Proverbs 23:32

אַ֭חֲרִיתוֹ כְּנָחָ֣שׁ יִשָּׁ֑ךְ וּֽכְצִפְעֹנִ֥י יַפְרִֽשׁ

At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אַ֭חֲרִית וֹ

אַ֭חֲרִית

Root word end, latter, last, posterity, reward, …

וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: אַחֲרִית · ah-huh-REET

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

In the KJV here: at the last

in the latter ×9 the end ×4 but the end ×3 and the end ×2 at the last ×2 in the last ×2 the latter end ×2 a reward ×1

More options

end — Most versatile; fits narrative, poetic, and wisdom contexts.

outcome — Emphasizes result or consequence; good for proverbial sayings.

future — Highlights what lies ahead; suits prophetic or hopeful passages.

final days — Captures eschatological or generational scope.

posterity — Refers to descendants or legacy; use in genealogical contexts.

remnant — Stresses what survives after loss; fits lament or judgment texts.

BDB342 H319

אַחֲרִית₆₁ noun feminine after-part, end; —
a. of place, only Psalm Eccl 139:9 (late) יָם ׳א.
b. of time, latter part or actual close (according to context), opposed to רֵאשִׁית; — of year Deut 11:12 of a man's life Num 23:10; Prov 5:11; Job 8:7; Job 42:12 of a people's existence Num 24:20 = final lot Deut 32:20; Deut 32:29; Jer 12:4; Jer 31:17; Ps 73:17 a future, i.e. a happy close of life, suggesting sometimes the idea of a posterity, promised to the righteous Prov 23:18 (|| תִּקְוָה hope) Prov 24:14; Jer 29:11 (וְתִקְוָה ׳לָתֵת לָכֶם א), withheld from the wicked Prov 24:20 (|| ׃ נֵר יִדְעָֽח ׃ see below); the end or ultimate issue of a course of action Jer 5:31; Prov 14:12; Prov 23:32 (of wine, i.e. of indulgence in it) Prov 25:8; Isa 46:10 (absolute, but implicitly of a phase of history) Isa 47:7 (of the conduct described vIsa 47:6 b-7 a) Dan 12:8; Eccl 7:8 of a prediction = the event Isa 41:22. בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים in the end of the days, a prophetic phrase denoting the final period of the history so far as the speaker's perspective reaches; the sense thus varies with the context, but it often = the ideal or Messianic future; Gen 49:1 (of the period of Israel's possession of Canaan) Num 24:14; Deut 4:30 (of the period of Israel's return to God after adversity) Deut 31:29 (of the period of Israel's rebellion) Hos 3:5; Isa 2:2 ( = Mic 4:1) Jer 23:20 (see Graf) = Jer 30:24; Jer 48:47; Jer 49:39; Ezek 38:16 (of the period of Gog's attack upon restored Israel) Dan 2:28 (Aramaic) Dan 10:14 (of the age of Antiochus Epiphanes): compare הַשָּׁנִים ׳כְּא Ezek 38:8.
c. הַגּוֺיִם ׳א Jer 50:12 the last, hindermost of the nations (of Babylon), opposed to ראשׁית הגוים Amos 6:1 (Israel) compare Num 24:20 (Amalek) chief of the nations.
d. concrete posterity (extension of usage noted above in Prov 24:20) Ps 37:37; Ps 37:38 (possibly not more than 'a future' here) Ps 109:13 (|| אַחֵר יִמַּח שְׁמָם בְּדוֺר) Amos 4:2; Amos 9:1; Ezek 23:25 (twice in verse) (according to others, in these four passages, remnant, residue) Dan 11:4.

end, latter, last, posterity, reward, …

ʾaḥărît

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

after part, end

end, issue, event

כְּ נָחָ֣שׁ

כְּ

Prefix — preposition like, as

נָחָ֣שׁ

Root word serpent, serpents

Dictionary form: נָחָשׁ · naw-HOHSH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: like a serpent

the serpent ×7 a serpent ×6 serpent ×4 like a serpent ×3 serpents ×3 of a serpent ×2 and a serpent ×1 for out of the serpents ×1

More options

snake — Most natural modern word; prefer in narrative contexts.

serpent — Slightly formal; good for poetic or symbolic passages.

viper — Implies danger or venom; use when threat is emphasised.

reptile — Broader biological term; rarely the best fit contextually.

BDB5136 H5175

I. נָחָשׁ noun masculine^{Gen 3:1} serpent (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic serpent, viper (Lane^{406 anything} hunted) is compare by Lag^{M, i, 230}; BN 50, 188 Ba^{Es 48}, but improbable; Arabic see below [נָחַשׁ below; on formation compare Lag^{BN 50}); — absolute ׳נ Amos 5:19 +; construct נְחַשׁ Num 21:9 + 2 t.; plural נְחָשִׁים Num 21:6; Jer 8:17 —

1. serpent:
a. as biting, Amos 5:19; Eccl 10:8, in spite of charm (לַחַשׁ) vEccl 10:11 [compare Ecculs Eccl 12:13], Jer 8:17 (+ צִפְעֹנִים; figurative of enemies); so הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְׁרָפִים Num 21:6 (deadly; J E; compare Jacob^{Arab. Dicht. iv. 10 ff.}), and singular vNum 21:9, also (collective) vNum 21:7 compare שָׂרָף ׳נ Deut 8:15 (+ עַקְרָב); ׳נ figurative of oppressor, מִשֹּׁרֶשׁ נָחָשׁ יֵצֵא צֶפַע וּפִרְיוֺ שָׂרָף מְעוֺפֵף Isa 14:29 figurative of Dan Gen 49:17 (poem in J; || שְׁפִיפֹן); ׳הֲמַת נ Ps 58:5 (simile of perniciousness of ungodly), compare ׳נ Ps 140:4 simile of effect of wine Prov 22:32 (|| צִפִעֹנִי).
b. rod becomes ׳נ Exod 4:3 (J), compare Exod 7:15 (E); ׳עֲלֵי צוּר דֶּרֶךְ נ Prov 30:19.
c. ׳נ (apparently) as hissing Jer 46:22 (in simile, compare Gie); as eating dust Isa 65:25 compare Mic 7:17 (in simile; see also Gen 3:14).
d. as crafty tempter Gen 3:1; Gen 3:2; Gen 3:4; Gen 3:13; Gen 3:14.

2. (הַ)נְּחשֶׁת ׳נ, bronze image of serpent Num 21:9 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 18:4 (compare נְחֻשְׁתָּן).

3. mythological בָּרִחַ ׳נ Job 26:13 fleeing serpent, of eclipse-dragon (compareלִנְיָתָן Job 3:6); also בּרִחַ ֗֗֗ ׳לִוְיָתָן נ עֲקַלָּתוֺן ׳לִוְיָתָן נ Isa 27:1 (symbolic of world-powers); ׳נ of sea-monster Amos 9:3. — ׳נ with verb נָשַׁךְ bite Num 21:6 + 8 t. On supernatural character of serpents in Arabic belief see Nö^{Zeitschr. Für Völkerpsychol. i.(1860), 412-416} RS^{Kinship 197, Semitic i. 421 f.}, 2d ed, 442 We^{Skizzen iii.147, Arab. Heid. 2, 152 f.} Jacob^{Arab. Dicht. iv. 5}

serpent, serpents

nāḥoš

a snake (from its hiss)

serpent, snake

serpent

יִשָּׁ֑ךְ

Root word bite, usury, bit, biteth, bitten

Dictionary form: נָשַׁךְ · naw-SHAHK

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: it biteth

lend upon usury thou shalt ×2 and he shall bite them ×1 and they bit ×1 and they shall bite ×1 bit him ×1 had bitten ×1 is lent upon usury ×1 it biteth ×1

More options

bite — Core literal sense; vivid and universally understood.

charge interest — Preferred for financial/legal contexts involving loans.

sting — Slightly more intense; suits serpents or sharp pain imagery.

nip — Softer nuance; good for minor or sudden biting actions.

exploit with interest — Emphasizes the predatory economic dimension.

BDB5416 H5391

נָשַׁךְ verb bite (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, but also transposed נְכַשׁ Hiph`il); Assyrian našâku Dl^{HWB 486}; ᵑ7 נְכֵית (especially of snakes); Syriac , ; Ethiopic Di⁶⁴²; Ba^{ZMG xliii (1889), 188} compare Arabic , undo threads, untwist rope, disintegrate, dissolve); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular נָשַׁךְ Num 21:9, suffix וּנְשָׁכוֺ consecutive Amos 5:19, וּנְשָׁכָם consecutive Amos 9:3 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשֹּׁךְ Eccl 10:11, יִשָּׁ֑ךְ Prov 23:32, suffix יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ Eccl 10:8 Participle active נשֵׁךְ Gen 49:17 plural נשְׁכִים Mic 3:5, suffix נשְׁכֶיךָ Hab 2:7 passive נָשׁוּךְ Num 21:8 — bite, chiefly of serpent, with accusative, Amos 5:19; Amos 9:3; Gen 49:17 (poem in J), Num 21:8 (passive participle, absolute), vNum 21:9, Eccl 10:8 also vEccl 10:11 (absolute), Prov 23:32 (simile of wine); figurative of prophets בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם ׳הַנּ Mic 3:5 who are biting with their teeth, and crying, Peace! figurative of oppression, etc., נשְׁכֶיךָ Hab 2:7 (with play on sense thy debtors, those that give thee interest). Pi`el Perfect 3 plural וְנִשְּׁכוּ אֶתְכֶם Jer 8:17 and they shall bite you fatally (figurative); Imperfect 3 masculine plural וַיְנַשְּׁכוּ אֶתהָֿעָם Num 21:5 and they bit the people fatally(both of serpents).

BDB5418 H5391

[נָשַׁךְ] verb denominative pay, give interest (compare Gerber^{Verba denominative 89}); —

Qal Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשָּׁ֑ךְ Deut 23:20 interest of anything off which one giveth interest (compare Dr). Hiph`il make one give interest; Imperfect 2 masculine singular תַּשִּׁיךְ Deut 23:20 ( + accusative of congnate meaning with verb) v.Deut 23:21 v.Deut 23:21, all with לְ person

bite, usury, bit, biteth, bitten

nāšak

to strike with a sting (as a serpent)

to bite

(Qal) to bite

(Qal) to give interest

וּֽ כְ צִפְעֹנִ֥י

וּֽ

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

כְ

Prefix — preposition like, as

צִפְעֹנִ֥י

Root word cockatrice, cockatrices, adder

Dictionary form: צֶפַע · tseh-PA

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: like an adder

a cockatrice ×1 cockatrice ×1 cockatrices ×1 like an adder ×1 the cockatrice ×1

More options

viper — Most natural modern term for a deadly snake.

venomous snake — Clear and descriptive; good for general audiences.

serpent — Slightly elevated register; suits poetic or prophetic texts.

adder — Modernizes one KJV rendering; familiar in British English.

poisonous snake — Plain and accessible; emphasizes lethal danger.

BDB7202 H6848

צִפְעוֺנִי noun masculine id.; — absolute ׳צ Isa 11:8 (|| פָּ֑תֶן), ׳בֵּיצֵי צ Isa 59:5 כְּצִפְעֹנִי Prov 23:32 (simile; || נָתָשׁ); plural צִפְעֹנִים Jer 8:17 (app. נְחָשִׁים); identification dubious; Tristr^{NHB 275} ('possibly') daboia xanthina, a venomous viper, but vipers do not lay eggs Furrer^{Bi HWB 2, 1423}; Furrer proposes ailurophis vivex.

cockatrice, cockatrices, adder

ṣepaʿ

a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e., hissing)

poisonous serpent

a viper snake or adder

יַפְרִֽשׁ

Root word declared, distinctly, scattered, shewed, stingeth

Dictionary form: פָּרָשׁ · paw-ROHSH

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: and stingeth

and stingeth ×1 declared ×1 distinctly ×1 might be shewed them ×1 that are scattered ×1

More options

explain — Broad, natural choice for making meaning clear.

set forth clearly — Emphasizes deliberate, formal articulation of content.

spell out — Colloquial; good for accessible, plain-language contexts.

specify — Highlights precision; suits legal or instructional passages.

scatter — Use when the sense is physical dispersal, not explanation.

sting — Rare; reserved for the serpent/wine biting sense (Prov 23:32).

BDB6826 H6567

I. [פָּרַשׁ] verb make distinct, declare (Late Hebrew seperate oneself, Pi`el separate, explain, so Aramaic פְּרַשׁ especially Pa`el; Syriac separate, distinguish, explain, compare Mandean, Nö^{M 221}); —

Qal Infinitive construct ׳לִפְרשׁ לָהֶם עַלפִּֿי י Lev 24:12 (P) to declare distinctly to them. Niph`al Participle נִפְרָשׁוֺת Ezek 34:12 read probably שׂוֺת-, see פרשׂ. Pu`al Perfect 3 masculine singular פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 (P) what should be done to him had not been distinctly declared; Participle מְפֹרָשׁ Neh 8:8 made distinct (compare B Aram Ezra 4:18), see BeRy Kö^{Einl. 99, >} interpreted, Ke and others, Berliner^{T. Onk ii.74}.

BDB6828 H6567

II. [פָּרַשׁ] verb Hiph`il pierce, sting (?) (compare Assyrian paruššu, staff (which pierces); Aramaic פרשׁא, (in Lexicons) ox-goad); — Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַפְרִשׁ Prov 23:32 (כְּצִפְעֹנִי, || כְּנָחָשׁ יִשָׁ֑ךְ), of wine.

BDB9824 H6567 H6568

[פְּרַשׁ] verb make distinct (compare Biblical Hebrew (chiefly late)); —

Pa`el Passive participle Ezra 4:18 made distinct (Biblical Hebrew Neh 8:8 ᵑ7 Late Hebrew).

declared, distinctly, scattered, shewed, stingeth

pāroš

to separate, literally (to disperse) or figuratively (to specify); also (by implication) to wound

to make distinct, declare, distinguish, separate

(Qal) to declare, clarify

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.

אַ֭חֲרִיתוֹ Dechi — a lesser break כְּנָחָ֣שׁ יִשָּׁ֑ךְ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּֽכְצִפְעֹנִ֥י יַפְרִֽשׁ Silluq — end of the verse

אַחֲרִיתוֹ כְּנָחָשׁ יִשָּׁךְ וּֽכְצִפְעֹנִי יַפְרִֽשׁ׃

At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Cross References

Isaiah 28:3

בְּרַגְלַיִם תֵּֽרָמַסְנָה עֲטֶרֶת גֵּאוּת שִׁכּוֹרֵי אֶפְרָֽיִם׃

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

Luke 16:25

εἶπεν δὲ Ἀβραάμ· Τέκνον μνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες σὺ τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ κακά· νῦν δὲ ὅδε παρακαλεῖται σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Amos 9:3

וְאִם-יֵחָֽבְאוּ בְּרֹאשׁ הַכַּרְמֶל מִשָּׁם אֲחַפֵּשׂ וּלְקַחְתִּים וְאִם-יִסָּתְרוּ מִנֶּגֶד עֵינַי בְּקַרְקַע הַיָּם מִשָּׁם אֲצַוֶּה אֶת-הַנָּחָשׁ וּנְשָׁכָֽם׃

And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take out them thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

Exodus 7:5

וְיָֽדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּֽי-אֲנִי יְהוָה בִּנְטֹתִי אֶת-יָדִי עַל-מִצְרָיִם וְהֽוֹצֵאתִי אֶת-בְּנֵֽי-יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָֽם׃

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Jeremiah 5:31

הַנְּבִאִים נִבְּאוּ בַשֶּׁקֶר וְהַכֹּהֲנִים יִרְדּוּ עַל-יְדֵיהֶם וְעַמִּי אָהֲבוּ כֵן וּמַֽה-תַּעֲשׂוּ לְאַחֲרִיתָֽהּ׃

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Proverbs 5:11

וְנָהַמְתָּ בְאַחֲרִיתֶךָ בִּכְלוֹת בְּשָׂרְךָ וּשְׁאֵרֶֽךָ׃

And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

Isaiah 59:5

בֵּיצֵי צִפְעוֹנִי בִּקֵּעוּ וְקוּרֵי עַכָּבִישׁ יֶאֱרֹגוּ הָאֹכֵל מִבֵּֽיצֵיהֶם יָמוּת וְהַזּוּרֶה תִּבָּקַע אֶפְעֶֽה׃

They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

Romans 6:21

τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ' οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Exodus 7:12

וַיַּשְׁלִיכוּ אִישׁ מַטֵּהוּ וַיִּֽהְיוּ לְתַנִּינִם וַיִּבְלַע מַטֵּֽה-אַהֲרֹן אֶת-מַטֹּתָֽם׃

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Amos 5:19

כַּאֲשֶׁר יָנוּס אִישׁ מִפְּנֵי הָאֲרִי וּפְגָעוֹ הַדֹּב וּבָא הַבַּיִת וְסָמַךְ יָדוֹ עַל-הַקִּיר וּנְשָׁכוֹ הַנָּחָֽשׁ׃

As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

Isaiah 28:7

וְגַם-אֵלֶּה בַּיַּיִן שָׁגוּ וּבַשֵּׁכָר תָּעוּ כֹּהֵן וְנָבִיא שָׁגוּ בַשֵּׁכָר נִבְלְעוּ מִן-הַיַּיִן תָּעוּ מִן-הַשֵּׁכָר שָׁגוּ בָּֽרֹאֶה פָּקוּ פְּלִילִיָּֽה׃

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Job 20:16

רֹאשׁ-פְּתָנִים יִינָק תַּֽהַרְגֵהוּ לְשׁוֹן אֶפְעֶֽה׃

He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

Jeremiah 8:17

כִּי הִנְנִי מְשַׁלֵּחַ בָּכֶם נְחָשִׁים צִפְעֹנִים אֲשֶׁר אֵין-לָהֶם לָחַשׁ וְנִשְּׁכוּ אֶתְכֶם נְאֻם-יְהוָֽה׃

For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

חֹפֵר גּוּמָּץ בּוֹ יִפּוֹל וּפֹרֵץ גָּדֵר יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Proverbs 23:31

Read Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23:33

Proverbs 23:32

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsc/Sp3ms

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H319

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5175

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqi3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5391

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/R/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6848

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vhi3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6567

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV