Psalms 49:8

Hebrew Bible (Masoretic) numbering: 49:9
וְ֭יֵקַר פִּדְי֥וֹן נַפְשָׁ֗ם וְחָדַ֥ל לְעוֹלָֽם
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Connections

Matthew 16:26

τί γὰρ ὠφελεῖται ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ
26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Job 36:18

כִּֽי-חֵמָה פֶּן-יְסִֽיתְךָ בְסָפֶק וְרָב-כֹּפֶר אַל-יַטֶּֽךָּ׃
18
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
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Psalms 49:8
Masoretic Phrasing
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.
וְ֭יֵקַר Dechi — a lesser break פִּדְי֥וֹן נַפְשָׁ֗ם Revia Gadol — a lesser break וְחָדַ֥ל לְעוֹלָֽם Silluq — end of the verse
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Word Parts
וְ ֭יֵקַר
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֭יֵקַר
Root word precious, withdraw, at, by
Dictionary form: יָקַר · yaw-KAHR
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Vqi3ms
Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"
וְ Speech Conjunction
יֵקַר Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Imperfect (Yiqtol) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
In English
In the KJV here: is precious
be precious ×2 and precious ×1 i was prised at ×1 is precious ×1 more precious ×1 precious ×1 set by ×1 thou wast precious ×1
More options
precious — Most natural modern equivalent; widely applicable.
valuable — Emphasizes monetary or practical worth.
rare — Highlights scarcity as the source of value.
prized — Conveys high esteem or personal regard.
honored — Best when worth is relational or reputational.
withdraw — Use only for the verbal sense of holding back.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3698 H3365

BDB3697 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3699

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

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

Strong's Definition H3365
precious, withdraw, at, by
yāqar
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
  • to esteem, be prized, be valuable, be precious, be costly, be appraised
    • (Qal)
      • to be precious, be highly valued, be esteemed, be costly
        • "to be appraised
      (Hiphil) to make something precious
Variations 11 forms of this word
Translations 10 English renderings
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Word Parts
פִּדְי֥וֹן
פִּדְי֥וֹן
Root word redemption, ransom
Dictionary form: פִּדְיוֹם · pid-YOME
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncmsc
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
פִּדְיוֹן Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
In English
In the KJV here: for the redemption
for the ransom ×1 for the redemption ×1 the redemption ×1
More options
ransom — Payment that secures release; concrete and transactional.
redemption — Broader deliverance; suits theological or covenantal contexts.
redemption price — Emphasizes the monetary sum required for release.
buyback — Modern financial register; vivid but informal.
release payment — Neutral and transparent; good for legal or cultic texts.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6525 H6302 H6306

BDB6524 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6526

פְּדוּיִם noun [masculine] plural abstract ransom; — so read perhaps Num 3:49 for ᵑ0 פִּדְיוֺם, Samaritan פדוים; construct פְדוּיֵי vNum 3:48 for other possibly cases see Qal Passive participle

BDB6528 H6306 H6299 H6302

BDB6527 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6529

פִּדְיוֺם noun masculine ransom; — Num 3:49, read probably פְּדוּיִם (so ⅏); פִּדְיֹם vNum 3:51 Kt (Qr פְּדוּיִם); — see פדה Qal Passive participle, and פִּדוּיִם above

BDB6529 H6306

BDB6528 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6530

פִּדְיוֺן noun masculine id.; — נֶפֶשׁ ׳פּ Exod 21:30 (E), Ps 49:9.

Strong's Definition H6306
redemption, ransom
pidyôm
a ransom
  • ransom, redemption
Variations 3 forms of this word
Translations 3 English renderings
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Word Parts
נַפְשָׁ ֗ם
נַפְשָׁ
Root word soul, life, souls, lives, persons, …
֗ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: נֶפֶשׁ · neh-PESH
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Ncbsc/Sp3mp
Noun — Common, both singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
נַפְשָׁ Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Singular State Construct
ם Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Plural
In English
In the KJV here: of 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.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

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).

Strong's Definition H5315
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
Variations 93 forms of this word
Translations 255 English renderings
Soul
Search every verse
Word Parts
וְ חָדַ֥ל
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
חָדַ֥ל
Root word forbear, cease, ceased, off, forbare, …
Dictionary form: חָדַל · haw-DAHL
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Vqq3ms
Verb — Qal, Sequential Perfect (Weqatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" carries the story forward — try "and he will ___" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"
וְ Speech Conjunction
חָדַל Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Sequential Perfect (Weqatal) Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular
In English
In the KJV here: and it ceaseth
cease ×9 forbear ×4 ceased ×3 shall i forbear ×3 they will forbear ×3 unto them should i leave ×2 and forbeareth ×1 and he forbare ×1
More options
stop — Most versatile modern choice; suits narrative and legal contexts.
cease — Slightly formal; good for poetic or solemn passages.
refrain — Best when deliberate self-restraint or holding back is implied.
give up — Colloquial; fits contexts of abandoning an effort.
leave off — Modernized KJV phrasing; captures abrupt discontinuation.
desist — Formal register; suits legal or prophetic commands.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2567 H2308

BDB2566 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2568

חָדַל verb cease (Sabean חדל be negligent, SabDenkm76) —

Qal Perfect חָדַל Gen 18:11 + 4 t.; וְחָדַל consecutive Num 9:13; Ps 49:9 2 masculine singular וְחָדַלְתָּ֫ Exod 23:5 plural הָֽדְּלוּ Judg 5:6 + 4 t.; חָד֑לּוּ (compare Köi, 243) Judg 5:7; 1Sam 2:5 1 plural חָדַלְנוּ Jer 44:18 Imperfect יֶחְדַּל Deut 15:11 + (Job 10:20 Kt יחדל jussive > Qr וַחֲדָ֑ל Imperative); אֶחְדָּ֑ל Judg 15:7 + 3 t.; וְאַחְדְּלָה Job 16:6 plural יֶחְדָּ֑לוּ Ezek 2:5 + 2 t.; יֶחְדָּלוּ֔ן Exod 9:29 וַיַּחְדְּלוּ Gen 11:8; Exod 9:33, נֶחְדָּ֑ל 1Kgs 22:15, etc.; Infinitive construct חֲדֹל 1Sam 12:23 Imperative חֲדַל Exod 14:12 +, etc.; חִדְלוּ Isa 1:16; Isa 2:22 חֲדָ֑לוּ Zech 11:22 —
1. cease, come to an end Exod 9:29; Exod 9:33; Exod 9:34 (J), Isa 24:8 impersonal חָדַל לִהְיוֺת לְשָׂרָה Gen 18:11 (J); cease to be Deut 15:11 (followed by מִן), and in poetry Judg 5:6; Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); 1Sam 2:5; Job 14:7 = be lacking, fail Job 19:14; Prov 10:19.
2. cease, leave off, followed by infinitive with לְ Gen 11:8 (J), Gen 41:49 (E), Num 9:13 (P), 1Sam 12:23; 1Sam 23:13; Jer 44:18; Jer 51:30; Deut 23:23; Ps 36:4; Prov 19:27; Ruth 1:18 infinitive alone Isa 1:16 so also Hos 8:10, where read וְחָֽדְלוּ for וַיָּחֵלּוּ ᵐ5 Che We; followed by infinitive with מִן Exod 23:5 (JE), 1Kgs 15:21 = 2Chr 16:5 followed by substantive with מִן (cease regarding) Isa 2:22 (but Che Du and others treat see as interpolation; omitted by ᵐ5), 1Sam 9:5; Prov 23:4 followed by מֵאלהים 2Chr 35:21, i.e. leave off provoking God; Exod 14:12 (J), followed by מִמֶּנּו desist from us, let us alone; Job 7:16 followed by accusative Job 3:17 רֹגֶז ׳ח; Job 14:6 have rest (i.e. cease from being troubled, see Di; compare vJob 14:1); no complem. expressed, cease, forbear Judg 15:7; Judg 20:28; Amos 7:5; 1Kgs 22:6; 1Kgs 22:15 = 2Chr 18:5; 2Chr 18:14; Jer 40:4; Jer 41:8; Zech 11:12; Ps 49:9; Job 16:6; 2Chr 25:16 specifically of refusal to hear Ezek 2:5; Ezek 2:7; Ezek 3:11; Ezek 3:27 (all opposed to שָׁמַע). Hoph`al Perfect (contracted) with interrogative particle הֶחֳדַלְתִּי Judg 9:9; Judg 9:11; Judg 9:13 should I be made to leave, followed by accusative (compare Köi, 240 ff.);
**Job 10:20 (but read here probably יְמֵי חֶלְדִּי ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Bi Bu Du); but perhaps read הֶחָדַלְתִּי, Qal Perfect Stu Be, compare, for accusative followed by, Job 3:17.

Strong's Definition H2308
forbear, cease, ceased, off, forbare, …
ḥādal
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
  • to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear
    • (Qal)
      • to cease, come to an end
        • "to cease, leave off
Variations 31 forms of this word
Translations 40 English renderings
Search every verse
Word Parts
לְ עוֹלָֽם
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
עוֹלָֽם
Root word ever, everlasting, old, perpetual, evermore, …
Dictionary form: עוֹלָם · oh-LAWM
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar R/Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
לְ Speech Preposition
עוֹלָֽם Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: for ever
for ever ×138 ever ×59 endureth for ever ×45 of old ×11 an everlasting ×9 everlasting ×8 and ever ×7 evermore ×7
More options
eternal — Best for God's nature or timeless theological statements.
everlasting — Modernized KJV staple; slightly more poetic than 'eternal'.
forever — Natural, contemporary; ideal for promises and covenants.
ancient — Use when referring to distant past, not future duration.
age-long — Captures indefinite duration without implying strict infinity.
perpetual — Suits legal or covenantal contexts stressing continuity.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6119 H5769 H5865

BDB6118 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6120

עוֺלָם439 noun masculine long duration, antiquity, futurity; — ׳ע Gen 9:12 + 405 t.; עֹלָם Gen 3:22 + 19 t.; עֵילוֺם 2Chr 33:7, read probably עוֺלָם (for other explanations see note in KitHpt); suffix עֹלָמוֺ Eccl 12:5 plural עוֺלָמִים Isa 26:4 + 7 t., עֹלָמִים Ps 145:13 + 2 t.; construct עוֺלְמֵי Isa 45:17 —

1. of past time:
  a. ancient time: ׳יְמֵי ע days of old Isa 63:9; Isa 63:11; Amos 9:11; Mic 5:1; Mic 7:14; ׳יְמוֺת ע Deut 32:7 ׳עַם ע Isa 44:7 ancient people; ׳גּוֺי מֵע Jer 5:15 ׳חָרְבוֺת ע old waste places Isa 58:12; Isa 61:4, compare Ezek 26:20 b; ׳פִּתְחֵי ע ancient gates Ps 24:7; Ps 24:9 ׳ארח ע Job 22:15 ׳נתבות ע Jer 6:16 ׳שְׁבִילֵי ע Jer 18:15 ׳גבול ע Prov 22:28; Prov 23:10 ׳במות ע Ezek 36:2 ׳מִן (מֵ)ע from of old Isa 64:3; Jer 2:20; Joel 2:2, of the fathers Josh 24:2, the prophets Jer 28:8, the ancient נפלים Gen 6:4 (Ezek 32:27 ᵐ5 Co for מערלים; but 1Sam 27:8 read מִטֵּלָם for מעולם We Dr HPS); ׳בהם ע long in them Isa 64:4 (text dubious).
  b. ׳מֵתֵי ע the long dead Ps 143:3; Lam 3:6 so ׳עַם ע Ezek 26:20.
  c. of God, ׳מֵע: former acts Isa 46:9 as redeemer Isa 63:16 of love Ps 25:6, judgment Ps 119:52, dominion Isa 63:19 long silence Isa 42:14; Isa 57:11
**ᵐ5 ᵑ9 CheHpt Du Marti read מֵעְלִם for מֵעוֺלָם, compare I. [עָלַם] Hiph`il Ps 10:1.; his wisdom personified Prov 8:23 his existence Ps 93:2.
  d. of things: ׳גבעות ע ancient hills Gen 49:26 (J), Hab 3:6 (|| הרריעֿד), Deut 33:15 (|| הררי קדם).
  e. plural שְׁנוֺת עולמים Ps 77:6 years of ancient times; דורות עולמים Isa 51:9 לעלמים Eccl 1:10 = in olden times.
2. a. indefinite futurity, with preposition for ever, always (sometimes = during the lifetime); עֶבֶד עולם slave for ever Deut 15:17; 1Sam 27:12; Job 40:28 ׳עָבַד לע serve for ever Exod 21:6 (E), Lev 25:46 ׳עד ע 1Sam 1:22 ׳גְּאֻלַּת ע Lev 25:32 redemption at any time; ׳הֲרַת ע Jer 20:17 ever pregnant (womb); ׳כְּלִמַּת ע vJer 20:11 of persecutors of Jeremiah; ׳חרפת ע Jer 23:40 ׳שַׁלְוֵי ע Ps 73:12 alway at ease; ׳יְחִי לע (יחיה) may the king live alway 1Kgs 1:31; Neh 2:3 compare אֹרֶךְ יָמִים עולם ועד Ps 21:5 ישׁד עולם לפני אלהים Ps 61:8 so of the pious, לא ימוט ׳לע Ps 15:5 בל ימוט Prov 10:30, compare Ps 30:7 other phrase: Ps 37:27; Ps 37:28; Ps 41:13; Ps 55:23; Ps 61:8; Ps 73:26; Ps 121:8; Prov 10:25 אשׁירה ׳ע Ps 89:2 I will sing for ever (as long as I live), compare Ps 52:10; Ps 115:18; Ps 145:1; Ps 145:2 ׳הוֺדה ע Ps 30:13; Ps 44:9; Ps 52:11; Ps 79:13 other emotions and activities continuous through life Ps 5:12; Ps 31:2 = Ps 71:1; Ps 75:10; Ps 86:12; Ps 119:44; Ps 119:93; Ps 119:98; Ps 119:111; Ps 119:112; Mic 4:5, compare ׳לע Mic 2:9.
  b. = continuous existence, (1) of things: the earth, הָאָרֶץ לְעוֺלָם עֹמֶדֶת Eccl 1:4 other phrase: Ps 78:69; Ps 104:5, heavens and contents Ps 148:6, ruined cities Isa 25:2; Isa 32:14; Ezek 26:21; Ezek 27:36; Ezek 28:19, ruined lands Jer 18:16; Jer 25:9; Jer 25:12; Jer 49:13; Jer 49:33; Jer 51:26; Jer 51:62; Ezek 35:9; Zeph 2:9 ׳לעד עד ע Isa 30:8 for a witness for ever, in a book; (2) of nations: לעולם אהיה Isa 47:7 (Babylon loqu.), compare Ps 81:16; Obad 1:10 ׳ישׁב לע of Judah Joel 4:20 (3) families Ps 49:12; Isa 14:20 the dynasty of Saul 1Sam 13:13 house of Eli 1Sam 2:30 (4) national relations: איבת ׳ע continual enmity Ezek 25:15; Ezek 35:5 of exclusion from ׳קהל י, ׳עד ע Deut 23:4 = Neh 13:1 various relations Isa 32:17; Isa 34:10 ׳חרפת ע perpetual reproach Ps 78:66, of dynasty of David 2Sam 3:28; 2Sam 12:10; 1Kgs 2:33, families v1Kgs 2:33; 2Kgs 5:27; Ps 106:31; Jer 35:6.
  c. of divine existence: אל עולם Gen 21:33 (J); ׳אלהי ע Isa 40:28 ׳חי אנכי לע Deut 32:40 ׳חֵי הע Dan 12:7 of divine name, ׳זה שׁמי לְע Exod 3:15 (E), compare 2Chr 33:7 (see above); blessing and praise of it 2Sam 7:26 = 1Chr 17:24; Ps 72:19; Ps 135:13 of ׳י himself Ps 89:53 attributes, אהבה Jer 31:3; 1Kgs 10:9 חסד Isa 54:8; Ps 89:2; Ps 138:8 חַסְדּוֺ ׳לע 1Chr 26:34; 1Chr 26:41; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Ps 100:5; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3; Ps 118:4; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 + 25 t., Jer 33:11 כבוד Ps 104:31 אמת Ps 117:2; Ps 146:6 צדק Ps 119:142 עצה Ps 33:11 reign Exod 15:18 (E), Ps 10:16; Ps 66:7; Ps 92:9; Ps 146:10; Jer 10:10; Mic 4:7 ישׁב ׳יהוה לע Ps 9:8; Ps 29:10; Ps 102:13; Lam 5:19 presence in Zion 1Chr 23:25; Isa 33:14; Isa 60:19; Isa 60:20; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 43:7; Ezek 43:9 his salvation Isa 51:6; Isa 51:8 ׳זרעת ע Deut 33:27 everlasting arms; ׳כל אשׁר יעשׂה האלהים יהיה לע Eccl 3:14.
  d. of God's covenant: ׳בְּרִית ע everlasting covenant Gen 9:16; Gen 17:7; Gen 17:13; Gen 17:19; Exod 31:16; Lev 24:8; Num 18:19 (all P), 2Sam 23:5; 1Chr 16:17 = Ps 105:10; Isa 24:5; Isa 55:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 32:40; Jer 50:5; Ezek 16:60; Ezek 37:26 covenant with Noah, ׳לְדֹרֹת ע Gen 9:12 (P); God remembers it 1Chr 16:15 = Ps 105:8; Ps 111:5 will not break it, ׳לע Judg 2:1 ׳אוֺת ע Exod 31:17 (P); ׳אוֺת עד ע Deut 28:46.
  e. of God's laws: דבר(יםׅ Isa 59:21; Ps 119:89 משׁפט Ps 119:160 עדות vPs 119:144 vPs 119:152 ׳חק ע Exod 29:28; Exod 30:21 (E), Lev 6:11; Lev 6:15; Lev 7:34; Lev 10:15; Lev 24:9; (P), also Jer 5:22 (of bounds of sea); ׳חק עד ע Exod 12:24 (J), ׳חֻקַּת ע vExod 12:14 vExod 12:17; Exod 27:21; Exod 28:43; Exod 29:9; Lev 3:17; Lev 7:36; Lev 10:9; Lev 16:29; Lev 10:31; Lev 10:34; Lev 17:7; Lev 23:14; Lev 23:21; Lev 23:31; Lev 23:41; Lev 24:3; Lev 24:8; Num 10:8; Num 15:15; Num 18:23; Num 19:10; Num 19:21 (P) (most of these in fact specifically Jewish and temporary); temple to bear God's name, ׳עד ע 1Kgs 9:3 = 2Chr 7:16 ׳לע 2Kgs 21:7; 2Chr 33:4 consecrated ׳לע 2Chr 30:8 its ceremonies ׳לע 2Chr 2:3 Levitical priesthood, לשׁרתו ׳עד ע, 1Chr 15:2 Aaronic priesthood, ׳לברך בשׁמ ׳עד ע 1Chr 23:13 (twice in verse). feminine of God's promises: his word, ׳יקום לע Isa 40:8 promised dynasty of David, עד ׳(ה)ע 2Sam 7:13; 2Sam 7:16 (twice in verse); 2Sam 7:25 = 1Chr 17:12; 1Chr 17:14 (twice in verse); 1Chr 17:23, Ps 18:51 = 2Sam 22:51; 1Kgs 2:33; 1Kgs 2:45; 1Chr 22:10; Ps 89:5 ׳לע 1Kgs 9:5; 1Chr 28:4; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 13:5; Ps 89:29; Ps 89:37; 2Sam 7:29 (twice in verse) = 1Chr 17:27 (twice in verse); of holy land 1Chr 28:8, ׳אֲחֻזַּת ע Gen 17:8; Gen 48:4; Lev 25:34 (P); given ׳לע Exod 32:13 (J) 2Chr 20:7 ׳עד ע Gen 13:15, inherited ׳לע Isa 60:21; Ps 37:18 ׳עד ע Isa 34:17 dwelt in ׳עד ע Ezek 37:25 other blessings, ׳לע Deut 5:26; Hos 2:21 ׳עד ע Deut 12:28; 2Sam 7:24 = 1Chr 17:22; Ps 133:3 ׳שִׂמְחַת ע Isa 35:10; Isa 51:11; Isa 61:7 ׳דֶּרֶח ע Ps 139:24 ׳שׁם ע Isa 56:5; Isa 63:12 ׳אות ע Isa 55:13 ׳נאון ע Isa 60:15 Jerusalem to abide ׳לע Jer 17:25; Ps 125:1, compare Jer 31:40 ׳עד ע Ps 48:9.
  g. of relations between God and his people, ׳לע 1Chr 29:18; Ps 45:18; Ps 85:6; Ps 103:9; Ps 145:21; Isa 57:16; Jer 3:5; Jer 3:12; Lam 3:31; Joel 2:26; Joel 2:27 ׳עד (ה)ע Ps 28:9; Mal 1:4.
  h. of Messianic dynasty and king: ׳(ל)ע Ps 110:4 having divine throne Ps 45:7 name endures Ps 72:17 established Ps 89:38 God blesses him Ps 45:3 of his reign, ׳מעתה ועד ע Isa 9:6.
  i. = indefinite, unending future: live ׳לע Gen 3:22 = Job 7:16 יִחְיוּ ׳הנביאים הלע Zech 1:5 the prophets, can they live for ever ? compare ׳חדל לע Ps 49:9 with negative never Ezra 9:12; Prov 27:24.
  j. after death: ׳שׁנת ע Jer 51:39; Jer 51:57 ׳בית ע Eccl 12:5 ׳חַיֵּי ע Dan 12:2 ׳דראון ע vDan 12:2 also vDan 12:3; Jonah 2:7; Eccl 2:16; Eccl 9:6.
  k. = age (duration) of the world: את העלם נתן בְּלִבָּם Eccl 3:11 the age of the world he hath set, etc. (compare especially Late Hebrew; others i).
1. plural intensive everlastingness, eternity: תשׁועת עולמים Isa 45:17 צדק עלמים Dan 9:24 צור עולמים Isa 26:4 (RVm rock of ages); מלכוּת כל עלמים Ps 145:13 also Ps 61:5; Ps 77:8; 1Kgs 8:13 = 2Chr 6:2. masculine special phrase: (מן) מ(ה)עולם (ו)עד (ה)עולם from everlasting to everlasting, of ׳י Ps 90:2, ׳חסד י Ps 103:17 benedictions 1Chr 16:36 = Ps 106:48; Neh 9:5; 1Chr 29:10; Ps 41:14 the land given למן עולם ועד עולם Jer 7:7; Jer 25:5 מעתה ועד עולם from now and for ever Ps 115:18; Ps 121:8 (i.e. as long as one lives); of people's hope in God Ps 131:3 dynasty of David Isa 9:6 of God's acts, words, etc. Mic 4:7; Isa 59:21; Ps 125:2, compare Ps 113:2 — see further I. עַד p. 723.

עֵילוֺם see עוֺלָם. עֲלָמוֺת see עַלְמָה, II. עלם.

עַלמֿוּת, עַלמֿוּת לַבֵן see עַלְמָה, II. עלם.

BDB9773 H5957 H5769

BDB9772 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9774

עָלַם noun [masculine] perpetuity, antiquity (see Biblical Hebrew III> עלם, עוֺלָם); — ׳ע absolute Dan 3:33 +, construct Dan 7:18 emphatic עָֽלְמָא Dan 2:20 +; plural עָֽלְמִין Dan 2:4 +, emphatic עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 2:44; Dan 7:18 — perpetuity in the future: ׳מַלְכוּת ע Dan 3:33; Dan 7:27, compare Dan 4:31; Dan 7:14 ׳ע as adverb for ever Dan 4:31 עַדעָֽֿלְמָא וְעַדעָֿלַם עָֽלְמַיָּא Dan 7:18 plural ׳לְע for ever Dan 2:4; Dan 2:44; Dan 2:44; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22; Dan 6:27 antiquity, מִןיֿוֺמָת עָֽלְמָא Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:19 of limitless time both past and future: ׳וְעַדעֿ ׳מִןעֿ Dan 2:20.

Strong's Definition H5769
ever, everlasting, old, perpetual, evermore, …
ʿôlām
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always
  • long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
    • ancient time, long time (of past)
      • "(of future)
      • for ever, always
        • "continuous existence, perpetual"everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Variations 31 forms of this word
Translations 111 English renderings
Psalms 49:7
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Psalms 49:9