Psalms 35:12

יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּנִי רָ֭עָה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָ֗ה שְׁכ֣וֹל לְנַפְשִֽׁי

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּ נִי

יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּ

Root word pay, peace, recompense, restore, render, …

נִי

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: שָׁלַם · shaw-LAHM

Verb — Piel, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: they rewarded

i will pay ×5 and pay ×4 he shall restore ×3 make it good ×3 pay ×3 to pay ×3 he will repay ×2 made peace ×2

More options

pay — Best default for financial or vow-fulfillment contexts.

restore — Prefer when returning something lost or damaged.

repay — Emphasizes reciprocal or retributive payment.

fulfill — Ideal for completing vows, promises, or obligations.

recompense — Formal register; suits legal or judicial restitution settings.

make peace — Use when the relational/reconciliation sense is primary.

BDB8733 H7999

[שָׁלֵם]₁₀₃ verb be complete, sound (Late Hebrew id. (Jastr), Phoenician שלם Pi`el complete, requite, especially in proper name, Lzb³⁷⁶ GACooke^{99, also 81, 111, etc.}; Arabic be safe, secure, free from fault, II. make over, resign to, IV. resign or submit oneself, especially to God, whence participle Muslim, and infinitive Isl¹m properly submission to God; Assyrian šalâmu, be complete, unharmed, be paid; Aramaic שְׁלֵים, be complete, safe, ᵑ7 peaceful; Old Aramaic שלם reward, repay (Pa; in proper name); compare Sabean סלם peace Hom^{Chr 124}, Arabic , also safety, security; Assyrian šulmu, welfare; Ethiopic Di³²² security peace; Aramaic שְׁלָמָא, security, welfare, Old Aramaic שלם Lzb³⁷⁶, especially = submission, in proper name RS^{Sem.79 f.}; Bondi⁷⁰ (after Brugsch), compare šarm¹, greet, do homage, as loan-word in Egyptian); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural שָֽׁלְמוּ Isa 60:20 Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיִּשְׁלָ֑ם Job 9:4 feminine תַּשְׁלַם 1Kgs 7:51 + 2 t.; —

1. be complete, finished, ended: temple 1Kgs 7:51 = 2Chr 5:1 walls of city Neh 6:15 of time Isa 60:20.

2. be sound, uninjured, Job 9:4. Pi`el₈₉ Perfect 3 masculine singular שִׁלַּם Lev 5:24 +, 1 singular וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֫י Jer 16:18 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְשַׁלֵּם Exod 21:34 +; suffix יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה Lev 24:18 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שַׁלֵּם Eccl 5:3 + Eccl 50:14, etc.; Infinitive absolute שַׁלֵּם Exod 21:36 +; construct id. Prov 22:27, etc.; Participle מְשַׁלֵּם Deut 7:10 +, etc.; —

1. complete, finish, temple 1Kgs 9:25.

2. make safe, with accusative Job 8:6.

3. make whole or good, restore thing lost Joel 2:25, or stolen Exod 21:37 (E); pay a debt 2Kgs 4:7; Ps 37:21; Prov 22:27; Job 41:3 make compensation, for injury Lev 24:18; Lev 24:21 (P); for trespass in sacred things Lev 5:16 (P).

4. make good, i.e. pay, vows, with accusative נֶדֶר Deut 23:22; 2Sam 15:7 + 9 t., + (with ל to God) Ps 50:14; Ps 66:13; Ps 116:14; Ps 116:18 object omitted Ps 76:12 absolute Isa 19:21 with accusative תּוֺדוֺת with ל to God Ps 56:13 פרים שׂפתינו Hos 14:3.

5. requite, recompense, reward, good 1Sam 24:20; Ruth 2:12 evil Isa 65:6; Jer 51:56 with ל person Deut 7:10 + 4 t., + (with accusative of thing) Jer 51:24 אל person Job 21:19 acc of thing Prov 20:22; Jer 16:18 שְׁלַּם גְּמוּל לְ Isa 59:18 (twice in verse) (but see I. שִׁלֵּם), Isa 66:6 + (see גְּמוּל); פֹּעַל לְ ׳שׁ Job 34:11 גְּמוּל עַל ׳שׁ Joel 4:4 עַל חֵיק Isa 65:6 אֶלחַֿיק Jer 32:18 with ל person and כ of deeds, ׳שׁ reward according to one's works 2Sam 3:39 + 3 t.; accusative of person Ps 31:24 accusative of thing רעה תחת טובה ׳שׁ Gen 44:4 (J) + Gen 35:12; Gen 38:21 (read מְשַׁלְּמֵנִי). Pu`al Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְשֻׁלַּם Ps 65:2; Jer 18:20 יְשֻׁלָּ֑ם Prov 11:31; Prov 13:13 —

1. be performed, of vow Ps 65:2.

2. be repaid, requited, Jer 18:20; Prov 11:31; Prov 13:13.

Hiph`il 1. complete, perform: Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַשְׁלִים Job 23:14; Isa 44:26, יַשְׁלִם V:28.

2. make an end of, 2 masculine singular suffix תֵּשְׁלִימֵנִי Isa 38:12; Isa 38:13 (ᵐ5 Du Marti deliver up to pains, as in Aramaic).

BDB8736 H7999

[שָׁלַם] verb denominative be in covenant of peace;-Qal Imperative שְׁלָ֑ם Job 22:21 be at peace (in covt.); Participle suffix שׁוֺלְמִי Ps 7:5 i.e. my ally, friend (compare Ps 41:10); Participle pass construct שְׁלֻמֵי 2Sam 20:19, read שָׂמוּ ᵐ5 Ew^{G iii. 264} Dr (compare We) HPS and modern Pu`al Participle מְשֻׁלָּם Isa 42:19 one in covenant of peace (with ׳י; but ᵐ5 משְׁלָם their ruler, so Che^Hpt; Ges Hi Ew and others one resigned (to God), read then מָשְׁלָם, compare √, Arabic IV.; Krochm Grä Marti מְשֻׁלָּחַי). Hiph`il Perfect 3 feminine singular הִשְׁלִ֫ימָה Josh 10:4; Josh 11:19 3 masculine plural הִשְׁלִ֫ימוּ Josh 10:1 Imperfect יַשְׁלִים Isa 44:26 +, יַשְׁלִם Prov 16:7 וַיַּשְׁלֵם 1Kgs 22:45, etc.; —

1. make peace with, אֶת, Josh 10:1; Josh 10:4; 2Sam 10:19 = 1Chr 19:19 (עִם); עִם Deut 20:12; 1Kgs 22:45 with אֶל pregnantly Josh 11:19 submitting unto.

2. cause to be at peace, אֶת, Prov 16:7. Hoph`al Perfect 3 feminine singular הָשְׁלְאָה Job 5:23 live in peace with, לְ (|| ברית).

BDB9961 H7999 H8000

[שְׁלֵם] verb be complete (see Biblical Hebrew; Egyptian Aramaic שלם pay in full Cooke⁴⁰⁴ = S-C^{L 5. 7}); —

Pe`al Participle pass, שְׁלִם Ezra 5:16 finished, of temple. Haph`el Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix הַשְׁלְמַהּ Dan 5:26 God has finished it (the kingdom; brought it to an end); Imperative masculine singular הַשְׁלֵם Ezra 7:19 render in full, accusative of thing (compare Syriac Aph`el, BeRy Berthol), followed by קֳדָם dei.

pay, peace, recompense, restore, render, …

šālam

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications)

to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace

(Qal)

to be at peace

to make peace with

(Qal)

to be complete, be finished, be ended

to complete, finish

to be performed

to complete, perform

תַּ֥חַת

Preposition under, stead, for, instead, place, …

Dictionary form: תַּחַת · ta-HAHT

Preposition

In the KJV here: for

under ×138 in his stead ×70 for ×51 and under ×20 from under ×20 instead of ×13 beneath ×12 instead ×11

More options

under — Default spatial sense; below or beneath something.

beneath — Slightly more emphatic or literary than 'under'.

instead of — Substitution sense; one thing replacing another.

in place of — Substitution sense; slightly more formal than 'instead of'.

because of — Causal sense; use when context implies consequence or reason.

in exchange for — Commercial or reciprocal contexts; stresses equivalence.

BDB9138 H8478

תַּחַת noun [masculine] the under part (Arabic id.), hence as adverb accusative and preposition underneath, below, instead of (so Arabic , Sabean תחת, Ethiopic Phoenician תחת (Lzb³⁸⁵); Biblical Aramaic ᵑ7, תְּחוֺת, Palmyrene in מן לתחת Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke³²⁰), Syriac ); —

1. as adverb accusative Gen 49:25 (= Deut 33:13) the deep רֹבֶצֶת תָּ֑חַת that coucheth beneath; more usually with מִן, מִתָּחַת literally off (מִן 1 c) the under part = beneath, Exod 20:4 (= Deut 5:8) בָּאָרֶץ מִתָּ֑חַת (so Deut 4:39; Josh 2:1l 1Kgs 8:23 [both D²], Isa 51:6), Deut 33:27; Judg 7:8; Amos 2:9; Isa 14:9; Job 18:16; Ezek 47:1b II. as preposition; so construct, and with suffix (usually in the plural, and so literally in the parts underneath) תַּחְתַּי Hab 3:16+, חַתֵּנִי (compare בַּעֲדֵנִי, עוֺדֶנִּי: Ges^{«GKC:103d»§ 103d}) 2Sam 22:37; 2Sam 22:40; 2Sam 22:48 (Ps 18:37; Ps 18:40; Ps 18:48 תַּחְתָּ֑י); תַּחְתֶּיךָ; תַּחְתָּיו (Kt תַּחְתּוֺ 2Sam 2:23; 2Sam 3:12; 2Sam 16:8; Job 9:13), תֵּחְתֶּיהָ Lev 13:23 + 16 t., תַּחְתֶּ֫נָּה (compare אֵינֶנָּה, עוֺדֶנָּה) Gen 2:21 תַּחְתֵּינוּ 1Sam 14:9; Ps 47:4 תַּחְתֵּיהֶם Josh 2:14; Amos 2:13 תַּחְתֵּיהֶם Num 16:31; 1Kgs 20:24; 1Chr 4:41; 1Chr 5:22; 2Chr 12:10 (for תַּחְתָּם 1Kgs 14:27), תַּחְתָּם Deut 2:12 + 10 t., תַּחְתֵּקהֶן Jer 28:13 —

1. under, beneath, Gen 7:19 הַשָּׁמַיִם תַּחַת כָּלֿ under the whole heaven (so Deut 2:25; Deut 4:19; Job 28:24; Job 37:3; Job 41:3; Dan 9:12), Dan 18:4 הָעֵץ ׳ת, Dan 21:15; Dan 24:2 + often; Job 30:14 שׁוֺאָה ׳תּ under the crash they roll themselves against me; הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ ׳ת Eccl 1:3; Eccl 1:9; Eccl 1:13 + often Ecclesiastes (so in Phoenician, Cooke^{4. 7; 5. 12}). With לְ 2Chr 4:3 תַּחַת לוֺ, Song 2:6 = Song 8:3 לְראֹשִׁי ׳ת. Idiomatic
a. תַּחַת הָהָר at the foot of the mountain, Exod 24:4; Deut 4:11, so Deut 3:17 ׳אַשְׁדֹּת הַפִּסְגָּה ת Josh 11:3; Josh 11:17 +; figurative Ps 18:37 תַּחְתָּ֑י תַּרְחִיד אְעָדַי thou broadenest mysteps under me, Job 36:15 רַחַב לאֹ מוּצָק תַּחְתֶּיךָ (so read for תחתיה, Di Bu) breadth unstraitened is beneath thee.
b. ׳הַלָּשׁוֺן ת, of something held there as a dainty morsel, and ready, when needed, to be brought out, figurative of sweetness Song 4:11, of evil Ps 10:7 ׳לְשֹׁנוֺ עָמָל וָאָוֶן ת, Job 20:12 (so שְׁפָתֵימוֺ ׳ת Ps 140:4), of praise Ps 66:17 לְשֹׁנוֺ ׳וְרוֺמַם ת (synonym בִּגְרוֺנָם Ps 149:6).
c. ׳תַּחַת פ:
(a) of subjection, Ps 18:40 תַּחְתָּ֑י תַּכְּ רִיעַ קָמַי, vPs 18:48 (compare Ps 47:4; Ps 144:2), Ps 45:6; Job 9:13.
(b) of a woman, אִישָׁתּ ׳ת, i.e. under his authority, Num 5:19; Num 5:20; Num 5:29, so Ezek 23:5 תַּחְתַּי being under me = being mine (figurative of Israel as ׳י's spouse), compare ὕπανδρος Rom 7:2, and Qor 66:10.
(c) of being burdened or oppressed under, Isa 24:5 the earth יָֽשְׁבֶיהָ ׳הָֽנְפָה ת, Prov 30:21 שָׁלוֺשׁ רָגְזָה אֶרֶץ ׳ת, vProv 30:22 vProv 30:23; Hab 3:7 אָיֶן ׳ת i.e. (si vera 1.) suffering under calamity.
d. ׳יַד פ ׳ת, of authority or control, Gen 41:35 יַד פַּרְעֹה ׳וְיִצְבְּרוּ בָר ת; Judg 3:30 (compare Ps 106:42), 1Sam 21:4; 1Sam 21:5 (strike out אֶל; dittograph חֹל), v.1Sam 21:9; Isa 3:6.
e. ׳רַגְלֵי פ ׳ת, of subjection or conquest, Ps 8:7 רַגְלָיו כֹּל ׳שַׁתָּה ת, Ps 18:39; Ps 47:4; Lam 3:34, compare Mal 3:31.

2. what is under one, the place in which one stands: hence as accusative,
a. with reflexive pronoun, idiomatic, in one's place, where one stands, Exod 16:29 תַּחְתָּיו שְׁבוּ אִישׁ abide every one in his place, Lev 13:23; Lev 13:28; Josh 5:8; Josh 6:5; Josh 6:20; Judg 7:21; 1Sam 14:9 וְעָמַדְנוּ תַחְתֵּינוּ we will remain where we are, 2Sam 2:23 וַיָּמָת תַּחְתָּו he died where he was (compare Jer 38:9 [read וּמֵת]), Jer 7:10; Isa 25:10; Isa 46:7; Amos 2:13; Hab 3:16 וְתַחְתַּי אֶרְגָּ֑ז I tremble where I stand, Zech 12:6; Zech 14:10; Job 36:20; Job 40:12 תַּחְתָּם
b. in transferred sense, in place of, instead of: (a) Gen 2:18; Gen 4:25 הֶבֶל ׳ת instead of Abel, Gen 22:13 בְּנוֺ ׳ת, Gen 30:2 אלהיס אנכי ׳הֲת (compare Gen 50:19), Gen 44:33; 2Sam 19:1 + often; Job 16:4; Isa 3:24; Isa 55:13; Isa 61:3; Isa 61:7 of one succeeding to the place of another, תַּחְתָּיו וַיִּמְחֹ Gen 36:33-49 1Kgs 8:20; 1Kgs 11:43; 1Kgs 14:20 + often, Deut 2:12; Deut 2:21 וַיֵָּֽשְׁבוּ תַחְתָּם, Lev 16:32; 1Kgs 2:35 +; Ps 45:17 in place of thy fathers (whom thou mayest therefore forget) will be thy children. compare in Ph CIS^i.3.9 (Cooke³⁰). Sq. infinitive Isa 60:15 הֱיוֺתֵח ׳ת instead of thy being . . . Peculiarly Job 34:26 (si vera lectio)= as if they were, like; but text very dubious; Bi Bu תָּחֵת חֲמָתוֺ רְשָׁעִ֑ים his wrath breaketh in pieces the wicked. (b) in particular, of things mutually interchanged, in place of, in exchange or return for: Gen 30:15 דּוּדָאֵי בְנֵח ׳ת in return, for thy son's love-apples, Exod 21:23) גֶפְשׁlife for life, vExod 21:24 vExod 21:25 vExod 21:26 vExod 21:27 vExod 21:36 v.Exod 22:37, Josh 2:14 נַפְשֵׁנוּ תַחְתֵּיכֶם לָמוּת, 1Sam 2:20; 1Kgs 20:39 נפשׁו ׳נפשׁך ת, v1Kgs 20:42 (compare 2Kgs 10:24), 2Kgs 21:2; Isa 43:3; Isa 43:4 often with verbs of requiting, Gen 44:4 טוֺבָם ׳לָ֫מּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּם רָעָה ת why have ye rewarded evil in exchange for good ? 1Sam 25:21; 2Sam 16:12; 2Sam 19:22; Ps 35:12 טוֺבָה ׳יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי דָעָה ת, Ps 38:21a; Ps 109:4; Ps 109:5; Prov 17:3 +; Jer 5:19 תַּחַת מֶה in return for what? (compare עַלמֶֿה Jer 22:8; Deut 29:23; 1Kgs 9:8). So followed by infinitive Ps 38:21b.

3. as conjunction: a. תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר:
(a) instead of that (German. anstatt dass), Deut 28:62 הֱיִיתֶם ׳א ׳ת instead of that ye were..., instead of your being.., Ezek 36:34. (b) in return for (the fact) that, because that (ᵐ5 ἀνθ’ ὧν Amos 1:3 + often), Num 25:13 ׳אֲשֶׁר קִנָּא לא ׳ת, Deut 21:14; Deut 22:29; Deut 28:47; 1Sam 26:21; 2Kgs 22:17 = 2Chr 34:25; Isa 53:12; Jer 29:19; Jer 50:7; 2Chr 21:12.
b. תַּחַת כִּי Deut 4:37 (but ? read : וֶַתּחִי as end of vDeut 4:36), Prov 1:29. compare עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר (כִּיׅ. III compounds: —

1. אֶלתַּֿחַת, after a verb of motion:
a. (in) under, Judg 6:19 וַיּוֺצֵא אֶלֿ הָאֵלָה ׳ת, 1Kgs 8:6 (|| 2Chr 5:7), Jer 3:6; Jer 38:11 (on 1Sam 21:5 see II. 1 d); after קָרָא Zech 3:10: so ׳לְ ׳אֶלתֿ Ezek 10:2.
b. into the place of, Lev 14:42.

2. מִתַּחַת (= ὑπ’ ἐκ):
a. alone, from under, from beneath as מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם Gen 1:7, and especially after such verbs as שִׁחֵת Gen 6:17, מָחֶה Exod 17:14; Deut 9:14; Deut 25:19; Deut 29:19; 2Kgs 14:27, הֶאֲבִיד Deut 7:24, compare Lam 3:66; Ezek 47:1 a מִפְּתַּן ׳מִתּ הַבַּיִת, Prov 22:27 לָ֫מָּה יִקַח מִשְׁכָּֽבְּךָ מִּתַּחְתֶּיךָ; Exod 6:6; Exod 6:7 סִבְלוֺת מִצְרַיִם ׳מִתּ, Hos 4:12 אֱלֹהֵיהֶם ׳וַיִּזְנוּ מִתּ (compare II. 1 c a, b); ׳יַד פ ׳מִתּ (compare II. 1 d) from under the hand (power) of ... Exod 18:10; 2Kgs 8:20; 2Kgs 8:22; 2Kgs 13:5; 2Kgs 17:7 +; מִתַּחְתָּיו (compare II. 2 a) from his place Exod 10:23; Zech 6:12. Rarely = תַּחַת or ׳מִתַּחַת לְ, Gen 1:9 (P) Ezek 1:8; Ezek 42:9; Ezek 46:23; Job 26:5.
b. ׳מִתַּחַת לְ (opposed to ׳מִמַּעַל לְ) under, beneath: Gen 1:17 ׳הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתּ לָרָקִיעַ, Exod 20:4 הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ (so Deut 4:18; Deut 5:8), Judg 3:16 לְמַדָּיו ׳מִתּ, Jer 38:12 +; of locality, Gen 35:8 לְבֵיתְאֵל ׳מִתּ, 1Sam 7:11; 1Kgs 4:12.
c. ׳לְמִתַּחַת לְ ( compare מִן 9 b), id quod ׳מִתַּחַת לְ 1Kgs 7:32.

BDB9998 H8460 H8478 H8479

תְּחוֺת preposition under (Biblical Hebrew תַּחַתּ; ᵑ7 תְּחוֺת, Syriac , , adverb ; Palmyrene מן לתחת Cooke³²⁰); — Dan 7:27 תְּחוֺת כָּלשְֿׁמַיָּא (compare Biblical Hebrew II. 1); in plural with suffix (as Biblical Hebrew, Syriac, ᵑ7) Dan 4:9 תְּחֹתֹהִי (so ᵑ7^Onk Lev 15:10: Dalm^{§ 47, 2}), vLev 15:18. With מִן, Jer 10:11 מִן תְּחוֺת שְׁמַיָּא (compare Biblical Hebrew III. 2); suffix Dan 4:11 מִןתַּֿחְתּוֺהִי (the form as Syriac adverb above, unless a Hebraizing punct.).

under, stead, for, instead, place, …

taḥat

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas

(n m) the under part

at the foot of (idiom)

in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)

שְׁכ֣וֹל

Root word children, spoiling

Dictionary form: שְׁכוֹל · sheh-KOLE

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: to the spoiling

the loss of children ×2 to the spoiling ×1

More options

bereavement — Broad, neutral term for loss of a child.

childlessness — Emphasizes the resulting state of having no children.

loss of children — Literal and transparent; good for prose contexts.

child-loss — Compact hyphenated form; suits poetic or terse passages.

deprivation of offspring — Formal register; highlights stripping away of children.

devastation — Captures emotional weight when literal sense is secondary.

BDB8664 H7908

שְׁכוֺל noun [masculine] bereavement, loss of children; — ׳לֹא אֵדַע שׁ Isa 47:8 (|| אַלְמָנָה), compare vIsa 47:9 figurative Ps 35:12.

children, spoiling

šĕkôl

bereavement

bereavement, loss of children

לְ נַפְשִֽׁ י

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

נַפְשִֽׁ

Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …

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: of my 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

נֶ֫פֶשׁ₇₅₆ noun feminine^{Gen 49:6} (so even Gen 2:19; Num 31:28; 1Kgs 19:2 see Albr^{ZAW 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 We^{Skizzen iii. 217 G.} Jacob^{Arab. 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 (R^D).

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), Br^{JBL 1897,17 ff}.

BDB7797 H7307 H5315 H3824 H1320 H3820

רוּחַ₃₇₈ noun feminine^{Gen 41:8} (less often masculine^{Exod 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 Br^{רוח 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

dubious

dubious

dubious

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.

יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּנִי רָ֭עָה Dechi — a lesser break תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָ֗ה Revia Gadol — a lesser break שְׁכ֣וֹל לְנַפְשִֽׁי Silluq — end of the verse

יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה שְׁכוֹל לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

Cross References

John 10:32

ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς Πολλὰ καλὰ ἔργα ἔδειξα ὑμῖν ἐκ τοῦ πατρός μου· διὰ ποῖον αὐτῶν ἔργον λιθάζετε μὲ

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Jeremiah 18:20

הַיְשֻׁלַּם תַּֽחַת-טוֹבָה רָעָה כִּֽי-כָרוּ שׁוּחָה לְנַפְשִׁי זְכֹר׀ עָמְדִי לְפָנֶיךָ לְדַבֵּר עֲלֵיהֶם טוֹבָה לְהָשִׁיב אֶת-חֲמָתְךָ מֵהֶֽם׃

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.

Psalms 38:20

וּמְשַׁלְּמֵי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה יִשְׂטְנוּנִי תַּחַת רָֽדְפִי-טֽוֹב׃

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

Proverbs 17:13

מֵשִׁיב רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה לֹא-‫(תמיש)‬ תָמוּשׁ רָעָה מִבֵּיתֽוֹ׃

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Luke 23:21

οἱ δὲ ἐπεφώνουν λέγοντες Σταύρωσον σταύρωσον αὐτόν

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Psalms 109:3

וְדִבְרֵי שִׂנְאָה סְבָבוּנִי וַיִּֽלָּחֲמוּנִי חִנָּֽם׃

They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

1 Samuel 20:31

כִּי כָל-הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר בֶּן-יִשַׁי חַי עַל-הָֽאֲדָמָה לֹא תִכּוֹן אַתָּה וּמַלְכוּתֶךָ וְעַתָּה שְׁלַח וְקַח אֹתוֹ אֵלַי כִּי בֶן-מָוֶת הֽוּא׃

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

1 Samuel 19:4

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֽוֹנָתָן בְּדָוִד טוֹב אֶל-שָׁאוּל אָבִיו וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אַל-יֶֽחֱטָא הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּעַבְדּוֹ בְדָוִד כִּי לוֹא חָטָא לָךְ וְכִי מַֽעֲשָׂיו טוֹב-לְךָ מְאֹֽד׃

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

1 Samuel 22:13

וַיֹּאמֶר ‫(אלו)‬ אֵלָיו שָׁאוּל לָמָּה קְשַׁרְתֶּם עָלַי אַתָּה וּבֶן-יִשָׁי בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ לֶחֶם וְחֶרֶב וְשָׁאוֹל לוֹ בֵּֽאלֹהִים לָקוּם אֵלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 Samuel 19:15

וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל אֶת-הַמַּלְאָכִים לִרְאוֹת אֶת-דָּוִד לֵאמֹר הַֽעֲלוּ אֹתוֹ בַמִּטָּה אֵלַי לַֽהֲמִתֽוֹ׃

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Psalms 35:11

Read Psalms 35

Psalms 35:13

Psalms 35:12

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vpi3mp/Sp1cs

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7999

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7451

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H8478

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Aafsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2896

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7908

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncbsc/Sp1cs

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5315

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV