Psalms 139:5

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

אָח֣וֹר
אָח֣וֹר
Root word back, backward, behind, parts, without, …
Dictionary form: אָחוֹר · aw-HORE

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: me behind
back ×14 backward ×9 and behind ×3 their hinder parts ×2 and without ×1 behind ×1 for the time to come ×1 hereafter ×1
More options
back — Most versatile; fits spatial and directional senses.
behind — Prefer for positional/locative contexts.
backward — Use for motion or direction away from the front.
rear — Good for physical/anatomical or military contexts.
hereafter — Reserve for temporal sense: future time.
turned away — Captures the figurative sense of rejection or retreat.

BDB339 H268

BDB338 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB340

אָחוֺר41 substantive (Arabic ) the hinder side, back part, in the singular, mostly in adverbial phrases: —
  a. as accusative, in poetry backwards 23 t. ( = prose אֲחֹרַנִּית) with verbs such as נָפַל fall Gen 49:17, נָשׂוֺג be turned 2Sam 1:22 (|| תָּשׁוּב רֵיקָם), שׁוּב Ps 9:4; Ps 56:10 +, נָסוֺג Ps 35:4; Ps 40:15 + (of enemies repulsed), Ps 44:19; Isa 50:5 (from obedience to God), נָזוֺר Isa 1:4, הֵשׁיב Isa 44:25; Ps 44:11, הִכָּה Ps 78:66 behind (opposed to קֶדֶם) Ps 139:5; Job 23:8 in the phrase פָּנִים וְאָחוֺר in front and behind 1Chr 19:10 (altered from ׳וּמֵאָ ׳מִפָּ in 2 Samuel see below) 2Chr 13:14; Ezek 2:10.
  b. בְּאָחוֺר Prov 29:11, וְחָכָם בְּאָחוֺר יְשַׁבְּחֶנָּה Ges Hi but a wise man stilleth it (רוּחַ anger) backwards (that is, when it would break forth), De in the background, that is, of his heart (|| כָּלרֿוּחוֺ יוֺצִיא כְסִיל).
  c. לְאָחוֺר (α) as
  a. Ps 114:3; Ps 114:5; Jer 7:24 (β) of time, hereafter (compare לְפָנִים = before) Isa 41:23; Isa 42:23.
  d. מֵאָחוֺר behind (מן = on the side of) 2Sam 10:9 ׳מִפָּנִים וּמֵ in front and behind, Isa 9:11 ׳וּפְלִשְׁתִּים מֵאָ and the Philistines behind (= on the West), opposed to אֲרָם מִקֶּדֶם. Plur. construct אֲחֹרֵי hinder part (of the tabernacle) Exod 26:12, (of a man or animal Exod 33:23; 1Kgs 7:25 (= 2Chr 4:4) Ezek 8:16.

back, backward, behind, parts, without, …
ʾāḥôr
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
  • the back side, the rear
    • backwards
    • "hereafter (of time)"behind

פלאיה
פלאיה
Root word secret, wonderful
Dictionary form: פִּלְאִי · pil-EE

Adjective — feminine singular, absolute state

is secret ×1 is too wonderful ×1
More options
wonderful — Broadest modern rendering; suits liturgical or narrative contexts.
extraordinary — Neutral, contemporary; good for descriptive or theological prose.
beyond understanding — Captures the 'secret/hidden' nuance; use when mystery is emphasized.
incomprehensible — Stresses cognitive limits; fits philosophical or wisdom contexts.
marvelous — Slightly elevated register; suits poetic or hymnic passages.
mysterious — Foregrounds the secrecy nuance over the wonder nuance.

BDB6619 H6383

BDB6618 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6620

[פָּלִיא] see following.


BDB6620 H6383

BDB6619 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6621

[פִּלְאִי] adjective wonderful, incomprehensible; —

masculine פלאי (i.e. פִּלְאִי) Kt, Judg 13:18 (name of ׳מַלְאַךְ י; > Qr פֶּ֫לִי(אׅ); feminine פלאיה דַעַת מִמֶּנִּי (i.e. פִּלְאִיָה) Ps 139:6 God's knowledge; > Qr פְּלִיאָה.

secret, wonderful
pilʾî
remarkable
  • wonderful, incomprehensible, extraordinary

וָ קֶ֣דֶם
וָ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
קֶ֣דֶם
Root word a name — transliterate it ("And before")
Dictionary form: קֶדֶם · keh-DEM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and before
of old ×13 of the east ×11 eastward ×9 on the east ×5 on the east side ×3 the east ×3 toward the east ×3 before ×2
More options
east — Primary spatial sense; direction of sunrise.
ancient times — Temporal sense; referring to the remote past.
of old — Slightly elevated but still current; poetic temporal use.
former — Adjectival temporal sense; 'former days/times'.
the east side — Precise spatial sense in boundary or tabernacle contexts.
antiquity — Abstract noun; suits philosophical or hymnic passages.

BDB7303 H6924

BDB7302 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7304

קֶ֫דֶם noun [masculine] front, east, aforetime; — absolute׳ק Deut 33:27 +, קֶ֑קֶם Judg 8:10 +; construct קֶדֶם Prov 8:22 once plural construct קַדְמֵי vProv 8:23

1. location
  a. front, ׳מִקּ Isa 9:11 from the front (i.e. East), in front (opposed to מֵאָחוֺר), ׳אָחוֺר וָק Ps 139:5 behind and before; אֶהֳלֹךְ ׳ק Job 23:8 I go forward (opposed to אָחוֺר)
  b. East: ׳הַרהַֿקּ Gen 10:30 (J) mount of the East; ׳בְּנֵיקֿ = dwellers in the east, tribes east or northeast of Canaan Gen 29:1 (E), Judg 6:3; Judg 6:33; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:10; 1Kgs 5:10; Isa 11:14; Jer 49:28; Ezek 25:4; Ezek 25:10; Job 1:3 ׳הַרְרֵי ק Num 23:7, see Di Sachau: Reise (1883), 159 ff.165 ff. Dr in Hast.PETHOS; ׳אֶרֶץ ק Gen 25:6 (J); מָֽלְאוּ מִקֶּדֶם Isa 2:6 they are full from the east (insert probablyקֶסֶם, מִקְסָם, or < קֹסְמִים before ׳מִקּ, compare Lo De Du CheHpt Di-Kit); elsewhere ׳מִקּ =eastward: (I) in the east Gen 2:8 (2) on the eastern (side) Gen 12:8 (J) Zech 14:4 לְ ׳מִקּ on the east of Gen 3:24 (J), Gen 12:8 (J), Num 34:1l (P), Josh 7:2 (JE), Judg 8:11; Ezek 11:23 = Jonah 4:5 (3) eastward, with verb of motion Gen 11:2; Gen 13:11 (both J).
2. temporal, ancient time, aforetime:
  a. ׳הַרְרֵי ק Deut 33:15 ancient mountains, compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי ק vDeut 33:27, ׳מַלְכֵיקֿ Isa 19:11, ׳בִּשְׁמֵי שְׁמֵיקֿ Ps 68:34.
  b. ׳כִּימֵי ק Ps 44:2 in ancient days; compare ׳מִימֵי ק from of old Isa 23:7; Mic 7:20; Lam 1:7; Lam 2:17; Isa 37:26 = ׳לְמִימֵי ק) 2Kgs 19:25 (see מִן 9b (2)); ׳כִּימֵי ק Isa 51:9; Jer 46:26 ׳יַרְחֵי ק Job 29:2 months of old.
  c. ׳מִקּ from of old Mic 5:1; Isa 45:21; Isa 46:10; Hab 1:12; Neh 12:46; Ps 77:12 ׳מִנִּיק 7; Ps 8:2 springing out of, derived from, ancient times (compare Dr); ׳יָמִים מִקּ Ps 77:6; Ps 143:5 days from of old.
  d. ׳ק alone, as adverb anciently, of old Ps 74:2; Ps 119:152 ׳כְּק Jer 30:20; Lam 5:21 ׳ישֵׁב ק Ps 55:20 he that sitteth (enthroned from) of old.
  e. beginning, מִקַּדְמֵיאָֿ֑רֶץ Prov 8:23 from the beginnings of the earth; מִפְעָלָיו ׳ק Prov 8:22 the beginning of his works (|| רֵאשִׁית).


BDB7305 H6924

BDB7304 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7306

[קֵ֫דֶם], with ה locative I. קֵ֫דְמָה adverb eastward, to, toward, the east; — Gen 25:6 (J), Lev 1:16; Lev 16:14; Num 34:3; Num 34:11; Num 34:15; Josh 19:12; Josh 19:13 (all P), 1Kgs 7:39 = 2Chr 4:10; 1Kgs 17:3 = 2Kgs 13:17; Ezek 8:16 (twice in verse); + north, south, west, Gen 13:14; Gen 28:14 (both J), Num 2:3; Num 3:28; Num 10:5 (north, west, in ᵐ5), Num 34:10 (all P); also as noun after פְּאַת = eastern side, Exod 27:13; Exod 38:13 (both P), + W Ezek 45:7 (strike out Co; read קֶדֶם Berthol Toy Krae), + north, south, west, Num 35:5; Josh 18:20 so ׳גְּבוּל ק Josh 15:5 (all P).


BDB7308 H6929 H6924

BDB7307 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7309

II. קֵ֑דְמָה proper name, masculine Κεδ(ε)μα, son of Ishmael Gen 25:15 = 1Chr 1:31. — I. ׳ק see [קֵדֶם]. above

east, old, eastward, ancient, side, …
qedem
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
  • (n m) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
    • front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
    • "ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time"anciently, of old (adverb)"beginning"east
    (adv) eastward, to or toward the East

צַרְתָּ ֑נִי
צַרְתָּ
Root word besieged, besiege, siege, bind, distress, …
֑נִי
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: צוּר · tsoor

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: thou hast beset
and besieged ×8 and an adversary ×1 and bind ×1 and bind up ×1 and they besieged ×1 and they besieged it ×1 and they put up in bags ×1 and thou shalt lay siege ×1
More options
besiege — Core military sense; best for siege warfare contexts.
lay siege to — Slightly more formal phrasing for prolonged military blockade.
blockade — Emphasizes cutting off supply/access rather than direct assault.
surround — Broader spatial sense; useful when encirclement is the focus.
hem in — Good for contexts of entrapment or constriction, literal or figurative.
bind up — Use for non-military contexts involving wrapping or restraining.

BDB7012 H6696

BDB7011 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7013

II. צוּר verb confine, bind, besiege (Late Hebrew id., wrap (rare); Aramaic צוּר besiege, beleaguer); —

Qal Perfect 2 masculine singularוְצַרְתָּ֫ Deut 14:25, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיָּ֫צַר 1Kgs 20:1 +, 2 masculine singular תָּצוּר Deut 20:19, etc.; Imperative feminine singular צוּרִ֫י Isa 21:2 (after עֲלִי i. 444, compare Ges«GKC:72s»§ 72s); Infinitive construct לָצוּר 1Sam 23:8 Participle plural צָרִים 1Kgs 15:27 +; —
1. confine, secure (|| I. צרר), accusative of thing + ב of receptacle Deut 14:25; 2Kgs 5:23; Ezek 5:3 complem. omitted 2Kgs 12:11.
2. shut in, besiege, with עַל of city 2Sam 11:1; 1Kgs 15:27; 1Kgs 16:17; 1Kgs 20:1; 2Kgs 6:24; 2Kgs 6:25; 2Kgs 17:5; 2Kgs 18:9; 2Kgs 24:11; Isa 29:3 (+ accusative of siege-works), Jer 32:2; Jer 37:5; Jer 39:9; Deut 20:12; Ezek 4:3; Dan 1:1 with עַל person (within city) 2Sam 20:15; 2Kgs 16:5; Jer 21:4; Jer 21:9 with אֶל of city (for עַל) Deut 20:19 with אֶל person 1Sam 23:8 with אֵת of city only 1Chr 20:1 (|| 2Sam 11:1 above); absolute Isa 21:2. — הִנָּם צָרִים אֶתהָֿעִיר עָלֶיךָ Judg 9:31 is corrupt; FrankenbRichterbuch 28 Bu GFMHpt Now מְעִרִים inciting against.
3. shut up, enclose: נָצוּר עָלֶיהָ לוּחַ אָ֑רֶז Song 8:9 (על of maid [under figure of door] + accusative mater., compare Isa 29:3 above); with suffix person Ps 139:5 (figurative, ׳י subject).


BDB7015 H6696

BDB7014 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7016

III. [צוּר] verb shew hostility to, treat as foe (with accusative of person) (akin to II. צרר, to which SS assign the forms, but compare Arabic act unjustly, also defraud; Syriac , rival wife); —

Qal Perfect 1 singular וְצַרְתִּ֫י אֶתצֹֿרֲרֶיךָ Exod 23:22 (subject ׳י; || וְאָיַבְתִּ֫י אֶתאֹֿיְבֶיךָ); Imperfect 2 masculine singular אַלתָּֿ֫צַר אֶתמֿוֺאָב Deut 2:9 2 masculine plural suffix אַלתְּֿצֻרֵם vDeut 2:19 Participle הַצָּרִים אוֺתָם Esth 8:11.


BDB7016 H6696 H3335

BDB7015 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7017

IV. [צוּר] verb fashion, delineate (Late Hebrew id.; so Aramaic צוּר, , ; picture, Sabean צור, plural צורת HomChrest.125 MordtmHim. Inschr. 14.15; Arabic is loan-word according to Frä272); — Perfect 2 masculine singular וְצַרְתָּ֫ Ezek 43:11 (for ᵑ0 צוּרַת) according to ᵐ5. We Sm Co Toy Berthol Krae, and thou shalt delineate the house (compare הַגֵּד vEzek 43:10, הוֺדַע וּכְתֹב vEzek 43:11); Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיָּ֫צַר אֹתוֺ בַּחֶרֶט Exod 32:4 (E) and fashioned it [the gold] with a graving-tool; וַיָּ֫צַר אֶתשְֿׁנֵי הָֹעַמּוּדִים 1Kgs 7:15 (+ accusative mater.), read (יצק) וַיִּצֹּק, so ᵐ5 SS Kit Benz compare Th; 1 singular suffix אצורך Jer 1:5 Kt, see יצר

besieged, besiege, siege, bind, distress, …
ṣûr
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
  • to bind, besiege, confine, cramp
    • (Qal)
      • to confine, secure
      • "to shut in, beseige"to shut up, enclose
    (Qal) to show hostility to, be an adversary, treat as foe"(Qal) to form, fashion, delineate

וַ תָּ֖שֶׁת
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תָּ֖שֶׁת
Root word set, make, put, laid, lay, …
Dictionary form: שִׁית · sheet

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: and laid
and laid ×4 make ×4 i will make ×3 set ×3 i will set ×2 put ×2 they have set ×2 and apply ×1
More options
place — Broad, neutral; fits most placement/positioning contexts.
set — Modernized KJV staple; good for formal or deliberate positioning.
put — Casual and direct; suits everyday or concrete actions.
appoint — Prefer when establishing a role, status, or decree.
lay — Best for physical laying down or resting something on a surface.
fix — Good for directing attention or intention, e.g. 'fix one's gaze'.

BDB8650 H7896

BDB8649 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8651

שִׁית verb put, set (Beitr. z. Semitic Sprachwiss, 39 f.; compare Phoenician שת Lzb375; Ecclus שית Passive participle Eccl 31:27 (?); see also (l.c. 41) Syriac quality, appearance); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular שָׁת Gen 4:25 +, 3 feminine singular שָׁ֫תָה 1Sam 4:20 +, 2 masculine singular שַׁ֫תָּה Ps 8:7 שַׁ֫תָּ Ps 90:8, suffix שַׁתַּ֫נִי Ps 88:7; Ps 88:9, 1 singular שַׁ֫תִּי Ps 73:28 +; 3 plural שָׁ֫תוּ Exod 33:4 + 3 t., metaplastic יָשִׁית Ps 49:15; Ps 73:9 (other forms not found); Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָשִׁית Exod 21:22 +, jussive יָשֵׁת Job 9:33, וַיָּ֫שֶׁת Gen 30:40 +; 3 feminine singular suffix וַתְּשִׁתֵ֫חוּ Ruth 4:16, תְּשִׁיתֵ֫מוֺ Ps 21:10 +, 1 singular suffix אֲשִׁתֶ֫נּוּ 1Kgs 11:34 Imperative masculine singular שִׁית Prov 27:23, שִׁיתָ֫ה Ps 9:21; Ps 141:3 feminine singular שִׁ֫תִי Jer 31:21, etc.; Infinitive absolute שֹׁת Isa 22:7 construct שִׁית Job 30:1 +; Passive participle וְשִׁית (Jer 13:16 Qr, but read Kt יָשִׁית); suffix שִׁתִי Exod 10:1
1. put, lay hand upon, עַל, Gen 46:4 (E), Gen 48:14; Gen 48:17 (J), Job 9:33; Ps 139:5 with עִם in evil partnership, Exod 23:1 (E); put ornaments, עַל person, Exod 33:4 (J); compare 1Sam 2:8; Isa 15:9; Job 22:24; Ruth 3:15 lay child into (ב) bosom Ruth 4:16 put wisdom, ב location, Job 38:36, compare Prov 26:24 אָשִׁית עֵצוֺת בְּנַפְשִׁי Ps 13:3, i.e. take counsel, plan; ׳סַחְסִי בי Ps 73:28 put things תַּחַת רַגְלָיו Ps 8:7 lay (penalty) עַל person Exod 21:22 (E), sin Num 12:11 (E), compare (with אֲשֶׁר = where) Ps 84:4 nearly = give (נתן), accusative + ל person Gen 4:25 (J; explanation of name שֵׁת), appoint Ps 9:21.
2. a. set, station, sheep לְבַדּוֺ Gen 30:40, compare לֹא שָׁתָם עַל vGen 30:40 (J); accusative of person = appoint (עַל over) Gen 41:33 (E); set לָמוֺ person (ל 3 b) + ב location Ps 73:18, so (accusative) Ps 88:7 and (object person omitted) Ps 12:6, set crown לְראֹשׁוֺ Ps 21:4, set one (מִן partitive) לְכִסֵּא Ps 132:11 set person among (ב person) 2Sam 19:29; Jer 3:19, compare (עִם) Job 30:1 set watch לְפִי Ps 141:3, snares לִי Ps 140:6, enmity, בֵּין person Gen 3:15 (J); iniquities לְנֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ Ps 90:8, compare Ps 101:3 set, direct face, אֶל location Num 24:1 (J), eyes לִנְטוֺת בָּאָרָץ Ps 17:11.
  b. in phrase לֵב לְ ׳שׁ set one's mind to, give heed, attention (compare שׂוּם 2 b), Exod 7:23 (E), 2Sam 13:20; Jer 31:21; Ps 48:14; Prov 22:17; Prov 27:23, with אֶל Job 7:17, absolute 1Sam 4:20; Ps 62:11; Prov 24:32 I reflected.
  c. set, fix, נְּבוּל Exod 23:31 (E; with מִן ֗֗֗ עַד), תָּשִׁית לִי חֹק Job 14:13 wouldst fix me a limit, Job 38:11 (וּפאֹ יָשִׁית בִּגְאוֺן גַּלָּיךָ De and others here shall one fix it [the boundary, חֹק, vJob 38:10] = it shall be fixed against, etc.: but explanation very forced: Me Kau ׳יִשָּׁבֵר ג, Bi Bu ׳יִשְׁבֹּת ג
3. constitute, make one something, 2 accusative, 1Kgs 11:34 I will make him prince, Isa 5:6; Isa 26:1; Jer 22:6; Ps 21:7; Ps 84:7; Ps 88:9 ( + למוֺ indirect object), Ps 110:1; 2Sam 22:12 || Ps 18:12 תְּשִׁיתֵמוֺ שֶׁ֑כֶם Ps 21:13 = thou wilt make them (all) shoulder, make them turn their back, flee (compare Ps 18:41); accusative + ל make something into Jer 2:15 = Jer 50:3; Jer 13:16; Ps 45:17 ( + ב location); accusative + כ compare make one like Hos 2:5 (|| שִׂים), Isa 16:3; Ps 21:10; Ps 83:12; Ps 83:14 accusative only, make, prepare, feast Jer 51:39, compare שָׁת קָצִיר לָח Hos 6:11 (read possibly שִׁית, passive participle), make darkness Ps 104:20 = perform signs, ב location Exod 10:1 (J).
4. internally transitive, = take one's stand (compare שִׂים 4 a) הַפָּרָשִׁים שֹׁת שָׁתוּ הַשָּׁ֑עְרָה Isa 22:7 with ׳עַליֿ (against) Ps 3:7. — יָשִׁית מִמֶּנִּי Job 10:20 (Kt; > Qr Imperative וְשִׁית) is dubious, יָשִׁית = יָשֵׁת: De direct (attention) away from me, compare Di (ellipsis of יָד, פָּנִים, or לֵב), Du (sc. יָד; reads Imperative); Lag (so Bu) proposes יִשְׁבֹּת, Siegf (יָדוֺ) יָוֵב, ᵐ5 Beer (best) שְׁעֵה (Job 7:19), with יְמֵי חֶלְדִּי (ᵐ5 Bu Be Du) for יָמַי יחדל probably rightly. Hoph`al (or Qal passive Ges«GKC:53u»§ 53u), Imperfect 3 masculine singular יוּשַׁת Exod 21:30 (E) if a ransom be imposed עָלָיו, vExod 21:30.


BDB8652 H8352 H7896 H8357

BDB8651 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8653

שֵׁת proper name, masculine third son of Adam; Gen 4:25 (where explained from √ שִׁית), vGen 4:26; Gen 5:3; Gen 5:4; Gen 5:6; Gen 5:7; Gen 5:8; 1Chr 1:1 Σηθ — In כָּלבְּֿנֵישֵֿׁת Num 24:17 (poem in J), read probably שֵׁאת tumult (compare Lam 3:47), or שְׁאֵת (see below נשׂא), compare Gray. — II. שֵׁת, see II. שׁתה.

set, make, put, laid, lay, …
šît
to place (in a very wide application)
  • to put, set
    • (Qal)
      • to put, lay (hand upon)
      • "to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to"to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform"to take one's stand"to lay waste
      (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

עָלַ ֣י
עָלַ
Preposition upon, against, over, in, for, …
֣י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: עַל · al

Preposition

In the KJV here: upon me
upon ×1122 against ×378 over ×273 for ×229 in ×225 on ×187 by ×148 unto ×137
More options
on — Best default; spatial or metaphorical contact with a surface.
over — Prefer for authority, covering, or movement across.
about — Use for topics, concerns, or matters relating to something.
against — Use for hostility, opposition, or transgression.
concerning — Formal register; suits legal or prophetic discourse.
because of — Causal sense; when עַל introduces a reason.

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.


BDB6085 H5920 H5921

BDB6084 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6086

עַל, עָ֑ל (compare ii. 261 f.) I. substantive height (poetry) Hos 7:16 יָשׁוּבוּ לֹא עָֹל they return (but) not upwards (i.e. not God-wards), Hos 11:7 וְאֶלעַֿל יִקְרָאֻהוּ they (the prophets) call it (the people) upwards, (but) none striveth to rise; as adverb accusative, 2Sam 23:1 the man הֻ֣קַּם עָ֔ל (that) is raised up on high. With מִן, מֵעָ֑ל, (ה)שׁמים מֵעָ֑ל (the) heavens above Gen 27:39; Gen 49:25; Ps 50:4 (opposed to מִתַּחַת Exod 20:4. In prose מִמַּעַל).

II. As preposition upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against (SI4.6; Moabite, Aramaic id.; Phoenician על, and עלת; Palmyrene, Nabataean על; Sabean עלי, Arabic ); — abbreviated from עֲלֵי (compare אֱלֵי, עֲדֵי), which is preserved in poetry, Gen 49:17 (twice in verse); Gen 49:22 (twice in verse); Num 24:6 (twice in verse); Deut 32:2 (twice in verse); Isa 18:4; Jer 8:18; Mic 5:6; Lam 4:5; 1Kgs 20:41 Qr, Job 7:1 Qr + 10 t. Psalms, 3 t. Proverbs, 15 t. Job; with suffix עָלַי; עָלֶיךָ, עָלַיִךְ ( Ps 116:7 the Aramaizing form עָלָ֑יְכִי); עָלָיו, Psalm 1Sam 2:10 עָלָו, עָלֶיהָ; 1 plural עָלֵינוּ; 2 masculine plural עֲלֵיכֶם, Exod 12:13 עֲלֵכֶם, 2 feminine plural עֲלֵיכֶן Ezek 23:49 3 masculine plural עֲלֵיהֶם, 13 t. in Pentateuch עֲלֵהֶם Gen 45:15, etc. (ii. 305), in poetry עָלֵ֫ימוֺ Deut 22:23 + 11 t. Psalms, Job (perhaps sometimes, Ges«GKC:103i»§ 103i, N.); 3 feminine plural עֲלֵיהֶן, Lev 3:4; Lev 3:10; Lev 3:15 עֲלֵהֶן (on the apparently plur. form of עֲלֵי, עָלַי etc., see ii. 309 ff., and compare below עַד).

1. Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed; as עלהֿארץ upon the earth Gen 1:11; Gen 1:26; Gen 7:6, etc., Ps 110:6 על ארץ רבה over a wide country; על האדמה upon the ground Ezek 20:12 + often, Amos 7:12 עַל אֲדָמָה טְמֵאָה, Isa 14:2 ׳על אדמת י, Ps 137:4 עַל אַדְמַת נֵכָר (אֲרָמָה being properly ground, soil, is construed regularly with על, באדמה being very rare), more definitely על פני האדמה Gen 6:1; Num 12:3 + often; על מקום Lev 14:28; Jer 45:5 (uncommon: usually בְּ); Deut 17:20; Isa 9:6 על מַמְלַכְתּוֺ upon his realm, 2Chr 1:1 על בָּֽתִּים very strangely Hos 11:11 (read וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים with ᵐ5 : see 7 c α β); constantly after such verbs as נוח, ישׁב, רכב, etc., Gen 8:4; Exod 11:5 כתב על to write (idiomatic) on a book or other surface, Josh 10:13, etc.; יצא על go forth over Gen 41:45; Zech 5:3; Ps 81:6 with נִשְׁעַן, נִסְמַךְ, בָּטַח (figurative), to lean or trust upon: Gen 3:14 to go עַל גְּחֹנְךָ upon thy belly, Gen 32:32 to limp עַל יְרֵכוֺ upon his thigh, 1Sam 14:13; Ezek 37:10; Judg 15:8 to smite שׁוֺק עַל יָרֵךְ leg upon thigh, i.e. so that the scattered limbs fall one upon another, Amos 3:15. And with reference not a horizontal surface but to a side, Lev 1:5 + זָרַק עַל to pour against the altar, 1Kgs 6:5; 1Kgs 6:18 to build against the temple, Josh 10:27, etc. Figurative Exod 23:13 let it not be heard עַל פִּיךָ upon thy mouth (in our idiom, upon thy lips, as Prov 22:18), Ps 15:3 לֹא רָגַל עַל לְשֹׁנוֺ he slandereth not (i.e. prepares not slander) upon his tongue, 2Sam 23:2 וּמִלָּתוֺ עַל לְשׁוֺנִי, Prov 16:23; Prov 16:27; Prov 31:26; Eccl 5:1 compare עַל שְׂפָתַיִם נָשָׂא or עַל פֶּה Ps 16:4; Ps 50:16; Ezek 36:3b.

Specially
  a.
   (a) of clothing, etc., which any one wears, Gen 37:23 the tunic אשׁר עליו which was upon him, Josh 9:5; 1Kgs 11:30; Ruth 3:15 +; Gen 24:30; Gen 38:30; 2Sam 13:18, of a sword 2Sam 20:8; Song 3:8 so הָיָה עַל Lev 16:4; Deut 22:5; Ezek 44:18; 1Chr 15:27; 1Chr 18:7 (|| 2Sam 8:7 אֶל); compare לֹא יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ Lev 19:19; Ezek 44:17, and with הֶעֱלָה, below, 7 b.


   (b) With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it ('upon' referred to a side) : see גָּנַן, כָּסָה, סָכַךְ, עָטָה Neh 2:8 יד אלהי הטובה עלי, compare vNeh 2:18; Ezra 7:6; Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Ezra 8:22; Ezra 8:31; Exod 27:21 the veil that is over (i.e. before) the testimony, 1Sam 25:16 חוֺמָה הָיוּ עָלֵינוּ they were a wall about us; סָגַר עַל to shut in (or down) upon Exod 14:13; Job 12:14; Ezek 13:5; Job 13:27; Job 26:9; Job 36:30 he spreadeth his light עָלָיו about him.


  b. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him, Isa 1:14 הָיוּ עָלַי לָטֹרַח they are a cumbrance upon me, Job 7:20 I am a burden עָלַי upon myself, 2Sam 15:33 (compare with אֶל 2Sam 19:36); כָּבַד עֶל to be heavy upon Exod 5:9 and elsewhere (see כָּבַד); of sin, calamity, etc. Isa 53:5; Ezek 33:10; Ps 88:8; Job 21:9; 2Chr 15:5; 2Chr 28:13; Eccl 6:1; Eccl 8:6 (compare 5 a β); Lev 7:20 וְטֻמְאָתוֺ עָלָיו Lev 22:3: idiomatically, Gen 48:7 מֵתָה עָלַי רָחֵל Rachel died upon me (i.e. to my sorrow), Gen 33:13 וְהַבָּקָר עָלוֺת עָלַי are giving suck upon me (i.e. as a. care to me), Num 11:13 יִבְכּוּ עָלַי they weep upon me (vexing me), Judg 14:16; Judg 14:17; Judg 19:2 (see Be), 1Sam 21:6 to play the mad man upon me, Jer 12:11.
  c. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him, as שָׂם עַל to lay upon, Exod 5:8; Exod 21:22; Exod 21:30 (שָׁת), Exod 22:4, compare Gen 47:26; 2Chr 35:25 with other verbs, Job 38:10; Deut 24:5; Deut 26:6; 2Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 18:14; 2Kgs 23:33; Neh 10:33 (twice in verse); Esth 1:8; Esth 9:21; Esth 9:27; Esth 9:31 with צִוָּה enjoin upon Gen 2:16 + often, כתב prescribe to 2Kgs 22:13; Ps 40:8, נטשׁ cast upon 1Sam 17:20 (1Sam 17:22 על יד), נתן על יד (figurative) Gen 42:37; 2Kgs 12:12; 2Kgs 22:5, compare 1Kgs 14:27, עזב Ps 10:14, גלל Ps 37:5, השׁליך Ps 55:23, פקד Job 34:13 and elsewhere; Gen 30:28 נָקְבָה שְׂכָֽרְךָ עָלַי fix thy wages upon me (name thy wages to me), Gen 34:12 הַרְבּוּ עָלַי מְאֹד מֹהַר וּמַתָּן multiply upon me, etc., 2Sam 19:39 (pregnantly) whatsoever thou choosest (and layest) upon me; without a verb, Judg 19:20 רַק כָּלמַֿחְסֹערךָ עָלָ֑י only let all thy wants be upon me, Ezra 10:4; Ps 56:13 עָלַי נְדָרֶיךָ thy vows are upon me (i.e. I owe them: compare Num 30:7; Num 30:9; Num 30:15), Prov 7:14 זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים עָלָ֑י peace-offerings were upon me (= were due from me); perhaps Ps 62:1; Ps 77:1 (to the charge of); with an infinitive 2Sam 18:11 וְעָלַי לָתֵת and it would have been incumbent on me to give, etc., 1Kgs 4:7; Ezra 10:12 (accents [Baer], RVm), Neh 13:3, compare Zech 12:2 (Ew RVm); Num 7:9 (P) the service of ... was upon them, Ezek 45:17, so especially late 1Chr 9:27; 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 23:31; 2Chr 2:3 לעולם זאת על ישׂראל 2Chr 8:15; 2Chr 24:9; Ezra 7:11; Neh 11:23; Isa 9:5 and the government is upon, his shoulder (compare Isa 22:22), 2Chr 25:3; Ps 7:11 ׳מָֽגִנִּי עַלאֿ my shield rests upon God (he has undertaken my defence), Ps 62:8 עלאֿלהים יִשְׁעִי וּכְבֹדִי.


  d. על is used idiomatically to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him: Ps 42:6 why art thou cast down, O my soul, וַתֶּהֱמִי עָלַי and disquieted upon me? vPs 42:7 my soul upon me is cast down, vPs 42:12; Ps 43:5; Lam 3:20; Ps 131:2 כְּגָמֻל עֲלֵי אִמּוֺ כַּגָּמוּל עָלַי נַפְשִׁי is my soul upon me; Ps 142:4 בְּהִתְעַטֵף עָלַי רוּחִי when my spirit faints upon me, Ps 143:4; Jonah 2:8; Jer 8:18 עָלַי לִבִּי דַרוָָּֽי ׃ my heart upon me is sick, Job 14:22 (twice in verse) (compare Di), Hos 11:8 נהפך עלי לבי my heart is turned (altered) upon me, 1Sam 17:32; 1Sam 25:36; Neh 5:7 וַיִמָּלֵךְ לִבִּי עָלַי and my heart took counsel upon me: compare Ps 42:5 I will pour out my soul upon me, Job 30:16; Job 10:1 אעזבה עלי שׂיחי I will let loose my complaint upon me. (Thes apud me, mecum. The rend. 'within me' alters entirely the point of view of the Hebrew expression, and is incorrect.) Denoting with some emphasis the subject of an experience, Job 30:2 עלימו אבד כָּ֑לַךְ, Dan 2:1 his sleep נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו was done with upon him (compare Aramaic Dan 6:19 נַדַּת עֲלוֺהִי), Dan 10:8 וְהוֺדִי נֶהְפַּךְ עָלַי (compare Dan 5:9; Dan 7:28): also, rather differently, Lev 18:18b Jer 49:20 אִם לֹא יַשִׁים עֲלֵיהֶם נְוֵהֶם, Mic 7:13; Ps 90:17b; Ps 7:9 according to my perfectness upon me, Ezek 18:20; Ezek 22:3; 2Chr 36:8.


  e. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support; compare Isa 3:1, and Ζῆν ἐπί τινος), Deut 8:3 עַלהַֿלֶּחֶם, Isa 38:16 (compare Hi), Gen 27:40 על חרבך תחיה upon ( = by) thy sword thou shalt live (compare Kazwiniii. 17 ap. Tu), Ezek 33:19, compare vEzek 33:26. feminine Of the ground, or basis, on which a thing is done, as Gen 24:9 על הדבר הזה, Lev 17:12 if he offers it עַל תּוֺדָה on the ground of a thanks-giving, Num 6:21 עַל נִזְרוֺ, vb Ezek 16:15; Ezek 28:17; Dan 8:25 עַל שִׂכְלוֺ, Dan 9:18 עַל צדקותינו, (with this use is extended so as to denote explicitly on condition of). Hence
   (a) the basis being conceived as regulative, על comes to denote the norm or standard (compare German 'auf die Art' WAG ii. § 59 i): the transition may be seen in a passage like Exod 24:8 the covenant which ׳י made with you on the basis of (על), or in agreement with, all these words (compare על פי Exod 34:27), Num 35:24 האלה על המשׁפטים, Deut 17:11; Jer 30:18 the palace shall sit (i.e. be inhabited: see ישׁב) עַל מִשְׁפָּטוֺ in accordance with its manner, Ps 94:20 who frames mischief עֲלֵיחֹֿק in accordance with a law, ... על פי according to the mouth (i.e. command, Gen 45:21 + oft, evidence Deut 17:6; Deut 19:15, sentence Deut 21:5) of . . .; עַל שֵׁם ֗֗֗֗ according to the name of . . . (mostly with call, be called) Gen 48:6; Exod 28:21; 2Sam 18:18 +, compare 1Chr 23:14; Exod 6:26; Exod 12:51 על צִבְאֹתָם according to their hosts (usually לְ), Num 1:18 על משׁפחתם (usually לְ) vNum 1:52; Num 2:2; Num 2:34; Num 7:3 (|| ל), Deut 18:8 (probably); עַל יְדֵי according to the hands (direction) of Jer 5:31; Jer 33:13 al.; Ps 110:4 ׳עַל דִּבְרָתִי מ after the manner of M.; Prov 25:11 (probably) a word spoken עַל אָעפנָיו in accordance with its circumstances = appositely; of the tune according to which a song is to be sung (RV. set to) Ps 6:1 (1Chr 15:21), Ps 8:1; Ps 9:1; Ps 12:1; Ps 45:1; Ps 46:1 (1Chr 15:20) עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת (perhaps, however, in the manner of maidens = for 'sopranos'), Ps 53:1; Ps 56:1; Ps 60:1; Ps 69:1; Ps 81:1; Ps 84:1; Ps 88:1 (compare in Syriac ).


   (b) The basis being conceived as involving the ground, על denotes the cause or reason, on account of, because of, Gen 20:3 lo thou shalt die עַל הָאִשָּׁה on account of the woman, Gen 21:12; Gen 26:7; Gen 26:9; Gen 27:41; Gen 42:21; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:28; Lev 5:18; Lev 19:17; Lev 26:18; Lev 26:24; Lev 26:28; Deut 9:18; Deut 24:16 fathers shall not be put to death עלבֿנים on account of children, Deut 31:18; Josh 9:20; Jer 1:16; Jer 5:9; Ezek 18:26 עליהם (|| Ezek 33:18 בָּהֶם), Prov 28:21; Ps 39:12; Ps 50:8 + often; Ps 44:23 עָלֶיךָ הֹרַגְנוּ on thy account are we slain all the day, Ps 69:8; Jer 15:15 in the phrases דְּבַר עַ֗֗֗ל, עַל אוֺדוֺת, עַל זֹאת and עַל זֶה on this account, עַל מָה on what account ? עַלכֵּֿן = therefore (see דָּבָר, אוֺדָה, etc.); before an infinitive, as Exod 17:7 ׳וְעַל נַסּוֺתָם אֶתיֿ and on, account of their trying ׳י, Amos 1:3 עַל דּוּשָׁם on account of their threshing = because they threshed, vAmos 1:6 vAmos 1:9 vAmos 1:11 vAmos 1:13, etc., Jer 2:35 עַל אָמְרֵךְ because of thy saying, Jer 9:12; Jer 16:18 +; and as a conjunction both with and without אֲשֶׁר or כִּי (see below III). And so often of the ground or cause of fear, grief, delight, or other emotions, e.g. Exod 18:9; Exod 32:14 (נִחַם repent: so often), 1Sam 4:13; 1Sam 30:6; 2Sam 1:26; 2Sam 3:8; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 6:11; Jer 10:19; Amos 6:6.


   (c) Somewhat more strongly, on behalf of, for the sake of, Gen 19:17 escape על נפשׁך forthy life; Judg 9:17; 2Kgs 10:3 נִלְחֵם עַל (usually ל); 1Kgs 2:18 I will speak on thy behalf to the king, v1Kgs 2:19 (2Kgs 4:13 לְ); Esth 4:16; Esth 4:8; Esth 7:7; Esth 8:11; Esth 9:16; Dan 12:1 על עמד stand up (in late Hebrew) on behalf of; התפלל על intercede for (usually בעד) Job 42:8; Neh 1:6; 2Chr 30:18; 2Chr 29:21; Ezra 8:35 and very often with כִּפֶּר (q. v.) make atonement for. (Not very common with other verbs.)


   (d) Sometimes it acquires almost a final force, for; Exod 12:4; Exod 29:36; Exod 30:16; Deut 27:13 there shall stand עַלהַֿקְּלָלָה (|| vDeut 27:12 לְבָרֵךְ), Ps 89:4 עַלמַֿהשָּֿׁוְא בָּרָאתָ כָלעֿבּנֵיאָֿדָם unto what vanity hast thou created, etc.! Prov 29:5b 2Chr 23:18; Eccl 3:17.


   (e) Of a condition, or attendant circumstances (rare; so , WAG ii § 59 e): Ps 50:5 זָ֑בַח׃ עֲלֵי upon, with sacrifice, Ps 92:4 ׳עֲלי עָשׂוֺר וגו with a ten-stringed instrument, with a harp, with sounding music on a lyre; עַל רִיב upon occasion of a law-suit Exod 23:2; Ezek 44:24, עַל יוֺם טוֺב 1Sam 25:8 (compare at a time of. . . Qor 28:14), Neh 12:22 (? read עַד BeRy), Isa 18:4 כְּחֹם צַח עֲלֵי אוֺר at time of sunshine, Isa 64:11 עַל אֵלֶּה, Jer 8:18 עֲלֵי יָגוֺן at time of sorrow, Jer 16:7 (but Gie עַל אָבֵל to): with abstract substantives to form a periphrase for adverbs, Lev 5:22 and swear עַל שֶׁקֶר upon falseness = falsely, Jer 6:14 = Jer 8:11 to heal a wound עַל נְקַלָּה lightly, easily, Ps 31:24 עַל יֶתֶר = abundantly, Isa 60:7 עַל רָצוֺן = acceptably (compare = with delight).


   (f) It hence acquires the force of in spite of, notwithstanding (so , WAG ii. § 59 h), Job 10:7 עַל דַּעְתְּךָ in spite of thy knowing, Job 34:6 משׁפטי על notwithstanding my right I am to be a liar (Di De Da RV: otherwise Hi RVm). compare below, III c b.


   (g) Upon, concerning, with verbs of speaking, as דִּבֶּר Judg 9:3; 1Kgs 5:13, אָמַר, Jer 16:3; Jer 27:19 (|| אל) Jer 33:4, hearing Gen 41:15 שָׁמַעְתִּי עָלֶיךָ I have heard concerning thee, saying, etc., 1Kgs 10:6; Isa 37:9 (|| 2Kgs 19:9 אל), disputing Gen 26:11, telling 1Sam 27:11; Joel 1:3, commanding 2Sam 14:8; 1Kgs 11:10, being vexed 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 6:11, crying 2Kgs 8:5, confessing Ps 32:5; Neh 1:6 of the object of a prophecy or vision 1Kgs 22:8; Isa 1:1; Isa 2:1 and often with similar verbs.


   (h) In a somewhat weaker sense, in the matter of, as regards, Gen 41:32 וְעַל הִשָּׁנוֺת הַחֲלוֺם, Exod 22:8; Ruth 4:7; Lev 5:22; Lev 5:26; Dan 9:14b Neh 9:33 חָטָא עַל Lev 4:14 (|| בָּהּ vLev 4:23, cognate accusative vLev 4:28), Lev 5:5; Num 6:11; Neh 13:26 עַלדְּֿבַר ֗֗֗ in the matter of, Num 25:18; Num 31:16.

2. It expresses excess (synonym מִן q. v.); Gen 48:22 I give thee שְׁכֶם אַחַר עַל אַחֶיךָ one shoulder (ridge) above thy brethren, Exod 16:5 מִשְׁנֶה על double above or beyond, Num 3:46; Deut 25:3 stripes עַלאֵֿלֶּה beyond these, Josh 3:15 Jordan מָלֵא עַל was full over all its banks (compare Josh 4:18; Isa 8:7b הלך על, עלה) Ps 138:2; Eccl 1:16; Dan 1:20 עֶשֶׂר יָדוֺת עַל ten times above (compare in Aramaic Dan 3:19, and Qor 37:153), Ezra 1:6 לְבַר עַל = beside (see בַּד); Ps 16:2 (si vera lectio) טוֺבָתִי בַל עָלֶיךָ my welfare is not beyond thee, i.e. does not lie outside thee. — Of time, Lev 15:25 if she has an issue עַל נִדָּתָהּ beyond her time of impurity (compare Isa 32:10, 4 b).

3. It denotes elevation or pre-eminence, as עליון על high (figurative) above, Deut 26:19 al., Deut 28:43 יעלה עליך will go up above thee, compare Prov 31:29; Ps 57:6; Ps 57:12 be thou exalted above the heavens, Ps 89:8; Ps 95:3; Ps 96:4, etc., Neh 9:5 with words (q. v.) such as גכר, גדל, חזק, נשׂא (Ni. Pi`el Hithpa`el), עזז, and especially those denoting rule or superintendence, as מלך, הפקיד; so with שָׁת, היה, נתן, Gen 41:33; Gen 41:40; Gen 41:43 שׂם; 1Sam 18:5 with פָּקִיד, שַׂר, מֶלֶךְ, etc., Gen 41:34; Exod 1:11; Exod 18:21, etc.; absolute 2Sam 8:16 Joab was עלהֿצבא over the host, 2Sam 20:23 b. v2Sam 20:24; 1Kgs 4:4-6; 1Kgs 5:30; Num 10:14ff.; 1Chr 9:23; 1Chr 9:26ff. 1Chr 27:25ff.; 2Chr 30:17; 2Chr 31:12 אֲשֶׁר עַל בֵּיתוֺ of Joseph's steward Gen 43:16; Gen 43:19; Gen 44:1; Gen 44:4 and in the official titles אֲשֶׁר עַלהַֿבַּיִת = the Governor of the Palace Isa 22:15 and elsewhere (see כַּיִת 6); אֲשֶׁר עַלהַֿמַּם the overseer of the forced labour 1Kgs 12:18 אשׁר עלהֿעיר the governor of the city 2Kgs 10:5, אשׁר על המלתחה v2Kgs 10:22.

4. It expresses addition (compare ἐπὶ in Greek, e.g.ἐπὶ τούτοις); namely
  a. introducing the complement of a verb, as with יָסַף to add upon or to, Ps 61:7 + often (see יָסַף), שָׁת to put to Gen 30:40, נִלְוָה to be joined to Num 18:24; Isa 14:1 (also with אֶל), נָפַל: to fall to, i.e. desert to, Jer 21:9 +, עכר to pass over to Exod 30:13; Exod 30:14; Isa 45:14 (compare Isa 60:5); also Hab 2:16 תִּסֹּב כּוֺם עַל Lam 4:21; Esth 4:7 נֶחְשַׁב to be reckoned to Lev 25:31; 2Sam 4:2, היה על Num 36:12; Ps 69:28 תְּנָה עָוֺן עַל עֲוֺנָם, Isa 56:8 עוֺר אֲקַבֵּץ עָלָיו I will yet gather (others) unto him.


  b. Used absolutely, as Gen 28:9 he took Mahalath עַל נָשָׁיו in addition to his (other) wives, Gen 31:50 (compare אל Lev 18:18), Num 31:8 עַל חַלְלֵיהֶם in addition to their slain (|| Josh 13:22 אֶל), Deut 23:14; Ezek 16:37; Ezek 16:43; Ezek 25:10; Isa 32:10 יָמִים עַל שָׁנָה days upon, in addition to, a year, 2Chr 31:15 יָמִים עַל יָמִים, Ezek 7:26 הֹוָה עַל הֹוָה תָבוֺא (|| אל), Jer 4:20 (if נִקְרָא = be proclaimed), Job 16:14 יִפְרְצֵנִי פֶרֶץ עַלפְּֿנֵיפָֿ֑רֶץ (compare LagM iii. 112; also Iliad 14:130 ἕλκος ἐφ’ ἕλκει, Odyssey 7:120f; Qoran 31:13). So often in laws of P (compare c), Lev 7:12 he shall offer עַלזֶֿבַת הַתּוֺרָה in addition to the sacrifice of thanksgiving, etc., vLev 7:13 b Num 6:20; Num 15:9; Num 28:10; Num 28:15; Num 28:24 (compare מִלְּבַר vNum 28:31; Num 29:6), Num 35:6; Ezek 16:43 (Hi Sm RV: compare Ezek 44:7 אל).


  c. Hence by an easy transition it denotes together with, with, Exod 35:22 men together with (עַל) women, Job 38:32 וְעַיִשׁ עַלבָּֿנֶיהָ תַנְחֵם and the Bear with her children, wilt thou lead them? 1Kgs 15:20; Jer 3:18 the house of Israel with the house of Judah, Mic 5:2 (Ca Ke Kue; but al. as 7 c a), Gen 32:12 lest he come and smite me, אֵם עַל בָּנִים the mother with the children (compare Hos 10:14; Deut 22:6); and as a techn. term in the regulations for sacrifice, especially with אכל, Exod 12:8, יאֹכְלֻהוּ עַלמְֿדֹרִים together with bitter herbs they shall eat it, vExod 12:9 his head with (על) his legs, etc., Num 9:11; Deut 16:3 לֹאתֿאֹכַל עָלָיו חָמֵץ (compare Exod 23:18; Exod 34:25), vExod 34:3 in the phrase אכל על הדם to eat with the blood 1Sam 14:32; 1Sam 14:33 (1Sam 14:34 אל), Lev 19:26; Ezek 33:25 (compare in Greek e.g. ἐπὶ τῷ σίτῳ πίνειν ὕδωρ); see also Lev 2:2; Lev 2:16; Lev 3:4 (so vLev 3:10 vLev 3:15; Lev 4:9; Lev 7:4), Lev 4:11; Lev 7:13a, Lev 7:30; Lev 10:15; Lev 14:31; Lev 23:18; Lev 23:20; Num 6:17; Num 19:5; 1Chr 7:4.

5. It expresses the idea of being suspended, or extended, over anything, without however being in contact with it, above, over: Gen 1:20 let fowl fly over the earth, Gen 19:23 השׁמשׁ יצא על had come forth upon the earth (compare זרח על Exod 22:2 +; בא על go down [set] upon Deut 24:15; Mic 3:6; Job 25:3), Num 10:34; Num 14:14 and thy cloud stood עליהם over them, Deut 28:23 the heavens עלרֿאשׁך above overthy head, Isa 4:5; Isa 60:1; Isa 60:2; Zeph 2:11; Zech 9:14; Ps 7:8 over it return thou on high, Job 29:3 בְּהִלּוֺ נֵרוֺ עֲלֵי ראֹשִׁי (compare דעך לְ be extinguished over, Job 18:6), Song 2:4 his banner over me: figurative of protection Deut 32:38; Ps 68:35: with verbs of motion (expressed or implied), נשׁקף על to incline over 1Sam 13:18 +, ידו על נטה) Exod 14:16; Isa 23:11 + (compare Ps 21:12), הניף על to swing over Isa 11:15; Isa 19:16 השׁמיע על to proclaim over Jer 4:16; Amos 3:9, compare Num 10:10; 2Chr 13:12, שׁם על נקרא a name to be called over 2Sam 12:28 + (see קרא).

6. From the sense of inclining or impending over, על comes to denote contiguity or proximity, English by (or sometimes on): —
  a. in designating localities, especially those beside water, Gen 14:16 עַלהַֿמִּדְבָּר by the wilderness, Gen 16:17 עַל עֵין הַמַּיִם by the spring of water, Gen 24:13; Gen 24:30; Gen 29:2 three flocks lying עָלֶיהָ by it (the well), Gen 41:1; Num 3:26; Num 13:29 עלהֿים by the sea, Num 22:5; Num 24:6 gardens עֲלֵי נָהָר. Deut 3:12; Deut 33:8; Judg 5:19; 1Sam 1:9 ׳על מזוזת היכל י (Ezek 46:2), 1Sam 4:1; 2Kgs 2:7 and they stood עלהֿירדן by the Jordan, 2Kgs 25:4; Isa 19:7; Isa 38:20; Ps 1:3 planted by water-courses, Jer 17:2; Jer 17:8; Job 30:4; Job 31:9 על פתח by the entrance, Prov 14:19, + often; על הדרך by the way Gen 38:21; 1Sam 24:4; Ezek 48:24ff. על גבולו adjoining his border; עבר על to pass by a place 1Kgs 9:18; Jer 18:16 +, figurative עבר על פשׁע to pass by transgression, i.e. to overlook it, Mic 7:18 and elsewhere: על יְמִין ֗֗֗ on the right of ... Ps 110:5 +, עַליַד ֗֗֗ , עַל יֶרֶךְ ֗֗֗ , עַל כֶּתֶף ֗֗֗ on the side of ... (see these words): less frequently (except as c) with reference to persons, Num 2:5 וְהַחֹנִים עָלָיו and those encamping next him, vNum 2:12 vNum 2:20 vNum 2:27; Num 6:9 וכי ימות מת עליו, 2Kgs 11:11 by the king round about (compare Num 3:26 above), ׳עבר על פ Gen 18:5; 2Kgs 4:9 +.


  b. 2Sam 9:7; 2Sam 9:10 to eat bread ׳עַל שֻׁלְחַן פּ at any one's table, Exod 16:3 when we sat עַלסִֿיר הַבָּשָׂר, 1Sam 20:24 Kt to sit עַלהַֿלֶּחֶם at meat; 1Sam 25:13; 1Sam 30:24 to remain עַלהַֿכֵּלִים; Prov 23:30 to tarry long עלהֿיין at (or over) the wine, Job 39:9 עַלאֲֿבוֶּ˜סךָ ׃ at thy crib: compare הַיּוֺשֵׁב עַל הַמִּשְׁפָּט Isa 28:6.


  c. Idiomatically, with עָמַד and נִצַּב to stand by (literally over, — originally no doubt with reference to one supposed to be seated), Gen 18:2 three men נִצָּבִים עָלָיו standing by him, vGen 18:8 and he עֹמֵד עליו standing by him under the tree, Gen 24:30 by the camels, Gen 28:13; 1Sam 4:20; 2Sam 1:9; 2Sam 12:17; 2Sam 20:11; 2Sam 20:12; Amos 7:7 especially of persons standing about a superior, as servants or courtiers, Gen 45:1; Judg 3:19; 1Sam 22:6; 1Sam 22:7; 1Sam 22:17, of persons surrounding a judge Exod 18:13; Exod 18:14, of ׳י's heavenly ministers, 1Kgs 22:19 (compare Isa 6:2 ממעל לו), Zech 4:16, and with התיצב Zech 6:5; Job 1:6; Job 2:1 also of one standing by (properly leaning over) an altar or sacrifice Num 23:3; Num 23:6; 1Kgs 13:1 (compare 7 b) Amos 9:1 of an Ashérah by an altar Judg 6:25; Judg 6:28 (compare אֵצֶל Deut 16:21).

7. In connection with verbs of motion (actual or figurative): —
  a. of motion from a higher place downwards, down upon: thus
   (a) המטיר על to rain upon Gen 2:5; Gen 19:24, ירד על Gen 15:11, יצק על to pour upon Gen 28:18, ׳נפל על צוארי פ Gen 33:4, נפל על פניו to fall on his (own) face Gen 17:3; Gen 17:17, שׂם על to put upon, Gen 21:14; Gen 22:6; Gen 22:9; Gen 24:47 (Gen 24:22 Sam Di), נתן על כף to place on the hand of ... Gen 40:11; Gen 40:21, השׁליך על 2Sam 20:12, etc.; compare Job 29:22 וְעָלֵימוֺ תִּטֹּף מִלָּתִי, Mic 3:5; Nah 3:12.


   (b) In different figurative connections, as of sleep falling upon one, Gen 2:21; Gen 15:12 of fear Gen 9:2; 1Sam 11:7 (see פַּחַד, חֲרָרָה, אֵימָה); of good or bad fortune, especially the latter, coming upon one, as with בוא and הביא, Gen 27:12; Deut 28:2 (in good sense), vDeut 28:15, Jer 5:12; Jer 19:3 (רעה, as often); of retribution, reproach, the Divine wrath, etc., with different verbs (הביא, נתן, ירד, חול, היה, etc.), as Gen 20:9; Num 12:11 חטאה; Gen 42:36 עַלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּנָה upon me are they all; Num 18:5 + (היה קֶצֶף על); Deut 19:10 דם (compare אל 2Sam 21:2 ᵐ5 We Dr), Judg 9:24; 1Kgs 2:32; 2Sam 16:8; Hos 12:15; 2Sam 3:29; 2Sam 15:14; 1Sam 11:2 חרפה; Jer 14:16; Jer 26:15 דם נקי (|| אל), Jonah 1:14; Ezek 7:3; Ezek 7:4; Ezek 7:8; Ezek 23:40; Ezek 36:29; Ps 7:17; Ps 94:2; Ps 94:23; Ps 109:5 וישׂימו עלי רעה תחת טובה (lay upon me: but Hu וישיבו, Prov 17:13), Prov 140:11 שָׁפַךְ חֵמָה על Ezek 7:8 + often; without a verb, Gen 16:5 חֲמָסִי עָלֶיךָ my wrong be upon thee, Jer 51:35 (|| אל); Gen 27:13 עלי קללתך; Gen 38:29 (accents, RVm); 2Sam 1:16 דמיך על ראשׁך; 2Sam 14:9 עָלַי הֶעָוֺן; Isa 24:17; Jer 48:43; Jer 50:27; Ezek 13:3 הוֺי על ֗֗֗ ; Ps 55:16 Kt.; of a blessing, Exod 32:29; Ps 3:9, a curse Deut 30:7, mercies (probably conceived specifically as descending from heaven) Ps 33:22; Ps 86:13; Ps 90:17; Ps 103:17 (with גבר be mighty over or upon, vPs 33:11; Ps 117:2), Ps 116:12; Ps 145:9; Ezra 3:11, שׁלום Ps 125:6; Ps 128:6; 1Chr 22:9.


   (c) Introducing the object upon which an action, or emotion, especially if accompanied by a gesture, is conceived as being directed (but with some of these words, especially when they refer to an event, rather than a person, as Exod 18:9, על is to be explained from 1 f b). Thus with verbs denoting the manifestation of joy or grief, as שׂושׂ to rejoice over, גיל, שׂמח, התענג, התפאר, שׂחק, אבל, ספד, שׁמם, בכה Judg 11:37 +, נשׂא (משׁל) קינה to take up a lament, or proverb, over (see these words); probably also in הִנָּבֵא על prophecy over Ezek 11:4; Ezek 13:17 +; with חוּס, חָמַל, רִחַם to shew compassion on (compare 1Kgs 3:26 [Gen 43:30 אל], Song 5:4 [Jer 31:20 ל]); with שׁמר, שׁקד, הֵעִיר (Job 8:6) to guard or watch over; with יעץ to counsel upon Isa 14:26 +, חשׁב to devise (usually in bad sense, Jer 29:11 in good), דִּבֶּר (רעה Jer 11:17 +, טובה Jer 18:20; Jer 32:42), הֵקִים דָּבָר Jer 29:10. Of more distinctly phys. acts, with בכה to weep on Gen 45:14; Gen 45:15 +, שׁרק to hiss, ספק or תקע כף to clap the hand, הִכָּה כף Ezek 22:13 (|| אל); Isa 5:30 to growl over, Isa 31:4; Ezek 36:2; Job 30:5 הִתְוַדָּה to confess over (the goat), Lev 16:21; Exod 30:10a (probably); Deut 21:6; Job 6:27; Job 40:30.


  b. From a lower place upwards, up upon, up to, as עלה על to go up upon: Exod 20:26; 1Sam 2:28; 1Kgs 12:33b 2Kgs 16:12b 2Chr 1:6 (an altar, i.e. to a ledge beside it; compare 2Kgs 23:9, and ירד Lev 9:22; 1Kgs 1:53); Judg 9:51; Isa 14:14; Isa 40:9, etc.; to come up upon (in different connections) Exod 10:12; Lev 16:9 (figurative), Lev 19:19; 1Sam 1:11; 1Sam 6:7; 1Kgs 10:16; 1Kgs 10:17 figurative עלה על לב Isa 65:17 + (see לב, לבב, 3 d); in Hiph`il 1Kgs 20:33 וַיַּעֲלֵהוּ עַל הַמֶּרְכָּבָה, Amos 8:10 (compare 1 a a), 2Sam 1:24; Ezek 37:6; Ps 137:6 (figurative), 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:14 (= ornamented with); Deut 28:61 (compare Exod 15:26 b); 2Chr 20:34 the history of Jehu which הֹעֲלָח עַל was brought up upon (i.e. inserted in) the book of, etc. (compare 2Chr 32:32 and כתב על above 1); compare נטה יד עלהֿשׁמים up to heaven Exod 9:22; Exod 10:21; Exod 17:16.


  c. Expressing direction towards (not common, except in sense against: see below) —
   (a) with verbs of motion, properly of a person (or thing) moving to another so as either to stand above, or rest upon, it (compare PuseyMin. Pr. 333), Exod 34:12 הארץ אשׁר אתה בא עליה (simile, of a land, or place, Exod 18:23; Num 11:12; 1Kgs 2:26 עֲנָתֹת לֵךָ עַלשָֿׂדֶיךָ, Ezek 32:9; Jer 3:18 b Jer 16:13; Jer 22:26, and after שׁוּב or הֵשִׁיב Jer 16:15; Jer 22:27; Jer 23:3; Jer 24:6 [but אֶל Jer 27:22; Jer 30:3 al.], Ezek 29:14; Gen 40:13 וֶהֱשִׁיבְךָ עלכַּֿנָּ֑ךָ, Gen 41:13; Gen 30:33 כִּי תָבאֹ עַל שְׂכָרִי to view my hire; בא על נפשׁ מֵת to enter in upon or beside a corpse; בא על אשׁה Gen 19:31; Deut 25:5 (usually אל); Josh 3:16 מַיִם יֹרְדִים עַל יָם, Ezek 47:8; 1Kgs 18:12 יִשָּֽׂאֲךָ עַלאֲֿשֶׁר לֹאאֵֿדָ֑ע, Ps 19:7; 2Kgs 16:12; 2Chr 20:24; Isa 53:1 upon whom (coming from above) was ׳י's arm revealed? Isa 62:10 העמים הרימו נֵס על over towards (but Isa 49:22 אל): but often it is dubious if this force is perceptible; and in general על in such cases seems to be used merely as a synonym — perhaps as a slightly more graphic synonym — of אֶל (compare p. 41); in the later language, also, it may be due partly to the influence of Aramaic, which does not use אֶל; thus
   (a) with a personal object, with assemble or be assembled, Exod 32:1; 2Sam 17:11; 1Kgs 8:5; 1Kgs 11:24; 2Kgs 22:20 (2Chr 34:28 and usually אל), 2Chr 13:7, עלה Gen 38:12; Josh 2:8; 1Sam 14:10 (1Sam 14:9 v1Sam 14:12 אל), עבר 1Sam 14:4 (1Sam 14:1 אל), בא 2Sam 15:4 (see Dr) 1Chr 12:23f., יצא 2Kgs 24:12, הוליך 2Kgs 25:20, נגע Judg 20:34; Judg 20:41 (compare Isa 6:7; Jer 1:9), נס Isa 10:3, הלך Isa 22:15 (אל ֗֗֗ על), נשׂא Isa 30:6, שׁלח 2Kgs 18:27 (על ֗֗֗ אל ֗֗֗ על: || Isa 36:12 אל ֗֗֗ אל ֗֗֗ על), Jer 26:15; Jer 29:31; 1Chr 13:2; 2Chr 28:16; 2Chr 30:1; 2Chr 32:9; 2Chr 32:31; 2Chr 36:15; Neh 6:3, נגשׁ Ezek 9:6, שׁב, השׁיב Neh 4:6; Mal 3:24 (see c), followed by ׳על י 2Chr 15:4; 2Chr 30:9, התיצּב 2Chr 11:13 letters going ׳על פ Neh 2:7; Neh 6:17 a (v:b אל). (β) of places, Gen 24:49; 2Sam 2:19 + על ימין to the right; with הלך 1Sam 2:11; 1Kgs 20:43 עלבֿיתו (1Kgs 21:4 אל), 2Sam 15:20 ואני הולך על אשׁר אני הולך, Jer 1:7; Ezek 1:20 (Ezek 1:12 אל), הוליך 1Kgs 1:38 (1Kgs 1:33 אל), נהר Mic 4:1 (|| Isa 2:2 אל), Jer 31:12 (אל ֗֗֗ על), נגשׁ Ezek 44:13 (|| אל), עלה 1Sam 24:23; 2Sam 19:1; 1Kgs 6:8 (|| אל), Ezek 41:7, בא Jer 14:3; Jer 51:51, (על הר) הביא Isa 66:20 (Isa 56:7 אל), ירד Jer 36:12, הִטָּה Prov 21:1, הסיר 2Sam 6:10 (|| 1Chr 13:13 אל), נתן Isa 29:12 (Isa 29:11 אל) Mic 1:14; Mic 3:5; Gen 42:37, השׁיב, שׁב, Num 33:7; Jer 11:10 (figurative, עַל עֲוֺנוֺת), Ps 35:13; Job 34:15 (Gen 3:19 אל), Prov 26:11; Eccl 1:6; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Kgs 17:22 (compare 1Sam 30:12 אל), השׁתחוה Lev 26:11 (probably), Isa 60:14 pregnantly Isa 24:22 אֻסְּפוּ עַל בּוֺר be collected (and delivered) into a dungeon: compare חוּשׁ עַל Job 31:5 (figurative), also to requite עַלחֵֿיק Isa 65:6; Isa 65:7 Kt. (Jer 32:18; Ps 79:12 אל). After נראה appear, Ps 90:16 (אל ֗֗֗ על). And as far as, unto (nearly = יַד) Gen 49:13 וְיַרְכָתוֺעַל צִידוֺן, Josh 2:7; Josh 18:13; Josh 19:12; Jer 31:39; Ezek 47:18; Ezek 48:21; Ezek 48:28; Ps 48:11; 1Chr 5:16.


   (b) With אמר say to, 2Kgs 22:8; Jer 18:11 (אל ֗֗֗ על), Jer 22:6; Jer 23:2; Jer 23:35 (על ֗֗֗ אל), Jer 36:29; Jer 44:20 (אל ֗֗֗ על), דבר 1Sam 1:13 (Gen 24:45 אל), 1Kgs 9:5; Hos 12:11; Jer 6:10; Jer 10:1; Jer 11:2 (אל ֗֗֗ על), speak to Jer 25:2 (על ֗֗֗ אל), Jer 26:2, compare Esth 1:17, ׳היה דבר י Jer 25:1; 1Chr 22:8 compare 1Chr 11:10, ענה 2Sam 19:43, קרא Isa 34:14; 2Chr 32:18, שִׁוַּע Ps 18:42, הֵרַע 1Kgs 17:20, שֹׁרֵר, שָׁר sing Prov 25:20; Job 33:27, החליק Prov 29:5 ( Ps 36:3 אל), התפלל 1Sam 1:10, כתב 2Chr 30:1; Ezra 4:7; Esth 8:8, שׁמע 2Kgs 20:13 ( = Isa 39:2), Isa 22:13; Jer 23:16; Jer 26:5; Jer 35:18; Hag 1:12 see also הקשׁיב, האזין, הבין, התבונן, השׂכיל.


   (c) Expressing (or implying) the direction of the mind, 2Sam 14:1 לב המלך על אבשׁלם; Mal 3:24; Ezra 6:22; Song 7:11 וְעָלַי תְּשׁוּקָתוֺ (Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7 אל); שָׂם לִבּוֺ על Job 1:8 (Job 2:3 אל), 1Sam 25:25 (אל ֗֗֗ על); Jer 22:17 thy eyes and thy heart are only (set) upon (על) ..., 1Chr 12:17; 1Kgs 1:20; 2Chr 20:12 עֵינֵינוּ כִּי עָלֶיךָ (elsewhere אל), 1Kgs 2:15 עָלַי שָׂמוּ פניהם, Ps 146:5 ׳שִׂבְרוֺ על י; Isa 10:25 וְאַפִּי עלתַּֿבְלִיתָם be (directed) towards their destruction, Jer 32:31 (Gf Ew compare RV); compare שׁעה על look to (trustfully) Isa 17:7; Isa 31:1. (The uses a, b, c are all exceptional: אל would be regularly employed.)


   (d) With the force of over and towards (compare 5 and 7 a b, end): Ps 65:5 נוֺרָא עֲלִילָה עַל; to shine, etc. on, Ps 31:17 הָאִירָה פָנֶיךָ עַל (Num 6:25 אל); רָאָה עַל Exod 5:21 הוֺפִיעַ עַל Job 10:3 וְשַׂמְתִּי עֵינִי עַל Amos 9:4 + (compare Job 14:3; Job 24:3; Job 34:21); הִשְׁקִיף עַל look out over Ps 14:3 +.


  d. In a hostile sense, upon, against: so very often, after every kind of verb expressing or implying attack, as בא Gen 34:25; Gen 34:27, נֶאֱסַף vGen 34:30, קצף to be angry Gen 40:2, לון to murmur Exod 15:24 עמד stand up Lev 19:16 +, קָם rise up Deut 19:11; Amos 7:9, נלחם Deut 20:10, חנה 1Sam 11:1; Ps 27:3, עלה 2Kgs 17:3, חרה אף Zech 10:3 (usually בְּ), שׁפך סללה Isa 37:33, צוּר besiege Deut 20:12, חשׁב to devise Gen 50:20; Jer 11:19, דִּבֶּר Deut 13:6 +, etc.: add Job 16:4 (twice in verse); Job 16:9; Job 16:10; Job 16:13; Job 19:12; Job 21:27; Job 30:12, etc.; היה על 2Sam 11:23; Num 31:3: הִנְנִי לַיִךְ (see אֶל 4); note also Judg 9:31; Judg 20:5: without a verb Isa 9:20; Judg 16:12 פלשׁתים עליך the Philistines are upon thee, Judg 20:9 עָלֶיהָ בְּגוֺרָל Against it by lot !

8. By writers of the silver age, על is sometimes used with the force of a dative, 1Chr 13:2 אִם עֲלֵיבֶם טוֺב (in classical Hebrew בְּעֵינֵיכֶם) if it seems good to you, אִם עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֺב Neh 2:5; Neh 2:7; Esth 1:19; Esth 3:9; Esth 5:4; Esth 5:8; Esth 7:3; Esth 8:5; Esth 9:13 (compare in Aramaic Ezra 5:17; Ezra 7:18); עַל שָׁפַר Ps 16:6 (compare in Aramaic Dan 4:24); עָרַב עַל Ps 104:34 (elsewhere לְ); רַע לְ Eccl 2:17 (see De; compare בְּאֵשׁ עַל Dan 6:15): compare Job 22:2 סָכַן על be profitable to, Job 33:23 also גָּמַל עַל (in both good and bad sense: see גמל), Neh 5:19 עשׂה על, Neh 9:30 משׁך על prolong (mercy) to; הִטָּה חֶסֶד עַל Ezra 7:28; Ezra 9:9 (Gen 39:21 אל): 1Sam 20:8 read probably עם for על. compare Mishna חביב על, dear to; סני על hateful to; Syriac , , pleasant, acceptable to. — compare in general the uses of , WAG ii. § 59.

9. With other particles: — עַל אַחֲרֵי Ezek 41:15 עַל בֵּין Ezek 19:11 (compare אל Ezek 31:10; Ezek 31:14); עַל לִפְנֵי Ezek 40:15 עַל מֵעַל Ezek 41:17 (text dubious), vEzek 41:20 עַל עֵבֶר Exod 25:37 (compare אל Ezek 1:9; Ezek 1:12); עַלבָּֿ֫כָה Esth 9:26. — On עַליַֿד, עַליְֿדֵי, עַל פִּי, עַלפְּֿנֵי, see יָד, פֶּה, פָּנִים.

III. As conjunction: a. עַל אֲשֶׁר because that . . . (compare above, II 1 f b), Exod 32:35 and ׳י plagued the people על אשׁר עשׂו because they had made, etc., Num 20:24; Deut 29:24 (in answer to על מה: so 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 16:11; Jer 22:9), Jer 32:51 (twice in verse); 1Sam 24:6; 2Sam 3:30; 2Sam 6:8; 2Sam 8:10; 2Sam 12:6; Ps 119:49 +.

b. עַל כִּי similar in meaning, but less frequent: Deut 31:17; Judg 3:12; Jer 4:28; Mal 2:14; Ps 139:14.


  c. עַל alone:
   (a) because, Gen 31:20 (E) עַל בְּלִי הִגִּיד, Ps 119:136 עַל לֹא.
   (b) notwithstanding that (above, 1 f f), although, Isa 53:9 חָמָס עָשָׂה עַל לֹא although he did no violence, Job 16:7 עַל לֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּ֑י.

IV. Compounds: —

1. with כְּ (rare and late),
  a. as concerning, as upon Ps 119:14 כְּעַל כָּלהֿוֺן, 2Chr 32:19.
  b. (pleon. for כְּ), Isa 59:18 כְּעַל גְּמֻלוֺת כְּעַל יְשַׁלֵּם the like of their deeds is the like of (that which) he will repay (כְּעַל repeated on the analogue of כְּ Num 15:15; Hos 4:9: see כְּ) = according to their deeds is (that which) he will repay, Isa 63:7 according to.

2. מֵעַל304 from upon, from over, from by — used with much delicacy of application in many different connections, corresponding mostly with the different senses of על. Thus
  a. from upon idiomatically, when removal, motion, etc., from a surface is involved, as מעל האדמה, מעל פני האדמה from upon (the face of) the ground, usually with expel, destroy, perish, etc. Gen 4:14; Gen 6:7; Gen 7:4; Exod 32:12; Deut 6:15; Deut 28:21; Deut 28:63 + often, especially Jeremiah and compiler of Kings; to be lifted up הארץ מעל Gen 7:17; Ezek 1:19; Ezek 1:21 +, to return or be dried (of water) מעל הארץ Gen 8:3; Gen 8:7; Gen 8:11; Gen 8:13 to roll a stone מֵעַל פִּי הַבְּאֵד Gen 29:3 of the cloud departing האהל מעל Num 9:17; Num 12:10, compare Neh 9:19 to rise up הַכִּסֵּא מֵעַל Judg 3:20; 1Kgs 2:4, מֵעַל מִשְׁכָּבוֺ 2Sam 11:2 to alight מֵעַל הַגָּמָל (נָפַלׅ Gen 24:64 (compare Josh 15:18 צנח, 1Sam 25:23 ירד), ירד מֵעַל הַמֶּרְכָּבָה Judg 4:15; 2Kgs 5:21 (נפל); to take מֵעַל ראֹשׁ Gen 40:19; 2Sam 12:30, מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ Lev 16:12; Num 17:11; Isa 6:6 to see מֵעַל הַגָּנ 2Sam 11:2 to shoot מֵעַל הַחוֺמָה v2Sam 11:20 v2Sam 11:24 to speak מֵעַל הַכַּפֹּרֶת Exod 25:22; Num 7:89 to cast down מֵעַל יָדַיִם Deut 9:17; Lev 8:28 (כַּפַּיִם); to break, remove, etc., a yoke (צוארך) מעל שׁכמך Gen 27:40; Isa 10:27; Jer 28:10; Jer 28:11 to wipe tears מֵעַל כָּלפָּֿנִים Isa 25:8 to take a bandage מעל עיניו 1Kgs 20:41 (compare על v1Kgs 20:38); often of putting off a garment or ornament., as Gen 38:14; Gen 38:19 וַתָּסַר צְעִיפָהּ מֵעָלֶיהָ, Exod 33:5 הוֺרֵד עֶדְיְךָ מֵעָלֶיךָ, a sandal Exod 3:5; Josh 5:15, a ring מֵעַל יָדוֺ Gen 41:42 to seek (דרשׁ), or hear, words מֵעַל הַסֵּפֶר Isa 34:16; Jer 36:11 (compare כתב על ספד above); pregnantly with בָּלָה to wear away (and fall) from off, Deut 8:4; Deut 29:4, compare of the bones or skin in disease Job 30:17 עֲצָמַי נִקַּר מֵעָלָ֑י are pierced (and drop) from off me, vJob 30:30 עוֺרִי שָׁחַר מעלי is black (and falls) from off me; figurative 1Sam 1:11 הָסִירִי יֵינֵךְ מֵעָלַיִךְ remove thy wine from off thee; Num 14:9 סָר צִלָּם מֵעֲלֵיהֶם; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:20 סר מעליו ׳י (with allusion to the hair, as the seat of Samson's strength), 1Sam 16:23 (compare על in v1Sam 16:16).


  b. Of relief from a burden or trouble: as of a plague, stroke, rod, etc., removed from (resting) on one, Exod 10:17 וְיָסֵר מֵעָלַי אֶתהַֿמָּוֶת הַזֶּה, Num 21:7; Num 25:8 ׳וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה מֵעַל ישׂר 2Sam 24:21; 2Sam 24:25), Ps 39:11 הָסֵר מֵעָלַי נִגְעֶ֑ךָ, Job 9:34; Job 13:21; Joel 2:20 of reproach Josh 5:9; Isa 25:8; Ps 119:22, iniquity Ezek 18:31; Zech 3:4, bloodguiltiness, 1Kgs 2:31, wrath Judg 8:3; Num 25:11; Prov 24:18, murmurings Num 17:21; Num 17:25 הֵקֵל מֵעַל to lighten from upon one Exod 18:22 +; Amos 5:23 הָסֵר מֵעָלַיהֲמוֺן שִׁירֶיךָ; pregnantly Jonah 1:11; Jonah 1:12 that the sea יִשְׁתֹּק מֵעָלֵינוּ may be calm from off us; to remove, etc., מֵעַל פָּנַי (see פָּנִים); 1Sam 6:20 to whom shall he go up מֵעָלֵינוּ — not merely 'from us,' but — from upon us (relieving us of his presence), so often of an army retiring from a country or raising a siege, 2Sam 10:14 ויָּשָׁב יוֺאָב מֵעַל בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, 2Sam 20:21 וְאֵעלכָה מֵעַל הָעִיר, v2Sam 20:22 Ki 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 18:14, especially with עָלָה, נַעֲלָה 1Kgs 15:19; Jer 21:2; Jer 37:5; Jer 37:11 +; 2Sam 19:10 David fled מעל אבשׁלום from Absalom (whom his presence had encumbered), Neh 13:28 וָאַבְרִיחֵהוּ מֵעָלַי, compare Gen 13:11; Gen 25:6; Num 20:21 מֵעָלָיו ׳וַיֵּט ישׂר, 2Chr 20:10; Exod 10:28 לֵךְ מֵעָלַי (contemptuously; be no more obnoxious to me), similarly 2Sam 13:17 שׁלחונֿא אתזֿאת מעלי (Amnon of Tamar).


  c. From beside (compare על 6 c), in different nuances: Gen 17:22 God went up מעל אברהם from beside A., Gen 35:13; Gen 18:3 אל נא תעבר מעל עבדך (compare על vGen 18:5), Gen 42:24; Num 16:25; Num 16:27; 1Kgs 1:53 to come down מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (compare על 1Kgs 13:1 6 c and 7 b); from attendance on Gen 45:1 (compare על ib.), Judg 3:19 וְיֵּצְאוּ מֵעָלָיו כָּלהָֿעֹמְדִים עָלָיו 1Sam 17:15 (see Dr), 2Sam 13:9, compare1 Sam 2Sam 13:8; 2Sam 13:11; 2Kgs 25:5 (Jer 36:21 read עַל, מ being dittograph), compare 2Chr 35:15 from attachment to, ׳רָחַק מֵעַל י Jer 2:5; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 44:10, compare Ezek 8:6, ׳סָר מֵעַל י Jer 32:40; Ezek 6:9, ׳תָּעָה מֵעַל י Ezek 44:10; Ezek 44:15, compare Ezek 14:5; Deut 13:11 also סָר מֵעַל חַטּאֹות 2Kgs 10:31; 2Kgs 15:18 (usually מֵחטאות), compare Ezek 14:6; Ezek 23:18 from companionship with, Job 19:13 אַחַי מֵעַלַי הִרְחִיק; from accompanying protectingly 1Sam 28:15 וֵאלֹהִים סָר מֵעַלַי, v1Sam 28:16 (compare על Ps 110:5 and see Dr); from adhesion to 2Kgs 17:21 קָרַע ישׂראל מֵעַל בֵּית תָּוִד, Isa 7:17; Isa 56:6 יַבְדִּילַנִי מֵעַל עַמּוֺ ׳י, Hos 9:1 זָנִיתָ מֵעַל אֱלֹהֶיךָ.


  d. In late Hebrew, = עַל above: 2Kgs 25:28 נָתַן ׳כִּסְאוֺ מֵעַל כִּסֵּא וגו (|| Jer 52:32 more class. מִמַּעַל לְ), Esth 3:1; Ps 108:5 גדול מעל שׁמים (|| Ps 57:11 עַד), Ps 148:4; Eccl 5:7 גָּבֹהַּ מֵעַל גָּבֹהַּ שֹׁמֵר, Neh 3:28; Neh 8:5; 2Chr 34:4 לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲלֵיהֶם on high above them; Ezek 41:17; Ezek 41:20. — Prov 14:14 read with De Now Str וּמִמַּעֲלָלָיו.


  e. מֵעַל לְ (chiefly late, and pleonastic for עַל, or else = the more class. synonym מִמַּעַל לְ): (a) Gen 1:7 מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ (Ezek 1:26 ׳מִמַּעַל לְ), Ezek 1:25 (text dubious; see Commentaries), 1Sam 17:39; Jonah 4:6; Mal 1:5 upon, over the border (territory) of Israel (so Köhl Ke: but Hi Ew We beyond, 2Chr 13:4 upon, mount Zemaraim, 2Chr 24:20. (b) beside 2Chr 26:19 מֵעַל לְמִזְבַּח הַקְּטֹרֶת; Neh 12:31 (twice in verse); Neh 12:37; Neh 12:38 (twice in verse); Neh 12:39 dubious: BeRy (in all) off the side of (מִן 6) = at a little distance from; Ke in vNeh 12:31 vNeh 12:38a upon, in vNeh 12:37 vNeh 12:38b; vNeh 12:39 by the side of (an ... vorüber).


BDB6111 H4192 H5921 H5961

BDB6110 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6112

עֲלָמוֺת, עַלמֿוּת etc., see עַלְמָה below II. עלם. below


BDB9768 H5922 H5921

BDB9767 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9769

עַל preposition upon, over, on account of, above, to, against (Biblical Hebrew and general Aramaic id.); — suffix 1 singular עֲלַי; 2 masculine singular עליך Kt (so Egyptian Aramaic, CookeNo. 77, A 5, 6, B 8, S-CPap. A 3, B 5 +), עֲלָךְ, Qr (ᵑ7 עֲלַךְ, Dalm§ 47, 2) Dan 3:12 + 6 t. Daniel; Ezra 7:18 3 masculine singular עֲלוֺהִי (so Nabataean, Palmyrene; Egyptian Aramaic עלוי S-CA 6 +) Dan 3:28 +, עֲלֹהִי Ezra 6:11 3 feminine singular עליה Kt (so Egyptian Aramaic, S-CD 24), עֲלַהּ Qr (so ᵑ7) Dan 4:14; Dan 5:21 1 plural עֲלֵינָא Ezra 4:12, עֲלֵ֑ינָא Ezra 4:18; Ezra 5:17 Baer (Gi עֲלֶ֑ינָא); 3 masculine plural עֲלֵיהֹם (so Nabataean, CISii. 226; Egyptian Aramaic, S-CPap. F 5, 8+) Ezra 7:24, עֲלֵיהוֺן Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:3

1. a. upon, Dan 2:10; Dan 2:28; Dan 2:46; Dan 5:5; Dan 5:7; Dan 6:11 + often, Dan 4:26 עַלהֵֿיכַל מַלְכוּתָא (2Sam 11:2); to be established עַל מַלְכוּתִי 2Sam 4:33 (compare 2Chr 1:1 Biblical Hebrew II. 1) to lay an impost upon, Ezra 7:24 to trust on, Dan 3:28 after a verb of motion, מְטָא עַל to come upon, Dan 4:21; Dan 4:25 of times, to pass over, Dan 4:13; Dan 4:20; Dan 4:22; Dan 4:29; Ezra 5:1 בְּשֻׁם אֱלָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲלֵיהוֺן i.e. (named) over them.
  b. idiomatic (as in Biblical Hebrew; see II. 1 d) of the person who is the subject of an emotion or experience, Dan 5:9 וְזִיוֺתִי שָׁנַיִן עֲלוֺהִי were changed upon him, Dan 7:28; Dan 6:19 וְשִׁנְּתֵהּ נַדַּת עֲלוֺהִי (compare Dan 2:1).
  c. on accusative of (Biblical Hebrew 1 f b), Dan 3:16 פִּתְגָּם עַלדְּֿנָה. So in עַלדְּֿנָה on this accusative Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:22; Ezra 5:17, עַלמָֿה wherefore ? Dan 2:15 and עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי (see ׳דְּ).
  d. on behalf of (ib. 1 f c), Ezra 6:17.
  e. regarding, concerning (ib. 1 f g), Dan 2:18; Dan 5:14; Dan 5:29; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:13; Ezra 7:14 + often
2. over, with verbs of ruling, appointing, etc., Dan 2:48; Dan 2:49; Dan 3:12; Dan 4:14 +, Ezra 4:20; Ezra 6:18.
3. in a comparative sense, above, beyond, Dan 3:19; Dan 6:4.
4. expressing direction:
  a. to, of a person, after a verb of motion (compare Biblical Hebrew 7 c a a), Dan 2:24; Dan 4:31; Dan 4:33; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:16; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:23 + often; after to send (a letter, etc.) Ezra 4:11; Ezra 4:17; Ezra 4:18; Ezra 5:6 +, write Ezra 4:7, prophesy Ezra 5:1 of the direction of the mind (ib. 7c c), Dan 3:12; Dan 6:14 (twice in verse); Dan 6:15 compare Ezra 5:5 הֲוַת עַל ׳וְעֵין אֱל (compare Jer 40:4 and אֶל Ps 34:16).
  b. against, Dan 3:19; Dan 3:29; Dan 5:23; Dan 6:5; Dan 6:6 +; Ezra 4:8; Ezra 7:23.
5. in such phrases as שְׁפַר עַל, טְאֵב (to be) good or acceptable to (as in Syriac and late Hebrew: see Biblical Hebrew 8), Ezra 5:17 אִם עַל מַלְכָּא טָב, Ezra 7:18 (twice in verse); Dan 4:24 (יִשְׁפַּר), Dan 6:15 (בְּאֵשׁ), v.Dan 6:24 (טְאֵב). — compare the synopsis of meanings in Lzb340.

upon, against, over, in, for, …
ʿal
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
  • (prep) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
    • upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
    • "above, beyond, over (of excess)"above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)"upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)"over (of suspension or extension)"by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)"down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to,, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)"to (as a dative)
    (conj) because that, because, notwithstanding, although

כַּפֶּֽ כָה
כַּפֶּֽ
Root word hands, hand, spoon, spoons, sole, …
כָה
Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)
Dictionary form: כַּף · kahp

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

In the KJV here: thine hand
spoon ×12 his hands ×11 hand ×8 their hands ×7 and the spoons ×6 hands ×5 my hands ×5 out of the hand ×5
More options
palm — Most precise: the hollow, open part of the hand.
hand — General use; good when context doesn't stress the hollow.
sole — Use specifically when referring to the bottom of the foot.
hollow — Emphasizes cupped or concave shape of hand or foot.
spoon — Cultic/tabernacle contexts; bowl-shaped vessel.
handful — Use when quantity or measure is in view.

BDB4151 H3709

BDB4150 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4152

כַּף192 noun feminine1Kgs 8:54 hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, pan (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic id., Assyrian kappu, hand, pan, kippatu, hollow; Arabic palm, hand) — absolute ׳כ Job 29:9 +, so read probably also Ezek 29:7b for ᵑ0 כָּתֵף (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Sm Co, compare va); כָּ֑ף 2Kgs 11:12 +; more often construct כַּף Gen 40:11 +; suffix כַּפִּי Judg 12:3, כַּפְּךָ Job 13:31, etc.; in Ezek 29:7 read כַּף Qr for כפך Kt (so Ew Hi Sm Co Da); dual כַּפַּיִם Isa 49:16 +; construct כַּפֵּי Exod 29:24 (twice in verse) + 3 t.; suffix כַּפַּי Gen 20:5 +, כַּפָּיו Num 24:10 +, כַּפֵּיהֶם Isa 59:6 + 2 t., כַּפֵּימוֺ Job 27:23, etc.; plural כַּפּוֺת (especially of soles, and in metaphor senses) absolute Num 4:7 +; construct 2Kgs 9:35 +, suffix כַּפֹתָיו Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16

1. a. of human beings, hollow or flat of hand, palm, (c. 116 t.) 2Kgs 4:34 (twice in verse); ׳נָתַן אֵת הַכּוס עַלכּכַּף פ Gen 40:11; Gen 40:21 (E), set the cup upon the palm of Pharaoh (compare vGen 40:11a וְכוֺס פַּרְעֹה בְּיָדִי), similarly Lev 8:27 (twice in verse) (P) +; הַשֶּׁמֶן אֲשֶׁר עַלכּכַּפּוֺ Lev 14:16; Lev 14:17; Lev 14:18; Lev 14:27; Lev 14:28 as distinguished from wrist and arm, Deut 25:12 rarely with ידים (always כַּכּוֺת), שְׁתֵּי כַּפּוֺת ידיו 1Sam 5:4 (of Dagon), הַיָּדַיִם ׳כ 2Kgs 9:35, compare Dan 10:10 כַּף הַשְּׂמָאלִית Lev 14:15; Lev 14:26 note especially קֶמַח ׳מְלֹא כ 1Kgs 17:12 a handful of meal (literally palmful), compare Eccl 4:6 (where distinguished from מלא חָפְנַיִם a double fistful; in both these passages of a very small quantity); compare וַיְמַלֵּא כַּפּוֺ מִן Lev 9:17 (reference to מְלֹא קֻמְצוֺ Lev 2:2; Lev 5:12 compare Lev 6:8). In Exod 4:4 (JE), Prov 31:19; Ezek 21:16; Ps 129:7, etc., the thought is that of grasping.
  b. anthropomorph. of ׳י covering Moses over with his palm, וְשַׂכֹּתִי כַפִּי עָלֶיךָ Exod 33:22 (J), and so figurative (with שׁית) Ps 139:5 withdrawing ( הֵסִירׅ his hand Exod 33:23 (J); removing ( הִרְהִּיק ׅ his afficting hand Job 13:21 עַלכּכַּפַּיִם כִּסָּה אוֺר Job 36:32, i.e. he (God) hath filled his palms with light.
  c. once of animals, הוֺלֵךְ עַלכּכַּפָּיו Lev 11:27 going upon their palms, i.e. paws (cats, dogs, etc.).
  d. phrases are: — (I) הִכָּה כַּף = clap the hands, in applause 2Kgs 11:12 so ׳תָּקַע כ Ps 47:2, ׳מָחָא כ Isa 55:12 (figurative of trees), Ps 98:8 (figurative of rivers); but especially in scorn, contempt, etc., סָפַק אֶתכַּֿפָּיו Num 24:10 (J), יִשְׂפֹּק עָלֵימוֺ כַפֵּ֑ימוֺ Job 27:23 so תָּקַע כַּף עלֿ Nah 3:19, הִכָּה כַפִּי אֶלֿ Ezek 22:13 (of ׳י); absolute, בְכַפְּךָהִכָּה Ezek 6:11 (as מחא יד Ezek 25:6), הִכָּה כַּף אֶלכַּֿף Ezek 21:19, אַכֶּה כַפִּי אֶלכַּֿפִּי v.Ezek 21:22 (of ׳י). (2) תָּפַשׂ בַּכַּף grasp, seize with the hand Ezek 29:7 compare vEzek 29:7 (on text see above) (3) of hand-grasp as pledge לַזָּר כַּפֶּיךָתָּקַעְתָּ Prov 6:1 (if) thou hast smitten thy palms (given a double hand-grasp), for another (so De; || עָרַבְתָּ לְרֵעֶ֑ךָ); so absolute תקע כף Prov 17:18; Prov 22:26 (compare תקע ליד Job 17:3). (4) often of hand spread out in prayer, as sign of longing to receive, with פָּרַשׂ אֶלֿ Exod 9:29; Exod 9:33 (J), 1Kgs 8:38 = 2Chr 6:29, etc. (see יד Ps 143:6; Lam 1:17 and יָד 1 d, above; also פרשׂ, נשׂא, שׁטח). (5) שׂים כַּף לְפֶה, in respectful silence, Job 29:9. (6) figurative בְכַפִּיוָאָשִׂימָה נַפְשִׁי Judg 12:3 = I have taken my life in my hand (i.e. hazarded it), so 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 28:21; Job 13:14 and (without verb) Ps 119:109. (7) ׳נִקְיֹן כ Gen 20:5 cleanness of palms is figurative for purity of act, compare Ps 26:6, also Job 9:30; Job 22:30; Ps 24:4; Ps 73:13 conversely, ( לֹא ) חָמָס בְּכַפָּ֑י Job 16:17; 1Chr 12:18; Isa 59:6; Jonah 3:8, compare Isa 59:3 (so ידים Isa 1:15), Job 31:7; Ps 7:4. — In many cases כַּף is not to be distinguished from יָד; so in phrase ׳יְגִיעַ כ toil of the hands Gen 31:42; Hag 1:11; Job 10:3; Ps 128:2 ׳פֹּעַל כ Ps 9:17, ׳חֵפֶץ כ Prov 31:13 ׳תְּבוּנוֺת כ Ps 78:72, ׳פְּרִי כ Prov 31:16 ; compare Mic 7:3.
2. = power (i.e. grasp) of any one, נתן בכף Judg 6:13 = deliver into the power of, so Jer 12:7, compare בּוֺא בכף Prov 6:3 usually הוֺשִׁיעַ, פּדָה, הִצִּיל etc., with מִכַּף = out of the power of Judg 6:14; 1Sam 4:3; 2Sam 14:16; 2Sam 19:10 (twice in verse); 2Sam 22:1 (twice in verse) = Ps 18:1 (title), 2Kgs 16:7 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 20:6 = Isa 38:6; Mic 4:10; Jer 15:21; 2Chr 30:6; 2Chr 32:11; Ezra 8:31; Ps 71:4 (compare יָד 5 g, p. 391 above)
3. רַגְלָהּכַּף, etc., = sole of foot, Gen 8:9 (J), Josh 3:13; Josh 4:18 (both J E), 1Kgs 5:17; 2Kgs 19:24 = Isa 37:25; Deut 11:24; Deut 28:56; Deut 28:65; Josh 1:3 (D) Ezek 43:7; Mal 3:21 קָדְקֳדוֺמִכַּף רַגְלוֺ וְעַד 2Sam 14:25; Job 2:7, compare Isa 1:6 (figurative); ׳ר ׳מִדְרַךְ כ Deut 2:5 treading-place for the sole of a foot; of the cherubim Ezek 1:7, of a calf, (in simile) vEzek 1:7., (according to MT; compare however Co).
4. of various hollow, bending or bent objects: —
  a. hollow (i.e. socket), of the thigh-joint, יָרֵךְ ׳כ Gen 32:26 (twice in verse); Gen 32:33 (twice in verse) (J).
  b. pan, vessel (as hollow), used in ritual, Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16; Num 5:7; Num 7:14 + 15 t. Num 7; 1Kgs 7:50 = 2Chr 4:22; 2Kgs 25:14 = Jer 52:18; Jer 52:19; 2Chr 24:14.
  c. hollow of sling, 1Sam 25:29.
  d. כַּפּוֺת תְּמָרִים Lev 23:40 = of huge hand-shaped branches (or fronds) of palm-trees.
  e. כַּפּוֺת הַמַּנְעוּל Song 5:5 the (bent) handles of the bolt.

hands, hand, spoon, spoons, sole, …
kap
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
  • palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
    • palm, hollow or flat of the hand
    • "power"sole (of the foot)"hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
      • of thigh-joint
      • "pan, vessel (as hollow)"hollow (of sling)"hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)"handles (as bent)

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.
אָח֣וֹר פלאיה וָקֶ֣דֶם צַרְתָּ֑נִי Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַתָּ֖שֶׁת עָלַ֣י כַּפֶּֽכָה Silluq — end of the verse

אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם צַרְתָּנִי וַתָּשֶׁת עָלַי כַּפֶּֽכָה׃
5
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Cross References

Psalms 34:7

חֹנֶה מַלְאַךְ-יְהוָה סָבִיב לִֽירֵאָיו וַֽיְחַלְּצֵֽם׃
7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Deuteronomy 33:27

מְעֹנָה אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם וּמִתַּחַת זְרֹעֹת עוֹלָם וַיְגָרֶשׁ מִפָּנֶיךָ אוֹיֵב וַיֹּאמֶר הַשְׁמֵֽד׃
27
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Revelation 1:17

Καὶ ὅτε εἶδον αὐτόν ἔπεσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡς νεκρός καὶ ἐπέθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ χεῖρα ἐπ' ἐμὲ λέγων μοι Μὴ φοβοῦ· ἐγώ εἰμι πρῶτος καὶ ἔσχατος
17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Job 23:8

הֵן קֶדֶם אֶהֱלֹךְ וְאֵינֶנּוּ וְאָחוֹר וְֽלֹא-אָבִין לֽוֹ׃
8
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

Exodus 24:11

וְאֶל-אֲצִילֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא שָׁלַח יָדוֹ וַֽיֶּחֱזוּ אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ׃
11
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Job 9:33

לֹא יֵשׁ-בֵּינֵינוּ מוֹכִיחַ יָשֵׁת יָדוֹ עַל-שְׁנֵֽינוּ׃
33
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.