׳י, with accusative Ps 86:12 with לְ Ps 86:9 object the ׳מַלְאַךְ י Judg 13:17.
d. subject indefinite (si vera lectio), object God and man Judg 9:9 (of olive; on text, especially בּוֺ for בִּי, see GFM).
e. object a heathen god לֶאֱלֹהַּ Dan 11:38 (twice in verse).

Pu`al be made honourable, honoured. Imperfect יְכֻבָּ֑ד Prov 13:18; Prov 27:18 Participle מְכֻבָּד Isa 58:13.

Hiph`il Perfect הִכְבִּיד Lam 3:7 + 5 t.; 2 feminine הִכְבַּדְתְּ Isa 47:6 + 4 t. Perfect; Imperfect וַיַּכְבֵּד Exod 8:28; Exod 9:34 Imperative הַכְבֵּד Isa 6:10 Infin. absolute הַכְבֵּד Exod 8:11 construct הַכְבִּיד 2Chr 25:19 Participle מַכְבִּיד Hab 2:6. —

1. make heavy, a yoke 1Kgs 12:10; 1Kgs 12:14 = 2Chr 10:10; 2Chr 10:14; Isa 47:6 elliptical with עַל Neh 5:15 a chain Lam 3:7 pledges, with עַל Hab 2:6.

2. make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears Isa 6:10; Zech 7:11 the לֵב Exod 8:11; Exod 8:28; Exod 9:34; Exod 10:1(J).

3. cause to be honoured, of depopulated districts of northeast Israel, Isa 8:23, of restored nation Jer 30:19 (|| לא יצערו); shew or display honour, 2Chr 25:19 לְהַכְבִּיד (in || 2Kgs 14:10 הִכָּבֵד).

Hithpa`el Imperative הִתְכַּבֵּד Nah 3:15 f. הִתְכַּבְּדִי Nah 3:15 Participle מִתְכַּבֵּד Prov 12:9 —

1. make oneself heavy, dense, numerous (compare כָּבֵד 1 b) as locusts Nah 3:15 (twice in verse).

2. honour oneself Prov 12:9.

honour, heavy, honourable, glorify, glorified, …

kābad

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses)

to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honorable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honored

(Qal)

to be heavy

to be made heavy, be honored, enjoy honor, be made abundant

to make heavy, make dull, make insensible

to make heavy

to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous

וַ חֲסַר

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

חֲסַר

Root word void, wanteth, lacketh, need, destitute, …

Dictionary form: חָסֵר · haw-SARE

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

In the KJV here: himself and lacketh

void ×3 and as for him that wanteth ×1 as for him that wanteth ×1 fail ×1 faileth ×1 for want ×1 he that is void ×1 himself and lacketh ×1

More options

lacking — Most versatile modern equivalent; suits most contexts.

without — Good for prepositional constructions, e.g. 'without sense'.

deficient — Slightly formal; suits moral or qualitative shortage.

in need — Emphasizes personal deprivation or poverty.

short of — Colloquial; fits contexts of falling below a standard.

missing — Best when something specific is absent or gone.

BDB2989 H2638

חָסֵר adjective needy, lacking, in want of — ׳ח absolute Eccl 6:2 construct חֲסַר 1Sam 21:16 + 13 t.; — needy, in want of משׁגעים אני ׳ח 1Sam 21:16 am I in want of madmen? 2Sam 3:29 in need of bread, so Prov 12:9 usually חֲסַרלֵֿב lacking understanding, sense Prov 6:32; Prov 7:7; Prov 9:4; Prov 9:16; Prov 10:13; Prov 11:12; Prov 12:11; Prov 15:21 לֵֿב׳אָדָם ח Prov 17:18; Prov 24:30 תְּבוּנוֺת ׳נָּגִיד ח Prov 28:16 אֵינֶנּוּ חָסֵר ׳לְנַפְשׁוֺ מִכֹּל וג Eccl 6:2 neither is he lacking for his soul in aught of (מן particle) all that he desireth.

void, wanteth, lacketh, need, destitute, …

ḥāsēr

lacking; hence, without

in need of, lacking, needy, in want of

לָֽחֶם

Root word bread, food, meat, shewbread, loaves, …

Dictionary form: לֶחֶם · leh-HEM

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: bread

bread ×102 of bread ×26 the bread ×24 with bread ×9 food ×8 meat ×8 and bread ×6 loaves ×5

More options

bread — Most direct equivalent; ideal for literal or culinary contexts.

food — Broader sense; use when לֶחֶם means sustenance generally.

grain — Emphasizes agricultural/cereal origin; good in harvest contexts.

loaf — Concrete, countable form; suits passages enumerating baked goods.

provisions — Collective sense; fits travel, military, or supply narratives.

meal — Social/relational nuance; prefer in feasting or hospitality scenes.

BDB4396 H3899

לֶ֫חֶם₂₉₆ noun masculine^{1Sam 9:7} and (rarely) feminine^{Gen 49:20} (see below, and Dr^{1Sam 10:4}) bread, food (Phoenician לחם bread; Late Hebrew לֶחֶם; Aramaic לַחְמָא, , as Hebrew; Arabic flesh, meat, (compare Frä³⁰)); — absolute ׳ל Gen 3:19 +; לָ֑חֶם Gen 31:54 +; לֶ֑חֶם Ps 14:4 + 2 t.; construct לֶחֶם Hos 9:4 +; suffix לַחְמִי Job 3:24 +, לַחְמְךָ Obad 1:7 +, לַחְמָם Hos 9:4b, + vHos 9:4a (for ᵑ0 לָהֶם), We GASm Now, + etc.; —

1. a. bread, the ordinary food of early Hebrews (Benz^{Archaeology 84 ff} Now^{Archaeology i. 109 ff.}) Exod 21:14 (E), Num 21:5; Josh 9:5; Josh 9:12 (JE), Deut 8:3; Deut 23:5; Exod 16:3 (P) +; ׳כִּכַּרלֿ loaf of bread 1Sam 2:36 + (see כִּכָּר below כרר), and without ככר (always with number) 1Sam 10:4; 1Sam 16:20 (see Dr), 1Sam 17:7; 1Sam 21:4; 1Sam 25:18; 2Sam 16:1; 1Kgs 14:3; 2Kgs 4:42; ׳חַלַת ל cake of bread 2Sam 6:19; Exod 29:23 + (see חַלָּה below I. חלל); made from barley (שְׂעֹרִים); Judg 7:13; 2Kgs 4:42 (see also לָחֶם above); from wheat-flour (סֹלֶת חִטִים) Exod 29:2 (P); compare the mixture Ezek 4:9 made by baking (אפה) Isa 44:15; Isa 44:19; Lev 26:26 (H; compare Jer 37:21); ׳פַּתלֿ a bit of bread 1Sam 2:36; 1Kgs 17:11; Prov 28:21, compare Ezek 13:19, as modest term for a hospitable meal Gen 18:5 (J), Judg 19:5; 1Sam 28:22; distinguished from meat (flesh), Gen 27:17 (J) 1Sam 25:11; 1Kgs 17:6 (twice in verse); Exod 16:8; Exod 16:12 (also vExod 16:3 above), Exod 29:32; Exod 29:34; Lev 8:31 (all P), Lev 23:18 (H), 1Chr 12:40; Ps 78:20; Dan 10:3 = a meal 1Sam 20:27, ׳אָכַל ל = take a meal Gen 31:54 (twice in verse); Gen 37:25; Gen 43:25; Gen 43:32 +; אכל לַחְמִי Ps 41:10 eat my bread, establishing an obligation, compare Obad 1:7 (read ׳אֹכְלֵי ל according to Marti^{Kau AT}; strike out ׳ל ᵐ5 Hi We, compare VB) ׳עשׂה ל = make a feast Eccl 10:19 ׳מַטֵּה ל staff of bread (as support of life), only late Ezek 4:16; Ezek 5:16; Ezek 14:13; Lev 26:26 (H), Ps 105:16 cf .׳מִשְׁעַן ל Isa 3:1 (gloss); leavened bread is חָמֵץ ׳ל Lev 7:13 unleavened bread is מַצּוֺת ׳ל Exod 29:2 (both P); (הַ)פָּנִים ׳ל bread of the face (of ׳י; i.e. in his presence, Di^{Lev 24:9} Dr^{1Sam 21:7}); in the sanctuary 1Sam 21:7; 1Kgs 7:48 = 2Chr 4:19; Exod 25:30; Exod 35:13; Exod 39:36, without ׳פ Exod 40:23 (all P); = הַתָּמִיד ׳ל Num 4:7 (P), קֹדֶשׁ ׳ל 1Sam 21:5 in Chronicles הַמַּעֲרָ֑כֶת ׳ל 1Chr 9:32 compare 1Chr 23:29; Neh 10:34, ׳ל ׳מ 2Chr 13:11 opposed to חֹל ׳ל 1Sam 21:5; תְּנוּפִה ׳ל Lev 23:17 wave-loaf; (הַ)בִּכֻּרִים ׳ל vLev 23:20; 2Kgs 4:42 bread of first-fruits.
b. = bread-corn, the material from which bread is made, i.e. wheat, barley, etc.: Gen 41:54; Gen 41:55 (E), Gen 47:13; Gen 47:15; Gen 47:17 (twice in verse); Gen 47:19 (J), Gen 49:20 (poem in J), Isa 28:28; Isa 30:23; Isa 55:10; Jer 5:17; Ezek 48:18; Job 28:5; Prov 28:3; Ps 104:14 הָאָרֶץ ׳ל Num 15:19 (P), ׳ארץ ל 2Kgs 18:32 = Isa 36:17.

2. food in general:
a. of man, Judg 13:16 (kid, vJudg 13:15) 1Sam 14:24 (twice in verse); 1Sam 14:28 (honey), 1Sam 28:20; 1Sam 30:12; Prov 22:9; Prov 27:27 (twice in verse) (goat's milk) +; ׳לְכָלבָּֿשָׂר נֹתֵן ל Ps 136:25. b. of animals, Prov 6:8; Prov 30:25; Prov 65:25; Job 24:5 + Ps 147:9
c. of God (in sacrifices): אֱלֹהֵיהֶם ׳ל (compare RS^{Semitic i. 207, 2nd ed., 224}) Lev 21:6 compare vLev 21:8 vLev 21:17 vLev 21:21 vLev 21:22, Lev 22:25 (all H), compare Num 28:2 (P), Ezek 16:19; Ezek 44:7, and מְגֹאָל ׳ל Mal 1:7, also (׳לי) אִשֶּׁה ׳ל Lev 3:11; Lev 3:16; Num 28:24 (all P).

3. other phrases and figurative uses are:
a. רֶשַׁע ׳ל Prov 4:17 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb with לָחַם), probably = food gained by wickedness ׅ || (יִיִן חֲמָסִים, compare שָׁ֑קֶר ׳ל Prov 20:17, כְּזָבִים ׳ל Prov 23:3 עַצְלוּת ׳ל Prov 31:27 = bread of idleness, i.e. unearned; חֻקִּי ׳לProv 30:8 (opposed to riches and poverty, see חֹק); לַחַץ ׳ל 1Kgs 22:27 = 2Chr 18:26, vid לַחַץ below; הָעֲצָבִים ׳ל Ps 127:2 see II. עֶצָב; אוֺנִים ׳ל Hos 9:4, vid אָוֶן. p.20 a; אֲנָשִׁים ׳ל Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 of food offered to mourners, compare Jer 16:7 (where insert ׳ל ᵐ5 Gf Gie); שַׁלַּח לחמך עלפֿני המים Eccl 11:1 usual interpration of benevolent giving (compare Now); De and others of sea-commerce in bread-stuffs, compare Prov 31:14.
b. figurative לַחְמֵנוּ הֵם Num 14:9 (JE) our food are they, i.e. we will devour, destroy, them (compare Deut 7:16); ׳דִּמְעָתִּי ל Ps 42:4 compare Ps 80:6 (see אכל above); ׳ל of evil deeds of wicked Job 20:14 עֵץ בְּלַחְמוֺ Jer 11:19 apparentlyfig.of destroying the prophet and his house, but read probably בְּלֵחוֺ in its freshness (i.e. untimely), so Hi Gf Che Gie (see לֵחַ below לחח above).

BDB9643 H3900 H3899

לְחֵם (K^{§ 54, 3. 7}) noun masculine feast (ᵑ7 Syriac bread, so Biblical Hebrew, q. v. √ II. לחם); — absolute ׳עֲבַד ל Dan 5:1 made a feast.

bread, food, meat, shewbread, loaves, …

leḥem

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

bread, food, grain

bread

bread

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Aamsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2896

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Grammar VNrmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7034

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Grammar C/Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5650

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Grammar R/Sp3ms

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Grammar R/Vtrmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3513

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Grammar C/Aamsc

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2638

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Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncbsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3899

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV