Job 28:16

לֹֽא תְ֭סֻלֶּה בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לֹֽא

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: it cannot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BDB4344 H3808

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

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

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

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

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

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

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

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)

תְ֭סֻלֶּה

Root word valued, down, foot

Dictionary form: סָלָה · saw-LAW

Verb — Pual, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person feminine singular intensive passive — "it was thoroughly done" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: be valued

be valued ×1 hath trodden under foot ×1 shall it be valued ×1 thou hast trodden down ×1

More options

trample — Physical/figurative contempt; most vivid and natural today.

despise — Emphasizes rejection and contempt over physical action.

treat with contempt — Broader register; good for formal or prose contexts.

discard — Stresses casting aside or dismissal of worth.

esteem worthless — Captures the valuation nuance of the root.

spurn — Slightly literary; suits poetic passages well.

BDB5601 H5541

I. [סָלָה] verb make light of, toss aside (compare Assyrian salû, throw off, shake off (yoke) Dl⁵⁰⁰; Arabic , is be forgetful, neglectful Lane¹⁴¹⁷; Aramaic סְלָא despise, reject); —

Qal Perfect 2 masculine singular סָלִיתָ Ps 119:118 thou dost make light of all those that err from thy statutes. — compare also סַלּוֺן below Pi`el intensive Perfect 3 masculine singular סִלָּה Lam 1:15 Adonay hath flouted at my mighty ones.

BDB5602 H5541

II. [סָלָה] verb weigh, balance (|| form of סָלָא q.v); —

Pu`al Imperfect 3 feminine singular לֹאתְֿסֻלֶּה בְּכֶתֶם Job 28:16 it cannot be weighed against (estimated in) gold of Ophir, compare vJob 28:19.

סֶ֫לָה see סלל below

valued, down, foot

sālâ

to hang up, i.e., weigh, or (figuratively) contemn

to make light of, toss aside

(Qal) to make light of

(Pual) to be weighed

בְּ כֶ֣תֶם

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

כֶ֣תֶם

Root word gold, most, wedge

Dictionary form: כֶּתֶם · keh-TEM

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

In the KJV here: with the gold

fine gold ×1 gold ×1 in gold ×1 is as the most ×1 of fine gold ×1 than the golden wedge ×1 to the fine gold ×1 with fine gold ×1

More options

pure gold — Highlights refined quality; good default rendering.

fine gold — Modernized from KJV; signals highest purity grade.

precious gold — Emphasizes value and rarity in poetic contexts.

refined gold — Stresses processing/purity; suits technical or craft contexts.

gold of highest quality — Explanatory phrase; use when clarity outweighs concision.

gleaming gold — Captures visual/aesthetic nuance in poetry or imagery.

BDB4250 H3800

כֶּ֫תֶם noun masculine^{Lam 4:1} gold, in poetry and late (perhaps loan-word in Hebrew; Phoenician has proper name, masculine כתם; Sabean כתם Hal^{Et. Sab. 190}; kaθam¹ as loan-word in Egyptian, Bondi^{80 f.}); — ׳כ absolute Job 28:19 + 3 t., כָּ֑תֶם Prov 25:12 construct כֶּתֶם Isa 13:12 + 3 t.; — אוֺפִיר ׳כ Isa 13:12 gold of Ophir (|| פָּ֑ז), so Job 28:16; Ps 45:10 אוּפָ֑ז ׳כ Dan 10:5 (read perhaps אוֺפִיר for אוּפָז q. v.); ׳כ alone Job 31:24 ׅ || (זָהָב ׳חֲלִיכֿ Prov 25:12 ornament of gold ׅ || (זָהָבנֶזֶם פָּ֑ז ׳כ Song 5:11 טָהוֺר ׳כ Job 28:19 הַטּוֺב ׳הַכּ Lam 4:1 || זָהָב.

gold, most, wedge

ketem

properly, something carved out, i.e., ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined)

gold, pure gold

אוֹפִ֑יר

Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of ophir")

Dictionary form: אוֹפִיר · oh-PEER

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: of ophir

of ophir ×4 from ophir ×3 to ophir ×3 and ophir ×1 and the gold of ophir ×1 ophir ×1

More options

Ophir — Standard proper noun; use in nearly all contexts.

the land of Ophir — Clarifies geographic reference for general audiences.

Ophir's gold — Use when context emphasizes the famous gold of Ophir.

the region of Ophir — Neutral geographic term when exact nature is uncertain.

BDB234 H211

אוֺפִיר proper name Ophir — ׳א 1Kgs 10:11 +; אוֺפִ֫ירָה 1Kgs 9:28 + אוֺפִר Gen 10:29 אֹפִיר 1Kgs 10:11 —

1. proper name, masculine 11th son of Joktan Gen 10:29 (J) = 1Chr 1:23 ᵐ5 Οὐφειρ, Ὠφειρ, name of an Arabian tribe, see Gen 10:30 & Di.

2. proper name, of a location (land or city south or southeast from Palestine, exact position unknown, compare below; ᵐ5 Σωφηρα, Σωφειρα, Σουφειρ, etc.; Job 28:16 Ὠφειρ AC, compare 1Kgs 22:49 A Ὠφειρδε, B omitted) place whither Solomon's ships went from Ezion Geber, bringing thence gold 1Kgs 9:28 — compare 1Kgs 22:49 — 2Chr 8:18 gold, almug- (sandal-?) wood & gems 2Chr 10:11 (twice in verse), compare 2Chr 9:10 probably 1Kgs 10:22 reference to same ships; they came once in three years with gold, silver, ivory, apes & peacocks (all from Ophir ?); 2Chr 9:21 makes these ships go to Tarshish (but on Tarshish-ships, i.e. large, sea-going vessels, merchantmen, see 1Kgs 22:49 & below תַּרְשִׁישׁ).

3. characteristic of fine gold (in poetry & late) ׳זְהַב א 1Chr 29:4 ׳כֶּתֶם א Isa 13:12; Job 28:16; Ps 45:10.

4. hence for fine gold itself Job 22:24 (|| בֶּצֶר). — (If 2 = 1, then southern, probably south-eastern, Arabia (compare Di Gen 10:29) furnished the gold; and other articles, which point farther east (e.g. to India, toward which the words קוֺפִים apes & תֻּכִּיִּים peacocks seem to lead), were either brought to Ophir by traders, & so found there by Solomon's men, or were found elsewhere by the latter, whose cruise may have taken them beyond Ophir, the name of Ophir alone, as source of gold-supply, being preserved. If (less likely) 1 & 2 are not the same, the only data for determining location of 2 are the articles brought, & one may look toward India, Ceylon or other islands, or even lower Africa. Particular theories have as yet no adequate support; e.g.
(a) old city Supara, or Uppara, in the region of Goa, Malabar coast (compare ᵐ5 above 2, but also 1; form with Σ said on Coptic authority to denote India, see Jablonskii^{Opusc. ed. te Water i. 337}; compare also Jos^{Ant. «JOSEPHUS:Antiquities 8:6»viii. 6}. 4; in that case its use by ᵐ5 may indicate a theory of the location of Ophir);
(b) peninsula Malacca;
(c) island Sumatra;
(d) Sofâla, with city Zimbabye (southeast Africa);
(e) west coast of Arabia (where gold & silver formerly found), etc. On these & other theories, see Di Gen 10:29 Ri^{HWB, Herzog}, Smith^{Dict. Bib}.; compare Glas^{Skizze ii. 367 ff}.)

**WMM^As.u.Eur.111 identifies with Egyptian Punt, on western coast of Red Sea.

ophir

ʾôpîr

reducing to ashes

Ophir, the name of a son of Joktan, and of a gold region in the East

eleventh son of Joktan

בְּ שֹׁ֖הַם

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

שֹׁ֖הַם

Root word onyx

Dictionary form: שֹׁהַם · shoh-HAHM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: onyx

onyx ×6 an onyx ×1 and an onyx ×1 and onyx ×1 and the onyx ×1 the onyx ×1

More options

onyx — Standard modern rendering; broadly recognized gemstone name.

onyx stone — Adds clarity in lists of materials or gems.

beryl — Alternative identification; use when context suggests beryl.

carnelian — Proposed by some scholars; use if context fits reddish gem.

lapis lazuli — Occasionally suggested; suits blue-stone contexts.

BDB8492 H7718

I. שֹׁ֫הַם noun masculine^{Job 28:16} a gem, identification dubious, Vrss vary; onyx or chrysoprasus Ri^{HWB 2, 336 f.}, onyx Taylor^{Hast. DB iii. 624,} beryl Ridgeway^{Ency. Bib. 545,} malachite Myres^{ib. 4808, etc}.; compare also Dr^{Gen 2:12} (√ unknown; perhaps loan-word, compare Assyrian sâmtu Dl^{WB 488}); — ׳אֶבֶן הַשּׁ Gen 2:12 (J; +הַבְּדֹלַח), in land „avilah; ׳אַבְנֵי שׁ Exod 25:7; Exod 28:9; Exod 35:9; Exod 35:27; Exod 39:6 (all P), 1Chr 29:2 אֶבֶן omitted Ezek 28:13; Exod 28:20; Exod 39:13 (both P; all in lists of gems); יָקָר וְסַפִּיר ׳שׁ Job 28:16.

onyx

šōham

a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color)

a precious stone or gem

probably onyx, chrysoprasus, beryl, malachite

יָקָ֣ר

Root word precious, costly, excellent, fat, honourable, …

Dictionary form: יָקָר · yaw-KAWR

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: with the precious

and precious ×6 precious ×6 the precious ×2 with the precious ×2 a precious ×1 and for precious ×1 and there were precious ×1 and with precious ×1

More options

precious — Modernized from KJV; fits gems, relationships, life.

valuable — Neutral, broad register; good for material worth.

costly — Emphasizes high price or expense; use for goods/materials.

rare — Highlights scarcity as the source of worth.

honored — Best when applied to persons or social standing.

prized — Conveys esteem; works for both objects and people.

BDB3699 H3368

יָקָר adjective precious, rare, splendid, weighty; — absolute יָקָר 1Sam 3:1 + 9 t.; construct יְקַרֿ Prov 17:27 Qr (Kt וקר; see below); כִּיקַר Ps 37:20 feminine יְקָרָה 2Sam 12:30 + 14 t.; construct יִקְרַת Isa 28:16 masculine plural יְקָרִים Lam 4:2 feminine plural יְקָדוֺת 1Kgs 5:31 + 2 t. + Zech 14:6 (see below); יְקָרֹת 1Kgs 7:9 suffix בְּיִקְּרוֺתֶ֑יךָ Ps 45:10 (so Baer; van d. H ׳בִּיקְּ); —

1. precious:
a. costly, אֲבָנִים יְקָרוֺת of costly building-stones 1Kgs 5:31; 1Kgs 7:9; 1Kgs 7:10; 1Kgs 7:11 compare פִּנַּת יִקְרַת מוּסָד מוּסָּד Isa 28:16 a costly corner (-stone) of a foundation, — on construct see Da^{Synt. § 28, R. 3, 6}; הוֺן יָקָר costly wealth Prov 1:13; Prov 12:27 הוֺן יָקָר וְנָעִים Prov 24:1.
b. precious, highly valued: נֶפֶשׁ יְקָרָה Prov 6:26 precious life; opposed to זוֺלֵל Jer 15:19 (of choice elements of character); הַמָּֽוְתָה לַחֲסִידָיו ׳יָקָר בְּעֵינֵי י Ps 116:15 יְקָרָה הִיא מפניים Prov 3:15 she (wisdom) is more precious than rubies (see also c); prized, of ׳חסד י Ps 36:8 = substantive בְּנוֺת מְלָכִים בְּיִקְּרותֶ֑יךָ Ps 45:10 king's daughters are among thy precious ( = dear) ones.
c. אֶבֶן יְקָרָה collective precious stones, jewels 2Sam 12:30 = 1Chr 20:2; 1Kgs 10:2; 1Kgs 10:10; 1Kgs 1:11 = 2Chr 9:1; 2Chr 9:9; 2Chr 9:10; 1Chr 29:3; 2Chr 3:6; 2Chr 32:27; Ezek 27:22; Ezek 28:13 (list of precious stones follows), Dan 11:38 so also Lam 4:2, read אַבְנֵי צִיּוֺן הַיְקָרִים (for ᵑ0 ׳בְּנֵי וגו), see VB; שֹׁהַם יָקָר Job 28:16 (see also Prov 3:15 below b).

2. rare, 1Sam 3:1 (compare √ Hiph`il Isa 13:12).

3. glorious, splendid (compare Aramaic), of the moon Job 31:26 as substantive = glory, the wicked perish, כִּיקַר כָּרִים Ps 37:20 like the glory of the pastures (i.e. like gay, but short-lived, flowers).

4. (late and Aramaic) weighty, influential, יָקָר מֵחָכְמָה Eccl 10:1 weightier than wisdom and honour is a little folly. — In Prov 17:27 read Kt וְקַררֿוּחַ and one cool of spirit (see VB); in Zech 14:6 read לֹא יִהְיֶה אוֺר וְקָרוֺת וְקִפָּאוֺן there shall not be light but cold and congelation (see id. and Vrss.);

**'but' is very dubious; read probably חוֺם וְקָרוֺת there shall be neither heat nor cold, etc. (We and others).

BDB7509 H3368 H7087

קִפָּאוֺן noun [masculine] congelation; — Zech 14:6 Qr [ > Kt see √ Qal Imperfect], so ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Symm We Now (with other change, but see GASm), see יָקָר. p 429

BDB7614 H7179 H3368

קַר adjective cool; — construct (figurative) וְקַררֿוּחַ Prov 17:27 (Kt) cool of spirit, i.e. calm, self-possessed (Qr יְקַרֿ); plural קָרִים of water Jer 18:14; Prov 25:25.

BDB7616 H7135 H3368

קָרָה noun feminine id.; — absolute ׳בְּיוֺם ק Nah 3:17 a day of coldness, cold day, so Prov 25:20 ׳ק alone, cold of night Job 24:7 in general, due to winds Job 37:9 (מִמְּזָרִים see זרה Pi`el; yet Voigt Bu, attractively, מִמְּזָוִים (compare Ps 144:13) out of storehouses [|| חֶדֶר]); לִפְנֵי קָרָתוֺ מִי יַעֲמֹד Ps 147:17, + plural Zech 14:6 (read וְקָרוֺת, see יָקָר).

precious, costly, excellent, fat, honourable, …

yāqār

valuable (objectively or subjectively)

valuable, prized, weighty, precious, rare, splendid

precious

costly

וְ סַפִּֽיר

וְ

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

סַפִּֽיר

Root word sapphire, sapphires, stone

Dictionary form: סַפִּיר · sahp-PEER

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: or the sapphire

a sapphire ×2 with sapphires ×2 of a sapphire ×1 of a sapphire stone ×1 of sapphires ×1 or the sapphire ×1 the sapphire ×1 them as it were a sapphire ×1

More options

sapphire — Standard modern term; fits most poetic and narrative contexts.

lapis lazuli — Preferred by scholars; ancient 'sapphire' likely meant this stone.

blue gemstone — Use when specific identification is uncertain or disputed.

precious stone — Broader term; highlights value over color or identity.

BDB5681 H5601

סַפִּיר noun [masculine] sapphire, perhaps also lapis lazuli (compare Di^{Exod 24:10} Now^{Archaeology i. 131}) (Late Hebrew id., and סַמְפִּירִינוֺן; ᵑ7 סַפִּרִינוֺן; ᵑ6 ; loan-word from Sanskrit canipriya according to Lag^{Ges. Abh. 72} Lewy^{Fremdw. 56} compare Greek σάπφειρος); — absolute ׳ס Exod 24:10 + 8 t.; pluralסַפִּירִים Isa 54:11; Song 5:14 — with other jewels as ornaments of prince Ezek 28:13 in high priest's breastplate Exod 28:18; Exod 39:11 found in mines Job 28:6, costly Job 28:16 compare Isa 54:11 taking high polish Lam 4:7 (in figurative); שֵׁן מְעֻלֶּפֶת סַפִּירִים Song 5:14 ivory covered with sapphires (in figurative); lapis lazuli, according to Hi BU Du and others in Job 28:6 (עַפְרֹת זָהָב לוֺ being understood of sparkling crystals of iron pyrites in this), but see Di; lapis lazuli may be intended in ׳לִבְנַת הַסּ Exod 24:10 (J) pavement of sapphire (in theoph.), compare ׳אֶבֶןסֿ Ezek 1:26; Ezek 10:1.

sapphire, sapphires, stone

sappîr

a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire

sapphire, lapis lazuli

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.

לֹֽא תְ֭סֻלֶּה Dechi — a lesser break בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר Silluq — end of the verse

לֹֽא-תְסֻלֶּה בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר בְּשֹׁהַם יָקָר וְסַפִּֽיר׃

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Cross References

Ezekiel 28:13

בְּעֵדֶן גַּן-אֱלֹהִים הָיִיתָ כָּל-אֶבֶן יְקָרָה מְסֻכָתֶךָ אֹדֶם פִּטְדָה וְיָהֲלֹם תַּרְשִׁישׁ שֹׁהַם וְיָשְׁפֵה סַפִּיר נֹפֶךְ וּבָרְקַת וְזָהָב מְלֶאכֶת תֻּפֶּיךָ וּנְקָבֶיךָ בָּךְ בְּיוֹם הִבָּרַאֲךָ כּוֹנָֽנוּ׃

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Isaiah 13:12

אוֹקִיר אֱנוֹשׁ מִפָּז וְאָדָם מִכֶּתֶם אוֹפִֽיר׃

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

Psalms 45:9

בְּנוֹת מְלָכִים בְּיִקְּרוֹתֶיךָ נִצְּבָה שֵׁגַל לִֽימִינְךָ בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִֽיר׃

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

1 Chronicles 29:4

שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים כִּכְּרֵי זָהָב מִזְּהַב אוֹפִיר וְשִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים כִּכַּר-כֶּסֶף מְזֻקָּק לָטוּחַ קִירוֹת הַבָּתִּֽים׃

Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

Exodus 28:20

וְהַטּוּר הָֽרְבִיעִי תַּרְשִׁישׁ וְשֹׁהַם וְיָֽשְׁפֵה מְשֻׁבָּצִים זָהָב יִֽהְיוּ בְּמִלּֽוּאֹתָֽם׃

And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

Job 28:15

Read Job 28

Job 28:17

Job 28:16

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Tn

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3808

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar VPi3fs

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5541

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncmsc

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3800

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Np

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H211

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7718

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Aamsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3368

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5601

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV