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.

Connections

Proverbs 10:1

מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה בֵּן חָכָם יְשַׂמַּח-אָב וּבֵן כְּסִיל תּוּגַת אִמּֽוֹ׃

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׃

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׃

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׃

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׃

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 17:25

כַּעַס לְאָבִיו בֵּן כְּסִיל וּמֶמֶר לְיוֹלַדְתּֽוֹ׃

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׃

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

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

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׃

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

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׃

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

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Proverbs 17:21

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Niqqud

Cantillation

Masoretic Phrasing

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

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Word Parts

יֹלֵ֣ד

Root word begat, bare, born, forth, bear, …

Dictionary form: יָלַד · yaw-LAHD

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqrmsa

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

יֹלֵד

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3542 H3205

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

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 (Kö^{i. 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 יֵלְדוּ 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 (Kö^{i, 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. (Kö^{i. 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 (Sta^{ZAW 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 הִוָּלְדָהּ 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 הִוָָּֽלְדוֺ׃); 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 Kö^{i. 433}; Ges^{«GKC:52»§ 52}, 2, R. 6) הַיוּלָּד Judg 13:8 (Bö^{ii. 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).

Strong's Definition H3205

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

to cause or help to bring forth

to beget (a child)

Variations 147 forms of this word

Translations 173 English renderings

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Word Parts

כְּ֭סִיל

Root word fool, fools, foolish

Dictionary form: כְּסִיל · keh-SEEL

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Aamsa

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

כְּסִיל

Speech Adjective Type Adjective Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4120 H3684

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.

Strong's Definition H3684

fool, fools, foolish

kĕsîl

properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Variations 17 forms of this word

Translations 29 English renderings

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Word Parts

לְ ת֣וּגָה

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

ת֣וּגָה

Root word heaviness, sorrow

Dictionary form: תּוּגָה · too-ɡAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

לְ	Speech Preposition
תוּגָה	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3419 H8424

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).

Strong's Definition H8424

heaviness, sorrow

tûgâ

depression (of spirits); concretely a grief

grief, heaviness, sorrow

Variations 4 forms of this word

Translations 4 English renderings

Word Parts

ל ֑וֹ

Preposition to, for

֑וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3ms

Preposition

ל	Speech Preposition
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

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

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Word Parts

וְ לֹֽא

וְ

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

לֹֽא

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Tn

Particle — Negative

וְ	Speech Conjunction
לֹֽא	Speech Particle Type Negative

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4266 H3808

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236} Walker^{AJSL 1896, 237 ff.}) — לוֺא, according to Masora (Fr^{MM 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 לְהַָבר׃ 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 Dr^{1Sam 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), v^b 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, v^b 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 Kö^{ii. 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 De^{Ps 100. 3} Fr^{MM 247} Str^{Prol. 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

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

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb³⁰¹ Cook^{G1. 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, D^{Aramaic Dialektproben, p. 1}). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. 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.

Strong's Definition H3808

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)

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 881 English renderings

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Word Parts

יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח

Root word rejoice, glad, rejoiced, joy, rejoiceth, …

Dictionary form: שָׂמַח · saw-MA

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqi3ms

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)"

יִשְׂמַח

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8257 H8055

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; Perles^{RÉJ 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).

Strong's Definition H8055

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

Variations 73 forms of this word

Translations 74 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אֲבִ֣י

Root word fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …

Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsc

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

אֲבִי

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB17 H1

אָב₁₁₉₁ noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CIS^{iv, 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 RS^{Sem 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 Br^MP).

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 Ew^{Geschichte. i. 524. H i. 365}. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see Che^{Ency. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITH} Nö^{ib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45}.

Strong's Definition H1

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …

ʾāb

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

father of an individual

grandfather, forefathers (of a person)

Variations 179 forms of this word

Translations 228 English renderings

Father

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Word Parts

נָבָֽל

Root word fool, foolish, fools, person, women, …

Dictionary form: נָבָל · naw-BAWL

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Aamsa

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

נָבָֽל

Speech Adjective Type Adjective Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4951 H5036

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 Dr^{Deut 22:21. 32, 6. 15.21}; Psalt. 457.

Strong's Definition H5036

fool, foolish, fools, person, women, …

nābāl

stupid; wicked (especially impious)

foolish, senseless, fool

Variations 6 forms of this word

Translations 15 English renderings

Proverbs 17:20

Read Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:22