Psalms 31:13

For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

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

Conjunction

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

BDB3937 H3587 H3588

BDB3936 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3938

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


BDB3995 H3588 H518

BDB3994 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3996

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

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

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

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

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

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


BDB3996 H3588 H5921 H3651

BDB3995 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3997

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


BDB6199 H6258 H2088 H2009 H5704 H3588

BDB6198 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6200

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

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

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


BDB6202 H3282 H834 H3588

BDB6201 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6203

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

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

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

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


BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

BDB9639 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9641

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

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

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

שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי
שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי
Root word heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …
Dictionary form: שָׁמַע · shaw-MA

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

In the KJV here: i have heard
hear ×182 heard ×140 hearken ×67 hearkened ×35 and hear ×28 obey ×18 to hear ×18 i have heard ×17
More options
hear — Most natural default; covers auditory perception broadly.
listen — Implies attentiveness; prefer when active attention is stressed.
obey — Use when compliance or submission to a command is in view.
heed — Blends listening and obeying; good for warnings or instructions.
pay attention — Emphatic register; suits solemn or urgent calls to listen.
understand — Use when comprehension, not just audition, is the focus.

BDB8819 H8085

BDB8818 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8820

שָׁמַע1159 verb hear (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמע Lzb378; Assyrian šemû; Arabic ; Sabean סמע mostly in derivatives, especially epithet of divinity סמע he who hears HomChr 124 FellZMG liv (1900), 250, 252 DHMHofmus. No. 10, 1. 1; Ethiopic Aramaic שְׁמַע, , Old Aramaic שמע Lzb378; compare also משמעת MI28 obedience); —

Qal1052 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 24:52 +, שָׁמֵ֑עַ Jer 36:13 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular שָׁמַ֫עַתְּ 1Kgs 1:11 + 2 t.; 3 plural שָׁמֵ֑עוּ Judg 2:17 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Exod 6:30 +, 1 singular cohortative אֶשְׁמְעָה Num 9:8, וָאֶשְׁמְָעָה (on ְָ֯ compare Ges«GKC:10h»§ 10h; Ol§ 65 c question reading) Dan 8:13 2 masculine plural תִּשְׁמְע֔וּן Deut 8:20 +, תִּשְׁמָע֔וּן Deut 1:17, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמַע Amos 7:16 +, שִׁמְעָךְ Job 32:10 + (especially Psalms), שְׁמָ֨עָךְ֨ Dan 9:19 feminine plural שְׁמַעְנָה Isa 32:9; Jer 9:19, שְׁמַ֫עַן Gen 4:23 (Ges«GKC:46f»§ 46f), etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺעַ Isa 6:9 +; construct שְׁמֹעַ 1Sam 15:22 +; suffix שָׁמְעו Deut 29:18 +, שָׁמְעָתוֺ Isa 30:19 (Gen 18:10 + etc.; —
1. subject human person (or thing personified):
  a. hear (perceive by ear), accusative of thing, especially קוֺל Gen 3:10 (J) + 46 t., דבר(יםׅ Amos 8:11 + 50 t., etc.; accusative חָכְמָה i.e. wise sayings 1Kgs 5:14 + 4 t.; so any utterance or sound (approximately 150 t. in all) + (object omitted) Deut 4:33 + 32 t. + (temporal clause) 1Sam 14:27 + 6 t.; very rarely with ב, ׳בְּסוֺד י ׳שׁ Job 15:8 with object clause, ׳כִּ Exod 4:31 + 52 t. + Isa 39:1b (read ׳כִּי שׁ ᵐ5 ᵑ7 || 2Kgs 20:12), אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר Josh 2:10; Josh 5:1 (both RD), מַהֹֿ֯ Judg 7:11 +3 t.; without connect. אֹתָהּ ׳שׁ עָשִׂיתִי 2Kgs 19:25 = Isa 37:26 singular oratio recta [direct speech] Isa 40:28; Zech 8:23.
  b. accusative of person + מְדַבֵּר hear one speaking Gen 27:6 (J), Jer 26:7; Dan 8:13, so בֹּכֶה Num 11:10 (J), נִבָּא Jer 20:1 מְקַלְלֶ֑ךָ Eccl 7:21 occas. pears. omitted, דֹּבְרִים Gen 37:17 (JE), אֶתמִֿדַּבֵּר Ezek 2:2; Ezek 43:6 (see דבר Hithpa`el); accusative of person only Dan 12:7.
  c. with לֵאמֹר only, hear say = hear it said, 1Sam 13:4; 2Sam 19:3; Deut 13:13; Josh 22:11 (P), 1Kgs 16:16 + עַל person concerning Gen 41:15 (E), Isa 37:9 אֶל person id. 2Kgs 19:9.
  d. hear of, concerning: (1) accusative of thing, אֵת(כָּלֿ)אֲשֶׁר Exod 18:1; 2Kgs 19:11 + 5 t., דבר(יםׅ 1Sam 3:11 + 4 t., רָעָה Jer 19:3 + 5 t., etc.; כַּאֲשֶׁר 1Sam 23:11; Ps 48:9, כָּואֹת Isa 66:8 hear of anything like this, כָּאֵלֶּךְ Jer 18:13 accusative, etc., omitted Judg 9:46 + 43 t.; (2) less often accusative of person Job 42:5, אֶל person Ezek 19:4, person omitted Deut 9:2 with ב person hear exultantly of their fate Ps 92:12 (probably imitated from || הִכִּיט בְּ va; see especially ראךְ 8 a (6)).
  e. hear, absolute, = have power to hear, 2Sam 19:36 (with בְּקוֺל ), Isa 21:3; Isa 32:3; Prov 20:12; Zech 7:11 in simile Ps 38:15 with negative of idols Deut 4:28; Ps 115:6 figurative (spiritual power) Jer 5:21; Deut 29:8; Ezek 12:2; Isa 42:20. — Prov 21:28 is probably corrupt, see Toy. feminine hear with attention, interest, listen to (sometimes || חֶאֱןין), חִקְשִׁיב accusative דבר(יםׅ (54 t.) Amos 4:1 +, especially ׳דבר(י) י Num 12:6 (JE) + 45 t.; אִמְרָה Isa 28:23, קוֺל vIsa 28:23, זאֹת Mic 3:9, etc.; often absolute Judg 5:3 + 57 t., + (negative) Ps 38:14 pay no attention; absolute לֵב שֹׁמֵעַ 1Kgs 3:9, אִישׁ שֹׁטֵעַ Prov 21:28.
  g. understand (language), שָׂפָחךְ Gen 11:7 (J), Isa 33:19, לָשׁוֺן Deut 28:49, דְּבָרִין Ezek 3:6, מַהיְּֿדַבֵּר Jer 5:15, no accusative Gen 42:23 (E), 2Kgs 18:26 = Isa 36:11.
  h. specif of hearing a (judicial) casre, דָּבָר Deut 1:17, compare vDeut 1:17 accusative omitted בֵּין person vDeut 1:16, of ׳י Judg 11:10 with מִשְׁפָּט 1Kgs 3:11 הִטּוֺב וְהָרֵע ׳לשׁ 2Sam 14:17, וְשֹׁמֵע אֵין לְךָ 2Sam 15:3, compare Job 31:35.
  i. with accusative of person in polite address, hear us (me)! Gen 23:6; Gen 23:8; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:13; Gen 23:15 (all P), 1Chr 28:2; 2Chr 13:4; 2Chr 15:2; 2Chr 20:20
  j. listen, give heed (sometimes || הִקְשִׁיב), absolute, Gen 42:21 (E) + 18: t., + (usually || הִטָּה אֹ׃ון), Jer 7:13 + 14 t. Jeremiah, + (opposed to חָדַל) Ezek 2:5 + 3 t. Ezekiel; + שִׂים עַללֵֿב Mal 2:2 hear + do Deut 5:24; 2Kgs 18:12, etc.; = consent, agree, Gen 37:27 (J), grant request Judg 11:17 with ל person (mostly late) Judg 19:25; 1Sam 30:24; Job 15:17 + 16 t., ׳לי Hos 9:17; Lev 26:14; Lev 26:18; Lev 26:21; Lev 26:27 ׳לְדִבְרֵי י 1Sam 15:1, לְעֵצָה Prov 12:15.
  k. with אֶל person + listen to, yield to Gen 49:2; Judg 2:17 + 69 t. (׳אֶליֿ 15 t., especially Jer 7:26 + 10 t. Jeremiah), עַל person 2Kgs 20:13 אֶלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., Deut 18:19; Jer 29:10 + 14 t., עַלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., 2Kgs 22:13 + 3 t.; very rarely accusative of thing 1Sam 24:10 (Gi v.1Sam 24:9).
1. לְקוֺל ׳שׁ = id., obey, Gen 3:17 (J) + 11 t. + (׳לְקוֺל י) Judg 2:20; Exod 15:26 (JE). masculine very often, בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = obey 1Sam 8:7 + 25 t., + ׳שׁ ׳בְּקוֺל י (׳י's word, etc.) Deut 4:30; Jer 3:13 + 65 t. (Deut 18 t., Jer 18 t.). noun obey, with accusative דבר(יםׅ Josh 1:18 + 2 t. + (׳י ׳ד) Jer 11:3 + 5 t. Jeremiah; 1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4, etc.; accusative of person Exod 6:12 (P), 2Chr 28:11.
  o. absolutebe obedient (especially to ׳י) Isa 1:19; Mic 5:14; Jer 12:17 + 4 t. Jeremiah + 7 t.
2. ׳י (God) subject:
  a. accusative קוֺל, דברים, etc., Gen 21:17 (E), 2Kgs 19:4 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 19:16, usually with favour implied Num 20:16; Deut 33:7 +, so especially accusative תְּפִלָּה, תְּחנָּה, etc., 1Kgs 8:45; Ps 6:10 +.
  b. object clause כִּי Gen 29:33 (J).
  c. no object (32 t.) Isa 59:2; Jer 22:21, usually hear and foregive, help, etc 1Kgs 8:30; 1Kgs 8:32; Isa 30:19 +; hear be angry Ps 78:59, compare Ps 55:20.
  d. = be able to hear Isa 59:1; Ps 94:9.
  e. בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = hear (and grant) Gen 30:6 (J) + 6 t. femininehear and answer, with אֶל of city, etc., Gen 21:7; Gen 16:11; 1Kgs 8:28 + 8 t.; with אֶל person Deut 3:36 + 12 t.
  g. with לְ of utterance Jer 18:19; Ps 61:6 ל person Josh 24:10 (E).
  h. hear, accusative of person + מִתְנוֺדֵד Jer 31:18 favourably, with accusative of person Mic 7:7 + 3 t., so, + ל concerning, Gen 17:20 (P); object omitted 2Kgs 22:19; Ps 22:23 + 3 t. + Ps 34:7; Ps 34:18 (hear and deliver); with temporal clause Jer 11:14 Niph`al42 Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַע Gen 45:16 +, etc; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשָּׁמַע Exod 23:13 +, יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ 1Sam 1:13, etc.; Infinitive construct הִשָּׁמַל Esth 2:8 Participle feminine נִשְׁמַ֫עַת Jer 51:46, etc.; —
1. be heard, of voice, sound, etc., 1Sam 1:13; 1Kgs 6:7; Job 26:14 (or 1 plural Qal Imperfect?); of a resort, ֗֗֗ לֵאמֹר ׳נִשׁ Gen 45:16 (E); subject clause, ׳כִּ, Neh 6:1 (ל person), compare clauseוְהַיְהוּדִים חשְׁבִים Neh 6:6 vNeh 6:7 be reported, כַּדְּבָרִיס הָאֵלֶּה (לַמֶּלֶחׅ); be heard, לִפְנֵי אֱםהֶיךָ Dan 10:12.
2. be heard of, כָּמֹהוּ Deut 4:32.
3. be regarded, obeyed, Eccl 9:17 in 2Sam 22:45 = Ps 18:45 it is be obedient (לִיׅ, si vera lectio (read perhaps Qal. compare Now).
4. בְּקוֺלָם ׳וַיִישּׁ 2Chr 30:27 = (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice Pi`el Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְשַׁמַּע 1Sam 15:4 he caused the people (accusative) to hear and respond, i.e. he assembled them), so 1Sam 23:8 (see Hiph`il 1 c). Hiph`il63 Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁמִיעַ 1Kgs 15:22 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַשְׁמִעֵנִי Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13 2 masculine singular jussive תַּשְׁמַע Judg 18:23, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הִשְׁמִיעֵנִי Ps 143:8 feminine singular suffix הַשְׁמִיעִנִי Song 2:14; Song 8:13, etc.; Infinitive construct לַשְׁמִעַ Ps 26:7 (Ges«GKC:53q»§ 53q); Participle מַשְׁמִיעַ Jer 4:15 +, etc.; —
1. of man:
  a. cause to hear accusative of person + of thing Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Song 2:14; Song 8:13 + 4 t.; object of thing omitted (= make proclamation to) 1Kgs 15:22 object person omitted Jer 5:20 +; accusative שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Nah 2:1 i.e. proclaimpeace; אָוֶֺן Jer 4:15 (מִן local); קוֺל ׳הַשׁ utter a sound Josh 6:10 (J; || הֵרִיעַ), compare Judg 18:25 (קוֺלְךָ, + עִמָּנוּ), Isa 42:2; Isa 58:4 קוֺל תְּהִלָּתוֺ ׳הִשׁ Ps 66:8 בְּקוֺל תּוֺדָה Ps 26:7.
  b. absolute as musical term, sound aloud, בִּמְצִלְתַּיִם לְהִשְׁמִיעַ 1Chr 15:19 (perhaps to mark the time, GrPs 67 De compare 1Chr 16:5 also Ps 150:5 בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָׁ֑מַע), מַשְׁמִיעִים 1Chr 15:16; 1Chr 15:28; 1Chr 16:42, קוֺל אֶחָד ׳לְהַשׁ 2Chr 5:13 i.e. probably in unison (PrinceEB iii, 3241), Neh 12:42.
  c. absolute make proclamation (often || הִגִּיד), Amos 3:9; Amos 4:5; Isa 41:26; Jer 4:5 + 6 t. Jeremiah
  d. הַשְׁמִיעוּ, accusative of person + אֶל location = summon Jer 50:29, עַל location Jer 51:27 (compare Pi`el).
2. ׳י subject:
  a. cause to hear, accusative of person and thing Deut 4:10; Deut 4:36 (מִן local), 2Kgs 7:6 + 4 t.; accusative of person omitted Isa 30:30 + 3 t.; accusative of thing omitted Isa 44:8; Isa 48:5.
  b. = tell, accusative of person + כָּזאֹת Judg 13:23 accusative of person only, Isa 42:9 accusative of thing only, Isa 48:3; Ezek 36:15 (אֵלַיִךְ).
  c. absolute, make proclamation Isa 43:12; Isa 62:11 (אֶל location).


BDB9967 H8085 H8086

BDB9966 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9968

שְׁמַע verb hear (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Dan 6:15 1 singular שִׁמְעֵת Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Dan 3:10, 2 m. pl. תִּשְׁמְעוּן Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15 Participle active שָֽׁמְעִין Dan 3:7; Dan 5:23hear: = have sense of hearing Dan 5:23 with accusative of sound Dan 3:5; Dan 3:7; Dan 3:10; Dan 3:15, word Dan 6:15 with clause דִּי + עַל person concerning, Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16. Hithpe`el shew oneself obedient: Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּמְעוּן Dan 7:27, with ל person (probably).

heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …
šāmaʿ
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • (v) to hear, listen to, obey
    • (Qal)
      • to hear (perceive by ear)
      • "to hear of or concerning"to hear (have power to hear)"to hear with attention or interest, listen to"to understand (language)"to hear (of judicial cases)"to listen, give heed
        • to consent, agree
        • "to grant request
        to listen to, yield to"to obey, be obedient
      (Niphal)
      • to be heard (of voice or sound)
      • "to be heard of"to be regarded, be obeyed
      (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
      • "to sound aloud (musical term)"to make proclamation, summon"to cause to be heard
    (n m) sound

דִּבַּ֥ת
דִּבַּ֥ת
Root word report, slander, infamy, defaming
Dictionary form: דִּבָּה · dib-BAW

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

In the KJV here: the slander
a slander ×2 report ×2 an evil report ×1 and are an infamy ×1 and thine infamy ×1 the defaming ×1 the slander ×1
More options
bad report — Neutral yet clear; suits narrative contexts like spy accounts.
slander — Intentional false accusation; strong interpersonal/legal register.
malicious gossip — Emphasizes rumor-spreading; good for social/community contexts.
defamation — Formal/legal tone; suits serious public reputation damage.
smear — Colloquial and vivid; fits deliberate reputation attacks.
infamy — Stresses resulting disgrace rather than the act itself.

BDB1805 H1681

BDB1804 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1806

דִּבָּה noun feminine whispering, defamation, evil report (? as that which glides stealthily) — absolute ׳ד Num 14:36; Prov 10:18 construct דִּבַּת Jer 20:10 + 4 t.; suffix דִּבָּֽתְךָ Prov 25:10 דִּבָּתָם Gen 37:2

1. whispering Ps 31:14; Jer 20:10 (Hi Hup De Gf VB; yet compare Che Psalm).
2. defamation Prov 10:18 (with הוציא).
3. evil report, specifically a (true) report of evil doing Gen 37:2 (P) וַיָּבֵא אֶתדִּֿבָּתָם רָעָה; compare also Prov 25:10 & Ezek 36:3 וֵַ˜תּעֲלוּ עַלשְֿׂפַת לָשׁוֺן וְדִבַּתעָֿ֑ם, unfavourable report of spies Num 13:32; Num 14:36; Num 14:37 (all P & all with הוֺצִיא; adjective רעה only Num 14:37).

report, slander, infamy, defaming
dibbâ
slander
  • whispering, defamation, evil report
    • whispering
    • "defamation, defaming"evil report, unfavorable saying

רַבִּים֮
רַבִּים֮
Root word many, great, much, captain, more, …
Dictionary form: רַב · rahb

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of many
many ×82 great ×25 and many ×23 much ×16 of many ×16 the captain ×15 is great ×9 a great ×7
More options
many — Best default for plural/numerical contexts.
great — Prefer for intensity, size, or importance.
much — Use with uncountable or mass nouns.
abundant — Highlights surplus or overflow; slightly elevated register.
numerous — More formal synonym for 'many'; suits lists or armies.
chief — Use when רַב functions as a title or rank.

BDB7691 H7227

BDB7690 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7692

I. רַב429 adjective much, many, great; — masculine singular absolute ׳ר Gen 24:25+, רָ֑ב Gen 33:9+, also רָ֛ב 2Chr 20:2 ב֖ 2Chr 28:8, רָב֨ Ezra 10:13, etc.; construct תַב Exod 34:6 +; feminine singular רַבָּה Num 11:33 +; construct רַבַּת Ezek 22:5 + רַבָּ֫תִי (Ges §90 k 1) Lam 1:1 (twice in verse); masculine plural absolute רַבִּים Exod 23:2 (twice in verse)+, construct see II. רַב; feminine plural absolute רַבּוֺת Gen 30:43 +; — [often both as predicate and as attributive; as attributive preceding noun (influence of usage for numerals ? Synt.§334 k Ges«GKC:132b»§ 132b): רַב Isa 63:7; Ps 145:7 (but read probably רֹב, רָבֿ; in Isa 21:7 ׳ר is predicate), רַבּים Jer 16:16; Ps 32:10; Ps 89:51 (on context Bae, also Hup), Prov 7:26; 1Chr 28:5, רַבּוֺת Neh 9:28; Prov 31:29]; —

1. (often opposed to מְעַט)
  a. (1)much: of substances, gold 1Kgs 10:2; Ps 19:11, silver (money) 2Kgs 12:11; 2Chr 24:11, bronze 1Chr 18:8, wine Esth 1:7 of other quantities, e.g.spoil 2Sam 3:22, property 2Chr 32:29, seed Deut 28:38, etc.; רַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ EC Deut 6:3b be it much that his days amount to; (2) especially of collectives, numerous, עַםרַֿב Josh 11:4; 2Sam 13:34 עֲבֻדָּה רַבָּךְ Gen 26:14; Job 1:3, מִקְנֶה רַב Deut 3:19+,etc.
  b. plural many: person Exod 5:5; Judg 8:30; Judg 9:40; 1Kgs 4:20; 1Kgs 11:1+, things Gen 30:48; Amos 5:12; Deut 31:17 +; noun omitted רַבּוֺת Dan 11:41 (that is, lands; read רִבּוֺת myriads Kmp Bev Behrm Marti Prince); יָמִים רֵבִּים many days (a long time) Gen 21:34; Gen 37:24+28 t.,שָׁנִים רַבּוֺת Neh 9:30; Eccl 6:3a, אִם עוֺר רַבּוֺת בַּשָּׁנִים Lev 25:51 רַבּוֺת עִתִּים Neh 9:28 many times (see above) =פְּעָמִים רַבּוֺת Ps 106:43; Eccl 7:22 מַכָּה רַבָּה Deut 25:3 many blows; מַיִם רִַ׃בּים many waters Num 20:11+27 t., compare Isa 8:7 etc.
  c. רַב as substantive collective person Exod 19:21, also (opposed to מְעַט)1Sam 14:6; Num 13:18; Num 26:54; Num 26:56; Num 33:54; Num 35:8 so רַבַּת (Ges«GKC:130a»§ 130a) 2Chr 30:17; 2Chr 30:18, and (thing; =much) Ezek 24:12 רַב construct before abstract (= רֹב) Isa 21:7; Isa 63:7; Ps 145:7 especially plural רַבִּים of person Exod 23:2 (twice in verse) +37 t. + בַּתרַֿבִּים Song 7:5.
  d. construct= abounding in, רַבבְּֿרֶכוֺת Prov 28:20, רַבחֶֿסֶר (see I. חֶסֶד 3), רַבפֹּֿךְַ Ps 147:5, רַבמְֿאֵרוֺת Prov 28:27, רַב הַמְּהוּמָה Ezek 22:5, רַבנֿוֺצָךְ Ezek 17:7, רַבחֶֿעֲלִיָּה Jer 32:19, רֵבפְּֿעֶלִים 2Sam 23:20= 1Chr 11:22, רַבפָּֿ֑שַׁע Prov 29:22 רַבתְּֿבוּנָה Prov 14:29 רַבַּת אוֺצָרֹת Jer 51:13, רַבַּת בָּנִים 1Sam 2:5 רַבָּ֫תִי עָם Lam 1:1 (Ges«GKC:90l»§ 90l).
  e. + מִן compare= more numerous than Exod 1:9; Num 22:15; Josh 10:11; Judg 16:30; 2Kgs 6:16; Isa 54:1; 1Chr 24:4; 2Chr 32:7; Dan 11:13 followed by infinitive, too many to Gen 36:7; Judg 7:2 (compare vJudg 7:4); see also following feminine רַב =abundant, enough Gen 24:25; Gen 33:9 as exclamation enough! Gen 45:28; 2Sam 24:16; 1Chr 21:15; 1Kgs 19:4, so (+ מִן infinitive) Exod 9:28 (מִן 6 d); רַבלָֿךְ (with implication of excess) Deut 3:26 (let it) suffice thee! so רַבלָֿכֶם Ezek 45:9, also Num 16:3; Num 16:7= ye assume too much ! + infinitive it is enough for you to Deut 1:6; Deut 2:3 (i.e. you have done it enough), so+ מִן infinitive 1Kgs 12:23, מִן substantive Ezek 44:6.
  g. as adverb much, exceedingly (only Psalms), רַב Ps 123:3, ָ™רב Ps 18:15 (Hup De Che and others; HPS2Sam 22:15 conjectures רָמָה omits || 2Sam 22:15); רַבָּה Ps 62:3; Ps 78:15; Ps 89:8 (ᵐ5. Bae רַב הוּא ); רַבַּת (Aramaism, compare Syriac , , § 155 A&WSG 135) Ps 65:10; Ps 120:6 (=long enough), Ps 123:4; Ps 129:1; Ps 129:2
2. less often great:
  a. of space 1Sam 26:13, the deep Amos 7:4; Gen 7:11; Isa 51:10; Ps 36:7(figurative), city Lam 1:1 (רַ֫בָּתִי בַגּוֺיִם Ges§), — see also צִירוֺן חֲמַת; -plague Num 11:33, empire Esth 1:20 goodness Ps 31:20, wickedness Gen 6:5, etc.
  b. specifically strong (opposed to אֵין כֹּחַ) 2Chr 14:10 רַב לְהוֺשִׁיעַ Isa 63:1 so רַבִּים as substantive Isa 53:12 (|| עֲצוּמִים).
  c. major natu Gen 25:23 (opposed to צָעִיר); רַבּים as substantive grandoevi, Job 32:9.
  d. + מִן compare greater than Deut 7:1; Deut 7:17; Deut 9:14; Deut 20:1 too great for Josh 19:9; 1Kgs 19:7Prov 26:10 is hopelessly corrupt, see Toy.


BDB7692 H7227 H7248 H7249 H8248 H7262

BDB7691 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7693

II. רַב49 noun masculine chief (Assyrian-Babylonian influence, compare rab DlHWB 609 b; Biblical Aramic רַב); — construct ׳ר Jer 39:9+; plural construct רַבֵּי Jer 39:13; Jer 41:1 (but see below); — especially רַבֿ טַבָּחִים chief of guardsmen (see טַבָּח), only as title of Babylonian officer Jer 30:9; Jer 30:10 + 15 t. Jeremiah, 7 t || 2Kgs 25 (compare ׳שַׁר הַט in Gen [J E]); also רַב הַחֹבֵל Jonah 1:6 chief of the sailors, i.e. captain; in general כָּלרַֿב בֵּיתוֺ Esth 1:8, רַבמָֿרִיסָיו Dan 1:3 (see סָרִיס ), and so רַבֵּי מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל Jer 39:13, רַבֵּי הַמֶּלֶךְ Jer 41:1 (late gloss; omitted by ᵐ5 and || 2Kgs 25:25, so Hi Gf Gie). The following titles of Assyrian -Babylonian officers are probably loan-words in Hebrew: רַבמָֿ֑ג Jer 39:3; Jer 39:13 usually chief soothsayer (see מָ֑ג), but = rab-mugi [? chief of princes] PinchesHast. DB. BAB-MAG; רַבסָֿרִיס (compare Old Aramaic [Nineveh] רב סרס Lzb386), 2Kgs 18:17 (Assyrian; not in || Isa 36:2), Jer 39:8; Jer 39:13 (Babylonian ), usually chief eunuch, but = rabû-ša-rêši, chief of the heads (the principal men) WklUnters. x.altor.Geschichte.1889, Excurs. v, p. 138 (actually found as rubû-ša-ri-ešu PinchesAcad June 25,1892, 618), PinchesHast.DB.RAB-SARIS; רַבשָֿׁקֵה (van d. H. רַבְשָׁקֵה) chief of the officers (?) (so probably Assyrian rab-ŠA†; ša‡kû = high one; COT2Kgs 18:17 KBii.23 DlHWB 685 a TieleBab.-As. Geschichte.497.513 PinchesHast.DB.iv 191), 2Kgs 18:17; 2Kgs 18:19; 2Kgs 18:26; 2Kgs 18:27; 2Kgs 18:37; 2Kgs 19:4; 2Kgs 19:8 = Isa 36:2; Isa 36:4; Isa 36:11; Isa 36:13 (twice in verse); Isa 36:22; Isa 37:4; Isa 37:8


BDB9879 H7227 H7231 H7239

BDB9878 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9880

רבב (√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew I. רבב, רַב, רִבּוֺ).

many, great, much, captain, more, …
rab
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
  • (adj) much, many, great
    • much
    • "many"abounding in"more numerous than"abundant, enough"great"strong"greater than"(adv) much, exceedingly
    (n m) captain, chief

מָג֪וֹר
מָג֪וֹר
Root word fear, terror, terrors
Dictionary form: מָגוֹר · maw-ɡORE

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: fear
fear ×2 for fear ×2 and fear ×1 my terrors ×1 thee a terror ×1 them fear ×1
More options
terror — Strong, vivid; best for intense, overwhelming dread.
dread — Serious and formal; suits solemn or prophetic contexts.
horror — Emphasizes visceral, gut-level fear; good for vivid imagery.
alarm — Milder register; suits contexts of anxious foreboding.
object of terror — Use when the noun is personified as a source of fear.
fearful menace — Phrase suitable when a threatening presence is in view.

BDB1575 H4032 H4036

BDB1574 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1576

מָגוֺר noun masculine fear, terror — absolute ׳מ Ps 31:14 + 6 t. + Jer 20:3 compare below; plural suffix מְגוּרַי Lam 2:22fear, terror Isa 31:9 = cause of terror Jer 20:4 elsewhere in phrase, coined by Jeremiah, מִסָּבִיב ׳מ terror on every side Jer 6:25; Jer 20:3 (where as proper name), vJer 20:10; Jer 46:5; Jer 49:29; Ps 31:14; Lam 2:22 (׳מְגוּרַי מִסּ).

fear, terror, terrors
māgôr
a fright (objective or subjective)
  • fear, terror

מִ סָּ֫בִ֥יב
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
סָּ֫בִ֥יב
Root word about, side, compass, round, circuits
Dictionary form: סָבִיב · saw-BEEB

Noun — Common, both singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: was on every side
round about ×161 on every side ×15 thereof round about ×14 are round about ×12 it round about ×9 were round about ×7 about ×6 round about him ×5
More options
surrounding — Versatile adjective/participle; fits most contexts naturally.
around — Clean preposition/adverb for motion or position contexts.
on all sides — Emphasizes completeness or encirclement; vivid in military scenes.
encircling — Active, dynamic feel; good for siege or boundary descriptions.
nearby — Softer spatial sense; use when 'around' feels too precise.
in every direction — Highlights totality; suits panoramic or cosmic descriptions.

BDB5477 H5439 H4036 H5437

BDB5476 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5478

סָבִיב336 substantive, used mostly as adverb and preposition, circuit, round about: — construct סְבִיב Amos 3:11 plural construct סְבִיבֵי Jer 32:44; Jer 33:13, suffix סְבִיבֶיךָ etc. (10 t.), much oftener סְבִיבוֺת Exod 7:24 + 22 t., סְבִיבוֺתַי, תֶיךָ-, etc., Deut 17:14, etc. (48 t.): —

1. in singular —
  a. as substantive 1Chr 11:8 מןהֿמלוא וְעַדהַֿסָּבִיב and to the parts round about.
  b. as adverb accusative סָבִיב (in) a circuit, i.e. round about, Gen 23:17 בְּכָלגְּֿבֻלוֺ סָבִיב Exod 19:12; Exod 25:11; Exod 25:24; Exod 25:25; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11 עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ סָבִיב, Judg 20:29; 1Kgs 3:1; 1Kgs 5:11; Ps 3:7 שָׁתוּ עָלָ֑י ׳אֲשֶׁר ס, Ps 12:9; Ps 34:8 + often; sometimes doubled, for the sake of emphasis, 2Chr 4:3; Ezek 8:10 ׳ס ׳עַל הַקִּיר ס, Ezek 37:2; Ezek 40:5 and often in Ezek 40-43.
  c. as preposition:
   (a) Psalms, Amos 3:11 צַר וּסְבִיב הָאָרֶץ distress, and that in the circuit of (= round about) the land (but read probably with ᵑ6 יְסֹבֵב will encircle).
   (b) ׳סָבִיב לְ Exod 16:13; Exod 40:33; Num 1:50; Num 1:53; Num 2:2; Judg 7:21; 1Kgs 6:5; 1Kgs 18:32; 1Kgs 18:35; Ezek 41:10; Ezek 14:16; Job 19:12; Ps 34:8; Ps 78:28; Ps 125:2 (twice in verse) סָבִיב לְעַמּוֺ ׳י, Ps 128:3; Song 3:7; Nah 3:8.
   (c) strangely, סָבִיב אֵת 1Kgs 6:5 (omitted by ᵐ5), Ezek 43:17.
  d. מִסָּבִיב42, from round about, from every side, Ezek 16:33; Ezek 16:37; Ezek 23:22; Ezek 37:21, but usually (מִן 1 c) = on every side, Jer 4:17 הָיוּ עָלֶיהָ מִסָּבִיב, Isa 42:25 ׳וַתְּלַהֲטֵהוּ מ, Joel 4:11; Joel 4:12 Psalms מָגוֺר מִסָּבִיב terror on every side ! Jer 6:25; Jer 20:3; Jer 20:10; Jer 46:5; Jer 49:29; Ps 31:14, compare Lam 2:22 especially in the Deuteronomic phrases ׳אוֺיְבִים מ, or ׳הֵנִיחַ מ (sometimes in combination), as Deut 12:10 ׳והניח לכם מכלאֿויביכם מ, Deut 25:19; Josh 21:42 ׳לָהֶם מ ׳וַיָּנַח י, Josh 23:1; Judg 2:14; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:11 +; מִסָּבִיב לְ from round about, Num 16:24; Num 16:27. — On 1Sam 14:21; 2Sam 24:6; Job 10:8 see סָבַב.
2. In plur.:
  a. סְבִיבִים:
   (a) in masculine sense, those round about, Ps 76:12 כָּלסְֿבִיבָיו יֹבִילוּ שַׁי, Ps 89:8; Jer 48:17; Jer 48:39.
   (b) in neuter sense, the parts round about, Jer 49:5 מִכָּלסְֿבִיבָ֑יִךְ, בִּסְבִיבֵי ירושׁלם Jer 32:44; Jer 33:13; Jer 21:14 וְאָֽכְלָה כָּלסְֿבִיבֶיהָ, Jer 46:14 with the force of a perp., Ps 50:3 וסביביו נשׂערה מאד, Ps 97:2; Lam 1:17.
  b. סְבִיבוֺת
   (a) as substantive (α) circuits, Eccl 1:6 ועל סביבותיו שָׁב הָרוּחַ; (β) the parts round about, Num 22:4 ילחכו הקהל אתכֿלסְֿבִיבֹתֵינוּ, Jer 17:26; Jer 50:32 (compare Jer 21:14 above); with reference to their inhabitants, Ps 44:19 = Ps 79:4 ׳לעג וקלס לסב, Ezek 16:57; Ezek 28:24; Dan 9:16.
   (b) with the force a preposition Exod 7:24 סְבִיבֹת הַיְאֹר literally (in) the circuits of the Nile = round about the Nile, Num 11:24; Num 11:31; Num 11:32; Num 35:2 סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶם, Judg 7:18; 1Sam 26:5; 1Sam 26:7; 2Kgs 6:17 סביבֹת אלישׁע, Ps 18:12; Ps 27:6 על אֹיְבַי סביבותי, etc.; often idiomatic preceded by אשׁר, as Gen 33:5 הערים אשׁר סביבותיהם Gen 41:48; Lev 25:44; Num 16:34; Deut 6:14; Deut 13:8; Deut 17:14; Deut 21:2 +. In the same sense מִסְּבִיבוֺתָם Ezek 28:26.

about, side, compass, round, circuits
sābîb
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
  • (subst) places round about, circuit, round about
  • "(adv) in a circuit, a circuit, round about"(prep) in the circuit, from every side

בְּ הִוָּסְדָ ֣ם
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
הִוָּסְדָ
Root word foundation, founded, foundations, counsel, established, …
֣ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: יָסַד · yaw-SAHD

Verb — Niphal, Infinitive Construct, construct state passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: while they took counsel
hath founded ×3 the foundation ×2 to lay the foundation ×2 and hath founded ×1 and laid the foundations ×1 and lay the foundations ×1 and lay thy foundations ×1 and layeth the foundation ×1
More options
found — Most versatile; suits formal and narrative contexts alike.
lay — Concrete building/construction contexts; pairs well with 'foundation'.
establish — Emphasizes permanence or authority; good for covenantal passages.
set — Broader, less formal; works when founding feels too heavy.
ordain — Suitable when divine appointment or decree is in view.
instruct — Rare sense; use only when context clearly denotes teaching or counsel.

BDB3589 H3245

BDB3588 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3590

יָסַד verb establish, found, fix (Late Hebrew id., especially Pi`el; Aramaic יְסַד; perhaps originally fix firm or close; Arabic pillow; verb denominative II. fix as a pillow against one; see lean against, recline, Lane2940 Saad Gen 28:11 in Hebrew usually fix firm so as to found) —

Qal Perfect יָסַד Ps 104:5; Prov 3:19 suffix יְסָדָהּ Ps 24:2 + 3 t.; 3 feminine singular יָ˜סְדָה Isa 48:13 יָסַדְתָּ Ps 104:8 יָסַ֑֫דְתָּ Ps 102:26 suffix יְסַדְתּוֺ Hab 1:12 יְסַדְתָּם Ps 89:12; Ps 119:152 וִיסַדְתִּיךְ consecutive Isa 54:11 Infinitive וִיסוֺד 2Chr 24:27 לִיסּוֺד 2Chr 31:7 (see Ges«GKC:69»§ 69, 2, R. 1; Baer לְיִסּוֺד); לִיסֹד Isa 51:16 יָסְדִי Job 38:4 יָסְדוֺ Ezra 3:12 Participle יִסֵד Isa 51:13; Zech 12:1 + Isa 28:16 (Checritical note, ᵑ0 יִסַּד); — found, establish, with accusative, the earth Ps 24:2 (|| כונן), compare Ps 78:69 (object omitted), Ps 89:12; Ps 102:26; Ps 104:5 compare vPs 89:8 (followed by לְ), Prov 3:19; Isa 48:13; Job 38:4; Isa 51:13; Isa 51:16; Zech 12:1, vault of heaven Amos 9:6 of founding the second temple Ezra 3:12, of restoration under Joash, Infinitive יְסוֺד 2Chr 24:27 metaphor of future Israel Isa 54:11 of ׳י, establish the Chaldaean (as his instrument) להוכיח for correction Hab 1:12 (|| שִׁים), his commandments Ps 119:152 in weakened sense (si vera lectio) יָסַד לְצִיִּים Isa 23:13 appoint a city for desert-creatures (on meaning in context, see Di); appoint, fix Ezra 7:9 emended (see יְסֻד); found, begin, heaps of offerings in ׳י's house 2Chr 31:7. Niph`al Perfect 3 plural נוֺסְְדוּ Ps 2:2 Imperfect 2 masculine singular תִּוָּסֵד Isa 44:28 Infinitive הִוָּ˜סְדָהּ Exod 9:18 הִיָּ˜סְדָם Ps 31:14
1. fix or seat themselves close together sit in conclave Ps 2:2; Ps 31:14 ( > Bae from , δμιλιἀ ), but Lag's emendation נוֺעֲדוּ is probably (compare Neh 6:2).
2. be founded, Isa 44:28 (temple), Exod 9:18 (Egypt). Pi`el Perfect יִסַּד Isa 14:32 + 3 t.; יִסְּדָהּ 1Kgs 16:34 יִסַּ֫דְתָּ Ps 8:3 יִסְּדוּ Zech 4:9; Ezra 3:10 Imperfect יְיַסְּדֶנָּה Josh 6:26 Infinitive לְיַסֵּד 1Kgs 5:31
1. found (= Qal), followed by active, city Josh 6:26 (JE), 1Kgs 16:34, temple 1Kgs 5:31; Zech 4:9; Ezra 3:10 Zion Isa 14:32; Isa 28:16 הִנְנִי יִסַּד (read יֹסֵד; see above)
2. establish Ps 8:3 followed by עֹז; appoint, ordain (late) 1Chr 9:22 (followed by accusative), Esth 1:8 (absolute) Pu`al Perfect, יֻסַּד 1Kgs 6:37 + 2 t.; יֻסָּ֑ד Ezra 3:6 Participle מְיסָֻּ֑ד 1Kgs 7:10 מְיסָֻּדִים Song 5:15 be founded, be laid, of a foundation 1Kgs 6:37; Ezra 3:6; Hag 2:18; Zech 8:9 Participle = substantive foundation 1Kgs 7:10, compare מוסד below; pillars set on bases, simile of legs Song 5:15. Hoph`al be founded: Infinitive הוּסַד 2Chr 3:3; Ezra 3:11 Participle מוּסָּד Isa 28:16the being founded, founding, ׳עַל הוּסַד בֵּית י Ezra 3:11 because of the founding (laying the foundation) of the house of ׳י; וְאֵלֶּה ׳הוּסַד שְׁלֹמֹה לִבְנוֺת וגו 2Chr 3:3 and this is (literally these are) the founding of Solomon to build the house of God, i.e. this is the foundation which Solomon laid for building, etc.; Participle מוּסָד מוּסָּד Isa 28:16 a foundation founded, i.e. well laid (compare חֵפֶשׂ מְחֻפָּשׂ, חָכָם מְחֻכָּם).

foundation, founded, foundations, counsel, established, …
yāsad
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
  • to found, fix, establish, lay foundation
    • (Qal) to found, establish, begin
    • "(Niphal)
      • to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
      • "to be founded
      (Piel)
      • to found
      • "to establish, appoint, ordain
      (Pual) to be founded, be laid"(Hophal) to be founded

יַ֣חַד
יַ֣חַד
Adverb together, altogether, alike, withal, likewise, …
Dictionary form: יַחַד · ya-HAHD

Adverb

In the KJV here: together
together ×106 alike ×4 them together ×3 altogether ×2 it together ×2 likewise ×2 of them together ×2 are altogether ×1
More options
together — Most direct modern equivalent; broad everyday use.
as one — Emphasizes unity or collective action; slightly formal.
all at once — Highlights simultaneity; useful for temporal contexts.
alike — Prefer when stressing sameness or equal treatment.
in unison — Strong sense of harmony; suits communal or liturgical settings.
united — Adjectival use; stresses solidarity or being joined.

BDB3511 H3162

BDB3510 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3512

יַ֫חַד45 noun [masculine] unitedness.

1. as substantive only 1Chr 12:17 (peculiar) יִהְיֶהלִּֿי עֲלֵיכֶֹם לֵבָב לֳי֑חַד I will have a heart toward you for unitedness, i.e. my heart shall be ready to become one with yours (compare v.1Chr 12:38 לב אחד).
2. elsewhere always in accusative as adverb in union, together (compare Arabic in accusative with suffix in his solitariness = alone) —
  a. together, of community in action, place, or time (often combined, but one usually more prominent than the others); (1) in action, Job 38:7 בְּרָןיַֿחַד כּוֺכְבֵי אֵל when the stars of God shouted together; Ezra 4:3 we together will build (opposed to you), with נִלְחַם 1Sam 17:10, נִשְׁפַּט Isa 43:26 (2) in place 1Sam 11:11 ולא נשׁארו בם שׁנים יָ֑חַד; 2Sam 10:15 וַיֵּאָֽסְפוּ יָחַ֑ד Ps 2:2; Ps 31:14; Ps 88:18; Ps 1 שֶׁבֶת יַחַד Isa 50:8, as predicate Mic 2:12 יַחַד אֲשִׂימֶנּוּ; (3) in place and time at once. 2Sam 21:9 וַיִּפְּלוּ יָ֑חַד and they perished together, 2Sam 14:16 to destroy אתי ואת בני יחד; (4) of time alone (poetry) Isa 42:14 אֶשֹּׁם וְאֶשְׁאַף יחד I will gasp and pant together, Isa 45:8; Job 6:2; Job 17:16
**read נֵחָ֑ת for יַחַ֑ת; יַחַד here will then belong to (1).; Ps 141:10 יחד אנכי עד אעבור while I at the same time pass on.
  b. all together, altogether (poetic synonym of כֻּלָּם but more forcible, suggesting often, especially with כל, all at once, as well as altogether), Isa 44:11 יפחדו יבשׁו יחד (compare Ps 40:15), Ps 62:10 הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יַחַד they are all together (made) of vanity, Isa 22:3 כל קציניך נדדו יחד (with כל also Ps 41:8; Job 34:15): often in poetry beginning a clause with emphasis, Deut 33:5; Job 3:18 יחד אסירים שׁאננו Job 16:10; Job 19:12 יחד יבאו גדודיו, Job 24:4; Job 31:38; Ps 41:8; Ps 98:8; Hos 11:7 (with a negative), vHos 11:8 in connection with a suffix, or object of a verb, Isa 27:4 אציתנה יָ֑חַד I will burn it altogether, Ps 33:15 הַיֹּצֵר יַחַד לִבָּם who formeth the hearts of them all together, Ps 74:6; Ps 74:8; Job 10:8 יַחַד סָבִיב altogether round about (but read perhaps with ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Del Di אַחַר תִסּוֺב), Job 40:13.
  c. together, in the sense of alike, the one as well as the other, Ps 49:3; Ps 49:11 יחד כסיל ובער יאבדו Job 21:26; Job 34:29. More frequent is


BDB3512 H3162

BDB3511 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3513

יַחְדָּו92 (Jer 46:12; Jer 46:21; Jer 49:3 יַחְדָּיו), adverb together (properly (in) his or its unitednesses (compare Arabic alone; and for the form אַשְׁרָיו), but, the origin of the term. being forgotten, applied generally as an adverb, without regard to number, gender, or person: so Ges Ol§ 135c Sta§ 370a) — together:
  a. of community in action, Ps 34:4 ונרוממה שׁמו יחדו let us exalt his name together, Isa 52:9, with נוֺעַץ take counsel, Isa 45:21; Ps 71:10; Ps 83:6; Neh 6:7 נִצָּה to struggle Deut 25:11 in place, as with ישׁב Gen 13:6; Deut 25:5, הלך Gen 22:6; Gen 22:8; Amos 3:3, בוא Jer 3:18; Job 9:32, קרב Isa 41:1, נפל 2Sam 2:16, אכל Judg 19:6; Jer 41:1, התקבץ Josh 9:2, נאסף Judg 6:33, etc.; Deut 22:10 בשׁור ובחמור יחדו coupling pairs, and so strengthening וְ (mostly in poetry), vDeut 22:11; Amos 1:15 הוא ושׂריו יחדו (compare Jer 48:7 Qr [Kt יחד], Jer 49:3) Jer 6:11; Jer 6:12 ׳שׂדות ונשׁים י, vJer 6:21 (accents), Jer 13:14; Jer 31:8; Jer 31:13; Jer 50:4; Jer 50:33; Isa 41:19, compare Isa 65:7 in time (rare: but see below), Ps 4:9 in peace יחדו אשׁכבה ואישׁן will I at once lie down and sleep (i.e. lie down and fall asleep immediately).
  b. emphatic (especially in poetry) = all together 1Sam 31:6; Isa 10:8 הלא שׂרי יחדו מלכים are not my princes all together, all alike, kings? Isa 18:6; Isa 40:5; Isa 41:20; Isa 41:23; Isa 45:16 (|| כֻּלָּם), Isa 46:2 קרסו כרעו יחדו, Isa 48:13; Isa 66:17; Ps 14:3 (|| הַכֹּל), Ps 19:10 צדקו יחדו (of J.'s ordinances), Ps 35:26; Ps 37:38 sometimes (like יַחַד b) suggesting all at once, as well as all together, Exod 19:8 ויענו כל העם יחדו (so, with כל, Isa 22:3; Isa 31:3; Zech 10:4), Isa 1:28; Isa 1:31 ובערו שׁניהם יחדו. Prefixed to a clause (like יחד), Deut 33:17 (compare יחד vDeut 33:5), Isa 9:20; Isa 11:7; Isa 11:14; Isa 31:3; Isa 43:17; Isa 45:16; Isa 52:8; Isa 51:38; (strengthening לָמוֺ)
  c. alike, the one as well as the other, Deut 12:22 (= Deut 15:22) the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, 1Sam 30:24 יַחְדָּו יַחֲ˜לֹקוּ׃ they shall share together, i.e. alike.

together, altogether, alike, withal, likewise, …
yaḥad
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
  • (n m) union, unitedness
  • "(adv) together, altogether, all together, alike

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

Preposition

In the KJV here: against
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

לָ קַ֖חַת
לָ
Prefix — preposition to, for
קַ֖חַת
Root word took, take, taken, away, receive, …
Dictionary form: לָקַח · law-KA

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

In the KJV here: to take away
took ×130 take ×108 and took ×72 and take ×34 and he took ×32 shall take ×25 and they took ×21 and thou shalt take ×19
More options
take — Most versatile; fits nearly any context.
receive — Prefer when subject is a passive recipient.
fetch — Use when retrieval or going-to-get is implied.
seize — Forceful or sudden acquisition; strong register.
acquire — Suits commercial or legal contexts (buying, marriage).
bring — When focus is on conveying something to a destination.

BDB4450 H3947

BDB4449 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4451

לָקַח verb take (Late Hebrew id., especially buy, and (Niph`al) be taken in marriage; MI17; 20 Imperfect ואקח; Phoenician לקח; Assyrian li‡û, la‡û DlHWB 384; Arabic conceive (of female), IV. impregnate; Ethiopic receive; Zinjirli לקח DHMSendsch. 59; Aramaic also Inscription of Carpentras3 (Imperative קחי); compare CookGloss Aramaic Inscr); —

Qal Perfect ׳ל Gen 2:22 +, לָקָח֑ Gen 27:36 + (קָח Ezek 17:5 is textual error; omitted by ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co, compare Ges«GKC:19»§ 19, 3. a); suffix לְקָחַנִי Gen 24:7, לְקָחָם Jer 27:20 (for קָחָם Hos 11:3 read probably אֶקָּחֵם ᵐ5 ᵑ7 Ew St Sta§ 384, 4 Now Che Or We); 2 masculine singular לָקַחְתָּ Gen 20:3 +, etc.; Imperfect יִקַּח Exod 21:10 +, וַיִּקַּח (Num 16:1 read וַיָּקָם We Di Dr2Sam 18:18; 1Sam 30:20 read וַיִּקְחוּ We Dr Kit Bu); suffix יִקָּחֵנִי 2Sam 22:27 +; יִקָּחֲךָ Job 15:12 3 feminine singular תִּקַּח Gen 38:23 +; 1 singular אֶקַּח Gen 14:23 +, וָאֶקְחָה Zech 11:13 1 plural נִקַּח Gen 34:6 +, נִקְחָה 1Sam 4:3 +; וַנִּקַּח Deut 3:8; Deut 29:7 Imperative לְקַח Exod 29:1; Prov 20:16 + Ezek 37:16 (Co וְלָקַחְתָּ֫, after ᵐ5); feminine singular לִקְחִי 1Kgs 17:11 usually קַח Gen 6:21 +, קְחָה Gen 15:9, suffix 3 masculine singular, קָחֶנּוּ 1Sam 16:11 + 2 t.; suffix 3 feminine singular קָחֶנָּה Jer 36:14 suffix 3 masculine plural קָחֶםנָֿא Gen 48:9 (compare i. 330 Ges«GKC:61»§ 61, 2); feminine singular קְחִי Isa 23:16 +3 t.; masculine plural קְחוּ Gen 42:33 +, suffix 3 masculine singular קָחֻהוּ 1Kgs 20:33 Infinitive absolute לָקוֺחַ Jer 32:14 + 2 t., לָקֹחַ Deut 31:26 construct קַחַת Jer 5:3 +; קְחַתֿ 2Kgs 12:9 (i. 318); usually with preposition לָקַ֫חַת Gen 4:11 +, מִקַּ֫חַת 1Kgs 22:3 +, etc.; suffix קַחְתִּי Ezek 24:25, קַחְתֵּךְ Gen 30:15 +, etc.; Participle active לֹקֵחַ Gen 27:46 +, etc.; passive plural לְקֻחִים Prov 24:11
1. take, take in the hand, followed by accusative of thing, Exod 7:15 (J), Exod 17:5 (E), Num 25:7 (P), 2Kgs 4:29 (all with בְּיַד) 2Sam 18:14 (with בְּכַף), compare Gen 8:9 (J), Exod 4:17; Exod 12:22 (JE), Deut 15:17 + often; Gen 40:11 (E; of plucking grapes. 2Sam 4:6 read סֹקְלָהfor לֹקְחֵי, see חִטָּה, p. 334 above, and סקל). This easily passes into
2. take and carry along with oneself, כֶּסֶף קְחוּ בְיֶדְכֶם Gen 43:12 (J), Josh 9:11 (JE), 1Kgs 14:3; 2Kgs 5:5; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9; 2Kgs 9:1 all Prov 7:20 (all with בְּיַד); Gen 43:15; Josh 9:4 (both J E), +.
3. a. take from, or out of, followed by active of thing or person, + מִן local: Gen 2:22 (rib from man), Gen 3:22 (man from ground; both J); Deut 19:12; 1Sam 17:49; 1Kgs 17:19 +; וַיִּקַּ ח אֶתהַֿחֶרֶב מֵעַל יֶרֶךְ יִמִינוֺ Judg 3:21 (i.e. drew it); with ב instrumental בְּמֶלְקָחַיִם מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳ל Isa 6:6 followed by מִן partitive 2Sam 12:4.
  b. take, carry away: Ezek 3:14 sprit lifited me up and carried me away; figurativeof passion carrying one away Job 15:12.
  c. take away from, so as to deprive of, followed by accusative Gen 42:36 (E); followed by accusative+ מִן, Gen 44:29 (מֵעִם; J), 1Kgs 11:34; Ps 51:13 לֹקֵחַ אֶתֿ ׳י אֲדֹנֶיךָ מֵעַל ראֹשֶׁ֑ךָ 2Kgs 2:3 ׳י is about to take away thy lord from over thy head, so v2Kgs 2:5 compare absolute אֵינֶנּוּ אֹתוֺ אלהים ׳כִּילֿ Gen 5:24 (P); more often without מִן, Gen 27:36 (twice in verse); Gen 30:15 (twice in verse); Gen 31:1 (all J), Judg 11:13; Judg 11:15; Judg 15:6; Judg 18:24; 1Sam 12:3 (twice in verse); 2Sam 12:4; 1Kgs 11:34; Job 12:20 absolute Job 1:21 אֶתֶּןלְֿךָ מֶלֶךְ בְּאַפִּי וְאֶקַּח בְּעֶבְרָתִי Hos 13:11 of the sword, taking away its victims Ezek 33:4; Ezek 33:6 figurative of taking away understanding Hos 4:11.
  d. especially take away life 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Ps 31:14; Prov 1:19; Jonah 4:3.
4. take to or for a person:
  a. for oneself, followed by accusative + לְ, = appropriate to oneself Deut 7:25; Num 8:16 (P), Deut 22:7; 2Kgs 12:6 with לְ as dativus commodi [dative of benefit], Zech 11:7 אֶתשְֿׁנֵי יְלָדַי לוֺ לַעֲבָדִים ׳ל 2Kgs 4:1 to take my two sons for himself for slaves; so (without לְ reflexive), תִּקָּחֶנּוּ לְעֶבֶד עוֺלָם Job 40:28 wilt thou take him as slave for ever?
  b. = procure, get, followed by accusative + לְ, קְחוּ לָכֶם תֶּבֶןExod 5:11 (J) get you straw; לֹקֵחַ לוֺ קָלוֺן Prov 9:7 getteth to himself shame; so often, especially קַח לְךָ, etc., Gen 6:21; Gen 12:19; Gen 16:21; Gen 45:19 +; without לְ, Neh 5:2 let us procure corn, and eat and live; of acquiring a field Prov 31:16.
  c. take possession of, followed by accusative, of land Deut 29:7; Josh 11:16; Josh 11:23 (all D), 2Chr 16:5 compare פְּקֻדָּתוֺ יִקַּח אַחֵר Ps 109:8 his office let another take; figurative הַלַּיְלָה הַהוּא יִקָּחֵהוּ אֹפֶל Job 3:6 that night — let darkness take possession of it!
  d. = select, choose, ׳י ׳וְאֶתְכֶם לDeut 4:20, compare vDeut 4:34 ( + לוֺ), 1Kgs 11:37 of men Deut 1:15; Josh 3:12 (J E; + לָכֶם); + מִן Deut 1:23; Josh 4:2 (JE).
  e. especially take in marriage: (I) for another, especially a son, with לְ, וְלָקַחְתָּ֫ אִשָּׁה לִבְנִי, Gen 24:4 and thou shalt take a wifefor my son, so vGen 24:7 vGen 24:38 vGen 24:40 vGen 24:48 (all J), Gen 21:21 (E), Jer 29:6b; (2) more often for oneself, usually with לְ reflexive (sometimes + לְאִשָּׁה), Gen 4:19; Gen 6:2; Gen 11:29; Gen 12:19 (all J), + often; without לְ Gen 20:2; Gen 20:3 (E), etc. feminine = receive, accept, especially a bribe, gift, ransom, etc., 1Sam 8:3; 1Sam 12:4 (both followed by מִן), Amos 5:12; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 5:16; 2Kgs 5:20; 2Kgs 5:23; 2Kgs 5:26 (twice in verse); Ps 15:5 interest-money Ezek 18:13; Ezek 18:17; Ezek 22:12 inheritance Josh 13:8; Josh 18:7(both D), Num 34:14 (twice in verse); Num 34:15 (P); of earth, receiving Abel's blood Gen 4:11(J); chastisement Isa 40:2 of perceiving a sound, Job 4:11 mine ear received a whisper of it; receive mentally: וְלָקַח בְּעָלָיו Exod 22:10 (E) i.e. shall accept the oath as satisfactory; בָּרֵךְ לָקַחְתִּי Num 23:20 (JE), i.e. I have received (commandment by revelation) to bless; receive instruction Prov 24:32; Jer 2:30 +; entanglements of temptation Prov 22:25.
  g. take, as preliminary to further action: Gen 31:34(E), she took them and put them; Judg 3:25 take key and open; Josh 2:4 she took the two men and hid them; 1Kgs 18:4 Obadiah took 100 prophets and hid them; 1Kgs 19:21 Elisha took the yoke of oxen and slew them, compare 2Sam 17:19; 2Sam 18:18 sometimes wholly redundant, קְחוּ וַעֲשׂוּ עֲגָלָה חֲדָשָׁה 1Sam 6:7 take and prepare a new cart, etc.; somewhat different is הַלֹּקְחִים לְשׁוֺנָם וַיִּנְאֲמוּ נְאֻם Jer 23:31, i.e. they take (= make use of) their own tongues, and talk oracles.
5. take up, upon =put upon, followed by ׃עַל וַתִּקַּת תָּמָר אֵפֶר עַלרֿאֹשָׁהּ 2Sam 13:19 and Tamar put ashes upon her head; וַיִּקָּחֶהָ עַלהַֿחֲמוֺר Judg 19:28 compare יִפְרשֹׁ כְּנָפָיו יִקָּחֵהוּ Deut 32:11 he spreadeth his wings, he taketh him up.
6. = fetch: קְחִינָֿא לִי מְעַטמַֿיִם 1Kgs 17:10 fetch me, pray, a little water, compare v1Kgs 17:11 v1Kgs 17:11, 2Kgs 2:20; 2Kgs 4:41 וְקַחלִֿי מִשָּׁם שְׁנֵי גְּדָיֵי עִוִּים Gen 27:9 and fetch me thence two kids, compare vGen 27:13 (J); + בְּיָדִי 1Sam 21:9 an offering Lev 12:8 (P; || הֵבִיא vLev 12:6); with human object often nearly = summon, לָקֹב אֹיְבַי לְקַחְתִּיךָ Num 33:11 (JE) to curse mine enemies did I summon thee, Judg 11:5; 1Sam 16:11 שְׁלַח וְקַח אֹתוֺ אֵלַי 1Sam 20:31 send and bring him unto me; 2Kgs 3:15; 2Kgs 6:13 +; of ׳י, summoning his people from exile, מִשָּׁם יְקָּחֶ֑ךָ Deut 30:4.
7. take=lead, conduct (with or without contact): וַיִּקַּח אֶתשְֿׁנֵי בָנָיו עִמּוֺ Gen 48:1 גַּם בְּקַרְכֶם קְחוּ Exod 12:32 (both E); וְאֶתעַֿמּוֺ לָקַח עִמּוֺ Exod 14:6 (J) and his people he took with him; compare vExod 14:7 (J), Josh 8:1 (JE), Judg 4:6 אֶקָּֽחֲךָ אֶלמָֿקוֺם אַחֵר Num 23:27 I will take thee unto another place, compare vNum 23:14 vNum 23:28 (all J E); ׳י subject, וָאֶקַּח אֶתאֲֿבִיכֶם Josh 24:3 (E) and I took your father Abraham from beyond the river; לַמָּוֶת הַצֵּל לְקֻחִים rescue those led to death.
8. take = capture, seize: לָקַחְתִּי בְחָזְקָה 1Sam 2:16 I will take by force, that is, flesh; of spoils, ׳בֶּצַע כֶּסֶף לֹא ל Judg 5:19 gain of silver they took not; of capture of ark 1Sam 5:1 bronze 2Sam 8:3, etc.; territory Gen 48:22 (E), Deut 3:14 cities Num 21:25 (JE),.Deut 3:14; Josh 11:19 (D), 1Sam 7:14; 2Sam 8:1 of capture of hippopotamus Job 40:24 of seductions of woman, וְאַלתִּֿקָּֽחֲךָ בְּעַפְעַפֶּיהָ Prov 6:25 and let her not capture thee with her eyelids.
9. take = carry off:
  a. as booty Gen 14:11; 1Sam 27:9; 1Sam 30:16; 1Sam 30:18; 1Sam 30:19; 1Sam 30:20; 1Kgs 14:26 (twice in verse).
  b. as prisoners Gen 14:12; 2Kgs 18:32 = Isa 36:17; 2Kgs 23:34 = 2Chr 36:4.
10. inphrase take vengeance: וְנִקְחָה נִקְמָתֵנוּ מִמֶּנּוּ Jer 20:10 and we will take our vengeance upon him; absolute נָקָם אֶקַּח Isa 47:3 vengeance will I take.Niph`al Perfect נִלְקַח 1Sam 4:22 נִלְקָ֑ח 1Sam 4:11; Ezek 33:6 3 feminine singular נִלְקָ֑חָה 1Sam 4:17 Imperfect 3 feminine singular וַתִּלָּקַח Esth 2:8; Esth 2:16 1 singular אֶלָּקַח 2Kgs 2:9 Infinitive construct הִלָּקַח 1Sam 4:19; 1Sam 4:21, suffix הִלָּֽקְחוֺ 1Sam 21:7
1. be captured, of ark 1Sam 4:11; 1Sam 4:17; 1Sam 4:19; 1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 4:22.
2. be taken away, removed, of shewbread 1Sam 21:7 of removal by death Ezek 33:6 of translation of Elijah 2Kgs 2:9 (with מֵעִם person)
3. be taken, brought unto (אֶלֿ), only Esth 2:8; Esth 2:16. Pu`al Perfect לֻקַּח Gen 3:23 +, 3 feminine singular לְֻקָֿחָהֿ Gen 2:23, 2 masculine singular לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ Gen 3:19, etc.; —
1. be taken from, out of ( מִן of source) Gen 2:23; Gen 3:19; Gen 3:23 (all J); compare וְלֻקַּח מֵהֶם קְלָלָה Jer 29:22 and there shall be taken from them ( derived from their case) a curse-formula.
2. = be stolen from, Judg 17:2 ( ל person)
3. be taken captive, Jer 48:46, compare Isa 52:5.
4. be taken away, removed ( = Niph`al 2 ), of Elijah's translation 2Kgs 2:10 (with מֵאֵת person), of death Isa 53:8 (with מִן, probably instrumental) Hoph`al Imperfect יֻקַּח Gen 18:4 +, etc.; —
1. be taken, brought unto Gen 12:15 (J; followed by בֵּית to the house of), Gen 18:4 (absolute)
2. be taken out of Job 28:2 (מִן of source ), from, of Ezek 15:3 (מִן partitive)
3. be taken away from Isa 49:24 (מִן person); absolute vIsa 49:25. Hithpa`el Participle feminine singular אֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּ֫חַת literally fire taking hold of itself, of lightning Exod 9:24 (JE), Ezek 1:4, exact significance dubious; in close succession, incessant Di Sm, infolding itself, i.e. a mass of fire, Thes Rob-Ges A VB SS, > of quivering flashes Buhl, of forked or zigzag lightning Da.

took, take, taken, away, receive, …
lāqaḥ
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
  • to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
    • (Qal)
      • to take, take in the hand
      • "to take and carry along"to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away"to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept"to take up or upon, put upon"to fetch"to take, lead, conduct"to take, capture, seize"to take, carry off"to take (vengeance)
      (Niphal)
      • to be captured
      • "to be taken away, be removed"to be taken, brought unto
      (Pual)
      • to be taken from or out of
      • "to be stolen from"to be taken captive"to be taken away, be removed
      (Hophal)
      • to be taken unto, be brought unto
      • "to be taken out of"to be taken away
      (Hithpael)
      • to take hold of oneself
      • "to flash about (of lightning)

נַפְשִׁ ֣י
נַפְשִׁ
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
֣י
Suffix — pronoun my / me
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

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

In the KJV here: my life
my soul ×101 soul ×38 his soul ×28 thy soul ×28 the souls ×23 the soul ×21 thy life ×16 my life ×15
More options
soul — Broad default; fits spiritual or inner-self contexts.
life — Prefer when physical existence or survival is in view.
being — Good for 'living being'; avoids religious overtones.
person — Use when נֶפֶשׁ refers to a countable individual or body.
self — Reflexive contexts: 'with all your self / whole self.'
appetite — Fitting for desire, craving, or longing passages.

BDB5310 H5315

BDB5309 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5311

נֶ֫פֶשׁ756 noun feminineGen 49:6 (so even Gen 2:19; Num 31:28; 1Kgs 19:2 see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42 SS) soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion (Eccl 3:18; Eccl 4:1 (twice in verse); Eccl 4:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 13:12; Eccl 14:11); — ׳נ Gen 1:20 +; נָ֑פֶשׁ Gen 37:21 +; suffix נַפְשִׁי Gen 12:13 +; plural נְפָשׁוֺת Ezek 13:18 + 13 t.; נְפָשֹׁת Exod 12:4; Lev 27:2 construct נַפְשׁוֺת Gen 36:6 + 4 t.; נַפְשֹׁת Lev 21:11 נְפָשִׁים Ezek 13:20 (but read חָפְשִׁים, see Co Berthol Toy); suffix נַפְשׁוֺתָם 2Sam 23:17 +; נַפְשֹׁתָם Num 17:3 +: —

1. = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being = ψυχή, anima, the soul, the inner being of man:
  a. distinguished from ׃בָּשָׂר מִנֶּפֶשׁ וְעַד בָּשָׂר Isa 10:18 הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר Deut 12:23 from שְׁאֵר Prov 11:17 from בֶּטֶן body Ps 31:10.
  b. both the inner נפשׁ and the outer בשׂר are conceived as resting on a common substratum: אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֺ עָלָיו יִכְאָ֑ב וְנַפְשׁוֺ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָֽל׃ Job 14:22 only his flesh upon him is in pain, and his soul upon him mourneth; compare Ps 42:5; Ps 42:7; Ps 131:2; Job 30:16; Lam 3:20 [see עַל 1 d], all poetical (compare 6 c).
  c. ׳נ departs at death and returns with life: וַיְתִי בְּצֵאת נַפְשָׁהּ כִּי מֵתָה Gen 35:18 (E) and it came to pass when her soul was going forth (for she died); נָָֽפְחָה נַפְשָׁהּ Jer 15:9 she breathed out her soul, compare 1Kgs 17:21; 1Kgs 17:22; Job 11:20; Job 31:39.
  d. often desired that the נפשׁ may be delivered: from Sh®°ôl Ps 16:10; Ps 30:4; Ps 49:16; Ps 86:13; Ps 89:49; Prov 23:14 from שַׁחַת, the pit of Sh®°ôl, Isa 38:17; Job 33:18; Job 33:22; Job 33:28; Job 33:30.
2. The נפשׁ becomes a living being: by God's breathing נשׁמת חיים into the nostrils of its בשׂר; of man Gen 2:7 (J); by implication of animals also Gen 2:19 (J); so Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30 compare Ps 66:9 man is נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, a living, breathing being Gen 2:7 (J); elsewhere נפשׁ חיּה always of animals Gen 1:20; Gen 1:24; Gen 1:30; Gen 9:12; Gen 9:15; Gen 9:16 (all P), Ezek 47:9 so נפשׁ החיּה Gen 1:21; Gen 9:10 (both P), Lev 11:10; Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ השׁרצת Lev 11:46 (H); נפשׁ כל חי Job 12:10. נפשׁ is frequently used with the verb ׃חיה וחיתה נפשׁ Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (both J), 1Kgs 20:32 (E), Ps 119:175; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20 חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 1:26; 1Sam 17:55; 1Sam 20:3; 1Sam 25:26; 2Sam 11:11; 2Sam 14:9; 2Kgs 2:2; 2Kgs 2:4; 2Kgs 2:6; 2Kgs 4:30 (all J E); compare ׳יְחַיֶּה נ 1Kgs 20:31 (E), Ezek 18:27; Ps 22:30 also Gen 19:19; Isa 55:3; Prov 3:22.
3. The נפשׁ (without חיה noun or verb) is specified:
  a. a living being whose life resides in the blood [so in Arabic WeSkizzen iii. 217 G. JacobArab. Dicht. iv. 9 f.] (hence sacrificial use of blood, and its prohib. in other uses; first in D), Deut 12:23; Deut 12:24 only be sure that thou eat not the blood, for the blood is the living being (הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ); and thou shalt not eat the living being with the flesh (הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר); thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water; this is enlarged in H, Lev 17:10; Lev 17:11; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:14 and in P Gen 9:4; Gen 9:5, compare Jer 2:34.
  b. a serious attack upon the life is an attack upon this inner living being 2Sam 1:9; Jer 4:10; Jonah 2:6; Ps 69:2; Ps 124:4; Ps 124:5; Job 27:3.
  c. נפשׁ is used for life itself 171 t., of animals Prov 12:10, and of man Gen 44:30 (J); נפשׁ תחת נפשׁ life for life Exod 21:23 (E), Lev 24:18 (H), 1Kgs 20:39; 1Kgs 20:42; 2Kgs 10:24 נפשׁנו תחתיכם Josh 2:14 (J); נפשׁ בנפשׁ Deut 19:21 בנפשׁ for the life of 2Sam 14:7; Jonah 1:14 שׂם נפשׁ בכף put life in one's own hand Judg 12:3; 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 28:21; Job 13:14 חרף נפשׁו למות Judg 5:18 risked his life to die; בנפשׁ at the risk of life Num 17:3 (P), 2Sam 23:17 = 1Chr 11:19 (twice in verse), 1Kgs 2:23; Prov 7:23; Lam 5:9 בקּשׁ נפשׁ Exod 4:19 (J), 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 22:23 (twice in verse); 1Sam 23:15; 1Sam 25:29; 2Sam 4:8; 2Sam 16:11; 1Kgs 19:10; 1Kgs 19:14; Jer 4:30; Jer 11:21; Jer 19:7; Jer 19:9; Jer 21:7; Jer 22:25; Jer 34:20; Jer 34:21; Jer 38:16; Jer 44:30 (twice in verse); Jer 46:26; Jer 49:37; Ps 35:4; Ps 38:13; Ps 40:15; Ps 54:5; Ps 63:10; Ps 70:3; Ps 86:14; Prov 29:10 ׳שׁאל נ 1Kgs 3:11 = 2Chr 1:11; 1Kgs 19:4 = Jonah 4:8 הִכָּה נפשׁ smite mortally Gen 37:21 (J), Deut 19:6; Deut 19:11; Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 ׳לקח נ 1Kgs 19:4; Jonah 4:3; Ps 31:14; Prov 1:19 הִצִּיל נֶפֶשׁ מִמָּוֶת deliver life from death Josh 2:13; Ps 33:19; Ps 56:14 מלּט נפשׁ1Sam 19:11; 2Sam 19:6 (4 t. in verse); 1Kgs 1:12 (twice in verse); Jer 48:6; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:45; Ezek 33:5; Amos 2:14; Amos 2:15; Ps 89:49; Ps 116:4 פדה ׳נ 2Sam 4:9; 1Kgs 1:29; Ps 34:23; Ps 49:16; Ps 55:19; Ps 71:23 ׳שׁמר נ Ps 25:20; Ps 97:10; Job 2:6; Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5.
4. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself:
  a. paraphrase for personal pronoun especially in poetry and ornate discourse, 70 t.; (1) נַפְשִׁי = me: אל תבא נפשׁי Gen 49:6 let me not enter (poem in J); מות ישׁרים ׳תָּמֹת נ Num 23:10 let me die, etc. (poem); תָּמוֺת נַפְשְׁי Judg 16:30 (J); אמרה נפשׁי Lam 3:24 I say. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thee: לְאֻמִּים תַּחַת נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ Isa 43:4 peoples instead of thee; אָֽמְרוּ לְנַפְשֵׁךְ Isa 51:23. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = he: נפשׁו בטוב תלין Psalms he will not dwell in good circumstances. (4) נַפְשֵׁנוּ = we: נַפְשֵׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֺר נִמְלְטָה מִפַּח יוֺקְשִׁים Ps 124:7. (5) נַפְשָׁם = they, them: נַפְשָׁם בַּשְּׁבִי הָלָ֑כָה Isa 46:2 they are gone into captivity; אוי לנפשׁם Isa 3:9.
  b. = reflexive, self, 53 t.: אסר על נפשׁ bind oneself Num 30:3; Num 30:5 (twice in verse); Num 30:6; Num 30:7; Num 30:8; Num 30:9; Num 30:10; Num 30:11; Num 30:12 ׳לְעַנֹּת נ Num 30:14 to afflict oneself . (1) נַפְשִׁי = myself: לא אדע נפשׁי Job 9:21 I know not myself. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thyself: ׳שׁמר נ Deut 4:9 keep thyself. (3) נַפְשׁוֺ = himself: ׳אהב כנ 1Sam 18:1; 1Sam 18:3; 1Sam 20:17 loved as himself. (4) נַפְשָׁהּ = herself: ׳צדּקה נ Jer 3:11 justified herself. (5) נַפְשָׁם = themselves: ׳הציל נ deliver themselves Isa 47:14; Ezek 14:14; Ezek 14:20. (6) נַפְשְׁכֶם, נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם = yourselves: ׳אַלתַּֿשִּׁאוּ נ Jer 37:9 deceive not yourselves, also Jer 42:20; Jer 44:7 ׳ענּה נ Lev 16:29; Lev 16:31; Lev 23:27; Lev 23:32; Num 29:7 (P); ׳נשׁמרתם לנ Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (D). (7) נַפְשׁוֺתֵינוּ = ourselves: ׳על נ Jer 26:19 against ourselves.
  c. = person of man, individual, 144 t., first in D2; especially in H, P, and kindred writers: (1) with אָדָם: אדם ׳נ Lev 24:17 opposed to בהמה ׳נ Lev 24:18 (both H), and so אדם ׳נ human persons Num 31:35; Num 31:40; Num 31:46 (P) 1Chr 5:21; Ezek 27:13. Elsewhere without אדם: ברכה ׳נ Prov 11:25 one who blesses; רְמִיָּה ׳נ Prov 19:15 idle person; ׳תחת נ ׳נ person in place of person, Job 16:4 כפּר ׳על נ Exod 30:15; Exod 30:16; Num 15:28; Num 31:50 (all P) Lev 17:11 (H). (2) נפשׁ = person, any one: Deut 24:7; Deut 27:25; Prov 28:17; Ezek 18:4 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 33:6 elsewhere only H P: Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 4:27; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:2; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15; Lev 5:17; Lev 5:21; Lev 7:18; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:25; Lev 7:27; Lev 23:29; Lev 23:30 (twice in verse); Num 5:6; Num 15:27; Num 15:30; Num 19:22; Num 31:19; Num 31:28; Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:30 (twice in verse); Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Lev 17:10; Lev 17:12; Lev 17:15; Lev 20:6 (twice in verse); Lev 22:6; Lev 22:11 (all H); ׳נכרתה הנ הַהִוא מן that person shall be cut off from: only in Gen 17:14; Exod 12:15; Exod 12:19; Exod 31:14; Lev 7:20; Lev 7:21; Lev 7:27; Num 9:13; Num 15:30; Num 15:31; Num 19:13; Num 19:20 (all P), Lev 19:8; Lev 22:3 (both H). (3) נפשׁ collective for persons, in enumerations: Deut 10:22; Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 (twice in verse); Josh 10:39; Josh 11:11 (all D2) Jer 43:6; Jer 52:29; Jer 52:30 (twice in verse); Ezek 22:25 elsewhere only Gen 12:5; Gen 46:15; Gen 46:18; Gen 46:22; Gen 46:25; Gen 46:26 (twice in verse); Gen 46:27 (twice in verse); Exod 1:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:16; Num 31:35; Num 31:40 (all P). (4) נְפָשׁוֺת persons Gen 36:6; Exod 12:4; Exod 16:16; Num 19:18 (all P), Lev 18:29; Lev 20:25; Lev 27:2 (all H), 2Kgs 12:5; Prov 11:30; Prov 14:25; Ezek 13:18 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 13:19 (twice in verse); Ezek 13:20 (twice in verse); Ezek 17:17; Ezek 18:4; Ezek 22:27 (נפשׁים Ezek 13:20 see above). (5) נפשׁ = deceased person, sometimes with מֵת, נֶפֶשׁ מֵת Num 6:6 (P), נַפְשֹׁת מֵת (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 נֶפֶשׁ) Lev 21:11 (H); usually without מֵת, נפשׁ (ה)אדם Num 9:6; Num 9:7; Num 19:11; Num 19:13 (P); or simply נפשׁ, Lev 19:28; Lev 21:1; Lev 22:4 (all H) Num 5:2; Num 6:11; Num 9:10 (all P); elsewhere only Hag 2:13.
5. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.) —
  a. hunger: רְעֵבָה ׳נ hungry soul Ps 107:9; Prov 27:7 with noun or verb of שׂבע satisfy Isa 56:11; Isa 58:10; Jer 50:19; Ezek 7:19; Ps 63:6; Ps 107:9; Prov 13:25; Prov 27:7 ׳מתוק לנ Prov 16:24 sweet to the taste.
  b. thirst: עֲיֵפָה ׳נ weary soul Prov 25:25; Jer 31:25 כארץ עיפה ׳נ Ps 143:6 ׳צמאה נ Ps 42:3; Ps 63:2.
  c. appetite in general: יַקִּיפוּ עָלָיו ׳אֹיְבַי בנ Ps 17:9 my enemies compass me about with greed; הִרְחִיבָה שְׁאוֺל נַפְשָׁהּ וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14 Sh®°ôl enlarged her appetite, etc., compare Hab 2:5; Prov 23:2 בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ; Ecclesiastes uses נפשׁ only in the sense of a, b, c; the נפשׁ craves, lacks, and is filled with good things: Eccl 2:24; Eccl 4:8; Eccl 6:2; Eccl 6:3; Eccl 6:7; Eccl 6:9; Eccl 7:28.
6. = ׳נ seat of emotions and passions (151 t.) —
  a. desire: ׳אִוְּתָה נ soul desires Deut 12:20; Deut 14:26; 1Sam 2:16; 2Sam 3:21; 1Kgs 11:37; Job 23:13; Prov 13:4; Prov 21:10; Mic 7:1 ׳תַּאֲוַת נ Ps 10:3; Isa 26:8 ׳אַוַּת נ Deut 12:15; Deut 12:20; Deut 12:21; Deut 18:6; 1Sam 23:20; Jer 2:24 so also לנפשׁ according to one's desire Deut 21:14; Ps 78:18; Jer 34:16 כנפשׁ Deut 23:25 האח נפשׁנו ah, our desire Ps 35:25 בנפשׁ at one's desire Ps 105:22; Ezek 16:27 יָָֽצְאָה ׳נ בְדַבְּרוֺ Song 5:6 ׳נשׂא נ lift up the soul, desire Deut 24:15; 2Sam 14:14 (read אליהם, not אלהים), Ps 24:4; Ps 25:1; Ps 86:4; Ps 143:8; Prov 19:8; Jer 22:27; Jer 44:14; Hos 4:8.
  b. abhorrence, loathing: ׳געלה נ soul abhorreth Lev 26:11; Lev 26:15; Lev 26:30; Lev 26:43 (H) Jer 14:19 בחלה בי ׳וגם נ Zech 11:8 and their soul also fell a loathing against me.
  c. sorrow and distress: ׳מרי נ bitter, gloomy, discontented of soul Judg 18:25 (E) 2Sam 17:8; Job 3:20; Prov 31:6 ׳מר נ 1Sam 22:2 compare Job 7:11; Job 10:1; Isa 38:15; Ezek 27:1 ׳עָֽגְמָה נ Job 30:35 grieved; ׳אגמי נ sad of soul Isa 19:10 ׳תבכה נ my soul shall weep Jer 13:17 ירעה ׳נ his soul trembleth Isa 15:4 ׳צרת נ distress of soul Gen 42:21 (E).
  d. joy: תגיל ׳נ my soul rejoiceth Ps 35:9; Isa 61:10 ׳שׂמּח נ rejoice the soul Ps 86:4 also Ps 94:19; Ps 138:3; Prov 29:17.
  e. love: ׳אהבה נ my soul loveth Song 1:7; Song 3:1; Song 3:2; Song 3:3; Song 3:4 ׳יְדִדוּת נ darling of my soul Jer 12:7 ׳ב ׳דבקה נ his soul clave unto Gen 34:3 (J), with אחרי Ps 63:9 חשׁקה ׳ב ׳נ soul is attached to Gen 34:8 (P). feminine alienation, hatred, revenge: מן ׳תֵּקַע נ the soul is alienated from Jer 6:8; Ezek 23:17; Ezek 23:18 מן ׳נקעה נ Ezek 23:18; Ezek 23:22; Ezek 23:28 ׳שְׂנֻאי נ hated of soul 2Sam 5:8 (Qr); ׳שׂנאה נ Ps 11:5; Isa 1:14.
  g. other emotions and feelings: ׳השׁיב נ bring back soul Lam 1:11; Lam 1:19 (i.e. revive, compare with שׁוּב 1Kgs 17:21f.), hence figurative refresh, cheer, v1Kgs 17:16; Ps 19:8; Prov 25:14; Ruth 4:15 ׳שׁובב נ Ps 23:3 ׳מַחְמַל נ your souls' compassion Ezek 24:21 ׳קצרה נ soul was impatient Num 21:4 (E), Judg 10:16; Judg 16:16; Zech 11:8 כי ׳אאריך נ that I should prolong my patience Job 6:11 הגר ׳ידעתם אתנֿ ye know the feeling of the stranger Exod 23:9 (RD).

7. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts + לבב (see 10); possibly also alone, owing to unconscious assimilation by late writers; but most, if not all, examples may be otherwise explained: נפשׁי ידעת מאד Ps 139:14 my soul knoweth well (or I know well; compare 4a); בלא לא טוב ׳דעת נ Prov 19:2 that the soul be without knowledge is not good (but RVm desire without knowledge, compare 6 a); ׳דעה חכמה לנ Prov 24:14 know wisdom for thy soul (or according to thy desire, compare 6 a); ׳אל תדמי בנ Esth 4:13 think not in thy soul (or in thyself, compare 4 b); כמו שׁער ׳בג Prov 23:7 as he reckoneth in his soul (but RV in himself, compare 4 b); ׳מה תאמר נ 1Sam 20:4 (but AV RV following ᵐ5 ἐπιθυμεῖ = תְּאַוֶּה; see 6 a).

8. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dubious: אם ישׁ נפשׁכם (את) if it is your purpose Gen 23:8 (P) 2Kgs 9:15 (or if it is your desire, 6 a); ׳בחרה נ my soul chooseth Job 7:15 ׳מאנה נ my soul, refuseth Job 6:7; Ps 77:3 חפצה ׳נ their soul delighteth in Isa 66:3 רצתה ׳נ my soul delighteth in Isa 42:1 (all perhaps emotional, 6 b, d, g).

9. נפשׁ = character is still more dubious: בּוֺ ׳לאֹיָָֽֿשְׁרָה נ Hab 2:4 his soul is not right in him (but ᵐ5 οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ [εὐδοκεῖ = רצתה], see
6.); נַפְשִׁי לאֹ מְטֻמָּאָה Ezek 4:14 my soul hath not (or I have not, 4 a) been polluted.
10. ׳נin D, when used with לבב, is assimilated to it, and shares with it the meanings of 7, 8, 9; and so in later writers influenced by D (unless we may think that ׳ל is used of intellect, while ׳נ is used of the feelings): thus, בכל לבב ובכל נפשׁ (see לבב): with דרשׁ Deut 4:29; 2Chr 15:12 עשׂה Deut 26:16 אהב Deut 6:5; Deut 13:4; Deut 30:6 ידע Josh 23:14 עבד Deut 10:12; Deut 11:13; Josh 22:5 שׁמע בקלו Deut 30:2 שׁוב אל Deut 30:10; 1Kgs 8:48 = 2Chr 6:38; 2Kgs 23:25 שׁמר מצות 2Kgs 23:3 = 2Chr 34:31 הלך לפני1Kgs 2:4 and Deut 11:18; 1Sam 2:35; 1Chr 22:19; 1Chr 28:9; Jer 32:41; Ps 13:8; Prov 2:10; Prov 24:12. Note. — In three cases is generally found closer approach to supposed radical meaning breath:
  a. שׁמן וקטרת ישׂמח לב ומתק רעהו מעצת נפשׁ Prov 27:9. Ges (after Döderlein) renders a. ׳מעצת נ more than odorous trees, so later edds., even Buhl; but ᵑ9 De SS transpose) מֵעֲצַת רֵעֵהוּ ׳וּמֶתֶק נ. ᵐ5 Hi Bi ומתקרעה = the soul is rent asunder by cares. In any case נפשׁis || לב, compare
10. b. נַפְשׁוֺ גֶּחָלִים תְּלַהֵט Job 41:13 his breath kindleth coals (of the crocodile).The piece is one of the latest in the book; primitive meaning hardly in such a passage; context favours reference to passion or fury; perhaps below 6 f, his passion or fury kindleth coals.
  c. בָּתֵּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ Isa 3:20 perfume boxes; meaning evident from context; but not necessarily scent (breath)-boxes; may be 6 a, boxes of desire, or 5, boxes exciting the sense of smell; = smelling boxes or bottles. No sufficient evidence in Biblical Hebrew, therefore, for meaning breath, odour. — See, for complete study of נֶפֶשׁ (all passages), BrJBL 1897,17 ff.


BDB7797 H7307 H5315 H3824 H1320 H3820

BDB7796 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7798

רוּחַ378 noun feminineGen 41:8 (less often masculineExod 10:13 +) breath, wind, spirit; — absolute ׳ר Gen 8:1 +, ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 construct רוּחַ Gen 6:17 +; suffix רוּחִי vGen 6:3 +, רוּחֲךָ Ps 104:30 +, etc.; plural רוּחוֺת vPs 104:4 +, רֻחוֺת Jer 49:36, רוּחֹת Num 16:22; Num 26:16 (see Brרוח in O.T., JBL xix (1900), 132 ff., full statement of all passages); —

1. breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.):
  a. רוּחַ פִּיו Job 15:30 breath of his mouth, compare Job 19:17 רוּחַ אַפֵּינוּ Lam 4:20 (figurative of king), of idols לֹא רוּחַ בָּם Jer 10:14 = Jer 51:17, Hab 2:19; Ps 135:17 compare Job 9:18.
  b. as mere breath: compare 2 e. דִּבְרֵירֿוּחַ Job 16:3 i.e. windy words; נוֺאָשׁ לְרוּחַ אִמְרֵי Job 6:26, הַנְּבִיאִים יִהְיוּ לְרוּחַ Jer 5:13.
  c. as word of command: (1) of God: (נעשׂו) בְּרוּחַ פִּיו כָּלֿ צְבָאָםPs 33:6, compare Isa 34:16 (|| פֶּה); (2) of Messianic king: בְּרוּחַ שְׂפָתָיו יָמִית רָשָׁע Isa 11:4.
  d. as hard breathing through the nostrils in anger: (1) of God: מֵרוּח אַפּוֺ יִכְלוּ Job 4:9; Exod 15:8 (poem), 2Sam 22:16 = Ps 18:16; Isa 30:28; Isa 59:19 (2) of man: רוּחַ עָרִיצִים Isa 25:4.
  e. as sign and symbol of life: רוּחַ חַיִּים breath of life Gen 6:17; Gen 7:15 (P); נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו Gen 7:22 (P); Ezek 37:5, compare vEzek 37:6 vEzek 37:8 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:9 vEzek 37:10 vEzek 37:14 (breath or spirit), Eccl 3:19.
2. wind (117 t.):
  a. wind of heaven: Gen 8:1 (P) Exod 15:10 (E) Num 11:31 (J) 1Kgs 18:45 +, Jer 10:13, thence Jer 51:16; Ps 135:7 ׳רוּחַ י Hos 13:15; Isa 40:7, compare Job 26:13 (Di Bu); רוּחַ (ה)קָדִים east wind Exod 10:13 (twice in verse); Exod 14:21 (J) Ps 48:8; Jer 18:17; Ezek 17:10; Ezek 19:12; Ezek 27:26; Jonah 4:8 צָפוֺן ׳ר north wind Prov 25:23 יָם ׳ר sea wind (west wind) Exod 10:19 (J); . הַיּוֺם ׳ר day wind, evening wind Gen 3:8 (J; compare Song 2:17; Song 4:6); אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת four winds Jer 49:36; Ezek 37:9 (quarters?) Dan 8:8; Dan 11:4 (figurative quarters; compare b), Zech 2:10; Zech 6:5 רוּחַ סְעְרָה storm wind Ps 107:25; Ps 148:8; Ezek 1:4 (סְעָרוֺת ׳ר), Ezek 13:11; Ezek 13:13 רוּחַ סֹעָה rushing wind Ps 55:9 (read possibly סערה Hup); בַּעְיָם רוּחוֺ Isa 11:15 (read ׳בְּעֹצֶם ר, see עֲיָם, עֹצֶם), etc; wind personified: כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ 2Sam 22:11 = Ps 18:11; Ps 104:3, compare Hos 4:19; Ps 104:4.
  b. quarter (of wind), side: רוּחַ הַקָּדִים Ezek 42:16 east side; רוּחַ הַצָּפוֺן vEzek 42:17 north side; רוּחַ הַדָּרוֺם vEzek 42:18 south side; רוּחַ הַיָּם vEzek 42:19 west side; אַרְבַּע רוּחוֺת vEzek 42:20; 1Chr 9:24 four sides; ר֑וּחָה Jer 52:23 on the sides.
  c. breath of air: שָׁאֲפוּ רוּחַ כַּתַּנִּים Jer 14:6 רוּחַ לֹא יָבֹא בֵּינֵיהֶם Job 41:8.
  d. air, gas, from womb (dubious): כְּמוֺ יָלַדְנוּ רוּחַ Isa 26:18 (Di, e); רוּחֲכֶם אֵשׁ תֹּאכַלְכֶם (RV breath) Isa 33:11 (Du, 3 c).
  e. vain, empty thing: רוּחַיָּי֑ Job 7:7 my life is wind; דַּעַת רוּחַ Job 15:2 רוּחַ וָתֹהוּ נִסְכֵּיהֶם Isa 41:29 רְעוּת רוּחַ striving for wind Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 2:26; Eccl 4:4; Eccl 4:6; Eccl 6:9 compare Eccl 1:17; Eccl 4:16; Eccl 5:15.
3. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.; so, distinctively, as compared with נֶפֶשׁ and לֵבָב):
  a. spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour: לֹא הָיָה בָהּ עוֺד רוּחַ 1Kgs 10:5 = 2Chr 9:4 מַהזֶּֿה רוּחֲךָ סָרָה 1Kgs 21:5 וַתְּחִי רוּחַ Gen 45:27 (E); וַתָּשָׁב רוּחוֺ Judg 15:19; 1Sam 30:12.
  b. courage: ׳לֹא הָיָה בָם עוֺד ר Josh 5:1 נְגִידִים ׳יִבְצֹר ר Ps 76:13 מִצְרַיִם ׳וְנָָֽבְקָה ר Isa 19:3 תתעטּף רוּחִי Ps 77:4; Ps 142:4; Ps 143:4 לֹא קָמָה ׳עוֺד ר Josh 2:11 אִישׁ יְכַלְכֵּל מַחֲלֵהוּ ׳ר Prov 18:14.
  c. temper, especially anger: ׳רוּחַ רָעָה בֵּין וגו Judg 9:23 אָז רָֽפְתָה רוּחָם Judg 8:3 משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ Prov 16:32, compare Prov 25:28; Prov 29:11; Job 15:13 הֵנִיחוּ אֶתרֿוּחִי Zech 6:8; Eccl 7:9; Eccl 10:4.
  d. impatience or patience: קֹצֶר רוּחַ Exod 6:9 (P) impatience, hastiness of temper, compare (of ׳י) Mic 2:7 קְצַררֿוּחַ Prov 14:29 (|| אֶרֶךְ אַפַיִם); הֱצִיקַתְנִי רוּחַ בִּטְנִי Job 32:18 (Du breath; Di Bu divine spirit, compare vJob 32:8); אִם מַדּוּעַ לֹאתִֿקְצַר רוּחִי Job 21:4 ׳הֲקָצַר רוּחַ י Mic 2:7 ׳אֶרֶךְ ר Eccl 7:8.
  e. spirit, disposition, as troubled, bitter, or discontented; וַתִּפָּעֶם רוּח(וׅ (his) spirit was troubled Gen 41:8 (E) Dan 2:3, compare vDan 2:1 מֹרַת רוּחַ Gen 26:35 (P) bitterness of spirit; ׳עֲצוּבַת ר Isa 54:6, compare Ezek 3:14; Job 6:4. feminine as crushed: וְכִהֲתָה כָלרֿוּחַ Ezek 21:12, compare Isa 61:3; Prov 15:4; Prov 15:13; Prov 17:22; Prov 18:14; Ps 143:7.
  g. disposition of various kinds, often unaccountable and uncontrollable impulse: הֵעִיר אֶתרֿוּחַ 1Chr 5:26 (twice in verse); 2Chr 21:16; 2Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Ezra 1:5; Jer 51:11; Hag 1:14 (3 t. in verse); הִנְנִי נ(וֺ)תֵן בּוֺ רוּח2Kgs 19:7 = Isa 37:7; Num 14:24 (J; see עִם 4 b), Mal 2:15 (twice in verse); Mal 2:16; Deut 2:30 רוּחַ קִנְאָה jealous disposition Num 5:14 (twice in verse); Num 5:30 (P); רוּחַ וְנוּנִים Hos 4:12; Hos 5:4 רוּחַ עִוְעִיםIsa 19:14 רוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט Isa 28:6 אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלהִֹרם בּוֺ (administrative) Gen 41:38 (E); קַר רוּחַ אִישׁ הְּבוּנָה Prov 17:27.
  h. prophetic spirit: יְהוֺשֻׁעַ אִישׁ אֲשֶׁרֿ רוּחַ בּזֹNum 27:18 (P; or g, as Gen 41:38); רוּחַ אֵלִיָּהוּ עַלאֱֿלִישָׁע2Kgs 2:15, compare v2Kgs 2:9 רוּחַ תַּרְדֵמָה spirit of deep sleep (ecstatic, compare Gen 2:21; Gen 15:12, but Di and others g, as Isa 19:14) Isa 29:10; Mic 2:11 רוּחַ הַטֻמְאָה Zech 13:2 (of lying prophets), compare Ezek 13:3.
4. spirit of the living, breathing being, dwelling in the בָּשָׂר of men and animals, || נֶפֶשׁ (25 t.):
  a. gift and creation of God: יֹצֵר רוּחַ אָדָם בְּקִרְבּוֺ Zech 12:1 רוּחַ אֱלוֺהַּ בְּאַפִּי Job 27:3, compare Isa 42:5.
  b. God preserves it: פְּקֻדָּֽתְךָ שָֽׁמְרָה רוּחִי Job 10:12, compare Job 12:10 אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר Num 16:22; Num 27:16 (P); תֹּכֵן רוּחוֺת Prov 16:2.
  c. it is therefore God's spirit: Gen 6:3 (J; see דִּין near the end).
  d. it departs at death: Ps 78:39 (Dr a wind that passeth away 2 e); חַיֵּי רוּחִי Isa 38:16 (Di principle of life), Ps 146:4 especially Ps 104:29; Ps 104:30; Job 17:1; Job 34:14 (compare vJob 34:15), Isa 57:16; Eccl 8:8 (twice in verse) (wind Wild); אֵינְךָ יוֺדֵעַ מַהדֶּֿרֶךְ הָרוּחַ Eccl 11:5, compare Eccl 3:21 over ag. הָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶלהָֿאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ Eccl 12:7 בְּיָָֽדְךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי Ps 31:6.
  e. disembodied being (dubious, Di Du breath of wind): וְרוּחַ עַלפָּֿנַי יַחֲלֹף Job 4:15.
5. spirit as seat of emotion = נֶפֶשׁ:
  a. desire (possibly 3 g), Isa 26:9 (|| נֶפֶשׁ).
  b. sorrow, trouble (probably 3 e), Job 7:11 (|| נֶפֶשׁ). — 1Sam 1:15 see קָשֶׁה.
6. occasionally, (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts, || לֵב, or synonym with it: רוּחַ חָכְמָה Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9 (both P; probably 3 g); תּעֵי רוּחַ Isa 29:24, compare Job 20:3 (Hi Bu Du wind of Job's words), Ps 77:7 (ᵐ5 Symm ᵑ6 Jerome troubled disposition); רוּחַ יהוה Isa 40:13 come into mind (compare לֵב Isa 65:17; Jer 3:16 +); 1Chr 28:12.
7. rarely of the will; also = רוּחַ נָכוֺן לֵב Ps 51:12 (= לֵב נָכוֺן Ps 57:8 (twice in verse) +); רוּחַ נְדִיבָה vPs 51:14 נָָֽדְבָה רוּחוֺ Exod 35:21 (P; compare נְדִיב לֵב Exod 35:5; Exod 35:22 (P) 2Chr 29:31).
8. רוּחַ especially of moral character; also = ׃לֵב רוּחַ חֲדָשָׁהEzek 11:19; Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 רוּחִי vEzek 36:27; Isa 59:21 (רוּחִי, || דְּבָרַי; but probably prophetic spirit 9 b); לֵב חָדָשׁ Ezek 18:31; Ezek 36:26 נְכֵה רוּחַ Isa 66:2 דַּכְּאֵי רוּחַ Ps 34:19 (compare לֵב נִדְכָּאִים Isa 57:15); מִשֵּׁבֶר רוּחַ Isa 65:14 (compare 3 f); רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרֶה Ps 51:19 (|| לֵב נִשְׁבָּר, compare נִשְׁבְּרֵי לֵב Ps 34:19; Isa 61:1); Ps 32:2; Prov 11:13; Prov 16:18; Ps 78:8; Eccl 7:8 (compare גְּבַהּלֵב Prov 16:5); שְׁפַל רוּחַ Prov 16:19; Prov 29:23; Isa 57:15 רוּחַ שְׁפָלִים vIsa 57:15 (compare 3 f).
9. spirit of God (94 t.; not D or Jeremiah or any Deuteronomic writer; conception of its activity in inspiring prophecy probably discredited from abuse by false prophets, see נביא, נבא):
  a. as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy, Num 11:17; Num 11:25 (twice in verse); Num 11:26; Num 11:29 (J), 1Sam 10:6; 1Sam 10:10 (compare v1Sam 10:5), 1Sam 19:20; 1Sam 19:23 as inciting to deeds of frenzy, in the ecstatic state; hence conceived as אֱלֹהִים רָעָה ׳ר 1Sam 16:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 16:16, = ׳רָעָה מֵאֵת י ׳ר v1Sam 16:14 = רָעָה ׳א ׳צלח ר 1Sam 18:10 (other narrative) = רָעָה ׳י ׳ר 1Sam 19:9 ׳א ׳ר 1Sam 16:23 = רוּחַ הָרָעָה v1Sam 16:23, compare הָרוּחַ 1Kgs 22:21 = שֶׁקֶר ׳ר v1Kgs 22:22 v1Kgs 22:23 = 2Chr 18:20; 2Chr 18:21; 2Chr 18:22 = ׳רוּחַ י 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 compare also (in earlier prophets) אִישׁ הָרוּחַ, i.e. one possessed by the spirit in the ecstatic state, || הַנָּבִּיא Hos 9:7 ׳רוּחַ י Mic 3:8 (|| בֹּחַ) is probably gloss (We Now); וְלֹא רוּחִי Isa 30:1 רוּחַ dealing with Ezek.: Ezek 2:2; Ezek 3:12; Ezek 3:14; Ezek 3:24; Ezek 8:3; Ezek 11:1; Ezek 11:5; Ezek 11:24 (Co gloss), Ezek 37:1; Ezek 43:5 (all implying ecstatic state of vision), compare Elijah 1Kgs 18:12; 2Kgs 2:16.
  b. spirit as impelling prophets to utter instruction or warning (higher and later conception): transition probably Num 24:2; 2Sam 23:2; 1Chr 12:18 elsewhere in Chronicles: 2Chr 15:1; 2Chr 20:14; 2Chr 24:20 distinctly in Isa2, Isa 48:16, compare Isa 61:1 so of ancient prophets, Zech 7:12; Neh 9:30 compare, of future prophetic gift, Joel 3:1; Joel 3:2.
  c. imparting warlike energy, and executive and administrative power: (1) to שֹׁפְטִים, מוֺשִׁיעִים, מְלָכִים, of ancient Israel: וַתְּהִי רוּחַ על ׳י Judg 3:10; Judg 11:29, compare Judg 6:34; Judg 13:25; Judg 14:6; Judg 14:19; Judg 15:14; 1Sam 11:6; 1Sam 16:13; 1Sam 16:14 so also עַד יֵעָרֶה עָלֵינוּ רוּחַ מִמָּרוֺם Isa 32:15 (2) resting upon Messianic king: Isa 11:2 (3 t. in verse); upon servant of ׳י, Isa 42:1.
  d. late, as endowing men with various gifts: technical skill Exod 31:3; Exod 35:31 (P); understanding Job 32:8 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); poured out by divine wisdom Prov 1:23.
  e. as energy of life: רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַלפְּֿנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם Gen 1:2 (P); רוּחַ אֵל עָשָׂ֑תְנִי Job 33:4 (|| נִשְׁמַת שַׁדַּי); as vital power, opposed to בָשָׂר: Isa 31:3 in cherubic chariot: Ezek 1:12, compare vEzek 1:20 vEzek 1:21; Ezek 10:17 reviving Israel Ezek 39:29; Zech 12:10; Isa 44:3. feminine = ancient angel of the presence and later Shekina: קָדְשׁוֺ ׳ר Isa 63:10; Isa 63:11 = ׳י ׳ר vIsa 63:14 (= מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו vIsa 63:9), compare Ps 106:33 so also קָדְשְׁךָ ׳ר Ps 51:13 (in national prayer), compare Neh 9:20; Ps 143:10 prophets of restoration conceive of the divine spirit as standing in their midst and about to fulfil all divine promises: רוּחִי עֹמֶדֶת בְּתוֺכֲכֶם Hag 2:5; Zech 4:6 this conception culminates in רוּחַ = divine Presence, and as such omnipresent, Ps 139:7 (|| פָּנֶיךָ; compare vPs 139:8).

soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
nepeš
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
    • that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
    • "living being"living being (with life in the blood)"the man himself, self, person or individual"seat of the appetites"seat of emotions and passions"activity of mind
      • dubious
      activity of the will
      • dubious
      activity of the character
      • dubious

זָמָֽמוּ
זָמָֽמוּ
Root word thought, devised, purposed, evil, imagined, …
Dictionary form: זָמַם · dzaw-MAHM

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: me they devised
devised ×1 have i thought ×1 he had devised ×1 he had thought ×1 i am purposed ×1 i thought ×1 it i have purposed ×1 me they devised ×1
More options
plan — Broad, neutral; fits purposeful forethought in most contexts.
scheme — Implies cunning or self-serving intent; good for hostile subjects.
intend — Emphasizes resolved purpose; useful when outcome is stated.
devise — Modernizes KJV 'devised'; retains crafting/plotting nuance.
plot — Strong negative connotation; best for enemies or conspirators.
purpose — Formal register; highlights firm, deliberate determination.

BDB2379 H2161

BDB2378 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2380

זָמַם verb consider, purpose, devise (Aramaic זְמַם in derived conjugations; compare Arabic speak, talk (rare); Aramaic is sonuit, resonavit, the noun is tinnitus, strepitus) — only Qal Perfect זָמַם Deut 19:19 + 2 t.; זָמָ֑ם Lam 2:17 זָָֽמְמָה Prov 31:16 זַמּ֫וֺתָ Prov 30:32 זַמֹּ֫תִי Jer 4:28 but also זָמַ֫מְתִּי Zech 8:14; Zech 8:15 זַמֹּתִי Ps 17:3 either belongs here with irregular accent (see De), or is Infinitive after analogue of לה֞ e.g. חַנּוֺת compare Ps 77:10 (Hi Ri); Checritical note reads זִמָּתִי; זָמָ֑מוּ Ps 31:14 Imperfect יָָֽזְמוּ Gen 11:6 (Ges«GKC:67»§ 67, R. 11); on possible Infinitive זמֹּתִ֫י Ps 17:3 see above; Participle זֹמֵם Ps 37:12

1. consider, fix thought upon, with accusative of concrete object שָׂדֶה Prov 31:16.
2. purpose, devise:
  a. especially of Yahweh's purpose in punishment Jer 4:28 (absolute), Jer 51:12 followed by עשׂה + accusative (|| מְזִמָּה), Lam 2:17 (followed by אשׁר) Zech 1:6 (with כאשׁר followed by infinitive), Zech 8:14 (id.); of blessing only כֵּן שַׁבְתִּי זָמַמְתִּי לְהֵיטִיב Zech 8:15 (opposed to vZech 8:14).
  b. of evil purpose of wicked men לעשׂות ׳אשׁר יז Gen 11:6; Deut 19:19 (with כאשׁר + infinitive), Ps 31:14 (followed by infinitive); absolute Prov 30:32 (|| נבל), Ps 17:3 have I (i.e. if I have) devised evil (so De); followed by לְ person (= against) Ps 37:12.
**the text of Prov 30:32 is questioned by Frankenb Toy and others; see on II. נבל, below.

thought, devised, purposed, evil, imagined, …
zāmam
to plan, usually in a bad sense
  • to have a thought, devise, plan, consider, purpose
    • (Qal)
      • to consider, fix thought upon
      • "to purpose, devise"to plot (of evil intent)

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.
כִּ֤י שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי דִּבַּ֥ת רַבִּים֮ Tsinnor — a lesser break מָג֪וֹר מִסָּ֫בִ֥יב Ole We-Yored — the strongest pause of a poetic verse בְּהִוָּסְדָ֣ם יַ֣חַד עָלַ֑י Atnach — a major pause — here second to ole we-yored לָקַ֖חַת נַפְשִׁ֣י זָמָֽמוּ Silluq — end of the verse

כִּי שָׁמַעְתִּי׀ דִּבַּת רַבִּים מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב בְּהִוָּסְדָם יַחַד עָלַי לָקַחַת נַפְשִׁי זָמָֽמוּ׃
13
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
Cross References

Jeremiah 20:10

כִּי שָׁמַעְתִּי דִּבַּת רַבִּים מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב הַגִּידוּ וְנַגִּידֶנּוּ כֹּל אֱנוֹשׁ שְׁלֹמִי שֹׁמְרֵי צַלְעִי אוּלַי יְפֻתֶּה וְנוּכְלָה לוֹ וְנִקְחָה נִקְמָתֵנוּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
10
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

Matthew 27:1

Πρωΐας δὲ γενομένης συμβούλιον ἔλαβον πάντες οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὥστε θανατῶσαι αὐτόν·
1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Lamentations 2:22

תִּקְרָא כְיוֹם מוֹעֵד מְגוּרַי מִסָּבִיב וְלֹא הָיָה בְּיוֹם אַף-יְהוָה פָּלִיט וְשָׂרִיד אֲשֶׁר-טִפַּחְתִּי וְרִבִּיתִי אֹיְבִי כִלָּֽם׃
22
Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD's anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.

1 Samuel 20:33

וַיָּטֶל שָׁאוּל אֶֽת-הַחֲנִית עָלָיו לְהַכֹּתוֹ וַיֵּדַע יְהוֹנָתָן כִּי-כָלָה הִיא מֵעִם אָבִיו לְהָמִית אֶת-דָּוִֽד׃
33
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Matthew 26:3

Τότε συνήχθησαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τοῦ λεγομένου Καϊάφα
3
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Matthew 26:59

οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ τὸ συνέδριον ὅλον ἐζήτουν ψευδομαρτυρίαν κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὅπως αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν
59
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

2 Samuel 17:1

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲחִיתֹפֶל אֶל-אַבְשָׁלֹם אֶבְחֲרָה נָּא שְׁנֵים-עָשָׂר אֶלֶף אִישׁ וְאָקוּמָה וְאֶרְדְּפָה אַֽחֲרֵי-דָוִד הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
1
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

Jeremiah 11:19

וַאֲנִי כְּכֶבֶשׂ אַלּוּף יוּבַל לִטְבוֹחַ וְלֹֽא-יָדַעְתִּי כִּֽי-עָלַי׀ חָשְׁבוּ מַחֲשָׁבוֹת נַשְׁחִיתָה עֵץ בְּלַחְמוֹ וְנִכְרְתֶנּוּ מֵאֶרֶץ חַיִּים וּשְׁמוֹ לֹֽא-יִזָּכֵר עֽוֹד׃
19
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

1 Samuel 19:10

וַיְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל לְהַכּוֹת בַּֽחֲנִית בְּדָוִד וּבַקִּיר וַיִּפְטַר מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל וַיַּךְ אֶֽת-הַחֲנִית בַּקִּיר וְדָוִד נָס וַיִּמָּלֵט בַּלַּיְלָה הֽוּא׃
10
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

Psalms 57:4

נַפְשִׁי׀ בְּתוֹךְ לְבָאִם אֶשְׁכְּבָה לֹהֲטִים בְּֽנֵי-אָדָם שִׁנֵּיהֶם חֲנִית וְחִצִּים וּלְשׁוֹנָם חֶרֶב חַדָּֽה׃
4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Luke 23:5

οἱ δὲ ἐπίσχυον λέγοντες ὅτι Ἀνασείει τὸν λαὸν διδάσκων καθ' ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἕως ὧδε
5
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

Psalms 56:1

חָנֵּנִי אֱלֹהִים כִּֽי-שְׁאָפַנִי אֱנוֹשׁ כָּל-הַיּוֹם לֹחֵם יִלְחָצֵֽנִי׃
1
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

1 Samuel 24:9

וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל לָמָּה תִשְׁמַע אֶת-דִּבְרֵי אָדָם לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד מְבַקֵּשׁ רָֽעָתֶֽךָ׃
9
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

Psalms 101:5

מְלָשְׁנִי בַסֵּתֶר׀ רֵעֵהוּ אוֹתוֹ אַצְמִית גְּֽבַהּ-עֵינַיִם וּרְחַב לֵבָב אֹתוֹ לֹא אוּכָֽל׃
5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

1 Samuel 22:8

כִּי קְשַׁרְתֶּם כֻּלְּכֶם עָלַי וְאֵין-גֹּלֶה אֶת-אָזְנִי בִּכְרָת-בְּנִי עִם-בֶּן-יִשַׁי וְאֵין-חֹלֶה מִכֶּם עָלַי וְגֹלֶה אֶת-אָזְנִי כִּי הֵקִים בְּנִי אֶת-עַבְדִּי עָלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
8
That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Jeremiah 6:25

אַל-‫(תצאי)‬ תֵּֽצְאוּ הַשָּׂדֶה וּבַדֶּרֶךְ אַל-‫(תלכי)‬ תֵּֽצְאוּ כִּי חֶרֶב לְאֹיֵב מָגוֹר מִסָּבִֽיב׃
25
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.

Psalms 55:10

יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה יְסוֹבְבֻהָ עַל-חוֹמֹתֶיהָ וְאָוֶן וְעָמָל בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃
10
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

Luke 23:1

Καὶ ἀναστὰν ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος αὐτῶν ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸν Πιλᾶτον
1
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

1 Samuel 23:19

וַיַּֽעֲלוּ זִפִים אֶל-שָׁאוּל הַגִּבְעָתָה לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא דָוִד מִסְתַּתֵּר עִמָּנוּ בַמְּצָדוֹת בַּחֹרְשָׁה בְּגִבְעַת הַֽחֲכִילָה אֲשֶׁר מִימִין הַיְשִׁימֽוֹן׃
19
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

Jeremiah 20:3

וַֽיְהִי מִֽמָּחֳרָת וַיֹּצֵא פַשְׁחוּר אֶֽת-יִרְמְיָהוּ מִן-הַמַּהְפָּכֶת וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו יִרְמְיָהוּ לֹא פַשְׁחוּר קָרָא יְהוָה שְׁמֶךָ כִּי אִם-מָגוֹר מִסָּבִֽיב׃
3
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib.