Psalms 136:9

The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אֶת
אֶת
Particle points to the object of the verb — leave untranslated
Dictionary form: אֵת · ate

Particle — Direct Object Marker

and ×240 of ×109 him ×107 them ×73 with ×72 from ×64 you ×61 me ×54
More options
[direct object marker — untranslated] — Most common use; marks definite direct object, no English equivalent.
with — Use when אֵת expresses accompaniment or association.
from — Use when context implies source or separation.
along with — Emphasizes inclusion or togetherness in a list.
together with — Slightly more formal; stresses joint participation.
among — Use when indicating presence within a group.

BDB853 H853

BDB852 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB854

I. אֵת, with makk. אֶתֿ, with suffix אֹתִי; ˜אֹתְךָ, ˜אֹתְכָה Num 22:33, אֹתָ֑ךְ, אֹתָ֑כָה Exod 29:35, feminine אֹתָךְ; אֹתוֺ etc.; 2 plural אֶתְכֶם, once ˜אוֺתְכֶם Josh 23:15 3 masculine plural regularly אֹתָם, rarely אֶתְהֶם Gen 32:1; Exod 18:20; Num 21:3; Ezek 34:12; 1Chr 6:50, once ˜אוֺתְהֶם Ezek 23:45 3 feminine plural, on the contrary, regularly אֶתְהֶן (13 t.), once אֹתָן Ezek 16:54 (also ˜אוֺתְהֶן Ezek 23:47, אֹתָ֖נָה Exod 35:26, אוֺתָ֖נָה Ezek 34:21); forms with cholem also often written plene: — the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite (Moabite id., Phoenician אית i.e. אִיַּת (Schrödp. 213 f.); Aramaic יָת frequently in ᵑ7; Syriac very rare as mark of accusative (for which is preferred), but used often in the sense of substance οὐσία, also in that of self, e.g. per se, reapse, sibi ipsi, PS1640 f., Samaritan ; Arabic , only used with suffix, when it is desired to emphasize the pronoun, e.g. Qor 1:4 WAG i. § 189. [Ethiopic uses k£y¹ similarly, Di§ 150 a; but it is dubious if this is etymologically akin.] The primitive form will have been 'iwyath, originally a substantive with following genitive, Olp. 432; whether ultimately a parallel development with אוֺת sign from √ אוה is uncertain: Ol WAG i. § 188 LagM i. 226 affirm, ZMG 1886, 738 doubts. In Hebrew the ground-form is אוֺת; the forms with ¢, e being abbreviated. In post Biblical Hebrew, used in combination with another preposition: thus בְּאוֺתוֺ הַיּוֺם = Bibl. בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא, בְּאוֺתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה; or as a nomin., e.g. אוֺתוֺ הָאִישׁ = Bibl. הָאִישׁ הַהוּא).

1. As mark of the accusative prefixed to substantives defined either by the article (or כֹּל), or by a genitive or pronominal affix, or in virtue of being proper names:
  a. with transitive verbs, Gen 1:1; Gen 1:16; Gen 1:29; Gen 1:30; Gen 2:11; Gen 4:1; Gen 4:2; Gen 9:3 (אֶתֿ˜כֹּל׃) etc. Similarly אֶתמִֿי whom (in particular), Josh 24:15; 1Sam 12:3; 1Sam 28:11; Isa 6:8 and elsewhere (but never אֶתמָֿה); also with זֶה Gen 29:33; Gen 44:29; 1Sam 21:16; 1Kgs 22:27 +, זֹאת Gen 29:27; 2Sam 13:27 +, אֵלֶּה Gen 46:18; Lev 11:18; Isa 49:21 +. So pretty uniformly in prose; but in poetry את is commonly dispensed with. By the use of את with the pronominal affix, a pronoun can at once, if required, be placed in a position of emphasis; let the order of words from this point of view be carefully noticed in the following passages: Gen 7:1; Gen 24:14; Gen 37:4; Lev 10:17; Lev 11:33; Num 22:32 thee I had slain, and her I had kept alive, Deut 4:14; Deut 6:13; Deut 6:23; Deut 13:5; Judg 14:3 אוֺתָהּ קַח לִי take for me her, 1Sam 14:35; 1Sam 15:1; 1Sam 18:17; 1Sam 21:10 אִםאֹֿתָהּ תִּקַּחלְֿךָ קָ֔ח if thou wilt take that, take it, 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 14:9; Isa 43:22; Isa 57:11; Jer 9:2. So הַאוֺתִי Jer 5:22; Jer 7:19. It also sometimes enables the reflexive sense to be expressed (elsewhere נַפְשָׁם) Jer 7:19; Ezek 34:2. Rarely with a substantive which is undefined (Ew§ 277 d 2 Ges«GKC:117»§ 117, 1, R. 2), as Exod 21:28; Num 21:9; Lev 20:14; 1Sam 24:6 (but see Dr) 2Sam 4:11; 2Sam 18:18; 2Sam 23:21 or which, though definite, is without the article, Gen 21:30; 2Sam 15:16; Lev 26:5; 1Sam 9:3 (so Num 16:15) Isa 33:19; Isa 41:7; Ezek 43:10 (for further examples see Ew 1.c.)
  b. with a passive verb (Ges«GKC:121»§ 121. 1 Ew§ 295 b) conceived as expressing neutrally the action in question, and construed accordingly with an accusative of that which is its real object: examples occur with tolerable frequency from Gen 4:18 (J) וַיִּוָּלֵד לַחֲנוֺךְ אֶתעֿירָד, Gen 17:5 (P), לֹא יִקָּרֵא עוֺד אֶתשִֿׁמְךָ אַ˜ברָם there shall not be called (=one shall not call) thy name Abram, Gen 21:5 (E), Gen 27:42; 2Sam 21:11; 1Kgs 18:13; Hos 10:6 etc., to Jer 35:18; Jer 38:4; Jer 50:20; Ezek 16:4; Ezek 16:5; Esth 2:13 (compare DrJPh xi. 227 f.): also with passive verbs of filling (Ew§ 281 b), as Exod 1:7 +.
  c. with neuter verbs or expressions, especially such as involve the idea of regarding, or treating, appy. by a construction κατὰ σύνεσιν (rare), Josh 22:17; 2Sam 11:25; Neh 9:32 (compare 1Sam 20:13 Dr). Once after אֵין, Hag 2:17 אֵין אֶתְכֶם אֵלַיָֽ.
  d. poet. (si vera lectio), after an abstract noun used with a verbal force, Hab 3:13 (Amos 4:11; Isa 13:19; Jer 50:40 מַהְפֵּכָה exerts a verbal force, like the Arabic nom. verbi [see WAG i. § 196, 43]; and Num 10:2; Ezek 17:9 לְמַסַּע, לְמַשְׂאוֺת are Aramaizing infinitives: compare Ew§ 239 a).

2. את marks an accusative in other relations than that of direct object to a verb:
  a. with verbs of motion (very rare) Num 13:17; Deut 1:19; Deut 2:7 (to 'walk the wilderness'); denoting the goal Judg 19:18; Ezek 21:25 (Ew§ 281 d, n., 282 a 1).
  b. denoting time (duration), also very rare: Exod 13:7; Lev 25:22; Deut 9:25.
  c. expressing the accus. of limitation (rare): Gen 17:11; Gen 17:14; 1Kgs 15:23.

3. Chiefly in an inferior or later style, אֵת (or וְאֵת) is used irregularly, partly (α), as it would seem, to give greater definiteness (so especially וְאֵת) at the mention of a new subject (when it may sometimes be rendered as regards), or through the influence of a neighbouring verb (a construct κατὰ σύνεσιν), or by an anacoluthon, partly (β) as resuming loosely some other preposition Thus (α) Exod 1:14; Num 3:26; Num 3:46; Num 5:10 (with הָיָה: so Ezek 35:10) Num 18:21b Deut 11:2 (anacoluthon), Deut 14:13; Josh 17:11; Judg 20:44; Judg 20:46 (contr. vJudg 20:25 vJudg 20:35) 1Sam 17:34 (see Dr) 1Sam 26:16; 2Sam 21:22; 2Kgs 6:5; Isa 53:8 (probably), Isa 57:12; Jer 23:33 (but read rather with ᵐ5 ᵑ9 אַתֶּם הַמַּשָּׂא) Jer 27:8; Jer 36:22; Jer 38:16 Kt, Jer 45:4 b Ezek 16:22; Ezek 17:21; Ezek 20:16; Ezek 29:4 b Ezek 43:7 (ᵐ5 Co prefix הֲרָאִיתָ) Ezek 44:3; Zech 8:17; Eccl 4:3; Dan 9:13; Neh 9:19; Neh 9:34; 1Chr 2:9; 2Chr 31:17. In 1Sam 30:23; Hag 2:5 probably some such word as remember is to be understood. (β) Jer 38:9; Ezek 14:22 b Ezek 37:19 b Zech 12:10 סָבִיב אֵת 1Kgs 6:5; Ezek 43:17 strangely (in 1 Kings ᵐ5 omits the clause: so StaZAW 1883, 135). — In 1Kgs 11:1 וְ is merely and also, and especially (see וְ); v1Kgs 11:25 is corrupt (read with ᵐ5 זֹאת הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הֲדָד); Ezek 47:17; Ezek 47:18; Ezek 47:19 read similarly for ואת, זֹאת: see vEzek 47:20. — For some particulars as to the use of את, see A. M. WilsonHebraica. vi. 139 ff. 212 ff. (who, however, confuses it sometimes with II. אֵת). For denoting the pronominal object of a verb, את with suffix preponderates relatively much above the verbal affix in P, as compared with J E Deuteronomy Judges Samuel Kings (see GieZAW 1881, 258 f.), — partly, probably, on account of the greater distinctness and precision which P loves.


BDB9600 H853 H3487

BDB9599 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9601

יָת mark of accusative (= Biblical Hebrew I. אֵת; Palmyrene ית; ZinjirliHad. 28 with suffix ותה; Nabataean, Palmyrene with suffix יתה (Lzb263 Cooke170; compare RÉS468); ᵑ7 Samaritan יָת; Syriac (rare)); — Dan 3:12 דִּי מַנִּיתָ יָָֽתְהוֺן whom thou hast appointed.

with, from, of, and, by, …
ʾēt
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
  • sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

הַ יָּרֵ֣חַ
הַ
Prefix — article the
יָּרֵ֣חַ
Root word moon
Dictionary form: יָרֵחַ · yaw-RAY-ah

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the moon
and the moon ×8 the moon ×4 and moon ×3 or the moon ×2 and thou moon ×1 and to the moon ×1 as the moon ×1 as the moon endureth ×1
More options
moon — Default choice; clear and universally understood.
lunar orb — Elevated register; suits poetic or hymnic contexts.
moonlight — Use when context emphasises the moon's light or glow.
crescent — Prefer when a new or partial moon phase is implied.

BDB3734 H3394

BDB3733 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3735

יָרֵחַ noun masculineJosh 10:13 moon, especially in poetry (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician ירח; Assyrian iriµu, according to PinchesBOR Aug. 1888, 207; Ethiopic moon, month; compare below יֶרַח) — absolute יָרֵחַ Gen 37:9 + 25 t.; suffix וִיָֽרֵחֵךְ Isa 60:20: — moon, usually named with sun Josh 10:12; Josh 10:13 (poem in J E), Ps 72:5 (עִםשָֿׁ֑מֶשׁ וְלִפְנֵי יָרֵחַ), Ps 89:38 (in these two, a symbol of permanence), Ps 121:6; Isa 60:19; Hab 3:11; Joel 3:4 object of idolatrous worship Job 31:26 (+ sun); in same sense also + sun and stars Deut 4:19; Deut 17:3; 2Kgs 23:5; Jer 8:2 as determiner of feast-times Ps 104:19 (|| sun); + stars, as shining, by night Ps 136:9 (|| sun, by day), so חֻקֹּת יָרֵחַ Jer 31:35 (|| id.); elsewhere + sun and stars Gen 37:9 (E), Isa 13:10; Ezek 32:7; Joel 2:10; Joel 4:15; Ps 148:3; Eccl 12:2 + stars Ps 8:4; Job 25:5 with neither sun nor stars only עַדבְּֿלִי יָרֵחַ Ps 72:7.

moon
yārēaḥ
the moon
  • moon

וְ ֭כוֹכָבִים
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֭כוֹכָבִים
Root word stars, star
Dictionary form: כּוֹכָב · koh-KAWB

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: and stars
the stars ×9 as the stars of ×4 and the stars ×3 as the stars ×3 of the stars ×2 stars ×2 a star ×1 above the stars ×1
More options
star — Default choice; works in nearly every context.
celestial body — More formal or scientific register.
heavenly light — Poetic contexts emphasizing luminosity or wonder.
night light — Vivid, accessible rendering for general audiences.

BDB3881 H3556

BDB3880 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3882

כּוֺכָב noun masculineGen 15:5 star (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כּוֺכְבָא, כּוֺכַבְתָּא , , feminine form specifically of planet Venus, see also WeSkizzen iii. 36, 38; Arabic generally of single stars and probably Aramaic loan-word, WeSkizzen iii. 173; Ethiopic ; probably for *כבכב see Mahri kubkob, kobkib, etc., MaltzanZMG 1873, 227 and Assyrian kakkabu DlHWB 336; Punic κακαβουμ (Dioscorides), name of a plant, probably from shape of seed-cup, BlauZMG xxvii, 1873, 529; on formation compare M § 109 BaNB § 138. 1) — ׳כ absolute Num 24:17 construct כּוֺכַב Amos 5:26 plural כּוֺכָבִים Gen 1:16 + 19 t.; construct כּוֺכְבֵי (כֹּכְבֵי) Gen 22:17 + 13 t.; כֹּכְבֵיהֶם Ezek 32:7 — singular only אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳כ Amos 5:26 (where, however, ׳כ is probably a gloss, so GFM Dec. 19, 1890, and now We; see further כִּיּוּן); and מִיַּעֲקֹב ׳כ Num 24:12 (J E; || שֵׁבֶט בישׂראל, metaphor of future ruler); elsewhere plural stars, || sun and moon (compare also below) Gen 1:16 (P) Ps 136:9 (to rule the night, compare Gen 1:16), Jer 31:35; Gen 37:9 (E), Joseph's dream (׳אַחַד עָשָׂר כ = 11 brethren); Deut 4:19 object of idolatrous worship (compare below); observed in augury ׳הַחֹזִים בַּכּ Isa 47:13 (of Babylon); Eccl 12:2 (|| (also) light; figurative of brightness of youth); || sun Job 9:7 || moon Ps 8:4 sign of evening Neh 4:15 (׳מֵעֲלוֺת הַשַּׁחַר עַד צֵאת הַכּ) compare כּוֺכְבֵי נִשְׁכּוֺ Job 3:9 (apparently sign of dawn); numbered by God Ps 147:4 simile of abundant posterity, Gen 15:5; Gen 22:17; Gen 26:4; Exod 32:13 (all J E); of Israel Deut 1:10; Deut 10:22; Deut 28:62; 1Chr 27:32; Neh 9:23 of number of merchants of Nineveh Nah 3:16 as lofty, Job 22:12 so in figure of haughty nations Obad 1:4; Isa 14:13 compare symbolic vision of Daniel (|| צָבָא, צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם) Dan 8:10 simile of brightness of righteous Dan 12:3 not pure (זַכּוּ) before God Job 25:5 (|| moon); darkened in Yahweh's judgment Joel 2:10; Joel 4:15; Ezek 32:7 (|| sun and moon; so) Isa 13:10 (|| also כְּסִילֵיהֶם); personified: as fighting Judg 5:20 shouting Job 38:7 (בְּרָןיַֿחַד כּוֺכְבֵי בֹקֶר, || בְּנֵי אֱלֹחִים); praising Ps 148:3 (כּוֺכְבֵי אוֺר, || sun and moon). — On stars in Arabic mythology see WeSkizzen iii. 173 f.

stars, star
kôkāb
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
  • star
    • of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (figuratively)

לְ מֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת
Root word dominion, rule, government, power
Dictionary form: מֶמְשָׁלָה · mem-shaw-LAW

Noun — Common, both plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: to rule
of his dominion ×4 to rule ×4 his dominion ×3 dominion ×2 and thy dominion ×1 his power ×1 thy government ×1
More options
dominion — Modernized from KJV; broad, formal term for sovereign authority.
rule — Simple, direct; suits narrative and poetic contexts alike.
authority — Emphasizes legitimate, recognized power over others.
reign — Best when the exercising of ongoing royal power is in view.
sovereignty — Elevated register; ideal for divine or absolute rule.
jurisdiction — Highlights the territory or scope of the ruling power.

BDB4881 H4475

BDB4880 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4882

מֶמְשָׁלָה noun feminine rule, dominion, realm (compare DrJphil. xi. 1882, 215); — absolute ׳מ Mic 4:8 construct מֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶת Ps 136:8 (before בְּ Ges«GKC:130»§ 130, 1 ii. 182), Jer 34:1 + 2 t.; suffix מֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ Isa 22:21; Ps 145:13 מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ 1Kgs 9:19 + 6 t.; plural construct מֶמְשְׁלוֺת Ps 136:9 suffix מַמְשְׁלוֺתָיו Ps 114:2

1. rule, dominion (human) Isa 22:21; Mic 4:8 וְכָלֿ מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ עִמּוֺ 2Chr 32:9 and all his imperial might with him (i.e. display of might — soldiers, court, luxury, etc.; of Sennach.); כֹּל אֶרֶץ מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ 1Kgs 9:19 = 2Chr 8:6; Jer 51:28, מַמְלְכוֺת אֶרֶץ מֶמְשֶׁלֶת יָדוֺ Jer 34:1 hence ׳מ alone = relam, domian 2Kgs 20:13 = Isa 39:2; Dan 11:5.
2. rule of heavenly bodies הַיּוֺם ׳לִמְשׁ Gen 1:16 the sun for the rule ofthe day, compare vGen 1:16 also followed by בְּ Ps 136:8; Ps 136:9.
3. God's rule dominion: Ps 145:13 (|| מַלְכוּת), כָּלמְֿקֹמוֺת מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ Ps 103:22 plural = realm הָֽיְתה יְהוּדָה לְקָדְשׁ֑וֺ יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמְשְׁלוֺתָֽיו ׃ Ps 114:2.


[מִשְׁלָח], מִשְׁלֹחַ, מִשְׁלַ֫חַת see שׁלח.


מְשֻׁלָּם, מְשִׁלֵּ(י)מוֺת, מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה(וּׅ see שׁלם.


מְשִׁלֵּמִית, מְשֻׁלֶּ֫מֶת see שׁלם.


מִשֶּׁלָּ֫נוּ see שֶׁ֑. מִשְׁלשׁ Gen 38:24 see שׁלשׁ.


מְשַׁמָּה see שׁמם.


מִשְׁמָן, מִשְׁמַנָּה, ׳מַשׁ, מַשְׁמַנִּים see שׁמן.


I, II. מִשְׁמָע, [מִשְׁמַ֫עַת] see שׁמע.


מִשְׁמָר, [מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת] see שׁמר.


מִשְׁנֶה see שׁנה. מְשִׁסָּה see שׁסס.

dominion, rule, government, power
memšālâ
rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler
  • rule, dominion, realm
    • rule, dominion, realm, domain
    • "rule"rule, dominion (of God)

בַּ לָּ֑יְלָה
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
לָּ֑יְלָה
Root word night, nights, season, seasons, midnight
Dictionary form: לַיִל · la-YIL

בַּ
Hidden "the" בַּ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "in the ___".

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: by night
night ×45 by night ×39 and night ×21 in the night ×19 nights ×15 the night ×12 of the night ×8 this night ×8
More options
night — Default rendering; fits nearly every context.
nighttime — Emphasizes the time period rather than a single night.
darkness — Poetic contexts where night symbolizes obscurity or threat.
midnight — Use when context specifies the deep or middle of night.
after dark — Idiomatic; suits narrative action happening under cover of night.
season of night — Rare; captures the plural/cyclical sense of recurring nights.

BDB4409 H3915

BDB4408 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4410

לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל242 noun masculineGen 40:5 night (Late Hebrew id.; MI15 (ב)ללה; Aramaic לֵילָא, , ; Arabic , ; Ethiopic all = night; Assyrian lîlâtu, evening DlHWB; meaning of √ dubious; form probably לילי, and ending הָ֯ radical, and not ה locative, M 127 DlProl. 128 Ges«GKC:90»§ 90, 2. with R. ii. p. 57, R. 1); — absolute לַ֫יְלָה Gen 19:33 + 214 t. + 2 t. Qr. (see below); לָ֑יְלָה Gen 1:5 + 3 t.; לַ֫יִל Isa 16:3 + Prov 31:18; Lam 2:19 Kt (Qr לַיְלָה); לֵיל Isa 15:1 (twice in verse); Isa 21:1 construct לֵיל Exod 12:42; Isa 30:29 plural absolute לֵילוֺת 1Sam 30:12 + 4 t.; construct id., Isa 21:8 + 5 t.; —

1. literally night, opposed to day, Gen 8:22 (J), Deut 1:33 + very often (see יוֺם); alternation of day and night divinely ordained Gen 1:5 (P), Jer 33:20 (twice in verse); Jer 33:25 +; ׳מִיּוֺם עַדלֿ Isa 38:12; Isa 38:18 i.e within one whole day; as close of day, ׳עַדלֿ 2Chr 35:14 as time of sacred (לֵיל) חָג Isa 30:29 of suffering and weeping לֵילוֺת עָמָל Job 7:3, compare Ps 6:7; Ps 77:3 etc.; of pious desires, prayer, praise, meditation, etc (sometimes || by day) Isa 26:9; Job 35:10; Ps 1:2; Ps 22:3; Ps 42:9; Ps 77:7; Ps 88:2; Ps 92:3; Ps 119:5 (twice in verse), compare Ps 16:7; Ps 17:8 of night-service in Temple Ps 134:1 of sudden assault, or destruction, Isa 15:1; Jer 6:5; Obad 1:5; Job 27:20; Job 34:20; Job 34:25; Job 36:20 divided into watches Ps 90:4 לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים Exod 12:42 see below שׁמר; with number, denoting duration of time, forty days and forty nights Gen 7:4; Gen 7:12; Exod 24:18; Exod 34:28; Deut 9:9; Deut 9:11; Deut 9:18; Deut 9:25; Deut 10:10; 1Kgs 19:8 three days and three nights (שְׁלשָׁה לֵילוֺת) 1Sam 30:12; Jonah 2:1 seven days and seven nights (שִׁבְעַת לֵילוֺת) Job 2:13 ; ׳חֲלוֺם הַלּ Gen 20:3; Gen 31:24 (both E), 1Kgs 3:5 ׳מַרְאֹת הַלּ Gen 46:2 (E); ׳חֶזְיוֺן ל Job 20:8; Job 33:15, ׳חֶזְיֹנוֺת ל Job 4:13, ׳חֲלוֺם חֲזוֺן ל Isa 29:7 (compare Mic 3:6 below) ; ׳בִּןלֿ Jonah 4:10 (twice in verse) see בֵּן
8. b. Chiefly in adverb. phrase: — ׳בַּחֲצִי הַלּ at midnight Exod 12:29 + (see חֲצִי, חָצוֺת b), compare ׳בְּתוֺךְ הַלּ 1Kgs 3:20, ׳בְּאִישׁוֺן ל Prov 7:9 ; הַזֶּה ׳בַּלּ Exod 12:8; Exod 12:12 on this night (P; the night of which one is speaking); הַהוּא ׳בַּלּ on that night Gen 19:35 (J) + often, (P only Num 14:1); הוּא ׳בַּל Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16 so ׳הַלּ alone 1Sam 14:34, but strike out ᵐ5 We Kit, compare Dr; Klo Bu read ליהוה; ׳הַלּ to-night Gen 19:5; Gen 19:34; Gen 30:15 (all J), Num 22:8; Num 22:19 (E), Josh 2:2; Josh 4:3 (both J E), 2Sam 17:1; 2Sam 17:16; 2Sam 19:8; Ruth 1:12; Ruth 3:2; Ruth 3:13, opposed to מָחָר tomorrow 1Sam 19:11 ׳הַלּ = this night just past, last night 1Sam 15:16 (compare Dr); ׳כָּלהַֿלּ all night Hos 7:6 (opposed to בֹּקֶר), Exod 14:20; Exod 14:21 (J), Num 11:32; Josh 10:9 (both J E), Judg 16:2 (twice in verse); Judg 19:25; 1Sam 15:11; 1Sam 31:12; 2Sam 2:29; 2Sam 2:32; 2Sam 4:7 opposed to כלהֿיום ההוא (of continuous action) 1Sam 19:24; 1Sam 28:20; Isa 62:6, opposed to יומם Ps 78:14 ׳בְּכָללֿ Ps 6:7 every night (probably); compare כָּלהַֿלֵּילוֺת Isa 21:8 all the nights (opposed to יוֺמָם) ; especially לַיְלָה by night Num 22:20 (E) Josh 8:3 (JE), Deut 16:1; Num 9:16 (P) + 51 t.; of these Gen 14:15 and Exod 13:21; Exod 13:22 (J) + 25 t. opposed to יוֺמָם, covering all the time; otherwise Judg 6:27 (opposed to יוֺמָם); לַיְלָה וָיוֺם night and day 1Kgs 8:29; Isa 27:3; Esth 4:16 less often לֵילוֺת Ps 16:17 ׳הַלּ by night 2Kgs 25:4 (׳ל in || Jer 52:7), Zech 1:8; Neh 4:16 (opposed to הַיּוֺם) ; ׳בַּלּ id., Jer 6:5 + 18 t. (chiefly late; often opposed to בַּיּוֺם, יוֺמָם, etc.); בַּלֵּילוֺת Ps 92:3 (opposed to בַּבֹּקֶר, Ps 134:1; Song 3:1; Song 3:8 בְּלַיְלָה Neh 9:19 (opposed to בְּיוֺמָם ); בְּלֵיל Isa 15:1 (twice in verse) ׳כַּל as at night Job 5:14 (opposed to צָהֳרָ֑יִם ).
2. figurative שִׁיתִי כַּלַיִל צִלֵּךְ Isa 16:8 simile of shadow of Zion as protection; more often in gloomy sense, of avenging calamity without divine guidance or comfort לַיְלָה מֵחָזוֺן Mic 3:6 personal distress Job 35:10 judgment perhaps also Job 36:20 (Ew De Di Da; night of death Bu; 'unintelligible' Siegf); מַהמִּֿלַּיְלָה מַהמִּֿלֵּיל Isa 21:11 i.e. what hour of the night of calamity is it? compare vIsa 21:12 (opposed to בֹּקֶר).


BDB9645 H3915 H3916

BDB9644 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9646

[לֵילָא] noun [masculine] night (see Biblical Hebrew לַ֫יְלָה); — emphatic לֵילְיָא Dan 2:19; Dan 5:30; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:13.

night, nights, season, seasons, midnight
layil
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
  • night
    • night (as opposed to day)
    • "of gloom, protective shadow (figuratively)

כִּ֖י
כִּ֖י
Conjunction for, that, because, but, when, …
Dictionary form: כִּי · kee

Conjunction

In the KJV here: for
for ×2058 that ×621 because ×373 but ×221 when ×190 if ×94 and if ×49 though ×39
More options
because — Causal; explains the reason for a preceding statement.
that — Complementary/content clause; introduces indirect speech or thought.
since — Causal with a presupposed background fact.
when — Temporal; use where כִּי marks time rather than cause.
if — Conditional; use in hypothetical or legal-style clauses.
although — Concessive; acknowledges a contrasting reality.

BDB3937 H3587 H3588

BDB3936 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3938

כִּי noun [masculine] burning, branding (for form, compare רִי from רָוָה, אִי, צִי, עִי: ii. 1. 64) — only כִּי תַּחַת יֹ֑פִי Isa 3:24 branding instead of beauty, in judgment on women of Jerusalem.


BDB3995 H3588 H518

BDB3994 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3996

כִּי conjunction that, for, when (Moabite id,: Phoenician כ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found in here, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaic דֵּךְ this (WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin with that, in order that, and then, enclitic, like Latin nam in quisnam?) —

1. that (ὅτι, German dass):
  a. prefixed to sentences depending on an active verb, and occupying to it the place of an accusative: so constantly, after verbs of seeing, as Gen 1:10 וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֺב and God saw that it was good, Gen 3:6; Gen 6:2; Gen 6:5; Gen 12:14 + often, hearing Gen 14:14; Gen 29:33, knowing Gen 22:12; Gen 24:14, telling Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18, repenting Gen 6:6; Gen 6:7, swearing Gen 22:16; Jer 22:5, believing Exod 4:5; Lam 4:12, remembering Ps 78:35, forgetting Job 39:15 אָמַר = command (late; in early Hebrew the words said are quoted) Job 36:10; Job 36:24 (זְכֹר in a command) Job 37:20 b 1Chr 21:18 (contrast 2Sam 24:18) etc.; טוֺב כּי it is good that ... 2Sam 18:2 + (usually the infinitive with, as Gen 2:18 see ibid.); Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit that we should slay (imperfect)...? Mal 3:14 what proft כִּי שָׁמַרְנוּ that we have kept (perfect)...? Job 22:3 הַחֵפֶץ לְשַׁדַּי כִּי is it pleasure to Shaddai that...? after a pronoun, as Ps 41:12 by this I know that thou hast pleasure in me, that my enemy cannot triumph over me, Ps 42:5 these things will I remember...that (or how) I used to go, etc., Ps 56:10 this I know that God is for me Job 13:16 (הוא). And with כִּי repeated pleonastic after an intervening clause 2Sam 19:7; Jer 26:15 +; כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 3:6; Gen 29:12; Exod 4:31; Josh 2:9; Josh 8:21; Josh 10:1; 1Sam 31:7; 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 11:21; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:11 לֵאמֹר ֗֗֗ וְכִי Gen 45:26; Judg 10:10.
  b. כִּי often introduces the direct narration (like , , and the Greek ὅτι recitativum, e.g. Luke 4:21), in which case it cannot be represented in English (except by inverted commas), Gen 21:30; Gen 29:33 and she said, ׳כִּי שׁמע י Yahweh hath heard, etc.; Exod 3:12 = Judg 6:16 and he said, כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I will be with thee, Josh 2:24; 1Sam 2:16 (see Dr) 1Sam 10:19 and ye have said to him, כִּי מֶלָךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ Thou shalt set a king over us, 2Sam 11:23; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 20:5; Ruth 1:10, compare Ruth 2:21 (but in reply to a question כִּי may = because, see below 3; and so also in sentences giving the explanation of a proper name, Gen 26:22; Gen 29:32 (but De surely: see below), Exod 2:10 (compare Gen 4:25; Gen 41:51; Gen 41:52); in כִּי מָה, introducing an expostulation, 1Sam 29:8; 1Kgs 11:22; 2Kgs 8:13, it gives the reason for a suppressed 'Why do you say this?').
  c. especially after an oath חַי אָ֫נִי, ׳חַי י etc., introducing the fact sworn to, Gen 42:16 by the life of Pharaoh, כִּי מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם (I say) that ye are spies; but though Hebrew usage probably gave it an asseverative force, English idiom does not require it to be expressed: Num 14:22; 1Sam 20:3 as ׳י liveth, כִּי כְפֶשַׂע בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַמָּוֶת there is but a step between me and death! 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 29:6; Isa 49:18 +; 1Sam 14:44 כֹּהיַֿעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֺסִיף כִּי מוֺת תָּמוּת thus may God do and more also: thou shalt surely die! 2Sam 3:35; 1Kgs 2:23; Ruth 1:17 and elsewhere — Note that כִּי when thus used is often repeated after an intervening clause, in order that its force may be fully preserved: Gen 1:39 כִּי מוֺת יָמוּת (אִםיֶֿשְׁנוֺ בְּיוֺנָתָן בְּנִי) כִּי ׳חַי י 1Sam 25:34; 2Sam 2:27 ׳כִּי אָז וג (לוּלֵא דִּבַּרְתָּ) כִּי, 2Sam 3:9; 2Sam 15:21 Qr 1Kgs 1:30; Jer 22:24.
  d. כִּי is used sometimes with advs. and interjs. to add force or distinctness to the affirmation which follows:
   (a) so especially in אַף כִּי (see אַף); הֲכִי is it that . . .? (as a neutral interrogative) 2Sam 9:1, (expecting a negative answer) Gen 29:15 is it that thou art my brother, and shalt (therefore) serve me for nothing? Job 6:22 is it that I have said, Give unto me? expressing surprise Gen 27:36 is it that he is called Jacob, and has (hence) supplanted me twice? 2Sam 23:19 an affirm. answer is required (which would imply הֲלֹא כִי): read probably with the || 1Chr 11:25 הִנּוֺ be-hold, he, etc.; אִםלֹֿא כִּי Deut 32:30 were it not that .. .; אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2 of a truth (is it) that ye are the people, etc.; אַךְ כִּי 1Sam 8:9 אֶפֶם כִּי Num 13:28 +; גַּם כִּי Ruth 2:21 הֲלֹא כִי 1Sam 10:1 (but see ᵐ5 Dr), 2Sam 13:28 הִנֵּה כִי Ps 128:4 compare Ps 118:10 כִּי אֲמִיַ˜לם ׳בְּשֵׁם י in the name of ׳י (is it) that — or (I say) that — I will mow them down; Job 39:27 doth the vulture mount up at thy command, וְכִי יָרִים קִנּוֺ and (is it) that it (so) makes high its nest? Isa 36:19 have the gods of the nations delivered each his land etc.? . . . וְכִי הִצִּילוּ i.e. (Hi) and (is it) that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand? > (Ew§ 354 c De Di) and that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand! = how much less (אַף כִּי) have they, etc.! (|| 2Kgs 18:34 כִּי alone, perhaps conformed by error to v2Kgs 18:35; 2Chr 32:15 אַף כִּי, which however does not decide the sense of the original וְכִי). 1Chr 29:14 וְכִי מִי read ומי or כי מי
   (b) in introducing the apodosis, especially in כִּי עַתָּה (chiefly after לוּלֵא) indeed then . . ., Gen 31:42; Gen 43:10 for unless we had tarried כִּי עַתָּה שַׁבְנוּ surely then we had returned twice, Num 22:33 (read לוּלֵי for אוּלַי); so 1Sam 14:30 ᵐ5 (after לוּא), and 1Sam 13:13 Hi We (לֻא for לֹא); after אִם Job 8:6 surely then he will awake over thee, etc. (But elsewhere כִּי עַתָּה is simply for now, Gen 29:32; Job 7:21 +; or for then = for in that case, Exod 9:15; Num 22:29; Job 3:13; Job 6:3 +). It is dubious whether כִּי אָז has the same sense: for 2Sam 2:27; 2Sam 19:7 the כִּי in כִּי אָז may be merely resumptive of the כִּי recitation preceding (see a, c). Rare otherwise: Exod 22:22 if thou afflict him כִּי אִםצָֿעֹק יִצְעַק 'tis that (= indeed), if he cries unto me, I will hear him, Isa 7:9 if ye believe not כִּי לֹא תֵאֵָ˜מנוּ ׃ indeed ye will not be established.
  e. there seem also to be other cases in which כִּי, standing alone, has an intensive force, introducing a statement with emphasis, yea, surely, certainly (German ja — a lighter particle than these English words): see in AV RV Exod 18:11; Num 23:23; 1Sam 17:25; 1Sam 20:26; 2Kgs 23:22; Isa 32:13; Isa 60:9; Jer 22:22; Jer 31:19; Hos 6:9; Hos 8:6; Hos 9:12; Hos 10:3; Amos 3:7; Ps 76:11; Ps 77:12 (Ew Che), Prov 30:2 (but not if construed as RVm), Eccl 4:16; Eccl 7:7; Eccl 7:20; Job 28:1 +; Lam 3:22 (ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ew Th Öttli) the mercies of ׳י, surely they are not consumed (read probably תַמּוּ or תָֽמְמוּ for תמנו), Ruth 3:12 כִּי אָמְנָם yea, indeed. But it is doubtful whether כִּי has this force in all the passages for which scholars have had recourse to it, and whether in some it is not simply = for. DeProv 30:1 would restrict the usage to cases in which a suppressed clause may be understood. feminine that, expressing consecution, especially after a question implying surprise or deprecation: followed by perf., Gen 20:9 what have I sinned against thee כִּי הֵבֵאתָ עָלַי that thou hast brought upon me? 1Sam 22:8; Isa 22:1 what aileth thee, that thou art gone up, etc.? vIsa 22:16; Isa 36:5; Isa 52:5; Mic 4:9; Hab 2:18 followed by participle Judg 14:3; 1Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 18:9 how have I sinned that thou art giving, etc.? 2Kgs 5:7; Ezek 24:19 usually followed by imperfect Exod 3:11 who am I כִּי אֵלֵךְ that I should go, etc.? Exod 16:7; Judg 8:6; Judg 9:28; 2Kgs 8:13; Isa 7:13; Isa 29:16 (also perfect), Ps 8:5 what is man כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ? Job 3:12 or why the breasts כִּי אִינָָֽק ׃ that I should suck? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אִַיַחֵל, Job 7:12; Job 7:17; Job 10:5f.; Job 13:25f.; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 +; after a negative, Gen 40:15 here also I have done nothing כִּי שָׂמוּ that they should have placed me in the dungeon, Ps 44:19f. our heart has not turned backward, etc. כִּי דִכִּיתָנוּ that thou shouldst have crushed us, etc., Isa 43:22 not me hast thou called on, כִּי יָגַעְתָּ בִּי that thou shouldst have wearied thyself with me, Hos 1:6 (see RV), Job 41:2; Ruth 1:12 I am too old to have an husband כִּי אָמַרְתִּי that I should have said, etc. (compare Ew§ 337 a; Dr§ 39 δ).
  g. added to preps. כִּי converts them, like אֲשֶׁר, into conjs. ..., as יַעַן כִּי because that...: see below יַעַן, עַד, עַל, עֵקֶב, תַּחַת.

2. a. Of time, when, of the past וַיְהִי כִּי Gen 6:1 (compare BuUrg. 6), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26 + (כַּאֲשֶׁר and especially כְּ with infinitive, are more frequently); וְהָיָה כִּי (simple וְ) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 והיה כי יאמרו and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 כי החרשׁתי when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19 and men praise thee כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (׳תאֹמַר וג) וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... וְהָיָה כִּי Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
  b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (כי אמרתי when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37; Exod 22:4; Exod 22:5 etc., Deut 13:13; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by אִם, as Exod 21:2 when (כִּי) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with אִם if: so Exod 21:7 (כי), vExod 21:8-11 (אם); vExod 21:18 (כי), vExod 21:19 (אם); vExod 21:20 (כי), vExod 21:21 (אם); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (כי), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (אם) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. —
N.B. with כִּי = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 רָעָב ׳כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4 אַשּׁוּר כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ, Ps 62:11; Ezek 3:19 (וְאַתָּה), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... נֶפֶשׁ כִּי Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
  c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though:
   (a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by גַּם, גַּם כִּי Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr§ 143);
   (b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12 (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

3. Because, since ὅτι
  a. Gen 3:14 because thou hast done this, cursed art thou, etc., vGen 3:17; Gen 18:20; Gen 17:20 the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because it is great ... (subject prefixed for emphasis: compare 2
N.B.) Isa 28:15 in answer to a question, Gen 27:20; Exod 1:19; Exod 18:15; 2Sam 19:43 +. Enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible (German indem) Lev 22:9; Deut 4:29 כי תדרשׁנו, Deut 12:20 (see Dr), vDeut 12:25 vDeut 12:28; Deut 13:19; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:15; Deut 19:6; Deut 19:9 +, 1Kgs 8:35 (compare v1Kgs 8:33 אֲשֶׁר), v1Kgs 8:36 כִּי תוֺרֵם, Prov 4:8b.
  b. more commonly the causal sentence follows, as Gen 2:3 and God blessed the seventh day ׳כִּי בוֺ שָׁבַת וג because on it he rested, etc., Gen 4:25 etc., in which case it may often be rendered for, Gen 2:5; Gen 2:28; Gen 3:20; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:7; Gen 6:12; Gen 6:13; Ps 6:3 heal me כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָ֑י for my bones are vexed, Ps 10:14; Ps 25:16; Ps 27:10 + very often specifically after verbs expressive of mental emotions, as rejoicing Isa 14:29; Ps 58:11, being angry Gen 31:35; Gen 45:5, fearing Gen 43:18; Ps 49:17 etc. Iron. 1Kgs 18:27 for he is a god etc. (4 t.); Prov 30:4; Job 38:5 כִּי תֵדָ֑ע for or since thou knowest. With subject prefixed Ps 128:2. Repeated (with anacoluthon) Isa 49:19.
  c. the causal relation expressed by כִּי is sometimes subtle, especially in poetry, and not apparent without careful study of a passage. Thus sometimes it justifies a statement or description by pointing to a pregnant fact which involves it, as Isa 3:8a Job 6:21 (ground of the comparison vJob 6:15-20), Job 14:16 (For...: ground of the wishes expressed vJob 14:13-15), Job 16:22 (ground of vJob 16:20f.) Job 30:26 (For ...), or by pointing to a general truth which it exemplifies Job 5:6 (reason why complaining vJob 5:2-5 is foolish), Job 15:34; Job 23:14 sometimes it is explicative, justifying a statement by unfolding the particulars which establish or exemplify it 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 7:8; Isa 9:4; Isa 10:8-11; Isa 13:10 (development of vIsa 13:9a); Isa 32:6 f. (developing the characters of the נָבָל and כִּילַי, and so explaining why they will no longer be esteemed vIsa 32:5); Job 11:16ff. (explicit of vJob 11:15b), Job 18:8 ff. (justifying vJob 18:7), Job 22:26 ff. (justifying vJob 22:25); elsewhere the cause is expressed indirectly or figuratively Isa 2:6 (reason why invitation vIsa 2:5 is needed), Isa 5:10 (sterility of the soil the cause of the desolation vIsa 5:9), Isa 18:5; Isa 28:8 (proof of the intoxication vIsa 28:7), Isa 31:7 (reason for the exhortation vIsa 31:6: the certainty that the folly of idolatry will soon be recognized), Job 7:21 (for soon it will be too late to pardon), Job 27:8-10 (Job wishes his enemy the lot of the wicked, because this is so hopeless); or כִּי relates not to the see which immediately precedes or follows, but to several, as Isa 7:16f. (Isa 7:17 specially the ground of the people being reduced to simple fare vIsa 7:15), Isa 21:6ff. (ground of the statements vIsa 21:1-5), Job 4:5 (ground of vJob 4:2), Job 14:7-12 (Job 14:10-12 specially the ground for the appeal in vJob 14:6), Job 23:10-13 (ground why God cannot be found vJob 23:8f.), Ps 73:21 (ground not of vPs 73:20, but of the general train of thought vPs 73:2); similarly Gen 4:24; Deut 18:14; Jer 30:11 the reason lies not in the words immediately after כִּי, but in the second part of the sentence; or, on the other hand, it may state the reason for a particular word, Isa 28:20 (justifying 'nought but terror' vIsa 28:19), Job 23:17 (God's hostility vJob 23:16 the cause of his misery, not the calamity as such). Sometimes also כִּי, in a poetic orrhetorical style, gives the reason for a thought not expressed but implied, especially the answer to a question; Isa 28:11 (the mockeries of vIsa 28:10 have a meaning) 'for with men of strange lips, etc. he will speak unto this people,' who will retort the mockeries, charged with a new and terrible meaning, upon those who uttered them (Isa 28:13); = (no,) for Isa 28:28 (see RVm), Job 22:2b no, he that is wise is profitable to himself, Job 31:18; Job 39:14 (see vJob 39:13b), Ps 44:24 (he cannot do this, vPs 44:23) for for thy sake are we killed, etc., Ps 130:4 no, with thee is forgiveness; = (yes,) for Isa 49:25 (see the question vIsa 49:24), Isa 66:8.
  d. כִּי ֗֗֗ כִּי ἀσυνδέτως sometimes introduce the proximate and ultimate cause respectively, Gen 3:19; Gen 26:7; Gen 43:32; Gen 47:20; Exod 23:33 for [else] thou wilt serve their gods, for it will be a snare to thee, Isa 2:6 (twice in verse); Isa 3:8 (twice in verse); Isa 6:5a, b; Isa 10:22f.; Job 6:3f.; Job 8:8; Job 8:9 (twice in verse); Job 24:17 (twice in verse); Job 29:11f.; sometimes they introduce two co-ordinate causes (where we should insert and), Exod 23:21; Exod 23:22; Isa 6:5b,c I am undone, because I am of unclean lips..., because mine eyes have seen ׳י of hosts, Isa 15:5 (twice in verse); Isa 15:6 (twice in verse); Isa 15:8; Isa 15:9; Zeph 3:8f.; Job 15:25; Job 15:27; Job 20:19f.; Job 31:11f. But כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי also occurs, Gen 33:11; Num 5:20 (if), Josh 7:15; Judg 6:30; 1Sam 19:4; 1Sam 22:17; 1Kgs 2:26; Isa 65:16 +.
  e. after a negative כִּי for becomes = but (German sondern): Gen 17:15 thou shalt not call her name Sarai, כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ for (= but) Sarah shall be her name, Gen 24:3f.; Gen 45:8; Exod 1:19; Exod 16:8 not against us are your murmurings, ׳כי עליֿ for (they are) against ׳י = but against ׳י, Deut 21:17; 1Sam 6:3 (אַל), 1Sam 27:1 (see Dr), 1Kgs 21:17; Isa 10:7; Isa 28:27; Isa 29:23; Isa 30:5; Ps 44:8; Ps 118:17 + often; so in לא כי nay, for = nay, but, as Gen 18:15 לֹא כִּי צָחָֽקְתְּ nay, but thou didst laugh, Gen 19:2; Gen 42:12; Josh 5:14; 1Sam 2:16 MSS ᵐ5 (see Dr), 1Sam 12:12; 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 2:30; 1Kgs 3:22; 1Kgs 11:22; Isa 30:16 nay, but we will flee upon horses.

Note.כִּי is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23 Ges Ew§ 330 b doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of טוֺב): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ makes it probably that כֹּי is for (Dr§ 153). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (גַּאֲוָה) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. כִּי אִםֿ (the אִם always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where כִּיאִֿם is read by the Mass.: FrMM 241) —
1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
  a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (כִּי not translated: see כִּי 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (אִם 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (כִּי being resumptive of the כִּי before לוּלֵי: see כִּי 1 c); Exod 22:22 (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see כִּי 1 d).
  b. for if Exod 8:17; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause —
  a. limiting the preceding clause, except (after a negative, or an oath, or question, the equivalent of a negative) — the most usual term for expressing this idea: followed by verb Gen 32:27 I will not let thee go; כִּי אִםבֵּֿרַכְתָּֽנִי literally but (כִּי 3 e) if thou bless me (that is, I will let thee go), i.e., subordinating the second clause to the first, 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me;' Lev 22:6 he shall not eat of the holy things כִּי אִםרָֿחַץ except he have washed his flesh, Isa 65:6; Amos 3:7; Ruth 3:18; Lam 5:21f. (Ew Näg Ke Che Öttli), turn thou us unto thee, etc., unless thou have utterly rejected us, (and) art very wroth with us (= Or hast thou utterly rejected us? etc. Ew Öttli); followed by a noun, except, but, Gen 28:17 this is nothing ׳כִּי אִםבֵּֿית הָאֱ but the house of God, Gen 32:9 he withholds from me nothing כִּי אִםאֿוֺתָךְ except thee, Lev 21:2; Num 14:30 (after אִם), Num 26:65 (compare Num 32:12 בִּלְתִּי), Josh 14:4; 1Sam 30:17; 1Sam 30:22; 2Sam 12:3 אֵין כֹּל כִּי אִםֿ (so 2Kgs 4:2), 2Kgs 19:29; 1Kgs 17:1 (after אִם), 1Kgs 22:31; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 9:35; 2Kgs 13:7; Jer 22:17; Jer 44:14 +; after אַל, 2Chr 23:6 followed by an adverb clause, Gen 42:15; Num 35:33; 2Sam 3:13 (but כִּי אִם and לִפְנֵי are mutually exclusive: read probably with ᵐ5 כִּי אִםהֵֿבֵיאתָ); after an interrogative Isa 42:19 who is blind כִּי אִםעַֿבְדִּי but my servant ? (who is blind in comparison with him ?), Deut 10:12; Mic 6:8; Eccl 5:10; 2Chr 2:5.
  b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic (compare אִם 1 c), so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but (= a slightly strengthened כִּי), Gen 15:4 this man shall not be thy heir; ׳כִּי אִםאֲֿשֶׁר וג but one that shall come forth from thy own bowels, he shall be thy heir (compare 1Kgs 8:19), 1Kgs 32:29 thy name shall no more be called Jacob כִּי אִםיִֿשְׂרָאֵל but Israel (compare כִּי alone 1Kgs 17:15), 1Kgs 47:18 we will not hide it from my lord, but the money . . . is all made over to, etc., Exod 12:9 not boiled in water, but roast with fire, Deut 7:5; Deut 12:5; Deut 16:6; Josh 23:8; 1Sam 2:15 he will not take of thee boiled flesh כִּי אִםחָֽֿי׃ but raw, 1Sam 8:19 לֹא כִּי אִםמֶֿלֶךְ יִהְיֶה עָלֵינוּ nay, but a king shall be over us (compare כי alone, 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 12:12), 1Sam 21:5; 2Sam 5:6; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 10:23 (פֶּן), Isa 33:21; Isa 55:10; Isa 55:11; Isa 59:2; Jer 3:10; Jer 7:32; Jer 9:23; Jer 16:15; Jer 20:3; Jer 44:10; Ps 1:2; Ps 1:4; Prov 23:17 (אַל) Psalm +; with the principal verb repeated (as Gen 15:4; 1Kgs 8:19), Lev 21:14; Ezek 44:22; Num 10:30; 2Kgs 23:23; Jer 39:12 Kt (Qr omit אִם), compare Jer 7:23. Occasionally in colloquial language, the negative, it seems, is left to be understood: 1Sam 26:10 as ׳י liveth, (by no means,) כִּי אִם but ׳י shall smite him, 2Sam 13:33 Kt (by no means,) but Amnon alone is dead (Qr omits אִם). Followed by imperative Isa 65:18; Ezek 12:23; Jer 39:12; 2Chr 25:8. Sometimes also, though rarely (and not certainly), כִּי אִם appears to have the force of only even without a previous negative: Gen 40:14 כִּי אִםזְֿכַרְתָּנִי אִתְּךָ only have (?) me in remembrance with thyself (but read perhaps אַךְ for כִּי; see Dr§ 119 δ n., the use of a bare perfect, without לוּ, or even waw consecutive, to express a wish or command is unexampled), Num 24:22 כִּי אִםֿ יִהְיֶה לְבָעֵר קָֽיִן׃ only, nevertheless, the Kenite shall be for extermination (compare Di), Job 42:8 (De Di) כִּי אִםפָּֿנָיו אֶשָּׂא
  c. after an oath כִּי אִם appears to = a strengthened כִּי (compare בִּלְתִּי אִם, אִם ׃עַד אִם 1 c), introducing the fact sworn to (see כִּי 1 c): 2Kgs 5:20 as ׳י liveth, כִּי אִםרַֿצְתִּי surely I will run (perfect of certitude) after him, etc., Jer 51:14 (Ges Hi Gf RV) surley I will fill thee with men (namely, assailants), etc. (but Ew Ke Ch treat the particles as separate (כִּי as כִּי 1 c): though I have filled thee with men —; i.e. increased thy population, — yet shall they — the assailants — lift up the shout against thee), 2Sam 15:21 Kt (Qr omits אִם); after an assever. particle Ruth 3:12 Kt וְעַתָּה כִּי אָמְנָם כִּי אִם גּוֺאֵל אָנֹכִי and now, yea indeed, surely I am thy kinsman (Qr omits אִם); the oath being understood, Judg 15:7 if ye do thus, כִּי אִםנִֿקַּמְתִּי surely (Ges hercle) I will avenge myself, 1Sam 21:6 כִּי אִםאִֿשָּׁה עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ of a truth women have been kept from us, etc., 1Kgs 20:6 surely tomorrow I will send, etc., Prov 23:18 (see De) surely there is a reward; perhaps also Job 42:8.


BDB3996 H3588 H5921 H3651

BDB3995 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3997

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as, a peculiar phrase found Gen 18:5; Gen 19:8; Gen 33:10; Gen 38:26; Num 10:31; Num 14:43; Judg 6:22; 2Sam 18:20 Qr (rightly), Jer 29:28; Jer 38:4 — literally for therefore, emphasizing the ground pleonastically (Ew§ 353 a ). The original force of the phrase is traceable in some of the passages in which it occurs, as Gen 18:5 let me fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort your heart; כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן עֲבַרְתֶּם עַל עַבְדְּכֶם for therefore (that is, to partake of such hospitality) are ye come to your servant, Num 14:43 the Amalekite and the Canaanite are there, and ye will fall by the sword, כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן שַׁבְתֶּם for therefore (to encounter such a fate) have ye turned back from ׳י etc.: but in process of time the distinct sense of its component parts was no doubt gradually obscured, and it thus came to be used conventionally, as a mere particle of causation, even where there was no preceding statement to which עַל כֵּן therefore could be explicitly referred. אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן appears to be used similarly (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c) Job 34:27.


BDB6199 H6258 H2088 H2009 H5704 H3588

BDB6198 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6200

עַתָּ֫ה435 (also Ezek 23:43; Ps 74:6 עת Kt, Qr עַתָּה), עָ֑֫תָּה Gen 32:5 +, adverb of time, now (properly accusative of [`int],עֵת (ii. 260), at the time, in particular of the present time, i.e. now; compare German zur Zeit, Arabic at the time, i.e. now); — now:

1. a. Gen 12:19 ועתה הנה אשׁתך and now, behold thy wife, Gen 22:12 כי עתח ידעתי now, I know (so Exod 18:11; Judg 17:13; 1Kgs 17:24 [עַתָּה זֶה], Ps 20:7), Gen 26:22; Gen 26:29; Gen 27:36; Gen 31:13; Gen 31:28, etc., Exod 5:5 הך רבים עתה עם הארץ; whether in opposed to past time, as Gen 32:11; Josh 14:11 כְּכֹחִי אָז וּכְכֹחִי עָ֑תָּה, Judg 11:8; 1Kgs 12:4; Isa 1:21 ועתה מרצחים, Isa 16:14; Hos 2:9 כִּי טוֺב לִי אָז מַעָ֑תָּה, Hos 13:2, Job 30:1 +, or to future, as Num 24:17 אֶרְאֶנּוּ ולא עתה, Judg 8:6 חֲכַף עַתָּהכְּֿיָדֶ֑ךָ ׳זֶבַח וצ, 1Sam 2:16 כִּי עַתָּה תִּתֵּן; = after all Num 22:38; Judg 8:2 = now at last 2Sam 24:16; 1Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:25; Hos 7:2; Jer 4:12 and in the phrase מעתה ועד עולם Isa 9:6; Isa 59:21; (see below), Ps 113:2; Ps 115:18; Ps 121:8; Ps 125:2; Ps 131:3.
  b. of the imminent or impending future: Gen 19:9 עַתָּה נָרַע לְךָ מַהֶם. Gen 29:32 כי עתה יאהבני אישׁי, vGen 29:34; Exod 6:1 עתה תראה, Num 11:23; Num 22:4; 2Sam 20:6; Isa 33:10 (Ps 12:6), Isa 43:19; Isa 49:19; Amos 6:7 לכן עתה יִגְלוּ, Isa 49:19; Mic 7:4; Mic 7:10; Dan 10:20 and especially ἀσυνδέτως in Hosea, introducing a punishment, Hos 4:16 ׳וגו ׳עתה יִרְעֵם י Hos 5:7; Hos 8:8; Hos 8:13 (Jer 14:10), Jer 10:2.
  c. of a time ideally present (= then, from our point of view): Isa 29:22 לא עתה יבושׁ יעקב, vb Hos 10:3; Mic 4:9; Mic 4:10; Mic 4:11; Mic 4:14; Mic 5:3.
  d. describing a present state = as things are: 1Sam 8:5 thou art old, etc., עתה שִׂימָה לנו מלך, 1Sam 9:6; 1Sam 13:12; 1Sam 14:30; 1Sam 25:7b; 1Sam 27:1 now I shall be swept away one day, etc., 2Kgs 18:20; 2Kgs 18:25; Job 6:21; Job 14:16; Job 16:7.
  e. with an Imperative, as an encouragement, implying that the time has come for the exhortation or advice to be followed, Gen 31:13 עתה קים צא, Exod 18:19 עתה שְׁמַע בקולי, Num 22:11; Deut 2:13; 1Sam 30:8.

2. Phrases:
  a. עַתָּה זֶה (זְה 4 h) 1Kgs 17:24; 2Kgs 5:22.
  b. ועתה and, now, or now, therefore (וְ 4), drawing a conclusion, especially (compare 1 e) a practical one, from what has been stated: Gen 3:22 and now (since man has once been disobedient), lest he put forth his hand, etc., Gen 20:7; Gen 20:23 וְעַתָּה הִשָּֽׁבְעָה לִי הֵ֫נָּה, Gen 27:3; Gen 27:8 ועתה בני שְׁמַע בקולי, Gen 30:30; Gen 31:16; Gen 31:44; Gen 37:20 + often, Isa 5:3; Isa 5:5; Ps 2:10; Gen 11:6 ׳ועתה לאֹיִֿבָּצֵר מֵהֶם וגו, Gen 31:30; Gen 45:8; 2Sam 19:11; Ps 39:8 ועתה מַהקִּֿזִּיתִי אֲדֹנָי, Isa 52:5,
  c. וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה stating the ground on which some conclusion or action is to be based, Exod 3:9; Josh 14:10 (twice in verse); 1Sam 12:2; 1Sam 24:21; 1Kgs 1:18; Jer 40:4 (with ועתה usually repeated afer the הנה-clause).
  d. גם עתה Gen 44:10; 1Sam 12:16; 1Kgs 14:14; Joel 2:12; Job 16:19.
  e. מֵעַתָּה from now, henceforth, Jer 3:4; Isa 48:6; Dan 10:17 (according to some, here = from just now), 2Chr 16:9 מעתה ועד עוּלּסּ, see above 1 a end. feminine עַדעַֿתָּה until now, Gen 32:5, ׳וֶאֵחַר עדעֿ, Deut 12:9 ׳אל הנחלה לא באתם עד ע (opposed to the future), 2Kgs 13:23 especially after clause with מִן, 2Kgs 46:34 ׳מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ וְעַדעֿ (2Sam 19:8; Ezek 4:14), Exod 9:18; 2Kgs 8:6; Ruth 2:7.
  g. כִּי עַתָּה for in this case, in our idiom, for them (עתה pointing to a condition assumed as a possible contingency: compare Dr§ 141, 142); (a) Exod 9:15 כי עתה ׳שׁלחתי וגו for then (if the intention expressed in vExod 9:14 had not existed) I should have put forth my hand, etc., Num 22:29 כי עתה הֲרַגְתִּיךְ, 1Sam 13:13; Job 3:13 followed by imperfect Job 6:3 for then (if it were weighed, vJob 6:2) it would be heavier, etc., Job 13:19 for then would I be silent and die; (b) after a protasis, surely then Gen 31:42 + (see כִּי 1 d b, p. 472). — Note. Read כְּמוֺ עַתָּ) (ᵐ5 ᵑ9) as now, for כְּמוֺ עֵת Ezek 16:57, עַתָּ נִשְׁבַּרְתְּ (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9) now art thou broken ! for עֵת נִשְׁבֶּרֶת Ezek 27:34, and probably עַתָּ בָּא (Hi We Now, compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6) for עֶתבּֿאֹ Hag 1:2 also עַתָּה for אַתָּה 1Kgs 1:20, and אַתָּה for עַתָּה v1Kgs 1:18b 2Sam 18:3.


BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

BDB6201 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6203

יַעַן96 properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as preposition or conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta§ 259 ii. 403; compare mean, intend): —

1. as preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezek 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Hag 1:9 יַעַן מָה, vHag 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezek 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1Kgs 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isa 30:12; Isa 37:29 (= 2Kgs 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jer 5:14; Jer 7:13; Jer 23:38; Jer 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jer 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְ˜רֹתְכֶם), Jer 13:8; Jer 13:22; Jer 25:3; Jer 25:6; Jer 25:8; Jer 25:12.

2. As conjunction:
  a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Gen 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deut 1:36 (Josh 14:14), Judg 2:20; 1Sam 30:22; 1Kgs 3:11; 1Kgs 8:18; Jer 19:4; Jer 25:8; Jer 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezek 44:12.
  b. יַען כִּי, Num 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1Kgs 13:21; 1Kgs 21:29; Isa 3:16; Isa 7:5; Isa 8:6; Isa 29:13.
  c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Num 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1Sam 15:23; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 22:19; Hos 8:1; Isa 61:1; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4 with imperfect (frequently) Ezek 34:21 of the future Ezek 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezek 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 36:6, compare Ezek 34:21.

3. יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Lev 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezek 13:10 יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezek 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)


BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke217, 219, 241 S-CPap. C 6, 7 +; lâinnî, however SocArab. Dial. see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
  a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
  b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.
2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

for, that, because, but, when, …
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
  • that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
    • that
      • yea, indeed
      when (of time)
      • when, if, though (with a concessive force)
      because, since (causal connection)"but (after negative)"that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if"but rather, but"except that"only, nevertheless"surely"that is"but if"for though"forasmuch as, for therefore

לְ עוֹלָ֣ם
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
עוֹלָ֣ם
Root word ever, everlasting, old, perpetual, evermore, …
Dictionary form: עוֹלָם · oh-LAWM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: endureth for ever
for ever ×138 ever ×59 endureth for ever ×45 of old ×11 an everlasting ×9 everlasting ×8 and ever ×7 evermore ×7
More options
eternal — Best for God's nature or timeless theological statements.
everlasting — Modernized KJV staple; slightly more poetic than 'eternal'.
forever — Natural, contemporary; ideal for promises and covenants.
ancient — Use when referring to distant past, not future duration.
age-long — Captures indefinite duration without implying strict infinity.
perpetual — Suits legal or covenantal contexts stressing continuity.

BDB6119 H5769 H5865

BDB6118 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6120

עוֺלָם439 noun masculine long duration, antiquity, futurity; — ׳ע Gen 9:12 + 405 t.; עֹלָם Gen 3:22 + 19 t.; עֵילוֺם 2Chr 33:7, read probably עוֺלָם (for other explanations see note in KitHpt); suffix עֹלָמוֺ Eccl 12:5 plural עוֺלָמִים Isa 26:4 + 7 t., עֹלָמִים Ps 145:13 + 2 t.; construct עוֺלְמֵי Isa 45:17

1. of past time:
  a. ancient time: ׳יְמֵי ע days of old Isa 63:9; Isa 63:11; Amos 9:11; Mic 5:1; Mic 7:14; ׳יְמוֺת ע Deut 32:7 ׳עַם ע Isa 44:7 ancient people; ׳גּוֺי מֵע Jer 5:15 ׳חָרְבוֺת ע old waste places Isa 58:12; Isa 61:4, compare Ezek 26:20 b; ׳פִּתְחֵי ע ancient gates Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9 ׳ארח ע Job 22:15 ׳נתבות ע Jer 6:16 ׳שְׁבִילֵי ע Jer 18:15 ׳גבול ע Prov 22:28; Prov 23:10 ׳במות ע Ezek 36:2 ׳מִן (מֵ)ע from of old Isa 64:3; Jer 2:20; Joel 2:2, of the fathers Josh 24:2, the prophets Jer 28:8, the ancient נפלים Gen 6:4 (Ezek 32:27 ᵐ5 Co for מערלים; but 1Sam 27:8 read מִטֵּלָם for מעולם We Dr HPS); ׳בהם ע long in them Isa 64:4 (text dubious).
  b. ׳מֵתֵי ע the long dead Ps 143:3; Lam 3:6 so ׳עַם ע Ezek 26:20.
  c. of God, ׳מֵע: former acts Isa 46:9 as redeemer Isa 63:16 of love Ps 25:6, judgment Ps 119:52, dominion Isa 63:19 long silence Isa 42:14; Isa 57:11
**ᵐ5 ᵑ9 CheHpt Du Marti read מֵעְלִם for מֵעוֺלָם, compare I. [עָלַם] Hiph`il Ps 10:1.; his wisdom personified Prov 8:23 his existence Ps 93:2.
  d. of things: ׳גבעות ע ancient hills Gen 49:26 (J), Hab 3:6 (|| הרריעֿד), Deut 33:15 (|| הררי קדם).
  e. plural שְׁנוֺת עולמים Ps 77:6 years of ancient times; דורות עולמים Isa 51:9 לעלמים Eccl 1:10 = in olden times.
2. a. indefinite futurity, with preposition for ever, always (sometimes = during the lifetime); עֶבֶד עולם slave for ever Deut 15:17; 1Sam 27:12; Job 40:28 ׳עָבַד לע serve for ever Exod 21:6 (E), Lev 25:46 ׳עד ע 1Sam 1:22 ׳גְּאֻלַּת ע Lev 25:32 redemption at any time; ׳הֲרַת ע Jer 20:17 ever pregnant (womb); ׳כְּלִמַּת ע vJer 20:11 of persecutors of Jeremiah; ׳חרפת ע Jer 23:40 ׳שַׁלְוֵי ע Ps 73:12 alway at ease; ׳יְחִי לע (יחיה) may the king live alway 1Kgs 1:31; Neh 2:3 compare אֹרֶךְ יָמִים עולם ועד Ps 21:5 ישׁד עולם לפני אלהים Ps 61:8 so of the pious, לא ימוט ׳לע Ps 15:5 בל ימוט Prov 10:30, compare Ps 30:7 other phrase: Ps 37:27; Ps 37:28; Ps 41:13; Ps 55:23; Ps 61:8; Ps 73:26; Ps 121:8; Prov 10:25 אשׁירה ׳ע Ps 89:2 I will sing for ever (as long as I live), compare Ps 52:10; Ps 115:18; Ps 145:1; Ps 145:2 ׳הוֺדה ע Ps 30:13; Ps 44:9; Ps 52:11; Ps 79:13 other emotions and activities continuous through life Ps 5:12; Ps 31:2 = Ps 71:1; Ps 75:10; Ps 86:12; Ps 119:44; Ps 119:93; Ps 119:98; Ps 119:111; Ps 119:112; Mic 4:5, compare ׳לע Mic 2:9.
  b. = continuous existence, (1) of things: the earth, הָאָרֶץ לְעוֺלָם עֹמֶדֶת Eccl 1:4 other phrase: Ps 78:69; Ps 104:5, heavens and contents Ps 148:6, ruined cities Isa 25:2; Isa 32:14; Ezek 26:21; Ezek 27:36; Ezek 28:19, ruined lands Jer 18:16; Jer 25:9; Jer 25:12; Jer 49:13; Jer 49:33; Jer 51:26; Jer 51:62; Ezek 35:9; Zeph 2:9 ׳לעד עד ע Isa 30:8 for a witness for ever, in a book; (2) of nations: לעולם אהיה Isa 47:7 (Babylon loqu.), compare Ps 81:16; Obad 1:10 ׳ישׁב לע of Judah Joel 4:20 (3) families Ps 49:12; Isa 14:20 the dynasty of Saul 1Sam 13:13 house of Eli 1Sam 2:30 (4) national relations: איבת ׳ע continual enmity Ezek 25:15; Ezek 35:5 of exclusion from ׳קהל י, ׳עד ע Deut 23:4 = Neh 13:1 various relations Isa 32:17; Isa 34:10 ׳חרפת ע perpetual reproach Ps 78:66, of dynasty of David 2Sam 3:28; 2Sam 12:10; 1Kgs 2:33, families v1Kgs 2:33; 2Kgs 5:27; Ps 106:31; Jer 35:6.
  c. of divine existence: אל עולם Gen 21:33 (J); ׳אלהי ע Isa 40:28 ׳חי אנכי לע Deut 32:40 ׳חֵי הע Dan 12:7 of divine name, ׳זה שׁמי לְע Exod 3:15 (E), compare 2Chr 33:7 (see above); blessing and praise of it 2Sam 7:26 = 1Chr 17:24; Ps 72:19; Ps 135:13 of ׳י himself Ps 89:53 attributes, אהבה Jer 31:3; 1Kgs 10:9 חסד Isa 54:8; Ps 89:2; Ps 138:8 חַסְדּוֺ ׳לע 1Chr 26:34; 1Chr 26:41; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Ps 100:5; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3; Ps 118:4; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 + 25 t., Jer 33:11 כבוד Ps 104:31 אמת Ps 117:2; Ps 146:6 צדק Ps 119:142 עצה Ps 33:11 reign Exod 15:18 (E), Ps 10:16; Ps 66:7; Ps 92:9; Ps 146:10; Jer 10:10; Mic 4:7 ישׁב ׳יהוה לע Ps 9:8; Ps 29:10; Ps 102:13; Lam 5:19 presence in Zion 1Chr 23:25; Isa 33:14; Isa 60:19; Isa 60:20; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 43:7; Ezek 43:9 his salvation Isa 51:6; Isa 51:8 ׳זרעת ע Deut 33:27 everlasting arms; ׳כל אשׁר יעשׂה האלהים יהיה לע Eccl 3:14.
  d. of God's covenant: ׳בְּרִית ע everlasting covenant Gen 9:16; Gen 17:7; Gen 17:13; Gen 17:19; Exod 31:16; Lev 24:8; Num 18:19 (all P), 2Sam 23:5; 1Chr 16:17 = Ps 105:10; Isa 24:5; Isa 55:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 32:40; Jer 50:5; Ezek 16:60; Ezek 37:26 covenant with Noah, ׳לְדֹרֹת ע Gen 9:12 (P); God remembers it 1Chr 16:15 = Ps 105:8; Ps 111:5 will not break it, ׳לע Judg 2:1 ׳אוֺת ע Exod 31:17 (P); ׳אוֺת עד ע Deut 28:46.
  e. of God's laws: דבר(יםׅ Isa 59:21; Ps 119:89 משׁפט Ps 119:160 עדות vPs 119:144 vPs 119:152 ׳חק ע Exod 29:28; Exod 30:21 (E), Lev 6:11; Lev 6:15; Lev 7:34; Lev 10:15; Lev 24:9; (P), also Jer 5:22 (of bounds of sea); ׳חק עד ע Exod 12:24 (J), ׳חֻקַּת ע vExod 12:14 vExod 12:17; Exod 27:21; Exod 28:43; Exod 29:9; Lev 3:17; Lev 7:36; Lev 10:9; Lev 16:29; Lev 10:31; Lev 10:34; Lev 17:7; Lev 23:14; Lev 23:21; Lev 23:31; Lev 23:41; Lev 24:3; Lev 24:8; Num 10:8; Num 15:15; Num 18:23; Num 19:10; Num 19:21 (P) (most of these in fact specifically Jewish and temporary); temple to bear God's name, ׳עד ע 1Kgs 9:3 = 2Chr 7:16 ׳לע 2Kgs 21:7; 2Chr 33:4 consecrated ׳לע 2Chr 30:8 its ceremonies ׳לע 2Chr 2:3 Levitical priesthood, לשׁרתו ׳עד ע, 1Chr 15:2 Aaronic priesthood, ׳לברך בשׁמ ׳עד ע 1Chr 23:13 (twice in verse). feminine of God's promises: his word, ׳יקום לע Isa 40:8 promised dynasty of David, עד ׳(ה)ע 2Sam 7:13; 2Sam 7:16 (twice in verse); 2Sam 7:25 = 1Chr 17:12; 1Chr 17:14 (twice in verse); 1Chr 17:23, Ps 18:51 = 2Sam 22:51; 1Kgs 2:33; 1Kgs 2:45; 1Chr 22:10; Ps 89:5 ׳לע 1Kgs 9:5; 1Chr 28:4; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 13:5; Ps 89:29; Ps 89:37; 2Sam 7:29 (twice in verse) = 1Chr 17:27 (twice in verse); of holy land 1Chr 28:8, ׳אֲחֻזַּת ע Gen 17:8; Gen 48:4; Lev 25:34 (P); given ׳לע Exod 32:13 (J) 2Chr 20:7 ׳עד ע Gen 13:15, inherited ׳לע Isa 60:21; Ps 37:18 ׳עד ע Isa 34:17 dwelt in ׳עד ע Ezek 37:25 other blessings, ׳לע Deut 5:26; Hos 2:21 ׳עד ע Deut 12:28; 2Sam 7:24 = 1Chr 17:22; Ps 133:3 ׳שִׂמְחַת ע Isa 35:10; Isa 51:11; Isa 61:7 ׳דֶּרֶח ע Ps 139:24 ׳שׁם ע Isa 56:5; Isa 63:12 ׳אות ע Isa 55:13 ׳נאון ע Isa 60:15 Jerusalem to abide ׳לע Jer 17:25; Ps 125:1, compare Jer 31:40 ׳עד ע Ps 48:9.
  g. of relations between God and his people, ׳לע 1Chr 29:18; Ps 45:18; Ps 85:6; Ps 103:9; Ps 145:21; Isa 57:16; Jer 3:5; Jer 3:12; Lam 3:31; Joel 2:26; Joel 2:27 ׳עד (ה)ע Ps 28:9; Mal 1:4.
  h. of Messianic dynasty and king: ׳(ל)ע Ps 110:4 having divine throne Ps 45:7 name endures Ps 72:17 established Ps 89:38 God blesses him Ps 45:3 of his reign, ׳מעתה ועד ע Isa 9:6.
  i. = indefinite, unending future: live ׳לע Gen 3:22 = Job 7:16 יִחְיוּ ׳הנביאים הלע Zech 1:5 the prophets, can they live for ever ? compare ׳חדל לע Ps 49:9 with negative never Ezra 9:12; Prov 27:24.
  j. after death: ׳שׁנת ע Jer 51:39; Jer 51:57 ׳בית ע Eccl 12:5 ׳חַיֵּי ע Dan 12:2 ׳דראון ע vDan 12:2 also vDan 12:3; Jonah 2:7; Eccl 2:16; Eccl 9:6.
  k. = age (duration) of the world: את העלם נתן בְּלִבָּם Eccl 3:11 the age of the world he hath set, etc. (compare especially Late Hebrew; others i).
1. plural intensive everlastingness, eternity: תשׁועת עולמים Isa 45:17 צדק עלמים Dan 9:24 צור עולמים Isa 26:4 (RVm rock of ages); מלכוּת כל עלמים Ps 145:13 also Ps 61:5; Ps 77:8; 1Kgs 8:13 = 2Chr 6:2. masculine special phrase: (מן) מ(ה)עולם (ו)עד (ה)עולם from everlasting to everlasting, of ׳י Ps 90:2, ׳חסד י Ps 103:17 benedictions 1Chr 16:36 = Ps 106:48; Neh 9:5; 1Chr 29:10; Ps 41:14 the land given למן עולם ועד עולם Jer 7:7; Jer 25:5 מעתה ועד עולם from now and for ever Ps 115:18; Ps 121:8 (i.e. as long as one lives); of people's hope in God Ps 131:3 dynasty of David Isa 9:6 of God's acts, words, etc. Mic 4:7; Isa 59:21; Ps 125:2, compare Ps 113:2 — see further I. עַד p. 723.


עֵילוֺם see עוֺלָם. עֲלָמוֺת see עַלְמָה, II. עלם.


עַלמֿוּת, עַלמֿוּת לַבֵן see עַלְמָה, II. עלם.


BDB9773 H5957 H5769

BDB9772 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9774

עָלַם noun [masculine] perpetuity, antiquity (see Biblical Hebrew III> עלם, עוֺלָם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 3:33 +, construct Dan 7:18 emphatic עָֽלְמָא Dan 2:20 +; plural עָֽלְמִין Dan 2:4 +, emphatic עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 2:44; Dan 7:18perpetuity in the future: ׳מַלְכוּת ע Dan 3:33; Dan 7:27, compare Dan 4:31; Dan 7:14 ׳ע as adverb for ever Dan 4:31 עַדעָֽֿלְמָא וְעַדעָֿלַם עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 7:18 plural ׳לְע for ever Dan 2:4; Dan 2:44; Dan 2:44; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22; Dan 6:27 antiquity, מִןיֿוֺמָת עָֽלְמָא Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:19 of limitless time both past and future: ׳וְעַדעֿ ׳מִןעֿ Dan 2:20.

ever, everlasting, old, perpetual, evermore, …
ʿôlām
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always
  • long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
    • ancient time, long time (of past)
    • "(of future)
      • for ever, always
      • "continuous existence, perpetual"everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

חַסְדּֽ וֹ
חַסְדּֽ
Root word mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: חֵסֵד · hay-SADE

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

In the KJV here: his mercy
his mercy ×45 mercy ×28 kindness ×21 thy lovingkindness ×8 and mercy ×7 thy mercy ×7 of thy mercy ×6 kindly ×5
More options
faithful love — Most scholarly modern default; captures covenant loyalty dimension.
steadfast love — Common in academic translations (RSV, NRSV); emphasizes reliability.
loving kindness — Two-word modernization of KJV compound; warm, devotional register.
mercy — Prefer when context stresses pardon or compassion over covenant.
kindness — Best for interpersonal, non-theological contexts (e.g. Ruth).
loyalty — Use when covenant obligation is the primary emphasis.

BDB2965 H2617

BDB2964 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2966

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

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


BDB2970 H2617

BDB2969 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2971

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

mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …
ḥēsēd
kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
  • goodness, kindness, faithfulness
  • "a reproach, shame

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.
אֶת הַיָּרֵ֣חַ וְ֭כוֹכָבִים Dechi — a lesser break לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת בַּלָּ֑יְלָה Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse

אֶת-הַיָּרֵחַ וְכוֹכָבִים לְמֶמְשְׁלוֹת בַּלָּיְלָה כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃
9
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Cross References

Job 31:26

אִם-אֶרְאֶה אוֹר כִּי יָהֵל וְיָרֵחַ יָקָר הֹלֵֽךְ׃
26
If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;

Psalms 89:36

זַרְעוֹ לְעוֹלָם יִהְיֶה וְכִסְאוֹ כַשֶּׁמֶשׁ נֶגְדִּֽי׃
36
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

Psalms 8:3

כִּֽי-אֶרְאֶה שָׁמֶיךָ מַעֲשֵׂי אֶצְבְּעֹתֶיךָ יָרֵחַ וְכוֹכָבִים אֲשֶׁר כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה׃
3
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;