Psalms 119:122

עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַֽל יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים

Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

עֲרֹ֣ב

Root word surety, meddle, mingled, pledges, sureties, …

Dictionary form: עָרַב · aw-RAHB

Verb — Qal, Imperative, second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: be surety

is surety ×2 and becometh ×1 and meddle ×1 and the occupiers ×1 be surety ×1 became surety ×1 but were mingled ×1 engaged ×1

More options

guarantee — Best for financial/legal pledge contexts; widely understood today.

pledge — Covers both verbal commitment and collateral contexts.

vouch for — Idiomatic for personally standing behind someone else.

stand surety — Retains legal register; modernizes KJV 'is surety' naturally.

meddle — Use when sense is intrusive involvement, not pledge.

undertake — Formal; suits contexts of solemn personal responsibility.

BDB6349 H6148

II. עָרַב verb take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange (Late Hebrew go surety for (rare); Phoenician ערב surety; Old Aramaic ערבא pledge; ᵑ7 עֲרַב, Syriac , go surety for; usually identified with I. ערב — mix, exchange, pledge — but quite uncertain; compare Buhl^Lex Lag^{BN 203}); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Gen 44:32 + 4 t.; 2 masculine singular עָרַבְתָּ Prov 6:1 Imperfect 1 singular suffix אֶעֶרְבֶנּוּ Gen 43:9 Imperative עֲרֹב Ps 119:122, suffix עָרְבֵנִי Isa 38:14, so Job 17:3 (but see below); Infinitive construct לַעֲרֹב Ezek 27:9 Participle עֹרֵב Prov 17:18, etc.; —

1. with accusative of person taken on pledge, i.e. go surety for the safety of, Gen 43:9 (J), Gen 44:32 (J; + מֵעִם person); for the debts of Prov 11:15; Prov 20:16; Prov 27:13 of God Isa 38:14 go surety for me, Ps 119:122, so Job 17:3 (si vera lectio, see עֵרָבוֺן); accusative of person omitted, לְ ׳ע Prov 6:1 go surety to one (in behalf of another, || תָּקַע לַזָּר כַּפֶּ֑יךָ); with accusative of thing Prov 22:26 (|| תֹּקְעֵיכָֿ֑ף).

2. give in pledge, with accusative of thing Neh 5:3 (i.e. mortagage), figurative אֶתלִֿבּוֺ ׳ע Jer 30:21 so עֲרֻבָּה לִפְנֵי רֵעֵהוּ ׳ע Prov 17:18 (|| תֹּקֵעַ כָּ֑ף).

3. exchange (in trade), with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מָעֲרָבֵךְ Ezek 27:9; Ezek 27:27.

Hithpa`el 1. reciprocal: Imperative הִתְעָ֫רֶב נָא אֶתאֲֿדֹנִי 2Kgs 18:23 exchange pledges (make a bargain) with my lord = Isa 36:8.

2. a. have fellowship with, בְּ person, Perfect 3 plural הִתְעָֽרְבוּ Ezra 9:2 Imperfect 3 masculine plural וַיִּתְעָֽרְבוּ Ps 106:35 2 masculine singular תִּתְעָרָ֑ב with לְ person Prov 20:19, with עִם person Prov 24:21.
b. share in, בְּ of thing, 3 masculine singular יִתְעָרַב Prov 14:10 in his joy no other shares..

surety, meddle, mingled, pledges, sureties, …

ʿārab

to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

to pledge, exchange, mortgage, engage, occupy, undertake for, give pledges, be or become surety, take on pledge, give in pledge

(Qal)

to take on pledge, go surety for

to exchange pledges

אַֽל

Particle not

Dictionary form: אַל · al

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: let not

not ×238 neither ×59 let not ×44 be not ×26 nor ×23 ye not ×18 no ×17 me not ×15

More options

do not — Most natural modern negative imperative; broadly applicable.

never — Use when the prohibition carries a sense of absolute refusal.

nor — Coordinating negative; links parallel prohibitions or negations.

no — Emphatic short-form negative; fits exclamatory or abrupt contexts.

and do not — Connects a negative command to a preceding clause smoothly.

must not — Stronger deontic force; stresses obligation to refrain.

BDB419 H408

II. אַל adverb of negation (so Phoenician e.g. CIS^{i.^3,4.5.8}, Biblical Aramaic, Sabean (DHM^{ZMG 1875, 596}), and in the Ethiopic albo, is not), denying however, not objectively as a fact (like לֹא οὐ), but subjectively as a wish (like μή), expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition:
a.
(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number; Gen 15:1 and often אַלתִּֿירָא fear not! Gen 22:12 אַלתִּֿשְׁלַח יָָֽדְךָ put not forth thy hand, Gen 37:27 וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ and let not our hand be upon him, Gen 21:16 אַלאֶֿרְאֶה let me not look upon the death of the lad! Ps 25:2 אַלאֵֿבוֺשָׁה let me not be ashamed; with 1 plural (rare) 2Sam 13:25; Jer 18:18; Jonah 1:14. In an imprecation: Gen 49:4 אַלתּֿוֺתַר have not thou the excellency! Ps 109:12; Job 3:4; Job 3:6. Sometimes strengthened by נָא : Gen 13:8; Gen 18:3 and elsewhere
(b) without a verb, (α) 2Sam 1:21 let (there be) not dew & not rain upon you! Isa 62:6; Ps 83:1. (β) used absolutely, in deprecation Gen 19:18; 2Sam 13:16 (see below אוֺדָה) 2Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 6:27 (see RVm: but possibly to be explained by Dr^{§ 152 iii}; so Th Ke: hardly as Ew^{§ 355 b}) Ruth 1:13 אַל בְּנֹתַי Nay, my daughters, compare Judg 19:23 (γ) after a preceding imperative Amos 5:14; Joel 2:13; Prov 8:10, a jussive Prov 27:2, an infinitive absolute Prov 27:2. (χ) in poetry אַל sometimes expresses vividly the emotion or sympathy of the poet (see Dr^{§ 56-8}); Isa 2:9 וְאַלתִּֿשָּׂא לָהֶם and forgive them not! (with a touch of passion), Ps 41:3; Prov 3:25; Job 5:22; Ps 34:6 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew Che here read וּפְנֵיכֶם, probably rightly); Ps 50:3 a may our God come וְאַלֿ יֶ֫חֱשָרשׁ and not be silent! (the psalmist identifying himself with a spectator of the scene vPs 50:2; Ps 50:3 b-c) Ps 121:3 (contrast vPs 121:4 לֹא) Jer 46:6 +.
b. once Prov 12:28 joined closely to a substantive (compare לֹא 2 b) to express with emphasis its negation: In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway therecf אַלמָֿוֶת there is no-death! i.e. immortality.
c. once Job 24:25 used in poetry as a substantive, And bring my words לְאַל to nought! —

N.B. 1Sam 27:10 אַלפְּֿשַׁטְתֶּם הַיּוֺם, אַל with the perfect is against all analogy; and either אֶלמִֿי (with ᵐ5. ᵑ9), or better אָן whither? (with ᵑ6 ᵑ7 : see 1Sam 10:14) must be read.

BDB9298 H409 H408

אַל adverb of prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . ., followed by imperfect ( = Biblical Hebrew I. אַל; Zenjirli אל (Had^{22. 23. 29}) Cooke^{160 f.}; compare Pahlavi (Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1016}); not ᵑ7 Syriac); — Dan 2:24 אַלֹתְּֿהוֺבֵד, Dan 4:16; Dan 5:10.

not, neither, no, nor, nay, …

ʾal

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

do not, let not (with a verb)

יַעַשְׁקֻ ֥נִי

יַעַשְׁקֻ

Root word oppressed, oppress, oppresseth, defrauded, oppressor, …

֥נִי

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: עָשַׁק · aw-SHAHK

Verb — Qal, Jussive, third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" a wish or command — try "let him ___" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: oppress me

oppressed ×4 he that oppresseth ×2 to do them wrong ×2 and against those that oppress ×1 and oppress ×1 defraud ×1 defrauded ×1 for the oppressed ×1

More options

oppress — Most direct modern equivalent; broad contextual fit.

exploit — Emphasizes taking unfair advantage of vulnerability.

wrong — Informal, relational tone; suits legal or moral contexts.

defraud — Highlights deceitful or financial dimension of the abuse.

abuse — Strong register; suits physical or systemic mistreatment.

extort — Best when coercion or unjust gain is in view.

BDB6455 H6231

עָשַׁק verb oppress, wrong, extort (ᵑ7 עֲשַׁק = Biblical Hebrew, so Old Aramaic עשק; Syriac accuse, slander; Assyrian adjective eš‡u, strong; Arabic roughness, injustice); —

Qal Perfect ׳ע Lev 5:21; Ezek 18:18 2 masculine singular suffix עֲשַׁקְתָּ֫נוּ 1Sam 12:4, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַעַשׁקֻנִי Ps 119:122 2 masculine singular תַּעֲשֹׁק Lev 19:13 +, etc.; Infinitive construct עֲשֹׁק Hos 12:8, suffix עָשְׁקָם 1Chr 16:21; Ps 105:14 Participle active עשֵׁק Prov 14:31 +, feminine plural הָעשְׁקוֺת Amos 4:1, etc.; passive עָשׁוּק Deut 28:29 +, etc.; —

1. oppress, wrong (often by extortion, || גָּזַל), with accusative of person 1Sam 12:3; 1Sam 12:4; Mic 2:2; Lev 5:21; Lev 19:13 especially the poor and helpless Amos 4:1; Deut 24:14; Jer 7:6; Ezek 22:29; Zech 7:10; Prov 14:31; Prov 22:16; Prov 28:3; Eccl 4:1 also with accusative of congnate meaning with verb עשֶׁק (וְ)גָזַל גָּזֵל ׳ע Ezek 18:18 practise extortion, Ezek 22:29, take by extortion Lev 5:23 and (with accusative of thing) Mal 3:5 absolute Hos 12:8 practise extortion; Job 10:3 deal tyrannically (of God); participle oppressor, extortioner Jer 21:12; Ps 72:4; Eccl 4:1 passive participle as substantive the oppressed Ps 103:6; Ps 146:7.

2. oppress a nation Isa 52:4, compare Ps 105:14 = 1Chr 16:21; Ps 119:122, participle act. oppressor vPs 119:121, passive participle oppressed Jer 50:33, in predict. וְגָזוּל ׳ע Deut 28:29, וְרָצּוּץ ׳ע vDeut 28:23; Hos 5:11.

3. dubious are: יַעְשֹׁק נָהָר Job 40:23 a river oppresses him, i.e. rushes violently upon him (that is, the hippopotamus; Du יָשֹׁק, from שׁוּק; > Gunk Bu יִשְׁקַע falls, sinks); עָשֻׁק בְּדַם נֶפֶשׁ Prov 28:17 oppressed (? burdened) with the blood of a person. Pu`al Participle feminine הַמְּעֻשָּׁקָה Isa 23:12 crushed (of conquered Sidon under figure of woman).

oppressed, oppress, oppresseth, defrauded, oppressor, …

ʿāšaq

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

to press upon, oppress, violate, defraud, do violence, get deceitfully, wrong, extort

(Qal)

to oppress, wrong, extort

זֵדִֽים

Root word proud, presumptuous

Dictionary form: זֵד · dzade

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: the proud

the proud ×9 from presumptuous ×1 let the proud ×1 of the proud ×1 proud ×1

More options

arrogant — Most natural modern word for haughty self-importance.

presumptuous — Fits contexts of overstepping boundaries or divine limits.

insolent — Emphasizes contemptuous, defiant attitude toward others or God.

proud — Modernized KJV rendering; slightly weaker in contemporary usage.

audacious — Highlights bold, reckless overconfidence; more vivid register.

BDB2338 H2086

זֵד adjective insolent, presumptuous: — ׳ז Prov 21:24 plural זֵדִים Jer 43:2 + 11 t.; — always masculine, and always of opposition to ׳י, wickedness; with qualified noun expressed, only הָאֲנָשִׁים הַזֵּדִים Jer 43:2, of opponents of Jeremiah; elsewhere used substantively, as technical term for godless, rebellious men; once singular זֵד יָהִיר לֵץ שְׁמוֺ Prov 21:24 a haughty insolent one, scorner is his name (|| עוֺשֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדוֺן); usually plural Isa 13:11(׳גְּאוֺן ז; || גַּאֲוַת עָרִיצִים); Mal 3:13 (|| עשֵֹׁי רִשְׁעָה), v.Mal 4:19 (|| רִשְׁעָה עשֵֹׁה); and in Ps 86:14 (|| עָרִיצִים), Ps 119:21(|| מִמִּצְוֺתֶיךָ הַשֹּׁגִים), vPs 119:51 vPs 119:69 vPs 119:78 vPs 119:85 vPs 119:122 so probably also Ps 19:14 גַּם מִזֵּדִים חֲשׂךְ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ also from presumptuous men hold back thy servant (Ew Ol Hup Che RVm); > presumptuous sins Deal. (AV RV).

proud, presumptuous

zēd

arrogant

arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous

the arrogant ones (as n coll pl)

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.

עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here אַֽל יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים Silluq — end of the verse

עֲרֹב עַבְדְּךָ לְטוֹב אַֽל-יַעַשְׁקֻנִי זֵדִֽים׃

122

Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Cross References

Hebrews 7:22

κατὰ τοσοῦτον κρείττονος διαθήκης γέγονεν ἔγγυος Ἰησοῦς

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Psalms 119:21

גָּעַרְתָּ זֵדִים אֲרוּרִים הַשֹּׁגִים מִמִּצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃

Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

Proverbs 22:26

אַל-תְּהִי בְתֹֽקְעֵי-כָף בַּעֹרְבִים מַשָּׁאֽוֹת׃

Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

Isaiah 38:14

כְּסוּס עָגוּר כֵּן אֲצַפְצֵף אֶהְגֶּה כַּיּוֹנָה דַּלּוּ עֵינַי לַמָּרוֹם אֲדֹנָי עָֽשְׁקָה-לִּי עָרְבֵֽנִי׃

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Job 17:3

שִֽׂימָה-נָּא עָרְבֵנִי עִמָּךְ מִֽי הוּא לְיָדִי יִתָּקֵֽעַ׃

Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

Genesis 43:9

אָֽנֹכִי אֶֽעֶרְבֶנּוּ מִיָּדִי תְּבַקְשֶׁנּוּ אִם-לֹא הֲבִֽיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ וְחָטָאתִֽי לְךָ כָּל-הַיָּמִֽים׃

I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

Psalms 36:11

אַל-תְּבוֹאֵנִי רֶגֶל גַּאֲוָה וְיַד-רְשָׁעִים אַל-תְּנִדֵֽנִי׃

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Philemon 1:18

εἰ δέ τι ἠδίκησέν σε ἢ ὀφείλει τοῦτο ἐμοὶ ἐλλόγει·

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put account; that on mine

Psalms 119:121

Read Psalms 119

Psalms 119:123

Psalms 119:122

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqv2ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6148

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsc/Sp2ms

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5650

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Aamsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2896

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Tn

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H408

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqj3mp/Sp1cs

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6231

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Aampa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2086

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV