A Vision for Living Research
hayah (הָיָה, 1961), “to become, occur, come to pass, be.” This verb occurs only in Hebrew and Aramaic. The Old Testament attests hayah about 3,560 times, in both Hebrew and Aramaic.
Often this verb indicates more than simple existence or identity (this may be indicated by omitting the verb altogether). Rather, the verb makes a strong statement about the being or presence of a person or thing. Yet the simple meaning “become” or “come to pass” appears often in the English versions.
The verb can be used to emphasize the presence of a person (e.g., God’s Spirit—Judg. 3:10), an emotion (e.g., fear—Gen. 9:2), or a state of being (e.g., evil—Amos 3:6). In such cases, the verb indicates that their presence (or absence) is noticeable—it makes a real difference to what is happening.
On the other hand, in some instances hayah does simply mean “happen, occur.” Here the focus is on the simple occurrence of the events—as seen, for example, in the statement following the first day of creation: “And so it happened” (Gen. 1:7). In this sense, hayah is frequently translated “it came to pass.”
The use of this verb with various particles colors its emphasis accordingly. In passages setting forth blessing or cursing, for example, this verb not only is used to specify the object of the action but also the dynamic forces behind and within the action. Gen. 12:2, for example, records that God told Abram: “… I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be [hayah] a blessing.” Abram was already blessed, so God’s pronouncement conferred upon him a future blessedness. The use of hayah in such passages declares the actual release of power, so that the accomplishment is assured— Abram will be blessed because God has ordained it.[1]
n.[masc.]; ≡ Str 8247; TWOT 2451a—1. LN 3.2-3.12 almond tree, i.e., a fruit tree with a beautiful white blossom with pink highlights Prunus amygdalus communis (Ecc 12:5; Jer 1:11+); 2. LN 3.33-3.46 almond nuts, i.e., the kernel of the fruit of the almond tree, eaten whole and also processed into oil (Ge 43:11; Nu 17:23[EB 8]+)
שׁקה (shqh): see 9197
9197 שָׁקָה (shaqah): v.; ≡ Str 8248; TWOT 2452—1. (hif) give a drink, i.e., let, allow, or cause a creature to drink liquid of various kinds (Ge 2:6, 10; 19:32, 33, 34, 35; 21:19; 24:14, 18, 19, 43, 45, 46, 46; 29:2, 3, 7, 8, 10; Ex 2:16, 17, 19; 32:20; Nu 5:24, 26, 27; 20:8; Jdg 4:19; 1Sa 30:11; 2Sa 23:15; 1Ch 11:17; 2Ch 28:15; Est 1:7; Job 22:7; Ps 36:9[EB 8]; 60:5[EB 3]; 69:22[EB 21]; 78:15; 80:6[EB 5]; 104:11; Pr 25:21; SS 8:2; Isa 43:20; Jer 8:14; 9:14[EB 15]; 16:7; 23:15; 25:15, 17; 35:2; Am 2:12; Hab 2:15+), note: the substance drunk can be refreshing, nutritious, or poison; note: in some contexts the drinking can refer to the causing an object to have a particular experience, see also domain LN 90.85–90.97; 2. LN 47.1-47.7 (hif) water, i.e., cause water to go on plants (Dt 11:10; Ps 104:13; Ecc 2:6; Isa 27:3; Eze 17:7; 32:6; Joel 4:18[EB 3:18]+)note: in some contexts the watering can refer to the causing an object to have a particular experience, see also domain LN 90.85–90.97; 3. LN 79.78-79.83 (pual) moist, i.e., pertaining to not being dry, as the feature of an object (Job 21:24+), note: niv translates “rich;” note: Am 8:8 nif, see 1763
9198 שִׁקּוּי (shiquy): n.[masc.]; ≡ Str 8249, 8250; TWOT 2452a—1. LN 5.1-5.22 drink, i.e., a liquid which brings necessary fluid or nourishment to the body (Ps 102:10[EB 9]; Hos 2:7[EB 5]+); 2. LN 23.78-23.87 refreshment, formally, drink, i.e., a state or condition of restorative rest and so sense of well-being, as a figurative extension of nourishing health drink or elixir (Pr 3:8+)[2]
3.6
In all your ways acknowledge him: Your ways refers to your undertakings, everything you do. Acknowledge him is to know him, have an intimate acquain tance with him, be aware of him. In the present context it is not simply an intellectual awareness of God’s existence but acceptance of God’s presence to guide and direct your life. tev renders this “remember the Lord.” cev has “Always let him lead you,” which is a good model for translating.
And he will make straight your paths: Make straight renders a verb that means to smooth out, make level, or remove the obstacles in preparing a roadway. See Isa 40.3 and Psa 5.8. We may translate by keeping the figurative expression; for example, “He will show you the right path” or “He will make your path level.” The nonfigurative sense may be expressed, for example, “He will show you what to do” or “He will direct your life.” Some translations introduce this line with “If you do this, he will ….”[3]
“To know” God is to have an intimate experiential knowledge of Him. So Pharaoh denies that he knows Jehovah (Exod. 5:2) or that he recognizes His authority over him. Positively “to know” God is paralleled to fear Him (1 Kings 8:43), to serve (1 Chron. 28:9), and to trust (Isa. 43:10). [4]
Heart in Hebrew refers to one’s emotions (Prov. 12:25; 13:12; 14:10, 13) but more often to his intellect (such as understanding, 10:8; discernment, 15:14; reflection, 15:28), or will (5:12).[5]
In all your ways acknowledge him: Your ways refers to your undertakings, everything you do. Acknowledge him is to know him, have an intimate acquain tance with him, be aware of him. In the present context it is not simply an intellectual awareness of God’s existence but acceptance of God’s presence to guide and direct your life. tev renders this “remember the Lord.” [6]
Refreshment to your “bones”=substance, “very,” i.e., the essence or essential nature of a thing, a marker of which something consists as the same (Ge 7:13; 17:23, 26; Ex 24:10)[7] (The very real you…The essence of who you are…)
The word translated “trust” in verse 5 means “to lie helpless, facedown.” It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.[8]
It’s good to have the things money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things money can’t buy. What good is an expensive house if there’s no happy home within it? Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren’t the guaranteed by-products of financial success, but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God’s wisdom. [9]
3:5, 6 These verses express a firm admonition (v. 5) and gracious assurance (v. 6). Throughout Proverbs one sees the reward of trusting in (lit. “clinging to,” with the idea of setting one’s hope and confidence upon) the Lord as opposed to the futility of resting in one’s own wisdom and seeking one’s own way (1:30, 31; 12:15; 14:12, 14; 16:2, 9, 25; 21:2; 30:12). God designed His creation to have a dependency upon Him. Even the ordinary decisions of a day need the counsel of God, who instructs His creation to consult Him about even the most minute details, whether in the spiritual or secular realm. God promises to communicate in return. The Fall itself was precipitated when man sought to live independently of God, and this human independence continues at the heart of sinful rebellion today. The word “acknowledge” is an expressive term which includes not only the accumulation of learning but also the practical and experiential action based upon one’s theoretical knowledge.
3:9 This is an admonition to see that one’s financial ways honor God (cf. Luke 11:42). God’s part is not what is left over but the “firstfruits,” which consisted of the first of the produce of the land (Ex. 22:29; 23:19; 34:20; Lev. 23:10). The Israelite brought the “firstfruits” in order to acknowledge that God was the ultimate owner of Canaan (Lev. 25:23), thus honoring Yahweh with his substance and expressing gratitude and thanksgiving.[10]
we must believe that he is able to do what he will, wise to do what is best, and good, according to his promise, to do what is best for us, if we love him, and serve him. [11]
The word steward mean keeper or manager of the house, or overseer of an estate, the one who employed servants, catered at banquets, represented the master in business dealings. There is a book telling of the reign of Queen Anne of England. It lists all of her chief officers and servants with the salaries and responsibilities of each office. The chief steward leads them all. He was an honored and trusted officer or servant The position demanded great intelligence, initiative, and integrity. (Good Stewards, J.E. Dillard)
We must receive to live. We must give to live. (Take a mountain stream. It receives water from heaven…else it doesn’t live. As long as it flows, life continues to teem within its banks. But let it pool up and cease to give…it will soon be a cesspool of death.)
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[1]Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (Vol. 1, Page 13). Nashville: T. Nelson.
n. noun, or nouns
masc. masculine
Str Strong’s Lexicon
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
+ More references in bhs
EB English Bible versification
v. verb
hif Hiphil
pual Pu˒al
niv New International Version
nif Niphal
[2]Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.) (HGK9196). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
tev Today’s English Version
cev Contemporary English Version
[3]Reyburn, W. D., & Fry, E. M. (2000). A handbook on Proverbs. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (Page 73). New York: United Bible Societies.
[4]Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (Vol. 1, Page 131). Nashville: T. Nelson.
[5]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
tev Today’s English Version
[6]Reyburn, W. D., & Fry, E. M. (2000). A handbook on Proverbs. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (Page 74). New York: United Bible Societies.
[7]Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.) (HGK6795). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[8]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1995). Be skillful. An Old Testament study. (Pr 3:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[9]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1995). Be skillful. An Old Testament study. (Pr 3:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[10]New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1995 by Foundation for Reformation. (electronic ed.) (Pr 3:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[11]Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Pr 3:1). Peabody: Hendrickson.