Proverbs 26:18

כְּֽ֭מִתְלַהְלֵהַּ הַיֹּרֶ֥ה זִקִּ֗ים חִצִּ֥ים וָמָֽוֶת

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

כְּֽ֭ מִתְלַהְלֵהַּ

כְּֽ֭

Prefix — preposition like, as

מִתְלַהְלֵהַּ

Root word fainted, mad

Dictionary form: לָהַהּ · law-HA

Verb — Hithpalpel, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state reflexive (rare stem) — like Hithpael ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: as a mad

as a mad ×1 fainted ×1

More options

be frantic — Broad fit; captures wild, uncontrolled mental state.

be delirious — Suggests feverish or confused loss of reason.

be out of one's mind — Colloquial; vivid for narrative or poetic contexts.

faint — Physical collapse sense; use when context stresses weakness.

go mad — Direct modernization of KJV 'as a mad'; strong register.

BDB4337 H3856

[לָהָה] verb languish, faint (= לָאָה) (ᵑ7 לְהִי, id.; —

Qal Imperfect 3 feminine singular with apocope וַתֵּ֫לַהּ אֶרֶץ Gen 47:13 (of famine).

fainted, mad

lāhah

to be rabid (figuratively, insane); also (from the exhaustion of frenzy) to languish

(Qal) to languish, faint

(Hithpalpel) madman (subst)

הַ יֹּרֶ֥ה

הַ

Prefix — article the

יֹּרֶ֥ה

Root word teach, shoot, shot, taught, archers, …

Dictionary form: יָרָה · yaw-RAW

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

In the KJV here: man who casteth

teach ×6 shoot ×5 and the archers ×3 shall teach ×3 shot ×3 and he will teach ×2 and they shall teach ×2 they shall teach ×2

More options

teach — Best for instructional or didactic contexts; most common sense.

instruct — Slightly more formal; suits authoritative or legal teaching.

shoot — Use when the subject is an archer or projectile is literal.

direct — Captures guidance nuance; good for wisdom or guidance passages.

aim — Vivid for archery contexts; implies intentional targeting.

guide — Softer register; suits pastoral or relational instructional contexts.

BDB3715 H3384

[יָרָא] verb shoot, pour (Aramaic orthography of יָרָה q. v.) —

Qal Infinitive construct לִירוֺא בַּחִצִּים 2Chr 26:15 shoot with arrows. Hiph`il Imperfect וַיֹּרא֯וּ 2Sam 11:24 and they shot at (אֶלֿ); Participle plural הַמּוֺרִא֯ים v2Sam 11:24 the shooters, archers; Kt to be read וַיֹּרִאוּ, הַמּוֺרַאִים; but Masora nothing א as superfluous, would read וַיֹּרוּ, הַמּוֺרִים from יָרָה (Bö^{§ 1088} (8), (9)). Hoph`al Imperfect only in וּמַרְוֶה גַּם הוּא יוֺרֶ֑א Prov 11:25 he that watereth shall himself also be watered (Fl De MV and others derive — 'non bene,' Thes — from √ רוה, q. v., יוֺרֶא for יָרְוֶה ֗֗֗ ; but see Thes Ew^{§ 131 f.} Bö^{§ 161} (4) SS Buhl Kö^{i. 585}; compare ירה 4).

BDB3721 H3384 H4175

יָרָה verb throw, shoot (Late Hebrew shoot, Hiph`il teach; Aramaic Aph`el אוֺרִי teach; Ethiopic jecit; Amharic warê is information, news, see Nö^{ZMG 1886, 724}; Assyrian ârû, lead, guide, Dl^{HWB 241}; têrtu, law, Dl^{HA 49}; Zinjirli ירי set, found, DHM^{Sendsch. 57}, compare 2 below — Buhl distinguishes 3 √ √ ירה: I. = throw, compare modern Arabic warra; II. Hiph`il = moisten, compare רוה; III. Hiph`il = teach, compare ראה, Arabic , ; but evidence for this division hardly sufficient) —

Qal Perfect ׳יר Exod 15:4 + 3 t.; 1 singular יָרִיתִי Gen 31:51; Josh 18:6 Imperfect 1 plural suffix וַנִּירָם Num 21:30 (SS after ᵐ5 וְנִינָם, see Ges^{«GKC:76»§ 76} (2) e); Imperative יְרֵה 2Kgs 13:17 Infinitive absolute יָרֹה Exod 19:13 construct לִיר(וֺ)ת Ps 11:2; Ps 64:5 Participle יֹרֶה Prov 26:18 plural יוֺרִים 1Chr 10:3 יֹרִים 2Chr 35:23 —

1. throw, cast, with accusative: cast lots Josh 18:6 (E); army into (בְּ) the sea Exod 15:4 (song).

2. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone Job 38:6 pillar Gen 31:51 (E; see Zinjirli above)

3. shoot arrows, absolute Exod 19:13 (E) 2Kgs 13:17 accusative of arrows 1Sam 20:36; 1Sam 20:37; Prov 26:18 accusative of person Num 21:30 (song, E) Ps 64:5 with לְ person Ps 11:2 י(וֺ)רִים archers 1Chr 10:3; 2Chr 35:23.

4. throw water, rain: Hos 6:3, but see יוֺרֶה early rain (compare Hiph`il 3). Niph`al Imperfect יִיָּרֶה shot through (with arrows) Exod 19:13 (E). Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix הֹרַנִי Job 30:19 (הֹרָנִי Baer); הוֺרָהוּ 2Kgs 12:3 הוֺרֵתָ֑נִי Ps 119:102 1 singular וְהוֺרֵיתִ֫י Exod 4:15; 1Sam 12:23 suffix הֹרֵיתִיךָ Prov 4:11 הוֺרֵיתִיךָ Exod 4:12 Imperfect יוֺרֶה Ps 25:8 + 5 t.; וַיּוֺר 2Kgs 13:17 (for this and other forms see Ges^{«GKC:76»§ 76} (2) e); וַיֹּרֵנִי Prov 4:4 יוֺרֵנוּ Judg 13:8 + 2 t.; יוֺרֶנּוּ Ps 25:12; Isa 28:26 וַיּוֺרֵהוּ Exod 15:25 יֹרֵם 2Kgs 17:27; Ps 64:8 2 feminine suffix תּוֺרְךָ Ps 45:5 תֹּרֶ֑ךָּ Job 12:7; Job 12:8 2 masculine suffix תּוֺרֵם 1Kgs 8:36 = 2Chr 6:27 1 singular אוֺרֶה 1Sam 20:20; Job 27:11 suffix אוֺרְךָ Ps 32:8 3 masculine plural יוֺרוּ Deut 24:8 + 3 t.; יֹרוּ 2Sam 11:20; 2Chr 35:23 יֹרֻהוּ Ps 64:5 יוֺרוּךָ Deut 17:10 + 2 t.; Imperative suffix הֹרֵנִי Job 34:32 הוֺרֵנִי Ps 27:11 + 2 t.; plural suffix הוֺרוּנִי Job 6:24 Infinitive construct הוֺרֹת Gen 46:28 + 3 t.; הוֺרֹתָם Exod 24:12 Participle מוֺרֶה 1Sam 20:36 + 5 t.; מֹרֶה Prov 6:13 plural מוֺרִים 1Sam 31:3 + 2 t.; suffix מוֺרָ֑י Prov 5:13 מוֺרֶיךָ Isa 30:20 (twice in verse); —

1. throw, cast, with ל, into the mire Job 30:19.

2. shoot (arrows) 1Sam 20:20; 1Sam 20:36; 2Sam 11:20; 2Kgs 13:17; 2Kgs 19:32 = Isa 37:33 with ל, of person 2Chr 35:23 accusative of person Ps 64:5; Ps 64:8 מוֺרִים archers 1Sam 31:3 (twice in verse); 1Chr 10:3.

3. throw water, rain: וְיוֺרֶה צֶדֶק לָכֶם Hos 10:12 and rain righteousness for you (Thes and others under 5); hence מוֺרֶה early rain (compare Qal 4).

4. point out, shew: לְהוֺרֹת לְפָנָיו גּשְׁנָה Gen 46:28 (J) to point out before him (the way) to Goshen; מֹרֶח בְּאֶצְבְּעֹתָיו Prov 6:13 pointing out with his fingers; accusative of person and thing Exod 15:25 (JE) Ps 45:5; Job 6:24.

5. direct, teach, instruct:
a. of men, absolute Bezalel in handicraft Exod 35:34 (P); with accusative of person, a father his son Prov 4:4 the ancients Job Job 8:10 the animals and the earth, the friends of Job 12:7; Job 12:8 with 2 accusative Isa 28:9 בּדֶרֶךְ in the way 1Sam 12:23; Ps 25:8; Ps 32:8; Prov 4:11 בְּיַדאֵֿל concerning the hand of El Job 27:11. — מוֺרֶה שֶׁקֶר teaching lies is used of prophet Isa 9:14.
b. specially of the authoritative direction (see תּוֺרָה) given by priests on matters of ceremonial observance, with accusative of thing and לְ person Deut 33:10 (song), they teach thy judgments to Jacob, and thy direction (law) to Israel; double accusative Deut 17:10; Deut 17:11 according to the direction, wherewith they direct thee; Deut 24:8 (on leprosy), Lev 10:11 (P), absolute Lev 14:57 (P), 2Chr 15:3 כֹּהֵן מוֺרֶה, Ezek 44:23 the Zadokite priests אתעֿמי יֹרוּ בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחֹל; Mic 3:11 the priests give such 'direction' for hire; less, technically, of Moses Exod 24:12 (E), of Jehoiada 2Kgs 12:3, of the Samaritan priests 2Kgs 17:27; 2Kgs 17:28.
c. of God: with accusative of person Isa 28:26; Ps 119:102 double accusative Exod 4:12; Exod 4:15 (J), Judg 13:8; Job 34:32; 1Kgs 8:36 (= אֶל הַדֶּרֶךְ 2Chr 6:27), Ps 27:11; Ps 86:11; Ps 119:33 accusative of person בְּדֶרֶךְ Ps 25:12 מִדְּרָכָיו of his ways Isa 2:3 = Mic 4:2.
d. of idol-image Hab 2:18 (מוֺרֶה שָׁ֑קֶר), vHab 2:19.

teach, shoot, shot, taught, archers, …

yārâ

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach

to throw, shoot, cast, pour

(Qal)

to throw, cast

to throw, cast

זִקִּ֗ים

Root word chains, sparks, fetters, firebrands

Dictionary form: זִיקָה · dzee-KAW

Noun — Common, both plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: firebrands

and in the sparks ×1 firebrands ×1 in chains ×1 in fetters ×1 thee in chains ×1 with chains ×1 with sparks ×1

More options

spark — Best for fiery/light imagery; most common modern sense.

firebrand — Glowing ember or torch; vivid, slightly literary.

chain — Prefer when context is imprisonment or binding.

fetter — Restraining shackle; slightly more formal than 'chain'.

shackle — Strong contemporary word for physical restraint.

ember — Glowing fragment of fire; softer, poetic alternative to spark.

BDB2429 H2131

I. [זֵק] noun [masculine] missile, spark (√ dubious; compare Late Hebrew זִיקִין fiery arrows, Aramaic זִיקָא id., זִיקוּקָא id. + spark, shooting star, ray of light, shooting star) — only plural זִקִּים of (fire- ?) missiles Prov 26:18 (|| חִצִּים, with ירה); so זִיקוֺת sparks, brands (as leaping, springing, forth ?) ׳מְאַזְּרֵי ז (see אזר) Isa 50:11 (|| קֹדְחֵי אֵשׁ), בִּעַרְתֶּם ׳ז vIsa 50:11 (|| אוּר אֶשְׁכֶם).

BDB2430 H2131

II. [זֵק], זִקִּים fetters, see below II. זקק.

BDB2441 H2131

II. [זֵק] noun [masculine] fetter, only plural זִקִּים: — fetters of captives ׳רֻתְּכוּ בַּזּ Nah 3:10 יַעֲבֹ֑רוּ ׳בַּזּ Isa 45:14 ׳בְּז Ps 149:8 (with אסר; || כַּבְלֵי בַרְזֶל); figurative ׳בַּזּ Job 36:8 (with אסר; || חַבְלֵי עֹ֑נִי).

chains, sparks, fetters, firebrands

zîqâ

properly, what leaps forth, i.e., flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the original sense of the root) a bond

spark, missile, firebrand, flaming arrow

חִצִּ֥ים

Root word arrows, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, …

Dictionary form: חֵץ · hayts

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: arrows

arrows ×8 the arrows ×7 and arrows ×3 thine arrows ×3 an arrow ×2 his arrows ×2 a dart ×1 and shooting arrows ×1

More options

arrow — Default singular; fits most narrative and poetic contexts.

shaft — Emphasizes the physical rod/projectile; good for literal descriptions.

dart — Smaller, thrown projectile; suits swift or surprise imagery.

bolt — Vivid, forceful alternative; suits divine-judgment or lightning imagery.

missile — Broad modern term; use when weapon type is secondary.

BDB3043 H2671

חֵץ noun masculine^{1Sam 20:20} arrow, mostly in poetry and prophets (compare חֵצִי above below חצה) — absolute ׳ח Ps 91:5 + 9 t. + 1Sam 17:7 Kt (Qr עֵץ q. v.); construct id. 2Kgs 1; 2Kgs 3:17; 2Kgs 13:17 suffix חִצִּי Job 34:6, חִצּוֺ Ps 58:8; Zech 9:14, חִצָּם Ps 11:2; Ps 64:4 Plural חִצִּים Gen 49:23 + 17 t. + 1Sam 20:38 Qr (Kt חֵ֫צִי q. v.) + 2Sam 22:15 (< חִצָּיו || Ps 18:15); construct חִצֵּת Job 6:4; Ps 120:4 + Ezek 5:16 (Co חִצַּי compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hi); חִצַּי Deut 32:23; Deut 32:42 (Ezek 5:16 see above), חִצֶּיךָ Ps 38:3 + 4 t.; חִצָּיו Isa 5:28 + 5 t.; — arrow:

1. literally, shot from bow by hand 1Sam 20:20; 1Sam 20:21 (twice in verse); 1Sam 20:22 (ᵐ5 We singular, i.e. הַחֵצִי, in v1Sam 20:21 v1Sam 20:22, see also Dr) v1Sam 20:36 v1Sam 20:38 Qr 2Kgs 19:32 = Isa 37:33; Isa 5:28; Isa 7:24; Jer 50:9; Jer 50:14; Jer 51:11; Ezek 39:3; Ezek 39:9; 1Chr 12:2 shot from engine of war 2Chr 26:15 used in divination Ezek 21:26 compare 2Kgs 13:15 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 13:17 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 13:18 בַּעֲלֵי חִצִּים = archers Gen 49:23.

2. figurative of Israel's weapons Num 24:8, of the (Messianic) king Ps 45:6, of Yahweh's judgments Deut 32:23; Deut 32:42; Job 6:4 (compare חִצִּי = my wound Job 34:6), Ps 7:14; Ps 38:3; Ps 58:8 (but on text compare Che^{critical note}.) Ps 64:8; Ps 120:4 (? compare Che); further Prov 7:23; Lam 3:12; Ezek 5:16 in theoph. Ps 18:15 = 2Sam 22:15, compare Hab 3:11; Zech 9:14; Ps 144:6 of wicked men's violence Ps 11:2 compare Ps 91:5, under figure of lion's teeth Ps 57:5 their words Ps 64:4 compare Prov 25:18; Jer 9:8 simile, of strength and efficiency derived from one's children, Ps 127:4 of a deceiver's words Prov 26:18 metaphor of servant of ׳בָּרוּר י ׳ח Isa 49:2. — In 1Sam 17:7 read עֵץ (for חֵץ) as Qr and || 2Sam 21:19 = the shaft; see עֵץ; so Klo Dr.

arrows, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, …

ḥēṣ

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

arrow

וָ מָֽוֶת

וָ

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

מָֽוֶת

Root word death, die, died, dead, dieth, …

Dictionary form: מָוֶת · maw-WET

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and death

of death ×24 the death ×19 death ×16 from death ×8 and death ×6 of his death ×6 dieth ×4 to death ×4

More options

death — Most direct and universal rendering; suitable for nearly all contexts.

dying — Prefer when emphasizing the process or act rather than the state.

mortality — Highlights the human condition; good in reflective or wisdom texts.

end — Softer, euphemistic tone; useful in poetic or narrative passages.

fatal — Best as an adjective in phrases like 'fatal wound' or 'fatal blow'.

deadly — Adjectival use only; stresses lethal danger or consequence.

BDB4562 H4194

מָ֫וֶת₁₆₁ noun masculine^{Exod 10:17} death; — absolute ׳מ Deut 19:6 +; מָֽ֫וְתָה Ps 116:15 construct מוֺת Gen 25:11 +; suffix מוֺתִו Gen 27:2 +; plural construct מוֺהֵי Ezek 28:10 suffix בְּמֹתָיו Isa 53:9 —

1. death, opposed to life, Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 2Sam 15:21 כל האדם ׳מ the death of all men (that all go to) Num 16:29 (J), as distinguished from violent death; ׳יוֺם מ day of death Gen 27:2 (J) Judg 13:7; 1Sam 15:35 +; ׳שְׁנַת מ Isa 6:1; Isa 14:28 ׳עד מ Num 35:25; Num 35:28; Num 35:32; Josh 20:6 (P), 1Kgs 11:40 ׳לפני מ Gen 27:7; Gen 27:10; Gen 50:16 (JE); ׳אחרי מ Gen 26:18 (J), Gen 25:11; Lev 16:1; Num 35:28 (P), Deut 31:27; Deut 31:29 (D) +; ׳בכור מ Job 18:13 firstborn of death (deadly disease); of flies Eccl 10:1, unclean animals Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32 (P).

2. death by violence as a penalty : ׳מִשְׁפַּט מ + לְ or בְּ person: a case of death to, or in a man, guilty of capital crime Deut 19:6; Deut 21:22; Jer 26:11; Jer 26:16 ׳חֵטְא מ Deut 22:26 ׳מ (י)בנ 1Sam 20:31; 1Sam 26:16; 2Sam 12:5 ׳אישׁ מ 2Sam 19:29 ׳אנשׁי מ 1Kgs 2:26 ׳מַלְאֲכֵי מ Prov 16:14 messengers of death; במותָיו Isa 53:9 in his (martyr-) death (see Br^{MP 359}).

3. state of death or place of death (|| שׁאול) Isa 28:15; Isa 28:18; Isa 38:18; Hos 13:14; Hab 2:5; Ps 6:6; Ps 49:15; Song 8:6; Prov 5:5; Prov 7:27 (|| אבדון) Job 28:22 ׳שׁערי מ gates of death Ps 9:14; Ps 107:18; Job 38:17.

death, die, died, dead, dieth, …

māwet

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead

death

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.

כְּֽ֭מִתְלַהְלֵהַּ Dechi — a lesser break הַיֹּרֶ֥ה זִקִּ֗ים Revia Gadol — a lesser break חִצִּ֥ים וָמָֽוֶת Silluq — end of the verse

כְּֽמִתְלַהְלֵהַּ הַיֹּרֶה זִקִּים חִצִּים וָמָֽוֶת׃

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

Cross References

Proverbs 25:18

מֵפִיץ וְחֶרֶב וְחֵץ שָׁנוּן אִישׁ עֹנֶה בְרֵעֵהוּ עֵד שָֽׁקֶר׃

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Isaiah 50:11

הֵן כֻּלְּכֶם קֹדְחֵי אֵשׁ מְאַזְּרֵי זִיקוֹת לְכוּ׀ בְּאוּר אֶשְׁכֶם וּבְזִיקוֹת בִּֽעַרְתֶּם מִיָּדִי הָיְתָה-זֹּאת לָכֶם לְמַעֲצֵבָה תִּשְׁכָּבֽוּן׃

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Genesis 49:23

וַֽיְמָרֲרֻהוּ וָרֹבּוּ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֻהוּ בַּֽעֲלֵי חִצִּֽים׃

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

Proverbs 7:23

עַד יְפַלַּח חֵץ כְּֽבֵדוֹ כְּמַהֵר צִפּוֹר אֶל-פָּח וְלֹֽא-יָדַע כִּֽי-בְנַפְשׁוֹ הֽוּא׃

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Proverbs 26:17

Read Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:19

Proverbs 26:18

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Vfrmsa

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3856

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Td/Vqrmsa

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3384

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncbpa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2131

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmpa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2671

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4194

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV