Proverbs 20:28

חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Connections

Proverbs 16:12

תּוֹעֲבַת מְלָכִים עֲשׂוֹת רֶשַׁע כִּי בִצְדָקָה יִכּוֹן כִּסֵּֽא׃
12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 29:14

מֶלֶךְ שׁוֹפֵט בֶּֽאֱמֶת דַּלִּים כִּסְאוֹ לָעַד יִכּֽוֹן׃
14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Psalms 101:1

חֶֽסֶד-וּמִשְׁפָּט אָשִׁירָה לְךָ יְהוָה אֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃
1
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

Psalms 26:1

שָׁפְטֵנִי יְהוָה כִּֽי-אֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי הָלַכְתִּי וּבַיהוָה בָּטַחְתִּי לֹא אֶמְעָֽד׃
1
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

Proverbs 16:6

בְּחֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת יְכֻפַּר עָוֹן וּבְיִרְאַת יְהוָה סוּר מֵרָֽע׃
6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Isaiah 16:5

וְהוּכַן בַּחֶסֶד כִּסֵּא וְיָשַׁב עָלָיו בֶּאֱמֶת בְּאֹהֶל דָּוִד שֹׁפֵט וְדֹרֵשׁ מִשְׁפָּט וּמְהִר צֶֽדֶק׃
5
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

Psalms 21:7

כִּֽי-הַמֶּלֶךְ בֹּטֵחַ בַּיהוָה וּבְחֶסֶד עֶלְיוֹן בַּל-יִמּֽוֹט׃
7
For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Psalms 61:7

יֵשֵׁב עוֹלָם לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת מַן יִנְצְרֻֽהוּ׃
7
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
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Proverbs 20:28
Masoretic Phrasing
This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת Dechi — a lesser break יִצְּרוּ מֶ֑לֶךְ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse
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Word Parts
חֶ֣סֶד
חֶ֣סֶד
Root word mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
Dictionary form: חֵסֵד · hay-SADE
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
חֶסֶד Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: mercy
his mercy ×45 mercy ×28 kindness ×21 thy lovingkindness ×8 and mercy ×7 thy mercy ×7 of thy mercy ×6 kindly ×5
More options
faithful love — Most scholarly modern default; captures covenant loyalty dimension.
steadfast love — Common in academic translations (RSV, NRSV); emphasizes reliability.
loving kindness — Two-word modernization of KJV compound; warm, devotional register.
mercy — Prefer when context stresses pardon or compassion over covenant.
kindness — Best for interpersonal, non-theological contexts (e.g. Ruth).
loyalty — Use when covenant obligation is the primary emphasis.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2965 H2617

BDB2964 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2966

חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine2Sam 16:17 goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen 24:12 + 85 t.; חָ֑סֶד Gen 39:21 + 12 t.; construct חֶסֶד 1Sam 20:14 + 8 t.; suffix חַסְדִּי Ps 59:18 + 120 t. suffixes; plural חֲסָדִים Gen 32:11 construct חַסֵדֵי Isa 55:3 + 5 t. (BaerJes p. 79 Ges«GKC:93»§ 93, R, 1. F.); suffix חֲסָדַי Neh 13:14 + 10t. suffixes; (not in H or P). I. of man:

1. kindness of men towards men, in doing favours and benefits 1Sam 20:15; 2Sam 16:17; Ps 141:5; Prov 19:22; Prov 20:6 יהוה ׳ח 1Sam 20:14 the kindness of ׳י (such as he shews, Thes MV; that sworn to by oath to Yahweh Mich Dathe; shewn out of reverence to Yahweh Th Ke); compare אלהים ׳ח 2Sam 9:3 ׳תּוֺרַתאח Prov 31:26 instruction in kindness, kindly instruction עָשָׂה חֶסֶד עִמָּדִי do or shew kindness (in dealing) with me Gen 20:13; Gen 40:14 (E), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 10:2 (עִמִּי in || 1Chr 19:2); with עִם Gen 21:23 (E), Gen 24:12; Gen 24:14; Josh 2:12 (twice in verse); Judg 1:24 (J), Judg 8:35; 1Sam 15:6; 1Sam 2:5; 1Sam 3:8; 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 9:3a = 1Chr 19:2a, 1Chr 19:2b 2Chr 24:22 with עַל 1Sam 20:8 with לְ 1Kgs 2:7 לפני ׳נשׂא ח obtain kindness before Esth 2:9; Esth 2:17 ׳היטיב ח Ruth 3:10.
2. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy Prov 20:28; Job 6:14 אישׁ חסד merciful man Prov 11:17 (opposed to אַכְזָרִי); ׳מַלְכֵּי ח merciful kings 1Kgs 20:31 ׳עשׂה ח Ps 109:16 in this sense usually with other attributes (see also below II.
2.); || אמת Hos 4:1; Isa 16:5 ואמת ׳ח Prov 3:3; Prov 14:22; Prov 16:6; Prov 20:28 ואמת ׳עשׂה ח Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Josh 2:14 (J; RV gives thse under 1); || צדקה Hos 10:12 ׳צדקה וח Prov 21:21 || משׁפט Mic 6:8 ומשׁפט ׳ח Hos 12:7 || חוֺנֵן Ps 109:12 ורחמים ׳ח Zech 7:9; Dan 1:9. — (On Hos 6:4; Hos 6:6 see 3 below)
3. (rarely) affection if Israel to ׳י love to God, piety: נְעוּרַיִךְ ׳ח Jer 2:2 priety of thy youth (|| love of thine espousals to Yahweh); possibly also חַסְדְּכֶם כַּעֲנַןבֹּֿקֶר Hos 6:4 your piety is like a morning cloud (fleeting), and כִּי חֶסֶד חָפַצְתִּי וְלאֹזָֿ֑בַח Hos 6:6 for piety I delight in and not in peace-offering (|| דעת אלהים, compare 1Sam 15:22); — so Wü Now Hi (1Sam 15:4) Che; Ke Hi (1Sam 15:6) al. below 2 (or 1); — נַנְשֵׁי חֶסֶד men of piety Isa 57:1 (|| צַדִּיק); plural pious acts 2Chr 32:32; 2Chr 35:26; Neh 13:14.
4. lovely appearance: כָּלחַֿסְדּוֺ כְּצִיץ הַשָֹּׁדֶה Isa 40:6 all its loveliness as the flower of the field (so Thes Hi De Che Di and others; but δόξα ᵐ5 1Pet 1:24 & gloria ᵑ9 favour an original reading הוֺדוֺ Lo or כְּבֹדוֺ Ew, see BrMP 375; Du הֲדָרוֺ). II. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescendig to the needs of his creatures. He is חַסְדָּם their goodness favour Jonah 2:9 חַסְדִּי Ps 144:2 אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי God of my kindness Ps 59:18 in vPs 59:11 read אֱלֹהַי חַסְדּוֺ my God with his kindness ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew Hup De Pe Che Bae; his is the kindness Ps 62:13 it is with him Ps 130:7 he delights in it Mic 7:18.
1. specifically lovingkindness:
  a. in redemption from enemies and troubles Gen 19:19; Gen 39:21 (J), Exod 15:13 (song), Jer 31:3; Ezra 7:28; Ezra 9:9; Ps 21:8; Ps 31:17; Ps 31:22; Ps 32:10; Ps 33:22; Ps 36:8; Ps 36:11; Ps 42:9; Ps 44:27; Ps 48:10; Ps 59:17; Ps 66:20; Ps 85:8; Ps 90:14; Ps 94:18; Ps 107:8; Ps 107:15; Ps 107:21; Ps 107:31; Ps 143:8; Ps 143:12; Job 37:13; Ruth 1:8; Ruth 2:20 men should trust in it Ps 13:6; Ps 52:10 rejoice in it Ps 31:8 hope in it Ps 33:18; Ps 147:11.
  b. in preservation of life from death Ps 6:5; Ps 86:13; Job 10:12.
  c. in quickening of spiritual life Ps 109:26; Ps 119:41; Ps 119:76; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:124; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:159.
  d. in redemption from sin Ps 25:7; Ps 51:3.
  e. in keeping the covenants, with Abraham Mic 7:20 with Moses and Israel שׁמר הַבְּרִית וְ(הַ)חֶסֶד keep-eth the covenant and the lovingkindness Deut 7:9; Deut 7:12; 1Kgs 8:23 = 2Chr 6:14; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4 with David and his dynasty 2Sam 7:15 = 1Chr 17:13; 2Sam 22:51 = Ps 18:51, 1Kgs 3:6 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 1:8; Ps 89:29; Ps 89:34 with the wife Zion Isa 54:10.
2. חֶסֶד is grouped with other divine attributes: חסד ואמת kindness (lovingkindness) and fidelity Gen 24:27 (J), Ps 25:10; Ps 41:11; Ps 40:12; Ps 57:4; Ps 61:8; Ps 85:11; Ps 89:15; Ps 115:1; Ps 138:2 ואמת עם ׳עשׂה ח 2Sam 2:6; 2Sam 15:20 (ᵐ5, see Dr); with אֶתֿ Gen 24:49 ואמת ׳רַב ח Exod 34:6 (JE), Ps 86:15 also || אמת Mic 7:20; Ps 26:3; Ps 117:2 || אֱמוּנָה Ps 88:12; Ps 89:3; Ps 92:3 ׳אמונה וח Ps 89:25 ואמונה ׳ח Ps 98:3 || רחמים Ps 77:9 ורחמים ׳ח Jer 16:5; Hos 2:21; Ps 103:4 ומשׁפט ׳ח Jer 9:23; Ps 101:1 || צדקה Ps 36:11 ׳טוב וח Ps 23:6.
3. the kindness of God is
  a. abundant: רַבחֶֿסֶד abundant, plenteous in kindness (goodness) Num 14:18 (J), Neh 9:17 (Qr), Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Ps 86:5; Ps 103:8 (compare Exod 34:6 J E; Ps 86:15); רֹב חַסְדְּךָ Neh 13:22; Ps 5:8; Ps 69:14; Ps 106:7 (ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Aq Targan, to be preferred to ᵑ0 חֲסָדֶיךָ); רֹב חֲסָדָו֯ Lam 3:32; Ps 106:45 (Kt ᵐ5 in both to be preferred).
  b. great in extent: ׳נֹּדֶל חִ greatness of thy mercy Num 14:19 (J); ׳נְּדָו֯וֺלחֿ Ps 145:8 it is kept for thousands Exod 34:7 (JE), Jer 32:18, especially of those connected with lovers of ׳י, Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10 for 1000 generations Deut 7:9 it is great as the heavens Ps 57:11; Ps 103:11, compare Ps 36:6; Ps 108:5 the earth is full of it Ps 33:5; Ps 119:64.
  c. everlasting: לעולם חסדוֺ Jer 33:11; 1Chr 16:34; 1Chr 16:41; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Ps 100:5; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3; Ps 118:4; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 (26 t.); חסדךָ לעולם Ps 138:8 מעולם ׳ח ועד עולם Ps 103:17 עולם ׳ח Isa 54:8 אל כּל ׳ח היום Ps 52:3.
  d. good: כִּיטֿוֺב חַסְדְּךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 כי טוב חסדךָ מחיים Ps 63:4.
4. plural mercies, deeds of kindness, the historic displays of lovingkindness to Israel: shewn to Jacob Gen 32:11 (R); but mostly late Isa 63:7; Ps 25:6; Ps 89:2 כְּרֹב חסִדיו Isa 63:7, see 3 a; promised in the Davidic covenant Psalm Isa 89:50 חַסְדֵי דָוִיד mercies to David Isa 55:3; 2Chr 6:42 mercies in general Lam 3:22; Ps 17:7; Ps 107:43f. — חֶסֶד in proper name, masculine ׳בןחֿ see below בֵּן. On Lev 20:17; Prov 14:34 see חֶסֶד below II. חסד.

BDB2970 H2617

BDB2969 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2971

II. חֶ֫סֶד noun masculine shame, reproach, only absolute: — הוּא ׳ח Lev 20:17 (H) it is a shame (shameful thing); לְאֻמִּים חַטָּאת ׳ח Prov 14:34 sin is a reproach to peoples.

Strong's Definition H2617
mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
ḥēsēd
kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
  • goodness, kindness, faithfulness
    • "a reproach, shame
Variations 54 forms of this word
Translations 104 English renderings
Mercy
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Word Parts
וֶ ֭אֱמֶת
וֶ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֭אֱמֶת
Root word truth, true, truly, right, faithfully, …
Dictionary form: אֶמֶת · eh-MET
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Ncfsa
Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state
וֶ Speech Conjunction
אֱמֶת Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and truth
and truth ×17 of truth ×12 the truth ×9 in truth ×8 truth ×6 and thy truth ×5 thy truth ×5 true ×4
More options
truth — Most direct modern equivalent; broadly applicable in prose.
faithfulness — Emphasizes relational reliability; good for covenantal contexts.
integrity — Highlights moral uprightness and wholeness of character.
reliability — Stresses dependability; suits legal or contractual settings.
genuine — Adjectival nuance; use when Hebrew modifies a noun.
certainty — Underscores absolute assurance; fits emphatic or oath contexts.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB539 H571

BDB538 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB540

אֱמֶת noun feminine firmness, faithfulness, truth (contracted for אֱמֶנֶת from אָמֵן) Gen 24:48 + 106 t.; suffix אֲמִתּוֺ, אֲמִתְּךָ Ps 91:4 + 18 t.

1. reliability, sureness: דֶּרֶח אֱמֶת sure way Gen 24:48 (J); שׂכר אמת sure reward Prov 11:18 אות אמת sure token Josh 2:12 (J); זֶרַע אמת Jer 2:21.
2. stability, con-tinuance: שָׁלוֺם וֶאֱמֶת peace and stability Isa 39:8 (= 2Kgs 20:19) Esth 9:30; Jer 33:6; Zech 8:19, compare שׁלום אמת Jer 14:13.
3. faithfulness, reliableness: (α) of men אִישׁ אֱמֶת faithful man Neh 7:2 אנשׁי אמת Exod 18:21 (E); הָלַח בֶּאֱמֶת walk in faithfulness, faithfully 1Kgs 2:4; 1Kgs 3:6; 2Kgs 20:3; Isa 38:3 compare 1Sam 12:24 of ׳י, בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ Ps 25:5; Ps 26:3; Ps 86:11 עיר האמת Zech 8:3 of men Ps 45:5; Ps 51:8; 2Chr 31:20; 2Chr 32:1; Prov 29:14; Isa 10:20; Isa 42:3; Isa 48:1 ובתמים ׳בא Judg 9:16; Judg 9:19; Josh 24:14 ׳חֶסֶד וֶאֱ mercy and faithfulness Prov 3:3; Prov 14:22; Prov 16:6; Prov 20:28; Hos 4:1, & the phrase עשׂה חסד ואמת Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Josh 2:14 (J) 2Sam 15:20.
   (b) an attribute of God Ps 54:7; Ps 71:22; Isa 38:18; Isa 38:19; Isa 61:8 נתן אמת Mic 7:20 עשׂה אמת Ezek 18:9; Neh 9:33 עשׂה חסד ואמת Gen 32:11 (J) 2Sam 2:6 רב חסד ואמת abundant in mercy and faithfulness Exod 34:6 (J) Ps 86:15 these attributes are also associated Ps 40:11; Ps 40:12; Ps 61:8; Ps 115:1; Ps 138:2; Isa 16:5; Gen 24:27 (J); they are messengers of God to men Ps 57:4; Ps 85:11; Ps 89:15 compare Ps 43:3 חסד ואמת ׳כל ארחות י Ps 25:10 the faithfulness of God endureth for ever Ps 117:2 he keepeth it for ever Ps 146:6 it reacheth unto the skies Ps 57:11; Ps 108:5 it is shield & buckler Ps 91:4 he is אל אמת Ps 31:6 = אלהי אמת 2Chr 15:3 אֱמֶת is also associated with the divine ישׁר Ps 111:8 צֶדֶק Ps 85:12 צְדָקָה Zech 8:8 מִשְׁפָּט Ps 111:7; Jer 4:2 & salvation Ps 69:14.
4. truth
   (a) as spoken: דבר אמת speak truth 1Kgs 22:16; 2Chr 18:15; Jer 9:4; Zech 8:16; Ps 15:2 ׳דִּבְרֵי א Eccl 12:10 אֱמֶת הַדָּבָר the thing is certainly true Deut 13:15; Deut 17:4 אִמְרֵי אֱמֶת = אמרים אמת Prov 22:21 הגה אמת Prov 8:7 ׳הגיד א Dan 11:2, אֲמִתְּךָ Ps 30:10 שׂפת אמת Prov 12:19 אֱמֶת it is true Isa 43:9 האמת אתכם whether truth is with you Gen 42:16 (E) compare Isa 59:14; Isa 59:15.
   (b) of testimony and judgment עֵד אֱמֶת true witness Prov 14:25 עד אמת ונאמן Jer 42:5 משׁפט אמת Ezek 18:8; Zech 7:9 שָׁפַט אמת Zech 8:16.
   (c) of divine instruction כְּחָב אֱמֶת Dan 10:21 תורת אמת Mal 2:6 compare Neh 9:13 תורתך אמת Ps 119:142 בְּפִיךָ אמת ׳דבר י 1Kgs 17:24 compare 2Sam 7:28 ׳משׁפטי י אמת Ps 19:10 ראשׁ דברך אמת Ps 119:160 מצותיך אמת Ps 119:151.
   (d) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge Dan 8:12 להשׂכיל באמתך Dan 9:13.
5. adverb in truth, truly Ps 132:11 יהוה אלהים אמת Yahweh is God in truth, truly Jer 10:10 elsewhere בֶּאֱמֶת Judg 9:15; Ps 145:18; Jer 26:15; Jer 28:9; Jer 32:41.

Strong's Definition H571
truth, true, truly, right, faithfully, …
ʾemet
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
  • (n f) firmness, faithfulness, truth
    • sureness, reliability
      • "stability, continuance"faithfulness, reliableness"truth
      • as spoken
        • "of testimony and judgment"of divine instruction"truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge"true doctrine
    (adv) in truth, truly
Variations 29 forms of this word
Translations 56 English renderings
Truth
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Word Parts
יִצְּרוּ
יִצְּרוּ
Root word keep, preserve, keepeth, kept, watchmen, …
Dictionary form: נָצַר · naw-TSAHR
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Vqi3mp
Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"
יִצְּרוּ Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural
In English
In the KJV here: preserve
keep ×8 preserve ×6 and i shall keep ×2 he that keepeth ×2 of the watchmen ×2 thou shalt preserve ×2 whoso keepeth ×2 and is besieged ×1
More options
guard — Most versatile modern choice; suits protective contexts well.
watch over — Emphasizes vigilant, ongoing oversight; good for God as guardian.
keep — Modernized KJV core sense; natural for laws, commandments, loyalty.
protect — Highlights active defense; suits threats to life or safety.
preserve — Stresses maintaining intact over time; good for life or memory.
observe — Best when the object is a rule, covenant, or teaching.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5346 H5341

BDB5345 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5347

I. [נָצַר] verb watch, guard, keep (Late Hebrew id., observe; Assyrian naƒâru, watch over, protect; Old Aramaic נצר protect Lzb325 Cook83; Palmyrene in proper name Vog150, 4 Cook124; Aramaic נְמַר, (compare Wetzst in DeJob (2) on Job 27:18); Arabic look at, consider, examine (, overseer is Aramaic loan-word Frä138); Sabean להנצרהמו to aid them HalRev. Sém. iv (1896), 71; Ethiopic spectare, intueri, etc., Di701; — compare also נטר); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix נְצָרָ֫תַם Ps 119:129 1 singular נָצָ֑רְתִּי Ps 119:22; Ps 119:56; Ps 119:100 3 masculine plural נָָֽצְרוּ Prov 22:12 Imperfect יִצִּר Prov 3:1 suffix יִצְּרֶ֫נְהוּ Ges«GKC:58»§ 58, 4 R.) Deut 32:10 feminine suffix תִּנְצְרֶ֑כָּה Prov 2:11 (Ges«GKC:58»§ 58, 4 R.); 1 singular אֶצֹּר Ps 119:69 אֶצְּרָה Ps 119:34; Ps 119:115 אֶצֹּ֑רָה Ps 119:145 suffix אֶצָּרְךָ Isa 42:6; Isa 49:8 (Ges Bö Ew and others from יצר); אֶצֳּרֶ֑נָּה Isa 27:3 3 masculine plural יִצְּרוּ Prov 20:28 יִנְצֹ֑רוּ Deut 33:9 (on forms see Ges«GKC:66»§ 66, 2, R. I) + 15 t. Imperfect; Imperative נְצֹר Ps 34:14 + 3 t.; נִצְּרָה Ps 141:3 (dagesh forte dirimens Ges«GKC:20»§ 20, 2 b); suffix נִצְּרֶ֑ה Prov 4:13 Infinitive absolute נָצוֺר Nah 2:2 construct נְצֹר Prov 2:8 Participle נוֺצֵר Prov 28:7 נֹצֵר Exod 34:7 + 7 t.; suffix נֹצְרָהּ Isa 27:3 plural נוֺצְרִים 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 18:8, etc.; passive נָצוּר Ezek 6:12 plural נְצוּרִים Isa 65:4 (ᵐ5 ἐν τοις σπηλαίοις, בַּמְּערוֺת); construct נְצוּרֵי (Kt נְצִירֵי only here) Isa 49:6 feminine נְצוּרָה Isa 1:8 (Di reads נְצוֺרָה Niph`al Participle √ צוּר); construct נְצֻרַת Prov 7:10 plural נְצֻרוֺת Isa 48:6 (Che reads בְּצֻרוֺת).

1. Watch, guard, keep, a vineyard Job 27:18 (compare Wetzst in DeJob (2) on the passage), Isa 27:3 (twice in verse), fig-tree Prov 27:18, fortification Nah 2:2 נֹצְרִים watchmen Jer 31:6 ׳מִגְדַּל נ tower of watchmen 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 18:8 in ethical sense of men, guarding the mouth Prov 13:3, the way Prov 16:17 לֵב Prov 4:23 the tongue מֵרַע Ps 34:14 with על, over the door of the lips Ps 141:3 of God נֹצֵר הָאָדָם Job 7:20 (thou) watcher of men (iron.).

2. Guard from dangers, preserve, with accusative, subject God or his attributes Deut 32:10; Ps 25:21; Ps 31:24; Ps 40:12; Ps 61:8; Isa 26:3; Isa 42:6; Isa 49:8; Prov 2:8; Prov 20:28; Prov 22:12 נֹצֵר נֶפֶשׁ Prov 24:12 with accusative and מן from which Ps 12:8; Ps 32:7; Ps 64:2; Ps 140:2; Ps 140:5. In Wisdom Literature subject is abstract: חבמה Prov 4:6 תבונה Prov 2:11 צדקה Prov 13:6 נְצוּרֵי ישׂראל Isa 49:6 preserved of Israel.

3. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe: of ׳י, נֹצֵר חֶסֶד לאלפים Exod 34:7 (J); elsewhere of man observing the covenant Deut 33:9 (poem) Ps 25:10, the divine law Ps 78:7; Ps 105:45; Ps 119:2; Ps 119:22; Ps 119:33; Ps 119:34; Ps 119:56; Ps 119:69; Ps 119:100; Ps 119:115; Ps 119:129; Ps 119:145 commands of parents Ps 60:20; Ps 28:7 and discipline of Wisdom Prov 3:1; Prov 3:21; Prov 4:13; Prov 5:2.

4. Guard, keep secret, dubious: נְצֻרוֺת secret things Isa 48:6 נְצוּרִים secret places Isa 65:4 (see forms above); נְצֻרַת לֵב secret, wily minded Prov 7:10 (of harlot, so RVm close, i.e. secretive).

5. Kept close, blockaded, dubious: הַנָּצוּר the blockaded (so Ew Hi Co Toy; but Ke Bth Kau preserved; Hi Co Bth Toy strike out והנשׁאר) Ezek 6:12 עִיר נְצוּרָה blockaded city Isa 1:8 (see form above); נֹצְרִים blockaders Jer 4:16 (but ᵐ5 συστροφαι = צררים i.e. foes).

נְצוּרִים see I נצר Qal Passive participle

BDB9706 H5202 H5341 H5201

BDB9705 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9707

[נְטַר] verb keep (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew I. נצר, and (rarely) נָטַר); —

Pe`al Perfect 1 singular מִלְּתָא בְּלִבִּי נִמְרֵת Dan 7:28.

Strong's Definition H5341
keep, preserve, keepeth, kept, watchmen, …
nāṣar
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
  • to guard, watch, watch over, keep
    • (Qal)
      • to watch, guard, keep
        • "to preserve, guard from dangers"to keep, observe, guard with fidelity"to guard, keep secret"to be kept close, be blockaded"watchman (participle)
Variations 43 forms of this word
Translations 44 English renderings
Search every verse
Word Parts
מֶ֑לֶךְ
מֶ֑לֶךְ
Root word king, kings, royal
Dictionary form: מֶלֶךְ · meh-LEK
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
מֶלֶךְ Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: the king
the king ×712 king ×501 and the king ×198 the kings ×192 of the kings ×104 of the king ×98 kings ×64 and king ×33
More options
king — Most natural modern equivalent; universally understood.
monarch — Formal register; suits literary or elevated prose.
ruler — Broader term; useful when royal rank is less central.
sovereign — Emphasizes supreme authority; good in legal or theological contexts.
royal — Adjectival use; fits compound nouns like 'royal court'.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4669 H4428 H4429

BDB4668 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4670

I. מֶ֫לֶךְ2513 noun masculine king (Late Hebrew id.; MI1, 5, 10, 18, 23 מלך; Neh 1:4 המלכן; Phoenician מלך; Zinjirli מלך DHMSendsch. 60; Assyrian maliku, malku, prince (Assyrian šarru = king); Arabic king (original Hebrew *מַלִח inferred, LagBN 73 BaNB § 112 WMMAs. u. Europ.76); Sabean מלכן SabDenkmNo. 1; construct מלך, plural אמלך CISiv 37; compare Ethiopic God (and Nöl.c.); Aramaic , מְלֵיךְ; Palmyrene מלך מלכא VogNo. 28; Nabataean מלכא EutNab. 1); — ׳מ absolute Gen 14:7 + (insert also 2Sam 13:17 ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu, and v2Sam 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr Kit Bu); in p. always מֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 49:20 + 238 t. (so also proper name in מֶלֶךְ-); construct Gen 14:1 +; suffix מַלְכִּי 2Sam 19:44 + 6 t., etc.; plural מְלָכִים Gen 14:9 +; מְלָכִין Prov 31:3 construct מַלְכֵי Gen 17:16 +; suffix מְלָכֶיהָ Isa 7:16 + 3 t.; מַלְכֵיהֶם Deut 7:24 + 16 t., etc.; —

1. king: of Egypt Gen 39:20f.; Exod 1:8f.; Deut 11:3; 1Kgs 3:1 of Mesopotamia, Shinar, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc. Judg 3:8; Judg 3:10; Gen 14:1f.; 2Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:3f.; 2Kgs 18:13f.; 2Kgs 24:1; 2Kgs 24:11f.; Ezra 1:1f.; Ezra 4:3f.; Esth 1:2 +, 1Kgs 11:18; 1Kgs 11:40; 1Kgs 14:25; 2Kgs 17:4f.; 2Kgs 23:29 +; of Canaan, Philistia, Edom, Moab, etc. (often of single city): Gen 14:2f.; vGen 14:18; Gen 20:2; Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8; Gen 36:31; Num 20:14; Num 21:1f.; Num 22:4; Num 22:10; Deut 1:4; Deut 3:1f.; Josh 2:2 (often in Joshua), Judg 1:7; Judg 5:19; Judg 8:5; Judg 8:12; Judg 11:12f.; 2Kgs 3:4f. +; of Aram, Hamath, etc. 2Sam 8:3f. v2Sam 8:9; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 20:1f.; 1Kgs 22:3; 2Kgs 5:1f.; 2Kgs 8:7f.; v2Kgs 8:29; 2Kgs 9:14; 2Kgs 9:15; 2Kgs 15:37; 2Kgs 16:5f. +; of Tyre, etc. 2Sam 5:11; 1Kgs 5:15; 1Kgs 9:11; 1Kgs 9:16+, etc.; especially of Israel (undivided, and of both divisions) Gen 36:31; Num 23:21; Num 24:7; Deut 17:14f.; Judg 17:6; Judg 18:1; Judg 19:1; Judg 21:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Sam 8:5f.; 2Sam 2:4f.; 1Kgs 1:33; 1Kgs 1:34f. + very often; compare also Judg 9:5. — 2Sam 18:29b strike out ׳הַמּ We Klo Dr Kit Bu. Note that in early books המלך דוד is nearly always said; in late books usually המלך ׳שׁלמה וגו) דוד; compare Aramaic כּוֺרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא, etc.
2. of Davidic king, as under divine protection, 1Sam 2:10 (|| מְשִׁיחוֺ), Ps 2:6; Ps 18:51; Ps 89:19; Ps 61:7, compare Ps 99:4 so in (Messianic) prediction Hos 3:5; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 37:22; Ezek 37:24; Zech 9:9.
3. used of ׳י as king of Israel 1Sam 12:12 in poetry Deut 33:5 compare Ps 5:3; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:5; Ps 48:3; Ps 68:25; Ps 74:12; Ps 84:4; Ps 145:1; Ps 149:2; Isa 41:21; Isa 43:15; Isa 44:6; Zeph 3:15 מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד Ps 24:7; Ps 24:8; Ps 24:9; Ps 24:10 (twice in verse); universal king Ps 47:3; Ps 47:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 98:6; Jer 10:7; Jer 10:10, compare Jer 46:18; Jer 48:15; Jer 51:57; Zech 14:9; Zech 14:16; Zech 14:17; Mal 1:14 of false god Amos 5:26.
4. in fable, king of trees Judg 9:8; Judg 9:15 figurative of crocodile Job 41:26 אֵין לָאַרְבֶּה ׳מ Prov 30:27 of death, מֶלֶךְ בַּלָּהוֺת Job 18:14.
5. combinations are: —
  a. הַגָּדוֺל ׳הַמּ 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:28 = Isa 36:4; Isa 36:13 (of Assyrian king: compare Assyrian šarru rabu); גָּדוֺל ׳מ Eccl 9:14 (indefinite); of ׳י Mal 1:14, עַלכֿלאֿלהים ׳ג ׳מ Ps 95:3 ׳מ עוֺלָם Jer 10:10 (of ׳י); מְלָכִים ׳מ Ezek 26:7 (king of Babylon)
  b. יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 מֶלֶךְ בירושׁלם Eccl 1:1, compare Eccl 15:26; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 1Chr 29:25; 2Sam 2:11 (׳בחברון עלהֿיה מ) 1Kgs 11:37; 2Chr 28:4; Eccl 1:12.
  c. following a verb (one or two accusative) על ׳שִׂים מ Deut 17:14; Deut 17:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:19 ׳שִׂים לָנוּ מ 1Sam 8:5 ׳שִׂים לְמ 1Kgs 10:9 לְ ׳נָתַן מ 1Sam 8:6; Hos 13:10; Hos 13:11 נָתַן עַל 1Sam 12:13; 2Chr 2:10; Neh 9:37; Neh 13:26 הִמְלִיךְ לְמֶלֶךְ Judg 9:6; 1Sam 15:11 על ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 12:1 לְ ׳הִמְלִיךְ מ 1Sam 8:22 ׳מָשַׁח מ עַל Judg 9:8 ׳מָשַׁח לְמ 1Kgs 1:45 עַל ׳מָשַׁךְ לְמ Judg 9:15; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 15:17; 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 5:12; 2Sam 12:7; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Chr 11:3; 1Chr 14:8 יִהְיֶה על ׳מ 1Sam 8:19 על ׳בִּקֵּשׁ למ 2Sam 3:17 ׳הֵכִין לְמ על 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 על ׳הֵקִים מ 1Kgs 14:14; Deut 28:36 ׳תַּחַת וגו ׳לְמ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא י 1Chr 29:23, compare Prov 20:8 אלהיך ׳לְי ׳נָתַן עַלכִּֿסֵּא לְמ 2Chr 9:8.
  d. מַעֲדַנֵּימֶֿלךְ Gen 49:20 royal dainties, figurative; ׳מִשְׁתֵּה הַמּ 1Sam 25:36 royal feast (in simile); ׳אֶבֶן הַמּ 2Sam 14:26 king's weight; ׳יַדהַֿמּ 1Kgs 10:13 royal bounty (in simile); ׳גִּזֵּי הַמּ Amos 7:1 king's mowings; ׳מִקְדַּשׁ מ Amos 7:13 royal sanctuary; עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם 2Sam 12:30 crown of their king = 1Chr 20:2 (but read מִלְכֹּם ᵐ5 We Klo Dr Kit Kau — not Bu KitChr. Hpt); compare also בַּיִת, עֵמֶק, גַּן, שָׁוֵה, etc. — proper name אבימלך, אחימלך, אלימלך, מלך, נתן, מלך, עבד, see below אב, אח, etc.

BDB4674 H4432 H1322 H4428

BDB4673 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4675

מֹ֫לֶךְ proper name, of a divinity Molech (ᵐ5 Μολοχ, ᵑ9 Moloch) (= מֶלֶךְ i.e. (divine) King, with vowels of בּשֶׁת to denote abhorrence, HoffmZAW iii. 1883, 124 RSSemitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372; compare HoffmGG Abh. xxxvi. 1890 a (May, 1889), 25; Phoenician proper name, of divinity מלך Milk, in proper names compare Bloch, DrDt.222 f.); — with article ׳הַמּ: — the god to whom Israel sacrificed children with fire (in valley of Hinnom); ׳העביר בָּנֵשׁ לַ מּ 2Kgs 23:10 ׳העביר לַמּ Jer 32:35 (|| הַבַּעַל), Lev 18:21 (H); ׳נתן לַמּ Lev 20:2; Lev 20:3; Lev 20:4 (H); more generally ׳לִזְנוֺת אַחֲרֵי הַמּ vLev 20:5 (H). In 1Kgs 11:7 read probably מִלְכֹּם, q. v.

BDB4684 H4442 H6664 H4428

BDB4683 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4685

מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Gen 14:18. Ps 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ.

BDB4685 H4443 H4428 H7311

BDB4684 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4686

מַלְכִּירָם proper name, masculine son of Jeconiah (= Jehoiakin) (my king (= Yahweh) is high, compare GrayProp. N. 146 f.; Phoenician proper name מלכרם); — 1Chr 3:18. ᵐ5 Μελχ(ε)ιραμ.

BDB4686 H4428 H4444 H7769

BDB4685 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4687

מַלְכִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine son of Saul my king (= ׳י) is opulence, compare GrayProp. N. 147); — 1Sam 14:49; 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 10:2 (in Chronicles מַלְכִּישֿׁוּעַ). ᵐ5 Μελχεισα, Μελχεσουε, etc.

Strong's Definition H4428
king, kings, royal
melek
a king
  • king
Variations 82 forms of this word
Translations 267 English renderings
Hammelech Father of Jerahmeel and Malchijah (or 'Malchiah'), officials during Jeremiah's time. Kings King's Highway An ancient trade route through Edom and Moab King's Valley
Search every verse
Word Parts
וְ סָעַ֖ד
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
סָעַ֖ד
Root word comfort, up, strengthen, strengtheneth, upholden, …
Dictionary form: סָעַד · saw-AD
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Vqq3ms
Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"
וְ Speech Conjunction
סָעַד Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
In English
In the KJV here: is upholden
comfort ×2 and comfort ye ×1 and strengthen ×1 hath holden me up ×1 held me up ×1 hold thou me up ×1 is upholden ×1 it and to establish ×1
More options
strengthen — Best default; covers physical and moral support.
sustain — Emphasizes ongoing support or maintenance.
uphold — Modernizes KJV 'held me up'; dignified, formal register.
support — Neutral, everyday alternative to 'uphold'.
refresh — Prefer when context involves food, rest, or restoration.
encourage — Use when emotional or moral bolstering is foregrounded.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5653 H5582

BDB5652 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5654

סָעַד verb support, sustain, stay (Late Hebrew id., especially take a meal; Aramaic סְעַד support, stay; Zinjirli סעד strengthen Lzb330, support, perhaps feed Cook85; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic noun aid, SchwIdioticon 64; Arabic , III, IV. aid, assist, Lane1360, forearm Id1362; Sabean סעד DHMSüdar. Ait. p. 16); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular וְסָעַד consecutive Prov 20:28 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִסְעָ֑ד 3 feminine singular suffix תִּסְעָדֵ֫נִי Ps 18:36, read also in || 2Sam 22:36, etc.; Imperative masculine singular סְעָד Judg 19:5 (on ָ   probably © by error, see Köi. 261 f. GFMon the passage), סְעָדנָֿא vJudg 19:8 (compare id.), וּסֳעָ֑דָה 1Kgs 13:7 suffix סְעָדֵנִי Ps 119:117 Infinitive construct suffix וּלְסַעֲדָהּ Isa 9:6 — support, sustain, always figurative:
1. sustain, stay, the heart (compare לֵבָב 8, לֵב 8), with food Gen 18:5 (J), Judg 19:5 (c. 2 accusative), vJudg 19:8, Ps 104:15 object omitted 1Kgs 13:7.
2. a. support throne (subject king) Prov 20:28, coming ruler Isa 9:6.
  b. support, uphold with accusative of person (subject ׳י, his hand etc.) Ps 18:36 + || 2Sam 22:36 (v above), Ps 20:3; Ps 41:4; Ps 94:18; Ps 119:117.

BDB9738 H5583 H5582

BDB9737 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9739

[סְעַד] verb Pa`el support, sustain (ᵑ7 Zinjirli; see Biblical Hebrew); — Participle active plural מְסַעֲדִין לְהוֺן Ezra 5:2.

Strong's Definition H5582
comfort, up, strengthen, strengtheneth, upholden, …
sāʿad
to support (mostly figurative)
  • to support, sustain, stay, establish, strengthen, comfort
    • (Qal) to support, sustain
      • to sustain, stay (of heart)
        • "to support, uphold (of throne)
Variations 11 forms of this word
Translations 11 English renderings
Search every verse
Word Parts
בַּ חֶ֣סֶד
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
חֶ֣סֶד
Root word mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
Dictionary form: חֵסֵד · hay-SADE
Vowels & Accents
בַּ
Hidden "the" בַּ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "in the ___".
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Rd/Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
בַּ Speech Preposition Type Definite Article
חֶסֶד Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: by mercy
his mercy ×45 mercy ×28 kindness ×21 thy lovingkindness ×8 and mercy ×7 thy mercy ×7 of thy mercy ×6 kindly ×5
More options
faithful love — Most scholarly modern default; captures covenant loyalty dimension.
steadfast love — Common in academic translations (RSV, NRSV); emphasizes reliability.
loving kindness — Two-word modernization of KJV compound; warm, devotional register.
mercy — Prefer when context stresses pardon or compassion over covenant.
kindness — Best for interpersonal, non-theological contexts (e.g. Ruth).
loyalty — Use when covenant obligation is the primary emphasis.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2965 H2617

BDB2964 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2966

חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine2Sam 16:17 goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen 24:12 + 85 t.; חָ֑סֶד Gen 39:21 + 12 t.; construct חֶסֶד 1Sam 20:14 + 8 t.; suffix חַסְדִּי Ps 59:18 + 120 t. suffixes; plural חֲסָדִים Gen 32:11 construct חַסֵדֵי Isa 55:3 + 5 t. (BaerJes p. 79 Ges«GKC:93»§ 93, R, 1. F.); suffix חֲסָדַי Neh 13:14 + 10t. suffixes; (not in H or P). I. of man:

1. kindness of men towards men, in doing favours and benefits 1Sam 20:15; 2Sam 16:17; Ps 141:5; Prov 19:22; Prov 20:6 יהוה ׳ח 1Sam 20:14 the kindness of ׳י (such as he shews, Thes MV; that sworn to by oath to Yahweh Mich Dathe; shewn out of reverence to Yahweh Th Ke); compare אלהים ׳ח 2Sam 9:3 ׳תּוֺרַתאח Prov 31:26 instruction in kindness, kindly instruction עָשָׂה חֶסֶד עִמָּדִי do or shew kindness (in dealing) with me Gen 20:13; Gen 40:14 (E), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 10:2 (עִמִּי in || 1Chr 19:2); with עִם Gen 21:23 (E), Gen 24:12; Gen 24:14; Josh 2:12 (twice in verse); Judg 1:24 (J), Judg 8:35; 1Sam 15:6; 1Sam 2:5; 1Sam 3:8; 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 9:3a = 1Chr 19:2a, 1Chr 19:2b 2Chr 24:22 with עַל 1Sam 20:8 with לְ 1Kgs 2:7 לפני ׳נשׂא ח obtain kindness before Esth 2:9; Esth 2:17 ׳היטיב ח Ruth 3:10.
2. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy Prov 20:28; Job 6:14 אישׁ חסד merciful man Prov 11:17 (opposed to אַכְזָרִי); ׳מַלְכֵּי ח merciful kings 1Kgs 20:31 ׳עשׂה ח Ps 109:16 in this sense usually with other attributes (see also below II.
2.); || אמת Hos 4:1; Isa 16:5 ואמת ׳ח Prov 3:3; Prov 14:22; Prov 16:6; Prov 20:28 ואמת ׳עשׂה ח Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Josh 2:14 (J; RV gives thse under 1); || צדקה Hos 10:12 ׳צדקה וח Prov 21:21 || משׁפט Mic 6:8 ומשׁפט ׳ח Hos 12:7 || חוֺנֵן Ps 109:12 ורחמים ׳ח Zech 7:9; Dan 1:9. — (On Hos 6:4; Hos 6:6 see 3 below)
3. (rarely) affection if Israel to ׳י love to God, piety: נְעוּרַיִךְ ׳ח Jer 2:2 priety of thy youth (|| love of thine espousals to Yahweh); possibly also חַסְדְּכֶם כַּעֲנַןבֹּֿקֶר Hos 6:4 your piety is like a morning cloud (fleeting), and כִּי חֶסֶד חָפַצְתִּי וְלאֹזָֿ֑בַח Hos 6:6 for piety I delight in and not in peace-offering (|| דעת אלהים, compare 1Sam 15:22); — so Wü Now Hi (1Sam 15:4) Che; Ke Hi (1Sam 15:6) al. below 2 (or 1); — נַנְשֵׁי חֶסֶד men of piety Isa 57:1 (|| צַדִּיק); plural pious acts 2Chr 32:32; 2Chr 35:26; Neh 13:14.
4. lovely appearance: כָּלחַֿסְדּוֺ כְּצִיץ הַשָֹּׁדֶה Isa 40:6 all its loveliness as the flower of the field (so Thes Hi De Che Di and others; but δόξα ᵐ5 1Pet 1:24 & gloria ᵑ9 favour an original reading הוֺדוֺ Lo or כְּבֹדוֺ Ew, see BrMP 375; Du הֲדָרוֺ). II. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescendig to the needs of his creatures. He is חַסְדָּם their goodness favour Jonah 2:9 חַסְדִּי Ps 144:2 אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי God of my kindness Ps 59:18 in vPs 59:11 read אֱלֹהַי חַסְדּוֺ my God with his kindness ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew Hup De Pe Che Bae; his is the kindness Ps 62:13 it is with him Ps 130:7 he delights in it Mic 7:18.
1. specifically lovingkindness:
  a. in redemption from enemies and troubles Gen 19:19; Gen 39:21 (J), Exod 15:13 (song), Jer 31:3; Ezra 7:28; Ezra 9:9; Ps 21:8; Ps 31:17; Ps 31:22; Ps 32:10; Ps 33:22; Ps 36:8; Ps 36:11; Ps 42:9; Ps 44:27; Ps 48:10; Ps 59:17; Ps 66:20; Ps 85:8; Ps 90:14; Ps 94:18; Ps 107:8; Ps 107:15; Ps 107:21; Ps 107:31; Ps 143:8; Ps 143:12; Job 37:13; Ruth 1:8; Ruth 2:20 men should trust in it Ps 13:6; Ps 52:10 rejoice in it Ps 31:8 hope in it Ps 33:18; Ps 147:11.
  b. in preservation of life from death Ps 6:5; Ps 86:13; Job 10:12.
  c. in quickening of spiritual life Ps 109:26; Ps 119:41; Ps 119:76; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:124; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:159.
  d. in redemption from sin Ps 25:7; Ps 51:3.
  e. in keeping the covenants, with Abraham Mic 7:20 with Moses and Israel שׁמר הַבְּרִית וְ(הַ)חֶסֶד keep-eth the covenant and the lovingkindness Deut 7:9; Deut 7:12; 1Kgs 8:23 = 2Chr 6:14; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4 with David and his dynasty 2Sam 7:15 = 1Chr 17:13; 2Sam 22:51 = Ps 18:51, 1Kgs 3:6 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 1:8; Ps 89:29; Ps 89:34 with the wife Zion Isa 54:10.
2. חֶסֶד is grouped with other divine attributes: חסד ואמת kindness (lovingkindness) and fidelity Gen 24:27 (J), Ps 25:10; Ps 41:11; Ps 40:12; Ps 57:4; Ps 61:8; Ps 85:11; Ps 89:15; Ps 115:1; Ps 138:2 ואמת עם ׳עשׂה ח 2Sam 2:6; 2Sam 15:20 (ᵐ5, see Dr); with אֶתֿ Gen 24:49 ואמת ׳רַב ח Exod 34:6 (JE), Ps 86:15 also || אמת Mic 7:20; Ps 26:3; Ps 117:2 || אֱמוּנָה Ps 88:12; Ps 89:3; Ps 92:3 ׳אמונה וח Ps 89:25 ואמונה ׳ח Ps 98:3 || רחמים Ps 77:9 ורחמים ׳ח Jer 16:5; Hos 2:21; Ps 103:4 ומשׁפט ׳ח Jer 9:23; Ps 101:1 || צדקה Ps 36:11 ׳טוב וח Ps 23:6.
3. the kindness of God is
  a. abundant: רַבחֶֿסֶד abundant, plenteous in kindness (goodness) Num 14:18 (J), Neh 9:17 (Qr), Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Ps 86:5; Ps 103:8 (compare Exod 34:6 J E; Ps 86:15); רֹב חַסְדְּךָ Neh 13:22; Ps 5:8; Ps 69:14; Ps 106:7 (ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Aq Targan, to be preferred to ᵑ0 חֲסָדֶיךָ); רֹב חֲסָדָו֯ Lam 3:32; Ps 106:45 (Kt ᵐ5 in both to be preferred).
  b. great in extent: ׳נֹּדֶל חִ greatness of thy mercy Num 14:19 (J); ׳נְּדָו֯וֺלחֿ Ps 145:8 it is kept for thousands Exod 34:7 (JE), Jer 32:18, especially of those connected with lovers of ׳י, Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10 for 1000 generations Deut 7:9 it is great as the heavens Ps 57:11; Ps 103:11, compare Ps 36:6; Ps 108:5 the earth is full of it Ps 33:5; Ps 119:64.
  c. everlasting: לעולם חסדוֺ Jer 33:11; 1Chr 16:34; 1Chr 16:41; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Ps 100:5; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3; Ps 118:4; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 (26 t.); חסדךָ לעולם Ps 138:8 מעולם ׳ח ועד עולם Ps 103:17 עולם ׳ח Isa 54:8 אל כּל ׳ח היום Ps 52:3.
  d. good: כִּיטֿוֺב חַסְדְּךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 כי טוב חסדךָ מחיים Ps 63:4.
4. plural mercies, deeds of kindness, the historic displays of lovingkindness to Israel: shewn to Jacob Gen 32:11 (R); but mostly late Isa 63:7; Ps 25:6; Ps 89:2 כְּרֹב חסִדיו Isa 63:7, see 3 a; promised in the Davidic covenant Psalm Isa 89:50 חַסְדֵי דָוִיד mercies to David Isa 55:3; 2Chr 6:42 mercies in general Lam 3:22; Ps 17:7; Ps 107:43f. — חֶסֶד in proper name, masculine ׳בןחֿ see below בֵּן. On Lev 20:17; Prov 14:34 see חֶסֶד below II. חסד.

BDB2970 H2617

BDB2969 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2971

II. חֶ֫סֶד noun masculine shame, reproach, only absolute: — הוּא ׳ח Lev 20:17 (H) it is a shame (shameful thing); לְאֻמִּים חַטָּאת ׳ח Prov 14:34 sin is a reproach to peoples.

Strong's Definition H2617
mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
ḥēsēd
kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
  • goodness, kindness, faithfulness
    • "a reproach, shame
Variations 54 forms of this word
Translations 104 English renderings
Mercy
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Word Parts
כִּסְאֽ וֹ
כִּסְאֽ
Root word throne, seat, thrones, stool
וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: כִּסֵּא · kis-SAY
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmsc/Sp3ms
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
כִּסְאֽ Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
וֹ Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
In English
In the KJV here: and his throne
the throne ×42 his throne ×24 throne ×10 my throne ×8 and his throne ×6 thy throne ×5 a seat ×3 his seat ×2
More options
throne — Best for royal or divine seat of authority.
seat — Broader; suits informal or non-royal contexts.
seat of power — Emphasizes political authority over physical object.
royal seat — Highlights regal dignity without sounding archaic.
chair — Plain register; use when grandeur is minimal.
judgment seat — Prefer in judicial or legal contexts.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4107 H3678

BDB4106 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4108

כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה133 noun masculine2Sam 7:16 seat of honour, throne (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician (plural) כרסים; Aramaic כּוּרְסְיָא, ; Biblical Aramaic כָּרְסֵא, Zinjirli כרסא DHMSendsch. 58. 44; Arabic ; but Assyrian kussu; perhaps Akkadian loan-word; ideogram iƒ GU. ZA, compare DlHWB 343); — absolute כִּסֵּא Gen 41:40 +; כִּסֵּת 1Kgs 10:19 (twice in verse); Job 26:9, הַכִּסֶּא Ezek 1:26 construct כִּסֵּא 2Sam 3:10 +, כֵּס Exod 17:16 (si vera lectio; see below); suffix כִּסְאִי 1Kgs 1:13 +, כִּסְאֲךָ 2Sam 7:16 +, כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ 1Kgs 5:19 +, כִּסְאוֺ Exod 11:5 +; plural כִּסְאוֺת Ps 122:5 (twice in verse); suffix כִּסְאוֺתָם Ezek 26:16; Isa 14:9 — seat of honour, usually

1. a. of king = throne Gen 41:40 (E), Exod 11:5; Exod 12:29 (both J) 1Kgs 2:19; Isa 47:1; Ezek 26:16 of queen-mother 1Kgs 2:19 b; מַלְכוּתוֺ ׳כ Esth 5:1 his royal throne; of future (Messianic) prince Zech 6:13 a (in vb read עליֿמינו ᵐ5 StaZAW 1881, 10); of dead kings in She'ôl Isa 14:9 ׳נָתַן כ, in, or against a place, said of king himself, (only Jeremiah) is a sign of conquest (Jer 1:15); so ׳שִׂים כּ Jer 43:10, and (of ׳י) Jer 49:38 in Judg 3:20, though of king, not seat of office; 12 t. elsewhere, literal
  b. throne of ׳י (אלהים) as heavenly king, Isa 6:1; Ezek 1:26 (twice in verse); Ezek 10:1; 1Kgs 22:19 = 2Chr 18:18; Job 26:9; Ps 11:4; Isa 66:1 heaven is my throne; as seat of judgment Ps 9:5; Ps 9:8 in oath יָד עַלכּכֵּס יָהּ Exod 17:16 (compare Di; > Cler JDMich Ges Buhl SS נֵס banner; ᵐ5 κρυφαία √ כסה, favours כס); Jerusalem called throne of ׳י Jer 3:17, so the sanctuary Jer 17:12 (כָּבוֺד מָרוֺם ׳כ), Ezek 43:7.
2. of high priest 1Sam 1:9; 1Sam 4:13; 1Sam 4:18 of honoured guest 2Kgs 4:10 of governor Neh 3:7 of (unjust) judge הַוּוֺת ׳כ Ps 94:20 = conspicuous seat (literally) Prov 9:14 = seat of distinction, explicitly כָּבוֺד ׳כ Isa 22:23 ׳כ alone 2Kgs 25:28 (twice in verse) = Jer 52:32 (twice in verse); Esth 3:1.
3. a. figurative = royal dignity, authority, power, הַמֶּלֶךְ וְכִסְאוֺ נָקִי 2Sam 14:9 ׳לְדָוִד וּלְזַרְעוֺ וּלְבֵיתוֺ וּלְכ 1Kgs 2:33 especially kingdom, with verbs of setting up, establishing, ׳י subject, דָוִד ׳הֵקִים כ 2Sam 3:10, כִסְאֲךָוּבָנִיתִי Ps 89:5, so with שִׂים vPs 89:30 king subject, בַּחֶסֶד כִּסְאוֺסָעַד Prov 20:28 passive דָוִד יִהְיֶה נכִון ׳כ 1Kgs 2:45 the throne of David shall be established, compare 2Sam 7:16 = 1Chr 17:14 ׳וְהוּכַן בַּחֶסֶד כ Isa 16:5 (of Messianic reign); so (in general) ׳בִּצְדָקָה יִכּוֺן כ Prov 16:12, compare Prov 25:5; Prov 29:14 intransitive (with הָיָה) Ps 89:37 more fully, ׳י subject, מַמְלַכְתּוֺ ׳וְכֹנַנְתִּי אֶתכֿ 2Sam 7:13 (כֹּנֵן כסאו in || 1Chr 17:12), מַמְלַכְתְּךָ עַֿ ׳יִשְׂרָאֵלוַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶתכֿ 1Kgs 9:5, compare || 2Chr 7:18 and ׳וַהֲכִינוֺתִי כ <Times New Roman>מַלְכוּתוֺ עַליִֿשְׂרָאֵל 1Chr 22:10 also ׳מגּר כ Ps 89:45 cast down throne, of Gentile nations ׳מַמְלָכוֺתוְהָפַכְתִּי כ Hag 2:22 ׳יָשַׁב עלכֿ sit on the throne of any one (especially David) = be his successor 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 1:17; 1Kgs 1:20; 1Kgs 1:24; 1Kgs 1:27; 1Kgs 1:30; 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 1:48; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 3:6; 2Kgs 13:13, especially Jer 13:13; Jer 17:25; Jer 22:2 + 5 t. Jeremiah; לָ֑ךְ ׳ֵ˜ישְׁבוּ לְכ Ps 132:12 more fully 1Chr 29:23 causative ׳הוֺשִׁיב עלכֿ 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Kgs 10:3 ׳הֹשִׁיב לַכּ figurative Job 36:7, of placing in honour; לָ֑ךְ ׳מִפְּרִי בִטְנְךָ אָשִׁית לְכ Ps 132:11 ישׁב׳עלכֿ also = take one's seat as king, become actual king, possess royalty 1Kgs 16:11, often sit on the throne of Israel 1Kgs 8:20; 1Kgs 8:25 = 2Chr 6:10; 2Chr 6:16; 1Kgs 10:9; 2Kgs 10:30; 2Kgs 15:12; Jer 33:17 without ישׁב 1Kgs 2:4; 1Kgs 9:5, compare also Isa 9:6 (Messiah); ישׁב עלכֿסא מַמְלַכְתּוֺ Deut 17:18, עלכֿסא הַמְּלוּכָה 1Kgs 1:46, and even עַליִֿשְׂרָאֵללָשֶׁבֶת ׳עַלכִּֿסֵּא מַלְכוּת י 1Chr 28:5 also הַמְּלָכִים ישׁב ׳עַלכֿ 2Kgs 11:19, || הַמַּמְלָכָה ׳כ 2Chr 23:30 of (royal) throne as judgment seat Prov 20:8, compare also Ps 122:5 set one upon the throne of Israel ׳ישׂ ׳עלכֿ ׳נתן פ 1Kgs 10:9 compare || 2Chr 9:8 in comparative sentence ׳יְגַדֵּל אֶתכִּֿסְאוֺ מִכּ, i.e. make him a more powerful king than, 1Kgs 1:37, compare v1Kgs 1:47 of king of Babylon, מִמַּעַל לְכוֺכְבֵיאֵֿל אָרִים כִּסְאִי Isa 14:13. In Ps 45:7 ׳כִּסְאֲךָ אלהים וגו the text is probably corrupt: AE Hi Ew Bae read thy throne is (a throne) of God; Bi Che insert הקימונכונה יסודתו thy throne [its foundation is firmly fixed], God [has established it]; see further Dr§ 194, Obs..
  b. throne of ׳(אלהים) י = his royal dignity, sovereign, Lam 5:19; Ps 93:2; Ps 103:19 (׳הֵכִין כ; || מַלְכוּת); כְבוֺדֶ֑ךָ ׳כ Jer 14:21 קָדְשׁוֺ ׳יָשַׁב עַלכֿ Ps 47:9 צֶדֶק וּמִשְׁפָּט מְכוֺן כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ Ps 89:15 compare Ps 97:2.

BDB9617 H3678

BDB9616 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9618

כסא (see Biblical Hebrew כִּסֵּא throne).

Strong's Definition H3678
throne, seat, thrones, stool
kissēʾ
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
  • seat (of honor), throne, seat, stool
    • seat (of honor), throne
      • "royal dignity, authority, power (figuratively)
Variations 27 forms of this word
Translations 36 English renderings
Throne
Proverbs 20:27
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Proverbs 20:29