Genesis 16:10 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

וַ יֹּ֤אמֶר

וַ

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

יֹּ֤אמֶר

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

Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

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/Vqw3ms

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

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

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: and said

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

Word Parts

לָ הּ֙

לָ

Preposition to, for

הּ֙

Suffix — pronoun her / it

Vowels & Accents

הּ

Mapiq — the "her" dot The dot inside the final הּ (mapiq) makes the ה a real consonant: it is the suffix "her / its" attached to this word.

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Sp3fs

Preposition

לָ	Speech Preposition
הּ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: unto her

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

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Word Parts

מַלְאַ֣ךְ

Root word angel, messengers, messenger, angels, ambassadors

Dictionary form: מֲלְאָךְ · mul-OKE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsc

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

מַלְאַךְ

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: the angel

messengers ×44 the angel ×33 and the angel ×24 the messengers ×11 an angel ×8 a messenger ×7 then the angel ×7 the messenger ×5

More options

messenger — Core meaning; best for human envoys or diplomatic contexts.

angel — Preferred for divine/heavenly beings sent by God.

envoy — Formal register; suits royal or diplomatic dispatches.

ambassador — Highlights official representative role, human or divine.

emissary — Slightly elevated; good for solemn or weighty missions.

herald — Emphasizes public proclamation aspect of the mission.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4280 H4397

מַלְאָךְ₂₁₄ noun masculine messenger; — ׳מ Exod 23:20 + 48 t.; construct מַלְאַךְ Gen 16:7 + 69 t.; suffixes מַלְאָכִי Exod 23:23 + 3 t.; מַלְאָכוֺ Gen 24:7; Gen 24:40 plural מַלְאָכִים Gen 32:4 + 63 t. + מלאכים 2Sam 11:1 Kt ( Qr מלכים); construct מַלְאֲכֵי Gen 28:12 + 11 t.; מַלְאָכֶיךָ Num 24:12; 2Kgs 19:23 מַלְאָכֵכֵה Nah 2:14 error for מַלְאָכֵכִי = מַלְאָכַיְכִי Ges^{«GKC:91»§ 91}, (2) Anm. 2 or < for מַלְאָכֵךְ by dittograph from following הוֺי Kö^{ii. 1. 571}). מַלְאָכָיו 2Chr 36:15 + 8 t.; —

1. messenger,
a. one sent with a message Gen 32:4 + 8 t. J E; Deut 2:26, (not in P); Judg 6:35 + 8 t.; 1Sam 6:21 + 51 t. Samuel Kings, 1Chr 14:1; 1Chr 19:2; 1Chr 19:16; 2Chr 18:12; 2Chr 35:21; Neh 6:3; Job 1:14; Prov 13:17; Prov 17:11; Isa 14:32; Isa 18:2; Isa 30:4; Isa 37:9; Isa 37:14; Jer 27:3; Ezek 17:15; Ezek 23:16; Ezek 23:40; Ezek 30:9; Nah 2:14 מלאכי שׁלום, messengers of peace Isa 33:7.
b. a prophet Isa 42:19; Isa 44:26; 2Chr 36:15; 2Chr 36:16; Hag 1:13 the herald of the advent מלאכי Mal 3:1.
c. priest Mal 2:7, probably Eccl 5:5 (RV angel).
d. || מֵלִיץ Job 33:23, a messenger from God acting as an interpreter and declaring what is right (angel of RV too specific).
e. figurative רָעִים ׳מ messengers of evil Ps 78:49 מות ׳מ messenger of death Prov 16:14 || רוחות winds his messengers Ps 104:4.

2. angel, as messenger of God, מלאכים with God in theophanies Gen 19:1; Gen 19:15; Gen 28:12; Gen 32:2 (JE), praising him; Ps 103:20; Ps 148:2 in his sight not without error Job 4:18 charged with the care of the pious Ps 91:11 elsewhere singular sent to a prophet 1Kgs 13:18; 1Kgs 19:5; 1Kgs 19:7; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:15; Zech 1:9 + 18 t. in Zech 1-6; excellent, wise, powerful 1Sam 29:9; 2Sam 14:17; 2Sam 14:20; 2Sam 19:28; Zech 12:8 encamping about the faithful Ps 34:8 chasing his enemies Ps 35:5; Ps 35:6 destroying by judgment of Yahweh 2Sam 24:16; 2Sam 24:17 = 1Chr 21:12-30; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:36 = 2Chr 32:21.

3. the theophanic angel ה֯א֠להים ׳מ in the story of E: Gen 21:17; Gen 31:11; Exod 14:19, also in Judg 6:20; Judg 13:6; Judg 13:9 יהוה ׳מ in the story of J: Gen 16:7; Gen 16:9; Gen 16:10; Gen 16:11; Gen 22:11; Gen 22:15; Exod 3:2; Num 22:22; Num 22:23; Num 22:24; Num 22:25; Num 22:26; Num 22:27; Num 22:31; Num 22:32; Num 22:34; Num 22:35 and in Judg 2:1; Judg 2:4; Judg 5:23; Judg 6:11; Judg 6:12; Judg 6:21 (twice in verse); Judg 6:22 (twice in verse); Judg 13:3; Judg 13:13; Judg 13:15; Judg 13:16 (twice in verse); Judg 13:17; Judg 13:18; Judg 13:20 (twice in verse); Judg 13:21 הַמַּלְאָךְ Gen 48:16 (E); מַלְאָךְ Exod 23:20 (E), Exod 33:2; Num 20:16 (JE), Hos 12:5 מַלְאָכִי Exod 23:23 (E), Exod 32:34 (J); מַלְאָכוֺ Gen 24:7; Gen 24:40 (J), פניו ׳מ Mal 3:1 (referring to the ancient מלאך); הכרית ׳מ Mal 3:1 (referring to the advent of ׳י for judgment, see Br^{MP 473}). The theophanic angel is not mentioned in D and P.

BDB9633 H4397

לאך (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew לאך, מַלְאָח).

Strong's Definition H4397

angel, messengers, messenger, angels, ambassadors

mălʾok

a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

messenger, representative

messenger

Variations 28 forms of this word

Translations 56 English renderings

Angel

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Word Parts

יְהוָ֔ה

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

הַרְבָּ֥ה

Root word multiply, much, multiplied, many, increase, …

Dictionary form: רָבָה · raw-BAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vha

Verb — Hiphil, Infinitive Absolute, absolute state causative — "he made (someone) do" adds emphasis — try "surely ___"

הַרְבָּה

Speech Verb Stem Hiphil Type Infinitive Absolute State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: i will multiply

much ×19 and multiply ×13 many ×11 multiply ×7 and multiplied ×6 increase ×5 and i will multiply ×4 and multiply thee ×3

More options

multiply — Core meaning; best for commands or promises of growth.

increase — Slightly more formal; suits gradual or ongoing growth.

grow numerous — Vivid for population or quantity expanding over time.

abound — Highlights abundance; good for non-numeric or richness contexts.

proliferate — Modern, slightly technical; suits rapid or widespread increase.

be plentiful — Stative nuance; use when describing an existing large quantity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7707 H7235

I. [רָבָה]₂₂₅ verb be, or become, much, many, great (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian rabû, be great, grow; Arabic Aramaic רְבָא; , , all grow, increase); —

Qal₅₉, Perfect 3 feminine singular רָֽבְתָה 1Sam 14:30 2 masculine singular וְרָבִ֫יתָ consecutive Deut 30:16 3 plural רָבוּ Ezra 9:6 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְבֶּה Deut 8:13 +, jussive יִ֫רֶב Gen 1:22 + 2Chr 24:27 Qr (< ורב Kt, see רֹב

1.), וַיִּ֫רֶב Exod 1:20 3 feminine singular תִּרְבֶּה Deut 7:22; Dan 12:4, וַתֵּ֫רֶב Gen 43:34; 1Kgs 5:10 3 masculine plural יִרְבּוּ Deut 11:31 +, יִרְבּוּן Ps 139:18, יִרְבְּיֻן Deut 8:13 etc.; Imperative masculine singular וּרְבֵה Gen 35:11 Infinitive construct רְבוֺת Exod 11:9 +; — Participle רֹבֶה see II. רבה; —

1. become many, numerous:
a. of people, Exod 1:10; Exod 1:12 (J), vExod 1:20 (E), Deut 6:3; Deut 8:1; Deut 30:16; Zech 10:8; 1Chr 5:23 רָבוּ לְמָ֑עְלָה 1Chr 23:17 especially + פרה be fruitful and multiply Jer 3:16; Jer 23:3 (figurative of flock), Gen 47:27b (P), Exod 1:7 (P), Ps 107:38 also (of man and beast) Ezek 36:11 of children Job 27:14 צַדִּיקִים Prov 28:28, ׳בִּרְבוֺת צ Prov 29:2 (Toy רְדוֺת rule, || מְשֹׁל ),רְשָׁעִים ׳בר vProv 29:16 (Toy id.).
b. of animals Deut 7:22 (+ עַל person), Deut 8:13; 1Chr 5:9 + פרה Gen 1:22; Gen 8:17 (both P; compare Ezek 36:11 above).
c. of things Deut 8:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 31:5; Exod 11:9 (P), Eccl 5:10 of sins Ezra 9:6 (+ לְמַ֫עְלָה), Prov 29:16 + מִן compare Ps 16:4; Ps 139:18 of days Gen 38:12 (J), Deut 11:21; 1Sam 7:2; Prov 9:11, years of life Prov 4:10 of waters Gen 7:17 (J), vGen 7:18 (P).

2. a. be great: (I) of things Gen 43:24 (J; + מִן compare), 1Sam 14:30 of way = be long Deut 19:6 and (מִן compare person) Deut 14:24 be too long for; of wisdom 1Kgs 5:10 (מִן compare). (2) of person, יִרְבֶּה אֱלֹהִים מֵאֱנוֺשׁ Job 33:12 i.e. is too great for (De and others); has loftier, nobler thoughts (Di Bu), but no ||.
b. grow great (Aramaism): (I) of person, = grow up Ezek 16:7 ( + גָּדַל), Job 39:4. (2) of glory Ps 49:17, knowledge Dan 12:4. — 2Chr 24:27 see above Pi:4., make large, increase; — Imperative masculine singularרַבֶּה צְבָאֲךָ Judg 9:29 enlarge thy host; Perfect 2 masculine singular רִבִּיתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶם Ps 44:13 thou hast not made great with their price (set a high price; so Ew De Che and others); or increased (that is, thy wealth) by their price (Hup Bae); = bring up, rear (children) Lam 2:22 (+ טפּח), whelps Ezek 19:2 (in figurative). Hiph`il₁₆₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular הִרְבָּה Hos 8:11 +, suffix וְהִרְבְּךָֹ consecutive Deut 30:5 2 masculine singular הִרְבִּיתָ Isa 9:2 +, 1 singular הִרְבֵּיתִי Hos 2:10 +, etc.; Imperfect יַרְבֶּה Hos 12:2 +, וַ֫יֶּרֶב 2Sam 18:8; Lam 2:5 etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַרְבֵּה Ezek 24:10, הֶ֫רֶב Judg 20:38 + Ps 51:4 Qr (הרבה Kt, Infinitive absolute), etc.; feminine singular הַרְבִּי Isa 23:16, masculine plural הַרְבּוּ Amos 4:4; Gen 34:12 Infinitive absolute הַרְבֵּה Gen 15:1 +, הַרְבָּה (Ba^{NB 90, 91}) Gen 3:16; Gen 16:10; Gen 22:17 construct הַרְבּוֺת Deut 28:63 + (2Sam 14:11 Kt הרבית; Amos 4:9; Prov 25:27 see below); Participle מַרְבֶּה Exod 16:17 +, construct מַרְבֵּה Lev 11:42, etc.; —

1. make much, or many:
a. object person (or a people), multiply, increase Gen 16:10; Gen 17:20; Isa 9:2 +; Ezek 36:10 (+ עַל person), vEzek 36:11 (man and beast; + id.); Deut 30:5 (+ מִן compare person); + פרה Hiph`il Gen 28:3; Gen 48:4 (both P); הִרְבָּה כּוֺשֵׁל Jer 46:16 = he made many stumble; = have many 1Chr 7:4; 1Chr 8:40; 1Chr 23:11.
b. object animals Deut 17:16 (twice in verse) (compare Ezek 36:11 above).
c. object things Hos 2:10; Hos 8:11; Hos 8:14; +; הַרְבּוּ עָלַי מְאֹד מֹהַר וּמַתָּן Gen 34:12 opposed to הִמְעִיט Lev 26:16; Num 26:54; Num 33:54 object words Eccl 10:14 (see Job 34:37 below 2), compare Isa 1:15; Job 40:27, הַרְבִּי שִׂיר Isa 23:16 object days Job 29:18 (like sand); = use many (medicines) Jer 46:11 have many (feet) Lev 11:42 bring abundantly 2Chr 31:5 yield abundantly Neh 9:37 with ל of object Hos 10:1 (ל 3 a); object omitted Hab 2:6; Prov 22:16, also (opposed to מעט [usually Hiph`il]) Exod 16:17; Exod 16:18; Exod 30:15; Num 35:8 (all P), Prov 13:11.
d. (1) followed by infinitive, make much to do, do much in respect of, = do much, abundantly; greatly, often, etc. (Dr^{181, 12}): הַרְבּוּ לִפְשֹׁעַ Amos 4:4 = transgress greatly, so Ezra 10:13, compare 2Kgs 21:6 = 2Chr 33:6 further, Isa 55:7; Exod 36:5; 2Chr 36:14; Ps 78:38, also 2Sam 14:11 (Kt מהרבית, Qr מֵהַרְבַּת, read probably מֵהַרְבוֺת Dr^reff. Ges^{«GKC:75»§ 75} ff. Th Löhr); + מִן compare 2Sam 18:8; 1Sam 1:12 = pray a long time; Judg 20:38 strike out הֶרֶב as dittograph of הארב Be Bu GFM. (2) followed by finite verb (Dr^sm Ges^{«GKC:120g»§ 120g}), אַלֿ תַּרְבּוּ תְדַבְּרוּ 1Sam 2:3 i.e. talk not so much; compare Ps 51:4. e the Infinitive absolute (Ol^{§ 191 b} Kö^{ii. 1, 555} Ges^{«GKC:75»§ 75} ff.) is used: (1) הַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה I will greatly increase Gen 3:16; Gen 16:10; Gen 22:17 (all J; Ges^{«GKC:113n»§ 113n}); (2) וְהַרְבֵּה carrying on infinitive construct Ezek 21:20 (3) הַרְבֵּה as adverb (c. verbs and [Eccl 7:16] adjective ), greatly, exceedingly, etc., especially מְאֹד ׳ה Gen 41:49 (E), 1Sam 26:21; 2Sam 12:30 = I Chron 2Sam 20:2, Josh 13:1 (D), 2Kgs 21:16; Neh 2:2 perhaps also 1Kgs 5:9. 1Kgs 10:10 (both with נָתַן), v1Kgs 10:11 (with הֵבִיא), Jer 40:12 (with אָסַף), 2Chr 14:12 (with נָשָׂא); הַרְבֵּה alone 2Kgs 10:8 (opposed to מְעָ֑ט), Neh 3:33; Eccl 1:16; Eccl 5:19; Eccl 7:16; Eccl 7:17; Ps 51:4 Kt (Qr הֶרֶב Imperative); (4) as adjective attributive (Kö^{Synt.:§ 318 e} ), מְאֹד ׳ח Deut 3:5; Josh 22:8 (D; || רַבמְֿאֹד ), 2Sam 8:8 (רַבָּה מְאֹד in || 1Chr 18:18), 1Chr 12:2; Isa 30:33; 2Chr 32:27 so הַרְבֵּה alone Neh 4:4; Neh 4:13 (+ רְחָבָה), Ezra 10:1 (preceding n., compare 1. רַב), Eccl 2:7; Eccl 5:6; Eccl 5:16 (reading כעס as n., Ew De Hi-Now and others), Eccl 6:11; Eccl 9:18; Eccl 11:8a Eccl 12:9; Eccl 12:12 (twice in verse),הַרְבּוֺת alone Prov 25:27 (Toy reads הַרְבֵּה); חִרְבֵּה מְאֹד as predicate Gen 15:1 (J; Samaritan אַרְבֶּה), Eccl 11:8b Ps 130:7 (adverb Bae); (5) הַרְבֵּה as concrete noun (Kö^{Synt.:§ 318 a}) 2Sam 14; Jer 42:2 (בֶּה- van d. H.), with מִן compare, 2Chr 25:9; Jonah 4:11 as object (or adverb), opposed to מְעַט Hag 1:6; Hag 1:9; Eccl 5:11 late in adverb phrase (לְהַרְבֵּה (מְאֹדׅ) Neh 5:18; 2Chr 11:12; 2Chr 16:8 הַרְבּוֺת as noun Amos 4:9 (read probably הֶחֱרַבְתַּי We Now).

2. make great, object person 2Sam 22:36 = Ps 18:36 enlarge border 1Chr 4:10 perhaps also Job 34:37 make words great, presumptuous, against God (לְאֵל; so Buhl^Lex; most make many words, 1 c).

BDB7714 H7235

II. [רָבָה] verb shoot (compare II. רָבַב, I. רָמָה); — only Qal Participle רֹבֶה קַשָּׁ֑ת Gen 21:20 < רֹבֵה קָ֑שֶׁת, Kn Di and others, but read probably ׳דֹמֵה ק Ol Ball, one shooting the bow.

רַבָּה, רִבּוֺ(אׅ, רַבִּית, רְבִיבִים, see רבב.

BDB9883 H7236 H7235

רְבָה verb grow great (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew I. רבה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ר Dan 4:8 +; 3 feminine singular רְבָת v.Dan 4:19 2 masculine singular רְבַיְתָ Kt ( > רְבַת Qr K^{§ 47, Beisp. 1})a)) v.Dan 4:19 — grow tall and large, of tree Dan 4:8; Dan 4:17 grow long, of hair v.Dan 4:30 figurative grow great, of king v.Dan 4:19, increase, of greatness v.Dan 4:19. Pa`el make great: Perfect 3 masculine singular רַבִּי Dan 2:48 with ל accusative of person

Strong's Definition H7235

multiply, much, multiplied, many, increase, …

rābâ

to increase (in whatever respect)

be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous

(Qal)

to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)

to make much, make many, have many

to multiply, increase

Variations 89 forms of this word

Translations 143 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אַרְבֶּ֖ה

Root word multiply, much, multiplied, many, increase, …

Dictionary form: רָבָה · raw-BAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vhi1cs

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), first person singular causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "I"

אַרְבֶּה

Speech Verb Stem Hiphil Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person First Person Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: exceedingly

much ×19 and multiply ×13 many ×11 multiply ×7 and multiplied ×6 increase ×5 and i will multiply ×4 and multiply thee ×3

More options

multiply — Core meaning; best for commands or promises of growth.

increase — Slightly more formal; suits gradual or ongoing growth.

grow numerous — Vivid for population or quantity expanding over time.

abound — Highlights abundance; good for non-numeric or richness contexts.

proliferate — Modern, slightly technical; suits rapid or widespread increase.

be plentiful — Stative nuance; use when describing an existing large quantity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7707 H7235

I. [רָבָה]₂₂₅ verb be, or become, much, many, great (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian rabû, be great, grow; Arabic Aramaic רְבָא; , , all grow, increase); —

Qal₅₉, Perfect 3 feminine singular רָֽבְתָה 1Sam 14:30 2 masculine singular וְרָבִ֫יתָ consecutive Deut 30:16 3 plural רָבוּ Ezra 9:6 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְבֶּה Deut 8:13 +, jussive יִ֫רֶב Gen 1:22 + 2Chr 24:27 Qr (< ורב Kt, see רֹב

1.), וַיִּ֫רֶב Exod 1:20 3 feminine singular תִּרְבֶּה Deut 7:22; Dan 12:4, וַתֵּ֫רֶב Gen 43:34; 1Kgs 5:10 3 masculine plural יִרְבּוּ Deut 11:31 +, יִרְבּוּן Ps 139:18, יִרְבְּיֻן Deut 8:13 etc.; Imperative masculine singular וּרְבֵה Gen 35:11 Infinitive construct רְבוֺת Exod 11:9 +; — Participle רֹבֶה see II. רבה; —

1. become many, numerous:
a. of people, Exod 1:10; Exod 1:12 (J), vExod 1:20 (E), Deut 6:3; Deut 8:1; Deut 30:16; Zech 10:8; 1Chr 5:23 רָבוּ לְמָ֑עְלָה 1Chr 23:17 especially + פרה be fruitful and multiply Jer 3:16; Jer 23:3 (figurative of flock), Gen 47:27b (P), Exod 1:7 (P), Ps 107:38 also (of man and beast) Ezek 36:11 of children Job 27:14 צַדִּיקִים Prov 28:28, ׳בִּרְבוֺת צ Prov 29:2 (Toy רְדוֺת rule, || מְשֹׁל ),רְשָׁעִים ׳בר vProv 29:16 (Toy id.).
b. of animals Deut 7:22 (+ עַל person), Deut 8:13; 1Chr 5:9 + פרה Gen 1:22; Gen 8:17 (both P; compare Ezek 36:11 above).
c. of things Deut 8:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 31:5; Exod 11:9 (P), Eccl 5:10 of sins Ezra 9:6 (+ לְמַ֫עְלָה), Prov 29:16 + מִן compare Ps 16:4; Ps 139:18 of days Gen 38:12 (J), Deut 11:21; 1Sam 7:2; Prov 9:11, years of life Prov 4:10 of waters Gen 7:17 (J), vGen 7:18 (P).

2. a. be great: (I) of things Gen 43:24 (J; + מִן compare), 1Sam 14:30 of way = be long Deut 19:6 and (מִן compare person) Deut 14:24 be too long for; of wisdom 1Kgs 5:10 (מִן compare). (2) of person, יִרְבֶּה אֱלֹהִים מֵאֱנוֺשׁ Job 33:12 i.e. is too great for (De and others); has loftier, nobler thoughts (Di Bu), but no ||.
b. grow great (Aramaism): (I) of person, = grow up Ezek 16:7 ( + גָּדַל), Job 39:4. (2) of glory Ps 49:17, knowledge Dan 12:4. — 2Chr 24:27 see above Pi:4., make large, increase; — Imperative masculine singularרַבֶּה צְבָאֲךָ Judg 9:29 enlarge thy host; Perfect 2 masculine singular רִבִּיתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶם Ps 44:13 thou hast not made great with their price (set a high price; so Ew De Che and others); or increased (that is, thy wealth) by their price (Hup Bae); = bring up, rear (children) Lam 2:22 (+ טפּח), whelps Ezek 19:2 (in figurative). Hiph`il₁₆₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular הִרְבָּה Hos 8:11 +, suffix וְהִרְבְּךָֹ consecutive Deut 30:5 2 masculine singular הִרְבִּיתָ Isa 9:2 +, 1 singular הִרְבֵּיתִי Hos 2:10 +, etc.; Imperfect יַרְבֶּה Hos 12:2 +, וַ֫יֶּרֶב 2Sam 18:8; Lam 2:5 etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַרְבֵּה Ezek 24:10, הֶ֫רֶב Judg 20:38 + Ps 51:4 Qr (הרבה Kt, Infinitive absolute), etc.; feminine singular הַרְבִּי Isa 23:16, masculine plural הַרְבּוּ Amos 4:4; Gen 34:12 Infinitive absolute הַרְבֵּה Gen 15:1 +, הַרְבָּה (Ba^{NB 90, 91}) Gen 3:16; Gen 16:10; Gen 22:17 construct הַרְבּוֺת Deut 28:63 + (2Sam 14:11 Kt הרבית; Amos 4:9; Prov 25:27 see below); Participle מַרְבֶּה Exod 16:17 +, construct מַרְבֵּה Lev 11:42, etc.; —

1. make much, or many:
a. object person (or a people), multiply, increase Gen 16:10; Gen 17:20; Isa 9:2 +; Ezek 36:10 (+ עַל person), vEzek 36:11 (man and beast; + id.); Deut 30:5 (+ מִן compare person); + פרה Hiph`il Gen 28:3; Gen 48:4 (both P); הִרְבָּה כּוֺשֵׁל Jer 46:16 = he made many stumble; = have many 1Chr 7:4; 1Chr 8:40; 1Chr 23:11.
b. object animals Deut 17:16 (twice in verse) (compare Ezek 36:11 above).
c. object things Hos 2:10; Hos 8:11; Hos 8:14; +; הַרְבּוּ עָלַי מְאֹד מֹהַר וּמַתָּן Gen 34:12 opposed to הִמְעִיט Lev 26:16; Num 26:54; Num 33:54 object words Eccl 10:14 (see Job 34:37 below 2), compare Isa 1:15; Job 40:27, הַרְבִּי שִׂיר Isa 23:16 object days Job 29:18 (like sand); = use many (medicines) Jer 46:11 have many (feet) Lev 11:42 bring abundantly 2Chr 31:5 yield abundantly Neh 9:37 with ל of object Hos 10:1 (ל 3 a); object omitted Hab 2:6; Prov 22:16, also (opposed to מעט [usually Hiph`il]) Exod 16:17; Exod 16:18; Exod 30:15; Num 35:8 (all P), Prov 13:11.
d. (1) followed by infinitive, make much to do, do much in respect of, = do much, abundantly; greatly, often, etc. (Dr^{181, 12}): הַרְבּוּ לִפְשֹׁעַ Amos 4:4 = transgress greatly, so Ezra 10:13, compare 2Kgs 21:6 = 2Chr 33:6 further, Isa 55:7; Exod 36:5; 2Chr 36:14; Ps 78:38, also 2Sam 14:11 (Kt מהרבית, Qr מֵהַרְבַּת, read probably מֵהַרְבוֺת Dr^reff. Ges^{«GKC:75»§ 75} ff. Th Löhr); + מִן compare 2Sam 18:8; 1Sam 1:12 = pray a long time; Judg 20:38 strike out הֶרֶב as dittograph of הארב Be Bu GFM. (2) followed by finite verb (Dr^sm Ges^{«GKC:120g»§ 120g}), אַלֿ תַּרְבּוּ תְדַבְּרוּ 1Sam 2:3 i.e. talk not so much; compare Ps 51:4. e the Infinitive absolute (Ol^{§ 191 b} Kö^{ii. 1, 555} Ges^{«GKC:75»§ 75} ff.) is used: (1) הַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה I will greatly increase Gen 3:16; Gen 16:10; Gen 22:17 (all J; Ges^{«GKC:113n»§ 113n}); (2) וְהַרְבֵּה carrying on infinitive construct Ezek 21:20 (3) הַרְבֵּה as adverb (c. verbs and [Eccl 7:16] adjective ), greatly, exceedingly, etc., especially מְאֹד ׳ה Gen 41:49 (E), 1Sam 26:21; 2Sam 12:30 = I Chron 2Sam 20:2, Josh 13:1 (D), 2Kgs 21:16; Neh 2:2 perhaps also 1Kgs 5:9. 1Kgs 10:10 (both with נָתַן), v1Kgs 10:11 (with הֵבִיא), Jer 40:12 (with אָסַף), 2Chr 14:12 (with נָשָׂא); הַרְבֵּה alone 2Kgs 10:8 (opposed to מְעָ֑ט), Neh 3:33; Eccl 1:16; Eccl 5:19; Eccl 7:16; Eccl 7:17; Ps 51:4 Kt (Qr הֶרֶב Imperative); (4) as adjective attributive (Kö^{Synt.:§ 318 e} ), מְאֹד ׳ח Deut 3:5; Josh 22:8 (D; || רַבמְֿאֹד ), 2Sam 8:8 (רַבָּה מְאֹד in || 1Chr 18:18), 1Chr 12:2; Isa 30:33; 2Chr 32:27 so הַרְבֵּה alone Neh 4:4; Neh 4:13 (+ רְחָבָה), Ezra 10:1 (preceding n., compare 1. רַב), Eccl 2:7; Eccl 5:6; Eccl 5:16 (reading כעס as n., Ew De Hi-Now and others), Eccl 6:11; Eccl 9:18; Eccl 11:8a Eccl 12:9; Eccl 12:12 (twice in verse),הַרְבּוֺת alone Prov 25:27 (Toy reads הַרְבֵּה); חִרְבֵּה מְאֹד as predicate Gen 15:1 (J; Samaritan אַרְבֶּה), Eccl 11:8b Ps 130:7 (adverb Bae); (5) הַרְבֵּה as concrete noun (Kö^{Synt.:§ 318 a}) 2Sam 14; Jer 42:2 (בֶּה- van d. H.), with מִן compare, 2Chr 25:9; Jonah 4:11 as object (or adverb), opposed to מְעַט Hag 1:6; Hag 1:9; Eccl 5:11 late in adverb phrase (לְהַרְבֵּה (מְאֹדׅ) Neh 5:18; 2Chr 11:12; 2Chr 16:8 הַרְבּוֺת as noun Amos 4:9 (read probably הֶחֱרַבְתַּי We Now).

2. make great, object person 2Sam 22:36 = Ps 18:36 enlarge border 1Chr 4:10 perhaps also Job 34:37 make words great, presumptuous, against God (לְאֵל; so Buhl^Lex; most make many words, 1 c).

BDB7714 H7235

II. [רָבָה] verb shoot (compare II. רָבַב, I. רָמָה); — only Qal Participle רֹבֶה קַשָּׁ֑ת Gen 21:20 < רֹבֵה קָ֑שֶׁת, Kn Di and others, but read probably ׳דֹמֵה ק Ol Ball, one shooting the bow.

רַבָּה, רִבּוֺ(אׅ, רַבִּית, רְבִיבִים, see רבב.

BDB9883 H7236 H7235

רְבָה verb grow great (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew I. רבה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ר Dan 4:8 +; 3 feminine singular רְבָת v.Dan 4:19 2 masculine singular רְבַיְתָ Kt ( > רְבַת Qr K^{§ 47, Beisp. 1})a)) v.Dan 4:19 — grow tall and large, of tree Dan 4:8; Dan 4:17 grow long, of hair v.Dan 4:30 figurative grow great, of king v.Dan 4:19, increase, of greatness v.Dan 4:19. Pa`el make great: Perfect 3 masculine singular רַבִּי Dan 2:48 with ל accusative of person

Strong's Definition H7235

multiply, much, multiplied, many, increase, …

rābâ

to increase (in whatever respect)

be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous

(Qal)

to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)

to make much, make many, have many

to multiply, increase

Variations 89 forms of this word

Translations 143 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

אֶת

Particle points to the object of the verb — leave untranslated

Dictionary form: אֵת · ate

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar To

Particle — Direct Object Marker

אֶת	Speech Particle Type Direct Object Marker

In English

and ×240 of ×109 him ×107 them ×73 with ×72 from ×64 you ×61 me ×54

More options

[direct object marker — untranslated] — Most common use; marks definite direct object, no English equivalent.

with — Use when אֵת expresses accompaniment or association.

from — Use when context implies source or separation.

along with — Emphasizes inclusion or togetherness in a list.

together with — Slightly more formal; stresses joint participation.

among — Use when indicating presence within a group.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB853 H853

I. אֵת, with makk. אֶתֿ, with suffix אֹתִי; אֹתְךָ, אֹתְכָה Num 22:33, אֹתָ֑ךְ, אֹתָ֑כָה Exod 29:35, feminine אֹתָךְ; אֹתוֺ etc.; 2 plural אֶתְכֶם, once אוֺתְכֶם Josh 23:15 3 masculine plural regularly אֹתָם, rarely אֶתְהֶם Gen 32:1; Exod 18:20; Num 21:3; Ezek 34:12; 1Chr 6:50, once אוֺתְהֶם Ezek 23:45 3 feminine plural, on the contrary, regularly אֶתְהֶן (13 t.), once אֹתָן Ezek 16:54 (also אוֺתְהֶן Ezek 23:47, אֹתָ֖נָה Exod 35:26, אוֺתָ֖נָה Ezek 34:21); forms with cholem also often written plene: — the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite (Moabite id., Phoenician אית i.e. אִיַּת (Schröd^{p. 213 f.}); Aramaic יָת frequently in ᵑ7; Syriac very rare as mark of accusative (for which is preferred), but used often in the sense of substance οὐσία, also in that of self, e.g. per se, reapse, sibi ipsi, PS^{1640 f.}, Samaritan ; Arabic , only used with suffix, when it is desired to emphasize the pronoun, e.g. Qor 1:4 W^{AG i. § 189.} [Ethiopic uses k£y¹ similarly, Di^{§ 150 a}; but it is dubious if this is etymologically akin.] The primitive form will have been 'iwyath, originally a substantive with following genitive, Ol^{p. 432}; whether ultimately a parallel development with אוֺת sign from √ אוה is uncertain: Ol W^{AG i. § 188} Lag^{M i. 226 affirm}, Nö^{ZMG 1886, 738 doubts. In Hebrew the ground-form is} אוֺת; the forms with ¢, e being abbreviated. In post Biblical Hebrew, used in combination with another preposition: thus בְּאוֺתוֺ הַיּוֺם = Bibl. בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא, בְּאוֺתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה; or as a nomin., e.g. אוֺתוֺ הָאִישׁ = Bibl. הָאִישׁ הַהוּא).

1. As mark of the accusative prefixed to substantives defined either by the article (or כֹּל), or by a genitive or pronominal affix, or in virtue of being proper names:
a. with transitive verbs, Gen 1:1; Gen 1:16; Gen 1:29; Gen 1:30; Gen 2:11; Gen 4:1; Gen 4:2; Gen 9:3 (אֶתֿכֹּל׃) etc. Similarly אֶתמִֿי whom (in particular), Josh 24:15; 1Sam 12:3; 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 and elsewhere (but never אֶתמָֿה); also with זֶה Gen 29:33; Gen 44:29; 1Sam 21:16; 1Kgs 22:27 +, זֹאת Gen 29:27; 2Sam 13:27 +, אֵלֶּה Gen 46:18; Lev 11:18; Isa 49:21 +. So pretty uniformly in prose; but in poetry את is commonly dispensed with. By the use of את with the pronominal affix, a pronoun can at once, if required, be placed in a position of emphasis; let the order of words from this point of view be carefully noticed in the following passages: Gen 7:1; Gen 24:14; Gen 37:4; Lev 10:17; Lev 11:33; Num 22:32 thee I had slain, and her I had kept alive, Deut 4:14; Deut 6:13; Deut 6:23; Deut 13:5; Judg 14:3 אוֺתָהּ קַח לִי take for me her, 1Sam 14:35; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 18:17; 1Sam 21:10 אִםאֹֿתָהּ תִּקַּחלְֿךָ קָ֔ח if thou wilt take that, take it, 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 14:9; Isa 43:22; Isa 57:11; Jer 9:2. So הַאוֺתִי Jer 5:22; Jer 7:19. It also sometimes enables the reflexive sense to be expressed (elsewhere נַפְשָׁם) Jer 7:19; Ezek 34:2. Rarely with a substantive which is undefined (Ew^{§ 277 d 2} Ges^{«GKC:117»§ 117}, 1, R. 2), as Exod 21:28; Num 21:9; Lev 20:14; 1Sam 24:6 (but see Dr) 2Sam 4:11; 2Sam 18:18; 2Sam 23:21 or which, though definite, is without the article, Gen 21:30; 2Sam 15:16; Lev 26:5; 1Sam 9:3 (so Num 16:15) Isa 33:19; Isa 41:7; Ezek 43:10 (for further examples see Ew 1.c.)
b. with a passive verb (Ges^{«GKC:121»§ 121}. 1 Ew^{§ 295 b}) conceived as expressing neutrally the action in question, and construed accordingly with an accusative of that which is its real object: examples occur with tolerable frequency from Gen 4:18 (J) וַיִּוָּלֵד לַחֲנוֺךְ אֶתעֿירָד, Gen 17:5 (P), לֹא יִקָּרֵא עוֺד אֶתשִֿׁמְךָ אַברָם there shall not be called (=one shall not call) thy name Abram, Gen 21:5 (E), Gen 27:42; 2Sam 21:11; 1Kgs 18:13; Hos 10:6 etc., to Jer 35:18; Jer 38:4; Jer 50:20; Ezek 16:4; Ezek 16:5; Esth 2:13 (compare Dr^{JPh xi. 227 f.}): also with passive verbs of filling (Ew^{§ 281 b}), as Exod 1:7 +.
c. with neuter verbs or expressions, especially such as involve the idea of regarding, or treating, appy. by a construction κατὰ σύνεσιν (rare), Josh 22:17; 2Sam 11:25; Neh 9:32 (compare 1Sam 20:13 Dr). Once after אֵין, Hag 2:17 אֵין אֶתְכֶם אֵלַיָֽ.
d. poet. (si vera lectio), after an abstract noun used with a verbal force, Hab 3:13 (Amos 4:11; Isa 13:19; Jer 50:40 מַהְפֵּכָה exerts a verbal force, like the Arabic nom. verbi [see W^{AG i. § 196, 43}]; and Num 10:2; Ezek 17:9 לְמַסַּע, לְמַשְׂאוֺת are Aramaizing infinitives: compare Ew^{§ 239 a}).

2. את marks an accusative in other relations than that of direct object to a verb:
a. with verbs of motion (very rare) Num 13:17; Deut 1:19; Deut 2:7 (to 'walk the wilderness'); denoting the goal Judg 19:18; Ezek 21:25 (Ew^{§ 281 d, n., 282 a 1}).
b. denoting time (duration), also very rare: Exod 13:7; Lev 25:22; Deut 9:25.
c. expressing the accus. of limitation (rare): Gen 17:11; Gen 17:14; 1Kgs 15:23.

3. Chiefly in an inferior or later style, אֵת (or וְאֵת) is used irregularly, partly (α), as it would seem, to give greater definiteness (so especially וְאֵת) at the mention of a new subject (when it may sometimes be rendered as regards), or through the influence of a neighbouring verb (a construct κατὰ σύνεσιν), or by an anacoluthon, partly (β) as resuming loosely some other preposition Thus (α) Exod 1:14; Num 3:26; Num 3:46; Num 5:10 (with הָיָה: so Ezek 35:10) Num 18:21b Deut 11:2 (anacoluthon), Deut 14:13; Josh 17:11; Judg 20:44; Judg 20:46 (contr. vJudg 20:25 vJudg 20:35) 1Sam 17:34 (see Dr) 1Sam 26:16; 2Sam 21:22; 2Kgs 6:5; Isa 53:8 (probably), Isa 57:12; Jer 23:33 (but read rather with ᵐ5 ᵑ9 אַתֶּם הַמַּשָּׂא) Jer 27:8; Jer 36:22; Jer 38:16 Kt, Jer 45:4 b Ezek 16:22; Ezek 17:21; Ezek 20:16; Ezek 29:4 b Ezek 43:7 (ᵐ5 Co prefix הֲרָאִיתָ) Ezek 44:3; Zech 8:17; Eccl 4:3; Dan 9:13; Neh 9:19; Neh 9:34; 1Chr 2:9; 2Chr 31:17. In 1Sam 30:23; Hag 2:5 probably some such word as remember is to be understood. (β) Jer 38:9; Ezek 14:22 b Ezek 37:19 b Zech 12:10 סָבִיב אֵת 1Kgs 6:5; Ezek 43:17 strangely (in 1 Kings ᵐ5 omits the clause: so Sta^{ZAW 1883, 135}). — In 1Kgs 11:1 וְ is merely and also, and especially (see וְ); v1Kgs 11:25 is corrupt (read with ᵐ5 זֹאת הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הֲדָד); Ezek 47:17; Ezek 47:18; Ezek 47:19 read similarly for ואת, זֹאת: see vEzek 47:20. — For some particulars as to the use of את, see A. M. Wilson^{Hebraica. vi. 139 ff. 212 ff.} (who, however, confuses it sometimes with II. אֵת). For denoting the pronominal object of a verb, את with suffix preponderates relatively much above the verbal affix in P, as compared with J E Deuteronomy Judges Samuel Kings (see Gie^{ZAW 1881, 258 f.}), — partly, probably, on account of the greater distinctness and precision which P loves.

BDB9600 H853 H3487

יָת mark of accusative (= Biblical Hebrew I. אֵת; Palmyrene ית; Zinjirli^{Had. 28} with suffix ותה; Nabataean, Palmyrene with suffix יתה (Lzb²⁶³ Cooke¹⁷⁰; compare RÉS⁴⁶⁸); ᵑ7 Samaritan יָת; Syriac (rare)); — Dan 3:12 דִּי מַנִּיתָ יָָֽתְהוֺן whom thou hast appointed.

Strong's Definition H853

with, from, of, and, by, …

ʾēt

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Variations 74 forms of this word

Translations 343 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

זַרְעֵ ֑ךְ

זַרְעֵ

Root word seed, carnally, child, fruitful, seeds, …

֑ךְ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one woman)

Dictionary form: זֶרַע · dzeh-RA

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp2fs

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

זַרְעֵ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
ךְ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Second Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: thy seed

seed ×35 thy seed ×24 the seed ×21 his seed ×10 and his seed ×7 of the seed ×7 of thy seed ×7 and thy seed ×6

More options

seed — Best for agricultural or botanical contexts.

offspring — Best for human lineage or descendant contexts.

descendants — Plural collective; ideal for covenant or genealogical passages.

posterity — Slightly formal; emphasizes future generations as a whole.

lineage — Highlights family line or heritage rather than individuals.

semen — Use only in explicit reproductive or purity-law contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2464 H2233

זֶ֫רַע noun masculine^{Deut 28:38} sowing, seed, offspring (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic זְרַע, ; Phoenician זרע; Zinjirli id.; Arabic seed-produce, seed; Ethiopic Assyrian zêru, cultivated land, Belser^{BAS ii. 130,} compare Arabic ) — absolute ׳ז Gen 47:23 =; זָ֑רַע Gen 1:29 +; construct זֶרַע Isa 5:10 +; זְרַעֿ Num 11:7 suffix זַרְעִי 1Sam 20:42; 1Sam 24:22 זַרְעֲךָ Deut 11:10 +; זַרְעֶ֑ךָ Eccl 11:6 +; etc.; plural suffix זַרְעֵיכֶם 1Sam 8:15 —

1. literal:
a. a sowing הַשָּׂדֶה ׳לְז Gen 47:24 (J; + אָכְלְכֶם; otherwise Lev 27:16 b, see below 2 c); ׳לֹא מְקוֺם ז Num 20:5 no place for sowing (J E; + וּתְאֵנָה וְגֶפֶן וְרִמּוֺן); compare ׳שְׂדֵה ז Ezek 17:5 a field suitable for sowing; hence
b. sowing as regularly recurring at its season Gen 8:22 (J; || קָצִיר, + קֹר וָחֹם וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף וְיוֺם וָלַיְלָה), Lev 26:5 (H; || דַּיִשׁ, בָּצִיר; — compare Amos 9:13 below 2 a).

2. seed:
a. literally, sown, to raise crops for food, usually corn (wheat, barely, etc.) Gen 47:19; Gen 47:23 (J; compare vGen 47:14f.), Num 24:7 (JE); נָתַן לַֹזּרֵעַ ׳ז Isa 55:10 (|| לֶחֶם), Deut 28:38 (רַב ׳ז), Lev 26:16 (H; with זָרַע), Lev 27:16 a, חֹמֶר שְׂעֹרִים ׳ז vLev 27:16b (both P), compare Isa 5:10.
b. figurative, of idolatry of Judah Isa 17:11 (|| קציר); of fortunes of Zion ׳מֶשֶׁךְ הַזּ Ps 126:6 the dropping of seed, i.e. the proper quantity for sowing (opposed to אֲלֻמֹּת); Jer 35:7 (with זָרַע, || כֶּרֶם לֹא תִטָּ֔עוּ), compare vJer 35:9 (|| כרם, שׂדה); ׳מְטַר ז Isa 30:23 (with זָרַע, || לֶחֶם תְּבוּאַתּ הָאֲדָמָה); also Deut 11:10 (with זָרַע), Eccl 11:6 (c. id.); זֵרוּעַ ׳ז Lev 11:37, compare vLev 11:38 (both P); as yielding the crop תְּבוּאַת זַרְעֶ֑ךָ Deut 14:22 the product of thy seed, compare
d. below; ׳וְנִגַּשׁ תוֺרֵשׁ בַּקּוֺצֵר וְדֹרֵךְ עֲנָבִים בְּמשֵׁךְ הַזּ Amos 9:13, in figure of rapid and plentiful growth in the coming time; הָאָרֶץ ׳ז producing a vine Ezek 17:5, of growth and prosperity of Israel; ׳הַזּ Mal 2:3, read perhaps הַזְּרֹעַ (compare VB).
c. seed as product; the manna is compare with גַּד ׳ז, coriander seed Num 11:7 (JE), Exod 16:31 (P); seed of herbs and trees Gen 1:11 (twice in verse); Gen 1:12 (twice in verse); Gen 1:29 (twice in verse) (all P). Especially
d. seed as corn-product, corn-crop, so (although not quite clearly) Deut 22:9 (with זָרַע; || תְּבוּאַת הַכָּ֑רֶם); plural 1Sam 8:15 (perhaps better arable lands, compare above As zêru; || כרמים), הָאָרֶץ ׳ז Lev 27:30 (|| פְּרִיעֵֿץ; otherwise Gen 47:24, compare above 1 a); שִׁחֹר ׳ז Isa 23:3 (|| קְצִיר יְאוֺר); בַּמְּגוּרָה ׳הַעוֺד הַזּ Hag 2:19 (|| גֶּפֶן, תְּאֵנָה, רִמּוֺן, עֵץ הַזַּיִת); יָשִׁו֯ב זַרְעֶ֑ךָ וְגָרְנְךָ יֶאֱסֹף Job 39:12 (of harvest); so perhaps ׳כְּבֵית סָאתַיִם ז 1Kgs 18:32.
e. זֶרַע הַשָּׁלוֺם הַגֶּפֶן Zech 8:12, read perhaps שׁלוֺם ׳הַזּ the crop is security (= secure), so ᵑ6 Or and others; > Ew Hi and others who translate ׳הַשּׁ ׳ז the growth of peace, making הַגֶּפֶּן appositive — Verbs used with ׳ז in these senses are: — usually זַרַע Gen 1:11; Lev 26:16; Jer 35:7 +; הִפְרִיחַ Isa 17:11 נָתַן בְּ = plant, sow Ezek 17:5 נָתַן yield Isa 55:10 מָשַׁךְ Amos 9:13.

3. seed = semen virile, וְנִזְרְעָה זָ֑רַע Num 5:28, and she shall be made pregnant with seed; usually ׳שִׁכְּבַתזֿ, flow of semen Lev 22:4 (H), Lev 15:16; Lev 15:32 (P; all with תֵּצֵא), Lev 15:17 (P; with הָיָה); as accusative modi שׁכב ׳ז ׳אתאִֿשָּׁה שׁ Lev 19:20 (H), Lev 15:18; Num 5:13 (both P); so also נתן שְׁכָבְתּוֺ לְזרע Lev 18:20 (לְ genitives); compare בְּהֵמָה ׳אָדָם וז ׳ז Jer 31:27 (as 2nd accusative after זָרַע q. v. 3 b).

4. seed = off spring:
a. rarely of animals, collective Gen 3:15; Gen 7:3 (both J). Usu.
b. of mankind, coll. = descendants, posterity; seed of the woman Gen 3:15 (J); seed of the patriarchs (especially Abraham) Gen 12:17; Gen 13:15; Gen 13:16 (twice in verse); Gen 16:10; Gen 22:17 (twice in verse); Gen 22:18; Gen 24:7; Gen 26:3; Gen 26:4 (3 t. in verse); Gen 26:24; Gen 28:13; Gen 28:14 (twice in verse); Gen 32:13 (all J), Gen 15:13; Gen 15:18; Exod 32:13 (twice in verse); Exod 33:1 (all J E), Gen 21:12; Josh 24:3 (both E; in both promised seed of Abraham restricted to line of Isaac), Deut 11:9; Deut 34:4; Neh 9:8 = a son as involving posterity Gen 15:3; Gen 15:5 (JE) compare below; phrase זַרְעָם אַחֲרֵיהֶם Deut 1:8, compare Deut 4:37; Deut 10:15, so P, Gen 17:7 (twice in verse); Gen 17:8; Gen 17:9; Gen 17:10; Gen 17:19; Gen 35:12; Gen 48:4 זִרְעֲךָ אִתָּךְ Gen 28:4 (P; compare Num 18:19); see also below c. c. seed (= posterity) of other individuals Gen 21:13 (E; of Ishmael) Gen 24:60; Gen 48:19 (both J), Num 14:24 (JE), Lev 21:21; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:4 (all H), Num 17:5 (P), 1Sam 20:42 (twice in verse); 1Sam 24:22; 2Sam 4:8; 1Kgs 2:33 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 11:39; 2Kgs 5:27; Jer 29:32; Ezek 43:19; Job 5:25 (|| צֶאֱצָאֶיךָ), Job 21:8 (|| id.); especially of seed of David as anointed to reign Ps 18:51 = 2Sam 22:51 (|| לִמְשִׁיחוֺ), as sitting on throne Jer 33:21, compare vJer 33:22 vJer 33:26, Ps 89:5; Ps 89:30; Ps 89:37 of Jehoiachin Jer 22:28; Jer 22:30, Jehoiakim Jer 36:31 (compare vJer 36:30); of child (son) as involving posterity Gen 38:8; Gen 38:9 (twice in verse) (of Er's seed by Onam); Gen 48:11 (all J), compare Gen 19:32; Gen 19:31 (J), 2Sam 7:12; Ruth 4:12; Lev 21:15 (H); phrase זַרְעָם אַחֲרֵיהֶם of seed of Noah and his sons Gen 9:9 of Aaron Exod 28:43 of Phinehas Num 25:13 (all P); of David 1Chr 17:11 לְזַרְעוֺ לְדֹרֹתָם Exod 30:21 (P), compare Lev 21:17 (H; both of Aaron), see also b above ׳ז, of seed of righteous, especially Psalms: — Ps 25:13; Ps 37:25; Ps 37:26; Ps 69:37; Ps 102:29 (|| בָּנִים), Ps 112:2 (|| דּוֺר ישׁרים), compare Ps 22:31 (on text see Che); of wicked Ps 21:11; Ps 37:28.
d. specifically of a particular child (son) אַחֵר ׳ז Gen 4:25 (J); אֲנָשִׁים ׳ז 1Sam 1:11 of children Lev 18:21; Lev 20:2; Lev 20:34; Lev 22:13 (all H), 1Sam 2:20 (compare בָּנִים, בָּנוֺת1Sam 2:21); children and grandchildren Gen 46:6; Gen 46:7 (P).
e. family Gen 17:12 (P; compare Assyrian zêr bit abišu Asrb^{Annals iii. 10}); note especially of royal family הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ז 1Kgs 11:14 הַמַּמְלָכָה ׳ז 2Kgs 11:1 = 2Chr 22:10 הַמְּלוּכָה ׳ז 2Kgs 25:25 = Jer 41:1; Ezek 17:13; Dan 1:3 = pedigree בית אבותם וְזַרְעָם Ezra 2:59 = Neh 7:61 = one's nation, as of same blood Esth 10:3 (|| עַם). — Some verbs used with ׳ז in these senses are: — נָתַן, God subject Gen 15:3; Ruth 4:12 (followed by מִן of woman); שִׂים 1Sam 2:20 with man as subject נתן Gen 38:9 הֵקִים vGen 38:8 ׳חִיָּה ז, keep alive, or give life to, of animals Gen 7:3 of woman Gen 19:32; Gen 19:34 (followed by מִן of man). feminine especially as name for people of Israel, seed of Abraham Isa 41:8; 2Chr 20:7 (|| עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל), Jer 33:26; Ps 105:6 (|| בְּנֵי יעקִב); of Israel or Jacob 2Kgs 17:20; Neh 9:2 (|| בני ישׂראל vNeh 9:1), Isa 43:5; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:25; Jer 31:36; Jer 31:37; Jer 33:26; Ps 22:24 (twice in verse); 1Chr 16:13 (|| בני יעקב); so בֵּית ישׂראל ׳ז Jer 23:8; Ezek 44:22 (ᵑ6 ᵐ5 Manuscripts Co strike out בית); בית ׳ז יעקב Ezek 20:5 in Esther. הַיְהוּדִים ׳ז Esth 6:13 so of Edom (seed of Esau) Jer 49:10, compare מִוֶּרע מָדַי Dan 9:1.
g. seed of Israel (or Jacob, or the people), is used also, by (later) prophets, of future generations, in addressing the people: — Deut 28:46; Deut 28:59; Deut 30:6; Deut 30:19; Deut 31:21, compare Num 18:19 (P; לְזַרְעֲךָ אִתָּ֑ךְ, || וּלְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנוֺתֶיךָ), Jer 30:10 = Jer 46:27 (Jacob and Israel here = people), Ps 106:27 || צֶאֱצָא(יך ׅ Isa 44:3 (Jacob and Jeshurun), Isa 48:19, compare Isa 61:9 also Jer 7:15; Isa 54:3; Isa 66:22 (|| שִׁמְכֶם); מִפִּי זַרְעֲךָ וּמִפִּי זֶרַע זַרְעֲךָ Isa 59:21 of Jews (יהודים) Esth 9:27; Esth 9:28; Esth 9:31.

5. seed as marked by moral quality = persons (or community) of such a quality; transition to this through such cases as those of ׳בְּרוּכֵי י ׳ז Isa 65:23 (|| צֶאֱצָאִים), compare Isa 61:9; Isa 65:9 הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳ז Ezra 9:2 (of Israel), compare Isa 53:10 note, in good sense צַדִּיקִים ׳ז Prov 11:21 (opposed to רַע); אֱמֶת ׳ז Jer 2:21 (|| שׂוֺרֵק); אלהים ׳ז Mal 2:15 — קֹדֶשׁ ׳ז Isa 6:13 is a gloss; — in bad sense מְרֵעִים ׳ז Isa 1:4 community of evil-doers (|| גּוֺיחֹֿטֵא, עַם כֶּבֶד עָוֺן, בָּנִים מַשְׁחִיתִים), Isa 14:20 מְנָאֵף ׳ז Isa 57:3 (|| בני עֹנֲנָה); שָֿׁ֑קֶר׳ז vIsa 57:4 (|| יִלְדֵיפֶֿשַׁע).

BDB9500 H2232 H2233 H2234

זְרַע noun [masculine] seed (compare Biblical Hebrew I. זרע); — construct אֲנָשָׁא ׳ז Dan 2:43 seed (offspring) of men.

Strong's Definition H2233

seed, carnally, child, fruitful, seeds, …

zeraʿ

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

seed, sowing, offspring

a sowing

a practitioner of righteousness (figuratively)

Variations 47 forms of this word

Translations 77 English renderings

Seed

Search every verse

Word Parts

וְ לֹ֥א

וְ

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

לֹ֥א

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Tn

Particle — Negative

וְ	Speech Conjunction
לֹא	Speech Particle Type Negative

In English

In the KJV here: that it shall not

not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86

More options

not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.

no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.

never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.

nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.

neither — Use when negating two elements together.

none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4266 H3808

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236} Walker^{AJSL 1896, 237 ff.}) — לוֺא, according to Masora (Fr^{MM 248}), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.^{p. 251}), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
(a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges^{«GKC:156»§ 156}. 3 R. b, c Dr^{§ 162}). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr^{§ 115}, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges^{«GKC:109»§ 109}. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
(b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr^{§ 202. 2}); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
(c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָבר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
(d) standing alone:
(a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
(e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew^{§ 324 a} Ges^{«GKC:150»§ 150}. 1 Dr^{1Sam 11:12}): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
b. with adjectives and substantive:
(a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
(b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר

2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
(c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew^{§ 320 c} Dr^{§ 162}): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), v^b בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew^{§ 286 g} Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, v^b Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr^{§ 164}), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236 f}.

4. With prefixes: —
a. בְּלֹא₃₁ (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
(a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
(b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
(c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.

b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
(a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.

c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.

e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see De^{Ps 100. 3} Fr^{MM 247} Str^{Prol. Cr. 84}), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb³⁰¹ Cook^{G1. 67}); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K^{§ 67, 1} Dr^{§ 202, 2}.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, D^{Aramaic Dialektproben, p. 1}). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. Dial.} see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.

2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

Strong's Definition H3808

not, no, neither, nor, none, …

lōʾ

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

not, no

not (with verb—absolute prohibition)

Variations 44 forms of this word

Translations 881 English renderings

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Word Parts

יִסָּפֵ֖ר

Root word scribe, told, declare, tell, numbered, …

Dictionary form: סָפַר · saw-PAHR

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar VNi3ms

Verb — Niphal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

יִסָּפֵר

Speech Verb Stem Niphal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: be numbered

the scribe ×31 and told ×8 declare ×5 scribe ×5 and declare ×3 be numbered ×3 i will declare ×3 scribes ×3

More options

tell — Broad, everyday choice for oral reporting or narrating.

recount — Implies fuller, sequential retelling of events or stories.

declare — More formal or solemn proclamation; suits poetic or liturgical contexts.

count — Use when the numerical sense of enumeration is primary.

proclaim — Emphasizes public announcement; strong rhetorical register.

scribe — For the nominal sense — a professional writer or record-keeper.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5695 H5608

סָפַר₁₀₇ verb count, Pi`el recount, relate (probably ancient denominative from סֵפֶר; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Ethiopic measure Di⁴⁰⁴); —

Qal₂₇ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ס 2Sam 24:10, 2 masculine singular סָפַרְתָּה Ps 56:9, וְסָפַרְתָּ֫ Lev 25:8, etc.; Imperfect יִסְפֹּר Ps 87:6 + Job 38:37 where read probably יִסְפֹּר (Bu) for ᵑ0 יְסַפֵּר, יִסְפּוֺר Job 31:4, וַיִּסְפֹּר 2Chr 2:1; 2Chr 2:16, suffix וַיִּסְפְּרֵם Ezra 1:8 2 masculine singular תִּסְפֹּר Job 39:2, תִּסְפּוֺר Job 14:16, תִּסְפָּרֿ Deut 16:9, etc.; Imperative masculine singular סְפֹר Gen 15:5 masculine plural סִפְרוּ 1Chr 21:2; Ps 48:13 Infinitive construct לִסְפֹּר Gen 15:5 + 2 t.; Participle סֹפֵר Isa 33:18 (twice in verse) (see also סֹפֵר
n. below); —

1. count things, to learn their number, with accusative, Gen 15:5 (twice in verse) (J) 2Sam 24:10 + 10 t. (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb 2Chr 2:16); accusative omitted Gen 41:49 (E); + ל (dativus commodi [dative of benefit] or ethicus [of interest]), Lev 15:13; Lev 15:28; Lev 23:15; Lev 25:8 (all PH), Deut 16:9; Ezek 44:26; Ezra 1:8; Ps 87:6; Isa 33:8 (absolute), vIsa 33:18 (but text suspicious, conjectures in Du Che^Hpt).

2. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon: צְעָדַי תִּסְפּוֺר Job 14:16 of my steps thou takest account, so Job 31:4 see also Job 38:37 (compare above); נֹדִי סָפַרַתַּה Ps 56:9 my wandering hast thou reckoned, taken into account (Che reads סִפַּרְתִּי after ᵐ5).

Niph`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִסָּפֵר Hos 2:1 + 4 t.; 3 masculine plural יִסָּֽפְרוּ 1Kgs 8:5; 2Chr 5:6, וַיִּסָּֽפְרוּ 1Chr 23:3 — be counted, numbered usually with negative, to indicate multitude, מֵרֹב ׳לֹא יִסּ Gen 16:10 (J) it is not to be counted, for multitude, so Gen 32:13 (J), 1Kgs 3:8 (|| יִמָּנֶה לֹא), 1Kgs 8:5 (+ id.), 2Chr 5:6 (+ id.); compare Hos 2:1 (+ יִמַּד לֹאֿ), Jer 33:22 (|| לֹא יִמַּד); positively, only וַיִּסָּֽפְרוּ הַלְּוִיִּם 1Chr 23:3.

Pi`el₆₇ Perfect 1 singular סִפַּ֫רְתִּי Ps 119:26, סִפַּ֑רְתִּי vPs 119:13 3 plural סִפְּרוּ Judg 6:13 + 3 t.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְסַפֵּר Job 38:37 +, 1 singular אֲסַפֵּר Ps 22:18 +; cohortative אֲסַפֵּ֑רָה Job 15:7 1 plural וַנְּסַפֶּרֿ Exod 10:2, etc.; Imperative סַפֵּר Isa 43:26, etc.; Infinitive construct (לְ) סַפֵּר Ps 50:16 + 5 t.; Participle מְסַפֵּר Judg 7:13; 2Kgs 8:5 plural מְסַפְּרִים Ps 19:2; Ps 78:4 — recount, rehearse, declare:

1. recount something (accusative) to (לְ person) Judg 6:13; Judg 7:13; Gen 24:66 (J), 1Sam 11:5 + 18 t. (of rehearsing glorious deeds of ׳י Ps 44:2; Ps 73:28; Ps 78:3; Ps 78:4; Ps 79:13); with accusative + בְּ local Ezek 12:16, elsewhere of rehearsing name or praise of ׳י Exod 9:16 (J) Ps 9:15; Ps 96:3 = 1Chr 16:24; Ps 102:22; Jer 51:10 with accusative alone Ps 9:2; Ps 19:2; Ps 119:13 (+ בְּ instrumental), Ps 145:6 + 8 t. Psalms + Isa 43:21, all of rehearsing praise of ׳י; compare עָֽצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר Ps 40:6 they are too great to rehearse with accusative also Jer 23:28; Jer 23:32; Job 15:17; Job 28:27; Ps 119:26 accusative omitted Isa 43:26, with לְ person Gen 40:8 (E) + 6 t., with אֶלֿ person Gen 37:10 (E), with בְּאָזְנֵי Exod 10:2 with כְּמוֺ (q. v.) Ps 73:15 with אֶלֿ concerning Ps 2:7, compare Ps 69:27 ( ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew Ol Gr Bi Che Bae add; in that case read יֹסִ֑פוּ); with עַלֿ concerning + לְ person Joel 1:3.

2. apparently, in weakened sense, talk Ps 59:13; Ps 64:6 (with ל concerning), Ps 73:15 (with כְּמוֺ).

3. count exactly, accurately אֲסַפֵּר כָּלעַֿצְמוֺתָ֑י Ps 22:18 I can count exactly all my bones (in wasted body). — Ps 40:6 see below 1, Job 38:37 read יִסְפֹּר.

Pu`al be recounted, related, rehearsed: Perfect 3 masculine singular סֻפַּר לְ Isa 52:15 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְסֻפַּר לְ Job 37:20 (clause as subject), + לְ concerning Ps 22:31 with בְּ local Ps 88:12 absolute יְסֻפָּ֑ר Hab 1:5.

BDB5696 H5608

סֹפֵר, סוֺפֵר noun masculine^{Ps 45:2} enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe (properly participle of סָפַר; Aramaic סַפְרָא, id. compare doctus, literatus; O Aramaic ספרא id., Lzb³³⁰ Cook⁸⁵; Phoenician ספר Lzb³³⁰); — absolute סֹפֵר Judg 5:14 +, סוֺפֵר 2Sam 8:17 +; construct סֹפֵר 2Kgs 12:11 + 2 t., + Jer 52:25 (Gie GFM read ׳הַסּ as || 2Kgs 25:19); plural סֹפְרִים 1Kgs 4:3; Jer 8:8, ׳סוֺ 1Chr 2:55; 1Chr 34:13 construct סֹפְרֵי Esth 3:12; Esth 8:9 —

1. a. enumerator, muster-officer in description of leaders of Israel ׳משְׁכִים בְּשֵׁבֶט ס Judg 5:14.
b. king's official = secretary 2Sam 8:17 = 2Sam 20:25 = 1Chr 18:16; 2Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 18:37 = Isa 36:3; Isa 36:22 Solomon had two 1Kgs 4:3 (in all these distinguished from מַזְכִּיר); also 2Kgs 19:2 = Isa 37:2; Jer 36:10; Jer 36:12, compare ׳לִשְׁכַּת הַסּ vJer 36:12 vJer 36:20 vJer 36:21, ׳בֵּית הַסּ Jer 37:15; Jer 37:20 acting as treasurer and paymaster 2Kgs 12:11 = 2Chr 24:11, — compare Zadok Neh 13:13 — 2Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 22:9; 2Kgs 22:10; 2Kgs 22:12 = 2Chr 34:15; 2Chr 34:18; 2Chr 34:20; 1Chr 24:6 (Levite); שַׂר הַצָּבָא ׳הַסּ 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25 (si vera lectio in Kings) implies military authority (but ׳שַׂר הַצּ perhaps gloss GFM^{Judg 5:14}); Ew Sta and others read (as Jeremiah) scribe of general.
c. in Persia, secretaries who wrote out (king's) decrees, according to Esth 3:12; Esth 8:9.
d. 2Chr 26:11 uses ׳ס for muster-officer; 1Chr 2:55 mentions families of סוֺפְרִים; 2Chr 34:13 knows ׳ס as Levites; ׳ס 1Chr 27:32 = man of learning.

2. professional class of learned men, 'scribes' able to read and write Jer 36:26; Jer 36:32 with writing implements, ׳מָהִיר עֵט ס Ps 45:2, ׳קֶסֶת הַסּ Ezek 9:2; Ezek 9:3, ׳תַּעַר הַסּ Jer 36:23 especially learned in the law, and assuming to issue its precepts, עֵט שֶׁקֶר סֹפְרִים Jer 8:8.

3. specifically of Ezra, at once priest (כֹּהֵן) and learned in the law (סֹפֵר), Ezra 7:11, ׳בְרֵי מִצְוֺת י Di ׳ס vEzra 7:11 [compare Aramaic vEzra 7:12 vEzra 7:21], מָהִיר בְּתוֺרֵת משֶׁה ׳ס vEzra 7:6; Neh 8:1; Neh 8:4; Neh 8:9; Neh 8:13; Neh 12:26; Neh 12:36.

BDB9740 H5613 H5608

[סָפֵר] noun masculine secretary, scribe (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew סֹפֵר); — emphatic סָֽפְרָא the secretary, Persian official, Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:9; Ezra 4:17; Ezra 4:23 construct סָפַר the scribe Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21, of Ezra as learned in God's law.

Strong's Definition H5608

scribe, told, declare, tell, numbered, …

sāpar

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebrate

(v) to count, recount, relate

(Qal)

to count (things)

to recount (something), rehearse

enumerator, muster-officer, secretary

Variations 75 forms of this word

Translations 94 English renderings

Search every verse

Word Parts

מֵ רֹֽב

מֵ

Prefix — preposition from, out of

רֹֽב

Root word multitude, abundance, greatness, great, much, …

Dictionary form: רֹב · robe

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncbsa

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

מֵ	Speech Preposition
רֹֽב	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: for multitude

in abundance ×19 for multitude ×12 in the multitude ×11 the multitude ×7 by the multitude ×5 abundance ×4 abundantly ×3 by reason of the multitude ×3

More options

abundance — Modernized from KJV; fits most prose contexts well.

multitude — Best for large crowds or numbers of people.

vast number — Emphasizes sheer quantity; good for countable things.

wealth — Prefer when רֹב refers to material or figurative richness.

greatness — Best when scale or magnitude, not quantity, is in view.

plenty — Informal register; suits agricultural or provision contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7694 H7230 H7231

רב₁₅₁ noun masculine^{Job 11:2} multitude, abundance, greatness; — absolute ׳ר Gen 16:10 +, רוֺב 1Chr 4:38; 2Chr 31:10 + Job 33:19 Qr (Kt ריב); construct רֹב Exod 15:7 + (רֹבֿ Job 37:23 Baer Gi), רָבֿ Job 23:6 +; 2Kgs 19:23 and plural construct רֻבֵּי Hos 8:12 see below;

1. multitude (c. 125 t.): of person Hos 10:13; Prov 14:28; Prov 20:6; Esth 10:3 +; of things Isa 1:11; Isa 47:12; Ezek 27:18; Lev 27:16; Prov 10:19; Job 11:2 +; = great quantity, abundance Gen 27:28; Hos 9:7 + often (2Kgs 19:23 Qr [= Isa 37:24 Kt ], > Kt רכב; 2Chr 24:27 Kt ורב > Qr יִרֶב), + (of time) רֹב שָׁנִים Job 32:8 (Gi; vJob 32:7 van d. H., Baer), בְּרֹב יָמִים Eccl 11:1 = whole number (of bones) Job 4:14; Job 33:19 (Qr; Kt ריב); especially לָרֹב in respect of, for, multitude, in simile, like sand, stars, etc., Josh 11:4 (JE), 1Sam 13:5; 2Sam 17:11 +10 t.; = abundantly, with verb (= הַרְבֵּה) Gen 30:30 (J), Gen 48:16 (E), 1Kgs 1:19; 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 10:10 usually late Neh 9:25; Job 26:3; Zech 14:14; 1Chr 4:30; 2Chr 9:9 (|| הַרְבֵּה 1Kgs 10:10) + 23 t. Chronicles; as predicate with הָיָה 1Chr 22:14 = in great numbers, 2Chr 30:5; 2Chr 30:24 nearly = adjective (c.substantive; = רַב) 2Chr 9:1 (|| רַב 1Kgs 10:2), 1Kgs 16:8; 1Kgs 24:24; 1Kgs 30:13 מֵרֹב from multitude of, Deut 7:7; Deut 28:47 + 14 t.; absolute from (for) mult. 1Kgs 7:47; Gen 16:10; Gen 32:13 (J), 1Kgs 3:8; 1Kgs 8:5 = 2Chr 5:6.

2. greatness (c. 26 t.): שִׂיחִי ׳מֵר 1Sam 1:16, רֹב חַסְרֶּ֑ךָ Neh 13:22; Ps 5:8; Ps 69:14, compare Ps 106:45, כֹּחַ ׳ר Isa 63:1; Job 23:6; Job 30:18; Ps 33:16, etc.; read רֹב probably also (for דַב) Isa 63:7; Ps 145:7 = length of journey (compare verb Josh 9:13) בְּרֹב דַּרְכֵךְ Isa 57:10; Hos 8:12 Qr רֻבֵּי תוֺרָתִי = greatnesses [great things], or numerous things of my law, but form dubious read perhaps רֹב תּוֺרֹתַי (sub 1), so We (compare ᵐ5); Gr and others דִּבְרֵי; > Kt רבו, see רִבּוֺ. — Lev 25:16; Deut 7:7; Hos 4:7 see √

Strong's Definition H7230

multitude, abundance, greatness, great, much, …

rōb

abundance (in any respect)

multitude, abundance, greatness

multitude

abundance, abundantly

Variations 26 forms of this word

Translations 81 English renderings

People Multitude