Job 12:11

הֲלֹא אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם לֽוֹ
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הֲ לֹא
הֲ
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
לֹא
Particle not
Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

הֲ
Question marker This opening ה is not "the" — pointed הֲ (not הַ with a doubling dagesh) it turns the sentence into a question. Read the clause with a "?".

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: doth 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.

BDB4266 H3808

BDB4265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4267

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Köii. 1. 236 WalkerAJSL 1896, 237 ff.) — לוֺא, according to Masora (FrMM 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 לְהַָ˜בר׃ 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 Dr1Sam 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), vb 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, vb 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 Köii. 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 DePs 100. 3 FrMM 247 StrProl. 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

BDB4343 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4345

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

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 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, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. 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.

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)
      • "not (with modifier—negation)"nothing (subst)"without (with particle)"before (of time)

אֹ֭זֶן
אֹ֭זֶן
Root word ears, ear, audience, hearing, me, …
Dictionary form: אֹזֶן · oh-DZEN

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the ear
in the ears ×22 thine ear ×16 ear ×9 their ear ×7 in mine ears ×6 the ear ×6 his ear ×5 his ears ×4
More options
ear — Standard, neutral term; fits most prose and poetry contexts.
hearing — Use when the sense is 'within someone's hearing/audience'.
attention — Idiomatic for phrases like 'lend an ear'; signals receptivity.
audience — Formal register; suits proclamation or official speech contexts.
perception — Emphasizes cognitive reception of sound, not just the organ.

BDB263 H241

BDB262 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB264

אֹ֫זֶן188 noun feminine: Exod 29:20 ear (Arabic , Aramaic , אוּדְנָא, Assyrian uznu, Ethiopic ) — absolute 2Sam 22:45 +; construct Exod 29:20 +; suffix אָזְנִי 1Sam 20:2 +, etc.; dual אָזְנַיִם (נָ֑יִם) Deut 29:3 +; construct אָזְנֵי Gen 23:10 +; suffix אָזְנַי (נָֿ֑י) Num 14:28 +; (never with article). —

1. ear, as part of body; of human being, as bearing earring Gen 35:4; Exod 32:2; Exod 32:3 (all J E) Ezek 16:12 pierced by a master Exod 21:6 (E) Deut 15:17 touched with blood in consecration (׳תְּנוּךְ א tip of ear) Lev 8:23; Lev 8:24; Lev 14:14; Lev 14:17; Lev 14:25; Lev 14:28 cut off by enemy Ezek 23:25 (of אָהֳלִיבָה q. v.); ear of dog Prov 26:17 מַחֲזִיק בְּאָזְנֵיכָּֿ֑לֶב; of sheep Amos 3:12 (fragment rescued from lion).
2. especially as organ of hearing,
  a. of man Deut 29:3; 2Sam 22:45 = Ps 18:45; Job 42:5; Isa 30:21 implanted (נטע) by ׳י Ps 94:9 of idols (do not hear) Ps 115:6; Ps 135:17 ׳שָׁמַע בא 2Sam 7:22 + 8 t.; especially ׳בְּא after verb of saying = in the ears, in the hearing of Gen 20:8 (E) Gen 23:10; Gen 23:13; Gen 23:16 (P) Gen 44:18; Gen 50:4 (J) Deut 5:1; Deut 31:11; Deut 31:28; Deut 31:30 + 44 t.; compare Isa 5:9 (verb omitted); after noun of utterance, sound 1Sam 15:14; Job 13:17; Job 15:21 compare ׳א after verbal noun Ezek 24:26 (׳לְהַשְׁמָעוּת א) compare Isa 11:3 ׳הִטָּה א incline the ear = give attention Ps 45:11; Prov 22:17 + 9 t.; followed by ל Ps 49:5 + 4 t.; so ׳הִקְשִׁיב א Isa 32:3; Prov 2:2 (followed by ל); ׳ל ׳הֵבִיא א Prov 23:2 as receiving words תָּקַּח ׳א Job 4:12 compare Jer 9:19 as tingling (צלל) at dreadful news 1Sam 3:11; 2Kgs 21:12; Jer 19:3 as hearing with satisfaction, triumph Ps 92:12 תִּשְׁמַעְנָה אָזְנָי֑ (|| ׳וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּ but Che strike out; as intelligent (involving mental process) וַתָּבֶן לָהּ ׳שָֽׁמְעָה א Job 13:1 מִלִּין תִּבְחָ֑ן ׳א Job 12:11 compare Job 34:3 as unsatisfied Eccl 1:8 מִשְּׁמֹעַ ׳לֹא תִמָּלֵא א; as seeking (בקשׁ) know-ledge Prov 18:15 as hearing & blessing Job 29:11 compare שֹׁמַעַת ׳א Prov 20:12; Prov 25:12 a hearing (responsive, obedient) ear; compare Prov 15:31; Isa 43:8 opposed to stopping the ears (wilful ignorance) מִןֿ ׳אֹטֵם א Prov 21:13 cf Isa 33:15 also of adder in simile of wicked Ps 58:5 כְּמוֺ פֶתֶן חֵרֵשׁ יַאְטֵם אָזְנוֺ; מִןֿ ׳מֵסִיר א Prov 28:9 so ׳עֲרֵלָה א their ear is uncircumcised Jer 6:10 ׳הִכְּבִּיד א Zech 7:11 compare Isa 48:8; Jer 5:21; Ezek 12:2 compare also Isa 42:20.
  b. of Yahweh, ׳י ׳בְּא after verb of utterance Num 11:18 (J) Num 14:28 (P) 1Sam 8:21; Ezek 8:18 after עָלָה 2Kgs 19:28 = Isa 37:29 after בּוֺא Ps 18:7 compare 2Sam 22:7 where verb omitted; so also (after noun without verb) Num 11:1 (J) ׳י ׳בְּא 1Chr 28:8 nearly = in presence of; incline the ear ׳הִטָּה א 2Kgs 19:16 = Isa 37:17; Dan 9:18; Ps 86:1 followed by לְ Ps 17:6; Ps 88:3; Ps 116:2 followed by אֶלֿ Ps 31:3; Ps 71:2; Ps 102:3 ׳הִקְשִׁיב א Ps 10:17 ׳קַשֻּׁבוֺת לְ א 2Chr 6:40; 2Chr 7:15 compare Ps 130:2 id. followed by אֶלֿ Neh 1:6; Neh 1:11 verb omitted אֶלֿ ׳א Ps 34:16 compare Isa 59:1 ׳לֹא כָֽבְדָה א; Lam 3:56 ׳ל ׳אַלתַּֿעְלֵם א.
3. ׳גָּלָה אopen ears of, reveal to, subject man 1Sam 20:2; 1Sam 20:12; 1Sam 20:13; 1Sam 22:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 22:17; Ruth 4:4 subject ׳י 1Sam 9:15; 2Sam 7:27; 1Chr 17:25 לְמוּסָר ׳א ׳גּ Job 36:10, compare vJob 36:15 ׳כָּרָה א Ps 40:7 לִשְׁמֹעַ ׳יָעִירלִי א Isa 50:4 ׳פָּתַחלִֿי א Isa 50:5 compare חֵרְשִׁים תִּפָּתַחְנָה ׳וְא Isa 35:5 opposed to judicial deafness Mic 7:16; Isa 6:10.

ears, ear, audience, hearing, me, …
ʾōzen
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
  • ear, as part of the body
    • "ear, as organ of hearing"(subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

מִלִּ֣ין
מִלִּ֣ין
Root word words, speech, speeches, speaking, word, …
Dictionary form: מִלָּה · mil-LAW

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

In the KJV here: words
words ×7 my speech ×3 my words ×3 of thy words ×2 a word ×1 and lettest such words ×1 and my speech ×1 and their words ×1
More options
word — Broadest default choice; fits most singular contexts.
speech — Emphasizes a fuller, delivered utterance or address.
saying — Suits proverbial or memorable expressions well.
talk — Informal register; good for conversational or dismissive tone.
matter — When content or subject of speech is foregrounded.
byword — Retain for taunt or proverb contexts; rare but precise.

BDB4694 H4405

BDB4693 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4695

מִלָּה noun feminine word, speech, utterance (in poetry, especially Job; common in Aramaic); — ׳מ Ps 139:4; Job 30:9 suffix מִלָּתִי Job 13:17 + 3 t.; מִלָּתוֺ 2Sam 23:2 plural מִלִּים Job 6:26 + 9 t. (all Job); מִלִּין Job 4:2 + 12 t. (all Job); plural suffix מִלָּ֑י Job 19:23 + 4 t.; מִלֶּיךָ Job 4:4; Prov 23:9 מִלֵּיהֶם Ps 19:5 — word בִּלְשׁוֺנִי in (on) my tongue Ps 139:4 word (of ׳י), עַללְֿשׁוֺנִי on my tongue 2Sam 23:2 ׳שֵׂכֶל מ Prov 23:9 figurative Ps 19:5 (|| קַוָּם; but read קוֺלָם see Che critical note); elsewhere only Job (34 t.); singular speech, utterance Job 13:17; Job 21:2; Job 24:25; Job 29:22 also word = by-word, וָאֱהִי לָהֶם לְמִלָּה Job 30:9 plural words, Job 4:4; Job 6:26; Job 8:10; Job 12:11; Job 15:3 (|| דָּבָר), Job 16:4; Job 19:2; Job 19:23; Job 32:11; Job 32:14; Job 33:1; Job 33:8 (׳קוֺל מ), Job 34:2; Job 34:3; Job 34:16 (׳קוֺל מ), Job 36:2; Job 36:4 words of God Job 23:5 words = speech, speaking, וַעְצֹּר בְּמִלִּין מִי יוּכָ֑ל Job 4:2, compare Job 29:9 utter words, וְהֹצֵאתָ מִפִּיךָ מִלִּין Job 15:13 ׳הִגַּדְתָּ מ Job 26:4 laysnares for words תְּשִׂימוּן קִנְצֵי לְמִלִּין Job 18:2, compare Job 32:15 הֶעְתִּיקוּ מֵהֶם מִלִּים; מָלֵתִי מִלִּים Job 32:18 I am full of words, compare אִםיֵֿשׁמִֿלִּין הֲשִׁיבֵנִי Job 33:32 אֲשִׁיבְךָ מִלִּין Job 35:4 בִּבְלִידַֿ֫עַת מִלִּין יַכְבִּר Job 35:16, compare Job 38:2.

words, speech, speeches, speaking, word, …
millâ
a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • word, speech, utterance

תִּבְחָ֑ן
תִּבְחָ֑ן
Root word try, proved, tried, trieth, triest, …
Dictionary form: בָּחַן · baw-HAHN

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: try
trieth ×4 try ×3 and try ×2 that triest ×2 and prove ×1 and will try ×1 examine ×1 hast proved ×1
More options
test — Most natural modern word; broadly applicable in any context.
examine — Emphasizes careful scrutiny; suits judicial or evaluative contexts.
probe — Suggests deep, searching investigation of motives or character.
assess — Neutral, evaluative tone; good for wisdom or reflective passages.
refine — Highlights purification through testing; fits metallurgical imagery.
scrutinize — Formal register; stresses close, thorough inspection.

BDB999 H974

BDB998 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1000

[בָּחַן] verb examine, try (compare Aramaic בְּחַן, Syriac , try, examine; Arabic I. VIII. test, compare WSG 65) —

Qal Perfect suffix בְּחָנַ֫נִי Job 23:10, בָּחַנְתָּ Ps 17:3 + 7 t.; Imperfect יִבְחָ֑ן Ps 11:5 + 5 t.; Imperative suffix בְּחָנֵנִי Ps 26:2 + 2 t.; Infinitive בְּחֹן Zech 13:9 Participle בֹּחֵן Jer 11:20 + 5 t. (|| צרף, נסה); —
1. examine, scrutinize, try Ps 11:5; Ps 139:23; Job 7:18 עַפְעַפָּיו יִבְחֲנוּ בְנֵי אָדָם His eyelids try the children of men (search them through and through) Ps 11:4.
2. prove, test, try.
  a. with the metaphor of gold Job 23:10 וּבְחַנְתִּים כִּבְחֹן אֶתהַֿזָּהָב and I will try them as one tries gold Zech 13:9.
  b. without metaphor, of God testing persons Psalm Zech 26:2; Zech 66:10; Zech 81:8; Jer 9:6 their ways Jer 6:27 the לֵב Ps 17:3; Jer 12:3; Prov 17:3; 1Chr 29:17 reins Jer 17:10 heart and reins Ps 7:10; Jer 11:20 (= Jer 20:12).
  c. of man testing or tempting God Psalm Jer 95:9; Mal 3:10; Mal 3:15.
  d. the ear trying words Job 12:11 = Job 34:3. Niph`al Imperfect יִבָּחֵן Job 34:36; Gen 42:15; Gen 42:16, to be tried, proved. Pu`al בֹּחַן Ezek 21:18 the trial has been made (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Ges MV Ew Ke, but noun בֹּ֫חַן ᵑ0 Symm HaEv.; read בְּחֵן with grace, favour, Hi Co).

try, proved, tried, trieth, triest, …
bāḥan
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
  • to examine, try, prove
    • (Qal)
      • to examine, scrutinise
        • "to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God)
      (Niphal) to be tried, proved"(Pual) to make a trial

וְ ֝חֵ֗ךְ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝חֵ֗ךְ
Root word mouth, taste
Dictionary form: חֵךְ · hake

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and the mouth
his mouth ×2 my mouth ×2 and her mouth ×1 and the mouth ×1 and the roof of thy mouth ×1 as the mouth ×1 in my mouth ×1 my taste ×1
More options
mouth — Most general rendering; suits most contexts.
palate — Precise anatomical term; fits taste/speech contexts.
taste — Use when the sense of discernment or flavor is in view.
roof of the mouth — Literal anatomical reading; good for physical description.
speech — Figurative; when חֵךְ refers to what one says.

BDB2928 H2441

BDB2927 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2929

חֵךְ noun masculine palate, roof of mouth, gums (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חִכָּא Arabic palate, roof of mouth, jaws, lower part of mouth, lower jaw of horse, mouth, etc. Lane659 Dozyi. 332); — absolute ׳ח Job 12:11; Job 34:3 suffix חִכִּי Prov 8:7 + 6 t., חִכְּךָ Hos 8:1, חִכֶּ֑ךָ Ezek 3:26; Prov 24:13 chiefly in poetry, especially Wisdom Literature: — חִכֵךְ Song 7:10, חִכּוֺ Lam 4:4 + 2 t., חִכָּהּ Prov 5:3, חִכָּם Job 29:10 — palate, roof of mouth:
  a. אֶלחִֿכְּךָ שֹׁפָר Hos 8:1 a trumpet to thy palate! (or gums; as in English, to thy lips); often with לָשׁוֺן, tongue clings (דבק) to חך, expression for speechlessness Ezek 3:26; Job 29:10, as imprecation Ps 137:6 for the parching of extreme thirst Lam 4:4 (בַּצָּמָא), compare Ps 22:16 ᵑ0 יָבֵּשׁ כַּחֶרֶשׂ כֹּחִי read חִכִּי for כחי see Checritical note (|| לְשׁוֺנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֺחָ֑י).
  b. as organ of speech Prov 5:3; Prov 8:7 (both || שְׂפָתַיִם), Job 31:30; Job 33:2 דִּבְּרָה לְשׁוֺנִי בְחִכִּי (|| פָּתַחְתִּי פִי).
  c. as organ of taste Job 12:11; Job 34:3, פִּרְיוֺ מָתוֺק לְחִכִּי Song 2:3 his fruit was sweet to my palate, Prov 24:13 (implied simile of wisdom as sweet to the soul); figurative of God's words as sweet ׳לְח Ps 119:103 (|| פִּי); of taste as distinguishing misfortunes Job 6:30 (|| לָשׁוֺן; > others of speech); of keeping wickedness ׳בְּתוֺךְ ח Job 20:18 (|| תַּחַת לָשׁוֺן), i.e. delighting in and prolonging the taste of it.
  d. nearly = mouth, as an element in personal sweetness and beauty Song 5:16; Song 7:10.

mouth, taste
ḥēk
properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
  • mouth, palate, taste, gums

אֹ֣כֶל
אֹ֣כֶל
Root word meat, food, eating, victuals, prey
Dictionary form: אֹכֶל · oh-KEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: his meat
food ×9 meat ×5 his eating ×4 the food ×4 their meat ×3 of meat ×2 the prey ×2 and for your food ×1
More options
food — Most neutral, broadly applicable modern rendering.
nourishment — Emphasizes sustaining quality; suits formal or poetic contexts.
provisions — Highlights supply or storage of food; good for narrative contexts.
prey — Use when the subject is a predator's catch or spoil.
meal — Prefer when the context is a specific eating event.
sustenance — Elevated register; suits theological or wisdom literature.

BDB399 H400

BDB398 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB400

אֹ֫כֶל40 noun masculineGen 41:36 food (Arabic , Aramaic אוּכְלָא, , Assyrian akalu DlW, Ethiopic ) — ׳א absolute Gen 41:35 +; construct Gen 41:35; Gen 41:48 suffix אָכְלֶ֑ךָ Lev 25:37 אָכְלו Mal 1:12, etc.; — Hexateuch mostly J E D, not Ezekiel — food, food-supply, especially cereals of store in Egypt Gen 41:35 (twice in verse) + 12 t. Gen 41-44; Gen 47:24 compare Gen 14:11(JE); also Lev 11:34; Lev 25:37 (P) Deut 2:6; Deut 2:28 (D); ׳נֶשֶׁךְ א usury of food Deut 23:20 (D) (|| כֶּסֶף ׳נ, etc.); לְעֵת הָאֹבֶל at meal-time Ruth 2:14 in poetry 17 t.; — food Ps 107:18 of offerings Mal 1:12 particular food Job 12:11 (as tasted); Job 36:31 (as given by God) so Ps 145:15 לְהָשִׁיב נָפֶ֑שׁ ׳א Lam 1:11 compare vLam 1:19 especially cereals Prov 13:23; Joel 1:16; Hab 3:17 but also flesh Ps 78:18; Ps 78:30 of food (prey) of wild animals Ps 104:21 (|| טרף):27; of prey of eagles Job 9:26; Job 39:29 ravens Job 38:41.

meat, food, eating, victuals, prey
ʾōkel
food
  • food
    • cereal
      • "meat
    food supply"meal, dinner

יִטְעַם
יִטְעַם
Root word taste, tasted, tasteth, but, perceiveth
Dictionary form: טָעַם · taw-AM

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

In the KJV here: taste
taste ×4 i did but ×1 i taste ×1 i tasted ×1 o taste ×1 she perceiveth ×1 tasted ×1 tasteth ×1
More options
taste — Closest modern equivalent; broadly applicable in literal contexts.
sample — Use when tasting implies testing or trying a small amount.
savor — Emphasizes lingering enjoyment; suits poetic or reflective passages.
perceive — Fits figurative use, e.g. discerning a situation or quality.
sense — Neutral, slightly abstract; good for metaphorical perception contexts.
experience — Best for existential or wisdom contexts, e.g. tasting goodness.

BDB3357 H2938

BDB3356 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3358

טָעַם verb taste, perceive (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic , טְעֵים taste; Assyrian noun ‰êmû, sense, command, ZimBP 92 LyonSargontexte 67 AsrbAnnals iii, 95; Arabic eat, taste, examine by tasting; Ethiopic taste, examine by tasting, etc.) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ט 1Sam 14:24 3 feminine singular טָֽעֲמָה Prov 31:18 1 singular טָעַמְתִּי 1Sam 14:29; 1Sam 14:43 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִטְעַם 1Sam 19:36 + 2 t.; 1 singular אֶטְעַם 2Sam 3:35 3 masculine plural יִטְעֲמוּ Jonah 3:7 Imperative masculine plural טַעֲמוּ Ps 34:9 Infinitive absolute טָעֹם 1Sam 14:13 —
1. taste, of eating in small quantity, followed by accusative לָ֑חֶם 1Sam 14:24, מְעַט דְּבַשׁ v1Sam 14:29, so v1Sam 14:43 (טָעִם טָעַמְתִּי); לֶחֶם אוֺ כָלמְֿאוּמָה 2Sam 3:35 מְאוּמָה Jonah 3:7.
2. of sense of taste, object אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר אֹכַל וְאֶתאֲֿשֶׁר אֶשְׁתֶּה 2Sam 19:36 so חֵךְ אֹכֶל יִטְעַםלֿוֺ Job 12:11 חֵךְ יִטְעַם לֶאֱכֹל Job 34:3.
3. figurative Prov 31:18 she tasteth that her gain is good (object clause with כִּי), i.e. she experiences that her trade is profitable; so מַעֲמוּ וּרְאוּ כִּיטֿוֺב יהוה Ps 34:9 taste ye and see that ׳י is good.

BDB9561 H2939 H2938

BDB9560 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9562

[טְעֵם] verb Pa`el feed (Pe`al properly taste, see Biblical Hebrew); — Imperfect 3 masculine plural, accusative of grass + ל person: יְמַעְ֑מוּן Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29, so (suffix person) יְטַעֲמוּנֵהּ Dan 5:21.

taste, tasted, tasteth, but, perceiveth
ṭāʿam
to taste; figuratively, to perceive
  • to taste, perceive, eat
    • (Qal) to taste

לֽ וֹ
לֽ
Preposition to, for
וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Preposition

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

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
הֲלֹא אֹ֭זֶן Dechi — a lesser break מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם לֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse

הֲלֹא-אֹזֶן מִלִּין תִּבְחָן וְחֵךְ אֹכֶל יִטְעַם-לֽוֹ׃
11
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Cross References

Job 34:3

כִּי-אֹזֶן מִלִּין תִּבְחָן וְחֵךְ יִטְעַם לֶאֱכֹֽל׃
3
For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

Hebrews 5:14

τελείων δέ ἐστιν ἡ στερεὰ τροφή τῶν διὰ τὴν ἕξιν τὰ αἰσθητήρια γεγυμνασμένα ἐχόντων πρὸς διάκρισιν καλοῦ τε καὶ κακοῦ
14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Philippians 1:10

εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τὰ διαφέροντα ἵνα ἦτε εἰλικρινεῖς καὶ ἀπρόσκοποι εἰς ἡμέραν Χριστοῦ
10
That ye may things approve that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Job 6:30

הֲיֵשׁ-בִּלְשׁוֹנִי עַוְלָה אִם-חִכִּי לֹֽא-יָבִין הַוּֽוֹת׃
30
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

1 Peter 2:3

εἴπερ ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος
3
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Corinthians 10:15

ὡς φρονίμοις λέγω· κρίνατε ὑμεῖς ὅ φημι
15
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
Job 12:10
Read Job 12
Job 12:12