Job 3:20

לָ ֤מָּה

לָ

Prefix — preposition to, for

֤מָּה

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: wherefore

what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9

More options

what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.

why — Use when context implies reason or motive.

how — Use when manner or degree is in view.

for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.

wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.

whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

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מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.

מִדֵּי see דַּי.

מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.

מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.

מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.

מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.

מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.

[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.

מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.

[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.

[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.

BDB4522 H4100 H4078

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges^{«GKC:37»§ 37} —

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (Dl^{HWB 417 f.}), Ethiopic ment; compare W^{CG 123 ff.} K?:ii. 368): —

1. interrogative what ?
a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
(a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: W^{AG. ii. § 170}), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da^{§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.}); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : W^{AG. ii. § 49. 7}), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
(b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
(c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da^{§ 70 a} cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
(d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
(e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
(a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
(b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
(c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
(a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
(b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.

2. Used adverbially:
a. as an interrogative:
(a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵאדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
(b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare Walker^{Hebraica. xii. 244 ff.}; Kö^{iii, 478}).
b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.

3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr^{§ 149}), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare Kö^{iii. § 65.}

4. With prepositions:
a. בַּמָּה₉, בַּמֶּה₁₉ wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
(a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
(b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
(a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
(b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CIS^{i. 2, 21} יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.

BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb^{371, 445}; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb^{227 f.}): according to Ges Ew^{§ 181 b} Ol^{p. 439} Sta^{§ 176 e, abbreviated} from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], Kö^{ii. 323 f.}) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.

2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges^{«GKC:130c»§ 130c}), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ (compare ib. 4 b a).

3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
(b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).

4. compounds:
a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
b. כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo Kmp^Kau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, Nö^{§ 225}). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb²³³, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke^{N. Semitic Inscr. 320}) = ἐπειδή).

[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].

BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare W^{CG 124 f.}); —

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.

2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).

3. with prefixes:
a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …

mâ

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses

(interr pron) what, how, of what kind

(interrogative)

what?

how, how now

wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

how much?, how many?, how often?

יִתֵּ֣ן

Root word give, gave, given, put, set, …

Dictionary form: נָתַן · naw-TAHN

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: given

give ×96 gave ×89 and put ×59 to give ×52 and gave ×46 giveth ×39 i have given ×35 hath given ×33

More options

give — Most versatile; covers the vast majority of occurrences.

grant — Prefer when the giver holds authority or power.

place — Use when the sense is physical positioning or setting down.

deliver — Prefer when handing over to another party is emphasized.

yield — Best for produce, tribute, or reluctant giving.

appoint — Use when assigning a role, task, or allotment.

BDB5441 H5414

נָתַן₂₀₀₇ verb give, put, set (Ecclus נתן Eccl 44:19 + often; Old Hebrew נתןיֿהו proper name, masculine Lzb³²⁷; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician יתן, נתן in proper name מתנת, etc., Lzb²⁹²; Lzb³²⁷; Assyrian nadânu Dl^{HWB 450} (rarely ittan Id^ib.488); Zinjirli נתן, also in proper name, Lzb³²⁷ Cook⁸⁴; Nabataean Imperfect ינתן, also proper name; Palmyrene, also proper name Lzb^l.c. Cook^l.c.; ᵑ7 Imperfect יִתֵּן, Infinitive מִתַּן; Sabean נתן Hal¹⁵⁴, Lihyanian proper name נתנבעל [North-Semitic form] DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. 80, No.35}; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic (rare) Schw^{Idioticon 58}; Syriac Imperfect , Infinitive Lindberg^{Vergl.Sem.Gram.93f.}, but Mandean נתן Nö^{M 52}); —

Qal₁₉₁₇ Perfect ׳נ Gen 24:53 +; 2 masculine singular נָתַ֫תָּ Judg 15:18 +, נָתַ֫תָּה Gen 3:12 +, תַּתָּה 2Sam 22:41 (defended as vulgar form with aphaeresis of ׳נ by Th Ges^Lgb.139 Ew^{§ 195b} Kö^i.300 De^{Ps 18:41} and others; < text error for נָתַתָּה (so || Ps 18:41) Ol^{§ 89} Sta^{§ 127 b} Ges^{«GKC:19i»§ 19i} (hesitantly), Klo Bu Löhr HPS, compare Hup-Now^{Ps 18:41}); 2 feminine singular נָתַתְּ Ezek 16:33; Ezek 16:36, נָתַּתְּי vEzek 16:18, suffix נְתַתִּיהוּ vEzek 16:19 1 singular נָתַ֫תִּי Judg 1:2 +, etc.; Imperfect יִּתֵּן Gen 43:14 +, וַיִּתֵּן Gen 15:10 +; suffix 3 masculine singularיִתְּנֶ֫נּוּ Lev 5:24; Eccl 2:21 1 singular אֶתֵּן Gen 12:7 +; 1 plural נִתֵּן Gen 34:21 +, נִתַּןֿ Judg 16:5, etc.; Imperative masculine singular תֵּן 2Kgs 4:42 +, תֶּןֿ Gen 14:21, תְּנָה 1Sam 2:15 +, suffix תְּנֵ֫הוּ Neh 1:11; 1Chr 21:22, תְּנֶנָּה 1Sam 21:10 feminine singular תְּנִי Gen 30:14 +, תֵּ֑גִי Isa 43:6 masculine plural תְּנוּ Gen 34:8 +; Infinitive absolute נָתוֺן Deut 15:10 +, נָתֹן Num 21:2 +; construct נְתֹן Num 20:21, נְתָןֿ Gen 38:9, לְתִתֵּן 1Kgs 6:19 (but read לָתֵת so Ol^{§ 224 d} Ges^{«GKC:67l»§ 67l} Benz), תתן also 1Kgs 17:14 Kt (Qr תֵּת) — > these forms retained Ew^{§ 258c} Kö^i.305; — תֵּת Gen 4:12 +, especially לָתֵת Gen 15:7 +, לָתֵתֿ Judg 21:18, לָתֶתֿ Exod 5:21 (so Ginsb, van d. H. לָתֵתֿ, compare also Ki in Kö^{i.304 f.})+; suffix תִּתִּי Gen 29:19 +, תִּתְּךָ Deut 15:10 +, etc.; Participle נֹתֵן Judg 21:18 +, etc.; —

1. give:
a. = give personally, deliver or hand to, with accusative of thing + ל person 1Sam 10:4; 1Sam 22:10; 2Kgs 2:10; Lev 5:16(P) Lev 22:14 (H) Ruth 4:7 + often; in trade Prov 31:24 אֶלֿ person Gen 21:14 (E), Jer 3:8; Lev 15:14 + often; explicitly בְּיַד ׳נ Deut 24:1; Deut 24:3 (bill of divorce); with accusative of thing alone Judg 5:25.
b. = bestow upon, with accusative of thing + ל person Gen 24:53 (J) Gen 20:16 (E) Gen 1:29 (P) + often; an understanding heart 1Kgs 3:9; 1Kgs 3:12, blessing Deut 12:15, merch Deut 13:18, compare Jer 16:13; Jer 42:12 strength Deut 8:18; Ps 68:36 the sabbath Exod 16:29 (J) Ezek 20:12 = procure for (לְ) one 1Sam 17:10; 1Kgs 21:7 יִתֵּן לֶכֶם רַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי Gen 43:14 (J) he will give you compassion in the eyes of the man (compare also 2b, 3b); give persons Gen 46:18; Gen 46:25 (P); of Levites given to (לְ) Aaron and his sons Num 3:9 compare Num 8:19, to ׳י Num 8:16 compare Num 18:6 (all P); especially of ׳י's giving land to Abraham and his descendants Gen 15:18; Gen 26:4 (J) Gen 17:8(P) Exod 6:8 (P; + מוֺרָשָׁה) + often (participle in this sense 37 t. Deuteronomy), + לִרִשְׁתָּהּ Deut 3:18 +; אַלתִּֿתֵּן לַנָּשִׁים חֵיֶלֶ֑ךָ Prov 31:3 + מִן of source נָתַתִּי מִמֶּנָּה לְךָ בֵּן Gen 17:16 (P); with accusative alone Ps 61:6; Eccl 12:7 (רוּחַ); give something to (ל) one for (ל) something, in some capacity, לוֺ לַעֲבָּדִים ׳אֶתכָּֿלאֶֿחָיו נ Gen 27:37 +; probably also בְּבָרוּתִי ראֹשׁ ׳נ Ps 69:22 they gave, as my food, gall (בְּ essentiae), compare above בְּ 7 c, Hup-Now^{on the passage}; accusative + infinitive לֿי לֶחֶם לָאֱכֹל׳נ וּבֶגֶד לִלְבּשׁ Gen 28:20 (J), compare Exod 16:15 (P), Neh 9:15; Neh 9:20 לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת וְעֵינַיִם לִרְאוֺת וְאָזְנַיִם ׳לֹא נ לִשְׁמֹעַ Deut 29:3. Especially
c. give woman to (ל) man as (ל) wife, Gen 29:28 (E), Gen 34:8; Gen 34:12 (J), Josh 15:16; Josh 15:17 (JE), = Judg 1:12; Judg 1:13 +; without 2nd ל Gen 29:19 (twice in verse) (E), Gen 38:21; Exod 2:21 (J), Gen 34:9; Gen 34:14; Gen 34:16 (P), Judg 15:2; Judg 15:6 +; with accusative alone, Gen 29:26 (E), 1Sam 25:44.
d. of (gracious) bestowals of various kinds: give = grant, send rain, גִּשְׁמֵיכֶם Lev 26:4 (H), מְטַראַֿרְצְכֶם Deut 11:14, עַלאַֿרְצְךָ מָטָר 1Kgs 8:36, etc.; also of sending plague of hail Exod 9:23 (E); send herbage (עֵשֶׂב) in (בְּ) your field for (לְ) your cattle Deut 11:15 grant a remnant to (לְ) Judah Jer 40:11 וְנָתַּתִּי לְךָ אֶתֿ נַפְשְׁךָ לְשָׁלָל Jer 45:5 and I will grant thee thy life as spoil; grant revenge (accusative) to (לְ) the king on (מִן) Saul, etc. 2Sam 4:8, compare הָאֵל הַנֹּתֵן נְקָמוֺת לִי 2Sam 22:48 = Ps 18:48 other gifts Judg 15:18 (בְּיַד), 1Sam 1:11 (לְ), Ruth 4:13.
e. grant a request, שְׁאֵלָה 1Sam 1:17; 1Sam 1:27; Esth 5:3; Ps 106:15 (+ ל person), בַּקָּשָׁה Ezra 7:6, תַּאֲוָה Prov 10:24, (רָשָׁע) מַאֲוִיֵּי Ps 140:9, תִּקְוֶה Job 6:8, מִשְׁאֲלֹת לִבֶּ֑ךָ Ps 37:4, compare לָכֶם וּמְצֵאןָ מְנוּחָה ׳יִתֵּן י Ruth 1:9. Especially feminine מִי יִתֵּן who will give or grant, in expressions of wish = O that (I had! etc.; = Assyrian mannu inamdin Jäger^{BAS ii.279}), especially (9 t.) Job: with accusative מִייִֿתֵּן עֶרֶב Deut 28:67 compare vDeut 28:67, Job 14:4; Ps 14:7 = Ps 53:7; Ps 55:7; Jer 9:1 with 2 accusative נְבִּיאִים ׳כָּלעַֿם י Num 11:29 (JE), literally who will make all ׳י's people prophets? compare Jer 8:23 with accusative + כְּ, מִי יִתֶּנְךָ כְאָח לֵי Song 8:1, compare Job 29:2 with accusative + בְּ, אֶתהָֿעָם הַזֶּה בְּיָדִי Judg 9:29 O that this people were in my charge! with accusative + לְ Job 31:35, literally who will give to me (לִי) one hearing me? also מִי יִתְּנֵנִי Isa 27:4 where suffix apparently = לִי; with infinitive מִי יִתֵּן מוּתֵנוּ Exod 16:3 (P), so 2Sam 19:1, מִי יִתֵּן אֱלוֺהַּ דַּבֵּר Job 11:5 with imperfect תָּבוֺא שֶׁאֱלָתִי Job 6:8 O that my request might come to pass! Job 14:13; Job 31:31 imperfect + וְ Job 19:23 (twice in verse); with perfect יָדַעְתִּי Job 23:3 O that I knew! (+ וְאֶמְצָאֵהוּ); with perfect consecutive Deut 5:26.
g. permit, with accusative + infinitive, לֹאנְֿתַתִּיךָ לִנְגֹּעַ אֵלֶיהָ Gen 20:6 (JE) + often; with ל person + infinitive 2Chr 20:10 other constructions are: ׳לְךָ י ׳לֹא כֵן נ Deut 18:14 not thus hath ׳י permitted to thee; ׳אִםאֶֿתֵּן שְׁנָת לְעֵינָ֑י וגו Ps 132:4; Prov 6:4 give thyself לְ no rest Lam 2:18, give him לְ no rest Isa 62:6.
h. = ascribe glory, etc. (accusative) to לְ God 1Sam 6:5; Job 36:3, especially imperative Jer 13:16; Ezra 10:11; Ps 68:35 compare Ps 115:1 (so הָבוּ, see יהב 4); to man 1Sam 18:8 (twice in verse); unseemliness (תִּפְלָה) to God Job 1:22.
i. = apply, devote heart to seek out, accusative + infinitive Eccl 1:13; Eccl 1:17; Eccl 8:9; Eccl 8:16; Dan 10:12, לֵב לְ ׳נ Eccl 7:21 = attend to; conversely אֶתכָּֿלזֶֿה נָחַתִּי אֶללִֿבִּי Eccl 9:1 = all this I set my mind, Eccl 7:2 also (with subject different from indirect object) מָה אֱלּהַי נֹתֵן אֶללִֿבִּי לַעֲשׂוֺת Neh 2:12 compare Neh 7:5.
j. = employ, devote money (accusative) עַלעֲֿבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֺעֵד Exod 30:16 (P).
k. give offerings, ׳לְי Num 18:12 (P), ׳תְּרוּמַת י Exod 30:15 (P), compare give spoil to (לְׅ ׳י) Deut 20:14 (׳י subject); לָ֑ךְ מִיָָּֽדְךָ נָתַנּוּ 1Chr 29:14 offering to (לְׅ idols Ezek 6:13 especially to Moloch Lev 20:2; Lev 20:4, to pass through fire to (לׅ M. Lev 18:2, etc.

1. = consecrate, dedicate to (לְׅ ׳י 1Sam 1:11; Exod 22:29 (E). masculine give a sign or wonder, accusative 1Kgs 13:3; 1Kgs 13:5, + לְ person Josh 2:12 (JE), with reflexive לְ Exod 7:9 (P), almost = display, exhibit; compare נָָֽתְנוּ הֲדָרֵךְ Ezek 27:10 they set forth, exhibit thy splendour; כִּי יִתֵּן בַּכּוֺס עֵינוֺ Prov 23:31 when it sheweth its sparkle in the cup.
n. = pay, wages (accusative, + suffix), שְׂכָרִי ׳נ Gen 30:18 (E) he hath paid my hire, Exod 2:9 (E) Deut 24:15, compare Isa 61:8 + ל person Jer 22:13 a price, מִכְרָם ׳נ Num 20:19 (JE), וַיִּתֵּן שְׂכָרָהּ Jonah 1:3, i.e. paid his fare, passage-money; money (as) price (מחיר) 1Kgs 21:2, compare כֶּסֶף הַשָּׂדֶה ׳נ Gen 23:13 (P); pay money for (ב) something Deut 14:26 wealth for (ב) love Song 8:7 tax or rent, with accusative of thing + ל person Gen 47:24 (J); fine (c. id.) Exod 21:32 (E) Deut 22:29, accusative omitted vDeut 22:19, compare וְנָתַן בִּפְלִלִים Exod 21:22 (see פָּלִיל), שִׁבְתּוֺ ׳נ vExod 21:19 (i.e. pay for his lost time), פִּדְיוֺן נַפְשׁוֺ ׳נ vExod 21:30 (pay redemption-money; all E), compare ׳אִישֹׁ כֹּפֶר נַפְשׁוֺ לְי ׳וְנ Exod 30:12 (P); pay votive offering (with accusative + ל) Lev 27:23 (P); a wager (with accusative+ ל) Judg 14:12; Judg 14:13.
o. with בְּ, give for (ב) money = sell, תְּנָהלִּֿי אֶתכַּֿרְמְךָ בְּכֶסֶף 1Kgs 21:6, compare Deut 2:28; Deut 14:25; 1Chr 21:22 — ׳נ Ezek 27 is trading term, but sometimes connection obscure and text dubious: give wares for (בְ) Ezek 27:12 (but read probably ך for ב ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co Berthol), vEzek 27:13 vEzek 27:16 (strike out 2nd ב), vEzek 27:17 vEzek 27:19 vEzek 27:22 (compare. further, Co Berthol and especially Sm); הַיֶּלֶדּ בַּזּוֺנָךְ ׳נ Joel 4:3 (|| מָכַר); ב instrumental, give בַּגּוֺרֶל by lot Josh 21:8.
p. give instead of, exchange for, with תַּחַת Exod 21:23 (E) 1Kgs 21:2; 1Kgs 21:6; Isa 43:4; Isa 61:3, בְּעַד Job 2:4.
q. give, i.e. lend, at interest, בְּנֶשֶׁךְ ׳כַּסְפּוֺ לֹא נ Lev 25:37; Ps 15:5, so (accusative omitted) Ezek 18:8; Ezek 18:13.
r. = commit, entrust to, with accusative + אֶלֿ person Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9 (E), with ל person Song 8:11, with בְּיַד Gen 30:35; Gen 39:4; Gen 39:8; Gen 39:22 (all J), 2Sam 10:10.
s. give over, deliver up, with accusative Num 21:3 (JE) Judg 20:13; 1Sam 11:12; 2Sam 14:7; 2Sam 20:21; 1Kgs 14:16; Hos 11:8 || מִגֵּן), Mic 5:2 בָּנָיו פְּלֵיטִים וּבְנֹתָיו בַּשְּׁבִית לְמֶלֶךְ אֱמֹרִי ׳נ Num 21:29 (JE); + ל, לַמָּוֶת ׳פ ׳נ Ps 118:18 + לִפְנֵי Deut 7:2; Deut 7:23; Deut 31:5 + (see Dr^{Dt. lxxxiii, No.52, and} see further 2 b near the end); especially בְּיַד ׳נ, with accusative, Num 21:34 (JE) Josh 2:24 (JE) Deut 2:24 + often
t. yield produce, fruit, etc., especially of land, ground, Gen 4:12 (J), Lev 25:19; Lev 26:4; Lev 26:20 (all H), Deut 11:17; Isa 55:10 (+ ל person) Zech 8:12; Ps 67:7; Ps 85:13 compare Ezek 36:8 of tree Ezek 34:27; Lev 26:4; Lev 26:20 (H) Ps 1:3, + vine Joel 2:22, vine Zech 8:12 absolute root of righteous yields, יִתֵּן Prov 12:12 according to De Str (dubious; propose to insert פְּרִי); Dy Kau Wild proposes אֵיתָן (as Ps 74:15, etc.), compare as to sense Ew; other conjectures see Now; compare Num 20:8 (P) Zech 8:12; Song 1:12; Song 2:13; Song 7:14.
u. = occasion, produce, שֵׂכֶל טוֺב יִתֶּןחֵֿ֑ן Prov 13:16 compare Prov 29:15, חֶרְדַּת אָדָם יִתֵּן מוֺקֵשׁ vProv 29:25 trembling before man occasioneth a snare. see requite to (לְ) a man, according to (כְּ) character 1Kgs 8:39 = 2Chr 6:33; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:19; Ps 28:4 (twice in verse); with עַלֿ + כְּ Ezek 7:9 with עַלֿ person + accusative of sin Ezek 7:3; Ezek 7:4; Ezek 7:8; Ezek 23:49 (compare 2 b).
w. = report, mention, וַיִּתֵּן אֶתמִֿסְפַּר ֗֗֗ אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ 2Sam 24:9 he reported the number unto the king; וָאֶתְּנָה לוֺ זְמָ֑ן Neh 2:6 and I mentioned to him a time.
x. = utter, usually with accusative קוֺל, utter a sound, lift up the voice: Jer 4:16 (+ עַל against), Jer 22:20; Jer 48:34; Lam 2:7 in weeping, וַיִּתֵּן אֶתקֹֿלוֺ בִּבְכִי Gen 45:2 (E), וַיִּבְכּוּ Num 14:1 (P); + ל person Prov 2:3 (|| לַבִּינָה תִּקְרָא);of wisdom Prov 1:20; Prov 8:1 || קרא; of ׳י, especially in thunder of theoph. Amos 1:2; 2Sam 22:14 || יַרְעֵם), = Ps 18:14; Jer 25:30; Joel 2:11 of clouds Ps 77:18, the deep Hab 3:10 of young lion's roaring Amos 3:4; Jer 2:15 of birds Ps 104:12 קוֺל omitted, ׳דָּוִד ֗֗֗ לְהֹדֹת לְי ׳נ 1Chr 16:7 so of ׳י's voice in thunder, לְקוֺל תִתּוֺ Jer 10:13 (sc. קוֺלוֺ) at the sound of his uttering (his voice) = Jer 51:16 בְּקוֺל ׳נ Jer 12:8 (+ עַלֿ against ), of ׳י Ps 46:7, הֵןיִֿתֵּן בְּקוֺלוֺ קוֺל עֹז Ps 68:34 ׳נ with other words, אֹמֶר vPs 68:12 (of ׳י); of confession, (accusative + ל person) Josh 7:19 (JE) Ezra 10:11.
y. give = stretch out, extend, וַיִּתֶּןיָֿד Gen 38:28 (J) it put out a hand; וַיִּתֵּן צַמַּרְתּוֺ אֶלבֵּֿין עֲבוֺתִים (read עָבוֺת) Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 and it stretched its top amid the clouds.
z. combinations are: יִתֵּן לְמַכֵּהוּ לֶחִ֑י Lam 3:30 (humiliation), compare Isa 50:6 וַיִּתְּנוּ כָתֵף סֹרָ֑רֶת Zech 7:11 (of stubbornness), so Neh 9:29 (|| עָרְפָּם הִקְשׁוּ); also וַיִּתְּנוּ עֹרֶף 2Chr 29:6 gave, i.e. turned (their) back (on ׳י; || וַיַּסֵּבּוּ פְנֵיהֶם ׳מִמִּשְׁכַּן י); of compact, תְּנָה אֶתיָֿדֶ֑ךָ 2Kgs 10:15 compare v2Kgs 10:15, so מִצְרַיִם נָתַנּוּ יָד Lam 5:6 of submission, נָָֽתְנָה יָדָהּ Jer 50:15 = she (Babylon) hath surrendered; ׳תְּנוּ יָד לְי 2Chr 30:8 = submit to ׳י; more explicitly, יָד תַּחַת שְׁלֹמהֹ ׳נ 1Chr 29:24 מָקוֺם לְ ׳נ Judg 20:36 give place to (retire before); of sexual relation, אֶלאֵֿשֶׁת ֗֗֗ לֹאתִֿתֵּן שְׁכָבְתְּךָ לְזָ֑רַע Lev 18:20 (H), וַיִּתֵּן אִישׁ בָּךְ אֶתשְֿׁכָבְתּוֺ Num 5:20 (P), so (בְּכָלבְּֿהֵמָה) Lev 18:23 (H), compare Lev 20:15 (H). — יִתֵּן is taken impersonal = 'es giebt,' there is, there are, in Job 37:10; Prov 10:24; Prov 13:10 by De, citing Ew^{§ 295 d}, Now^{Prov 13:10} Str Frankenb (in translation, dubious in note), Bae^{Jb in} Kau Ges^{«GKC:144b»§ 144b}; but improbable, Kau^Pr Di^Jb, so Hi Bu Du (on Job 37:10), reading יֻתַּן; compare Kö^{Synt. § 324 d Β}.

2. Put, set, nearly = שִׂים, and sometimes || with it:
a. literally, (especially often in Ezekiel, P): with accusative + עַלֿ on, ring on hand Gen 41:42 (E), compare Ezek 16:11, helmet on head 1Sam 17:38, also Jer 27:2; Jer 28:14 (in figurative), 1Kgs 12:4; 1Kgs 12:9 (in figurative), 1Kgs 18:23 (|| שִׂי ם), Exod 12:7 (accusative omitted), compare Exod 25:12; Exod 25:26; Exod 25:30 + often P; with עַלֿ = above Exod 25:21; Exod 26:34 (P), = for, גֹּרָלֹת עַלֿ ׳נ Lev 16:8 (P), cast lots for; = against Ezek 26:8 with אֶלֿ into: ark into cart 1Sam 6:8, put one in the stocks Jer 29:26 (also with עַלֿ Jer 20:2), in prison Jer 37:18; Jer 38:11, compare Exod 25:16; Exod 28:30 (P); put water upon (עַלֿ) something into (אֶלֿ) vessel Num 19:17 = toward וַיִּתֵּן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶלעָֿקֹד Gen 30:40 (J; strike out Ol Di and others); with בְּ, cup into hand Gen 40:13 (E), compare Judg 7:16, also Gen 41:48 (E), compare 1Kgs 7:51; Gen 1:17 (P), Gen 9:13 (P), 2Kgs 19:18; Jer 27:8, בֶּעָפָר פֶּה ׳נ Lam 3:29 (in figurative), נָתַתִּי שִׁפְחָתִי בְּחֵיקֶ֑ךָ Gen 16:5 (J), וְנָתַתָּה בְאָזְנוֺ וּבַדֶּלֶת Deut 15:17 and thou shalt put (the awl) into his ear and into the door (pin his ear to the door); put disease into one Deut 7:15 (|| שִׂים); inflict blemish (מוּם) on (בְּ), Lev 24:19; Lev 24:20 וּכְתֹבֶת קַעֲקַע לֹא תִתְּנוּ בָּכֶם Lev 19:28 with בְּ + לְ, שֶׂרֶט לָנֶפֶשׁ לֹא תִתְּנוּ בִּבְשַׂרְכֶם vLev 19:28 (all H); with לִטְנֵי before, in front of, set food before one, 2Kgs 4:43; 2Kgs 4:44 compare Zech 3:9; Ezek 3:20; Exod 30:6; Exod 40:5; Exod 40:6 (all P); with בֵּין between, Exod 30:18; Exod 40:17 (P); with לְ, לַבַּיִת ׳מִגְרָעוֺת נ סָבִיב 1Kgs 6:6 he put ledges to the house; with other prepositions הָאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּ עִמָּדִי Gen 3:16 (J), the woman whom thou hast set at my side, compare Exod 31:6 (אִתּוֺ ׳נ; figurative of association, assistance); with לִקְרַאת Gen 15:10 (J), lay each piece to meet its fellow; he set the sea מִכֶּתֶף הַבַּיִת 1Kgs 7:39 with ה locative put money שָׁמָּה into it 2Kgs 12:10, so of water Exod 30:18 (P), compare Exod 40:7 (שָׁם); with 2 accusative אוֺתוֺ בֵּית ׳הַכְּלוּא נ Jer 37:4 compare vJer 37:15 put, place, absolute Exod 40:8 (P; || שִׂים, compare Exod 26:32); set up, אֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית בְּ Lev 26:1 (H; || הֵקִים); + לְ person, lay snare for me Ps 119:110 (in figurative).
b. figurative, in many phrase: with עַל, put my spirit upon him Isa 42:1, reproach upon one Jer 23:40, blessing on Mt. Gerizim, etc., Deut 11:29, curses on enemies Deut 30:7 impose tax upon Neh 10:33 compare 2Kgs 23:33 נָתַן הוֺד עַל put majesty upon one 1Chr 29:25; Dan 11:21; Num 27:20 (P; מֵהוֺד; compare Ps 21:6); so also perhaps Ps 8:2 hast set thy majesty upon (over) the heavens, compare ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 (read נָתַתָּה for תְּנָה, Hup De Pe Bae and others; other views see in Thes Ew Ol Now Che We Du); = above, וּנְתָ֑נְךָ עֶלְיוֺן עַלכָּֿלגּֿוֺיֵי הָאָרֶץ Deut 28:1 compare Deut 26:19 put (something) over mouth Mic 3:5 (i.e. stop one's mouth, by a gift); = against מָצוֺר עַלֿ ׳נ Ezek 4:2 (siege), compare vEzek 4:2 b; with אֶלֿ, אֲדֹנָי ֗֗֗ לְבַקֵּשׁ וָאֶתְּנָה אֶתפָּֿנַי אֶלֿ Dan 9:3 with בְּ, words into mouth Deut 18:18; Jer 1:9, compare 1Kgs 22:23 wisdom into heart, or person, 1Kgs 10:24; Exod 31:6; Exod 36:1; Exod 36:2 (all P), compare Ps 4:8 set peace in earth Lev 26:6 (H); (the idea of) perpetuity (עוֺלָם) in heart Eccl 3:11 a purpose, בְּלִבּוֺ ׳וּלהוֺדוֺת נ Exod 35:34 (P); וְנָתַתִּי אֶתיָֿדִי בְּמִצְרַיִם Exod 7:4 (P); אַלתִּֿתֵּן דָּם נָקִי בְּקֶרֶב עַמְּךָ Deut 21:8 וַיִּתֵּן חִנּוֺ בְּעֵינֵי Gen 39:21 (J), and he put his favour in the eyes of the prison-keeper (made the keeper favourable to him), compare Exod 3:21; Exod 11:3; Exod 12:36 (all E; compare also 1 b, 3 b); with בְּ person = against, in phrase set my face against, oppose Ezek 14:8; Ezek 15:7; Lev 17:10; Lev 20:6 (both H); with בֵּין, = put, i.e. make a covenant between Gen 17:2 (P), compare Lev 26:46 (H); אֶרֶץ לִפְנֵיכֶם ׳נ i.e. place at your disposal Deut 1:8; Deut 1:21 compare Deut 2:36 set ordinances, etc., before, לִפְנֵי (for observance), 1Kgs 9:6; Jer 26:4; Jer 44:10; Dan 9:10 blessings and cursings (for choice) Deut 30:1; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19 ׳דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ פ ׳נ set or place one`s way upon his head, i.e. requite him, Ezek 9:10; Ezek 11:21; Ezek 16:43; Ezek 22:31 compare Ezek 17:19, also 1Kgs 8:32 = 2Chr 6:23 + (compare 1 v); בְּמִדְיָן ׳לָתֵת נִקְמַת י Num 31:3 to set the vengeance of ׳י upon Midian; ׳ב ׳נ Ps 50:20 = set in, i.e. impute to (usually ׳שִׂים ב).
c. set, appoint, with accusative + עַלֿ over, ׳י hath set a king over you 1Sam 12:13 compare Gen 41:41 (E); with עַלֿ on, ישֵׁב ׳נ עַלכִּֿסְאִי 1Kgs 1:48 with בְּ in = over, 1Chr 12:9; Neh 13:4 with לְ Nethînîm לַעֲבֹדָה Ezra 8:20 with accusative alone, idol-priest 2Kgs 23:5, prophet Jer 1:5 (2 accusative), leader Num 14:4 one instead of (תַּחַת) another 1Kgs 2:35.

d. = assign, designate, with ׃לְ God hath assigned victim-flesh to (ל) you, in order to bear sins of people Lev 10:17, compare Num 18:8 (both P); cities for (ל) flight of man-slayer Num 35:6 (P); נָתַתִּי לָכֶם עַלהַֿמִּזְבֵּחַ לְכַפֵּר Lev 17:11 (H).

3. Make, constitute,
a. with 2 accusative, וְנָתַתִּי נְעָרִים שָׂרֵיהֶם Isa 3:4 and I will make boys their princes, compare Gen 17:5; Exod 7:1 (both P), Ps 18:33 (> וַיַּתֵּר in || 2Sam 22:33), 2Sam 39:6; 2Sam 69:12; 2Sam 135:12, etc.; + בֵּין Josh 22:25 (P); + אֶלֿ person וְנָתַתִּי אֶתכָּֿלאֹֿיְבֶיךָ אֵלֶיךָ עֹרֶף Exod 23:27 (E), and I will make all thine enemies unto thee a back, i.e. make them shew thee their back, flee from thee, so with לְ Ps 18:41 = 2Sam 22:41.
b. with accusative + לְ, וְנָתַתִּי אֶתיְֿרוּשָׁלַיִם לְגַלִּים Jer 9:10 and I will make Jerusalem into ruin-heaps, compare Deut 28:13; Isa 42:24; Gen 17:6; Gen 17:20; Gen 48:4; Num 5:21; Josh 17:3 (all P) +; לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי ׳פ ׳נ 1Kgs 8:50 make persons an object of compassion before (in the eyes of), so Neh 1:11; Ps 106:46; Dan 1:9 (compare also 1 b, 2 b); + לְ person for (especially Jeremiah), וּנְתַתִּים לִזְוָעָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֺת הָאָרֶץ Jer 15:4 and I will make them a terror for all kingdoms of the earth, compare Jer 24:9; Jer 29:18; Jer 34:17.
c. with accusative + כְּ, כַּשִּׁקְמִים ׳וְאֵת הָאֲרָזִים נ 1Kgs 10:27 and the cedars he made like the sycomores, i.e. as common, = 2Chr 1:15, compare 1Kgs 16:3; Ezek 28:6; Lev 26:19 (H), Ruth 4:11 וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָנוּ כִּמְרַגְּלִים Gen 42:30 (E), i.e. regarded, treated us as spies, but insert בַּמִּשְׁמָר ᵐ5 Ol Di Ball Holz, — אַלתִּֿתֵּן אֶתאֲֿמָֽתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַת בְּלִיַּעַל 1Sam 1:16 difficult, (not withstanding Job 3:24; Job 4:19), read probably כְּ (HPS), or לְ, for לִפְנֵי.
d. rarely with accusative alone: ׳וּמִבְּנֵי יִשׂ שְׁלֹמֹה עֶבֶד ׳לֹא נ 1Kgs 9:22 and of the sons of Israel Solomon made no slave, but read probably לְמַס עֹבֵד (as v1Kgs 9:21 ᵐ5^A ἐς πράγμα, omitted by B ᵐ5^L; compare Klo Benz), וָאֶתֵּן עֲלֵיהֶם קְהִלָּה Neh 5:7 and I made (held) over their case a great assembly; make a decree, חֹק, Ps 148:6 perhaps also וַתִּתֵּן אֹתֹת בְּפַרְעֹה Neh 9:10 and thou didst perform signs and wonders against 'Pharaoh, etc. (compare שִׂים אוֺתֹת בְּ Exod 10:2; Ps 78:43).

Niph`al₈₂ Perfect נִתַּן Isa 9:5 +; 3 feminine singular נִתְּנָה Gen 38:14 +; 2 masculine plural וְנִתַּתֶּם consecutive Lev 26:25 1 plural נִתַּ֫נּוּ Ezra 9:7, etc.; Imperfect יִנָּתֵן Exod 5:18 +, יִנָּ֫תֶן לוֺ 2Chr 2:13 (Ginsb van d. H. יִנָּ֫תֶןלֿוֺ), etc.; Infinitive absolute הִנָּתֹן Jer 32:4; Jer 38:3 construct לְהִנָּתֵן Esth 3:14; Esth 8:13 —

1. be given to (usually with ל person):
a. = bestowed upon Josh 24:33 (E), Ezek 11:15 (+ לְמוֺרָשָׁה), Ezek 33:24 (+ id.), Job 15:19; Ezek 16:34; Num 26:62 (P), Isa 9:5, portion from sacrifice Lev 10:14 (P), glory Isa 35:2, birthright 1Chr 5:1, freedom Lev 19:20 (H).
b. given to one (ל) for wife (ל) Gen 38:14 (J), 1Sam 18:19.
c. provided, usually with ל Exod 5:16; Exod 5:18 (J); 1Sam 25:27; 2Kgs 25:30 = Jer 52:34; Isa 33:16; Neh 13:10 מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד ׳נ Eccl 12:11 they are given from one shepherd (i.e. words of wise) according to Ew De Hi-Now Rüetschi^Kau; Wild understands subject of compilers.
d. = entrusted to Jer 13:20 compare 2Chr 2:13 with עַליָֿדָם 2Kgs 22:7, בְּיַד 2Chr 34:16.
e. = give into the power of (usually with בְּיַד), especially of city (kg., people) given into the hand of foe 2Kgs 18:30 (+ אֶתֿ accusative), 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:15; Isa 37:10; Jer 21:10 + 18 t. Jeremiah, Leviticus, Chronicles, Daniel; earth into hand of wicked Job 9:24 in good sense Gen 9:2 (P); delivered to death (ל), unto lower world (אֶלֿ), Ezek 31:14 given to us (ל) for devouring (ל) Ezek 35:12 ׳חֶרֶב נ Ezek 32:20 delivered to the sword (strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co Sgfr^{Kau Toy}); absolute, of צָבָא, Dan 8:12 (al. was appointed, see especially Dr), Dan 11:6. feminine of request, be granted to (ל), Esth 2:13; Esth 5:3 (בַּקָּשָׁה), vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 (all שְׁאֵלָה), compare Esth 7:3 (בִּשְׁאֵלָה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה).
g. = be permitted Esth 9:13 (+ infinitive).
h. = be issued, published (of royal decree), absolute Esth 3:5; Esth 3:14; Esth 4:8; Esth 8:13; Esth 8:14; Esth 9:14 of law given בְּיַד משֶׁה Neh 10:30.
i. = be uttered, שְׁאוֺן קוֺלָם ׳נ Jer 51:55 (of stormers of Babylon).
j. be assigned for (ל), Ezek 47:11.

2. Be put, set:
a. literally, crown בְּראֹשׁ Esth 6:8 of personified folly הַסֶּכֶל בַּמְּרוֺ מִים ׳נ Eccl 10:6.
b. in imagery of Ezek. ֗֗֗ בְּיַרְכְּתֵיבֿוֺר ׳נ Ezek 32:23, with אֵת (with) vEzek 32:29, with בְּתוֺךְ vEzek 32:25, vine put (cast) לָאֵשׁ לְאָכְלָה Ezek 15:4 into the fire for consuming; figurative of terror בארץ ׳נ Ezek 32:25.
c. = be made, בֶּןאָֿדָם חָצִיר יִנָּתֵן Isa 51:12.
d. = be inflicted, of blemish (מוּם) Lev 24:20 (with בְּ person).

Hoph`al (or Qal passive Ges^{«GKC:53a»§ 53a}) Imperfect יֻתַּן 1Kgs 2:21+ 5 t. + 2Sam 21:6 Qr (Kt ינתן); וַיֻּתַּן 2Sam 18:9 —

1. a. be given, bestowed, absolute Num 26:54 with לְ person 2Kgs 5:17; Num 32:5 (אֶתֿ with accusative; both P); in exchange for (תַּ֫חַת) Job 28:15.
b. = be given to one (ל) for wife (ל) 1Kgs 2:21 (Abishag, אֶתֿ with accusative).
c. = be given, delivered, up to (ל) 2Sam 21:6.

2. be put upon (עַלֿ) Lev 11:38 (P); of Absalom ׳וַיֻּתַּן בֵּין הַשָּׁמַיִם וגו 2Sam 18:9, < וַיִּתָּל (√ תלה) ᵐ5 ᵑ6 We Dr (?), Klo Kit Bu HPS.

BDB9725 H5412 H5411 H5414

[נְתִינִין] noun masculine plural Nethinîn (probably loan-word from Biblical Hebrew נְתִינִים, √ נָתַן); — servants of sanctuary, emphatic נְתִינַיָּא Ezra 7:24.

BDB9726 H5414 H5415

[נְתַן] verb give (see Biblical Hebrew; ᵑ7 rare; Old Aramaic נתן, Imperfect ינתן, so Nabataean; Zinjirli, Palmyrene יתן; Egyptian Aramaic Imperfect אנתן, ינתן, etc., S-C^{Pap. A 7} +, plural suffix תנתנונה ib.^{J 9, Infinitive} למנתן S-C^{C 6, 9}+); —

Pe`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִנְתִּןֿ (K^{§ 42}) Dan 2:16, suffix יִתְּנִנַּהּ Dan 4:15 +; 2 masculine singular תִּנְתֵּן Ezra 7:20 3 masculine plural יִנְתְּנוּן Ezra 4:13 Infinitive לְמִנְתַּ֑ן Ezra 7:20 —

1. give, subject God, with suffix of thing + ל person, Dan 4:14; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29.

2. of man, give, allow, accusative time, Dan 2:16.

3. give, pay, accusative of thing, Ezra 4:13; Ezra 7:20 (+ מִן of source), absolute vEzra 7:20.

give, gave, given, put, set, …

nātan

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

to give, put, set

(Qal)

to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend

to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned

to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up

לְ עָמֵ֣ל

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

עָמֵ֣ל

Root word laboureth, misery, taken, takest, wicked, …

Dictionary form: עָמֵל · aw-MALE

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to him that is in misery

had taken ×1 he hath laboured ×1 labour ×1 laboureth ×1 of the wicked ×1 takest ×1 that laboureth ×1 to him that is in misery ×1

More options

toil — Best general term; implies hard, exhausting effort.

laborer — Use when the word functions as a noun for a person.

work hard — Verbal use; plain and natural in modern prose.

struggle — Emphasizes hardship and difficulty over mere effort.

drudge — Highlights wearisome, thankless labor; slightly negative register.

wretch — Fits contexts of misery or wickedness; strong emotional weight.

BDB6139 H6001

I. עָמֵל noun masculine^{Prov 16:26} labourer, sufferer; — ׳ע Prov 16:26 + 2 t.; plural עֲמֵלִים Judg 5:26 —

1. labourer, workman: Judg 5:26; Prov 16:26.

2. sufferer, Job 3:20 (|| מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ), Job 20:22.

BDB6140 H5998 H6001

II. עָמֵל verbal adjective toiling, only Ecclesiastes, as predicate; — Eccl 2:18; Eccl 2:22; Eccl 3:9; Eccl 4:8; Eccl 9:9.

laboureth, misery, taken, takest, wicked, …

ʿāmēl

toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful

(n m) laborer, sufferer, wretched one

laborer, workman

א֑וֹר

Root word light, day, lights, morning, sun, …

Dictionary form: אוֹר · ore

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is light

light ×23 the light ×13 and the light ×6 for light ×5 as the light ×4 for a light ×4 in the light ×4 is light ×3

More options

light — Modernized from KJV; universally applicable, most neutral.

radiance — Emphasizes luminous quality; suits poetic or hymnic contexts.

brightness — Highlights intensity; good for glory or divine-light passages.

daylight — Concrete, temporal nuance; fits dawn or morning contexts.

gleam — Softer, momentary flash; suits lightning or brief light imagery.

illumination — Abstract or metaphorical; suits wisdom or guidance contexts.

BDB237 H216

אוֺר₁₂₁ noun masculine^{Gen 1:3} (feminine^{Job 36:32; Jer 13:16}) light (Assyrian urru = ûru Dl^w). — absolute Gen 1:3 +; construct Judg 16:2 +; suffix אוֺרִי Ps 27:1, etc.; plural אוֺרִים Ps 136:7 —

1. light as diffused in nature, light of day Gen 1:3; Gen 1:4; Gen 1:5 (P) Job 3:9; Job 38:19 +.

2. morning light, dawn, אוֺר הַבֹּקֶר light of the morning Judg 16:2; 1Sam 14:36; 1Sam 25:34; 1Sam 25:36; 2Sam 17:22; 2Kgs 7:9; Mic 2:1 בֹּקֶר ׳א 2Sam 23:4 (poem of David); ׳עַדהָֿא Judg 19:26 (compare עַדהַֿבֹּקֶר vJudg 19:25); לָאוֺר Job 24:14 מִןהָֿאוֺר עַד מַחֲצִית הַיּוֺם from dawn till mid-day, Neh 8:3 compare Prov 4:18.

3. light of the heavenly luminaries; הַלְּבָנָה ׳א, || הַחַמָּה ׳א moonlight & sunlight Isa 30:26 כּוֺכְבֵי אוֺר stars of light Ps 148:3 מְאוֺרֵי אוֺר luminaries of light Ezek 32:8 אוֺרִים = מְאוֺרִים Ps 136:7 so עֲלֵיאֿוֺר in sunshine Isa 18:4 the sun itself Job 31:26.

4. daylight אוֺר רְשָׁעִים light of the wicked Job 38:15 (their work-day being the night); יוֺם אוֺר a day of light Amos 8:9 (= a clear, sunshiny day).

5. lightning Job 36:32; Job 37:3; Job 37:11; Job 37:15 compare Hab 3:11.

6. light of lamp Prov 13:9; Jer 25:10 of crocodile's hot breath Job 41:10.

7. light of life חַיִּים ׳א Job 33:30; Ps 56:14 compare אוֺר Job 3:16; Job 3:20.

8. light of prosperity Job 22:28; Job 30:26; Ps 97:11; Lam 3:2.

9. light of instruction נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֺרָה אוֺר Prov 6:23 the commandment is a lamp and instruction a light; so the Messian. servant is אוֺר גּוֺיִם Isa 42:6; Isa 49:6 compare עַמִּים ׳א Isa 51:4 the advent of Messiah is shining of great light Isa 9:1 (twice in verse).

10. light of face אוֺר פָּנִים = bright, cheerful face (of men) Job 29:24 betokening king's favour Prov 16:15 (compare עֵינַיִם ׳א Ps 38:11); of God = his shining, enlightening, favouring face Ps 4:7; Ps 44:4; Ps 89:16.

11. Yahweh is יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳א Isa 10:17, as source enlightenment & prosperity; light & salvation Ps 27:1 light to guide Mic 7:8 compare Ps 43:3 everlasting light of Zion, instead of sun & moon Isa 60:19; Isa 60:20 house of Jacob is to walk in his light Isa 2:5.

light, day, lights, morning, sun, …

ʾôr

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

light

light of day

וְ ֝חַיִּ֗ים

וְ

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

֝חַיִּ֗ים

Root word life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …

Dictionary form: חַי · hai

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

In the KJV here: and life

liveth ×63 of life ×31 live ×29 beast ×24 the living ×24 of the living ×23 alive ×21 of his life ×16

More options

living — Broadest adjectival use; alive, animate, or active.

life — Core noun form; vitality, existence, or lifespan.

alive — Emphasizes the state of being living, not dead.

creature — Prefer for living animals or beings in context.

fresh — Use for water ('running/fresh water') or raw flesh.

vigor — Captures vitality, appetite, or life-force nuance.

BDB2716 H2416

I. חַי adjective alive, living; — ׳ח Gen 25:6 +; חָ֑י Gen 3:20 +, חֵי Amos 8:14 + 15 t. (Ew^{§ 329 explains as construct}, but Ges^{«GKC:93»§ 93}, R 7 n and others as contracted absolute); feminine חַיָּה Gen 1:20 +; plural חַיִּים Ps 116:9 +; —

1. a. of God, as the living one, the fountain of life אֵל חַי Josh 3:10 (J), Hos 2:1; Ps 42:3; Ps 84:3 אלהים חי 2Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:16 = Isa 37:4; Isa 37:17 אלהים חיים Deut 5:23; 1Sam 17:26; 1Sam 17:36; Jer 10:10; Jer 23:36 חי יהוה Yahweh is living Ps 18:47 = 2Sam 22:47 גאלי חי my avenger is living Job 19:25 the formula of the oath is ׳חַי י Judg 8:19; Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 14:39; 1Sam 14:45; 1Sam 19:6; 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 25:34; 1Sam 26:10; 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 28:10; 1Sam 29:6; 2Sam 4:9; 2Sam 12:5; 2Sam 14:11; 2Sam 15:21; 1Kgs 1:29; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 17:1; 1Kgs 17:12; 1Kgs 18:10; 1Kgs 22:14 = 2Chr 18:13; 2Kgs 5:16; 2Kgs 5:20; Hos 4:15; Jer 4:2; Jer 5:2; Jer 12:16; Jer 16:14; Jer 16:15; Jer 23:7; Jer 23:8; Jer 38:16 חי אל Job 27:2 האלהים ׳ח 2Sam 2:27 ׳חי אדני י Jer 44:26 צבאות ׳תי י 1Kgs 18:15; 2Kgs 3:14 as used by God Himself it is חי אנכי Deut 32:40, elsewhere חי אני Num 14:21; Num 14:28 (P) Isa 49:18; Jer 22:24; Jer 46:18; Ezek 5:11; Ezek 14:16; Ezek 14:18; Ezek 14:20; Ezek 16:48; Ezek 17:16; Ezek 17:19; Ezek 18:3; Ezek 20:3; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:33; Ezek 33:11; Ezek 33:27; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 35:6; Ezek 35:11; Zeph 2:9, compare also חֵי דרך באר שׁבע, חֵי אלהיך דן Amos 8:14 with the exception of בְּחֵי הָעֹולָם by him who liveth for ever Dan 12:7, חֵי is always (as an artificial distinction of scribes) used of non-sacred oaths, see b. b. of man: אָדָם חַי a living man Lam 3:39, in antith חי חי ׃מֵת Isa 38:19 הַחַי collective Eccl 7:2 Absalom 2Sam 19:7 Naboth 1Kgs 21:15 a son or lad 2Sam 12:21; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:23 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:25; 1Kgs 3:26 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 3:27; 1Kgs 17:23 usually plural חיים alive, living Num 16:30; Num 16:33 (J), Num 17:13 (P), Deut 4:4; Deut 5:3; Isa 8:19; Ps 55:16; Ps 124:3; Prov 1:12; Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:5; Ruth 2:20 taking prisoners alive Josh 8:23 (J) 1Sam 15:8; 1Kgs 20:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 7:12; 2Kgs 10:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 25:12 living (prosperously) 1Sam 25:6 (We reads לָחִי = לְאָחִי (see Klo Dr) to my brother, after ᵑ9 fratribus meis); elsewhere in phrase (פני) האדמה כלהֿימים אשׁר הֵם (אַתֶּם) חיים על all the days that they (ye) live upon (the face of) of the land Deut 4:10; Deut 12:1; Deut 31:13; 1Kgs 8:40 = 2Chr 6:31. Note phrases: עוֺד חַי (יםׅ yet alive Gen 25:6; Gen 43:7; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:28; Gen 45:28; Gen 46:30 (J), Gen 45:3; Gen 45:26; Exod 4:18 (E), Deut 31:27; 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 20:32 בהיות חי 2Sam 12:18; 1Kgs 12:6; 2Chr 10:6 אֶרֶץ (ה)חַיִים land of the living Isa 38:11; Isa 53:8; Jer 11:19; Ezek 26:20; Ezek 32:23; Ezek 32:24; Ezek 32:25; Ezek 32:26; Ezek 32:27; Ezek 32:32; Ps 27:13; Ps 52:7; Ps 142:6; Job 28:13 ׳ארצות הח Ps 116:9 ׳ספר ח Ps 69:29 ׳צרור הח bundle of the living 1Sam 25:29 ׳אור הח light of the living Job 33:30; Ps 56:14. In the oath by life of men חי is pointed always חֵי אדני ׃חֵי המלך as my lord the king liveth 2Sam 15:21 חֵי פרעה Gen 42:15; Gen 42:16 (E); חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 2Sam 14:19 ׳חַ וְחֵי נַפְשְׁךָ ׳י as Yahweh liveth and as thy soul (or thyself) liveth 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 חַיֶּךָ ׳וְחֵי נ 2Sam 11:11 (but on text see We Dr).
c. of animals, alive, living: ox Exod 21:35; Exod 22:3 (E); goat Lev 16:10; Lev 16:20; Lev 16:21 (P); bird Lev 14:4; Lev 14:6 (twice in verse); Lev 14:7; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:53 dog, לְכֶלֶב חַי הוּא טוֺב מִןהָֿאַרְיֵה הַמֵּת Eccl 9:4 (compare Arabic proverb Kelb µei wa-lâ meijit, a living dog and no dead lion Wetzst^{Verhand. Berl. Anthrop. Ges. 1878, 388}); reptiles Gen 1:28 (P); animals in general Gen 9:3 (P); בשׂר חי living, raw flesh Lev 13:10; Lev 13:14; Lev 13:15 (twice in verse); Lev 13:16 (P) 1Sam 2:15.
d. animals and man, phrases for either or both: ׳כל ח Gen 3:20; Gen 8:21 (J) Job 12:10; Job 28:21; Job 30:23; Ps 143:2; Ps 145:16 כל החי Gen 6:19 (P); נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30 (P) Gen 2:7; Gen 2:19 (J); כל נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (P) Ezek 47:9 כל נפשׁ החיה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10; Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (P).
e. (dubious) of vegetation, as thorns, green, Ps 58:10 (Ges Ew Ol Pe, but De Ri Che Bae raw flesh, see
c. above near the end) feminine of water, flowing, fresh מים חיים Gen 26:19 (J), Lev 14:5; Lev 14:6; Lev 14:50; Lev 14:51; Lev 14:52; Lev 15:13; Num 19:17 (P), Jer 2:13; Jer 17:13; Zech 14:8; Song 4:15.

2. (dubious) lively, active: אישׁ חַי an active man 2Sam 23:20 (but Qr אישׁ חַיִל is to be preferred); איבי חיים mine enemies are lively Ps 38:20 (RV, but Houb Ol Ew Hu Che and others read חִנָּם, || שׁקר).

3. reviving: כָּעֵת חַיָּה at the time (when it is) reviving, the spring Gen 18:10; Gen 18:14 (J), 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:17.

BDB2717 H2416

II. [חַי] noun [masculine] kinsfolk (Arabic a group of families united by vital ties RS^{K 36-40} Dr Sm 119), plural suffix חַיַּי 1Sam 18:18, incorrectly pointed with the interpretation my life RV, but read חַיִּי my kins-flok, We Ki Dr RS SS RVm VB. It is explained by the gloss משׁפחת אבי We (Klo reads אַחַי וּ).

BDB2718 H2416

I. חַיָּה noun feminine living thing, animal (Zinjirli wild beast DHM^{Sendsch. 34}) — ׳ח Gen 8:17 +; construct חַיַּת Isa 57:10 +; old case ending (poetic) חַיְתוֺ Gen 1:24; Ps 50:10; Ps 79:2; Ps 104:11; Ps 104:20; Isa 56:9 (twice in verse); Zeph 2:14 suffix חַיָּתִי Ps 143:3, etc.; plural חַיּוֺת Lev 14:4 + 12 t. —

1. animal, as living, active being:
a. in general, Gen 8:17; Lev 11:2; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:47 (twice in verse); Num 35:3 (P) Ps 104:25; Isa 46:1; Dan 8:4.
b. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity Gen 7:14; Gen 7:21; Gen 8:1; Gen 8:19; Gen 9:5 (P) Lev 17:13; Lev 25:7 (H) Job 37:8; Ps 148:10; Isa 40:16; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 33:27; Zeph 2:14; Zeph 2:15 ׳ח קנה Ps 68:31 wild animal of the reeds; רעה ׳ח evil beast Gen 37:20; Gen 37:33 (JE) Lev 26:6 (H) Ezek 5:17; Ezek 14:15; Ezek 14:21; Ezek 34:25 טמאה ׳ח Lev 5:2 (P) unclean beast; הארץ ׳ח Gen 1:25; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:2; Gen 9:10 (twice in verse) (P) 1Sam 17:46; Ezek 29:5; Ezek 32:4; Ezek 34:28; Job 5:22 חיתו ארץ Gen 1:24 (P) Ps 79:2 השׂדה ׳ח Exod 23:11; Exod 23:29 (covt. code.) Lev 26:22 (H) Deut 7:22; 2Sam 21:10; 2Kgs 14:9 = 2Chr 25:18; Hos 2:14; Hos 2:20; Hos 4:3; Hos 13:8; Hos 28:14; Hos 39:4; Hos 39:15 השׂדה ׳כל ח Gen 2:19; Gen 2:20; Gen 3:1; Gen 3:14 (J) Job 40:20; Jer 12:9; Ezek 31:6; Ezek 31:13; Ezek 34:5; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 39:17 חיתו שׂדי Isa 56:9; Ps 104:11 חיתו (ב)יער Isa 56:9; Ps 50:10; Ps 104:20 פְּרִיץ חיות Isa 35:9 destroyer among beasts.
c. living beings, of the cherubic chariot Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:13 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:14; Ezek 1:15 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 1:20; Ezek 1:21; Ezek 1:22; Ezek 3:13; Ezek 10:15; Ezek 10:17; Ezek 10:20.

2. life, only in late poetry, Ps 143:3; Job 33:18; Job 33:20; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 36:14; Ezek 7:13 (twice in verse), and (dubious) Ps 74:19; Ps 78:50.

3. appetite, activity of hunger: חית כפרים appetite of young lions Job 38:39.

4. revival, renewal: חַיַּת יָדֵךְ מָצָאתְ thou didst find renewal of thy strength (re-invigoration) Isa 57:10 see חָיָה

2..

BDB2719 H2416

II. חַיָּה noun feminine (si vera lectio) community ( = feminine of II. חַי according to Nö^{ZMG, 1886, 176}) — וְחַיַּת פְּלִשְׁתִּים חֹנָה and a community of Philistines (i.e. a group of allied families, making a raid together) was encamping 2Sam 23:13 ( = מַחֲנֵה 1Chr 11:15); perhaps also Ps 68:11 (compare below)

Note. — Several other passages are dubious: וַיֵּאָסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לַחַיָּה 2Sam 23:11 assembled into a troop, or by bands (RV, but neither rendering justified: Bö Ew We Klo Dr rightly read לֶ֫חְיָה to Leµi, compare Judg 15:9 word omitted by accident in || 1Chr 11:13 Dr); חַיָּתְךָ יָָֽשְׁבוּבָֿהּ Ps 68:11 thy troop dwelt in it (Thes SS RVm Hi Ri Che, but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Jerome Pe thy (living) creatures, of the people; Hup id., reference to quails; improbable); אַלתִּֿתֵּן לְחַיַּת נֶפֶשׁ תּוֺרֶךָ חַיַּת עֲנִיֶּיךָ אַלתִּֿשְׁכַּח לָנֶ֫צַח Ps 74:19 give not the soul of thy turtle-dove to the wild beasts, the life of thine afflicted do not forget for ever: RV Hi Pe Bae Sch render thus, giving חית different meanings in the two clauses, the former being archaic feminine absolute Ges^{«GKC:80»§ 80}, 2. R. 2; text doubtless corrupt, read possibly למות Schr Ri, for לחית, or לשׁחת Kroch; Gr either of these; Che either, or better לחרב.

BDB2721 H2416

חַיִּים noun masculine^{Deut 28:66} plural abstract emphatic life, ׳ח Gen 2:7 +; חַיִּין Job 24:22 (Aramaism Ges^{«GKC:87»§ 87} (1) a); חַיֵּי Gen 23:1 +; suffix חַיַּי Gen 47:9 +; חַיָּ֑יְכִי Ps 103:4 (Ges^{«GKC:91»§ 91} (2) R. 2), etc.; —

1. life: physical Gen 27:46; Exod 1:14 (P), Deut 28:66 (twice in verse); 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 15:21; Isa 38:12; Jer 8:23; Lam 3:53; Lam 3:58; Ezek 7:13; Job 3:20; Job 7:7; Job 9:21; Job 10:12; Job 24:22; Ps 7:6; Ps 17:14; Ps 21:5; Ps 26:9; Ps 31:11; Ps 34:13; Ps 63:4; Ps 64:2; Ps 66:9; Ps 88:4; Ps 103:4; Prov 18:21; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:13; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); Eccl 10:19; Jonah 2:7; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8 חַיֵּי שׂרה life of Sarah Gen 23:1(P) ׳שְׁנֵי ח years of the life of 2Sam 19:35; Gen 23:1; Gen 25:7; Gen 25:17; Gen 47:8; Gen 47:9 (twice in verse); Gen 47:28; Exod 6:16; Exod 6:18; Exod 6:20 (P); ׳שָׁנָה לח Gen 7:11 (P); שְׁנוֺת חַיִּים Prov 3:2; Prov 4:10; Prov 9:11 ׳יְמֵי ח days of the life of Eccl 2:3; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 5:19; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:15; Eccl 9:9 ׳כֹּל יְמֵי ח Gen 3:14; Gen 3:17 (J) Deut 4:9; Deut 6:2; Deut 16:3; Deut 17:19; Josh 1:5; Josh 4:14 (D) 1Sam 1:11; 1Sam 7:15; 1Kgs 5:1; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:5; 1Kgs 15:6; 1Kgs 2:29; 1Kgs 2:30 = Jer 52:33; Jer 52:34; Isa 38:20 (poem of Hez.) Ps 23:6; Ps 27:4; Ps 128:5; Prov 31:12 ׳בּח in or during one's life Gen 27:46 (P) Lev 18:18 (H) Judg 16:30; 2Sam 1:23; 2Sam 18:18; Ps 49:19; Ps 63:5; Ps 104:33; Ps 146:2; Job 10:1; Eccl 3:12; Eccl 9:3 ׳רוּחַ ח Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); רוּחִי ׳ח Isa 38:16 (poem of Hez.); בשׂרים ׳ח Prov 14:30 ׳נִשְׁמַת (רוּחַ) ח Gen 2:7; Gen 7:22 (J).

2. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence Prov 16:15 as consisting of earthly felicity combined (often) with spiritual blessedness Deut 30:6; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19 (twice in verse); Deut 30:20; Deut 32:47; Ps 30:6; Ps 133:3; Prov 3:22; Prov 4:13; Prov 4:22; Prov 8:35; Prov 10:16; Prov 11:19; Prov 12:28; Prov 19:23; Prov 21:21; Prov 22:4; Mal 2:5 used only once distinctly of eternal life (late) עולם ׳ח Dan 12:2 אֵל חַיָּ֑י Ps 42:9 God of my life; ׳מעוז ח Ps 27:1 ׳מקור ח Ps 36:10; Prov 10:11; Prov 13:14; Prov 14:27; Prov 16:22 עֵץ (ה)חַיִּים Gen 2:9; Gen 3:22; Gen 3:24 (J) Prov 3:18; Prov 11:30; Prov 13:12; Prov 15:4 ׳ארח ח Ps 16:11; Prov 5:6; Prov 15:24 ׳ארח לח Prov 10:17 ׳ארחות ח Prov 2:19 דֶּרֶךְ (ה)חַיִּים Prov 6:23; Jer 21:8 ׳חקּות ח Ezek 33:15 ׳תּוצאות ח Prov 4:23 sources (origin and direction) of life; ׳תוכחת ח Prov 15:31 כָּתוּב לַחַיִּים Isa 4:3 written unto life.

3. sustenance, maintenance: חַיִּים לְנַעֲרוֺתֶיךָ Prov 27:27 maintenance for thy maidens, see מִחְיַה below

BDB9522 H2416 H2417

חַי adjective living (Biblical Hebrew id); —

1. of God: absolute ׳ח Dan 4:31, emphatic חַיָא Dan 6:21. 27; men, plural emphatic חַיַיָא the lilving Dan 2:30; Dan 4:14.

2. plural as abstract noun life (Biblical Hebrew חַיִּים): חַיִּין Dan 7:12 construct חַיֵּי Ezra 6:10.

BDB9523 H2416 H2423

חֵיוָא, חֵיוָה noun feminine beast (Biblical Hebrew II. חַיָה); — absolute אָ֯ Dan 4:13, הָ֯ Dan 7:5. Dan 7:7 emphatic חֵיוְתָא Dan 7:6. Dan 7:11. Dan 7:19; Dan 7:23, and (collective) Dan 4:11; Dan 4:12; Dan 5:21 construct (collective) חֵיוַת בָּרָא Dan 2:38; Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29 plural absolute חֵיוָן Dan 7:3, emphatic חֵיוָתָא Dan 7:7; Dan 7:12. Dan 7:17.

life, living, liveth, live, beasts, …

ḥay

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively

(adj) living, alive

green (of vegetation)

life

animal

לְ מָ֣רֵי

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

מָ֣רֵי

Root word bitter, bitterness, bitterly, chafed, discontented, …

Dictionary form: מַר · mahr

Adjective — masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: unto the bitter

bitter ×3 bitterly ×3 in the bitterness ×3 the bitter ×3 into her and become bitter ×2 the bitterness ×2 and a bitter ×1 and bitter ×1

More options

bitter — Most versatile; fits taste, emotion, and experience.

bitterness — Prefer for noun contexts expressing deep grief or resentment.

anguished — Captures emotional pain; good for describing a person's state.

grievous — Suits contexts of hardship or suffering rather than taste.

despairing — Highlights hopelessness; fits narratives of deep distress.

harsh — Use for sharp, severe tone or circumstance.

BDB4831 H4751 H4755

I. מַר adjective and substantive bitter, bitterness; — absolute ׳מ Prov 27:7 +, הַמַּר Hab 1:6, מָ֑ר Ps 64:4 +; construct מַר 1Sam 22:2 +; feminine מָרָה Gen 27:34 +, מָרָא Ruth 1:20 construct מָרַת 1Sam 1:10 masculine plural מָרִים Exod 15:23 +; construct מָרֵי Judg 18:25; Prov 31:6 — bitter:

1. literally, of water Exod 15:23 (J); food Prov 27:7 (opposed to מָתוֺק); wormwood (לַעֲנָה Prov 5:4 (in simile of end of harlot, compare Eccl 7:26 below); as substantive plural, of physical pain, result of curse לְמָרִים Num 5:24; Num 5:27, whence מֵי הַמָּרִים vNum 5:18 (compare Di) vNum 5:19 vNum 5:23 vNum 5:24 of harmful result of ruthless fighting 2Sam 2:26 of wickedness Jer 2:19; Jer 4:18 = injurious, hurtful Isa 5:20 (twice in verse) (opposed to מָתוֺק).

2. figurative,
a. of cry (צְעָקָה, זְעָקָה) Gen 27:34 (J), Esth 4:1 מִסְפֵּד מָ֑ר Ezek 27:31 (strike out Co); דָּבָר מָ֑ר Ps 64:4 as adverb (cry, weep) bitterly Ezek 27:30 (מָרָה), Zeph 1:14; Isa 33:7 (both מַר).
b. of feeling, temper, especially with נֶפֶשׁ: אֲנָשִׁים מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ Judg 18:25 men fierce (GFM acrid) of temper, so 2Sam 17:8 (like a bear robbed of whelps); הַגּוֺי הַמַּר Hab 1:6 the fierce nation; מַרנֶֿפֶשׁ = discontented 1Sam 22:2 מַרֵי נֶפֶשׁ = the bitterly wretched Job 3:20; Prov 31:6, so ׳מָרַת נ 1Sam 1:10 compare יוֺם מָ֑ר Amos 8:10 as substantive abstract מַרנֶֿפֶשׁ bitterness of soul Isa 38:15; Ezek 27:31 (strike out Co), Job 7:11; Job 10:1 = נפשׁ מָרָה Job 21:25 compare מָרָא Ruth 1:20 (name given to Naomi by herself); מַרהַֿמָּוֶת 1Sam 15:32 the bitterness of death; מַרמִֿמָּוֶת Eccl 7:26 (metaphor of harlot); in Ezek 3:14 I went bitterly, strike out מַר Co. — Isa 38:17 see מרר.

bitter, bitterness, bitterly, chafed, discontented, …

mar

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

(adj) bitter, bitterness

of water or food

נָֽפֶשׁ

Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …

Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: in soul

my soul ×101 soul ×38 his soul ×28 thy soul ×28 the souls ×23 the soul ×21 thy life ×16 my life ×15

More options

soul — Broad default; fits spiritual or inner-self contexts.

life — Prefer when physical existence or survival is in view.

being — Good for 'living being'; avoids religious overtones.

person — Use when נֶפֶשׁ refers to a countable individual or body.

self — Reflexive contexts: 'with all your self / whole self.'

appetite — Fitting for desire, craving, or longing passages.

BDB5310 H5315

נֶ֫פֶשׁ₇₅₆ noun feminine^{Gen 49:6} (so even Gen 2:19; Num 31:28; 1Kgs 19:2 see Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 42} SS) soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion (Eccl 3:18; Eccl 4:1 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 13:12; Eccl 14:11); — ׳נ Gen 1:20 +; נָ֑פֶשׁ Gen 37:21 +; suffix נַפְשִׁי Gen 12:13 +; plural נְפָשׁוֺת Ezek 13:18 + 13 t.; נְפָשֹׁת Exod 12:4; Lev 27:2 construct נַפְשׁוֺת Gen 36:6 + 4 t.; נַפְשֹׁת Lev 21:11 נְפָשִׁים Ezek 13:20 (but read חָפְשִׁים, see Co Berthol Toy); suffix נַפְשׁוֺתָם 2Sam 23:17 +; נַפְשֹׁתָם Num 17:3 +: —

1. = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being = ψυχή, anima, the soul, the inner being of man:
a. distinguished from ׃בָּשָׂר מִנֶּפֶשׁ וְעַד בָּשָׂר Isa 10:18 הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר Deut 12:23 from שְׁאֵר Prov 11:17 from בֶּטֶן body Ps 31:10.
b. both the inner נפשׁ and the outer בשׂר are conceived as resting on a common substratum: אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֺ עָלָיו יִכְאָ֑ב וְנַפְשׁוֺ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָֽל׃ Job 14:22 only his flesh upon him is in pain, and his soul upon him mourneth; compare Ps 42:5; Ps 42:7; Ps 131:2; Job 30:16; Lam 3:20 [see עַל 1 d], all poetical (compare 6 c).
c. ׳נ departs at death and returns with life: וַיְתִי בְּצֵאת נַפְשָׁהּ כִּי מֵתָה Gen 35:18 (E) and it came to pass when her soul was going forth (for she died); נָָֽפְחָה נַפְשָׁהּ Jer 15:9 she breathed out her soul, compare 1Kgs 17:21; 1Kgs 17:22; Job 11:20; Job 31:39.
d. often desired that the נפשׁ may be delivered: from Sh®°ôl Ps 16:10; Ps 30:4; Ps 49:16; Ps 86:13; Ps 89:49; Prov 23:14 from שַׁחַת, the pit of Sh®°ôl, Isa 38:17; Job 33:18; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 33:30.

2. The נפשׁ becomes a living being: by God's breathing נשׁמת חיים into the nostrils of its בשׂר; of man Gen 2:7 (J); by implication of animals also Gen 2:19 (J); so Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30 compare Ps 66:9 man is נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, a living, breathing being Gen 2:7 (J); elsewhere נפשׁ חיּה always of animals Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (all P), Ezek 47:9 so נפשׁ החיּה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10 (both P), Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ השׁרצת Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ כל חי Job 12:10. נפשׁ is frequently used with the verb ׃חיה וחיתה נפשׁ Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (both J), 1Kgs 20:32 (E), Ps 119:175; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20 חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 14:9; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 (all J E); compare ׳יְחַיֶּה נ 1Kgs 20:31 (E), Ezek 18:27; Ps 22:30 also Gen 19:19; Isa 55:3; Prov 3:22.

3. The נפשׁ (without חיה noun or verb) is specified:
a. a living being whose life resides in the blood [so in Arabic We^{Skizzen iii. 217 G.} Jacob^{Arab. Dicht. iv. 9 f.}] (hence sacrificial use of blood, and its prohib. in other uses; first in D), Deut 12:23; Deut 12:24 only be sure that thou eat not the blood, for the blood is the living being (הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ); and thou shalt not eat the living being with the flesh (הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר); thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water; this is enlarged in H, Lev 17:10; Lev 17:11; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:14 and in P Gen 9:4; Gen 9:5, compare Jer 2:34.
b. a serious attack upon the life is an attack upon this inner living being 2Sam 1:9; Jer 4:10; Jonah 2:6; Ps 69:2; Ps 124:4; Ps 124:5; Job 27:3.
c. נפשׁ is used for life itself 171 t., of animals Prov 12:10, and of man Gen 44:30 (J); נפשׁ תחת נפשׁ life for life Exod 21:23 (E), Lev 24:18 (H), 1Kgs 20:39; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 10:24 נפשׁנו תחתיכם Josh 2:14 (J); נפשׁ בנפשׁ Deut 19:21 בנפשׁ for the life of 2Sam 14:7; Jonah 1:14 שׂם נפשׁ בכף put life in one's own hand Judg 12:3; 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 28:21; Job 13:14 חרף נפשׁו למות Judg 5:18 risked his life to die; בנפשׁ at the risk of life Num 17:3 (P), 2Sam 23:17 = 1Chr 11:19 (twice in verse), 1Kgs 2:23; Prov 7:23; Lam 5:9 בקּשׁ נפשׁ Exod 4:19 (J), 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 22:23 (twice in verse); 1Sam 23:15; 1Sam 25:29; 2Sam 4:8; 2Sam 16:11; 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Jer 4:30; Jer 11:21; Jer 19:7; Jer 19:9; Jer 21:7; Jer 22:25; Jer 34:20; Jer 34:21; Jer 38:16; Jer 44:30 (twice in verse); Jer 46:26; Jer 49:37; Ps 35:4; Ps 38:13; Ps 40:15; Ps 54:5; Ps 63:10; Ps 70:3; Ps 86:14; Prov 29:10 ׳שׁאל נ 1Kgs 3:11 = 2Chr 1:11; 1Kgs 19:4 = Jonah 4:8 הִכָּה נפשׁ smite mortally Gen 37:21 (J), Deut 19:6; Deut 19:11; Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 ׳לקח נ 1Kgs 19:4; Jonah 4:3; Ps 31:14; Prov 1:19 הִצִּיל נֶפֶשׁ מִמָּוֶת deliver life from death Josh 2:13; Ps 33:19; Ps 56:14 מלּט נפשׁ1Sam 19:11; 2Sam 19:6 (4 t. in verse); 1Kgs 1:12 (twice in verse); Jer 48:6; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:45; Ezek 33:5; Amos 2:14; Amos 2:15; Ps 89:49; Ps 116:4 פדה ׳נ 2Sam 4:9; 1Kgs 1:29; Ps 34:23; Ps 49:16; Ps 55:19; Ps 71:23 ׳שׁמר נ Ps 25:20; Ps 97:10; Job 2:6; Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5.

4. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself:
a. paraphrase for personal pronoun especially in poetry and ornate discourse, 70 t.; (1) נַפְשִׁי = me: אל תבא נפשׁי Gen 49:6 let me not enter (poem in J); מות ישׁרים ׳תָּמֹת נ Num 23:10 let me die, etc. (poem); תָּמוֺת נַפְשְׁי Judg 16:30 (J); אמרה נפשׁי Lam 3:24 I say. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thee: לְאֻמִּים תַּחַת נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ Isa 43:4 peoples instead of thee; אָֽמְרוּ לְנַפְשֵׁךְ Isa 51:23. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = he: נפשׁו בטוב תלין Psalms he will not dwell in good circumstances. (4) נַפְשֵׁנוּ = we: נַפְשֵׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֺר נִמְלְטָה מִפַּח יוֺקְשִׁים Ps 124:7. (5) נַפְשָׁם = they, them: נַפְשָׁם בַּשְּׁבִי הָלָ֑כָה Isa 46:2 they are gone into captivity; אוי לנפשׁם Isa 3:9.
b. = reflexive, self, 53 t.: אסר על נפשׁ bind oneself Num 30:3; Num 30:5 (twice in verse); Num 30:6; Num 30:7; Num 30:8; Num 30:9; Num 30:10; Num 30:11; Num 30:12 ׳לְעַנֹּת נ Num 30:14 to afflict oneself . (1) נַפְשִׁי = myself: לא אדע נפשׁי Job 9:21 I know not myself. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thyself: ׳שׁמר נ Deut 4:9 keep thyself. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = himself: ׳אהב כנ 1Sam 18:1; 1Sam 18:3; 1Sam 20:17 loved as himself. (4) נַפְשָׁהּ = herself: ׳צדּקה נ Jer 3:11 justified herself. (5) נַפְשָׁם = themselves: ׳הציל נ deliver themselves Isa 47:14; Ezek 14:14; Ezek 14:20. (6) נַפְשְׁכֶם, נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם = yourselves: ׳אַלתַּֿשִּׁאוּ נ Jer 37:9 deceive not yourselves, also Jer 42:20; Jer 44:7 ׳ענּה נ Lev 16:29; Lev 16:31; Lev 23:27; Lev 23:32; Num 29:7 (P); ׳נשׁמרתם לנ Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (D). (7) נַפְשׁוֺתֵינוּ = ourselves: ׳על נ Jer 26:19 against ourselves.
c. = person of man, individual, 144 t., first in D²; especially in H, P, and kindred writers: (1) with אָדָם: אדם ׳נ Lev 24:17 opposed to בהמה ׳נ Lev 24:18 (both H), and so אדם ׳נ human persons Num 31:35; Num 31:40; Num 31:46 (P) 1Chr 5:21; Ezek 27:13. Elsewhere without אדם: ברכה ׳נ Prov 11:25 one who blesses; רְמִיָּה ׳נ Prov 19:15 idle person; ׳תחת נ ׳נ person in place of person, Job 16:4 כפּר ׳על נ Exod 30:15; Exod 30:16; Num 15:28; Num 31:50 (all P) Lev 17:11 (H). (2) נפשׁ = person, any one: Deut 24:7; Deut 27:25; Prov 28:17; Ezek 18:4 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 33:6 elsewhere only H P: Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 4:27; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:2; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15; Lev 5:17; Lev 5:21; Lev 7:18; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:25; Lev 7:27; Lev 23:29; Lev 23:30 (twice in verse); Num 5:6; Num 15:27; Num 15:30; Num 19:22; Num 31:19; Num 31:28; Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:30 (twice in verse); Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Lev 17:10; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:15; Lev 20:6 (twice in verse); Lev 22:6; Lev 22:11 (all H); ׳נכרתה הנ הַהִוא מן that person shall be cut off from: only in Gen 17:14; Exod 12:15; Exod 12:19; Exod 31:14; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:27; Num 9:13; Num 15:30; Num 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (all P), Lev 19:8; Lev 22:3 (both H). (3) נפשׁ collective for persons, in enumerations: Deut 10:22; Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 (twice in verse); Josh 10:39; Josh 11:11 (all D²) Jer 43:6; Jer 52:29; Jer 52:30 (twice in verse); Ezek 22:25 elsewhere only Gen 12:5; Gen 46:15; Gen 46:18; Gen 46:22; Gen 46:25; Gen 46:26 (twice in verse); Gen 46:27 (twice in verse); Exod 1:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:16; Num 31:35; Num 31:40 (all P). (4) נְפָשׁוֺת persons Gen 36:6; Exod 12:4; Exod 16:16; Num 19:18 (all P), Lev 18:29; Lev 20:25; Lev 27:2 (all H), 2Kgs 12:5; Prov 11:30; Prov 14:25; Ezek 13:18 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 13:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 13:20 (twice in verse); Ezek 17:17; Ezek 18:4; Ezek 22:27 (נפשׁים Ezek 13:20 see above). (5) נפשׁ = deceased person, sometimes with מֵת, נֶפֶשׁ מֵת Num 6:6 (P), נַפְשֹׁת מֵת (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 נֶפֶשׁ) Lev 21:11 (H); usually without מֵת, נפשׁ (ה)אדם Num 9:6; Num 9:7; Num 19:11; Num 19:13 (P); or simply נפשׁ, Lev 19:28; Lev 21:1; Lev 22:4 (all H) Num 5:2; Num 6:11; Num 9:10 (all P); elsewhere only Hag 2:13.

5. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.) —
a. hunger: רְעֵבָה ׳נ hungry soul Ps 107:9; Prov 27:7 with noun or verb of שׂבע satisfy Isa 56:11; Isa 58:10; Jer 50:19; Ezek 7:19; Ps 63:6; Ps 107:9; Prov 13:25; Prov 27:7 ׳מתוק לנ Prov 16:24 sweet to the taste.
b. thirst: עֲיֵפָה ׳נ weary soul Prov 25:25; Jer 31:25 כארץ עיפה ׳נ Ps 143:6 ׳צמאה נ Ps 42:3; Ps 63:2.
c. appetite in general: יַקִּיפוּ עָלָיו ׳אֹיְבַי בנ Ps 17:9 my enemies compass me about with greed; הִרְחִיבָה שְׁאוֺל נַפְשָׁהּ וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14 Sh®°ôl enlarged her appetite, etc., compare Hab 2:5; Prov 23:2 בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ; Ecclesiastes uses נפשׁ only in the sense of a, b, c; the נפשׁ craves, lacks, and is filled with good things: Eccl 2:24; Eccl 4:8; Eccl 6:2; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 6:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:28.

6. = ׳נ seat of emotions and passions (151 t.) —
a. desire: ׳אִוְּתָה נ soul desires Deut 12:20; Deut 14:26; 1Sam 2:16; 2Sam 3:21; 1Kgs 11:37; Job 23:13; Prov 13:4; Prov 21:10; Mic 7:1 ׳תַּאֲוַת נ Ps 10:3; Isa 26:8 ׳אַוַּת נ Deut 12:15; Deut 12:20; Deut 12:21; Deut 18:6; 1Sam 23:20; Jer 2:24 so also לנפשׁ according to one's desire Deut 21:14; Ps 78:18; Jer 34:16 כנפשׁ Deut 23:25 האח נפשׁנו ah, our desire Ps 35:25 בנפשׁ at one's desire Ps 105:22; Ezek 16:27 יָָֽצְאָה ׳נ בְדַבְּרוֺ Song 5:6 ׳נשׂא נ lift up the soul, desire Deut 24:15; 2Sam 14:14 (read אליהם, not אלהים), Ps 24:4; Ps 25:1; Ps 86:4; Ps 143:8; Prov 19:8; Jer 22:27; Jer 44:14; Hos 4:8.
b. abhorrence, loathing: ׳געלה נ soul abhorreth Lev 26:11; Lev 26:15; Lev 26:30; Lev 26:43 (H) Jer 14:19 בחלה בי ׳וגם נ Zech 11:8 and their soul also fell a loathing against me.
c. sorrow and distress: ׳מרי נ bitter, gloomy, discontented of soul Judg 18:25 (E) 2Sam 17:8; Job 3:20; Prov 31:6 ׳מר נ 1Sam 22:2 compare Job 7:11; Job 10:1; Isa 38:15; Ezek 27:1 ׳עָֽגְמָה נ Job 30:35 grieved; ׳אגמי נ sad of soul Isa 19:10 ׳תבכה נ my soul shall weep Jer 13:17 ירעה ׳נ his soul trembleth Isa 15:4 ׳צרת נ distress of soul Gen 42:21 (E).
d. joy: תגיל ׳נ my soul rejoiceth Ps 35:9; Isa 61:10 ׳שׂמּח נ rejoice the soul Ps 86:4 also Ps 94:19; Ps 138:3; Prov 29:17.
e. love: ׳אהבה נ my soul loveth Song 1:7; Song 3:1; Song 3:2; Song 3:3; Song 3:4 ׳יְדִדוּת נ darling of my soul Jer 12:7 ׳ב ׳דבקה נ his soul clave unto Gen 34:3 (J), with אחרי Ps 63:9 חשׁקה ׳ב ׳נ soul is attached to Gen 34:8 (P). feminine alienation, hatred, revenge: מן ׳תֵּקַע נ the soul is alienated from Jer 6:8; Ezek 23:17; Ezek 23:18 מן ׳נקעה נ Ezek 23:18; Ezek 23:22; Ezek 23:28 ׳שְׂנֻאי נ hated of soul 2Sam 5:8 (Qr); ׳שׂנאה נ Ps 11:5; Isa 1:14.
g. other emotions and feelings: ׳השׁיב נ bring back soul Lam 1:11; Lam 1:19 (i.e. revive, compare with שׁוּב 1Kgs 17:21f.), hence figurative refresh, cheer, v1Kgs 17:16; Ps 19:8; Prov 25:14; Ruth 4:15 ׳שׁובב נ Ps 23:3 ׳מַחְמַל נ your souls' compassion Ezek 24:21 ׳קצרה נ soul was impatient Num 21:4 (E), Judg 10:16; Judg 16:16; Zech 11:8 כי ׳אאריך נ that I should prolong my patience Job 6:11 הגר ׳ידעתם אתנֿ ye know the feeling of the stranger Exod 23:9 (R^D).

7. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts + לבב (see 10); possibly also alone, owing to unconscious assimilation by late writers; but most, if not all, examples may be otherwise explained: נפשׁי ידעת מאד Ps 139:14 my soul knoweth well (or I know well; compare 4a); בלא לא טוב ׳דעת נ Prov 19:2 that the soul be without knowledge is not good (but RVm desire without knowledge, compare 6 a); ׳דעה חכמה לנ Prov 24:14 know wisdom for thy soul (or according to thy desire, compare 6 a); ׳אל תדמי בנ Esth 4:13 think not in thy soul (or in thyself, compare 4 b); כמו שׁער ׳בג Prov 23:7 as he reckoneth in his soul (but RV in himself, compare 4 b); ׳מה תאמר נ 1Sam 20:4 (but AV RV following ᵐ5 ἐπιθυμεῖ = תְּאַוֶּה; see 6 a).

8. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dubious: אם ישׁ נפשׁכם (את) if it is your purpose Gen 23:8 (P) 2Kgs 9:15 (or if it is your desire, 6 a); ׳בחרה נ my soul chooseth Job 7:15 ׳מאנה נ my soul, refuseth Job 6:7; Ps 77:3 חפצה ׳נ their soul delighteth in Isa 66:3 רצתה ׳נ my soul delighteth in Isa 42:1 (all perhaps emotional, 6 b, d, g).

9. נפשׁ = character is still more dubious: בּוֺ ׳לאֹיָָֽֿשְׁרָה נ Hab 2:4 his soul is not right in him (but ᵐ5 οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ [εὐδοκεῖ = רצתה], see

6.); נַפְשִׁי לאֹ מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 my soul hath not (or I have not, 4 a) been polluted.

10. ׳נin D, when used with לבב, is assimilated to it, and shares with it the meanings of 7, 8, 9; and so in later writers influenced by D (unless we may think that ׳ל is used of intellect, while ׳נ is used of the feelings): thus, בכל לבב ובכל נפשׁ (see לבב): with דרשׁ Deut 4:29; 2Chr 15:12 עשׂה Deut 26:16 אהב Deut 6:5; Deut 13:4; Deut 30:6 ידע Josh 23:14 עבד Deut 10:12; Deut 11:13; Josh 22:5 שׁמע בקלו Deut 30:2 שׁוב אל Deut 30:10; 1Kgs 8:48 = 2Chr 6:38; 2Kgs 23:25 שׁמר מצות 2Kgs 23:3 = 2Chr 34:31 הלך לפני1Kgs 2:4 and Deut 11:18; 1Sam 2:35; 1Chr 22:19; 1Chr 28:9; Jer 32:41; Ps 13:8; Prov 2:10; Prov 24:12. Note. — In three cases is generally found closer approach to supposed radical meaning breath: —
a. שׁמן וקטרת ישׂמח לב ומתק רעהו מעצת נפשׁ Prov 27:9. Ges (after Döderlein) renders a. ׳מעצת נ more than odorous trees, so later edds., even Buhl; but ᵑ9 De SS transpose) מֵעֲצַת רֵעֵהוּ ׳וּמֶתֶק נ. ᵐ5 Hi Bi ומתקרעה = the soul is rent asunder by cares. In any case נפשׁis || לב, compare

10. b. נַפְשׁוֺ גֶּחָלִים תְּלַהֵט Job 41:13 his breath kindleth coals (of the crocodile).The piece is one of the latest in the book; primitive meaning hardly in such a passage; context favours reference to passion or fury; perhaps below 6 f, his passion or fury kindleth coals.
c. בָּתֵּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ Isa 3:20 perfume boxes; meaning evident from context; but not necessarily scent (breath)-boxes; may be 6 a, boxes of desire, or 5, boxes exciting the sense of smell; = smelling boxes or bottles. No sufficient evidence in Biblical Hebrew, therefore, for meaning breath, odour. — See, for complete study of נֶפֶשׁ (all passages), Br^{JBL 1897,17 ff}.

BDB7797 H7307 H5315 H3824 H1320 H3820

רוּחַ₃₇₈ noun feminine^{Gen 41:8} (less often masculine^{Exod 10:13} +) breath, wind, spirit; — absolute ׳ר Gen 8:1 +, ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 construct רוּחַ Gen 6:17 +; suffix רוּחִי vGen 6:3 +, רוּחֲךָ Ps 104:30 +, etc.; plural רוּחוֺת vPs 104:4 +, רֻחוֺת Jer 49:36, רוּחֹת Num 16:22; Num 26:16 (see Br^{רוח in O.T., JBL xix (1900), 132 ff.}, full statement of all passages); —

1. breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.):
a. רוּחַ פִּיו Job 15:30 breath of his mouth, compare Job 19:17 רוּחַ אַפֵּינוּ Lam 4:20 (figurative of king), of idols לֹא רוּחַ בָּם Jer 10:14 = Jer 51:17, Hab 2:19; Ps 135:17 compare Job 9:18.
b. as mere breath: compare 2 e. דִּבְרֵירֿוּחַ Job 16:3 i.e. windy words; נוֺאָשׁ לְרוּחַ אִמְרֵי Job 6:26, הַנְּבִיאִים יִהְיוּ לְרוּחַ Jer 5:13.
c. as word of command: (1) of God: (נעשׂו) בְּרוּחַ פִּיו כָּלֿ צְבָאָםPs 33:6, compare Isa 34:16 (|| פֶּה); (2) of Messianic king: בְּרוּחַ שְׂפָתָיו יָמִית רָשָׁע Isa 11:4.
d. as hard breathing through the nostrils in anger: (1) of God: מֵרוּח אַפּוֺ יִכְלוּ Job 4:9; Exod 15:8 (poem), 2Sam 22:16 = Ps 18:16; Isa 30:28; Isa 59:19 (2) of man: רוּחַ עָרִיצִים Isa 25:4.
e. as sign and symbol of life: רוּחַ חַיִּים breath of life Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו Gen 7:22 (P); Ezek 37:5, compare vEzek 37:6 vEzek 37:8 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:10 vEzek 37:14 (breath or spirit), Eccl 3:19.

2. wind (117 t.):
a. wind of heaven: Gen 8:1 (P) Exod 15:10 (E) Num 11:31 (J) 1Kgs 18:45 +, Jer 10:13, thence Jer 51:16; Ps 135:7 ׳רוּחַ י Hos 13:15; Isa 40:7, compare Job 26:13 (Di Bu); רוּחַ (ה)קָדִים east wind Exod 10:13 (twice in verse); Exod 14:21 (J) Ps 48:8; Jer 18:17; Ezek 17:10; Ezek 19:12; Ezek 27:26; Jonah 4:8 צָפוֺן ׳ר north wind Prov 25:23 יָם ׳ר sea wind (west wind) Exod 10:19 (J); . הַיּוֺם ׳ר day wind, evening wind Gen 3:8 (J; compare Song 2:17; Song 4:6); אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת four winds Jer 49:36; Ezek 37:9 (quarters?) Dan 8:8; Dan 11:4 (figurative quarters; compare b), Zech 2:10; Zech 6:5 רוּחַ סְעְרָה storm wind Ps 107:25; Ps 148:8; Ezek 1:4 (סְעָרוֺת ׳ר), Ezek 13:11; Ezek 13:13 רוּחַ סֹעָה rushing wind Ps 55:9 (read possibly סערה Hup); בַּעְיָם רוּחוֺ Isa 11:15 (read ׳בְּעֹצֶם ר, see עֲיָם, עֹצֶם), etc; wind personified: כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ 2Sam 22:11 = Ps 18:11; Ps 104:3, compare Hos 4:19; Ps 104:4.
b. quarter (of wind), side: רוּחַ הַקָּדִים Ezek 42:16 east side; רוּחַ הַצָּפוֺן vEzek 42:17 north side; רוּחַ הַדָּרוֺם vEzek 42:18 south side; רוּחַ הַיָּם vEzek 42:19 west side; אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת vEzek 42:20; 1Chr 9:24 four sides; ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 on the sides.
c. breath of air: שָׁאֲפוּ רוּחַ כַּתַּנִּים Jer 14:6 רוּחַ לֹא יָבֹא בֵּינֵיהֶם Job 41:8.
d. air, gas, from womb (dubious): כְּמוֺ יָלַדְנוּ רוּחַ Isa 26:18 (Di, e); רוּחֲכֶם אֵשׁ תֹּאכַלְכֶם (RV breath) Isa 33:11 (Du, 3 c).
e. vain, empty thing: רוּחַיָּי֑ Job 7:7 my life is wind; דַּעַת רוּחַ Job 15:2 רוּחַ וָתֹהוּ נִסְכֵּיהֶם Isa 41:29 רְעוּת רוּחַ striving for wind Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 2:26; Eccl 4:4; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 6:9 compare Eccl 1:17; Eccl 4:16; Eccl 5:15.

3. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.; so, distinctively, as compared with נֶפֶשׁ and לֵבָב):
a. spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour: לֹא הָיָה בָהּ עוֺד רוּחַ 1Kgs 10:5 = 2Chr 9:4 מַהזֶּֿה רוּחֲךָ סָרָה 1Kgs 21:5 וַתְּחִי רוּחַ Gen 45:27 (E); וַתָּשָׁב רוּחוֺ Judg 15:19; 1Sam 30:12.
b. courage: ׳לֹא הָיָה בָם עוֺד ר Josh 5:1 נְגִידִים ׳יִבְצֹר ר Ps 76:13 מִצְרַיִם ׳וְנָָֽבְקָה ר Isa 19:3 תתעטּף רוּחִי Ps 77:4; Ps 142:4; Ps 143:4 לֹא קָמָה ׳עוֺד ר Josh 2:11 אִישׁ יְכַלְכֵּל מַחֲלֵהוּ ׳ר Prov 18:14.
c. temper, especially anger: ׳רוּחַ רָעָה בֵּין וגו Judg 9:23 אָז רָֽפְתָה רוּחָם Judg 8:3 משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ Prov 16:32, compare Prov 25:28; Prov 29:11; Job 15:13 הֵנִיחוּ אֶתרֿוּחִי Zech 6:8; Eccl 7:9; Eccl 10:4.
d. impatience or patience: קֹצֶר רוּחַ Exod 6:9 (P) impatience, hastiness of temper, compare (of ׳י) Mic 2:7 קְצַררֿוּחַ Prov 14:29 (|| אֶרֶךְ אַפַיִם); הֱצִיקַתְנִי רוּחַ בִּטְנִי Job 32:18 (Du breath; Di Bu divine spirit, compare vJob 32:8); אִם מַדּוּעַ לֹאתִֿקְצַר רוּחִי Job 21:4 ׳הֲקָצַר רוּחַ י Mic 2:7 ׳אֶרֶךְ ר Eccl 7:8.
e. spirit, disposition, as troubled, bitter, or discontented; וַתִּפָּעֶם רוּח(וׅ (his) spirit was troubled Gen 41:8 (E) Dan 2:3, compare vDan 2:1 מֹרַת רוּחַ Gen 26:35 (P) bitterness of spirit; ׳עֲצוּבַת ר Isa 54:6, compare Ezek 3:14; Job 6:4. feminine as crushed: וְכִהֲתָה כָלרֿוּחַ Ezek 21:12, compare Isa 61:3; Prov 15:4; Prov 15:13; Prov 17:22; Prov 18:14; Ps 143:7.
g. disposition of various kinds, often unaccountable and uncontrollable impulse: הֵעִיר אֶתרֿוּחַ 1Chr 5:26 (twice in verse); 2Chr 21:16; 2Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Ezra 1:5; Jer 51:11; Hag 1:14 (3 t. in verse); הִנְנִי נ(וֺ)תֵן בּוֺ רוּח2Kgs 19:7 = Isa 37:7; Num 14:24 (J; see עִם 4 b), Mal 2:15 (twice in verse); Mal 2:16; Deut 2:30 רוּחַ קִנְאָה jealous disposition Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:30 (P); רוּחַ וְנוּנִים Hos 4:12; Hos 5:4 רוּחַ עִוְעִיםIsa 19:14 רוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט Isa 28:6 אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלהִֹרם בּוֺ (administrative) Gen 41:38 (E); קַר רוּחַ אִישׁ הְּבוּנָה Prov 17:27.
h. prophetic spirit: יְהוֺשֻׁעַ אִישׁ אֲשֶׁרֿ רוּחַ בּזֹNum 27:18 (P; or g, as Gen 41:38); רוּחַ אֵלִיָּהוּ עַלאֱֿלִישָׁע2Kgs 2:15, compare v2Kgs 2:9 רוּחַ תַּרְדֵמָה spirit of deep sleep (ecstatic, compare Gen 2:21; Gen 15:12, but Di and others g, as Isa 19:14) Isa 29:10; Mic 2:11 רוּחַ הַטֻמְאָה Zech 13:2 (of lying prophets), compare Ezek 13:3.

4. spirit of the living, breathing being, dwelling in the בָּשָׂר of men and animals, || נֶפֶשׁ (25 t.):
a. gift and creation of God: יֹצֵר רוּחַ אָדָם בְּקִרְבּוֺ Zech 12:1 רוּחַ אֱלוֺהַּ בְּאַפִּי Job 27:3, compare Isa 42:5.
b. God preserves it: פְּקֻדָּֽתְךָ שָֽׁמְרָה רוּחִי Job 10:12, compare Job 12:10 אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר Num 16:22; Num 27:16 (P); תֹּכֵן רוּחוֺת Prov 16:2.
c. it is therefore God's spirit: Gen 6:3 (J; see דִּין near the end).
d. it departs at death: Ps 78:39 (Dr a wind that passeth away 2 e); חַיֵּי רוּחִי Isa 38:16 (Di principle of life), Ps 146:4 especially Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30; Job 17:1; Job 34:14 (compare vJob 34:15), Isa 57:16; Eccl 8:8 (twice in verse) (wind Wild); אֵינְךָ יוֺדֵעַ מַהדֶּֿרֶךְ הָרוּחַ Eccl 11:5, compare Eccl 3:21 over ag. הָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶלהָֿאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ Eccl 12:7 בְּיָָֽדְךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי Ps 31:6.
e. disembodied being (dubious, Di Du breath of wind): וְרוּחַ עַלפָּֿנַי יַחֲלֹף Job 4:15.

5. spirit as seat of emotion = נֶפֶשׁ:
a. desire (possibly 3 g), Isa 26:9 (|| נֶפֶשׁ).
b. sorrow, trouble (probably 3 e), Job 7:11 (|| נֶפֶשׁ). — 1Sam 1:15 see קָשֶׁה.

6. occasionally, (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts, || לֵב, or synonym with it: רוּחַ חָכְמָה Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9 (both P; probably 3 g); תּעֵי רוּחַ Isa 29:24, compare Job 20:3 (Hi Bu Du wind of Job's words), Ps 77:7 (ᵐ5 Symm ᵑ6 Jerome troubled disposition); רוּחַ יהוה Isa 40:13 come into mind (compare לֵב Isa 65:17; Jer 3:16 +); 1Chr 28:12.

7. rarely of the will; also = רוּחַ נָכוֺן לֵב Ps 51:12 (= לֵב נָכוֺן Ps 57:8 (twice in verse) +); רוּחַ נְדִיבָה vPs 51:14 נָָֽדְבָה רוּחוֺ Exod 35:21 (P; compare נְדִיב לֵב Exod 35:5; Exod 35:22 (P) 2Chr 29:31).

8. רוּחַ especially of moral character; also = ׃לֵב רוּחַ חֲדָשָׁהEzek 11:19; Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 רוּחִי vEzek 36:27; Isa 59:21 (רוּחִי, || דְּבָרַי; but probably prophetic spirit 9 b); לֵב חָדָשׁ Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 נְכֵה רוּחַ Isa 66:2 דַּכְּאֵי רוּחַ Ps 34:19 (compare לֵב נִדְכָּאִים Isa 57:15); מִשֵּׁבֶר רוּחַ Isa 65:14 (compare 3 f); רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרֶה Ps 51:19 (|| לֵב נִשְׁבָּר, compare נִשְׁבְּרֵי לֵב Ps 34:19; Isa 61:1); Ps 32:2; Prov 11:13; Prov 16:18; Ps 78:8; Eccl 7:8 (compare גְּבַהּלֵב Prov 16:5); שְׁפַל רוּחַ Prov 16:19; Prov 29:23; Isa 57:15 רוּחַ שְׁפָלִים vIsa 57:15 (compare 3 f).

9. spirit of God (94 t.; not D or Jeremiah or any Deuteronomic writer; conception of its activity in inspiring prophecy probably discredited from abuse by false prophets, see נביא, נבא):
a. as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy, Num 11:17; Num 11:25 (twice in verse); Num 11:26; Num 11:29 (J), 1Sam 10:6; 1Sam 10:10 (compare v1Sam 10:5), 1Sam 19:20; 1Sam 19:23 as inciting to deeds of frenzy, in the ecstatic state; hence conceived as אֱלֹהִים רָעָה ׳ר 1Sam 16:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 16:16, = ׳רָעָה מֵאֵת י ׳ר v1Sam 16:14 = רָעָה ׳א ׳צלח ר 1Sam 18:10 (other narrative) = רָעָה ׳י ׳ר 1Sam 19:9 ׳א ׳ר 1Sam 16:23 = רוּחַ הָרָעָה v1Sam 16:23, compare הָרוּחַ 1Kgs 22:21 = שֶׁקֶר ׳ר v1Kgs 22:22 v1Kgs 22:23 = 2Chr 18:20; 2Chr 18:21; 2Chr 18:22 = ׳רוּחַ י 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 compare also (in earlier prophets) אִישׁ הָרוּחַ, i.e. one possessed by the spirit in the ecstatic state, || הַנָּבִּיא Hos 9:7 ׳רוּחַ י Mic 3:8 (|| בֹּחַ) is probably gloss (We Now); וְלֹא רוּחִי Isa 30:1 רוּחַ dealing with Ezek.: Ezek 2:2; Ezek 3:12; Ezek 3:14; Ezek 3:24; Ezek 8:3; Ezek 11:1; Ezek 11:5; Ezek 11:24 (Co gloss), Ezek 37:1; Ezek 43:5 (all implying ecstatic state of vision), compare Elijah 1Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 2:16.
b. spirit as impelling prophets to utter instruction or warning (higher and later conception): transition probably Num 24:2; 2Sam 23:2; 1Chr 12:18 elsewhere in Chronicles: 2Chr 15:1; 2Chr 20:14; 2Chr 24:20 distinctly in Isa², Isa 48:16, compare Isa 61:1 so of ancient prophets, Zech 7:12; Neh 9:30 compare, of future prophetic gift, Joel 3:1; Joel 3:2.
c. imparting warlike energy, and executive and administrative power: (1) to שֹׁפְטִים, מוֺשִׁיעִים, מְלָכִים, of ancient Israel: וַתְּהִי רוּחַ על ׳י Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29, compare Judg 6:34; Judg 13:25; Judg 14:6; Judg 14:19; Judg 15:14; 1Sam 11:6; 1Sam 16:13; 1Sam 16:14 so also עַד יֵעָרֶה עָלֵינוּ רוּחַ מִמָּרוֺם Isa 32:15 (2) resting upon Messianic king: Isa 11:2 (3 t. in verse); upon servant of ׳י, Isa 42:1.
d. late, as endowing men with various gifts: technical skill Exod 31:3; Exod 35:31 (P); understanding Job 32:8 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); poured out by divine wisdom Prov 1:23.
e. as energy of life: רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַלפְּֿנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם Gen 1:2 (P); רוּחַ אֵל עָשָׂ֑תְנִי Job 33:4 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); as vital power, opposed to בָשָׂר: Isa 31:3 in cherubic chariot: Ezek 1:12, compare vEzek 1:20 vEzek 1:21; Ezek 10:17 reviving Israel Ezek 39:29; Zech 12:10; Isa 44:3. feminine = ancient angel of the presence and later Shekina: קָדְשׁוֺ ׳ר Isa 63:10; Isa 63:11 = ׳י ׳ר vIsa 63:14 (= מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו vIsa 63:9), compare Ps 106:33 so also קָדְשְׁךָ ׳ר Ps 51:13 (in national prayer), compare Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 prophets of restoration conceive of the divine spirit as standing in their midst and about to fulfil all divine promises: רוּחִי עֹמֶדֶת בְּתוֺכֲכֶם Hag 2:5; Zech 4:6 this conception culminates in רוּחַ = divine Presence, and as such omnipresent, Ps 139:7 (|| פָּנֶיךָ; compare vPs 139:8).

soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …

nepeš

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

dubious

dubious

dubious

Word Breakdown

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Grammar R/Ti

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4100

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Grammar Vqi3ms

Verb Chart

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5414

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Grammar R/Aamsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6001

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Grammar Ncbsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H216

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Grammar C/Ncmpa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2416

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Grammar R/Aampc

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4751

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Grammar Ncbsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5315

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV