Proverbs 16:22

מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים שֵׂ֣כֶל בְּעָלָ֑יו וּמוּסַ֖ר אֱוִלִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

מְק֣וֹר
מְק֣וֹר
Root word fountain, wellspring, spring, springs, well, …
Dictionary form: מָקוֹר · maw-KORE

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

In the KJV here: is a wellspring
a fountain ×2 is a fountain ×2 the fountain ×2 and his spring ×1 and the wellspring ×1 from the fountain ×1 from the issue ×1 her fountain ×1
More options
spring — Most natural modern term for a water source.
source — Broad metaphorical use; fits abstract or figurative contexts.
fountain — Slightly formal; good for poetic or liturgical passages.
wellspring — Retains metaphorical depth; suits wisdom or life imagery.
well — Concrete, everyday register; prefer for literal water contexts.
flow — Best for bodily-discharge contexts (e.g., Lev 20:18).

BDB7386 H4726

BDB7385 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7387

מָקוֺר noun masculineZech 13:1 spring, fountain (apparently originally well); — absolute ׳מ Zech 13:1; Prov 25:26 construct מְקוֺר Jer 2:13 +, מְקֹר Lev 12:7; Lev 20:18 suffix מְקוֺרוֺ Hos 13:15, etc.; —

1. spring of water : a; figurative, of ׳י, מַיִם ׳מ חַיִּים Jer 2:13; Jer 17:13, compare חַיִּים ׳מ Ps 36:10 חַיִּים ׳מ (more generally), Prov 10:11; Prov 13:14; Prov 14:27; Prov 16:22 + Prov 18:4 (so read for חָכְמָה ׳מ ᵐ5 Hebrew Manuscripts Toy).
  b. figurative of purification Ezek 13:1.
  c. מָקוֺר מָשְׁחָת Prov 25:26 (figurative; + מַעְיָן).
  d. figurative of source of life and vigour Hos 13:15; Jer 51:36 of a nation's original source, stock Ps 68:27 (Kay Che, of temple); source of joy Prov 5:18 (figurative of wife; || אֵשֶׁת).
2. figurative of eye, מְקוֺר דַּמְעָה, Jer 8:23.
3. source of menstruous blood, דָּמֶיהָ ׳מְ Lev 20:18, so מְקֹרָהּ vLev 20:18 (H).
4. = flow of blood after child-birth דָּמֶיהָ ׳מְ Lev 12:7 (P).

fountain, wellspring, spring, springs, well, …
māqôr
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda); figuratively, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)
  • spring, fountain
    • spring
      • of source of life, joy, purification (figuratively)
      of the eye (figuratively)"source (of menstruous blood)"flow (of blood after child birth)

חַ֭יִּים
חַ֭יִּים
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 Nö 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: Bö 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

שֵׂ֣כֶל
שֵׂ֣כֶל
Root word understanding, wisdom, wise, discretion, knowledge, …
Dictionary form: שֶׂכֶל · seh-KEL

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

In the KJV here: understanding
understanding ×5 a wise ×1 from understanding ×1 his policy ×1 knowledge ×1 of understanding ×1 the discretion ×1 the sense ×1
More options
insight — Broad, modern default; fits most prose and poetic contexts.
understanding — Modernized KJV staple; clear and widely recognized.
wisdom — Emphasizes accumulated, practical know-how.
discernment — Highlights careful judgment between options or situations.
prudence — Stress on cautious, shrewd decision-making; slightly formal.
good sense — Colloquial; suits narrative or accessible translations.

BDB8240 H7922

BDB8239 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8241

שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל noun masculine prudence, insight; — ׳שֵׂ֫ absolute Ps 111:10 +, construct Prov 19:11 +; ׳שֶׂ absolute 1Sam 25:3 +; שָׂ֑כֶל Job 17:4 suffix שִׂכְלוֺ Prov 12:8; Dan 8:25 —

1. prudence, good sense: ׳טוֺבַת שׂ woman of good sense 1Sam 25:3.
2. insight, understanding: || בִינָה 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 2:11, compare Job 17:4 טוֺב ׳שׂ Prov 3:4; Prov 13:15; Ps 111:10; 2Chr 30:22 ׳אִישׂ שׂ Ezra 8:18 ׳יוֺעֵץ בְּשׂ 1Chr 26:14 בְּעָלָיו ׳מְקוֺר חַיִּים שׂ Prov 16:22 restrains from anger Prov 19:11, wins praise Prov 12:8, fool despises מִלִּים ׳שׂ Prov 23:9 ׳שׂוֺם שׂ Neh 8:8 (|| הֵבִין) set forth (the) understanding (i.e. the meaning).
3. bad sense, cunning, craft, Dan 8:25.

understanding, wisdom, wise, discretion, knowledge, …
śekel
intelligence; by implication, success
  • prudence, insight, understanding
    • prudence, good sense
      • "insight, understanding"cunning, craft (bad sense)

בְּעָלָ֑י ו
בְּעָלָ֑י
Root word men, owner, husband, man, owners, …
ו
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: בַּעַל · ba-AL

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

In the KJV here: unto him that hath
the men ×10 and the men ×6 man ×4 her husband ×3 the owner ×3 and his owner ×2 having ×2 husband ×2
More options
owner — Best for property or legal possession contexts.
husband — Use in marital or domestic relationship contexts.
master — Use for authority, control, or dominion over something.
lord — Higher register; suits formal or elevated authority contexts.
man — Generic use; often in compounds like 'man of dreams'.
possessor — Emphasizes legal or formal ownership; slightly formal register.

BDB1212 H1167 H1180 H1181 H1168 H1170 H1176

BDB1211 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1213

I. בַּעַל166 noun masculine owner, lord (Phoenician בעל; Palmyrene id. husband Vog62 compare BaeRel 72 ff.; Assyrian bêlu1. with DlGram. Glossary; Arabic husband etc., see especially NöZMG 1886, 174, Sabean בעל CISiv. 1, 2) — Gen 20:3 + 92 t.; suffix בַּעְלִּי Hos 2:18 בַּעְלָּהּ Deut 24:4 + 5 t.; plural בְּעָלִים Judg 2:11 + 17 t.; construct בַּעֲלֵי Gen 14:13 + 27 t.; suffix בְּעָלָיו Exod 21:29 + 14 t.; בְּעָלֶיהָ Job 31:39 + 2 t.; בַּעְלֵּיהֶן Esth 1:17; Esth 1:20 — I.

1. owner (often plural with suffix in singular meaning): of ox Exod 21:28; Exod 21:29 (twice in verse); Exod 22:10; Exod 22:11; Exod 22:13; Exod 22:14 (E); הבור ׳ב of pit Exod 21:34; Exod 21:36 (E), of house Exod 22:7 (E) Judg 19:22; Judg 19:23, debt Deut 15:2, the land Job 31:39, the ass Isa 1:3, goods Eccl 5:10, riches Eccl 5:12 טוב ׳ב one to whom good is due Prov 3:27, gain Prov 1:19 שׂכל ׳ב one having understanding Prov 16:22 השׁחד ׳ב receiver of the gift Prov 17:8.
2. husband Gen 20:3; Exod 21:3; Exod 21:22 (E) Deut 22:22; Deut 24:4; 2Sam 11:26; Joel 1:8; Prov 12:4; Prov 31:11; Prov 31:23; Prov 31:28; Esth 1:17; Esth 1:20 בַּעְלִּי Hos 2:18 (my Baal, reference to the divine name used in the northern kingdom, here for the first time forbidden).
3. citizens, inhabitants: בַּעֲלֵי of Jericho Josh 24:11 (E), of the high places of Arnon Num 21:28 (E), of Shechem Judg 9:2 + 12 t., of the tower of Shechem Judg 9:46; Judg 9:47, of the city Judg 9:51, of Gibeah Judg 20:5, of Keilah 1Sam 23:11; 1Sam 23:12, of Jabesh 2Sam 21:12.
4. rulers, lords: בַּעֲלֵי גוֺיִם Isa 16:8.
5. n. of relation:
  a. החלמות ׃בַּעַל ׳ב dreamer Gen 37:19 (E); ׳ב דברים whosoever hath cases, complaints Exod 24:14 (E); שׂער ׳ב an hairy man 2Kgs 1:8 חמה ׳ב wrathful Nah 1:2; Prov 29:22 אף ׳ב one given to anger Prov 22:24 החכמה ׳ב one having wisdom Eccl 7:12 משׁחית ׳ב destroyer Prov 18:9 כנף ׳ב winged thing, bird Prov 1:17; Eccl 10:20 נפשׁ ׳ב one given to appetite Prov 23:2 מזמות ׳ב mischievous person Prov 24:8 הלשׁון ׳ב charmer Eccl 10:11 רשׁע ׳ב one given to wickedness Eccl 8:8 פיפיות ׳ב double-edged Isa 41:15 משׁפט ׳ב adversary Isa 50:8 ׳ב פקדת captain of the ward Jer 37:13 הקרנים ׳ב two-horned Dan 8:6; Dan 8:20.
  b. בְּדִית ׃בַּעֲלֵי ׳בּ confederates Gen 14:13 חצים ׳ב archers Gen 49:23 (poetry); הפרשׁים ׳ב horsemen 2Sam 1:6 שׁבועה ׳ב conspirators Neh 6:18 אספות ׳ב members of assemblies; or well-grouped sayings; or collectors (of wise sentences) Eccl 12:11. — On 2Sam 6:2 see II. בַּעֲלָה. (בַּעַל in Hexateuch not J or P; בעל Lev 21:4 ᵐ5 ἐζάπινα = כבלּע Num 4:20: Di בְּאֵבֶל). Especially II. lord, specifically as divine name, Baal.
1. without article: במות בעל Num 22:41 (poetry Balaam); בעל פעור Num 25:3; Num 25:5 (E) Deut 4:3 (see below). This divine name is not used elsewhere in Hexateuch It probably originated from the sense of divine ownership, rather than sovereignty (RSSem 92). It seems to have been used in Northern Israel = אדון in the South. It was the special name of the God of the Canaanites, Philistines, etc., = Babylonian בֵּל, compare SchrSK 1874, 335 ff. In later times scribes substituted בּשֶׁת, in proper name (ירבשׁת = ירבעל, אשׁבשׁת = אשׁבעל, see בּשֶׁת, GeiZMG 1862, 728 ff.), & also in the text for בעל Hos 9:10; Jer 11:13 (hence ἡ βάαλ Jer 2:23; Jer 7:9; Jer 11:13; Jer 11:17; Jer 19:5; Hos 2:10; Hos 13:1 +, Rom 11:4, see DiBaal mit d. weib. Art1 Kel, MBA 1881, June 16 Dr 2Sam 4:4).
2. with article: הַבַּעַל Judg 2:13; Judg 6:25; Judg 6:28; Judg 6:30; Judg 6:31; Judg 6:32; 1Kgs 16:31; 1Kgs 16:32 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 18:19; 1Kgs 18:21; 1Kgs 18:22; 1Kgs 18:25; 1Kgs 18:26 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 18:40; 1Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 22:54; 2Kgs 3:2; 2Kgs 10:18; 2Kgs 10:19 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:20; 2Kgs 10:21 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 10:22; 2Kgs 10:23 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 10:25; 2Kgs 10:26; 2Kgs 10:27 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:28; 2Kgs 11:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 21:3; 2Kgs 23:4; 2Kgs 23:5; 2Chr 23:17 (twice in verse); Jer 2:8; Jer 7:9; Jer 11:13; Jer 11:17; Jer 12:16; Jer 19:5 (twice in verse); Jer 28:13; Jer 28:27; Jer 32:29; Jer 32:35; Hos 2:10; Hos 13:1; .
3. הַבְּעָלִים emphatic plural (compare האלהים, האדונים) the great lord, the sovereign owner Judg 2:11; Judg 3:7; Judg 8:33; Judg 10:6; Judg 10:10; 1Sam 7:4; 1Sam 12:10; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Chr 17:3; 2Chr 24:7; 2Chr 28:2; 2Chr 33:3; 2Chr 34:4; Jer 2:23; Jer 9:13; Hos 2:15; Hos 2:19; Hos 11:2 (or local special Ba`als, see DrSm. p. 50; pillars of Baal MV).
4. with attributive: בַּעַל בְּרִית Lord of convenant Judg 8:33; Judg 9:4 (compare אל ברית Judg 9:46 NöZMG 1888, 478); זְבוּב ׳ב Lord of flies 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 1:16, Philistine god, ᵐ5 Βααλ μυῖαν (Beelzebub, Matt 12:24) compare BaeRel 25.

BDB1213 H1167 H1192

BDB1212 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1214

II. בַּ֫עַל

1. proper name, of a location city in the tribe of Simeon 1Chr 4:33 = בַּעֲלַת בְּאֵר.
2. proper name, masculine a. a Reubenite 1Chr 5:5
  b. a Gibeonite 1Chr 8:30; 1Chr 9:36.

BDB9383 H1169 H1167

BDB9382 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9384

בְּעֵל (K§ 54, 3 γ) noun masculine owner, lord (Syriac , used similarly; compare Biblical Hebrew בַּ֫עַל, √ בָּעַל; also ᵑ7 בְּעֵיל); — construct מְֿעֵם׳בּ Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:9; Ezra 4:17 i.e. commander (AndrM 56* as translation of Persian fram¹t¹r, commander).

men, owner, husband, man, owners, …
baʿal
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
  • owner, husband, lord
    • owner
      • "a husband"citizens, inhabitants"rulers, lords"(noun of relationship used to characterise—i.e., master of dreams)"lord (used of foreign gods)

וּ מוּסַ֖ר
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מוּסַ֖ר
Root word instruction, correction, chastening, chastisement, check, …
Dictionary form: מוּסָר · moo-SAWR

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

In the KJV here: it but the instruction
instruction ×16 correction ×6 the instruction ×4 and instruction ×3 of instruction ×2 the chastisement ×2 an instruction ×1 have been a rebuker of them all ×1
More options
discipline — Best all-around modern rendering; covers training and correction.
instruction — Emphasizes teaching; good in wisdom/Proverbs contexts.
correction — Highlights remedial aspect; suits disciplinary rebukes.
chastening — Retains moral/parental weight; use for suffering as God's training.
rebuke — Sharpest register; best when verbal reproof is in view.
warning — Softer nuance; useful when restraint or caution is emphasized.

BDB3604 H4148 H4561

BDB3603 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3605

מוּסָר noun masculineProv 15:10 discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction; — ׳מ Jer 2:30 + 31 t. (Ezek 5:15 strike out Co); construct מוּסַר Deut 11:2 + 14 t. (for Job 12:28 see אסר); suffix מוּסָרִי Prov 8:10 מוּסָֽרְךָ Isa 26:16 מֹסָרָם Job 33:16 (for מֻסָרָם Di SS); — discipline, correction, of God, Deut 11:2 ׳מוּסַר י the discipline of ׳י (of Y.'s wonders, as exercising a disciplinary, educating influence upon Israel, compare Dr); ׳לקח מ Jer 17:23; Jer 32:33; Jer 35:13; Zeph 3:2; Zeph 3:7; Ps 50:17; Job 33:16; Job 36:10 בְּלִמָּתִי ׳מ the correction of (i.e. which lead-eth to) my shame Job 20:3.
  b. הבלים עֵץ הוּא ׳מ the discipline of unreal gods is wood (is like themselves, destitute of true moral force) Jer 10:8; Ezek 5:15 = warning example (?) Ew Sm (|| שְׁמָמָה; strike out ᵐ5 CO).
  c. in Proverbs, discipline in the school of wisdom: ׳חכמה ומ Ezek 1:2; Ezek 1:7; Ezek 23:23 חכמה ׳מ discipline of wisdom Ezek 15:33 הַשְׂכֵּל ׳מ Ezek 1:3 ׳תוכחות מ Ezek 6:23 לִבֶּ֑ךָ ׳הָבִיאָה לַמּ Ezek 23:12 apply thy mind to discipline; ׳קבּל מ Ezek 19:20 ׳לקח מ Ezek 1:3; Ezek 8:10; Ezek 24:32 (compare Jeremiah above); קנה ׳מ Ezek 23:23 ׳שׁמע מ Ezek 8:23; Ezek 19:27 ׳שׁמר מ Ezek 10:17 ׳אהב מ Ezek 12:1 ׳החזק במ Ezek 4:13 the reverse ׳שׂנא מ Ezek 5:12 פרע ׳מ Ezek 13:18; Ezek 15:32 ׳בזה מ Ezek 1:7 ׳באין מ for lack of discipline Ezek 5:23 (|| בְּרֹב אִיַלְתּוֺ); אֱוִלִים אִוֶּלֶת ׳מ Ezek 16:22 the discipline of fools is folly; of paternal discipline, correction, Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1; Prov 13:1.

2. more severely, chastening, chastisement: a. of God, יהוה ׳מ Prov 3:11 chastening of Yahweh; שׁדַּי ׳מ Job 5:17 מוּסָֽרְךָ Isa 26:16 שְׁלוֺמֵנוּ עָלָיו ׳מ Isa 53:5 chastisement of (i.e. leading to) our peace was upon him; ׳לקח מ Jer 2:30; Jer 5:3; Jer 7:28 אַכְזָרִי ׳מ Jer 30:14 chastisement of a cruel one, ᵑ0, but read ׳מוּסָר א cruel chastisement, Gf and especially Gie; לְכֻלָּם ׳אני מ Hos 5:2 I am a chastisement for them all.
  b. of man, Prov 15:5; Prov 23:13 ׳שִׁחֲרוֺ מ Prov 13:24 ׳שֵׁבֶט מ Prov 22:15 אויל ׳מ Prov 7:22 chastisement of a fool; מוּסָר רָע Prov 15:10 grievous chastisement.

instruction, correction, chastening, chastisement, check, …
mûsār
properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
  • discipline, chastening, correction
    • discipline, correction
      • "chastening

אֱוִלִ֣ים
אֱוִלִ֣ים
Root word fool, fools, foolish
Dictionary form: אֱוִיל · eh-WEEL

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of fools
a fool ×3 fool ×3 but fools ×2 fools ×2 of the foolish ×2 a foolish ×1 a fools ×1 and the fool ×1
More options
fool — Direct, widely understood; best default rendering.
foolish person — Clarifies nominal sense when context needs explicitness.
simpleton — Emphasizes lack of wisdom without strong moral condemnation.
dunce — Slightly informal; highlights stubborn ignorance or obtuseness.
blockhead — Colloquial; vivid for rhetorical or poetic passages.
senseless person — Neutral, modern; suits contexts stressing lack of discernment.

BDB193 H191

BDB192 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB194

אֱוִיל26 adjective (foolish — ׳א Job 5:2 +; plural אֱוִילִים Ps 107:17 +, etc.; — foolish, Prov 29:9 (׳אִישׁ א) Hos 9:7 (predicate of prophet); compare Isa 35:8, elsewhere noun masculine fool (always morally bad), who despises wisdom & discipline Prov 1:7; Prov 15:5 mocks at guilt Prov 14:9 is quarrelsome Prov 20:3 licentious Prov 7:22 it is folly & useless to instruct him Prov 16:22; Prov 27:22 (19 t. Proverbs); compare also Jer 4:22; Job 5:2; Job 5:3; Isa 19:11; Ps 107:17.

fool, fools, foolish
ʾĕwîl
(figuratively) silly
  • be foolish, foolish
    • (subst)
      • of one who despises wisdom
        • "of one who mocks when guilty"of one who is quarrelsome"of one who is licentious

אִוֶּֽלֶת
אִוֶּֽלֶת
Root word folly, foolishness, foolish, foolishly
Dictionary form: אִוֶּלֶת · ih-weh-LET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is folly
foolishness ×4 folly ×3 is folly ×3 according to his folly ×2 but the folly ×1 but the foolish ×1 but the foolishness ×1 foolishly ×1
More options
folly — Broad, natural modern term; fits most contexts.
foolishness — Slightly more informal; emphasizes the quality of being foolish.
stupidity — Stronger, blunter register; good for emphatic condemnation.
senselessness — Highlights lack of reason or wisdom; fits Wisdom literature well.
recklessness — Use when folly implies dangerous disregard for consequences.
absurdity — Captures the irrationality angle; more rhetorical or ironic contexts.

BDB195 H200

BDB194 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB196

אִוֶּ֫לֶת25 noun feminine folly. — absolute Prov 12:23 +; construct Prov 14:8 +; suffix אִוַּלְתִּי Ps 38:6, etc.; — folly, special product of כְּסִילִים (see כֶּסֶל) Prov 12:23 + (12 t.); with פְּתָאִים Prov 14:18 with אֱוִלִיים only Prov 16:22; Prov 27:22 for alliteration. It is bound up in mind of boy, to be removed only by rod of discipline Prov 22:15 ׳א personified tears down house built by חַכְמוֺת נָשִׁים Prov 14:1 it is contrasted with תְּבוּנָה Prov 14:29; Prov 15:21.

folly, foolishness, foolish, foolishly
ʾiwwelet
silliness
  • foolishness, folly

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.
מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים Dechi — a lesser break שֵׂ֣כֶל בְּעָלָ֑יו Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּמוּסַ֖ר אֱוִלִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת Silluq — end of the verse

מְקוֹר חַיִּים שֵׂכֶל בְּעָלָיו וּמוּסַר אֱוִלִים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃
22
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Cross References

Proverbs 13:14

תּוֹרַת חָכָם מְקוֹר חַיִּים לָסוּר מִמֹּקְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

John 6:63

τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν τὸ ζῳοποιοῦν ἡ σὰρξ οὐκ ὠφελεῖ οὐδέν· τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἐγὼ λαλῶ ὑμῖν πνεῦμά ἐστιν καὶ ζωή ἐστιν
63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 5:24

Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ὁ τὸν λόγον μου ἀκούων καὶ πιστεύων τῷ πέμψαντί με ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον καὶ εἰς κρίσιν οὐκ ἔρχεται ἀλλὰ μεταβέβηκεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν
24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Matthew 15:14

ἄφετε αὐτούς· ὁδηγοί εἰσιν τυφλοί τυφλῶν· τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται
14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Proverbs 18:4

מַיִם עֲמֻקִּים דִּבְרֵי פִי-אִישׁ נַחַל נֹבֵעַ מְקוֹר חָכְמָֽה׃
4
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Proverbs 10:11

מְקוֹר חַיִּים פִּי צַדִּיק וּפִי רְשָׁעִים יְכַסֶּה חָמָֽס׃
11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 14:27

יִרְאַת יְהוָה מְקוֹר חַיִּים לָסוּר מִמֹּקְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Matthew 23:16

Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοὶ οἱ λέγοντες Ὃς ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ ναῷ οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δ' ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ χρυσῷ τοῦ ναοῦ ὀφείλει
16
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Proverbs 15:2

לְשׁוֹן חֲכָמִים תֵּיטִיב דָּעַת וּפִי כְסִילִים יַבִּיעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃
2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

John 6:68

ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ Σίμων Πέτρος Κύριε πρὸς τίνα ἀπελευσόμεθα ῥήματα ζωῆς αἰωνίου ἔχεις
68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Proverbs 15:28

לֵב צַדִּיק יֶהְגֶּה לַעֲנוֹת וּפִי רְשָׁעִים יַבִּיעַ רָעֽוֹת׃
28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Luke 6:39

Εἶπεν δὲ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς· Μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται
39
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
Proverbs 16:21
Read Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16:23