Learn Hebrew: Top 10 Hebrew Proverbs & Sayings

Looking for some Hebrew proverbs, sayings and idioms? That’s good! Knowing these will add to your Hebrew range of expression so that you can speak more and express yourself better.

In this post, I’ll cover 10 Hebrew idioms (or sayings – whatever you want to call them) and provide English translations and explanations so you know when and how to use them.

(And if you want to REALLY learn Hebrew with Audio & Video lessons from real teachers, be sure to check out HebrewPod101.com and click here)

1. Eyn Hanah’tom Meid Al Eesato

• Translation: The baker shouldn’t comment on his dough.

Why shouldn’t the baker comment on his dough? Well, it’s the same reason an artist doesn’t brag about his art. Or a doctor talk about how great his skills are. This basically means – don’t toot your own horn or don;t show off. Let your work speak for itself.

2. Eyn Ashan Bli Esh

• Translation: There’s no fire without smoke.

This is similar to the English idiom – where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If there’s a small problem, there’s probably a bigger problem underneath. If there’s one roach running around, there’s probably a hundred hiding somewhere nearby. And similarly, if there’s smoke, there’s a fire.

3. Al tistakel baqanqan, ela bemah shebetokho

• Translation: Don’t look at the jar, but at what’s inside it.

This is the Hebrew version of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Most people complain about things at their face value… instead of looking for real value out of it. For example, language learners often complain that textbooks don’t teach them to speak. In reality, they don’t use books for their value: words, grammar and reading practice.

4. Al Tiqneh Hatul Basaq

• Translation: Don’t buy a cat in the sack.

Why shouldn’t you buy a cat in a sack? Well, because you can’t see the cat. You don’t know what the cat is like. And thus, you don’t know what you’re buying! Don’t buy an unknown item and don’t get yourself into unknown situations.

5. Tov Lihiyoth Zanav La’arayoth Ma’asher Rosh Lashu’alim

• Translation: Better be a tail for the lions than the head of the foxes

Alright, this will require a bit of imagination. Basically this means that it’s better to be a minor member of a good group, than a prominent leader of a bad one.

6. Tova Tzipor Ahath Bayad Mishtayim Al Ha’etz

• Translation: One bird in the hand is better than two on the tree.

This means that what you have now is more valuable that what you’ll get. Especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it. This proverb advises to be happy with what you get instead of venturing in the sense of greed. Similar to the Wall Street quote “bears make money, bulls make money, pigs get slaughtered.”

7. Ki betah’boloth ta’aseh lekha milhama

• Translation: Because with tricks you should do a war.

Translation is weird. However, this means – if you’re going to war, use your brain/mind. In other words, think!

8. Kol hamerachem al achzarim sofo litachzer al rachmanim

• Translation: Who is merciful to the cruel eventually would be cruel to the merciful.

Whoever is kind to the evil eventually becomes evil to the kind. Why? It’s human nature. You can only be nice for so long. And unfortunately, you become like the ones you deal with.

9. Lehakoth Babarzel Be’odo Ham

• Translation: Hit the iron while it’s hot.

Just like the English idiom, it means to grab at opportunity as it arises.

10. Mah Shesanu Aleikha Al Ta’aseh Lehaberkha

• Translation: Don’t do to another what is hated by you.

Similar to the Confucius quote, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.” Or, don’t treat others how you don’t want to be treated.

And that’s it for part 1.

Part 2 here

What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment and share this article!

– The Main Junkie

And if you REALLY want to learn to Hebrew with effective lessons from real teachers – Sign up for free at HebrewPod101 and start learning!