Psalms 139:17

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וְ לִ ֗י
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
לִ
Preposition fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
֗י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Preposition

his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30
More options
father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.
ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.
forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.
patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.
family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.
founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

BDB16 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB18

אָב1191 noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CISiv, 1, 37 1. 2 and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).
2. of God as father of his people (see RSSem 42), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)
3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.
4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.
5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.
6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).
7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue BrMP).
8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.
9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew§ 273 b) see also EwGeschichte. i. 524. H i. 365. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see CheEncy. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITHib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
ʾāb
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • father of an individual
  • "of God as father of his people"head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan"ancestor
    • grandfather, forefathers (of a person)
    • "of people
    originator or patron of a class, profession, or art"of producer, generator (figuratively)"of benevolence and protection (figuratively)"term of respect and honor"ruler or chief (specifically)

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

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

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

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


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

יָּקְר֣וּ
יָּקְר֣וּ
Root word precious, withdraw, at, by
Dictionary form: יָקַר · yaw-KAHR

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: precious
be precious ×2 and precious ×1 i was prised at ×1 is precious ×1 more precious ×1 precious ×1 set by ×1 thou wast precious ×1
More options
precious — Most natural modern equivalent; widely applicable.
valuable — Emphasizes monetary or practical worth.
rare — Highlights scarcity as the source of value.
prized — Conveys high esteem or personal regard.
honored — Best when worth is relational or reputational.
withdraw — Use only for the verbal sense of holding back.

BDB3698 H3365

BDB3697 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3699

[יָקַר] verb be precious, prized, appraised (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el, Hiph`il; Aramaic יְקַר, , be heavy, precious; Pa`el honour; יַקִּיר, weighty, precious, honoured; compare Assyrian a‡âru, be precious, costly, and derivatives, DlHWB 240; Arabic be heavy, II. honour; dignity; Sabean noun יקר honour DHMZMG 1883, 402) —

Qal Perfect 3 feminine singular יָָֽקְרָה 1Sam 16:21 2 masculine singular יָקַרְתָּ Isa 43:4 1 singular יָקַרְתִּי Zech 11:13 3 plural יָ˜קְרוּ Ps 139:17 Imperfect וַיִּיקַר 1Sam 18:30 וְיֵקַר Ps 49:9 וְיֵיקַר Ps 72:14 jussive תִּיקַר(נָֿאׅ 2Kgs 1:13; 2Kgs 1:14
1. be precious:
  a. = highly valued, esteemed, David's name, וַיִּיקַר שְׁמוֺ מְאֹד 1Sam 18:30 of Israel, יָקַרְתָּ בְעֵינַי Isa 43:4 (+ נִכְבַּדְתָּ, אֲהַבְתִּיךָ); of God's thoughts וְלִי מַהיָָּֽֿקִרוּ רֵעֶיךָ Ps 139:17 (Ew Hi Hup render hard, difficult: compare יַקִּירָה Dan 2:11).
  b. especially of life (נֶפֶשׁ), in phrase יָָֽקִרָה נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֶיךָ 1Sam 26:21, i.e. thou hast spared it; so (jussive) 2Kgs 1:13; 2Kgs 1:14 similarly יֵיקַר דָּמָם בְּעֵינָיו Ps 72:14 (|| מִתּוֺךְ וּמֵחָמָס יִגְאַל נַפְשָׁס).
  c. be costly, וְיֵקַר פִּדְיוֺן נַפְשָׁם Ps 49:9.
2. be appraised, valued, אֶדֶר הַיְקָר אֲשֶׁר יָקַרְתִּי מֵעֲלֵיהֶם Zech 11:13 the magnificence of the price at which I was appraised (and dismissed) from them! Hiph`il Imperfect 1 singular אוֺקִיר אֱנוֺשׁ מִפָּ֑ז Isa 13:12 I will make men more rare (literally precious) than fine gold. Imperative הֹקַר Prov 25:17 make rare (i.e. withhold) thy foot from the house of thy friend.

precious, withdraw, at, by
yāqar
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
  • to esteem, be prized, be valuable, be precious, be costly, be appraised
    • (Qal)
      • to be precious, be highly valued, be esteemed, be costly
      • "to be appraised
      (Hiphil) to make something precious

רֵעֶ֣י ךָ
רֵעֶ֣י
Root word thought, thoughts
ךָ
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: רֵעַ · RAY-ah

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

In the KJV here: also are thy thoughts
also are thy thoughts ×1 my thought ×1
More options
thought — Standard rendering; suits most prose and poetic contexts.
idea — Informal register; good for reflective or wisdom literature.
mind — Emphasizes the mental faculty rather than a single notion.
reflection — Suggests deliberate, sustained thinking; fits meditative tone.
intention — Use when thought implies purpose or directed will.

BDB7824 H7452 H7453 H7454

BDB7823 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7825

I. רֵעַ verbal noun shouting, roar, but dubious; — קוֺל הָעָם בְּרֵעֹה֯ Exod 32:17 (E) sound of the people as they shouted (read Infinitive construct בָּרִעֹה for בְּהָרִיעוֺ, compare √5); יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵע֑וֺ Job 36:33 the roar thereof telleth of him (< רַעְמוֺ his thunder, so Bu); לָמָּה תָרִיעִי רֵעַ Mic 4:9 why criest thou out with a crying? i.e. so loudly (but see √

6. ). — II. III. רֵעַ see רעה. p. 945f


BDB8001 H7453 H7452 H7454

BDB8000 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8002

II. רֵעַ187 noun masculineProv 17:17 friend, companion, fellow; — ׳ר absolute 2Sam 13:3 +, construct 1Chr 27:33 suffix רֵעִי Job 31:9 +, רֵעְַךָ Deut 5:17 +, רֵעֶ֑ךָ Exod 2:13 +, also רֵעֶיךָ 2Sam 12:11 (singular; Ges«GKC:93ss»§ 93ss), רֵעֵ֫הוּ (Ges«GKC:84»§ 84 a i) Gen 11:3 + 114 t., רֵעוֺ Jer 6:21, רֵעָהּ, Jer 3:30 plural רֵעִים Jer 3:1 +, construct רֵעֵי Job 2:11 suffix רֵעָיו Job 32:3, רֵעֵ֫הו (Ges«GKC:91k»§ 91k) Job 42:10; 1Sam 30:26, etc.; —
  l. friend, intimate, Gen 38:12; Gen 38:20(J), 1Sam 30:26; 2Sam 13:3; 1Kgs 16:11 (ᵐ5 omitted); רִעֲךָ אֲשֶׁר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ Deut 13:7, מֶתֶק רֵעֵהוּ Prov 27:9 (text dubious see Toy); Mic 7:5 (|| אַלוּף), Jer 9:3 (|| אָח), Jer 19:9; Lam 1:2 ( + אֹהֲבֶיהָ), Ps 35:14 (|| אָח) + 3 t. Psalms; especially Job 2:11; Job 6:14 + 8 t. Job; Prov 17:17; Prov 18:24 + 8 t. Proverbs ( Prov 12:26 see מֵרֵעַ below), Song 5:1 (|| דּוֺדִים); associates Zech 3:8 technical term הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ר 1Chr 27:33 (see רֵעֶה), compare 2Sam 16:17 (twice in verse); of lover Song 5:16 (|| דּוֺדִי), husband Jer 3:20, paramours Hos 3:1; Jer 3:1 metaphor רֵעַ לִבְנוֺת יַעֲנָה Job 30:29 (|| אָח לְתַנִּים).

2. in weaker sense, fellow, fellow-citizen, even another person,, with whom one stands in reciprocal relations, Exod 2:13; Exod 20:16; Exod 20:17 (3 t. in verse) (Gi vExod 20:13 vExod 20:14 vExod 20:14 vExod 20:14) = Deut 5:17; Deut 5:18 (3 t. in verse), Exod 21:14; Exod 22:7; Exod 22:8; Exod 22:10; Exod 22:25 (all E), Lev 19:13; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 20:10 (all H), Deut 4:42; Deut 15:2 (twice in verse) + 11 t. Deuteronomy; Josh 20:5 (D), Judg 7:14; Jer 9:7; Jer 22:13; Jer 29:23; Jer 22:11; Jer 22:12; Ps 15:3; Ps 28:3; Ps 101:5; Prov 3:28; Prov 3:29; Prov 6:1 (|| זָר !) + 18 t. Proverbs; וְרֵעוֺ שָׁכֵן Jer 6:21; 1Sam 15:28 hath given (the kingdom) to thy fellow, = another than thou, so 1Sam 28:17; 2Sam 12:11 so also אִישׁ ֗֗֗ רֵעֵהוּ a (given, certain) man over against his fellow (different from 3) Exod 21:18; Exod 21:35; Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9; Exod 22:13; Exod 33:11 (all E), Deut 19:11; Deut 22:26; Judg 7:13; 1Kgs 8:31; 1Kgs 20:35; Jer 7:5; 1Chr 6:22; Ruth 3:14; Eccl 4:4 similarly שָׂעִיר אֶלרֵֿעֵהוּ Isa 34:14.
3. in reciprocal phrase אִישׁ ֗֗֗ רֵעֵהו Gen 11:3 they said one to another (אִישׁ distributive), each the speech of the other vGen 11:7, absent one from the other Gen 31:49, compare Gen 43:33 (all J), Exod 11:2; Exod 18:7; Exod 18:16; Exod 32:27 (all E), Judg 6:29; Judg 7:22; Judg 10:18; 2Sam 2:16 (twice in verse) + 4 t. 1 Samuel; 2Kgs 3:23; 2Kgs 7:3; 2Kgs 7:9; 2Chr 20:23; Isa 3:5 (|| אִישׁ בְּאִישׁ), Isa 13:8; Isa 19:2 (|| אִישׁ בְּאָתִיו) Isa 41:6; Jer 5:8 + 11 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 33:26; Zech 3:10 + 6 t. Zechariah (Zech 11:6 read רֹעֵהוּ StaZAW i (1881), 26); Mal 3:16; Jonah 1:7 so of things Gen 15:10 (J). — I. רֵעַ see רוע. p.929 below


BDB8013 H7454

BDB8012 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8014

III. [רֵעַ] noun [masculine] purpose, aim; — suffix רֵעִי Ps 139:2 (of man), plural suffix רֵעֶיךָ vPs 139:17 (of El).

thought, thoughts
rēaʿ
a thought (as association of ideas)
  • purpose, aim, thought

אֵ֑ל
אֵ֑ל
Root word god, gods, power, mighty, one, …
Dictionary form: אֵל · ale

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: unto me o god
god ×112 of god ×15 a god ×8 unto god ×7 am god ×6 and god ×5 art my god ×5 my god ×4
More options
God — Preferred when referring to the God of Israel.
god — Use lowercase for foreign or generic deities.
divine being — Neutral; good for ambiguous or poetic contexts.
mighty one — Captures the power/strength nuance of the lemma.
power — Abstract sense; rare but valid in some poetic passages.
idol — Only when context clearly indicates a false or carved god.

BDB425 H410

BDB424 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB426

II. אֵל god, אֶלְדָּד, אֶלְדָּעָה etc. see I. אלה.


BDB428 H410 H1286 H416 H415

BDB427 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB429

II. אֵל noun masculine (also, in proper name אֶל, אֱלִי; Samaritan אל, Phoenician אל, אלן (i.e. probably אֵלֹן), Sabean אל, DHMOr. Congr. Leiden, 1883, Assyrian ilu, Dlw; perhaps also Arabic, Aramaic compare on the passage; on goddess אלת Phoenician, Palmyrene, Nabataean, Sabean (also אלהת) DHMl. c; Arabic (plural ) FlKl. Schr. i. 154, Assyrian Allatu Jr66, Syriac , compare also BaeRel 58, 90, 97, 271, 207) god, but with various subordinate applications to express idea of might; — hardly ever in prose except with defining word (adjective or genitive); its only suffix is יִ֯; —

1. applied to men of might and rank, אֵל גוים mighty one of the nations Ezek 31:11 (of Nebuchadnezzar; ᵐ5 ἄρχων ἔθνων, איל some MSS. Co); אֵלִים mighty men Job 41:17 (אילים, many MSS. Di); אֵלֵי גִבּוֺרִים mighty heroes Ezek 32:21 (אֵילֵי MSS. Co); אֵילֵי הָאֶרֶץ Ezek 17:13; 2Kgs 24:15 (Kt אולי); אֵילִים Exod 15:15 (probably plural of III. אַיִל, q. v.) These readings are uncertain because of an effort to distinguish these forms from the divine name. אֵל גִּבּוֺר mighty hero (as above) ordivine hero (as reflecting the divine majesty) Isa 9:6.
2. angels, בְּנֵי אֵלִים Ps 29:1; Ps 89:7 = בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים.
3. gods of the nations, אֵל אֵלִים God of gods, supreme God Dan 11:36 מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם who is like thee among the gods Exod 15:11 idols Isa 43:10; Isa 44:10; Isa 44:15; Isa 44:17; Isa 46:6 מי אל בשמים what God in heaven Deut 3:24 אֵל אחר another god Exod 34:14 (J); אֵל זר foreign god Ps 44:21; Ps 81:10 אל נכר Deut 32:12; Mal 2:11; Ps 81:10.
4. El proper name אל ברית El Berith Judg 9:46 (= בעל ברית Judg 8:33; Judg 9:4) compare also
6.
   (f) below
5. as characterizing mighty things in nature, חררי אל mighty mountains Ps 36:7 (literally mountains of El); also Ps 50:10 Ol Bi Che see below II. אלף; ארזי אל mighty cedars Ps 80:11 כוכבי אל lofty stars Isa 14:13.

6. God217, the one only and true God of Israel:
   (a) הָאֵל the God, the true God Gen 31:13; Gen 35:1; Gen 35:3; Gen 46:3 (E) 2Sam 22:31; 2Sam 22:33; 2Sam 22:48 (= Ps 18:31; Ps 18:33; Ps 18:48) Ps 68:20; Ps 68:21; Ps 77:15 הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן the faithful God Deut 7:9 האל הגדול the great God Deut 10:17 = Jer 32:18; Dan 9:4; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32 האל הקדשׁ the holy God Isa 5:17 האל יהוה the God Yahweh Isa 42:5; Ps 85:9.
   (b) אֵלִי my God Exod 15:2 (poetry) Ps 18:3; Ps 22:2 (twice in verse); Ps 22:11; Ps 63:2; Ps 68:25; Ps 89:27; Ps 102:25; Ps 118:28; Ps 140:7; Isa 44:17.
   (c) construct אל בית אל the God of Bethel, who had his seat there Gen 35:7 (E); אל אביך God of thy fathers Gen 49:25 (poetry); אל ישראל Ps 68:36 אל יעקב Ps 146:5 אל השמים the God of heaven Ps 136:26 אל סלעי the God who is my rock Ps 42:10 אל שמחת גילי the God who is the joy of my exultation Ps 43:4 אֵל רֳאִי the God who lets himself be seen Gen 16:13 (J); אל הכבוד the God of glory Ps 29:3 אל דעות the all-knowing God 1Sam 2:3 (poetry); אֵל עוֺלָם the everlasting God Gen 21:33 (J); אל ישועתי Isa 12:2 אל חַיָּ֑י Ps 42:9 אל אמת Ps 31:6 = אל אֱמוּנָה Deut 32:4 (poetry); אל נקמות Ps 94:1 (twice in verse); אל גְּמֻלוֺת Jer 51:56.
   (d) אל אֶחָד one God Mal 2:10 אל גדול a great God Deut 7:21; Ps 77:14; Ps 95:3 אל מסתתר a God hiding himself Isa 45:15 אל רחום a compassionate God Exod 34:6 (J) Deut 4:31; Ps 86:15 אל נשא a forgiving God Ps 99:8 אל חַנּוּן a gracious God Neh 9:31; Jonah 4:2 אל קנא a jealous God Exod 20:5; Exod 34:14 (J) Deut 4:24; Deut 5:9; Deut 6:15; Josh 24:19 (D) = אל קנוא Nah 1:2 אֵל חי a living God Josh 3:10 (J) Hos 2:1; Ps 42:3; Ps 84:3 אל צדיק Isa 45:21 לא אֵל חפץ רשע Ps 5:5 לא אֵל Deut 32:21 (poetry) Isa 31:3; Ezek 28:2 (twice in verse); Ezek 28:9 מי אל כמוךָ Mic 7:18 (compare Exod 15:11).
   (e) God (the only true God, needing no article or predicate to define him) Num 12:13 (E read אַל Di) always in poetry, Job 5:8 + (55 t. Job), Ps 7:12; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:12; Ps 16:1; Ps 17:6; Ps 19:1; Ps 52:3; Ps 52:7; Ps 55:20; Ps 57:3; Ps 73:11; Ps 73:17; Ps 74:8; Ps 77:10; Ps 78:7; Ps 78:8; Ps 78:18; Ps 78:19; Ps 78:34; Ps 78:41; Ps 82:1; Ps 83:2; Ps 90:2; Ps 104:21; Ps 106:14; Ps 106:21; Ps 107:11; Ps 118:27; Ps 139:17; Ps 139:23; Ps 149:6; Ps 150:1; Isa 40:18; Isa 43:12; Isa 45:14; Isa 45:20; Isa 46:9; Lam 3:41; Hos 11:9; Hos 12:1; Mal 1:9 עִמָּנוּאל God is with us, as name of child in prediction Isa 7:14 compare Isa 8:8; Isa 8:10.
   (f) El, a divine name אל אלהי ישראל Gen 33:20 (E); אל אלהי הרוחות Num 16:22 (P = יהוה אלהי הרוחות Num 27:16); אל אלהים יהוה Josh 22:22 (P) Ps 50:1. This is probable also in the ancient poems, Num 23:8; Num 23:19; Num 23:22; Num 23:23; Num 24:4; Num 24:8; Num 24:16; Num 24:23 (poetry Balaam || שדּי & עליון) Deut 32:18; Deut 33:26 (poetry Moses || צוּר & אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם) 2Sam 22:32; 2Sam 23:5 (poetry David || צוּר) and in the combinations אל עליון (5 t.; see עליון) & אל שדּי (10 t.; see שַׁדַּי).

7. אֵל strength, power (on connection with I. אָלָה compare Di Gen 1:1; Gen 31:29) in יֶשׁלְֿאֵל יָדִי it is according to the power of my hand = it is in my power, etc. Gen 31:29 (E; followed by לְ + Infinitive); בִּהְיוֺת לְאֵל יָדְ֯יךָ Prov 3:27 (followed by id.); יֶשׁלְֿאֵל יָדָם Mic 2:1 (absolute); negative וְאֵין לְאֵל יָדֶ֑ךָ Deut 28:32 (absolute) = thou shalt be powerless, so Neh 5:5.
**See also BrockZAW xxvi (1906). 29 ff. (meaning 'might' very dubious: renders belongs to the god of (my) hand, supposing phrase a survival, with original meaning forgotten, of ancient idea, found also among other nations, of spirits conferring powers upon particular members of body).


BDB6146 H6005 H410 H5973

BDB6145 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6147

עִמָּנוּאֵל proper name, masculine Immanuel (with us is God); — ׳י Isa 7:14 van d. H. Baer; עִמָּנוּ אֵל Gi; — name of child, symbolizing presence of ׳י to deliver his people (on interpret. see Commentaries) — עִמָּנוּ אֵל Isa 8:8; Isa 8:10 is declaration of trust and confidence, with us is God ! (compare Ps 46:8; Ps 46:12); see עִם.

god, gods, power, mighty, one, …
ʾēl
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • god, god-like one, mighty one
    • mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes
    • "angels"god, false god, (demons, imaginations)"God, the one true God, Jehovah
    mighty things in nature"strength, power

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

Particle — Interrogative

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

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

BDB4520 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4522

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


מִדֵּי see דַּי.


מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.


מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.


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


מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.


מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.


[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.


מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.


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


[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.


BDB4522 H4100 H4078

BDB4521 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4523

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

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


BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

BDB8355 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8357

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

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


[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].


BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

BDB9651 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9653

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

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

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

עָ֝צְמוּ
עָ֝צְמוּ
Root word increased, mighty, strong, more, shutteth, …
Dictionary form: עָצַם · aw-TSAHM

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: great
are increased ×2 were increased ×2 and hath closed ×1 and made them stronger ×1 and mighty ×1 and shall become strong ×1 and shutteth ×1 and they are strong ×1
More options
be strong — Most general sense; suits most contexts.
grow powerful — Emphasizes increase or rise in power over time.
become mighty — Suits military or heroic contexts; slightly elevated register.
multiply — Prefer when the sense is numerical increase or growth.
be vast — Good for abstract or cosmic scale, e.g. Psalm 40:5.
shut tight — Use only where the physical sense of closing applies.

BDB6291 H6105

BDB6290 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6292

I. [עָצֹם, compare LagBN 31], עָצַם verb be vast, mighty, numerous (Late Hebrew Nithp. contend strenuously, and in derivatives; Phoenician in עצמת mighty deeds, עצמם bones; Arabic be great in bone, or anything, , bones; Ethiopic : id.; Aramaic עִטְמָא, thigh): —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular וְעָצַם consecutive Dan 8:24; Dan 11:23 2 masculine singular עָצַמְתָּ Gen 26:16 3 plural עָֽצְמוּ Isa 31:1 +, עָצֵ֑מוּ Ps 38:20 Imperfect 3 masculine plural וַיַּעַצְמוּ Exod 1:7; Exod 1:20 Infinitive construct עָצְמַת Isa 47:9 suffix עָצְמוֺ Dan 8:8
1. be mighty, Gen 26:16 (J; with מִן compare), Dan 8:8; Dan 8:24; Dan 11:23.
2. be numerous, || דַבּוּ etc., Isa 31:1, בְּעָצְמַת חֲבָרַיִח מְאֹד Isa 47:9, Jer 5:6; Jer 30:14; Jer 30:15; Exod 1:7 (P), vExod 1:20 (J), Ps 38:20; Ps 69:5 with מִן compare Jer 15:8; Ps 40:6; Ps 40:13 alone Ps 139:17. Hiph`il make strong, Imperfect 3 masculine singular: suffix וַיַּעֲצִימֵחוּ Ps 105:24 + מִן compare


BDB6299 H6105 H6095

BDB6298 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6300

II. [עָצַם] verb shut the eyes (Late Hebrew Hiph`il; possibly connection with Syriac = id., Arabic , IV (on = see ZMG xxxii (1878), 406); Late Hebrew עִמֵּץ close eyes of dead; compare BaES 5f.); —

Qal Participle וְעֹצֵם עֵינָיו מִן Isa 33:15 shutteth his eyes from seeing Pi`el Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְעַצֵּם אֶתעֵֿינֵיכֶם Isa 29:10 he hath tightly shut your eyes (compare I. עצה).

increased, mighty, strong, more, shutteth, …
ʿāṣam
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
  • to be vast, be numerous, be mighty
    • (Qal)
      • to be mighty
      • "to be numerous
      (Hiphil) to make strong, make mighty
    to shut (the eyes), close (the eyes)
    • (Qal) to shut (the eyes)
    • "(Piel) to shut tightly (the eyes)

רָאשֵׁי הֶֽם
רָאשֵׁי
Root word head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …
הֶֽם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: רֹאשׁ · rohsh

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

In the KJV here: is the sum of them
the head ×56 his head ×49 the chief ×33 the top ×30 head ×23 their heads ×21 the heads ×19 chief ×17
More options
head — Primary anatomical or positional sense; most versatile.
top — Prefer for mountains, pillars, or physical summits.
leader — Best when רֹאשׁ denotes a person of authority.
chief — Titular sense; fits ranks, tribes, or priestly roles.
beginning — Use for temporal or sequential firsts.
sum — Specific to census or enumeration contexts.

BDB7678 H7218 H7226 H4763 H7219 H7220

BDB7677 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7679

I. רֹאשׁ599 noun masculineLev 13:45 head (common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic , Sabean ראס PräZMG xxix (1875). 425 MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; Ethiopic Amharic hence (a heightened) Assyrian rêšu (rarely râšu), Aramaic רֵישָׁא (Egyptian Aramaic ראש CookeNorth-Semitic Inscr. 404), , modern (Ma'lûla) ra±ša, HuartJAs xii (1878), 491 Duvalid. xiii(1879), 464; Palmyrene רשא, Lzb366, compare Biblical Hebrew רִישׁוֺן, רֵאשִׁית; from*ra'š, also Biblical Hebrew רָאשׁ֩, ראֹשׁ (LagSymm. i. 113), Tel Amarna rušu(nu) Wkl189, 18 (gloss to ‡a‡‡adunu), Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; SI6 ראש, Phoenician רשׁ, ראש (in proper name), Punic rus (in proper name, of a location) SchrödPhoenician Spr.133, ראשת choicest, chief; on MI20 (suffix) רשה, Lev 1:28 ש[ר], compare Sm. u. So14 LCB Jan. 8, 1887, 60); — ׳ר absolute Gen 3:15 +, construct Gen 40:20 +; suffix ראֹשִׁי vGen 40:16 +, etc.; plural רָאשִׁים (for רְאָשִׁים֩ GGA 1884, 1019) Exod 18:25 +; construct רָאשֵׁי Hos 7:13 + [מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי 1Sam 26:12 see מְרַאֲשׁוֺת below]; suffix רָאשֵׁינוּ 1Chr 12:19, רָאשֵׁיכֶם Isa 29:10 +, etc.; —

1. a. (c. 230 t.) head, of human being; man Gen 40:16; Gen 40:17. + often, גֶּבֶר ׳לְר Judg 5:30 for the head of a man, i.e. for each man, per capita; woman 2Kgs 9:30; Deut 21:12; Num 5:18; Esth 2:17 boy 2Kgs 4:19 (twice in verse); Gen 48:14 (twice in verse) +; of ׳י, under figure of armed man Ps 60:9 = Ps 108:9 of idol 1Sam 5:4 of gates, personified Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9.
  b. head, of animals: of serpent Gen 3:15, dog 2Sam 3:8, ass 2Kgs 6:25, of הַחַיָּה in Ezek 1:22 compare vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26, of הַכְּרֻבִים Ezek 10:1 compare vEzek 10:11 of sea-monsters, לִוְיָתָן Job 40:31; Ps 74:14, תַּנִּינִים vPs 74:13 especially of animals for sacrifice Exod 12:9; Exod 29:15; Exod 29:19; Lev 1:4; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 1:15; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:8 + 18 t. P; in phrase וְזָנָב ׳ר Isa 9:13 (figurative of noble and commoner) compare v.Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15, so (figurative of relative dignity, power, influence) Deut 28:13; Deut 28:44.
2. a. top (88 t.): of mountain, הַר, Gen 8:5; Exod 19:20 (twice in verse); Exod 24:17; Exod 34:2 + 34 t.; hill, גִּבְעָה, Exod 17:9; Exod 17:10 (E), 2Sam 8:25 מְרוֺמִים ׳ר Prov 8:2 + Prov 1:21 Toy (for ᵑ0 הֹמִיּוֺת), גֵּיא ׳ר שְׁמָנִים Isa 28:1; Isa 28:4 of rocks, צֻרִים, Num 23:9 (JE), crag, סֶלַע, 2Chr 25:12 (twice in verse); tower Gen 11:4 (J), stronghold Judg 6:26, ladder Gen 28:12 (E), tree 2Sam 5:24 = 1Chr 14:15, bough Isa 17:6 compare Ezek 17:4; Ezek 17:22, mast (?; חִבֵּל) Prov 23:34 (otherwise Toy); of ears of grain, שִׁבֹּלֶת Job 24:24, of stone Gen 28:18 (E), bed, מִטָּה, Gen 47:31 (J), throne, עָגוֺל לַכִּסֵּה׳ר 1Kgs 10:19, tabernacle, or its wall, Exod 26:24 = Exod 36:29 (P); pillar ( =capital) 1Kgs 7:16; 1Kgs 7:17 + 13: t., מְכוֺנָה v1Kgs 7:35 v1Kgs 7:35, lampstand Zech 4:2 (twice in verse), high priest's robe, מְעִיל, Exod 28:32 (P), פִּנָּה ׳ר Ps 118:22 top of (the) corner, i.e. most conspicuous stone (figurative); = tip, end, of staves 1Kgs 8:8= 2Chr 5:9, of sceptre Esth 5:2.
  b. height of stars Job 22:12 (|| גֹּבַהּ שָׁמַיִם).
3.: 171
  a. head = chief (man) Judg 10:18; Judg 11:8; Judg 11:9; Judg 11:11; Exod 18:25 (E), Num 1:16 (P), Deut 1:15; Hos 2:2; Mic 3:1 + often; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 12:10. (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:9, series of 11); of God 2Chr 13:12.
  b. = chief (city) Josh 11:10 (D), compare (of city and king) Isa 7:3; Isa 7:8; Isa 7:9 (twice in verse).
  c. chief nation Jer 31:7.
  d. =chief (place, position) 1Sam 9:22; 1Kgs 21:9; 1Kgs 21:12; Deut 20:9; 1Chr 4:42 (compare also 5).
  e. הָראֹשׁ chief priest 2Kgs 25:18= Jer 52:24; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 24:11; 2Chr 26:20, הַכֹּחֵן ראֹשׁ 1Chr 27:5, ׳הָר ׳הַכּ 2Chr 31:10; Ezra 7:5 ׳י alone 2Chr 24:6 רָאשֵׁי הַכֹּהֲנִים Neh 12:7. feminine especially = head of a family (P Chronicles); רָאשֵׁי בֵּית (rare ראֹשׁ) אֲבוֺתָ (םׅ) Exod 6:14; Num 7:2; Num 17:18; Josh 22:14; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 7:9 בֵּית הָאָבוֺת ׳ר v1Chr 7:40 לְבֵית אֲבֹתָיו ׳ר Num 1:4, compare 1Chr 5:15; 1Chr 5:24; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 24:4 אֻמּוֺת בַּיתאָֿב ׳ר Num 25:15 אֲבוֺת ׳ר הָעַדָה Num 31:26 compare Num 32:28; Josh 14:1; Josh 21:1 אֲבוֺת הַלְוִיִּם ׳ר Exod 6:25; Josh 21:1 (הָ)אָבוֺת לַלְּוִיִם ׳ר 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12, compare Num 36:1; Josh 19:51; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 8:13; 1Chr 23:9; 1Chr 23:24 + 10 t. Chronicles; absolute ׳ר (הָ)אָבוֺת 1Chr 8:10; 1Chr 8:28; 1Chr 9:9; 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 1:2 + 8 t. Ezra Nehemiah (Chronicles); אֲכֹתֵיהֶם ׳ר Ezra 8:1 רָאשִׁים לְאָכוֺת Neh 11:13 so also ׳י alone 1Chr 5:7; 1Chr 5:12; 1Chr 7:3; 1Chr 8:28 +; apparently combined with idea of first in a series 1Chr 23:8 (series of 3), v1Chr 23:11 (of 4), v1Chr 23:19 (of 3), v1Chr 23:20 (of 2).
4. a. head=front, leader's place Mic 2:13; 2Chr 20:27, compare Amos 6:7.
  b. of time, beginning, of night-watch Judg 7:19; Lam 2:19 absolute מֵראֹשׁ from the beginning Isa 40:21; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:26 (|| מִלְּפָנִים), Isa 48:16; Prov 8:23 (|| מֵעוֺלָם),. Eccl 3:11 (|| עַדסֿוֺף); first of months Exod 12:2 (|| רִאשׁוֺן), Num 10:10; Num 28:11 (all P); בָּראֹשׁ 1Chr 16:7 at first.
  c. of things, river-heads Gen 2:10 (J); עַפְרוֺת תֵּכֵל ׳ר Prov 8:26.
5. chief, choicest, best, of spices, כשׂמ(יםׅ, Ezek 27:22; Exod 30:23 (P), Song 4:14 שִׂמְחָתִי ׳ר Ps 137:6 the choicest of my joy.
6. head = division of army, company, band : Judg 7:16; Judg 7:20; Judg 9:34; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:43; Judg 9:44 (twice in verse); 1Sam 11:11; 1Sam 13:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:18 (twice in verse) Job 1:17.
7. =sum, especially in phrase ׳בְּנֵייִֿשׂ ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿ Exod 30:12take the sum of, enumerate, compare Num 1:2; Num 1:49; Num 4:2; Num 4:22; Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Num 31:49 בְּראֹשׁוֺ Lev 5:24 in its sum, i.e. in full, so Num 5:7 (all P); of ׳י's thoughts Ps 139:17 compare ראֹשׁ דְּבָֽרְךָ אֱמֶתPs 119:160.
8. other phrase are : ׳נָשָׂא אֶתרֿאֹשׁ פ see נָשָׂא Qal 1 b (2); יָרוּם ראֹשִׁי עַלאֹֿיְבַי Ps 27:6, מֵרִים ראֹשִׁי ׳י Ps 3:4 (Ps 110:7; Ps 140:10 see רום); shake the head, see נוּעַ Hiph`il, compare יָנִיד בְּראֹשׁוֺ Jer 8:16, מְנוֺד ראֹשׁ Ps 44:15 נָתַן דֶּרֶךְ בְּראֹשׁ, i.e. requite, see נתן Qal 2 b near the end; יָשׁוּב גְּמֻלְךָ ׳בְּר Obad 1:15, compare Ps 7:17; 1Kgs 2:33 (below דָּם 2 i and (with ׳עַלרֿ) Esth 9:25, הֵשִׁיב רָעָה בְּראֹשׁ Judg 9:57; 1Sam 25:39; 1Kgs 2:44, compare Joel 1Kgs 4:4; 1Kgs 4:7; 1Kgs 2:32 (sub דָּם 2 i, compare Neh 3:36 (אֶלרֿאֹשָׁם), see also 2Sam 3:29 below 1. חוּל 3; see, further, דָּם 2 i; Dan 1:10 see חוּב Pi`el


BDB9878 H7217 H7218

BDB9877 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9879

רֵאשׁ noun masculineDan 7:6 head (Egyptian Aramaic, S-CPap.; Palmyrene רש; ᵑ7 רֵישׁ, Syriac ; Biblical Hebrew ראֹשׁ); — construct ׳ר Dan 7:1 emphatic הָ֯ Dan 2:38 suffix רֵאשׁי Dan 4:2 +, חָ֯ Dan 2:28, הֵּ֯ vDan 2:32 +, הַּ֯ Dan 7:20, הֵ֯וֺן Dan 3:27 plural absolute רֵאשִׁין Dan 7:6, suffix רָאשֵׁיהֹם (K§§ 53, Anm. b); 63 GuHpt on the passage) Ezra 5:10

1. head of man Dan 3:27, compare Dan 7:9 in vision: of image Dan 2:32; Dan 2:38, beast Dan 7:6; Dan 7:20.
2. head as seat of visions, הֶזְוֵי רֵאשָׁךְ, etc., Dan 2:28; Dan 4:2; Dan 4:7; Dan 4:10; Dan 7:1; Dan 7:15.
3. = chief, ׳בְּר Ezra 5:10 in the capacity of their chiefs.
4. sum, essential content, of matters Dan 7:1 (NesMM 40 beginning).

head, chief, heads, top, beginning, …
rōš
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
    • head (of man, animals)
    • "top, tip (of mountain)"height (of stars)"chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)"head, front, beginning"chief, choicest, best"head, division, company, band"sum

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.
וְלִ֗י Revia Gadol — a lesser break מַה יָּקְר֣וּ רֵעֶ֣יךָ אֵ֑ל Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מֶ֥ה עָ֝צְמוּ רָאשֵׁיהֶֽם Silluq — end of the verse

וְלִי מַה-יָּקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ אֵל מֶה עָצְמוּ רָאשֵׁיהֶֽם׃
17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Cross References

Psalms 40:5

רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ׀ אַתָּה׀ יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי נִֽפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ אֵין׀ עֲרֹךְ אֵלֶיךָ אַגִּידָה וַאֲדַבֵּרָה עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּֽר׃
5
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Jeremiah 29:11

כִּי אָנֹכִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת-הַמַּחֲשָׁבֹת אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי חֹשֵׁב עֲלֵיכֶם נְאֻם-יְהוָה מַחְשְׁבוֹת שָׁלוֹם וְלֹא לְרָעָה לָתֵת לָכֶם אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָֽה׃
11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Isaiah 55:8

כִּי לֹא מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי מַחְשְׁבוֹתֵיכֶם וְלֹא דַרְכֵיכֶם דְּרָכָי נְאֻם יְהוָֽה׃
8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Psalms 92:5

מַה-גָּדְלוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ יְהוָה מְאֹד עָמְקוּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃
5
O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

Psalms 36:7

מַה-יָּקָר חַסְדְּךָ אֱלֹהִים וּבְנֵי אָדָם בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ יֶחֱסָיֽוּן׃
7
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

Ephesians 3:9

καὶ φωτίσαι πάντας τίς κοινωνία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
9
And to make see all men what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning the of world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Psalms 31:19

מָה רַֽב-טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר-צָפַנְתָּ לִּֽירֵאֶיךָ פָּעַלְתָּ לַחֹסִים בָּךְ נֶגֶד בְּנֵי אָדָם׃
19
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Proverbs 8:31

מְשַׂחֶקֶת בְּתֵבֵל אַרְצוֹ וְשַׁעֲשֻׁעַי אֶת-בְּנֵי אָדָֽם׃
31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.