Genesis 23:12

וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם לִפְנֵ֖י עַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וַ יִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙

וַ

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

יִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙

Root word worship, worshipped, bowed, down, obeisance, …

Dictionary form: שָׁחָה · shaw-HAW

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 ___".

Verb — Hithpael, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine singular reflexive — "he did it to / for himself" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: and bowed down himself

and worshipped ×23 and bowed himself ×11 and worship ×9 to worship ×9 and bowed herself ×4 and did obeisance ×4 and bowed themselves ×3 and he bowed himself ×3

More options

bow down — Most literal; physical posture of submission or reverence.

worship — Best for religious/devotional contexts directed toward a deity.

prostrate oneself — Emphasizes full-body submission; strongest physical sense.

pay homage — Suits royal or diplomatic contexts; dignified register.

do obeisance — Formal reverence toward a superior; slightly elevated register.

kneel — Less emphatic than prostration; use when posture is upright bow.

BDB8581 H7812

[שָׁחָה]₁₇₂ verb bow down (Late Hebrew id.; Jewish-Aramaic שְׁחִי (rare); akin to שׁוח, שׁחח); —

Qal Imperative feminine singular שְׁחִי Isa 51:23 bow down. Hiph`il Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַשְׁחֶ֑נָּה Prov 12:25, figurative, anxiety depresses it (that is לֵב; opposed to שִׂמֵּחַ). Hithpa`lel₁₇₀ (Ges^{«GKC:75kk»§ 75kk}) Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה Ezek 46:2 2 masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֫יתָ Deut 4:19 + 3 t.; 1 singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֫יתִי 1Sam 16:4 + 2 t.; 3 masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Jer 8:2, etc.; Imperfect יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2Sam 15:32 + 3 t.; apocopatic יִשְׁתַּ֫חוּ Isa 44:17 +; 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Gen 49:8 +; 2 feminine plural תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֫יןָ Gen 33:6; Gen 37:7, etc.; Imperative feminine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִי Ps 45:12 masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Ps 29:2 +; Infinitive construct הִשְׁשַׁתַּחֲוֺת Gen 37:10 +; suffix מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶי 2Kgs 5:18 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 and modern חֲוֺתוֺ-); Participle מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2Kgs 19:27, etc.; מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶּם Ezek 8:16, read וִים- all modern; —

1. bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.:
a. with ל, after descriptive clause (especially with קדד, נפל 3 b, q. v. ), 1Sam 24:9; Gen 43:28 (J) 2Sam 14:4; 2Sam 14:22; Ruth 2:10; 1Kgs 1:31; 2Kgs 4:37 + 6 t., + (after כָּרֵע) Esth 3:2 (twice in verse); Esth 3:5.
b. with ל, followed by phrase (לפני) על אפים ארצה 2Sam 14:33; 1Kgs 1:23 לאפים Gen 48:12 (E) 2Sam 18:28 אפים Gen 42:6 (E) + 4 t.; omit אפים Gen 33:3 (J) + 3 t.; עַל כַּפּוֺת רֵנְלַיִךְ Isa 60:14.
c. with לְ person only, Gen 23:7 (P) Gen 27:29 (twice in verse); Gen 37:9 (E), Gen 49:8; Exod 11:8 (J) + 8 t.; with לפני Gen 23:12 (P); with אל Isa 45:14 (|| התפלּל); absolute Gen 33:6; Gen 33:7 (twice in verse) (J), Exod 18:7 (E) 2Sam 9:8; 2Sam 16:4; Isa 49:7.

2. before God, in worship, etc.:
a. with לְ, after descriptive phrase: קדד ארצה Exod 34:8 (J); ארצה omitted Gen 24:26; Gen 24:48 (J) + 4 t.; כרע אפים ארצה 2Chr 7:3 כרע 2Chr 29:29 נפל ארצה Job 1:20 נפל לפני 2Chr 20:18.
b. followed by phrase: אפים ארצה ׳ל ׳קדד וישׁ Neh 8:6 ׳ארצה ל Gen 24:52 (J); ונכרעה ׳השׁ Ps 95:6 בְּהַדְרַת קֹדֶשׁ ׳ל ׳השׁ Ps 29:2; Ps 96:9 = 1Chr 16:29 אֶלהֵֿיכָל (looking towards) Ps 5:8; Ps 138:2 לַהֲדֹם רגלים Ps 99:5; Ps 132:7.
c. with לְ only: 1Sam 1:28 (but read וַתַּנִּחֵהוּ ᵐ5 and modern), 1Sam 15:25; Jer 7:2; Ps 66:4 + 9 t.; with לפני Deut 26:10; Isa 66:23 + 4 t.; with בְ local Isa 27:13 with לְ local Ps 99:9 absolute Gen 22:5 (E) Judg 7:15 + 5 t.; accusative of location Exod 33:10 (E) Jer 26:2; Ezek 46:3 לפני (ה)מזבח Isa 36:7 = 2Kgs 18:22 = 2Chr 32:12 with על location Gen 47:31 (J) 1Kgs 1:47; Ezek 46:2 מֵרֶחֹק after off Exod 24:1 (E).
d. before angel in theoph.: after clause with נפל, קדד, Josh 5:14; Num 22:31 followed by אפים ארצה Gen 19:1 ארצה Gen 18:2 (all J).

3. before other gods: absolute Isa 2:20; Isa 44:15; Isa 44:17; Isa 46:6 accusative of location 2Kgs 5:18 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 with לְ, Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:9 (10 words), Exod 23:24 (E), Num 25:2 (J), Josh 23:7 (D), Deut 8:19; Deut 11:16; 1Kgs 16:31 + 34 t.; with על, Lev 26:1 (H); לפני 2Chr 25:14 (|| קטּר).

worship, worshipped, bowed, down, obeisance, …

šāḥâ

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)

to bow down

(Qal) to bow down

to bow down, prostrate oneself

before superior in homage

אַבְרָהָ֔ם

Root word a name — transliterate it ("Abraham")

Dictionary form: אַבְרָהָם · ab-raw-HAWM

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: abraham

abraham ×105 of abraham ×22 abrahams ×12 unto abraham ×11 and abraham ×7 to abraham ×5 and abrahams ×1 but abraham ×1

More options

Abraham — Standard modern spelling; use in nearly all contexts.

Abram — Use only before the name change in Gen 17.

Abraham's — Possessive form; for attributive or genitive constructions.

BDB38 H87 H85

אַבְרָם proper name, masculine (id., Thes and others exalted father) Abram Gen 11:26; Gen 11:27 + 57 t. Genesis (to Gen 17:5) + 1Chr 1:27; Neh 9:7 = אַבְרָהָם Abraham Gen 17:5; Gen 17:9; Gen 17:15 + 172 t. OT. (אברהם connected Gen 17:5 by word-play with הם of המון; really = רום ֯ אברם = רהם which however is not found in Hebrew — compare Di > Hal^{RÉJ 1887, 177 f} who proposes אֲבִר הַם גּוֺיִם compare Gen 49:21 with Isa 41:21 so that אֲבִר הָם chief of multitude is the new name of Gen 17:5 (הָם) √ המה). Spiegelb^{Randglossen 14} compare Palestinian proper name geography µ‡r° °brru = חקל אברם (compage Egyptian article masculine), in Sheshonk list. As regards etymology, Nö^l.c. and others explained as 'the father [a divine title] is exalted' (compare יְהוֺרָם, מַלְכִּירָם, חִירָם[אֲ]).

abraham, abrahams

ʾabrāhām

father of a multitude, chief of multitude

Abraham, the later name of Abram

friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God's elective covenant

לִ פְנֵ֖י

לִ

Prefix — preposition to, for

פְנֵ֖י

Root word before, face, presence, because, faces, …

Dictionary form: פָּנִים · paw-NEEM

Noun — Common, both plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: before

before ×796 the face ×55 from before ×53 his face ×53 because ×49 my face ×48 thy face ×39 before him ×38

More options

face — Most direct rendering; prefer for literal, physical contexts.

presence — Ideal for divine or royal encounter contexts.

countenance — Slightly elevated; suits emotional or expressive descriptions.

surface — Use for physical objects, land, or water (e.g. 'surface of the deep').

in front of — Best for spatial or positional prepositional phrases.

because of — Use when פָּנִים heads a causal prepositional phrase.

BDB4446 H3942 H6440

לִפְנָָֽי 1Kgs 6:17 see below [ פָּנֶה], פָּנִים.

BDB6680 H6440 H3942

[פָּנֶה], plural פָּנִים₂₁₂₃ noun masculine^{Prov 25:23} and (Ezekiel = Prov 21:21 = edge; on 2Sam 10:9 see below) feminine face, also faces (as turned toward one); — plural absolute פָּנִים Gen 32:31 +; construct פְּנֵי 2Sam 14:32 +; suffix 1 singular פָּנַי Gen 43:3 +; 3 masculine singular פָּנָיו Gen 4:5 +, פָּנֵי֑מוֺ Ps 11:7 (Kö^ll.1.446); 2 masculine pluralפְּנֵיכֶם Gen 40:7 +, etc.; — usually with verb plural, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6; Exod 33:14 +; with verb singular Lam 4:16 (through influence of intervening ׳י, Ges^{«GKC:146a»§ 146a}), Prov 15:14 (but read פִּי, as Qr, see פֶּה); —

I. 1. face, faces (Jer 30:6; Ezek 27:35 +, compare Ezek 1:6; Ezek 10:14; Ezek 10:21 etc.):
a. literally, of man Gen 43:31; 2Sam 19:5; 1Kgs 19:13; Lev 13:14; Dan 8:18; Dan 10:9; Dan 10:15 +; ׳עוֺר פ Exod 35:29; Exod 35:30; Exod 35:35 pale (from alarm) Isa 29:22; Jer 30:6, flushed Isa 13:8; Ezek 21:3, compare Nah 2:11; Joel 2:6 tearful Isa 25:8; Job 16:16 sad, רעים ׳פ Gen 40:7, compare Neh 2:2; Neh 2:3, also ׳רֹעַ פ Eccl 7:8 i.e. sadness; ׳יֵּיטִב פ Prov 15:13 maketh glad the face; נָָֽפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6 why is the face fallen (in displeasure), compare 1Sam 1:18 (reading נָָֽפְלָה, נָָֽפְ לוּ, or הִפִּילָה); covered with shame Ezek 7:18, whence figurative of confusion, discomfiture Jer 51:51; Ps 69:8; Ps 83:17, etc.
b. of ׳י Exod 33:20, compare vExod 33:23.
c. פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face, of seeing (God) Gen 32:31, compare Judg 6:22, knowing Deut 34:10, judging Ezek 20:35, speaking Exod 33:11, and so ׳בְּפ ׳פ Deut 5:4 נִתְרֶאֶה פָנִים 2Kgs 14:8 see each other (in the) face = meet each other in battle, compare v2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:17; 2Chr 25:21.
d. of relations with ׳׃י ׳הֵרִים פ Ezra 9:6, in worship (see also נשׂא); in spiritual sense Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33 (פָּנָה אֵלַי עֹרֶף וְלֹא פָנִים); ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ י ׳נָתַן פ 2Chr 20:3 ׳נָתַן אֶתפֿ אֶלאֲֿדֹנָי Dan 9:3 הַבָּנִים קְשֵׁי פָנִים Ezek 2:4.
e. of ׳י himself, לֹא יָסִיר פָּנִיםִ מִכֶּם 2Chr 30:9 בְּעֹשֵׂי ׳פְּנֵי י רָ֑ע Ps 34:17 גַּעֲרַת פָּנֶיךָ Ps 80:17. — See further below

7. 2. a. = presence, person, of ׳י Exod 33:14; Exod 33:15, בְּפָנָיו Deut 4:37, מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו Isa 63:9 לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, see לֶחֶם; of ׳י's angry presence Lam 4:16; Ps 21:10 of Absalom 2Sam 17:11 in weakened sense, nearly = suffix (compare נפשׁ 4 a), Prov 7:15.
b. with ראה technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence: before a man Gen 32:21 (+ 3 other uses of ׳פ), (God, with יראה pointed as Niph`al, see II 2); especially as privilege, = have access to, man of rank Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5; Gen 44:23; Gen 44:26, king Exod 10:28 (twice in verse) compare vExod 10:29 (all J), 2Sam 14:24 (twice in verse); 2Sam 14:28; 2Sam 14:32 compare 2Sam 3:13 (twice in verse); רֹאֵי פְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25; Esth 1:14 implying favour of person seen, man Gen 33:10 (J), God vGen 33:10, compare Job 33:26 (Hiph`il), and, with חזה, Ps 11:7; Ps 17:15.

3. face of seraphim Isa 6:2, cherubim Exod 25:20 (twice in verse) = Exod 37:9 (twice in verse), Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:11; 2Chr 3:13 +.

4. face of animals, פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן Gen 30:40 ׳אַרְיֵה וּפ ׳פ נֶשֶׁר ׳שׁוֺר ופ Ezek 1:10 (in descr. of cherubim), compare Ezek 10:14 אַרְיֵה ׳פ also 1Chr 12:8 (figurative), כְֿפִיר׳פ Ezek 41:19 ׳פִּתְחֵי פ Job 41:6 of crocodile.

5. face (= surface) of ground (הָאֲדָמָה) Gen 2:6; Gen 4:14; Gen 7:4; Ps 104:30 +, so הָאָרֶץ ׳פ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3; Gen 8:9; Gen 11:4; Gen 11:8; Gen 11:9; Gen 19:28; Isa 24:1, תֵבֵל ׳פ Isa 14:21; Isa 27:6 of a field Prov 24:31 תְהוֺם ׳פ Gen 1:2 (twice in verse); Job 38:30, הַמַּיִם ׳פ Gen 7:18 רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם׳פ Gen 1:20 כִֿסֵּה׳פ Job 26:9 i.e. of God's throne (but Bu reads כֶּסֶה fullmoon); הַלּוֺט ׳פ Job 25:7 see [ לוּט; לְבוּשׁוֺ ׳פ Job 41:5 the expanse of his [the crocodile's] coat; front (especially Ezek.), of house Ezek 41:14; Ezek 47:1, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳פ Ezek 41:21 of gate Ezek 40:6; Ezek 40:20; Ezek 40:22; Ezek 42:15; Ezek 43:4 of chamber Ezek 40:44 (twice in verse); Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46 of pot (סִיר) Jer 1:13 הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳פ 2Sam 10:9 battle-front = 1Chr 19:10 (verb agrees with ׳הַמּ in gender, Ges^{«GKC:146a»§ 146a}); = van of locust-army Joel 2:20 (opposed to סֹפוֺ); front, i.e. edge, of sword Ezek 21:21, of axe Eccl 10:10 = condition, state of a thing, as denoted by its appearance; of flock Prov 27:23 הַדָּבָר ׳פ 2Sam 14:20 the appearance (situation, attitude) of the affair.

6. as adverb of location מִפָּנִים וּמֵאָחוֺר 2Sam 10:9 before and behind = ׳וְֿ ׳פ 1Chr 19:10, also Ezek 2:10; 2Chr 13:14 פְּנֵי toward Song 7:5, also in front (to the East?) of 2Chr 20:16 (see לִפְנֵי d below); לְפָנִים forward Jer 7:24 (opposed to לְאחוֺר); מִלִּפְנִים 1Kgs 6:29 see פְּנִימָה; adverb temporal לְפָנִים formerly Deut 2:12; Deut 2:20; Josh 11:10; Judg 1:10; Judg 1:11; Judg 1:13 + 12 t.; מִלְּפָנִים Isa 41:26 from beforetime (|| מֵראֹשׁ).

7. for other phrases see: אוֺר verb Hiph`il 5; אוֺר n. 10; בּוֺשׁ Hiph`il; בקשׁ Pi`el 3; בּשֶׁת 1; [הַכָּרָה]; הָדַר 2; זָעַם Niph`al; זָעַף 1; הָבַשׁ 1 a; I. חָרָה I חָוַר; חָזַק Pi`el 5; II. חלה; IV. חמר; חָפָה; טָחַן; יָעַד Hoph`al; יְשׁוּעָה 3; כּוּן Hiph`il 3; כִּפֶּר 1; כָּסָה Pi`el 1, 2; מָאוֺר; מְגַמָּה p. 169; I. מוּל; מַשּׂא; [נָבַט] Hiph`il 3; נֶגֶד 1, 2 c; נֹכַח; נָכַר Hiph`il; נָפַל 3 b, and Hiph`il 5; נָשָׂא 1 b (3); נָתַן 2 b; סָבַב Hiph`il 1 a; סָתַר Hiph`il 2; I. עֵבֶר 2; עַז, עָזַז Hiph`il; עָמַד Hiph`il 6 a; II. עֻמָּה; [צָרַב]; [קָדַם] Pi`el; שִׂים; שׁוּב Hiph`il; שִׁית; II.שָׁנָה Pi`el; תֹּפֶת. II. פְּנֵי with prepositions: —

1. אֶלפְּֿנֵי:
a. to the presence of, Exod 23:17 pregnantly יֵרָאֶה ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הָאָדוֺן shall appear (coming) to the presence of (= before) ׳י (|| Exod 34:23 ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי הָא); with יָצָא = to confront 2Chr 19:2.

b. to the front of, after a verb of motion, Lev 6:7 הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳הַקְרֵב אֹתָהּ ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵ, Lev 9:5; Lev 16:2; Num 17:8; Num 20:10.
c. towards or on the front of (אֶל = עַל), Ezek 41:4; Ezek 41:12; Ezek 41:15; Ezek 41:25; Ezek 42:2; Ezek 42:3; Ezek 42:7; Ezek 42:10; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 45:7; Ezek 48:21.
d. on to the surface of, Lev 14:53 וְשִׁלַּח ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, Ezek 16:5.

2. אֶתפְּֿנֵי close by (II. אֵת) the face or front of: hence
a. the presence of, 1Sam 2:11 עֵלִי ׳אֶתפֿ 1Kgs 12:6 who stood שְׁלֹמֹה ׳אֶתפֿ (compare לִפְנֵי 1Kgs 10:8), Esth 1:10; Prov 17:24 pregnantly (nisi וַיַּנִּחֵם leg., ᵑ6 ᵑ7 We Dr and others) 1Sam 22:4. Specifically ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי י Gen 19:13 (1Sam 2:17), v1Sam 2:27; 1Sam 2:18 and with נִרְאָה of the appearance of all males at the three annual חַגִּים, Exod 34:23 הָאָדֹן ׳יֵרָאֶה כָּלזְֿכוּרְךָ אֶתפֿ, vExod 34:24; Deut 16:16 (compare Dr), Deut 31:11; 1Sam 1:22 (|| ׳י ׳אלפֿ Exod 23:17); so פָּנַי alone Exod 23:15 = Exod 34:20 (לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי רֵיקָם), Isa 1:22, פָנֶיךָ Ps 42:3 (according to many, Ges^Thes Di^{Exod 23:15} Che^{Isa 1:12, critical note}, the verb in all these passages was originally Qal, afterwards pointed as Niph`al to avoid the expression see the face of ׳י); אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ in thy presence Ps 16:10; Ps 21:7; Ps 140:14.
b. in front of, Gen 33:18. הָעִיר ׳וַיִּחַן אֶתפֿ, Lev 4:6 פָרֹכֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳אֶתפֿ ׳לִפְנֵי י vLev 4:17. — מֵאֵת פְּנֵי from before, see II. אֵת

4 a. 3. בִּפְנֵי: (a) in the face of, mostly in particular phrases, with hostile import: thus, with יָרַק to spit Num 12:14; Deut 25:9 התיצב to make a stand Deut 7:24; Deut 11:25, and עמד Josh 10:8, לֹא יַעֲמֹד אִישׁ בְּפָנֶיךָ Josh 21:42; Josh 23:9 עָנָה to answer (give evidence) against, Hos 5:5 וענה גאון ישׂראל בפניו, Hos 7:10; Job 16:8 וְנָקֹטוּ בִּפְנֵיהֶם = feel loathing against their own selves, Ezek 6:9, so Ezek 20:43; Ezek 36:31. (b) in front of, Ezek 42:12.

4. לִפְנֵי, properly at the face or front of, the most general word for in the presence of, before: as Gen 18:22 עֹמֵד לִפְנֵי אַבְרָהָם, Exod 4:21; Exod 11:10; 2Sam 2:14; Prov 17:18 + often; after a verb of motion, Gen 47:2 וַיַּצִּיגֵם ׳לפני פ and set them before Pharaoh, Gen 27:20 ׳כִּי הִקְרָה י לפני literally made (it) to meet before me (compare Gen 24:12), Exod 29:10; Prov 18:16 etc. In particular,
a. With the implication of
(a) under the eye or oversight of, Deut 25:2; 1Sam 3:1.
(b) under the eye and regard of, Gen 17:18 לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ, Hos 6:2; Isa 53:2; Ps 61:8 compare Jer 30:20; Jer 31:36; Isa 66:22; Ps 102:29: also 1Sam 2:28; 2Sam 19:14.
(c) figurative for in (or into) the full (mental) view of, Gen 6:13 קֵץ כָּלבָּֿשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי is come in before me, Lam 1:22 תָּבאֹ כָלרָֿעָתָם לְפָנֶיךָ, Jonah 1:2 עָֽלְתָה לְפָנַי (compare אֶל Gen 18:21; Exod 2:23), Isa 65:6 כְּתוּבָה לְפָנָ֑י, Jer 2:22 נִכְתָּךְ לְפָנָי (compare נֶגְדִּי Isa 47:12).
(d) openly before, 1Sam 12:2 הִתְהַלֵךְ לִפְנֵי, and with collateral idea of deserving (and receiving) regard 1Sam 2:35, especially ׳לפני י Gen 17:1 and elsewhere.
(e) in presence of the moon or sun, Ps 72:5; Ps 72:17, i.e. as long as they endure.
(f) free before, at the disposal of,Gen 13:9 הֲלֹא כָלהָֿאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ (compare Gen 20:15; Gen 34:10; Gen 47:6; Jer 40:4; 2Chr 14:6), 2Chr 24:51; Song 8:12.
(g) in the sight (estimation) of, Gen 7:1 thee have I seen to be just before me, Gen 10:9 a mighty hunter before ׳י, Deut 24:4 ׳י ׳תּוֺעֵבָה ל, vDeut 24:13 ׳י ׳צְדָקָה ל, 1Sam 20:1 b, אָרוּר ׳י ׳ל Josh 6:26; 1Sam 26:19, ׳י ׳לְרָצוֺן ל acceptable before ׳י, Lev 1:3 +, Ps 19:15; 2Kgs 5:1 a great man לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנָיו, Prov 14:12; Ps 143:2 ׳וַיִּיטַב ל (late synonym of earlier בְּעֵנֵי) Neh 2:5; Neh 2:6; Esth 5:14 ׳טוֺב ל Eccl 2:26; Eccl 7:26 compare also נָתַן לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי, see רַחֲמִים.
(h) ׳לִפְנֵי י, specifically of acts done with a solemn sense of ׳י's presence, often, but not always, at a sanctuary: Gen 27:7 that I may eat and bless thee before ׳י, before I die, Exod 18:12 to eat bread before God, Deut 1:45 ye wept before ׳י, Deut 6:25; Deut 12:7 (to eat, so vDeut 12:18; Deut 14:23; Deut 14:26; Deut 15:20), vDeut 15:12 (rejoice, so vDeut 15:18; Deut 27:7; Isa 9:2), Josh 18:6; Josh 24:1; Judg 11:11; Judg 20:23; Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 1Sam 7:6; 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 11:15; 1Sam 12:7; 1Sam 15:33; 1Sam 23:18; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 21:9 and constantly in P, as Exod 16:9; Exod 16:33; Exod 16:34; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11; Lev 3:1; Lev 3:7 etc.; of residents in Jerusalem Isa 23:18. So in ׳י ׳הָלַךְ ל 1Kgs 2:4 and elsewhere.
b. In other phrases: —
(a) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on, Deut 1:38 and elsewhere (see עָמַד 1 e). Simil. הָיָה לִפְנֵי 1Sam 19:7 (compare 1Sam 29:8), 2Kgs 5:2 ׳עָבַד ל 2Sam 16:19.
(b) הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לִפְנֵי to bow down before Gen 23:12; Deut 26:10; 2Kgs 18:22 and elsewhere (see below שָׁחָה; also נָפַל 3 b): so with הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray 1Sam 1:12 +; compare הלך פָני 1Kgs 12:30; 1Chr 21:30.
(c) to be smitten (נִגַּף) before a foe; see נָגַף Niph`al [contrast נוּס מִפְּנֵי: below 6 a]. So with נָפַל 1Sam 14:13 נָתַן (in helplessness or flight), especially in Deuteronomy, as Deut 1:8; Deut 1:21; Deut 7:2 (twice in verse); Deut 7:23; Josh 10:12; Josh 11:6 + (Dr^{DT lxxxii}): compare Judg 4:15; 2Sam 5:20; Isa 45:1; Jer 1:17.
(d) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand (make a stand) before (not quite so strong as בִּפְנֵי ׳ע, above 3), Exod 9:11; Judg 2:14; 2Kgs 10:4; Jer 49:19; Ps 76:8; Ps 147:17; Nah 1:6 so with הִתְיַצֵּב Deut 9:2; Josh 1:5; Job 41:2, קוּם Josh 7:12; Josh 7:13.
(e) in hostile sense (rare), יָצָא לִפְנֵי go forth to face 1Chr 14:8; 2Chr 14:9.
(f) לִפְנֵי (נָתַן) שִׂים, of food, to set or place before, Gen 18:8; Gen 24:33 +.
(g) נָתַן לִפְנֵי to set before, i.e. propound for acceptance or choice, usually of laws (especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah), Deut 4:8; Deut 11:26; Deut 11:32; Deut 30:1; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 1Kgs 9:6 (D²), Jer 9:12; Jer 21:8; Jer 26:4; Jer 44:10; , compare Ezek 23:24 (place at disposal of): so with שִׂים Exod 19:7; Exod 21:1.
c. With reference to position:
(a) in front of, before, especially with verbs of motion (with which נֶגֶד is hardly used), Gen 32:21 בַּמִּנְחָה הַהֹלֶכֶת לְפָנָ֔י that goeth before me, Gen 33:14 the cattle אֲשֶׁר לְפָנַי, Exod 17:5; Exod 23:20 etc.; in the description of a march or procession, Exod 13:21; Exod 13:22; Num 10:33; Isa 52:12; Isa 58:8 +; 2Sam 3:31 and wail before Abner (before his bier); of flocks before a shepherd Gen 32:18 of captives or booty driven before a conqueror 1Sam 30:20 (read וַיִּנְהֲגוּ לְפָנָיו We Dr), Isa 8:4; Isa 40:10 = Isa 62:11 וּפְעֻלָּתוֺ לְפָנָיו his recompence (i.e. his newly-recovered people, regarded as his prize of war) before him, Amos 9:4; Lam 1:5; Lam 1:6
(b) of a leader, etc. = at the head of, Deut 10:11; Judg 9:39; 1Sam 8:20; Mic 1:13 and elsewhere; compare בא ויצא לפני (העם) Num 27:17; 1Sam 18:13; 1Sam 18:16; 2Chr 1:10; Eccl 4:16 before whom (at whose head) he was.
(c) denoting superiority, before, above, Gen 48:20 וַיָּשֶׂם אתאֿפרים לפני מנשׁה, Job 34:19.
d. Of places (not very common): Exod 14:2 before Pi-hahiroth . . ., before Baal-zephon, Num 33:7b, Gen 23:17 מַמְרֵא ׳אשׁר ל (usually ׳על פני מ: see 7 a d), 1Chr 19:7; Neh 8:1; Neh 8:3 before the temple, veil, altar, etc., Exod 16:34 + הָעֵדֻת ׳ל, Exod 30:6 + הַפָּרֹכֶת ׳ל, Exod 40:5; Exod 40:6; Num 3:38; Num 7:10 and elsewhere (all P), 1Kgs 6:21; 1Kgs 7:49 +.
e. Of time, before: Amos 1:1: לפני הָָֽ רעַשׁ before the earthquake, Gen 29:26; Gen 30:30 לְפָנַי before me (i.e. before I came to thee), Exod 10:14 לפניו לא היה כן before it there was not the like, Num 13:22; 1Kgs 16:25; 1Kgs 16:30 מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר לְפָנָיו, Isa 43:10; Isa 48:7; Prov 8:25; Job 15:7 etc. Sq. infinitive, Gen 13:10 ׳לִפְנֵי שַׁחֵת י before ׳י's destroying, etc., Gen 27:7 לִפְנֵי מוֺתִי, Gen 36:31; 1Sam 9:15 +. Once, in late Hebrew, לִפְנֵי מִזֶּה before this Neh 13:4. feminine In the manner of, like (rare and dubious), 1Sam 1:16 אַלתִּֿתֵּן אֶתאֲֿמָֽתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַתבִּֿלִיַּעַל like a worthless woman, Job 3:24 like my food, Job 4:19 they are crushed like the moth (compare Lat pro).

5. מִלִּפְנֵי₇₃ from before: —
a. from the presence of (properly, from a position before a person or object: to be distinguished from מִפְּנֵי; see 6):
(a) Gen 41:46 ׳ויצא יוסף מִלִּפְנֵי פ from before Pharaoh, Gen 47:10; 2Kgs 5:27; 2Kgs 6:32 +; ׳י ׳מל Gen 4:6 Cain went forth from before ׳י, Jonah 1:3; Jonah 1:10 specifically of the sanctuary, Lev 9:24 ׳ותצא אשׁ מלפני י (so Lev 10:2), קֶצֶף Num 17:11 (compare 2Chr 19:2), with לָקַח etc. Lev 16:12; Num 17:24; Num 20:9, 1Sam 21:7 the shew-bread that was removed from before ׳י; from before a place 1Kgs 8:54; Ezra 10:6; 2Chr 1:13,
(b) of taking, etc., from before a person, Gen 23:4 to bury my dead from before me, vGen 23:8; Exod 36:3; Deut 17:18 ׳וכתב לו מִשְׁנֵה התורה הזאת מל הכהנים from (the copy) before the priests, Deut 28:31 גָּזוּכ מלפניך.
(c) with בקשׁ Esth 4:8 [compare מִןקֳדָם Dan 2:18]; and to express the idea of proceeding from a person, Esth 1:19 [compare Dan 2:15], Eccl 10:5; 1Chr 29:12 הָעשֶׁר והכבוד מלפניך (compare Acts 3:19); Ps 17:2 מלפניך. יֵצֵא משׁפטי.
(d) of cutting off, etc., from before ׳י (compare לִפְנֵי a b, c), Lev 22:3; 1Kgs 8:25 לֹאיִֿכָּרֵת לְךָ אִישׁ, מִלְּפָנִי Jer 31:36; Jer 33:18; Isa 48:19: Ps 51:13 אַלתַּֿשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנְיךָ (compare 8 a); Jer 16:17 לֹא נִסְתְּרוּ מִלְּפָנַי, Jer 18:23; Neh 3:37.
(e) of expelling from before an invader, Exod 23:28; Deut 9:4; Deut 11:23; Deut 31:3 + (but much less common than מִפְּנֵי).
b. (Chiefly late) to express the source or cause, with the force of the לְ weakened, in cases where the earlier language would have used מִפְּנֵי: with verbs of fearing, 1Sam 18:12; Eccl 3:14; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13; 1Chr 16:30 חִילִי מִלְּפָנָיו [|| Ps 96:9 מפניו], Ps 114:7 (twice in verse); Esth 7:6; 2Chr 32:7 ( + מפני); failing, etc., Isa 57:16; Ps 97:5 being humbled, 1Kgs 21:29 ( + מפני), 2Chr 32:12; 2Chr 32:23; 2Chr 34:27 [|| 2Kgs 22:19 מפני], 2Kgs 36:12 crying for help 1Sam 8:18 [compare מפני Exod 3:7], singing 1Chr 16:33 [|| Ps 96:13 לפני], fleeing 1Chr 19:18 [|| 2Sam 10:18 מִפְּנֵי].
c. of time, once, = לִפְנֵי Eccl 1:10. — With the later usages of ׳מל, compare מִן קֳדָם in Biblical Aramaic and ᵑ7 (Dr Sm^{lxx-lxxi, lxxiii}); see also Kö^{ii. 320.}

6. מִפְּנֵי from the face or presence of, from before, Exod 14:19 וַיִּסַּע עמוד הענן מִפְּנֵיהֶם removecl from before them, Isa 30:11; Hos 11:2 so
a. (often with suggestion of causation (see מִן 2 d, e, f), because of, for fear of [so AV RV Judg 9:21; 1Sam 21:11; 1Sam 23:26; (twice in verse); Jer 37:11; Jer 41:9; Jer 50:16]) after verbs of hiding Gen 3:8; Gen 4:14; Isa 2:10 (compare vIsa 2:19 vIsa 2:21); and especially of escaping, Judg 9:21 (Thes 'bene ᵑ9 ob metum A.'), 1Sam 18:11; 1Sam 19:10; 1Sam 23:26, or fleeing, Exod 4:3; Exod 14:25; 1Sam 17:24 + often (see בָּרַךְ and נוּס), and expelling, destroying, etc. Exod 23:30 אֲגָָֽרְשֶׁנּוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ I will expel them from before thee, Exod 34:11; Exod 34:24 אוֺרִישׁ גּוֺיִם מִפָּנֶיךָ (see הוֺרִישׁ), Lev 18:24; Deut 8:20; Amos 2:9; Ps 89:24 + often (as though clearing the way for Israel, for Israel's sake: compare Isa 63:12 בּוֺקֵעַ מַיִס מִפְּנֵיהֶם, Josh 2:10; Josh 4:23). Pregn. Isa 17:9 ׳כַּעֲזוּבַת ֗֗֗ אשׁר עזבו מפני בני ישׂר which they forsook (fleeing) from before, etc.
b. implying causation more distinctly. Ps 9:4 יאבדו מפניך perish from before thee or at the presence, Deut 7:20: very often with verbs of fearing, as גור, יגר, חיל, ירא, ערץ, פחד, קוץ Exod 9:30; Num 22:3 (twice in verse); Deut 1:17; Jer 5:22 etc. (mostly when the object inspiring fear is a person: when it is a thing, מִן alone is preferred; but see Deut 5:5; Deut 9:19); of being alarmed or dismayed Gen 45:3; Josh 2:9; Jer 1:17; Job 23:15, etc.; of humbling oneself Exod 10:3; Judg 11:33 +; with other words, to indicate the external ground of an action or effect, as הַס מִפָּנָיו be silent at (i.e. because of) his presence Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Judg 5:5 the mountains flowed ׳מפני י at the presence of ׳י, Isa 63:19; Jer 4:26; Nah 1:5; Ps 68:3 as wax melteth מפני אשׁ; Deut 20:19; Isa 19:1; Isa 26:17 כן היינו מפניך so were we through thy presence (more than לפניך, — implying that their state was due to ׳י); קום מפני to rise up at the presence of Gen 31:35; Lev 19:32. (

N.B. In a, b, frequently rendered before in AV RV, and so confused with לפני; but the מִן retains always its full force in the Hebrew)
c. of the cause, whether nearer or more remote:
(a) Gen 6:13 מָֽלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם because of them (i.e. occasioned by them), Gen 27:4 I loathe my life because of the daughters of Heth, Gen 36:7 the land could not support them because of their cattle, Gen 41:31; Gen 47:13; Exod 3:7 their cry by reason of their taskmasters, Exod 8:20 תִּשָּׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי הֶעָרֹב, Exod 9:11; Josh 2:11; Josh 23:3; Judg 2:18; Judg 6:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 8:11 + often; Isa 10:27 (RVm), Jer 15:17; Ps 38:4; Ps 38:6, etc.; Jer 4:4 + מִפְּנֵי רֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם by reason of the evil of your doings, Jer 7:12; Jer 9:6; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:16; Jer 23:9 + often
(b) stating the reason for which a thing is not done (Latin prae,), 1Kgs 8:11; Job 37:19.
(c) with אֲשֶׁר as a conjunction, twice, because that, Exod 19:18; Jer 44:23. — Num 33:8 see פִּי הַחִירֹת.

7. עַלפְּֿנֵי (compare Phoenician עַל פְּנֵ, עלת פְּנֵ, Lzb³⁵²) has different meanings according to the different senses of the noun and the preposition: —
a. From the sense of face or front:
(a) in front of (more definite and distinct than לפני): Ps 18:43 as dust before the wind (compare לפני Ps 35:5; Ps 83:14 +), Gen 32:22 the present passed on עלפֿניו in front of him, Exod 33:19 אעביר כלטֿוּבי עלפֿניך,2Sam 15:18; 2Sam 15:23 (read עלפֿניו: see Dr), Job 4:15 = in the sight of, Lev 10:3 ועלפֿני כל העם אֶכָּבֵד, Jer 6:7 עַלפָּֿנַי תָּמִיד חֳלִי וּמַכָּה, Jer 13:26 (compare Nah 3:5), Ps 9:20 יִשָּֽׁפְטוּ גוים עלפֿניך before thee: defiantly, Job 1:11 אםלֿא עלֿ פניך יְבָֽרְכֶךָּ will renounce thee to thy face, Job 6:28 ועלפֿניכם אם אֲכַוֵּב, Job 21:31 to die in the presence of any one ( = in his lifetime) Gen 11:28; Num 3:4.
(b) before, to the exclusion of another, i.e. in preference to, Deut 21:16, and perhaps(Ew^{§ 217} l) Exod 20:3 (Deut 5:7) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים עלפֿני (Thes and others as c).
(c) in addition to, Job 16:14 פֶּרֶץעַלפְּֿנֵיפֶֿרֶץ יִפְרְצֵנִי.
(d) of localities, in front of, mostly (but not always: see GFM^{Ju., p. 351}) = east of, 1Kgs 6:3 the porch in front of, etc., v1Kgs 6:3; 1Kgs 7:6; 1Kgs 8:8; 2Chr 3:17; Ezek 42:8; Gen 16:12 עלפֿני כלאֿחיו ישׁכן (compare Gen 25:18 b), perhaps (Di and others) with collateral idea of defiance; מַמְרֵא ׳עַלפֿ Gen 23:19 (Gen 50:13), Exod 16:14 often in אשׁר עלפֿני ֗֗֗ Gen 25:9 (Gen 49:30), מצרים vGen 49:18 a (Josh 13:3; 1Sam 15:7), Num 21:11; Num 33:7 a, ירחו Deut 32:49 (Deut 34:1), Josh 13:3; Josh 13:25; Josh 15:8 (Josh 18:16), Josh 17:7; Josh 18:14; Josh 19:11; Judg 16:3; 1Sam 24:3 (probably), 1Sam 26:1; 1Sam 26:3; 2Sam 2:24; 1Kgs 11:7 (the Mt. of Olives, east of Jews.; so 2Kgs 23:13; Zech 14:4), Zech 17:3; Zech 17:5. — Gen 1:20 let fowl fly עלפֿני רקיע השׁמים in front of the firmament of heaven, namely as looked up to from below, i.e. between the firmament and the earth. (ε) with verbs implying direction, over towardas, Gen 18:16 וישׁקף עלפֿני סדם, Gen 19:28; Num 21:20 (Num 23:28) נשׁקפה עלפֿני הישׁימן overlooking; to sprinkle against the front of Lev 16:14 in a hostile sense (rare), Nah 2:2 עָלָה מֵפִיץ עַלפָּֿנַיִךְ, Ps 21:13; Ezek 32:10.

b. From the sense of surface, Gen 1:2 עלפֿני תהום upon the face of the deep, Exod 16:14 ׳המדבר עלפֿ: often in the phrases עלפֿני (כל) הארץ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3 +, and (more frequently) עלפֿני האדמה on the face of the ground Gen 6:1; Gen 7:23 etc.; על פני השׂדה Lev 17:5; Num 19:16; 1Sam 14:25 +; after verbs of motion, 1Sam 11:4 lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth, v1Sam 11:8 v1Sam 11:9; Exod 32:20; Lev 14:7 (Lev 14:53 אל), Isa 18:2; Isa 19:8; Amos 5:8; Ezek 32:4; Job 5:10 +.

8. מֵעַלפְּֿנֵי
a. from before the face of, Gen 23:3 Abraham rose up מֵעַל פְּנֵי מֵתוֺ from before his dead, i.e. from mourning before or beside it; Psalms (פניו) מֵעַל פני from before my (his) face, often in Kings & Jeremiah of the rejection of Israel or the temple, as with שִׁלַּת 1Kgs 9:7 (|| 2Chr 7:20 השׁליך), Jer 15:1, השׁליד 2Kgs 13:23; 2Kgs 24:20 (Jer 52:3), Jer 7:15, נטשׁ Jer 23:39, הסיר 2Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 23:27; 2Kgs 24:3; Jer 32:31.
b. from of the surface of, often in the phrase מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, with verbs of cutting off, removing, expelling, etc., Psalms; Gen 4:14; Gen 6:7; Gen 7:4; Gen 8:8; Exod 32:12; Deut 6:15; 1Sam 20:15; 1Kgs 9:7; 1Kgs 13:34; Amos 9:8; Jer 28:16; Zeph 1:2; Zeph 1:3.

BDB6683 H3942 H6440

לִפְנָ֑י 1Kgs 6:17, Ew^{§ 164 a} Ke as adjective, anterior, but read, with ᵐ5, לִפְנֵי הַדְּבִיד Th Sta Kit and others

before, face, presence, because, faces, …

pānîm

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)

face

face, faces

before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

עַ֥ם

Root word people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …

Dictionary form: עַם · am

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

In the KJV here: the people

the people ×572 people ×220 of the people ×150 my people ×113 and the people ×110 his people ×78 thy people ×58 of my people ×50

More options

people — Most versatile rendering; fits collective and singular contexts.

nation — Emphasizes ethnic or political identity as a unified group.

community — Highlights shared belonging; good for social or covenant contexts.

population — Neutral, demographic tone; useful for census or mass-movement passages.

folk — Informal, grassroots feel; suits ordinary or rural settings.

crowd — Best for gathered assemblies rather than an ongoing social group.

BDB6144 H5971 H5993

I. עַם, עָם₁₈₄₀ noun masculine^{Gen 11:6} (see below) people (Late Hebrew id., plebeian, common man; ᵑ7 עַמָּא people, plural peoples, tribes, etc.; Syriac ; Arabic see above; original meaning probably those united, connected, related, compare We^{GGN 1893, 480}); — absolute עַם Gen 11:6 +, עָם Judg 9:36 +, הָעָם Josh 8:11 +; construct עַם Num 21:29 +; suffix עַמִּי Exod 3:7 +, עַמְּךָ Exod 22:27 +, etc.; plural עַמִּים Isa 2:3 +, עֲמָמִים (compare Biblical Aramaic) Neh 9:22 construct עַמֵּי 1Kgs 8:43 +, עַמְמֵי Neh 9:24 plural with suffix see II. עַם; — (Thes cites following as feminine וְחָטָאת עַמֶּ֑ךָ Exod 5:16 [but corrupt and unintellig.; read perhaps ׳וְחַטָאתָ לְע, so ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Di]; Judg 18:7 [but ישֶׁבֶת must agree with lost word city, or the like, see GFM]; Jer 8:5 [but read שׁוֺבַב for שׁוֺבְבָה Gie]); —

1. a people, nation (sometimes || גּוֺי), collective noun (singular Exod 21:8; Josh 17:14; Josh 17:15; Josh 17:17; 2Sam 17:29 + often, or plural Exod 20:15; Exod 24:2; Jer 5:31 + often, or both in same clause Exod 1:20; 2Sam 13:24): עַם אֶחָד = all mankind Gen 11:6 (J); peoples in general Gen 27:29 (J; || לְאֻמִּים), Exod 19:5 (E), Deut 2:25; Deut 4:6 + often Deuteronomy; Neh 13:24 + often; קְהַל עַמִּים Gen 28:3 (P) an assembly (multitude) of peoples, Gen 48:4 (P), Ezek 23:24; Ezek 32:3 (+ רַבִּים); one's own people Jer 46:16; Ps 45:11; Ruth 1:10; Ruth 1:15; Ruth 1:16 (twice in verse) + (on עַמִּי נָדִיב Song 6:12 see especially Bu); particular peoples, Egypt Gen 41:40 (E), Exod 1:22 (E), Neh 9:10 +; עַםאֲֿרָם Amos 1:5 עַםכְּֿמוֺשׁ (i.e. Moab) Num 21:29 (JE), Jer 48:46 but especially Israel Exod 1:20 (E) + often; ׳עַםבְּֿנֵי יִשׂ vExod 1:9 (J); called יהוה ׳ע Num 11:29 (E), 1Sam 2:24 +, and (by ׳י) עַמִּי Exod 3:7; Exod 5:1 (J) + often (all periods); קְהַל עַםהָֿאֱלֹהִים Judg 20:2, עַםהַֿקָּהָל Lev 16:33 (P), קְהַל עָם Ps 107:32 especially הָעָם הַזֶּה (often in contempt or disgust) Num 11:1; Num 11:12; Num 11:13 +; figurative of ants Prov 30:25, the shaphan vProv 30:26, locusts Joel 2:2, compare לְעַם לְצִיִּים Ps 74:14 (where read לְעַם צִיִּים Hup-Now). — On Judg 1:16 see עֲמָלֵקִי.

2. = smaller units, e.g.
a. inhabitants of a city Gen 19:4 (J), 1Sam 9:12; 1Sam 9:13; Jer 29:16; Jer 29:25; 2Chr 31:4 + (Jer 8:5 strike out ׳יְרוּוּשׁ ᵐ5 Gie Co Rothst).
b. inhabitants of a locality Jer 37:12 [apparently not = tribe, Deut 33:3 read עַמּוֺ ᵐ5 Di Dr, Hos 10:14; Judg 5:8; Judg 5:14 read בְּעָרֶיךָ We Now; see below ד].
c. retainers, followers Gen 14:16; Gen 32:8; Gen 33:15; Gen 35:6; Judg 3:18; Judg 8:5; 2Sam 15:17; Jer 41:13; Jer 41:14 +.
d. people bearing arms 1Sam 11:11; 1Kgs 20:10 +; כָּבֵד ׳ע Num 20:20 (JE), i.e. a powerful force; עַם הַצָּבָא Num 31:32 (P), הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳ע Josh 8:1; Josh 8:3; Josh 8:11; Josh 10:7; Josh 11:7 (all J E); so probably Judg 5:8 a (fighting) band; perhaps also vJudg 5:14 (read singular ? see GFM Bu).

3. = common people Jer 21:7; Jer 22:4; Lev 4:27 (opposed to ruler vLev 4:22), Neh 5:1 (opposed to יְהוּדִים), Neh 7:5 (opposed to rulers).

4. people in general, persons Gen 50:20 (E), so apparently ׳כָּלהָֿעָם אֲשֶׁר וגו Exod 33:16 (J), Num 11:34 (J), Josh 5:5 (twice in verse) (D), Judg 9:36 (as singular), vJudg 9:37 (as plural), Jer 36:9 persons labouring 1Kgs 9:23 superior persons Job 12:2 (iron.); עַם עוֺלָם Ezek 26:30 people of long ago (now in Sh®°ôl).

5. phrases are:
a. (עַמָּהּ, עַמִּי, עַמְּךָ) בְּנֵי עַמּוֺ members of one's people, compatriots, fellow-countrymen, etc. Num 22:5 (E), Gen 23:11 (P) Lev 19:18 (H), Judg 14:16; Judg 14:17; Ezek 33:2; Ezek 33:12 +.
b. בְּנֵי הָעָם = common people (see 3) 2Kgs 23:6; Jer 26:23 +; people in general שַׁעַר בְּנֵי הָעָם Jer 17:19 i.e. public gate 2Chr 35:5; 2Chr 35:12.
c. עַם הָאָרֶץ the people at large, as a body 2Kgs 11:14; 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 11:19; 2Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 21:24 (twice in verse) +, Jer 37:2; Jer 44:21; Lev 20:2 (H), Gen 23:7; Gen 23:12; Gen 23:13 (P); common people Jer 34:19, compare ׳הא ׳דַּלַּת ע 2Kgs 24:14 distinguished from prince Ezek 45:22; Ezek 46:3; Ezek 46:9, from priests Hag 2:4; Zech 7:5 = Canaanites Num 14:9 (JE), compare עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ 1Chr 5:25 mixed post-exile population Ezra 4:4.
d. עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ usually peoples of the earth Josh 4:24 (D), 2Chr 32:19 +; of heathen peoples about and in Palestine after exile Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:11 traders Neh 10:31 עַמֵּי הָאֲרָצוֺת Neh 9:30; Neh 10:29; 2Chr 32:13.
e. מִשְׁפְּחוֺת עַמִּים Ps 96:7 = 1Chr 16:28 (compare Ps 22:28). feminine בַּתעַֿמִּי = people personified Isa 22:4; Jer 4:11 + 7 t. Jeremiah + Jer 6:14 (van d. H.; omit בַּת Baer Gi), Lam 2:11; Lam 3:48; Lam 4:3; Lam 4:6; Lam 4:10 בְּתוּלַת בַּתעַֿמִּי Jer 14:17.
g. designations of Israel are: עַםקָֿרוֺשׁ Deut 7:6 + 3 t., קְדוֺשִׁים ׳ע Dan 8:24, (ה)קֹדֶשׁ ׳ע Isa 62:12; Isa 63:18; Dan 12:7 סְגֻלָּה ׳ע Deut 7:6; Deut 14:2; Deut 26:18.
h. of foreign (non-Israel) peoples: ׳ע נָכְרִי Exod 21:8 (E), אַחֵר ׳ע Deut 28:32, and especially from language, עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה ׳ע Ezek 3:5 compare vEzek 3:6, כִּלְשׁוֺן עַם וָעָם Neh 13:24 compare Esth 1:22 (twice in verse); Esth 3:12, לֹעֵג ׳ע Ps 114:1.
i. עַם עֶבְרָתִי Isa 10:6, חֶרְמִי ׳ע Isa 34:11, מִֿבְחָרָיו׳ע Dan 11:15, עַמֵּי תּוֺעֵבוֺת הָאֵלֶּה Ezra 9:14 לֹא עַם בִּינוֺת Isa 27:11. — For עַםעֿוֺלָם Isa 44:7 read (אֹתִיּוֺת) (מִי הִשְׁמִי)עַ מֵעוֺלָם Oort Du Kit Che^Hpt compare Perles^{Anal. 40, 64}.

BDB6147 H5971

II. [עַם] noun [masculine] kinsman

**later development of I. עַם RS^{K 58; 2nd ed. 72}. (on father's side) (Arabic paternal uncle, etc., see I. עמם; compare perhaps Tel Amarna ammu, kinsmen (?); on Nabataean עם ancestor compare Lzb^{151, 499}; see also especially Nes^{Eg 187, ZAW xvi (1896), 322f.} Krenkel^{ib. viii (1888), 280-84}); — suffix עַמִּי in בֶּןעַֿמִּי (q. v.), and proper name following; elsewhere plural suffix עַמֶּיךָ Num 27:13; Num 31:2 (Lev 19:16 read עַמְּךָ ᵐ5 ⅏), + (possibly) עֲמָָמֶיךָ Judg 5:14 עַמָּיו Gen 25:8 + 15 t., עַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:14 + 3 t.; read עַמֶּי (for ᵑ0 עַמִּי, I. עַם; compare Krenkel^{l.c. 281}) Gen 49:29 and perhaps Judg 14:3 (compare Lev 21:14); according to Buhl Kit also 2Kgs 4:13 — father's kinsmen: וַיֵּאָסֵף אֶלעַֿמָּיו Gen 25:8 (of joining kinsmen in Sh®°ôl), so vGen 25:17; Gen 35:29; Gen 49:33; Num 20:24; Deut 32:50, compare Gen 49:29 (see above), Num 27:13; Num 31:2; Deut 32:50 (all P); וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ מֵעַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:4 (severed from living kinsmen), so Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:23; Lev 7:27; Lev 19:8; Lev 23:29; Num 9:13, מִקֶּרֶב עַמֶּיהָ Exod 31:14, compare Exod 30:33; Exod 30:38; Lev 17:9 (all PH); מֵעַמָּיו יִקַּח אִשָּׁה Lev 21:14 (H), and perhaps Judg 14:3 (simile I. עַם: [םָ֯, הָּ֯] מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֺ Lev 17:4; Lev 17:10; Lev 18:29+); other combinations Judg 5:14 (si vera lectio read perhaps בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ, see I. עַם 2 d ), Lev 21:1; Lev 21:4; Lev 21:15 (H), Ezek 18:18 and (perhaps) 2Kgs 4:13. — בֶּןעַֿמִּי perhaps = son of my kinsman; on proper name with עַם see Gray^{Prop. N. 41 ff}.

BDB9776 H5971 H5972

עַם noun masculine^{Ezra 6:12} people (see Biblical Hebrew I. עמם, עַם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 2:44; Dan 3:29; Ezra 6:12, construct Dan 7:27 emphatic עַמָּה Ezra 5:12, עַמָּא Ezra 7:13; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 7:25 plural emphatic עַמֲמַיָּא (K^{§§ 15d}); 55, 5 a)) Dan 3:4; Dan 3:7 (twice in verse); Dan 3:31; Dan 5:19; Dan 6:26; Dan 7:14.

people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …

ʿam

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

nation, people

people, nation

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.

וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ Pashta — a lesser break אַבְרָהָ֔ם Zaqef Qatan — a strong break לִפְנֵ֖י Tipeha — a lesser break עַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ Silluq — end of the verse

וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אַבְרָהָם לִפְנֵי עַם הָאָֽרֶץ׃

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

Cross References

Genesis 19:1

וַיָּבֹאוּ שְׁנֵי הַמַּלְאָכִים סְדֹמָה בָּעֶרֶב וְלוֹט יֹשֵׁב בְּשַֽׁעַר-סְדֹם וַיַּרְא-לוֹט וַיָּקָם לִקְרָאתָם וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אַפַּיִם אָֽרְצָה׃

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Genesis 18:2

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו וַיַּרְא וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אָֽרְצָה׃

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Genesis 23:7

וַיָּקָם אַבְרָהָם וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ לְעַם-הָאָרֶץ לִבְנֵי-חֵֽת׃

And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

Genesis 23:11

Read Genesis 23

Genesis 23:13

Genesis 23:12

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Vtw3ms

Verb Chart

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7812

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Np

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H85

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncbpc

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6440

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5971

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Td/Ncbsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H776

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV