Proverbs 16:24

צוּף דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי נֹ֑עַם מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּ֗פֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

צוּף
צוּף
Root word honeycomb
Dictionary form: צוּף · tsoop

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

In the KJV here: are as an honeycomb
are as an honeycomb ×1
More options
honeycomb — Most natural and universally understood rendering.
honey-dripping comb — Emphasizes the flowing, dripping quality of fresh comb.
dripping honey — Captures the liquid richness when comb context is implied.
wax comb — Highlights the physical structure rather than the sweetness.

BDB6993 H6688

BDB6992 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6994

I. צוּף noun masculine (honey-)comb (as exuding honey); — only figurative: construct צוּףדְּֿבַשׁ Prov 16:24 plural נֹפֶת צוּפִים Ps 19:11 (+דְּבַשׁ), ᵐ5 κηρίον, κηρία, ᵑ9 favus.

honeycomb
ṣûp
comb of honey (from dripping)
  • honeycomb

דְּ֭בַשׁ
דְּ֭בַשׁ
Root word honey
Dictionary form: דְּבַשׁ · deh-BAHSH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

and honey ×29 honey ×9 and of honey ×2 of honey ×2 the honey ×2 also than honey ×1 and with honey ×1 as honey ×1
More options
honey — Direct, universally understood modern equivalent.
nectar — Poetic contexts; evokes sweetness and natural richness.
wild honey — Use when the wilderness/natural source is emphasized.
syrup — Some scholars read dəḇaš as date or grape syrup; contextual.
sweetness — Figurative or metaphorical passages stressing quality.
golden honey — Vivid, literary contexts where color or richness is highlighted.

BDB1832 H1706

BDB1831 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1833

דְּבַשׁ54 noun masculine1Sam 14:29 honey (named from colour according to Fl NHWBi. 430; Arabic () date-honey; Late Hebrew דְּבַשׁ, Aramaic דּובשא, , , honey both of fruits and of bees; compare also Assyrian dišpu COTGloss ZimBP 84 DlPr 70) — absolute ׳ד Gen 43:11 + 33 t.; דְּבָ֑שׁ Exod 3:8 + 18 t.; suffix דִּבְשִׁי Song 5:1 — honey, product of bees, used as food Judg 14:8; Judg 14:9; Judg 14:18 (in lion's carcass); found in (clefts of) rock Deut 32:13 (מִסֶּלַע ׳ד, in song, J E), Ps 81:17 (׳מִצּוּר ד); in woods, on ground 1Sam 14:25 (עלפֿני השׂדה) v1Sam 14:26 (׳הֵלֶךְ ד; but read rather הָלַךְ דְּבֹרוֺ its bees had departed, We Dr after ᵐ5) v1Sam 14:29 v1Sam 14:43 transported in jar or bottle ׳בַּקְבֻּק ד 1Kgs 14:3 contribution to priests and Levites 2Chr 31:5 || חֶמְאָה 2Sam 17:29; Isa 7:15; Isa 7:22 (in last two the being limited to such food is apparently token of destitution); kept in store Jer 41:8 a choice gift Gen 43:11 (J); article of trade Ezek 27:17 (in these two perhaps = grape syrup, modern dibs, compare Di Gen 43:11 see RobBR ii. 81); forbidden as burnt offering Lev 2:11 (|| שְׂאֹר); honey comb = ׳יַעְרַת הַדּ 1Sam 14:27 (compare יַעְרִי Song 5:1); also ׳צוּף ד Prov 16:24 (compare נֹפֶת צופים Ps 19:11); most often in phrase describing abundance in land of Canaan ׳אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּד Exod 3:8; Exod 3:17; Exod 13:5; Exod 33:3 (all J E) Lev 20:24 (H) Num 13:27; Num 14:8; Num 16:18; Num 16:14 (all J E) Deut 6:3; Deut 11:9; Deut 26:9; Deut 26:15; Deut 27:3; Deut 31:20 (all D) Josh 5:6 (D) Jer 11:5; Jer 32:22; Ezek 20:6; Ezek 20:15 compare Deut 8:8; 2Kgs 18:32 (of land of captivity, words of the Rabshak); see also Ezek 16:13; Ezek 16:19; Job 20:17 וְחֶמְאָה ׳נַחֲלֵי ד; honey, used to illustrate moral teachings Prov 24:13 (|| נֹפֶת), Prov 25:16; Prov 25:27 (danger of surfeit); simile of sweetness of taste Ezek 3:3 (the roll), compare כְּצַפִּיחִת ׳בִּד Exod 16:31 (P; description of manna); of sweetness of the law Ps 19:11 (|| נֹפֶת צוּפִים) compare Ps 119:103 (of pleasant words Prov 16:24 compare above); sweetness of lips וְחָלָב ׳ד Song 4:11 figurative of love דִּבְשִׁי Song 5:1 (|| יַעְרִי, יֵינִי, חֲלָבִי).

honey
dĕbaš
honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup
  • honey

אִמְרֵי
אִמְרֵי
Root word words, sayings, speeches, answer, appointed
Dictionary form: אֵמֶר · ay-MER

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

In the KJV here: words
the words ×11 words ×5 his words ×4 my words ×4 to the words ×4 from the words ×3 with her words ×2 with the words ×2
More options
saying — Neutral, fits quoted speech or maxims well.
word — Broad default; suits most prose contexts.
utterance — Slightly formal; good for solemn or prophetic speech.
speech — Emphasizes the act or content of speaking.
declaration — Use when the saying carries authoritative weight.
answer — Reserve for contexts of reply or response.

BDB559 H561 H565

BDB558 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB560

[אִמְרָה] noun feminine utterance, speech, word (in poetry, mostly singular collective, compare plural verb Ps 119:103, but here read probably Pluraln. compare ᵐ5 Ol Hi De Che) — construct אִמְרַת Isa 5:24 +; אִמְרָתִי Gen 4:23 + etc.; Plural absolute אֲמָרוֺת Ps 12:7 construct אִמֲרוֺת ib.; — utterance, speech Gen 4:23 (song of Lamech, || קוֺל); so Isa 28:23; Isa 32:9; Deut 32:2 (|| לֶקַח), Ps 17:9; Isa 29:4 (twice in verse) (|| also דִּבֶּד); especially saying(s), words(s) of ׳י (command & promise) Deut 33:9 (|| בְּרִית); Isa 5:24 (|| תּוֺרָה) 2Sam 22:31 = Ps 18:31; Ps 12:7; Ps 105:19 (|| דָּבָר; esp Ps 119:11; Ps 119:38; Ps 119:41 + 16 t.; Ps 138:2; Ps 147:15 (|| דָּבָר), Prov 30:5.

words, sayings, speeches, answer, appointed
ʾēmer
something said
  • utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command

נֹ֑עַם
נֹ֑עַם
Root word beauty, pleasant, pleasantness
Dictionary form: נֹעַם · noh-AM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: pleasant
beauty ×2 and let the beauty ×1 are pleasant ×1 of pleasantness ×1 pleasant ×1 the beauty ×1
More options
pleasantness — Closest modern equivalent; suits relational or emotional warmth.
delight — Captures experiential joy; good for poetic or liturgical contexts.
loveliness — Emphasizes gentle, aesthetic appeal; fits descriptions of people or places.
grace — Conveys charm and favor; useful when beauty has a relational dimension.
beauty — Updated from KJV; best when visual or striking quality is primary.
charm — Informal register; highlights winsome, attractive quality.

BDB5257 H5278

BDB5256 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5258

נֹ֫עַם noun masculinePs 90:17 delightfulness, pleasantness (Ecclus נועם תירוש Eccl 32:6); — ׳נ absolute Zech 11:7 + 4 t.; construct Ps 27:4; Ps 90:17 —

1. delightfulness of ׳׃י contemplated in temple Ps 27:4, shewn in his favour, אדניעָ֗֗֗לֵינוּ ׳וִיהִי נ Ps 90:17.
2. name of one of two symbolic staves Zech 11:7; Zech 11:10.
3. pleasantness, as defining genitive: ׳דַּרְכֵינֿ Prov 3:17 ׳אִמְרֵינֿ Prov 15:26; Prov 16:24.

beauty, pleasant, pleasantness
nōʿam
agreeableness, i.e., delight, suitableness, splendor or grace
  • kindness, pleasantness, delightfulness, beauty, favor
    • delightfulness
      • "symbolic name of one of two staves"pleasantness (of genitals)

מָת֥וֹק
מָת֥וֹק
Root word sweet, sweeter, sweetness
Dictionary form: מָתוֹק · maw-TOKE

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: sweet
is sweet ×3 and sweet ×1 for sweet ×1 for sweetness ×1 is sweeter ×1 sweet ×1 sweeter ×1 sweetness ×1
More options
sweet — Most versatile; fits taste, sound, and metaphor.
pleasant — Prefer when sweetness is figurative or emotional.
delightful — Stronger emotional warmth; good for poetry or wisdom texts.
agreeable — Neutral, mild; suits understated or prose contexts.
delicious — Vivid sensory word; best for literal food or drink.
sweetness — Use when the noun form captures an abstract quality.

BDB4904 H4966

BDB4903 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4905

מָתוֺק adjective sweet, and noun [masculine] sweetness (on form see Lag BN 30, 60, compare BaNB 13, 36); — absolute ׳מ Judg 14:14 + 9 t.; feminine מְתוּקָה Eccl 5:11 plural מְתוּקִים Ps 19:11 —

1. sweet, of honey Judg 14:14 (where ׳מ = substantive a sweet thing), vJudg 14:18 (both Samson's riddle), Prov 24:13 so = sweetness, Ezek 3:3 more generally, ׳כָּלמַֿר מ Prov 27:7 every bitter thing is sweet to one hungry; figurative Ps 19:11 (God's commandments, sweeter than honey), compare Prov 16:24 (simile of pleasant words) לְחִכִּי ׳וּפִרְיוֺ מ Song 2:3 (i.e his caresses); לְמָ֑ר ׳וּמ ׳שָׂמִים מַר לְמ Isa 5:20 making bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter (obscuring moral distinctions; || הָאֹמְרִים לָרַע טוֺב וְלַטּוֺב רָ֑ע).
2. = pleasant, sleep of the toiler Eccl 5:11 light Eccl 1:17 (|| טוֺב לַעֵינַיִם לִרְאוֺת אֶתהַֿשֶּׁמֶשׁ).

sweet, sweeter, sweetness
mātôq
sweet
  • (adj) sweet
    • "(n m) sweetness, pleasant (thing)

לַ ֝נֶּ֗פֶשׁ
לַ
Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
֝נֶּ֗פֶשׁ
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

לַ
Hidden "the" לַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "to the ___".

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to the soul
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

וּ מַרְפֵּ֥א
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מַרְפֵּ֥א
Root word health, remedy, healing, sound, wholesome, …
Dictionary form: מַרְפֵּא · mahr-PAY

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and health
remedy ×3 is health ×2 a sound ×1 a wholesome ×1 and cure ×1 and health ×1 healing ×1 of healing ×1
More options
healing — Broadest fit; suits physical and metaphorical restoration.
remedy — Emphasizes a cure or corrective solution; slightly formal.
health — Focuses on the resulting state rather than the process.
cure — Concrete and medical; good for bodily or wound contexts.
restoration — Highlights return to wholeness; suits relational or national contexts.
wholesome — Adjectival use; fits wisdom texts describing speech or counsel.

BDB8052 H4832

BDB8051 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8053

מַרְפֵּא, מַרְפֵּה noun masculineEccl 10:4 healing, cure, health (usually figurative); — absolute מַרְפֵּא Jer 14:19 +, מַרְפֵּה Jer 8:15 construct מַרְפֵּא Prov 15:4 —

1. healing, cure, of national woes, Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19b (|| שָׁלוֺם), Jer 36:6 (+ אֲרֻכָה); especially ׳אֵין לָנוּ מ Jer 14:19a there is no cure for us, ׳עַד לְאֵין מ 2Chr 36:16.
2. figurative of person, health, profit, Prov 4:22 (|| חַיִּים), Prov 12:18; Prov 13:17; Prov 16:24 with spiritual implication Mal 3:20 ׳אֵין מ Prov 6:15 = Prov 29:1 ׳לֵב מ Prov 14:30 a mind of health (healthy, composed, mind), compare ׳מ alone = composure Eccl 10:4 לְשׁוֺן ׳מ Eccl 15:4 healing of the tongue, = a soothing tongue (Toy).
3. literally, of disease, ׳לְאֵין מ 2Chr 21:18.

health, remedy, healing, sound, wholesome, …
marpēʾ
properly, curative, i.e., literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity
  • health, healing, cure
    • healing, cure
      • "health, profit, sound (of mind)"healing
      • incurable (with negative)

לָ עָֽצֶם
לָ
Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
עָֽצֶם
Root word bones, bone, selfsame, same, body, …
Dictionary form: עֶצֶם · eh-TSEM

לָ
Hidden "the" לָ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "to the ___".

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to the bones
the bones ×15 my bones ×14 and the bones ×8 bones ×8 their bones ×7 his bones ×5 same ×5 bone ×3
More options
bone — Core anatomical meaning; default choice in most contexts.
body — Use when referring to the whole physical self or corpse.
very (same) — Idiomatic emphatic sense, e.g. 'that very day'.
essence — Captures the 'core/self' nuance in poetic or abstract passages.
self — Useful for identity or reflexive emphasis in narrative prose.
strength — Metaphorical register; prefer in poetic imagery of vitality.

BDB6294 H6106

BDB6293 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6295

I. עֶ֫צֶם125 noun femininePs 35:10 (with pronoun masculine Ezek 37:5; Ezek 37:6 etc., compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896). 73) bone, substance, self; — absolute ׳י Gen 2:23 +; עָ֑צֶם; Prov 15:30; Prov 16:24 construct עֶצֶם Exod 24:10 +; suffix עַצְמִי Job 19:20 +, etc.; plural עֲצָמוֺת 2Kgs 23:16 +; construct עַצְמוֺת Josh 24:22 +; suffix עַצְמֹתַי Job 4:14 +, etc.; also עֲצָמִים Ezek 24:4 +, suffix עֲצָמַי Gen 2:23 +, etc.; —

1. bone:
  a. of living person Mic 3:2; Mic 3:3 (hyperbole), Job 10:11; Job 19:20; Lam 4:8; Ps 102:6; Eccl 11:5 +; figurative of close relationship עֶצָם מֵעֲצָמַי Gen 2:23, compare Gen 29:14 (both J), Judg 9:2; 2Sam 5:1 = 1Chr 11:1; 2Sam 19:13; 2Sam 19:14 (all + בָּשָׂר).
  b. ׳ע + בָּשָׂר = body, Job 2:5, plural = bodily frame Jer 20:9 (simile), limbs, members, לַעֲצָמֶיהָ Judg 9:29 i.e. limb by limb (GFM); as seat of vigour Job 20:11, etc.
  c. (poetry) as seat of disease and pain Job 30:17; Job 30:30 and (especially of personified Israel) Ps 22:15; Ps 31:11; Ps 102:4; Lam 1:13; Hab 3:16 +.
  d. plural as representing entire person = one's whole being, (especially of personified Israel) Ps 6:3 (|| נֶפֶשׁ vPs 6:4), Ps 35:10 (|| נֶפֶשׁ vPs 35:9), Isa 66:14 of individual (including physical and moral) Prov 3:8; Prov 14:30; Prov 15:30; Prov 16:24.
  e. singular = external body Lam 4:7 Ew Th and others, but dubious; Bi Bu bones (= branches) of coral (פְּנִינִים); Löhr עוֺרָם their skin. feminine especially of dead Num 19:16; Num 19:18 (P), Ezek 37:1 +; often (plural) = remains Amos 6:10; Gen 50:25; Exod 13:19 (twice in verse); Josh 24:32 (all E) +.
2. bone of animal Exod 12:46; Num 9:12 (both P); Ezek 24:4; Ezek 24:5 (symbolic); of (living) hippopotamus Job 40:18.
3. singular substance, self (compare גֶּרֶם 3): הַשָּׁמַיִם ׳כְּע Exod 24:10 (JE), like the substance of the sky = the sky itself; תֻּמּוֺ ׳בְּע Job 21:23 i.e. full prosperity; especially ׳אֶתעֿ הַיּוֺם הַזֶּה Ezek 24:2 this selfsame day, ׳וגו ׳בְּע Ezek 24:2; Ezek 40:1; Gen 7:13; Gen 17:23; Gen 17:26; Exod 12:17; Exod 12:41; Exod 12:51; Lev 23:21; Lev 23:28; Lev 23:29; Lev 23:30; Deut 32:48; Josh 5:11 (all P), ׳וגו ׳עַדעֿ Ezek 2:3; Lev 23:14 (P), Josh 10:27 (R). — Ezek 24:5a read הָעֵצִים (Bö Ew and others); vEzek 24:10 strike out הָעֲצָמוֺת (Co Toy); Job 7:15 read מֵעַצְּבוֺתָ֑י (Reiske Me Bu Du and others); Ps 53:6 read perhaps מֵעֲצַת (compare || Ps 14:6 Bae; see Hup Che and others); Ps 69:5 read מֵעַצְמוֺתַי (for ᵑ0 מַצְמִיתַי), ᵑ6 Ol Che Bae and others

bones, bone, selfsame, same, body, …
ʿeṣem
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
  • bone, essence, substance
    • bone
      • body, limbs, members, external body
      bone (of animal)"substance, self

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.
צוּף דְּ֭בַשׁ Dechi — a lesser break אִמְרֵי נֹ֑עַם Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּ֗פֶשׁ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם Silluq — end of the verse

צוּף-דְּבַשׁ אִמְרֵי-נֹעַם מָתוֹק לַנֶּפֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּא לָעָֽצֶם׃
24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Cross References

Proverbs 12:18

יֵשׁ בּוֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְרוֹת חָרֶב וּלְשׁוֹן חֲכָמִים מַרְפֵּֽא׃
18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 24:13

אֱכָל-בְּנִי דְבַשׁ כִּי-טוֹב וְנֹפֶת מָתוֹק עַל-חִכֶּֽךָ׃
13
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

Proverbs 25:11

תַּפּוּחֵי זָהָב בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֹת כָּסֶף דָּבָר דָּבֻר עַל-אָפְנָֽיו׃
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 4:22

כִּֽי-חַיִּים הֵם לְמֹצְאֵיהֶם וּֽלְכָל-בְּשָׂרוֹ מַרְפֵּֽא׃
22
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Proverbs 23:16

וְתַעְלֹזְנָה כִלְיוֹתָי בְּדַבֵּר שְׂפָתֶיךָ מֵישָׁרִֽים׃
16
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

Psalms 119:103

מַה-נִּמְלְצוּ לְחִכִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ מִדְּבַשׁ לְפִֽי׃
103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Proverbs 3:8

רִפְאוּת תְּהִי לְשָׁרֶּךָ וְשִׁקּוּי לְעַצְמוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 27:9

שֶׁמֶן וּקְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַּֽח-לֵב וּמֶתֶק רֵעֵהוּ מֵֽעֲצַת-נָֽפֶשׁ׃
9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Psalms 19:10

הַֽנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב וּמִפַּז רָב וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ וְנֹפֶת צוּפִֽים׃
10
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Proverbs 15:26

תּוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה מַחְשְׁבוֹת רָע וּטְהֹרִים אִמְרֵי-נֹֽעַם׃
26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Jeremiah 15:16

נִמְצְאוּ דְבָרֶיךָ וָאֹכְלֵם וַיְהִי ‫(דבריך)‬ דְבָֽרְךָ לִי לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחַת לְבָבִי כִּֽי-נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלַי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאֽוֹת׃
16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Deuteronomy 32:2

יַֽעֲרֹף כַּמָּטָר לִקְחִי תִּזַּל כַּטַּל אִמְרָתִי כִּשְׂעִירִם עֲלֵי-דֶשֶׁא וְכִרְבִיבִים עֲלֵי-עֵֽשֶׂב׃
2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

John 20:19

Οὔσης οὖν ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν
19
Then the same the day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Proverbs 15:23

שִׂמְחָה לָאִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה-פִיו וְדָבָר בְּעִתּוֹ מַה-טּֽוֹב׃
23
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Song of Solomon 4:11

נֹפֶת תִּטֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתוֹתַיִךְ כַּלָּה דְּבַשׁ וְחָלָב תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנֵךְ וְרֵיחַ שַׂלְמֹתַיִךְ כְּרֵיחַ לְבָנֽוֹן׃
11
Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Proverbs 16:23
Read Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16:25