Proverbs 14:25

מַצִּ֣יל נְ֭פָשׁוֹת עֵ֣ד אֱמֶ֑ת וְיָפִ֖חַ כְּזָבִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

מַצִּ֣יל
מַצִּ֣יל
Root word deliver, delivered, delivereth, recover, rid, …
Dictionary form: נָצַל · naw-TSAHL

Verb — Hiphil, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state causative — "he made (someone) do" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: delivereth
deliver ×24 to deliver ×20 delivered ×10 shall deliver ×10 and delivered ×8 and deliver ×6 delivereth ×5 and i will deliver ×3
More options
rescue — Strong, active sense; ideal for dramatic, urgent contexts.
save — Broad, natural modern default; fits redemptive or protective contexts.
deliver — Modernized KJV staple; still natural in formal or theological writing.
free — Good for contexts emphasizing release from bondage or captivity.
recover — Use when something lost or taken is being retrieved or reclaimed.
snatch away — Vivid; captures the sudden, forceful nuance of the root.

BDB5336 H5337

BDB5335 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5337

[נָצַל212 verb not in Qal; Pi`el strip, plunder; Niph`al deliver oneself, be delivered; Hiph`il snatch away, deliver (Ecclus Hiph`il Participle מצלת delivering (Levi conjectures יציל Eccl 40:24a)); Late Hebrew Hiph`il = Biblical Hebrew; Biblical Aramaic Haph`el id.; Syriac pour out; Arabic intransitive tincturam exuit emisitque barba, ex cuspide excidit sagitta, etc., Kam Frey; Ethiopic III. evulsum or abruptum excidere e suo loco, Di698); —

Niph`al Perfect 1 plural נִצַּלְנוּ Jer 7:10 Imperfect יִנָּצֵל Deut 23:16, + 1 singular אִנָָּֽצְלָה Ps 69:15, + 8 t. Imperfect; Infinitive הַנָּצֵל Isa 20:6 + 3 t. —
1. reflexive tear oneself away, deliver oneself: absolute Prov 6:3; Ezek 14:16; Ezek 14:18; 2Kgs 19:11 = Isa 37:11 with מִיַּד Prov 6:5 מֵעִ ֗֗֗ אֶל escape from-unto Deut 23:16.
2. passive, be torn, out or away מִפִּי הָאֲרִי Amos 3:12 be delivered, absolute Gen 32:31; Jer 7:10; Ps 33:16; Mic 4:30 מִפְּנֵי Isa 20:6 מִכַּף Hab 2:9 מִן Ps 69:15.

Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine plural נִצַּלְתֶּם Exod 3:22 Imperfect יְנַצֵּל Ezek 14:14 + 2 t.; —

1. strip of, spoil, absolute 2Chr 20:25 with accusative of person Exod 3:22; Exod 12:36 (J).
2. deliver, with accusative נַפְשָׁם Ezek 14:14.

Hiph`il190 Perfect הִצִּיל Exod 12:27 2 masculine singular הִצַּ֫לְתָּ Exod 5:23 + 50 t. Perfect; Imperfect יַּצִּיל 2Kgs 17:39 יַצֵּל Gen 31:9 + 63 t. Imperfect; Imperative הַצֵּל Prov 24:11 הַצִּ֫ילָה Ps 22:21 suffix הַצִּילֵנִי Gen 32:12 + 24 t. Imperative; Infinitive absolute הַצֵּל 2Kgs 18:30 + 4 t.; construct הַצִּיל Gen 37:22 + 23 t. Infinitive; Participle מַצִּיל Deut 32:39 + 16 t. Participle —

1. take away, snatch away, e.g. property Gen 31:9; Gen 31:10 (E) Hos 2:11, prey from the mouth of animals 1Sam 17:35; Amos 3:12; Ezek 34:10, words of ׳י from the mouth Ps 119:43 וְאֵין מַצִּיל בֵּינֵיהֶם 2Sam 14:6 and there was none to tear them apart (two fighting); עֵינֵנוּ וְהִצִּיל 2Sam 20:6 and take away our eye (elude our sight, Ges; Ew We after ᵐ5 cast shadow over our eye, denominative from צֵל Bö Th after ᵑ6 tear away our eye, harm us irretrievably, see Dr18 26. 2.; HPS escape from us [מִמֶּנּוּ, as ᵐ5L], compare Bu [וְנִצַּל]).
2. rescue, recover, e.g. cities Judg 11:26 wives and property 1Sam 30:8; 1Sam 30:18; 1Sam 30:22.
3. deliver from:
  a. enemies and troubles, absolute 1Sam 12:21; Prov 19:19; Isa 50:2; Jer 39:17 אֵין מַצִּיל Judg 18:28; Job 5:4; Job 10:7; Ps 7:3; Ps 50:22; Ps 71:11; Isa 5:29; Isa 42:22; Isa 43:13; Hos 5:14; Mic 5:7 with accusative Gen 18:8 (E), Exod 5:23; Exod 12:27 (J), Deut 23:15 + 39 t.; הַצִּיל נַפְשׁוֺ Isa 44:20; Isa 47:14; Ezek 3:19; Ezek 3:21; Ezek 14:20; Ezek 33:19 with מִן from Mic 5:6 + 25 t.; מִיַּד from the hand or power of Gen 32:12; Exod 2:19 (J) + 57 t.; מִתַּחַת יַד Exod 18:10 (E); מִכַּף 2Sam 14:16; 2Sam 19:10; 2Sam 22:1 = Ps 18:1, 2Kgs 20:6 = Isa 38:6; 2Chr 32:11; Ezra 8:31.
  b. from death Prov 11:16; Prov 12:6 מִמּוֺת Josh 2:13 (J), Ps 33:19; Ps 56:14; Prov 10:12 = Prov 11:4 מִשְּׁאוֺל Ps 86:13; Prov 23:14.
4. deliver from sin and guilt (in late writings), מִכָּלפְּֿשָׁעַי Ps 39:9 from all my trangression; מִדָּמִים Ps 51:6 from bloodguiltiness; הַצִּילֵנוּ וְכַפֵּר עַלחַֿטּאֹתֵינוּ Ps 79:9 deliver us and cover over all our sins; probably also כְּאִמְרָֽתְךָ הַצִּילֵנִי Ps 119:170.

Hoph`al Participle מֻצּל; — כְּאוּד מֻצָּל מִשְּׂרֵטָה Amos 4:11 as a brand plucked out of the burning; מֵאֵשׁ Zech 3:2 from the fire.

Hithpa`el וַיִּתְנַצְּלוּ אֶתעֶֿדְיָם Exod 33:6 (E) and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.

BDB9718 H5337 H5338

BDB9717 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9719

[נְצַל] verb Haph`el rescue, deliver (see Biblical Hebrew, Egyptian Aramaic הנצל take away, S-CC 10, D 18); — of God, absolute: Participle active מַצִּל Dan 6:28, Infinitive לְהַצָּלָה Dan 3:29 of man, suffix person לְהַצָּלוּתֵהּ Dan 6:15.

deliver, delivered, delivereth, recover, rid, …
nāṣal
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
  • to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
    • (Niphal)
      • to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
        • "to be torn out or away, be delivered
      (Piel)
      • to strip off, spoil
        • "to deliver
      (Hiphil)
      • to take away, snatch away
        • "to rescue, recover"to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)"to deliver from sin and guilt
      (Hophal) to be plucked out"(Hithpael) to strip oneself

נְ֭פָשׁוֹת
נְ֭פָשׁוֹת
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

עֵ֣ד
עֵ֣ד
Root word witness, witnesses
Dictionary form: עֵד · ade

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

In the KJV here: witness
witness ×23 witnesses ×10 a witness ×3 are witnesses ×3 is witness ×3 are my witnesses ×2 is a witness ×2 of the witnesses ×2
More options
witness — Modernized core rendering; fits legal and covenantal contexts.
testifier — Emphasizes the active role of giving testimony.
eyewitness — Stress on firsthand, direct observation.
attestor — Formal/legal register; one who formally attests a fact.
testimony-bearer — Highlights the ongoing duty to carry testimony.

BDB5857 H5707

BDB5856 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5858

עֵד69 noun masculineDeut 17:6 witness (probably from reiterating, hence emphatically affirming); — ׳ע absolute Gen 31:48 +, construct Exod 20:16 +; suffix עֵדִי Job 16:19 plural עֵדִים Num 35:30 +, construct עֵדֵי Ps 27:12; Ps 35:11 suffix עֵדַי Isa 43:10; Isa 43:12, etc.; —

1. witness, testimony, evidence, of things: heap of stones Gen 31:44; Gen 31:48; Gen 31:52 (JE), torn animal Exod 22:12 (E), song of Moses Deut 31:19; Deut 31:21 (J), law-book vDeut 31:26 (D), witness of ׳י against Israel; altar east of Jordan, with בֵּין, Josh 22:27; Josh 22:28; Josh 22:34 (P), compare Isa 19:20 Job's evil condition Job 16:8 the moon Ps 89:38.
2. witness, a person:
  a. God, in heaven for Job Job 16:19 on earth, for Samuel 1Sam 12:5 (twice in verse) + v1Sam 12:6 ᵐ5 Th and most, Jeremiah Jer 42:5 see also 1Sam 20:12 (insert עֵד before ׳י ᵑ6 Dr Bu Kit Löhr HPS); against persons Jer 29:23; Mal 3:5, nations Mic 1:2 between (בֵּין persons Gen 31:50 (E).
  b. Davidic dyn., to nations Isa 55:4.
  c. witnesses, of transfer of property Jer 32:10; Jer 32:12; Jer 32:25; Jer 32:44, betrothal Ruth 4:9; Ruth 4:10; Ruth 4:11 usually of testimony in court, and in civil and social relations, with בְּ against, Num 5:13; Josh 24:22; 1Sam 12:5 +, with קום rise up against Ps 27:12; Ps 35:11 עָנָה עֵד שֶׁקֶר בְּ answer (in court) as a false witness against Exod 20:16 = עֵד שָׁוְא Deut 5:17; Prov 25:18 לְפִי עֵדִים Num 35:30 (P); עַלפִּֿי עֵדִ(יםׅ Deut 17:6 (twice in verse) at the mouth of witnesses, so Deut 19:15 (twice in verse). — False witness is שֶׁקֶר ׳ע Exod 20:16; Deut 19:18 (twice in verse); Ps 27:12; Prov 6:19; Prov 14:5 שְׁקָרִים ׳ע Prov 12:17; Prov 19:5; Prov 19:9 כְּזָבִים ׳ע Prov 21:28 חִנָּם ׳ע Prov 24:28 בְּלִיַּעַל ׳ע Prov 19:28 חָמָס ׳ע witness of (i.e. supporting) violence Exod 23:1 (E) Deut 19:16; Ps 35:11. Faithful witness is אֱמוּנִים ׳ע Prov 14:5 אֱמֶת ׳ע Jer 42:5; Prov 14:25.

BDB9914 H7717 H5707

BDB9913 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9915

[שָֽׂהֲדוּ] noun feminine testimony (√ שְׂהַד = ᵑ7 סְהַד testify, Syriac , Arabic testify, compare Biblical Hebrew [שָׂהֵד] (once, as loan-word) KAramaic 86; Egyptian Aramaic plural שהדיאֹ witnesses Cooke404 S-CA. 15 + often); — emphatic שָֽׂהֲדוּתָא Gen 31:47 (|| Biblical Hebrew עֵד).

witness, witnesses
ʿēd
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
  • witness
    • witness, testimony, evidence (of things)
      • "witness (of people)

אֱמֶ֑ת
אֱמֶ֑ת
Root word truth, true, truly, right, faithfully, …
Dictionary form: אֶמֶת · eh-MET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: a true
and truth ×17 of truth ×12 the truth ×9 in truth ×8 truth ×6 and thy truth ×5 thy truth ×5 true ×4
More options
truth — Most direct modern equivalent; broadly applicable in prose.
faithfulness — Emphasizes relational reliability; good for covenantal contexts.
integrity — Highlights moral uprightness and wholeness of character.
reliability — Stresses dependability; suits legal or contractual settings.
genuine — Adjectival nuance; use when Hebrew modifies a noun.
certainty — Underscores absolute assurance; fits emphatic or oath contexts.

BDB539 H571

BDB538 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB540

אֱמֶת noun feminine firmness, faithfulness, truth (contracted for אֱמֶנֶת from אָמֵן) Gen 24:48 + 106 t.; suffix אֲמִתּוֺ, אֲמִתְּךָ Ps 91:4 + 18 t.

1. reliability, sureness: דֶּרֶח אֱמֶת sure way Gen 24:48 (J); שׂכר אמת sure reward Prov 11:18 אות אמת sure token Josh 2:12 (J); זֶרַע אמת Jer 2:21.
2. stability, con-tinuance: שָׁלוֺם וֶאֱמֶת peace and stability Isa 39:8 (= 2Kgs 20:19) Esth 9:30; Jer 33:6; Zech 8:19, compare שׁלום אמת Jer 14:13.
3. faithfulness, reliableness: (α) of men אִישׁ אֱמֶת faithful man Neh 7:2 אנשׁי אמת Exod 18:21 (E); הָלַח בֶּאֱמֶת walk in faithfulness, faithfully 1Kgs 2:4; 1Kgs 3:6; 2Kgs 20:3; Isa 38:3 compare 1Sam 12:24 of ׳י, בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ Ps 25:5; Ps 26:3; Ps 86:11 עיר האמת Zech 8:3 of men Ps 45:5; Ps 51:8; 2Chr 31:20; 2Chr 32:1; Prov 29:14; Isa 10:20; Isa 42:3; Isa 48:1 ובתמים ׳בא Judg 9:16; Judg 9:19; Josh 24:14 ׳חֶסֶד וֶאֱ mercy and faithfulness Prov 3:3; Prov 14:22; Prov 16:6; Prov 20:28; Hos 4:1, & the phrase עשׂה חסד ואמת Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Josh 2:14 (J) 2Sam 15:20.
   (b) an attribute of God Ps 54:7; Ps 71:22; Isa 38:18; Isa 38:19; Isa 61:8 נתן אמת Mic 7:20 עשׂה אמת Ezek 18:9; Neh 9:33 עשׂה חסד ואמת Gen 32:11 (J) 2Sam 2:6 רב חסד ואמת abundant in mercy and faithfulness Exod 34:6 (J) Ps 86:15 these attributes are also associated Ps 40:11; Ps 40:12; Ps 61:8; Ps 115:1; Ps 138:2; Isa 16:5; Gen 24:27 (J); they are messengers of God to men Ps 57:4; Ps 85:11; Ps 89:15 compare Ps 43:3 חסד ואמת ׳כל ארחות י Ps 25:10 the faithfulness of God endureth for ever Ps 117:2 he keepeth it for ever Ps 146:6 it reacheth unto the skies Ps 57:11; Ps 108:5 it is shield & buckler Ps 91:4 he is אל אמת Ps 31:6 = אלהי אמת 2Chr 15:3 אֱמֶת is also associated with the divine ישׁר Ps 111:8 צֶדֶק Ps 85:12 צְדָקָה Zech 8:8 מִשְׁפָּט Ps 111:7; Jer 4:2 & salvation Ps 69:14.
4. truth
   (a) as spoken: דבר אמת speak truth 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15; Jer 9:4; Zech 8:16; Ps 15:2 ׳דִּבְרֵי א Eccl 12:10 אֱמֶת הַדָּבָר the thing is certainly true Deut 13:15; Deut 17:4 אִמְרֵי אֱמֶת = אמרים אמת Prov 22:21 הגה אמת Prov 8:7 ׳הגיד א Dan 11:2, אֲמִתְּךָ Ps 30:10 שׂפת אמת Prov 12:19 אֱמֶת it is true Isa 43:9 האמת אתכם whether truth is with you Gen 42:16 (E) compare Isa 59:14; Isa 59:15.
   (b) of testimony and judgment עֵד אֱמֶת true witness Prov 14:25 עד אמת ונאמן Jer 42:5 משׁפט אמת Ezek 18:8; Zech 7:9 שָׁפַט אמת Zech 8:16.
   (c) of divine instruction כְּחָב אֱמֶת Dan 10:21 תורת אמת Mal 2:6 compare Neh 9:13 תורתך אמת Ps 119:142 בְּפִיךָ אמת ׳דבר י 1Kgs 17:24 compare 2Sam 7:28 ׳משׁפטי י אמת Ps 19:10 ראשׁ דברך אמת Ps 119:160 מצותיך אמת Ps 119:151.
   (d) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge Dan 8:12 להשׂכיל באמתך Dan 9:13.
5. adverb in truth, truly Ps 132:11 יהוה אלהים אמת Yahweh is God in truth, truly Jer 10:10 elsewhere בֶּאֱמֶת Judg 9:15; Ps 145:18; Jer 26:15; Jer 28:9; Jer 32:41.

truth, true, truly, right, faithfully, …
ʾemet
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
  • (n f) firmness, faithfulness, truth
    • sureness, reliability
      • "stability, continuance"faithfulness, reliableness"truth
      • as spoken
        • "of testimony and judgment"of divine instruction"truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge"true doctrine
    (adv) in truth, truly

וְ יָפִ֖חַ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יָפִ֖חַ
Root word speaketh, puffeth, blow, break, bring, …
Dictionary form: פּוּחַ · POO-ah

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: witness speaketh
and he that speaketh ×2 break ×2 blow upon ×1 bring ×1 from him that puffeth at him ×1 he puffeth at them ×1 he that speaketh ×1 it shall speak ×1
More options
breathe — Broad default; covers both blowing and speaking.
blow — Best when wind, breath, or physical force is in view.
speak out — When the mouth/words are the focus of the action.
puff — Retain force of contemptuous or dismissive blowing.
utter — Formal register; suits prophetic or declarative contexts.
burst forth — Vivid; captures sudden, explosive speech or breath.

BDB6543 H6315

BDB6542 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6544

[פּוּחַ] verb breathe, blow (Late Hebrew פּוּחַ blow out; Arabic (), = Hebrew, so Aramaic פּוּחַ, ); —

Qal Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָפוּחַ הַיּוֺם Song 2:17; Song 4:6 until the day breathes, i.e. grows cool. Hiph`il Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָפִיחַ Ps 10:5 +; יָפִחַ Prov 14:25 וְיָפֵחַ Hab 2:3, etc.; Imperative feminine singular הָפִיחִי Song 4:16 —
1. cause garden (accusative) to exhale (that is, odours) Song 4:16.
2. a. puff, snort, against, ב person, Ps 10:5.
  b. עַל person, Ezek 21:36 with the fire of my wrath will I blow against thee.
  c. excite, inflame city Prov 29:8.
  d. with לוֺ Ps 12:6 puff, = pant for it (so most; Thes Hi and others against whom men puff; Bae אֹפִּיעַ לוֺ I will shine forth to him); לַקֵּן Hab 2:3 the vision panteth (hasteth) towards the end (so most).
3. breathe out, utter, כְּזָבִים Prov 6:19; Prov 14:5; Prov 14:25; Prov 19:5; Prov 19:9, אֱמוּנָה Prov 12:17.

speaketh, puffeth, blow, break, bring, …
pûaḥ
to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff
  • to breathe, blow
    • (Qal) to breathe
      • "(Hiphil)
      • to cause to exhale or breathe
        • "to puff, snort"to excite, inflame"to puff, pant for it"to breathe out, utter"to blow, blast

כְּזָבִ֣ים
כְּזָבִ֣ים
Root word lies, lie, leasing, lying, liar, …
Dictionary form: כָּזָב · kaw-DZAWB

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

In the KJV here: lies
lies ×14 leasing ×2 a false ×1 a liar ×1 a lie ×1 a lying ×1 and lying ×1 and their lies ×1
More options
lie — Most direct, versatile rendering for falsehood.
falsehood — Slightly more formal; suits prose and legal contexts.
deception — Emphasizes the act of misleading another person.
fraud — Strong register; good for deliberate, harmful deceit.
deceit — Highlights the quality or character of being false.
fabrication — Stresses something invented or made up entirely.

BDB3976 H3577

BDB3975 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3977

כָּזָב noun masculineAmos 2:4 lie, falsehood, deceptive thing; — absolute ׳כ Hos 12:2 + 19 t.; plural absolute כְּזָבִים Judg 16:10 + 9 t.; suffix כִּזְבֵיהֶם Amos 2:4 — lie, falsehood, with דִּבֶּר Judg 16:10; Judg 16:13; Hos 7:13; Zeph 3:13; Dan 11:27; Ps 5:7; Ps 58:4, so Ezek 13:8 Co (by transposing ׳כ with שָׁוְא, compare vEzek 13:6 vEzek 13:7 vEzek 13:9); with יָפִיחַ (in Proverbs) Prov 6:19; Prov 14:5; Prov 14:25; Prov 19:5; Prov 19:9 of false prophecies (divinations) with אָמַר, ׳מִקְסַם כ Ezek 13:7 with קָסַם vEzek 13:9; Ezek 21:34; Ezek 22:28 + Ezek 13:6 ᵐ5 Co (׳קָסוֺם כ, for ᵑ0 ׳קֶסֶם כ); with שָׁמַע Ezek 13:19, בִּקֵּשׁ Ps 4:3 with רָצָה delight in Ps 62:5 so in the phrase ׳דְּבַרכֿ Prov 30:8, ׳אִישׁ כ Prov 19:22 = liar, עֵד כְּזָבִים Prov 21:28 = false witness; of idols. as a lie (res ementita) Amos 2:4, so probably ׳שָׂטֵי כ those turning aside to a lie Ps 40:5 (compare אָוֶן, אֱלִיל, הֶבֶל, שֶׁקֶר); then of empty human pretensions וָשֹׁד יַרְבֶּה ׳כ Hos 12:2; Isa 28:15 (|| שֶׁקֶר), vIsa 28:17 (׳מַחְסֵה כ), Ps 62:10 (|| הֶבֶל; compare כֹּזֵב Ps 116:11); לֶחֶם כְּזָבִים Prov 23:3 = deceptive (disappointing) bread.

lies, lie, leasing, lying, liar, …
kāzāb
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
  • a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing

מִרְמָֽה
מִרְמָֽה
Root word deceit, deceitful, deceitfully, false, guile, …
Dictionary form: מִרְמָה · mir-MAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: but a deceitful
deceit ×7 and deceit ×3 deceitfully ×3 of deceit ×3 and deceitful ×2 a false ×1 also he shall cause craft ×1 and a false ×1
More options
deception — Broadest modern term; suits most narrative contexts.
treachery — Emphasizes betrayal of trust; good for relational contexts.
fraud — Highlights deliberate dishonest gain; fits legal or commercial texts.
guile — Stresses cunning craftiness; slightly literary but still current.
deceitfulness — Adjectival quality as noun; useful for character descriptions.
duplicity — Double-dealing, two-faced conduct; formal or ethical discourse.

BDB7946 H4820

BDB7945 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7947

II. מִרְמָה noun feminine deceit, treachery; — absolute ׳מ Amos 8:5 +; plural absolute מִרְמוֺת Ps 10:7 +; — deceit, of balances, ׳מאןזנֵי מ i.e. deceptive balances Amos 8:5 (|| שֶׁקֶר), Hos 12:8; Prov 11:1 (opposed to קֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה), Prov 20:23, ׳אַבְנֵי מ Mic 6:11 (see [ מאזן] p. 24); especially treachery, craftiness, 2Kgs 9:23, ׳בְּמ treacherously, Gen 27:35 (J), and (of crafty speech) Gen 34:13 (P); ׳שִׂפְּתֵי מ Ps 17:1 i.e. treacherous lips, ׳לְשׁוֺן מ Ps 52:6, ׳פִּי מ Ps 109:2 (|| לְשׁוֺן שָׁ֑קֶר), דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֺת Ps 35:20, ׳נִשְׁבַע לְמ Ps 24:4 (|| לַשָּׁוְא); compare Isa 53:9 (|| חָמָס); also Hos 12:1 (|| כַּחַשׁ), Jer 5:27; Jer 9:5 (twice in verse); Jer 9:7; Zeph 1:9 (+ חָמָס), Ps 10:7 (+ תֹּךְ), || עָמָל וָאֶוֶּן, Ps 34:14; Ps 36:4 (+ אָוֶן), Ps 38:13; Ps 59:19; Ps 55:12 (+ תֹּךְ), Job 15:35; Job 31:5 (|| שָׁוְא), Prov 12:20; Prov 14:8; Prov 26:24; Dan 8:25 opposed to מִשְׁפָּט Prov 12:5, + עֵר שְׁקָרִים vProv 12:17, + יָפִחַ כְּזָבִים Prov 14:25 (Hi Wild Toy read מְדַמֶּה for מרמה but II. דמה not elsewhere Pi); ׳אִישׁ דָּמִים וּמ Ps 5:7 (|| דֹּבְרֵי בָזָב), compare Ps 55:24, וְעַוְלָה ׳אִישׁ מ Ps 43:1 ׳יַעֲשֶׁה מ Dan 11:23. — II. מִרְמָה proper name.

deceit, deceitful, deceitfully, false, guile, …
mirmâ
fraud
  • deceit, treachery

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.
מַצִּ֣יל נְ֭פָשׁוֹת Dechi — a lesser break עֵ֣ד אֱמֶ֑ת Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְיָפִ֖חַ כְּזָבִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

מַצִּיל נְפָשׁוֹת עֵד אֱמֶת וְיָפִחַ כְּזָבִים מִרְמָֽה׃
25
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Cross References

Proverbs 14:5

עֵד אֱמוּנִים לֹא יְכַזֵּב וְיָפִיחַ כְּזָבִים עֵד שָֽׁקֶר׃
5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Acts 26:16

ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι καὶ στῆθι ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας σου· εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ὤφθην σοι προχειρίσασθαί σε ὑπηρέτην καὶ μάρτυρα ὧν τε εἶδές ὧν τε ὀφθήσομαί σοι
16
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Acts 20:26

διὸ μαρτύρομαι ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σήμερον ἡμέρᾳ ὅτι καθαρός ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων·
26
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

2 Peter 3:3

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες ὅτι ἐλεύσονται ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐμπαῖκται κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας αὐτῶν ἐπιθυμίας πορευόμενοι
3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

1 Timothy 4:1

Τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ῥητῶς λέγει ὅτι ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς ἀποστήσονταί τινες τῆς πίστεως προσέχοντες πνεύμασιν πλάνοις καὶ διδασκαλίαις δαιμονίων
1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Acts 20:21

διαμαρτυρόμενος Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησιν τὴν εἰς τὸν θεὸν μετάνοιαν καὶ πίστιν τὴν εἰς τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν
21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 14:24
Read Proverbs 14
Proverbs 14:26