Lamentations 3:52

צ֥וֹד צָד֛וּנִי כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר אֹיְבַ֥י חִנָּֽם
Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

צ֥וֹד
צ֥וֹד
Root word hunt, huntest, hunteth, provision, sore, …
Dictionary form: צוּד · tsood

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Absolute, absolute state simple action — "he did" adds emphasis — try "surely ___"

In the KJV here: chased
hunt ×2 they hunt ×2 to hunt ×2 and take ×1 and they shall hunt ×1 chased ×1 for our provision ×1 hunteth ×1
More options
hunt — Most direct equivalent; suits most narrative contexts.
chase — Emphasizes pursuit rather than capture; vivid and active.
track down — Highlights deliberate, methodical pursuit of prey or person.
trap — Foregrounds catching/snaring over the pursuit itself.
prey on — Useful when the object is a person; conveys predatory intent.
stalk — Stealthy, close-range pursuit; suits covert or hostile contexts.

BDB6964 H6679

BDB6963 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6965

I. צוּד verb hunt (Late Hebrew id. (rare), מְצוּדָה = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian ƒâdu, hunt, so Arabic , , Aramaic צוּד, צִיד, () ; Old Aramaic צידא hunting); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural צָד֣וּ Lam 4:18 suffix צָדוּנִי Lam 3:52, וְצָדוּם consecutive Jer 16:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָצוּד Lev 17:13, etc.; Imperative masculine singular צוּ֫דָה Gen 27:3 Infinitive absolute צוֺד Lam 3:52 construct לָצוּד Gen 27:5 Participle הַצָּד vGen 27:33 — hunt, with accusative 1. צַיִד Gen 27:3 Qr (> Kt צידה), vGen 27:5 vGen 27:33 (all J), צֵיד חַיָּה Lev 17:13 (H); טֶרֶף Job 38:39 with accusative of person Mic 7:2 (+חֵרֶם, instrumental), Jer 16:16 (+מֵעַל), Job 10:16, צוֺד צָדוּנִי כַצִּפּוֺד Lam 3:52, subject evil Ps 140:12 with accusative צְעָדֵינוּ Lam 4:18, נֶפֶשׁ יְקָרָה Prov 6:26. — Hos 9:13 read probably לָצוּד (or לָצַיִד), for ᵑ0 לְצוֺר, see צֹר. Po'l. hunt (keenly, eagerly?), Imperfect 2 feminine plural תְּצוֺדֵדְנָה Ezek 13:18 Infinitive construct לְצוֺדֵד vEzek 13:18 Participle feminine plural מְצֹדְדוֺת vEzek 13:20 vEzek 13:20, all with accusative נְפָשׁוֺת (of magic arts, necromancy, etc.).

BDB6977 H6679

BDB6976 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6978

[צִיד] verb denominative Hithpa`el supply oneself with provisions, take as one's provision — perfect 1 plural הִצְטַיַּדְנוּ Josh 9:12 this bread we took as our provision; Imperfect 3 masculine plural וֵיִּצְטַיָָּֽדוּ vJosh 9:4 (so read for ᵑ0 וַיִּצְטַיָָּֽרוּ, Manuscripts Vrss Thes and others), absolute

hunt, huntest, hunteth, provision, sore, …
ṣûd
to lie alongside (i.e., in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men)
  • to hunt
    • (Qal) to hunt
      • "(Poel) to hunt, hunt eagerly or keenly"(Hithpael) take provision

צָד֛וּ נִי
צָד֛וּ
Root word hunt, huntest, hunteth, provision, sore, …
נִי
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: צוּד · tsood

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: me sore
hunt ×2 they hunt ×2 to hunt ×2 and take ×1 and they shall hunt ×1 chased ×1 for our provision ×1 hunteth ×1
More options
hunt — Most direct equivalent; suits most narrative contexts.
chase — Emphasizes pursuit rather than capture; vivid and active.
track down — Highlights deliberate, methodical pursuit of prey or person.
trap — Foregrounds catching/snaring over the pursuit itself.
prey on — Useful when the object is a person; conveys predatory intent.
stalk — Stealthy, close-range pursuit; suits covert or hostile contexts.

BDB6964 H6679

BDB6963 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6965

I. צוּד verb hunt (Late Hebrew id. (rare), מְצוּדָה = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian ƒâdu, hunt, so Arabic , , Aramaic צוּד, צִיד, () ; Old Aramaic צידא hunting); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural צָד֣וּ Lam 4:18 suffix צָדוּנִי Lam 3:52, וְצָדוּם consecutive Jer 16:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָצוּד Lev 17:13, etc.; Imperative masculine singular צוּ֫דָה Gen 27:3 Infinitive absolute צוֺד Lam 3:52 construct לָצוּד Gen 27:5 Participle הַצָּד vGen 27:33 — hunt, with accusative 1. צַיִד Gen 27:3 Qr (> Kt צידה), vGen 27:5 vGen 27:33 (all J), צֵיד חַיָּה Lev 17:13 (H); טֶרֶף Job 38:39 with accusative of person Mic 7:2 (+חֵרֶם, instrumental), Jer 16:16 (+מֵעַל), Job 10:16, צוֺד צָדוּנִי כַצִּפּוֺד Lam 3:52, subject evil Ps 140:12 with accusative צְעָדֵינוּ Lam 4:18, נֶפֶשׁ יְקָרָה Prov 6:26. — Hos 9:13 read probably לָצוּד (or לָצַיִד), for ᵑ0 לְצוֺר, see צֹר. Po'l. hunt (keenly, eagerly?), Imperfect 2 feminine plural תְּצוֺדֵדְנָה Ezek 13:18 Infinitive construct לְצוֺדֵד vEzek 13:18 Participle feminine plural מְצֹדְדוֺת vEzek 13:20 vEzek 13:20, all with accusative נְפָשׁוֺת (of magic arts, necromancy, etc.).

BDB6977 H6679

BDB6976 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6978

[צִיד] verb denominative Hithpa`el supply oneself with provisions, take as one's provision — perfect 1 plural הִצְטַיַּדְנוּ Josh 9:12 this bread we took as our provision; Imperfect 3 masculine plural וֵיִּצְטַיָָּֽדוּ vJosh 9:4 (so read for ᵑ0 וַיִּצְטַיָָּֽרוּ, Manuscripts Vrss Thes and others), absolute

hunt, huntest, hunteth, provision, sore, …
ṣûd
to lie alongside (i.e., in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men)
  • to hunt
    • (Qal) to hunt
      • "(Poel) to hunt, hunt eagerly or keenly"(Hithpael) take provision

כַּ צִּפּ֖וֹר
כַּ
Prefix — preposition like, as + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
צִּפּ֖וֹר
Root word bird, birds, fowl, sparrow, fowls
Dictionary form: צִפּוֹר · tsip-PORE

כַּ
Hidden "the" כַּ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "like the ___".

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: like a bird
bird ×8 as a bird ×5 birds ×4 fowl ×4 of the bird ×3 of the birds ×2 the birds ×2 a birds ×1
More options
bird — Most universal, neutral term; suits nearly any context.
sparrow — Prefer when smallness or vulnerability is emphasized.
songbird — Highlights melodic or delicate species; poetic contexts.
winged creature — Broader, vivid; good for lists or creation passages.
fowl — Modernized KJV rendering; fits domestic or sacrificial birds.

BDB7211 H6833

BDB7210 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7212

I. צִפּוֺר, צִפֹּר40 noun feminineAmos 3:5 (masculine Ps 102:8, compare KöSynt § 252 a, so Ps 104:17, yet compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896). 71), bird; — absolute צִפּוֺר Hos 11:11 + 15 t., צִפֹּר Gen 15:10 + 11 t., construct צִפּוֺר Deut 4:17 + 5 t., צִפֹּרֹ Ps 8:9 plural צִפְָּרִים Lev 14:4 + 5 t.; —

1. single bird, Amos 3:5; Hos 11:11 (simile; || יוֺנָה), Lam 3:52; Job 40:29; Ps 102:8; Ps 124:7; Prov 6:5; Prov 7:23; Prov 26:2; Prov 27:8 (all simile), Lev 14:5 + 10 t. Lev 14 ׳בָּנָף כָּלצֿ Deut 4:17, טְהוֺרָה ׳כָּלצֿ Deut 14:11 (כל distributive); ׳קַןצֿ Deut 22:6 bird's nest, ׳קוֺל הַצּ Eccl 12:4 plural Isa 31:5 (simile), Neh 5:18; Lev 14:4 (שְׁתֵּי צִפְָּרִים, in purify.; compare WeHeid. 2.171 RSSemitic i. 402, 2nd ed. 422), vLev 14:49 (id.), Ps 104:17; Eccl 9:12.
2. less often collective, either def. Gen 15:10 (two), or indefinite Ps 11:1 (figurative), צִפֹּר שָׁמַיִם Ps 8:9, especially כָּלכָּֿ֠נָף ׳צ Ezek 39:17; Ps 148:10, כָּלכָּֿנָף ׳כֹּל צ Ps 17:23; Gen 7:14, also redund. with עַיִט, כָּלכָּֿנָף ׳עֵיט צ Ezek 39:4 birds of prey of all kinds.

BDB9844 H6833 H6853

BDB9843 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9845

[צִפַּר] noun feminineDan 4:18 (compare Kp. 165, Anm. 3) bird (see Biblical Hebrew II. צפר); — plural absolute צִפֲּרִין Dan 4:30, emphatic צִפְּרַיָּא v.Dan 4:11, construct צִפֲּרֵי) v.Dan 4:9 v.Dan 4:18.

bird, birds, fowl, sparrow, fowls
ṣippôr
a little bird (as hopping)
  • bird, fowl
    • bird (singular)
      • "birds (coll)

אֹיְבַ ֥י
אֹיְבַ
Root word enemies, enemy, foes, enemys
֥י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: אֹיֵב · oh-YABE

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

In the KJV here: mine enemies
thine enemies ×30 their enemies ×22 mine enemies ×19 the enemy ×18 of the enemy ×14 of their enemies ×14 his enemies ×13 your enemies ×12
More options
enemy — Standard singular; most broadly applicable across contexts.
foe — Slightly formal; good for poetry or elevated prose.
adversary — Emphasizes active opposition; suits legal or military contexts.
opponent — Milder tone; useful when hostility is less intense.
attacker — Highlights aggression; best in battle or threat contexts.

BDB375 H340 H341

BDB374 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB376

[אָיַב]283 verb be hostile to (Assyrian aibu (see Dlw), enemy = אֹיֵב) —

Qal Perfect וְאָיַבְתִּ֫י Exod 23:22 Participle אוֺיֵב (אֹיֵב) Exod 15:6 +; suffix (אוֺיְבִי)אֹיְבִי) 2Sam 22:18 = Ps 18:18 +; feminine suffix אֹיַבְתִּי Mic 7:8; Mic 7:10 אֹיִבְךָ Exod 23:4 +, etc.; plural אֹויְבִים Ps 68:24; Ps 127:5 אֹיְבִים Ps 139:22, etc.; — be hostile to, treat as enemy Exod 23:22 (E, Cov't code) וְאָיַבְתִּ֫י אֶתאֹֿיְבֶיךָ וְצַרְתִּ֫י אֶתצֹֿרְרֶיךָ (subject ׳י); elsewhere Participle 1Sam 18:29 וַיְהִי שָׁאוּל אֹיֵב אֶתדָּֿוִד; usually as substantive & mostly suffix; enemy, of personal foe Exod 23:4 (E || שׂנֵא vExod 23:5) Num 35:23 (P) 1Sam 19:17 (compare 1Sam 18:29) 1Sam 24:5; 1Sam 24:20; 2Sam 4:8; 1Kgs 21:20; Job 27:7; Ps 54:9; Ps 55:13 (|| מְשַׂנֵּא; opposed to אַלּוּף, מְיֻדָּע vPs 55:14) Mic 2:8; Prov 16:7; Prov 24:17 +; in simile Jer 30:14 (מַכַּת אוֺיֵב); of public national enemy, singular Judg 16:23; Judg 16:24 collective Exod 15:6; Exod 15:9; Deut 33:27; Nah 3:11; 2Chr 6:24 +; personified Mic 7:8; Mic 7:10 more often plural Exod 23:22 (E) Lev 26:7 f (H) Num 10:9 (P) Deut 1:42; Deut 6:19; Jer 15:9; Jer 34:20; Jer 34:21 +; of enemies of God, as protector of his people Num 10:35 (J) Judg 5:31; 1Sam 30:26; 2Sam 18:19; Ps 66:3; Ps 68:1; Ps 68:22; Nah 1:2; Nah 1:8; Isa 66:6 +; as morally supreme Job 13:24; Job 33:10; Ps 37:20; Ps 92:10 (twice in verse) +; of God as enemy of rebellious people Isa 63:10, in simile Lam 2:4; Lam 2:5.

enemies, enemy, foes, enemys
ʾōyēb
hating; an adversary
  • (Qal) enemy
    • personal
      • "national

חִנָּֽם
חִנָּֽם
Adverb cause, nought, vain, causeless, nothing, …
Dictionary form: חִנָּם · hin-NAWM

Adverb

In the KJV here: without cause
without cause ×8 for nought ×6 me without a cause ×4 causeless ×2 in vain ×2 for nothing ×1 free ×1 freely ×1
More options
without cause — Best for contexts of undeserved hostility or accusation.
for nothing — Broad: free of charge or lacking valid reason.
free — Ideal for economic contexts — no payment required.
freely — Adverbial; emphasizes willing, uncompensated giving.
in vain — Prefer when action yields no result or purpose.
undeserved — Highlights innocence; good for legal or moral settings.

BDB2939 H2600

BDB2938 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2940

חִנָּם substantive, used chiefly in the accusative as adverb (compare Assyrian annáma, in vain, DlK 7, Pr 44; from הֵּן, with aff. םָ֯, which is sometimes found in substantives proper, as סֻלָּם, and proper names, but is more particularly used with substantives applied adverbially, as יוֺמָם אָמְנָם, דּוּמָם, רֵיקָם: Sta§ 203 BaNB § 216) — literally out of favour; i.e.
  a. gratis, gratuitously, for nothing, עָבַד חִנָּם to serve for nought Gen 29:15; Job 1:9; Isa 52:3 to be sold (figurative) for nought vIsa 52:5; Exod 21:2; Exod 21:11 יָצָא חִנָּם to go out(from slavery) freely, for nothing, Num 11:5 which we used to eat in Egyptian for nought, Jer 22:13; 1Chr 21:24 in the genitive 2Sam 24:24 עֹלוֺת חִנָּם i.e. burnt-offerings which cost nothing (in the || 1Chr 21:24 the construction is changed).
  b. for no purpose, in vain Prov 1:17; Mal 1:10: once אֶל חִנָּם (compare אֶל 7) Ezek 6:10.
  c. gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly, especially of groundless hostility or attack, 1Sam 19:5 לְהָמִית חִנָּם to slay David without cause, 1Sam 25:31; Ps 35:7 (twice in verse); Ps 109:3; Ps 119:161 רְדָפוּנִי חִנָּם, Prov 1:11; Prov 3:30; Prov 23:29; Job 2:3 ׳לְבַלְּעוֺ ח Job 9:17; Job 22:6; Ezek 14:23; Ps 35:19 and Ps 69:5 שׂנְאַי חִנָּם my haters without cause, Lam 3:52 אֹיְבַי חִנָּם; in the genitive 1Kgs 2:31 דְּמֵי חִנָּם blood shed without cause (compare 1Sam 25:31), Prov 24:28 ׳אֲלתְּֿהִי עֵד ח בְּרֵעֶ֑ךָ, Prov 26:2 ׳קִלְלַת ח the causeless curse.

cause, nought, vain, causeless, nothing, …
ḥinnām
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage
  • freely, for nothing, without cause
    • gratis, gratuitously, for nothing
      • "for no purpose, in vain"gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
צ֥וֹד צָד֛וּנִי Tevir — a lesser break כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר Tipeha — a lesser break אֹיְבַ֥י חִנָּֽם Silluq — end of the verse

צוֹד צָדוּנִי כַּצִּפּוֹר אֹיְבַי חִנָּֽם׃
52
Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
Cross References

Psalms 35:19

אַֽל-יִשְׂמְחוּ-לִי אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר שֹׂנְאַי חִנָּם יִקְרְצוּ-עָֽיִן׃
19
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Psalms 35:7

כִּֽי-חִנָּם טָֽמְנוּ-לִי שַׁחַת רִשְׁתָּם חִנָּם חָפְרוּ לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃
7
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

Psalms 11:1

בַּֽיהוָה׀ חָסִיתִי אֵיךְ תֹּאמְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי הַרְכֶם הַרְכֶם צִפּֽוֹר׃
1
In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

1 Samuel 24:10

הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר-נְתָֽנְךָ יְהוָה׀ הַיּוֹם׀ בְּיָדִי בַּמְּעָרָה וְאָמַר לַהֲרָֽגְךָ וַתָּחָס עָלֶיךָ וָֽאֹמַר לֹֽא-אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי בַּֽאדֹנִי כִּֽי-מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה הֽוּא׃
10
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

1 Samuel 25:28

שָׂא נָא לְפֶשַׁע אֲמָתֶךָ כִּי עָשֹֽׂה-יַעֲשֶׂה יְהוָה לַֽאדֹנִי בַּיִת נֶֽאֱמָן כִּֽי-מִלְחֲמוֹת יְהוָה אֲדֹנִי נִלְחָם וְרָעָה לֹֽא-תִמָּצֵא בְךָ מִיָּמֶֽיךָ׃
28
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

John 15:25

ἀλλ' ἵνα πληρωθῇ ὁ λόγος ὁ γεγραμμένος ἐν τῷ νόμῳ αὐτῶν ὅτι Ἐμίσησάν με δωρεάν
25
But this cometh to pass, that the that word might be fulfilled is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Psalms 119:161

שָׂרִים רְדָפוּנִי חִנָּם ‫(ומדבריך)‬ וּמִדְּבָרְךָ פָּחַד לִבִּֽי׃
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Jeremiah 37:15

וַיִּקְצְפוּ הַשָּׂרִים עַֽל-יִרְמְיָהוּ וְהִכּוּ אֹתוֹ וְנָתְנוּ אוֹתוֹ בֵּית הָאֵסוּר בֵּית יְהוֹנָתָן הַסֹּפֵר כִּֽי-אֹתוֹ עָשׂוּ לְבֵית הַכֶּֽלֶא׃
15
Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

Psalms 109:3

וְדִבְרֵי שִׂנְאָה סְבָבוּנִי וַיִּֽלָּחֲמוּנִי חִנָּֽם׃
3
They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

Psalms 69:4

רַבּוּ׀ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשִׁי שֹׂנְאַי חִנָּם עָצְמוּ מַצְמִיתַי אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר אֲשֶׁר לֹא-גָזַלְתִּי אָז אָשִֽׁיב׃
4
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

Jeremiah 38:4

וַיֹּאמְרוּ הַשָּׂרִים אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ יוּמַת נָא אֶת-הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה כִּֽי-עַל-כֵּן הֽוּא-מְרַפֵּא אֶת-יְדֵי אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִים׀ בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת וְאֵת יְדֵי כָל-הָעָם לְדַבֵּר אֲלֵיהֶם כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה כִּי׀ הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה אֵינֶנּוּ דֹרֵשׁ לְשָׁלוֹם לָעָם הַזֶּה כִּי אִם-לְרָעָֽה׃
4
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

Jeremiah 37:18

וַיֹּאמֶר יִרְמְיָהוּ אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ צִדְקִיָּהוּ מֶה חָטָאתִֽי לְךָ וְלַעֲבָדֶיךָ וְלָעָם הַזֶּה כִּֽי-נְתַתֶּם אוֹתִי אֶל-בֵּית הַכֶּֽלֶא׃
18
Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?

1 Samuel 26:18

וַיֹּאמֶר לָמָּה זֶּה אֲדֹנִי רֹדֵף אַֽחֲרֵי עַבְדּוֹ כִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתִי וּמַה-בְּיָדִי רָעָֽה׃
18
And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
Lamentations 3:51
Read Lamentations 3
Lamentations 3:53