2 Samuel 23:14

And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וְ דָוִ֖ד
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
דָוִ֖ד
Root word a name — transliterate it ("And david")
Dictionary form: דָּוִד · daw-WID

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: and david
david ×341 of david ×222 and david ×220 davids ×36 so david ×26 a psalm of david ×22 then david ×21 unto david ×16
More options
David — Standard modern English spelling; use in all contexts.
David's — Possessive form; for genitive or ownership contexts.
King David — Use when royal identity or authority is emphasized.
David the king — More formal; highlights his royal office explicitly.

BDB1866 H1732

BDB1865 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1867

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד1066 proper name, masculine David, son of יִשַׂי, king of Israel, whose dynasty remained on the throne of Jerusalem till the Babylonian exile (compare 2Sam 7:11-15 etc.) (beloved one ? compare BaNB 189; according to SayceModern Rev. 1884, 158 ff.; Rel. Babylonian 53, 56 f. originally Dodo, title of sun-god worshipped in Israel compare דודה name of divinity among east Jordan Israelites MI12) — דָּוִד always Ruth, Samuel, Kings (except 1Kgs 3:14; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 11:36) Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah; also 1Chr 13:6; Ezek 34:24; Ezek 37:24; Ezek 37:25 (c. 790 t.); דָּוִיד always Zechariah, Chronicles (except 1Chr 13:6), Ezra, Nehemiah; also Amos 6:5 (where gloss according to PetersHebraica. Apr. 1886, p. 175) Amos 9:11; Hos 3:5; Ezek 34:23; 1Kgs 3:14; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 11:36; Song 4:4 (c. 276 t.); — first named 1Sam 16:13 compare also Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22; 2Sam 1:1 +, 1Kgs 1:1 +, 1Kgs 2:1 +, etc. (see above); in titles of Psalm 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 (73 in all); also in Ps 18:51 (= 2Sam 22:51); 2Sam 72:20; 2Sam 89:36; 2Sam 89:50; 2Sam 122:5; 2Sam 132:17 עַבְדִּי ׳ד (׳י speaks) 2Sam 3:18; 2Sam 7:5; 2Sam 7:8 = 1Chr 17:4; 1Chr 17:7 compare v1Chr 17:26 = 1Chr 17:24, also 1Kgs 8:24; 1Kgs 8:25; 1Kgs 8:26; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 6:15; 2Chr 6:16; 2Chr 6:17; 2Chr 11:32; 2Chr 11:34; 2Chr 11:36; 2Chr 11:38; 2Chr 14:8; 2Kgs 8:19; 2Kgs 19:34 = Isa 37:35; 2Kgs 20:6 compare further Ps 18:1; Ps 36:1 (both titles compare above) Ps 78:70; Ps 89:4; Ps 89:21; Ps 132:10; Ps 144:10; Jer 33:21; Jer 33:22; Jer 33:26 so also as represented in coming (Messianic) ruler Ezek 34:23; Ezek 34:24; Ezek 37:24; Ezek 37:25, compare Hos 3:5; Jer 30:9 (see עֶבֶד). Phrases are:
  a. ׳עִיר ד (according to SayceMod.Rev.l.c. originally city of god Dod [o]) = stronghold or citadel of Zion, 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 5:9 = 1Chr 11:5; 1Chr 11:7; 2Sam 6:10; 2Sam 6:12; 2Sam 6:16 = 1Chr 13:13; 1Chr 15:1; 1Chr 15:29, compare Isa 22:9 especially of burial of kings 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 3:1; 1Kgs 8:1 = 2Chr 5:2; 1Kgs 9:24 = 2Chr 8:11; 1Kgs 11:27 v1Kgs 11:43 = 2Chr 9:31; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 15:8 = 2Chr 12:16; 2Chr 13:23; 1Kgs 15:24 = 2Chr 9:31; 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:8 = 2Chr 12:16; 2Chr 13:23; 1Kgs 15:24 = 2Chr 16:14; 1Kgs 22:50 = 2Chr 21:1; 2Kgs 8:24 = 2Chr 21:20; 2Kgs 9:28; 2Kgs 12:22 = 2Chr 24:25; 2Kgs 14:20; 2Kgs 15:7, v2Kgs 15:38 = 2Chr 27:9; 2Kgs 16:20 burial of Jehoiada 2Chr 24:16 further 2Chr 32:5; 2Chr 32:30; 2Chr 33:14; Neh 12:37 compare also ׳קִרְיַת חָנָה ד Isa 29:1.
  b. ׳בֵּית ד 2Sam 3:1; 2Sam 3:6 + (compare בַּיִת 5 c.
  c. ׳אֹהֶל ד Isa 16:5 (compare אֹהֶל 2).
  d. ׳סֻכַּת ד Amos 9:11 (compare סֻכָּה below סכך).
  e. ׳כִּסֵּא ד 2Sam 3:10 compare 1Kgs 1:37; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 2:45; Isa 9:6; Jer 17:25; Jer 22:2; Jer 22:30; Jer 29:16; Jer 36:30 compare Jer 13:13; Jer 22:4, (compare also כִּסֵּא). feminine ׳קִבְרֵי ד Neh 3:16 compare 2Chr 32:33 ׳קִבְרֵי בְנֵידֿ (compare קֶבֶר).
  g. ׳מִגְדַּל ד Song 4:4.
  h. אישׁ האלהים ׳כְּלֵישִֿׁיר ד Neh 12:36.
  i. ׳אֱלֹהֵי ד 2Kgs 20:5 + (compare אֱלֹהִים 4 b).
  j. ׳חַסְדֵי ד 2Chr 6:42; Isa 55:3 (compare 2Sam 7:15; 1Kgs 3:6; Ps 89:50; 2Chr 1:8 etc.). — (On text note the following: — דָּוִד 1Sam 30:20a strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ7 We Dr; 2Sam 3:5 read probably name of a former husband of Eglah We Dr; 2Sam 13:39 read רוּחַ Wep.223 Dr; 2Sam 19:44 read בְּכוֺר (for בדוד) ᵐ5 The We Dr; insert דָּוִד 2Sam 9:11; 2Sam 15:32 & 2Sam 24:15 ᵐ5 We Dr; in 1Chr 18:12; Ps 60:1 אבשׁי & יואב are less original than דָּוִד 2Sam 8:13 We Dr).

david, davids
dāwid
beloved
David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel

אָ֣ז
אָ֣ז
Adverb then, time, since, beginning, even, …
Dictionary form: אָז · awdz

Adverb

In the KJV here: was then
then ×88 was then ×6 and then ×3 that then ×3 from the beginning ×2 him then ×2 since ×2 and i then ×1
More options
then — Default choice for sequential or temporal 'then'.
at that time — More explicit; useful when context needs clarity.
since — Prefer when marking a starting point extending to now.
from that point on — Emphasizes ongoing duration from a past moment.
formerly — Good for retrospective or 'in earlier times' contexts.
in those days — Slightly narrative; suits historical or story passages.

BDB254 H227

BDB253 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB255

אָז adverb (compare , also Biblical Aramaic אֱדַיִן properly a substantive = time; see מֵאָז) at that time, then, whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).

1. strictly temporal:
  a. of past time: — without a verb Gen 12:6; Gen 13:7; Josh 14:11; 2Sam 23:14 with a perfect Gen 4:26; Exod 4:26; Josh 10:33; Judg 8:3; Judg 13:21; Jer 22:15 אָז טוֺב לוֺ then was it well to him (compare vJer 22:16; Hos 2:9); more usually (especially when = thereupon) with an imperfect (see Dr§ 27) Exod 15:1; Num 21:17; Josh 8:30; Josh 10:12; Josh 22:1; 1Kgs 3:16; 1Kgs 8:1; 1Kgs 9:11 (see DrIntr.192) and elsewhere.
  b. of future time (usually where some emphasis is intended), with imperfect Isa 35:5; Isa 35:6; Isa 60:5; Mic 3:4, rather differently Lev 26:41; 1Sam 20:12 rarely with perfect 2Sam 5:24b (will have gone forth) Isa 33:23: with an accompanying logical force, implying the fulfilment of a condition, then = if or when this has been done (with the imperfect) Gen 24:41; Exod 12:44; Exod 12:48; Deut 29:19; Josh 1:8; 1Sam 6:3; Isa 58:8; Isa 58:9; Jer 11:15 Hi Ke Ps 19:14; Ps 51:21; Prov 3:23; Job 11:15; Job 13:20; Job 22:26.
  c. in poetry אז is sometimes used to throw emphasis on a particular feature of the description Gen 49:4; Exod 15:15; Judg 5:8; Judg 5:11; Judg 5:13; Judg 5:19; Judg 5:22; Isa 33:23; Isa 41:1; Hab 1:11; Ps 2:5; Ps 96:12.
  d. it points back with emphasis to an infinitive with בּ 2Sam 5:24 a Ps 126:2 (twice in verse); Job 28:27; Job 33:16 to בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא (anomalously) 1Chr 16:7.
2. expressing logical sequence strictlyd: in the apodosis: — after אם (rare) for sake of special emphasis Isa 58:14; Prov 2:5; Job 9:31 = in that case, after לוּ or לוּלֵא 2Sam 2:27 hadst thou not spoken, כִּי אָז surely then had the people, etc. 2Sam 19:7; Ps 119:92 after אחלי 2Kgs 5:3; Ps 119:6 after a suppressed protasis 2Kgs 13:19; Job 3:13 יָשַׁנְתִּי אָז יָנוּחַ לִי I had slept, then were there rest for me; Josh 22:31 (strangely) = now, as things are; Eccl 2:15 = that being so. (122 t., besides מאז and מןאֿז. Seldom used except where some special emphasis is de-sired. 'Then' of AV RV more commonly repre-sents וְ, especially in the apodosis.)

then, time, since, beginning, even, …
ʾāz
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
  • then, at that time
    • temporal expressions
      • then (past)
      • "then, if...then (future)"earlier
      logical expressions
      • in that case
      • "that (being so)

בַּ מְּצוּדָ֑ה
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
מְּצוּדָ֑ה
Root word hold, fortress, net, snare, place, …
Dictionary form: מָצוּד · maw-TSOOD

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

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: in an hold
and my fortress ×6 in the hold ×3 in my snare ×2 the hold ×2 and the strong place ×1 in an hold ×1 in the fort ×1 me with his net ×1
More options
stronghold — Most versatile; suits military or metaphorical refuge contexts.
fortress — Emphasizes permanent, fortified structure; formal register.
refuge — Highlights protective function over physical structure.
snare — Use when context is trapping or entanglement, not shelter.
citadel — Prefer for urban or royal fortified places; slightly elevated register.
net — For hunting or entrapment imagery; literal or figurative.

BDB6971 H4686

BDB6970 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6972

I. מְצוּדָה noun feminine net, prey; — absolute ׳מ Ezek 13:21; Ps 66:11 suffix מְצוּדָתִי Ezek 12:13; Ezek 17:20 ; —

1. net, in figureof ׳י's judgment, Ezek 12:13; Ezek 17:20 (both || רֶשֶׁת), Ps 66:11.
2. prey Ezek 13:21 (figurative).


BDB6973 H4686

BDB6972 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6974

II. מְצוּדָה noun feminine fastness, stronghold; — absolute ׳מ 1Sam 22:4 +, מְצֻדֶה 2Sam 5:9, construct מְצֻדַת v2Sam 5:7 suffix מְצוּדָתִי Ps 18:3 +, מְצֻדָתִי 2Sam 22:2 plural מְצוּדוֺת Ps 31:3fastness of David, 1Sam 22:4; 1Sam 22:5; 1Sam 24:23 (Gi v.1Sam 24:22) 2Sam 5:17; 2Sam 23:14 = 1Chr 11:16 read also מְצֻדַת עֲדֻלָּם 1Sam 22:1; 2Sam 23:13; 1Chr 11:15, for ᵑ0 מְעָדַת (see מְעָרָה p. 1Chr 79:2 b); of Jerusalem, מְצֻדַת צִיּוֺן 2Sam 5:7 = 1Chr 11:5, compare 2Sam 5:9 home of eagle Job 39:28 (+ שֶׁןסֶֿלַע); elsewhere figurative of ׳י Ps 18:3=2Sam 22:2; Ps 31:4; Ps 71:3 (all + סַלְעִי), Ps 91:2 (+ מַחְסִי), Ps 144:2 (+חַסְדִּי, but this dubious, Krochm Gr Che חִסְנִי, Dy חִזְקִ, Du סַלְעִי; possibly is מַתְסִי); also כֵּית מְצוּדוֺת Ps 31:8.

hold, fortress, net, snare, place, …
māṣûd
a net, or (abstractly) capture
  • net, prey, net prey
    • net
    • "prey
    fastness, stronghold

וּ מַצַּ֣ב
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מַצַּ֣ב
Root word garrison, stood, station
Dictionary form: מַצָּב · mahts-SAWB

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

In the KJV here: and the garrison
the garrison ×3 and the garrison ×2 garrison ×2 stood ×2 thee from thy station ×1
More options
garrison — Military outpost; modernizes the dominant KJV rendering.
outpost — Emphasizes forward or frontier military position.
military post — Clearer for general readers unfamiliar with 'garrison'.
station — Broader; suits administrative or guard-duty contexts.
post — Concise; works for both military and sentry contexts.
stronghold — Stresses fortified, defensive character of the position.

BDB5320 H4673

BDB5319 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5321

מַצָּב noun masculine1Sam 13:23 standing-place, station, garrison; — ׳מ absolute 1Sam 14:15, construct מַצַּב Josh 4:3; Josh 4:9 + (Baer in Sm מַצָּב, compare on 1Sam 13:23, but see Ginsb); suffix מַצָּבֶ֫ךָ Isa 22:19

1. standing-place of feetJosh Isa 4:3; Isa 4:9 (JE).
2. station, office Isa 22:19 (|| מַעֲמָד).
3. garrison, post, or outpost (of Philistines) 1Sam 13:23; 1Sam 14:1; 1Sam 14:4; 1Sam 14:6; 1Sam 14:11; 1Sam 14:15; 2Sam 23:14 so read also 1Sam 14:12 (for ᵑ0 מַצָּבָה) ᵐ5 Th We Bu HPS.

garrison, stood, station
maṣṣāb
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
  • station, garrison, standing-place
    • standing-place (of feet)
    • "station, office, position"garrison, post, outpost

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of the philistines")
Dictionary form: פְּלִשְׁתִּי · peh-lish-TEE

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

In the KJV here: of 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.

BDB6674 H6430

BDB6673 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6675

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 WMMAs.u.Eur.387f. EvansCretan Pictographs, 100 ff. SchwZWT xxxiv. 103 f., 255.

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

אָ֖ז
אָ֖ז
Adverb then, time, since, beginning, even, …
Dictionary form: אָז · awdz

Adverb

In the KJV here: was then
then ×88 was then ×6 and then ×3 that then ×3 from the beginning ×2 him then ×2 since ×2 and i then ×1
More options
then — Default choice for sequential or temporal 'then'.
at that time — More explicit; useful when context needs clarity.
since — Prefer when marking a starting point extending to now.
from that point on — Emphasizes ongoing duration from a past moment.
formerly — Good for retrospective or 'in earlier times' contexts.
in those days — Slightly narrative; suits historical or story passages.

BDB254 H227

BDB253 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB255

אָז adverb (compare , also Biblical Aramaic אֱדַיִן properly a substantive = time; see מֵאָז) at that time, then, whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).

1. strictly temporal:
  a. of past time: — without a verb Gen 12:6; Gen 13:7; Josh 14:11; 2Sam 23:14 with a perfect Gen 4:26; Exod 4:26; Josh 10:33; Judg 8:3; Judg 13:21; Jer 22:15 אָז טוֺב לוֺ then was it well to him (compare vJer 22:16; Hos 2:9); more usually (especially when = thereupon) with an imperfect (see Dr§ 27) Exod 15:1; Num 21:17; Josh 8:30; Josh 10:12; Josh 22:1; 1Kgs 3:16; 1Kgs 8:1; 1Kgs 9:11 (see DrIntr.192) and elsewhere.
  b. of future time (usually where some emphasis is intended), with imperfect Isa 35:5; Isa 35:6; Isa 60:5; Mic 3:4, rather differently Lev 26:41; 1Sam 20:12 rarely with perfect 2Sam 5:24b (will have gone forth) Isa 33:23: with an accompanying logical force, implying the fulfilment of a condition, then = if or when this has been done (with the imperfect) Gen 24:41; Exod 12:44; Exod 12:48; Deut 29:19; Josh 1:8; 1Sam 6:3; Isa 58:8; Isa 58:9; Jer 11:15 Hi Ke Ps 19:14; Ps 51:21; Prov 3:23; Job 11:15; Job 13:20; Job 22:26.
  c. in poetry אז is sometimes used to throw emphasis on a particular feature of the description Gen 49:4; Exod 15:15; Judg 5:8; Judg 5:11; Judg 5:13; Judg 5:19; Judg 5:22; Isa 33:23; Isa 41:1; Hab 1:11; Ps 2:5; Ps 96:12.
  d. it points back with emphasis to an infinitive with בּ 2Sam 5:24 a Ps 126:2 (twice in verse); Job 28:27; Job 33:16 to בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא (anomalously) 1Chr 16:7.
2. expressing logical sequence strictlyd: in the apodosis: — after אם (rare) for sake of special emphasis Isa 58:14; Prov 2:5; Job 9:31 = in that case, after לוּ or לוּלֵא 2Sam 2:27 hadst thou not spoken, כִּי אָז surely then had the people, etc. 2Sam 19:7; Ps 119:92 after אחלי 2Kgs 5:3; Ps 119:6 after a suppressed protasis 2Kgs 13:19; Job 3:13 יָשַׁנְתִּי אָז יָנוּחַ לִי I had slept, then were there rest for me; Josh 22:31 (strangely) = now, as things are; Eccl 2:15 = that being so. (122 t., besides מאז and מןאֿז. Seldom used except where some special emphasis is de-sired. 'Then' of AV RV more commonly repre-sents וְ, especially in the apodosis.)

then, time, since, beginning, even, …
ʾāz
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
  • then, at that time
    • temporal expressions
      • then (past)
      • "then, if...then (future)"earlier
      logical expressions
      • in that case
      • "that (being so)

בֵּ֥ית
בֵּ֥ית
Root word a name — transliterate it
Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Noun — Proper Name

his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30
More options
father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.
ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.
forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.
patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.
family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.
founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

BDB16 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB18

אָב1191 noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CISiv, 1, 37 1. 2 and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).
2. of God as father of his people (see RSSem 42), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)
3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.
4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.
5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.
6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).
7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue BrMP).
8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.
9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew§ 273 b) see also EwGeschichte. i. 524. H i. 365. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see CheEncy. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITHib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
ʾāb
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • father of an individual
  • "of God as father of his people"head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan"ancestor
    • grandfather, forefathers (of a person)
    • "of people
    originator or patron of a class, profession, or art"of producer, generator (figuratively)"of benevolence and protection (figuratively)"term of respect and honor"ruler or chief (specifically)

לָֽחֶם
לָֽחֶם
Root word a name — transliterate it ("In bethlehem")
Dictionary form: בֵּית לֶחֶם · bate leh-HEM

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: in bethlehem
of bethlehem ×11 bethlehem ×5 to bethlehem ×5 of bethlehem-judah ×4 at bethlehem ×3 bethlehem-judah ×2 from bethlehem-judah ×2 in bethlehem ×2
More options
Bethlehem — Standard modern spelling; use in most contexts.
Bethlehem of Judah — Distinguishes the Judahite town from Bethlehem in Zebulun.
Bethlehem-Judah — Hyphenated compound form; mirrors Hebrew closely.
the town of Bethlehem — Adds clarity when first introducing the location.

BDB1069 H1035

BDB1068 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1070

בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם41

proper name, of a location 1. in Judah (place of bread. (food), modern Arabic , place of meat), 2 hours south of Jerusalem; birth-place of David; — בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם Ruth 1:19 + 11 t.; לָֿחֶם׳בּ 1Sam 20:6 + 9 t.; בֵּית לָ֑חֶם Judg 12:8 + 11 t. + Gen 35:19; Gen 48:7, where הוא בית לחם is a gloss, see אֶפְרָ֫תָה; לָֿ֑חֶם ׳בּ 1Sam 17:15 + 3 t.; — as construct לֶ֫חֶם ׳בּ יְהוּדָה Judg 17:7; Judg 17:8; Judg 17:9; Judg 19:1; Judg 19:2; Judg 19:18 (twice in verse); Ruth 1:1; Ruth 1:2; 1Sam 17:12 treated as proper name, masculine 1Chr 2:51; 1Chr 2:54; 1Chr 4:4 men of Bethlehem ׳אַנְשֵׁי בּ Neh 7:26 = ׳בְּנֵי בּ Ezra 2:21 — on אֶפְרָ֫תָה as name of Bethlehem, & confusion arising from gloss Gen 35:19; Gen 48:7 — modern Beit Laµm, 5 miles south of Jerusalem RobBR i. 471 BdPal 123 Surveyiii. 28, 83 GuérinJudée i. 120-206.
2. בֵּית לָ֑חֶם in Zebulun Josh 19:15 perhaps also Judg 12:8; Judg 12:10 = Beit Laµm, 7 miles northwest of Nazareth RobBR iii. 113 Surveyi. 301.

bethlehem, bethlehem-judah
bêt leḥem
house of bread (food)
Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine
  • a city in Judah, birthplace of David
  • "a place in Zebulun

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וְדָוִ֖ד Tipeha — a lesser break אָ֣ז בַּמְּצוּדָ֑ה Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּמַצַּ֣ב פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים Zaqef Qatan — a strong break אָ֖ז Tipeha — a lesser break בֵּ֥ית לָֽחֶם Silluq — end of the verse

וְדָוִד אָז בַּמְּצוּדָה וּמַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אָז בֵּית לָֽחֶם׃
14
And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
Cross References

1 Samuel 22:4

וַיַּנְחֵם אֶת-פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ עִמּוֹ כָּל-יְמֵי הֱיוֹת-דָּוִד בַּמְּצוּדָֽה׃
4
And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

1 Samuel 10:5

אַחַר כֵּן תָּבוֹא גִּבְעַת הָֽאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר-שָׁם נְצִבֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וִיהִי כְבֹֽאֲךָ שָׁם הָעִיר וּפָֽגַעְתָּ חֶבֶל נְבִאִים יֹֽרְדִים מֵֽהַבָּמָה וְלִפְנֵיהֶם נֵבֶל וְתֹף וְחָלִיל וְכִנּוֹר וְהֵמָּה מִֽתְנַבְּאִֽים׃
5
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1 Samuel 14:6

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֽוֹנָתָן אֶל-הַנַּעַר׀ נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו לְכָה וְנַעְבְּרָה אֶל-מַצַּב הָֽעֲרֵלִים הָאֵלֶּה אוּלַי יַֽעֲשֶׂה יְהוָה לָנוּ כִּי אֵין לַֽיהוָה מַעְצוֹר לְהוֹשִׁיעַ בְּרַב אוֹ בִמְעָֽט׃
6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

1 Samuel 22:1

וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיִּמָּלֵט אֶל-מְעָרַת עֲדֻלָּם וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶחָיו וְכָל-בֵּית אָבִיו וַיֵּֽרְדוּ אֵלָיו שָֽׁמָּה׃
1
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.

1 Samuel 24:22

וַיִּשָּׁבַע דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל אֶל-בֵּיתוֹ וְדָוִד וַֽאֲנָשָׁיו עָלוּ עַל-הַמְּצוּדָֽה׃
22
And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

1 Samuel 13:4

וְכָל-יִשְׂרָאֵל שָֽׁמְעוּ לֵאמֹר הִכָּה שָׁאוּל אֶת-נְצִיב פְּלִשְׁתִּים וְגַם-נִבְאַשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּצָּֽעֲקוּ הָעָם אַֽחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃
4
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

1 Samuel 13:23

וַיֵּצֵא מַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אֶֽל-מַעֲבַר מִכְמָֽשׂ׃
23
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

1 Chronicles 12:16

וַיָּבֹאוּ מִן-בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִן וִֽיהוּדָה עַד-לַמְצָד לְדָוִֽיד׃
16
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.