Lamentations 3:19

זְכָר עָנְיִ֥י וּמְרוּדִ֖י לַעֲנָ֥ה וָרֹֽאשׁ
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

זְכָר
זְכָר
Root word remember, remembered, mention, remembrance, recorder, …
Dictionary form: זָכַר · dzaw-KAHR

Verb — Qal, Imperative, second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: remembering
remember ×63 remembered ×11 be remembered ×7 the recorder ×6 and remember ×4 and remembered ×4 and thou shalt remember ×4 i remember ×4
More options
remember — Core meaning; best default choice in most contexts.
recall — Emphasizes active retrieval; good for deliberate recollection.
keep in mind — Softer, ongoing sense; suits commands or warnings.
mention — Use when the verbal/proclamatory nuance is foregrounded.
commemorate — Formal, liturgical contexts; ritual or covenantal remembrance.
call to mind — Idiom stressing intentional, conscious memory.

BDB2354 H2142

BDB2353 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2355

זָכַר verb remember (Assyrian zikâru, name, mention, compare noun zikru, Hpt in KAT2 Glossary i LyonSargontexte; Zinjirli זכר, Arabic , Aramaic דְּכַר, , Palmyrene דרכנא monument, VogNo. 36 b, דכיר memorial, VogNo. 62, Sabean in proper name ידֿכראל DHMEpigr. Denkm. 43, but Ethiopic ) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ז Gen 40:23 +; 3 feminine singular זָָֽכְרָה Lam 1:7; Lam 1:9 2 masculine singular וְזָכַרְתָּ֫ Deut 5:15 +; suffix זְכַרְתַּנִי Gen 40:14 compare 1Sam 1:11, זְכַרְתָּם Ps 88:6 2 feminine singular זָכַרְתְּ Isa 47:7; Isa 57:11 compare Isa 17:10 + Ezek 16:22; Ezek 16:43 Qr (both Kt זכרתי), וְזָכַרְתְּ consecutive Ezek 16:61 3 plural זָָֽכְרוּ Judg 8:34 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִזְכֹּר Hos 8:13 +; יִזְכָּרֿ 2Sam 14:11; Prov 31:7 וַיִּזְכֹּר Gen 8:1 +; suffix וַיִּוְכְּרֶהָ 1Sam 1:19 2 feminine singular תִּזְכְּרִי Isa 54:4 + 2 t.; 1 singular אֶזְכֹּר Lev 26:42 (twice in verse); Isa 43:25 (Ps 77:12 Qr see infra), אֶזְכָּרֿ Jer 31:34, וָאֶזְכֹּר Exod 6:5 suffix 2 masculine singular אֶזְכָּרְךָ Ps 42:7, suffix 2 feminine singular אֶזְכְּרֵכִי Ps 137:6 (see Ges«GKC:58»§ 58, 3, R, 1 Sta§§ 356, a, 2, 634 a, 2), etc.; Imperative masculine singular זְכֹר Exod 32:13 +; זְכָרֿ Ps 25:7 +; זָכְרָה Neh 6:14 +; suffix זָכְרֵנִי Judg 16:28 + 2 t.; masculine plural זִכְרוּ Isa 46:9 +, זְכֹ֑רוּ Neh 4:8 Infinitive absolute זָכוֺר Exod 13:3 +; זָכֹר Jer 31:30 +; construct לִזְכֹּר Gen 9:16; Ezek 23:19, etc.; suffix בְּזָכְרֵנִי Ps 137:1 Participle active plural construct וּלְֹזכְרֵי Ps 103:18 זָכוּר Ps 103:14 see below —
I. human subj.
1. remember, recall, call to mind, usually as affecting present feeling, thought, or action:
  a. remember past experiences (accusative) Gen 42:9 (E), 2Kgs 9:25 (accusative of person agent); followed by clause with מִי Job 4:7 things formerly known (accusative) Jer 17:2 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 9:2 with implied regret, longing Num 11:5 (JE), Ps 42:5; Ps 137:1; Lam 1:7 compare Ps 77:7, negative Ps 137:6 (|| שׁכח vPs 137:5); so (followed by בְּ) Jer 3:16 (|| עלה על לב and פקד).
  b. recall past distress, etc.; object not expressed, Lam 3:20 (זכור זכר), Job 11:16 (שׁכח in || clause); negative, followed by accusative Isa 54:4 (|| שׁכח), Prov 31:7 (|| id.).
  c. remember sins, (1) to repent of them Deut 9:7 (+ אלתֿשׁכח, followed by clause with אתאֿשׁר), elsewhere only Ezek., usually with accusative Ezek 16:61 (+ וְנִכְלַמְתְּ), vEzek 16:63 (object not expressed), Ezek 20:43; Ezek 36:21 (2) to renew and repeat them Ezek 23:19, negative vEzek 23:27.
  d. especially remember the dealings of ׳י, expressed in great variety of terms in accusative, Deut 7:18; Deut 8:2; Deut 24:9; Deut 32:7 (|| בין), Isa 46:9; Isa 63:11; Ps 77:12 Qr (Kt Hiph`il q. v.) vPs 77:12; Ps 105:5; Ps 143:5 (|| הגיתי, אֲשׂוֺחֵחַ) 1Chr 16:12 negatively, Isa 43:18 (|| אַל תִּתְבֹּנָ֑נוּ), Ezek 16:22; Ezek 16:43; Ps 78:42; Ps 106:7; Neh 9:17 (|| וַיְמָאֲנוּ לִשְׁמֹעַ); object clause with בִּי especially D, Deut 5:15; Deut 15:15; Deut 16:12; Deut 24:18; Deut 24:22; Ps 78:35.
2. remember persons (human subject),
  a. to their advantage: — followed by accusative Gen 40:14 (E), vGen 40:23 (E; negative, || שׁכח), 1Sam 25:31.
  b. to make use of them (accusative) Nah 2:6.
  c. their acts (accusative) to their advantage 2Chr 24:22, to their disadvantage 2Sam 19:20 (negative); to make vengeance Deut 25:17.
  d. remember human obligations, accusative of thing: בְּרִית אַחִים Amos 1:9 compare perhaps Esth 2:1 (accusative of person and also of deed); negative Eccl 9:15 (accusative of person), Ps 109:16 (followed by חסד עשׂות).
3. remember ׳י:
  a. call him to mind 2Sam 14:11 (i.e. recall a specific command of his).
  b. recall, and (especially) keep ׳י in mind Deut 8:18; Jer 51:50; Isa 64:4 (|| עשׂה צדק), Ezek 6:9; Zech 10:9; Joel 2:8; Ps 42:7; Ps 63:7 (|| אהגה), Ps 77:4; Neh 4:8 negatively Judg 8:34; Isa 17:10 (opposed to שׁכח), Isa 57:11 (|| לֹא שַׂמְתְּ עַללִֿבֵּךְ); compare also אֶתאבּוֺרְאֶ֑ךָ ׳ז Eccl 12:1, and (no object expressed) Ps 22:28 (+ ׳וישׁובו אל י); remember ׳י's name Ps 119:55.
4. remember:
  a. words of Moses Josh 1:13 (D) Mal 3:22 ׳י's instructions through prophet Isa 44:21; Isa 46:48 (|| השׁיבו על לב), also Mic 6:5 (followed by clause with מה).
  b. commandments of ׳י (so as to do them) Num 15:39 (P, or H), vNum 15:40 (P; + ועשׂיתם), Ps 103:18 (+ לעשׂותם), Ps 119:52 (משׁפטים); his covenant 1Chr 16:15.
5. think of or on, call to mind something present or future: — followed by accusative, issue of conduct Isa 47:7; Lam 1:9 (end of Jerusalem); fight with crocodile Job 40:32 object a general truth, prosperity of wicked Job 21:6 (object not expressed); (fleeting) days of life Eccl 5:19 (coming) days of darkness, Eccl 11:8 a duty Job 36:24 (followed by clause with כִּי).
6. remember a day, to observe, commemorate it: — day of Exodus Exod 13:3 (J) Deut 16:3 sabbath Exod 20:8 (E; || שׂמר Deut 5:12).
7. remember, with implied mention of, object ׳י Jer 20:9 (|| דִּבֶּר בִּשְׁמוֺ); ׳מַשָּׂא י Jer 23:36.

II. Subject ׳(אלהים)י.

1. remember persons:
  a. individuals, with kindness, granting requests, protecting, delivering etc., with accusative of person, Gen 30:22 (E), 1Sam 1:11 (opposed to שׁכח), v1Sam 1:19, Judg 16:28 (followed by וְחַזְּקֵנִי); Jer 15:15 (|| פָּקְדֵנִי), Ps 106:4 (|| id.), Job 14:13 (+ תשׁית לי חק), also Gen 8:1 (P), Gen 19:29 (P); negative Ps 88:6 (|| מידך נִגְזָר֑וּ); followed by לְ person Ps 25:7 (yet compare Che); followed by accusative of thing + לְ person (dativus commodi [dative of benefit]) Neh 5:19; Neh 13:14; Neh 13:22; Neh 13:31.
  b. individuals, to punish, followed by לְ person Neh 6:14; Neh 13:29.
  c. his servants, people, the afflicted, (graciously) followed by לְ Exod 32:13 (JE), Deut 9:27; Ps 136:23 followed by accusative Ps 9:13 (opposed to שׁכח), Ps 74:2; Ps 115:12 (followed by יְבָרֵךְ); compare Jer 31:20 (זכור זכר).
  d. his land Lev 26:42 (H), and negative Lam 2:1 (his footstool).
  e. mankind Ps 8:5 (|| פקד).
2. a. remember the distress of his servants, Lam 3:19 (followed by clause with מה), Lam 5:1 (|| הַבִּיטָ֯ וּרְאֵה).
  b. their devotion, accusative, Ps 20:4; Jer 2:2 (+ לְ person), Ps 132:1 (+ id.); followed by clause with את אשׁר 2Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3.
  c. their intercession Jer 18:20 (followed by infinitive with suffix)
3. a. remember his own covenant (with them), accusative, Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16; Exod 2:24; Exod 6:25 (all P), Lev 26:42 (twice in verse) (H, as also) vLev 26:45 (+ לְ person); Jer 14:21 (+ אַלתָּֿפֵר), Ezek 16:60; Ps 105:8, compare vPs 105:42 (object דְּבַר קָדְשׁוֺ), and Ps 119:49; Neh 1:8; Ps 106:45 (+ לְ person), Ps 111:5.
  b. his mercy, etc., accusative, Ps 25:6; Ps 98:3; 2Chr 6:42 also Hab 3:2.
  c. extenuating circumstances, followed by clause with כִּי, Job 7:7; Job 10:9; Ps 78:39; Ps 103:14 (זָכוּר be-thinketh him, Che, compare De Kö§ 20,14 BaNB 175); also Ps 89:48 (followed by אֲנִי + epexegetical clause with מה ).
4. remember sins, idolatries etc., followed by accusative, Hos 7:2; Hos 8:13 (|| פקד), Hos 9:9 (|| id.), Jer 14:10 (|| id.); negative Jer 44:21 (|| עלה על לבו), Isa 43:25; Isa 64:8; Ps 25:7; Ps 79:8 (+ לְ person); followed by לְ Jer 31:34 also (object reproach) Ps 74:18; Ps 74:22; Ps 89:5 and (object day of Jerusalem) Ps 137:7 (+ לִבְנֵי אֱדוֺם, i.e. against them). Niph`al Perfect 2 masculine plural consecutive וְנִזְכַּרְתֶּם Num 10:9 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִזָּכֵר Jer 11:19 +; 3 feminine singular תִּזָּכֵר Ezek 25:10, (תִּזָּכָר Exod 34:19 read הַזָּכָר see זָכָר); 2 feminine singular תִּזָּכֵ֑רִי Isa 23:16; Ezek 21:37 3 masculine plural יִזָָּֽכְרוּ Hos 2:19 +; 3 feminine plural תִּזָּכַרְנָה Isa 65:17 +; תִּזָּכַרְןָ Ezek 3:20 Infinitive construct suffix הִזָּכֶרְכֶם Ezek 21:29 (omitted by ᵑ6 Co); Participle plural נִזְכָּרִים Esth 9:28. —
1. be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usually with negative: —
  a. in general, subject Baalim Hos 2:19 (+ בִּשְׁמָם), compare Zech 13:2 (|| אכרית); former heaven and earth Isa 65:17 (|| עלה על לב); (wicked) dead Job 24:20 (|| ישׁכחהו va); coral (not to be thought of [others, be mentioned] in comparison with wisdom) Job 28:18 of attention paid to Tyre under figure of harlot Isa 23:16 (opposed to נשׁכחה).
  b. brought to ׳י 's remembrance, subject the people, (1) with gracious result Num 10:9 (P; ׳לפני י, || וְנוֺשַׁעְתֶּם); (2) for judgment Ezek 21:29 (omitted by ᵑ6 Co).
  c. be remembered by ׳י, negative of deeds, as affecting ׳י's judgment, (1) righteous Ezek 3:20; Ezek 18:24; Ezek 33:13 (followed by לְ of advantage, according to Co); (2) wicked Ezek 18:22 (followed by לְ, omitted by A B ᵑ9 etc., Co) Ezek 33:16 (followed by לְ).
  d. be remembered ׳אֶליֿ Ps 109:14 (|| אַלתִּֿמָּ֑ח).
2. negative be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation Jer 11:19 (|| נכרת), Ps 83:5 (|| נַכְחִידֵם מִגּוֺי); of Ammonites Ezek 21:37; Ezek 25:10.
3. be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated, Esth 9:28 (followed by וְנַעֲשִׂים observe, celebrate). Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular הִזְכִּיר Isa 49:1 2 masculine singular suffix 1 singular וְהִזְכַּרְתַּנִי consecutive Gen 40:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַזְכִּיר Isa 19:17 1 singular אַזְכִּיר Exod 20:2 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix 1 singular הַזְכִּירֵנִי Isa 43:26 masculine plural הַזְכִּירוּ Isa 12:4; Jer 4:16 Infinitive construct (ל)הַזְכְּיר 2Sam 18:18 +; suffix 3 masculine singular כְּהַזְכִּירוֺ 1Sam 4:18 suffix 2 masculine plural הַזְכַּרְכֶם Ezek 21:29 (compare Sta§ 245 Kö§ 29, 11); Participle מַזְכִּיר Gen 41:9 +, etc.; feminine singular מַזְכֶּרֶת Num 5:15 —
1. cause to remember, remind, with accusative of person Isa 43:26.
2. cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance, with accusative of thing, a person's name 2Sam 18:18; Ps 45:18 of ׳י, causing his name to be remembered, by some token, Exod 20:24 (JE).
3. mention,
  a. followed by accusative of person Gen 40:14 (E; followed by אֶלֿ person), ׳י, = call upon Isa 62:6, name of ׳י Isa 26:13; Isa 49:1 (|| קראני), name of other gods, negative, Exod 23:13 (J E; || יִשָּׁמַע); followed by בְּשֵׁם Amos 6:10, compare Ps 20:8 (De Che and others boast of, praise, ᵐ5 μεγαλυνθησόμεθα, whence Hup Bae proposes נַגְבִּיר = we display strength), negative Josh 23:7 (D; || תשׁביעו ולא), so באלהי ישׂראל Isa 48:1 (|| הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים בְּשֵׁם).
  b. followed by accusative of thing: faults Gen 41:9 (E), the ark 1Sam 4:18, land of Judah Isa 19:17, Rahab (= Egypt) Ps 87:4, works of ׳י Ps 77:12 (Kt, Qr Qal q. v. ), his righteousness Ps 71:16, lovingkindness, Isa 63:7 human love Song 1:4 also in technical sense, apparently = accuse before God, always followed by עָוֺן, 1Kgs 17:18; Num 5:15 (P) Ezek 21:28 v.Ezek 21:29 (followed by פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם בְּהִגָּלוֺת), Ezek 29:16.
  c. followed by clause, with כִּי Isa 12:4 no conjunction Jer 4:16 (לְ indirect object; || הַשְׁמיעו).
  d. absolute commemorate, praise 1Chr 16:4 (׳לְהַז, apparently Levitical function, followed by ולהודות ולהלל ליהוה), so perhaps also לְהַזְכִּיר in titles Ps 38:1; Ps 70:1 (others below 5).
4. record, only participle מַזְכִּיר as substantive (title of public officer) = recorder
**Rather, probably, the (king's reminder, who brought important business to his notice: compare EwGeschichte. iii. 365, H. iii. 267 Ke2Sam 8:16 BenzArchaeology 310 NowArchaeology i. 308 Kit1Kgs 4:3. 2Sam 8:16; 2Sam 20:24; 1Kgs 4:3; 2Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 18:37 = Isa 36:3; Isa 36:22; 1Chr 18:15; 2Chr 34:8.
5. of sacrifice, make a memorial, i.e. offer an אַזְכָּרָה q. v.; followed by לְבֹנָה Isa 66:3. — JPPetersJBL, 1893, xii, 58 reads אַזְכִּרָה Ps 42:5 (see Qal I. 1), 'let me make my azkara, and pour out libation for (עֲלֵי) my life.'

BDB2365 H2142

BDB2364 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2366

מַזְכִּיר noun masculine recorder, see זָכַר Hiph`il

remember, remembered, mention, remembrance, recorder, …
zākar
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
  • to remember, recall, call to mind
    • (Qal) to remember, recall
      • "(Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to remember, remind
        • "to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance"to mention"to record"to make a memorial, make remembrance

עָנְיִ ֥י
עָנְיִ
Root word affliction, trouble
֥י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: עֳנִי · oh-NEE

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

In the KJV here: mine affliction
of affliction ×5 mine affliction ×4 the affliction ×3 affliction ×2 my trouble ×2 our affliction ×2 because of affliction ×1 from affliction ×1
More options
suffering — Broad, emotionally resonant; suits narrative and poetic contexts.
misery — Emphasizes depth of distress; strong emotive weight.
hardship — Slightly more neutral; good for prolonged or circumstantial difficulty.
distress — Highlights urgency or crisis; fits lament and prayer contexts.
oppression — Use when external agents cause the suffering.
wretchedness — Captures lowly, humiliated state; suits self-description in lament.

BDB6214 H6040

BDB6213 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6215

עֳנִי noun masculine affliction, poverty; — ׳ע Exod 3:7 +; עֹ֑נִי Deut 16:3 +, ע֑וֺנִי Ps 107:41, עוני 2Sam 16:12 (Kt, but read עָנְיִי; > Qr עֵינִי !); suffix עָנְיִי Gen 31:42 +, עָנְיֵךְ Gen 16:11, etc.; —

1. affliction, Job 36:15; Job 36:21; Ps 44:25; Ps 88:10; Ps 107:41; Ps 119:50; Ps 119:92; Lam 1:3; Lam 3:19 ׳ארץ ע Gen 41:52 (E); ׳יְמֵי ע Job 30:16; Job 30:27; Lam 1:7 ׳כּוּר ע Isa 48:10 ׳חַבְלֵי ע Job 36:8 ׳אֲסִירֵי ע Ps 107:10 ׳בְּנֵי ע Prov 31:5 ׳ראה ע Gen 31:42 (E), Exod 3:7; Exod 4:31 (J), Deut 26:7; 2Kgs 14:26; Neh 9:9; Job 10:15; Ps 9:14; Ps 25:18; Ps 31:8; Ps 119:153; Lam 1:9; Lam 3:1, insert also before עַמִּי 1Sam 9:16b ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu HPS; ׳ראה בע Gen 29:32 (J), 1Sam 1:11; 2Sam 16:12 (see above); ׳שׁמע ע Gen 16:11 (J); ׳העלה מע Exod 3:17 (J); לחם עני Deut 16:3.
2. poverty, בְּעָנְיִי הכינותי זהב 1Chr 22:14.

affliction, trouble
ʿŏnî
depression, i.e., misery
  • affliction, poverty, misery
    • affliction
      • "poverty

וּ מְרוּדִ ֖י
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מְרוּדִ
Root word miseries, misery, out
֖י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: מָרוּד · maw-ROOD

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

In the KJV here: and my misery
and my misery ×1 and of her miseries ×1 that are cast out ×1
More options
misery — Most direct modern equivalent; suits narrative or poetic contexts.
wretchedness — Emphasizes depth of suffering; strong emotional register.
affliction — Broader term; fits contexts of ongoing hardship or oppression.
homelessness — Highlights the 'cast out' sense; use when wandering is implied.
destitution — Stresses material and social deprivation simultaneously.
distress — Milder, versatile option; suits less intense or ambiguous contexts.

BDB7791 H4788

BDB7790 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7792

[מָרוֺד, Köil. l, 127 f.] noun [masculine] restlessness, straying (?); — suffix עָנְיִי וּמְרוּדִי Lam 3:19 plural suffix יְמֵי עָנְיָהּ וּמְרוּדֶיהָ Lam 1:7 (read probably מְרוּדָהּ NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 539); plural וַעֲנִיִּם מְרוּדִים Isa 58:7, usually concrete the wandering (homeless) poor (Di thinks old Qal passive Participle; CheComm. reads Hoph`al מוּרָדִים; BuhlLex Hiph`il מָרִידִים; Köii. 1, 128 takes ᵑ0 abstract for concrete [apposition of ׳וַע]; so Du CheHpt [׳וַע gloss], read perhaps participle רָדִים (מ dittograph)).

miseries, misery, out
mārûd
an outcast; (abstractly) destitution
  • restlessness, straying, wanderer, refugee

לַעֲנָ֥ה
לַעֲנָ֥ה
Root word wormwood, hemlock
Dictionary form: לַעֲנָה · la-uh-NAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the wormwood
with wormwood ×2 and wormwood ×1 as wormwood ×1 into hemlock ×1 the wormwood ×1 them with wormwood ×1 to wormwood ×1
More options
wormwood — Standard botanical term; widely recognized in literary contexts.
bitter herb — Emphasizes experiential bitterness when botanical precision isn't needed.
poison plant — Highlights toxicity; good for contexts stressing harm or judgment.
absinthe — Specific plant name; useful for readers familiar with the herb.
bitterness — Metaphorical rendering; suits figurative or poetic passages.

BDB4442 H3939

BDB4441 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4443

לַעֲנָה noun feminine wormwood (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic is curse (verb id.), so Nabataean לצנת (verb לען) compare CookGlossary); — only figurative of bitter things: — of perverted justice, Amos 5:7; Amos 6:12 (|| ראֹשׁ; of result of idolatry, Deut 29:17 (|| id.); of ׳י's chastisement Jer 9:14 (|| מֵ֯ירֿאֹשׁ, Jer 23:15 (|| id.), Lam 3:15 (|| מְרוֺרִים), vLam 3:19 (|| ראֹשׁ); simile of bitter (מָרָה) result of intercourse with strange woman Prov 5:4. — On wormwood (Artemisia absinthium, etc., Greek ἀψίθιον) compare Löw80f. 401, 421 TristrNat, Hist. Bib. 493.

לָעַע see לוע

wormwood, hemlock
laʿănâ
wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed)
  • wormwood
    • bitterness (metaphorically)

וָ רֹֽאשׁ
וָ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
רֹֽאשׁ
Root word gall, hemlock, poison, venom
Dictionary form: רֹאשׁ · rohsh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and the gall
of gall ×4 and the gall ×1 as hemlock ×1 gall ×1 into gall ×1 me also gall ×1 me with gall ×1 the poison ×1
More options
poison — Broad, clear choice for lethal or toxic contexts.
venom — Prefer when the source is a creature or bite.
bitter herb — Good for plant-based imagery; emphasizes bitterness.
toxic plant — Useful when a specific poisonous vegetation is implied.
gall — Retains bitter-taste nuance; modernized from KJV literal.
hemlock — Use when a specific lethal plant species is in view.

BDB7678 H7218 H7226 H4763 H7219 H7220

BDB7677 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7679

I. רֹאשׁ599 noun masculineLev 13:45 head (common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic , Sabean ראס PräZMG xxix (1875). 425 MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; Ethiopic Amharic hence (a heightened) Assyrian rêšu (rarely râšu), Aramaic רֵישָׁא (Egyptian Aramaic ראש CookeNorth-Semitic Inscr. 404), , modern (Ma'lûla) ra±ša, HuartJAs xii (1878), 491 Duvalid. xiii(1879), 464; Palmyrene רשא, Lzb366, compare Biblical Hebrew רִישׁוֺן, רֵאשִׁית; from*ra'š, also Biblical Hebrew רָאשׁ֩, ראֹשׁ (LagSymm. i. 113), Tel Amarna rušu(nu) Wkl189, 18 (gloss to ‡a‡‡adunu), Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; SI6 ראש, Phoenician רשׁ, ראש (in proper name), Punic rus (in proper name, of a location) SchrödPhoenician Spr.133, ראשת choicest, chief; on MI20 (suffix) רשה, Lev 1:28 ש[ר], compare Sm. u. So14 NöLCB Jan. 8, 1887, 60); — ׳ר absolute Gen 3:15 +, construct Gen 40:20 +; suffix ראֹשִׁי vGen 40:16 +, etc.; plural רָאשִׁים (for רְאָשִׁים֩ NöGGA 1884, 1019) Exod 18:25 +; construct רָאשֵׁי Hos 7:13 + [מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי 1Sam 26:12 see מְרַאֲשׁוֺת below]; suffix רָאשֵׁינוּ 1Chr 12:19, רָאשֵׁיכֶם Isa 29:10 +, etc.; —

1. a. (c. 230 t.) head, of human being; man Gen 40:16; Gen 40:17. + often, גֶּבֶר ׳לְר Judg 5:30 for the head of a man, i.e. for each man, per capita; woman 2Kgs 9:30; Deut 21:12; Num 5:18; Esth 2:17 boy 2Kgs 4:19 (twice in verse); Gen 48:14 (twice in verse) +; of ׳י, under figure of armed man Ps 60:9 = Ps 108:9 of idol 1Sam 5:4 of gates, personified Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9.
  b. head, of animals: of serpent Gen 3:15, dog 2Sam 3:8, ass 2Kgs 6:25, of הַחַיָּה in Ezek 1:22 compare vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26, of הַכְּרֻבִים Ezek 10:1 compare vEzek 10:11 of sea-monsters, לִוְיָתָן Job 40:31; Ps 74:14, תַּנִּינִים vPs 74:13 especially of animals for sacrifice Exod 12:9; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 1:4; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 1:15; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8 + 18 t. P; in phrase וְזָנָב ׳ר Isa 9:13 (figurative of noble and commoner) compare v.Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15, so (figurative of relative dignity, power, influence) Deut 28:13; Deut 28:44.
2. a. top (88 t.): of mountain, הַר, Gen 8:5; Exod 19:20 (twice in verse); Exod 24:17; Exod 34:2 + 34 t.; hill, גִּבְעָה, Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10 (E), 2Sam 8:25 מְרוֺמִים ׳ר Prov 8:2 + Prov 1:21 Toy (for ᵑ0 הֹמִיּוֺת), גֵּיא ׳ר שְׁמָנִים Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 of rocks, צֻרִים, Num 23:9 (JE), crag, סֶלַע, 2Chr 25:12 (twice in verse); tower Gen 11:4 (J), stronghold Judg 6:26, ladder Gen 28:12 (E), tree 2Sam 5:24 = 1Chr 14:15, bough Isa 17:6 compare Ezek 17:4; Ezek 17:22, mast (?; חִבֵּל) Prov 23:34 (otherwise Toy); of ears of grain, שִׁבֹּלֶת Job 24:24, of stone Gen 28:18 (E), bed, מִטָּה, Gen 47:31 (J), throne, עָגוֺל לַכִּסֵּה׳ר 1Kgs 10:19, tabernacle, or its wall, Exod 26:24 = Exod 36:29 (P); pillar ( =capital) 1Kgs 7:16; 1Kgs 7:17 + 13: t., מְכוֺנָה v1Kgs 7:35 v1Kgs 7:35, lampstand Zech 4:2 (twice in verse), high priest's robe, מְעִיל, Exod 28:32 (P), פִּנָּה ׳ר Ps 118:22 top of (the) corner, i.e. most conspicuous stone (figurative); = tip, end, of staves 1Kgs 8:8= 2Chr 5:9, of sceptre Esth 5:2.
  b. height of stars Job 22:12 (|| גֹּבַהּ שָׁמַיִם).
3.: 171
  a. head = chief (man) Judg 10:18; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:11; Exod 18:25 (E), Num 1:16 (P), Deut 1:15; Hos 2:2; Mic 3:1 + often; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 12:10. (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:9, series of 11); of God 2Chr 13:12.
  b. = chief (city) Josh 11:10 (D), compare (of city and king) Isa 7:3; Isa 7:8; Isa 7:9 (twice in verse).
  c. chief nation Jer 31:7.
  d. =chief (place, position) 1Sam 9:22; 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Deut 20:9; 1Chr 4:42 (compare also 5).
  e. הָראֹשׁ chief priest 2Kgs 25:18= Jer 52:24; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 24:11; 2Chr 26:20, הַכֹּחֵן ראֹשׁ 1Chr 27:5, ׳הָר ׳הַכּ 2Chr 31:10; Ezra 7:5 ׳י alone 2Chr 24:6 רָאשֵׁי הַכֹּהֲנִים Neh 12:7. feminine especially = head of a family (P Chronicles); רָאשֵׁי בֵּית (rare ראֹשׁ) אֲבוֺתָ (םׅ) Exod 6:14; Num 7:2; Num 17:18; Josh 22:14; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:9 בֵּית הָאָבוֺת ׳ר v1Chr 7:40 לְבֵית אֲבֹתָיו ׳ר Num 1:4, compare 1Chr 5:15; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 24:4 אֻמּוֺת בַּיתאָֿב ׳ר Num 25:15 אֲבוֺת ׳ר הָעַדָה Num 31:26 compare Num 32:28; Josh 14:1; Josh 21:1 אֲבוֺת הַלְוִיִּם ׳ר Exod 6:25; Josh 21:1 (הָ)אָבוֺת לַלְּוִיִם ׳ר 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12, compare Num 36:1; Josh 19:51; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 8:13; 1Chr 23:9; 1Chr 23:24 + 10 t. Chronicles; absolute ׳ר (הָ)אָבוֺת 1Chr 8:10; 1Chr 8:28; 1Chr 9:9; 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 1:2 + 8 t. Ezra Nehemiah (Chronicles); אֲכֹתֵיהֶם ׳ר Ezra 8:1 רָאשִׁים לְאָכוֺת Neh 11:13 so also ׳י alone 1Chr 5:7; 1Chr 5:12; 1Chr 7:3; 1Chr 8:28 +; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 23:8 (series of 3), v1Chr 23:11 (of 4), v1Chr 23:19 (of 3), v1Chr 23:20 (of 2).
4. a. head=front, leader's place Mic 2:13; 2Chr 20:27, compare Amos 6:7.
  b. of time, beginning, of night-watch Judg 7:19; Lam 2:19 absolute מֵראֹשׁ from the beginning Isa 40:21; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:26 (|| מִלְּפָנִים), Isa 48:16; Prov 8:23 (|| מֵעוֺלָם),. Eccl 3:11 (|| עַדסֿוֺף); first of months Exod 12:2 (|| רִאשׁוֺן), Num 10:10; Num 28:11 (all P); בָּראֹשׁ 1Chr 16:7 at first.
  c. of things, river-heads Gen 2:10 (J); עַפְרוֺת תֵּכֵל ׳ר Prov 8:26.
5. chief, choicest, best, of spices, כשׂמ(יםׅ, Ezek 27:22; Exod 30:23 (P), Song 4:14 שִׂמְחָתִי ׳ר Ps 137:6 the choicest of my joy.
6. head = division of army, company, band : Judg 7:16; Judg 7:20; Judg 9:34; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:43; Judg 9:44 (twice in verse); 1Sam 11:11; 1Sam 13:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:18 (twice in verse) Job 1:17.
7. =sum, especially in phrase ׳בְּנֵייִֿשׂ ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿ Exod 30:12take the sum of, enumerate, compare Num 1:2; Num 1:49; Num 4:2; Num 4:22; Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Num 31:49 בְּראֹשׁוֺ Lev 5:24 in its sum, i.e. in full, so Num 5:7 (all P); of ׳י's thoughts Ps 139:17 compare ראֹשׁ דְּבָֽרְךָ אֱמֶתPs 119:160.
8. other phrase are : ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿאֹשׁ פ see נָשָׂא Qal 1 b (2); יָרוּם ראֹשִׁי עַלאֹֿיְבַי Ps 27:6, מֵרִים ראֹשִׁי ׳י Ps 3:4 (Ps 110:7; Ps 140:10 see רום); shake the head, see נוּעַ Hiph`il, compare יָנִיד בְּראֹשׁוֺ Jer 8:16, מְנוֺד ראֹשׁ Ps 44:15 נָתַן דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ, i.e. requite, see נתן Qal 2 b near the end; יָשׁוּב גְּמֻלְךָ ׳בְּר Obad 1:15, compare Ps 7:17; 1Kgs 2:33 (below דָּם 2 i and (with ׳עַלרֿ) Esth 9:25, הֵשִׁיב רָעָה בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:57; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44, compare Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7; 1Kgs 2:32 (sub דָּם 2 i, compare Neh 3:36 (אֶלרֿאֹשָׁם), see also 2Sam 3:29 below 1. חוּל 3; see, further, דָּם 2 i; Dan 1:10 see חוּב Pi`el

BDB7687 H7219

BDB7686 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7688

II. ראשׁ and ( Deut 32:32) רוֺשׁ noun masculineDeut 32:33 a bitter and poisonous herb, them venom, always figurative; —

1. a bitter and poisonous herb, + (or ||) לַעֲנָה Deut 29:17; Lam 3:19, so (מֵי ראֹשׁ) Jer 9:14; Jer 23:15 ׳מֵי ר (without ׳ל) Jer 8:14 עִנְּכֵירֿוֺשׁ Deut 22:32 (|| מְרֹרֹת); ראֹשׁ וּתְלָאָה Lam 3:5 ׳ר alone Ps 69:22, מִשְׁפָּטוּפָּרַח כָּראֹשׁ Hos 10:4, מִשְׁפָּט ׳הְפַכְתֶּם לר Amos 6:12.
2. venom, of serpents, פְּתָנִים ׳ר Deut 32:33; Job 20:16.

BDB7831 H7219

BDB7830 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7832

רוֺשׁ poison, Deut 32:32, see II. ראֹשׁ.

gall, hemlock, poison, venom
rōš
a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)
  • gall, venom, bitter, poisonous

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
זְכָר עָנְיִ֥י וּמְרוּדִ֖י Tipeha — a lesser break לַעֲנָ֥ה וָרֹֽאשׁ Silluq — end of the verse

זְכָר-עָנְיִי וּמְרוּדִי לַעֲנָה וָרֹֽאשׁ׃
19
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Cross References

Lamentations 3:15

הִשְׂבִּיעַנִי בַמְּרוֹרִים הִרְוַנִי לַעֲנָֽה׃
15
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

Lamentations 3:5

בָּנָה עָלַי וַיַּקַּף רֹאשׁ וּתְלָאָֽה׃
5
He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

Psalms 132:1

זְכוֹר-יְהוָה לְדָוִד אֵת כָּל-עֻנּוֹתֽוֹ׃
1
LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:

Jeremiah 9:15

לָכֵן כֹּֽה-אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנְנִי מַאֲכִילָם אֶת-הָעָם הַזֶּה לַֽעֲנָה וְהִשְׁקִיתִים מֵי-רֹֽאשׁ׃
15
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Nehemiah 9:32

וְעַתָּה אֱלֹהֵינוּ הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא שׁוֹמֵר הַבְּרִית וְהַחֶסֶד אַל-יִמְעַט לְפָנֶיךָ אֵת כָּל-הַתְּלָאָה אֲֽשֶׁר-מְצָאַתְנוּ לִמְלָכֵינוּ לְשָׂרֵינוּ וּלְכֹֽהֲנֵינוּ וְלִנְבִיאֵנוּ וְלַֽאֲבֹתֵינוּ וּלְכָל-עַמֶּךָ מִימֵי מַלְכֵי אַשּׁוּר עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
32
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.

Psalms 89:47

זְכָר-אֲנִי מֶה-חָלֶד עַל-מַה-שָּׁוְא בָּרָאתָ כָל-בְּנֵי-אָדָֽם׃
47
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

Psalms 89:50

זְכֹר אֲדֹנָי חֶרְפַּת עֲבָדֶיךָ שְׂאֵתִי בְחֵיקִי כָּל-רַבִּים עַמִּֽים׃
50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

Job 7:7

זְכֹר כִּי-רוּחַ חַיָּי לֹֽא-תָשׁוּב עֵינִי לִרְאוֹת טֽוֹב׃
7
O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
Lamentations 3:18
Read Lamentations 3
Lamentations 3:20