Psalms 119:103

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

מַה
מַה
Particle turns the sentence into a question
Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: how
what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9
More options
what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.
why — Use when context implies reason or motive.
how — Use when manner or degree is in view.
for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.
wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.
whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

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BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


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BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ  ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges«GKC:37»§ 37

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (DlHWB 417 f.), Ethiopic ment; compare WCG 123 ff. K?:ii. 368): —
1. interrogative what ?
  a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
   (a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: WAG. ii. § 170), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : WAG. ii. § 49. 7), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
   (b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
   (c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da§ 70 a cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
   (d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
   (e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
  b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
  c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
  d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
   (a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
   (b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
   (c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
  e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
   (a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
   (b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
  g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.
2. Used adverbially:
  a. as an interrogative:
   (a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵ˜אדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
   (b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare WalkerHebraica. xii. 244 ff.; iii, 478).
  b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.
3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr§ 149), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare iii. § 65.
4. With prepositions:
  a. בַּמָּה9, בַּמֶּה19 wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
  b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
  c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
   (a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
   (b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
  d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
   (a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
   (b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CISi. 2, 21 יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
  e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb371, 445; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb227 f.): according to Ges Ew§ 181 b Olp. 439 Sta§ 176 e, abbreviated from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], ii. 323 f.) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ  is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ  that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ  Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ  in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.
2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ  Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges«GKC:130c»§ 130c), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ  (compare ib. 4 b a).
3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
  a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ  how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
   (b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ  (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ  to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
  b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).
4. compounds:
  a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
  b. ˜כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
  c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo KmpKau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
  d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, § 225). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb233, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (CookeN. Semitic Inscr. 320) = ἐπειδή).


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare WCG 124 f.); —

1. what ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.
2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb306 Cooke320, 332) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).
3. with prefixes:
  a. כְּמָה how! Dan 3:33 (twice in verse).
  b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה 4 d b, p. 554:a).
  c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
  • (interr pron) what, how, of what kind
    • (interrogative)
      • what?
      • "of what kind"what? (rhetorical)"whatsoever, whatever, what
      (adverb)
      • how, how now
      • "why"how! (exclamation)
      (with prep)
      • wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
      • "because of what?"the like of what?
        • how much?, how many?, how often?
        • "for how long?
        for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?"until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron
    anything, aught, what may

נִּמְלְצ֣וּ
נִּמְלְצ֣וּ
Root word sweet
Dictionary form: מָלַץ · maw-LAHTS

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: sweet are
sweet are ×1
More options
pleasant — Broad, versatile choice for agreeable taste or sensation.
delightful — Emphasizes enjoyment; slightly more emotive register.
agreeable — Neutral, understated; suits formal or prose contexts.
pleasing — Mild positive tone; good for understated approval.
savory — Evokes taste specifically; use when sensory flavor is in view.

BDB4701 H4452

BDB4700 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4702

[מָלַץ] verb probably be smooth, slippery (Arabic slip); —

Niph`al Perfect אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ מַהנִּֿמְלְצוּ לְחִכִּי Ps 119:103 how smooth (agreeable, pleasant) are thy words to my palate (|| מִדְּבַשׁ לְפִי).

sweet
mālaṣ
to be smooth, i.e., (figuratively) pleasant
  • to be smooth, be slippery
    • (Niphal) to be smooth (agreeable, pleasant)

לְ ֭חִכִּ י
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
֭חִכִּ
Root word mouth, taste
י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: חֵךְ · hake

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: unto my taste
his mouth ×2 my mouth ×2 and her mouth ×1 and the mouth ×1 and the roof of thy mouth ×1 as the mouth ×1 in my mouth ×1 my taste ×1
More options
mouth — Most general rendering; suits most contexts.
palate — Precise anatomical term; fits taste/speech contexts.
taste — Use when the sense of discernment or flavor is in view.
roof of the mouth — Literal anatomical reading; good for physical description.
speech — Figurative; when חֵךְ refers to what one says.

BDB2928 H2441

BDB2927 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2929

חֵךְ noun masculine palate, roof of mouth, gums (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חִכָּא Arabic palate, roof of mouth, jaws, lower part of mouth, lower jaw of horse, mouth, etc. Lane659 Dozyi. 332); — absolute ׳ח Job 12:11; Job 34:3 suffix חִכִּי Prov 8:7 + 6 t., חִכְּךָ Hos 8:1, חִכֶּ֑ךָ Ezek 3:26; Prov 24:13 chiefly in poetry, especially Wisdom Literature: — חִכֵךְ Song 7:10, חִכּוֺ Lam 4:4 + 2 t., חִכָּהּ Prov 5:3, חִכָּם Job 29:10palate, roof of mouth:
  a. אֶלחִֿכְּךָ שֹׁפָר Hos 8:1 a trumpet to thy palate! (or gums; as in English, to thy lips); often with לָשׁוֺן, tongue clings (דבק) to חך, expression for speechlessness Ezek 3:26; Job 29:10, as imprecation Ps 137:6 for the parching of extreme thirst Lam 4:4 (בַּצָּמָא), compare Ps 22:16 ᵑ0 יָבֵּשׁ כַּחֶרֶשׂ כֹּחִי read חִכִּי for כחי see Checritical note (|| לְשׁוֺנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֺחָ֑י).
  b. as organ of speech Prov 5:3; Prov 8:7 (both || שְׂפָתַיִם), Job 31:30; Job 33:2 דִּבְּרָה לְשׁוֺנִי בְחִכִּי (|| פָּתַחְתִּי פִי).
  c. as organ of taste Job 12:11; Job 34:3, פִּרְיוֺ מָתוֺק לְחִכִּי Song 2:3 his fruit was sweet to my palate, Prov 24:13 (implied simile of wisdom as sweet to the soul); figurative of God's words as sweet ׳לְח Ps 119:103 (|| פִּי); of taste as distinguishing misfortunes Job 6:30 (|| לָשׁוֺן; > others of speech); of keeping wickedness ׳בְּתוֺךְ ח Job 20:18 (|| תַּחַת לָשׁוֺן), i.e. delighting in and prolonging the taste of it.
  d. nearly = mouth, as an element in personal sweetness and beauty Song 5:16; Song 7:10.

mouth, taste
ḥēk
properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
  • mouth, palate, taste, gums

אִמְרָתֶ ֗ךָ
אִמְרָתֶ
Root word word, speech, words, commandment
֗ךָ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: אִמְרָה · im-RAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: thy words
thy word ×9 the word ×4 my speech ×3 according to thy word ×2 and thy speech ×2 in thy word ×2 me according to thy word ×2 unto my speech ×2
More options
word — Broadest equivalent; fits most poetic and prose contexts.
saying — Emphasizes the spoken or quoted character of utterance.
promise — Preferred when divine faithfulness or pledge is in view.
command — Use when the word carries authoritative, directive force.
speech — Highlights extended or formal discourse rather than a single word.
declaration — Formal register; suits solemn or proclamatory contexts.

BDB559 H561 H565

BDB558 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB560

[אִמְרָה] noun feminine utterance, speech, word (in poetry, mostly singular collective, compare plural verb Ps 119:103, but here read probably Pluraln. compare ᵐ5 Ol Hi De Che) — construct אִמְרַת Isa 5:24 +; אִמְרָתִי Gen 4:23 + etc.; Plural absolute אֲמָרוֺת Ps 12:7 construct אִמֲרוֺת ib.; — utterance, speech Gen 4:23 (song of Lamech, || קוֺל); so Isa 28:23; Isa 32:9; Deut 32:2 (|| לֶקַח), Ps 17:9; Isa 29:4 (twice in verse) (|| also דִּבֶּד); especially saying(s), words(s) of ׳י (command & promise) Deut 33:9 (|| בְּרִית); Isa 5:24 (|| תּוֺרָה) 2Sam 22:31 = Ps 18:31; Ps 12:7; Ps 105:19 (|| דָּבָר; esp Ps 119:11; Ps 119:38; Ps 119:41 + 16 t.; Ps 138:2; Ps 147:15 (|| דָּבָר), Prov 30:5.


BDB560 H565

BDB559 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB561

[אֶמְרָה] noun feminine id., only אֶמְרָתוֺ אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה Lam 2:17.

word, speech, words, commandment
ʾimrâ
an utterance
  • utterance, speech, word
    • word of God, the Torah

מִ דְּבַ֥שׁ
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
דְּבַ֥שׁ
Root word honey
Dictionary form: דְּבַשׁ · deh-BAHSH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: yea sweeter than honey
and honey ×29 honey ×9 and of honey ×2 of honey ×2 the honey ×2 also than honey ×1 and with honey ×1 as honey ×1
More options
honey — Direct, universally understood modern equivalent.
nectar — Poetic contexts; evokes sweetness and natural richness.
wild honey — Use when the wilderness/natural source is emphasized.
syrup — Some scholars read dəḇaš as date or grape syrup; contextual.
sweetness — Figurative or metaphorical passages stressing quality.
golden honey — Vivid, literary contexts where color or richness is highlighted.

BDB1832 H1706

BDB1831 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1833

דְּבַשׁ54 noun masculine1Sam 14:29 honey (named from colour according to Fl NHWBi. 430; Arabic () date-honey; Late Hebrew דְּבַשׁ, Aramaic דּובשא, , , honey both of fruits and of bees; compare also Assyrian dišpu COTGloss ZimBP 84 DlPr 70) — absolute ׳ד Gen 43:11 + 33 t.; דְּבָ֑שׁ Exod 3:8 + 18 t.; suffix דִּבְשִׁי Song 5:1honey, product of bees, used as food Judg 14:8; Judg 14:9; Judg 14:18 (in lion's carcass); found in (clefts of) rock Deut 32:13 (מִסֶּלַע ׳ד, in song, J E), Ps 81:17 (׳מִצּוּר ד); in woods, on ground 1Sam 14:25 (עלפֿני השׂדה) v1Sam 14:26 (׳הֵלֶךְ ד; but read rather הָלַךְ דְּבֹרוֺ its bees had departed, We Dr after ᵐ5) v1Sam 14:29 v1Sam 14:43 transported in jar or bottle ׳בַּקְבֻּק ד 1Kgs 14:3 contribution to priests and Levites 2Chr 31:5 || חֶמְאָה 2Sam 17:29; Isa 7:15; Isa 7:22 (in last two the being limited to such food is apparently token of destitution); kept in store Jer 41:8 a choice gift Gen 43:11 (J); article of trade Ezek 27:17 (in these two perhaps = grape syrup, modern dibs, compare Di Gen 43:11 see RobBR ii. 81); forbidden as burnt offering Lev 2:11 (|| שְׂאֹר); honey comb = ׳יַעְרַת הַדּ 1Sam 14:27 (compare יַעְרִי Song 5:1); also ׳צוּף ד Prov 16:24 (compare נֹפֶת צופים Ps 19:11); most often in phrase describing abundance in land of Canaan ׳אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּד Exod 3:8; Exod 3:17; Exod 13:5; Exod 33:3 (all J E) Lev 20:24 (H) Num 13:27; Num 14:8; Num 16:18; Num 16:14 (all J E) Deut 6:3; Deut 11:9; Deut 26:9; Deut 26:15; Deut 27:3; Deut 31:20 (all D) Josh 5:6 (D) Jer 11:5; Jer 32:22; Ezek 20:6; Ezek 20:15 compare Deut 8:8; 2Kgs 18:32 (of land of captivity, words of the Rabshak); see also Ezek 16:13; Ezek 16:19; Job 20:17 וְחֶמְאָה ׳נַחֲלֵי ד; honey, used to illustrate moral teachings Prov 24:13 (|| נֹפֶת), Prov 25:16; Prov 25:27 (danger of surfeit); simile of sweetness of taste Ezek 3:3 (the roll), compare כְּצַפִּיחִת ׳בִּד Exod 16:31 (P; description of manna); of sweetness of the law Ps 19:11 (|| נֹפֶת צוּפִים) compare Ps 119:103 (of pleasant words Prov 16:24 compare above); sweetness of lips וְחָלָב ׳ד Song 4:11 figurative of love דִּבְשִׁי Song 5:1 (|| יַעְרִי, יֵינִי, חֲלָבִי).

honey
dĕbaš
honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup
  • honey

לְ פִֽ י
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
פִֽ
Root word mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: פֶּה · peh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: to my mouth
mouth ×30 the commandment ×26 the mouth ×26 my mouth ×23 his mouth ×21 thy mouth ×18 of his mouth ×17 according to ×14
More options
mouth — Most literal; use for the physical organ or speech.
command — When פֶּה means an authoritative order or directive.
word — Softer than 'command'; suits spoken declarations or sayings.
edge — Used with swords or blades; 'the edge of the sword'.
according to — Idiomatic prepositional sense; matches proportional or conforming contexts.
speech — Highlights oral/verbal communication rather than the organ itself.

BDB6536 H6310 H6366 H6374

BDB6535 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6537

פֶּה485 noun masculineJosh 9:2 mouth (probably biliteral [פו, פי] Sta§ 183; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician לפי according to; Assyrian pû, mouth; Arabic , , ; Ethiopic ; Syriac according to; but also Arabic , , , Biblical Aramaic פֻּם, ᵑ7 פּוּמָא; Syriac ; Mandean פומא M § 87); — absolute ׳פ Exod 4:10 +, construct פִּי Isa 1:20 +; suffix 1 singular פִּי Gen 45:12 +, 2 masculine singular פִּיךָ Gen 41:40 +, 3 masculine singular פִּיו Gen 25:28 +, פִּיהוּ Exod 4:15 +, 3 masculine plural פִּיהֶם Judg 7:6 +, פִּימוֺ Ps 17:10 + 2 t., etc.; plural פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4, (שְׁנֵי) פֵיוֺת Judg 3:16, פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15; Ps 149:6 פִּים 1Sam 13:21 (corrupt, see Dr and others); —

1. a. mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking Gen 25:28; Judg 7:6; 1Sam 14:26; 1Sam 14:27; Neh 9:20; Prov 19:24 = Prov 26:15 +; figurative as finding things sweet Job 20:12; Ps 119:103 figurative of earth Gen 4:11, swallowing Korah, etc. Num 16:30; Num 16:32; Num 26:10; Deut 11:6 figurative also of Sh®°ôl, וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14, compare Ps 69:16.
  b. external organ, וַיָּשֶׂם פִּיו עַלפִּֿיו 2Kgs 4:34; Prov 30:20 of kissing 1Kgs 19:18; Song 1:2, וַתִּשַּׁק יָדִי לְפִי Job 31:27 compare phrase שִׂים יָד עַלפֶּֿה (of keeping silence) Judg 18:19; Mic 7:16; Job 21:5, compare Job 29:9; Job 40:4; Prov 30:32 of mocking triumph ׳פָּעַר עָלַי בְּפ Job 16:10 עַל ׳הִרְחִיב פ Ps 35:21; Isa 57:4, also רָחַב פִּי עַל 1Sam 2:1.
  c. of ׳י in theoph., sending out fire 2Sam 22:9 = Ps 18:9.
2. a. much oftener, as organ of speech, of man: ׳פ speaks Gen 45:12; 2Sam 1:16; Isa 9:16; Job 9:20; Job 15:5; Job 15:6; Ps 37:30 +; speak בְּמוֺפִֿי Job 19:16 open ׳פ, ׳אֶליֿ Judg 11:35; Judg 11:36, absolute Job 3:1; Job 33:2 +; shut ׳פ (be silent) Isa 52:15, compare ׳חָשַׂךְ פ Job 7:11, and (of iniquity, personified) ׳קָצַף פ Job 5:16; Ps 107:42 guard ׳פ, Prov 13:3 (נָצַר), Prov 21:23 (שָׁמַר), compare ׳שָׁמַר פִּתְחֵי פ Mic 7:5, also Ps 39:2 (see שׁמר); words, etc., are in (ב) mouth 2Sam 17:5; 2Sam 18:25; Deut 30:14; 1Kgs 17:24 ׳שִׂים דְּבָרִים בְּפ 2Sam 14:3; 2Sam 14:19; Exod 4:15, also (God subject) Num 22:38; Num 23:12; Num 23:16 +; of utterance ׳יָצָא מִפּ Judg 11:36; Num 30:3; Num 32:24; +; depart from mouth (cease to be mentioned) ׳מוּשׁ מִפּ Josh 1:8; Isa 59:21, compare ׳נִכְרַת מִפּ Jer 7:28, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַלפִּֿיךָ Exod 23:13 ׳אִמְרֵי פ Deut 32:1 words of my mouth, so Job 8:2; Ps 19:15; Ps 54:4 ׳דְּבְרֵי פ Ps 36:4; Eccl 10:12 of agency, ׳כְּפּ by the mouth of 2Chr 36:21; 2Chr 36:22 = ׳מִפּ Ezra 1:1 דִּכֶּר פִּיו עִםפִּֿיו Jer 32:4 speak mouth to mouth = Jer 34:3 ׳פ = speech, sayings Isa 29:13; Ps 49:14; Eccl 10:3 ׳כְּבַד פ Exod 4:10 heavy of speech (not eloquent); ׳אֶהְיֶה עִםפֿ vExod 4:12 vExod 4:15, i.e. aid thee in speaking; ׳יִהְיֶהלְּֿךָ לְפ vExod 4:16 he shall be mouth for thee; מִפִּיו יִקְרָא אֵלַי Jer 36:18, i.e. dictate; ׳כָּתַב מִפּ see כָּתַב 1 b (3); bad qualities ascribed to it, ׳עִקְּשׁוּת פ Prov 4:24; Prov 6:12 פִּי תַהְפֻּכוֺת Prov 8:13 פֶּה חָלָק Prov 26:28 ׳אַלתַּֿגְדֵּל פ Obad 1:12, compare Mic 6:12; Ezek 35:13.
  b. as laughing Job 8:21; Ps 126:2 panting Ps 119:131.
  c. of God; his mouth speaks Isa 1:20; Isa 40:5; Jer 9:11 +; he speaks ׳בְּפ 1Kgs 8:15; 1Kgs 8:34 word proceeds ׳מִפּ Deut 8:3; Isa 45:23 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה אֲדַכֵּר כּוֺ Num 12:8 he creates בְּרוּחַ פִּיו Ps 33:6 he executes judgment כְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו Isa 11:4 especially = command: ׳עָבַר אֶתפִּֿי י 1Sam 15:24; Num 14:41, compare Num 22:18; Prov 8:29 ׳פ (אֶתֿ) מָרָה 1Sam 12:14; 1Sam 12:15; Num 20:24; 1Kgs 13:21 +; compare 6 d. d. of idols, Ps 115:5; Ps 136:16; Ps 136:17.
  e. of musical instrument = sound Amos 6:5 (compare 6 d).
3. of animals: bird Gen 8:11 (carrying), Isa 10:14 (chirping); ass Num 22:28 (speaking); bear, lion 1Sam 17:35 (seizing), Amos 3:12 (id.), hippop. Job 40:23 (drinking), crocodile Job 41:11; Job 41:13 (breathing flame); also of human foes, under figure of ravenous beasts Ps 22:22; Ezek 21:27; Ezek 34:10 פָּצָה עַל ׳פ Ps 22:14; Lam 2:16; Lam 3:46 hence of edge of sword, חֶרֶב פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4 a sword with edges (in simile), = ׳ח פִּיפִיּוֺת Ps 149:6 compare Judg 3:16 see also 6 c (2), below; בַּעַל פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15, of מוֺרַג.
4. mouth = opening, orifice; of well Gen 29:2; Gen 29:3 (twice in verse); Gen 29:8; Gen 29:10 cave Josh 10:18; Josh 10:22; Josh 10:27 ravine, abyss Jer 48:28 (si vera lectio, compare Gie); also of Sh®°ôl Ps 141:7 of a sack Gen 42:27; Gen 43:12; Gen 43:21; Gen 44:1; Gen 44:2; Gen 44:8 ephah Zech 5:8 high-priest's robe Exod 28:32 + 5 t., compare probably Ps 133:2 tunic Job 30:18 of a round opening also 1Kgs 7:31 (3 t. in verse) (on text and meaning see Benz Kit); of mouth of Nile Isa 19:7 (others brink); gate of city Prov 8:3 (but read perhaps לִפְנֵי, see Toy).
5. a. extremity, end פֶּה לָפֶה from end to end, of a temple 2Kgs 10:21 city 2Kgs 21:16, מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה of land Ezra 9:11.
  b. = portion, פִּי שְׁנַיִם Deut 21:17; 2Kgs 2:9; Zech 13:8.
6. with prepositions: —
  a. אֶל פִּי, see below d (2).
  b. כְּפִי:
   (a) according to the command of, 1Chr 12:23
   (b) according to the mouth of, i.e. in proportion to (compare Assyrian ki-i pi-i, DlHWB 325), Exod 16:21 they gathered it אִישׁ כְּפִי אָכְלוֺ each in proportion to his eating (Exod 16:16 vExod 16:18 לְפִי), Lev 25:52 כְּפִי שָׁנָיו according to the number of his years (compare vLev 25:16 לְפִי); Num 6:21; Num 7:5 אִישׁ כְּפִי עֲבֹדָתוֺ (so 2Chr 31:2), 2Chr 7:7; 2Chr 7:8; 2Chr 35:8 (all P); Job 33:6 הֵןאֲֿנִי כְפִיךָ לָאֵל I am in the proportion of thee as regards God, i.e. I stand towards God even as thou dost. As conjunction, כְּפִי אֲשֶׁר, Mal 2:9 כְּפי אֲשֶׁר אֵינְכֶם שֹׁמְרִים אֶתדְּֿרָכַי accusative asye do not keep, etc.; and without אשׁר Zech 2:4 כְּפִי אִישׁלֹֿא נָשָׂא ראֹשׁוֺ in such proportion that none did lift up his head (but We Now אֲשֶׁר for אִישׁ, that it, Judah, did not, etc.).
  c. לְפִי, nearly the same with כְּפִי (see לְ 5 i b), but more common (compare Aramaic לְפוּם, ): (1) Gen 47:12 לְפִי הַטָּ֑ף, Exod 12:4 ye shall compute אִישׁ לְפִי אָכְלוֺ each according to his eating (according to the quantity which his family will consume), Exod 16:16; Exod 16:18; Lev 25:16 לְפִי רֹב הַשָּׁנִים, vLev 25:16 vLev 25:51; Lev 27:16 לְפִי זַרְעוֺ, Num 26:54; Josh 18:4; 1Kgs 17:1 except לְפִי דְבָרִי, Hos 10:12 קִצְרוּ לְפִי חֶסֶד (|| לִצְדָקָה), Prov 12:8; Prov 27:2: followed by infinitive Num 9:17 לְפִי הֵעָלוֺת הֶעָנָן = accusative as the cloud was lifted up, Jer 29:10. (2) in the phrase לְפִי חֶרֶב according to the mouth, or measure, of the sword, i.e. as the sword devours, without quarter, Gen 34:26; Exod 17:13; Num 21:24 + often
  d. עַל פִּי: (1) according to (עַל 1 f a) the mouth of, i.e.
   (a) the command of, Gen 41:40; Gen 45:21; Exod 17:1; Exod 38:21; Num 3:16; Num 3:39 + (especially P), 2Kgs 23:35 (β) the evidence or sentence of, Deut 17:6 עַלפִּֿי עֵד אֶחָד, Deut 19:15; Deut 21:5 (on עַלפִּֿי הַנָּ֑בֶל Amos 6:5, see 2 e above). (2) according to the measure of, in accordance with, Gen 43:7 we told him על פי הדברים האלה according to these words (i.e. the questions Joseph asked), Exod 34:27 in accordance with these words, Lev 27:8 עלפֿי אשׁר תַּשִּׂיג יַד הנֹּדֵר according to what the hand of the vower can reach to, vLev 27:18 (compare לְפִי Lev 25:16; Lev 25:51), Deut 17:10; Deut 17:11; 2Sam 13:32 (but see שׂוּמָה), Prov 22:6 חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר על פי דרכו. In the same sense אֶל פִּי, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3.


BDB9814 H6310 H6433

BDB9813 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9815

פֻּם noun masculineDan 7:8 mouth (compare Biblical Hebrew פֶּה; on form see K§ 61, 2) M§ 76f.); — ׳פ absolute Dan 7:8; Dan 7:20, construct Dan 4:28 +, suffix פֻּמֵּהּ (on form see Kl.c. Zur Gram. d. Class. Arabic 15 (1896) (expansion of biliteral √), BaZMG xii (1887), 633 f.) Dan 7:5mouth of king Dan 4:28, lions Dan 6:23, beast (in vision) Dan 7:5, horn (ib.) vDan 7:8 vDan 7:20 mouth of pit Dan 6:18.


פַּס see פסם. below

mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
pe
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
  • mouth
    • mouth (of man)
    • "mouth (as organ of speech)"mouth (of animals)"mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)"extremity, end

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.
מַה נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי Dechi — a lesser break אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ Revia Gadol — a lesser break מִדְּבַ֥שׁ לְפִֽי Silluq — end of the verse

מַה-נִּמְלְצוּ לְחִכִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ מִדְּבַשׁ לְפִֽי׃
103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Cross References

Proverbs 8:11

כִּֽי-טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִפְּנִינִים וְכָל-חֲפָצִים לֹא יִֽשְׁווּ-בָֽהּ׃
11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Psalms 19:10

הַֽנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב וּמִפַּז רָב וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ וְנֹפֶת צוּפִֽים׃
10
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Proverbs 24:13

אֱכָל-בְּנִי דְבַשׁ כִּי-טוֹב וְנֹפֶת מָתוֹק עַל-חִכֶּֽךָ׃
13
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

Psalms 63:5

כְּמוֹ חֵלֶב וָדֶשֶׁן תִּשְׂבַּע נַפְשִׁי וְשִׂפְתֵי רְנָנוֹת יְהַלֶּל-פִּֽי׃
5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Job 23:12

מִצְוַת שְׂפָתָיו וְלֹא אָמִישׁ מֵחֻקִּי צָפַנְתִּי אִמְרֵי-פִֽיו׃
12
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Proverbs 3:17

דְּרָכֶיהָ דַרְכֵי-נֹעַם וְֽכָל-נְתִיבוֹתֶיהָ שָׁלֽוֹם׃
17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Song of Solomon 5:1

בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחֹתִי כַלָּה אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי עִם-בְּשָׂמִי אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי עִם-דִּבְשִׁי שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם-חֲלָבִי אִכְלוּ רֵעִים שְׁתוּ וְשִׁכְרוּ דּוֹדִֽים׃
1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Song of Solomon 1:2

יִשָּׁקֵנִי מִנְּשִׁיקוֹת פִּיהוּ כִּֽי-טוֹבִים דֹּדֶיךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃
2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.