Proverbs 28:1

נָ֣סוּ וְאֵין רֹדֵ֣ף רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים כִּכְפִ֥יר יִבְטָֽח

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

נָ֣סוּ

Root word fled, flee, away, fleeth, flight, …

Dictionary form: נוּס · noos

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: flee

fled ×28 and fled ×15 and they fled ×7 flee ×6 to flee ×6 flee away ×4 shall flee away ×4 and flee ×3

More options

flee — Direct modernization; best for commands and general contexts.

run away — Vivid and colloquial; suits narrative flight scenes.

escape — Emphasizes successful departure; use when outcome matters.

take flight — Slightly formal; good for poetic or elevated passages.

retreat — Military register; prefer in battle or army contexts.

bolt — Informal and sudden; use for panicked or instinctive fleeing.

BDB5072 H5127

נוּס₁₆₀ verb flee, escape (Syriac tremble (rare), compare Brock; Arabic move to and fro, be in commotion, dangle, Lane²⁸⁶⁶); —

Qal Perfect נָס Num 35:25 +; נַ֫סְתָּה 2Kgs 9:3 נַ֫סְתִּי 1Sam 4:16, etc.; Imperfect יָנוּס Exod 21:13 +; וַיָּנָ֫ס Gen 39:12 +; יְנוּס֑וּן Ps 104:7, etc.; Imperative masculine plural נֻ֫סוּ Jer 48:6 + 4 t. Jeremiah, Zechariah; Infinitive absolute נוֺס 2Sam 18:3 construct לָנוּס (לָנֻס) Gen 19:20 +; Participle נָס Amos 9:1 +; נָסִים Exod 14:27 +; —

1. flee, absolute Gen 39:12; Gen 39:15; Num 16:34 (all J); Josh 10:16 (JE); Lev 26:17; Lev 26:36 (H); figurative of sea Ps 114:3; Ps 114:5 compare Ps 104:7 followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb מָנוֺס Jer 46:5, followed by דֶּרֶךְ Josh 8:15 (J), 2Kgs 9:27 followed by בְּדֶרֶךְ Deut 28:7; Deut 28:25 אֶלנַֿפְשָׁם ׳נ 2Kgs 7:7 flee for their life, בְּרַגְלָיו ׳נ, Judg 4:15 flee on foot; + 44 t. absolute (not elsewhere Hexateuch); followed by אֶלֿ location Deut 4:42; Deut 19:5; Deut 19:11 (D), Num 35:32; Josh 20:4 (both P), Judg 4:17; 1Kgs 2:28; 1Kgs 2:29; Isa 13:14 followed by לְ 1Sam 4:10 + 6 t. + לִקְרָאתוֺ Exod 14:27 (E; not elsewhere Hexateuch); followed by עַד Judg 7:22 + Prov 28:17 (עַדבּֿוֺר, see בּוֺר); followed by עַלֿ Isa 10:3 followed by ָ ה locative Gen 14:10 + 4 t. J E, Num 35:6 + 6 t. P, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:3; Deut 19:4 (D), + 6 t.; followed by שָׁם Isa 20:6 followed by accusative of location Josh 8:20 (J), + 4 t.; followed by מִמֶּרְחָק Isa 17:13 = far away; followed by מִן from, Josh 20:6 (P), 1Sam 4:16 + 3 t.; מִתּוֺךְ Jer 51:6 especially מִפְּנֵי from before Exod 4:3; Exod 14:25; Num 10:35; Josh 10:11 (all J E), 1Sam 17:24; Jer 48:44 (Qr הַנָּס, > Kt הניס), + 19 t.; followed by לִפְנֵי Josh 7:4; Josh 8:5 (twice in verse); Josh 8:6 (all J), 1Sam 4:17; 2Sam 24:13, מִלִּפְנֵי 1Chr 19:18.

2. escape Amos 9:1 (|| נמלט) so Jer 46:6 hence

3. take flight, depart, disappear, only figurative; Deut 34:7 (JE) his freshness (לֵחֹה vigour) was not gone (|| לֹא כָֽהֲתָה עינו); of shadows (at evening), Song 2:17; Song 4:6 of sorrow etc. Isa 35:10; Isa 51:11.

4. עַלסֿוּס ׳נ Isa 30:16 fly (to the attack) on horseback. Po`lel Perfect Isa 59:19 נֹסֲסָה בּוֺ ׳רוּחַ י the breath of ׳י driveth at it, driveth it on (compare Hiph`il 2). Hithpo`l. Infinitive construct לְהִתְנוֺסֵס מִפְּנֵי Ps 60:6 in order to take flight before the bow (so Vrss Hup-Now Che Bae and others). Hiph`il Perfect הֵנִיס Exod 9:20 Imperfect יָנִיסוּ Deut 32:30 + Judg 7:21 Kt (Qr וַיָּנוּסוּ Qal); Infinitive construct לְתָנִיס Judg 6:11 —

1. put to flight, followed by accusative Deut 32:30 (|| רדף).

2. drive hastily to a safe place Exod 9:20, followed by accusative + אֶלֿ.

3. cause to disappear, hide Judg 6:11 (no object expressed) followed by מִפְּנֵי.

fled, flee, away, fleeth, flight, …

nûs

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

to flee, escape

(Qal)

to flee

to put to flight

וְ אֵין

וְ

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

אֵין

Particle not

Dictionary form: אַיִן · ah-YIN

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: when no

there is no ×50 and none ×33 there is none ×33 not ×31 without ×29 is not ×27 neither ×24 there was no ×22

More options

there is no — Best for existential negation; most common contextual use.

nothing — Use when אַיִן stands alone as a noun meaning total absence.

without — Prefer when modifying a noun to indicate lack.

none — Good for negating a previously mentioned subject or group.

not — Broad negative; use when no stronger nuance is needed.

nor — Use in compound negations to connect two negated clauses.

BDB374 H369

II. אַ֫יִן nought.

אִיעֶזֶר see אֲבִיעֶזֶר.

אִיתָמָר see I. אָוָה.

BDB385 H369

II. אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן construct אֵין substantive properly nothing, nought (Moabite אן, Assyrian iânu).

1. Isa 40:23 הַנּוֺתֵן רוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִן who bringeth princes to nothing; כְּאַיִן as nothing, ib. Isa 40:17; Isa 41:11; Isa 41:12; Hag 2:3; Ps 39:6 almost (|| כִּמְעַט) Ps 73:2 מֵאַיִן of nothing Isa 41:24.

2. construct אֵין, very frequently as particle of negations, is not, are not, was not, were not, etc. (corresponding to the affirmative יֵשׁ q. v. Similar in usage, though not etymology akin, are , לַיִת, , , properly 'there is nought of ...' followed by a substantive or a pronominal suffix (אֵינֶנִּי [verbal form, Ges^{«GKC:100»§ 100}, 5; «GKC:152»152, 1 c], אֵינְךָ, אֵינֵךְ, אֵינֶנּוּ, אֵינֶנָּה, אֵינְכֶם, אֵינָם, also Ps 59:14 אֵינֵ֫מוֺ, Ps 73:5 אֵינֵ֫ימוֺ): twice abnormally, in late Hebrew, a noun אֵין אֲנִי, אֵין אֲנַחְנוּ Neh 4:17 (so sometimes לַיִת, , Nö^{M. p. 295}); once, incorrectly, את Hag 2:17.
a. denying existence absolutely Isa 44:6; Isa 47:10 אֵין רֹאָנִי there is none that seeth me, literally nought of one seeing me! אֵין עוֺד there is none else Deut 4:39; 1Kgs 8:60; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:22.
b. more commonly, in a limited sense, there is none here or at hand Exod 2:12 and he saw כִּיאֵֿין אִישׁ that there was no man (that is, there), Num 21:5; Gen 5:24 וְאֵינֶנּוּ and he was not (of Enoch's disappearance from earth) Gen 42:13 one (cas. pend. as often), he is not, vGen 42:36 often = is (or has) vanished Gen 37:30; 1Kgs 20:40; Isa 17:14; Ps 37:10; Ps 103:16; Job 8:22; Job 24:24; Job 27:19.
c. with the sense determined by a predicate following: Gen 37:29 Joseph was not in the pit, Gen 41:39 + often; Exod 5:10 אֵינֶנִּי נֹתֵן לָכֶם תֶּבֶן I am not giving you straw; and so often with particip. where duration has to be expressed Gen 39:23; Deut 21:18; Isa 1:15; Jer 7:16, or intention Gen 20:7 אֵינְךָ מֵשִׁיב דַּע ֗֗֗ אִם if thou art not restoring her, know Gen 43:5; Exod 8:17; Exod 33:15 (idiomatically, after אם; see Dr^{§ 137}) Judg 12:3. Following once pleonastic by יֵשׁ Ps 135:17. Treated as a mere particle of negation, אֵין may vary its position in the sentence, the substantive which should strictly stand in the genitive being not only separated from it by a little word, as בּוֺ Gen 37:24, לוֺ Exod 22:1, שָׁם Exod 12:30, גַּם Ps 14:3, etc., but even for emphasis prefixed to it, as Gen 19:31; Gen 40:8 וּפֹתֵר אֵין אֹתוֺ Gen 41:15; Exod 5:16; Judg 13:9; Judg 14:6; Judg 16:15; Judg 19:1 (so MI²⁴): if however it be thus brought to the end of a sentence, or be disconnected with what follows, it stands in the absolute form, as Gen 2:5 ואדם אַיִן לעבד האדמה and man there was none to till the ground, Lev 26:37 וְרֹדֵף אָ֑יִן Num 20:5; 2Kgs 19:3; Hos 13:4; Mic 7:2.
d. sometimes the subject has to be supplied from the context: thus (α) 1Sam 9:4 and they passed through the land of Shaalim וָאַיִן and they (the asses) were not (literally and nought!), especially after verbs of waiting or seeking Isa 59:11; Ps 69:21; Job 3:9; Isa 41:17. Ezek 7:25; Prov 14:6; Prov 13:4; Prov 20:4. (β) Exod 17:7 is ׳י in the midst of us אִםאָֽֿיִן ׃ or not ? Num 13:20. (γ) Judg 4:20 וְאָמַרְתְּ אָֽיִן׃ then thou shalt say, There is not, 1Kgs 18:10; 1Sam 10:14. (δ) Gen 30:1 give me children, וְאִםאַֿיִן and if not, I die, Exod 32:32; Judg 9:15; Judg 9:20; 2Sam 17:6 (see Dr) 2Kgs 2:10; Job 33:33.
e. with subject not expressed, once (late), Dan 8:5 וְאֵין נֹגֵעַ בָּאָרֶץ and (it) was not touching the earth. feminine once, Job 35:15 with the finite verb; but read here כִּי אֵין פֹּקֵד (the usage of , cited by De, does not justify the anomaly in Hebrew) Jer 38:5 the imperfect may be due to the fact that no participle of יָכֹל was in use, and a relation must be tacitly supplied: 'The king is not (one that) can do aught against you.' On Exod 3:2 see Ges^{«GKC:52»§ 52}, 2 R. 6; Ew^{§ 169 d.}

3. ׳אֵין לְ, with substantive, or pronoun, there is (was) not to . . . = . . . have, has, had, etc. not: Gen 11:30 אֵין לָהּ וָלָד she had no child, Num 27:9 וְאִםאֵֿין לוֺ בַּת and if he have no daughter + often; with a participle Deut 22:27; Jer 14:16; Jer 30:17; Jer 49:5; Jer 50:32; Ps 142:5; Lam 1:2; Lam 1:9; Lam 1:17; Exod 22:2 אִםאֵֿין לוֺ if he have nought, Dan 9:26 ואין לו and have nought (or none).

4. in circumstantial clauses (Dr^{§ 164}): —
(a) Exod 21:11 she shall go out free אֵין כָּ֑סֶף without money, Exod 22:9 אֵין רֹאֶה none seeing it, Num 11:6; Isa 47:1; Jer 2:32; Hos 3:4; Hos 7:11; Ps 32:9; Ps 88:5 + .
(b) Deut 32:4 a God of faithfulness וְאֵין עָוֶל and no iniquity, i.e. without iniquity, Jer 5:21; Joel 1:6; Ps 104:25.
(c) very often, in such phrases as וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד with none to affright Lev 26:6 (12 t.); וְאֵין מְכַבֶּה Isa 1:31 and elsewhere; וְאֵין מַצִּיל Isa 5:29; Ps 7:3, etc. (Dr^{§ 159}).

5. with infinitive and ׳ל, it is not to . . . : i.e.
(a) like οὐκ ἔστιν, it is not possible to . . . (compare below יֵשׁ and לֹא), but hardly except in late Hebrew; 2Chr 20:6 וְאֵין עִמְּךָ לְהִתְיַצֵּב it is not possible to stand (in conflict) with thee, 2Chr 22:9; Ezra 9:15; Eccl 3:14; Esth 4:2. Once without ל, Ps 40:6 אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלָיךָ οὐκ ἔστι παραβάλλειν σοι. (β) there is no need to . . . 1Chr 23:26 וְגַם לַלְוִיִּם אֵיןלָֿשֵׂאת for the Levites also there was no need to bear 2Chr 5:11; 2Chr 35:15 (see Dr^{§ 202. 1}).

6. with prefixes : —
a. בְּאֵין properly in defect of: — (a) for want of, without — Prov 5:23 HE will die בְּאֵין מוּסָר for lack of instruction, Prov 11:14 בְּאֵין תַּחְבֻּלוֺת without guidance, Prov 14:4; Prov 15:22; Prov 26:20; Prov 29:18; Isa 57:1; Ezek 38:11 compare בְּלֹא. (β) of time = when there was (were) not Prov 8:24 (twice in verse).
b. כְּאֵין Isa 59:10 כְּאֵין עֵינַיִם in poetry for כַּאֲשֶׁר אֵין לוֺ עֵינַיִם (compare Ew^{§ 286 g} Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 1 h).
c. לְאֵין (α) for לַאֲשֶׁר אֵין לוֺ Isa 40:29 inlate prose 2Chr 14:10; Neh 8:10. (β) in the condition of not. . . (ל of state, see below ל) = without or so that not . . . (peculiar to Chronicles), 1Chr 22:4 cedar trees לְאֵין מִסְפָּר without number, 2Chr 14:12 and there fell of the Cushites לְאֵיןלָֿהֶם מִחְיָה so that they had none remaining alive, 2Chr 20:25 לְאֵין מַשָּׂא so that there was no carrying away, 2Chr 21:18; Ezra 9:14. (γ) עַדלְֿאֵין (see ׳עַד ל), 2Chr 36:16 until there was no remedy (compare עַד אֵין ֗֗֗ Ps 40:13; Job 5:9).
d. מֵאֵין
(a) (מִן causal) from lack of . . . Isa 50:2; Jer 7:32; Jer 19:11. (β) (מִן negative, see מִן) properly away from there being no. . . (with אֵין pleonastic, compare מִבְּלִי, and מִבְּלִי אֵין), i.e. so that not. . ., without, mostly epexegetical of some term expressing desolation: Isa 5:9 Surely many houses shall be desolate מֵאֵין יוֺשֵׁב without inhabitant, Isa 6:11 + often Jeremiah & Zephaniah; Isa 6:11 מֵאֵין אָדָם, Jer 32:43 מֵאֵין אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה Jer 33:10; Jer 33:12; Ezek 33:28; Lam 3:49. Once followed by infinitive Mal 2:13 so that there is no regarding more. (γ) in Jer 10:6; Jer 10:7 מֵאֵין כָּמוֺךָ, מֵאֵין is supposed by some to = a strengthened אֵין, even none, none at all; but it is difficult to justify this explanation logically; and it is preferable to point מֵאַיִן כָּמוֺךָ whence is any like thee? compare Jer 30:7. (So Hi see Dr^{Hebraica. ii. 34-7}.)

no, not, none, without, neither, …

ʾayin

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

nothing, not, nought

(n) nothing, nought

רֹדֵ֣ף

Root word pursued, pursue, persecute, follow, chased, …

Dictionary form: רָדַף · raw-DAHP

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 pursueth

pursued ×15 and pursued ×8 pursue ×7 persecute ×4 the pursuers ×4 to pursue ×4 and chased ×3 pursueth ×3

More options

pursue — Neutral, versatile; fits military and figurative contexts.

chase — More vivid, physical urgency; good for flight/battle scenes.

hunt down — Implies relentless, predatory tracking of a target.

persecute — Prefer for sustained, hostile oppression of a person or group.

go after — Colloquial; softer tone, suits non-hostile following contexts.

hound — Figurative intensity; good for oppressor-victim imagery.

BDB7775 H7291

רָדַף₁₄₁ verb pursue, chase, persecute (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic רְדַף, ; Arabic ; Sabean רדף id., SabDenkm^{No. 7, 1. 2}); —

Qal₁₂₈ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ר Judg 4:16 +; 1 singular וְרָדַפְתִּ֫י Jer 29:18, etc.; Imperfect יִרְדֹּף Deut 19:6 +, ִירַדֹּף Ps 7:6 (apparently to give choice of Qal or Pi, Ki JHMich Bae and others; Ges^{«GKC:63n»§ 63n} explanation as developed from יִרֲדֹף, compare Ol^{§ 236 e, and, further}, Kö^{i. 160}), suffix יִרְ דְָּפֶ֑ךָ Ezek 35:6 (twice in verse), etc.; Imperative masculine singular רְדֹף Gen 44:4 +, suffix רָדְפֵהוּ Ps 34:15 masculine plural רִדְפוּ Judg 3:28 +; Infinitive construct רָדְפִף Josh 8:16 +, מִרְדֹף 1Sam 23:28; 2Sam 18:16, suffix רָדְפִי Ps 38:21 Qr, רדופי Kt, etc.; Participle רֹדֵף Judg 4:22 +, plural רֹדְפִים Judg 8:4 +; —

1. a. pursue (sometimes + הִשִּׂיג): literal with אַחֲרֵי person, in order to overtake Gen 44:4 (J), 2Kgs 5:21 especially with hostile purpose Gen 31:23 (+ הִדְבִּיק), Gen 35:5; Josh 24:6 (all E), Josh 2:5; Josh 2:7 (twice in verse); Josh 8:16 (twice in verse); Josh 8:17; Josh 10:19 (JE), Deut 11:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (all D), Exod 14:4; Exod 14:8; Exod 14:9 (P), Judg 1:6; 2Sam 20:6; 2Sam 20:7; 2Sam 20:10; 2Sam 20:13; 2Kgs 9:27 + 17 t., + 2Kgs 25:5 (אַחַר), + Judg 4:16 (אַחֲרֵי הָרֶכֶב); + רִדְפוּ אַחֲרֵי Judg 3:28 = follow me (as leader; but this meaning not elsewhere; read רְדוּ ᵐ5 Kit GFM).
b. literal, with accusative of person, put to flight, chase (defeated foe; sometimes with הִשִּׁיג): Amos 1:11; Hos 8:3; Deut 32:30 (poem; || הֵנִיס), Deut 28:22; Deut 28:45; Josh 23:10 (D), Lev 26:8 (twice in verse) (H); וְרָדַף אֹתָם קוֺל עָלֶה נִדָּף vLev 26:36 a (H); Josh 7:5; Josh 8:24; Josh 10:10; Josh 11:8 (all J E), Gen 14:15; Deut 1:44; Judg 4:22; Isa 41:3 + 13 t. + Judg 7:25 (read אֶתֿ for אֶלֿ, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 GFM Bu Now).
c. literal, accusative omitted Judg 8:4; 1Sam 30:8 (+ הִשִּׂיג), v1Sam 30:10; Gen 14:14; Exod 14:23 (P), Exod 15:9 (poem; + הִשִּׂיג), Lev 26:36 b. 37 (H), Prov 28:1 especially participle plural ׳הָר the pursuers Josh 2:16 (twice in verse); Josh 2:22 (twice in verse); Neh 9:11; Isa 30:16, so הָרֹדֵף Josh 8:20; Lam 1:6.
d. chase, hunt, partridge (קֹרֵא) 1Sam 26:20 (in simile; || בִּקֵּשׁ).
e. pursue, in figure, Jer 20:11; Lam 4:19, רִדְפוּ וְתִפְשׂוּהוּ Ps 71:11, compare Lam 1:3; Ps 7:6 (+ הִשִּׂיג; see above); especially subject ׳י, pursue (figurative of punishment, judgment), with accusative of person Jer 29:18 (בַּחֶרֶב), Lam 3:43 and (בְּאַף) vLam 3:66, Ps 83:16 (בְּסַעֲרֶ֑ךָ); אֶתקַֿשׁ יָבֵשׁ תִּרְדֹּף Job 13:25 (|| תַּעַרוֺץ); רֹדְפָם, of ׳מַלְאַךְ י, Ps 35:6. feminine figurative persecute, harass, with accusative of person Deut 30:7; Job 19:22 (כְּמוֺאֵֿל), Ps 69:27; Ps 109:16; Ps 119:86; Ps 119:161 with accusative נַפְשִׁי Ps 143:3, with accusative נֲדִבָתִי Job 30:15 (but subject obscure; read perhaps תֵּרָדֵף Bu; Du תִּנָּדֵף); with ל person Job 19:28 participle as substantive Jer 15:15; Jer 17:18; Ps 7:2; Ps 31:16 (|| אוֺיְבַי; We מְרַדְּפָ֑י for וַרֹדְפָ֑י), Ps 35:3; Ps 119:84; Ps 119:157 (+ צָרַי), Ps 142:7.
g. pursue, dog, subject דָּם, with accusative of person Ezek 35:6 (twice in verse) (del v^a ᵐ5 Co Toy Krae); in good sense, attend closely upon, טוֺב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְּפוּנִי Ps 23:6.

2. figurative follow after, aim to secure: in bad sense, with accusative שַׁלְמֹנִים Isa 1:23, שֵׁכָר Isa 5:11, קָדִים ׳ר Hos 12:2, רֹדְפֵי זִמָּה Ps 119:150 good sense, with infinitive ׳לְדַעַת אֶתיֿ Hos 6:3, with accusative צֶדֶק Deut 16:20; Isa 51:1 (|| ׳מְבַקְשֵׁי י), צְדָקָה וָחָ֑סֶד Prov 21:21, שָׁלוֺם Ps 34:15 (|| בַּוֵּשׁ), טוֺב Ps 38:21. Niph`al passive: Perfect 1 plural עַלצַֿוָּארֵנוּ נִרְדָּ֑פְנוּ Lam 5:5 upon our neck (i.e. closely) we are pursued (improbable, compare Bu); perhaps Imperfect 3 feminine singular תֵּרָדֵף Job 30:15 Bu (for תִּרְדֹּף); Participle ׳א יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶתנִֿרְדָּ֑ף Eccl 3:15 God seeketh the pursued (i.e. what has disappeared, is past, but dubious). Pi`el Perfect 3 feminine singular consecutive וְרִדְּפָה Hos 2:9 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְרַדֶּףֿ Nah 1:8 (Ps 7:6 see Qal); 3 feminine singular תְּרַדֵּף Prov 13:21 Participle מְרֵדֵּףֿ Prov 11:19 +; — pursue ardently, with accusative of person Hos 2:9 (in figurative); figurative also חשֶׁךְ ׳יְר Nah 1:8 (Gunk^{ZAW xiii (1893), 230}, plausibly, יֶהְדֹּף), compare Prov 13:31 elsewhere participle, in Proverbs: aim (eagerly) to secure, with accusative רָעָה Prov 11:19, רֵיקִים Prov 12:11; Prov 28:19, אֲמָרִים Prov 19:7 (meaning dubious, see Toy); in good sense, צְדָקָה Prov 15:9. Pu`al Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְרֻדַּף כְמֹץ הָרִים Isa 17:13 it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains (|| וְנָס). Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix הִרְּדִיפֻהוּ Judg 20:43 usually they chased him (Benjamin, collective), but strange after כִתְּרוּ surrounded (still stranger after כתתו or כרתו ᵐ5), and why Hiph`il? GFM conjecture dittograph of הִדְרִיכֻהוּ following; the reverse conjectured by Bu Now.

BDB7776 H4783 H7291

מֻרְדָּף noun [masculine] persecution (si vera lectio) (formed like Hoph`al Participle); — Isa 14:6, but ᵑ7 Thes and most מִרְדַּת q. v.

pursued, pursue, persecute, follow, chased, …

rādap

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after

(Qal)

to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon

to be pursued

רָשָׁ֑ע

Root word wicked, ungodly, wrong, condemned, guilty, …

Dictionary form: רָשָׁע · raw-SHAW

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the wicked

of the wicked ×84 the wicked ×68 and the wicked ×10 but the wicked ×9 wicked ×8 unto the wicked ×6 when the wicked ×6 a wicked ×5

More options

wicked person — Most direct modern rendering; clear moral condemnation.

evildoer — Active nuance; emphasizes harmful deeds over inner character.

ungodly person — Highlights rebellion against God; suits theological contexts.

villain — Vivid and accessible; better for narrative than legal texts.

guilty one — Prefer in legal or judicial settings; forensic connotation.

wrongdoer — Milder tone; useful when moral charge should be understated.

BDB8124 H7563

רָשָׁע₂₆₃ adjective wicked, criminal; — absolute ׳ר Gen 18:23 +; plural רְשָׁעִים Isa 13:11 +; construct רִשְׁעֵי Ps 75:9 + 3 t. feminine singular רְשָׁעָה Ezek 3:18 (strike out Co), vEzek 3:19 (רָשָׁע Co); —

1. usually as substantive, one guilty of crime, deserving punishment; sometimes also wicked; opposed to צַדִּיע; רָשָׁע Exod 2:13; Exod 23:1 (E), Deut 25:2; Prov 17:23; Prov 18:5; Prov 25:5; Job 9:22; Job 9:24 collective Gen 18:23; Gen 18:25 (twice in verse) (J) Mic 6:10; Prov 3:33; Prov 28:4, רשׁעים 1Sam 24:14; Jer 5:26; Prov 19:28; Prov 20:26; Prov 29:12, אנשׁים רשׁעים 2Sam 4:11 (murderers), רָשָׁע לָמוּת Num 35:31 (P) guilty of death, ׳מוֺשֵׁל ר Prov 28:15, compare Prov 29:2, ׳הִצְדִּיק ר Exod 23:7 (E) Isa 5:23; Prov 17:15 ׳הִרְשִׁיעַ ר Deut 25:1; 1Kgs 8:32 = השׁיב לְרָשָׁע 2Chr 6:23 צַדִּיק ׳אמר לר Prov 24:24.

2. guilty of hostility to God or his people, wicked enemies: רשׁע singular Ps 17:13 + 6 t. Psalms; Isa 26:10 collective Ps 9:6; Ps 9:17; Ps 10:2 + 6 t. Psalms; Isa 11:4; Hab 3:13 רשׁעים Ps 3:8; Ps 7:10; Ps 9:18 + 5 t. Psalms; Isa 48:22; Isa 57:20; Isa 57:21; Jer 25:31; Ezek 21:34; Mal 3:21 ( + (possibly) other cases; often hard to decide); specifically of Pharaoh Exod 9:27 (J), Babylon Isa 13:11; Isa 14:5, Chaldeans Hab 1:4; Hab 1:13 || שׂנְאֵי יהוה 2Chr 19:2.

3. guilty of sin, against either God or man, wicked: האנשׁים הרשׁעים Num 16:26 (J, rebellious Korahites), Mal 3:18 (not serving ׳י), opposed to צַדִּיק; singular individual Ezek 3:18 (twice in verse); Ezek 21:30; Ezek 33:8 (twice in verse); Ps 11:5; Ps 32:10; Prov 9:7 +; collective Isa 3:11; Job 34:18; Job 36:6; Job 36:17 plural רשׁעים Isa 53:9; Jer 23:19 = Jer 30:23, Zeph 1:3; Ps 26:5; Prov 10:3; Eccl 8:10 +; || חסֹידים 1Sam 2:9 (Poem), Ps 12:9; Ps 50:16; Ps 97:10; Ps 145:20 || עֹזְבֵי תוֺדָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 119:53 compare V:61, +; ׳אדם ר Prov 11:7; Job 20:29; Job 27:13 ׳אִישׁ ר Prov 21:29 ׳מלאך ר Prov 13:17 זֶרַע רשׁעים Ps 37:28 עֲצַת רשׁעים Ps 1:1; Job 10:3; Job 21:16; Job 22:18 דֶּרֶךְ רשׁעים Jer 12:1; Ps 1:6; Ps 146:9; Prov 4:19; Prov 12:26 דֶּרֶךְ רשׁע Prov 15:9 מִדַּדְכּוֺ הָֽרְשָׁעה Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:19 (but see, Co, above); רִשְׁעֵי (ה)ארץ Ps 75:9; Ps 101:8; Ps 119:119; Ezek 7:21 (ᵐ5 Co עריצי). — is rare before exile; chiefly Ezekiel Psalms Wisdom Literature.

wicked, ungodly, wrong, condemned, guilty, …

rāšāʿ

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

wicked, criminal

guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)

וְ ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים

וְ

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

֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים

Root word righteous, just, lawful

Dictionary form: צַדִּיק · tsahd-DEEK

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: but the righteous

the righteous ×49 of the righteous ×37 of the just ×9 righteous ×9 the just ×7 a righteous ×6 is righteous ×6 a just ×5

More options

righteous — Modernized from KJV; broadest theological and ethical use.

just — Emphasizes fairness and legal uprightness; good in legal contexts.

upright — Highlights moral integrity; suits wisdom literature tone.

innocent — Prefer when contrasted with the guilty in legal settings.

virtuous — Stresses moral excellence; works well in narrative prose.

godly — Foregrounds devotion to God; suits psalms and prophetic texts.

BDB6944 H6662

צַדִּיק₂₀₆ adjective just, righteous; — absolute ׳צ Gen 6:9+; plural צַדִּיקִים Exod 23:8+, etc.; —

1. just, righteous, in government:
a. of Davidic king 2Sam 23:3 צֶמַהּ Jer 23:5; Zech 9:9 (|| victorious).
b. of judges, Ezek 23:45; Prov 29:2 (see Toy; Kau questions this meaning in all these).
c. of law, ׳מִשְׁפָּטִים צ Deut 4:8.
d. of God Deut 32:4; Ps 119:137; Ps 129:4; Job 34:17, opposed to Pharaoh Exod 9:27 (J); in discrimination Jer 12:1; Zeph 3:5; Ps 7:10; Ps 7:12; Ps 11:7 condemnation 2Chr 12:6; Dan 9:14; Lam 1:18; Ezra 9:15; Neh 9:33 redemption Isa 45:21; Ps 116:5 keeping promises Neh 9:8 in all his ways Ps 145:17.

2. just in one's cause, right: Exod 23:7; Exod 23:8 (E) Deut 16:19; Deut 25:1; 1Kgs 8:32 = 2Chr 6:23; Isa 5:23; Isa 29:21; Job 32:1; Job 36:7; Prov 17:15; Prov 17:26; Prov 18:5; Prov 18:17; Prov 24:24; Amos 2:6; Amos 5:12; Hab 1:4; Hab 1:13 right in law, not under penalty 2Sam 4:11; 1Kgs 2:32 innocent of specific offence 2Kgs 10:9 with מְן compare 1Sam 24:18.

3. just, righteous, in conduct and character:
a. towards God Gen 7:1; Gen 18:23; Gen 18:24 (twice in verse); Gen 18:25 (twice in verse); Gen 18:26; Gen 18:28 (J) Gen 20:4 (E), Hab 2:4; Mal 3:18.
b. in general, ethically: Ps 5:13; Ps 7:10; Ps 11:3; Ps 11:5 + 21 t. Psalms (+below), Prov 2:20; Prov 3:33; Prov 4:18; Prov 9:9 + 56 t. Proverbs; Eccl 3:17 + 7 t. Ecclesiastes; Isa 3:10; Isa 57:1 (twice in verse); Jer 20:12; Lam 4:13; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 3:21 (twice in verse) + 12 t. Ezekiel; Hos 14:10 || תמים Gen 6:9 (P) Job 12:4 || נָקִי Job 17:9; Job 22:19; Job 27:17; Ps 94:21 || יִשְׁרֵי לֵב Ps 32:11; Ps 64:11; Ps 97:11.

4. righteous, as justified and vindicated by ׳י, especially servant of ׳י Isa 53:11, so his people, usually plural Isa 60:21; Ps 33:1 + 8 t. Psalms (see also above); ׳אָהֳלֵי צ Ps 118:15 tents of the righteous; ׳גּוֺרַל צ Ps 125:3 ׳עֲדִת צ Ps 1:5 ׳דֶּרֶךְ צ vPs 1:6 singular collective Ps 34:20; Ps 34:22; Ps 75:11; Isa 24:16; Isa 26:7 (twice in verse); גּוֺי צַדִּיק vIsa 26:2 (|| שֹׁמֵר אֱמֻנִים).

5. right, correct, Isa 41:26 (compare אֱמֶת Isa 43:9); lawful ׳שְׁבִי צ Isa 49:24 EV; but read עָרִיץ.

righteous, just, lawful

ṣaddîq

just

just, lawful, righteous

just, righteous (in government)

כִּ כְפִ֥יר

כִּ

Prefix — preposition like, as

כְפִ֥יר

Root word lion, lions, villages, young

Dictionary form: כְּפִיר · keh-PEER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: as a lion

of the young lions ×4 the young lions ×4 a young lion ×3 and the young lion ×2 of a lion ×2 a young ×1 and as a young lion ×1 and as it were a young lion ×1

More options

young lion — Most direct modern equivalent; broadly useful.

lion cub — Emphasizes youth and smallness of the animal.

juvenile lion — More clinical; useful in prose or study notes.

lion — Use when age/size distinction is not contextually important.

pride lion — Highlights pack/social context; niche poetic use.

BDB4162 H3715

כְּפִיר noun masculine young lion; — ׳כ Judg 14:5 + 16 t.; plural כְּפִרִים Jer 2:15 + 3 t.; כְּפִירִים Zech 11:3 + 7 t.; suffix כְּפִירַיִךְ Nah 2:14 כְּפִירֶיהָ Ezek 38:13 (Co reads כנעניה); — literal אֲרָיוֺת ׳כ Judg 14:5 young lion of lions; Amos 3:4; Ps 17:12. It differs from whelp גּוּר Ezek 19:2; Ezek 19:3 as old enough to hunt its prey, Jer 25:38; Isa 11:6; Zech 11:3; Ps 104:21 in simile of roar of hostile army Isa 5:29 ׅ || (לָבִיא compare Jer 51:38 ׅ || (גּוֺרֵי אריות; sim of ׳י's invincible might Isa 31:4 ׅ || (אַרְיֵה; of Israel among the nations, Mic 5:7 of Assyr. princes Nah 2:12 of prince of Israel Ezek 19:5; Ezek 19:6 other cases are: || לָבִיא Job 38:39 || שַׁחַל Hos 5:14; Ps 91:13; Job 4:10 of bloodthirsty enemies Ps 34:11; Ps 35:17; Ps 58:7; Jer 2:15 גוים ׳כ Ezek 32:2, of young warriors Nah 2:14; Ezek 38:13 (?; see Co above); righteous compared with, Prov 28:1 king's wrath like roaring of, Prov 19:12; Prov 20:2 of one of faces of cherubim Ezek 41:19.

lion, lions, villages, young

kĕpîr

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

young lion

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.

נָ֣סוּ וְאֵין רֹדֵ֣ף רָשָׁ֑ע Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים Revia Mugrash — a lesser break כִּכְפִ֥יר יִבְטָֽח Silluq — end of the verse

נָסוּ וְאֵין-רֹדֵף רָשָׁע וְצַדִּיקִים כִּכְפִיר יִבְטָֽח׃

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Cross References

Deuteronomy 28:7

יִתֵּן יְהוָה אֶת-אֹֽיְבֶיךָ הַקָּמִים עָלֶיךָ נִגָּפִים לְפָנֶיךָ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד יֵֽצְאוּ אֵלֶיךָ וּבְשִׁבְעָה דְרָכִים יָנוּסוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

Psalms 53:5

שָׁם׀ פָּחֲדוּ פַחַד לֹא-הָיָה פָחַד כִּֽי-אֱלֹהִים פִּזַּר עַצְמוֹת חֹנָךְ הֱבִשֹׁתָה כִּֽי-אֱלֹהִים מְאָסָֽם׃

There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

Isaiah 26:3

יֵצֶר סָמוּךְ תִּצֹּר שָׁלוֹם׀ שָׁלוֹם כִּי בְךָ בָּטֽוּחַ׃

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Psalms 27:1

יְהוָה׀ אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי מִמִּי אִירָא יְהוָה מָֽעוֹז-חַיַּי מִמִּי אֶפְחָֽד׃

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 112:7

מִשְּׁמוּעָה רָעָה לֹא יִירָא נָכוֹן לִבּוֹ בָּטֻחַ בַּיהוָֽה׃

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

ἀλλὰ καὶ προπαθόντες καὶ ὑβρισθέντες καθὼς οἴδατε ἐν Φιλίπποις ἐπαῤῥησιασάμεθα ἐν τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν λαλῆσαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Acts 4:13

Θεωροῦντες δὲ τὴν τοῦ Πέτρου παῤῥησίαν καὶ Ἰωάννου καὶ καταλαβόμενοι ὅτι ἄνθρωποι ἀγράμματοί εἰσιν καὶ ἰδιῶται ἐθαύμαζον ἐπεγίνωσκόν τε αὐτοὺς ὅτι σὺν τῷ Ἰησοῦ ἦσαν

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Daniel 6:10

וְדָנִיֵּאל כְּדִי יְדַע דִּֽי-רְשִׁים כְּתָבָא עַל לְבַיְתֵהּ וְכַוִּין פְּתִיחָן לֵהּ בְּעִלִּיתֵהּ נֶגֶד יְרוּשְׁלֶם וְזִמְנִין תְּלָתָה בְיוֹמָא הוּא׀ בָּרֵךְ עַל-בִּרְכוֹהִי וּמְצַלֵּא וּמוֹדֵא קֳדָם אֱלָהֵהּ כָּל-קֳבֵל דִּֽי-הֲוָא עָבֵד מִן-קַדְמַת דְּנָֽה׃

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Acts 14:3

ἱκανὸν μὲν οὖν χρόνον διέτριψαν παῤῥησιαζόμενοι ἐπὶ τῷ κυρίῳ τῷ μαρτυροῦντι τῷ λόγῳ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ καὶ διδόντι σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα γίνεσθαι διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Jeremiah 20:4

כִּי כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה הִנְנִי נֹתֶנְךָ לְמָגוֹר לְךָ וּלְכָל-אֹהֲבֶיךָ וְנָֽפְלוּ בְּחֶרֶב אֹיְבֵיהֶם וְעֵינֶיךָ רֹאוֹת וְאֶת-כָּל-יְהוּדָה אֶתֵּן בְּיַד מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל וְהִגְלָם בָּבֶלָה וְהִכָּם בֶּחָֽרֶב׃

For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

Leviticus 26:36

וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים בָּכֶם וְהֵבֵאתִי מֹרֶךְ בִּלְבָבָם בְּאַרְצֹת אֹֽיְבֵיהֶם וְרָדַף אֹתָם קוֹל עָלֶה נִדָּף וְנָסוּ מְנֻֽסַת-חֶרֶב וְנָֽפְלוּ וְאֵין רֹדֵֽף׃

And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Psalms 46:2

עַל-כֵּן לֹא-נִירָא בְּהָמִיר אָרֶץ וּבְמוֹט הָרִים בְּלֵב יַמִּֽים׃

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Daniel 3:16

עֲנוֹ שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד נְגוֹ וְאָמְרִין לְמַלְכָּא נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר לָֽא-חַשְׁחִין אֲנַחְנָא עַל-דְּנָה פִּתְגָם לַהֲתָבוּתָֽךְ׃

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

2 Kings 7:6

וַֽאדֹנָי הִשְׁמִיעַ׀ אֶת-מַֽחֲנֵה אֲרָם קוֹל רֶכֶב קוֹל סוּס קוֹל חַיִל גָּדוֹל וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ אִישׁ אֶל-אָחִיו הִנֵּה שָֽׂכַר-עָלֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-מַלְכֵי הַֽחִתִּים וְאֶת-מַלְכֵי מִצְרַיִם לָבוֹא עָלֵֽינוּ׃

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

Deuteronomy 28:25

יִתֶּנְךָ יְהוָה׀ נִגָּף לִפְנֵי אֹֽיְבֶיךָ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד תֵּצֵא אֵלָיו וּבְשִׁבְעָה דְרָכִים תָּנוּס לְפָנָיו וְהָיִיתָ לְזַֽעֲוָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

2 Kings 7:15

וַיֵּֽלְכוּ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם עַד-הַיַּרְדֵּן וְהִנֵּה כָל-הַדֶּרֶךְ מְלֵאָה בְגָדִים וְכֵלִים אֲשֶׁר-הִשְׁלִיכוּ אֲרָם ‫(בהחפזם)‬ בְּחָפְזָם וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים וַיַּגִּדוּ לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.

Isaiah 7:2

וַיֻּגַּד לְבֵית דָּוִד לֵאמֹר נָחָֽה אֲרָם עַל-אֶפְרָיִם וַיָּנַע לְבָבוֹ וּלְבַב עַמּוֹ כְּנוֹעַ עֲצֵי-יַעַר מִפְּנֵי-רֽוּחַ׃

And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

Exodus 11:8

וְיָֽרְדוּ כָל-עֲבָדֶיךָ אֵלֶּה אֵלַי וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוּוּ-לִי לֵאמֹר צֵא אַתָּה וְכָל-הָעָם אֲשֶׁר-בְּרַגְלֶיךָ וְאַֽחֲרֵי-כֵן אֵצֵא וַיֵּצֵא מֵֽעִם-פַּרְעֹה בָּֽחֳרִי-אָֽף׃

And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

Leviticus 26:17

וְנָֽתַתִּי פָנַי בָּכֶם וְנִגַּפְתֶּם לִפְנֵי אֹֽיְבֵיכֶם וְרָדוּ בָכֶם שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶם וְנַסְתֶּם וְאֵין-רֹדֵף אֶתְכֶֽם׃

And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

Read Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:2

Proverbs 28:1

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqp3cp

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5127

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Grammar C/Tn

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H369

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Grammar Vqrmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7291

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Grammar Aamsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7563

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Grammar C/Aampa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6662

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Grammar R/Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3715

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Grammar Vqi3ms

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H982

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KJV