Psalms 119:5

אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אַ֭חֲלַי

Particle an exclamation — "behold!", "oh!"

Dictionary form: אַחֲלַי · ah-huh-LAI

Particle — Interjection

In the KJV here: o that

o that ×1 would god ×1

More options

if only — Most natural modern English wish particle.

how I wish — Conversational; emphasizes personal longing.

I wish that — Plain prose alternative to 'if only'.

would that — Slightly formal; preserves optative mood clearly.

oh that — Modernized KJV form; retains exclamatory tone.

BDB279 H305

אַחְלַי Ps 119:5 and אַחֲלֵי 2Kgs 5:3 (perhaps from אָח III. and לַי = Aramaic לְוַי = ׃לוּ the varying punctuation is due doubtless to the word being treated by the punctuators as a substantive = wish, with suffix & in construct stative, 'my wish is that,' etc.; compare Ki on Ps 119 תְּחִנּוֺתַי וּבַקָּשׁוֺתַי), ah that! (ᵐ5 ο[φελον).

that, would

ʾaḥălay

would that!

Oh that...!; oh would that!; ah that!

יִכֹּ֥נוּ

Root word prepared, established, prepare, ready, establish, …

Dictionary form: כּוּן · koon

Verb — Niphal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: were directed

and prepare ×9 shall be established ×8 be established ×6 established ×6 prepare ×6 had prepared ×5 is established ×5 prepared ×5

More options

establish — Best for lasting, firm, or covenantal contexts.

prepare — Modernizes KJV 'prepare'; suits readying for action.

make firm — Highlights solidity or permanence of what is set.

set in place — Good for spatial or structural fixing of something.

make ready — Modernizes KJV 'ready'; suits imminent-action contexts.

ordain — Prefer when divine appointment or decree is implied.

BDB3944 H3559

I. [כּוּן]₂₁₈ verb probably be firm, only in derived conjugation (Late Hebrew Aramaic כּוּן, in derived conjugation, כִּיוֵּן arrange, direct; put right, correct; Assyrian kânu, be firm, right Dl^{HWB 321}; Arabic (medial ) exist, occur, be; so Ethiopic Sabean כון DHM^{ZMG 1875, 599, Phoenician} כון be (often)); —

Niph`al Perfect (on 3 masculine singular see Participle below), 3 feminine singular נָכּ֫וֺנָה 1Kgs 2:46 3 plural נָכ֫וֺנוּ Prov 19:29 נָכֹּ֫נוּ Ezek 16:7 Imperfect יִכּוֺן Prov 12:3 +; 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺן Jer 30:20 +; וַתִּכֹּן 1Kgs 2:12; 2Chr 8:16, etc.; Imperative הִכּוֺן Amos 4:12 הִכֹּן Ezek 38:7 plural הכונוּ 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr הָכִינוּ Hiph`il); Participle נָכוֺן Gen 41:32 + (in Ps 93:2 and perhaps elsewhere the Perfect would be possibly); construct נְכוֺן Prov 4:18 feminine נְכוֺנָה Ps 5:10 + 2 t.; plural נְכֹנִים Exod 19:11 + 2 t.; passive or neuter, and (less often) reflexive: —

1. be set up, established, fixed:
a. literally, of house upon (עַל) pillars Judg 16:26; Judg 16:29, so, in metaphor, of temple-mount, followed by בְּראֹשׁ Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1 be firm, of breasts at puberty Ezek 16:7 firmly established, of תֵּבֵל Ps 93:1 = Ps 96:10 = 1Chr 16:30 firm, i.e. a strong support, of ׳י's hand יָ דִי תִּכּוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 89:22 (|| זְרוֺעִי תְאַמְּצֶנּוּ).
b. figurative, of throne 2Sam 7:16 = 1Chr 17:14; 1Kgs 2:45; Ps 89:38; Ps 93:2; Prov 16:12; Prov 25:5; Prov 29:14 of king, royal family, kingdom 1Sam 20:31; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 2:46; 2Sam 7:26 =1Chr 17:24.
c. of any persons, be established, stable, secure, enduring Job 21:8 (with לִפְנֵי), Prov 12:3, also vProv 12:19 (subject שְׂפַת אֱמֶת) Ps 101:7 (with לְנֶגֶד עֵינָ֑י), Ps 102:29 (with לְפָנֶיךָ), Ps 140:12 (with בָּאָרֶץ); of plans Prov 16:3; Prov 20:18 נְכוֺן הַיּוֺם Prov 4:18 the established, stable, (part) of the day, i.e. mid-day, when the sun seems motionless in mid-heaven. — 2Sam 6:6 see נָכוֺן proper name below
d. fixed, securely determined הַדָּבָר מֵעִם ׳נ הָאֱלֹהִים (|| אֱמֶת) Gen 41:32 (E); so כְּשַׁחַר נָכוֺן מֹצָאוֺ Hos 6:3 ᵑ0, but read כְּשַׁחֲרֵנוּ כֵּן נִמְצָאֵהוּ Gie^{Beiträge 208} We^{on the passage}; substantiated, certain, of an allegation Deut 13:15 = Deut 17:4 עַלנָֿכוֺן according to (what is) certain, = certainly, assuredly 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr).

2. in moral sense, be directed aright, of ways Prov 4:26; Ps 119:5 (compare Hiph`il 3); be fixed aright, stedfast נָכוֺן לִבִּי Ps 57:8 (twice in verse); Ps 108:2, so Ps 112:7 לִבָּם לֹא נָכוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 78:37 רוּחַ נָכוֺן Ps 51:12 (|| לֵב טָהוֺר); לא נָכוֺן לעשׂות כן Exod 8:22 (J) it is not right, proper, etc.; participle feminine נְכוֺנָה as substantive = what is right, the right Job 42:7; Job 42:8 = uprightness Ps 5:10.

3. prepare, be ready, person Amos 4:12 (with ל infinitive); words Prov 22:18 הִכֹּן וְהָכֵן לְךָ Ezek 38:7; 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr Hiph`il); participle as adjective = prepared, ready, often with הָוָה, of persons Exod 19:11; Exod 19:15; Exod 34:2; Josh 8:4 (all J E); of things, followed by ל person Job 12:5; Neh 8:10, ל location Job 18:12, ל noun active Ps 38:18 ב location Job 15:23

4. passive be prepared, of judgments Prov 19:29 (ל person); of work be arranged, settled 2Chr 8:16 figurative of prayer Ps 141:2 be arranged, set in order, as incense before thee (> present itself as incense); be arranged, ordered, of temple service 2Chr 29:35; 2Chr 35:10; 2Chr 35:16.

Hiph`il Perfect הֵכִין Josh 4:4 +; suffix הֱכִינַנִי 1Kgs 2:24 הֱכִינוֺ 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 הֱכִינָהּ Job 28:27 2 masculine singular הֲכִינוֺתָ Job 11:13 +; 3 plural הֵכִינוּ 1Chr 12:39 +; וְהֵכִינוּ consecutive Exod 16:5 1 plural הֲכִינוֺנוּ 1Chr 29:16 הֵכַנּוּ (Ges^{«GKC:72»§ 72}, R. 6) 2Chr 29:16, etc.; Imperfect יָכִין Judg 12:6 +; וַיָּ֫כֶן 1Chr 15:1 + 3 t., etc.; Imperative הָכֵן Gen 43:16 +; plural הָכִינוּ Josh 1:11 +; Infinitive absolute הָכֵן Josh 3:17, so הָכִין Josh 4:3 (read הָכֵין, see Di), Jer 10:23 (see Gie), Ezek 7:14 (see Sm Co and below; see on all Kö^{i. 468}); construct הָכִין Isa 9:6 +; suffix הֲכִינוֺ Nah 2:4; Prov 8:27 הֲכִינָהּ Jer 33:2 Participle מֵכִין Jer 10:12 + 4 t.; — (favourite word in Chronicles, in various applications)

1. establish, set up:
a. king (or, one as king) 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Chr 14:2, royal seed Ps 89:5, kingdom 1Sam 13:13; 2Sam 7:12 = 1Chr 17:11; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 12:1; 2Chr 17:5, throne 1Chr 22:10 the world תֵּבֵל Jer 10:12 = Jer 51:15 mountains Ps 65:7 heavens Prov 8:27 an altar upon (עַל) its base Ezra 3:3.
b. God's faithfulness Ps 89:3 heart of humble Ps 10:17.
c. = accomplish, do Jer 33:2 (|| עשׂה), = make Isa 40:20; Job 28:27.
d. make firm, only infinitive absolute, as adverb = firmly הָכֵן Josh 3:17 הָכִין Josh 4:3 (see above)

2. a. fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift Gen 43:25 (J), place Exod 23:20 (JE), 2Chr 3:1 with לְ of thing 1Chr 15:1; 1Chr 15:3, also (object omitted) v1Chr 15:12 (see Be, and Da^{Synt. § 144}), 2Chr 1:4 (בַּהֵכִין, see Ges^{«GKC:138»§ 138}. 3. b); often prepare food, accusative + לְ person Josh 1:11 (D), Ps 78:20 לְ omitted Prov 6:8; Prov 30:25 object omitted 1Chr 12:39; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 35:15 both omitted Gen 43:16 (J), 1Chr 9:32 prepare a road Deut 19:3, a sacrifice Zeph 1:7, ambuscades Jer 51:12, one's work Prov 24:27, materials for (לְ) temple 1Chr 22:3; 1Chr 22:14, also v1Chr 22:14b (no לְ), 1Chr 29:2; 1Chr 29:3 weapons (with לְ person) 2Chr 26:14 and (hostile purpose) Ps 7:14, compare Ps 57:7, Isa 14:21 prepare slaughter-place for (לְ) his children; store-rooms 2Chr 31:11 a, also v2Chr 31:11 b (object omitted); gallows (with לְ person) Esth 6:4; Esth 7:10 corn (produce of land) Ps 65:10 land vPs 65:10, so (= restore) Ps 68:11 with accusative of person 2Chr 35:6 figurative of belly preparing deceit Job 15:35 make preparation (for, לְ of thing) 1Chr 22:5, and v1Chr 22:5 (לְ omitted); followed by לִבְנוֺת 1Chr 28:2, with accusative material + לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 5:32; 1Chr 29:16 without לְ, make ready 1Sam 23:22; Nah 2:4; Ezek 7:14 (read הָכִינוּ הָכֵן Co, for הַכֹּל ׳ה MT) = make full preparation! make thee ready! Jer 46:14 (לְ dativus ethicus [dative of interest]), Ezek 28:7 (id.), 2Chr 35:4.
b. provide for, provide, furnish Num 23:1; Num 23:29; Num 29:7; Josh 4:4 (all J E), Job 27:16; Job 27:17, food for (לְ) raven Job 39:41, rain for (לְ) earth Ps 147:8; 1Chr 29:19; 2Chr 2:6; Ps 74:16.

3. direct one's face towards (אֶלֿ) Ezek 4:3; Ezek 4:7 in moral and spiritual sense, direct one's step (צַעֲדוֺ) = order aright, Jer 10:23 (see above), Prov 16:9, so (פְּעָמַי) Ps 119:133 אֱלֹהָיו ׳הֵכִין דְּרָכָיו לִפְנֵי י 2Chr 27:6, also (followed by דרכיו only) Prov 21:29 Kt (Qr יָבִין); עַל הַהֵכִין הָאֱלֹהִים לָעָם 2Chr 29:36 that which God had ordered aright for the people (on article = relative pronoun see Ges^{«GKC:138»§ 138}. 3. b); followed by לֵב Job 11:13; Ps 78:8 + לְ, ׳לֹא הֵכִין לִבּוֺ לִדְרוֺשׁ אֶתיֿ 2Chr 12:14, so 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 30:19 + ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ אֵתאתּוֺרַת י Ezra 7:10 הכין לבב ׳אֶלֿ 1Sam 7:3 direct the heart towards ׳י, 1Chr 29:18 (׳י subject), so (with לֵאלֹהִים) 2Chr 20:33 hence (no object expressed) = give attention, followed by infinitive Judg 12:6.

4. arrange, order 2Chr 29:19 (of sacred vessels; + הִקְדַּשְׁנוּ), 2Chr 35:20 (of temple).

Hoph`al Perfect הוּכַן Isa 30:33, וְהוּכַן consecutive Isa 16:5; Zech 5:11 וְהֻכַֿן Nah 2:6 Participle מוּכָן Prov 21:31, plural מוּכָנִים Ezek 40:43 —

1. be established, of throne Isa 16:5 be fastened, of hooks Ezek 40:43.

2. be prepared for (לְ person) Isa 30:33 and (לְ temporal) Prov 21:31 absolute Nah 2:6 be ready Zech 5:11.

Po`lel. Perfect 3 masculine singular כּוֺנֵן Ps 9:8 + 3 t., וְכוֺנֵן consecutive Hab 2:12 suffix כּוֺנְַנָהּ Isa 45:18 2 masculine singular כּוֺנַנְתָּ Ps 99:4; Ps 119:90, כּוֺנָ֑נְתָּה Ps 8:4, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְכוֺנֵן Isa 62:7 suffix וַיְכֹנְַנֶ֑ךָ Deut 32:6, יְכוֺנְַנֶהָ Ps 24:2 +, suffix 1 plural וַיְכֻנֶנּוּ Job 31:15 (וַיְכוּנֶּנוּ van d. H); 2 masculine singular תְּכוֺנֵן Ps 7:10; Ps 21:13, etc.; Imperative כּוֺנֵן Job 8:8 (but on text see infra), כּוֺנְַנָה Ps 90:17, suffix כּוֺנְַנֵהוּ Ps 90:17 — originally make firm; —

1. set up, establish:
a. of men, found, a city Hab 2:12 (|| בנה), Ps 107:36.
b. of God, establish, king's throne 2Sam 7:13 = 1Chr 17:12, his own throne Ps 9:8 (לְמִשְׁפָּט), sanctuary Exod 15:7 (song), a nation Deut 32:6 (poem; || קנה, עשׂה), a city Ps 48:9; Ps 87:5, תֵּבֵל Ps 24:2 (with עַל, || יָסַד), אֶרֶץ Ps 119:90, compare Isa 45:18, also Ps 68:10 (object omitted, read perhaps אֶרֶץ צִיָּה Bi Che), heavens Prov 3:19 (|| יָסַדאָֿ֑רֶץ), moon and stars Ps 8:4 figurative, steps of men Ps 40:3, work of men's hands Ps 90:17 (twice in verse), justice Ps 99:4 establish, i.e. vindicate and make secure to righteous (צַדִּיק) Ps 7:10.

2. constitute, make, a man (in womb) Job 31:15 (|| עשׂה), compare Ps 119:73 (|| id.); with accusative + לְ of thing + לְ person reflexive 2Sam 7:24 thou hast made for thyself (לְךָ), thy people (אֶתעַֿמְּךָ) Israel for thyself (לְךָ) into a people (לְעָם) for ever.

3. fix, so as to be ready, arrow upon (עַל) string Ps 11:2, so (חֵץ omitted) Ps 21:13 (with עַלפְּֿנֵיהֶם), and possibly (חֵץ omitted) Isa 51:13 (Di Che and others; but dubious, compare Du; verse corrupt according to Che^{Intr. Is. 427}), a bow Ps 7:13.

4. direct (that is לֵב), followed by לְחֵקֶר Job 8:8, i.e. give attention to (but no || in Po`lel; read perhaps בּוֺנֵן, compare Deut 32:10, see Ol Di). Po`lal. Perfect be established: ׳מי מִצְעֲדֵיגֶֿבֶר כּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 37:23 from ׳י are a man's steps established; = be prepared כּוֺנָנ֑וּ Ezek 28:13 but strike out Co Da after A B ᵑ6 and others Hithpo`el. Imperfect; be established, of house, 3 masculine singular יִתְכּוֺנָ֑ן Prov 24:3 (|| יִבָּנֶה), of nation, 2 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנָ֑נִי (Ges^{«GKC:54»§ 54}. 2. b) Isa 54:14 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנֵן = be restored, of city Num 21:27 (J E; || תִּבָּנֶה); set oneself, take one's stand 3 masculine plural יִכּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 59:5.

prepared, established, prepare, ready, establish, …

kûn

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)

to be firm, be stable, be established

(Niphal)

to be set up, be established, be fixed

to be firmly established

to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm

to be established, be fastened

to set up, establish

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: 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

I. שָׁמַר₄₆₅ verb keep, watch, preserve (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמר in proper name and (Punic) = watchman; Tel Amarna šimiru is perhaps overseer (Canaanism), Wkl^{No. 80, i. 23}; Mandean סמירא preserved Nö^{M 46}; compare Arabic converse by night, stay awake (see Lag^{BN 105}); Ba^{NB 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 R^D) 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 Bu^Comm.; 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 (R^D; + 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

watch, watchman (participle)

to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

חֻקֶּֽי ךָ

חֻקֶּֽי

Root word statutes, statute, decree, ordinance, due, …

ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: חֹק · hoke

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

In the KJV here: thy statutes

statutes ×12 thy statutes ×9 the statutes ×7 and the statutes ×6 his statutes ×6 me thy statutes ×6 and his statutes ×5 my statutes ×5

More options

decree — Emphasizes official, authoritative pronouncement from a ruler or God.

ordinance — Formal regulation; good for legal or cultic contexts.

law — Broad, accessible term; best when statutes feel like general rules.

regulation — Plain modern term; suits administrative or priestly legal codes.

prescribed portion — Use when חֹק refers to an allotted share or ration.

boundary — Use when חֹק denotes a fixed natural or cosmic limit.

BDB3072 H2706 H2711

חֹק₁₂₇ noun masculine^{Mic 7:11} something prescribed, a statute or due; — ׳ח Gen 47:22 + 22 t.; חָקֿ Exod 30:21 + 14 t.; suffix חֻקִּי Prov 30:8 + 3 t.; חָקְךָ Lev 10:13; Lev 10:14 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; plural חֻקִּים Deut 4:5 + 31 t.; construct חֻקֵּי Exod 18:16 חוּקֵּ֯י Ezek 20:18 also חִקֲקֵי Judg 5:15; Isa 10:1 (Ges^{«GKC:93»§ 93}. 1 R 7); חֻקָּו֯ Job 14:5 etc. + 44 t. suffixes —

1. prescribed task, assigned to Israel in Egypt Exod 5:14 (E).

2. prescribed portion, or allowance of food Gen 47:22 (twice in verse) (J); Prov 30:8; Prov 31:15; Ezek 16:27 מחקי Job 23:12 (RV; < ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ol Me Di SS בְּחֵקִי in my bosom).

3. action prescribed for oneself, resolve: חִקֲקֵי לֵב Judg 5:15 resolves of mind || חִקְרֵי לֵב vJudg 5:16.

4. prescribed due of the priests from offerings Lev 6:11; Lev 10:13 (twice in verse); Lev 10:14 (twice in verse) (P); due of ׳י Lev 6:15 (P); עולם ׳לח Exod 29:28; Lev 7:34; Lev 10:15; Num 18:8; Num 18:11; Num 18:19 (all P), Lev 24:9(H); portion of oil for the תּרומה Ezek 45:14.

5. prescribed limit, boundary: of sea Jer 5:22; Prov 8:29; Job 26:10; Job 38:10 of heavens Ps 148:6 of land of Israel Mic 7:11 of time Job 14:5; Job 14:13 so פָּֽעֲרָה פִיהָ לִבְלִי חֹ֑ק Isa 5:14 Sh®°ôl openeth wide her mouth, without limit.

6. enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man:
a. specific decree: law of fifth in Egypt Gen 47:26 (J); of passover Exod 12:24 (J); lament for Jephthah's daughter Judg 11:39 for Josiah 2Chr 35:25 חק ומשׁפט Exod 15:25; Josh 24:25 (both E), 1Sam 30:25 חק עולם Exod 30:21 || עֵדוּת, מִשְׁפָּט Ps 81:5; Ps 81:6 (law of a festival).
b. of ׳י in nature Job 28:26.
c. respecting Messianic king Ps 2:7 day of ׳י Zeph 2:2 ᵑ0, but on text see We and טֶרֶם, below; covenant with Jacob Ps 105:10 = 1Chr 16:17 destiny of man Job 23:14.
d. law in general עלי חק according to law, right Ps 94:20 (others against law); ומשׁפט ׳לַמֵּד ח Ezra 7:10 || בּרית and תורות Isa 25:5 || עדות Ps 99:7.

7. plural חֻקִּים enactments, statutes of a law:
a. of ׳י in nature Jer 31:36.
b. of the prophets Zech 1:6.
c. conditions of deed of purchase Jer 32:11.
d. enactments || מִשְׁפָּטִים: ancestral Ezek 20:18 given by God as punishment for disobedience Ezek 20:25.
e. decrees of unjust judges חִקֲקֵיאָֿוֶן Isa 10:1. feminine civil enactments prescribed by God: חֻקֵּי האלהים Exod 18:16 (E; || תּוֺרֹתָיו), vExod 18:20 (E; || id.)
g. elsewhere of prescriptions of the several codes of Hex: Lev 10:11; Num 30:17 (P), Deut 4:6; Deut 6:24; Deut 16:12; Ps 119:5 + 20 t., Mal 3:7 || ׳תּוֺרַת י Amos 2:4 ותורות ׳ח Ps 105:45 ׳והח ׳דברי הת Deut 17:19 || ברית Ps 50:16 וברית ועדות ׳ח 2Kgs 17:15 usually either || משׁפטים Deut 4:1; Deut 4:5; Deut 4:8; Deut 4:14; Deut 5:1; Deut 11:32; Deut 12:1; Deut 26:16; 1Kgs 9:4 = 2Chr 7:17; 1Chr 22:13; Ezek 11:12; Ezek 36:27, or else ומשׁפטים ׳ח combined with other synonym (usually preceding): e.g. דבר(ים ׅ Ps 147:19 תורה 2Chr 33:8; Mal 3:22 מצוה Deut 5:28; Deut 6:1; Deut 7:11 מצות Neh 1:7; 1Kgs 8:58 מצוה, תורה 2Chr 19:10 עֵדֹת Deut 4:45; Deut 6:20 sometimes following: e.g. תורות Lev 26:46 מצוה, תורה 2Kgs 17:37 or in different order, e.g. ותורות ׳מ ומצות ׳ח Neh 9:13 ׳וח ׳מצות ומ Neh 10:30 ומצות ׳ח ׳ומ Deut 26:17. Apart from משׁפטים it is combined with מצות, e.g. ׳וח ׳מ Exod 15:26 (R), Deut 27:10 ׳ומ ׳ח Deut 4:40; 1Kgs 3:14; 1Kgs 8:61 ותורה ׳וח ׳מ Neh 9:14 ׳ועדות וח ׳מ Deut 6:17; 1Chr 29:19; 2Chr 34:31 ׳וח ׳דברי מ Ezra 7:11 it is used with verbs: נתן Lev 26:46 + 3 t.; צוּה Num 30:17 + 9 t.; למּד Deut 4:1 + 10 t.; שׁמר Deut 26:17 + 16 t.; עשׂה Deut 6:24 + 5 t.; שׁמר לעשׂות Deut 11:32 + 4 t.; הלך בְּ 1Kgs 8:61 + 3 t. — [On usage of חֹק see חֻקָּה near the end]

statutes, statute, decree, ordinance, due, …

ḥōq

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due

prescribed task

specific decree

conditions

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.

אַ֭חֲלַי Dechi — a lesser break יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י Revia Gadol — a lesser break לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ Silluq — end of the verse

אַחֲלַי יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Cross References

Psalms 51:10

לֵב טָהוֹר בְּרָא-לִי אֱלֹהִים וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּֽי׃

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Ὁ δὲ κύριος κατευθύναι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας εἰς τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ εἰς ὑπομονὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Hebrews 13:21

καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jeremiah 31:33

כִּי זֹאת הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר אֶכְרֹת אֶת-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי הַיָּמִים הָהֵם נְאֻם-יְהוָה נָתַתִּי אֶת-תּֽוֹרָתִי בְּקִרְבָּם וְעַל-לִבָּם אֶכְתֲּבֶנָּה וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵֽאלֹהִים וְהֵמָּה יִֽהְיוּ-לִי לְעָֽם׃

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 7:22