Original Word: בִּין
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: biyn
Pronunciation: been
Phonetic Spelling: (bene)
KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man)
NASB: understand, understanding, discern, discerning, consider, understood, has understanding
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to separate mentally (or distinguish)
2. (generally) understand

attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel,

A primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand -- attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to discern
NASB Translation
acted wisely (1), cared (1), clever (1), consider (8), consider carefully (1), considers (1), diligently consider (1), discern (9), discerned (2), discerning (9), discernment (1), explain (1), explained (1), feel (1), gain understanding (1), gave him understanding (1), gave me instruction (1), gaze (1), get understanding (1), give man an understanding (1), give me understanding (5), give you an understanding (1), give heed (1), give understanding (1), gives them understanding (1), gives understanding (1), has understanding (6), have understanding (1), have...understanding (1), intelligent (1), interpret (1), investigating (1), learned (1), look carefully (1), looked at him carefully (1), observe (1), observed (2), observing (1), paid close attention (1), pay heed (2), perceive (5), perceived (2), ponder (2), prudent (4), regard (1), show (1), show regard (2), show understanding (1), show...regard (1), skilled (1), skillful (4), taught (2), teacher (1), teachers (1), turn your attention (1), understand (35), understanding (14), understanding and he will gain (1), understanding and discerning (1), understands (6), understood (7).

בִּין verb discern (Nö^{ZMG 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, Mordt^{ZMG 1876, 37}) —

Qal Perfect בִּין Daniel 10:1; בַּנְתָּה Psalm 139:2; בִּינֹתִי Daniel 9:2; Imperfect יָבִין Psalm 19:13 25t. וְיָבֵן Jeremiah 9:11 2t., וַיָּבֶן 1 Samuel 3:8 2t.; אָבִינָה Psalm 73:17 4t.; יָבִינוּ Proverbs 28:5 12t.; Imperative בִּין Daniel 9:23; בִּינָה Psalm 5:2; בִּינוּ Deuteronomy 32:7 2t.; Infinitive absolute בִּין Proverbs 23:1; Participle בָּנִים Jeremiah 49:7; —

1 perceive (with the senses); —

a. eyes, accusative Proverbs 7:7, with לְ Job 9:11; Job 14:21; Job 23:8; Proverbs 14:15.

b. ears, accusative Proverbs 29:19, with לְ Job 13:1.

c. touch, accusative Psalm 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; Psalm 82:5; Proverbs 24:12; Isaiah 6:9,10; Isaiah 44:18; Daniel 12:10; Hosea 4:14; Hosea 14:10; שׁמעתי ולא אבין I heard but I could not understand Daniel 12:8.

b. accusative Job 15:9; Job 23:5; Job 36:29; Proverbs 2:5,9; Proverbs 20:24; Proverbs 28:5; Psalm 19:13; Psalm 92:7; Jeremiah 9:11; יבין משׁפט Job 32:9; Proverbs 28:5; יבין דעת Proverbs 29:7.

c. with כִּי 1 Samuel 3:8; 2 Samuel 12:19; Isaiah 43:10.

d. with infinitive & לְ, יבין לָדָֽעַת Isaiah 32:4

3 observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention): —

a. accusative Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 5:2; Psalm 50:22; Psalm 94:7; Psalm 94:8; Proverbs 23:1; Proverbs 21:29 (Qr) Daniel 9:2; Daniel 10:1.

b. with לְ, Psalm 73:17; Psalm 139:2; Deuteronomy 32:29.

c. with בְּ, Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 13:7; Daniel 9:23.

d. with אל, Psalm 28:5.

e. with עַל, Daniel 11:30,37.

4 have discernment, insight, understanding Jeremiah 49:7.

Niph`al נְבֻנוֺתִי Isaiah 10:12; Participle נָבוֺן Genesis 41:33 15t.; plural נְבוֺנִים Jeremiah 4:22, elsewhere נְבֹנִים Deuteronomy 1:13; Isaiah 5:22 (Baer) Ecclesiastes 9:11; נְבֹנָיו Isaiah 29:14; be intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding 1 Samuel 16:18; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 16:21; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 19:25; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Isaiah 3:3; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 10:13; Isaiah 29:14; Jeremiah 4:22; Hosea 14:10; לֵב נָבוֺן intelligent mind Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 18:15; נָבוֺן וְחָכָם Genesis 41:33,39; חכם ונבון Deuteronomy 4:6; 1 Kings 3:12; חכמים ונבנים Deuteronomy 1:13.

Po. יְבוֺנְַנֵהוּ he attentively considereth him Deuteronomy 32:10.

Hiph`il Perfect הֵבִין Job 28:33 5t.; Imperfect יָבִין Isaiah 28:9 4t.; וַיָּבֶן2Chronicles 11:23; Daniel 9:22; Infinitive הָבִין Psalm 32:9 9t.; Imperative הָבֵן Daniel 8:16 12t.; Participle מֵבִין Proverbs 28:7 26t.; —

1 understand: —

a. absolute Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 40:21; Isaiah 56:11; 1 Kings 3:11; Psalm 32:9; Daniel 8:17; Daniel 10:12.

b. accusative 1 Chronicles 28:9; Job 28:23; Proverbs 1:2,6; Proverbs 8:5; Proverbs 14:8; Isaiah 28:19; Daniel 8:23; Micah 4:12; מֵבִין one with understanding Proverbs 8:9; Proverbs 17:10,24; Proverbs 28:2,7,11; מְבִינֵי מַדָּע Daniel 1:4; able to understand (i.e. old enough) Nehemiah 8:3; Nehemiah 10:29, compare Nehemiah 8:2 (followed by לִשׁמֹעַ).

2 give heed to, attend to, observe, discern, absolute Isaiah 57:1; 2Chronicles 11:23; Daniel 8:5; with בְּ Nehemiah 8:12; Daniel 9:23; Daniel 10:11; מֵבִין בְּ skilled in 2 Chronicles 26:5; 34:12; with אֶל Psalm 33:15; בין טוב לרע 1 Kings 3:9.

3 give understanding make understand, teach: —

a. absolute Daniel 8:27; Daniel 9:22.

b. with accusative of person Psalm 119:34; Psalm 119:73; Psalm 119:125; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:144; Psalm 119:169; Job 32:8; Nehemiah 8:7,9; Isaiah 40:14.

c. with לְ person 2 Chronicles 35:3; Daniel 11:33; with לְ person & accusative of thing Job 6:24; Daniel 8:16.

d. בְּ of thing Nehemiah 8:8, + accusative of person Daniel 1:17.

e. double accusative Isaiah 28:9; Psalm 119:27; Daniel 10:14; מֵבִין teacher 1 Chronicles 15:22; 1 Chronicles 25:7,8; 1 Chronicles 27:32; Ezra 8:16.

Hithpa`el Perfect הִתְבּוֺנָ֑ן Isaiah 1:3 6t.; Imperfect אֶתְבּוֺנֵן Job 23:15 3t.; אֶתְבּוֺנָ֑ן Job 32:12 5t.; יִתְבּוֺנְנוּ Psalm 107:43 2t.; יִתְבּוֺנָ֑נוּ Isaiah 14:16; Isaiah 43:18.

1 shew oneself attentive, consider diligently: —

a. absolute Job 11:11; Job 23:15; Isaiah 1:3; Jeremiah 2:10; Jeremiah 9:16.

b. accusative Job 37:14; Psalm 107:43; Psalm 119:95; Isaiah 43:18; Isaiah 52:15.

c. with אֶל 1 Kings 3:21; Isaiah 14:16.

d. with עַל Job 31:1; Psalm 37:10

e. with עד Job 32:12; Job 38:18.

f. with בְּ Job 30:20; Jeremiah 23:20 (= Jeremiah 30:24).

2 get understanding, understand Job 26:14; Psalm 119:104.

3 shew oneself to have understanding Psalm 119:100

Scope and Range of Usage

בִּין (bin) appears roughly one hundred sixty-nine times across the Old Testament and is concentrated in Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets. It is employed for mental perception, moral discrimination, practical skill, and spiritual insight. Context decides whether the focus is cognitive (“to understand a proverb”), judicial (“to discern between good and evil”), or relational (“to consider the ways of the Lord”).

Understanding as Divine Gift

Scripture treats true understanding as something God grants rather than mere human attainment. When Solomon prays, “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9), the request is framed with בִּין, underscoring that discernment comes from the Lord. The Chronicler notes that the men of Issachar “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32), again attributing strategic perception to divine enablement. In Job 32:8 Elihu affirms, “But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding,” making explicit that the capacity signified by בִּין is breathed by God.

Covenant Obedience and Moral Discernment

Moses commands Israel, “Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Here בִּין links covenant obedience to moral witness. Repeatedly the Law appeals to Israel’s need to “understand” so as to act rightly (Deuteronomy 32:7, Deuteronomy 32:29). Prophetic indictments often declare the absence of בִּין: “Israel does not know; My people do not understand” (Isaiah 1:3). The root therefore frames sin chiefly as a failure of discernment, not mere ignorance.

Instruction and Interpretation

In Wisdom Literature בִּין is integral to pedagogy. “To understand words of insight” is an explicit purpose of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:2). Parents entreat sons to “get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5), presenting it as both attainable and priceless. Understanding governs interpretation: Daniel “understood from the Scriptures” the seventy years of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2), illustrating how בִּין functions in exegesis. Ezra likewise reads the Law “clearly and gave the sense so that the people understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8).

Leadership and Administration

Successful governance requires בִּין. Joseph advises Pharaoh to “select a discerning and wise man” to oversee Egypt (Genesis 41:33). David’s commanders seek men who “have understanding of the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32). The Chronicler praises Uzziah because “he set himself to seek God… and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success” (2 Chronicles 26:5); the verb “set himself to seek” aligns with discerning pursuit. The leaders’ fortunes rise or fall with their capacity for sound discernment granted by God.

Wisdom Theology and Fear of the Lord

Job 28:28 lines בִּין directly with wisdom theology: “Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and turning away from evil is understanding.” Biblical writers pair understanding with reverence; one cannot possess the former without the latter. Proverbs 9:10 repeats the coupling, integrating moral awe and intellectual clarity.

Discernment Between People and Situations

בִּין often appears with the preposition “between,” emphasizing judgment. Solomon is able “to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). Priests are ordered to “teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane” (Ezekiel 44:23). Thus the word encompasses practical adjudication, whether evaluating cases (Deuteronomy 1:16) or distinguishing ritual categories.

Prophetic Insight and Eschatological Vision

Prophets call their audiences to understand God’s acts. Daniel repeatedly seeks וַאֲבִינָה (“and I might understand”) concerning visions (Daniel 8:15, Daniel 10:12). Hosea laments, “Let him who is wise understand these things” (Hosea 14:9). In apocalyptic contexts בִּין frames insight into God’s unfolding plan, foreshadowing New Testament emphases on spiritual discernment.

Consequences of Lack of Understanding

Psalmists mourn the folly of those devoid of בִּין: “A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:20). Isaiah criticizes dullness: “You do not know, you do not understand; your eyes are plastered over so they cannot see” (Isaiah 44:18). Divine judgment often entails the withdrawal of understanding (Job 12:20-21), illustrating that intellectual and moral darkness are judicial consequences.

Means of Acquiring Understanding

1. Reverent obedience—Psalm 119:34: “Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law.”
2. Prayerful petition—Psalm 119:125; Daniel 2:21.
3. Instruction by the wise—Proverbs 1:5.
4. Meditation on God’s works—Psalm 107:43: “Whoever is wise, let him observe these things and consider the loving devotion of the Lord.”

Ministry Implications

Pastoral ministry pursues the impartation of בִּין so believers may rightly divide Scripture and navigate life with godly discernment (2 Timothy 2:15 draws on the same conceptual field in Greek). Teaching that fails to cultivate understanding endangers the flock. Leaders therefore pray with Paul, “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

Christological Fulfillment

Isaiah 11:2 promises that the Spirit of the Messiah will be “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,” a direct linkage to בִּין. Jesus embodies perfect discernment, “knowing all men” (John 2:24-25) and opening the minds of His disciples “to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). The fulfillment of בִּין in Christ affirms both Old Testament expectation and New Testament realization, providing the pattern and power for Christian discernment today.

Summary

בִּין encompasses cognitive insight, moral discernment, skillful action, and spiritual perception. It is portrayed as a divine gift, demanded by the covenant, essential for leadership, fatal to lack, and ultimately personified in the Messiah. The repeated biblical call to “understand” summons every generation to seek the Lord for mind-renewing, life-reshaping discernment.

אֶ֝תְבּוֹנֵ֗ן אֶתְבּ֫וֹנָ֥ן אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן אֶתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ אָ֘בִ֤ינָה אָ֝בִ֗ינָה אָבִ֑ין אָבִ֥ין אבין אבינה אתבונן אתבונן׃ בְמֵבִ֑ין בִּ֖ינוּ בִּ֣ינָה בִּ֥ין בִּ֭ינוּ בִּֽינוּ־ בִּינֹ֖תִי בַּ֥נְתָּה בין בינה בינו בינו־ בינתי במבין בנתה הֲ֝בִינֵ֗נִי הֲ֭בִינֵנִי הֲבִ֣ינֹתֶ֔ם הֲבִינֵ֑נִי הֲבִינֵ֥נִי הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃ הִ֭תְבֹּנַנְתָּ הִתְבּֽוֹנְנ֛וּ הִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ הִתְבּוֹנָֽנוּ׃ הֵבִ֔ין הֵבִ֖ינוּ הֵבִ֙ינוּ֙ הֵבִ֣ין הֵבִֽין׃ הַ֝מֵּבִ֗ין הַ֨מֵּבִ֔ין הַמְּבִינִ֨ים הַמֵּבִ֖ין הַמְּבִינִ֨ים הָ֫בִ֥ין הָבִ֑ין הָבִ֖ין הָבִ֣ין הָבִ֣ינוּ הָבִ֥ין הָבִ֥ינוּ הָבֵ֣ן הָבֵ֥ן הָבֵ֨ן הבין הבין׃ הבינו הבינני הבינני׃ הבינתם הבן המבין המבינים התבונן׃ התבוננו התבוננו׃ התבננת וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה וְ֝יִתְבּֽוֹנְנ֗וּ וְ֝נָב֗וֹן וְהִֽתְבּוֹנְנ֖וּ וְהִתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן ׀ וְהִתְבּוֹנַ֖נְתָּ וְהַמְּבִינִ֑ים וְהָבֵ֖ן וְיָ֣בֵֽן וְיָבֵ֔ן וְיָבֵ֣ן וְנָב֔וֹן וְתָבִ֙ינוּ֙ וַיְבִינֵ֔הוּ וַיָּ֖בֶן וַיָּ֣בֶן וַיָּ֥בֶן וַיָּבִ֖ינוּ וַיָּבֶן֩ וַתִּתְבֹּ֥נֶן וַתָּ֥בֶן וָאֶתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן וָאָבִ֣ינָה וָאָבִ֤ינָה וּבִין֙ וּמְבִינֵ֣י וּמֵבִ֥ין וּנְב֥וֹן וּנְבֹנִ֛ים ואבינה ואתבונן ובין והבן והמבינים והתבונן והתבוננו והתבוננת ויבינהו ויבינו ויבן ויתבוננו ומבין ומביני ונבון ונבנים ותבינו ותבן ותתבנן יְב֣וֹנְנֵ֔הוּ יִתְבּוֹנָ֑נוּ יִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ יָ֝בִ֗ין יָ֭בִין יָּבִ֥ין יָבִ֑ין יָבִ֑ינוּ יָבִ֔ין יָבִ֖ין יָבִ֖ינוּ יָבִ֗ין יָבִ֗ינוּ יָבִ֛ין יָבִ֡ינוּ יָבִ֣ין יָבִ֣ינוּ יָבִ֥ין יָבִ֥ינוּ יָבִֽינוּ׃ יבוננהו יבין יבינו יבינו׃ יתבונן׃ יתבוננו לְ֝הָבִ֗ין לְ֝נָב֗וֹן לְהָבִ֖ין לְהָבִ֣ין לְהָבִ֧ין לְנָב֣וֹן לַהֲבִ֣ינְךָ֔ לַמֵּבִ֑ין לַנְּבֹנִים֙ להבין להבינך למבין לנבון לנבנים מְבִינִ֥ים מְבִינִֽים׃ מִבָּנִ֔ים מֵבִ֑ין מֵבִ֔ין מֵבִ֖ין מֵבִ֗ין מֵבִ֣ין מֵבִ֥ין מֵבִֽין׃ מבין מבין׃ מבינים מבנים נְבֹנִֽים׃ נְבֹנָ֖יו נְבֻנ֑וֹתִי נְבוֹנִ֖ים נָ֭בוֹן נָב֑וֹן נָב֖וֹן נָב֣וֹן נָב֥וֹן נָבֽוֹן׃ נבון נבון׃ נבונים נבנותי נבניו נבנים׃ תְּבִינֵֽם׃ תִּתְבֹּנָֽנוּ׃ תִּתְבּ֥וֹנְנוּ תָ֝בִ֗ין תָּ֝בִ֗ין תָּ֝בִ֗ינוּ תָּ֭בִין תָּבִ֔ינוּ תבין תבינו תבינם׃ תתבוננו תתבננו׃ ’ā·ḇî·nāh ’ā·ḇîn ’āḇîn ’āḇînāh ’eṯ·bō·w·nān ’eṯ·bō·w·nên ’eṯbōwnān ’eṯbōwnên aVin aVinah ban·tāh Bantah bantāh ḇə·mê·ḇîn ḇəmêḇîn bî·nāh bî·nō·ṯî bî·nū bî·nū- bin bîn Binah bînāh biNoti bînōṯî Binu bînū bînū- etBoNan etboNen hā·ḇên hă·ḇî·nê·nî hă·ḇî·nō·ṯem hā·ḇî·nū hā·ḇîn hāḇên hāḇîn hăḇînênî hăḇînōṯem hāḇînū ham·mə·ḇî·nîm ham·mê·ḇîn hammêḇîn hamməḇînîm hammeVin hammeviNim haVen haVin haviNeni haVinoTem haVinu hê·ḇî·nū hê·ḇîn hêḇîn hêḇînū heVin heVinu hiṯ·bō·nan·tā hiṯ·bō·w·nā·nū hiṯ·bō·w·nān hiṯ·bō·wn·nū hitboNan Hitbonanta hiṯbōnantā hitboNanu hitbonNu hiṯbōwnān hiṯbōwnānū hiṯbōwnnū la·hă·ḇî·nə·ḵā lahăḇînəḵā lahaVinecha lam·mê·ḇîn lammêḇîn lammeVin lan·nə·ḇō·nîm lannəḇōnîm lannevoNim lə·hā·ḇîn lə·nā·ḇō·wn ləhāḇîn lehaVin lənāḇōwn lenaVon mə·ḇî·nîm mê·ḇîn mêḇîn məḇînîm meVin meviNim mib·bā·nîm mibbaNim mibbānîm nā·ḇō·wn nāḇōwn naVon nə·ḇō·nāw nə·ḇō·nîm nə·ḇō·w·nîm nə·ḇu·nō·w·ṯî nəḇōnāw nəḇōnîm nəḇōwnîm nəḇunōwṯî nevoNav nevoNim nevuNoti tā·ḇî·nū tā·ḇîn ṯā·ḇîn tāḇîn ṯāḇîn tāḇînū taVin taVinu tə·ḇî·nêm təḇînêm teviNem tiṯ·bō·nā·nū tiṯ·bō·wn·nū titboNanu tiṯbōnānū titBonnu tiṯbōwnnū ū·ḇîn ū·mə·ḇî·nê ū·mê·ḇîn ū·nə·ḇō·nîm ū·nə·ḇō·wn ūḇîn ūmêḇîn ūməḇînê umeVin umeviNei ūnəḇōnîm ūnəḇōwn uneVon unevoNim uVin vaaVinah vaetboNen vaiYaven vaiyaVinu vatTaven vattitBonen vayviNehu veaVinah vehammeviNim vehaVen vehitboNanta vehitboNen vehitbonNu vemeVin venaVon vetaVinu veyaVen veyitbonNu wā’āḇînāh wā’eṯbōwnên wā·’ā·ḇî·nāh wā·’eṯ·bō·w·nên wat·tā·ḇen wat·tiṯ·bō·nen wattāḇen wattiṯbōnen way·ḇî·nê·hū way·yā·ḇen way·yā·ḇî·nū wayḇînêhū wayyāḇen wayyāḇînū wə’āḇînāh wə·’ā·ḇî·nāh wə·hā·ḇên wə·ham·mə·ḇî·nîm wə·hiṯ·bō·w·nan·tā wə·hiṯ·bō·w·nên wə·hiṯ·bō·wn·nū wə·nā·ḇō·wn wə·ṯā·ḇî·nū wə·yā·ḇên wə·yiṯ·bō·wn·nū wəhāḇên wəhamməḇînîm wəhiṯbōwnantā wəhiṯbōwnên wəhiṯbōwnnū wənāḇōwn wəṯāḇînū wəyāḇên wəyiṯbōwnnū yā·ḇî·nū yā·ḇîn yāḇîn yāḇînū yaVin yaVinu yə·ḇō·wn·nê·hū yəḇōwnnêhū yeVonNehu yiṯ·bō·w·nā·nū yiṯ·bō·w·nān yitboNan yitboNanu yiṯbōwnān yiṯbōwnānūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts