Leviticus 21:4

לֹ֥א יִטַּמָּ֖א בַּ֣עַל בְּעַמָּ֑יו לְהֵ֖חַלּֽוֹ
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לֹ֥א
לֹ֥א
Particle not
Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: but he shall not
not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86
More options
not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.
no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.
never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.
nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.
neither — Use when negating two elements together.
none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

BDB4266 H3808

BDB4265 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4267

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Köii. 1. 236 WalkerAJSL 1896, 237 ff.) — לוֺא, according to Masora (FrMM 248), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.p. 251), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
  a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
   (a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges«GKC:156»§ 156. 3 R. b, c Dr§ 162). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr§ 115, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges«GKC:109»§ 109. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
   (b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr§ 202. 2); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
   (c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָ˜בר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
   (d) standing alone:
   (a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
   (e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew§ 324 a Ges«GKC:150»§ 150. 1 Dr1Sam 11:12): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
  b. with adjectives and substantive:
   (a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
   (b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר
2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
   (c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew§ 320 c Dr§ 162): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
  a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
  b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
  c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
  d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), vb בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew§ 286 g Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, vb Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
  e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr§ 164), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Köii. 1. 236 f.
4. With prefixes: —
  a. בְּלֹא31 (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
   (a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
   (b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
   (c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.


  b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
   (a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.


  c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
  d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.


  e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see DePs 100. 3 FrMM 247 StrProl. Cr. 84), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

BDB4343 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4345

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

BDB9631 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9633

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb301 CookG1. 67); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K§ 67, 1 Dr§ 202, 2.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, DAramaic Dialektproben, p. 1). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

not, no, neither, nor, none, …
lōʾ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
  • not, no
    • not (with verb—absolute prohibition)
      • "not (with modifier—negation)"nothing (subst)"without (with particle)"before (of time)

יִטַּמָּ֖א
יִטַּמָּ֖א
Root word unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …
Dictionary form: טָמֵא · taw-MAY

Verb — Hithpael, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular reflexive — "he did it to / for himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: defile himself
shall be unclean ×19 and be unclean ×18 shall pronounce him unclean ×7 defile ×5 defiled ×5 is defiled ×4 it shall be unclean ×4 be defiled ×3
More options
defile — Most versatile; suits ritual and moral contamination alike.
make unclean — Clearer causative rendering when the agent is explicit.
contaminate — Good for physical or priestly-purity contexts.
pollute — Stronger moral or cultic overtone; fits communal violations.
desecrate — Prefer when a sacred person, object, or space is violated.
be declared impure — Fits priestly pronouncement scenes; formal/legal register.

BDB3346 H2930

BDB3345 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3347

I. טָמֵא verb be or become unclean (Late Hebrew Pi`el pollute (ceremonially); Aramaic טְמָא and especially derivatives, Pa`el pollute; see RSK 307 ff.) —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ט Lev 11:25 + 22 t.; 3 feminine singular טָֽמְאָה Lev 12:2 + 2 t.; 2 feminine singular טָמֵאת Ezek 22:4 plural טָֽמְאוּ Lev 15:18 Imperfect יִטְמָא Lev 5:3 + 34 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּטְמָא Lev 12:2 + 4 t.; plural יִטְמְאוּ Ps 106:39 Infinitive טָמְאָה Lev 15:32 + 6 t.; — be or become unclean:
1. sexually, with בְּ Lev 18:20; Lev 18:23 (H), Ezek 23:17 the land Lev 18:25; Lev 18:27 (H).
2. religiously, with idols Ezek 22:3 with בְ vEzek 22:4 with necromancers Lev 19:31 (H); by sacrificing children to idols Ps 106:39.
3. ceremonially, by contact with carcasses of unclean animals Lev 11:24; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:33; Lev 11:34 (twice in verse); Lev 11:35; Lev 11:36; Lev 11:40 (P); any carcass Lev 17:15 (H); eating of a carcass Lev 22:8 (H); by issues Lev 15:4; Lev 15:9; Lev 15:20 (twice in verse); Lev 15:24; Lev 15:27; Lev 15:32 (P); by contact with an unclean man Lev 5:3; Lev 15:4 (P), Lev 22:5 (H), or thing Lev 22:6 (H); by leprosy Lev 13:14; Lev 13:46; Lev 14:36; Lev 14:46 (P); by contact with the dead Num 6:12; Num 19:20 (P), Ezek 44:25, or with one unclean by such contact Num 19:22 (P), Hag 2:13 (twice in verse); by contact with creeping things Lev 22:5 (H); certain animals were always unclean Lev 11:26; Lev 11:27 (P). In ordinary cases of uncleanness טמא עד הערב unclean till even Lev 11:24; Lev 11:25; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:28; Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32; Lev 11:39; Lev 11:40 (twice in verse); Lev 14:46; Lev 15:5; Lev 15:6; Lev 15:7; Lev 15:8; Lev 15:10 (twice in verse); Lev 15:11; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:17; Lev 15:18; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:21; Lev 15:22; Lev 15:23; Lev 15:27; Num 19:7; Num 19:8; Num 19:10; Num 19:21; Num 19:22 (all P), Lev 17:15; Lev 22:6 (H); but uncleanness lasted 7 days for woman bearings a son Lev 12:2 (twice in verse) (P), for lying with woman having an issue Lev 15:24 (P), or one coming in contact with the dead Num 19:11; Num 19:14; Num 19:16 (P); it lasted 14 days for a woman bearing a daughter Lev 12:5 (P). Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular נִטְמָא Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10 3 feminine singular נִטְמְאָה Num 5:27; Num 5:28 נִטְמָ֑אָה Num 5:13 + 5 t.; 1 singular נִטְמֵאתִי Jer 2:23 2 masculine plural נִטְמֵתֶם Lev 11:43 (א omitted by scribal error; but Ges and others derive from טמה), etc. + 4 t. perfect; Participle plural נִטְמְאִים Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31 — defile oneself, be defiled:
1. sexually, Lev 18:24 (H), Num 5:13; Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:20; Num 5:27; Num 5:28; Num 5:29 (P).
2. by idolatry conceived as whoredom Hos 5:3; Hos 6:10; Jer 2:23; Ezek 20:30; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 20:43; Ezek 23:7; Ezek 23:13; Ezek 23:30.
3. ceremonially, by eating creeping things Lev 11:43.
4. be regarded as unclean (compare Pi`el 4), probably נִטְמִינִוּ Job 18:3 we are accounted as unclean; metal. from; on another view see טמה. Pi`el Perfect טִמֵּא Gen 34:5 + 15 t.; suffix טִמְּאוֺ Lev 13:8 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular טִמֵּאת Ezek 5:11, etc. + 7 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְטַמֵּא 2Kgs 23:8, etc. + 12 t. Imperfect; Imperative plural טַמְּאוּ Ezek 9:7 Infinitive טַמֵּא Lev 13:44 + 2 t.; suffix טַמְּאָם Lev 15:31, etc. + 4 t. Infinitive; — defile:
1. sexually Gen 34:5; Gen 34:13; Gen 34:27 (R), Ezek 18:6; Ezek 18:11; Ezek 18:15; Ezek 22:11; Ezek 33:26 the land by sexual impurities of the people Lev 18:28 (H); Israel by spiritual whoredom Ezek 23:17.
2. religiously: the land by bloodshed Num 35:34 (P); by allowing the dead body of the murderer to hang on the tree over night Deut 21:23 by idolatry Jer 2:7; Ezek 36:17; Ezek 36:18 Israel defiled the sacred places by the sacrifice of children Lev 20:3 (H), Ezek 23:38, and God defiled him thereby Ezek 20:26 he defileth the sacred places by idolatry 2Chr 36:14; Jer 7:30 = Jer 32:34, Ezek 5:11 the holy name of ׳י Ezek 43:7; Ezek 43:8 Josiah defiled the idolatrous places of worship by destroying them and making them unfit for use 2Kgs 23:8; 2Kgs 23:10; 2Kgs 23:13; 2Kgs 23:16 of Israel defiling idolatrous images Isa 30:22, and the nations the temple of God Ps 79:1.
3. ceremonially: by ceremonial uncleanness, the sacred places Lev 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (P); the camp Num 5:3 (P); the temple by dead bodies Ezek 9:7 the Nazirite's head of separation by a death occurring in his presence Num 6:9 (P); the people defile themselves (נפשׁתיכם) by creeping things Lev 11:44 (P).
4. pronounce or declare ceremonially unclean: the leper Lev 13:3; Lev 13:8; Lev 13:11; Lev 13:15; Lev 13:20; Lev 13:22; Lev 13:25; Lev 13:27; Lev 13:30; Lev 13:44 (twice in verse); Lev 13:59 (P); unclean animals Lev 20:25 (H). Pu`al Participle נַפְשִׁי לֹא מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 myself is not polluted. Hithpa`el Imperfect יִטַּמָּא Lev 21:1 + 4 t.; plural יִטַּמְּאוּ Ezek 14:11; Ezek 37:23 יִטַּמָּ֑אוּ Hos 9:4; Ezek 44:25, etc. + 6 t. Imperfect — reflexive, defile oneself: by eating of an unaccepted peace-offering Hos 9:4 with בְּ Lev 18:24; Lev 18:30 (H), Lev 11:43 (P), Ezek 14:11; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:18; Ezek 37:23 with לְ for a dead person Lev 21:1; Lev 21:3; Lev 21:11 (H), Num 6:7 (P); by Lev 11:24 (P); without preposition Lev 21:4 (H), Ezek 44:25. Hothpa`al Perfect אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר חֻטַּמָּ֑אָה Deut 24:4 after that she has been defiled (sexually); on form see Ges«GKC:54»§ 54. 3.

BDB3349 H2930 H2932

BDB3348 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3350

טָמְאָה noun feminine uncleanness (טָֽמְאָה, Bear, seems to rest upon a misinterpretation of the form) Mic 2:10 (so Thes MV SS); of ethical uncleanness, from wrong-doing.

unclean, defiled, defile, polluted, pollute, …
ṭāmēʾ
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
  • to be unclean, become unclean, become impure
    • (Qal) to be or become unclean
      • sexually
        • "religiously"ceremonially
      (Niphal)
      • to defile oneself, be defiled
        • sexually
          • "by idolatry"ceremonially
        to be regarded as unclean
      (Piel)
      • to defile
        • sexually
          • "religiously"ceremonially
        to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially)"to profane (God's name)
      (Pual) to be defiled"(Hithpael) to be unclean"(Hothpael) to be defiled

בַּ֣עַל
בַּ֣עַל
Root word men, owner, husband, man, owners, …
Dictionary form: בַּעַל · ba-AL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: being a chief man
the men ×10 and the men ×6 man ×4 her husband ×3 the owner ×3 and his owner ×2 having ×2 husband ×2
More options
owner — Best for property or legal possession contexts.
husband — Use in marital or domestic relationship contexts.
master — Use for authority, control, or dominion over something.
lord — Higher register; suits formal or elevated authority contexts.
man — Generic use; often in compounds like 'man of dreams'.
possessor — Emphasizes legal or formal ownership; slightly formal register.

BDB1212 H1167 H1180 H1181 H1168 H1170 H1176

BDB1211 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1213

I. בַּעַל166 noun masculine owner, lord (Phoenician בעל; Palmyrene id. husband Vog62 compare BaeRel 72 ff.; Assyrian bêlu1. with DlGram. Glossary; Arabic husband etc., see especially NöZMG 1886, 174, Sabean בעל CISiv. 1, 2) — Gen 20:3 + 92 t.; suffix בַּעְלִּי Hos 2:18 בַּעְלָּהּ Deut 24:4 + 5 t.; plural בְּעָלִים Judg 2:11 + 17 t.; construct בַּעֲלֵי Gen 14:13 + 27 t.; suffix בְּעָלָיו Exod 21:29 + 14 t.; בְּעָלֶיהָ Job 31:39 + 2 t.; בַּעְלֵּיהֶן Esth 1:17; Esth 1:20 — I.

1. owner (often plural with suffix in singular meaning): of ox Exod 21:28; Exod 21:29 (twice in verse); Exod 22:10; Exod 22:11; Exod 22:13; Exod 22:14 (E); הבור ׳ב of pit Exod 21:34; Exod 21:36 (E), of house Exod 22:7 (E) Judg 19:22; Judg 19:23, debt Deut 15:2, the land Job 31:39, the ass Isa 1:3, goods Eccl 5:10, riches Eccl 5:12 טוב ׳ב one to whom good is due Prov 3:27, gain Prov 1:19 שׂכל ׳ב one having understanding Prov 16:22 השׁחד ׳ב receiver of the gift Prov 17:8.
2. husband Gen 20:3; Exod 21:3; Exod 21:22 (E) Deut 22:22; Deut 24:4; 2Sam 11:26; Joel 1:8; Prov 12:4; Prov 31:11; Prov 31:23; Prov 31:28; Esth 1:17; Esth 1:20 בַּעְלִּי Hos 2:18 (my Baal, reference to the divine name used in the northern kingdom, here for the first time forbidden).
3. citizens, inhabitants: בַּעֲלֵי of Jericho Josh 24:11 (E), of the high places of Arnon Num 21:28 (E), of Shechem Judg 9:2 + 12 t., of the tower of Shechem Judg 9:46; Judg 9:47, of the city Judg 9:51, of Gibeah Judg 20:5, of Keilah 1Sam 23:11; 1Sam 23:12, of Jabesh 2Sam 21:12.
4. rulers, lords: בַּעֲלֵי גוֺיִם Isa 16:8.
5. n. of relation:
  a. החלמות ׃בַּעַל ׳ב dreamer Gen 37:19 (E); ׳ב דברים whosoever hath cases, complaints Exod 24:14 (E); שׂער ׳ב an hairy man 2Kgs 1:8 חמה ׳ב wrathful Nah 1:2; Prov 29:22 אף ׳ב one given to anger Prov 22:24 החכמה ׳ב one having wisdom Eccl 7:12 משׁחית ׳ב destroyer Prov 18:9 כנף ׳ב winged thing, bird Prov 1:17; Eccl 10:20 נפשׁ ׳ב one given to appetite Prov 23:2 מזמות ׳ב mischievous person Prov 24:8 הלשׁון ׳ב charmer Eccl 10:11 רשׁע ׳ב one given to wickedness Eccl 8:8 פיפיות ׳ב double-edged Isa 41:15 משׁפט ׳ב adversary Isa 50:8 ׳ב פקדת captain of the ward Jer 37:13 הקרנים ׳ב two-horned Dan 8:6; Dan 8:20.
  b. בְּדִית ׃בַּעֲלֵי ׳בּ confederates Gen 14:13 חצים ׳ב archers Gen 49:23 (poetry); הפרשׁים ׳ב horsemen 2Sam 1:6 שׁבועה ׳ב conspirators Neh 6:18 אספות ׳ב members of assemblies; or well-grouped sayings; or collectors (of wise sentences) Eccl 12:11. — On 2Sam 6:2 see II. בַּעֲלָה. (בַּעַל in Hexateuch not J or P; בעל Lev 21:4 ᵐ5 ἐζάπινα = כבלּע Num 4:20: Di בְּאֵבֶל). Especially II. lord, specifically as divine name, Baal.
1. without article: במות בעל Num 22:41 (poetry Balaam); בעל פעור Num 25:3; Num 25:5 (E) Deut 4:3 (see below). This divine name is not used elsewhere in Hexateuch It probably originated from the sense of divine ownership, rather than sovereignty (RSSem 92). It seems to have been used in Northern Israel = אדון in the South. It was the special name of the God of the Canaanites, Philistines, etc., = Babylonian בֵּל, compare SchrSK 1874, 335 ff. In later times scribes substituted בּשֶׁת, in proper name (ירבשׁת = ירבעל, אשׁבשׁת = אשׁבעל, see בּשֶׁת, GeiZMG 1862, 728 ff.), & also in the text for בעל Hos 9:10; Jer 11:13 (hence ἡ βάαλ Jer 2:23; Jer 7:9; Jer 11:13; Jer 11:17; Jer 19:5; Hos 2:10; Hos 13:1 +, Rom 11:4, see DiBaal mit d. weib. Art1 Kel, MBA 1881, June 16 Dr 2Sam 4:4).
2. with article: הַבַּעַל Judg 2:13; Judg 6:25; Judg 6:28; Judg 6:30; Judg 6:31; Judg 6:32; 1Kgs 16:31; 1Kgs 16:32 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 18:19; 1Kgs 18:21; 1Kgs 18:22; 1Kgs 18:25; 1Kgs 18:26 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 18:40; 1Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 22:54; 2Kgs 3:2; 2Kgs 10:18; 2Kgs 10:19 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:20; 2Kgs 10:21 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 10:22; 2Kgs 10:23 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 10:25; 2Kgs 10:26; 2Kgs 10:27 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:28; 2Kgs 11:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 21:3; 2Kgs 23:4; 2Kgs 23:5; 2Chr 23:17 (twice in verse); Jer 2:8; Jer 7:9; Jer 11:13; Jer 11:17; Jer 12:16; Jer 19:5 (twice in verse); Jer 28:13; Jer 28:27; Jer 32:29; Jer 32:35; Hos 2:10; Hos 13:1; .
3. הַבְּעָלִים emphatic plural (compare האלהים, האדונים) the great lord, the sovereign owner Judg 2:11; Judg 3:7; Judg 8:33; Judg 10:6; Judg 10:10; 1Sam 7:4; 1Sam 12:10; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Chr 17:3; 2Chr 24:7; 2Chr 28:2; 2Chr 33:3; 2Chr 34:4; Jer 2:23; Jer 9:13; Hos 2:15; Hos 2:19; Hos 11:2 (or local special Ba`als, see DrSm. p. 50; pillars of Baal MV).
4. with attributive: בַּעַל בְּרִית Lord of convenant Judg 8:33; Judg 9:4 (compare אל ברית Judg 9:46 NöZMG 1888, 478); זְבוּב ׳ב Lord of flies 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 1:6; 2Kgs 1:16, Philistine god, ᵐ5 Βααλ μυῖαν (Beelzebub, Matt 12:24) compare BaeRel 25.

BDB1213 H1167 H1192

BDB1212 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1214

II. בַּ֫עַל

1. proper name, of a location city in the tribe of Simeon 1Chr 4:33 = בַּעֲלַת בְּאֵר.
2. proper name, masculine a. a Reubenite 1Chr 5:5
  b. a Gibeonite 1Chr 8:30; 1Chr 9:36.

BDB9383 H1169 H1167

BDB9382 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9384

בְּעֵל (K§ 54, 3 γ) noun masculine owner, lord (Syriac , used similarly; compare Biblical Hebrew בַּ֫עַל, √ בָּעַל; also ᵑ7 בְּעֵיל); — construct מְֿעֵם׳בּ Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:9; Ezra 4:17 i.e. commander (AndrM 56* as translation of Persian fram¹t¹r, commander).

men, owner, husband, man, owners, …
baʿal
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
  • owner, husband, lord
    • owner
      • "a husband"citizens, inhabitants"rulers, lords"(noun of relationship used to characterise—i.e., master of dreams)"lord (used of foreign gods)

בְּ עַמָּ֑י ו
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
עַמָּ֑י
Root word people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …
ו
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: עַם · am

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

In the KJV here: among his people
the people ×572 people ×220 of the people ×150 my people ×113 and the people ×110 his people ×78 thy people ×58 of my people ×50
More options
people — Most versatile rendering; fits collective and singular contexts.
nation — Emphasizes ethnic or political identity as a unified group.
community — Highlights shared belonging; good for social or covenant contexts.
population — Neutral, demographic tone; useful for census or mass-movement passages.
folk — Informal, grassroots feel; suits ordinary or rural settings.
crowd — Best for gathered assemblies rather than an ongoing social group.

BDB6144 H5971 H5993

BDB6143 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6145

I. עַם, עָם1840 noun masculineGen 11:6 (see below) people (Late Hebrew id., plebeian, common man; ᵑ7 עַמָּא people, plural peoples, tribes, etc.; Syriac ; Arabic see above; original meaning probably those united, connected, related, compare WeGGN 1893, 480); — absolute עַם Gen 11:6 +, עָם Judg 9:36 +, הָעָם Josh 8:11 +; construct עַם Num 21:29 +; suffix עַמִּי Exod 3:7 +, עַמְּךָ Exod 22:27 +, etc.; plural עַמִּים Isa 2:3 +, עֲמָמִים (compare Biblical Aramaic) Neh 9:22 construct עַמֵּי 1Kgs 8:43 +, עַמְמֵי Neh 9:24 plural with suffix see II. עַם; — (Thes cites following as feminine וְחָטָאת עַמֶּ֑ךָ Exod 5:16 [but corrupt and unintellig.; read perhaps ׳וְחַטָאתָ לְע, so ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Di]; Judg 18:7 [but ישֶׁבֶת must agree with lost word city, or the like, see GFM]; Jer 8:5 [but read שׁוֺבַב for שׁוֺבְבָה Gie]); —

1. a people, nation (sometimes || גּוֺי), collective noun (singular Exod 21:8; Josh 17:14; Josh 17:15; Josh 17:17; 2Sam 17:29 + often, or plural Exod 20:15; Exod 24:2; Jer 5:31 + often, or both in same clause Exod 1:20; 2Sam 13:24): עַם אֶחָד = all mankind Gen 11:6 (J); peoples in general Gen 27:29 (J; || לְאֻמִּים), Exod 19:5 (E), Deut 2:25; Deut 4:6 + often Deuteronomy; Neh 13:24 + often; קְהַל עַמִּים Gen 28:3 (P) an assembly (multitude) of peoples, Gen 48:4 (P), Ezek 23:24; Ezek 32:3 (+ רַבִּים); one's own people Jer 46:16; Ps 45:11; Ruth 1:10; Ruth 1:15; Ruth 1:16 (twice in verse) + (on עַמִּי נָדִיב Song 6:12 see especially Bu); particular peoples, Egypt Gen 41:40 (E), Exod 1:22 (E), Neh 9:10 +; עַםאֲֿרָם Amos 1:5 עַםכְּֿמוֺשׁ (i.e. Moab) Num 21:29 (JE), Jer 48:46 but especially Israel Exod 1:20 (E) + often; ׳עַםבְּֿנֵי יִשׂ vExod 1:9 (J); called יהוה ׳ע Num 11:29 (E), 1Sam 2:24 +, and (by ׳י) עַמִּי Exod 3:7; Exod 5:1 (J) + often (all periods); קְהַל עַםהָֿאֱלֹהִים Judg 20:2, עַםהַֿקָּהָל Lev 16:33 (P), קְהַל עָם Ps 107:32 especially הָעָם הַזֶּה (often in contempt or disgust) Num 11:1; Num 11:12; Num 11:13 +; figurative of ants Prov 30:25, the shaphan vProv 30:26, locusts Joel 2:2, compare לְעַם לְצִיִּים Ps 74:14 (where read לְעַם צִיִּים Hup-Now). — On Judg 1:16 see עֲמָלֵקִי.
2. = smaller units, e.g.
  a. inhabitants of a city Gen 19:4 (J), 1Sam 9:12; 1Sam 9:13; Jer 29:16; Jer 29:25; 2Chr 31:4 + (Jer 8:5 strike out ׳יְרוּוּשׁ ᵐ5 Gie Co Rothst).
  b. inhabitants of a locality Jer 37:12 [apparently not = tribe, Deut 33:3 read עַמּוֺ ᵐ5 Di Dr, Hos 10:14; Judg 5:8; Judg 5:14 read בְּעָרֶיךָ We Now; see below ד].
  c. retainers, followers Gen 14:16; Gen 32:8; Gen 33:15; Gen 35:6; Judg 3:18; Judg 8:5; 2Sam 15:17; Jer 41:13; Jer 41:14 +.
  d. people bearing arms 1Sam 11:11; 1Kgs 20:10 +; כָּבֵד ׳ע Num 20:20 (JE), i.e. a powerful force; עַם הַצָּבָא Num 31:32 (P), הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳ע Josh 8:1; Josh 8:3; Josh 8:11; Josh 10:7; Josh 11:7 (all J E); so probably Judg 5:8 a (fighting) band; perhaps also vJudg 5:14 (read singular ? see GFM Bu).
3. = common people Jer 21:7; Jer 22:4; Lev 4:27 (opposed to ruler vLev 4:22), Neh 5:1 (opposed to יְהוּדִים), Neh 7:5 (opposed to rulers).
4. people in general, persons Gen 50:20 (E), so apparently ׳כָּלהָֿעָם אֲשֶׁר וגו Exod 33:16 (J), Num 11:34 (J), Josh 5:5 (twice in verse) (D), Judg 9:36 (as singular), vJudg 9:37 (as plural), Jer 36:9 persons labouring 1Kgs 9:23 superior persons Job 12:2 (iron.); עַם עוֺלָם Ezek 26:30 people of long ago (now in Sh®°ôl).
5. phrases are:
  a. (עַמָּהּ, עַמִּי, עַמְּךָ) בְּנֵי עַמּוֺ members of one's people, compatriots, fellow-countrymen, etc. Num 22:5 (E), Gen 23:11 (P) Lev 19:18 (H), Judg 14:16; Judg 14:17; Ezek 33:2; Ezek 33:12 +.
  b. בְּנֵי הָעָם = common people (see 3) 2Kgs 23:6; Jer 26:23 +; people in general שַׁעַר בְּנֵי הָעָם Jer 17:19 i.e. public gate 2Chr 35:5; 2Chr 35:12.
  c. עַם הָאָרֶץ the people at large, as a body 2Kgs 11:14; 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 11:19; 2Kgs 11:20; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 21:24 (twice in verse) +, Jer 37:2; Jer 44:21; Lev 20:2 (H), Gen 23:7; Gen 23:12; Gen 23:13 (P); common people Jer 34:19, compare ׳הא ׳דַּלַּת ע 2Kgs 24:14 distinguished from prince Ezek 45:22; Ezek 46:3; Ezek 46:9, from priests Hag 2:4; Zech 7:5 = Canaanites Num 14:9 (JE), compare עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ 1Chr 5:25 mixed post-exile population Ezra 4:4.
  d. עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ usually peoples of the earth Josh 4:24 (D), 2Chr 32:19 +; of heathen peoples about and in Palestine after exile Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:11 traders Neh 10:31 עַמֵּי הָאֲרָצוֺת Neh 9:30; Neh 10:29; 2Chr 32:13.
  e. מִשְׁפְּחוֺת עַמִּים Ps 96:7 = 1Chr 16:28 (compare Ps 22:28). feminine בַּתעַֿמִּי = people personified Isa 22:4; Jer 4:11 + 7 t. Jeremiah + Jer 6:14 (van d. H.; omit בַּת Baer Gi), Lam 2:11; Lam 3:48; Lam 4:3; Lam 4:6; Lam 4:10 בְּתוּלַת בַּתעַֿמִּי Jer 14:17.
  g. designations of Israel are: עַםקָֿרוֺשׁ Deut 7:6 + 3 t., קְדוֺשִׁים ׳ע Dan 8:24, (ה)קֹדֶשׁ ׳ע Isa 62:12; Isa 63:18; Dan 12:7 סְגֻלָּה ׳ע Deut 7:6; Deut 14:2; Deut 26:18.
  h. of foreign (non-Israel) peoples: ׳ע נָכְרִי Exod 21:8 (E), אַחֵר ׳ע Deut 28:32, and especially from language, עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה ׳ע Ezek 3:5 compare vEzek 3:6, כִּלְשׁוֺן עַם וָעָם Neh 13:24 compare Esth 1:22 (twice in verse); Esth 3:12, לֹעֵג ׳ע Ps 114:1.
  i. עַם עֶבְרָתִי Isa 10:6, חֶרְמִי ׳ע Isa 34:11, מִֿבְחָרָיו׳ע Dan 11:15, עַמֵּי תּוֺעֵבוֺת הָאֵלֶּה Ezra 9:14 לֹא עַם בִּינוֺת Isa 27:11. — For עַםעֿוֺלָם Isa 44:7 read (אֹתִיּוֺת) (מִי הִשְׁמִי)עַ מֵעוֺלָם Oort Du Kit CheHpt compare PerlesAnal. 40, 64.

BDB6147 H5971

BDB6146 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6148

II. [עַם] noun [masculine] kinsman

**later development of I. עַם RSK 58; 2nd ed. 72. (on father's side) (Arabic paternal uncle, etc., see I. עמם; compare perhaps Tel Amarna ammu, kinsmen (?); on Nabataean עם ancestor compare Lzb151, 499; see also especially NesEg 187, ZAW xvi (1896), 322f. Krenkelib. viii (1888), 280-84); — suffix עַמִּי in בֶּןעַֿמִּי (q. v.), and proper name following; elsewhere plural suffix עַמֶּיךָ Num 27:13; Num 31:2 (Lev 19:16 read עַמְּךָ ᵐ5 ⅏), + (possibly) עֲמָָמֶיךָ Judg 5:14 עַמָּיו Gen 25:8 + 15 t., עַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:14 + 3 t.; read עַמֶּי (for ᵑ0 עַמִּי, I. עַם; compare Krenkell.c. 281) Gen 49:29 and perhaps Judg 14:3 (compare Lev 21:14); according to Buhl Kit also 2Kgs 4:13 — father's kinsmen: וַיֵּאָסֵף אֶלעַֿמָּיו Gen 25:8 (of joining kinsmen in Sh®°ôl), so vGen 25:17; Gen 35:29; Gen 49:33; Num 20:24; Deut 32:50, compare Gen 49:29 (see above), Num 27:13; Num 31:2; Deut 32:50 (all P); וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ מֵעַמֶּיהָ Gen 17:4 (severed from living kinsmen), so Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:23; Lev 7:27; Lev 19:8; Lev 23:29; Num 9:13, מִקֶּרֶב עַמֶּיהָ Exod 31:14, compare Exod 30:33; Exod 30:38; Lev 17:9 (all PH); מֵעַמָּיו יִקַּח אִשָּׁה Lev 21:14 (H), and perhaps Judg 14:3 (simile I. עַם: [םָ֯, הָּ֯] מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֺ Lev 17:4; Lev 17:10; Lev 18:29+); other combinations Judg 5:14 (si vera lectio read perhaps בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ, see I. עַם 2 d ), Lev 21:1; Lev 21:4; Lev 21:15 (H), Ezek 18:18 and (perhaps) 2Kgs 4:13. — בֶּןעַֿמִּי perhaps = son of my kinsman; on proper name with עַם see GrayProp. N. 41 ff.

BDB9776 H5971 H5972

BDB9775 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9777

עַם noun masculineEzra 6:12 people (see Biblical Hebrew I. עמם, עַם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 2:44; Dan 3:29; Ezra 6:12, construct Dan 7:27 emphatic עַמָּה Ezra 5:12, עַמָּא Ezra 7:13; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 7:25 plural emphatic עַמֲמַיָּא (K§§ 15d); 55, 5 a)) Dan 3:4; Dan 3:7 (twice in verse); Dan 3:31; Dan 5:19; Dan 6:26; Dan 7:14.

people, nations, nation, peoples, folk, …
ʿam
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • nation, people
    • people, nation
      • "persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
    kinsman, kindred

לְ הֵ֖חַלּֽ וֹ
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
הֵ֖חַלּֽ
Root word began, profane, profaned, polluted, begin, …
וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: חָלַל · haw-LAHL

Verb — Niphal, Infinitive Construct, construct state passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: to profane himself
began ×19 begin ×4 profane ×4 and began ×3 be polluted ×3 he began ×3 and have profaned ×2 break ×2
More options
begin — Core meaning; use for temporal/sequential start of action.
desecrate — Stronger than 'profane'; ideal for sacred-space violations.
profane — Modernized KJV; good for treating holy things as common.
pollute — Emphasizes contamination of what is holy or pure.
defile — Ritual or moral corruption; fits purity-law contexts.
violate — Useful when a covenant, oath, or boundary is broken.

BDB2777 H2490

BDB2776 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2778

I. חָלַל verb bore, pierce (Arabic perforate, pierce through, transfix, Ethiopic (hollow) read; Aramaic חֲלַל hollow out, חֲלִילָא pipe; adjective hollow, cave, sheath, etc.; Late Hebrew in derivatives חָלָל noun hollow, adjective slain, חָלִיל pipe); —

Qal Perfect לִבִּי חָלַל בְּקִרְבִּי my heart is pierced (wounded) within me Ps 109:22 (? literally one has pierced my heart; or read Pu`al חֻלַּל ?); Infinitive construct חַלּוֺתִי הִיא Ps 77:11 it is my piercing, my wound (my woe, my cross; so Ew Hi De Bae MV SS Köi. 341, but Hup Pe Bi Che read חֲלוֺתִי my sickness). Pi`el Participle plural (Baer) בְּיַד מְחַללֶי֑ךָ Ezek 28:9 in the hand of the ones wounding thee (Sm Co read מְחוֺלְלֶ֑ךָ). Pu`al Participle מְחֻלֲלֵי חֶרֶב pierced by the sword Ezek 32:26. Po`el Perfect 3 feminine singular חֹלֲלָה יָדוֺ נָחָשׁ בָּרִחַ Job 26:13 his hand pierced the fleeing serpent; Participle feminine מְחוֺלֶלֶת תַּנִּין Isa 51:9 who pierced the dragon. Po`al Participle מֲחֹלָל מִפְּשָׁעֵינוּ Isa 53:5 pierced, wounded because of our transgressions (of the servant of ׳י, || מְדֻכָּא מֵעֲוֺנֹתֵינוּ).

BDB2782 H2490

BDB2781 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2783

II. [חלל] verb denominative play the pipe, pipe —

Qal Participle plural וְשָׁרִים כְּחֹלֲלִים Ps 87:7 as well the singers as the pipe-players, compare AV; < RV Pe De Che Bae and others Polel Participle from 1. חוּל dancers. Pi`el Participle וְהָעָם מְחַלְּלִים בַּחֲלִלִים 1Kgs 1:40 and the people piped with pipes (compare Assyrian —âlalu, according to D1 in ZimBP 117).

BDB2784 H2490

BDB2783 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2785

III. [חָלַל] verb pollute, defile, profane; Hiph`il also begin (literally untie, loosen, open, see Arabic) (Arabic untie, undo, become free, lawful, free from obligation or tie; IV. make lawful; x. esteem lawful or free, profane, desecrate, violate; Late Hebrew חלל be profane, desecrated (also Pi`el Hiph`il transitive), compare Aramaic חֲלַל Pa`el is purify, Aph`el is profane) —

Niph`al Perfect נִחָ֑ל Ezek 25:3, נִחַלְתְּ (תִּי- Co) Ezek 22:16, נִחֲלוּ Ezek 7:24 Imperfect יֵחָ֑ל Isa 48:11, תֵּחֵל Lev 21:9, וָאֵחַל Ezek 22:26 Infinitive הֵחֵל Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22, suffix לְהֵחַלּוֺ Lev 21:4. —
1. reflex. pollute, defile oneself
  a. ritually, by contact with dead || טמא, Lev 21:4 (H).
  b. sexually || זנה Lev 21:9 (H).
2. Pass., be polluted, defiled, of holy places Ezek 7:24; Ezek 25:3, name of God Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Isa 48:11 and even God himself Ezek 22:16; Ezek 22:26. Pi`el Perfect חִלֵּל Lev 19:8 + 3 t.; suffix חִלִּלוֺ Deut 20:6 2 masculine singular חִלַּלְתָּ Gen 49:4 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular חִלָּ֑֔לְתְּ Ezek 22:8 3 plural suffix חִלְּלוּהֻ֯ Ezek 7:21 etc., + 16 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְחַלֵּל Lev 21:12; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23 suffix יְחַלְּלֶנּוּ Deut 20:6 plural יְחַלְּלוּ Lev 21:6 + 4 t., יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ Ps 89:32 etc., + 13 t. Imperfect; Infinitive חַלֵּל Amos 2:7 + 4 t.; חַלְּלוֺ Ezek 23:39 + 4 t.; חַלְּלָם Jer 16:18 Participle מְחַלֵּל Ezek 24:21 plural מְחַלְּלִים Mal 1:12; Neh 13:17 suffix מְחַלֲלֶיהָ Exod 31:14 feminine מְחַלֶּלֶת Lev 21:9 —
1. defile, pollute:
  a. sexually, Gen 49:4 (poem) = 1Chr 5:1 (the father's bed); a woman = זנה Lev 19:29; Lev 21:9 (H); זַרְעוֺ Lev 21:15 (H).
  b. ceremonially, profane, the altar by a tool Exod 20:25 (JE); sacred places Lev 21:12; Lev 21:23 (H), Ezek 7:21; Ezek 7:22 (twice in verse); Ezek 23:39; Ezek 24:21; Ezek 44:7; Zeph 3:4; Mal 2:11; Ps 74:7; Dan 11:31 the holy land Jer 16:18 sacred things Lev 19:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:15 (H) Num 18:32 (P) Ezek 22:26 the sabbath Exod 31:14 (P), Isa 56:2; Isa 56:6; Ezek 20:13; Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:21; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 22:8; Ezek 23:38; Neh 13:17; Neh 13:18 and so the sanctity of the prince of Tyre who made himself God, and his holy places, Ezek 28:7; Ezek 28:16; Ezek 28:18.
  c. the name of God Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 20:3; Lev 21:6; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:32 (all H), Amos 2:7; Jer 34:16; Ezek 20:39; Ezek 36:20; Ezek 36:21; Ezek 36:22; Ezek 36:23; Mal 1:12, God himself Ezek 13:19.
  d. ׳י defiles or profanes his inheritance by giving it over to Babylon Isa 47:6 the princes of the sanctuary by giving them to Chaldeans Isa 43:28.
2. violate the honour of, dishonour, ׳י subject crown of Davidic kingdom Ps 89:40 (followed by לארץ pregnantly), kingdom of Judah Lam 2:2 the גאון בל צבי Isa 23:9.
3. violate a covenant Ps 55:21; Ps 89:35; Mal 2:10, the חקות of God Ps 89:32.
4. treat a vineyard as common (see חֹל) by beginning to use its fruit Deut 20:6 (twice in verse); Deut 28:30; Jer 31:5 (see the law Lev 19:23-25, H). Pu`al Participle בַּגּוֺיִם שְׁמִי הַגָּדוֺל הַמְֿחֻלָּל Ezek 36:23 my great name which is profaned among the nations.
Hiph`il 1. a. Imperfect אֶתשֶֿׁםקָֿדְשִׁי עוֺד לֹא אַחֵל Ezek 39:7 I will not let my holy name be profaned any more.
  b. לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֺ he shall not violate his word Num 30:3 (P).
2. begin, Perfect הֵחֵל Gen 6:1 + 15 t., הֵ֫חֵלָּה Judg 20:40, הַחִלּוֺתָ Deut 3:24; Esth 6:13, הַחִלֹּתִי Deut 2:31; 1Sam 22:15, הֵחֵ֫לּוּ Ezra 3:6 + 6 t.; Imperfect יָחֵל Judg 10:18; Judg 13:5, וַיָּ֫חֶל Gen 9:20 + 5 t., 3 feminine singular וַ֫תָּחֶל Judg 13:25; Judg 16:19, 2 masculine singular תָּחֵל Deut 16:9, אָחֵל Deut 2:25; Josh 3:7, וַיָּחֵ֫לּוּ Judg 20:31 + 3 t., וַתְּחִלֶּינָה Gen 41:54, תָּחֵ֫לּוּ Ezek 9:6 Imperative הָחֵל Deut 2:24; Deut 2:31 Infinitive construct הָחֵל 1Sam 3:12 + 2 t.; suffix הַחִלָּם Gen 11:6 Participle מֵחַל Jer 25:29 — begin, Num 17:11; Num 17:12 (P) Deut 16:9; 2Chr 29:27 (twice in verse); so 2Sam 24:15 ᵐ5 We Dr (ᵐ5 inserts וְהַמַּגֵּפָה הֵחֵ֫לָּה בָּעָם before וַיָּ֫מָת); with Infinitive (ל) begin to Gen 41:54 (E), Gen 6:1; Gen 10:8 = 1Chr 1:10; Gen 11:6; Num 25:1 (all J), Deut 2:25; Deut 2:31; Deut 3:24; Deut 16:9; Josh 3:7 (D), Judg 10:18; Judg 13:5; Judg 13:25; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:22; Judg 20:31; Judg 20:39; Judg 20:40; 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 14:35; 1Sam 22:15; 2Kgs 10:32; 2Kgs 15:37; 1Chr 27:24; 2Chr 3:1; 2Chr 3:2; 2Chr 29:17; 2Chr 31:7; 2Chr 31:10; 2Chr 31:21; 2Chr 34:3 (twice in verse); Ezra 3:6; Neh 4:1; Esth 6:13; Esth 9:23; Jer 25:29; Jonah 3:4 with ו consecutive Gen 9:20 (J), Ezra 3:8.; with בְּ begin with Gen 44:12 (J), Ezek 9:6; 2Chr 20:22 so 2Sam 24:5, read וַיָּחֵ֫לּוּ for וַיַּחֲנוּ ᵐ5L We Dr.; with מן begin from Ezek 9:6 הָחֵל רָשׁ begin! possess! Deut 2:24; Deut 2:31 הָחֵל וְכַלֵּה beginning and ending 1Sam 3:12 (i.e. accomplishing my full purpose, see Dr). Hoph`al Perfect ׳אָז הוּחַל לִקְראֹ בְּשֵׁם י then it was begun (= men began) to call on the name of ׳י Gen 4:26 (J).

Note. — וַיָּחֵלּוּ מְעַט מִמַּשָּׂא Hos 8:10 begin to be minished by reason of the burden RV Hi and others; Wü Now read וְיָחִלוּ (I. חול, חיל) — for omission of daghesh see also וְיָחֵלוּ of Babylonian Manuscript — shall be in anguish a little for the burden, so Ra AV; Ew וְיָחִלוּ that they may wait (?) a little; ᵐ5 וחדלו מעט ממשׁח cease a little from anointing, so Che We, this probably best.

began, profane, profaned, polluted, begin, …
ḥālal
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute)
  • to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin
    • (Niphal)
      • to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself
        • ritually
          • "sexually
        to be polluted, be defiled
      (Piel)
      • to profane, make common, defile, pollute
        • "to violate the honor of, dishonor"to violate (a covenant)"to treat as common
      (Pual) to profane (name of God)"(Hiphil)
      • to let be profaned
        • "to begin
      (Hophal) to be begun
    to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore
    • (Qal) to pierce
      • "(Pual) to be slain"(Poel) to wound, pierce"(Poal) to be wounded
    (Piel) to play the flute or pipe

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
לֹ֥א יִטַּמָּ֖א Tipeha — a lesser break בַּ֣עַל בְּעַמָּ֑יו Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here לְהֵ֖חַלּֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse

לֹא יִטַּמָּא בַּעַל בְּעַמָּיו לְהֵחַלּֽוֹ׃
4
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Cross References

Ezekiel 24:16

בֶּן-אָדָם הִנְנִי לֹקֵחַ מִמְּךָ אֶת-מַחְמַד עֵינֶיךָ בְּמַגֵּפָה וְלֹא תִסְפֹּד וְלֹא תִבְכֶּה וְלוֹא תָבוֹא דִּמְעָתֶֽךָ׃
16
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Leviticus 21:3
Read Leviticus 21
Leviticus 21:5