Psalms 33:19

לְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם בָּרָעָֽב
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לְ הַצִּ֣יל
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
הַצִּ֣יל
Root word deliver, delivered, delivereth, recover, rid, …
Dictionary form: נָצַל · naw-TSAHL

Verb — Hiphil, Infinitive Construct, construct state causative — "he made (someone) do" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: to deliver
deliver ×24 to deliver ×20 delivered ×10 shall deliver ×10 and delivered ×8 and deliver ×6 delivereth ×5 and i will deliver ×3
More options
rescue — Strong, active sense; ideal for dramatic, urgent contexts.
save — Broad, natural modern default; fits redemptive or protective contexts.
deliver — Modernized KJV staple; still natural in formal or theological writing.
free — Good for contexts emphasizing release from bondage or captivity.
recover — Use when something lost or taken is being retrieved or reclaimed.
snatch away — Vivid; captures the sudden, forceful nuance of the root.

BDB5336 H5337

BDB5335 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5337

[נָצַל212 verb not in Qal; Pi`el strip, plunder; Niph`al deliver oneself, be delivered; Hiph`il snatch away, deliver (Ecclus Hiph`il Participle מצלת delivering (Levi conjectures יציל Eccl 40:24a)); Late Hebrew Hiph`il = Biblical Hebrew; Biblical Aramaic Haph`el id.; Syriac pour out; Arabic intransitive tincturam exuit emisitque barba, ex cuspide excidit sagitta, etc., Kam Frey; Ethiopic III. evulsum or abruptum excidere e suo loco, Di698); —

Niph`al Perfect 1 plural נִצַּלְנוּ Jer 7:10 Imperfect יִנָּצֵל Deut 23:16, + 1 singular אִנָָּֽצְלָה Ps 69:15, + 8 t. Imperfect; Infinitive הַנָּצֵל Isa 20:6 + 3 t. —
1. reflexive tear oneself away, deliver oneself: absolute Prov 6:3; Ezek 14:16; Ezek 14:18; 2Kgs 19:11 = Isa 37:11 with מִיַּד Prov 6:5 מֵעִ ֗֗֗ אֶל escape from-unto Deut 23:16.
2. passive, be torn, out or away מִפִּי הָאֲרִי Amos 3:12 be delivered, absolute Gen 32:31; Jer 7:10; Ps 33:16; Mic 4:30 מִפְּנֵי Isa 20:6 מִכַּף Hab 2:9 מִן Ps 69:15.

Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine plural נִצַּלְתֶּם Exod 3:22 Imperfect יְנַצֵּל Ezek 14:14 + 2 t.; —

1. strip of, spoil, absolute 2Chr 20:25 with accusative of person Exod 3:22; Exod 12:36 (J).
2. deliver, with accusative נַפְשָׁם Ezek 14:14.

Hiph`il190 Perfect הִצִּיל Exod 12:27 2 masculine singular הִצַּ֫לְתָּ Exod 5:23 + 50 t. Perfect; Imperfect יַּצִּיל 2Kgs 17:39 יַצֵּל Gen 31:9 + 63 t. Imperfect; Imperative הַצֵּל Prov 24:11 הַצִּ֫ילָה Ps 22:21 suffix הַצִּילֵנִי Gen 32:12 + 24 t. Imperative; Infinitive absolute הַצֵּל 2Kgs 18:30 + 4 t.; construct הַצִּיל Gen 37:22 + 23 t. Infinitive; Participle מַצִּיל Deut 32:39 + 16 t. Participle —

1. take away, snatch away, e.g. property Gen 31:9; Gen 31:10 (E) Hos 2:11, prey from the mouth of animals 1Sam 17:35; Amos 3:12; Ezek 34:10, words of ׳י from the mouth Ps 119:43 וְאֵין מַצִּיל בֵּינֵיהֶם 2Sam 14:6 and there was none to tear them apart (two fighting); עֵינֵנוּ וְהִצִּיל 2Sam 20:6 and take away our eye (elude our sight, Ges; Ew We after ᵐ5 cast shadow over our eye, denominative from צֵל Bö Th after ᵑ6 tear away our eye, harm us irretrievably, see Dr18 26. 2.; HPS escape from us [מִמֶּנּוּ, as ᵐ5L], compare Bu [וְנִצַּל]).
2. rescue, recover, e.g. cities Judg 11:26 wives and property 1Sam 30:8; 1Sam 30:18; 1Sam 30:22.
3. deliver from:
  a. enemies and troubles, absolute 1Sam 12:21; Prov 19:19; Isa 50:2; Jer 39:17 אֵין מַצִּיל Judg 18:28; Job 5:4; Job 10:7; Ps 7:3; Ps 50:22; Ps 71:11; Isa 5:29; Isa 42:22; Isa 43:13; Hos 5:14; Mic 5:7 with accusative Gen 18:8 (E), Exod 5:23; Exod 12:27 (J), Deut 23:15 + 39 t.; הַצִּיל נַפְשׁוֺ Isa 44:20; Isa 47:14; Ezek 3:19; Ezek 3:21; Ezek 14:20; Ezek 33:19 with מִן from Mic 5:6 + 25 t.; מִיַּד from the hand or power of Gen 32:12; Exod 2:19 (J) + 57 t.; מִתַּחַת יַד Exod 18:10 (E); מִכַּף 2Sam 14:16; 2Sam 19:10; 2Sam 22:1 = Ps 18:1, 2Kgs 20:6 = Isa 38:6; 2Chr 32:11; Ezra 8:31.
  b. from death Prov 11:16; Prov 12:6 מִמּוֺת Josh 2:13 (J), Ps 33:19; Ps 56:14; Prov 10:12 = Prov 11:4 מִשְּׁאוֺל Ps 86:13; Prov 23:14.
4. deliver from sin and guilt (in late writings), מִכָּלפְּֿשָׁעַי Ps 39:9 from all my trangression; מִדָּמִים Ps 51:6 from bloodguiltiness; הַצִּילֵנוּ וְכַפֵּר עַלחַֿטּאֹתֵינוּ Ps 79:9 deliver us and cover over all our sins; probably also כְּאִמְרָֽתְךָ הַצִּילֵנִי Ps 119:170.

Hoph`al Participle מֻצּל; — כְּאוּד מֻצָּל מִשְּׂרֵטָה Amos 4:11 as a brand plucked out of the burning; מֵאֵשׁ Zech 3:2 from the fire.

Hithpa`el וַיִּתְנַצְּלוּ אֶתעֶֿדְיָם Exod 33:6 (E) and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.

BDB9718 H5337 H5338

BDB9717 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9719

[נְצַל] verb Haph`el rescue, deliver (see Biblical Hebrew, Egyptian Aramaic הנצל take away, S-CC 10, D 18); — of God, absolute: Participle active מַצִּל Dan 6:28, Infinitive לְהַצָּלָה Dan 3:29 of man, suffix person לְהַצָּלוּתֵהּ Dan 6:15.

deliver, delivered, delivereth, recover, rid, …
nāṣal
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
  • to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
    • (Niphal)
      • to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
        • "to be torn out or away, be delivered
      (Piel)
      • to strip off, spoil
        • "to deliver
      (Hiphil)
      • to take away, snatch away
        • "to rescue, recover"to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)"to deliver from sin and guilt
      (Hophal) to be plucked out"(Hithpael) to strip oneself

מִ מָּ֣וֶת
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
מָּ֣וֶת
Root word death, die, died, dead, dieth, …
Dictionary form: מָוֶת · maw-WET

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: from death
of death ×24 the death ×19 death ×16 from death ×8 and death ×6 of his death ×6 dieth ×4 to death ×4
More options
death — Most direct and universal rendering; suitable for nearly all contexts.
dying — Prefer when emphasizing the process or act rather than the state.
mortality — Highlights the human condition; good in reflective or wisdom texts.
end — Softer, euphemistic tone; useful in poetic or narrative passages.
fatal — Best as an adjective in phrases like 'fatal wound' or 'fatal blow'.
deadly — Adjectival use only; stresses lethal danger or consequence.

BDB4562 H4194

BDB4561 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4563

מָ֫וֶת161 noun masculineExod 10:17 death; — absolute ׳מ Deut 19:6 +; מָֽ֫וְתָה Ps 116:15 construct מוֺת Gen 25:11 +; suffix מוֺתִו Gen 27:2 +; plural construct מוֺהֵי Ezek 28:10 suffix בְּמֹתָיו Isa 53:9 —

1. death, opposed to life, Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 2Sam 15:21 כל האדם ׳מ the death of all men (that all go to) Num 16:29 (J), as distinguished from violent death; ׳יוֺם מ day of death Gen 27:2 (J) Judg 13:7; 1Sam 15:35 +; ׳שְׁנַת מ Isa 6:1; Isa 14:28 ׳עד מ Num 35:25; Num 35:28; Num 35:32; Josh 20:6 (P), 1Kgs 11:40 ׳לפני מ Gen 27:7; Gen 27:10; Gen 50:16 (JE); ׳אחרי מ Gen 26:18 (J), Gen 25:11; Lev 16:1; Num 35:28 (P), Deut 31:27; Deut 31:29 (D) +; ׳בכור מ Job 18:13 firstborn of death (deadly disease); of flies Eccl 10:1, unclean animals Lev 11:31; Lev 11:32 (P).
2. death by violence as a penalty : ׳מִשְׁפַּט מ + לְ or בְּ person: a case of death to, or in a man, guilty of capital crime Deut 19:6; Deut 21:22; Jer 26:11; Jer 26:16 ׳חֵטְא מ Deut 22:26 ׳מ (י)בנ 1Sam 20:31; 1Sam 26:16; 2Sam 12:5 ׳אישׁ מ 2Sam 19:29 ׳אנשׁי מ 1Kgs 2:26 ׳מַלְאֲכֵי מ Prov 16:14 messengers of death; במותָיו Isa 53:9 in his (martyr-) death (see BrMP 359).
3. state of death or place of death (|| שׁאול) Isa 28:15; Isa 28:18; Isa 38:18; Hos 13:14; Hab 2:5; Ps 6:6; Ps 49:15; Song 8:6; Prov 5:5; Prov 7:27 (|| אבדון) Job 28:22 ׳שׁערי מ gates of death Ps 9:14; Ps 107:18; Job 38:17.

death, die, died, dead, dieth, …
māwet
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
  • death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead
    • death
      • "death by violence (as a penalty)"state of death, place of death

נַפְשָׁ ֑ם
נַפְשָׁ
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
֑ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH

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

In the KJV here: their soul
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

וּ ֝לְ חַיּוֹתָ ֗ם
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
חַיּוֹתָ
Root word live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …
֗ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: חָיָה · haw-YAW

Verb — Piel, Infinitive Construct, construct state intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: and to keep them alive
live ×35 and lived ×31 shall live ×12 and live ×11 god save ×8 lived ×8 quicken ×8 he shall surely ×7
More options
live — Core rendering; broad and natural in most contexts.
survive — Prefer when life is threatened or at stake.
revive — Use for restoration from near-death or weakness.
recover — Good for healing from illness or injury contexts.
keep alive — Highlights preservation; suits causative (Hiphil) forms.
spare — Fits contexts of being saved from death by another's action.

BDB2592 H2421

BDB2591 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2593

I. חוה (Phoenician חוא live = Hebrew חָיָה q. v.)

BDB2715 H2421 H2425

BDB2714 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2716

חָיָה283 verb live (Late Hebrew Phoenician id.; Arabic , ; Sabean חיו MordtZMG 1876, 28; Ethiopic Aramaic , חֲיָא; Palmyrene חיי life, life-time, Vog32, 74) —

Qal203 Perfect חָיָה Eccl 6:6 + 4 t.; יְ֯חָיָה Jer 21:9; Jer 38:2 חַי Gen 5:5 + 23 t. (this and the following form are treated as עע֞, the original weakness of the stem final י admitting of either לה֞ or עע֞, Ges«GKC:76»§ 76 (2) g); וְחֵי Lev 25:36 (Bö§ 1181); 3 feminine singular חָֽיְתָה Gen 12:13; Jer 38:17 וָחָ֑יָה Exod 1:16 (for חַיָּה Bö§ 1123 (3), Samaritan חיתה); 2 masculine singular חָיִיתָ Deut 30:16, חָיִתָה Jer 38:17 3 masculine plural חָיוּ Num 14:38, וְחָיוּ consecutive Num 4:19 + Zech 10:9 (where read Pi`el וְחִיּוּ StaZAW i. 1881, 22 so ᵐ5); וִחְיִיתֶם Ezek 37:5 + 2 t.; Imperfect יִחְיֶה Gen 17:18 + 27 t.; יְחִי Deut 33:6 + 10 t.; וִיחִי Ps 49:10 + 2 t.; וְיֶחִ֑י Isa 38:21, וַיְחִי Gen 5:3 + 37 t.; וַיֶּחִ֑י Deut 4:33 + 4 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּחְיֶה Josh 6:17, תְּחִי Gen 19:20 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular תִּחְיֶה Gen 27:40 + 7 t.; 2 feminine singular תִּחְיִי 2Kgs 4:7 1 singular אֶחְיֶה 2Kgs 1:2 + 8 t.; 3 masculine plural יִחְיוּ Josh 9:21 + 8 t.; 3 feminine plural תִּחְיֶינָה Ezek 13:19; Ezek 37:3 2 masculine plural תִּחְיוּ Deut 4:1 + 2 t.; תִּחְיוּן Deut 5:30; Deut 8:1 1 plural נִחְיֶה 2Kgs 7:4 + 7 t.; Imperative וֶחְיֵה Gen 20:7; Prov 4:4, וֶחְיֶ֯ה Prov 7:2 feminine singular חֲיִי Ezek 16:6 (twice in verse); masculine plural וִחְיוּ Gen 42:18 + 7 t.; Infinitive absolute חָיֹה 2Kgs 8:10 + 6 t.; חָיוֺ Ezek 3:21 + 3 t.; construct לִחְיוֺת Ezek 33:12, suffix חֲיוֺתָם Josh 5:8 —
1. live:
  a. have life, Gen 31:32 (E), Exod 33:20 (J), Num 4:19 (P), Deut 30:16 +; also in phrase וַיְחִי and he lived (so many years) with accusative of time, Gen 5:3-30 (16 t.) Gen 9:28; Gen 11:11-26 (14 t.) Gen 47:28 (all P), Gen 50:22 (E), 2Kgs 14:17 = 2Chr 25:25; Job 42:16.
  b. continue in life, remain alive Gen 20:7 (E), Lev 25:36; 2Sam 12:22 +; also נפשׁ ׳ח live, of the soul or the self Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (J), 1Kgs 20:32; Ps 119:175; Jer 38:2; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20; Isa 55:3 וְחַי הַיָּ֑לֶד and the boy may live 2Sam 12:22 לִפְנֵי ׳ח live in the presence of Gen 17:18 (P) Hos 6:2 ׳ב ׳ח live among Lam 4:20.
  c. sustain life, live on or upon (על), of the animal life, by the sword Gen 27:40 (J), by bread Deut 8:3 elsewhere in pregnant sense of fulness of life in divine favour, sustained by (על) everything that issueth out of the mouth of ׳י Deut 8:3 his promises (?) Isa 38:16 of wicked man, by repentance Ezek 33:19 with בְּ by the statutes and judgments of ׳י if a man do them, Lev 18:5 (H) Ezek 20:11; Ezek 20:13; Ezek 20:21; Ezek 20:25; Neh 9:29 צַדִּיק בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֺ יִחְיֶה a righteous man by his faithfulness shall live Hab 2:4.
  d. live (prosperously) יְחִי הַמֶּלֶך may the king live 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 1:31; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם Ps 22:27; Ps 69:33 המלך לעולם יחיה Neh 2:3.
2. be quickened, revive:
  a. from sickness Num 21:8; Num 21:9; Josh 5:8 (E) 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9; 2Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 8:14; 2Kgs 20:1; 2Kgs 20:7 = Isa 38:1; Isa 38:9; Isa 38:21.
  b. from discouragement of the spirit Gen 45:27 (E).
  c. from faintness Judg 15:19.
  d. from death 2Kgs 13:21; Job 14:14; Isa 26:14; Isa 26:19 by return of נפשׁ 1Kgs 17:22, of רוּהַ Ezek 37:3; Ezek 37:5; Ezek 37:6; Ezek 37:9; Ezek 37:10; Ezek 37:14 (and so Judg 15:19 c). Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular חִיָּה Ps 22:30 3 feminine singular suffix חִיָּ֑תְנִי Ps 119:50 2 masculine singular suffix חִיִּיתַנִי Ps 30:4 חִיִּיתָ֑נִי Paslm Ps 119:93 3 plural חִיּוּ Judg 21:14, הַחִיִּיתֶם Num 31:15 Imperfect יְחַיֶּה 1Sam 27:9 +, etc.; Imperative suffix חַיֵּנִי Ps 119:25 + 8 t., חַיֵּיהוּ Hab 3:2 Infinitive construct חַיּוֺת Gen 7:3; Ezek 13:19 suffix חַיֹּתֵנוּ Deut 6:24 +, etc.; Participle מְחַיֶּה Neh 9:6; 1Sam 2:6 —
1. preserve alive, let live Exod 1:17; Exod 1:18; Exod 1:22; Exod 22:17; Josh 9:15 (JE), Gen 12:12 (J), Num 31:15 (P), Deut 6:24; Deut 20:16; Judg 21:14; 1Sam 27:9; 1Sam 27:11; 1Kgs 18:5; 2Kgs 7:4; Jer 49:11; Ezek 3:18; Hab 3:2; Job 36:6; Ps 30:4; Ps 33:19; Ps 41:3; Ps 138:7 נפשׁ ׳ח preserve oneself alive Ps 22:30; Ezek 18:27, or preserve persons alive Ezek 13:18; Ezek 13:19, or preserve life 1Kgs 20:31 זרע ׳ח preserve seed alive Gen 7:3; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:34 (J); keep in existence heaven and earth Neh 9:6 nourish, young cow Isa 7:21, lamb 2Sam 12:3.
2. give life, to man when created Job 33:4.
3. quicken, revive, refresh:
  a. restore to life, the dead 1Sam 2:6; Deut 32:39; Hos 6:2 the dying Ps 71:20.
  b. cause to grow, grain Hos 14:8.
  c. restore, a ruined city 1Chr 11:8, stones destroyed by fire Neh 3:34.
  d. revive, the people of ׳י by ׳י himself with fulness of life in his favour Ps 80:19; Ps 85:7; Ps 119:25; Ps 119:37; Ps 119:40; Ps 119:50; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:93; Ps 119:107; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:154; Ps 119:156; Ps 119:159; Ps 143:11; Eccl 7:12. Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱיָה Josh 6:25 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular suffix הֶחֱיִתָנוּ Gen 47:25 1 singular הֶחֱיֵיתִי Num 22:33, הַחֲיִתֶם Josh 2:13; Judg 8:19 Imperative suffix הַחֲיֵינִי Isa 38:16 הַחֲיוּ Num 31:18 Infinitive absolute הַחֲיֵה Josh 9:20 construct הַחֲיוֺת Gen 6:20 + 6 t.; הַחֲיֹת Gen 6:19; Gen 50:20 suffix הַחֲיֹתוֺ Ezek 13:22 —
1. preserve alive, let live Gen 45:7; Gen 50:20 (E), Gen 47:25; Num 22:33; Josh 2:13; Josh 6:25 (all J), Josh 14:10 (D); Gen 6:19; Gen 6:20; Num 31:18; Josh 9:20 (P), Judg 8:19; 2Sam 8:2; Ezek 13:22 with נפשׁ Gen 19:19 (J).
2. quicken, revive:
  a. restore to health, a leper 2Kgs 5:7, Hezekiah Isa 38:16.
  b. revive the לֵב and רוּחַ Isa 57:15 (twice in verse).
  c. restore to life, the dead 2Kgs 8:1; 2Kgs 8:5 (3 t. in verse).

BDB9521 H2418 H2421

BDB9520 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9522

[חֲיָא] verb live (see Biblical Hebrew תָיָה); —

Pe`al Imperative לְעָֽלְמִין חֱיִי live for ever! Dan 2:4; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22. Hiph`il Participle מַחֵא (K§ 11. 3 b) γ) HptKmp. Dn. 28) Dan 5:19 let live.

live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …
ḥāyâ
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
  • to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
    • (Qal)
      • to live
        • to have life
          • "to continue in life, remain alive"to sustain life, to live on or upon"to live (prosperously)
        to revive, be quickened
        • from sickness
          • "from discouragement"from faintness"from death
      (Piel)
      • to preserve alive, let live
        • "to give life"to quicken, revive, refresh
        • to restore to life
          • "to cause to grow"to restore"to revive
      (Hiphil)
      • to preserve alive, let live
        • "to quicken, revive
        • to restore (to health)
          • "to revive"to restore to life

בָּ רָעָֽב
בָּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
רָעָֽב
Root word famine, hunger, dearth, famished
Dictionary form: רָעָב · raw-AWB

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

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: in famine
the famine ×14 famine ×13 a famine ×7 and by the famine ×7 and the famine ×7 by the famine ×7 of famine ×6 with hunger ×4
More options
famine — Best for widespread, prolonged food crisis affecting populations.
hunger — More personal or immediate; suits individual suffering contexts.
starvation — Emphasizes severity; use when death or extreme deprivation is implied.
food shortage — Neutral, modern register; good for less acute or early-stage scarcity.
scarcity — Broader lack; fits contexts of general deprivation beyond just food.
dearth — Retain only if formal register is needed; otherwise prefer 'shortage'.

BDB7988 H7458

BDB7987 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7989

רָעָב101 noun masculineGen 26:1 famine, hunger; — absolute ׳ר Gen 12:10 +; suffix רְעָבָם Neh 9:15

1. famine (in land, nation or city), Gen 12:10; Gen 26:1; Gen 41:30; Gen 41:31; Exod 16:3; 2Sam 21:1; 2Sam 24:13 = 2Kgs 4:38; 2Kgs 6:25 +; ׳שְׁנֵי( הָ)ר Gen 41:27; Gen 41:30; Gen 41:36, ׳שְׁנַת ר vGen 41:50, but also ׳שָׁנִים ר [שָׁלוֺשׁ] שֶׁבַע 2Sam 24:13 (on gender see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 103) = 1Chr 21:12 with חזק (be) severe Gen 47:56; Gen 47:57; 1Kgs 18:2; 1Kgs 25:3 = Jer 52:6, חזק עַל Gen 47:20 with כָּבֵד Gen 12:10; Gen 47:4; Gen 47:13 גָּדוֺל 2Kgs 6:25 ׳זַלְעֲפוֺת ר Lam 5:10 ׳מְזֵי ר Deut 32:24 + Isa 5:13 (see [מָזֶה]), ׳תַּחֲלוּאֵי ר Jer 14:18, ׳חַלֲלֵי ר Lam 5:10, ׳אֲסֻפֵי ר Ezek 34:29 ׳חִצֵּי הָר Ezek 5:16 as scourge of ׳י (+ חֶרֶב, דֶּבֶר, etc.; especially Jeremiah, Ezekiel), Jer 5:12; Jer 11:22; Jer 14:12; Jer 21:7; Jer 21:9; Ezek 5:2; Ezek 6:11; Ezek 6:12 +, etc.; figurative of lack of ׳י's word Amos 8:11.
2. hunger, of individual Jer 32:9; Deut 28:48 (+ צָמָא, etc.), 2Chr 32:11 (+ id.).

famine, hunger, dearth, famished
rāʿāb
hunger (more or less extensive)
  • famine, hunger
    • famine (in land, nation)
      • of Jehovah's word (figuratively)
      hunger (of individuals)

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.
לְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם Revia Mugrash — a lesser break בָּרָעָֽב Silluq — end of the verse

לְהַצִּיל מִמָּוֶת נַפְשָׁם וּלְחַיּוֹתָם בָּרָעָֽב׃
19
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Cross References

Psalms 37:19

לֹֽא-יֵבֹשׁוּ בְּעֵת רָעָה וּבִימֵי רְעָבוֹן יִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃
19
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Proverbs 10:3

לֹֽא-יַרְעִיב יְהוָה נֶפֶשׁ צַדִּיק וְהַוַּת רְשָׁעִים יֶהְדֹּֽף׃
3
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Job 5:19

בְּשֵׁשׁ צָרוֹת יַצִּילֶךָּ וּבְשֶׁבַע׀ לֹֽא-יִגַּע בְּךָ רָֽע׃
19
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

John 10:28

κἀγὼ ζωὴν αἰώνιον δίδωμι αὐτοῖς καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀπόλωνται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ οὐχ ἁρπάσει τις αὐτὰ ἐκ τῆς χειρός μου
28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Matthew 6:31

μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε λέγοντες Τί φάγωμεν; ἤ τί πίωμεν; ἤ τί περιβαλώμεθα;
31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Isaiah 33:16

הוּא מְרוֹמִים יִשְׁכֹּן מְצָדוֹת סְלָעִים מִשְׂגַּבּוֹ לַחְמוֹ נִתָּן מֵימָיו נֶאֱמָנִֽים׃
16
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

Psalms 37:3

בְּטַח בַּֽיהוָה וַעֲשֵׂה-טוֹב שְׁכָן-אֶרֶץ וּרְעֵה אֱמוּנָֽה׃
3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Psalms 91:3

כִּי הוּא יַצִּֽילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּֽוֹת׃
3
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Psalms 91:10

לֹֽא-תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא-יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶֽךָ׃
10
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Acts 12:11

καὶ ὁ Πέτρος γενόμενος ἐν ἑαυτῷ εἶπεν Νῦν οἶδα ἀληθῶς ὅτι ἐξαπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξείλετο με ἐκ χειρὸς Ἡρῴδου καὶ πάσης τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ λαοῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων
11
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the of people the Jews.

John 10:30

ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ἕν ἐσμεν
30
I and my Father are one.
Psalms 33:18
Read Psalms 33
Psalms 33:20