1 Samuel 2:4

קֶ֥שֶׁת גִּבֹּרִ֖ים חַתִּ֑ים וְנִכְשָׁלִ֖ים אָ֥זְרוּ חָֽיִל
The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

קֶ֥שֶׁת
קֶ֥שֶׁת
Root word bow, bows, archers, bowmen, archer
Dictionary form: קֶשֶׁת · keh-SHET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: the bows
the bow ×14 bow ×6 his bow ×6 a bow ×2 and their bows ×2 bows ×2 of the bow ×2 so that a bow ×2
More options
bow — Most direct equivalent; fits nearly every context.
archer's bow — Clarifies the weapon's purpose in ambiguous passages.
bowman — Use when the lemma refers to the person, not the weapon.
longbow — Emphasizes a large, powerful bow in warrior contexts.
archery — Suits collective or abstract references to the practice.
rainbow — Use in Genesis 9 and similar cosmological contexts.

BDB7653 H7198

BDB7652 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7654

קֶ֫שֶׁת noun feminineGen 9:14 (apparently masculine 2Sam 1:22 but see AlbrZAW xvi (1896) 91) bow (originally √ perhaps קושׁ, meaning unknown; Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian ‡aštu; Ethiopic Arabic plural , etc.; ᵑ7 and (קַשְׁתָּא and (ט for ת after ק P) קוּשְׁטָא (rare), all bow, קַשָּׁתָא bowman; Syriac bow, bowman; Old Aramaic קשת bow, Mandean כשטא (Frä206); Palmyrene קשטא bowman); — absolute ׳ק Hos 1:7 +, קָ֑שֶׁת Jer 46:9 +; constructקֶ֫שֶׁת Hos 1:5 +; suffix קַשְׁתִּי Gen 48:22 + ,etc.; plural absolute קְשָׁתוֺת 2Chr 26:14 +; suffix קַשְּׁתֹתָיו (Ges«GKC:20h»§ 20h) Isa 5:28, קַשְּׁתוֺתָם Jer 51:56; Ps 37:15, קַשְּׁתֹתֵיהֶם Neh 4:7 (קַשְׁתֹּתָיו etc., van d. H. [except Ps 37:15]); —

1. bow:
  a. for hunting Gen 27:3 (J; + תְּלְי)
  b. battle: + (or ||) חֶרֶב Gen 48:22; Josh 24:12 (both E), Hos 1:7; Hos 2:20; 1Sam 18:4 (+ חְַגֹרוֺ), 2Sam 1:22; 2Kgs 6:22; Isa 41:2; Neh 4:7 (+ רָמְחֵיהֶם), Zech 9:13 (figurative of Judah as ׳י's bow), Ps 37:15 (figurative) Ps 44:7 (+ or || חֶרֶב also below) ;+ (or ||) חִצִּים Isa 7:24; 2Kgs 13:15 (twice in verse); Ezek 39:3; Ezek 39:9; 1Chr 12:2a; compare ׳רִשְׁפֵי ק Ps 76:4 = arrow (+ מָנֵן וְחֶרֶב) so ׳בֶּן ק Job 41:20 (compare Lam 3:13; Job 5:7); + חֲנִית Ps 46:10, + כִּידוֺן Jer 6:23; Jer 50:42 + varius weapons Neh 4:10; 2Chr 26:14 alone Isa 13:18 (context corrupt), Isa 22:3; Jer 51:56; Hab 3:9 (of ׳י as warrior); מִלְחָמָה ׳ק Zech 9:10; Zech 10:4 in simile רְמִיָּה ׳כְּק like a bow of deception Hos 7:16; Ps 78:57 (i.e. one that misses its aim; al. slack bow).
  c. ׳ק collective = bow (-men), archers Isa 21:17.
  d. phrases are: ׳הַמּרִים אֲנָשִׁים בַּקּ 1Sam 31:3 archers, bowmen (but dubious; Dr Kit Löhr translates, ׳הַמּ ׳א; We Bu strike out ׳א as || 1Chr 10:3 HPS Now strike out ׳בַּקּ ׳א), ׳הַמּוֺרִים בַּקּ 1Chr 10:3 ׳מְטַחֲוֵי ק Gen 21:16 (see [טָתָה], ׳רמֵה ק Jer 4:29, compare perhaps Gen 21:21 see קִשָּׁת, || ׳נשְׁקֵי ק (see II.נָשַׁק) 1Chr 12:2b 2Chr 17:17, ׳רוֺמֵי ק ׳נוֺ Ps 78:9 ׳תֹּפֵשׁ הַקּ Amos 2:15 one grasping the bow, (see Jer 46:9 below) see also ׳מִלֵּא יָדוֺ בַקּ 2Kgs 9:24, ׳הַרְכֵּב יָֽדְךָ עַלהַֿקּ 2Kgs 13:16 ׳דָּרַח ק bend (literally tread) the bow, Isa 5:28 (participle passive), Isa 21:15 (id.; || חֶרֶב) Jer 50:14; Jer 50:29; Jer 51:3; 1Chr 5:18; 1Chr 8:40; 2Chr 14:7; Ps 37:14 (|| חֶרֶב), in figure Ps 11:2 (|| חֵץ), and, of God, Lam 2:4; Lam 3:12; Ps 7:13 (|| הֶרֶב); ׳תֹּפְשֵׂי דֹּרְכֵי ק Jer 46:9 compare(figurative) וַיַּדְרְכוֺ אֶתלְֿשׁוֺנָם קַשְׁתָּם Jer 9:2 also נְחוּשָׁה וְנִחֲתָה ׳ק Ps 18:35 = 2Sam 22:35 (readוְנִחֲתָה for וְנִחַת) ׳מָשַׁח בַּקּdraw the bow 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33; Isa 66:19.
  e. bow (passing over into) figurative of might Gen 49:24 (poem), 1Sam 2:4; Hos 1:5; Jer 49:35; Job 29:20 (compare Ps 37:15,
  b. above) feminine נְחוּשָׁה ׳ק fig of divine judgment Job 20:24 (|| נֵשֶׁק בַּרְזֶל)
2. rainbow: אֲשַׁר יִהְיֶה בֶעָנָן בְּיוֺם הַנֶּשֶׁם ׳כְּמַרְאֵה הַקּ Ezek 1:28; Gen 9:13; Gen 9:14; Gen 9:16 (P). — קָ֑שֶׁה וַיּאֹמֶר לְלַמֵּד בְּנֵייְֿהוּדָה 2Sam 1:18 is corrupt; ᵐ5 al. omits; We Now think misplaced gloss on v2Sam 1:6 see further HPS.

bow, bows, archers, bowmen, archer
qešet
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
  • bow
    • bow (for hunting, battle)
      • "bowmen, archers"bow (figurative for might)"rainbow

גִּבֹּרִ֖ים
גִּבֹּרִ֖ים
Root word men, mighty, man, strong, ones, …
Dictionary form: גִּבּוֹר · ɡib-BORE

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of the mighty men
mighty men ×14 the mighty men ×10 mighty ×9 of the mighty ×9 of the mighty men ×8 the mighty ×6 a mighty man ×5 a mighty ×4
More options
warrior — Best general choice; emphasizes combat role and strength.
champion — Highlights singular distinction; ideal for elite or named figures.
hero — Broader cultural resonance; suits narrative or poetic contexts.
strong man — Stresses raw physical power over military role.
mighty one — Retains grandeur of original; good for divine or semi-divine beings.
valiant soldier — Two-word precision; clarifies both bravery and military context.

BDB1465 H1368

BDB1464 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1466

גִּבּוֺר159 adjective strong, mighty (compare Arabic one who magnifies himself, behaves proudly, a tyrant, who is bold, audacious) — Gen 10:9 + 5 t.; גִּבֹּר Gen 10:8 + 2 t.; גִּבּוֺרָם 1Sam 17:51 plural גִּבּוֺרִים Jer 46:9 + 27 t.; גִּבֹּרִים Josh 10:2 + 21 t.; construct גִּבּוֺרֵי 1Chr 11:27 + 29 t.; גִּבֹּרֵי 1Chr 9:26 + 4 t.; suffix גִּבּוֺרֶיךָ Hos 10:13 + (variant reading suffixes 11 t.); —

1. adjective גִּבּוֺר בַּבְּהֵמָה mightiest among beasts Prov 30:30 אִישׁ גִּבּוֺר 1Sam 14:52 גִּבּוֺר בָּאָרֶץ Ps 112:2 גִּבּוֺר צַיִד mighty in hunting Gen 10:9 (J); מלך גבור Dan 11:3 אֵל גִּבּוֺר the Messiah Isa 9:5 attribute of God especially as fighting for his people Ps 24:8 (twice in verse); Deut 10:17; Neh 9:32; Isa 10:21; Jer 32:18 (compare Arabic ).
2. noun masculine strong, valiant man Josh 10:2 (E) Gen 6:4; Gen 10:8(J) Judg 5:13; Judg 5:23; 1Sam 2:4 + 16 t. 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:10; 2Kgs 24:16; 1Chr 1:10 + 11 t. Ezra 7:28; Job 16:14; Ps 19:6; Ps 33:16; Ps 45:4; Ps 52:3; Ps 78:65; Ps 89:20; Ps 120:4; Ps 127:4; Prov 16:32; Prov 21:22; Song 3:7 (twice in verse); Song 4:4; Eccl 9:11; Isa 3:2; Isa 13:3; Isa 21:17; Isa 42:13; Isa 49:24; Isa 49:25; Jer 5:16 + 17 t. Ezek 32:12 + 5 t. Hos 10:13; Joel 2:7; Joel 4:9; Joel 4:10; Joel 4:11; Amos 2:14; Amos 2:16; Obad 1:9; Nah 2:4; Zeph 1:14; Zeph 3:17; Zech 9:13; Zech 10:5; Zech 10:7 compare phrases גִּבּוֺר חיל mighty man of valour Judg 6:12; Judg 11:1; 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 16:18; 1Kgs 11:28; 2Kgs 5:1 (וְהָאִישׁ הָיָה גִּבּוֺר חַיִל מְצֹרָ֑ע so ᵐ5 and others; but ᵐ5L ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἦν λεπός, compare also Klo's dubious emendation), 1Chr 12:28; 1Chr 28:1; 1Chr 2:3; 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17; 1Chr 25:6; 1Chr 32:21 אישׁ גבור חיל Ruth 2:1 גבורי החיל Josh 1:14 (D) Josh 6:2; Josh 10:7 (JE) 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 24:14 אישׁ גבורי החיל Josh 8:3 גברי חיל 1Chr 5:24 + 14 t. Neh 11:14 גבורי חילים 1Chr 7:5; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:11; 1Chr 7:40 גבורי החילים 1Chr 11:26 גברי כח Ps 103:20 גבורי מלחמה 2Chr 13:3 גברי השֹׁערים 1Chr 9:26 בית הגבורים Neh 3:16 (ה)צָבָא הגבורים 2Sam 10:7; 1Chr 19:8 ראשׁי הגברים 1Chr 11:10 גבורים לשׁתות valiant to drink Isa 5:22.

men, mighty, man, strong, ones, …
gibbôr
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
  • (adj) strong, mighty
    • "(n m) strong man, brave man, mighty man

חַתִּ֑ים
חַתִּ֑ים
Root word broken, dismayed, dread, fear
Dictionary form: חַת · haht

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: are broken
are broken ×1 be broken ×1 dismayed ×1 fear ×1 of you and the dread ×1
More options
dread — Strong existential fear; suits formal or solemn contexts.
terror — Intense, overwhelming fear; vivid and immediate in register.
dismay — Prefer when psychological shock or bewilderment is primary.
shattered — Emphasizes broken morale or crushed spirit.
awe-inspiring fear — Captures the dread others feel toward a person or power.
panic — Suits sudden, visceral, uncontrolled fear in narrative passages.

BDB3266 H2844

BDB3265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3267

I. [חַת] noun masculineGen 9:2 terror, fear; — חָ֑ת Job 41:25, חִתְּכֶם Gen 9:2 — with suffix as object genitive, Gen 9:2 terror of you (|| מוֺרַאֲכֶם); in description of crocodile with negative, הֶעָשׂוּ לִבְלִיחָֿ֑ת Job 41:25 one made for fearlessness.

BDB3267 H2844

BDB3266 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3268

II. [חַת] adjective shattered, dismayed — masculine plural חַתִּים: —

1. shattered ׳קֶשֶׁת גִּבֹּרִים ח 1Sam 2:4 (song; on plural חַתִּים see Dr); so figurative Ezek 32:30 according to ᵐ5 Manuscripts Co (חַתִּים for ᵑ0 חִתִּיתָם) broken in their might, of Sidonians in She'ôl.
2. dismayed Jer 46:5 of Egyptians defeated by Nebuchadrezzar.

broken, dismayed, dread, fear
ḥat
concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror
  • fear, terror
    • "shattered, dismayed
    • shattered
      • "dismayed

וְ נִכְשָׁלִ֖ים
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
נִכְשָׁלִ֖ים
Root word fall, stumble, down, feeble, stumbled, …
Dictionary form: כָּשַׁל · kaw-SHAHL

Verb — Niphal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: and they that stumbled
shall fall ×6 stumble ×4 to fall ×4 fall ×3 shall stumble ×2 the feeble ×2 they shall stumble ×2 they stumble ×2
More options
stumble — Best for physical or moral misstep contexts.
fall — Broad physical or figurative collapse; most neutral.
collapse — Suggests total failure or breakdown; stronger register.
falter — Good for weakness or hesitation without full fall.
be brought down — Prefer for passive or military overthrow contexts.
give way — Suits structural or physical feebleness imagery.

BDB4224 H3782

BDB4223 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4225

כָּשַׁל verb stumble, stagger, totter (Late Hebrew id.; Syriac [] give offence (occasion for stumbling), σκανδαλιζω, (chiefly Ethpe`el Aph`el), see PS Brock Schw; Arabic is be heavy, sluggish); —

Qal Perfect ׳כ Neh 4:4 +, (Hos 5:5b read יִכָּשֵׁל, compare We), כָּֽשְׁלָה Isa 3:8; Isa 59:14 כָּֽשְׁלוּ Jer 46:6 +, כָּשַׁלְנוּ Isa 59:10, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine plural יכשׁ֑ולו Prov 4:16 Kt (but read Hiph`il, q. v., so Qr); יכשׁלו Nah 3:3 Kt (but read Perfect וְכָֽשְׁלוּ so Qr); Infinitive absolute כָּשׁוֺל Isa 40:30 (c. Niph`al Imperfect); Participle active כּוֺשֵׁל Isa 5:27 + 2 t., כּשֵׁל 2Chr 28:15 Paslm 2Chr 105:37 feminine plural כּשְׁלוֺת Isa 35:3 —
1. stumble at, over, something, with ב (literally by means of), Nah 3:3, ׳גִּבּוֺר בְּגִבּוֺר כ Jer 46:13 (+ נָפַל), compare Lev 26:37 ׳וּנְעָרִיס בָּעֵץ כ Lam 5:13 i.e. stagger (of toil in captivity); absolute Isa 5:27 ׅ || (עָיֵף, כָּֽשְׁלוּ וְנָפָ֑לוּ Jer 46:6, compare ׳הִרְבָּה כּוֺשֵׁ֑ל גַּםנָֿפַל אישׁ וגו vJer 46:16 (strange; Gie following in part ᵐ5 ᵑ6, עֶרְבְּךָ כָּשַׁל וְנָפַל thy mixed people — compare Jer 25:20, etc. — hath stumbled and hath fallen); often figurative of overthrow, throughdivine judgment, with בְּ at, (see above) Jer 6:21, so Isa 8:15 (+ נָפַל etc.) according to Ges Hi Bhul Che Di; < בָּם = among them, — Israel and Judah, — as ב in vIsa 8:16, so Ew De Du EV; Hos 4:5 (twice in verse); Hos 5:5; Hos 14:2 (בַּעֲוֺנֶָֽךָ, בְּ probably instrumental); absolute of Babylon, under figure of זָדוֺן, ונפל ׳כ Jer 50:32 ונפל ׳כ Paslm Jer 27:2; Isa 3:8; Isa 31:3 (both || נפל); of אֱמֶת Isa 59:14 in metaphor of anxiety, distress Isa 59:10, Paslm Isa 107:12.
2. totter, of knees, literal מִצּוֺם ׳בִּרְכַּי כ Paslm Isa 109:24 my knees totter from fasting; figurative Isa 35:3 (|| יָדַיִם רָפוֺת) כּוֺשֵׁל tottering one, literal Job 4:4; 2Chr 28:15 Paslm 2Chr 105:37 hence figurative, fail, of strength (כֹּחַ) Neh 4:4 Paslm Neh 31:11 — Infinitive absolute כָּשׁוֺל, see below Niph`al Niph`al Perfect consecutive וְנִכְשַׁל Dan 11:9, וְנִכְשְׁלוּ vDan 11:33, וְנִכְשָׁ֑לוּ vDan 11:14 Imperfect יִכָּשֵׁל Ezek 33:12 + Hos 5:5b (ᵐ5. as va, so We; ᵑ0 כָּשַׁל), 2 masculine singular תִּכָּשֵׁל Prov 4:12, בִּכָּֽשְׁלוּ Prov 24:17 (yet see Ges«GKC:51»§ 51, R. 1), בְּהִכָּֽשְׁלָם Dan 11:34 Participle נִכְשָׁל Zech 12:8 plural נִכְשָׁלִים 1Sam 2:4 —
1. stumble (= Qal) Nah 2:6; Isa 63:13; Jer 31:9 usually figurative:
  a. of misfortune Prov 24:17 (|| נפל), negative Prov 4:12.
  b. of divine judgement (with בְּ at) Prov 4:19; Prov 24:16, negative Ezek 33:12 see also Hos 14:10 (בְ location), Jer 20:11; Dan 11:14; Dan 11:35, יִכָּֽשְׁלוּ וְיאֹבְדוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ Ps 9:4 especially = be overthrown, of nations, armies, etc., Hos 5:5 (with בַּעֲוֺנָם, compare Hos 14:2 Qal), Jer 6:15 || נפל, compare Jer 8:12 (|| id.), Dan 11:19 ( + נפל), vDan 11:33 (בְ instrumental), vDan 11:34 vDan 11:41.
2. be tottering, feeble, כָּשׁוֺל יִכָּשֵׁ֑לוּ Isa 40:30 (opposed to יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ vIsa 40:31); so participle 1Sam 2:4; Zech 12:8. Pi`el only apparent, תְּכַשְּׁלִי Ezek 36:14, read תְּשַׁכְּלִי with Qr Vrss EV Sm Co Da (see also Hiph`il near the end). Hiph`il Perfect הִכְשִׁיל Lam 1:14 הִכְשַׁלְתֶּם Mal 2:8 Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַכְשִׁילְךָ 2Chr 25:8 2 feminine singular תַּכְשִׁלִי Ezek 36:15 (but strike out ᵐ5 Co; read תשׁכלי, as vEzek 36:14 other Vrss Sm Da); 3 masculine plural יַכְשִׁילוּ Prov 4:16 Qr (Kt see below Qal), וַיַּכְשִׁילֻהוּ Paslm Prov 64:9, וַיַּכְשִׁלוּם Jer 18:15 (so ᵑ7; Gie, after ᵐ5. ᵑ6, וַיִּכְשְׁלוּ, [< וַיִּכָּֽשִׁלוּ]); Infinitive construct הַכְשִׁיל 2Chr 25:8, sf הַכְשִׁילוֺ 2Chr 28:23 —
1. cause to stumble, figurative:
  a. = bring injury or ruin to, abs Prov 4:16 of punishment Ps 64:9 (indefinite subject; si vera lectio; text probably corrupt, see Che Bae).
  b. = overthrow, of nation, army, etc., 2Chr 25:8 (followed by לִפְנֵי אוֺיֵב) compare v2Chr 25:8 (opposed to עזר); cause overthrow 2Chr 28:23. — On Ezek 36:15 see above
  c. morally, Jer 18:15 (בְּ local), Mal 2:8 (בְּ instrumental).
2. make feeble, weak, הִכְשִׁיל כֹּחִי Lam 1:14 (of God's dealing with Jerusalem) Hoph`al only Participle והיו מֻכְשָׁלִים לְפָנֶיךָ Jer 18:23 either and let them be ones who have stumbled before thee, i.e. regard them as such (Hi Gf VB), or and let them be ones overthrown before thee (Gie; so Qr according to Gf). So also in Ezek 21:20 according to Co, compare Sm Da (ᵑ0 מִכְשֹׁלִים, see מִכְשׁוֺל).

fall, stumble, down, feeble, stumbled, …
kāšal
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
  • to stumble, stagger, totter
    • (Qal)
      • to stumble
        • "to totter
      (Niphal)
      • to stumble
        • "to be tottering, be feeble
      (Hiphil)
      • to cause to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, overthrow
        • "to make feeble, make weak
      (Hophal) to be made to stumble"(Piel) bereave

אָ֥זְרוּ
אָ֥זְרוּ
Root word girded, up, about, gird, girdeth, …
Dictionary form: אָזַר · aw-DZAHR

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: are girded
for thou hast girded ×2 gird up ×2 gird yourselves ×2 and girded ×1 and girt ×1 are girded ×1 being girded ×1 it bindeth me about ×1
More options
gird — Direct modernization; still standard in biblical/literary contexts.
belt — Natural everyday English; good for action contexts.
wrap around — Emphasizes encircling motion; useful for figurative uses.
strap on — Colloquial; suits armor or weapon contexts.
bind around — Highlights tight fastening; good for poetic imagery.
equip — Broader sense; use when emphasis is on readiness or empowerment.

BDB274 H247

BDB273 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB275

[אָזַר] verb gird, encompass, equip (Talmud id., Arabic , Aramaic in derivation LagBN 177 derives from ). Qal Perfect אָֽזְרוּ 1Sam 2:4 Imperfect suffix יַאַזְרֵנִי Job 30:18 2 masculine singular תֶּאֱזוֺר Jer 1:17 Imperative אֱזָרנָֿא Job 38:3; Job 40:7Passive participle אָזוּר 2Kgs 1:8 — gird, gird on, followed by accusative of thingloins חֲלָצֶיךָ Job 38:3; Job 40:7, מָתְנֶיךָ Jer 1:17 passive, subject אֵזוֺר, וְאֵזוֺר עוֺר אָזור בְּמָתְנָיו 2Kgs 1:8 compare active with accusative of person Job 30:18כְּפִי כֻתָּנְתִּי יַאַזְרֵנִי, subject לְבוּשִׁי see Di; figurative 1Sam 2:4 אָֽזְרוּ חַיִל Niph`al Participle נֶאֱזָר figurative Ps 65:7 of God (בִּגְבוּרֶה ׳נ) girded with might. Pi`el Imperfect 2 masculine singular suffix וַתְּאַזְּרֵנִי Ps 18:40; Ps 30:12 וַתַּזְרֵנִי 2Sam 22:40 (Ges«GKC:68»§ 68 R 2); Participle suffix הַמְּאַזְּרֵנִי Ps 18:33 construct מְאַזְּרֵי Isa 50:11 but compare below — gird, with 2 accusative (person & thing) figurative, Ps 18:40 = 2Sam 22:40; Ps 18:33 (חַיִל); Ps 30:12 (שִׂמְחָה); accusative of thing omitted Isa 45:5 accusative of person omitted מְאַזְּרֵי זִיקוֺת Isa 50:12 but read rather מְאִירֵי compare Isa 27:11 (ᵑ6 Kn Brd Di). Hithpa`el Perfect הִתְאַזָּ֑ר Ps 93:1 Imperative הִתְאַזְּרוּ Isa 8:9 (twice in verse) — gird oneself, for war Isa 8:9 (twice in verse); with עֹז Ps 93:1 (subject ׳י).

girded, up, about, gird, girdeth, …
ʾāzar
to belt
  • gird, encompass, equip, clothe
    • (Qal) to gird, gird on (metaphorical of strength)
      • "(Niphal) be girded"(Piel) hold close, clasp"(Hiphpael) gird oneself (for war)

חָֽיִל
חָֽיִל
Root word army, valour, host, forces, valiant, …
Dictionary form: חַיִל · ha-YIL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: with strength
of valour ×36 army ×16 of the forces ×9 his army ×8 of the host ×6 of might ×5 the army ×5 valiant ×5
More options
army — Best for military contexts referring to an organized force.
strength — Prefer for passages stressing personal or communal power.
valor — Ideal for heroic or warrior virtue contexts.
wealth — Use when the context emphasizes material resources or riches.
troops — Colloquial alternative to army; suits narrative battle scenes.
capable — Best for character descriptions, e.g. 'a capable woman/man'.

BDB2622 H2428

BDB2621 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2623

חַ֫יִל244 noun masculine2Kgs 10:2 strength, efficiency, wealth, army; — absolute ׳ח Gen 47:6 +, חָ֑יִל Ps 60:14 +, חָ֑יִל Ps 60:14 +, חֵיל Isa 36:2; 2Kgs 18:17 construct חֵיל Exod 14:28 + (on Ps 10:10 see חלכה); suffix חֵילִי Job 31:25 + 2 t.; חֵילְךָ Jer 15:13 +; חֵילוֺ Exod 14:4 +, etc.; plural חֲיָלִים 1Chr 7:5 + 19 t.; suffix חֵילֵיהֶם Isa 30:6 —

1. strength, usually physical:
  a. seldom alone (chiefly in poetry) 1Sam 2:4; Ps 18:33; Ps 18:40 = 2Sam 22:33; 2Sam 22:40 also ׳נָָּֽברוּ ח Job 21:7, compare Eccl 10:10 מֵחַיִל אֶלחָֿ֑יִל Ps 84:8 ׳בְּכֹחַ ח 2Chr 26:13 of virility Prov 31:3 of ׳י's power Ps 59:12; Ps 110:3, compare Hab 3:19 strength of horse Ps 33:17 figurative of product of vine and fig-tree Joel 2:22 (|| פְּרִי).
  b. of result or display of strength ׳עשׂה ח achieve might = do valiantly Num 24:18 (JE), 1Sam 14:48; Ps 60:14 = Ps 108:14; Ps 118:15; Ps 118:16.
  c. often in phrases ׳גִּבּוֺר(הַ)ח, ׳גִּבּוֺרֵי(הַ)ח hero(es) of strength, mighty man (men) of valour Josh 1:14 (D), Josh 6:2; Josh 8:3; Josh 10:7 (all J E), Judg 6:12; Judg 11:1; 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 16:18; 1Kgs 11:28; 2Kgs 5:1; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 24:14; 2Kgs 24:16; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 7:9; 1Chr 8:40 + (very frequently in Chronicles), note especially ׳הַגִּבּוֺרִים וכל גבורי ח 1Chr 28:1 also ׳ח ׳ג 2Chr 13:3 (|| מלחמה ׳ג); (הַ)חֲיָלִים ׳ג 1Chr 7:5; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:11; 1Chr 7:40; 1Chr 11:26 (see also גִּבּוֺר, p. 150); ׳בֶּןֿ(הַ)ח, ׳בְּנֵי(הַ)ח Deut 3:18; Judg 18:2 + (see בֵּן 8, p. 121); ׳אִישׁ ח, ׳אַנְשֵׁי ח Judg 3:29; Judg 20:44; Judg 20:46; Judg 1:12; Judg 11:16; 2Sam 23:20 (Qr; Kt חי, on phrase בןאֿישׁ חיל compare Dr) = 1Chr 11:22 (Kt חיל), 2Sam 24:9; Nah 2:4; Jer 48:15; 1Chr 10:12; Neh 11:6; Ps 76:6 ironical לִמְסֹךְ שֵׁכָר ׳ח ׳א Isa 5:22 = (|| גבורים לשׁתות יין ); Eccl 12:3 metaphor of legs.
2. ability, efficiency, often involving moral worth ׳אַנְשֵׁי ח Gen 47:6 (J), Exod 18:21; Exod 18:25 (both E); of a woman אֵשֶׁת ׳ח Prov 12:4; Prov 31:10; Ruth 3:11 compare 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 1:52 (opposed to רעה), and especially יִרְאֵי אלהים אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת שׂנְאֵי בָּ֑צַע ׳אַנְשֵׁי ח Exod 18:21(E); עָשָׂה חיל Prov 31:29 do worthily, efficiently, perhaps also Ruth 4:11 late (with weakened meaning of גִּבּוֺר) גִּבּוֺרֵי חֵיל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֺדַת בֵּית הָאלהים 1Chr 9:13, compare בַּכִּחַ לַעֲבֹדָה ׳אישׁ ח 1Chr 26:8. So also 1Sam 10:26 (read ׳בְּנֵי ח, see ᵐ5 We Dr, men of worth, opposed to בני בליעל v1Sam 10:27) for ᵑ0 ׳ח force, band.
3. wealth Gen 34:29 = Num 31:9 (both P), Deut 8:17; Deut 8:18; Deut 33:11; Isa 8:4; Isa 10:14; Isa 30:6 (|| אוֺצְרֹתָם), Isa 60:5 (|| הֲמוֺן יָם) vIsa 60:11; Isa 61:6; Mic 4:13; Jer 15:13; Jer 17:3 (both || אצרות), Zeph 1:13; Ezek 26:12; Ezek 28:4; Ezek 28:5 (twice in verse); Zech 14:14; Job 5:5; Job 15:29; Job 20:15; Job 20:18; Job 31:25; Ps 49:7; Ps 49:11; Ps 62:11; Ps 73:12; Prov 13:22.
4. force, army, very often Exod 14:4; Exod 14:9; Exod 14:17; Exod 14:28 (all P), Exod 15:4 (song), 1Sam 17:20; 2Sam 8:9; 2Kgs 6:4; 2Kgs 6:15; 2Kgs 25:1; 2Kgs 25:5 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 25:10; 2Chr 13:3 (בְּחַיִל גִּבּוֺרֵי מלחמה), 2Chr 14:7; 2Chr 16:7; 2Chr 23:14 +; so usually Jeremiah: Jer 32:2; Jer 34:1 +; frequently Ezekiel: Ezek 17:17; Ezek 27:10 +; Dan 11:7; Dan 11:13; Dan 11:25 (twice in verse); Dan 11:26 = a band 1Sam 10:26 (ᵑ0, but see 2, adfin.); of train of Queen of Sheba גדול ׳ח 1Kgs 10:2 = 2Chr 9:1 חֵיל כָּבֵד Isa 36:1 = 2Kgs 18:17 a powerful army (on form compare Sta§ 194 c); also (late) חֵיל הַצָּבָא 1Chr 20:1; 2Chr 26:13, חֵיל עָם Esth 8:11 הֲמוֺן חֲיָלִים Dan 11:10 ׳שַׂרהֿח 2Sam 24:2 = captain of the host, ׳שָׂרֵי הח v2Sam 24:4 v2Sam 24:4 שָׂרֵי הַחֲיָלִים captains of armies (bands, divisions) 1Kgs 15:20 = 2Chr 16:4; 2Kgs 25:23; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:13; Jer 41:11; Jer 41:13; Jer 41:16; Jer 42:1; Jer 42:8; Jer 43:4; Jer 43:5. פִּקּוּדֵי החִיל Num 31:14 (P). — חֵילוּ Ezek 32:31 omitted by B Hi Co: for חֵילֵךְ Ezek 27:11 read probably a proper name, of a location, compare Da; Co proposes חתלון (compare Ezek 47:15; Ezek 48:1), HalMÈl. Epigr. 1874, 69 חלך = Cilicia, see LagM i. 211.

BDB9524 H2428 H2429

BDB9523 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9525

חַ֫יִל noun masculine power, strength, army (see Biblical Hebrew II. חול, חיל); —

1. power: absolute בְּאֶדְרָע וְחָ֑יִל Ezra 4:23 by force and power; ׳קרא בְח i.e. call loudly Dan 3:4, בְּחַיִל Dan 4:11; Dan 5:7 ׳גִּבָּרֵיאח Dan 3:20 mighty men of power.
2. force, army, suffix חֵילֵהּ Dan 3:20 construct חֵיל שְׁמַיָּא Dan 4:32 (= Biblical Hebrew צְכָא הַשָּׁמַיִם).

army, valour, host, forces, valiant, …
ḥayil
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
  • strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
    • strength
      • "ability, efficiency"wealth"force, army

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
קֶ֥שֶׁת גִּבֹּרִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break חַתִּ֑ים Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְנִכְשָׁלִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break אָ֥זְרוּ חָֽיִל Silluq — end of the verse

קֶשֶׁת גִּבֹּרִים חַתִּים וְנִכְשָׁלִים אָזְרוּ חָֽיִל׃
4
The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
Cross References

Psalms 76:3

שָׁמָּה שִׁבַּר רִשְׁפֵי-קָשֶׁת מָגֵן וְחֶרֶב וּמִלְחָמָה סֶֽלָה׃
3
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

Psalms 37:15

חַרְבָּם תָּבוֹא בְלִבָּם וְקַשְּׁתוֹתָם תִּשָּׁבַֽרְנָה׃
15
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Philippians 4:13

πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ
13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Psalms 46:9

מַשְׁבִּית מִלְחָמוֹת עַד-קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ קֶשֶׁת יְשַׁבֵּר וְקִצֵּץ חֲנִית עֲגָלוֹת יִשְׂרֹף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth sunder; the spear in he burneth the chariot in the fire.

2 Corinthians 12:9

καὶ εἴρηκέν μοι· Ἀρκεῖ σοι ἡ χάρις μου ἡ γὰρ δύναμις μου ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομαι ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου· ἵνα ἐπισκηνώσῃ ἐπ' ἐμὲ ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Χριστοῦ
9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of may Christ rest upon me.

Psalms 37:17

כִּי זְרוֹעוֹת רְשָׁעִים תִּשָּׁבַרְנָה וְסוֹמֵךְ צַדִּיקִים יְהוָֽה׃
17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Hebrews 11:34

ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων
34
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Isaiah 10:4

בִּלְתִּי כָרַע תַּחַת אַסִּיר וְתַחַת הֲרוּגִים יִפֹּלוּ בְּכָל-זֹאת לֹא-שָׁב אַפּוֹ וְעוֹד יָדוֹ נְטוּיָֽה׃
4
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

2 Corinthians 4:9

διωκόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι καταβαλλόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι
9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Jeremiah 37:10

כִּי אִם-הִכִּיתֶם כָּל-חֵיל כַּשְׂדִּים הַנִּלְחָמִים אִתְּכֶם וְנִשְׁאֲרוּ-בָם אֲנָשִׁים מְדֻקָּרִים אִישׁ בְּאָהֳלוֹ יָקוּמוּ וְשָֽׂרְפוּ אֶת-הָעִיר הַזֹּאת בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
10
For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

Ephesians 6:14

στῆτε οὖν περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ὑμῶν ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης
14
Stand therefore, your loins having girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
1 Samuel 2:3
Read 1 Samuel 2
1 Samuel 2:5