What does חָנֵף (ḥānēph) mean in the Bible?
חָנֵף (ḥānēph): Moral corruption visible as defilement; describes one whose sin makes them outwardly impious and inauthentic
Hebrew · H2611
חָנֵף
Soiled (i.e. with sin), impious
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חָנֵףH2611
Pronunciationḥānēph
What does חָנֵף (ḥānēph) mean in the Bible?
חָנֵף (ḥānēph): Moral corruption visible as defilement; describes one whose sin makes them outwardly impious and inauthentic
Full entry for חָנֵף (H2611) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2611?
The BSB source-word alignment has 13 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include of the godless (4), the godless (2), against a godless (1), godless man (1), is godless (1).
Where does חָנֵף (ḥānēph) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 8:13. Its strongest book concentrations include Job (8), Isaiah (3), Proverbs (1), Psalms (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itof the godless4×Job 8:13, Job 15:34, Job 20:5, Job 27:8
the godless2×Job 17:8, Job 36:13
against a godless1×Isaiah 10:6
godless man1×Job 13:16
is godless1×Isaiah 9:17
Like godless1×Psalms 35:16
that godless1×Job 34:30
the ungodly1×Isaiah 33:14
the ungodly man1×Proverbs 11:9
Show sample aligned rows
Job 8:13חָנֵ֣ףtoof the godlessNoun - masculine singularJob 13:16חָנֵ֥ףtogodless manNoun - masculine singularJob 15:34חָנֵ֣ףtoof the godlessNoun - masculine singularJob 17:8חָנֵ֥ףtothe godlessNoun - masculine singularJob 20:5חָנֵ֣ףtoof the godlessNoun - masculine singularJob 27:8חָ֭נֵףtoof the godlessNoun - masculine singularJob 34:30חָנֵ֗ףtothat godlessAdjective - masculine singularJob 36:13וְֽחַנְפֵי־toThe godlessConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural constructPsalms 35:16בְּ֭חַנְפֵיtoLike godlessPreposition-b | Adjective - masculine plural constructProverbs 11:9חָ֭נֵףtothe ungodly manNoun - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJob 8:13
Aligned rows13
Books represented4
Job8Psalms1Proverbs1Isaiah3
Source forms
חָנֵ֣ף4xḥā·nêp̄Job 8:13, Job 15:34, Job 20:5, Isaiah 9:17
חָנֵ֥ף2xḥā·nêp̄Job 13:16, Job 17:8
חָ֭נֵף2xḥā·nêp̄Job 27:8, Proverbs 11:9
בְּ֭חַנְפֵי1xbə·ḥan·p̄êPsalms 35:16
וְֽחַנְפֵי־1xwə·ḥan·p̄ê-Job 36:13
חָנֵ֗ף1xḥā·nêp̄Job 34:30
חָנֵף֙1xḥā·nêp̄Isaiah 10:6
חֲנֵפִ֑ים1xḥă·nê·p̄îmIsaiah 33:14
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine singular8xJob 8:13, Job 13:16, Job 15:34, Job 17:8
Adjective - masculine singular2xJob 34:30, Isaiah 10:6
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct1xJob 36:13
Noun - masculine plural1xIsaiah 33:14
Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine plural construct1xPsalms 35:16
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Moral corruption visible as defilement; describes one whose sin makes them outwardly impious and inauthentic
Source Gloss
soiled (i.e. with sin), impious
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Moral corruption visible as defilement; describes one whose sin makes them outwardly impious and inauthentic
soiled (i.e. with sin), impious BDB: profane Usage: hypocrite(-ical).
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
Godless or profane conduct.
profane or godless person who rejects reverence for God
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 13 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
חָנֵף is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
The term describes someone whose speech reflects a life detached from God.Isaiah 10:5-11
Israel’s godlessness justifies the disciplinary action announced.Proverbs 11:9
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.