Proverbs 20:29

תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת בַּחוּרִ֣ים כֹּחָ֑ם וַהֲדַ֖ר זְקֵנִ֣ים שֵׂיבָֽה
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
Connections

1 John 2:14

ἔγραψα ὑμῖν πατέρες ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν ἀπ' ἀρχῆς ἔγραψα ὑμῖν νεανίσκοι ὅτι ἰσχυροί ἐστε καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν μένει καὶ νενικήκατε τὸν πονηρόν
14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Proverbs 16:31

עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת שֵׂיבָה בְּדֶרֶךְ צְדָקָה תִּמָּצֵֽא׃
31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Leviticus 19:32

מִפְּנֵי שֵׂיבָה תָּקוּם וְהָֽדַרְתָּ פְּנֵי זָקֵן וְיָרֵאתָ מֵּֽאֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲנִי יְהוָֽה׃
32
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23

כֹּה׀ אָמַר יְהוָה אַל-יִתְהַלֵּל חָכָם בְּחָכְמָתוֹ וְאַל-יִתְהַלֵּל הַגִּבּוֹר בִּגְבֽוּרָתוֹ אַל-יִתְהַלֵּל עָשִׁיר בְּעָשְׁרֽוֹ׃
23
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
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Proverbs 20:29
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.
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת בַּחוּרִ֣ים כֹּחָ֑ם Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַהֲדַ֖ר זְקֵנִ֣ים שֵׂיבָֽה Silluq — end of the verse
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Word Parts
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת
Root word glory, beauty, beautiful, honour, fair, …
Dictionary form: תִּפְאָרָה · tip-aw-RAW
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncfsc
Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
תִּפְאֶרֶת Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Construct
In English
In the KJV here: the glory
and the glory ×3 of glory ×3 the glory ×3 thy fair ×3 and for beauty ×2 beauty ×2 the beauty ×2 according to the beauty ×1
More options
glory — Broadest fit; suits divine or royal contexts.
splendor — Vivid, elevated tone; ideal for majestic imagery.
beauty — Emphasizes visual or aesthetic appeal.
honor — Relational nuance; suitable for human dignity contexts.
majesty — Stresses grandeur and awe-inspiring quality.
excellence — Functional register; highlights surpassing quality.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6506 H8597

BDB6505 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6507

תִּפְאָרָה noun feminine beauty, glory; — ׳תּ Isa 28:5; Jer 48:17 elsewhere absolute and construct תִּפְאֶרֶת Isa 3:18 + 20 t.; תִּפְאָ֑רֶת Prov 28:12 + 6 t.; suffix תִּפְאַרְתִּי Isa 46:13 + 20 t. suffix; —

1. beauty, finery Isa 3:18 of garments Isa 52:1 jewels Ezek 16:17; Ezek 16:39; Ezek 23:26, compare 2Chr 3:6 flock Jer 13:20 a man Isa 44:13 city of Samaria Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 diadem vIsa 28:5.
2. glory:
  a. of rank: apparel of high priest Exod 28:2; Exod 28:40 (P); ׳עֲטֶרֶת ת crown of glory Prov 4:9; Prov 16:31; Isa 62:3; Jer 13:18; Ezek 16:12; Ezek 23:42 greatness of monarch Esth 1:4 house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem Zech 12:7 (twice in verse).
  b. of renown ׳לְשֵׁם ולת Deut 26:19; 1Chr 22:5; Jer 13:11; Jer 33:9.
  c. attribute of ׳י Ps 71:8; 1Chr 29:11 ׳שֵׁם ת Isa 63:14; 1Chr 29:13 עֹז ׳ת Ps 89:18 ׳זְרוֺעַ ת Isa 63:12 hence ׳ת in ׳י's sanctuary Ps 96:6, ׳בֵּית תִּפְאַרְתִּ Isa 60:7 compare Isa 63:15 (of heavenly temple), Isa 64:10 ׳ת as ׳י's gift to Israel Isa 46:13 compare Isa 60:19 (also Ps 89:18 above); of future fruit of land Ps 4:2 designation of ark of ׳י Ps 78:61.
3. a. honour of nation Israel Lam 2:1.
  b. glorying, boasting, of individual, Isa 20:5; Prov 17:6; Prov 19:11; Prov 20:29; Prov 28:12 warrior Judg 4:9 monarchs Isa 10:12 nations Isa 13:19; Ezek 24:25, ׳מַקֵּל ת rod (sceptre) of glorying Jer 48:17 (others 1).

Strong's Definition H8597
glory, beauty, beautiful, honour, fair, …
tipʾārâ
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
  • beauty, splendor, glory
    • beauty, finery (of garments, jewels)
      • "glory
      • of rank, renown
        • "as attribute of God
      honor (or nation Israel)"glorying, boasting (of individual)
Variations 30 forms of this word
Translations 40 English renderings
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Word Parts
בַּחוּרִ֣ים
בַּחוּרִ֣ים
Root word men, man, chosen, young
Dictionary form: בָּחוּר · baw-HOOR
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmpa
Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"
בַּחוּרִים Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: of young men
young men ×7 the young men ×3 their young men ×3 and my young men ×2 and the young men ×2 both young men ×2 her young men ×2 of young men ×2
More options
young man — Core meaning; singular base form, broadly applicable.
youth — Slightly more literary; emphasizes age over gender.
young adult — Modern, inclusive-register; stresses transitional life stage.
bachelor — Highlights unmarried status implied in some contexts.
able-bodied man — Emphasizes vigor or military fitness in warrior contexts.
chosen one — Foregrounds the 'selected/elite' nuance of the root בחר.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1006 H970

BDB1005 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1007

בָּחוּר noun masculine young man Isa 62:5 + 7 t.; plural בַּחוּרִים (intensive with daghesh forte implicit) Prov 20:29 + 13 t.; construct בַּחוּרֵי Ezek 23:6 + 4 t.; suffix בַּחוּרַי etc. Lam 1:18 + 16 t.; — young man (choice, in the prime of manhood) 1Sam 9:2; Eccl 11:9; Isa 62:5 collective young men Jer 15:8 בָּחוּר וּבְתוּלָה young men and virgins Deut 32:25; 2Chr 36:17; Jer 51:22; Ezek 9:6 usually plural Judg 14:10; Ruth 3:10; 1Sam 8:16; 2Kgs 8:12; 2Chr 36:17; Prov 20:29; Isa 9:17; Isa 31:8; Isa 40:30; Jer 9:20; Jer 11:22; Jer 18:21; Jer 48:15; Jer 49:26; Jer 50:3; Jer 51:3; Jer 5:13; Jer 5:14; Jer 30:17; Joel 3:1; Amos 2:11; Amos 4:10 || בתולות Ps 78:63; Ps 148:12; Isa 23:4; Jer 31:13; Lam 1:18; Lam 2:21; Amos 8:13; Zech 9:17.

Strong's Definition H970
men, man, chosen, young
bāḥûr
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
  • youth, young man
Variations 26 forms of this word
Translations 29 English renderings
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Word Parts
כֹּחָ ֑ם
כֹּחָ
Root word strength, power, might, force, ability, …
֑ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: כֹּחַ · KOH-ah
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmsc/Sp3mp
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
כֹּחָ Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
ם Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural
In English
In the KJV here: is their strength
power ×19 strength ×15 my strength ×5 in power ×4 by his power ×3 his strength ×3 in strength ×3 my power ×3
More options
strength — Best default; physical or inner capacity to act.
power — Modernizes KJV; broad usage, authority or force implied.
might — Emphasizes intensity; suits poetic or elevated contexts.
ability — Prefer when skill or capability, not brute force, is meant.
energy — Suits contexts of vitality, stamina, or bodily vigor.
resources — Good when כֹּחַ refers to wealth or material substance.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3986 H3581

BDB3985 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3987

I. כֹּחַ noun [masculine] a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lev 11:30 ᵐ5 ᵑ9 AV chameleon; on various opinions see Di.

BDB3987 H3581

BDB3986 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3988

II. כֹּחַ see below כחח.

BDB3990 H3581

BDB3989 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3991

II. כֹּחַ and ( Dan 11:6) כּוֺחַ noun masculineDeut 4:37 strength, power (Late Hebrew id.); — ׳כ absolute Deut 8:18 +; construct Num 14:17 +; suffix כֹּחִי Gen 31:6 +; כֹּחֲךָ Judg 16:6 +, כֹּחֶ֑ךָ Prov 5:10, כֹּחֶ֑כָה Prov 24:10, etc.; always singular; —

1. human strength:
  a. physical, of Samson Judg 16:5; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:9; Judg 16:15; Judg 16:17; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:30 strength in toil Isa 44:12 (זְרוֺעַ כֹּחוֺ), vIsa 44:12; Lev 26:20; Neh 4:4 of manly vigour (in procreation) אַתָּה כֹּחִי וְרֵאשִׁית אוֺנִי Gen 49:3 (poem in J; said to Reuben); vigour in general Josh 14:11 (twice in verse) (JE), Judg 6:14; 1Sam 28:22; Job 6:11; Job 6:12; Ps 31:11; Ps 38:11; Ps 71:9; Ps 102:24; Prov 20:29 as sustained by food 1Kgs 19:8 lack of such vigour is לֹאכֹֿחַ Job 26:2, compare מִכֹּחַ Jer 48:45 without strength; ׳בְּלֹאכֿ Lam 1:6 ׳יְגִיעֵיכֿ Job 3:17 כֹּחַ לֹאהָֿיָה בוֺ 1Sam 28:20, compare Dan 10:8; Dan 10:17 in Ps 22:16 read חִכִּי, so Ew Ol Che and others; specifically of power of voice Isa 40:9.
  b. more inclusively, ability, efficiency: followed by infinitive, ability to weep 1Sam 30:4 to get wealth Deut 8:18 to bring forth (a child; in figure) 2Kgs 19:3 = Isa 37:3 followed by לַעֲמֹד Dan 1:4; Ezra 10:13, compare Dan 11:15 without infinitive 1Chr 29:2; Ezra 2:69 of efficiency in battle 2Chr 14:10; 2Chr 20:12; 2Chr 26:13 for porter's service in temple אִישׁחַֿיִל בַּכֹּחַ לַעֲבֹדָה 1Chr 26:8 ability or efficiency in general Gen 31:6; Prov 24:5; Prov 24:10; Eccl 4:1; Eccl 9:10, so probably כֹּחַ יְדֵיהֶם Job 30:2 עָצַר כֹּחַ (late, compare עצר) retain ability or strength, followed by infinitive; לְהִתְנַדֵּב ׳נַעְצֹר כ 1Chr 29:14 that we should retain (have) ability to make freewill-oferings; to build 2Chr 2:5 with negative, without infinitive, Dan 10:8; Dan 10:16 (compare Dan 11:6, c).
  c. power of a people, or king, Josh 17:17; Nah 2:2; Hab 1:11; Isa 49:4 (of servant of ׳י), Lam 1:14; Dan 8:22; Dan 8:24 a, also vDan 8:24 b (si vera lectio, see Bev), Dan 11:25 (|| לֵבָב); with עָצַר 2Chr 13:20; 2Chr 22:9; Dan 11:6 (הַזְּרוֺעַ ׳לֹא תַעְצֹר כ, compare b); in Hos 7:9 figurative of body seems combined with that of land yielding produce (see 5 below)
  d. power opposed to that of God Amos 2:14; Isa 10:13 (יָדִי ׳כ), Deut 8:17; 1Sam 2:9; Zech 4:6; Job 36:19; Ps 33:16.
  e. power conferred by God Isa 40:29, compare vIsa 40:31; Isa 41:1 of prophetic power Mic 3:8.
2. strength of angels Ps 103:20.
3. power of God: in creation Jer 10:12; Jer 51:15 (see also Jer 32:17 below), Ps 65:7 in governing the world 1Chr 29:12; 2Chr 20:6; Ps 29:4 in acts of deliverance and judgment Exod 9:16; Exod 15:6; Exod 32:11; Num 14:13; Num 14:17 (JE), Isa 50:2; 2Chr 25:8; Job 9:19; Job 24:22; Job 26:12; Job 30:18; Job 36:22 in combination כֹּחַ גָּדוֺל Deut 4:37 || יָד חֲזָקָה Exod 32:11(JE), Neh 1:10 || זְרוֺעַ נְטוּיָה Deut 9:29; 2Kgs 17:36; Jer 27:5; Jer 32:17 he is רַבכֹּֿחַ Ps 147:5 compare רֹב כֹּחוֺ Isa 63:1; Job 23:6 also גדולכֹּֿחַ Nah 1:3 אַמִּיץ כֹּחַ Isa 40:26; Job 9:4, שַׂגִּיאכֹֿחַ Job 37:23 כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו Ps 111:6 the power of his works; בַּכֹּחַ ׳קוֺל י Ps 29:4 (of thunder); specifically of his wisdom (rather peculiarly, Elihu) כַּבִּיר כֹּחַ לֵב Job 36:5 mighty in strength of mind.
4. of animals: wild ox Job 39:11, horse vJob 39:21, hippopotamus Job 40:16, bullock Prov 14:4 he-goat Dan 8:6 ram vDan 8:7.
5. strength, of soil i.e. produce, Gen 4:12 (J), Job 31:30 (Hos 7:9 see
1. c above); = wealth (compare חַילִ) Prov 5:10; Job 6:22.

Strong's Definition H3581
strength, power, might, force, ability, …
kōaḥ
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
  • strength, power, might
    • human strength
      • "strength (of angels)"power (of God)"strength (of animals)"strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
    a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
    • perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Variations 39 forms of this word
Translations 69 English renderings
Power Strength
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Word Parts
וַ הֲדַ֖ר
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הֲדַ֖ר
Root word glory, majesty, honour, beauty, comeliness, …
Dictionary form: הָדָר · haw-DAWR
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Ncmsc
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
וַ Speech Conjunction
הֲדַר Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
In English
In the KJV here: and the beauty
and for the glory ×3 and honour ×3 and majesty ×3 honour ×2 and beauty ×1 and glorious ×1 and in thy majesty ×1 and the beauty ×1
More options
majesty — Best for royal or divine grandeur contexts.
splendor — Vivid, contemporary; suits radiant, awe-inspiring beauty.
glory — Broad theological use; reflects weighty divine honor.
magnificence — Emphasizes impressive grandeur; slightly formal register.
beauty — Use when aesthetic or visual loveliness is primary.
honor — Prefer when social dignity or esteem is in view.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2079 H1926

BDB2078 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2080

הָדָר noun masculine Ps 149:9 ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly in poetry) — absolute ׳ה Deut 33:17 + 12 t.; construct הֲדַר Isa 2:10 + 7 t.; suffix הֲדָרִי Mic 2:9 (but compare below) Ezek 16:14 הֲדָֽרְךָ Ps 45:5; Ps 90:16 הֲדָרֶ֑ךָ Ps 45:4 הֲדָרֵךְ Ezek 27:10 הֲדָרָהּ Isa 5:14; Lam 1:6 plural construct הַדְרֵי Ps 110:3 (but read probably הדדי so Symm Jerome editions; O1 Hup Gr Bi Che); —

1. ornament Prov 20:29 (grey hair, for old men; || תִּפְאֶרֶת), Ezek 16:14 (figurative of ornaments of Jerusalem as bride of ׳י); פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר Lev 23:40 (H) i.e. fruit of goodly (ornamental, beautiful) trees, so AV RV & most, or goodly tree-fruit, ᵐ5 καρπόν ξύλου ὡραῖον, so Di; — here would come also בהדרי קדשׁ Ps 110:3, reference to sacred, festal garments, according to Thes and others compare RVm; but read probably on the holy mountains, see above
2. splendour, majesty Deut 33:17 of Ephraim under figure of a noble bull (compare Di); of Jerusalem Isa 5:14 compare Lam 1:6 of Carmel Isa 35:2 (|| כָּבוֺד); of majesty & dignity conferred by ׳י on man Ps 8:6 (|| כָּבוֺד), on king Ps 21:6 (|| id., הוֺד), compare Ps 45:4 (|| הוֺד) & vPs 45:5 (but text perhaps erroneous Checritical note.); denied of suffering servant of ׳י Isa 53:2 (|| תֹּאַר); of dignity of good & capable woman (אֵשֶׁת חַיִל) Prov 31:25 (|| עֹז); of splendour due to warlike equipment Ezek 27:10 especially of majesty of ׳י 1Chr 16:27 = Ps 96:6, compare Job 40:10; Ps 111:3 (all || הוֺד); also Ps 104:1 (|| id., under figure of garment); further Ps 29:4 (|| כֹּחַ), Ps 90:16 (|| פֹּעַל); in combination הֲדַר כְּבוֺד הוֺדְךָ Ps 145:5 ׳כְּבוֺד ה vPs 145:12 הֲדַר גְּאֹנוֺ Isa 2:10; Isa 2:19; Isa 2:21.
3. honour, glory Ps 149:9 for saints of ׳י; compare Mic 2:9 of ׳י's glory as possession of his people, lost by exile & slavery: but perhaps text error; HoffmZAW 1882, 103 proposes הַדְּרוֺר, from their children ye take freedom (yet מֵעַל then hardly suitable).

Strong's Definition H1926
glory, majesty, honour, beauty, comeliness, …
hādār
magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor
  • ornament, splendor, honor
    • ornament
      • "splendor, majesty"honor, glory
Variations 14 forms of this word
Translations 23 English renderings
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Word Parts
זְקֵנִ֣ים
זְקֵנִ֣ים
Root word elders, old, men, ancients, man, …
Dictionary form: זָקֵן · dzaw-KANE
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Aampa
Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"
זְקֵנִים Speech Adjective Type Adjective Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: of old men
the elders ×40 and the elders ×24 of the elders ×15 the elders of ×11 an old man ×4 and the old ×4 old ×4 unto the elders ×4
More options
elder — Best for community/tribal/civic leaders and councils.
old man — Informal; emphasizes age over social role.
senior — Neutral, modern; suits leadership or age contexts equally.
ancient — Use for poetic or prophetic passages with archaic tone.
aged man — Slightly formal; highlights advanced age with dignity.
village leader — Contextual paraphrase when civic authority is central.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2434 H2205

BDB2433 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2435

זָקֵן adjective old, absolute ׳ז Gen 19:4 + 30 t. (on distinction from verb see above); construct זְקַן Gen 24:2 plural זְקֵנִים Gen 18:11 + 44 t.; זְקֵנוֺת Zech 8:4 construct זִקְנֵי Gen 50:7 + 85 t.; suffix זְקֵנַי Lam 1:19, זְקֵנֶיךָ Deut 21:2; Deut 32:7, זְקֵנָיו Josh 8:33 + 3 t., זְקֵנֶיהָ Judg 8:14, זְקֵנֵינוּ Exod 10:9; Josh 9:11, זִקְנֵיכֶם Deut 5:20 + 2 t.; —

1. old, of human beings, as adjective predicate Gen 18:11 (J), Job 32:4 (מִמֶּנּוּ לְיָמִים ׳ז, in comparison), or attributive אָב זָקֵן Gen 44:20 (J), ׳אִישׁ ז Judg 19:16; Judg 19:17; Judg 19:20; Judg 19:22, ׳נָבִיא ז 1Kgs 13:11; 1Kgs 13:25; 1Kgs 13:29, ׳מֶלֶךְ ז Eccl 4:13 probably also וּשְׂבַע ימים ׳ז Gen 35:29 (P), Job 42:17 and Gen 25:8 (P) according to ᵐ5 Sam Di; compare also Ezra 3:12.
2. usually as substantive:
  a. old man (or woman),
  b. elder;
  a. old man Gen 43:27 (J), Lev 19:32 (H), Deut 28:50; Deut 32:7 (|| אָב), 1Sam 2:31; 1Sam 2:32; 1Sam 28:14; Isa 47:6; Job 12:20; Job 32:9; Prov 17:6; Prov 20:29; Ps 119:100; Joel 1:2 old men and old women Zech 8:4 (twice in verse); compare זְקַן בֵּיתוֺ Gen 24:2 (J), זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֺ 2Sam 12:17 especially opposed to נַעַר Exod 10:9 (E), Isa 3:5; Isa 20:4; Jer 51:22; Lam 2:21; Ps 148:12, and in phrase מִנַּעַר וְעַד זָקֵן Gen 19:4 (J), Josh 6:21 (JE), Esth 3:13 opposed to ילדים 1Kgs 12:6; 1Kgs 12:8; 1Kgs 12:13 = 2Chr 10:6; 2Chr 10:8; 2Chr 10:13 opposed to בַּחוּרִים Jer 31:13; Ezek 9:6; Joel 3:1, compare 2Chr 36:17 (+ יָשֵׁשׁ) and Jer 6:11 (+ מְלֵא ימים); opposed to עוּל ימים Isa 65:20 opposed to יונקי שׁדים and עוללים Joel 2:16.
  b. usually plural elders, as having authority, term techn. (100 t. +); elders of a people, especially Israel Exod 3:16; Exod 3:18; Exod 12:21 (all J), Exod 17:5; Exod 17:6; Exod 18:12; Exod 19:7; Exod 24:1; Exod 24:9; Exod 24:14; Josh 24:1 (all E), Num 11:16 (twice in verse) (שֹׁטְרָיו), vNum 11:24 vNum 11:25 vNum 11:30; Num 16:25; Josh 7:6; Josh 8:10; Josh 9:11 (all J E), Deut 5:20 (|| רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם), Deut 27:1; Deut 29:9 (|| ראשׁי שׁבטיכם, שֹׁטְרֵיכֶם), Deut 31:9; Deut 31:28; Josh 8:33 (|| שֹׁטְרִים וְשֹׁפְטָיו), Josh 23:2 (|| רָאשׁיו, שֹׁפְטָיו, שֹׁטְרָיו); compare also probably Josh 24:31 = Judg 2:7 (all D); Lev 9:1, compare זִקְנֵי הָעֵדָה Lev 4:15 ( both P), Judg 21:16 see also 1Sam 4:3; 1Sam 8:4; 1Sam 15:30; 2Sam 3:17; 2Sam 5:3 = 1Chr 11:3; 2Sam 17:4; 2Sam 17:15; 1Kgs 8:1; 1Kgs 8:3 = 2Chr 5:2; 2Chr 5:4, also 1Chr 15:25; 1Chr 21:16 compare Isa 3:2 (גִּבּוֺר וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה ׳שׁוֺפֵט וְנָבִיא וְקֹסֵם וְז), Isa 9:14 (|| נְשׂוּאפָֿנִים, but see probably gloss, compare Ew Che Di Du and others); elders of one tribe (Judah) 1Sam 30:26; 2Sam 19:12, so of Gilead Judg 11:5; Judg 11:7; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:10; Judg 11:11 after the division of the kingdoms, of Northern Israel זקני הארץ 1Kgs 20:7 compare v1Kgs 20:8, also 2Kgs 6:32 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:1 (|| שָׂרִים etc.) compare v2Kgs 10:5 under Josiah זקני יְהוּדָה 2Kgs 23:1 = 2Chr 34:29 see also הארץ ׳ז Jer 26:17, compare זקני ארץ Prov 31:23, compare Lam 1:19; Lam 2:10; Lam 4:16; Lam 5:12; Lam 5:14 (|| שׂרים; + שַׁעַר); often in Ezek.: Ezek 7:26 (|| כהן), of Judah Ezek 8:1, of Israel Ezek 8:11; Ezek 8:12; Ezek 14:1; Ezek 20:1; Ezek 20:3, also Ezek 9:6 (but strike out Co). Exilic הַגּוֺלָה ׳ז Jer 29:1 (|| הכהנים, הנביאים); post-exile Ezra 10:8 (|| שׂרים), possibly also Joel 1:14 elders of ׳י Isa 24:23 (compare Exod 24:1; Exod 24:9), זִקְנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים 2Kgs 19:2 = Isa 37:2, so Jer 19:1 (|| זקני העם); of other peoples, Midian Num 22:4; Num 22:7, Moab vNum 22:7 (all E), Egypt Ps 105:22 (|| שׂרים); of Gebal Ezek 27:9 elders of a city, especially as sitting in the gate to judge Deut 19:12; Deut 21:2 (+ שֹׁפְטֶיךָ) vDeut 21:3 vDeut 21:4 vDeut 21:6 vDeut 21:19 (+ שַׁעַרמְֿקֹמוֺ), vDeut 21:20; Deut 22:15 (+ הַשָּׁ֑עְרָה), vDeut 22:16 vDeut 22:17 vDeut 22:18; Deut 25:7 (+ הַשַּׁ֫עֲרָה), vDeut 25:8 vDeut 25:9 (all in Deuteronomic code, and only so therein), Ruth 4:2; Ruth 4:4; Ruth 4:9; Ruth 4:11 (compare שַׁעַר vRuth 4:1 vRuth 4:11), מוֺשַׁב זְקֵנִים Ps 107:32 (|| קְהַלעָֿ֑ם); Judg 8:14 (|| שׂרים), vJudg 8:16; 1Sam 11:3; 1Sam 16:4; 1Kgs 21:8; 1Kgs 21:11; Ezra 10:14.

Strong's Definition H2205
elders, old, men, ancients, man, …
zāqēn
old
  • old
    • old (of humans)
      • "elder (of those having authority)
Variations 35 forms of this word
Translations 65 English renderings
Elders
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Word Parts
שֵׂיבָֽה
שֵׂיבָֽה
Root word age, hairs, head, hoary, grayheaded
Dictionary form: שֵׂיבָה · say-BAW
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncfsa
Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state
שֵׂיבָֽה Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: is the gray head
old age ×3 in old age ×2 my gray hairs ×2 the hoary head ×2 and grayheaded ×1 gray hairs ×1 his hoar head ×1 hoar hairs ×1
More options
gray hair — Most natural modern rendering; widely understood across contexts.
old age — Emphasizes the life-stage rather than the physical sign.
white hair — Prefer when silvery-white tone is more accurate than gray.
silver hair — Slightly elevated register; evokes dignity and honor.
advanced age — Formal; good for prose contexts stressing longevity.
hoary head — Modernized KJV; retain only if archaic flavor is intentional.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8213 H7872

BDB8212 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8214

שֵׂיבָה noun feminine hoary head, old age; — absolute ׳שׂ Hos 7:9 +; construct שֵׂיבַת Gen 44:31 suffix שֵׂיבָתִי Gen 42:38; Gen 44:29, etc.; —

1. grey hair, hoary Hos 7:9(figurative), Gen 42:38; Gen 44:29; Gen 44:31(all J), 1Kgs 2:6; 1Kgs 2:9; Prov 16:31; Prov 20:29 ׳אִישׁ שׂ Deut 32:25 (opposed to יוֺנֵק); || זָקִן Lev 19:32 (H), || זִקְנָה Isa 46:4, + id. Ps 71:18 (in these transition to following); figurative of sea Job 41:24.
2. old age, טוֺבָה ׳שׂ Gen 15:15 (JE), Gen 25:8 (P), Judg 8:32; 1Chr 29:28 ׳שׂ also Ps 92:15 (trees, in figure of righteous), Ruth 4:15, + 2Sam 19:34 (ᵐ5 Ew Th Bu Kit, compare We Dr HPS, אֶתשֵֿׂיבָֽתְךָ, for אֹתְךָ).

שִׂיג see [I. סוג].

Strong's Definition H7872
age, hairs, head, hoary, grayheaded
śêbâ
old age
  • age, gray hair, hoary head, old age
    • gray hair, hoary head
      • "old age
Variations 10 forms of this word
Translations 14 English renderings
Proverbs 20:28
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Proverbs 20:30