Obadiah 1:6

אֵ֚יךְ נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ עֵשָׂ֔ו נִבְע֖וּ מַצְפֻּנָֽיו
How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אֵ֚יךְ
אֵ֚יךְ
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: אֵיךְ · ake

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: how
how ×58 and how ×4 him how ×4 me how ×2 where ×2 but how ×1 i how ×1 in them how ×1
More options
how — Most natural default; fits nearly all contexts.
in what way — Emphasizes manner or method; slightly more formal.
where — Use when context implies location rather than manner.
why — Suits rhetorical or lament contexts, e.g. 'how/why has this happened'.
what — Use when the question targets identity or nature of something.

BDB362 H349

BDB361 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB363

אֵיךְ59 (Aramaic אֵיךְ, [pronounced âch]) adverb 1. interrogative How? Gen 26:9; 2Sam 1:5; 2Sam 1:14; 1Kgs 12:6; Isa 20:6 and elsewhere; often with imperfect (especially in 1 person) in an expostulation Gen 39:9; Gen 44:8; Gen 44:34; Josh 9:7; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 12:18; Ps 137:4; Isa 48:11 for howshould it be profaned ? איך תאמר(וׅ how canst or dost thou (do you) say . . . ? Judg 16:15; Isa 19:11; Jer 2:23 (compare Jer 8:8 אֵיכָה) Jer 48:14; Ps 11:1 in an indirect sentence 2Kgs 17:28; Jer 36:17; Ruth 3:18.

2. as an exclamation How! whether of lamentation 2Sam 1:19; Jer 2:21; Jer 9:18; Mic 2:4 or of satisfaction Isa 14:4; Isa 14:12; Jer 48:39; Jer 51:41; Obad 1:5 and elsewhere; with intensive force = how gladly! Jer 3:19, how terribly! Jer 9:6 (but others render here 'for how [else] should I do'? etc.)
**Hos 11:8 according to Hi Ke We Marti and others.

BDB363 H349 H351

BDB362 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB364

אֵיכָה (from אַי and כָּה = כֹּה; compare Assyrian ekiam) adverb 1. interrogative In what manner? τίνι τρόπῳ; (rather more definite than אֵיח = πῶς); Deut 1:12; Deut 7:17; Deut 12:30; Deut 18:21; Deut 32:30; Judg 20:3 (indirect sentence) 2Kgs 6:15; Jer 8:8; Ps 73:11.

2. exclamation How! (slightly more emphatic than אֵיח) Isa 1:21; Jer 48:17; Lam 1:1; Lam 2:1; Lam 4:1; Lam 4:2.
3. Where? (properly north-Israel; compare Aramaic אֵיכָא, where ? compare DrIntr. 178, 421) only 2Kgs 6:13 Kt Song 1:7 (twice in verse), — each time in an indirect sentence.

BDB365 H349

BDB364 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB366

אֵיכָ֫כָה (Canticles) ֵ˜איכָכָ֫ה (Esther) (from אַי & כָּ֫כָה thus) How? only Song 5:3 (twice in verse); Esth 8:6 (twice in verse).

how, where, what
ʾêk
how? or how!; also where
  • (interrog adv) how?
    • "(interj) how! (in lamentation)"expression of satisfaction

נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ
נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ
Root word search, disguised, disguise, out, searched, …
Dictionary form: חָפַשׂ · haw-PAHS

Verb — Niphal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: searched out
disguised himself ×4 i will disguise myself ×2 that i will search ×2 a diligent ×1 and disguised himself ×1 and he searched ×1 and he searched is ×1 and searchest ×1
More options
search — Core sense; use for thorough, deliberate investigation.
disguise — Use when concealing identity is the central idea.
investigate — Slightly formal; suits legal or official inquiry contexts.
examine — Good for careful, methodical scrutiny of a person or place.
conceal — Use when emphasis is on hiding rather than active disguising.
probe — Vivid choice for deep, persistent searching or inquiry.

BDB3020 H2664

BDB3019 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3021

[חָפַשׂ] verb search (ᵑ7Jer חֲפַס dig, seek; Palestinian, Syriac dig (Schw); perhaps Assyrian êppêšu, êtpêšu, sensible, LyonSargontexte 65) —

Qal Imperfect 2 masculine singular suffix תַּחְפְּשֶׂ֫נָּה Prov 2:4 יַחְפְּשׂוּ Ps 64:7 נַחְפְּשָׂה Lam 3:40 Participle חֹפֵשׂ Prov 20:27 — search, search out, figurative;
1. search for, object בִּינָה etc. Prov 2:4 (|| בקשׁ).
2. = think out, devise, with accusative עולות unjust acts Ps 64:7 (compare also sub. Pu`al)
3. search = test, Lam 3:40 (object דרכינו; || חקר), Prov 20:27. Niph`al Perfect נַחְפְּשׁוּ Obad 1:6 subject עֵשָׂו collective; searched out = exposed and plundered (|| נִבְעוּ מַצְפּוּנָיו). Pi`el Perfect וְחִפַּשְׂתִּ֫י 1Sam 23:23 וְחִפְּשׂוּ 1Kgs 20:6 Imperfect וַיְחַפֵּשׂ Gen 31:35 + 2 t.; אֲחַפֵּשׂ Amos 9:3; Zeph 1:12 Imperative חַפְּשׂוּ 2Kgs 10:23 —
1. search through, with accusative, a house 1Kgs 20:6, Jerusalem (metaphor) Zeph 1:12 no object expressed 2Kgs 10:23.
2. search for:
  a. a person with accusative 1Sam 23:23.
  b. a thing, with accusative Gen 44:12 (J; Joseph searching for his cup); Gen 31:35 (E; no object expressed, Laban looking for his teraphim); Amos 9:3 (׳י searching for evildoers), Ps 77:7 (soul searching to understand ׳י's dealings with his servants). Pu`al Imperfect יְחֻפַּשׂ Prov 28:12 be searched for = be hidden; Participle מְחֻפָּשׂ Ps 64:7 in ׳חֵפֶשׂ מ = a searched out search, i.e. a device well thought out (compare Che; || Qal q. v.); see also חֵ֫פֶשׂ. Hithpa`el Perfect הִתְחַפֵּשׂ 2Chr 35:22 (but ᵐ5 הִתְחַזֵּק, compare also ᵑ9 ᵑ6 3 Esdr 1:26; so Be Öttli); Imperfect יִתְחַפֵּשׂ Job 30:18 וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ 1Sam 28:8 + 3 t.; Infinitive absolute הִתְחַפֵּשׂ 1Kgs 22:30 = 2Chr 18:29 — disguise oneself (literally let oneself be searched for) 1Sam 28:8; 1Kgs 22:30 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 18:29 (twice in verse), 2Chr 35:22 (but see above), all of disguise by change of garments; 1Kgs 20:38 באפר i.e. with headgear over eyes; subject לבושׂ Job 30:18, i.e. his garment is disguised, no longer looks like the mantle it is.

search, disguised, disguise, out, searched, …
ḥāpaś
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
  • to search, search for, to search out, disguise oneself
    • (Qal)
      • to search for
        • "to think out, devise"to search, test
      (Niphal) to be searched out, be exposed"(Piel) to search, search through, search for"(Pual) to be searched for, be sought out"(Hithpael)
      • to disguise oneself
        • "to let oneself be searched for

עֵשָׂ֔ו
עֵשָׂ֔ו
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Are the things of esau")
Dictionary form: עֵשָׂו · ay-SAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: are the things of esau
esau ×55 of esau ×17 esaus ×11 unto esau ×3 to esau ×2 am esau ×1 and esau ×1 and esaus ×1
More options
Esau — Standard modern spelling of the proper name.
Esau's — Possessive form; use for genitive constructions.
Edom — Alternate name for Esau; useful when text equates the two.

BDB6437 H6215

BDB6436 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6438

עֵשָׂו97 proper name, masculine Esau, Ησαυ; — Esau, elder son of Isaac Gen 25:25; Gen 25:26 + 7 t. 25, Gen 26:34; Gen 27:1 + 24 t. Gen 27:27; Gen 27:28, Gen 32:4 + 15 t. Gen 32:32; Gen 32:33; Gen 32:35, Josh 24:4 (twice in verse); Mal 1:2; Mal 1:3; 1Chr 1:34 identification with אֱדוֺם Gen 36:1; Gen 36:8; Gen 36:19, ancestor of Edomites vGen 36:9 vGen 36:43, compare 1Chr 1:35 dwelling in Mt. Seir Gen 36:8 (25 t. in all, Gen 36) Deut 2:5; Josh 24:4 בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו = Edomites Deut 2:4; Deut 2:8; Deut 2:12; Deut 2:22; Deut 2:29 עֵשָׂו = Edom Jer 49:8; Obad 1:6, בֵּית עֵשָׂו vJer 49:18 vJer 49:18, הַר עֵשָׂו vJer 49:18 vJer 49:9 vJer 49:19 vJer 49:21.

esau, esaus
ʿēśāw
hairy
Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity
  • eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples

נִבְע֖וּ
נִבְע֖וּ
Root word inquire, out, up, boil
Dictionary form: בָּעָה · baw-AW

Verb — Niphal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: sought up
inquire ×1 sought up ×1 swelling out ×1 to boil ×1 ye will inquire ×1
More options
inquire — Best for seeking information or asking a question.
seek out — Emphasizes active searching; replaces KJV 'sought up'.
boil up — Physical sense of liquid bubbling or surging upward.
swell — For imagery of something rising or bulging outward.
ask — Simpler, more casual register than 'inquire'.
bubble up — Vivid, contemporary alternative for the boiling/erupting sense.

BDB1207 H1158

BDB1206 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1208

[בָּעָה] verb inquire, cause to swell or boil up (Late Hebrew id; Arabic seek, suppurate, swell; Aramaic בְּעָא, seek) —

Qal Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּבְעֶה Isa 64:1 2 masculine plural תִּבְעָיוּן Isa 21:12 Imperative בְּעָיוּ Isa 21:12 —
  a. of rising desire, seek, inquire, absolute, of inquiring of prophet Isa 21:12 (twice in verse).
2. cause to boil up, אֵֿשׁ׳מַיִם תִּב Isa 64:1 (but gloss Che). Niph`al Perfect נִבְעוּ Obad 1:6 searched out (|| נֶחְפְּשׂוּ); Participle נִבְעֶה Isa 30:13 swelling, swelling out (of decaying wall; Di swelling, enlarging, of crack in wall).

BDB9381 H1156 H1158

BDB9380 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9382

בְּעָא verb ask, seek, only Daniel (Biblical Hebrew בעה (rare)); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ב Dan 2:16; Dan 2:49 3 masculine plural בְּעוֺ vDan 2:13 1 plural בְּעֵ֫ינָא vDan 2:23 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִבְעֵא Dan 6:8; Dan 6:13 1 singular אֶבְעֵאֿ Dan 7:16 Infinitive לְמִבְעֵא Dan 2:18 Participle בָּעֵא Dan 6:12; Dan 6:14, plural בָּעַ֫יִן v.Dan 6:5 —
1. ask, request, with מִן person Dan 2:16 (object clause with דִּי), vDan 2:49; Dan 7:16 (+ accusative of thing); ask of God Dan 2:23 (+ id.), of God or man Dan 6:8 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), v.Dan 6:13 with מִןקֳֿדָם of God Dan 2:18 (accusative of thing); = pray, ׳וּמִתְחַנֵּקֳדָם א ׳ב Dan 6:12, ׳ב v.Dan 6:14.
2. seek, accusative of person Dan 2:13, accusative of thing Dan 6:5. Pa`el Imperfect 3 masculine plural יְבַעוֺן (K§ 47, 3); Mon the passage conjecture יִבְעוֺן) Dan 4:33 resort (for favours) to, ל person

inquire, out, up, boil
bāʿâ
to gush over, i.e., to swell; (figuratively) to desire earnestly; by implication to ask
  • to seek out, swell, cause to swell, boil up, enquire
    • (Qal)
      • to seek, enquire
        • "to cause to boil up
      (Niphal)
      • to be searched out
        • "to be swelling, bulging, swelling out

מַצְפֻּנָֽי ו
מַצְפֻּנָֽי
Root word hidden
ו
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: מִצְפֻּן · mits-POON

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

In the KJV here: how are his hidden things
how are his hidden things ×1
More options
hidden thing — Most direct rendering; suits narrative or poetic contexts.
secret — Natural modern word for something deliberately concealed.
hidden treasure — Prefer when context implies stored or valued concealment.
mystery — Use when emphasis is on the unknowable or inscrutable nature.
concealed thing — More literal; good for legal or formal register.

BDB7198 H4710

BDB7197 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7199

[מַצְפּוֺן] noun [masculine] hidden treasure, treasure; — suffix מַצְפּוּנָיו Obad 1:6 his treasures.

hidden
miṣpun
a secret (place or thing, perhaps, treasure)
  • hidden treasure, treasure

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
אֵ֚יךְ Yetiv — a lesser break נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ עֵשָׂ֔ו Zaqef Qatan — a strong break נִבְע֖וּ Tipeha — a lesser break מַצְפֻּנָֽיו Silluq — end of the verse

אֵיךְ נֶחְפְּשׂוּ עֵשָׂו נִבְעוּ מַצְפֻּנָֽיו׃
6
How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
Cross References

Jeremiah 49:10

כִּֽי-אֲנִי חָשַׂפְתִּי אֶת-עֵשָׂו גִּלֵּיתִי אֶת-מִסְתָּרָיו וְנֶחְבָּה לֹא יוּכָל שֻׁדַּד זַרְעוֹ וְאֶחָיו וּשְׁכֵנָיו וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃
10
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

Psalms 139:1

יְהוָה חֲקַרְתַּנִי וַתֵּדָֽע׃
1
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Isaiah 45:3

וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ אוֹצְרוֹת חֹשֶׁךְ וּמַטְמֻנֵי מִסְתָּרִים לְמַעַן תֵּדַע כִּֽי-אֲנִי יְהוָה הַקּוֹרֵא בְשִׁמְךָ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Matthew 6:19

Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσιν καὶ κλέπτουσιν·
19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Isaiah 10:13

כִּי אָמַר בְּכֹחַ יָדִי עָשִׂיתִי וּבְחָכְמָתִי כִּי נְבֻנוֹתִי וְאָסִיר׀ גְּבוּלֹת עַמִּים ‫(ועתידתיהם)‬ וַעֲתוּדֽוֹתֵיהֶם שׁוֹשֵׂתִי וְאוֹרִיד כַּאבִּיר יוֹשְׁבִֽים׃
13
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:

Daniel 2:22

הוּא גָּלֵא עַמִּיקָתָא וּמְסַתְּרָתָא יָדַע מָה בַחֲשׁוֹכָא וּנְהיֹרָא עִמֵּהּ שְׁרֵֽא׃
22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Jeremiah 50:37

חֶרֶב אֶל-סוּסָיו וְאֶל-רִכְבּוֹ וְאֶל-כָּל-הָעֶרֶב אֲשֶׁר בְּתוֹכָהּ וְהָיוּ לְנָשִׁים חֶרֶב אֶל-אוֹצְרֹתֶיהָ וּבֻזָּֽזוּ׃
37
A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
Obadiah 1:5
Read Obadiah 1
Obadiah 1:7