בַּֽ/מַּכְתֵּ֡שׁ

𐤁/𐤌𐤊𐤕𐤔

maktêsh

in the mortar

A mortar—a bowl-shaped implement used for pounding, crushing, or grinding various materials such as grain, spices, and sometimes metals. By extension, refers metaphorically to a cavity, hollow, or depression, particularly in geographical or anatomical contexts, such as a hollow place or socket (notably the socket of a tooth in Proverbs 27:22).

H4388

Proverbs 27:22 · Word #5

Lexicon H4388

Lemmaמַכְתֵּשׁ
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤊𐤕𐤔
Transliterationmaktêsh
Strong'sH4388
DefinitionA mortar—a bowl-shaped implement used for pounding, crushing, or grinding various materials such as grain, spices, and sometimes metals. By extension, refers metaphorically to a cavity, hollow, or depression, particularly in geographical or anatomical contexts, such as a hollow place or socket (notably the socket of a tooth in Proverbs 27:22).

Morphology HRd/Ncmsa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

Common Translation

Phrasein the mortar

SIBI-P1 Translation H4388-01

in the crushing-mortar

Morphological NotesPreposition ב + definite article + masculine singular common noun, absolute state.
Rendering RationaleThe noun מַכְתֵּשׁ denotes a mortar, the vessel used for pounding or crushing, directly reflecting the root כתשׁ. The prefixed בַּ marks "in the," preserving the preposition and definite singular masculine form.

View full lexicon entry for H4388 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

in the mortar

Same as P1No — adjusted for context
Rationale'In the mortar' is more natural and contextually correct. P1 'in the crushing-mortar' over-specifies; the context is the actual mortar used for pounding.