Lamentations 3:25

ט֤וֹב יְהוָה֙ לְקוָֹ֔ו לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

ט֤וֹב
ט֤וֹב
Root word good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
Dictionary form: טוֹב · tobe

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is good
good ×127 the good ×26 better ×25 is good ×22 is better ×21 a good ×13 well ×12 for good ×11
More options
good — Default all-purpose rendering; works in most contexts.
fine — Lighter register; suits quality, appearance, or craftsmanship.
pleasant — Emphasises enjoyment or sensory appeal.
beautiful — Prefer when describing physical attractiveness or appearance.
prosperous — Use when tob refers to welfare, wealth, or flourishing.
favorable — Suits attitudes, conditions, or outcomes seen as advantageous.

BDB3305 H2896

BDB3304 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3306

II. טוֺב adjective pleasant, agreeable, good (see LagBN 26; Aramaic טַב, Palmyrene טב VogNo. 81, טבא VogNo. 75) — masculine ׳ט Gen 2:12 + 22 t., טוֺבָם Mic 7:4 feminine טוֺבָה Esth 8:5 + 50 t., טֹבָה Deut 6:18 + 2 t.; construct טוֺבַת Gen 26:7 + 6 t., טֹבַת Gen 24:16 plural טוֺבִים Jer 44:17 + 28 t.; טֹבִים Gen 27:9 + 4 t.; construct טוֺבֵי Dan 1:4 + 2 t.; plural טוֺבוֺת Esth 2:2, טֹבוֺת Jer 24:2 + 6 t., טֹבֹת Gen 6:2 + 4 t.; —

1. pleasant, agreeable to the senses:
  a. to the sight, fair, of daughters of men Gen 6:2 (J); of a son Exod 2:2 (E), 1Sam 9:2; 1Kgs 20:3, young men (but read herds ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Bu) 1Sam 8:16 מראיהם their appearance Dan 1:15, טֹבַת מראה Gen 24:16; Gen 26:7 (both J), 2Sam 11:2; Esth 1:11; Esth 2:3; Esth 2:7 טוב ראי 1Sam 16:12 טוב תאר 1Kgs 1:6 טובַת חן Nah 3:4 טוֺבוֺת מראה Esth 2:2 טוֺבֵי מראה Dan 1:4 טוב לעינים Eccl 11:7 טובה בעיניו fair in his eyes Esth 8:5 of mantle Josh 7:21 (J); goodly houses Isa 5:9; Deut 8:12 cities Deut 6:10 situation of city 2Kgs 2:19.
  b. to the taste, good, sweet, agreeable for eating למאכל Gen 2:9; Gen 3:6 (both J); ears of grain Gen 41:5; Gen 41:22; Gen 41:24; Gen 41:26 (E); figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3 (twice in verse); Jer 24:5 honey Prov 24:13 כְּיֵין הטוב Song 7:10 as wine of the best sort (Hi reads כַּיַּיִן); תְּנוּבָתִי הַטּוֺבָּה Judg 9:11 my sweet fruit (|| מָתְקִי).
  c. to the smell, sweet-scented, of ointment Song 1:3 קנה הטוב Jer 6:20 the fragrant cane.
  d. of pleasant shadow of tree Hos 4:13.
2. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well:
  a. of time: יום טוב good day, festal day 1Sam 25:8; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:22 of feasts Zech 8:19 prosperous years Gen 41:35 (E).
  b. of place, טוב בית הנשׁים Esth 2:9 the best part of the women's house; לוֺ ׳בַּטּ Deut 23:17, בְּעֵינֵי ׳בַּטּ Gen 20:15 (see c f below)
  c. of persons, (אתה) טוב בעיני pleasing in the eyes of 1Sam 29:6 (twice in verse); 1Sam 29:9 ׳טוב בעיני י Mal 2:17 (compare verb 4, and f below); later לִפְנֵי Eccl 2:26 (twice in verse); Eccl 7:26 inserted in 1Sam 29:10 ᵐ5 We Dr; compare עם ׳ט 1Sam 2:26.
  d. of word or message, בְּשׂוֺרָה טוֺבָה 2Sam 18:27 good tidings; ׳שְׁמוּעָה ט good report 1Sam 2:24; Prov 15:30; Prov 25:25 דבר בעתו Prov 15:23 a word in its season; דבר טוב Prov 12:25 an agreeable word (maketh the heart glad); דבר טוב Ps 45:2 a good theme.
  e. of other things, דֶּרֶךְ טובה 1Sam 24:20 a pleasant, prosperous journey; מנחה כי טוב Gen 49:15 (poem); of unity of brethren מה טוב ומה נעים Ps 133:1 how good and how pleasant it is! טוב לְ (יהיה) it shall be well for Eccl 2:3; Eccl 6:12; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13 (compare verb 3); הֲטוֺב כִּי Job 13:9 will it be advantageous that (see 5). feminine עשׂה הטוב בעיני do what is pleasing in the eyes of Gen 16:5 (J), Judg 19:24; 1Sam 1:23; 1Sam 3:18; 1Sam 14:40 2 Sam 10:12> = 1Chr 19:13; 2Sam 19:19; 2Sam 19:28; 2Sam 19:39; 2Kgs 10:5; 2Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3; 1Chr 21:23 = 2Sam 24:22 where object of העלה; ׳עשׂה (כ) (כל) (ה)טוב בע Gen 19:8 (J), Judg 10:15; 1Sam 11:10; 1Sam 14:36; Esth 3:11 (כ)הטוב עשׂה ׳ו(כ)הישׁר בע) Deut 12:28; Josh 9:25 (D), 2Chr 14:1; Jer 26:14, compare Esth 8:8 nouns reversed Deut 6:18 עשׂה הטוֺב והישׁר לפני 2Chr 31:20 ׳טוב בע in other combinations Num 36:6 (P), Jer 40:4 ראה הטוב והישׁר 2Kgs 10:3 ׳דבּר ט 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12; Num 10:29 (J), 1Sam 19:4; Esth 7:9 דבּר מטוב עדרֿע speak either good or bad Gen 31:24; Gen 31:29 (E); למרע ועד טוב 2Sam 13:22 רע או טוב Gen 24:50 (J); ׳התנבא ט 1Kgs 22:8; 1Kgs 22:18 = 2Chr 18:17 compare 1Kgs 22:13 = 2Chr 18:12.
3. good, excellent of its kind:
  a. of the several creations, וירא אלהים כי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, excellent Gen 1:4; Gen 1:10; Gen 1:12; Gen 1:18; Gen 1:21; Gen 1:25 (P); טוֺב מאר כל אשׁר עשׂה והנּה Gen 1:31 (P) God saw all that he had made, and behold it was very excellent. So
  b. of land, soil, fruitful, fertile: ארץ Exod 3:8; Num 13:19 (both J), Num 14:7 (P), Deut 1:25; Deut 1:35; Deut 3:25; Deut 4:21; Deut 4:22; Deut 6:18; Deut 8:7; Deut 8:10; Deut 9:6; Deut 11:17; Josh 23:16 (D), Judg 18:9; 1Chr 28:8 אדמה 1Kgs 14:15; Josh 23:13; Josh 23:15 (D); הר Deut 3:25 חלקה 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25 שׂדה Ezek 17:8 נָוֶה Ezek 34:14 מרעה 1Chr 4:40; Ezek 34:14; Ezek 34:18.
  c. of vegetation, choice, fruitful זֵיתִים 1Sam 8:14 עץ 2Kgs 3:19; 2Kgs 3:25; Ezek 31:16 שׁמן טוב 2Kgs 20:13 precious oil = Isa 39:2; Ps 133:2; Eccl 7:1 of seed, אם שׁניהם טובים Eccl 11:6 whether both of them will be fruitful.
  d. of animals, fat בקר Gen 18:7 (J); עזים Gen 27:9 (J); פרות Gen 41:26 (E); יָרֵךְ Ezek 24:4.
  e. of minerals, fine, pure זהב Gen 2:12 (J), 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:8 כֶּתֶם Lam 4:1 brass Ezra 8:27, soldering Isa 41:7.
4. good, rich, valuable in estimation:
  a. in quantity, שׂיבה טובה good old age Gen 15:15 (R), Gen 25:8 (P), Judg 8:32; 1Chr 29:28 dowry Gen 30:20 (E; many sons); treasury Deut 28:12 (from which ׳י sends blessings).
  b. in price, goodly, valuable: of the estimation put upon house, beast, and tithe Lev 27:10 (twice in verse); Lev 27:12; Lev 27:14; Lev 27:33 (H); profit Prov 31:18 hire Eccl 4:9 מחמדי הטבים Joel 4:5 my goodly precious things.
5. good, appropriate, becoming, טוב אשׁר Eccl 7:18 (compare Eccl 5:4 below); טובה חכמה עם נחלה Eccl 7:11 wisdom is good with an inheritance (other transitive see in VB); || יָפֶה Eccl 5:17 with עֵצָה 2Sam 17:7; 2Sam 17:14 good advice; טוב פתר Gen 40:16 (E) that he interpreted well; טוב הדבר (לא) Exod 18:17 (E) the thing is (not) good, wise, so Deut 1:14; 1Sam 26:16 טוב (ה)דבר the word is good, is well said 1Sam 9:10; 1Kgs 2:38; 1Kgs 2:42; 1Kgs 18:24; 2Kgs 20:19 = Isa 39:8, for which abbreviated טוב well! good! exclamation Ruth 3:13; 1Sam 20:7; 2Sam 3:13; 1Kgs 2:18 followed by כּי it is good that 2Sam 18:3; Ruth 2:22; Lam 3:27; Job 10:3 (compare Job 13:9 2 e); with infinitive Gen 2:18 (J), Ps 73:28; Ps 92:2; Ps 147:1; Prov 25:27 (compare below 10); with וְ (strangely) ׳טוֺב וְיָחִיל וגו Lam 3:26 it is good that one wait (see דּוּמָם, יָחִיל); בלא דעת נֶפֶשׁ לא טוב Prov 19:2 that a soul be without knowledge is not good.
6. with מִן comparative = better, followed by infinitive Gen 29:19 (E), Exod 14:12 (J), Ps 118:8; Ps 118:9; Prov 16:19; Prov 25:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:2 infinitive omitted Prov 21:9; Prov 21:19; Prov 25:24 מן omitted Num 14:3 (J; comparative only implied); with מן person Judg 15:2; Ruth 4:15; 1Sam 1:8; 1Sam 9:2; 1Sam 15:28; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Chr 21:13; Prov 12:9; Prov 16:32; Prov 19:1; Prov 19:22; Prov 27:10; Prov 28:6; Lam 4:9; Esth 1:19; Eccl 4:3; Eccl 4:9; Eccl 4:13; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 7:5; Eccl 7:8 with מן of thing Judg 8:2; 1Sam 15:22; 2Sam 17:14; 1Kgs 21:2; 2Kgs 5:12; Hos 2:9; Amos 6:2; Isa 56:5; Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8; Ps 37:16; Ps 63:4; Ps 84:11; Ps 119:72; Prov 3:14; Prov 8:11; Prov 8:19; Prov 15:16; Prov 15:17; Prov 16:8; Prov 16:16; Prov 17:1; Prov 22:1; Prov 27:5; Song 1:2; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 7:1; Eccl 7:3; Eccl 7:8; Eccl 7:10; Eccl 9:4; Eccl 9:16; Eccl 9:18 followed by -מִשֶּׁ Eccl 5:4 מַהטּֿוֺב ֗֗֗ הֲ ֗֗֗ אִם is it better ... or ? Judg 9:2 הֲטוב ֗֗֗ אוֺ Judg 18:19 אין -טוב שֶׁ Eccl 2:24 (read -מִשֶּׁ see Commentaries); אין טוב מאשׁר Eccl 3:22 אין טוב כִי אִם Eccl 3:12; Eccl 8:15 so 1Sam 27:1 ᵐ5 We Dr Klo Kit Bu (ᵑ0 only כי with Imperfect)
7. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous: טוב לב merry, glad heart Prov 15:15; Esth 5:9; Eccl 9:7 טוֺבֵי לב 1Kgs 8:65 = 2Chr 7:10 טובים וַנּהיה Jer 44:17 we were prosperous; similarly Ps 112:5.
8. of man's intellectual nature, שֵׂכֶל טוֺב good understanding 2Chr 30:22; Ps 111:10; Prov 3:4; Prov 13:15 טוֺבַת שֶׂכֶל 1Sam 25:3.
9. good, kind, benign:
  a. of men, themselves 1Sam 25:15; 2Sam 18:27; 2Chr 10:7 the eye Prov 22:9 דברים טובים kind words 1Kgs 12:7 = 2Chr 10:7.
  b. of God, himself Nah 1:7; 2Chr 30:18; Ps 86:5 כי טוב for he is good, kind Ps 34:9; Ps 100:5; Ps 135:3; Jer 33:11 כי טוב כי לעולם חסדוֺ 1Chr 16:34; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 טוב לְ kind to Ps 73:1; Ps 145:9; Lam 3:25 יד (ה)טובה על Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Neh 2:8; Neh 2:18 רוחךָ (ה)טובה Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 שׁמךָ כי טוב Ps 52:11; Ps 54:8 כּי טוב חסדךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 הדבר(ים) הטוב(יםׅ the good, kind word(s) spoken in promise Josh 21:43; Josh 23:14; Josh 23:15 (D), 1Kgs 8:56; Jer 29:10; Jer 33:14; Zech 1:13.
10. good (ethical), right: מה טוב || what Yahweh requires Mic 6:8, || משׁפט Job 34:4:
  a. of man himself || ישׁר Mic 7:4 אישׁ טוב Prov 14:14 (ה)טוב(יםׅ = (the) good 2Chr 19:11; Ps 125:4; Prov 2:28; Prov 12:2; Prov 13:22; Prov 14:19; Prov 15:3; Eccl 9:2 (twice in verse); man's deeds דברים 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 19:3 מעשׂה 1Sam 19:4; Eccl 12:14 מעללים Ezek 36:31 דֶּרֶךְ הטובה והישׂרה 1Sam 12:23 the good and right way; (הַ)דֶּרֶךְ (ה)טוב(הׅ (the) good way 1Kgs 8:36 = 2Chr 6:27; Isa 65:2; Jer 6:16; Ps 36:5; Prov 16:29 דבריךָ טובים ונכחים 2Sam 15:3 good and right is thy case; דבר טוב good thing 1Kgs 14:13 לא טוב הדבר Neh 5:9 אשׂר לא טוב עשׂה Ezek 18:18 so of מאזני מרמה etc., Prov 20:23 לא טובc. infinitive (see 5 it is not good or right to: ענושׁ לצדּיק Prov 17:26 פני רשׁע שׂאת Prov 18:5 הכּר פנים Prov 28:21; Prov 24:23 (בל טוב).
  b. of God טוב אתה ומטיב Ps 119:68 טוב וישׁר יהוה Ps 25:8 משׁפטיך טובים Ps 119:39 his commands מצות Neh 9:13 חקים Ezek 20:25 (לא טובים); לקח טוב Prov 4:2 מפי עליון לא תצא הרעות והטוב Lam 3:38.

BDB3306 H2896

BDB3305 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3307

III. טוֺב noun masculineJer 17:6 (compare טוֺבָה noun feminine) a good thing. benefit, welfare: — ׳ט Gen 26:29 + 134 t.; —

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 אם טוב ואם רע Jer 42:6 whether prosperity or adversity; יבוא טוב Jer 17:6 prosperity cometh; ׳שׂמח בט Deut 26:11; 2Chr 6:41 ׳ראה בט Eccl 2:1; Jer 29:32 object of ראה Ps 4:7; Ps 34:13; Eccl 2:24; Eccl 3:13; Job 7:7 of דרשׁ Esth 10:3 of בקשׁ Ps 122:9 מנע Ps 84:12; Jer 5:25 נתן Ps 85:13 קוה Job 30:26 מצא Prov 16:20; Prov 17:20; Prov 18:22; Prov 19:8 נחל Prov 28:10 חסר Ps 34:11 בשׂר 1Kgs 1:42; Isa 52:7 ׳חול לט Mic 1:12 ׳חכמה וט 1Kgs 10:7 טוב וחסד Ps 23:6 בטוב in prosperity Ps 25:13; Job 21:13; Job 36:11; Eccl 7:14 מטוב because of prosperity Zech 1:17 afar from happiness Ps 39:3 כטוב Hos 10:1 לטוב Deut 30:9; Jer 15:11 לטוב לָנוּ Deut 6:24 for good to us, = for our good, Deut 10:13 (לְךָ), Jer 32:39 (לָהֶם; compare לרע ל Jer 7:6; Jer 25:7).
2. good things, (collective) ברכ(ו)ת ׳ט blessing of good things Ps 21:4; Prov 24:25 מִלֵּא ׳בָתֵּיהֶם ט Job 22:18 filled their houses with good things; object of שׂבע Job 104:28; Prov 12:14 מלא Ps 107:9 אכל Prov 13:2; Isa 55:2 לקח Hos 14:3 ׳השׂביע בט Ps 103:5 goods, possessions 1Sam 15:9.
3. good = benefit: גְּמָלַתְהוּ טוֺב וְלֹארָֿע Prov 31:12 she doeth him good and not evil; תַּאֲוַת צַדִּיקִים אַךְטֿוֺב Prov 11:23 the desire of the righteous is only good; object of קבּל Job 2:10 מנע Prov 3:27 שׁחר Prov 11:27 שׁלּם Prov 13:21 עשׂה Gen 26:29 (J), Ps 119:65 היטיב Num 10:32 (J); ׳ערב לט Ps 119:122 ׳חֹרְשֵׁי ט Prov 14:22 who devise good.
4. moral good, ידע טוב ורע Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:5; Gen 3:22 (J), Deut 1:39 בין טוב לרע 2Sam 19:36 in antithesis with רע elsewhere Deut 30:15; 2Sam 14:17; 1Kgs 3:9; Isa 5:20 (twice in verse); Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16; Amos 5:14; Amos 5:15; Mic 3:2; Ps 34:15; Ps 37:27; Ps 52:5 ׳זנח ט Hos 8:3 cast off good; עשׂה טוֺב do good Ps 14:1; Ps 14:3 = Ps 53:2; Ps 53:4; Ps 37:3; Eccl 7:20, in Eccl 3:12 this meaning seems less fitting; read perhaps ׳לִרְאוֺת ט (Gr, see also De) and tr. to 1; ׳רדף ט Ps 38:21 pursue good; ׳מַעְגַּלטֿ Prov 2:9 path of good.

BDB3309 H2896

BDB3308 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3310

טוֺבָה noun feminine welfare, benefit, good things, good; — absolute ׳ט Deut 28:11 + 54 t.; construct טוֺבַת Ps 106:5 suffix טוֺבָתִי Ps 16:2 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; plural טוֺבוֺת Jer 12:6 טֹבוֺת 2Kgs 25:28; Jer 52:32 suffix טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19 —

1. welfare, prosperity, happiness: || שׁלום Deut 23:7; Jer 33:9; Ezra 9:12; Lam 3:17 יוֺם טובה Eccl 7:14 day of prosperity; טוֺבָתִי בַּלעָֿלָיךָ Ps 16:2 is not my welfare dependent upon thee? ׳תְּבוֺאָֽתְךָ ט Job 22:21 prosperity shall come to thee; לטובה Gen 50:20 (E), Deut 28:11; Deut 30:9; 2Chr 18:7; Jer 14:11 לרעה ולא לטובה Amos 9:4; Jer 21:10; Jer 39:16; Jer 44:27 object of verb בקּשׁ Neh 2:10 הביא Jer 32:42 ראה Job 9:25; Eccl 5:17; Eccl 6:6 אבּד Eccl 9:18 ׳ראה בט Ps 106:5 ׳חסר מט Eccl 4:8 object of אכל figurative Job 21:25 = taste happiness; of שׂבע Eccl 6:3 after נחם על Jer 18:10.
2. good things (collective):
  a. of good words, object of דבּר 1Sam 25:30; 2Sam 7:28 = 1Chr 17:26; Jer 18:20 plural דבּר טובות Jer 12:6; Jer 52:32 = 2Kgs 25:28.
  b. of material possessions ׳ברבות הט Eccl 5:10 when good things increase.
3. bounty, good שְׁנַת טוֺבָתֶ֑ךָ Ps 65:12 year of thy bounty (harvest bestowed by God), so also טובתך Ps 68:11 עשׂה ׳(ה)ט Exod 18:9 (E), Num 24:13 (JE), Judg 8:35; Judg 9:16; 1Sam 24:19; 2Sam 2:6; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 7:10; 2Chr 24:16; Jer 33:9 object of נמל 1Sam 24:18 שׁלּם 1Sam 24:20 רעה תחת טובה Gen 44:4 (J), 1Sam 25:21; Ps 35:12; Ps 38:21; Ps 109:5; Prov 17:13; Jer 18:20 תחת קללה ׳ט 2Sam 16:12 ׳זכר לי לט remember it for me for good Neh 5:19; Neh 13:31 לטובה Ezra 8:22; Neh 2:18; Jer 24:5; Jer 24:6; Ps 86:17 plural טוֺבֹתָיו Neh 6:19 his benefits (i.e. good deeds of Tobiah).

BDB9554 H2869 H2896

BDB9553 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9555

טָב adjective good; — absolute ׳ט Dan 2:32 pure gold; = pleasing to (עַל person) Ezra 5:17 (compare Ezra 6:18, Biblical Hebrew טוֺב 5).

good, better, well, goodness, goodly, …
ṭôb
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
  • (adj) good, pleasant, agreeable
    • pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
      • "pleasant (to the higher nature)"good, excellent (of its kind)"good, rich, valuable in estimation"good, appropriate, becoming"better (comparative)"glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)"good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)"good, kind, benign"good, right (ethical)
    (n m) a good thing, benefit, welfare
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
      • "good things (collective)"good, benefit"moral good
    (n f) welfare, benefit, good things
    • welfare, prosperity, happiness
      • "good things (collective)"bounty

יְהוָה֙
יְהוָה֙
Root word a name — transliterate it ("The lord")
Dictionary form: יְהֹוָה · yeh-hoh-WAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: the lord
the lord ×2811 of the lord ×1522 and the lord ×457 unto the lord ×342 o lord ×222 am the lord ×158 lord ×67 to the lord ×60
More options
the LORD — Standard modern Bible convention; small-caps signal the divine name.
YHWH — Preserves the Hebrew tetragrammaton; used in scholarly translations.
Yahweh — Reconstructed pronunciation; preferred in academic and some modern versions.
the Lord — General rendering when small-caps convention is unavailable.
God — Use only where context clearly equates YHWH with generic deity.
the Eternal — Captures timeless-existence nuance; used in some progressive translations.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

BDB2099 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2101

יהוהc. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺהC518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare Bö§ 88). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see LagSym i.14 BaudStudien i.179 ff.; DrStud.Bib.i.1 ff. For Jeve see StaZAW 1881, 346 Deib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.
2. on literature of interpretations see NesEg.67 Drl.c. — Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, NesEg.88 (but NesEg.91 inclines to Qal as RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RSOTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245, compare WeSkizzen iii.175; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, StaG.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RSBrit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ewinfr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Drl.c.17)).
**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by BauRel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230); DlPa 162 ff. claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kuenational Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.) JastrJBL xiil {1894}, 103 f. compare HptBAS i. 170 N; DlBabel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f. makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially HirschZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff. ZimKATS. 465 ff.; SpiegelbZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff. proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in KöEB NAMES, § 112 and n.3. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to SchwThLZ, 1905, col. 612.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare EwBTh ii. 337, 338 RSl.c., Proph. 385 ff. Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc LagPsalt.Hieron.156); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich WeJD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI18. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b DlPa 158 ff. DrStud. Bib. i. 7 ff.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
  a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D2); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
  b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D2 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
  c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D2 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
  d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
  e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
  g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
  h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by RP as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ⅏; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & ⅏ from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ℌ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.
2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
  a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
  b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
  c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
  d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.
3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — BonkZAW 1891, 126 ff. seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.

BDB3475 H3068

BDB3474 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3476

׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above.

BDB3483 H3068 H3069

BDB3482 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3484

יהוה proper name, of deity, see below הוה.

BDB3489 H3068 H3097

BDB3488 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3490

׳יו = ׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above: — namely יוֺאָב, יוֺאָח, יוֺאָחָז, יוֺאֵל, יוֺאָשׁ, יוֺיָכִין, יוֺיָקִים, יוֺיָרִיב, יוֺעֵד, יוֺעָשׁ, יוֺקִים, יוֺרָם, יוֺתָם, etc.

lord, lords, god, jehovah, jehovah-jireh, …
yĕhōwâ
the existing One
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • the proper name of the one true God
    • unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

לְ קוָֹ ֔ו
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
קוָֹ
Root word wait, waited, looked, look, looketh, …
֔ו
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: קָוָה · kaw-WAW

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine plural, construct state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: unto them that wait for
wait ×4 shall wait ×2 we have waited ×2 and he looked ×1 and i looked ×1 and i will look for him ×1 and wait ×1 and while ye look ×1
More options
wait — Most common rendering; fits patient, hopeful expectation.
hope — Emphasizes forward-looking trust, good for poetic contexts.
look eagerly — Highlights active longing; suits urgent or emotional passages.
expect — Neutral, modern tone; fits anticipatory or predictive contexts.
long for — Captures yearning nuance; suits lament or desire passages.
gather — Rare secondary sense; use only when context implies assembly.

BDB7345 H6960

BDB7344 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7346

I. [קָוָה] verb wait for (probably originally twist, stretch, then of tension of enduring, waiting: Assyrian ‡ûû II, I. wait, ‡û, cord; Arabic be strong, strength, also strand of rope; Syriac endure, remain, await, threads, so ᵑ7 קַוִּין spider's threads, web); —

Qal Participle plural those waiting for (׳י): construct ׳קוֵי י Ps 37:9 so Isa 40:31 van d. H., and Kt Baer Gi (Qr קוֺיֵי); suffix קִוָ֑י Isa 49:23, קֹוֶיךָ Ps 25:3; Ps 69:7 קִוָיו Lam 3:35 Qr (Kt קוו, i.e. קֹווֺ). Pi`el Perfect 3 feminine singular קִוְּתָה Ps 130:5 1 singular קִוִּיתִי Gen 49:18 + 5 t., קִוֵּיתִי Isa 5:4, ׳וְק consecutive Isa 8:17 suffix קִוִּיתִיךָ Ps 25:21 3 plural קִוּוּ Ps 56:7 +, etc.; Imperfect יְקַוֶּה Mic 5:6; Job 7:2, jussive יְקַו Job 3:9, וַיְקַו Isa 5:2; Isa 5:7, etc.; Imperative masculine singular קַוֵּה Hos 12:7 +; Infinitive absolute קַוֺה Ps 40:2, קַוֵּה Jer 8:15; Jer 14:19 —
1. wait, or look eagerly, for, with ל of thing Isa 5:7; Isa 59:9; Isa 59:11; Jer 8:15; Jer 13:16; Jer 14:19; Job 3:9; Job 6:19 לִישׁוּעָֽתְךָ Gen 49:18 with accusative of thing Lam 2:16 (suffix), Job 7:2; Job 30:26; Ps 39:8 object of thing omitted Isa 64:2 followed by infinitive Isa 5:2; Isa 5:4; Ps 69:21 absolute Job 17:13 with accusative ׳י Isa 26:8 (suffix), Ps 25:5; Ps 25:21 (suffix), Ps 40:2 (+ infinitive absolute), Ps 130:5, accusative omitted vPs 130:5, accusative שִׁמְךָ Ps 52:11 (but read probably אֲחַוֶּה, Hi Che Bae and others, see חוה); with ל of ׳י Isa 8:17; Isa 25:9 (twice in verse); Isa 33:2; Isa 60:9 (but read probably צִיִּים יִקָּווּ ships shall gather (II. קוה), so Du CheHpt Di-Kit Marti, compare Skinner (also Luzz Gei Oort), Jer 14:22; Prov 20:22 with אֶלאֱֿלֹהִים Hos 12:7, ׳אֶליֿ Isa 51:5; Ps 27:14 (twice in verse); Ps 37:34.
2. lie in wait for, followed by נַפְשִׁי Ps 56:7 followed by ל person Ps 119:95 (+ infinitive purpose).
3. wait (linger) for with ל of man Mic 5:6 (|| יְיַחֵל).

BDB7353 H6960

BDB7352 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7354

II. [קָוָה] verb collect (Late Hebrew Hiph`il collect); —

Niph`al be collected, Perfect 3 plural וְנִקְווּ consecutive Jer 3:17 (of nations); Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִקָּווּ Gen 1:9 (P; of waters; both with אֶל location); so probably of ships (with ל person) Isa 60:9 (for ᵑ0 יְקַוּוּ), see I. קזה
Pi`el 1.

wait, waited, looked, look, looketh, …
qāwâ
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
  • to wait, look for, hope, expect
    • (Qal) waiting (participle)
      • "(Piel)
      • to wait or look eagerly for
        • "to lie in wait for"to wait for, linger for
    to collect, bind together
    • (Niphal) to be collected

לְ נֶ֖פֶשׁ
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: him to the 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

BDB5309 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5311

נֶ֫פֶשׁ756 noun feminineGen 49:6 (so even Gen 2:19; Num 31:28; 1Kgs 19:2 see AlbrZAW 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 WeSkizzen iii. 217 G. JacobArab. 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 (RD).

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), BrJBL 1897,17 ff.

BDB7797 H7307 H5315 H3824 H1320 H3820

BDB7796 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7798

רוּחַ378 noun feminineGen 41:8 (less often masculineExod 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 Brרוח 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
      • "living being"living being (with life in the blood)"the man himself, self, person or individual"seat of the appetites"seat of emotions and passions"activity of mind
      • dubious
      activity of the will
      • dubious
      activity of the character
      • dubious

תִּדְרְשֶֽׁ נּוּ
תִּדְרְשֶֽׁ
Root word seek, inquire, sought, inquired, require, …
נּוּ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: דָּרַשׁ · daw-RAHSH

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

In the KJV here: that seeketh him
seek ×13 to seek ×13 to inquire ×10 inquire ×4 sought ×4 will i require ×4 and seek ×3 and inquire ×2
More options
seek — Most versatile; suits active pursuit of God or wisdom.
inquire — Prefer when consulting an oracle, priest, or prophet.
search — Emphasizes thorough, investigative effort.
require — Best for contexts of divine accountability or demand.
consult — Fits formal religious or official inquiry settings.
care for — Use when the sense is concern or attentiveness toward someone.

BDB2008 H1875

BDB2007 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2009

דַּרְיוֺשׁ Ezra 10:16 see דרשׁ.

BDB2024 H1875

BDB2023 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2025

דָּרַשׁ162 verb resort to, seek (compare Arabic rub over, efface (a site), tread (wheat), figurative read repeatedly, study; beat (a path), discuss, Pa`el practise in; Late Hebrew search out (a meaning), expound) —

Qal Perfect 1Chr 10:14 Imperfect יִדְרשׁ Ps 10:4 +, אֶדְרְשָׁה 1Sam 28:7, נִדְרְשָׁה 1Kgs 22:7 +, יִדְרְשׁוּן Isa 55:2 Imperative דְּרָשֿׁ 1Kgs 22:5 +; Infinitive absolute דָּרשׁ Lev 10:16; Deut 23:22 construct דְּרשׁ Deut 22:2 + לִדְרָשֿׁ Ezek 14:7, לְדַרְיוֺשׁ (scribal error for לִדְרוֺשׁ Ew§ 239a Ol§ 245 g) Ezra 10:16 Participle דֹּרֵשׁ Deut 11:12 + 10 t., דּוֺרֵשׁ 1Chr 28:9 + 3 t.; passive דְּרוּשִׁים Ps 111:2, דְּרוּשָׁה Isa 62:12 synonym בקשׁ; —
1. (tread a place,) resort to, frequent, with religious object, with accusative of location Amos 5:5; 2Chr 1:5, לְ local Deut 12:5.
2. seek, consult, inquire of:
  a. accusative ׳י, אֱלֹהִים Gen 25:22 (J) Exod 18:15 (E) 1Sam 9:9; 1Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 3:11; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 22:13; 2Kgs 22:18; 1Chr 15:13; 1Chr 21:30; 2Chr 18:7; 2Chr 34:21; Ps 24:6; Ps 78:34; Jer 21:2; Jer 37:7; Ezek 20:1; Ezek 20:3 the ark of God 1Chr 13:3 word of Yahweh 1Kgs 22:5 (= 2Chr 18:4) compare 1Kgs 14:5 with בְּ Yahweh 1Chr 10:14; 2Chr 34:26; Ezek 14:7 his word 2Kgs 1:16 with אֶל, אֶלאֵֿל Job 5:8 their God Isa 8:19, Messianic king Isa 11:10 ׳מֵעַלסֵֿפֶר י out of the book of ׳י Isa 34:16 (in gloss, according to CheJQ Jan. 1892, 332); with מֵאוֺתוֺ of a ׳נָבִיא לי 1Kgs 22:7 (= 2Chr 18:6) compare (above) v2Chr 18:8; 2Kgs 3:11 and 1Kgs 14:5 (מֵעִמְּךָ).
  b. heathen gods and necromancers, הַדֹּרֵשׁ the inquirer Ezek 14:10 with בְּ, בַּעֲלַת אוֺב 1Sam 28:7, בָּאוֺב 1Chr 10:13, בְּבַעַל זְבוּב 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 1:16 with אֶל, אֶלהָֿאֹבוֺת Isa 8:19, אֶלהַֿמֵּתִים Deut 18:11, אֶלהָֿאֱלִילִים Isa 19:3.
3. seek deity in prayer and worship:
  a. the true God (compare בקשׁ 3) ׳דרשׁ י Deut 4:29; Hos 10:12; Amos 5:4; Amos 5:6; Isa 9:12; Isa 31:1; Isa 55:6; Isa 58:2; Isa 65:10; Isa 29:13; Isa 1:11 (= Ps 105:4) Ps 28:9; 2Chr 12:14; 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 14:6; 2Chr 15:2; 2Chr 15:12; 2Chr 16:12; 2Chr 22:9; 2Chr 26:5; Ps 9:11; Ps 22:27; Ps 34:5; Ps 34:11; Ps 119:2; Ps 119:10 דרשׁ (ה)אלהים 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 26:5; 2Chr 30:19; Ps 14:2 (= Ps 53:3) Ps 69:33 ׳אֲדֹנָי ד Ps 77:3 with לְ, only in Chronicler, ליהוה 1Chr 22:19; 2Chr 15:13; 2Chr 20:3; Ezra 6:21 לאלהים 2Chr 17:4; 2Chr 31:21; 2Chr 34:3; Ezra 4:2 DrIntr. 503 finds in Chronicles weakened meaning, revere.
  b. seek heathen deities, with accusative Jer 8:2; 2Chr 25:15; 2Chr 25:20 with לְ, Deut 12:30; 2Chr 17:3.
4. a. seek, with idea of demanding, require (בקשׁ is seek, simply), with accusative lost sheep Deut 22:2; Ezek 34:6; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 34:11 goat Lev 10:16 (twice in verse) (P); with אחר, after green fodder Job 39:8.
  b. inquire, investigate (a matter), absolute Judg 6:29; Deut 13:15; Deut 17:4; Deut 17:9; Deut 19:18 with accusative כָּללְֿבָבוֺת ׳דּוֺרֵשׁ י all hearts Yahweh searches 1Chr 28:9 לִדְרשׁ הַמּוֺפֵת to inquire into the wonder 2Chr 32:31 with לְ, to inquire about 2Sam 11:3; Job 10:6 followed by עַל person + infinitive 2Chr 24:6 apply to the Levites to bring, etc., compare 2Chr 31:9 (עַל both person and thing).
5. ask for, require, demand, with accusative of thing Ezek 20:40 + מִן person Deut 23:22; Mic 6:8 exact, often with collateral idea of avenging, מֵעִם Deut 18:19, so with מִיַּד Ezek 34:10, דָּרַשׁ דָּם מִיַּד Gen 9:5 (P) Ezek 33:6 accusative only, דֹּרֵשׁ דמים Ps 9:13, רִשְׁעוֺ ׳ד Ps 10:15 absolute vPs 10:4 vPs 10:13; 2Chr 24:22.
6. seek with application, study, follow, practise, absolute by wisdom Eccl 1:13 with accusative מִשְׁפָּט ׳ד study or practise justice Isa 1:17; Isa 16:5 ׳מַעֲשֵׂי י Ps 111:2 טוֺב וְאַלרַֿע Amos 5:14 commands of God Ps 119:45; Ps 119:94; Ps 119:155; 1Chr 28:8 the law Ear 1Chr 7:10 שׁלום ׳ד seek or study the peace, welfare of any one Deut 23:7; Jer 29:7; Ezra 9:12, לשׁלום Jer 38:4, טוב ׳ד Esth 10:3, רעה ׳ד Prov 11:27; Ps 38:13 (compare בקשׁ 2, where this use is more common).
7. seek with care, care for, ארץ אשׁר יהוה אלהיך דֹּרֵשׁ אתהּ land which Yahweh thy God careth for Deut 11:12 אַליִֿדְרְשֵׁהוּ אֱלוֺהַּ let not Eloah care for it Job 3:4 ׳אוֺתָךְ לֹא יִד Jer 30:14 דָּֽרְשָׁה צֶמֶר Prov 31:13 with לְ Jer 30:17 אֵין דּוֺרֵשׁ לְנַפְשִׁי no one careth for me Ps 142:5 but in both these לְ perhaps belongs to אֵין, compare || אֵין לִי מַכִּיר Ps 142:5, also Lam 4:4 etc.; דְּרוּשָׁה cared for (of Jerusalem) Isa 62:12. Niph`al Perfect נִדְרָ֑שׁ Gen 42:22, נִדְרַשְׁתִּי Isa 65:1, נִדְרָ֑שׁוּ 1Chr 26:31 Imperfect אִדָּרֵשׁ Ezek 14:3; Ezek 20:3; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 36:37 Infinitive absolute הַאִדָּרשׁ Ezek 14:3 (for ההדרשׁ); —
1. let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of God Ezek 14:3 (twice in verse); Ezek 20:3; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 36:37; Isa 65:1.
2. be sought out 1Chr 26:31.
3. be required, of blood (compare Qal 5) Gen 42:22 (E).

Note. — וְדָרְשׁוּ מֵחָרְבוֺתֵיהֶם and beg out of their desolate places Ps 109:10 (Ki and others wed©ršu, see Baer); many MSS. read דָּֽרְשׁוּ, so most interpretations; ᵐ5 Hup Bi Che read גֹּרְשׁוּ be driven from.

seek, inquire, sought, inquired, require, …
dāraš
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
  • to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require
    • (Qal)
      • to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place)
        • "to consult, enquire of, seek
        • of God
          • "of heathen gods, necromancers
        to seek deity in prayer and worship
        • God
          • "heathen deities
        to seek (with a demand), demand, require"to investigate, enquire"to ask for, require, demand"to practice, study, follow, seek with application"to seek with care, care for
      (Niphal)
      • to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God)
        • "to be sought, be sought out"to be required (of blood)

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
ט֤וֹב יְהוָה֙ Pashta — a lesser break לְקוָֹ֔ו Zaqef Qatan — a strong break לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ Tipeha — a lesser break תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ Silluq — end of the verse

טוֹב יְהוָה לְקוָֹו לְנֶפֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃
25
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Cross References

Micah 7:7

וַאֲנִי בַּיהוָה אֲצַפֶּה אוֹחִילָה לֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי יִשְׁמָעֵנִי אֱלֹהָֽי׃
7
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Isaiah 40:31

וְקוֹיֵ יְהוָה יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ יַעֲלוּ אֵבֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִים יָרוּצוּ וְלֹא יִיגָעוּ יֵלְכוּ וְלֹא יִיעָֽפוּ׃
31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 130:5

קִוִּיתִי יְהוָה קִוְּתָה נַפְשִׁי וְֽלִדְבָרוֹ הוֹחָֽלְתִּי׃
5
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Lamentations 3:26

טוֹב וְיָחִיל וְדוּמָם לִתְשׁוּעַת יְהוָֽה׃
26
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalms 37:34

קַוֵּה אֶל-יְהוָה׀ וּשְׁמֹר דַּרְכּוֹ וִֽירוֹמִמְךָ לָרֶשֶׁת אָרֶץ בְּהִכָּרֵת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶֽה׃
34
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalms 40:1

קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי יְהוָה וַיֵּט אֵלַי וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִֽי׃
1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Psalms 27:14

קַוֵּה אֶל-יְהוָה חֲזַק וְיַאֲמֵץ לִבֶּךָ וְקַוֵּה אֶל-יְהוָֽה׃
14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 37:7

דּוֹם׀ לַיהוָה וְהִתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ אַל-תִּתְחַר בְּמַצְלִיחַ דַּרְכּוֹ בְּאִישׁ עֹשֶׂה מְזִמּֽוֹת׃
7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Isaiah 25:9

וְאָמַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא הִנֵּה אֱלֹהֵינוּ זֶה קִוִּינוּ לוֹ וְיֽוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ זֶה יְהוָה קִוִּינוּ לוֹ נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃
9
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

James 5:7

Μακροθυμήσατε οὖν ἀδελφοί ἕως τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου ἰδού ὁ γεωργὸς ἐκδέχεται τὸν τίμιον καρπὸν τῆς γῆς μακροθυμῶν ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἕως ἂν λάβῃ ὑετὸν πρώϊμον καὶ ὄψιμον
7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Isaiah 30:18

וְלָכֵן יְחַכֶּה יְהוָה לַֽחֲנַנְכֶם וְלָכֵן יָרוּם לְרַֽחֶמְכֶם כִּֽי-אֱלֹהֵי מִשְׁפָּט יְהוָה אַשְׁרֵי כָּל-חוֹכֵי לֽוֹ׃
18
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4

וּמֵעוֹלָם לֹא-שָׁמְעוּ לֹא הֶאֱזִינוּ עַיִן לֹֽא-רָאָתָה אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתְךָ יַעֲשֶׂה לִמְחַכֵּה-לֽוֹ׃
4
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Hosea 10:12

זִרְעוּ לָכֶם לִצְדָקָה קִצְרוּ לְפִי-חֶסֶד נִירוּ לָכֶם נִיר וְעֵת לִדְרוֹשׁ אֶת-יְהוָה עַד-יָבוֹא וְיֹרֶה צֶדֶק לָכֶֽם׃
12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Psalms 27:8

לְךָ׀ אָמַר לִבִּי בַּקְּשׁוּ פָנָי אֶת-פָּנֶיךָ יְהוָה אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃
8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

2 Chronicles 31:21

וּבְכָֽל-מַעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר-הֵחֵל׀ בַּֽעֲבוֹדַת בֵּית-הָֽאֱלֹהִים וּבַתּוֹרָה וּבַמִּצְוָה לִדְרֹשׁ לֵֽאלֹהָיו בְּכָל-לְבָבוֹ עָשָׂה וְהִצְלִֽיחַ׃
21
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Psalms 39:7

וְעַתָּה מַה-קִּוִּיתִי אֲדֹנָי תּוֹחַלְתִּי לְךָ הִֽיא׃
7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Isaiah 55:6

דִּרְשׁוּ יְהוָה בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ קְרָאֻהוּ בִּֽהְיוֹתוֹ קָרֽוֹב׃
6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

1 Chronicles 28:9

וְאַתָּה שְׁלֹמֹֽה-בְנִי דַּע אֶת-אֱלֹהֵי אָבִיךָ וְעָבְדֵהוּ בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם וּבְנֶפֶשׁ חֲפֵצָה כִּי כָל-לְבָבוֹת דּוֹרֵשׁ יְהוָה וְכָל-יֵצֶר מַֽחֲשָׁבוֹת מֵבִין אִֽם-תִּדְרְשֶׁנּוּ יִמָּצֵא לָךְ וְאִם-תַּֽעַזְבֶנּוּ יַזְנִֽיחֲךָ לָעַֽד׃
9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

2 Chronicles 15:2

וַיֵּצֵא לִפְנֵי אָסָא וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ שְׁמָעוּנִי אָסָא וְכָל-יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִן יְהוָה עִמָּכֶם בִּֽהְיוֹתְכֶם עִמּוֹ וְאִֽם-תִּדְרְשֻׁהוּ יִמָּצֵא לָכֶם וְאִם-תַּֽעַזְבֻהוּ יַֽעֲזֹב אֶתְכֶֽם׃
2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Psalms 25:8

טוֹב-וְיָשָׁר יְהוָה עַל-כֵּן יוֹרֶה חַטָּאִים בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃
8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Lamentations 3:24
Read Lamentations 3
Lamentations 3:26