WORD DEFINITIONS FOR PROVERBS

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WORD DEFINITIONS FOR PROVERBS

• Note from the teacher:
  • The study in the book of Proverbs presents us with a very big difficulty…the definitions of words and the interchangeability of certain words that seem to mean the same thing but in one place in the book is interpreted as one way but in another place in the book a different word is used. As your teacher with an education in linguistics, this has presented me with a big can of worms.
  • Infrequently in my classes we have had to go back to the original Hebrew or Greek word to determine exact definitions. In the book of Proverbs that has been necessary.
  • When you throw into the mix other versions of the Bible and/or interpretations in other languages, the problem is compounded. These lessons in the book of Proverbs are written specifically for the King James Version of the Bible in English.
  • I have done my best to present to you as clear an understanding of this book as possible but a dictionary of definitions is necessary for you, the student.
• Dicionary of definitions explained:
  • Defined words used in Proverbs that appear in the King James Version of the Bible are alphabetized here and underlined.
  • Following the Biblical word is a word in all capitals. It is a quick handle easily understood today and assigned by me, your teacher.
  • Following the word in all caps is the dictionary definition that pertains specifically to the Proverbs. It is not meant to be a complete definition but to help you relate to the word in all caps.
    • All definitions are based on The American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster 1828 edition.
    • Why this edition?
      • Noah Webster was a believer in Jesus Christ. All of his definitions were originally filtered through scripture.
      • Later Webster dictionaries fell away from Noah Webster’s original concept of using the Bible in his definitions. This occurred after Noah Webster died.
  • Following the definition is the scripture reference in Proverbs where that word first appears.
  • Then at the end of the definitions for some words is the [Hebrew word and the concordance numbers in brackets]. They are listed with the ones most frequently used listed first. These Concordance references are bolded.
• The Dictionary:
  • Abomination = HATED = the object of extreme hatred; detested. (3:32)
  • Astray = WRONG WAY = wandering from the right path; outside of the proper or acceptable way. (5:23)
  • Betimes = TIMELY = in good season; in a short time. (13:24)
  • Blot = MARK AGAINST = to place a black mark against a person’s name on a list; to bring into question a person’s reputation; a censure, a rebuke, or a reproach. (9:7)
  • Bewrayeth = BETRAY = to disclose, to indicate, to betray. (27:16)
  • Bray = GRIND = to grind up or pound, with a loud noise. (27:22)
  • Brutish = STUPID = insensible; unfeeling; untaught; stupid. (12:1)
  • Buckler = SHIELD = a type of defensive armor. (2:7)
  • Calamity = EXTENSIVE EVIL = wounds; great misfortune; misery; disaster of extensive evil; defeat. (6:15)
  • Chastening = CORRECTION = punishment; correction for the purpose of reclaiming. (3:11)
  • Clamorous =NOISY = speaking with loud sounds or words. (9:13)
  • Commandment(s) = COMMAND = a precept of moral law; an order; a mandate given by one in authority.(2:1) [mitzvah 4687 = command] [peh 6310= speech]
  • Contention = STRIFE = strife, struggle; violent effort to obtain something. (13:10)
  • Conies = a small animal that lives in rocks called a rock badger. (30:26)
  • Cords of sin = TRAPS = snares by which one is trapped. (5:22)
  • Counsel(s)/counsellors = ADVICE = advise; to exhort, warn, admonish, instruct. (1:5) [etsah 6098 = advice] [tachbulah 8458 = guidance [cowd 5475 =consultation]
  • Crib = STABLE = the place where oxen are kept. (14:4)
  • Desolation = DESTRUCTION = to strip by force; the act of despoiling or taking something away from someone; rob. (1:27)
  • Despise/Despised = CONTEMPT FOR = exposed to contempt; to tread down; to scorn or disdain; to have the lowest opinion of. (1:7)
  • Diligence/diligently = (CONSTANT CARE) = constant; steady application; continual care; without delay. (4:23)
  • Discretion = JUDGE WHAT IS PROPER = prudence; knowledge; discernment of one’s moral conduct; thoughtful. (1:4) [mezimmah 4209 = plan] [taam 2940 = perception] [sekel 7922 = intelligence]
  • Distaff = the staff of a spinning wheel where flax is tied for drawing thread. (31:19)
  • Divers = DIFFERENT = diverse, various, more than one but not a great number. This word is still used in legal documents. (20:10)
  • Doctrine = BELIEF SYSTEM = teachings of principles whether true or not; a body of knowledge; principles of truth established by God. (4:2)
  • Equity = IMPARTIAL = the impartial distribution of justice; treatment of others in a right way; a decision based impartially on truth. (1:3)
  • Famish = TO STARVE = to suffer extreme hunger or thirst so as to deplete one’s strength. (10:3)
  • Fear of the Lord = AWESOME REVERENCE = A holy awe or reverence or respect of God that comes from a just view and the real character of love that leads man to hate everything that offends a divine being and brings man into filial obedience. (1:7)
  • Finer = REFINE = to refine silver by removing the impurities. (25:4)
  • Fining pot = a pot for refining metals. (17:3)
  • Firebrands = EXPLOSIVE NATURE = a piece of wood on fire; an incendiary; one who inflames emotions; contentious. (26:18)
  • Firstfruits = FIRST OF THE HARVEST = the offering of the first of the harvest. (3:9)
  • Folly = WRONG WALK = a weakness of intellect; a lack of understanding; any act contrary to the laws of God; that which violates moral precepts; to wander from the right path; outside of the accepted or appropriate way. (5:23)
  • Fool/foolish = NO GOD FOR ME = destitute of reason or common powers of understanding; the wicked or depraved person that acts contrary to God. (1:7)
  • Foolishness = LIFESTYLE OF THE FOOL. (12:23)
  • Fowler = a sportsman who pursues and kills birds for food. (6:5)
  • Fretteth = (IRRITATED) to be worn away by agitation; to be eaten away or corroded; to be irritated to anger. (19:3)
  • Froward/frowardnessd = DISOBEDIENT = to turn or look away from; not willing to yield to what is required; disobedient; perverse, wicked, or evil. (2:12)
  • Girdle = the sash or belt. (31:24)
  • Grace = FAVOR = unmerited favor based on God’s love and mercy. (1:9)
  • Hardened his neck = STUBBORN = stiff-necked; unyielding; stubborn. (29:1)
  • Heart = SOUL/INNER MAN = the inner part; the vital part; the seat of the emotions; the seat of understanding; the seat of the will. (2:2)
  • High look = PROUD = lofty; prideful; haughty; elevated above; boastful; arrogant; ostentatious. (21:4)
  • High places = FALSE WORSHIP = In the Old Testament the false religions built temples and gardens for idols on the mountain tops. (9:3)
  • Hither = NEARBY = on the nearest side; on the nearest part. (9:4)
  • Hoary = GREY HAIRED = with white or grey hair because of age. (16:31)
  • Holden = HELD FIRM = to hold firm; to exert power over; to restrain. (5:22)
  • Hope = A CERTAINTY = Biblical hope is based on the promises of God that for sure will come to pass. It is a future promise backed by the character of God. Hope is not maybe it will come to pass and maybe it will not come to pass. The highest degree of well-founded expectation in God. (10:28)
  • Horseleach = A LEECH = a blood sucking animal that lives off of another animal by sucking its blood. (30:15)
  • Ignominy = SHAME = against a good name or reputation; a reproach; shameful; a public disgrace; dishonor; infamy (18:3)
  • Impudent = SHAMELESS = lack of modesty; bold contempt of others; shameless. (7:13)
  • Iniquity = SIN = injustice; unrighteousness; lack of holiness; a deviation from the standard; any act of injustice; evil; crime. (10:29)
  • Instruction = MORAL DISCIPLINE FOR DISCERNMENT = It does not mean classroom teaching. Instead, it means moral discipline or mental discipline to prepare you for spiritual discernment; to teach through discipline. (1:2) [muwcar 4148 = reproof]
  • Integrity : =MORAL SOUNDNESS = entire, unimpaired condition; uncorrupted; honesty; uprightness in dealing with people; moral. (11:3)
  • Intermeddle = BUSYBODY = to meddle in the affairs of others; to interfere improperly. (14:10)
  • Intreaties (entreaty) = BEGGING = petitions, requests; to beg. (18:23)
  • Issues = BASIC MATTERS = to proceed out of; that which is important from which all other things flow. (4:23)
  • Judgment = DISCERNMENT = the process of the mind to ascertain truth; discernment; making a determination mentally. (1:3) [mishpat 4941 = verdict]
  • Just = (RIGHTEOUS/ BELIEVER) = upright; straight; correct; conforming to moral principles; the believer in Jesus Christ. (4:18)
  • Justice = RIGHT BEHAVIOR = the virtue of giving to everyone what is his due; principles of right in dealing with others; honesty; moral integrity in action. (1:3)
  • Justifieth = RIGHT RELATIONSHIP = to conform to law or righteousness; to bring in line with; to pardon or to be made free from guilt; to accept a person as righteous. (17:15)
  • Knowledge = POWER TO KNOW TRUTH = a clear perception of that which exists in truth; illumination of the mind; the power of knowing. (1:4) [da’ath 1847 = knowledge] [biynah 998 = understanding] [yada 3045 = know by seeing]
  • Latter rain = the spring rainy season in Israel; the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the last days. (16:15)
  • Law = LIST OF RULES = mandatory imperatives that give guidance to moral action. (1:8) [towrah 8451 = Law of Moses] [chaqaq 2710 = stone tablets ]
  • Learning = FACTS AND PRINCIPLES = the knowledge of principles or facts obtained by study or by experience. (1:5) [paroxusmos 3948 = to sharpen alongside]
  • Liberal = FREELY = of a free heart; generous; open; candid; licentious, free to excess. (11:25)
  • Lowly = HUMBLE = low condition; without grandeur; humble. (3:34)
  • Maul =BEAT = a heavy wooden hammer; to beat with a heavy instrument.(25:18)
  • Meet = PROPER = acceptable; proper, qualified as to use and/or purpose, suitable. (11:24)
  • Mingled wine = wine that is mixed with water and spices for flavor; mixed with water as much as 8 to 1 to prevent intoxication. Wine that was not mixed with water is called “strong drink”. (9:2)
  • Naughty = SCOUNDREL = depraved or evil; a scoundrel; corrupt; a person worthless to God in league with the devil (Belial). (6:12)
  • Nitre = baking soda (25:20)
  • Oppressor /oppresseth= MERCILESS = one that imposes unjust burdens or laws on others often by violence; one that imposes unjust severity by a hardness of heart. (3:31)
  • Penury = POVERTY = extreme poverty; the want of property. (14:23)
  • Perceive = TO KNOW = having knowledge; to understand, to observe with the senses. (1:2)
  • Perfect = MATURE/COMPLETE = finished or complete so as to leave nothing wanting; to give all that is required. (2:21)
  • Perish = (LOSS OF LIFE) = to be lost; destroyed; lose one’s way; to lose oneself; to die; to lose life. (10:28)
  • Perverse /Pervert/Perverseness = CORRUPT/DISOBEDIENT MORALLY = to turn aside; distorted; leave the truth; contrary; to corrupt; disobedient, evil; often deals with immoral sexual sin. (4:24)
  • Pondereth = THINK DEEPLY ABOUT = to weigh; to weigh in the mind; to consider; to view with deep deliberation. (5:21)
  • Potsherd = part of a broken clay pot; a fragment. (26:23)
  • Prating = IDLE TALK = talking much on meaningless things; idle talking. (10:8)
  • Preserve = DEFEND = to keep from injury or destruction; to uphold or sustain; to keep safe; to save. (2:11)
  • Pride, proud = CONCEIT = lofty, unreasonable conceit; superiority; elevation of self. (8:13)
  • Privily = IN SECRET = secretly; in private; hidden. (1:11)
  • Procureth = TO GET = to gain or obtain; to cause to bring about. (11:27)
  • Prudence/Prudent = CAUTION = to possess caution to achieve suitable purposes; an ability to foresee adverse consequences. (8:12) [aruwm 6175 =cunning ] [‘ormah 6195 =discretion ] [‘aram 6191 = cunning in a bad sense] [biyn 995 = distintuish ] [sakal 7919 = circumspect]
  • Rebuke = REMOVE EVIL = to drive out a fault; to reprehend; to restrain; to chasten or correct. (9:7) [yakach 3198 = argue correctness] [gearah 1606 = to chide] [towkechah 8433 = chastisement]
  • Recompence/recompense= REWARD = to compensate; to make an equivalent return for something done; to reward. (11:31)
  • Reins = See Heart = inner man/soul.
  • Reproach = CENSURE = a correction mingled with contempt; shame; disgrace; object of contempt. (6:33) [cherpah 2781 = disgrace ] [checed 2617 = kind reproach] [chapher 2659 = to be ashamed ] [qalown 7036 = disgrace] [charaph 2778 = to expose]
  • Reproof/reproveth = CORRECTION = blame or censure expressed face to face for a fault. (1:23) [8433 towkechah = chastisement for correction] [yakach 3198 =argue correctness] [gearch =1606 = to chide]
  • Righteousness/righteous = PURE LIFE = just; according to divine law; holy in the heart and observant in actions; pure in heart. (2:9)
  • Rottenness = DECAY = state or condition of being in decay. To bring to corruption.(12:4)
  • Saints = BELIEVERS = believers in Jesus Christ that have experienced the new birth. (2:8)
  • Sayings = GOD’S WORD = a declaration; an expression; a proverb. (1:6)
  • Scorner = ARROGANT HATER =has contempt; arrogant; one who derides; one who scoffs at God or mocks Godly things. (1:22)
  • Shame = DISHONOR = reproach; ignominy; public disgrace; a bad reputation. (3:35)
  • Simple = UNWISE = imprudent; uncomplicated, plain, lacking intellect; not wise in things of God. An open door that does not know what to let in and what to keep out. (1:4)
  • Slack hand = NEGLECTFUL = less tight or tense; to miss the goal by neglect or by deception; lazy and unwilling to work. (10:4)
  • Slander = LIES = a false report; lies; untruth with the motive of destroying another’s reputation. (10:18)
  • Sluggard = LAZY = slow, idle; habitually lazy; lies in bed all day. (6:6)
  • Slothful = INACTIVE = lazy, idle; a lack of activity. (12:24)
  • Solace = PEACE = to comfort, to assuage, to relieve; the relieving of grief or anxiety; to bring peace. (7:18)
  • Soul = that part of man that contains emotions, will, reasoning; the part of man that makes him individual and unique. (2:10)
  • Spindle = the pin used in spinning wheels for twisting threads. (31:19)
  • Stocks = public means of punishment where a person is detained by an apparatus of wood by the hands/feet/and or/head. The purpose was by example to dissuade others from that sin. (7:22)
  • Stranger/Strange woman = PROSTITUTE = a whore, a harlot; a false religion. (2:16)
  • Straitened = MADE RIGHTEOUS = the quality of being made less crooked or perverse; to make more narrow. (4:12).
  • Stripes = PUNISHMENT = to beat with a lash or a rod so as to leave marks on the body. (17:10)
  • Strokes = FIGHTING = to hit. (18:6)
  • Subtilty [subtlety] = EXTREME DETERMINATION = thinness; fineness; extreme and detailed determination; prudent. (1:4)
  • Substance = MATERIAL GOODS = goods; estate; wealth, means of living. (1:13)
  • Surety/Suretiship/strike hands = TO CO-SIGN = to sign so as to assure that a person will pay what he owes; legally to stand in the place of another person in a court of law; to agree to provide assurance for another’ to go into debt for another person. (6:1)
  • Talebearer = GOSSIP = a person that carries gossip as a habit; communicating information with malicious intent. (11:13)
  • Tillage = FARMING = the operation of preparing land to plant seed, plowing, watering, tilling land. (13:23)
  • Transgressor/Transgression/Transgresseth/Transgress = LAWBREAKER = a person that passes over or beyond a law; he who breaks or violates a command, a law, or a required duty; one who offends by violation; a sinner. (2:22)
  • Tribute = EXTORTION MONEY = to pay money by force for supposed protection or to acknowledge submission of one nation to another nation, or one leader to another. (12:24)
  • Trust = FAITH = to depend on to rely on. (3:5)
  • Truth = (MORAL REALITY) = facts conforming to reality; exact agreement with what is; conformity of words to thoughts is moral truth; purity from falsehood; correct, honest, and exact. (3:3) (8:7)
  • Understanding/Understand = DISCERNMENT OF GOOD FROM EVIL =comprehending ideas; the faculty of the human mind by which man apprehends the real state of things presented to it such as knowledge’ intellectual faculty; specifically the ability to judge truth and error, of good and evil, or of right and wrong. (1:2) [tabuwn 8394 = intelligence] [biynah 998 = understanding ] [biyn 995 = distinguish] [leb 3820 = intellect ] [sekel 7922 = intelligence ] [sakal 7919 = circumspect ]
  • Unjust = NON-BELIEVER = contrary to the standard of right established by divine law. (11:7)
  • Upright/Uprightly/Uprightness =JUST = honest; not deviating from moral principles; conforming to moral and social correctness. (2:7)
  • Usury = MONETARY INTEREST = originally any legal interest rate charged for the use of another’s money. Now it is any exorbitant rate of interest charged over the expected norm. (28:8)
  • Vain/Vanity = EMPTY = emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire; uncertainty; insanity; fruitless desire or substance; pride, inspired by overwhelming deceit. (1:17) (13:11)
  • Vengeance, day of = GOD’S JUDGMENT = the infliction of pain on another for an injury or an offense; revenge when done with malice; retribution when justice is intended and punishment is deserved. (6:34)
  • Void = LACKING = vacant; empty; having no legal or binding force; no reason or common sense. (7:7)
  • Wheel = an instrument used for torturing people. (20:26)
  • Wicked/wickedness =LAWLESS EVIL = to fall away, to deviate from good; to be without law; to deviate from divine and/or moral law; cursed; non-believers. (2:14) [tahpukah 8419 = perverse] [rasha 7563 = morally wrong]
  • Winebibbers = ALCOHOLICS = one who indulges in alcohol; one who drinks too much wine. (23:20)
  • Winketh = OVERLOOK =conniving; not seeing something as it really is. (6:13)
  • Wisdom/wise/wisely = SKILLL IN LIVING (JESUS CHRIST)= the right use of knowledge; the best means to accomplish an end goal; discerning what is just, proper, and useful; intellectual clarity; ability to govern oneself by choice; synonymous with discretion; the exercise of sound judgment; true religion based on the fear of God and sincere obedience to His commands. Jesus Christ is wisdom personified. (1Cor 1:30) (1:2) [chokmah 2451 = skillful wisdom ] [tuwshiyah 8454 = to substantiate ] [leb 3820 = intellect] [chokmowth 2454 = wisdom ] [sekel 7922 = intelligence ] [sakal 7919 = circumspect ] [‘ormah 6195 =discretion] [biynah 998 = understanding ]
  • (The) Wise = BELIEVER IN CHRIST = the righteous believer in Jesus Christ who has his sins forgiven through the shed blood of Christ on the cross. (1:5)
  • Withal = INCLUSIVE = together with; at the same time. (22:18)
  • Withholdeth = RESTRAIN = to stop; to restrain; to hold back; to keep from acting. (11:24)
  • Witty Inventions = CLEVER = containing humor, inventive; sarcastic; full of wit. (8:12)
  • Wormwood = BITTER = a plant with a bitter taste; bitter substance; bitter and nauseous. (5:4)