בִּין
bîyn · H995 · Hebrew · 170 occurrences
Meanings
-
to be intelligent, to be discerning, to have insight, to be an expert
State in which someone has the ability to see through the outward appearance of things and grasp their essence
ExamplesGenesis 41:33 “So now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and appoint him over the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are.
Deuteronomy 1:13 ‘Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’
-
to consider, to pay heed, to perceive, to realize, to understand, to distinguish
Process by which someone gains knowledge and understanding by observing carefully in order to see through the outward appearance of things and grasp their essence
ExamplesDeuteronomy 32:7 “Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you.
Deuteronomy 32:29 “If only they were wise and they understood this; If only they would discern their future!
1 Samuel 3:8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.
-
to look closely, to take note, to pay attention, to consider, to understand, to draw understanding
Action by which someone observes something carefully, with the intention of seeing through the outward appearance of things and grasping their essence, and so gain knowledge and understanding
Examples1 Kings 3:21 “When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! But when I examined him closely in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne!”
Isaiah 1:3 “An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”
Isaiah 14:16 “Those who see you will stare at you, They will closely examine you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms,
-
to instruct, to give instruction, to teach, to give understanding, to explain
Pattern of actions by which someone helps others to gain knowledge and understanding by observing carefully in order to see through the outward appearance of things and grasp their essence
Examples1 Chronicles 25:8 They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.
2 Chronicles 26:5 He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him successful.
2 Chronicles 35:3 He also said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it will not be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
-
to take care of, to watch over
Pattern of actions by which someone gives positive attention to someone else with the intention of making sure that no harm is done to that person
ExamplesDeuteronomy 32:10 “He found him in a desert land, And in the howling wasteland of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.
How it’s used In 13 roles
Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.
the word studied the word it goes with
Who or what does itSubject
131 occurrences in 30 groups
- Not stated: you (one person) 22
- Not stated: he, she or it 20
- Not stated: I 17
- Not stated: you (more than one) 15
- Not stated: they 10
- Not stated (participle) 10
- Other words · 22 groups that occur once or twice (27) 27
What it acts on, or what is saidObject
63 occurrences in 51 groups
- נִיme 6
- דֶּרֶךְway, road 4
- זֹאתthis 3
- Other words · 48 groups that occur once or twice (54) 54
Second objectAs in “call him Lord”
3 occurrences in 3 groups
- דֶּרֶךְway, road 1
- קָרָהto happen 1
- שְׁמוּעָהnews 1
With prepositionsPrepositional phrases
42 occurrences in 41 groups
- בin/on/with+ דָּבָרword, thing, matter 3
- Other words · 40 groups that occur once or twice (45) 45
With adverbsAdverbs
29 occurrences in 4 groups
- לֹאnot 24
- אָזat that time 2
- אַלnot, do not 2
- מְאֹדvery 1
Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive
4 occurrences in 4 groups
- דָּבָרword, thing, matter 1
- לַחַשׁwhispering 1
- מַדָּעknowledge 1
- וֹhim 1
Named alongside itApposition
2 occurrences in 2 groups
- זְכַרְיָהZechariah 1
- אָחbrother 1
What it doesIt is the subject
3 occurrences in 3 groups
- הָיָהto be, to become 1
- קָנָהto buy, to acquire 1
- קָרָאto call, to cry out 1
What is done to itIt is the object
5 occurrences in 4 groups
- יָדַעto know 2
- אָמַרto say 1
- רָאָהto see 1
- שָׁאַלto ask, to inquire, to request 1
What it is said to bePredicate
4 occurrences in 1 groups
- אַיִןthere is no, not 4
What is said to be itIt is the predicate
3 occurrences in 3 groups
- חׇכְמָהwisdom 1
- לֵוִיִּיLevite 1
- עֹשֶׁרwealth 1
After prepositionsPrepositional phrases
10 occurrences in 4 groups
- לto/for 8
- בin/on/with 3
- מִןfrom 2
- נֶגֶדbefore, opposite 2
In phrases “… of it”It is the genitive
4 occurrences in 3 groups
- פָּנִיםface, presence, before 2
- שָׂפָהlip 1
- בִּינָהunderstanding 1
When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Near synonyms 2 words
- חָכַם châkam · H2449 · to be able, to be skillful, to be wise
- Both lexemes genuinely occupy overlapping semantic territory within wisdom/understanding concepts and could substitute in many contexts (being wise vs. having understanding/discernment).
- עָרַם ʻâram · H6191 · to be heaped up, to be piled up, to be, become astute
- Both lexemes denote mental or cognitive discernment and practical wisdom — shrewdness, prudence, cunning, perception — occupying overlapping semantic space as near-synonyms for careful, intelligent thinking.
In the other Testament 1 word
- συνίημι syníēmi · G4920 · to understand, to comprehend, to perceive
- Greek συνίημι (syníēmi, G4920) serves as the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew בִּין (bîyn, H995) in contexts of intellectual comprehension and discernment, both terms sharing the core semantic field of mental understanding and the ability to perceive or grasp meaning.
Semantic domains 3 entries
- Wise002001002029
- The verb's sense of discernment closely overlaps with practical wisdom, as Pharaoh is urged to find a man 'discerning and wise' in Genesis 41:33 and 41:39, fitting this domain's sense of wisdom.
- Know002004002007
- Its core sense is to perceive, understand, or discern something clearly, as leaders are sought who are 'wise, discerning, and informed' in Deuteronomy 1:13, fitting this domain's central meaning of understanding or knowing.
- Safe002003003019
- Sound discernment is repeatedly tied to wise governance and the safeguarding of a people's welfare, as a discerning ruler is sought to protect and manage the nation, connecting the verb to this domain's sense of ensuring safety through wise judgment.
Word family 8 words
Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H995. bin בִּין verb discern (NöZMG 1883, 592 f.; Arabic become separated, be distinct,…
בִּין verb discern (NöZMG 1883, 592 f.; Arabic become separated, be distinct, IV. speak perspicuously; Ethiopic 1. 2 consider, perceive, Aramaic make to understand, compare Sabean בין (the) wise, as epithet, MordtZMG 1876, 37) —
Qal Perfect בִּין Dan 10:1; בַּנְתָּה Psa 139:2; בִּינֹתִי Dan 9:2; Imperfect יָבִין Psa 19:13 25t. וְיָבֵן Jer 9:11 Jer 9:2t., וַיָּבֶן 1Sa 3:8 1Sa 3:2t.; אָבִינָה Psa 73:17 Psa 73:4t.; יָבִינוּ Pro 28:5 Pro 28:12t.; Imperative בִּין Dan 9:23; בִּינָה Psa 5:2; בִּינוּ Deu 32:7 Deu 32:2t.; Infinitive absolute בִּין Pro 23:1; Participle בָּנִים Jer 49:7; —
1 perceive (with the senses); —
a. eyes, accusative Pro 7:7, with לְ Job 9:11; Job 14:21; Job 23:8; Pro 14:15.
b. ears, accusative Pro 29:19, with לְ Job 13:1.
c. touch, accusative Psa 58:10.
d. taste, acc. Job 6:30.
2 understand, know (with mind): —
a. absolute Job 18:2; Job 38:20; Job 42:3; Psalm 49:21; Psa 82:5; Pro 24:12; Isa 6:9-10, Isa 44:18; Dan 12:10; Hos 4:14; Hosea 14:10; אבין ולא שׁמעתי I heard but I could not understand Dan 12:8.
b. accusative Job 15:9; Job 23:5; Job 36:29; Pro 2:5, Pro 2:9; Pro 20:24; Pro 28:5; Psa 19:13; Psa 92:7; Jer 9:11; משׁפט יבין Job 32:9; Pro 28:5; דעת יבין Pro 29:7.
c. with כִּי 1Sa 3:8; 2Sa 12:19; Isa 43:10.
d. with infinitive & לָדָֽעַת יבין לְ, Isa 32:4
3 observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention): —
a. accusative Deu 32:7; Psa 5:2; Psa 50:22; Psa 94:7; Psa 94:8; Pro 23:1; Pro 21:29 (Qr) Dan 9:2; Dan 10:1.
b. with לְ, Psa 73:17; Psa 139:2; Deu 32:29.
c. with בְּ, Ezr 8:15; Neh 13:7; Dan 9:23.
d. with אל, Psa 28:5.
e. with עַל, Dan 11:30, Dan 11:37.
4 have discernment, insight, understanding Jer 49:7.
Niph`al נְבֻנוֺתִי Isa 10:12; Participle נָבוֺן Gen 41:33 Gen 41:15t.; plural נְבוֺנִים Jer 4:22, elsewhere נְבֹנִים Deu 1:13; Isa 5:22 (Baer) Ecc 9:11; נְבֹנָיו Isa 29:14; be intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding 1Sa 16:18; Pro 1:5; Pro 10:13; Pro 14:6; Pro 16:21; Pro 17:28; Pro 19:25; Ecc 9:11; Isa 3:3; Isa 5:21; Isa 10:13; Isa 29:14; Jer 4:22; Hosea 14:10; נָבוֺן לֵב intelligent mind Pro 14:33; Pro 15:14; Pro 18:15; וְחָכָם נָבוֺן Gen 41:33, Gen 41:39; ונבון חכם Deu 4:6; 1Ki 3:12; ונבנים חכמים Deu 1:13.
Po. יְבוֺנְַנֵהוּ he attentively considereth him Deu 32:10.
Hiph`il Perfect הֵבִין Job 28:33 Job 28:5t.; Imperfect יָבִין Isa 28:9 Isa 28:4t.; וַיָּבֶן2Ch 11:23; Dan 9:22; Infinitive הָבִין Psa 32:9 Psa 32:9t.; Imperative הָבֵן Dan 8:16 Dan 8:12t.; Participle מֵבִין Pro 28:7 Pro 28:26t.; —
1 understand: —
a. absolute Isa 29:16; Isa 40:21; Isa 56:11; 1Ki 3:11; Psa 32:9; Dan 8:17; Dan 10:12.
b. accusative 1Ch 28:9; Job 28:23; Pro 1:2, Pro 1:6; Pro 8:5; Pro 14:8; Isa 28:19; Dan 8:23; Mic 4:12; מֵבִין one with understanding Pro 8:9; Pro 17:10, Pro 17:24; Pro 28:2, Pro 28:7, Pro 28:11; מַדָּע מְבִינֵי Dan 1:4; able to understand (i.e. old enough) Neh 8:3; Neh 10:29, compare Neh 8:2 (followed by לִשׁמֹעַ).
2 give heed to, attend to, observe, discern, absolute Isa 57:1; 2Ch 11:23; Dan 8:5; with בְּ Neh 8:12; Dan 9:23; Dan 10:11; בְּ מֵבִין skilled in 2Ch 26:5; 2Ch 34:12; with אֶל Psa 33:15; לרע טוב בין 1Ki 3:9.
3 give understanding make understand, teach: —
a. absolute Dan 8:27; Dan 9:22.
b. with accusative of person Psa 119:34; Psa 119:73; Psa 119:125; Psa 119:130; Psa 119:144; Psa 119:169; Job 32:8; Neh 8:7, Neh 8:9; Isa 40:14.
c. with לְ person 2Ch 35:3; Dan 11:33; with לְ person & accusative of thing Job 6:24; Dan 8:16.
d. בְּ of thing Neh 8:8, + accusative of person Dan 1:17.
e. double accusative Isa 28:9; Psa 119:27; Dan 10:14; מֵבִין teacher 1Ch 15:22; 1Ch 25:7-8, 1Ch 27:32; Ezr 8:16.
Hithpa`el Perfect הִתְבּוֺנָ֑ן Isa 1:3 Isa 1:6t.; Imperfect אֶתְבּוֺנֵן Job 23:15 Job 23:3t.; אֶתְבּוֺנָ֑ן Job 32:12 Job 32:5t.; יִתְבּוֺנְנוּ Psa 107:43 Psa 107:2t.; יִתְבּוֺנָ֑נוּ Isa 14:16; Isa 43:18.
1 shew oneself attentive, consider diligently: —
a. absolute Job 11:11; Job 23:15; Isa 1:3; Jer 2:10; Jer 9:16.
b. accusative Job 37:14; Psa 107:43; Psa 119:95; Isa 43:18; Isa 52:15.
c. with אֶל 1Ki 3:21; Isa 14:16.
d. with עַל Job 31:1; Psa 37:10
e. with עד Job 32:12; Job 38:18.
f. with בְּ Job 30:20; Jer 23:20 (= Jer 30:24).
2 get understanding, understand Job 26:14; Psa 119:104.
3 shew oneself to have understanding Psa 119:100
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Topical studies with this word 3 entries
Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.