Psalms 119:4

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: אַתָּה · at-TAW

Noun — masculine singular

In the KJV here: thou
thou ×485 ye ×157 and thou ×54 art thou ×32 but thou ×31 and ye ×23 but ye ×13 shalt thou ×11
More options
you — Standard modern singular/plural pronoun; default choice.
you yourself — Adds emphasis when the Hebrew is contrastive or emphatic.
you alone — Highlights exclusivity; use when context stresses uniqueness.
as for you — Topicalizing construction; good for sentence-initial emphasis.

BDB614 H859

BDB613 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB615

אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה (so regularly; but 26-7 t., with different disjunctive accents, ׃אַ֑תָּה see FrMM 228; Sta§ 178 a (read 8 for 18) pronoun 2 singular masculine thou (for anta, see above; compare נָתַתָּ for נָתַנְתָּ) Gen 3:11; Gen 3:19 + often written אַתָּ 1Sam 24:19; Ps 6:4; Job 1:10; Eccl 7:22; Neh 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis, Exod 18:19 (twice in verse); 1Sam 17:56 שְׁאַל אַתָּה inquire thou, 1Sam 20:8; 1Sam 22:18; Isa 43:26 סַפֵּר אַתָּה. Added for the purpose of strengthening a genitive or accusative suffix 1Kgs 21:19; Prov 22:19 (Ges«GKC:135»§ 135.2).


BDB615 H859

BDB614 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB616

אתי, i.e. אַתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (feminine), preserved, probably dialectically, 7 t. in Kt, Judg 17:2; 1Kgs 14:2; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 4:23; 2Kgs 8:1; Jer 4:30; Ezek 36:13. (V. above as in Syriac, the י may not have been fully sounded: the Masoretes direct אַתְּ to be everywhere read.)


BDB616 H859

BDB615 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB617

אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pronoun 2 singular feminine thou (feminine) (shortened from אַתִּי (q. v.); in Syriac the two genders are written differently, , , but, the not being sounded, are pronounced alike: in ᵑ7 both are written אַתְּ or אַנְתְּ) Gen 12:11; Gen 12:13; Gen 24:23 + often Thrice Num 11:15; Deut 5:24; Ezek 28:14 used as a masculine (as in Aramaic of ᵑ7); but probably אַתָּ (see below אַתָּה) should be here read.


BDB617 H859

BDB616 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB618

אַתֶּם pronoun 2 masculine plural you (masculine) (for antem, see above) Gen 9:7; Gen 26:27; Gen 29:4 + often with הֲ, הָאַתֶּם Judg 6:31 following the verb for emphasis Judg 15:12; Jer 34:15 construed inaccurately with a feminine Ezek 13:20.


BDB618 H859

BDB617 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB619

אַתֵּן Ezek 34:31 (many editions אַתֶּן), אַתֵּ֫נָה Gen 31:6; Ezek 13:11; Ezek 13:20 (editions אַתֵּ֫נָּה) Ezek 34:17 pronoun 2 feminine plural you (feminine)


BDB9323 H607 H859

BDB9322 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9324

אנתה Kt14 (i.e. אַנְתָּה, peculiar to Biblical Aramaic; Qr אַנְתְּ) pronoun 2 masculine singular thou (Biblical Hebrew אַתָּה; Cappadocian and Egyptian Aramaic אנת (LabEph. 1. 67; S-CA 11 +, feminine אנתי ib. D9, 11, 26+), Nerab את (Cooke186. 190), Palmyrene אנת (ib. 308); ᵑ7Onk את, ᵑ7J אנת (§ 16. 1); Syriac ); — thou, Dan 2:29; Dan 2:31; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:38 etc., Ezra 7:25.


BDB9324 H608 H859

BDB9323 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9325

אַנְתּוּן pronoun 2 masculine plural ye, you (Biblical Hebrew אַתֶּם), Dan 2:8.

thou, ye, you, thee, thyself, …
ʾattâ
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
  • you (second pers. sing. masc.)

צִוִּ֥יתָה
צִוִּ֥יתָה
Root word commanded, command, charged, charge, commandment, …
Dictionary form: צָוָה · tsaw-WAW

Verb — Piel, Perfect (Qatal), second person masculine singular intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: hast commanded
commanded ×152 command ×42 had commanded ×27 i commanded ×24 hath commanded ×20 he commanded ×13 i have commanded ×12 command thee ×8
More options
command — Most direct; suits authoritative, formal, or divine speech.
instruct — Softer register; good for teaching or guidance contexts.
order — Direct and contemporary; fits military or official contexts.
charge — Modernizes KJV 'charged'; implies solemn commissioning or duty.
direct — Neutral tone; useful when emphasis is on guidance over authority.
appoint — Best when the act establishes a role, task, or arrangement.

BDB6978 H6680

BDB6977 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6979

[צָוָה]485 verb Pi`el lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order (BaZMG xii (1887), 641 Gerber124 op. Arabic combine, II. enjoin, IV. charge; injunction, command; Thes compare Syriac , heap up (stones), , stone-heap, Arabic guide-stone, compare Schulth57; Gerber makes Hebrew verbdenominative from מִצְוָה but verb is much earlier); — Perfect 3 masculine singular צִוָּה Gen 6:22 +; suffix צִוַּנִי Deut 4:5 +; צִוְּךָ Deut 4:23 +; צִוָּהוּ Gen 7:5 +, etc.; 1 singular צִוִּיתִי Exod 29:35 + 29 t., צִוֵּיתִי Lev 8:31 + 4 t., etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְצַוֶּה Gen 18:19 + 8 t.; יְצַו Deut 28:8 וַיְצַו Gen 2:16 +; suffix וִיצַוְּךָ 1Chr 22:12, etc.; 1s. וָאֲצִוֶּה Ezra 8:17 Qr (> Kt ואוצאה); 3 masculine plural וַיְצַזּוּ Gen 50:16 +, etc.; Infinitive construct צַוֹּת 2Sam 18:5 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular צַוֵּה Josh 4:16 + 2t.; צַו Lev 6:2 + 9 t.; masculine plural צַוּוּ Josh 1:11; Josh 4:3 Participle מְצַוֶּה Num 32:23 +; construct מְצַוֵּה Isa 55:4, etc.; feminine מְצַוָּה Gen 27:8

1. a. lay charge upon, with עַל person, Gen 2:16 (J) Gen 28:6 (P) 1Kgs 2:43; 1Kgs 11:11; Amos 2:12; Jer 35:6 + 6t.; עַל of thing, עַל הֶעָבִים אֲצַוֶּה מֵהַמְטִיר Isa 5:6, compare Job 36:32, עַלתָֿגָב ׳צ 2Chr 7:13.
  b. give charge to, command to with לְ person Exod 1:22 (E) 1Sam 20:29; 1Chr 22:17; Isa 13:3; Jer 32:23; Ps 105:8 לָנוּ משֶׁה ׳תּוֺרָה צ Deut 33:4, compare Neh 9:14 צַו לְבֵיתֶ֑ךָ 2Kgs 20:1 give charge to thy household (in preparation for death) = Isa 38:1 (compare Late Hebrew, B.Bath.151 b, צַוָּאָה 'verbal will' Id147 a).
  c. give charge uno, with אֶל person Exod 16:34 (P), 1Kgs 11:10 וַיְצַו אֶלכֵּֿיתוֺ 2Sam 17:23 (compare
  b.).
  d. give charge over, appoint, with accusative of person + עַל of thing, Neh 7:2; 1Chr 22:12, (לִהְיוֺת) נָנִיד עַל ׳צ appoint one (to be) ruler over 2Sam 6:21; 1Kgs 1:35 with לנגיד 1Sam 13:14; 1Sam 25:30 שׁפטים על 2Sam 7:11 = 1Chr 17:10 with infinitive (no על), לִרְעוֺת עמי 2Sam 7:7 = 1Chr 17:6 וְצִוִּיתָה אֹתוֺ לְעֵינֵיהֶם Num 27:19 (P) and thou shalt install him in their sight, compare vNum 27:23 (P).
  e. give one charge, command (often עַל concerning), Gen 12:20 (J), Num 8:22 (P), 2Sam 14:8; 2Sam 18:5; Jer 7:22; Jer 39:11; Isa 45:12 (AV RV Che RyKau; > Ges Ew Di Du and others as d), Isa 10:6 (al. against), Nah 1:14 (al. id.); with לְ Num 9:8; Num 32:38 (P), Ps 91:11; Lam 1:17; Esth 3:2 with אֶל Isa 23:11; Jer 47:7.
2. charge, command:
  a. with accusative of person + thing, often, especially of the law: Deuteronomic phrases are אשׁר אנכי מצוךָ Exod 34:11 (J), Deut 4:40; Deut 6:2; Deut 6:6 + 18 t. Deuteronomy, compare Deut 15:15 אשׁר אנכי מצוה אתכם Deut 4:2 (twice in verse) + 9 t. Deuteronomy; הַדֶּרֶךְ ׳אשׁר צ Deut 13:6; Deut 13:6; Exod 32:8 (E) Deut 5:30; Deut 9:12; Deut 9:16; Deut 11:28; Deut 31:29.
  b. with accusative of person + object clause, e.g., Infinitive Gen 50:2+; ו consecutive Perfect Gen 18:19 (J), Num 35:2 (P); ו consecutive Imperfect 2Sam 4:12; 1Kgs 2:46 weak ו with Imperfect Exod 27:20 (P) Josh 4:16 Imperative Josh 1:9; 1Sam 18:22.
  c. accusative of person, accusative of thing omitted, Exod 18:23 (E) Gen 49:33 (P) +; object given after לֵאמֹר Gen 26:11; Gen 32:15; Gen 32:20; Lev 6:2 +; וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 28:1; Gen 49:29 +.
  d. accusative of thing, accusative of person omitted, לעולם בריתוֺ ׳צ Ps 111:9 וֶה הַדָּבָר ׳י ׳אֲשֶׁר צ, Exod 16:16; Exod 16:32; Exod 35:4; Lev 8:5; Lev 9:6; Lev 17:2; Num 30:2; Num 36:6 (P); object clause, Lev 8:34 (P), Lev 13:54 (P); Gen 42:25 (E), 1Kgs 5:20; Judg 4:6.
  e. absolute Gen 50:16 (E), Lam 3:37.
3. charge, command, accusative of person in phrase ׳כַּאֲשֶׁר צ Exod 23:15 (E) Gen 7:9 (P) +; ׳ככל אשׁר צ Gen 7:5 (J) Exod 29:35 (P) +; משֶׁה ׳י ׳כאשׁר צ Exod 12:28; Exod 12:50; Exod 39:1; Exod 39:5 + 37 t. P; משׁה ׳י ׳ככל אשׁר צ Exod 39:32; Exod 39:42 + 5t. P; ׳לכל אשׁר צ Josh 1:18; Josh 22:2; Jer 35:8 accusative of person omitted ׳כאשׁר צ Exod 7:10; Num 32:25 (P) +; ׳ככל אשׁר צ 2Kgs 11:9 = 2Chr 23:8 +; ׳לכל אשׁר צ Exod 36:1 (P).
4. charge, with command to others, commission,
  a. accusative of person +אֶל person (sometimes + accusative of thing) Exod 6:13; Exod 25:22; Lev 27:34 (P) Deut 1:3; Jer 27:4; Esth 4:10 accusative of person omitted Gen 50:16 (E) Esth 3:12; Esth 8:9.
  b. בְּיַד of agent, + אֶל, Num 15:23; Num 36:13 (P); אֶל omitted Lev 8:36 (P), Ezra 9:11; Neh 8:14.
  c. accusative of person + עַל for אֶל Ezra 8:17; 1Chr 22:13; Mal 3:22; Esth 4:5.
  d. with accusative of thing, כִּרְכָתִי לְ ׳וצ Lev 25:21 (P) and I will command my blessing to you, with אִתְּךָ Deut 28:8, compare Ps 133:3 חסדוֺ ׳צ Ps 42:9, בֹּקֶר Job 38:12, נָחָשׁ, חֶרֶב Amos 9:3; Amos 9:4.
5. command, appoint, ordain, of divine act: in creation Isa 45:12; Ps 33:9; Ps 148:5, providence 2Sam 17:4; Amos 6:11; Amos 9:9; Job 37:12; Ps 78:23; Isa 34:16, redemption Ps 7:7; Ps 44:5; Ps 68:29; Ps 71:3 so of idol Isa 48:5 (|| עשׂה). Pu`al Perfect 3 masculine singular צֻוָּה Num 3:16; Num 36:2 2 masculine singular צֻוֵּיתָה Gen 45:19, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְצֻוֶּה Exod 34:34be commanded, i.e. receive command, subject person, Gen 45:19 (E), with בְּ by whom Num 36:2 (P); ׳אשׁר צ Exod 34:34 (P), ׳כִּיכֵֿן צ Lev 8:35; Lev 10:13 (P), ׳כאשׁר צ Num 3:16 (P) Ezek 12:7; Ezek 24:18; Ezek 37:7.

commanded, command, charged, charge, commandment, …
ṣāwâ
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
  • to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order
    • (Piel)
      • to lay charge upon
      • "to give charge to, give command to"to give charge unto"to give charge over, appoint"to give charge, command"to charge, command"to charge, commission"to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act)
      (Pual) to be commanded

פִקֻּדֶ֗י ךָ
פִקֻּדֶ֗י
Root word precepts, commandments, statutes
ךָ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: פִּקּוּד · pik-KOOD

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

In the KJV here: thy precepts
thy precepts ×15 his commandments ×2 in thy precepts ×2 after thy precepts ×1 from thy precepts ×1 of thy precepts ×1 the statutes ×1 through thy precepts ×1
More options
precept — Closest modern equivalent; formal but widely understood.
commandment — Emphasizes binding authority; suits legal or covenantal contexts.
directive — Neutral, contemporary; good for non-liturgical translations.
instruction — Accessible and broad; suits didactic or wisdom contexts.
statute — Legal register; best when paired with law or covenant language.
order — Concise and direct; fits contexts stressing obedience.

BDB6739 H6490

BDB6738 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6740

[פִּקּוּד]24 noun masculinePs 19:9 precept (of ׳י; properly thing appointed, charge, compareB 2), in Psalms (compare Syriac , ); — only plural construct ׳פִּקּוּדֵי י Ps 19:9, and suffix פִּקּוּדָיו Ps 111:7, פִּקֻּדָיו Ps 103:18 elsewhere פִּקּוּדֶיךָ Ps 119:15; Ps 119:27 + 10 t. 119 + vPs 119:128 (for ᵑ0 פִּקּוּדֵי כֹל, ᵐ5 ᵑ9 and most); פִּקֻּדֶיךָ vPs 119:4 vPs 119:45 +6 t. 119.

precepts, commandments, statutes
piqqûd
properly, appointed, i.e., a mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the Law)
  • precept, statute

לִ שְׁמֹ֥ר
לִ
Prefix — preposition to, for
שְׁמֹ֥ר
Root word keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …
Dictionary form: שָׁמַר · shaw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: us to keep
keep ×28 kept ×24 and keep ×23 to keep ×23 take heed ×16 and to keep ×7 observe ×7 ye shall keep ×6
More options
keep — Most versatile rendering; suits commands and ongoing obligations.
observe — Best for law/covenant contexts: observe the sabbath.
guard — Physical or protective watching over something or someone.
watch over — Caring, attentive oversight; warm, pastoral register.
heed — Prefer when the nuance is careful attention or warning.
preserve — Suits divine protection contexts: God preserves his people.

BDB8848 H8104

BDB8847 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8849

I. שָׁמַר465 verb keep, watch, preserve (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמר in proper name and (Punic) = watchman; Tel Amarna šimiru is perhaps overseer (Canaanism), WklNo. 80, i. 23; Mandean סמירא preserved M 46; compare Arabic converse by night, stay awake (see LagBN 105); BaNB 175 f.; ES 43 infers from eyelid (compare [שְׁמֻרָה] below), and Arabic support, aid, protect (l = r), that two √ √ are combined in Hebrew; but proof insufficient); —

Qal425 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 37:11 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמֹר 1Sam 2:9 +, יִשְׁמָרֿ Jer 5:24 +, suffix 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּ Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 3 feminine singular suffix תִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑ם Prov 14:3 (read תִּשְׁמְרוּם, see Ges«GKC:47g»§ 47g Toy), etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמֹר Job 2:6 +, שָׁמְרָה 1Chr 29:18 +; masculine plural שִׁמְרוּ Josh 6:18 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺר Deut 5:12 +; construct שְׁמֹר Gen 3:24 +, suffix שָׁמְרָהּ Gen 2:15, etc.; Participle active שֹׁמֵר 1Sam 1:12 +, etc.; passive שָׁמוּר Eccl 5:12 (1Sam 9:24 see below), etc.; — [Synon. I. נָצַר, נָטַר, q. v.]:
1. a. keep, have charge of, garden Gen 2:15 (J), ark 1Sam 7:1, property in trust Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9 (E), compare 1Sam 25:31 tend flock Gen 30:31 (E), compare Zech 3:7; Num 3:8 (P); so perhaps (object omitted) Hos 12:13 (where ׳שׁ chosen for parallelism Now Marti and others); Participle הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹ֑כִי Gen 4:9 (J), ׳שׁ of sheep 1Sam 17:20, הַכֵּלִים ׳שׁ v1Sam 17:22, הַכְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:22, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:15, compare vEsth 2:14, etc.
  b. keep, guard, captives Josh 10:18 (J), 1Kgs 20:39, דֶּרֶךְ Gen 3:24 (J); keep watch and ward, אֶל person for whom 1Sam 26:15 (Ps 59:10 see 3 end), עַל person vPs 59:16; Prov 6:22 בַּנַּעַר 2Sam 18:12 have a care of (read לִי for מִי ᵐ5 and modern); in hostile sense, אֶל הָעִיר (in siege) 2Sam 11:16, חַטָאתִי עַל Job 14:16 (but read תַּעֲבֹר with ᵐ5 Ew Di Du and others [not Hi Bu]); absolute with מֵעַל Eccl 5:7 watcheth above, etc.; keep one's mouth, be prudent of speech Prov 21:33, compare Mic 7:5 keep = protect, save, one's life, נֶפֶשׁ Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5, another's Job 2:6 in Proverbs, accusative of person, subject wisdom, Job 4:6 she shall preserve thee, compare (+ מִן of evil) Job 6:24; Job 7:5 especially Participle watch, watchman, of city Isa 21:11 (twice in verse); Isa 21:12; Isa 62:5 (figurative), Song 3:3; Song 5:7 (twice in verse); Ps 127:1 הַמֶּלֶף ׳שׁ (in temple) Jer 35:4 + (see סַף), פֶּית הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳הַפּ 1Kgs 14:27 = 2Chr 12:10, הַשְּׁעָרִים ׳שׁ Neh 13:22, שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת (figurative) Eccl 12:3 ׳שׁ הַבַּיִתךֵסעוֺה ךֵהת פךֵךֵכ (of David's concubines) 2Sam 15:16; 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 20:3 שֹׁמֵר הַכֵּלִים 1Sam 17:22, הַבְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14, חַפַּרְדֵּס ׳שׁ Neh 2:8, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:14; Esth 2:15, שֹׁמְרִים absolute Judg 7:19; Jer 51:12.
  c. hence watch for, wait for, accusative of person 1Sam 19:11 (to kill him), compare Ps 59:1 (title; accusative הַבַּיִת); with יֲקֵכַי Ps 56:7 = dog my steps, Ps 71:10; Jer 20:10 = watch (suspiciously) Job 10:14; Job 13:27; Job 33:11 absolute הַשֹּׁעמרִים Judg 1:24 wait for, נֶשֶׁף Job 24:15, לַבֹּקֶר Ps 130:6 (twice in verse).
  d. watch, observe, accusative of thing 1Sam 1:12; Eccl 11:4; Job 39:1; Jer 8:7 (of birds), with intelligence Isa 42:20; Ps 107:43 accusative of person Ps 37:37 (|| ראה), Zech 11:11 accusative of sin Ps 31:7; Ps 130:3 accusative of thing, for the purpose of avoiding, Ps 17:4.
2. a. keep, retain, of storing up (food) Gen 41:35 (E); absolute Eccl 3:6 (opposed to הִשְׁלִיךְ); treasure up (in memory) Gen 37:11 (E), compare Mal 2:7; 1Chr 29:18; Prov 4:21 (בְּתוֺךְ לְבָבֶ֑ךְ), Prov 22:18 (כְּבִטֱנ֑ךָ); retain wrath Amos 1:11 (read שָׁמֶר לָנֶצַח We Now GASm Marti; see also נָטַר 1) + (anger omitted) Jer 3:5 (|| נטר).
  b. keep within bounds, restrain, object שׁוֺר Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 (E); with accusative hand, מִן of evil Isa 56:2 figurative keep thy foot, with temporal clause Eccl 4:17 לְֿפִי מַחְסוֺם׳אֶשׁ Ps 39:2 (ᵐ5 Du and others אָשִׁימָה); apparently reflexive (= Niph`al), Josh 6:18 (+ מִןהַֿחֵרֶס), possibly sc. גַפְשְׁכֶם Di.
3. a. observe, celebrate, accusative of festival, etc., Exod 23:15 (E), Exod 34:18 (J), Exod 12:17 of day vExod 12:17 (P), of month Deut 16:1.
  b. keep Sabbath Deut 5:12; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:30; Lev 26:2 (all H), Exod 31:13; Exod 31:14; Exod 31:16 (P), Isa 56:4, also (+ מֵחַלְּלוֺ) vIsa 56:2 vIsa 56:6.
  c. of other obligations: keep convenant Ezek 17:14, especially convenant of ׳י Deut 29:8; 1Kgs 11:11 + 5 t., ׳שְׁבֻעַת י 1Kgs 2:43, perform vow Deut 23:24 keep commands Jer 35:18; Ezek 20:18 especially מִצָוֺת, תֻקִּים, יֲבֹדָה, etc., of ׳י (sometimes || נצר), Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10; Amos 2:4; 1Kgs 2:3; Ps 119:8; Ps 119:17; Ps 119:34 + very often (c. 120 t.); ׳דֶּרֶח י ׳שׁ Gen 18:19 (J) + 4 t., ׳דַּרְכֵי י 2Sam 22:22 = Ps 18:22, ׳י ׳ד omitted Judg 2:22 b; אָרְחוֺת צַדַּיקִים ׳שׁ Prov 2:20 (|| תֵּלֵח תְּלֵח בְּדֶרֶח טוֺבֹים), ׳שׁ דְּרָכַי (ways of wisdom) Prov 8:32 (Ps 17:4 see 1 d); keep discharge an office, כְּהֻנָּה Num 3:10; Num 18:7 (both P), absolute 2Chr 5:11 a function or duty, especially מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׳שׁ Lev 8:35; Num 1:53 + approximately 32 t. (see ׳מ below); accusative of obligation often omitted, especially D (and RD) keep and do Deut 4:6; Deut 7:12 + 8 t.; to do Deut 5:1; Deut 5:29 + 16 t. D + 3 t., etc.
  d. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom) Hos 12:7 (חֶסֶד וּמִשְׁפָּט), Isa 56:1; Prov 4:4; Prov 5:2; Prov 7:1; Prov 7:2 bad sense, observe vanities Ps 31:7. — Doubtful are: לִשְׁמֹר absolute Hos 4:10, very strange (conjectures in We Now Marti); שָׁמוּר 1Sam 9:24, HPS אֵחַרְנוּ, compare Now BuComm.; Ps 59:10 read עֻוִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה (as vPs 59:18, ᵑ6 Che Bae).
4. sometimes ׳י subject:
  a. keep, preserve, protect, accusative of person, + ב of way, etc., Gen 28:15; Gen 28:20 (J), Exod 23:20 (E; of מַלְאָח), Ps 91:11 (׳מ), Josh 24:17 (E); accusative of person (or נפשׁ) only: 1Sam 30:23; Jer 31:9; Num 6:24 (P), Job 29:2; Ps 16:1 + 10 t. Psalms; + מִן Ps 121:7 + 2 t.; accusative רַהְּלַי 1Sam 2:9, compare Prov 3:26 (מִן); Participle שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ Ps 121:3; Ps 121:5, compare vPs 121:4, etc.; accusative of city Ps 127:1.
  b. with accusative בְּרִית, ל person Deut 7:12, + חֶסֶד vDeut 7:7 + 5 t., אֱמֶת לְעוֺלָם ׳הַשּׁ Ps 146:6 הַשְּׁבֻעָה Deut 7:8, etc.; passive of covenant (׳י agent) עֲרוּכָה בַכֹּל וּשְׁמֻרָה 2Sam 23:5 (legal terminology, Dr).
5. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest Jer 5:24 (ל person). Niph`al36 Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַד 2Sam 20:10, etc.; Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Judg 13:13 2 masculine plural תִּשָּׁמַ֑רוּ Exod 23:13 Imperative masculine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Isa 7:4 הִדָמשּׁ֫מֶר (לְךָׅ Gen 24:6 +; feminine singular הִשָּֽׁמְרִי Judg 13:4, etc.; —
1. be on one's guard, with בַּחֶרֶב 2Sam 20:10 by reason of the sword, i.e. against it; with ב temporal 1Sam 19:2, שָׁם 2Kgs 6:10 take heed Exod 23:13 (E) Deut 2:4 with מִן person Exod 23:21 (E), Jer 9:3 מִן of thing Judg 13:13; Deut 23:10 מִן infinitive take care not to, etc. Gen 31:29 (E), 2Kgs 6:9 infinitive without מִן Exod 19:12 (J), but read probably מֵעֲלוֺת; followed by פֶּן lest Gen 24:6 (J) + 11 t. (especially Deuteronomy); with (וְ)אַל jussive Exod 10:23 (J), Judg 13:4; Job 36:21, with Imperative coordinate Isa 7:4. — Very often Imperative (24 t.), especially in phrase הִשָּׁמֶרלְֿךָ (12 t.), הִשָּֽׁטְרוּ לָכֶם (3 t.); + לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (RD; + infinitive); + ׳בְּנַפ Jer 17:21 apparently ב pret. on peril of your life (compare ב III. 3 a), so perhaps also בְּרוּחֲכֶם Mal 2:15; Mal 2:16 (We Now).
2. keep oneself, refrain, abstain, מֵאִשָּׁה 1Sam 21:5.
3. be kept, guarded, Hos 12:14 (compare ׳שׁ of Jacob v.Hos 12:13); be preserved (by ׳י) Ps 37:28 (לִיוֺלָם), but read probably עַוָּלִים (לְעוֺלָם) נִשְׁמָ֑דוּ Hup-Ri (Now) Che Bae Du Dr. Pi`el Participle plural מְשַׁמְּרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא Jonah 2:9 those paying regard to false vanities (compare Qal Ps 31:7). Hithpa`el Imperfect 1 singular וָאֶשְׁתַּסֵּר מֵעֲוֺנַי Ps 18:24 I kept myself from, etc. = 2Sam 22:24 (verb cohortative); 3 masculine singular וְיִשְׁתַּמֵּר חֻקּוֺת עָמְרִי Mic 6:16, but read וְתִשְׁמֹר thou keepest, observest, We Now GASm.

keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …
šāmar
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
  • to keep, guard, observe, give heed
    • (Qal)
      • to keep, have charge of
      • "to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
        • watch, watchman (participle)
        to watch for, wait for"to watch, observe"to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)"to keep (within bounds), restrain"to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)"to keep, preserve, protect"to keep, reserve
      (Niphal)
      • to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
      • "to keep oneself, refrain, abstain"to be kept, be guarded
      (Piel) to keep, pay heed"(Hithpael) to keep oneself from

מְאֹֽד
מְאֹֽד
Adverb very, greatly, sore, exceeding, great, …
Dictionary form: מְאֹד · meh-ODE

Adverb

In the KJV here: diligently
very ×28 greatly ×25 was very ×20 a very ×14 exceeding ×8 exceedingly ×7 with a very ×7 and greatly ×6
More options
very — Most versatile; fits nearly any context naturally.
greatly — Best for verbs and actions; emphasizes degree of intensity.
extremely — Stronger than 'very'; good for heightened emotional contexts.
exceedingly — Modernizes KJV form; suits solemn or emphatic passages.
utterly — Use when totality or completeness is the focus.
intensely — Fits inner states like desire, love, or anguish.

BDB4483 H3966

BDB4482 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4484

מְאֹד noun masculine muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly (compare Assyrian mu'du, abundance, HomZMG 1878, 711 ('treasures ana mu'di, in abundance') DlHWB 399): —

1. force, might, Deut 6:5 וּבְכָלמְֿאֹדֶ֑ךָ and with all thy might; hence 2Kgs 23:25.
2. in different idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree):
  a. (so mostly) as adverb accusative, qualifying both adjectives and obs., Gen 1:31 טוֺב מְאֹד good exceedingly, Gen 4:5 וַיִּחַד לְקַיִן מְאֹד and Cain was wroth exceedingly, Gen 7:18 מְאֹד וַיִּרְבּוּ הַמַּיִם וַיִּגְבְּרוּ, Gen 12:14; Gen 13:2 בַּמִּקְנֶה מְאֹד כָּבֵד וְאַבְרָם, vGen 13:13 מאד ׳חַטָּאִים לי, Gen 18:20; Gen 19:3; Gen 19:9; Gen 21:11; Gen 24:16; Gen 24:35, + often, Ps 46:2 נִמְצָא מְאֹד עֶזְרָה בְצָרוֺת as a help in troubles, to be found (= present) exceedingly; with an infinitive Isa 47:9 בְּעָצְמַת חֲבָרַיִח מְאֹד despite of thy spells being very numerous, Josh 9:13 מֵרֹב הַדֶּרֶךְ מְאֹד, 1Kgs 7:47 הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד Gen 15:1; Gen 41:49; Deut 3:5 +, for which in the later language is found לָרֹב מְאֹד Zech 14:14; 2Chr 4:18; 2Chr 9:9 (in 1Kgs 10:10 הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד); 2Chr 24:24; 2Chr 30:13, and even לְהַרְבֵּה מְאֹד 2Chr 11:12; 2Chr 16:8. מְאֹד is not usually separated from the word it qualifies by more than one or two words (as Gen 20:8 האנשׁים מאד וייראו, Num 11:10 מאד ׳ויחר אף י); see, however, Deut 30:14; Judg 12:2; 2Sam 12:5; 1Kgs 11:19; Ps 31:12. It precedes its verb, Ps 47:10 מְאֹד נַעֲלָה (hence Ps 97:9), Ps 92:6.
  b. עַדמְֿאֹד up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly, Gen 27:33 חֲדָדָה גְּדֹלָה ׳עַדמֿ, vGen 27:34; 1Sam 11:15 ׳וישׂמח ֗֗֗ עד מ, 1Sam 25:36 וְהוּא ׳שִׁכֹּר עַדמֿ, 2Sam 2:17; 1Kgs 1:4; Isa 64:8 (compare Lam 5:22), vLam 5:11; Ps 38:7; Ps 38:9; Ps 119:8; Ps 119:43; Ps 119:51; Ps 119:107; Dan 8:8; Dan 11:25.
  c. עַדלִֿמְאֹד (see עַד לְ) 2Chr 16:14.
  d. duplicated (Ges«GKC:113k»§ 113k), Gen 7:19 ׳מ ׳וְהַמַּיִם גָָּֽבְרוּ מ, Gen 30:43; Num 14:7; 1Kgs 7:47; 2Kgs 10:4; Ezek 37:10.
  e. בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד literally with muchness, muchness, Gen 17:2; Gen 17:6; Gen 17:20; Exod 1:7 (all P), Ezek 9:9; Ezek 16:13.

very, greatly, sore, exceeding, great, …
mĕʾōd
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated)
  • (adv) exceedingly, much
  • "(subst) might, force, abundance"(n m) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
    • force, might
    • "exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
      • exceedingly
      • "up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly"with muchness, muchness

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.
אַ֭תָּה Dechi — a lesser break צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ Revia Gadol — a lesser break לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד Silluq — end of the verse

אַתָּה צִוִּיתָה פִקֻּדֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹר מְאֹֽד׃
4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Cross References

1 John 5:3

αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ ἵνα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν καὶ αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖαι οὐκ εἰσίν.
3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

John 14:21

ἔχων τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τηρῶν αὐτὰς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν ἀγαπῶν με· δὲ ἀγαπῶν με ἀγαπηθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἐγὼ ἀγαπήσω αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμφανίσω αὐτῷ ἐμαυτόν
21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Matthew 28:20

διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδού ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος Ἀμήν
20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jeremiah 7:23

כִּי אִֽם-אֶת-הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה צִוִּיתִי אוֹתָם לֵאמֹר שִׁמְעוּ בְקוֹלִי וְהָיִיתִי לָכֶם לֵֽאלֹהִים וְאַתֶּם תִּֽהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם וַהֲלַכְתֶּם בְּכָל-הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָכֶֽם׃
23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Deuteronomy 28:1

וְהָיָה אִם-שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת אֶת-כָּל-מִצְוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם וּנְתָנְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ עֶלְיוֹן עַל כָּל-גּוֹיֵי הָאָֽרֶץ׃
1
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

John 14:15

Ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτέ με τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς ἐμὰς τηρήσατε
15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 12:32

אֵת כָּל-הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם אֹתוֹ תִשְׁמְרוּ לַֽעֲשׂוֹת לֹֽא-תֹסֵף עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרַע מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Philippians 4:8

Τὸ λοιπόν ἀδελφοί ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ ὅσα σεμνά ὅσα δίκαια ὅσα ἁγνά ὅσα προσφιλῆ ὅσα εὔφημα εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος ταῦτα λογίζεσθε·
8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Deuteronomy 30:16

אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם לְאַֽהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו וְלִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֹתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וְחָיִיתָ וְרָבִיתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר-אַתָּה בָא-שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
16
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Joshua 1:7

רַק חֲזַק וֶֽאֱמַץ מְאֹד לִשְׁמֹר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת כְּכָל-הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ מֹשֶׁה עַבְדִּי אַל-תָּסוּר מִמֶּנּוּ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול לְמַעַן תַּשְׂכִּיל בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃
7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Deuteronomy 4:1

וְעַתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁמַע אֶל-הַֽחֻקִּים וְאֶל-הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְלַמֵּד אֶתְכֶם לַֽעֲשׂוֹת לְמַעַן תִּֽחְיוּ וּבָאתֶם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָכֶֽם׃
1
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

Deuteronomy 6:17

שָׁמוֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּן אֶת-מִצְוֹת יְהוָה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם וְעֵֽדֹתָיו וְחֻקָּיו אֲשֶׁר צִוָּֽךְ׃
17
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Deuteronomy 11:22

כִּי אִם-שָׁמֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּן אֶת-כָּל-הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם לַֽעֲשֹׂתָהּ לְאַֽהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם לָלֶכֶת בְּכָל-דְּרָכָיו וּלְדָבְקָה-בֽוֹ׃
22
For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Deuteronomy 4:9

רַק הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ וּשְׁמֹר נַפְשְׁךָ מְאֹד פֶּן-תִּשְׁכַּח אֶת-הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר-רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ וּפֶן-יָסוּרוּ מִלְּבָבְךָ כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ וְהֽוֹדַעְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֵי בָנֶֽיךָ׃
9
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Deuteronomy 11:13

וְהָיָה אִם-שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל-מִצְוֹתַי אֲשֶׁר אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם לְאַֽהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּכָל-לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃
13
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 5:29

מִֽי-יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם לְיִרְאָה אֹתִי וְלִשְׁמֹר אֶת-כָּל-מִצְוֹתַי כָּל-הַיָּמִים לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָהֶם וְלִבְנֵיהֶם לְעֹלָֽם׃
29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!