What does מְזִמָּה (məzimmāh) mean in the Bible?
מְזִמָּה (məzimmāh): Cunning mental scheming, predominantly malevolent intent, rarely sagacious; human plotting against divine order.
Hebrew · H4209
מְזִמָּה
A plan , usually evil ( machination ), sometimes good ( sagacity )
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מְזִמָּהH4209
Pronunciationməzimmāh
What does מְזִמָּה (məzimmāh) mean in the Bible?
מְזִמָּה (məzimmāh): Cunning mental scheming, predominantly malevolent intent, rarely sagacious; human plotting against divine order.
Full entry for מְזִמָּה (H4209) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4209?
The BSB source-word alignment has 19 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and discretion (2), Discretion (2), the purposes (2), . . . (1), and a devious (1).
Where does מְזִמָּה (məzimmāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 21:27. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (8), Psalms (5), Jeremiah (4), Job (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand discretion2×Proverbs 1:4, Proverbs 8:12
Discretion2×Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 5:2
the purposes2×Jeremiah 23:20, Jeremiah 30:24
. . .1×Proverbs 24:8
and a devious1×Proverbs 14:17
and discernment1×Proverbs 3:21
deceitfully1×Psalms 139:20
evil schemes1×Jeremiah 11:15
His plan1×Jeremiah 51:11
his schemes1×Psalms 10:4
in the schemes1×Psalms 10:2
plan1×Job 42:2
the schemes1×Psalms 21:11
the schemes by which1×Job 21:27
who devises evil1×Proverbs 12:2
wicked schemes1×Psalms 37:7
Show sample aligned rows
Job 21:27וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹתtothe schemes by whichConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine pluralJob 42:2מְזִמָּֽה׃toplanNoun - feminine singularPsalms 10:2בִּמְזִמּ֖וֹתtoin the schemesPreposition-b | Noun - feminine pluralPsalms 10:4מְזִמּוֹתָֽיו׃tohis schemesNoun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singularPsalms 21:11מְ֝זִמָּ֗הtothe schemesNoun - feminine singularPsalms 37:7מְזִמּֽוֹת׃towicked schemesNoun - feminine pluralPsalms 139:20לִמְזִמָּ֑הtodeceitfullyPreposition-l | Noun - feminine singularProverbs 1:4וּמְזִמָּֽה׃toand discretionConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularProverbs 2:11מְ֭זִמָּהtoDiscretionNoun - feminine singularProverbs 3:21וּמְזִמָּֽה׃toand discernmentConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJob 21:27
Aligned rows19
Books represented4
Job2Psalms5Proverbs8Jeremiah4
Source forms
מְזִמּ֣וֹת4xmə·zim·mō·wṯProverbs 8:12, Proverbs 12:2, Jeremiah 23:20, Jeremiah 30:24
וּמְזִמָּֽה׃2xū·mə·zim·māhProverbs 1:4, Proverbs 3:21
בִּמְזִמּ֖וֹת1xbim·zim·mō·wṯPsalms 10:2
הַֽמְזִמָּ֙תָה֙1xham·zim·mā·ṯāhJeremiah 11:15
וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת1xū·mə·zim·mō·wṯJob 21:27
לִמְזִמָּ֑ה1xlim·zim·māhPsalms 139:20
מְ֝זִמָּ֗ה1xmə·zim·māhPsalms 21:11
מְ֭זִמָּה1xmə·zim·māhProverbs 2:11
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine plural6xPsalms 37:7, Proverbs 5:2, Proverbs 8:12, Proverbs 12:2
Noun - feminine singular3xJob 42:2, Psalms 21:11, Proverbs 2:11
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular2xProverbs 1:4, Proverbs 3:21
Noun - feminine plural construct2xJeremiah 23:20, Jeremiah 30:24
Article | Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular1xJeremiah 11:15
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural1xJob 21:27
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular1xPsalms 10:4
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular1xJeremiah 51:11
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Cunning mental scheming, predominantly malevolent intent, rarely sagacious; human plotting against divine order.
Source Gloss
a plan , usually evil ( machination ), sometimes good ( sagacity )
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Cunning mental scheming, predominantly malevolent intent, rarely sagacious; human plotting against divine order.
a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity) BDB: purpose Usage: (wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
careful planning or thoughtful discernment
thoughtful planning or careful judgment
His thoughts, plans, or schemes; refers to the entirety of his inner world
Wicked scheme; plot; device; refers to a calculated and intentional plan of evil
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 19 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
מְזִמָּה is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Wisdom equips believers to think ahead and avoid destructive decisions.Proverbs 3:21-35
Discretion allows a person to apply wisdom in practical situations.Proverbs 8:12-21
Canonical Themes
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.