Proverbs 7:5

לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ מֵאִשָּׁ֣ה זָרָ֑ה מִ֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לִ ֭שְׁמָרְ ךָ
לִ
Prefix — preposition to, for
֭שְׁמָרְ
Root word keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …
ךָ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: שָׁמַר · shaw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: that they may keep
keep ×28 kept ×24 and keep ×23 to keep ×23 take heed ×16 and to keep ×7 observe ×7 ye shall keep ×6
More options
keep — Most versatile rendering; suits commands and ongoing obligations.
observe — Best for law/covenant contexts: observe the sabbath.
guard — Physical or protective watching over something or someone.
watch over — Caring, attentive oversight; warm, pastoral register.
heed — Prefer when the nuance is careful attention or warning.
preserve — Suits divine protection contexts: God preserves his people.

BDB8848 H8104

BDB8847 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8849

I. שָׁמַר465 verb keep, watch, preserve (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמר in proper name and (Punic) = watchman; Tel Amarna šimiru is perhaps overseer (Canaanism), WklNo. 80, i. 23; Mandean סמירא preserved NöM 46; compare Arabic converse by night, stay awake (see LagBN 105); BaNB 175 f.; ES 43 infers from eyelid (compare [שְׁמֻרָה] below), and Arabic support, aid, protect (l = r), that two √ √ are combined in Hebrew; but proof insufficient); —

Qal425 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 37:11 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמֹר 1Sam 2:9 +, יִשְׁמָרֿ Jer 5:24 +, suffix 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּ Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 3 feminine singular suffix תִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑ם Prov 14:3 (read תִּשְׁמְרוּם, see Ges«GKC:47g»§ 47g Toy), etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמֹר Job 2:6 +, שָׁמְרָה 1Chr 29:18 +; masculine plural שִׁמְרוּ Josh 6:18 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺר Deut 5:12 +; construct שְׁמֹר Gen 3:24 +, suffix שָׁמְרָהּ Gen 2:15, etc.; Participle active שֹׁמֵר 1Sam 1:12 +, etc.; passive שָׁמוּר Eccl 5:12 (1Sam 9:24 see below), etc.; — [Synon. I. נָצַר, נָטַר, q. v.]:
1. a. keep, have charge of, garden Gen 2:15 (J), ark 1Sam 7:1, property in trust Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9 (E), compare 1Sam 25:31 tend flock Gen 30:31 (E), compare Zech 3:7; Num 3:8 (P); so perhaps (object omitted) Hos 12:13 (where ׳שׁ chosen for parallelism Now Marti and others); Participle הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹ֑כִי Gen 4:9 (J), ׳שׁ of sheep 1Sam 17:20, הַכֵּלִים ׳שׁ v1Sam 17:22, הַכְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:22, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:15, compare vEsth 2:14, etc.
  b. keep, guard, captives Josh 10:18 (J), 1Kgs 20:39, דֶּרֶךְ Gen 3:24 (J); keep watch and ward, אֶל person for whom 1Sam 26:15 (Ps 59:10 see 3 end), עַל person vPs 59:16; Prov 6:22 בַּנַּעַר 2Sam 18:12 have a care of (read לִי for מִי ᵐ5 and modern); in hostile sense, אֶל הָעִיר (in siege) 2Sam 11:16, חַטָאתִי עַל Job 14:16 (but read תַּעֲבֹר with ᵐ5 Ew Di Du and others [not Hi Bu]); absolute with מֵעַל Eccl 5:7 watcheth above, etc.; keep one's mouth, be prudent of speech Prov 21:33, compare Mic 7:5 keep = protect, save, one's life, נֶפֶשׁ Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5, another's Job 2:6 in Proverbs, accusative of person, subject wisdom, Job 4:6 she shall preserve thee, compare (+ מִן of evil) Job 6:24; Job 7:5 especially Participle watch, watchman, of city Isa 21:11 (twice in verse); Isa 21:12; Isa 62:5 (figurative), Song 3:3; Song 5:7 (twice in verse); Ps 127:1 הַמֶּלֶף ׳שׁ (in temple) Jer 35:4 + (see סַף), פֶּית הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳הַפּ 1Kgs 14:27 = 2Chr 12:10, הַשְּׁעָרִים ׳שׁ Neh 13:22, שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת (figurative) Eccl 12:3 ׳שׁ הַבַּיִתךֵסעוֺה ךֵהת פךֵךֵכ (of David's concubines) 2Sam 15:16; 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 20:3 שֹׁמֵר הַכֵּלִים 1Sam 17:22, הַבְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14, חַפַּרְדֵּס ׳שׁ Neh 2:8, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:14; Esth 2:15, שֹׁמְרִים absolute Judg 7:19; Jer 51:12.
  c. hence watch for, wait for, accusative of person 1Sam 19:11 (to kill him), compare Ps 59:1 (title; accusative הַבַּיִת); with יֲקֵכַי Ps 56:7 = dog my steps, Ps 71:10; Jer 20:10 = watch (suspiciously) Job 10:14; Job 13:27; Job 33:11 absolute הַשֹּׁעמרִים Judg 1:24 wait for, נֶשֶׁף Job 24:15, לַבֹּקֶר Ps 130:6 (twice in verse).
  d. watch, observe, accusative of thing 1Sam 1:12; Eccl 11:4; Job 39:1; Jer 8:7 (of birds), with intelligence Isa 42:20; Ps 107:43 accusative of person Ps 37:37 (|| ראה), Zech 11:11 accusative of sin Ps 31:7; Ps 130:3 accusative of thing, for the purpose of avoiding, Ps 17:4.
2. a. keep, retain, of storing up (food) Gen 41:35 (E); absolute Eccl 3:6 (opposed to הִשְׁלִיךְ); treasure up (in memory) Gen 37:11 (E), compare Mal 2:7; 1Chr 29:18; Prov 4:21 (בְּתוֺךְ לְבָבֶ֑ךְ), Prov 22:18 (כְּבִטֱנ֑ךָ); retain wrath Amos 1:11 (read שָׁמֶר לָנֶצַח We Now GASm Marti; see also נָטַר 1) + (anger omitted) Jer 3:5 (|| נטר).
  b. keep within bounds, restrain, object שׁוֺר Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 (E); with accusative hand, מִן of evil Isa 56:2 figurative keep thy foot, with temporal clause Eccl 4:17 לְֿפִי מַחְסוֺם׳אֶשׁ Ps 39:2 (ᵐ5 Du and others אָשִׁימָה); apparently reflexive (= Niph`al), Josh 6:18 (+ מִןהַֿחֵרֶס), possibly sc. גַפְשְׁכֶם Di.
3. a. observe, celebrate, accusative of festival, etc., Exod 23:15 (E), Exod 34:18 (J), Exod 12:17 of day vExod 12:17 (P), of month Deut 16:1.
  b. keep Sabbath Deut 5:12; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:30; Lev 26:2 (all H), Exod 31:13; Exod 31:14; Exod 31:16 (P), Isa 56:4, also (+ מֵחַלְּלוֺ) vIsa 56:2 vIsa 56:6.
  c. of other obligations: keep convenant Ezek 17:14, especially convenant of ׳י Deut 29:8; 1Kgs 11:11 + 5 t., ׳שְׁבֻעַת י 1Kgs 2:43, perform vow Deut 23:24 keep commands Jer 35:18; Ezek 20:18 especially מִצָוֺת, תֻקִּים, יֲבֹדָה, etc., of ׳י (sometimes || נצר), Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10; Amos 2:4; 1Kgs 2:3; Ps 119:8; Ps 119:17; Ps 119:34 + very often (c. 120 t.); ׳דֶּרֶח י ׳שׁ Gen 18:19 (J) + 4 t., ׳דַּרְכֵי י 2Sam 22:22 = Ps 18:22, ׳י ׳ד omitted Judg 2:22 b; אָרְחוֺת צַדַּיקִים ׳שׁ Prov 2:20 (|| תֵּלֵח תְּלֵח בְּדֶרֶח טוֺבֹים), ׳שׁ דְּרָכַי (ways of wisdom) Prov 8:32 (Ps 17:4 see 1 d); keep discharge an office, כְּהֻנָּה Num 3:10; Num 18:7 (both P), absolute 2Chr 5:11 a function or duty, especially מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׳שׁ Lev 8:35; Num 1:53 + approximately 32 t. (see ׳מ below); accusative of obligation often omitted, especially D (and RD) keep and do Deut 4:6; Deut 7:12 + 8 t.; to do Deut 5:1; Deut 5:29 + 16 t. D + 3 t., etc.
  d. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom) Hos 12:7 (חֶסֶד וּמִשְׁפָּט), Isa 56:1; Prov 4:4; Prov 5:2; Prov 7:1; Prov 7:2 bad sense, observe vanities Ps 31:7. — Doubtful are: לִשְׁמֹר absolute Hos 4:10, very strange (conjectures in We Now Marti); שָׁמוּר 1Sam 9:24, HPS אֵחַרְנוּ, compare Now BuComm.; Ps 59:10 read עֻוִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה (as vPs 59:18, ᵑ6 Che Bae).
4. sometimes ׳י subject:
  a. keep, preserve, protect, accusative of person, + ב of way, etc., Gen 28:15; Gen 28:20 (J), Exod 23:20 (E; of מַלְאָח), Ps 91:11 (׳מ), Josh 24:17 (E); accusative of person (or נפשׁ) only: 1Sam 30:23; Jer 31:9; Num 6:24 (P), Job 29:2; Ps 16:1 + 10 t. Psalms; + מִן Ps 121:7 + 2 t.; accusative רַהְּלַי 1Sam 2:9, compare Prov 3:26 (מִן); Participle שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ Ps 121:3; Ps 121:5, compare vPs 121:4, etc.; accusative of city Ps 127:1.
  b. with accusative בְּרִית, ל person Deut 7:12, + חֶסֶד vDeut 7:7 + 5 t., אֱמֶת לְעוֺלָם ׳הַשּׁ Ps 146:6 הַשְּׁבֻעָה Deut 7:8, etc.; passive of covenant (׳י agent) עֲרוּכָה בַכֹּל וּשְׁמֻרָה 2Sam 23:5 (legal terminology, Dr).
5. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest Jer 5:24 (ל person). Niph`al36 Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַד 2Sam 20:10, etc.; Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Judg 13:13 2 masculine plural תִּשָּׁמַ֑רוּ Exod 23:13 Imperative masculine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Isa 7:4 הִדָמשּׁ֫מֶר (לְךָׅ Gen 24:6 +; feminine singular הִשָּֽׁמְרִי Judg 13:4, etc.; —
1. be on one's guard, with בַּחֶרֶב 2Sam 20:10 by reason of the sword, i.e. against it; with ב temporal 1Sam 19:2, שָׁם 2Kgs 6:10 take heed Exod 23:13 (E) Deut 2:4 with מִן person Exod 23:21 (E), Jer 9:3 מִן of thing Judg 13:13; Deut 23:10 מִן infinitive take care not to, etc. Gen 31:29 (E), 2Kgs 6:9 infinitive without מִן Exod 19:12 (J), but read probably מֵעֲלוֺת; followed by פֶּן lest Gen 24:6 (J) + 11 t. (especially Deuteronomy); with (וְ)אַל jussive Exod 10:23 (J), Judg 13:4; Job 36:21, with Imperative coordinate Isa 7:4. — Very often Imperative (24 t.), especially in phrase הִשָּׁמֶרלְֿךָ (12 t.), הִשָּֽׁטְרוּ לָכֶם (3 t.); + לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (RD; + infinitive); + ׳בְּנַפ Jer 17:21 apparently ב pret. on peril of your life (compare ב III. 3 a), so perhaps also בְּרוּחֲכֶם Mal 2:15; Mal 2:16 (We Now).
2. keep oneself, refrain, abstain, מֵאִשָּׁה 1Sam 21:5.
3. be kept, guarded, Hos 12:14 (compare ׳שׁ of Jacob v.Hos 12:13); be preserved (by ׳י) Ps 37:28 (לִיוֺלָם), but read probably עַוָּלִים (לְעוֺלָם) נִשְׁמָ֑דוּ Hup-Ri (Now) Che Bae Du Dr. Pi`el Participle plural מְשַׁמְּרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא Jonah 2:9 those paying regard to false vanities (compare Qal Ps 31:7). Hithpa`el Imperfect 1 singular וָאֶשְׁתַּסֵּר מֵעֲוֺנַי Ps 18:24 I kept myself from, etc. = 2Sam 22:24 (verb cohortative); 3 masculine singular וְיִשְׁתַּמֵּר חֻקּוֺת עָמְרִי Mic 6:16, but read וְתִשְׁמֹר thou keepest, observest, We Now GASm.

keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …
šāmar
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
  • to keep, guard, observe, give heed
    • (Qal)
      • to keep, have charge of
        • "to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
        • watch, watchman (participle)
        to watch for, wait for"to watch, observe"to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)"to keep (within bounds), restrain"to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)"to keep, preserve, protect"to keep, reserve
      (Niphal)
      • to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
        • "to keep oneself, refrain, abstain"to be kept, be guarded
      (Piel) to keep, pay heed"(Hithpael) to keep oneself from

מֵ אִשָּׁ֣ה
מֵ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
אִשָּׁ֣ה
Root word wife, woman, wives, women, one, …
Dictionary form: אִשָּׁה · ish-SHAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: woman
wife ×73 woman ×55 his wife ×53 the woman ×44 wives ×40 to wife ×35 a woman ×29 the women ×28
More options
woman — Broadest rendering; prefer when no marital relationship implied.
wife — Use when a specific marital bond is in view.
female — Emphasizes sex/gender contrast; good in legal or biological contexts.
women — Plural contexts; collective or group references.
each one — Distributive idiom; use in 'each woman/one' constructions.
bride — Nuanced option for betrothal or covenant-entry passages.

BDB612 H802

BDB611 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB613

אִשָּׁה775 noun feminine woman, wife, female (Arabic , Sabean אנתֿת etc. DHMZK 1884, 360, Aramaic אִתְּתָא, אִנְתְּתָא, אִתָּא, , Palmyrene, Nabataean אנתתא, Ethiopic Phoenician אשת, Assyrian aššatu COTGloss) — ׳א absolute Gen 2:33 +; construct אֵשֶׁת Gen 11:29 + (apparently absolute Deut 21:11; 1Sam 28:7; Ps 58:9 but compare Bö§ 728 Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 5); suffix אִשְׁתִּי Gen 20:11 +; אִשְׁתְּךָ Gen 12:18 + (אֶשְׁתְּךָ Ps 128:3), etc.; Plural אִשֹּׁת Ezek 23:44 (Co לעשׂות); נָשִׁים Gen 4:19 +; construct נְשֵׁי Gen 4:23 +; suffix נָשַׁי Gen 30:26; 1Kgs 20:7 נְשֵׁיכֶם Exod 22:23 +, etc.; —

1. woman Gen 3:1; Gen 3:2; Gen 12:11 +; opposed to man Gen 2:22; Gen 2:23; Exod 35:29; Exod 36:6; Deut 7:2; Deut 7:5; Deut 22:22; 1Sam 21:5 +; ׳א emphatic a genuine (or ideal) woman Eccl 7:28 (|| אדם); simile of men as feeble, timid Jer 50:37; Jer 51:30 note especially הַטַּף בַּנָּשִׁים the children among the women, female children Num 31:18 (P); as conceiving Exod 2:2; Lev 12:2; 2Sam 11:5 +; travailing Jer 13:21 bearing children Judg 13:24; 1Kgs 3:18 compare Job 14:1; Job 15:14; Job 25:4 +, etc.; suckling Isa 49:15 אֹרַח כַּנָּשִׁים Gen 18:11 דֶּרֶח נָשִׁים Gen 31:35 with adjective, or app., מֵינֶקֶת׳א nursing woman, nurse Exod 2:7 זוֺנָה ׳א harlot Josh 2:1; Josh 6:22; Judg 11:1; Judg 16:1; 1Kgs 3:16; Prov 6:26; Jer 3:3; Ezek 16:30; Ezek 23:44 so זָרָה ׳א Prov 2:16; Prov 7:5 compare also Ezek 23:44 above; מְנָאָ֑פֶת ׳א adulteress Prov 30:20 (compare אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ Prov 6:26), אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים Hos 1:2 נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֺת foreign women 1Kgs 11:1; 1Kgs 11:8; Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:11; Ezra 10:14; Ezra 10:17; Ezra 10:18; Ezra 10:44; Neh 13:26; Neh 13:27 (compare vNeh 13:23); חֲכָמָה ׳א wise woman, one known as clever, shrewd 2Sam 14:2; 2Sam 20:16, etc.; also פִּילֶגֶשׁ ׳א concubine Judg 19:1; Judg 19:27: אַלְמָנָה ׳א widow 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 11:26; 1Kgs 17:9; 1Kgs 17:10 נְבִיאָה ׳א prophetess Judg 4:4 also construct before noun of quality אֵשֶׁת רָ֑ע Prov 6:24 בְּסִילוּת ׳א Prov 9:13 חֵן ׳א Prov 11:16 חַיִל ׳א Prov 12:4; Prov 31:10; Ruth 3:11 מִדְיָנִים ׳א Prov 21:9; Prov 25:24; Prov 27:15 וָכָ֑עַס ׳מ ׳א Prov 21:19.

2. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually construct or suffix) Gen 2:24; Gen 2:25; Gen 3:8; Gen 3:17; Gen 4:1; Gen 4:17 + often; of one betrothed (ארשׂ) Deut 20:7; Deut 28:30 בַּעַל (הָ)אִשָּׁה Exod 21:3; Exod 21:22 אִישׁ הָאִשָּׁה Judg 20:4 לְאִשָּׁה to wife Gen 2:22; Gen 12:19; Gen 16:3; Gen 34:21 + often (after לָקַח, נָתַן husband or father subject); for wife (after הָֽיְתָה, woman subject) Gen 20:12; Num 36:3; Num 36:6 (twice in verse); Num 36:11; Num 36:12; Deut 22:19; Deut 22:29 +; for unfaithful wife compare 1; construct in phrase אֵשֶׁת חֵיקֶ֑ךָ Deut 13:7 compare Deut 28:54 נְעוּרֶיךָ ׳א Prov 5:18; Mal 2:14; Mal 2:15 בְּרִיתֶ֑ךָ ׳א vMal 2:14 אֵשֶׁת אָב = step-mother Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11; Lev 20:11.

3. Female of animals Gen 7:2 (twice in verse); see also below
4.

4. With distributive & reciprocal sense, מֵאֵת ׳א רְעוּתָהּ each woman from her neighbour Exod 11:2 (E); compare Ruth 1:8; Ruth 1:9; Jer 9:19 each one, of birds of prey Isa 34:15 compare vIsa 34:16 (strike out Bi Che); of cows (figurative of heartless women of Israel) Amos 4:3 of sheep (figurative of Israel) Zech 11:9 & of inanimate things (P, & late) אֶל אֲחֹתָהּ ׳א Exod 26:3 (twice in verse); Exod 26:5; Exod 26:6; Exod 26:17 (P) Ezek 1:9 (strike out Co) vEzek 1:23; Ezek 3:13.

BDB9321 H802

BDB9320 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9322

II. אנשׁ (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew III. אנשׁ, אִשָּׁח).

wife, woman, wives, women, one, …
ʾiššâ
a woman
  • woman, wife, female
    • woman (opposite of man)
      • "wife (woman married to a man)"female (of animals)"each, every (pronoun)

זָרָ֑ה
זָרָ֑ה
Root word strangers, stranger, strange, estranged, woman, …
Dictionary form: זוּר · dzoor

Adjective — feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: thee from the strange
strangers ×11 strange ×8 of strangers ×5 and the stranger ×4 stranger ×4 and strangers ×3 estranged ×3 for a stranger ×3
More options
foreigner — Best general term; implies outsider by origin or nationality.
outsider — Broader social exclusion; good for non-ethnic contexts.
alien — Formal/legal register; suits covenantal or community-law texts.
estranged — For the verb/adjective sense of being made distant or cut off.
unauthorized — Prefer when the nuance is prohibited access, e.g. priestly texts.
unfamiliar — For abstract 'strange/foreign' things rather than people.

BDB2326 H2114

BDB2325 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2327

I. [זוּר] verb be a stranger (Arabic (medial ) incline toward, repair to, visit; II. honour as visitor or guest; IX. decline, turn aside; visitor; Aramaic זוּר, often = Hebrew סוּר turn aside, turn aside to visit) —

Qal Perfect 3 plural זֹר֫וּ Ps 58:4 (Köi. 445), זָ֫רוּ Ps 78:30; Job 19:13 Participle זָר Exod 30:33 + 27 t.; feminine זָרָה Exod 30:9 + 7 t.; masculine plural זָרִים Hos 5:7 + 30 t.; feminine plural זָרוֺת Prov 22:14; Prov 23:33 = suffix זָרָ֑יִךְ Isa 29:5
1. Perfect become estranged Ps 58:4, with מן from Job 19:13; Ps 78:30.
2. Participle as adjective strange, or as noun stranger:
  a. to the family, of another household, אִישׁ זָר Deut 25:5, elsewhere זָר 1Kgs 3:18; Job 19:15; Prov 6:1; Prov 11:15; Prov 20:16; Prov 27:13 זָרִים Ps 109:11; Prov 5:10; Prov 5:17 בנים זרים, children of another household than God's Hos 5:7 especially of another family than priests' אִישׁ זָר Lev 22:12 (H) Num 17:5 (P); זָר Lev 22:10; Lev 22:13 (H) Exod 29:33; Exod 30:33; Num 3:10; Num 3:38; Num 18:7 (P); not belonging to the tribe of Levi, Num 1:51; Num 18:4 (P).
  b. to the person, another Job 19:27; Prov 14:10; Prov 27:2 זָרָה (אִשָּׁה) strange woman, harlot Prov 2:16; Prov 5:3; Prov 5:20; Prov 7:5; Prov 22:14; Prov 23:33.
  c. to the land, foreign, זָרִים foreigners (as such usually enemies) Hos 7:9; Hos 8:7; Isa 1:7 (twice in verse); Isa 25:2; Isa 25:5; Isa 29:5; Isa 61:5; Jer 5:19; Jer 30:8; Jer 51:2; Jer 51:51; Lam 5:2; Ezek 7:2; Ezek 11:9; Ezek 16:32; Ezek 28:7; Ezek 28:10; Ezek 30:12; Ezek 31:12; Joel 4:17; Obad 1:11; Job 15:19; Ps 54:5 אֵל זָר foreign god Ps 44:21; Ps 81:10 = זָר Isa 43:12 so זָרִים Deut 32:16 and (in figurative) Jer 2:25; Jer 3:13 מַיִם זָרִים foreign waters 2Kgs 19:24; Jer 18:14 זְמֹרַת זָר Isa 17:10 vine-slip of a stranger; כְּמוֺזָֿר נֶחְשָׁ֑בוּ Hos 8:12 they are regarded as foreign; מַעֲשֵׂהוּ זָר Isa 28:21 his work is foreign (as if dealing with enemies).
  d. strange to the law; קְטֹרֶת זָרָה strange incense Exod 30:9 (P); אֵשׁ זָרָה strange fire Lev 10:1; Num 3:4; Num 26:61(P). Niph`al Perfect נָז֫רֹוּ Isa 1:4; Ezek 14:5 be estranged Isa 1:4, pregnantly, followed by אָחוֺר (compare RV); מֵעַל Ezek 14:5. Hoph`al Participle מוּזָר estranged Ps 69:9.

BDB2327 H2114

BDB2326 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2328

II. [זוּר, זִיר] verb be loathsome, Bö§ 1142 (Arabic fastidivit, abhorruit; Assyrian zâru, resist, Imperfect izîru, DlPr 65 SchrCOT Gloss); — only 3 feminine singular זָ֫רָה Job 19:17 רוּחִי זָ֫רָה לְאִשְׁתִּי my breath is loathsome to my wife (וְחַנֹּתִי לְ in || clause); > most, who derive from I. זוּר, become strange and so repugnant.

BDB2328 H2114

BDB2327 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2329

זָרָא noun [feminine] loathsome thing, עַד אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מֵאַפְּכֶם וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְזָרָא Num 11:20 (JE) and it (the flesh) become to you a loathsome thing (ᵐ5 εἰς χολέραν, ᵑ9 in nauseam), probably error for זָרָה (⅏)

strangers, stranger, strange, estranged, woman, …
zûr
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
  • to be strange, be a stranger
    • (Qal)
      • to become estranged
        • "strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle)"loathsome (of breath) (participle)"strange woman, prostitute, harlot (metonymy)
      (Niphal) to be estranged"(Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated

מִ ֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה
Root word strange, stranger, woman, alien, strangers, …
Dictionary form: נׇכְרִי · noke-REE

Adjective — feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: from the stranger
strange ×8 a stranger ×3 of a stranger ×3 the stranger ×3 a strange woman ×2 his strange ×2 in a strange ×2 a foreigner ×1
More options
foreigner — Best default; clear, neutral, widely understood.
outsider — Emphasizes social exclusion; good in relational contexts.
alien — Legal/formal register; highlights non-belonging status.
foreign — Use when functioning as an adjective (e.g., foreign woman).
stranger — Retains relational distance nuance; modernized KJV form.
immigrant — Use cautiously; implies relocation, not always implied.

BDB5211 H5237

BDB5210 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5212

נָכְרִי adjective foreign, alien (Late Hebrew נָכְרִי = Gentile); — ׳נ absolute masculine Zeph 1:8 +; feminine נָכְרִיָּה Exod 2:22 +; masculine plural נָכְרִים Isa 2:6 + 2 t. + Prov 20:16 Kt (> Qr נָכְרִיָּה), + Prov 27:13 (so read for ᵑ0 נָכְרִיָּה); feminine plural נָכְרִיּוֺת Gen 31:15 +; —

1. a. foreign: עַם נָכְרִי Exod 21:8 (E) a foreign (non-Israel) people, ׳אִישׁ נ Deut 17:15 (|| לֹא אָתִיךָ); ׳מַלְבּוּשׁ נ Zeph 1:8 אֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה Exod 2:22 (J) foreign land, so Exod 18:3 (E); especially נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֺת foreign (non-Israel) women 1Kgs 11:18; Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:11; Ezra 10:14; Ezra 10:17; Ezra 10:18; Ezra 10:44; Neh 13:26; Neh 13:27.
  b. as substantive נָכְרִי foreigner (non-Israel) Judg 19:12 (+ אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), 1Kgs 8:41 (+ אֲשֶׁר לֹא מֵעַמְּךָ), = 2Chr 6:32 (+ id.), 1Kgs 8:43 = 2Chr 6:33; Deut 14:21 (|| גֵּר), Deut 15:3; Deut 23:21 (opposed to אָחִיךָ), Deut 29:21 (+ אֲשֶׁר יָבאֹ מֵאֶרֶץ רְחוֺקָה); as predicate, 2Sam 15:19 (|| גֹּלֶה), נָכְרִיָּה Ruth 2:10 plural נָכְרִים foreigners Lam 5:2 (זָרִים), Obad 1:11 (|| id.); compare יַלְדֵי נָכְרִים Isa 2:6 feminine plural alien women Gen 31:15 (E; i.e. not of one's father's family).
2. נָכְרִיָּה foreign woman, as technical term, in Proverbs, for harlot (perhaps because harlots were originally chiefly foreigners): Prov 2:16 (|| אִשָּׁה זָרָה), Prov 7:5 (|| id.), Prov 5:20 (|| זָרָה), Prov 6:24 (|| אֵשֶׁת רָ֑ע), Prov 23:27 (|| זוֺנָה). — On Prov 20:16; Prov 27:13 see below
3. figurative unknown, unfamiliar: נָכְרִי הָיִיתִי בְּעֵינֵיהֶם Job 19:15 an alien am I become in their eyes; לִבְנֵי אִמִּי ׳נ Ps 69:9 (|| מוּזָר הָיִיתִי לְאֶחָ֑י); ׳אִישׁ נ Eccl 6:2 of ׳י's judgment, נָכְרִיָּה עֲבֹדָתוֺ Isa 28:21 strange is his task! (|| זָר מַעֲשֵׂהוּ); גֶּפֶן נָכְרִיָּה Jer 2:21 an alien vine (opposed to זֶרַע אֱמֶת), figurative of degenerate Israel; as substantive, נָכְרִים Prov 20:16 Kt (> Qr נָכְרִיָּה), alens, persons unknown to him (|| זָר), so read also (for ᵑ0 נָכְרִיָּה) || Prov 27:13.

strange, stranger, woman, alien, strangers, …
nokrî
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
  • foreign, alien
    • foreign
      • "foreigner (subst)"foreign woman, harlot"unknown, unfamiliar (figuratively)

אֲמָרֶ֥י הָ
אֲמָרֶ֥י
Root word words, sayings, speeches, answer, appointed
הָ
Suffix — pronoun her / it
Dictionary form: אֵמֶר · ay-MER

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: with her words
the words ×11 words ×5 his words ×4 my words ×4 to the words ×4 from the words ×3 with her words ×2 with the words ×2
More options
saying — Neutral, fits quoted speech or maxims well.
word — Broad default; suits most prose contexts.
utterance — Slightly formal; good for solemn or prophetic speech.
speech — Emphasizes the act or content of speaking.
declaration — Use when the saying carries authoritative weight.
answer — Reserve for contexts of reply or response.

BDB559 H561 H565

BDB558 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB560

[אִמְרָה] noun feminine utterance, speech, word (in poetry, mostly singular collective, compare plural verb Ps 119:103, but here read probably Pluraln. compare ᵐ5 Ol Hi De Che) — construct אִמְרַת Isa 5:24 +; אִמְרָתִי Gen 4:23 + etc.; Plural absolute אֲמָרוֺת Ps 12:7 construct אִמֲרוֺת ib.; — utterance, speech Gen 4:23 (song of Lamech, || קוֺל); so Isa 28:23; Isa 32:9; Deut 32:2 (|| לֶקַח), Ps 17:9; Isa 29:4 (twice in verse) (|| also דִּבֶּד); especially saying(s), words(s) of ׳י (command & promise) Deut 33:9 (|| בְּרִית); Isa 5:24 (|| תּוֺרָה) 2Sam 22:31 = Ps 18:31; Ps 12:7; Ps 105:19 (|| דָּבָר; esp Ps 119:11; Ps 119:38; Ps 119:41 + 16 t.; Ps 138:2; Ps 147:15 (|| דָּבָר), Prov 30:5.

words, sayings, speeches, answer, appointed
ʾēmer
something said
  • utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command

הֶחֱלִֽיקָה
הֶחֱלִֽיקָה
Root word divided, divide, flattereth, part, parted, …
Dictionary form: חָלַק · haw-LAHK

Verb — Hiphil, Perfect (Qatal), third person feminine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: which flattereth
divided ×5 shall be divided ×4 hath divided ×3 i will divide ×3 and he dealt ×2 divide ×2 which flattereth ×2 and didst divide ×1
More options
divide — Most general; fits legal, territorial, and narrative contexts.
distribute — Prefer when portions are allocated to a group.
apportion — Formal; ideal for allotments, inheritances, and land distribution.
share out — Informal register; good for communal or everyday sharing contexts.
flatter — Use for the idiomatic 'smooth speech' / flattery sense.
split — Vivid, concrete; suits physical division or conflict contexts.

BDB2810 H2505

BDB2809 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2811

I. חָלַק verb divide, share (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חֲלַק field, חוּלְּקָא portion, divide, determine, decree; Arabic measure, measure off; Assyrian e‡lu, possession, field, JägerBAS ii. 296; Ethiopic : 1. 2, is enumerate, enumeration, number) —

Qal Perfect ׳ה Deut 4:19 + 5 t.; חָֽלְקוּ Josh 18:2 Imperfect יַחֲלֹק Job 27:17; Prov 17:2 2 masculine singular suffix וַתַּחְלְקֵם Neh 9:22 3 plural וַיַּחְלְקוּ Josh 14:5 יַחֲלֹ֑קוּ 1Sam 30:24 וַיַּחְלְקוּם 1Chr 24:4; 1Chr 24:5 תַּחְלְקוּ 2Sam 19:30 Imperative חִלְקוּ Josh 22:8 Infinitive לַחֲלֹק Neh 13:13 Participle חוֺלֵק Prov 29:24 —
1. divide, apportion, followed by accusative (of gods) and לְ person Deut 4:19; Deut 29:25 accusative not expressed Neh 13:13 (reference to offerings and tithes); with accusative (of land) Josh 14:5 (P), Josh 18:2 (JE), 2Sam 19:30: object people Neh 9:22 עִם ׳ח divide with others Josh 22:8 (D ?).
2. assign, distribute : Levites over (על) temple 2Chr 23:18, compare 1Chr 24:4; 1Chr 24:5.
3. assign, impart, followed by בִּינָה & לְ Job 39:17.
4. share (in), followed by accusative silver Job 27:17 inheritance Prov 17:2 spoil 1Sam 30:24 (object omitted); followed by עם have shares with עם גַּנָּב ׳ח Prov 29:24.
5. divide up = plunder the temple, followed by accusative 2Chr 28:21 (see Be). Niph`al Imperfect יֵחָלֵק Num 26:55; 1Kgs 16:21 יֵחָ֫לֶק Job 38:24 וַיֵּחָלֵק Gen 14:15 3 feminine singular תֵּחָלֵק Num 26:53; Num 26:56 וֶַ˜יּחָלְקֵם (Baer) 1Chr 23:6; 1Chr 24:3 compare Be & below below Pi`el; —
1. reflexive, divide oneself Gen 14:15 (i.e. one's men).
2. passive be divided:
  a. apportioned, the land Num 26:53; Num 26:55 (by lot) vNum 26:56 (id.); all P.
  b. of people, divided into two factions 1Kgs 16:21.
  c. of light, parted, spread abroad Job 38:24.
3. transitive assign, distribute 1Chr 23:6; 1Chr 24:3, but transitive Niph`al is unlikely, see below Pi`el Perfect 3 plural חִלְּקוּ Joel 1Chr 4:2 וְחִלַּקְתֶּם consecutive Ezek 47:21 suffix חִלְּקָם Lam 4:16 3 feminine singular suffix חִלְּקַ֫תָּה Isa 34:17 2 masculine singular suffix וְחִלַּקְתָּם Ezek 5:1 — Imperfect יְחַלֵּק Gen 49:27 + 4 t., etc.; probably read יְחַלְּקֵם 1Chr 23:6; 1Chr 24:3 (see above Niph`al), etc.; Imperative חַלֵּק Josh 13:7 Infinitive חַלֵּק Josh 19:51; Prov 16:19 suffix חַלְּקָם Isa 9:2 —
1. divide, apportion: food, at festival 2Sam 6:19, followed by accusative & לְ = 1Chr 16:3, garments Ps 22:19, sorrows Job 21:17 (no לְ); give a portion to, followed by לְ (no accusative expressed) Isa 53:12 a land Joel 4:2 (no indirect object) Josh 19:51 (P), also Mic 2:4; Ps 60:8 = Ps 108:8, Dan 11:39 followed by accusative & לְ Josh 13:7; Josh 18:10; 1Kgs 18:6; Isa 34:17; Ezek 47:21 divide hair (symbolic) Ezek 5:1 divide spoil (שָׁלָל) Isa 9:2; Prov 16:19; Gen 49:27 (poem), Exod 15:9 (song); Judg 5:30; Ps 68:13; Isa 53:12.
2. assign, distribute: Levites to their service, probably 1Chr 23:6; 1Chr 24:3 (see above)
3. scatter, followed by accusative Gen 49:7 (poem) (|| הפיץ), Lam 4:16. Pu`al Perfect חֻלַּק Isa 33:23 וְחֻלַּק consecutive Zech 14:1 Imperfect 3 feminine singular תְּחֻלָּ֑ק Amos 7:17 be divided, of land Amos 7:17 spoil Isa 33:23; Zech 14:1. Hithpa`el Perfect וְהִתְחַלְּקוּ consecutive Josh 18:5 divide (land) among themselves. Hiph`il Infinitive לַחֲלִק Jer 37:12 to receive a portion (denominative from חֵלֶק), but dubious

BDB2821 H2505

BDB2820 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2822

II. חָלַק verb be smooth, slippery (Late Hebrew adjective חָלָק smooth, empty, Arabic make smooth, lie, forge, fabricate) —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Hos 10:2 3 masculine plural חָֽלְקוּ Ps 55:22 — smooth, slippery, only figurative: Hos 10:2 of heart of faithless Israel (so Ew Ke Wü Now RVm), We false; >Vrss (not ᵐ5) Hi St who read חֻלַּק, divided is their heart; ᵐ5 ἐμέρισαν; of words, smooth Ps 55:22 i.e. deceptive (|| רַכּוּ דְבָרָיו מִשֶּׁמֶן). Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱלִיק Ps 36:3, הֶחֱלִיקָה Prov 2:16; Prov 7:5 Imperfect יַחֲלִיקוּן Ps 5:10 Participle מַחֲלִיק Prov 28:23 + 2 t.; make smooth:
1. literally of idol-maker Isa 41:7 with accusative instrument פַּטִּישׁ hammer.
2. figurative the tongue, i.e. flatter with it Ps 5:10; Prov 28:23, words Prov 2:16; Prov 7:5 אֲמָרֶיהָ הֶחֱלִיקָה; absolute deal smoothly, followed by אֶלֿ Ps 36:3, עַל Prov 29:5.

BDB9529 H2508 H2505

BDB9528 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9530

חֲלָק noun [masculine] portion, possession, lot (see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute ׳ח possession in land Ezra 4:16 suffix חֲלְקֵהּ Dan 4:12; Dan 4:20, i.e. his appointed lot.

divided, divide, flattereth, part, parted, …
ḥālaq
to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
  • to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assign
    • (Qal)
      • to divide, apportion
        • "to assign, distribute"to assign, impart"to share"to divide up, plunder
      (Niphal)
      • to divide oneself
        • "to be divided"to assign, distribute
      (Piel)
      • to divide, apportion
        • "to assign, distribute"to scatter
      (Pual) to be divided"(Hiphil) to receive a portion or part"(Hithpael) to divide among themselves
    to be smooth, slippery, deceitful
    • (Qal) to be smooth, slippery
      • "(Hiphil)
      • to be smooth
        • "to flatter

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.
לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ Dechi — a lesser break מֵאִשָּׁ֣ה זָרָ֑ה Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מִ֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה Revia Mugrash — a lesser break אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה Silluq — end of the verse

לִשְׁמָרְךָ מֵאִשָּׁה זָרָה מִנָּכְרִיָּה אֲמָרֶיהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה׃
5
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Cross References

Proverbs 2:16

לְהַצִּילְךָ מֵאִשָּׁה זָרָה מִנָּכְרִיָּה אֲמָרֶיהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה׃
16
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 6:24

לִשְׁמָרְךָ מֵאֵשֶׁת רָע מֵֽחֶלְקַת לָשׁוֹן נָכְרִיָּֽה׃
24
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

Proverbs 5:3

כִּי נֹפֶת תִּטֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתֵי זָרָה וְחָלָק מִשֶּׁמֶן חִכָּֽהּ׃
3
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Proverbs 7:4
Read Proverbs 7
Proverbs 7:6