Isaiah 46:5

לְמִ֥י תְדַמְי֖וּנִי וְתַשְׁו֑וּ וְתַמְשִׁל֖וּנִי וְנִדְמֶֽה
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לְ מִ֥י
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מִ֥י
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מִי · mee

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: to whom
who ×209 and who ×30 whom ×29 what ×14 and what ×10 or who ×10 whose ×10 but who ×6
More options
who — Standard interrogative or relative; broadest usage.
whoever — Prefer for indefinite or universal reference (whosoever).
whom — Use in object position for formal or written registers.
whose — Use when indicating possession or attribution.
anyone who — Emphasizes indefinite, inclusive scope.
which one — Use when selecting among a defined set of options.

BDB4615 H4310

BDB4614 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4616

מִי423 pronoun interrogative who? of persons, as מָה (q. v.) of things (Ethiopic but only = What ? and How ? Assyrian mî, me (rare) JägerBAS. ii. 277, the usual Semitic form for Who? has n, namely Assyrian mannu, manu (DlHWB 419), Ethiopic man¥, Aramaic Arabic , Vulgar Arabic min, m£n, from a form resembling which, by rejection of n, probably Hebrew מִי: WSG 123 f.): — who ? (τίς; quis ?) Gen 3:11 הִגִּיד לְךָ מִי who told thee ? Gen 24:65 מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶה who is this man ? Gen 27:18 מי אתה בני who art thou, my son ? Num 22:9; Judg 1:1; Judg 6:29; Judg 15:6; Judg 18:3; Judg 20:18; 2Sam 1:8 + often; Ruth 3:9 מִי אָ֑תְּ who art thou, (feminine) ? Isa 51:12 of more than one, מִי אֵלָּה who are these ? Gen 33:5; Gen 48:8; Isa 60:8 מי אתם 2Kgs 10:13 once, more explicitly, מִי זָמִי הַהֹלְכִים Exod 10:8 = as who ? (i.e. in what condition, or capacity), Amos 7:2 יעקב מי יקום vAmos 7:5; Isa 51:19 מִי אֲנַחֲמֵךְ (but Vrss Che Lag Brd Du ׳מִי יְ, as || מִי יָנוּד), Ruth 3:16 (Be Ke Köiii. 388). Note in particular:
  a. מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied: Gen 33:8 מי לך כלהֿמחנה הזה who (or what) to thee is all this camp ? Deut 4:7; Judg 9:28 שְׁכֶם מִי who is Shechem (i.e. the Shechemites) ? Mic 1:5 מִיפֶֿשַׁע יַעֲקֹב הֲלֹא שֹׁמְרוֺן, vb Song 3:6; Judg 13:17 מִי שְׁמֶ֑ךָ ( but מה Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13: with מי compare מַן in Aramaic Ezra 5:4 Genesis, Exodus ll. cc. ᵑ7; and see NöM. p. 341). On 1Sam 18:18, see II. חַי
  b. in the genitive, בַּתמִֿי אַתְּ whose daughter art thou ? Gen 24:23; Gen 24:47; 1Sam 12:3 (3 t. in verse); 1Sam 17:55; Jer 44:28; Job 26:4; Job 33:28 after various prepositions, as אַחֲרֵי מִי 1Sam 24:15 (twice in verse); אֶלמִֿי 1Sam 6:20; 2Kgs 9:5 +; בְּמִי by whom ? 1Kgs 20:14, לְמִי20 to whom ? whose ? Gen 32:18 לְמִי אַתָּה, Gen 38:25; Prov 20:20 (6 t.) +; מִמִּי Ezek 32:19; Ps 27:1 (twice in verse); עַלמִֿי 2Kgs 18:20; 2Kgs 19:22; Isa 57:4 +; אֶתמִֿי (so always in accusative), 1Sam 12:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 = with whom ? Job 12:3.
  c. in an indirect question, as Gen 21:26; Gen 43:22 לא ידענו מי שׂם we do not know who put, etc., Deut 21:1; Ps 39:7; Josh 24:15 בַּחֲרוּ ֗֗֗ אֶתמִֿי תַעֲבֹד֑וּן choose whom ye will serve, after ראה 1Sam 14:17, שׁאל 1Sam 17:56, הגיד 1Kgs 1:20, הודיע v1Kgs 1:27.
  d. ׳מי ב who among ... ? 1Sam 22:14; Isa 36:20; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14 (בהם) Isa 42:23; Isa 50:10; Hag 2:3 ( all בכם); מי מן who of ... ? Judg 21:8; 2Kgs 6:11; Isa 50:1.
  e. strengthened and emphatic forms of interrogative:
   (a) מי זה (see זה 4 b), מי הוא (see הוא 4 b β), הוא זה מי Ps 24:10; Jer 30:21; Esth 7:5 (see ibid.);
   (b) אֶחָד מִי what single one ... ? Judg 21:8, compare 2Sam 7:23 ( = 1Chr 17:21). feminine various rhetorical uses ( often repeated in || clause, as Ps 15:1; Ps 18:32; Isa 28:9; Isa 29:15): — (a) followed by imperfect it expresses a wish ( the question implying a desire that the person asked for were present ), 2Sam 15:4 מִי יְשִׂמֵנִי שֹׁפֵט who will set me judge ? i.e. would that some one would make me judge ! 2Sam 23:15 מִי יַשְׁקֵנִי מַיִם = O that one would give me to drink, etc. ! compare Num 11:4; Num 11:18; Mal 1:10; Ps 4:7; Ps 60:11; Ps 94:16; Isa 42:23, and very often in the phrase מִי יִתֵּן who will give? i.e. would that there were. . . ! as Num 11:29 נביאים ׳ומי יתן כל עם י = and would that all ׳י's people were prophets! Deut 28:67 מי יתן ערב = would it were even! Judg 9:29 + (see נָתַן). (b) it expresses contempt (who ? implying the answer no one at all), Exod 5:2 ׳אשׁר אשׁמע בקולו מי י who is ׳י that I should listen to his voice ? Judg 9:28 מִי אֲבִימֶלֶךְ וּמִי שְׁכֶם כִּי נַעַבְדֶנּוּ, vJudg 9:38; 1Sam 17:26 who is this Philistine that he should have reproached, etc.? 1Sam 25:10 מי דוד ומי בן ישׁי Isa 28:9; Job 26:4; Prov 30:9 ׳מי י; or modesty (real or assumed), Exod 3:11 מִי אָנֹכִי כִּי אֵלֵךְ אֶלפַּֿרְעֹה 1Sam 18:18 ומי חיי מי אנכי who am I, and who is my clan (חַיִּי), that I should be the king's son-in-law ? 2Sam 7:18; 1Chr 29:14; 2Chr 2:5 or surprise, Isa 44:10; Isa 49:21. (c) in impassioned prose, and especially in poetry, implying the answer few or none, it is equivalent to a rhetorical negative, Deut 9:2 מִי יִתְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵי בְנֵי עֲנָק who can stand, etc.? Deut 30:12 מִי יַעֲלֶהלָּֿנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה vDeut 30:13; 1Sam 4:8 ׳מִי יַצִּילֵנוּ וג, 1Sam 6:20; 1Sam 22:14; 1Sam 26:9; 1Sam 26:15; 2Sam 16:10 מי יאמר who shall (or can) say ? Job 9:12; Prov 20:9; Eccl 8:4 with the perfect (of experience), who has ever . . . ? Num 23:10; Deut 5:23; Isa 36:20; Isa 66:8 (twice in verse); Jer 18:13 מִי שָׁמַע כָּאֵלֶּה, Jer 23:18 (ᵑ0), Jer 30:21; Job 4:7; Job 9:4 מִי הִקְשָׁה אֵלָיו וַיִּשְׁלָ֑ם, Job 41:3; Prov 30:4; Lam 3:37 in poetry, very often, as Gen 49:9 מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ וּכְלָבִיא who can rouse him up ? (i.e. no one), Exod 15:11 (twice in verse) מִי כָמוֺךָ (so Ps 35:10 and elsewhere), Num 24:9; Num 24:23; 1Sam 2:25 מי יתפלל לו who shall intercede for him ? (i.e. no one), Isa 1:12; Isa 10:3; Isa 40:13; Isa 40:14; Isa 40:18; Isa 41:26; Isa 42:19; Isa 43:9; Isa 48:14; Isa 50:1; Isa 53:1 מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ (i.e. few or none), etc.; Ps 18:32 ׳מִי אֱלוֺהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵי י, Ps 76:8; Ps 89:7; Ps 130:3; Job 21:31; Job 34:29; Jer 17:9; Joel 2:11; Mal 3:2 מִי לֹא ֗֗֗ Amos 3:8; Jer 10:7; Job 12:9 (compare Job 25:3; Nah 3:19); (יְשִׁיבֶנָּה) מִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ who shall (can) turn it back ? Job 9:12; Job 11:10; Job 23:13; Isa 14:27; Isa 43:13; Jer 2:24 implying the answer, no one but God, Isa 40:12; Isa 41:2; Isa 35:6; Isa 35:25, etc.; defiantly, Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי, Jer 21:13; Jer 49:4 מִי יָבוֺא אֵלַי, vJer 49:19; Obad 1:3; Ps 12:5 מִי אָדוֺן לָנוּ, Ps 59:8; Ps 64:6; Job 9:19 מִי יוֺעִידֵנִי וְאִם לְמִשְׁפָּט, Job 13:19 מִי הוּא יָרִיב עִמָּדִי who is he that will contend with me ? Job 17:3; Job 41:2. Notice in examples of this kind the frequent order of words: Prov 20:6 ואישׁ אמוּנים מי ימצא, Prov 24:22 יודע ופיד שׁניהם מי, Prov 31:10; Nah 1:6 לפני זעמו מי יעמד, Ps 147:17 קֹרָתוֺ מי יעמד לפני, Job 4:2 וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין מִי יוּכ֑ל, Job 26:14; Job 38:37; Job 39:5; Job 41:5; Job 41:6; Ps 6:6 בִּשְׁאוֺל מִי יוֺדֶהלָּֿ֑ךְ, Ps 19:13 and with the nom. pendens, Jer 2:24 תַּאֲנָתָהּ מִי יְשִׁיבֶנָּה, Prov 18:14; Job 17:15 וְתִקְוָתִי מִי יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, Job 38:29 וּכְפֹר שָׁמַיִם מִי יְלָדוֺ.
   (d) מִי יוֺדֵעַ who knoweth ? (Ps 90:11; Prov 24:22), followed by a verbal clause, becomes (compare nescio an) = it may be, perchance, 2Sam 12:22 ׳מִי יוֺדֵעַ יְחָנֵּנִי י (Qr וְחַנַּנִי), Joel 2:14 ( = Jonah 3:9) מי יודע ישׁוב ונחם, Esth 4:14 יודע אם מי.
   (e) especially in poetry, a question with מי, to which the answer follows, is an effective mode of affirming a fact, or introducing a description: Ps 15:1 (twice in verse) (see vPs 15:2); Ps 24:3; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:10; Isa 23:8 מי יעץ ׳זאת וג (Isa 23:9 the answ., יְעָצָהּ ׳צ ׳י), Isa 33:14 (see vIsa 33:15f.), Isa 37:23; Isa 41:2; Isa 41:4; Isa 60:8; Isa 63:1; Jer 46:7; Song 3:6, compare Song 6:10; Song 8:3 answered by הֲלֹא Exod 4:11; Isa 42:24; Isa 45:21; Mic 1:5 (twice in verse).
  g. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it: Exod 24:14 מי בעל דברים יִגַּשׁ אליהם, literally Who hath a cause ? let him draw nigh unto them, i.e. whoso hath a cause, let him, etc., Isa 50:8b מִי בַעַל מִשְׁפָּטִי יִגַּשׁ אֵלַי, Isa 54:15; Judg 7:3 מִי יָרֵא וְחָרֵד יָשֹׁב ׳וג who is fearful and trembling ? let him return, Prov 9:4; Prov 9:16 מִיפֶֿ֖תִי יָסֻר הֵגָּה, Ezra 1:3 (compare with וְ in apodosis Jer 9:11; Hos 14:10; Ps 107:43; Zech 4:10 is dubious, on account of anomalous tense and construction); so with מי האישׁ אשׁר ֗֗֗ Deut 20:5; Deut 20:6; Deut 20:7; Judg 10:18, compare Ps 25:12. With 1 person in apodosis, Exod 32:33 חָטָא לִי אֶמְחֶגּוּ מִסִּפְרִי מִי אֲשֶׁר, Jer 49:19 ( = Jer 50:44) אֵלָיהָ אֶפְקֹד וּמִי בָחוּר and who is chosen? I will appoint him over her! Isa 50:8a; with an imperative in the apodosis Exod 32:24 (against accents; see Ra) התפרקו למי זהב who hath gold ? break it off you! Gen 19:12; 1Sam 11:12, compare Ps 34:13f.; without a verb, Exod 32:26 אלי ׳מי לי who is on J.'s side ? (let him come) to me! so 2Sam 20:11 (מי אשׁר); Eccl 5:9; Eccl 9:4 (מי אשׁר).
  h. once, following a verb (compare מָה 3), any one, 2Sam 18:12 שִׁמְרוּמִֿי בַּנַּעַר באבשׁלום Have a care, whosoever ye be, of, etc. (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Bu לִי; compare v2Sam 18:5).

BDB9669 H4479 H4310

BDB9668 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9670

מַן (so Gi, with most MSS., supported by Syriac , Arabic ; see K§ 22, 1), מָן (Baer: see on Dan 3:6), interrogative pronoun who? (Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene מן Lzb312 Cooke188), ᵑ7 מן, Syriac , Ethiopic Arabic WCG 123: Biblical Hebrew מִי); —

1. who? Ezra 5:3; Ezra 5:9 strengthened by הוּא, Dan 3:15 וּמַןהֿוּא אֱלָהּ דִּי who is the God who . . . ? (compare Syriac contracted from , and מַנּוּ in the Syriacizing ᵑ7 to Proverbs: also Biblical Hebrew מִי הוּא, הוּא 4 b β); so in the plural Ezra 5:4 מִןאִֿנוּן שְׁמָהָת what (literally who: compare מִי 1 a, and Gen 32:28; Exod 3:13 ᵑ7) are the names of . . .?
2. מַןדּֿי whosoever (literally who is there that . . .? see Biblical Hebrew מִי g) Dan 3:6; Dan 3:11 מִןדִּֿי לָא יִפֵּל, Dan 4:14 וּלְמִן דִּי יִצְבֵּא יִתְּנִנַּהּ to whomsoever he willeth, he giveth it, v.Dan 4:22 v.Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21 (so Nabataean מן די, Cooke241, 325 ff.; ᵑ7 מַן דְּ; Syriac ; compare Egyptian Aramaic S-CPap. K 7, 12 ולמן זי צבית תנתן).

who, whom, what, whose, which, …
mî
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
  • who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

תְדַמְי֖וּ נִי
תְדַמְי֖וּ
Root word like, liken, thought, likened, meaneth, …
נִי
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: דָּמָה · daw-MAW

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

In the KJV here: will ye liken
is like ×3 and be thou like ×2 then will ye liken ×2 and thought ×1 and used similitudes ×1 and we should have been like ×1 art thou like ×1 art thou thus like ×1
More options
resemble — Best for comparisons; broad and natural in modern prose.
compare — Use when the act of drawing a likeness is foregrounded.
liken — Modernized KJV form; still idiomatic in religious contexts.
imagine — Fits contexts of mental conception or devising a plan.
devise — Prefer when scheming or planning is the sense.
think — Informal; suits internal reasoning or supposition contexts.

BDB1961 H1819

BDB1960 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1962

I. דָּמָה verb be like, resemble (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic דְּמֵי, דְּמָא, ; compare דמין, price, Nabataean דמי id. (Nö in EutNab. Inscr. p. 35); also , and likeness (whence Arabic image, effigy, as loan-word Frä272) compare דְּמוּת) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ד Ezek 31:8; Ps 144:4 3 feminine singular דָּֽמְתָה Song 7:8 2 masculine singular דָּמִיתָ Ezek 31:2; Ezek 31:18 1 singular דָּמִיתִי Ps 102:7 3 plural דָּמוּ Ezek 31:8 1 plural דָּמִינוּ Isa 1:9 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִדְמֶה Ps 89:7 1 plural וְנִדְמֶה consecutive Isa 46:5 Imperative masculine singular דְּמֵה Song 2:17; Song 8:14 Participle דּוֺמֶה Song 2:9 — be like, resemble, of external appearance, followed by לְ, Song 7:8; Song 2:9; Song 2:17; Song 8:14 followed by אֶלֿ Ezek 31:8 (twice in verse); Ezek 31:18 (all of tree, figurative of Pharaoh); of condition or quality followed by לְ Isa 1:9; Ps 102:7; Ps 144:4 so מִי ֗֗֗ יִדְמֶה ליהוה Ps 89:7 also absolute Isa 46:5 followed by אֶל Ezek 31:2. Pi`el Perfect דִּמָּה 2Sam 21:5, דִּמִּיתָ Ps 50:21 דִּמִּיתִי Num 33:56; Isa 14:24 suffix דִּמִּיתִיךָ Song 1:9, דִּמּוּ 2Sam 21:5 Imperfect יְדַמֶּה Isa 10:7 2 feminine singular תְּדַמִּי Esth 4:13 (jussive); אֲדַמֶּה Lam 2:13; Hos 12:11 2 masculine plural תְּדַמְּיוּן Isa 40:18 suffix תְּדַמְּיוּנִי Isa 40:25; Isa 46:5 — liken, compare; imagine, think, devise; —
1. liken, i.e. consider to be like, compare, causative of Qal followed by לְ of external appearance Song 1:9 of quality or condition Isa 46:5 (object ׳י) Lam 2:13 followed by אֶל of external appearance Isa 40:18; Isa 40:25 (both object God in reference to idols); absolute use comparisons or similitudes (parables, symbols, etc.) Hos 12:11 (subject ׳י).
2. imagine, form an idea, devise 2Sam 21:5 (on context compare Dr); think, intend, followed by Infinitive Num 33:56 (J or H) Judg 20:5; Esth 4:13 absolute Isa 10:7 compare Isa 14:24 think that, followed by object clause (Imperfect without conjunction) Ps 50:21 think of, followed by accusative Ps 48:10. Hithpa`el make oneself or become like; Imperfect אֶדַּמֶּה לְעֶלְיוֺן Isa 14:14 I will make myself like the Most High (on form compare Ges«GKC:54»§ 54. 2).

BDB9453 H1819 H1821

BDB9452 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9454

[דְּמָה] verb be like (Biblical Hebrew I. דָּמָה); —

Pe`al Participle active דָּמֵה Dan 3:25 (ל person); feminine דָּֽמְיָה Dan 7:5 (לְדֹב).

like, liken, thought, likened, meaneth, …
dāmâ
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
  • to be like, resemble
    • (Qal) to be like, resemble
      • "(Piel)
      • to liken, compare
        • "to imagine, think
      (Hithpael) to make oneself like"(Niphal)

וְ תַשְׁו֑וּ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תַשְׁו֑וּ
Root word equal, laid, compared, maketh, plain, …
Dictionary form: שָׁוָה · shaw-WAW

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine plural causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you (a group)"

In the KJV here: me and make me equal
he maketh ×2 and it profited ×1 are alike ×1 availeth ×1 be like unto him ×1 countervail ×1 hast thou laid ×1 have i laid ×1
More options
equal — Best for comparisons of value, worth, or likeness.
compare — Use when measuring one thing against another.
match — Informal; good for direct equivalence or rivalry contexts.
level — Suits physical or metaphorical 'making flat/even' senses.
amount to — Fits contexts of worth or profit; natural modern idiom.
place — For the 'set/lay' sense; use when positioning is in view.

BDB8519 H7737

BDB8518 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8520

I. שָׁוָה verb (be even, smooth, see Pi`el, hence) agree with, be like, resemble (Arabic II. make even, flat, uniform (with something else); Aramaic שְׁוָא (derived species) be like, be equal, fit, like, Pa`el lay out smoothly, Aph`el make plain, fit, worthy); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular לִי ׳לֹא שׁ Job 33:27 (si vera lectio) it was not equalled to me, i.e. (see infra; according to most) not requited (so De Di Da, and Isa 16:6 ᵑ7); Bu אֵל לֹא שִׁוָּה God did not requite (or שִׁלֵּם for שׁוה); Du לֹא שִׁוָּה כַעֲוֺנִי (compare ᵐ5); Imperfect 1 singular of ׳י, אֶלמִֿי ֗֗֗ אֶשְׁוֶה Isa 40:25 to whom shall I be like ? (|| תְּדַמְּיוּנִי), implying that he is incompare; 3 masculine plural לֹא יִשְׁווּבָֿהּ Prov 3:15 are not comparable with her (wisdom), so Prov 8:11 2 masculine singular פֶּןתִּֿשְׁוֶהלֿוֺ Prov 26:4 lest thou be like him (a fool); Participle שֹׁוֶה בְּ Esth 7:4 is not an equivalent for; with לִ, suitable for Esth 3:8, so Esth 1:22 Hi Or RyKau (reading כֹּל שֹׁוֶה עִמּוֺ for כִּלְשׁוֺן עַמּוֺ, but see Siegf.); adequate for Esth 5:13. Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular שִׁוָּה Isa 28:25 he hath levelled its (the ground's) surface; 1 singular שִׁוִּיתִי וְדוֺמַמְתִּי נַפְשִׁי Ps 131:2 I have smoothed (composed) and stilled my soul; so, that is נַפְשִׁי Isa 38:13 ᵑ9 Ges De and others; Houb Lo Che Du and others read שִׁוַּעְתִּי I cried; accusative מִשְׁפָּטִים Ps 119:30 accounted suitable, meet (|| דֶּרֶךְ אֱמוּנָח בָּחָ֑רְתִּי), Hi, compare Gr vPs 119:128 (see Qal Esth 3:8); We inserts לְנֶגְדִּי (II. ׳שׁ, compare Ps 16:8); Zenner Du אִזִּיתִי. Hiph`il make like: Imperfect 1 singular מָח אַשְׁוֶחלָֿךְ Lam 2:13 (|| אֲדַמֶּה); 2 masculine plural לְמִי תְדַמְּיוּנִי וְתַשְׁווּ Isa 46:5 (compare Qal Isa 40:25). Nithp. (apparently) Perfect 3 feminine singular נִשְׁתָּ֑וָה (for נִשְׁתְּוָה) Prov 27:15 are alike, but read probably Niph`al 3 feminine singular נִשְׁוָ֑תָה Ges«GKC:75x»§ 75x Toy and others — תשׁוה Job 30:22 Kt see II. שׁוא.

BDB8525 H7737

BDB8524 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8526

II. [שָׁוָה] verb Pi`el set, place (Biblical Aramaic Hithpa. ᵑ7 שְׁוָא Pa`el set, make (often ᵑ7 = שׁום, שׁית); Thes and others below I. ׳שׁ, originally set, place, then set together, compare, < weakened from original make even, right, compare Vulgar Arabic II. make (Wahrm, compare also BaES 66)); — Perfect 1 singular שִׁוִּיתִי Ps 16:8 I have set ׳י before me (לְנֶגְּדִּי); עֵזֶר עַל ׳שׁ Ps 89:20 I have placed strength upon a hero, compare Ps 21:6 Participle מְשַׁוֶּח רַנְלַי כְּ 2Sam 22:34 setting my feet like hinds = Ps 18:34 (compare ᵑ7 שַׁוִּי כְּ Gen 48:20; Jer 29:22, for שׂים כְּ); — Isa 38:13 see I. שׁוה; — Imperfect = make, produce, 3 masculine singular פְּרִי יְשַׁוֶּה לוֺ Hos 10:1 (Israel as vine), si vera lectio, see We Now (|| עשׂת פְּרִי Hos 9:16, compare Hos 8:7).

BDB9939 H7737 H7739

BDB9938 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9940

I. [שְׁוָה] verb become like (Biblical Hebrew I. שָׁוָה); —

Pa`el Perfect 3 masculine plural שַׁוִּי Qr (see וְ following; > Pe`îl שְׁוִי Kt, see K§ 47 Beisp. 3, and p. 175) Dan 5:21, accusative of thing, with עִם.

equal, laid, compared, maketh, plain, …
šāwâ
properly, to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e., counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.)
  • to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble
    • (Qal)
      • to be like
        • "equivalent (participle)"to set, place"setting (participle)
      (Piel) to level, smooth, still"(Hiphil) to make like"(Nithpael) to be alike
    (Piel) to set, place

וְ תַמְשִׁל֖וּ נִי
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תַמְשִׁל֖וּ
Root word like, proverb, proverbs, speak, use, …
נִי
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: מָשַׁל · maw-SHAHL

Verb — Hiphil, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine plural causative — "he made (someone) do" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you (a group)"

In the KJV here: and compare
and compare ×1 and i am become like ×1 and speak ×1 and utter ×1 as we art thou become like ×1 he is like ×1 is like ×1 me i become like ×1
More options
liken — Broadly useful for comparing one thing to another.
compare — Neutral, modern equivalent of KJV 'compare'.
recite a proverb — Use when the subject speaks a mashal formula.
speak in proverbs — Suits poetic or wisdom literature contexts.
become like — Use for the stative sense: resembling something.
use as a byword — When a person or place becomes a cautionary example.

BDB4873 H4911

BDB4872 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4874

I. [מָשַׁל] verb represent, be like (Arabic stand erect (compare FlDe Prov 1:1), II. effigiavit, representavit (rem alicui), see imitate, use a verse as a poverb; description by way of comparison; Assyrian mašâlu, DlHWB 451 f.; Ethiopic become like; Aramaic מְתַל be like, compare). Niph`al Perfect3 masculine singular נִמְשַׁל Ps 49:13; Ps 49:21 2 masculine singular נִמְֹשָׁ֑לְתָּ Isa 14:10 1 singular נִמְשַׁלְתִּי Ps 28:1; Ps 143:7: — be like, similar, with אֶל Isa 14:10 עִם Ps 28:1 = Ps 143:7 כְּ Ps 49:13; Ps 49:21. Hiph`il Imperfect 2 masculine plural suffix וְתָמְשִׁלוּנִי compare Isa 46:5. Hithpa`el Imperfect 1 singular וָאֶתְמַשֵּׁל Job 30:19 (with כְּ) and I have become like dust..

BDB4875 H4911

BDB4874 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4876

II. מָשַׁל verb denominative use of proverb, speak in parables or sentences of poetry, especially Ezekiel; —

Qal Imperfect יִמְשֹׁל Ezek 16:44 3 masculine plural יִמְשְׁלוּ Ezek 12:23 Imperative מְשֹׁל Ezek 17:2; Ezek 24:3 Infinitive construct מְשֹׁל Ezek 18:3 Participle משֵׁל Ezek 16:44, plural משְׁלִים Ezek 18:2; Num 21:27 — use a proverb: מָשָׁל׳מ Ezek 12:23; Ezek 18:3 a parable with אֶלֿ Ezek 17:2 (|| חוּד חִידָה), Ezek 24:3 with עַלֿ Ezek 18:2, and (מָשָׁל apparently omitted) הִנֵּה כָּלֿ הַמּשֵׁל עָלַיִךְ יִמְשֹׁל Ezek 16:44 (but this is awkward; point הִנֵּה כֹּל הַמָּשָׁל); משְׁלִים Num 21:27 (JE)., Pi`el Participle הֲלֹא מְמַשֵּׁל מְשָׁלִים הוּא Ezek 21:5 is he not a maker of parables?

like, proverb, proverbs, speak, use, …
māšal
to liken, i.e., (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
  • to represent, liken, be like
    • (Niphal) to liken, be like, be similar
      • "(Hiphil) to compare"(Hithpael) to become like
    to speak in a proverb, use a proverb, speak in parables, speak in sentences of poetry
    • (Qal) to use a proverb, speak a parable or proverb
      • "(Piel) to make a parable
      • maker of parables (participle)

וְ נִדְמֶֽה
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
נִדְמֶֽה
Root word like, liken, thought, likened, meaneth, …
Dictionary form: דָּמָה · daw-MAW

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

In the KJV here: me that we may be like
is like ×3 and be thou like ×2 then will ye liken ×2 and thought ×1 and used similitudes ×1 and we should have been like ×1 art thou like ×1 art thou thus like ×1
More options
resemble — Best for comparisons; broad and natural in modern prose.
compare — Use when the act of drawing a likeness is foregrounded.
liken — Modernized KJV form; still idiomatic in religious contexts.
imagine — Fits contexts of mental conception or devising a plan.
devise — Prefer when scheming or planning is the sense.
think — Informal; suits internal reasoning or supposition contexts.

BDB1961 H1819

BDB1960 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1962

I. דָּמָה verb be like, resemble (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic דְּמֵי, דְּמָא, ; compare דמין, price, Nabataean דמי id. (Nö in EutNab. Inscr. p. 35); also , and likeness (whence Arabic image, effigy, as loan-word Frä272) compare דְּמוּת) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ד Ezek 31:8; Ps 144:4 3 feminine singular דָּֽמְתָה Song 7:8 2 masculine singular דָּמִיתָ Ezek 31:2; Ezek 31:18 1 singular דָּמִיתִי Ps 102:7 3 plural דָּמוּ Ezek 31:8 1 plural דָּמִינוּ Isa 1:9 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִדְמֶה Ps 89:7 1 plural וְנִדְמֶה consecutive Isa 46:5 Imperative masculine singular דְּמֵה Song 2:17; Song 8:14 Participle דּוֺמֶה Song 2:9 — be like, resemble, of external appearance, followed by לְ, Song 7:8; Song 2:9; Song 2:17; Song 8:14 followed by אֶלֿ Ezek 31:8 (twice in verse); Ezek 31:18 (all of tree, figurative of Pharaoh); of condition or quality followed by לְ Isa 1:9; Ps 102:7; Ps 144:4 so מִי ֗֗֗ יִדְמֶה ליהוה Ps 89:7 also absolute Isa 46:5 followed by אֶל Ezek 31:2. Pi`el Perfect דִּמָּה 2Sam 21:5, דִּמִּיתָ Ps 50:21 דִּמִּיתִי Num 33:56; Isa 14:24 suffix דִּמִּיתִיךָ Song 1:9, דִּמּוּ 2Sam 21:5 Imperfect יְדַמֶּה Isa 10:7 2 feminine singular תְּדַמִּי Esth 4:13 (jussive); אֲדַמֶּה Lam 2:13; Hos 12:11 2 masculine plural תְּדַמְּיוּן Isa 40:18 suffix תְּדַמְּיוּנִי Isa 40:25; Isa 46:5 — liken, compare; imagine, think, devise; —
1. liken, i.e. consider to be like, compare, causative of Qal followed by לְ of external appearance Song 1:9 of quality or condition Isa 46:5 (object ׳י) Lam 2:13 followed by אֶל of external appearance Isa 40:18; Isa 40:25 (both object God in reference to idols); absolute use comparisons or similitudes (parables, symbols, etc.) Hos 12:11 (subject ׳י).
2. imagine, form an idea, devise 2Sam 21:5 (on context compare Dr); think, intend, followed by Infinitive Num 33:56 (J or H) Judg 20:5; Esth 4:13 absolute Isa 10:7 compare Isa 14:24 think that, followed by object clause (Imperfect without conjunction) Ps 50:21 think of, followed by accusative Ps 48:10. Hithpa`el make oneself or become like; Imperfect אֶדַּמֶּה לְעֶלְיוֺן Isa 14:14 I will make myself like the Most High (on form compare Ges«GKC:54»§ 54. 2).

BDB9453 H1819 H1821

BDB9452 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9454

[דְּמָה] verb be like (Biblical Hebrew I. דָּמָה); —

Pe`al Participle active דָּמֵה Dan 3:25 (ל person); feminine דָּֽמְיָה Dan 7:5 (לְדֹב).

like, liken, thought, likened, meaneth, …
dāmâ
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
  • to be like, resemble
    • (Qal) to be like, resemble
      • "(Piel)
      • to liken, compare
        • "to imagine, think
      (Hithpael) to make oneself like"(Niphal)

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
לְמִ֥י תְדַמְי֖וּנִי Tipeha — a lesser break וְתַשְׁו֑וּ Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְתַמְשִׁל֖וּנִי Tipeha — a lesser break וְנִדְמֶֽה Silluq — end of the verse

לְמִי תְדַמְיוּנִי וְתַשְׁווּ וְתַמְשִׁלוּנִי וְנִדְמֶֽה׃
5
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Cross References

Isaiah 40:18

וְאֶל-מִי תְּדַמְּיוּן אֵל וּמַה-דְּמוּת תַּעַרְכוּ לֽוֹ׃
18
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Isaiah 40:25

וְאֶל-מִי תְדַמְּיוּנִי וְאֶשְׁוֶה יֹאמַר קָדֽוֹשׁ׃
25
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Psalms 89:6

כִּי מִי בַשַּׁחַק יַעֲרֹךְ לַיהוָה יִדְמֶה לַיהוָה בִּבְנֵי אֵלִים׃
6
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

Psalms 86:8

אֵין-כָּמוֹךָ בָאֱלֹהִים׀ אֲדֹנָי וְאֵין כְּֽמַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ׃
8
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Exodus 15:11

מִֽי-כָמֹכָה בָּֽאֵלִם יְהוָה מִי כָּמֹכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹשֵׂה פֶֽלֶא׃
11
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Jeremiah 10:6

מֵאֵין כָּמוֹךָ יְהוָה גָּדוֹל אַתָּה וְגָדוֹל שִׁמְךָ בִּגְבוּרָֽה׃
6
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

Colossians 1:15

ὅς ἐστιν εἰκὼν τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως
15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Philippians 2:6

ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ
6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Jeremiah 10:16

לֹֽא-כְאֵלֶּה חֵלֶק יַעֲקֹב כִּֽי-יוֹצֵר הַכֹּל הוּא וְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֵׁבֶט נַֽחֲלָתוֹ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמֽוֹ׃
16
The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.

Psalms 113:5

מִי כַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ הַֽמַּגְבִּיהִי לָשָֽׁבֶת׃
5
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

Psalms 89:8

יְהוָה׀ אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת מִֽי-כָֽמוֹךָ חֲסִין׀ יָהּ וֶאֱמֽוּנָתְךָ סְבִיבוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
8
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

Hebrews 1:3

ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ δι' εαυτοῦ καθαρισμὸν ποιησάμενος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ημῶν ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς
3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Isaiah 46:4
Read Isaiah 46
Isaiah 46:6