Proverbs 17:21

יֹלֵ֣ד כְּ֭סִיל לְת֣וּגָה ל֑וֹ וְלֹֽא יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח אֲבִ֣י נָבָֽל
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

יֹלֵ֣ד
יֹלֵ֣ד
Root word begat, bare, born, forth, bear, …
Dictionary form: יָלַד · yaw-LAHD

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

In the KJV here: he that begetteth
begat ×112 and begat ×38 bare ×34 and bare ×32 he begat ×17 were born ×16 and she bare ×15 she bare ×9
More options
give birth — Most natural modern phrase; prefer for maternal contexts.
be born — Passive sense; use when subject receives the action.
father — Paternal/generative sense; concise in genealogical lists.
beget — Formal/theological register; suits covenantal genealogies.
bear — Slightly elevated but still current; good for poetic texts.
bring into the world — Emphatic and vivid; use for narrative birth scenes.

BDB3542 H3205

BDB3541 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3543

יָלַד497 verb bear, bring forth, beget (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יְלִיד, יְלֵיד, ; Arabic bear, bring forth, so Ethiopic Assyrian alâdu, COTGloss) —

Qal Perfect יָלַד Gen 4:18 (3 t. in verse) + 16 t.; יָלָ֑ד Jer 17:11 וְיָלַד consecutive Ps 7:15 suffix יְלָֽדְךָ Deut 32:18 2 masculine singular suffix ילדתני Jer 2:27 Kt; Qr יְלִדְתָּנוּ (Köi. 410 Ges«GKC:70»§ 70, 2. R. 4); 1 singular suffix יְלִדְתִּ֫יךָ Ps 2:7 יְלִדְתִּ֫יהוּ Num 11:12, etc.; Imperfect יֵלֶד(יֹוםׅ Prov 27:1 3 feminine singular תֵּלֵד Gen 17:17 + 6 t.; וַתֵּ֫לֶד Gen 4:1 + 61 t.; 2 feminine singular תֵּלְדִי Gen 3:16 אֵלֵד Gen 18:13 וָאֵלֵד 1Kgs 3:17 יֵ˜לְדוּ Isa 65:23 3 feminine plural תֵּלַדְנָה Jer 29:6 וַתֵּלַדְנָה Ezek 23:4 וַתֵּלַדְןָ Gen 30:39, etc.; Infinitive absolute יָלֹד Job 15:35 construct לֵדָה Hos 9:11 + 3 t.; לֶ֫דֶת Gen 4:2 + 10 t.; לָלַת 1Sam 4:19 (Köi, 402, but probably text error Dr); suffix לִדְתִּי 1Kgs 3:18, etc.; Participle active יֹלֵד Prov 17:21; Jer 30:6, etc.; feminine יוֺלֵדָה Hos 13:13 + 12 t.; יֹלֶ֫דֶת Gen 17:19 + 4 t.; יֹלַדְתְּ Gen 16:11 + 2 t. (Köi. 404 f.; perhaps יֹלֶדֶת intended by Kt, compare Sta§ 213 b); suffix Prov 23:25 יוֺלַדְתּוֺ Prov 17:25 etc.; plural יֹלְדוֺת Jer 16:3 Passive participle יָלוּד 1Kgs 3:26; 1Kgs 3:27 construct יְלוּד Job 14:1 + 2 t.; plural יְלוּדִים 1Chr 14:4 —
1. bear, bring froth:
  a. (a mother a child,) so commonly, approximately 208 t.; followed by accusative Gen 3:16; Gen 4:1 & constantly; accusative omitted Gen 6:2 etc. = be delivered of a child, 1Kgs 3:17; 1Kgs 3:18; 2Kgs 19:3 = Isa 37:3 (in proverb with negative, i.e. human power exhausted); of animals Gen 30:39; Gen 31:8 (twice in verse); Jer 14:5; Jer 17:11 (bird laying eggs, or hatching out young), Ezek 31:6; Job 39:1; Job 39:2 but also of whole process of labour (compare חול) וַתְּקַשׁ בְּלִדְתָּהּ Gen 35:16 compare vGen 35:17, Gen 38:27; Gen 38:28, compare 1Sam 14:19; Jer 31:18; Mic 5:2 (of a man, as preposterous, Jer 30:6, compare Moses as mother of Israel Num 11:12).
  b. hence in simile of distress Mic 4:9; Mic 4:10; Isa 13:8; Isa 21:3; Isa 42:14; Jer 6:24; Jer 13:21; Jer 22:23; Jer 30:6; Jer 49:24; Jer 50:43; Ps 48:7, compare Hos 13:13 ילד עלבֿרכים (StaZAW 1886, 143 ff.) Gen 30:3; Gen 50:23 (compare Job 3:12).
  c. figurative of wicked וְהָרָה עָמָל וְיָלַד שָׁ֑קֶר Ps 7:15 compare Job 15:35 also Isa 33:11 of Israelites, bringing froth wind (of vain efforts for deliverance) Isa 26:18 כְּפֹר שָׁמַיִם מִי יְלָדוֺ Job 38:29 of Tyre as mother of her inhabitants Isa 23:4 of Jerusalem Isa 51:18; Isa 54:1; Isa 66:7; Isa 66:8; Ezek 16:20 Israel bearing disloyal children Hos 5:7 Jerusalem and Samaria, as Oholibah and Oholah Ezek 23:37 of Babylon Jer 50:12 of a day, as producing events לֹאתֵֿדַע מַה יֵּ֫לֶד יוֺם Prov 27:1 perhaps of God (figurative of rock צוּר), as mother of Israel bringing forth with labour Deut 32:18 yet see
2. 2. less often beget:
  a. literal, approximately 22 t., always with accusative; in Hexateuch a mark of J; Gen 4:18 (3 t. in verse); Gen 10:8; Gen 10:13; Gen 10:15; Gen 10:24 (twice in verse); Gen 10:26 = 1Chr 1:10; 1Chr 1:11; 1Chr 1:13; 1Chr 1:18 (twice in verse); 1Chr 1:20, Gen 22:23; Gen 25:3 (Deut 32:18 & Num 11:12 E are dubious; P uses Hiph`il), elsewhere Prov 17:21; Prov 23:23; Prov 23:24; Dan 11:6.
  b. beget, figurative Ps 2:7 of ׳י's formally installing king into theocratic rights.
3. Zech 13:3 (twice in verse), of both parents (literally); Passive participle 3 t. = child 1Kgs 3:26; 1Kgs 3:27 where mother is named, 1Chr 14:4 where father named. Niph`al Perfect נוֺלַד 1Chr 2:3 + 6 t. + הנּוֺלַדֿ Gen 21:3 according to points, but read Participle (see Di); נוּ֯לְּדוּ Gen 3:5; Gen 20:8 (compare Ol§ 70, 2, R. 5); Imperfect יִוָּלֵד Gen 17:17 + 4 t.; יִוָּ֑לֶד Isa 66:8 וַיִּוָּלֵד Gen 4:18 + 2 t., etc.; Infinitive הִוָּ֑לֶד Gen 21:5 הִוָָּֽלְדוֺ Eccl 7:1 הִוָּ˜לְדָהּ Hos 2:5 Participle נוֺלָד 1Kgs 13:2 + 3 t. (Gen 21:3 see above); נוֺלָדִים Gen 48:5; 1Chr 7:21 — be born: of human beings, followed by לְ (born to such and such a man), Gen 4:18; Gen 10:1; Gen 17:17; Gen 21:3; Gen 21:5; Gen 46:20; Gen 48:5; Num 26:60; Deut 23:9; 2Sam 3:2 (Qr), 2Sam 5:13; 2Sam 14:27; 1Chr 2:3; 1Chr 2:9; 1Chr 3:1; 1Chr 3:4; 1Chr 3:5; 1Chr 20:6; 1Chr 20:8; 1Chr 22:9; 1Chr 26:6; Job 1:2 compare 1Kgs 13:2 without לְ, Job 3:3; Job 38:21; Ps 78:6; 1Chr 7:21; Eccl 7:1 (טוֺב שֵׁם מִשֶּׁמֶן טוֺב וְיוֺם הַמָּוֶת מִיּוֺם הִוָָּֽלְ˜דוֺ׃); metaphor of Israel (under figure of unfaithful wife) Hos 2:5 of nation, גּוֺי, Isa 66:8 people, עַם, Ps 22:32 of animals Lev 22:27; Deut 15:19 Participle כָּלנָֿשִׁים וְהַנּוֺלָד מֵהֶם Ezra 10:3 with predicate or appositive on which emphasis rests, רָ֑שׁ ׳נ Eccl 4:14 he was born poor; אֹהֵב הָרֵ֑ע וְאָח לְצָרָה יִוָּלֵד Prov 17:17 עַיִר פרא אדם יִוָּלֵד Job 11:12; Job 15:7. Pi`el Infinitive יַלֶּדְכֶן Exod 1:16 Participle absolute מְיַלֶּדֶת Gen 35:17 + 2 t.; plural absolute מְיִלְּדוֺת Exod 1:15 + 5 t. in Exod 1 — cause (or help) to bring forth, namely, assist or tend as midwife Exod 1:16 followed by accusative; elsewhere only Participle feminine as substantive = midwife; Gen 35:17 (E), Gen 38:28 (J), Exod 1:15; Exod 1:17; Exod 1:18; Exod 1:19 (twice in verse); Exod 1:20; Exod 1:21 (E). Pu`al Perfect יֻלַּד Gen 4:26 + 13 t.; יוּלַּד Judg 18:29 יֻלָּד֨ Gen 41:50 יוּלָּ֑ד Job 5:7 יֻלְּדוּ Gen 6:1 + 4 t. + 2Sam 3:2 Kt (Qr וַיִּוָָּֽלְדוּ); יֻלָּ֑דוּ Ps 90:2, etc.; Participle (? compare Köi. 433; Ges«GKC:52»§ 52, 2, R. 6) הַיוּלָּד Judg 13:8 (Böii. p. 244 passive Qal); i. q. Niph`al be born, followed by לְ of father Gen 4:26; Gen 6:1; Gen 10:21; Gen 10:25; Gen 24:15 (all J), Gen 41:50 (E), Gen 35:26; Gen 36:5; Gen 46:22; Gen 46:27 (all P), Judg 18:29; 2Sam 3:2; 2Sam 3:5; 2Sam 21:20; 2Sam 21:22; 1Chr 1:19; Jer 20:15 followed by לְ before grandmother's name Ruth 4:17 compare לָ֫נוּ Isa 9:5 followed by לְ of purpose, destiny, אדם לעמל יוּלָּד֑ Job 5:7 יֻלְּדוּ עַלבִּֿרְכֵי יוֺסֵף Gen 50:23 (E; ⅏ ׳בִּימֵי יו, cit. Di) denoting recognition of children as his; no preposition Jer 20:14; Jer 22:26, compare Judg 13:8 (see above); figurative of foreigners incorporated in spiritual Zion Ps 87:4; Ps 87:5; Ps 87:6 of production of mountains Ps 90:2. Hiph`il Perfect הוֺלִיד Gen 11:27 +; הוֺלִד Num 26:58 הֹלִיד 1Chr 2:36 +; suffix וְהוֺלִידָהּ consecutive Isa 55:10 הוֺלַדְ֫תָּ Gen 48:6, etc.; Imperfect יוֺלִיד Gen 17:20; Eccl 6:3 וַיּ֫וֺלֶד Gen 5:3 +; 2 masculine singular תּוֺלִיד Deut 4:25 + 4 t.; אוֺלִיד Isa 66:9 Imperative הוֺלִי֫דוּ Jer 29:6 Infinitive absolute הוֺלֵיד Isa 59:4 construct suffix הוֺלִידוֺ Gen 5:4 + 16 t.; Participle מוֺלִיד Isa 66:9 מוֺלִדִים Jer 16:3 —
1. beget (a father a child) Gen 5:3; Gen 5:4 (twice in verse) + 56 t. in Genesis; Lev 25:45; Num 26:29; Num 26:58 (all these P, see below Qal) + Deut 4:25; Deut 28:41 (see Di), 1Chr 2:10 (twice in verse); 1Chr 2:11 (twice in verse) + 84 t. Chronicles; Ruth 4:18 + 8 t., Judg 11:1; 2Kgs 20:18 = Isa 39:7; Jer 29:6; Ezek 18:10; Ezek 18:14; Ezek 47:22; Eccl 5:13; Eccl 6:3, compare Isa 45:10 also Jer 16:3 אֲבוֺתָם הַמּוֺלִדִים אוֺתָם, compare frequently Assyr. abu banu§a, e.g. VR Jer 1:8 figurative of producing dewdrops Job 38:28 of causing the earth to bear grain Isa 55:10, causing Zion to bring forth Isa 66:9.
2. bear, only figurative Isa 59:4 (|| הָרוֺ), of wicked, bringing forth iniquity (this favoured by context others, beget). Hoph`al Infinitive חֻלֶּ֫דֶת Gen 40:20; Ezek 16:5 הוּלֶּ֫דֶת Ezek 16:4 (Co as foregoing); only אֶתֿ ׳יוֺם ה Gen 40:20; Ezek 16:4; Ezek 16:5 day of one's being born = birthday. Hithpa`el Imperfect וַיִּתְיִלְּדוּ Num 1:18 denominative from תולדת declared their pedigree (see Di).

begat, bare, born, forth, bear, …
yālad
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
  • to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail
    • (Qal)
      • to bear, bring forth
        • of child birth
          • "of distress (simile)"of wicked (behavior)
        to beget
      (Niphal) to be born"(Piel)
      • to cause or help to bring forth
        • "to assist or tend as a midwife"midwife (participle)
      (Pual) to be born"(Hiphil)
      • to beget (a child)
        • "to bear (figurative for wicked bringing forth iniquity)
      (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)"(Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

כְּ֭סִיל
כְּ֭סִיל
Root word fool, fools, foolish
Dictionary form: כְּסִיל · keh-SEEL

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: a fool
of fools ×16 of a fool ×7 a fool ×6 the fool ×5 but a foolish ×3 a foolish ×2 a fools ×2 and ye fools ×2
More options
fool — Core rendering; suits most prose and poetry contexts.
dullard — Emphasizes stubborn mental obtuseness, not mere silliness.
blockhead — Colloquial; captures the kĕsîl's thick-headed obstinacy vividly.
simpleton — Highlights naive, unreflective character; slightly gentler register.
senseless person — Transparent periphrasis; useful when audience is unfamiliar with 'fool'.
numbskull — Informal; reserves for satirical or rhetorical passages only.

BDB4120 H3684

BDB4119 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4121

I. כְּסִיל70 noun masculine stupid fellow, dullard, fool; — ׳כ Ps 49:11 + 44 t.; plural כְּסִילִים Ps 94:8 + 25 t.; — || בער Ps 49:11; Ps 92:7; Ps 94:8, elsewhere only in Wisd Lt.; he hates knowledge Prov 1:22 delights not in understanding Prov 18:2 it is his sport to do mischief Prov 10:23 his heart proclaimeth אִוֶּלָת Prov 12:23 his mouth poureth it forth Prov 15:2, and feedeth on it Prov 15:14.

fool, fools, foolish
kĕsîl
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
  • fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

לְ ת֣וּגָה
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
ת֣וּגָה
Root word heaviness, sorrow
Dictionary form: תּוּגָה · too-ɡAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: doeth it to his sorrow
doeth it to his sorrow ×1 for heaviness ×1 is heaviness ×1 is the heaviness ×1
More options
grief — Broad, emotionally resonant; fits most contexts well.
sorrow — Modernizes KJV 'heaviness'; slightly more formal tone.
anguish — Stronger intensity; use for acute or deep suffering.
heartache — Warm, relatable; suits personal or familial contexts.
sadness — Milder and everyday; fits low-intensity or general uses.
distress — Emphasizes outward burden or trouble over inner feeling.

BDB3419 H8424

BDB3418 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3420

תּוּגָה noun feminine grief (poetry) — absolute ׳ת Ps 119:28; Prov 14:13; Prov 17:21 construct תּוּגַת Prov 10:1 — grief Ps 119:28; Prov 10:1 (opposed to יְשַׂמַּח), Prov 14:13 (opposed to שִׂמְחָה), Prov 17:21 (|| לֹא יִשְׂמַח).

heaviness, sorrow
tûgâ
depression (of spirits); concretely a grief
  • grief, heaviness, sorrow

ל ֑וֹ
ל
Preposition to, for
֑וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Preposition

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

וְ לֹֽא
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
לֹֽא
Particle not
Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: hath no
not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86
More options
not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.
no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.
never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.
nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.
neither — Use when negating two elements together.
none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

BDB4266 H3808

BDB4265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4267

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Köii. 1. 236 WalkerAJSL 1896, 237 ff.) — לוֺא, according to Masora (FrMM 248), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.p. 251), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
  a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
   (a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges«GKC:156»§ 156. 3 R. b, c Dr§ 162). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr§ 115, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges«GKC:109»§ 109. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
   (b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr§ 202. 2); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
   (c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָ˜בר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
   (d) standing alone:
   (a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
   (e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew§ 324 a Ges«GKC:150»§ 150. 1 Dr1Sam 11:12): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
  b. with adjectives and substantive:
   (a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
   (b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר
2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
   (c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew§ 320 c Dr§ 162): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
  a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
  b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
  c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
  d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), vb בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew§ 286 g Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, vb Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
  e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr§ 164), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Köii. 1. 236 f.
4. With prefixes: —
  a. בְּלֹא31 (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
   (a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
   (b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
   (c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.


  b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
   (a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.


  c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
  d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.


  e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see DePs 100. 3 FrMM 247 StrProl. Cr. 84), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

BDB4343 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4345

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 67); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K§ 67, 1 Dr§ 202, 2.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

not, no, neither, nor, none, …
lōʾ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
  • not, no
    • not (with verb—absolute prohibition)
      • "not (with modifier—negation)"nothing (subst)"without (with particle)"before (of time)

יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח
יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח
Root word rejoice, glad, rejoiced, joy, rejoiceth, …
Dictionary form: שָׂמַח · saw-MA

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: joy
rejoice ×21 and rejoice ×11 rejoiced ×10 shall rejoice ×7 be glad ×6 and be glad ×5 and thou shalt rejoice ×4 rejoiceth ×4
More options
rejoice — Modernized core rendering; fits most liturgical and narrative contexts.
be glad — Slightly warmer tone; suits relational or emotional contexts.
celebrate — Active, communal nuance; good for festival or worship settings.
delight — Inward, contemplative joy; fits wisdom or poetic passages.
exult — Intense, expressive joy; best for triumphant or climactic moments.
be joyful — Adjectival feel; suits commands or states of being.

BDB8257 H8055

BDB8256 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8258

שָׂמַח, שָׂמֵ֑ח154 verb rejoice, be glad (Late Hebrew id.; compare perhaps Assyrian šamâ—u, flourish, Arabic be high, proud; Punic proper name, feminine שמחת); —

Qal126 Perfect 3 masculine singular שָׂמַח Ps 16:9 וְשָׂמֵ֑חַ consecutive Prov 29:6 3 feminine singular שָׂמֵ֑חָה Esth 8:15 2 masculine singular וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֫ Deut 12:18 +; 3 masculine plural שָׂמֵ֑חוּ Neh 12:43, etc.; Imperfect יִשְׂמַח Isa 9:16 +, 3 masculine plural יִשְׂמָ֑חוּ Isa 65:13; Ps 69:33, 3 feminine plural תִּשְׂמַחְנָה 2Sam 1:20, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׂמַח Deut 33:18 +, feminine singular שִׂמְחִי Zeph 3:14 +, שְׂמָ֑חִי Joel 2:21, etc.; Infinitive construct שְׂמֹחַ Ezek 35:14 +, etc.; Participle see שָׂמֵחַ adjective; — 24 t. || גיל, less often || רָנַן, עָלַז, שִׂישׂ, etc.; —
1. in common life:
  a. rejoice, with ב person or of thing take pleasure in Judg 9:19 (twice in verse); Deut 33:18; Eccl 3:22 + 7 t. + (probably) בְּכָליָֿמֵינוּ Ps 90:14 (others ב temporal), compare Eccl 11:8 עַל person Isa 39:2 + || 2Kgs 20:13 (וישׂמח for ᵑ0 וישׁמע Vrss modern), עַל of thing Jonah 4:6; 2Chr 15:15 with temporal clause Jer 41:13 + 6 t. + (of heart) Prov 23:15, in one's heart Exod 4:14 (J); with כִּי because Isa 14:29 + 3 t.; with אֵת with Isa 66:10 with מִן person get pleasure from Prov 5:18 absolute 1Sam 11:9; Eccl 3:12; Prov 13:9 (figurative of prosperity; subject אוֺר; opposed to דָּעַךְ), + 8 t.; with ל of thing at Job 21:12.
  b. rejoice arrogantly, exult at, ל person, Mic 7:8; Isa 14:8; Obad 1:12; Ps 35:19; Ps 35:24; Ps 38:17, with אֶלֿ of thing Ezek 25:6, ב of thing Job 31:29; Ps 35:15; Prov 24:17 absolute Hos 9:1 (+ אֶלגִּֿיל), 2Sam 1:20 + 3 t., + (said of righteous by Eliphaz) Job 22:19.
2. a. rejoice religiously, with ב of thing 1Sam 2:1; Deut 12:7; Ps 21:2 + 7 t.; with ׳בי, etc., Joel 2:23; Ps 32:11 + 10 t. Psalms + Ps 9:3 (+ אֶעֶלְצָה בָ֑ךְ); with עַל of thing 2Chr 29:36, עַל infinitive 1Chr 29:9 a; with לְמַעַן of thing Ps 48:12 with כִּי because Ps 119:74 absolute Zech 2:14; Zech 4:10; Joel 2:21; 1Chr 29:9b (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb), 1Chr 16:31 (of heavens) = Ps 96:11; Ps 97:1 (isles) + 18 t. (12 t. Psalms), + (of heart) Zech 10:7 a Ps 16:9; 1Chr 16:10, בְּכָללֵֿב Zeph 3:14 (compare Exod 4:14 1 a above); with ׳לִפְנֵי י Isa 9:2 and (of joyous feasting etc., at sanctuary) Lev 23:40 (H), Deut 12:12; Deut 12:18; Deut 16:11; Deut 27:7, compare Deut 14:26; 1Sam 11:15.
  b. subject ׳י, with עַל person Isa 9:16 (|| רחם; PerlesRÉJ xxxiv. 63 be gentle, Arabic ), ב of thing Ps 104:31. Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular וְשִׂמַּח consecutive Deut 24:5, suffix שִׁמְּחָהוּ Jer 20:15, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְשַׂמַּח Ps 104:15 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שַׂמֵּחַ Ps 86:4, שַׂמַּח Prov 27:11, etc.; Infinitive absolute שַׂמֵּחַ Jer 20:15 Participle מְשַׂמֵּחַ Judg 9:13, plural construct מְשַׂמְּחֵי Ps 19:9 — cause to rejoice, gladden, with accusative of person (or equivalent ), subject person Deut 24:5; Jer 20:15 (+ Infinitive absolute), Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20; Prov 27:11; Prov 29:3 (Hos 7:3 see משׁח 2); especially subject ׳י (God) Jer 31:13 (with מִן separ.) Isa 56:7; 2Chr 20:27 (with מִן of source, see Qal 1 a), Ezra 6:22; Neh 12:43 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb) Ps 86:4; Ps 90:15; Ps 92:5 (ב instrumental), also, with ל person cause to exult at Ps 30:2, id. with עַל person Lam 2:17 subject of thing Judg 9:13; Ps 19:9; Ps 45:9; Ps 46:5; Ps 104:15; Eccl 10:19; Prov 12:25; Prov 15:30; Prov 27:9. Hiph`il = Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine singular הִשְׂמַחְתָּ Ps 89:43 (subject ׳י).

rejoice, glad, rejoiced, joy, rejoiceth, …
śāmaḥ
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
  • to rejoice, be glad
    • (Qal)
      • to rejoice
        • "to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)"to rejoice (religiously)
      (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad"(Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad

אֲבִ֣י
אֲבִ֣י
Root word fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
Dictionary form: אָב · awb

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

In the KJV here: and the father
his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30
More options
father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.
ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.
forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.
patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.
family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.
founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

BDB16 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB18

אָב1191 noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CISiv, 1, 37 1. 2 and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).
2. of God as father of his people (see RSSem 42), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)
3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.
4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.
5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.
6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).
7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue BrMP).
8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.
9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew§ 273 b) see also EwGeschichte. i. 524. H i. 365. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see CheEncy. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITH Nöib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
ʾāb
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • father of an individual
    • "of God as father of his people"head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan"ancestor
    • grandfather, forefathers (of a person)
      • "of people
    originator or patron of a class, profession, or art"of producer, generator (figuratively)"of benevolence and protection (figuratively)"term of respect and honor"ruler or chief (specifically)

נָבָֽל
נָבָֽל
Root word fool, foolish, fools, person, women, …
Dictionary form: נָבָל · naw-BAWL

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of a fool
a fool ×2 the fool ×2 the vile person ×2 and a fool ×1 and that the foolish ×1 as a fool ×1 o foolish ×1 of a fool ×1
More options
fool — Most direct equivalent; suits most narrative and poetic contexts.
scoundrel — Highlights moral depravity, not just lack of wisdom.
senseless person — Emphasizes lack of moral perception or judgment.
vile person — Stresses contemptible character; fits strong condemnation contexts.
despicable person — Contemporary register for social/moral disgrace.
shameless one — Captures the disgrace and dishonor dimension of the lemma.

BDB4951 H5036

BDB4950 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4952

I. נָבָל adjective foolish, senseless, especially of the man who has no perception of ethical and religious claims, and with collateral idea of ignoble, disgraceful; — absolute ׳נ 2Sam 3:33 + 14 t.; masculine plural נְבָלִים 2Sam 13:13; Ezek 13:3 (ᵐ5 Co מִלִּבָּם); feminine plural נְבָלוֺת Job 2:10 — senseless, especially of religious and moral insensibility: ׳עַם נ Deut 32:6 (of Israel, unappreciative of J.'s benefits; opposed to חָכָם), so of heathen nation Ps 74:18 (blaspheming name of ׳י), ׳גּוֺי נ Deut 32:21 (|| לֹא עָם); ׳הַנְּבִאִים הַנּ Ezek 13:3 (si vera lectio, see above); elsewhere as substantive (impious and presumptuous) fool, Isa 32:5 (opposed to נָדִיב noble-minded), characterized as at once irreligious and churlish, vIsa 32:6 denying God Ps 14:1 = Ps 53:2 insulting God Ps 74:22, and God's servant Ps 39:9; Prov 17:7 arrogant speech becometh not the (impious and presumptuous) fool (whose faults it only makes the more conspicuous), much less do lying lips him that this is noble (נדיב), vProv 17:21 (|| כְּסִיל), Prov 30:22 ונבל כי ישׂבע לחם (one of the things under which the earth trembles), בְּנֵי נָבָל Job 30:8 i.e. ignoble men (|| בְּנֵי בְלִישֵֿׁם); as one who might be expected to have a contumelious end, ימות אבנר ׳הַכְּמוֺת נ 2Sam 3:33 was Abner (destined) to die, as a ׳נ dieth ? of the man who amasses riches unjustly ובאחריתו יהיה נבל Jer 17:11 i.e. will prove himself to be a ׳נ; as acting immorally (with collateral idea of disgracefully) 2Sam 13:13 ואתה תהיה כְּאַחַד הַנְּבָלִים בישׂראל (compare נְבָלָה); feminine only in כְּדַבֵּר אַחַת הַנְּבָלוֺת Job 2:10 (of Job's wife). compare DrDeut 22:21. 32, 6. 15.21; Psalt. 457.

fool, foolish, fools, person, women, …
nābāl
stupid; wicked (especially impious)
  • foolish, senseless, fool

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.
יֹלֵ֣ד כְּ֭סִיל Dechi — a lesser break לְת֣וּגָה ל֑וֹ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְלֹֽא יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח Revia Mugrash — a lesser break אֲבִ֣י נָבָֽל Silluq — end of the verse

יֹלֵד כְּסִיל לְתוּגָה לוֹ וְלֹֽא-יִשְׂמַח אֲבִי נָבָֽל׃
21
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Cross References

Proverbs 10:1

מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה בֵּן חָכָם יְשַׂמַּח-אָב וּבֵן כְּסִיל תּוּגַת אִמּֽוֹ׃
1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 19:13

הַוֹּת לְאָבִיו בֵּן כְּסִיל וְדֶלֶף טֹרֵד מִדְיְנֵי אִשָּֽׁה׃
13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Genesis 26:34

וַיְהִי עֵשָׂו בֶּן-אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה וַיִּקַּח אִשָּׁה אֶת-יְהוּדִית בַּת-בְּאֵרִי הַֽחִתִּי וְאֶת-בָּשְׂמַת בַּת-אֵילֹן הַֽחִתִּֽי׃
34
And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

1 Samuel 2:32

וְהִבַּטְתָּ צַר מָעוֹן בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר-יֵיטִיב אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹֽא-יִהְיֶה זָקֵן בְּבֵֽיתְךָ כָּל-הַיָּמִֽים׃
32
And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

Proverbs 15:20

בֵּן חָכָם יְשַׂמַּח-אָב וּכְסִיל אָדָם בּוֹזֶה אִמּֽוֹ׃
20
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 17:25

כַּעַס לְאָבִיו בֵּן כְּסִיל וּמֶמֶר לְיוֹלַדְתּֽוֹ׃
25
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Proverbs 23:15

בְּנִי אִם-חָכַם לִבֶּךָ יִשְׂמַח לִבִּי גַם-אָֽנִי׃
15
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

2 Corinthians 2:3

καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν τοῦτο αὐτὸ ἵνα μὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην ἔχω ἀφ' ὧν ἔδει με χαίρειν πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐστιν
3
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

Philemon 1:19

ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί ἐγὼ ἀποτίσω· ἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι ὅτι καὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις
19
I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest besides. unto me even thine own self

2 Samuel 18:33

וַיִּרְגַּז הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּעַל עַל-עֲלִיַּת הַשַּׁעַר וַיֵּבְךְּ וְכֹה׀ אָמַר בְּלֶכְתּוֹ בְּנִי אַבְשָׁלוֹם בְּנִי בְנִי אַבְשָׁלוֹם מִֽי-יִתֵּן מוּתִי אֲנִי תַחְתֶּיךָ אַבְשָׁלוֹם בְּנִי בְנִֽי׃
33
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

3 John 1:4

μειζοτέραν τούτων οὐκ ἔχω χαράν ἵνα ἀκούω τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα
4
I have no greater joy than to that hear my children walk in truth.

1 Samuel 8:3

וְלֹֽא-הָלְכוּ בָנָיו ‫(בדרכו)‬ בִּדְרָכָיו וַיִּטּוּ אַֽחֲרֵי הַבָּצַע וַיִּקְחוּ-שֹׁחַד וַיַּטּוּ מִשְׁפָּֽט׃
3
And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Proverbs 17:20
Read Proverbs 17
Proverbs 17:22