Job 34:18

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הַ אֲמֹ֣ר
הַ
Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question
אֲמֹ֣ר
Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

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

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: is it fit to say
said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119
More options
say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.
declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.
tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.
speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.
command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.
think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

אָמַר5287 verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtmZMG 1876, 37; compare DlPr 28 who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare i. p. 385); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see DrExpositor, April, 1887, 263.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see DrSm i. 24, 5); ֶ˜האָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr§ 9 Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; GesComm. so De Che i. 457 f. (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).


BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

אֲמַר71 verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K§ 38, 1 a); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K§ 41) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K§ 41 a); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —
1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.
2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.
3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K§ 76 e, so Dan 4:23].

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
ʾāmar
to say (used with great latitude)
  • to say, speak, utter
    • (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
    • "(Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called"(Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly"(Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

לְ מֶ֣לֶךְ
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מֶ֣לֶךְ
Root word king, kings, royal
Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to a king
the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33
More options
king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.
monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.
ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.
sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.
royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

BDB4668 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4670

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ2513 noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI1, 5, 10, 18, 23 מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHMSendsch. 60; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, LagBN 73 BaNB § 112 WMMAs. u. Europ.76); Sabean מלכן SabDenkmNo. 1; construct מלך, plural אמלך CISiv 37; compare Ethiopic God (and l.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא VogNo. 28; Nabataean מלכא EutNab. 1); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.
2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.
3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.
4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.
5. combinations are: —
  a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
  b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
  c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
  d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu KitChr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.


BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

BDB4673 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4675

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, HoffmZAW iii. 1883, 124 RSSemitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372; compare HoffmGG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, DrDt.222 f.); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.


BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

BDB4683 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4685

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.


BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

BDB4684 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4686

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare GrayProp. N. 146 f.; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.


BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

BDB4685 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4687

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare GrayProp. N. 147); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

king, kings, royal
melek
a king
  • king

בְּלִיָּ֑עַל
בְּלִיָּ֑עַל
Root word belial, wicked, ungodly, evil, men, …
Dictionary form: בְּלִיַּעַל · beh-lih-ya-AL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: thou art wicked
of belial ×13 an ungodly ×2 of ungodly men ×2 wicked ×2 a naughty ×1 a wicked ×1 an evil ×1 and men of belial ×1
More options
worthless — Most literal; fits individuals or groups broadly.
wicked — Moral evil emphasis; good for narrative and legal contexts.
vile — Strong contempt; suits poetic or rhetorical condemnation.
scoundrel — Colloquial; ideal for 'son/man of belial' idiom.
evil — General-purpose; slightly weaker moral force than 'wicked'.
Belial — Retain as proper name when demonic/personified sense is clear.

BDB1129 H1100

BDB1128 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1130

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל27 noun [masculine] worthlessness (compound בְּלִי not, without and יַעַל worth, use, profit) — ׳בּ Deut 13:14 + 20 t.; בְּלִיָּ֑עַל Ps 101:3 + 5 t.; — the quality of being useless, good for nothing.

1. abstract אִישׁ (ה)בליעל, אַנְשֵׁי הבליעל, worthless, good-for-nothing, base fellows 1Sam 25:25; 2Sam 16:7; 2Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 21:13; Prov 16:27 = ׳בֶּןבֿ 1Sam 25:17, ׳בְּנֵי ב Deut 13:14; Judg 19:22; Judg 20:13; 1Sam 2:12; 1Sam 10:27; 1Kgs 21:10; 1Kgs 21:13; 2Chr 13:7 ׳בַּת ב 1Sam 1:16 (drunken woman); ׳עֵד ב base witness Prov 19:28 ׳דְּבַר ב base, wicked thing Ps 41:9 (yet compare 3 below), Ps 101:3 (add probably also 1Sam 29:10, so ᵐ5 We Dr); ׳דָּבָרב֗֗֗ (elliptical and in apposition) Deut 15:9.
2. concrete elliptical of ׳אישׁ ב 2Sam 23:6; Job 34:18 כָּלאִֿישׁ רַע וּבְלִיַּעַל 1Sam 30:22 אָדָם בְּלִיַּעַל Prov 6:12.
3. ruin, destruction: so Ps 41:9 according to De Che and others, but see above; ׳יֹעֵץ ב counsellor of ruin Nah 1:11 ׳ב alone a man of ruin, destroyer Nah 2:1 ׳נַחֲלֵי ב floods of destruction (|| שְׁאוֺל) 2Sam 22:5 = Ps 18:5.

belial, wicked, ungodly, evil, men, …
bĕliyyaʿal
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
  • worthlessness
    • worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow
    • "wicked"ruin, destruction (construct)

רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
Root word wicked, ungodly, wrong, condemned, guilty, …
Dictionary form: רָשָׁע · raw-SHAW

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: ye are ungodly
of the wicked ×84 the wicked ×68 and the wicked ×10 but the wicked ×9 wicked ×8 unto the wicked ×6 when the wicked ×6 a wicked ×5
More options
wicked person — Most direct modern rendering; clear moral condemnation.
evildoer — Active nuance; emphasizes harmful deeds over inner character.
ungodly person — Highlights rebellion against God; suits theological contexts.
villain — Vivid and accessible; better for narrative than legal texts.
guilty one — Prefer in legal or judicial settings; forensic connotation.
wrongdoer — Milder tone; useful when moral charge should be understated.

BDB8124 H7563

BDB8123 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8125

רָשָׁע263 adjective wicked, criminal; — absolute ׳ר Gen 18:23 +; plural רְשָׁעִים Isa 13:11 +; construct רִשְׁעֵי Ps 75:9 + 3 t. feminine singular רְשָׁעָה Ezek 3:18 (strike out Co), vEzek 3:19 (רָשָׁע Co); —

1. usually as substantive, one guilty of crime, deserving punishment; sometimes also wicked; opposed to צַדִּיע; רָשָׁע Exod 2:13; Exod 23:1 (E), Deut 25:2; Prov 17:23; Prov 18:5; Prov 25:5; Job 9:22; Job 9:24 collective Gen 18:23; Gen 18:25 (twice in verse) (J) Mic 6:10; Prov 3:33; Prov 28:4, רשׁעים 1Sam 24:14; Jer 5:26; Prov 19:28; Prov 20:26; Prov 29:12, אנשׁים רשׁעים 2Sam 4:11 (murderers), רָשָׁע לָמוּת Num 35:31 (P) guilty of death, ׳מוֺשֵׁל ר Prov 28:15, compare Prov 29:2, ׳הִצְדִּיק ר Exod 23:7 (E) Isa 5:23; Prov 17:15 ׳הִרְשִׁיעַ ר Deut 25:1; 1Kgs 8:32 = השׁיב לְרָשָׁע 2Chr 6:23 צַדִּיק ׳אמר לר Prov 24:24.
2. guilty of hostility to God or his people, wicked enemies: רשׁע singular Ps 17:13 + 6 t. Psalms; Isa 26:10 collective Ps 9:6; Ps 9:17; Ps 10:2 + 6 t. Psalms; Isa 11:4; Hab 3:13 רשׁעים Ps 3:8; Ps 7:10; Ps 9:18 + 5 t. Psalms; Isa 48:22; Isa 57:20; Isa 57:21; Jer 25:31; Ezek 21:34; Mal 3:21 ( + (possibly) other cases; often hard to decide); specifically of Pharaoh Exod 9:27 (J), Babylon Isa 13:11; Isa 14:5, Chaldeans Hab 1:4; Hab 1:13 || שׂנְאֵי יהוה 2Chr 19:2.
3. guilty of sin, against either God or man, wicked: האנשׁים הרשׁעים Num 16:26 (J, rebellious Korahites), Mal 3:18 (not serving ׳י), opposed to צַדִּיק; singular individual Ezek 3:18 (twice in verse); Ezek 21:30; Ezek 33:8 (twice in verse); Ps 11:5; Ps 32:10; Prov 9:7 +; collective Isa 3:11; Job 34:18; Job 36:6; Job 36:17 plural רשׁעים Isa 53:9; Jer 23:19 = Jer 30:23, Zeph 1:3; Ps 26:5; Prov 10:3; Eccl 8:10 +; || חסֹידים 1Sam 2:9 (Poem), Ps 12:9; Ps 50:16; Ps 97:10; Ps 145:20 || עֹזְבֵי תוֺדָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 119:53 compare V:61, +; ׳אדם ר Prov 11:7; Job 20:29; Job 27:13 ׳אִישׁ ר Prov 21:29 ׳מלאך ר Prov 13:17 זֶרַע רשׁעים Ps 37:28 עֲצַת רשׁעים Ps 1:1; Job 10:3; Job 21:16; Job 22:18 דֶּרֶךְ רשׁעים Jer 12:1; Ps 1:6; Ps 146:9; Prov 4:19; Prov 12:26 דֶּרֶךְ רשׁע Prov 15:9 מִדַּדְכּוֺ הָֽרְשָׁעה Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:19 (but see, Co, above); רִשְׁעֵי (ה)ארץ Ps 75:9; Ps 101:8; Ps 119:119; Ezek 7:21 (ᵐ5 Co עריצי). — is rare before exile; chiefly Ezekiel Psalms Wisdom Literature.

wicked, ungodly, wrong, condemned, guilty, …
rāšāʿ
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
  • wicked, criminal
    • guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
    • "wicked (hostile to God)"wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)

אֶל
אֶל
Preposition unto, to, into, upon, against, …
Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Preposition

In the KJV here: and to
unto ×2370 to ×907 into ×230 upon ×112 against ×104 and to ×103 in ×63 unto him ×58
More options
to — Default directional/dative preposition; broadest everyday use.
toward — Emphasizes movement or orientation in a direction.
into — Stress entry or transition; spatial or metaphorical penetration.
against — Adversarial or oppositional context; hostility or pressure.
upon — Contact or imposition on a surface or person.
concerning — Topical/referential; use when the sense is 'about' or 'regarding'.

BDB420 H413

BDB419 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB421

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲלֵי, עֲדֵי), but only in Job ( 1Sam 3:22; 1Sam 5:26; 1Sam 15:22; 1Sam 29:19), with suffix אֵלַי, אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַיִךְ, etc. אֵלֵינוּ, אֲלֵיכֶם & (5 t.) אֲלֵכֶם, אֲלֵיהֶם & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Ps 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exod 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ), preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).

1. of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19; Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (בּוֺא, הָלַךְ, יָצָא etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deut 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אֶל אַמָּה unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 זָנָה אֶל commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Ezek 16:26; Ezek 16:28; Ezek 16:29 דָּרֵשׁ אֶל seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; חָבַר אֶל join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3 הִשְׁכִּים אֶל rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 הִבְרִיח אֶל made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 תַּם אֶל i.e. has been made over to; פָּחַד אֶל to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as מִןהַֿקָּצֶה אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exod 26:28 מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Ezra 9:11 (synonym 2Kgs 21:16 פֶּה לָפֶה). And of time (rare) מֵעֵת אֶלעֵֿת 1Chr 9:25 מִיּוֺם אֶליֿוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Chr 16:23 (in the || Ps 96:2 מִיּוֺם לְיוֺם).

2. Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17 & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ אֶלבֵּֿית הַסֹּהַר put him into the prison house, Exod 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deut 23:25 so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29 שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11 מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, שָׂם אֶללֵֿב, הֵשִׁיב to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deut 4:39; 2Sam 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sam 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.

3. Of direction towards anything:
   (a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 נָתַן פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן אֶל, Gen 39:7 נָשָׂא עֵינָיו אֶל, Exod 25:20; Num 6:26, נָשָׂא פָנָיו אֶל (2Kgs 9:32 differently), 2Kgs 24:1 שָׁת פָּנָיו אֶל, Josh 8:18; Ps 28:2; 1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 8:30 (to pray towards) v1Kgs 8:38 pregnantly חָרֵד אֶל to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, תָּמַהּ אֶל to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, פָּחַד אֶל Jer 36:16: without a verb פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה Num 12:8 כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ אֵלַי Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; ׳אֶלפֿ ׳עֵינֵי י the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Ps 34:16 (compare Ps 33:18).
   (b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְפַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Ezek 13:19 חִלֵּל אֶל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Ezek 40:14.
   (c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Ps 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5 נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ אֶל to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deut 24:15; Ps 25:1 שָׂם לֵב אֶל, שָׁת to set the heart (mind) to Exod 9:21 and elsewhere; לָמַד אֶל to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2 חָרֵד אֶל to shew fear towards 2Kgs 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deut 28:32 and thy eyes כָּלוֺת אֲלֵיהֶם failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 14:13; Ps 40:6 alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Kgs 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 וְגַםאֲֿנִי אֵלָֽיִח׃ Ezek 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֵין נַפְשִׁי אֶל).

4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 אֶלהֶֿבֶל ׳וַיָּקָם קand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sam 24:8) 1Sam 22:12; Exod 14:5; Num 32:14 with נִקְבַּץ Josh 10:6, הָלַךְ Judg 1:10; Judg 20:30 with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Judg 9:57; 1Sam 2:34; 1Kgs 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (לְדַבֵּר אֶל) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 וַיָּשַׂר אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase הִנְנִי אֶל ֗֗֗ Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nah 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Ezek 13:8; Ezek 13:20; Ezek 21:8; Ezek 29:10; Ezek 30:22; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 35:3; Ezek 38:3; Ezek 39:1 (Ezek 5:8; Ezek 26:3; Ezek 28:22; Ezek 29:3 על: on Ezek 36:9 see above)

5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֺתָהּ a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Josh 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sam 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sam 14:32 & generally עַל); 1Kgs 10:7 הוֺסִיף אֶל (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Ezek 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Ezek 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up לְבָבֵנוּ אֶלכַּֿפָּ֑יִם our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; WAG ii. § 51 c).

6. Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sam 15:35 הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sam 24:16 דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Kgs 14:5 הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sam 1:27; 2Kgs 19:20 צָעַק to cry 2Kgs 8:3 (2Kgs 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sam 20:34 נִחַם to comfort 2Sam 10:2 more generally 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 21:22 אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Kgs 19:3; 2Kgs 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sam 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִפֵּר Ps 2:7; Ps 69:27 צִוָּה Isa 23:11 שָׁמַע Ezek 19:4 הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל the report regarding. . . 1Sam 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)

7. Of rule or standard, according to (rare): אֶלפִּֿי ֗֗֗ according to the command of, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3 (generally עַלפִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Ps 5:1; Ps 80:1 (Ps 45:1 עַל).

8. Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Josh 11:5 and they came and encamped together אֶלמֵֿי מֵרוֺם at the waters of Merom, 1Sam 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sam 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deut 33:28; Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7 but also in other cases, as Josh 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Josh 22:11 have built an altar אֶל גְּלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן by the districts of Jordan, Judg 12:6 & 2Sam 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere לְיַד, עַל יַד), 1Kgs 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Kgs 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 אֶלנְֿהַר פְּרָת by the Euphrates, Ezek 3:15; Ezek 11:11; Ezek 17:8; Ezek 31:7; Ezek 40:18; Ezek 43:3; Ezek 47:7; Ezek 48:12.

9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sam 5:23; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 סֹב אֶלאַֿחֲרַי turn to behind me, Zech 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note יצא אל before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14 אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Ezek 10:2 ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב לְ unto the south of Josh 15:3 ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ לְ to the outside of Lev 4:12; Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4 אֶלתַּֿחַת Judg 6:19; 1Kgs 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).

Note I. — In Gen 20:13 אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם אֲשֶׁר נָבוֺא ׳שָׁמָּה אִמְרִילִֿי וג; Num 33:54 ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר וג; Prov 17:8 (compare Deut 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deut 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.

Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus
   (a) Josh 5:14 וִיִּפֹּל אֶלפָּֿנָיו; 1Sam 13:13 אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל ׳הֵקִים י; 1Sam 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sam 17:3 עֹמְדִים אֶלהָֿהָר (contractee עַל Deut 11:29); Deut 19:16; 2Sam 6:3; 2Sam 20:23 (contracted 2Sam 8:16) 1Kgs 13:29; 1Kgs 18:46 (contracted 2Kgs 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Ezek 7:18.
   (b) Judg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, vJudg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sam 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, v1Sam 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sam 16; 1Sam 18:10 צָלַח אֶל, 1Sam 10:6 and elsewhere צָלַח עַל; 1Sam 25:17 evil is determined אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ; v1Sam 25:25; 1Sam 27:10; 2Sam 2:9 וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל; 2Sam 3:29 יָחֻלוּ עַל ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ 2Kgs 8:3 & 5; 2Kgs 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood עֲלֵיכֶם וְאֶלהָֿעִיר הַזּאֹת; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11 & 15; Ezek 21:12 etc. Ps 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.


[Note]

Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sam 1:10 הִתְפַּלֵּל עַל to pray to (1Sam 1:26 אֶל); v1Sam 1:13; 1Sam 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Kgs 20:43 וַיֵּלֶךְ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ (1Kgs 21:4 אֶל); Isa 22:15; Jer 11:2; Jer 23:35; Jer 31:12. compare DrSm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.

unto, to, into, upon, against, …
ʾēl
near, with or among; often in general, to
  • to, toward, unto (of motion)
  • "into (limit is actually entered)
    • in among
    toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)"against (motion or direction of a hostile character)"in addition to, to"concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of"according to (rule or standard)"at, by, against (of one's presence)"in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

נְדִיבִֽים
נְדִיבִֽים
Root word princes, nobles, prince, willing, free, …
Dictionary form: נָדִיב · naw-DEEB

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: princes
princes ×6 of the prince ×3 in princes ×2 liberal things ×2 the princes ×2 a prince ×1 and nobles ×1 but the liberal ×1
More options
noble — Most versatile; covers both social rank and moral character.
generous — Highlights the characteristic liberality of the נָדִיב.
willing — Emphasizes voluntary, freehearted disposition over status.
dignitary — Stresses high social standing; good for court or political contexts.
benefactor — Foregrounds active giving; suits wisdom-literature passages.
magnanimous — Blends rank and generosity; slightly elevated but not archaic.

BDB4988 H5081

BDB4987 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4989

נָדִיב adjective and noun masculineIsa 32:8 inclined, generous, noble; — absolute ׳נ Isa 32:5 + 6 t.; construct נְדִיב Exod 35:5 + 2 t.; feminine נְדִיבָה Ps 51:4 plural נְדִיבִים Isa 13:2 + 9 t.; construct נְדִיבֵי Num 21:18 + 2 t.; suffix נְדִיבֵמוֺ Ps 83:12

1. incited, inclined, willing, נְדִיב לֵב Exod 35:5; Exod 35:22 (P), 1Chr 29:31 (see נָדַב Qal), נָדִיב בְחָכְמָה 1Chr 28:21 רוּחַ נְדִיבָה Ps 51:14 a willing spirit.
2. noble, princely, in rank 1Sam 2:8 (poem), Job 12:21 = Ps 107:40; Job 34:18; Prov 8:16; Ps 47:10; Ps 83:12; Ps 113:8 (twice in verse); Ps 118:9; Ps 146:3 פְּנֵי נדיב Prov 19:6; Prov 25:7 ׳בית נ Job 21:28 ׳פתחי נ Isa 13:2 ׳בת נ Song 7:2 נְדִיבֵי הָעָם Num 21:18 (poem).
3. noble in mind and character || צדּיק Prov 17:26 opposed to נָבָל Isa 32:5; Isa 32:8.

princes, nobles, prince, willing, free, …
nādîb
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
  • (adj) inclined, willing, noble, generous
    • incited, inclined, willing
    • "noble, princely (in rank)"noble (in mind and character)
    (n m) noble one

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
הַאֲמֹ֣ר לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here רָ֝שָׁ֗ע Revia Mugrash — a lesser break אֶל נְדִיבִֽים Silluq — end of the verse

הַאֲמֹר לְמֶלֶךְ בְּלִיָּעַל רָשָׁע אֶל-נְדִיבִֽים׃
18
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
Cross References

Exodus 22:28

אֱלֹהִים לֹא תְקַלֵּל וְנָשִׂיא בְעַמְּךָ לֹא תָאֹֽר׃
28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Proverbs 17:26

גַּם עֲנוֹשׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא-טוֹב לְהַכּוֹת נְדִיבִים עַל-יֹֽשֶׁר׃
26
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Romans 13:7

ἀπόδοτε οὖν πᾶσιν τὰς ὀφειλάς τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν
7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Acts 23:3

τότε Παῦλος πρὸς αὐτὸν εἶπεν Τύπτειν σε μέλλει θεός τοῖχε κεκονιαμένε· καὶ σὺ κάθῃ κρίνων με κατὰ τὸν νόμον καὶ παρανομῶν κελεύεις με τύπτεσθαι
3
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Jude 1:8

Ὁμοίως μέντοι καὶ οὗτοι ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι σάρκα μὲν μιαίνουσιν κυριότητα δὲ ἀθετοῦσιν δόξας δὲ βλασφημοῦσιν
8
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Acts 23:5

ἔφη τε Παῦλος Οὐκ ᾔδειν ἀδελφοί ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀρχιερεύς· γέγραπται γὰρ Ἄρχοντα τοῦ λαοῦ σου οὐκ ἐρεῖς κακῶς
5
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

2 Peter 2:10

μάλιστα δὲ τοὺς ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ πορευομένους καὶ κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας Τολμηταί αὐθάδεις δόξας οὐ τρέμουσιν βλασφημοῦντες
10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

1 Peter 2:17

πάντας τιμήσατε τὴν ἀδελφότητα ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν θεὸν φοβεῖσθε τὸν βασιλέα τιμᾶτε
17
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.