1 Samuel 6:2 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

וַ יִּקְרְא֣וּ

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

יִּקְרְא֣וּ

Root word called, call, cried, cry, read, …

Dictionary form: קָרָא · kaw-RAW

Vowels & Accents

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Vqw3mp

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

וַ	Speech Conjunction
יִּקְרְאוּ	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: called

called ×80 and called ×71 and he called ×30 call ×30 is called ×15 and she called ×14 was called ×11 and cried ×10

More options

call — Core, most versatile rendering; suits direct address or summons.

cry out — Prefer when urgency, distress, or loud exclamation is in view.

proclaim — Best for public, authoritative announcements or heralds.

read aloud — Use when the text specifies reading a scroll or document.

name — Ideal for the act of giving a name to a person or place.

invite — Suits contexts of summoning guests or extending a formal invitation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7550 H7121

I. קָרָא₇₂₄ verb call, proclaim, read (Late Hebrew id., read aloud, read; Phoenician קרא call; Arabic read aloud, recite (the '†or°¹n'), the †or°a¹n; Aramaic קְלרא, call, etc., so Old Aramaic קרא, Nabatean id., Palmyrene id., קרה); —

Qal₆₅₅ Perfect ׳ק Gen 11:9 +, 3 feminine singular consecutive וְקָרָזת Isa 7:14 (Ges^{«GKC:74g»§ 74g}); 2 masculine singular קָרָאתָ Judg 12:1 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִקְרָא Gen 2:19 +; suffix יִקְרְאוֺ Jer 23:6, אֵהוּ- Isa 41:2 +; 1 singular אֶקְרָא Deut 32:3 +, וָאֶקְרָאֶר 1Sam 28:15 (Ges^{«GKC:48d»§ 48d} Nes^{Marg. 15}); 3 feminine plural וַתִּקְרֶאנָה Ruth 4:17 (twice in verse), וַתִּקְרֶאןָ Num 25:2 2 feminine plural תִּקְרֶאנָה Ruth 1:20; Ruth 1:21, etc.; Imperative masculine singular קְרָא Judg 7:3 +, suffix קְרָאֵנִי Ps 50:15, etc.; Infinitive construct קְרָא 1Sam 3:6 +, קְראֹות (Baer אֹת-) Judg 8:1 (Ges^{«GKC:74h»§ 74h}); suffix קָרְאִי Ps 4:2 +, etc.; Participle active קוֺרֵא Amos 5:8 +, קֹרֵא Jer 1:15 +; plural קֹרִאים Ps 99:6 (Ges^{«GKC:74i»§§ 74i}; «GKC:75oo»75oo); passive קָרוּא Esth 5:12 plural קְרוּאִים 1Sam 9:22; Ezek 23:23, קְרֻאִים 1Sam 9:13 +; construct קְרוּאֵי Num 1:16 Qr (Kt קריאי), Num 26:9 Kt (Qr קְרִיאֵי, see קָרִיא); —

1. a. call, cry, utter a loud sound, Judg 9:7; 2Sam 18:25 (in v2Sam 18:28 read וַיִּקְרַב We, confirmed by ᵐ5^L so Dr and all recent Comm.), Jer 4:6; Dan 8:16 (all + אמר), 2Kgs 7:11 (on text see Kit Benz), Isa 6:4 for help Gen 39:15; Gen 39:18 (J); of pleading in court Isa 59:4 (ב of manner); explicitly בְּקוֺל גְּדוֺל Gen 39:14 (J), 1Kgs 18:27; 1Kgs 18:28; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:13 = 2Chr 32:18, קוֺל גָּדוֺל Ezek 9:1 (+ בְּאָצְנֵי); with אַחֲרֵי person 1Sam 20:37 (+ אָמַר), 1Sam 24:8 (Gi; v.1Sam 24:9 van d. H. Baer; + לֵאמֹר), Jer 12:6.
b. call cry, object in oratio recta [direct speech] Judg 7:20; 1Sam 3:4 (read שְׁמוּאֵל שְׁמוּאֵל; ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu HPS), v1Sam 3:6 (compare ᵐ5), v1Sam 3:8 (against accents), v1Sam 3:10 (see שְׁמוּאֵל), 1Sam 20:38; 2Sam 20:16; 2Kgs 11:14; Jer 20:8; Lev 13:45 = utter, speak Jer 36:18 of command Gen 45:1 (E).

2. a. call unto some one: אֶל person (often + אָמַר; sometimes with מִן local), Gen 3:9; Gen 19:5; Exod 3:4; Isa 6:3 + often; with עַל (for אֶל) of satyrs Isa 34:14 (so Vrss Ges Che^Comm. and others > recent Comm. from II. קָרָא or קָרָה which (in Qal) always take accusative); unto (אֶלׅ ׳י (God), in praise Ps 66:17; 1Chr 4:10, usually for help, Judg 15:18; 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 12:18; Hos 7:7 + Hos 3:5; Hos 4:4 +, + עַל person against Deut 15:9; Deut 24:15 to (לׅ ׳י (God) Job 14:14; Ps 57:3; Ps 141:1 to (ל) a servant (for service) 2Kgs 4:36; Job 19:16, so (אֶל) 2Sam 1:15 call to (ל) one Jer 3:4 (+ oratio recta [direct speech]), Lam 4:15 (id.), Prov 2:3 (לְבִינָה); subject ׳י Mic 6:9; Jer 35:17.
b. cry for help, absolute, (in poetry and late) Zech 7:13; Isa 58:9; Isa 65:24; Job 5:1; Job 9:16; Prov 21:13; Ps 4:2; Ps 20:10 + 10 t. Psalms (Ps 147:9 of young ravens); בֵּאָזְנֵי Ezek 8:18.
c. ׳בְּשֵׁם י ׳ק call with name of ׳י (i.e. use it in invocation): Gen 4:26; Gen 12:8; 2Kgs 5:11; Jer 10:25 = Ps 79:6 + 16 t. (1Kgs 18:24 of specific appeal to ׳י to display his power), + Isa 65:1 (see Pu`al); with name of Baal 1Kgs 18:24; 1Kgs 18:25; 1Kgs 18:26.
d. late, with accusative dei Isa 43:22; Ps 14:4 + 4 t. Psalms; absolute Ps 116:2.

3. proclaim:
a. with accusative of thing procl. Amos 4:5; Gen 41:43; Deut 15:2; Jer 31:6; Lev 25:10 +; צוֺם ׳ק proclaim a fast 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Jer 36:9 +, ׳מוֺעֲדֵי י ׳ק Lev 23:2; Lev 23:4 ׳ק followed by oratio recta [direct speech] Exod 34:6, etc.; followed by ל person Jer 34:8; Jer 34:15; Jer 34:17 (twice in verse); Isa 61:1, עַל person (against, concerning) 1Kgs 13:4; 1Kgs 13:32; Jer 49:29; Lam 1:15 proclaim peace to (ל person) Judg 21:13 compare אֵלֶיהָ לְשָׁלוֺם ׳ק Deut 20:10 ׳ק with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מִקְרָא Isa 1:13, הַקְּרִיאָה Jonah 3:2 (+ אֶל).
b. ׳שֵׁם י ׳ק Deut 32:3; Ps 99:6 so (earlier) ׳בְשֵׁם י ׳ק Exod 33:19; Exod 34:5 (JE); compare בְּשֵׁם יַעֲקֹב ׳ק Isa 44:5 (but read יִקָּרֵא, Lo Che and most).
c. עֲלֵי׳בֵּשׁ ׳ק Ps 49:12 proclaim (with) name over landed estates, claim possession (Hup Bae); proclaim one's own name Ruth 4:11 = become famous; passive participle proclaimed, i.e. renowned Ezek 23:23.
d. absolute make proclamation (sometimes + אָמַר, לֵאמֹר) Judg 7:3; Jer 2:2 (בְּאָוְנֵי) Zech 1:14; Zech 1:17; Jonah 3:4; Isa 40:3; Isa 40:6 +, with עַל concerning Neh 6:7, against 1Kgs 13:2; Jonah 1:3.

4. a. read aloud, often בְּאָוְבֵי, less often לפְנֵי, with ב of roll, book Jer 36:6; Jer 36:8; Jer 36:14; Neh 8:3; Neh 8:8; Neh 9:3; 2Chr 34:18, + accusative of words Jer 36:8; Jer 36:10 object omitted Exod 24:7 (E) Jer 36:15 with acc of roll, book vJer 36:15 vJer 36:21; Jer 51:63; 2Kgs 22:10; 2Chr 34:24, of letter (סֵפֶר), writing 2Kgs 5:7; Isa 29:11; Isa 29:12; Jer 29:29, columns of manuscript Jer 36:23 with accusative of words Josh 8:34; Josh 8:35; Jer 36:6; Jer 51:61; 2Kgs 23:2 = 2Chr 34:30, compare Deut 31:11.
b. read, to oneself, in (ב) a roll, book, Deut 17:19; Neh 8:18, so of vision written on tablets Hab 2:2 with accusative of letter (סֵפֶר) 2Kgs 19:14 = Isa 37:14, book 2Kgs 22:8 absolute Isa 34:16.
c. read, for hear read, 2Kgs 22:16.

5. summon: usually
a. with ל person: Gen 12:18; Gen 20:8; Gen 20:9; Num 22:5; Num 22:20; Num 22:37; Judg 8:1; 1Sam 3:5; 1Sam 3:6; 1Sam 3:8 (twice in verse) + often (c. 100 t.), + ל reflexive 1Kgs 1:28; 1Kgs 1:32, + אֶל location Exod 19:20, + אֶל person 2Sam 9:2, + infinitive purpose Josh 24:9; Judg 12:1; Judg 14:16; 1Sam 28:15, + מִן local Hos 11:1; Judg 4:6 + בִּשְׁמֶ֑ךָ Isa 45:4 summon by thy name; specifically summon = invite (especially to feast) Exod 34:15; Judg 14:15 ( + infinitive purpose) 1Sam 16:3 ( + בַּזָּבַ֑ח, read probably ׳לַזּ see HPS), v1Sam 16:5 ( + ׳לַזּ), 1Kgs 19:26 + (c. 17 t.).
b. with אֶל person Exod 10:24; Josh 4:4; Josh 10:24; 1Kgs 13:21 + (c. 20 t.); אֶל person + ל person (different persons in same relation) Exod 8:21; Jer 42:8 = call for (demand to see), with אֶל person 2Kgs 18:18 with ל of thing = demand, require Prov 18:6 compare Prov 27:16 (probably corrupt, see Toy).
c. with accusative of person Gen 41:8; Gen 41:14; Exod 2:7 ( + ל person), vExod 2:7; Amos 5:16 ( + אֶל of thing), Isa 13:3 (ל of thing), 1Sam 3:16; 1Sam 22:11 + (c. 33 t.), insert וַיַקְרָא in this sense also 2Sam 15:12 ᵐ5^L We Dr and most; + infinitive purpose Num 24:10, מִמִּוְרָח עַיִט ׳ק Isa 46:11 in weakened sense (to bring response, or bring person near) Song 5:6 specifically invite, 1Sam 9:24 (but corrupt, see especially HPS), 1Kgs 1:9 (also + ל, MT), v1Kgs 1:10; 1Kgs 12:20 (+ אֶל location), Deut 33:19 (accusative of location); אֲנִי קָרוּא לָהּ Esth 5:12, passive participle elsewhere plural, invited ones, guests 1Sam 9:13; 1Sam 9:22; 2Sam 15:11; 1Kgs 1:41; 1Kgs 1:49; Zeph 1:7; Prov 9:18 invite or summon (accusative of person) for help, succour, Hos 7:11 usually object ׳י (in poetry and late) Jer 29:12; 2Sam 22:4; 2Sam 22:7 = Ps 18:4; Ps 18:7; Isa 55:6; Lam 3:57; Job 27:10; Ps 50:15; Ps 86:5 + 8 t. Psalms, accusative ׳שֵׁם י Lam 3:55 accusative חכמה Prov 1:28.
d. absolute call, summon Amos 7:4 (+ ל of thing), Isa 22:12 (id.), 1Sam 3:5; 1Sam 3:6; Zech 7:13 ׳י (God) Isa 52:2; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4; Job 13:22; Job 14:15, קְרוּאֵי הָעֵדָה Num 1:17 Qr (Kt קְרִיאֵי), Num 26:9 Kt (Qr קְרִיאֵי!)
e. call and commission, appoint, accusative of person, Isa 48:15; Isa 49:1, + בְּשֵׁם by name, specifically, Exod 31:2; Exod 35:30; Isa 43:1; Isa 45:3. feminine call and endow (with privilege) Isa 51:2; Isa 54:5; Isa 55:5.

6. call=name:
a. (early and most common usage), call one's name (שֵׁם) so and so, 2 accusative: of person Gen 3:20; Gen 4:25; Gen 4:26; Gen 5:2; Gen 5:3; Gen 5:29 + 34 t. Genesis; Exod 2:10; Exod 2:22; Hos 1:4; Hos 1:6; Hos 1:9; Isa 7:14; Isa 8:3; Isa 9:5 + 10 t. (Jer 46:17 read קִרְאוּ שֵׁם ᵐ5 Gie and others); of places, etc., Gen 4:17; Gen 11:9 + 17 t. Genesis; Judg 1:17; Judg 1:26; Judg 2:5; Judg 15:19; Judg 18:29 + 21 t.
b. with accusative of appellation ony, Ezek 39:11.
c. accusative of person or location + accusative appellative Hos 2:18; Deut 3:14; Jer 23:6; Isa 58:5; Num 32:41.
d. accusative of person + clause Ps 89:27.
e. = give name to, accusative appellation + ל person (location, or thing): (1) person Hos 2:18; Gen 35:18; 1Sam 4:21; Jer 3:19; Jer 30:17; Jer 33:16 + 9 t.; (2) location, or thing, Judg 18:12; 2Sam 2:16; 2Sam 5:9; 2Sam 6:8; Josh 22:34 (name lost, ᵑ6 Hebrew Manuscripts Ins. עֵד; compare Di Steuern), Gen 1:5 (twice in verse); Gen 1:8; Gen 2:19 (twice in verse); Exod 33:7 + 30 t. + Job 17:14 (ל + sentence including name). feminine with בְּשֵׁם + ל Isa 40:26, compare Isa 65:11 (שֵׁם אַחֵר), Ps 147:4 (שֵׁמוֺת), Ruth 4:17 (שֵׁם + לֵאמֹר), Gen 2:20; Gen 26:18 (twice in verse) (all with שֵׁם).
g. with ל of thing + עַלאשֵׁם 2Sam 18:16.
h. call by ב names the names (accusative) of cities Num 32:38 call to (ב) city, + appelll., + בִּשְׁמוֺ v 42.
i. call cities (accusative) בְּשֵׁם, i.e, specify them, Josh 21:9; 1Chr 6:50 (בְּשֵׁמוֺת). Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נִקְרָא Jer 4:20 +, 1 singular נִקְרֵאתִי Esth 4:11, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִקָּרֵא Gen 2:23 +, וַיִּקָּרֵא Ezek 20:29 +, etc.; Participle נִקְרָא Isa 43:7; Jer 44:26 plural נִקְרָאִים Isa 48:1; Esth 6:1 —

1. reflexive, ׳מֵעִיר הַקֹּדֶשׁ נִק Isa 48:2 from the holy city they call themselves.

2. passive be called:
a. be proclaimed (compare Qal 3), of ׳שֵׁם י Jer 44:26 (בְּפֶה instrumental); of man's name = be famous Ruth 4:14 = be announced Jer 4:20.
b. be read aloud compare Qal 4): impersonal with ב of book, + בְּאָוְנֵי Neh 13:1 subject records Esth 6:1 (לפְנֵי).
c. be summoned (compare Qal 5: Isa 31:4 (עַל against); Esth 3:12; Esth 4:11 (twice in verse); 8: 9; + בְּשֵׁם, i.e. specifically, Esth 2:14,
d. be named (compare

Qal 6.): (I) appell. subject + ל person Gen 2:23 to her shall be called 'woman', 1Sam 9:9; Isa 32:5; Isa 62:4; Isa 62:12; Prov 16:21 + ל location 2Sam 18:18; Isa 1:26; Isa 35:8; Jer 19:6. (2) ׳וְנִקְרָא שְׁמוֺ ונו Deut 25:10, so Gen 35:10; Dan 10:1; Ezek 20:29 (of place); אֶתשִֿׁמְךָ Ezek 20:29. (3) ׳וגו ׳וְנִקְרְאָה יְרוּשׁ Zech 8:3, so land Deut 3:18, temple Isa 56:7. (4) especially עַל ׳נִקְרָא שֵׁם י, denoting ownership, of person Jer 15:16, people Deut 28:10; Jer 14:9; Amos 9:12; Isa 63:19; 2Chr 7:14, ark 2Sam 6:2 (strike out 2nd שֵׁם ᵐ5 We Dr and others), = 1Chr 13:6 (adding עָלָיו Oettli Kau; > Kit^Hpt שְׁמוֺ שָׁם), temple 1Kgs 8:43 = 2Chr 6:33; Jer 7:10; Jer 7:11; Jer 7:14; Jer 7:30; Jer 32:34; Jer 34:15, city Jer 25:29; Dan 9:18, city + people vDan 9:19 so name of man 2Sam 12:28, as given to his wife Isa 4:1 (5) be called עַל שֵׁם, i.e. reckoned to, Gen 48:6; Isa 54:5; Isa 61:6 עַלאשֵׁבֶט 1Chr 23:14, compare Ezra 2:61 = Neh 7:63. (6) be called בְּשֵׁם Isa 43:7; Isa 48:1. (7) ךְָָ זָ֑רַע ׳בְּיִצְתָק יִקּ Gen 21:12, i.e. in (through) ׳יִצ shall seed be reckoned to three; וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי Gen 48:16 through them shall my name be called, i.e. perpetuated. (8) be named = menationed, of person Isa 14:20 (9) subject שֵׁם Eccl 6:10, i.e. thing is known. Pu`al (Ezekiel and Isa²) Perfect 3 masculine singular קֹרָא be called, subject appell. + ל person or of thing = be named, Isa 48:8; Ezek 10:13 (׳קוֺ); וְקֹרָא consecutive Isa 58:12; Isa 61:3; Isa 62:2 (שֵׁם חָדָשׁ); גּוֺי לאֹ קֹרָא בִּשְׁמִי Isa 65:1 (< קָרָא or קֹרֵא [Qal 2 c], Vrss Lo Ew Che Di and others); be called and privileged (compare Qal 5 f); Participle מְקרָאִי ׳יִש Isa 48:12.

BDB9869 H7123 H7121

[קְרָא] verb call, read out, aloud (see Biblical Hebrew I. קרא); —

Pe`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִקְרֵה Dan 5:7, 1 singular אֶקְרֵא vDan 5:17 3 masculine plural יִקְרוֺן vDan 5:15 Infinitive לְמִקְרֵא vDan 5:8 vDan 5:16 Participle active קָרֵא Dan 3:4 +; —

1. call, proclaim, בְּהַיִל: Dan 3:4; Dan 4:11; Dan 5:7

2. read out, aloud, accusative כְּתָבָא Dan 5:7; Dan 5:8; Dan 5:15; Dan 5:16; Dan 5:17 (ל person). Pe`îl (W^{CG 225}) Perfect 3 masculine singular קֱרִי Ezra 4:18; Ezra 4:23 it was read, קֳדָם person Hithpe`el be summoned, Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִתְקְרֵי Dan 5:12.

Strong's Definition H7121

called, call, cried, cry, read, …

qārāʾ

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

(Qal)

to call, cry, utter a loud sound

to call oneself

Variations 136 forms of this word

Translations 276 English renderings

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Word Parts

פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים

Root word a name — transliterate it ("And the philistines")

Dictionary form: פְּלִשְׁתִּי · peh-lish-TEE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ngmpa

Noun — Gentilic, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"; a people-group name (like "Hittite")

פְלִשְׁתִּים

Speech Noun Type Gentilic Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: and the philistines

of the philistines ×100 the philistines ×80 and the philistines ×28 the philistine ×16 and the philistine ×6 philistine ×6 now the philistines ×4 when the philistines ×4

More options

Philistine — Standard singular form; use for individuals or as adjective.

Philistines — Standard plural; default choice for the collective people.

Philistine (adjective) — Modifies nouns, e.g. 'Philistine king' or 'Philistine army'.

the Philistines — Definite plural; use when referring to the nation as a whole.

the Philistine people — Adds clarity when ethnic or national identity needs emphasis.

the Philistine forces — Military context; makes collective reference concrete.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6674 H6430

פְּלִשְׁתִּי₂₈₈ adjective, of a people Philistine, (οί) Φυλιστιειμ; and (not in Hexateuch) (ό) ἀλλόφυλος, (οί) ἀλλόφυλοι; — only as substantive: ׳הַפּ the Philistine (Goliath) slain by David 1Sam 17:8 + 27 t. 17, 1Sam 18:6; 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 21:10; 1Sam 22:10 one slain byAbishai 2Sam 21:17 elsewhere plural the Philistines,:255 usually פְּלִשְׁתִּים without article, rarely ׳הַפּ 1Sam 4:7; 1Sam 7:13 + (especially with preposition ׳בַּפּ v1Sam 7:13 +, and then perhaps due to punctuators), Gen 10:14 = 1Chr 1:12; Gen 26:14; Gen 26:15; Gen 26:18; Judg 3:31 + 33 t. Judges; 1Sam 4:1 (twice in verse) + 118 t. 1 Samuel; 2Sam 1:20 + 28 t. 2 Samuel +; ׳אֶרֶץ פ Gen 21:32; Gen 21:34 + 12 t.; ׳שְׂדֵה פ 1Sam 6:1; 1Sam 27:7; 1Sam 27:11 ׳מֶלֶךְ פ Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8 ׳שָׂרֵי פ 1Sam 18:30 + 5 t.; ׳סַרְנֵי פ Josh 13:3; Judg 3:3 + 13 t.; ׳יָם פ Exod 23:31 ׳אֱלֹהֵי פ Judg 10:6. — compare כְּרֵתִי, II. כַּפְתּוֺר. On Philistines see also WMM^{As.u.Eur.387f.} Evans^{Cretan Pictographs, 100 ff.} Schw^{ZWT xxxiv. 103 f., 255}.

Strong's Definition H6430

philistines, philistine, philistim

pĕlištî

immigrants

a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth

an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan

Variations 26 forms of this word

Translations 37 English renderings

Philistine Descendants of Mizraim, son of Ham Philistines Sea of the Philistines

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Word Parts

לַ כֹּֽהֲנִ֤ים

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

כֹּֽהֲנִ֤ים

Root word priest, priests, own, princes, ruler, …

Dictionary form: כֹּהֵן · koh-HANE

Vowels & Accents

לַ

Hidden "the" לַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "to the ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Rd/Ncmpa

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

לַ	Speech Preposition Type Definite Article
כֹּהֲנִים	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: for the priests

the priest ×187 the priests ×117 and the priest ×112 and the priests ×48 of the priests ×42 priest ×40 then the priest ×28 priests ×17

More options

priest — Standard, most broadly applicable rendering.

clergyman — Contemporary register; useful in narrative or explanatory contexts.

officiant — Emphasizes liturgical/ritual function over title.

minister — Highlights service role; suits non-Israelite priestly figures.

religious official — Descriptive; good for officials with administrative duties.

sacred official — Stresses holy/set-apart status in formal or poetic texts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3931 H3548

כֹּהֵן₇₅₀ noun masculine priest (Late Hebrew כֹּהֵן; Aramaic כָּהֵין, כַּהֲנָא, , ; Ethiopic all id.; on Phoenician and Arabic see above); — ׳כ Gen 14:18 + 439 t.; plural כֹּהֲנִים Exod 19:6 + 272 t.; construct כֹּהֲנֵי 1Sam 5:5 + 13 t.; suffix כֹּהֲנַי Lam 1:19 + 22 t. suffixes —

1. priest-king: e.g. Melchizedek Gen 14:18 (E ?), compare Ps 110:4 (the Messianic priest-king like Melchizedek); Zech 6:13 (Messianic priest and king); Israel מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים Exod 19:6 (E) a kingdom of priests (priests and kings at once in their relation to the nations); compare Isa 61:6 (of Israel ministering as a priest); or a chieftain (exercising priestly functions) כֹּהֵן מִדְיָן Exod 2:16; Exod 3:1; Exod 18:1 (all J E); so also probably the sons of David 2Sam 8:18, his grandson 1Kgs 4:5, and Ira the Jairite 2Sam 20:26, who as princes performed priestly functions. With these we may class the כהנים Exod 19:22; Exod 19:24 (J).

2. priests of other religions than ׳י 's: Potiphera אֹן ׳כ Gen 41:45; Gen 41:50 (E), Gen 46:20 (P); Egyptian כהנים Gen 47:22 (twice in verse); Gen 47:26 (J); דָגוֺן ׳כ 1Sam 5:5 Philistine כהנים וקסמים 1Sam 6:2 כֹּהֲנָיו his priests: e.g. of Baal 2Kgs 10:19 = of Ahab 2Kgs 10:11 of Chemosh Jer 48:7 of Malcam Jer 49:3 Mattan was הבעל ׳כ 2Kgs 11:18 = 2Chr 23:17 הכמרים עם הכהנים Zeph 1:4 Josiah burned the bones of the priests of the Baalim and Asherim 2Chr 34:5.

3. priests of special orders in Israel:
a. Micah in the hill-country of Ephraim consecrated his own son וַיְהִילֿוֺ לְכֹהֵן Judg 17:5 but so soon as he could secure Jonathan ben Gershom, a descendant of Moses (see VB Judg 18:30), he consecrated him, לכהן ׳היה ל Judg 17:10; Judg 17:12; Judg 17:13; Judg 18:4; Judg 18:19 הַכֹּהֵן vJudg 18:6 vJudg 18:17 vJudg 18:18 vJudg 18:20 vJudg 18:24 vJudg 18:27. He was captured by the Danites, and he and his line became priests at Dan until the Exile, vJudg 18:19 vJudg 18:19 vJudg 18:30.
b. Jeroboam עשׂה כהנים 1Kgs 12:31 of those not מבני לוי, as (הַ)בָּמוֺת ׳כ priests of (the) high places 1Kgs 12:32; 1Kgs 13:2; 1Kgs 13:33 (twice in verse) = לבמות ׳כ 2Chr 11:15 Amaziah (of this class) was ביתאֿל ׳כ Amos 7:10 see also 2Chr 13:9 called by Chronicler לְלֹא אלהים ׳כ v2Chr 13:9 yet Hosea rebukes them as priests of ׳י Hos 4:4; Hos 4:9; Hos 5:1; Hos 6:9 at the Exile they were deported by the Assyrians 2Kgs 17:27; 2Kgs 17:28.
c. the people imported into Samaria made some of themselves במות ׳כ to worship ׳י the God of the land 2Kgs 17:32.

4. priests in Israel הכהנים who bore the ark and the trumpets Josh 3:13; Josh 3:14; Josh 3:15; Josh 3:17; Josh 4:3; Josh 4:9; Josh 4:10; Josh 4:17; Josh 4:18 (twice in verse); Josh 6:4 (twice in verse); Josh 6:6 (twice in verse); Josh 6:8; Josh 6:9; Josh 6:12; Josh 6:13; Josh 6:16 (all J E), 1Kgs 8:3; 1Kgs 8:6; 1Kgs 8:10; 1Kgs 8:11 Eli was הכהן 1Sam 1:9; 1Sam 2:11 יהוה ׳כ 1Sam 14:3 and his sons ליהוה ׳כ 1Sam 1:3 a מִשְׁפַּט הַכֹּהֲנִים 1Sam 2:13 mentions the ministering priest הכהן and the ׳נַעַר הַכ 1Sam 2:13; 1Sam 2:14; 1Sam 2:15 (twice in verse), Ahijah was ׳הַכּ in time of Saul 1Sam 14:19 (twice in verse); 1Sam 14:36 Abimelech ׳הַכּ at Nob, a priestly center, 1Sam 21:2; 1Sam 21:3; 1Sam 21:5; 1Sam 21:6; 1Sam 21:7; 1Sam 21:10; 1Sam 22:11 where were many ׳כֹּהֲנֵי י 1Sam 22:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 22:21, all slain by Saul except Abiathar son of Ahimelech 1Sam 22:11; 1Sam 22:18 (twice in verse); 1Sam 22:19, who became ׳הַכּ 1Sam 23:9; 1Sam 30:7; 1Kgs 1:7; 1Kgs 1:19; 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 2:26 Zadok later was ׳הַכּ 2Sam 15:27; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:26; 1Kgs 1:32; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:38; 1Kgs 1:39; 1Kgs 1:44; 1Kgs 1:45; 1Kgs 2:35; 1Kgs 3:2; 1Chr 16:39; 1Chr 24:6: so that the two were (ה)כהנים 2Sam 8:17 = 1Chr 18:16 (read ׳וְאֶבְיָתָר בֶּןאֿח 2Sam 8:17 ᵑ6 We Dr, and correct 1Chr 18:16 accordingly) 2Sam 15:35 (twice in verse); 2Sam 17:15; 2Sam 19:12; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 4:4 Solomon removed Abiathar 1Kgs 2:27 and Zadok was anointed לְכֹהֵן according to 1Chr 29:22 compare prediction of rejection of house of Eli and selection of נֶאֱמָן ׳כ 1Sam 2:28; 1Sam 2:35 Jehoiada ׳הַכּ led the revolution against Athaliah 2Kgs 11:9 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 11:10; 2Kgs 11:15 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 12:8; 2Kgs 12:10 = 2Chr 22:11; 2Chr 23:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 23:9; 2Chr 23:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:2; 2Chr 24:20; 2Chr 24:25, perhaps also Jer 29:26 הכהנים sustaining him in his reforms 2Kgs 12:5; 2Kgs 12:6; 2Kgs 12:7; 2Kgs 12:8; 2Kgs 12:9; 2Kgs 12:10; 2Kgs 12:17 Uriah was ׳הַכּ in the reign of Ahaz 2Kgs 16:10; 2Kgs 16:11 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 16:16; Isa 8:2 Hilkiah of Josiah 2Kgs 22:10; 2Kgs 22:12; 2Kgs 22:14; 2Kgs 23:24; 2Chr 34:14; 2Chr 34:18. Other individual priests are named, e.g.: Pashhur of Jehoiachin Jer 20:1 Zephaniah of Zedekiah Jer 21:1; Jer 29:25; Jer 29:26; Jer 29:29; Jer 37:3 ׳הַכּ is Ezekiel's title Ezek 1:3. Priests are classed with officials of state: prophets and priests 2Kgs 23:2; Isa 28:7; Jer 5:31; Jer 6:13; Jer 8:10; Jer 14:18; Jer 23:11; Jer 23:33; Jer 23:34; Jer 26:7; Jer 26:8; Jer 26:11; Jer 26:16; Jer 29:1; Lam 2:20; Lam 4:13 priests and elders Lam 1:19; Lam 4:16 king and priest Lam 2:6 kings, priests, and prophets Jer 13:13 kings, princes, and priests Jer 1:18 princes, eunuchs, and priests Jer 34:19 priest, sage, and prophet Jer 18:18 chiefs, priests, and prophets Mic 3:11 prophets, priests, and elders Ezek 7:26 kings, princes, priests, and prophets Jer 2:26; Jer 4:9; Jer 8:1; Jer 32:32 princes, judges, prophets, and priests Zeph 3:4 seeming to exclude any other officials. Apparently in the same generic sense הכהנים Jer 1:1; Jer 2:8; Jer 27:16; Jer 28:1; Jer 28:5; Jer 29:25; Jer 31:14 כַּכֹּהֵן Isa 24:2 כהנים Job 12:19 כהניה Lam 1:4; Ezek 22:26 כהניו Ps 78:64. Moses and Aaron among his priests Ps 99:6 includes Moses (against P). Zion's priests clothed with righteousness and salvation Ps 132:9; Ps 132:16 = 2Chr 6:41, probably here also.

5. Levitical priests הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם Deut 17:9; Deut 17:18; Deut 18:1; Deut 24:8; Deut 27:9; Josh 3:3; Josh 8:33 (all D), Jer 33:18 (inverted), vJer 33:21 (neither in ᵐ5), 2Chr 5:5 (= ׳הַכּ ׳וְהַלּ 1Kgs 8:4: Chronicler retains original Deuteronomic reading), Ezek 43:19; Ezek 44:15 (compare 6); בְּנֵי לִוֵי ׳הַכּ Deut 21:5; Deut 31:9 ׳לל ׳לקח לכ Isa 66:21 take for priests, for Levites (of the nations in Messianic age). Doubtless of same class are: הַכֹּהֲנִים Deut 18:3; Deut 19:17; Josh 3:6; Josh 3:8; Josh 4:11 (D); and הַכֹּהֵן, the priest officiating on a particular occasion Deut 18:3; Deut 20:2 or holding a particular dignity Deut 17:12; Deut 26:3; Deut 26:4. The כהנים of the other cities of Judah, הבמות ׳כ, who were not allowed to minister in Jerusalem 2Kgs 23:8 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 23:9; 2Kgs 23:20, may be an attempt to enforce an exclusion from the priesthood of all but Levitical priests.

6. Zadokite priests: Ezekiel distinguishes among הכהנים הלוים those of the seed of Zadok, בְּנֵי צָדוֺק; all but the latter excluded by him from priesthood Ezek 40:46; Ezek 43:19; Ezek 44:15; Ezek 48:11 the priests of his code being all Zadokites Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 42:14; Ezek 43:24; Ezek 43:27; Ezek 44:21; Ezek 44:22; Ezek 44:30 (twice in verse); Ezek 44:31; Ezek 45:4; Ezek 45:19; Ezek 46:2; Ezek 46:19; Ezek 46:20; Ezek 48:10; Ezek 48:13.

7. Aaronic priests. In H. it is taken for granted that a priest is of the seed of Aaron; the plural is never used; כֹּהֵן is used for any priest Lev 21:9; Lev 22:10; Lev 22:11; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13 הַכֹּהֵן for Aaron Lev 21:21, and for the official priest (acting for the priesthood, almost collective) Lev 17:5; Lev 17:6; Lev 22:14; Lev 23:10; Lev 23:11; Lev 23:20 (twice in verse); Lev 27:8 (3 t. in verse); Lev 27:11; Lev 27:12 (twice in verse); Lev 27:14 (twice in verse); Lev 27:18; Lev 27:21; Lev 27:23. The priests of P are בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן Lev 1:5; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:11; Lev 2:2; Lev 3:2; Lev 21:1; Num 3:3; Num 10:8; Josh 21:19 so in Chronicles 2Chr 13:9; 2Chr 13:10; 2Chr 26:18; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:19; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); הַכֹּהֵן is used of Aaron 22 t., Eleazar 29 t., Phinehas Josh 22:30 and elsewhere; 180 t. of ministering priests, or generic of the priests; הכהנים Lev 6:22; Lev 7:6; Lev 13:2; Lev 16:33; כהן Lev 6:16. Chronicles distinguishes הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם 1Chr 13:2; 1Chr 15:11; 1Chr 15:14; 1Chr 23:2; 1Chr 24:6; 1Chr 24:31; 1Chr 28:13; 1Chr 28:21; 2Chr 8:15; 2Chr 11:13; 2Chr 13:9; 2Chr 13:10; 2Chr 23:4; 2Chr 24:5; 2Chr 29:4; 2Chr 30:15; 2Chr 30:25; 2Chr 31:2 (twice in verse); 2Chr 31:4; 2Chr 31:9; 2Chr 34:30; 2Chr 35:8; 2Chr 35:18 (the variants without וְ 2Chr 23:18; 2Chr 30:27 are due to copyists' errors), Ezra 1:5; Ezra 2:70; Ezra 3:8; Ezra 3:12; Ezra 6:20; Ezra 7:7; Ezra 8:29; Ezra 8:30; Ezra 9:1; Neh 7:72; Neh 8:13; Neh 11:3; Neh 12:1; Neh 12:30; Neh 12:44 (twice in verse); Neh 13:30 הלוים והכהנים 2Chr 19:8; 2Chr 30:21 priests, Levites, and others 1Chr 9:2; Ezra 10:5; Neh 10:1; Neh 10:29; Neh 10:35; Neh 11:20 בְּנֵי לֵוִי antith. to ׳הַכּ Ezra 8:15 הכהן בן אהרן עם הלוים Neh 10:39 (ה)כהנים in Chronicles 67 t. has the same reference, as also כֹּהֲנֵינוּ Ezra 9:7; Neh 9:32; Neh 9:34 כֹּהֵן Ezra 2:63 = Neh 7:65 ליחוה ׳כ 2Chr 26:17 כהניו His (God's) priests 2Chr 13:12 מוֺרֶה ׳כ teaching priest 2Chr 15:3 הַכֹּהֵן is used of Jehoiada in time of David 1Chr 27:5, and Azariah in the reign of Uzziah 2Chr 26:17. In the literature of the restoration הַכֹּהֵן is used of Ezra, Ezra 7:11; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:16; Neh 8:2; Neh 8:9; Neh 12:26 Uriah Ezra 8:33 Eliashib Neh 13:4 Shelemiah Neh 13:13 הכהנים Joel 1:9; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:17; Hag 2:11; Hag 2:12; Hag 2:13; Zech 7:5; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:1 priests and prophets Zech 7:3 כהן Mal 2:7.

8. the high priest: הַכֹּהֵן is frequently used (see 4) to designate the priest who was at the head of priestly affairs. The adjective הַגָּדוֺל first appears of Jehoiada 2Kgs 12:11, then of Hilkiah 2Kgs 22:4; 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 23:4; 2Kgs 2:9 after the exile, of Joshua Hag 1:1; Hag 1:12; Hag 1:14; Hag 2:2; Hag 2:4; Zech 3:1; Zech 3:8; Zech 6:11, and Eliashib Neh 3:1; Neh 3:20; Neh 13:28. But P uses it of Aaron and his eldest descendants who are anointed with holy oil Lev 21:10 (H; הַגָּדוֺל מֵאֶחָיו ׳הכ), Num 35:25; Num 35:28 (twice in verse); Josh 20:6, and so הַמָּשִׁיחַ ׳הַכּ Lev 4:3; Lev 4:5; Lev 4:16; Lev 6:15, compare Lev 16:32. הָראֹשׁ ׳כ is used of Seraiah 2Kgs 25:18 = Jer 52:24 and, in Chronicler, of Amariah 2Chr 19:11, Jehoiada 2Chr 24:11, Azariah 2Chr 26:20; 2Chr 31:10 of Aaron, Ezra 7:5. (We also supposes הרואה in 2Sam 15:27 to be a corruption of הראשׁ, which he regards as post-exilic insertion. The test is corrupt [see Dr^{Sm. 1.c}.]; but this correction is improbable. Lists of high priests occur 1Chr 5:30-41; 1Chr 6:35-38.) A priest of second rank ((ה)מִשְׁנֶה כֹּהֵן) appears in 2Kgs 23:4 (construct plural incorrect), 2Kgs 25:18 = Jer 52:24 ׳זִקְנֵי הַכּ 2Kgs 19:2 = Isa 37:2; Jer 19:1 ׳שָׂרֵי הַכּ 2Chr 36:14; Ezra 8:24; Ezra 8:29; Ezra 10:5 ׳רָאשֵׁי הַכּ Neh 12:7.

BDB9607 H3548 H3549

[כָּהֵן] noun masculine priest (see Biblical Hebrew כהן); — emphatic כָּהֲנָא Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21 plural emphatic נַיָּא- Ezra 6:9; Ezra 6:16; Ezra 6:18; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 7:24 suffix (of Israel) נ֫וֺהִי- vEzra 7:13.

Strong's Definition H3548

priest, priests, own, princes, ruler, …

kōhēn

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

priest, principal officer or chief ruler

priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)

Variations 61 forms of this word

Translations 109 English renderings

Priest

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Word Parts

וְ לַ קֹּֽסְמִים֙

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

קֹּֽסְמִים֙

Root word diviners, divine, divining, prudent, soothsayer, …

Dictionary form: קָסַם · kaw-SAHM

Vowels & Accents

לַ

Hidden "the" לַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "to the ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Rd/Vqrmpa

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

וְ	Speech Conjunction
לַ	Speech Preposition Type Definite Article
קֹּֽסְמִים	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and the diviners

and the diviners ×3 divine ×2 and divining ×1 and maketh diviners ×1 and that divine ×1 and the prudent ×1 and used ×1 and your diviners ×1

More options

practice divination — Broad verbal phrase; best for narrative or legal contexts.

divine — Concise verb; good when context makes meaning clear.

consult omens — Highlights the ritual/omen-seeking dimension of the act.

fortune-teller — Noun form; accessible for general audiences, slightly informal.

diviner — Noun; retains technical register for prophetic/priestly texts.

seek occult guidance — Emphasizes forbidden supernatural inquiry; good for polemical passages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7499 H7080

קָסַם verb denominative practise divination; —

Qal Imperfect, 3 masculine plural יִקְסְמוּ 2Kgs 17:17, יִקְסֹ֑מוּ Mic 3:11 2 feminine singular תִּקְסַמְנָה Ezek 13:23 Imperative feminine singular קָסֳמִי 1Sam 28:8 Qr (Kt קסומי); Infinitive construct קְסֹם Mic 3:8 (Buhl קֶסֶם), קְסָםֿ Ezek 21:26; Ezek 21:34 קְסָ֯וםֿ Ezek 21:28 (read קֶסֶם Co Buhl), especially Participle קֹסֵם Deut 18:10; Isa 3:2, etc.; —

1. of diviners of the nations, Balaam, Josh 13:22 (D), Philist 1Sam 6:2 (|| כהנים), Babylonian Isa 44:25 (|| חכמים) Ezek 21:26 compare שׁוא׳ק Ezek 21:28 (but read קֶסֶם), + Isa 2:6 (insert probably קֹסְמִים, > קֶסֶם, or מִקְסָם; see קֶדֶם 1b); of Can. necromancers בָּאוֺב 1Sam 28:8 || מְעֹנְנִים Deut 18:14 of Ammonites כָּזָכ ׳ק Ezek 21:34 (+ ל person).

2. false prophets of Israel || חזה Mic 3:6 (? קֶסֶם; || חזון) vMic 3:7; Isa 3:2 (+ נביא; compare vIsa 3:3), || נביאים Jer 27:9; Jer 29:8, בְּכֶסֶף Mic 3:11, || חזה שׁקר Zech 10:2 || ׃חזה שׁוא ׳ק קֶסֶם Ezek 13:23 (but see קֶסֶם), כָּזָב ׳ק Ezek 13:9; Ezek 22:28,+ Ezek 13:6 (read וְקָֽסְמוּ or [Co Berthol] infinitive absolute וְקָסֹם, Vrss. Toy).

3. קְסָמִים ׳ק prohibited Deut 18:10; 2Kgs 17:17

Strong's Definition H7080

diviners, divine, divining, prudent, soothsayer, …

qāsam

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

(Qal) to practice divination, divine

of diviners of the nations, Balaam

Variations 19 forms of this word

Translations 17 English renderings

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Word Parts

לֵ אמֹ֔ר

לֵ

Prefix — preposition to, for

אמֹ֔ר

Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Vqc

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

לֵ	Speech Preposition
אמֹר	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Infinitive Construct State Construct

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: saying

said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119

More options

say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.

declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.

tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.

speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.

command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.

think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB557 H559

אָמַר₅₂₈₇ verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtm^{ZMG 1876, 37}; compare Dl^{Pr 28} who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare Kö^{i. p. 385}); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see Dr^{Expositor, April, 1887, 263}.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see Dr^{Sm i. 24, 5}); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr^{§ 9} Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; Ges^Comm. so De Che Kö^{i. 457 f.} (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).

BDB9309 H560 H559

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.

2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.

3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Dan 4:23].

Strong's Definition H559

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …

ʾāmar

to say (used with great latitude)

to say, speak, utter

(Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

Variations 175 forms of this word

Translations 575 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

מַֽה

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ti

Particle — Interrogative

מַֽה	Speech Particle Type Interrogative

In English

In the KJV here: what

what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9

More options

what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.

why — Use when context implies reason or motive.

how — Use when manner or degree is in view.

for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.

wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.

whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.

מִדֵּי see דַּי.

מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.

מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.

מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.

מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.

מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.

[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.

מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.

[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.

[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.

BDB4522 H4100 H4078

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges^{«GKC:37»§ 37} —

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (Dl^{HWB 417 f.}), Ethiopic ment; compare W^{CG 123 ff.} K?:ii. 368): —

1. interrogative what ?
a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
(a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: W^{AG. ii. § 170}), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da^{§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.}); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : W^{AG. ii. § 49. 7}), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
(b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
(c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da^{§ 70 a} cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
(d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
(e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
(a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
(b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
(c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
(a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
(b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.

2. Used adverbially:
a. as an interrogative:
(a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵאדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
(b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare Walker^{Hebraica. xii. 244 ff.}; Kö^{iii, 478}).
b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.

3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr^{§ 149}), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare Kö^{iii. § 65.}

4. With prepositions:
a. בַּמָּה₉, בַּמֶּה₁₉ wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
(a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
(b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
(a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
(b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CIS^{i. 2, 21} יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.

BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb^{371, 445}; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb^{227 f.}): according to Ges Ew^{§ 181 b} Ol^{p. 439} Sta^{§ 176 e, abbreviated} from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], Kö^{ii. 323 f.}) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.

2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges^{«GKC:130c»§ 130c}), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ (compare ib. 4 b a).

3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
(b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).

4. compounds:
a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
b. כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo Kmp^Kau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, Nö^{§ 225}). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb²³³, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke^{N. Semitic Inscr. 320}) = ἐπειδή).

[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].

BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare W^{CG 124 f.}); —

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.

2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).

3. with prefixes:
a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

Strong's Definition H4100

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …

mâ

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses

(interr pron) what, how, of what kind

(interrogative)

what?

how, how now

wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

how much?, how many?, how often?

Variations 40 forms of this word

Translations 137 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

נַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה

Root word do, made, done, did, make, …

Dictionary form: עָשָׂה · aw-SAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqi1cp

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), first person plural simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "we"

נַּעֲשֶׂה

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person First Person Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: shall we do

did ×123 do ×108 made ×86 to do ×85 and do ×61 he did ×59 and he made ×54 and thou shalt make ×45

More options

do — Broadest default; fits commands, descriptions, and narrative.

make — Prefer when the result is a crafted or constructed object.

perform — Good for rituals, duties, vows, or formal acts.

carry out — Emphasizes completing a directive or plan.

execute — Suits legal, judicial, or administrative actions.

accomplish — Highlights successful completion of a goal.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6428 H6213

I. עָשָׂה₂₆₂₂ verb do, make (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; MI^{23, 26} עשתי, l.³; l.⁹ ואעש, l.²⁴ Imperative עשו; Old Hebrew proper name עשיו, אלעשה, מעשיהו; not Aramaic, and not certainly found in South Semitic languages; on Sabean see especially DHM^{SB Berl. Akkadian 1886, 849}); —

Qal₂₅₂₄ Perfect 3 masculine singular Gen 3:1 +, suffix עָשָׂהוּ Hos 8:6 +; 3 feminine singular עָֽשְׂתָה Deut 22:21 +, וְעָשָׂת consecutive Lev 25:21 2 masculine singular עָשִׂיתָ Gen 3:14 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲשֶׂה Gen 18:25 +, וַיַּעֲשֶׂה 1Kgs 16:25 + 3 t., וַיַּעַשׂ Isa 5:2 +; יַעֲשֵׂה Isa 64:3, 2 masculine singular תַּעֲשֶׂה 1Sam 10:8, תַּעֲשֵׂה Gen 26:29; Josh 7:9, jussive (with אַל) תַּעַשׂ Gen 22:12 +, תַּעֲשֵׂה 2Sam 13:12; Jer 40:16 Qr (Kt תַּעַשׂ); 1 singular אֶעֱשֶׂה Gen 2:18 +, וָאֶעֱשֶׂה Ezek 20:14; Dan 8:27, וָאַעַשׂ Deut 10:3 + 4 t. Ezekiel; etc.; Imperative masculine singular עֲשֵׂה Judg 10:15 +; feminine singular עֲשִׂי Jer 6:26 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute עָשׂה Jer 44:17 +; עָשׂוֺ Jer 7:5 + 2 t. (Jer 4:18 van d. H. עָשׂוּ); construct עֲשׂוֺת Gen 2:4 +, עֲשׂה Gen 50:20 + 2 t., עֲשׂוֺ Gen 31:28, suffix עֲשׂתוֺ Gen 41:32 +, עֲשׂהוּ Exod 18:18, etc.; Participle active עשֶֹׁה Isa 5:5 +, suffix הָעשֹׁוֺ Job 40:19 (but see below); plural עשִֹׁים Gen 24:49 +; suffix עשָֹׁ֑י Job 35:10 (yet see Ges^{«GKC:124k»§ 124k}), etc.; passive עָשׂוּי Exod 3:16 +, הֶעָשׂוּ Job 41:25 (Ges^{«GKC:75k»§ 75k}); feminine עֲשׂוּיָה Ezek 21:20 +, etc.; —

I. 1. do (1560 + t.):
a. (1) with accusative active Gen 3:14 (J) Gen 20:10 (E) + often; do right in eyes of ׳י 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 14:13 +, evil 2Kgs 8:18; 2Kgs 8:27 + (compare I. עַיִן 3 c); do God's commands, statutes, etc., Deut 16:12; Deut 30:8; Num 15:39 (P); חַיִל ׳ע 1Sam 14:48 + do might, i.e. mightily, valiantly; Prov 31:39 do efficiency, i.e. efficiently; = commit (offence) Lev 20:13 (H), Deut 20:18 followed by מִן particle, וְעָשָׂה מֵאַחַת מֵהֵנָּה Lev 4:2 and shall do a single one of them (things prohibited; see מִן 3 b
(d)), compare ׳וְעָשׂוּ אַחַת מִכָּלמִֿצְוֺת י vLev 4:13 vLev 4:22; Lev 5:17 (all P); do = perform a work, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מַעֲשֶׂה Exod 18:20; Exod 23:12 (E), also (׳י subject) Deut 11:7; Dan 9:14; Eccl 3:11 with accusative מְלָאכָה Gen 2:2 (twice in verse) (J), Exod 20:9; Exod 20:10 = Deut 9:13 (10 Words); with accusative דְּרָכֶיךָ Isa 58:13 מְלוּכָה עַל ׳ע 1Kgs 21:7 = exercise sovereignty over; of ׳י performing signs (אֹתֹת) Josh 24:17 (E), Num 14:11; Num 14:22 (JE), Deut 11:3, so Moses Exod 4:17 and (מֹפְתִים) vExod 4:21. (2) do something to one (ל person) Gen 20:9 (E), Judg 9:56 +; with עַל reflexive Jer 26:19 do evil against ourselves; especially ׳י subject, with לְ, do good to Exod 18:9 (E), 2Kgs 8:66, or evil Gen 42:28 (E); in phrase so may God do to me, etc. 1Sam 3:17; 2Kgs 6:31 + (see יסף

Hiph`il 1.). (3) do something for one (ל person) Gen 30:31; 1Kgs 11:8 +, direct object omitted 1Sam 20:4 + ל of thing Judg 21:7; Judg 21:16 what shall we do for them, for wives ? with עַל person Neh 5:19 with dativus ethicus [dative of interest] (ל) 1Sam 10:7 with לְ, of ׳י doing kindness for 1Sam 22:3 executing vengeance for Judg 11:36 (+ מִן of enemy); ׳י doing a sign (אוֺת) for Judg 6:17 (elsewhere נָתַן אוֺת לְ), compare עֲשֵׂהעִֿמִּי אוֺת לְטוֺבָה Ps 86:17. (4) do something (in relation or intercourse) wilth (אֵת person), ׳י subject Deut 1:30 all that he did with you, Deut 10:21 (compare Ps 86:17 above), human subject 2Chr 24:24 (object שְׁפָטִים), Ruth 2:11. (5) seldom with ב, usually of executing judgment upon 1Sam 28:18; Isa 48:14, more generally Esth 1:15 what shall we do with the queen ? also, subject ׳י, Ezek 25:11; Ezek 28:26; Ps 149:7; Ps 149:9; Num 33:4 (on false gods); in good sense, ׳חֲסָדִים בּ ׳ע Neh 13:14. (6) of ׳י doing the justice (מִשְׁפַּט) of any one, i.e. maintaining his cause 1Kgs 8:45; 1Kgs 8:49; Ps 9:5. (7) with adverb do thus, כֹּה, Josh 6:14 (JE), according to, כְּ Gen 6:22 (P), Gen 18:21 (J), 1Kgs 2:6 accusative as, כַּאֲשֶׁר Gen 27:19 (J); Exod 1:17 (E) +; with בְּ of manner, Judg 9:16a, Ezek 8:18; Ezek 25:15.
b. work for (ל of thing) Gen 30:30 (J); with ל person 1Sam 14:6; Ezek 29:20 (for ׳י); work in (ב) gold or other material 1Kgs 7:14; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:13; Exod 31:4; Exod 31:5; Exod 35:32 (all P); with בָּהּ (i.e. בָּעֲבֹדָה) Exod 5:9 (J) in toil; work with (עִם) God 1Sam 14:45, so probably of God's working with (אֵת) Moses and Aaron 1Sam 12:6 (usually appoint); with אֵת with (of person in whose company, in whose field Ruth 2:19 (twice in verse) (gleaning); work בְּחֵפֶץ כַּפֶּיהָ Prov 31:13 without preposition Exod 36:1; Neh 3:28.

2. deal with, with עִם, 2Chr 2:2; Dan 1:13 (כַּאֲשֶׁר accusative as); with אֵת, Ezek 20:44; Ps 109:21; Ezek 22:14; Zeph 3:19 (perhaps; Gr Now insert כָּלָה, see II 1 g), + כְּ Jer 21:2, + בְּ of manner Ezek 23:25; Ezek 23:29 with לְ person + בְּ Ezek 25:12 with בְּ person, Jer 18:23; Dan 11:7, + כְּ according to Neh 9:24; Esth 3:11.

3. often in phrase, do kindness (חֶסֶד) with: with (עִמָּדִ) עִם Gen 19:19; Gen 24:12; Gen 12:14 (J), Judg 1:24; Judg 8:35; 1Sam 15:6; 2Sam 2:5; 2Sam 10:2 = 1Chr 19:2 +; with עַל, 1Sam 20:8 (but read עִם Vrss We Dr and others); absolute, Ps 109:16 object חֶסֶד + אֱמֶת, with עִם, Josh 2:14 (JE) Judg 9:19; 2Sam 2:6 with אֵת with, Gen 24:49; Gen 32:11; Gen 47:29 (all J); with לְ, Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10; 2Sam 22:51 = Ps 18:51 so טוֺב ׳ע, with עִם, Gen 26:29 (J), compare Judg 8:35; Judg 9:16 with אֵת with, 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 2:6.

4. absolute act, act with effect, especially of ׳י, 1Kgs 8:32; 1Kgs 8:39; Jer 14:7; Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Ps 22:32; Ps 37:5; Ps 52:11; Dan 9:19 of men 2Chr 31:21; Dan 8:12; Dan 8:24; Dan 11:28; Dan 11:30; Dan 11:32 with ל of person Ezek 31:11.

II. 1. make (670 + t.):
a. with object concrete, ark Gen 8:6, altar Gen 13:4, idols Judg 18:24; Judg 18:31 +, etc.
b. often of God's making (creating) Gen 3:1 (J), Gen 1:7; Gen 1:16; Gen 1:25 (P), Neh 9:6; Job 9:9; Prov 8:26; 2Chr 2:11; Ps 95:5 +; making man Ps 100:3; Ps 119:73 (made by God's hands), in the womb Job 31:15 (twice in verse); making, constituting, nation Deut 26:19; Deut 32:6; Deut 32:15 participle suffix עשֵֹׁהוּ his Maker Isa 17:7; Prov 14:31; Prov 17:5 (הָעשֹׁוֺ Job 40:19 is improbable, most read הֶעָשָׂוּי, with various interpretation of following words); עשֶֹׁךָ Isa 51:13, עשֵֹׁנִי Job 32:23 (Ginsb; vJob 32:22 van d. H. Baer), עשֵֹׁנוּ Ps 95:6 so apparently plural participle עשָֹׁ֑י Job 35:10, עשַֹׁיִךְ Isa 54:5 (Ges^{«GKC:124k»§ 124k} explanation as sg.).
c. make something, with לְ reflexive, make for thee Exod 20:4; Deut 9:12; Deut 10:1 +, for (ל) another 1Sam 2:19; 2Sam 7:11; 1Kgs 2:24 +; object מִשְׁתֶּה banquet Gen 40:20; Esth 5:4, also (no ל) Gen 29:22 (E) Judg 14:10; Esth 5:5; Esth 5:12 and (figurative, ׳י subject) Isa 25:6 with ל of thing, Deut 22:8 with ל of animal Gen 33:17 (J).
d. make a name (שֵׁם) for oneself (ל) 2Sam 7:9; 1Chr 17:8, also (no ל) 2Sam 8:13 a new heart for oneself (ל) Ezek 18:31.
e. make war with (אֶת) Gen 14:2; Josh 11:18 (D); with עִם, Deut 20:12; Deut 20:20; 1Chr 5:10; 1Chr 5:19 absolute 1Chr 22:8 with ל reflexive Prov 24:6 participle עשֵֹׁה מִלְחָמָה 2Chr 11:1; 2Chr 26:11; 2Chr 26:13 make peace, with ל person Josh 9:15 (J); אִתִּי בְרָכָה ׳ע 2Kgs 18:31 make an agreement with me. feminine with ב, ׳פֶּרֶץ בּ ׳ע Judg 21:15 ׳י brought a catastrophe upon (compare פרץ).
g. with 2 accusative, make something out of (accusative mater.) Exod 25:18; Exod 28:13; Exod 37:17; Exod 37:24; Song 3:10; Deut 10:3 +; make something into something (Ges^{«GKC:117ii»§ 117ii}) Hos 8:4; Gen 27:9; Judg 17:4; Num 11:8; Num 17:3; Ps 104:4 make something כָּלָה, i. e. utterly destroy it Nah 1:8; Zeph 1:18; Ezek 20:17; Neh 9:31 c. passive participle as 2nd accusative Exod 38:7 they made it נְבוּב לֻחֹת hollow with boards, Exod 39:9 but also with accusative + לְ, Hos 2:10 gold they made into (ל) the Baal, Judg 8:27; Exod 27:3 (P), Deut 9:14; Jer 37:15; Ezek 4:9; Isa 44:17; Isa 44:19 make something for (ל person), + מִן of material Song 3:9.

2. produce, yield: of grain, yielding meal Hos 8:7 (twice in verse), vineyard, grapes Isa 5:2 (twice in verse); Isa 5:4 (twice in verse); Isa 5:10, tree, fruit 2Kgs 19:30 = Isa 37:31; Hos 9:16; Jer 12:2; Jer 17:8; Ezek 17:23 (all figurative), Gen 1:11; Gen 1:12 (P); branches Job 14:9 and (figurative) Ezek 17:8 land, fruit Lev 25:21 compare Hab 3:17, absolute Gen 41:47 of seed Isa 5:10, vine, shoots Ezek 17:6 (figurative); of cows, yielding milk Isa 7:22 hippop. producing fat Job 15:27.

3. prepare, especially of dressing and cooking food, Gen 18:7; Gen 18:8; Judg 6:19; Judg 13:5; 1Sam 25:18 (passive), 2Sam 12:4 (twice in verse); Gen 27:14; Gen 27:17; Gen 27:31; 2Sam 13:5; 2Sam 13:7; 1Kgs 17:12; Exod 12:39 (+ ל reflexive); a bullock for sacrifice (see below) 1Kgs 18:23; 1Kgs 18:25; 1Kgs 18:26 כְּלֵי גוֺלָה Ezek 12:3 (+ ל reflexive); a chamber Neh 13:7 prepare to build (+ ל person and infinitive).

4. make offering, e.g. עוֺלָה Judg 13:16; Jer 33:18; Lev 16:24, עוֺלָה וָזֶבַח 2Kgs 5:17 (+ ל of deity), הַחַטָּאת Lev 14:19, אִשֶּׁה Num 15:3; Num 15:14, various offerings 1Kgs 8:64; Lev 9:22; Ezek 45:17; Ezek 46:2 +; + ׳לי to ׳י Lev 17:9 +; also with accusative of thing sacrificed (perhaps originally prepare or provide, see above) Ezek 43:25 (twice in verse); Ezek 46:15; Lev 14:30; Lev 15:15; Lev 15:30; Lev 16:9; Num 6:11; Num 6:17; Ps 66:15 (+ ל of deity) +; absolute = offer sacrifice Exod 10:25 (E + ׳לי), to (ל) heathen gods 2Kgs 17:32.

5. attend to, put in order: pare (the nails) Deut 21:12 wash (feet) 2Sam 19:25 trim (beard) v.2Sam 19:25 (compare French faire la barbe, German die Haare machen).

6. observe, celebrate, religious festival, e.g. passover Exod 12:48; Num 9:4; Num 9:6; Num 9:13; Josh 5:10, also (+ ׳לי) Exod 12:48; Num 9:10; Num 9:14 (all P), Deut 16:1 +; sabbath Exod 31:16; Deut 5:15 feast of weeks Deut 16:10, booths Deut 16:13, Purim Esth 9:21; Esth 9:27, etc.

7. acquire property of various kinds (compare 'make money') Gen 12:5; Gen 31:5 (J), Isa 15:7; Jer 17:11; Jer 48:36; Deut 8:18; Ezek 22:18; Ezek 28:4 (twice in verse); Ezek 38:12; 2Chr 32:29; Eccl 2:8 + ל reflexive Deut 8:17; 2Sam 15:1; 1Kgs 1:5 of fruits from vineyards, etc. Ps 107:37.

8. appoint priests 1Kgs 12:31; 1Kgs 13:33; 2Chr 2:17 (all + מִן source), a feast 1Kgs 12:32; 1Kgs 12:33 (+ ל person); ordain a sacrifice Num 28:6, a festal day Ps 118:24 institute, אוֺב וְיִדְּעֹנִי ghost and familiar spirit 2Kgs 21:6 = 2Chr 33:6 (compare Dr^{Deut 18:11}).

9. bring about, of ׳י's effecting a deliverance Exod 14:13 (לָכֶם), 1Sam 11:13; 2Sam 23:10 (insert also || 1Chr 11:13 Dr), v1Chr 11:12 cause, followed by clause with שֶׁ Eccl 3:14.

10. use, לִמְלַאכְתּוֺ ׳וְע 1Sam 8:16 passive Exod 38:24.

11. spend, pass, days of life Eccl 6:12. Niph`al₉₇ Perfect 3 masculine singular נַעֲשָׂה Judg 16:11 +; 3 feminine singular נֶעֶשְׂתָה 2Sam 17:23 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵעָשֶׂה Gen 29:26 +, 3 feminine singular with ו subordinate וְתֵעָשׂ Esth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 (Ges^{«GKC:109»§ 109} f.), etc.; Infinitive construct הֵעָשׂוֺת Esth 9:1; Esth 9:14, etc., Participle נַעֲשֶׂה Neh 5:18, etc.; —

1. be done (passive of Qal I 1):
a. subject מְלָאכָה Judg 16:11 (with ב instrumental), Neh 6:16 (with מֵאֵת אֱלֹהִים ), vNeh 6:9; Exod 12:16 + 4 t.; subject omitted Ezek 44:14, indefinite Esth 4:1 with כֵּן Esth 9:14 be done, כַּתּוֺרָה Ezra 10:3 be committed, of offence, Deut 13:15; Num 15:24; Eccl 4:1 + 3 t.; with negative not (yet) done, i.e. future Isa 46:10 be accomplished, performed, fulfilled Ezek 12:35; Ezek 12:38; Dan 11:36; Esth 5:5; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 be executed, carried out, of sentence Eccl 8:11, decree Esth 9:1 be followed, of counsel 2Sam 17:28 nearly = occur Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); Eccl 1:13; Eccl 9:3; Eccl 9:6, subject מַעֲשֶׂה Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 4:3; Eccl 8:9; Eccl 8:17, subject הֶבֶל vEccl 8:14, עִנְיָן vEccl 8:15.
b. Imperfect with negative, is (are) not done, not according to usage, of flagrant offences Gen 20:9 (E), Gen 29:26 (with כֵּן), Gen 34:7 (both J), 2Sam 13:12 (כֵּן); hence (P) not to be done, forbidden by ׳י Lev 4:2; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:22; Lev 4:27; Lev 5:17.
c. be done to, with ל of animal 1Sam 11:7 (כֹּה); ל person Exod 2:4 (E) Exod 21:31 (E; כַּמִּשְׁפָּט), Isa 3:11; Jer 5:13 (כֹּה), Lev 24:19 (H; כֵּן), Num 15:34 (P) + 8 t.; be done for, ל person Judg 11:37; Esth 6:3, עִם person vEsth 6:3 ל of thing Num 15:11 (כָּכָה).
d. be done upon, against (ב) Dan 9:12.

2. (passive of Qal II):
a. be made, of conr. things 1Kgs 10:20 = 2Chr 9:19 (throne), Jer 3:16 (ark), 2Kgs 12:14; Ezek 43:18; Exod 25:31; Num 4:36 (P); with accusative mat; Lev 2:7.
b. be produced from (מִן) vine Num 6:4.
c. be prepared, of food Exod 12:16; Lev 6:14; Lev 7:9 (all P), Neh 5:18 (twice in verse).
d. be offered, מִנְחָה Lev 2:8; Lev 2:11, kid Num 28:15; Num 28:24.
e. be observed, passover 2Kgs 24:22; 2Kgs 24:23 (ל of deity) = 2Chr 35:18; 2Chr 35:19 Purim Esth 9:28. feminine be used + ל of thing Lev 7:24 (P); Lev 13:51 (P) Ezek 15:5 (twice in verse). Pu`al Perfect 1 singular עֻשֵּׂיתִי Ps 139:15 I was made.

BDB6436 H6213

II. [עָשָׂה] verb Pi`el press, squeeze (Late Hebrew עִשָּׂה Pi`el compel; ᵑ7 עַסִּי Pa`el crush, gnash (teeth); compare Arabic compress a woman); — Perfect 3 plural עִשּׂוּ דַּדֵּי בְּתוּלִים Ezek 23:3; Ezek 23:8 (unchaste act); Infinitive construct בַּעֲשׂוֺתדַּ֗֗֗דַּיִךְ vEzek 23:21 read Pi`el בְּעַשּׂוֺת (Ew Co Toy, and others).

Strong's Definition H6213

do, made, done, did, make, …

ʿāśâ

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

to do, fashion, accomplish, make

(Qal)

to do, work, make, produce

to do

to make

to be done

Variations 318 forms of this word

Translations 921 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

לַ ֽאֲר֣וֹן

לַ

Prefix — preposition to, for

ֽאֲר֣וֹן

Root word ark, chest, coffin

Dictionary form: אָרוֹן · aw-RONE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncbsc

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

לַ	Speech Preposition
אֲרוֹן	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Singular State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: to the ark

the ark ×147 and the ark ×10 of the ark ×7 for the ark ×6 in the ark ×4 an ark ×3 as the ark ×2 but the ark ×2

More options

ark — Best for sacred/covenant contexts; widely recognized term.

chest — Good for storage or offering-box contexts.

box — Neutral, everyday register; suits non-religious contexts.

coffer — Slightly formal; implies a lockable or valuable container.

coffin — Reserve strictly for Genesis 50:26, Joseph's burial.

container — Generic fallback when shape or function is ambiguous.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB777 H727

אֲרוֺן, with article הָאָרוֺן, הָאָרֹן₂₀₃ noun masculine^{Exod 35:12} (feminine^{1Sam 4:17; 2Chr 8:11}) chest, ark (Phoenician ארן, sarcophagus, Assyrian êrênu (& êrû) chest Zim^{BP 6, 22}, Arabic , chest, so Aramaic , also Nabataean ארנא, Vog^{p. 102, Phoenician}; Mishna also plural ארונות) — only singular; absolute אֲרוֺן 2Kgs 12:10 = 2Chr 24:8 with article הָאָרוֺן Deut 10:2 + always except Exodus Leviticus Numbers where הָאָרֹן (Exod 25:14 (twice in verse) + 13 t. Exodus; Lev 16:2; Num 3:31; Num 10:35); construct אֲרוֺןExod 25:10 +, אֲרֹן Exod 30:6; Num 4:5; Num 7:89 —

1. chest, for money-offerings 2Kgs 12:10; 2Kgs 12:11; 2Chr 24:8; 2Chr 24:10; 2Chr 24:11 (twice in verse).

2. sarcophagus, mummy-case of Joseph Gen 50:26 (E).

3. chest, ark in tabernacle & temple, containing tables of law, with cherubim above, the especially seat of ׳י among his people, only Hexateuch (71 t.) Samuel (61 t.) Kings (12 t.) & Chronicles (48 t.) + Judg 20:27; Jer 3:16; Ps 132:8 used alone & in various combinations (compare Seyring^{ZAW 1891, 114 f.}).
a. indefinite אֲרוֺן עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים an ark of shittim-wood Exod 25:10; Deut 10:3 compare vDeut 10:1.
b. def. ׳הָא Exod 25:14 + 54 t. (Hexateuch P, except Joshua J E; Samuel Kings Chronicles).
c. יהוה ׳א Josh 4:11 + 32 t. Joshua (J E D) Samuel Kings Chronicles.
d. ׳א אֱלֹהִים 1Sam 3:3; 1Sam 4:11 הָאֱלֹהִים ׳א1Sam 4:13 + 32 t. Samuel, Chronicles (but 1Sam 14:18 (twice in verse) read הָאֵפוֺד ᵐ5 We Dr), compare אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א 1Chr 13:3.
e. אלהי יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳א 1Sam 5:7 + 6 t. Samuel, term used only by Philistines; יהוה אלהי יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳א 1Chr 15:12; 1Chr 15:14 יהוה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳א Josh 4:5 (JE); ׳א אֲדֹנָי יהוה 1Kgs 2:26 יחוה אֲדוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳א Josh 3:13 (J E D) compare אדון כלהֿארץ [הברית] ׳א vJosh 3:11, where הברית (with article) is probably interpolated, see Di; only once & late the long phrase האלהים יהוה יוֺשֵׁב ׳א הַכְּרוּבִים אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָאשֵֿׁם 1Chr 13:6. feminine in combination with בְּרִית, largely D & under D's influence; ארון הַבְּרִית ark of the covenant Josh 3:6 (twice in verse); Josh 3:8; Josh 4:9; Josh 6:6 (all J E D); בְּרִית יהוה ׳א Num 10:33; Num 14:44 (both J) Deut 10:8; Deut 31:9; Deut 31:25; Josh 4:7; Josh 4:18; Josh 6:8; Josh 8:33; Jer 3:16 + 17 t. Samuel Kings Chronicles; once longer צְבָאוֺת ישֵׁב הַכְּרֻבִים ׳בְּרִית י ׳א 1Sam 4:4 also בְּרִית הָאֱלֹהִים ׳א Judg 20:27; 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam 15:24; 1Chr 16:6 & אלהיכם ׳בְּרִית א ׳א Deut 31:26; Josh 3:3.
g. אֲרוֺן הָעֵדוּת ark of the testimony, only in P, corresponding to בְּרִית ׳א (compare Di on Exod 25:16), Exod 25:22 + 8 t. Exodus; Num 4:5; Num 7:84; Josh 4:16.
h. הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳א 2Chr 35:3.
i. עֻזֶּךָ֑ ׳א the ark of thy strength 2Chr 6:41; Ps 132:8. — (compare also tables given by Seyring^{l.c. & his theory as to earliest designation of ark}.)

אַרְנֶ֫בֶת see אנב.

ארניה see אֲרַוְנָה.

Strong's Definition H727

ark, chest, coffin

ʾārôn

a box

chest, ark

money chest

Variations 17 forms of this word

Translations 27 English renderings

Ark Ark of the Covenant

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Word Parts

יְהוָ֑ה

Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of the lord")

Dictionary form: יְהֹוָה · yeh-hoh-WAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Np

Noun — Proper Name

יְהוָה

Speech Noun Type Proper Name

In English

In the KJV here: of the lord

the lord ×2811 of the lord ×1522 and the lord ×457 unto the lord ×342 o lord ×222 am the lord ×158 lord ×67 to the lord ×60

More options

the LORD — Standard modern Bible convention; small-caps signal the divine name.

YHWH — Preserves the Hebrew tetragrammaton; used in scholarly translations.

Yahweh — Reconstructed pronunciation; preferred in academic and some modern versions.

the Lord — General rendering when small-caps convention is unavailable.

God — Use only where context clearly equates YHWH with generic deity.

the Eternal — Captures timeless-existence nuance; used in some progressive translations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

יהוה_{c. 6823} i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺה^C518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה₃₀₅ (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philo^{de Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529}), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare Bö^{§ 88}). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see Lag^{Sym i.14} Baud^{Studien i.179 ff.}; Dr^{Stud.Bib.i.1 ff.} For Jeve see Sta^{ZAW 1881, 346} De^{ib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.}

2. on literature of interpretations see Nes^Eg.67 Dr^{l.c. — Many recent scholars explain} יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, Nes^Eg.88 (but Nes^{Eg.91 inclines to Qal as} RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev} see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RS^{OTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245}, compare We^{Skizzen iii.175}; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, Sta^G.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876}, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ew^infr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Dr^l.c.17)).

**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by Bau^{Rel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230)}; Dl^{Pa 162 ff.} claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kue^{national Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.)} Jastr^{JBL xiil {1894}, 103 f.} compare Hpt^{BAS i. 170 N}; Dl^{Babel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f.} makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially Hirsch^{ZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff.} Zim^{KATS. 465 ff.}; Spiegelb^{ZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff.} proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in Kö^{EB NAMES, § 112 and n.3}. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to Schw^{ThLZ, 1905, col. 612}.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare Ew^{BTh ii. 337, 338} RS^{l.c., Proph. 385 ff.} Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc Lag^{Psalt.Hieron.156}); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich We^JD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI¹⁸. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b Dl^{Pa 158 ff.} Dr^{Stud. Bib. i. 7 ff}.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D²); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D² 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D² 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by R^P as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ⅏; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & ⅏ from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ℌ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.

2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.

3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — Bonk^{ZAW 1891, 126 ff.} seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.

BDB3475 H3068

׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above.

BDB3483 H3068 H3069

יהוה proper name, of deity, see below הוה.

BDB3489 H3068 H3097

׳יו = ׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above: — namely יוֺאָב, יוֺאָח, יוֺאָחָז, יוֺאֵל, יוֺאָשׁ, יוֺיָכִין, יוֺיָקִים, יוֺיָרִיב, יוֺעֵד, יוֺעָשׁ, יוֺקִים, יוֺרָם, יוֺתָם, etc.

Strong's Definition H3068

lord, lords, god, jehovah, jehovah-jireh, …

yĕhōwâ

the existing One

(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

the proper name of the one true God

unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 243 English renderings

Yahweh Creator

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Word Parts

הֽוֹדִעֻ ֕נוּ

הֽוֹדִעֻ

Root word know, known, knew, knowest, knoweth, …

֕נוּ

Suffix — pronoun our / us

Dictionary form: יָדַע · yaw-DA

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vhv2mp/Sp1cp

Verb — Hiphil, Imperative, second person masculine plural causative — "he made (someone) do" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you (a group)"

הוֹדִעֻ	Speech Verb Stem Hiphil Type Imperative Person Second Person Gender Masculine Number Plural
נוּ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person First Person Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: tell

know ×83 i know ×46 knoweth ×40 knowest ×36 knew ×34 known ×28 and ye shall know ×26 and they shall know ×21

More options

know — Direct, neutral default; suits most contexts.

understand — Emphasizes comprehension or insight gained.

recognize — Good for identifying or acknowledging something/someone.

perceive — Highlights experiential or sensory knowing.

be aware of — Stresses conscious knowledge; useful in warnings.

acknowledge — Best when relational or confessional nuance is present.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3454 H3045

יָדַע₉₄₃ verb know (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic יְדַע ; Phoenician ידע; Ethiopic II. I. indicate, announce, narrate; Assyrian idû, know, COT^Gloss; Sabean ידע, especially in compound proper name DHM^{ZMG 1875, 612}) —

Qal Perfect יָדַע Gen 4:1 +; יָדָ֑ע Lev 5:1 +; suffix יְדָעוֺ Deut 34:10; Job 28:7 יְדָעָהּ Gen 24:16; 1Kgs 1:4 יְדָעָ֫נוּ Isa 63:16 3 feminine singular יָָֽדְעָה Judg 11:39 + 4 t.; 2 masculine singular יָדַעְתָּ Gen 30:26 +; יָדַ֫עְתָּה 2Sam 2:26 יָדַ֫עַתְּ Ruth 2:11; 1Kgs 2:15 יָדָ֑עַתְּ Jer 50:24 וְיָדַ֫עַתְּ consecutive Ruth 3:4 + 6 t. (including Ezek 22:16, Co וִידַעְתֶּם, so ᵐ5 ᵑ7) + Ezek 28:22 Co (for וְיָדְעוּ), so ᵐ5; יָדַ֫עְתִּי Gen 4:9 +; suffix יְדַעְתִּ֫יךָ Exod 33:12 + 2 t.; יְדַעְתִּיו Gen 18:19 יְדַעְתִּים Prov 30:18 יְדַעְתִּין Isa 48:7 יָָֽדְעוּ Gen 19:8 +; יָדָ֑עוּ 2Kgs 4:39 +; יָָֽדְעוּן Deut 8:3; Deut 8:16 (Dr^{§ 6 n}.); 2 masculine plural יְדַעְתֶּם Gen 44:15 +; 2 feminine plural יְדַעְתֶּן Gen 31:6 וִידַעְתֶּן consecutive Ezek 13:21; Ezek 13:23, etc.; Imperfect יֵדַע Isa 7:16 +; יֵדָ֑ע Josh 22:22 + 5 t.; וְיֵדָ֑ע Ps 138:6 (read probably יֵידָ֑ע see Ges^{«GKC:69»§ 69}, 2 R, 3); וַיֵּ֫דַע Gen 4:17 +; suffix יֵדָעֶנּוּ Jer 17:9 וְיֵדָעֵם Hos 14:10 Imperative דַּע Gen 20:7 + 10 t.; דְּעֶה Prov 24:14 דָּ֑ע Eccl 11:19 suffix דָּעֵ֫הוּ Prov 3:6 דְּעִי Jer 2:19 + 4 t.; דְּעוּ Num 32:23 + 15 t.; Infinitive construct דֵּעָה Exod 2:4 דַּ֫עַת Gen 3:22 +; דַּעְתִּי Deut 9:24, etc.; Infinitive absolute יָדוֺעַ Gen 43:7; Josh 23:13 יַדֹעַ Gen 15:3 + 11 t.; Participle active יֹדֵעַ Gen 3:5 +; feminine יֹדַ֫עַת Num 31:17 + 2 t.; יֹדְעִים 2Kgs 17:26 +; passive וִידוּעַ construct Isa 53:3 plural וִידֻעִים Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15 —

1. a. know, learn to know, good and evil Gen 3:22 (J), followed by אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר 1Sam 28:9 מִסְפַּר הָעָם 2Sam 24:2 anything מְאוּמָה 1Sam 20:39 לֹא יָדַע אִתּוֺ מְאוּמָה Gen 36:6 (see II. אֵךְ

1. b), so vGen 36:8 כָּלדָּֿבָר 2Sam 15:11, subject God, knowing fowls Ps 50:11 way to wisdom Job 28:23 etc.; of bird of prey נָתִיב לֹא יְדָעוֺ עָ֑יִט Job 28:7 the price of wisdom Job 28:13 something future יום מוֺתִי Gen 27:2 (J); especially followed by clause Gen 12:11 (J) I Know that thou art a woman of fair appearance, Gen 22:12 (E), Eccl 1:17 לֹא ידעתי Gen 28:16 answering question Where ? without other object, Gen 4:9 (both J); followed by accusative + בְּ, in, in the matter of (see בְּ 1 2 b) לֹא יָדַע עַבְדְּךָ בְּכָלֿ זֹאת דָּבָר קָטֹן אוֺ גדוֺל 1Sam 22:15 thy servant knoweth not of all this anything, little or much; followed by בְּ (rare), gain knowledge of, learn of or about, with infinitive הֲתֵדַע בְּשׂוּםאֱֿלוֺהַּ עֲלֵיהֶם Job 37:15 dost thou know about God's enjoining upon them? also with substantive אִישׁ אַליֵֿדַע בַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה Jer 38:24 let not a man know of these words; similarly followed by עַל, only הֲתֵדַע עַלמִֿפְלְשֵׂיעָֿ֑ב Job 37:16 dost thou know concerning the balancings of clouds? (in Job 12:9 בְּ is instrumental, as Gen 15:8; Ps 41:12); followed by מִן, הַמַּחֲבֹאִים רְאוּ וּדְעוּ מִכָּלֿ 1Sam 23:23 observe and get knowledge of all the hiding-places; but followed by object clause + מִן of source, קֶדֶם יָדַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּי Ps 119:152 long ago I gained knowledge out of thy testimonies that etc.; followed by לְ, have knowledge of, יָדַעְתָּ לְאִוַּלְתִּי Ps 69:6 thou knowest my foolishness; especially יהוה וידע כי אני and he shall (thou shalt, etc.) know that I am Yahweh Exod 10:2 (R), Exod 6:7; Exod 14:4; Exod 16:12; Exod 29:46 (all P), Ezek 6:7; Ezek 6:10; Ezek 6:13 + often in Ezekiel; 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28 followed by accusative, which is really subject of following clause, Gen 18:19 (J) I know him that he will, etc. 2Sam 3:25 (Ges^{«GKC:117»§ 117}. 1, R. 6).
b. perceive Gen 19:33; Gen 19:35 (J; object clause infinitive with בְּ); with added idea of observing, taking note of, a place, accusative Ruth 3:4 with בְּ, יָדַעְתָּ בְּצָרוֺת נַפְשִׁי Ps 31:8 (|| רָאָה אֶתֿ).
c. || ראה, imperative דע וראה perceive and see 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 24:12 find out and discern 1Sam 14:38; 1Sam 23:22 in reverse order, ראו ודעו only 1Sam 23:23 (see a above), Jer 5:1 (see Dr^Sm). — Seealso g below
d. discriminate, distinguish הַאֵדַע בֵּיןטֿוֺב לְרָ֑ע 2Sam 19:36, compare Deut 1:29 (no בֵּין); לֹא יָדְעוּ בֵיןיְֿמִינוֺ לִשְׂמאֹלוֺ Jonah 4:11 they cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left.
e. know by experience, וִידַעְתֶּם בְּכָלֿ לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָלנַֿפְשְׁכֶם כִּי Josh 23:14 (D) and know in all your hearts, and all your souls, that, etc.; learn to know ׳י Hos 13:14 learn (a bitter lesson) Hos 9:7; Isa 9:8; Ps 14:4 experience ׳י's vengeance Ezek 25:14; Ps 14:4 (absolute); quietness Job 20:20. feminine recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess Jer 3:13; Jer 14:20; Isa 59:12; Ps 51:5.
g. consider דְּעוּ מַהתַּֿעֲשׂוּ Judg 18:14 || ראה, imperative דע וראה, דעו וראו, 2Sam 24:13; 1Kgs 20:7; 1Kgs 20:22 also וְיָדַעְתָּ עִםלִֿבָבֶ֑ךָ כִּי Deut 8:5 and thou shalt consider with (in) thy heart, that, Deut 4:39.
h. לֹא ידע not know = not except Isa 47:11; Ps 35:8.

2. know a person, be acquainted with Gen 29:5 (J), Exod 1:8 (E), Job 42:11, know ׳י Job 24:1 c לֹא, object especially other gods, strange land, etc. = have no knowledge of, or acquaintance with, have not heard of, especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah: — Deut 11:28; Deut 13:3; Deut 13:7; Deut 13:14; Deut 28:64; Deut 29:25; Deut 32:17 (poem), Jer 7:9; Jer 9:15; Jer 14:18; Jer 16:13; Jer 17:4; Jer 19:4; Jer 22:28; Jer 44:3 participle active acquaintance Job 19:13 passive participle acquainted with אִישׁ מַכְאֹבוֺת וִידוּעַ חֹ֑לִי Isa 53:3 (literally known of sickness, see Thes Ew Che Di Du); well-known (with implied trustworthiness) Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15 ; of beasts knowing owner and master's crib Isa 1:3 (compare Jer 8:7); especially of knowing God ׅ׳לֹא יָדַעְתִּי (י ׳אֶתיֿ Exod 5:2 (J); involving intelligent worship, obedience, etc. Judg 2:10; 1Sam 2:12 (read יֵדַע for ᵑ0 יָדַע Dr), 1Sam 3:7; Hos 2:22; Hos 8:2; Hos 5:4; Ps 79:6 (see also דַּעַת 2 b); of God's Knowing persons etc., throughly Hos 5:3; Job 11:11 knowing the heart 1Kgs 8:39; 2Chr 6:30; Ps 139:4 knowing his true servants, recognising and acknowledgingthem 2Sam 7:20; Nah 1:7; 1Chr 17:18 +; יְדַעְתִּיךָ בְּשֵׁם Exod 33:12 (JE); = take notice of, regardPs 1:6; Ps 31:7; Ps 37:18 so of Israel as chosen people Amos 3:2; Hos 13:5 (Assyrian idûšu, God regardeth him, Hpt^{BAS i, 15}) compare Gen 18:19 (J).

3. know a personcarnally, of sexual intercourse, followed by accusative: man subject Gen 4:1; Gen 4:17; Gen 4:25; Gen 24:16; Gen 38:26 (all J), 1Sam 1:19; Judg 19:25; 1Kgs 1:4 woman subject Gen 19:8 (J), Num 31:17; Num 31:18; Num 31:35 (all P), Judg 11:39 יֹדַעַת מִשְׁכַּב זָכָר Judg 21:11 לֹא יָדְעָה אִישׁ לְמִשְׁכַּב זָכָר vJudg 21:12 man subject and object (of sodomy) Gen 19:5 (J), Judg 19:22.

4. a. know how to do a thing, be able to do it, often with לֹא and followed by infinitive לֹא יָדְעוּ עֲשׂוֺתֿ נְכֹחָה Amos 3:10 they know not how to do right; לֹא יָדַעְתִּי דַבֵּר Jer 1:6; Jer 6:15; 1Kgs 3:7; Isa 56:11 (twice in verse), with לְ Isa 50:4; Eccl 10:15 לֹא יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר Eccl 4:13 know not how to be admonished (Eccl 4:17 know that); infinitive absolute ידע מָאוֺס בָּרָע וּבָחוֺר בַּטּוֺב Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16.
b. be skilful in,especially participle, followed by accusative יֹדֵעַ צַיִד Gen 25:27 (J) skilled in hunting; ידע סֵפֶר skilled in a book, learnedIsa 29:11; Isa 29:12 (twice in verse); as plural construct יוֺדְעֵי נֶ֑הִי Amos 5:16 knowers of lamentation,professional mourners; יֹדְעֵי הַיָּם 1Kgs 9:27 skilled in the sea, 2Chr 8:18 especially followed by infinitive יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן 1Sam 16:18 skilled in playing,1Kgs 5:20; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:7; 2Chr 2:13: יֹדֵעַ מְנַגֵּן בַּכִנּוֺר 1Sam 16:16 knowing, (as) a player on the lyre (see Dr).

5. absolute have knowledge, be wise: לַֹיּדְעִים Eccl 9:11 (|| חֲכָמִים, נְבֹנִים); especially have knowledge of God and duty, or in practical affairs Isa 1:3 (|| בין), Isa 56:10 often with accusative of congnate meaning with verb: דַּעַת Prov 17:27; Prov 30:3 בִּינָה Isa 29:24; Prov 4:1; 2Chr 2:12, compare יוֺדְעֵי בִינָה לָעִתִּים 1Chr 12:33 (Baer), Esth 1:13 also יֹדְעֵי דָּת וָדִין vEsth 1:13 יֹדְעֵי דַעַת וּמְבִינֵי מַדָּע Dan 1:4 object שֶׂכֶל וּבִינָה 2Chr 2:11 (|| בֵּן חָכָם); חָכְמָה וּמוּסָר Prov 1:2 (|| הבין אִמְרֵי בִּינָה); חָכְמָה Prov 24:14; Eccl 8:16. Niph`al Perfect נוֺדַע Gen 41:21 + 10 t.; וְנוֺדַע consecutive 1Sam 6:3 + 2 t.; 3 feminine singular וְנוֺדְעָה Lev 4:14; Isa 66:14, etc.; Imperfect יִוָּדַע Gen 41:31 + 10 t.; יִוָּדֵ֑עַ Prov 10:9 וַיִּוָּדַ֫ע Esth 2:22 3 feminine singular תִּוָּדֵ֑עַ Prov 14:33 2 feminine singular תִּוָּדְעִי Ruth 3:3 וָאִוָּדַע Ezek 20:5 Infinitive suffix הִוָּדְעִי Jer 31:19 Participle נוֺדָע Ps 76:2 + 2 t.; —

1. be made known, beor become known,of things Gen 41:31 (followed by בְּ), Exod 2:14 (both E), Lev 4:14 (P), Judg 16:9; 2Sam 17:19; Nah 3:17; Zech 14:7 (followed by לְ), Ps 77:20; Ps 79:10 (followed by בְּ); Ps 88:13 (followed by בְּ); of hand of ׳י Isa 66:14 (followed by אֶת); with subject clause Exod 21:36; Exod 33:16 (both J E), Deut 21:1; 1Sam 6:3 (followed by לְ), 1Kgs 18:36; Ezek 36:32 (followed by לְ) Ruth 3:14; Eccl 6:10; Esth 2:22 (followed by לְ); of person, Prov 31:23 (followed by בְּ) Isa 61:9 (followed by בְּ and בְּתוֺךְ); of ׳י Ps 76:2 (followed by בְּ); = be revealed, discovered, of person 1Sam 22:6; Jer 28:9; Prov 10:9 of things Neh 4:9; Prov 12:16; Prov 14:33.

2. make oneself known,of person, followed by לְ Ruth 3:3, usually of God (׳י) Exod 6:3 (P; || וָאֵרָא אֶלֿ), Isa 19:21; Ezek 20:5, followed by לְעֵינֵי Ezek 38:23 followed by אֶלֿ Ezek 20:9 followed by בְּ Ezek 35:11; Ps 48:4 without preposition Ps 9:17.

3. be perceived (passive of Qal), of perception by the eye Gen 41:21 (E), Ps 74:5.

4. be instructed (passive of Hiph`il) Jer 31:19, in spiritual sense, through chastisement. Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine singular יִדַּ֫עְתָּ, only ידעתה שַׁחַר מקֹמוֺ Job 38:12 Kt; read with Qr יִדַּעְתָּ הַשַּׁחַר cause to know, followed by 2 accusative; so Ps 104:19 according to Bae, who reads יִדַּע, after Aq Symm. Po. Perfect יוֺדַעְתִּי 1Sam 21:3 I have caused to know, i.e. directed, followed by accusative, but read יוֺעַדְתִּי or יָעַדְתִּי, from יעד, so ᵐ5 We Dr. Pu`al Participle known מידעת Isa 12:5 Kt (Qr מוּדַעַת see Hoph`al); elsewhere as substantive = acquaintance מְיֻדָּעִי Ps 55:14 מְיֻדָּעָיו 2Kgs 10:11 מְיֻדָּעַי Ps 88:9; Job 19:14 (|| קְרוֺבָ֑י), Ps 88:19 (|| אֹהֵב and רֵעַ); מְיֻדָּעָ֑י Ps 31:12, Kt מידע Ruth 2:1 (Qr מוֺדַע q.see below) Hiph`il Perfect הוֺדִיעַ Ps 98:2 הוֺדִיעַ֫נִי Jer 11:18 הוֺדַ֫עְתָּ 1Kgs 1:27 + 2 t.; הוֺדָ֑עְתָּ Job 26:3, etc.; Imperfect יוֺדִיעַ Ps 103:7; Isa 38:19 jussive יֹדַ֫ע Num 16:5 וַיֹּדַע Judg 8:16 יוֺדִיעֶנּוּ Isa 40:13; Isa 40:14 2 masculine singular תּוֺדִיעַ Hab 3:2 תּוֺדִיעֵנִי Ps 16:11; Ps 51:8 1 singular אוֺדִיעַ Ps 89:2; Ezek 39:7 אוֺדִיעָה Prov 1:23; Isa 5:5 יוֺדִיעוּ Job 32:7 יוֺדִעֻם Ezek 44:23 נוֺדִיעָה 1Sam 14:12 Imperative הוֺדַע Prov 9:9 + 3 t. (הוֺדַ֑ע Ps 90:12); suffix הוֺדִיעֵנִי Job 10:2 + 6 t., etc.; Infinitive construct הוֺדִיעַ 2Sam 7:21 + 3 t.; הֹדִיעַ 1Chr 17:19 הוֺדִיעֵנִי 1Sam 28:15, etc.; Participle מוֺדִיְעֲךָ Dan 8:19 מוֺדִיעָם Jer 16:21 מוֺדִיעִים Isa 47:13; 2Chr 23:13 — make known, declare, with accusative of thing Num 16:5 (P), Ezek 39:7; 1Chr 17:19; Job 26:3; Ps 89:2; Ps 98:2; Ps 106:8 object omitted Hab 3:2 teach, with accusative of thing Job 32:7 followed by infinitive Ps 90:12 and (peculiarly) לְהַלֵּל ׳מ 2Chr 23:13 i.e.led in praising; with לְ person Prov 9:9 with accusative of person Isa 40:13; Judg 8:16 (but read וַיָּ֫דָשׁ, see דושׁ); make known, declare, with accusative of thing, + לְ person Exod 18:20; Deut 4:9; Neh 8:12; Neh 9:14; Ps 78:5; Ps 103:7; Ps 145:12; Isa 38:19; Isa 64:1 with clause of thing, + לְ person 1Sam 10:8 make one know, with clause of thing and accusative (suffix) person Exod 33:12; Deut 8:3; 1Sam 6:2; 1Sam 16:3; 1Sam 28:15; Job 10:2; Job 37:19 with accusative of thing + suffix person הוֺדִעֵנִי נָא אֶתֿ דְּרָכֶ֔ךָ וְאֵדָעֲךָ Exod 33:13 (JE) make me, I pray, to know thy ways, that I may know thee; Jer 16:21; Ezek 20:4; Ezek 22:2; Ezek 43:11; Isa 40:14 (|| וַיְלַמְּדֵהוּ דַעַת, also v^a וַיְבִינֵהוּ), Prov 22:21; Job 13:23; Ps 16:11; Ps 25:4 (|| לַמְּדֵנִי), vPs 16:14 (on infinitive with לְ see Ges^{§158; 114, 2, R. 2, Exx},), Ps 39:5; Ps 51:8; Ps 143:8 (|| הַשְׁמִיעֵנִי); חַטָּאתִי אוֺדִיעֲךָ Ps 32:5 (|| עֲוֺנִי לֹאכִֿסִּיתִי); followed by 2 separate accusative Gen 41:39 (E), 1Sam 14:12; Isa 5:5; Ezek 20:1; Ezek 16:2; Prov 1:23; Dan 8:19 accusative of person omitted Exod 18:16 (E); accusative of thing omitted Josh 4:22 = teach one (D), so Isa 40:13; 2Sam 7:21; 1Kgs 1:27 = answer Job 38:2; Job 40:7; Job 42:4 with suffix person, accusative of thing omitted Jer 11:18; Jer 16:21; Prov 22:19 followed by accusative of thing + בְּ Ps 77:15 thou hast made known thy might among the peoples, Isa 12:4; 1Chr 18:8 = Ps 105:1 followed by clause + בְּ person Hos 5:9 followed by בֵּין, teach the difference between, to discriminate between בֵּין הַטָּמֵא לְטָהוֺר Ezek 22:26 + suffix person Ezek 44:23 (compare Qal 1 d); followed by מִן partitive מוֺדִעִים לֶחֳדָשִׁים מֵאֲשֶׁר יָבוֺאוּ Isa 47:13 who declare, at the new moons, of (the things) which are to come. Hoph`al Perfect הוֺדַע Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28 (see Kö^{i, 427}); Participle מוּדַעַת Qr Isa 12:5 (> Kt מְידַֻּעַת); — made known (Participle) Qr Isa 12:5 let this be made known in (בְּ) all the earth (> Kt Punic Participle which is not elsewhere in this sense); followed by אֵלָיו if his sin be made known unto himself Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28 (P). Hitph. Imperfect אֶתְוַדָּ֑ע Num 12:6 (E); sq: אֶלֿ make oneself known to, of ׳י; Infinitive הִתְוַדַּע אֶלֿ Gen 45:1 (E), of Joseph.

BDB9571 H3045 H3046

יְדַע verb know (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳י Dan 5:21; Dan 6:11, 2 masculine singular יְדַ֫עָתָּ Dan 5:22, 1s. יִדְעֵת Dan 4:6 Imperfect 2 masculine singular תִּנְדַּע (K^{§ 11, 4. b}) β)) Ezra 4:15 +, etc.; Imu. דַּע masculine singular (K^{§ 11. 3 a})) Dan 6:16 Participle active יָדַע Dan 2:8 +; plural יָָֽדְעִין Dan 5:23, etc.; passive יְדיעַ Dan 4:12 +; — know, with accusative of thing Dan 2:30; Dan 5:22, accusative of thing omitted Ezra 7:25 ׳יָֽדְעֵי דָּתֵי א, vEzra 7:25, יָָֽדְעֵי בִינָה Dan 2:21 with object clause vDan 2:8 vDan 2:9 vDan 2:22; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:14; Dan 4:23; Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21; Dan 6:11; Dan 6:16; Ezra 4:15, so (of God) Dan 4:22 participle active absolute Dan 5:23 having capacity of knowledge; passive in periphrase conjugation, subject clause + ל person Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8. Haph`el Perfect 3 masculine singular הוֺדַע Dan 2:15 +, suffix הוֺדְעָךְ vDan 2:29, 2 masculine singular suffix הוֺדַעְתַּ֫נִי vDan 2:23, תֶּ֑נָה- vDan 2:23 1 plural הוֺדַ֫עְנָא Ezra 4:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְהוֺדַע Dan 2:25, suffix יְהוֺדְעִנַּ֑נִי Dan 7:16, etc. (see K^{§ 43 c})); Infinitive לְהוֺדָעָה Dan 5:8, suffix לְהוֺדָעֻתַ֫נִי Dan 4:15; Dan 5:16, etc.; Participle active plural מְהוֺדְעִין Dan 4:4 +; — cause to know, inform : ל person Ezra 4:14, + accusative of thing Dan 2:15; Dan 2:17; Dan 2:25; Dan 2:30; Dan 4:4; Dan 5:8; Dan 5:17, so (sf, person) Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:26; Dan 4:3; Dan 4:15; Dan 5:15; Dan 5:16; Dan 7:16, and (subject God) Dan 2:23 ל person + object clause Ezra 4:16; Ezra 7:24, so (of God) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29; Dan 2:45, and (suffix person) V:23; accusative of person only Ezra 5:10; Ezra 7:25.

Strong's Definition H3045

know, known, knew, knowest, knoweth, …

yādaʿ

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

to know

(Qal)

to know

to know, learn to know

to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

to be known

Variations 267 forms of this word

Translations 399 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

בַּ מֶּ֖ה

בַּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

מֶּ֖ה

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ti

Particle — Interrogative

בַּ	Speech Preposition
מֶּה	Speech Particle Type Interrogative

In English

In the KJV here: us wherewith

what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9

More options

what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.

why — Use when context implies reason or motive.

how — Use when manner or degree is in view.

for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.

wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.

whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.

מִדֵּי see דַּי.

מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.

מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.

מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.

מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.

מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.

[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.

מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.

[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.

[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.

BDB4522 H4100 H4078

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges^{«GKC:37»§ 37} —

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (Dl^{HWB 417 f.}), Ethiopic ment; compare W^{CG 123 ff.} K?:ii. 368): —

1. interrogative what ?
a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
(a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: W^{AG. ii. § 170}), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da^{§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.}); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : W^{AG. ii. § 49. 7}), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
(b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
(c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da^{§ 70 a} cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
(d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
(e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
(a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
(b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
(c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
(a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
(b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.

2. Used adverbially:
a. as an interrogative:
(a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵאדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
(b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare Walker^{Hebraica. xii. 244 ff.}; Kö^{iii, 478}).
b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.

3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr^{§ 149}), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare Kö^{iii. § 65.}

4. With prepositions:
a. בַּמָּה₉, בַּמֶּה₁₉ wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
(a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
(b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
(a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
(b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CIS^{i. 2, 21} יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.

BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb^{371, 445}; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb^{227 f.}): according to Ges Ew^{§ 181 b} Ol^{p. 439} Sta^{§ 176 e, abbreviated} from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], Kö^{ii. 323 f.}) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.

2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges^{«GKC:130c»§ 130c}), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ (compare ib. 4 b a).

3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
(b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).

4. compounds:
a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
b. כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo Kmp^Kau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, Nö^{§ 225}). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb²³³, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke^{N. Semitic Inscr. 320}) = ἐπειδή).

[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].

BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare W^{CG 124 f.}); —

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.

2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).

3. with prefixes:
a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

Strong's Definition H4100

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …

mâ

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses

(interr pron) what, how, of what kind

(interrogative)

what?

how, how now

wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

how much?, how many?, how often?

Variations 40 forms of this word

Translations 137 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

נְשַׁלְּחֶ ֥נּוּ

נְשַׁלְּחֶ

Root word sent, send, go, forth, away, …

֥נּוּ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: שָׁלַח · shaw-LA

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vpi1cp/Sp3ms

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), first person plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "we"

נְשַׁלְּחֶ	Speech Verb Stem Piel Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person First Person Number Plural
נּוּ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: we shall send

sent ×178 and sent ×33 go ×31 send ×31 he sent ×26 hath sent ×25 i will send ×17 and he sent ×15

More options

send — Most versatile; fits dispatching people or messages.

dispatch — Formal/official tone; good for royal or military contexts.

extend — Best for 'stretching out' a hand or object.

release — Use when the sense is letting go or setting free.

cast — Fits figurative or forceful throwing/projecting actions.

let go — Informal; suits dismissal or loosing of people/animals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8706 H7971

I. שָׁלַח₈₄₄ verb send (Late Hebrew id.; Eccl 48:18 +; Aramaic שְׁלַךְ, , So^Buhl Ba^{Es 41} compare Arabic (r = l), send forth, drive cattle to pasture, send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I. שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic , weapon; Assyrian probably šalû (send, hurl?), whence tešlitu, command); —

Qal₅₆₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 42:4 + 2 masculine singular suffix שְׁלַחְתָּ֑נִי Exod 5:22, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁלַח Gen 3:22 +, 2 feminine plural תִּשְׁלַ֫חְנָה Ezek 23:40 (Judg 5:26 read תִּשְׁלָחֶנָּה? Ges § 47 k); Imperative masculine singular שְׁלַךְ 1Sam 20:31 +, masculine plural שְׁלָ֑חוּ 2Kgs 2:17 Infinitive abs. שָׁל(וֺ)ךְַ Num 22:37 +; construct שְׁלֹתַ vNum 22:15 +, שְׁלַךְ Isa 58:9, suffix שָׁלְחֶ֑ךָ Gen 38:17 etc.; Participle act. שֹׁלֵךְַ Exod 9:14 +, etc.; שָׁלוּחַ 1Kgs 14:6 +, etc., —

1. send: human subject, especially
a. accusative of person Gen 42:4; Gen 43:8 (both J; with אֵת with, person) Num 22:15 (E) + often, with ל of thing for which Jer 14:3 followed by אֶל person Gen 37:13(J), 2Sam 11:6; Neh 6:5 +; rarely with ל person Gen 32:19 (J; pass.), אֶל, of location 2Chr 16:4, ב of location 1Sam 11:3, ל of location 1Kgs 5:28, accusative of location 2Kgs 22:3, ה- locative + מֵעַל person 2Sam 13:17, מִן local Gen 37:14 (J), Num 13:3 (P), etc.; followed by infinitive purpose 1Sam 25:14 ( + מִן local), 2Kgs 1:16; Jer 40:14 +, אֶל person with infinitive purpose 2Sam 10:3; Jer 42:9 +, with ו subordinate 2Kgs 5:6, with finite verb actionis Exod 2:5 (E), sent her maid and took, +, etc. (many combinations); accusative of person alone Exod 24:5 (E), Josh 7:22(E), 2Sam 10:7 + often
b. less often accusative of thing (sometimes with בְּיַד of agent), with אֶל person 1Sam 16:20; 2Kgs 5:5; 2Kgs 20:12 +, 1Kgs 5:23 (= designate by sending unto), ל person Judg 3:15; 1Kgs 5:22 +, אֶל location Esth 1:22, שָׁ֫מָּה 2Kgs 6:14 + infinitive purpose 1Chr 19:4; Esth 4:4 + finite verb action. Ps 105:28 accusative of kid, alone, Gen 38:23 also (accusative omitted) vGen 38:17, etc.
c. very oft,. without object: + finite verb action., send and do so and so, Gen 27:45(E), 2Kgs 11:14; Job 1:5 +; with אֶל person Hos 5:13; 2Sam 11:6 +, especially + לֵאמֹר Gen 38:25(J), 1Kgs 20:5 (often in Samuel Kings), Jer 29:28 +; with infinitive purpose Gen 32:6 (J), Num 21:32 (J), 1Sam 22:11 +, etc. (and so 1Sam 31:9 reading וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ, for Pi`el, Th We Dr Now, not HPS Bu); absolute 2Kgs 2:16; 2Kgs 2:17; 2Sam 14:29 = send to inquire 1Kgs 20:17, etc.

2. send: subject ׳י (God),
a. accusative of person Gen 45:5 (E; לִפְנֵי person), 1Sam 15:18 (בְּדָ֑רֶךְ), + אֶל person 2Sam 12:1 accusative of angel, לִפְנֵי person Gen 24:7; Exod 33:2 (both J), אֵת with Gen 24:40(J), etc.; with accusative of person = commission Exod 3:12 (E), Judg 6:14; Isa 6:8; Jer 14:14; Jer 14:15 + often in Jeremiah; Zech 2:13 +; also (with אֶל person) Exod 3:13 (E), Jer 25:4; Ezek 3:6 +, etc.; especially of sending prophet, (שָׁלַךְ), הַשְׁכֵּם וְשָׁלוֺחַ Jer 7:25 + (see [שָׁרַם]); accusative of person + infinitive purpose 1Sam 15:1; Jer 19:14 +; + עַד location 2Kgs 2:2, accusative of location v2Kgs 2:4, ָ ה locative v2Kgs 2:6, etc.
b. with accusative of thing, plagues Exod 9:14 (with אֶללֵֿב, ב person), figurative arrows 2Sam 22:15 = Ps 18:15( + verb finite action.), Ps 144:6, compare Jer 25:16 and elsewhere; his word Isa 9:7 (ב of a people), Isa 55:11 (אשׁר to which), Zech 7:12 (ב agent.), Ps 107:20 (+ finite verb action.), Ps 147:15 (+ accusative אֶרֶץ); accusative help Ps 20:3 (מִן local), light and truth Ps 43:3 (+ finite verb action.), compare Ps 57:4

3. stretch out, especially accusative hand:
a. human subject, with ב person against, Gen 37:22(E), 1Sam 24:11; Esth 2:21+; with ב of thing (property of others) Exod 22:7; Exod 22:10 (E), Esth 9:10 +, בַּחַלָּמִישׁ Job 28:9 with אֶל person against Gen 22:12 (E), 2Sam 18:12, עַל person 1Kgs 13:4, etc.; אֶל of thing (for good) 2Sam 6:6 (יָד omitted); from outside; inward, Song 5:4 (מִן local); absolute Job 30:24 (read טֹבֵעַ for בְּעִי Di Bi Bu). + infinitive purpose 1Sam 22:17; 1Sam 22:17; 2Sam 1:14; 1Chr 13:9 + verbfin.active Gen 3:22 (J) Deut 25:11; Judg 15:15 +; אֶצְבַּע ׳שׁ Isa 58:9, in token of scorn; with accusative of rod 1Sam 14:27 שִׁלְחוּ מַגָּל Joel 1Sam 4:13 stretch out (the) sickle.
b. ׳י subject, accusative hand, + אֶל person against Exod 24:1l (E), compare (עַל) Ps 138:7 + finite verb active Exod 3:20 (JE), Exod 9:15(J), Job 1:11; Job 2:5 in favour, Jer 1:9, absolute Ps 144:7 (מִן local), also (passive) Ezek 2:9 and accusative תַּבְנִית יָד), Ezek 8:3.
c. accusative hand, subject angel, + accusative of location, infinitive purpose 2Sam 24:16, cherub, אֶל of thing, מִן local Ezek 10:7 adversary, אֶל person Job 1:12 subject angel, accusative rod Judg 6:21.
d. stretched out, slender, of tree Gen 49:21 (poem in J), see I. אֵלָה above.
e. perhaps extend, direct, accusative of thing Ezek 8:17 (see זְמוֺרָה above, also conjectures in Toy Krae).

4. rarely send away (see Pi`el): human subject, accusative of person Judg 11:38 ( + accusative temporal), Gen 28:5 (P).

5. let loose (see Pi`el), perhaps only Ps 50:19 (figurative) thy mouth hast thou let loose in evil. Niph`al Infinitive absolute. וְנִשְׁלוֺחַ סְפָרִים = letters were sent (Ges^{«GKC:113z»§ 113z} «GKC:113gg»gg) Esth 3:13 ( + אֶל person, בְּיַד agent., infinitive purpose). Pi`el₂₆₆ Perfect 3 masculine singular שִׁלַּח Exod 8:28 +, suffix שִׁלַּחֲךָ 1Sam 20:22, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְשַׁלַּח Jer 3:1 +, יְשַׁלֵּ֑חַ Isa 45:13; Prov 6:14 1 singular suffix אֲשַׁלֵּחֲךָ Gen 32:27, אֲשַׁלְּחֶךָּ 2Sam 11:12; 1Kgs 20:34, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שַׁלַּךְ Exod 4:23, +, etc.; Infinitive absolute Deut 22:7; 1Kgs 11:22 construct שַׁלַּךְ Gen 8:10 +, שַׁלֵּ֑ךְַ Exod 7:27 +, etc.; Participle מְשַׁלֵחַ Gen 43:4 +, etc.; —

1. send off, away, human subject:
a. accusative of person + ל location Josh 24:28 (E), Judg 7:8; 1Sam 10:23 +; + ל person Jer 48:12 + הּ- locative Judg 12:9 and (c. infinitive purpose) Gen 28:6 (P); accusative of goat, לַעֲזָאזֵל Lev 16:10 (ה- locative), vLev 16:26 send out, different ways, accusative of person, ב location Judg 19:29; Judg 20:6 send into exile, ׳י subject, with מִן local Jer 24:5, ה- locative Jer 29:20.
b. send away, dismiss, accusative of person Gen 21:14 (E), Gen 25:6 (J; מֵעַל person), 2Sam 13:16 +; specifically, with accusative of wife (= divorce), Deut 22:19; Deut 22:29; Deut 24:1; Deut 24:3; Jer 3:1 +, absolute Mal 2:16.
c. send away empty (-handed) רֵיקָם, + accusative of person Gen 31:42 (E), Deut 15:13; Job 22:9.
d. send off, give a 'send-off' (sometimes escort part way), accusative of person, Gen 18:16; Gen 24:59; Gen 31:27 (all J), 1Sam 9:26; 2Kgs 5:24; 2Kgs 6:23.
e. accusative of thing 1Sam 6:8; Neh 8:12 +, with accusative of location 1Sam 5:10; 1Sam 6:3, אֶל person Jer 27:3, etc.

2. a. send away, subject ׳י, accusative of person Gen 19:29 (J; מִתּוֺךְ), 1Kgs 9:7 (מֵעַל פְּנֵי).
b. give over, accusative of person Ps 81:13 (ב of evil).
c. cast out, accusative of person Jer 28:16 (מֵעַלפְּֿנֵי), Lev 18:24; Lev 20:23 (both מִפְּנֵי).
d. send out, forth, send on a mission, especially of ׳י, with accusative of hornet Deut 7:20, compare Deut 28:20; Deut 32:24 (all ב person), serpents Num 21:6 (E; ב person), lions 2Kgs 17:25; 2Kgs 17:26 (both id.), foes 2Kgs 24:2 (twice in verse) (+ infinitive purpose); pestilence Amos 4:10; Ezek 28:23 (ב person), etc.; also springs into (ב) channel Ps 104:10.

3. let go, set free (sometimes c, חָפְשִׁי) Exod 4:23; Exod 5:2 (twice in verse) (all J E), 2Sam 3:21; 2Sam 3:23; 2Sam 3:24 +; = cease to abuse Judg 19:25 + infinitive purpose Gen 24:56 (J), Exod 5:1 (E; + 10 t. Exodus), 1Sam 5:11 with accusative of bird Gen 8:7; Gen 8:8 (+ מֵאִתּוֺ) +; + הַשָּׂדֶה Lev 14:7, compare vLev 14:53 (both P); = let loose, accusative of beast, Exod 22:4 (E), Lev 16:22 (ב location); accusative of bridle Job 30:11 (figurative); metaphor of strife Prov 6:14; Prov 6:19; Prov 16:28 let loose waters, subject ׳י, Job 12:15.

4. shoot forth branches, Jer 17:8; Ps 80:12; Ezek 31:5 (but see I. שֶׁלַךְ

2.); compare of locks (פֶּרַע) Ezek 44:20 = let grow long.

5. let down, accusative of person Jer 38:6 (ב instrumental), accusative of thing vJer 38:11 (id. + אֶל person and location). 6 shoot (accusative of arrow omitted), לִי ׳לְשַׁ לְמַטָּרָה1Sam 20:20.

7. phrases: שִׁלַּח (אֶתֿ)הָעִיר בָאֵשׁ Judg 1:8; Judg 20:48, compare 2Kgs 8:12; Ps 74:7 but also אֵשׁ בְּ ׳שׁ Amos 1:4; Amos 1:7; Amos 1:10; Amos 1:12; Amos 2:2; Amos 2:5; Hos 8:14; Ezek 39:6 rare expressions are: וַיְשַׁלְּחֵם בְּיַדפִּֿשְׁעָם Job 8:4 (God subject); stretch out hand, ב of thing (for use) Prov 31:19, ל person (charity) vProv 31:20 חֶבְלֵיהֶם תְּשַׁלַּחְנָה Job 39:3 (of hinds, bearing); שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַלפְּֿנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם Eccl 11:1. — רַגְלַי שִׁלֵּ֑חוּ Job 30:12 is corrupt; Theod Ew Di רַגְלָם שִׁלֵּ֑חוּ; Me Bu Be and others dittograph from vJob 30:11b. Pu`al Perfect 3 masculine singular שֻׁלַּךְ Judg 5:15; Job 18:8, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְשֻׁלַּח Prov 17:11 Participle מְשֻׁלָח Isa 16:2 +; — be sent off (started on journey) Gen 44:3 (J); with commission, ב person Obad 1:1; Prov 17:11, אֶל person Dan 10:11 be put away, divorced, of wife Isa 50:1 (figurative); be impelled (?), בְּרַגְלָיו (= at his heels ?), with ב location Judg 5:15 (verb dubious), compare שֻׁלַּח בְּרֶשֶׁת בְּרַגְלָיו Job 18:8 he is hurried into the net with his feet (? ᵐ5 Du שֻׁלְּחָה רַגְלוֺ); קֵן מְשֻׁלָּח Isa 16:2 a driven (scattered) nest (|| עוֺף נוֺדֵד), compare וְנֶעֱזָב כַּמִּדְבָּר ׳נָוֶה מְשׁ Isa 27:10 ׳נַעַר מְשׁ Prov 29:15 a boy let loose (unrestrained). Hiph`il Perfect 1 singular וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֫י and I (׳י) will send famine, בָּאָרֶץ Amos 8:11, compare Ezek 14:13, wild beasts; ב person Lev 26:22 (H); Participle מַשְׁלִיחַ, accusative of flies, ב person Exod 8:17 (J); Infinitive construct לְהַשְׁלִיחַ accusative of foe, ב of a people 2Kgs 15:37.

BDB9957 H7971 H7972

שְׁלַח verb send (Biblical Hebrew I. שָׁלַח); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Ezra 4:17 +; 3 masculine plural שְׁלַ֫חוּ Ezra 4:11 +; 2 masculine plural שְׁלַחְתּוּן Ezra 4:18 1 plural שְׁלַחְנָא Ezra 4:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁלח Ezra 5:17; Ezra 6:12 Passive participle שְׁלִיחַ Ezra 7:14; Dan 5:24 — send, accusative of letter, etc., with עַל person Ezra 4:11; Ezra 4:17; Ezra 4:18; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 5:7; Ezra 5:17 absolute Ezra 6:13, followed by finite verb Ezra 4:14, + accusative of person Dan 3:28; Dan 6:23 followed by Infinitive Dan 3:2 send out hand (accusative) to harm (Infinitive); passive, be sent, with מִןקֳֿדָם person: subject person Ezra 7:14 subject כַּפָּא Dan 5:24.

Strong's Definition H7971

sent, send, go, forth, away, …

šālaḥ

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

to send, send away, let go, stretch out

(Qal)

to send

to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out

Variations 235 forms of this word

Translations 353 English renderings

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Word Parts

לִ מְקוֹמֽ וֹ

לִ

Prefix — preposition to, for

מְקוֹמֽ

Root word place, places, room, home, whithersoever, …

וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: מָקוֹם · maw-KOME

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsc/Sp3ms

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

לִ	Speech Preposition
מְקוֹמֽ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: it to his place

place ×139 the place ×68 in the place ×24 a place ×15 of the place ×10 his place ×9 places ×9 of his place ×6

More options

place — Most versatile, fits nearly any context.

location — Precise and neutral; good for geographic or spatial contexts.

site — Prefer for specific, fixed, or sacred spots.

spot — Informal; suits everyday or intimate contexts.

space — Emphasizes room or area rather than a named point.

region — Use when מָקוֹם refers to a broader territory or land.

Strong's Definition H4725

place, places, room, home, whithersoever, …

māqôm

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

standing place, place

standing place, station, post, office

Variations 61 forms of this word

Translations 88 English renderings

Place