Proverbs 14:27

“The fear of YHWH is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 14:27 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

27

Proverbs 14:27, word by word

The fearיִרְאַתyirat

fear

Fear. "The fear of God" is deep reverence that leads one to obey him and avoid evil.

Where else “yirat” appears
of YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
is a fountainמְקוֹרmekor

spring

The place where water wells up, and so also the source of life.

Where else “mekor” appears
of lifeחַיִּיםchayim

life

The span and strength of being alive, which come from God.

Where else “chayim” appears
to turn awayסוּרsur

turn aside

To leave the road, go away.

Where else “sur” appears
from the snaresמֹּקְשֵׁיmokshe

snare

Snare, trap for hunting; whatever makes someone fall.

Where else “mokshe” appears
of deathמָוֶתmavet

death

The end of life: when someone stops breathing and returns to dust.

Where else “mavet” appears

The context

26In the fear of YHWH is strong confidence, and for his sons there will be a refuge.

27 · This verse (above)

28In the multitude of people is the majesty of a king, but in the lack of a nation is the ruin of a prince.

Read all of Proverbs 14

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