Psalms 57:0

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לַ מְנַצֵּ֣חַ
לַ
Prefix — preposition to, for + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
מְנַצֵּ֣חַ
Root word musician, overseers, set, singer, perpetual, …
Dictionary form: נָצַח · naw-TSA

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

Verb — Piel, Participle Active, masculine singular, absolute state intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: to the chief musician
to the chief musician ×55 to set forward ×2 and the overseers ×1 and were overseers ×1 by a perpetual ×1 overseers ×1 to excel ×1 to oversee ×1
More options
oversee — Best for supervisory or administrative contexts.
lead — Broad fit for musical or organizational leadership.
direct — Good for liturgical or musical directing roles.
excel — Captures the root sense of preeminence or distinction.
supervise — Formal register; suits temple-worker oversight passages.
endure perpetually — For rare uses emphasizing permanence or eternity.

BDB5331 H5329

BDB5330 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5332

I. [נָצַח] verb be pre-eminent, enduring (Ecclus [Pi`el] make brilliant Eccl 43:5; Eccl 43:13 [?] (compare Oxford ed.xxxiii); Late Hebrew נָצַח conquer, etc.; Phoenician נצח, Aramaic נְצַח, shine, be illustrious, pre-eminent, victorious; Arabic be pure, reliable; Ethiopic be pure, innocent; both classes of meaning probably derived form shine, be bright, brilliant, see also Dr1Sam 15:29); —

Niph`al Participle active feminine נִצַּ֫חַת Jer 8:5 enduring (מְשֻׁבָה apostasy).

Piel = act as overseer, superintendent, director, only Chronicles and Psalm-titles; — Infinitive לְנַצֵּחַ 1Chr 15:21 + 4 t.; participle לַמְנַצֵּחַ Hab 3:19; Ps 4:1 + 54 t. Psalms; plural מְנַצְּחִים 2Chr 2:1; 2Chr 2:17; 2Chr 34:13

1. in building temple 2Chr 2:1; 2Chr 2:17; Ezra 3:8; Ezra 3:9, compare 2Chr 34:12; 2Chr 34:13.
2. in ministry of house of ׳י 1Chr 23:4.
3. in liturgical service of song, עלהֿשׁמינית, over the bass voices, leading them with כִּנֹּרוֺת 1Chr 15:21 לַמְנַצֵּחַ in titles Psalms has probably simile meaning, = musical director or choirmaster; Greek Vrss. of 2nd cent. A.D., Aq Theod Sym, and so Jerome, think of Aramaic victorious, but no clear explanation; ᵐ5 εἰς τὸ τέλος (probably לַמִּנְצָח) follows ordinary meaning of noun נֵצַח, which may be explained in eschatological sense as referring to end of age of world after Euseb Theod; or for full rendering after De; neither satisfactory. Chronicles, near in date, gives the clue which is intrinsically probably: לְ indicates, not assignment (nothing special in these Psalms to suggest it, and assignment of Psalms for such use a matter of course), but that these Psalms were taken by final editor from an older major Psalter known as the Director's Collection, compare the still earlier collections known as (ל)דוד, (ל)אסף, (ל)בני קרח. The 55 Psalms with למנצח were taken 39 from Davidic, 9 from Korahite, and 5 from Asaphic Psalters; only 2 anonymous. Hab 3 originally belonged to Director's Psalter. This and other Director's Psalms have musical directions in titles. The Director's Psalter was probably the prayer-book of synagogue of Greek period, presupposed by our Hab., the collection of the twelve Minor Prophets, the prophetic canon, and Daniel (see BrGen. Intr. 123).


BDB9717 H5329 H5330

BDB9716 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9718

[נְצַח] verb Hithpa. distinguish oneself (see Biblical Hebrew I. נצח); — Participle מִתְנַצַּח Dan 6:4, עַל person

musician, overseers, set, singer, perpetual, …
nāṣaḥ
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
  • to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring
    • (Niphal) enduring (participle)
    • "(Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief

אַל
אַל
Particle not
Dictionary form: אָב · awb

Particle — Negative

his father ×133 of their fathers ×94 his fathers ×86 my father ×80 thy father ×51 of the fathers ×44 the father ×41 their fathers ×30
More options
father — Default choice; direct, natural, widely understood.
ancestor — Prefer when referring to distant forebears or lineage.
forefather — Slightly more formal; good for ancestral or covenantal contexts.
patriarch — Use for tribal or clan heads with religious authority.
family head — Highlights household-leader role in social/legal contexts.
founder — Suits contexts emphasizing originating or establishing a line.

BDB17 H1

BDB16 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB18

אָב1191 noun masculine father (Phoenician אב, Assyrian abu, Arabic , Sabean אב CISiv, 1, 37 1. 2 and others, Ethiopic Aramaic אַבָּא, — absolute אָב Gen 44:19 + 47 t.; construct אַב Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (compare in אַבְרָהָם ib. & elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposed אֲבִר see אברהם); אֲבִי (compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96) Gen 4:20 +; suffix אָבִי Gen 19:34 + (MI אבי); אָבִיךָ Gen 12:1 +; אָבִיו Gen 2:24 +; אָבִ֫יהוּ Judg 14:10 + 6t.; plural אָבוֺת Exod 12:3 +; construct אֲבוֺת Exod 6:25 + 7 t.; suffix אֲבוֺתַי (אֲבֹתַי, אֲבוֺתָ֑י) Gen 47:9 + 15 t.; אֲבוֺתֵיהֶם 1Chr 4:38 + 32 t. (late); אֲבוֺתָם Exod 4:5 + 106 t. etc.; —

1. father of individual Gen 2:24 (+ אֵם) Gen 11:28; Gen 11:29 (twice in verse); Gen 19:31; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:33, + often (mostly J E D); of father as commanding Gen 50:16 (J) Jer 35:6 f Prov 6:20 (compare Gen 18:19 J Gen 28:1; Gen 28:6 P 1Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 2:1); instructing מוסר Prov 1:8; Prov 4:1 (compare Deut 8:5); specifically as begetter, genitor Prov 23:22; Zech 13:3 (twice in verse) (+ אֵם) Isa 45:10 compare Gen 49:4 (J) Lev 18:7; Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11 (P); rebuking Gen 37:10 loving Gen 37:4; Gen 44:20 (J E; compare Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3; 2Sam 14:1); pitying Ps 103:13 (in simile compare 2Sam 18:5); blessing Gen 27:41 (J E compare Gen 27:4 also Gen 28:1 P +); as glad Prov 10:1; Prov 15:20 compare Prov 29:3 grieving Gen 37:35 (J E; compare 2Sam 12:22; 2Sam 19:1; 2Sam 19:2 f) etc. Also as object of honour, obedience, love Exod 20:12 (E) = Deut 5:16; Exod 21:15; Exod 21:17 (E) Deut 21:18; Deut 21:19; Gen 28:7 (P) 1Kgs 19:20 (all + אֵם), 1Kgs 50:1; 1Kgs 50:5 (J) Mal 1:6 etc. Hence metaphor of intimate connection Job 17:14 to corruption I cry, My father art thou (|| אִמִּי וַאֲחֹתִי לָֽרִמָּה).
2. of God as father of his people (see RSSem 42), who constituted, controls, guides and lovingly watches over it: Deut 32:6; Jer 3:4; Jer 3:19; Jer 31:9; Isa 63:16 (twice in verse); Isa 64:7; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:10 (compare Exod 4:22; Exod 19:4 (JE) Deut 32:11; Hos 11:1); compare Jer 2:27 (of idolatrous Israel) אֹמְרִים לָעֵץ אָבִי אַתָּה וְלָאֶבֶן אַתְּ ילדתני׃; especially God as father of Davidic line 2Sam 7:14; Ps 89:27 f. of needy (late) Ps 68:6 (compare Ps 103:13) (in proper name, f. of individual, compare below)
3. head of household, family or clan; בֵּית אָבִי as abode Gen 38:11 (twice in verse); Lev 22:13 +; = family Gen 24:40 (|| מִשְׁפַּחְתִּי) Gen 41:51; Gen 46:31 + compare Num 18:1; Num 18:2; Josh 2:12; Josh 2:18; Josh 6:25 especially techn. of divisions of Israel בֵּית אָב לְמִשְׁפָּחוֺת Num 3:30; Num 3:35 = a father's house, i.e. a family or clan; more often plural (אבותם, אבותיו) בֵית אָבוֺת = father's houses = families, clans (compare Di on Exod 6:14) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:18 ff (often in Numbers) Josh 14:1; Josh 19:51; Josh 21:1 (twice in verse); Josh 22:14 (twice in verse) (always P in Hexateuch); also 1Chr 5:13; 1Chr 5:15 + often in Chronicles; compare רָאשֵׁי אבות הלוים (= ׳בית א ׳ר) Exod 6:25 compare 1Kgs 8:1; 1Chr 6:4; 1Chr 7:11 + often Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah.
4. ancestor (a) of individual; grandfather (instead of precise term) Gen 28:13; Gen 32:10 (J; where used by Jacob of Abraham & then of Isaac); greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:13 great-greatgrandfather 1Kgs 15:11 etc.; oft plural (= fathers, forefathers) Gen 15:15; Gen 46:34 (JE) 1Kgs 19:4; 1Kgs 21:3; 1Kgs 21:4; 2Kgs 19:12; 2Kgs 20:17 +; particularly שׁכב עם אבותיו 1Kgs 1:21; 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 11:21; 1Kgs 22:40 +; joined with ׳ויקבר עם אב 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:24; 1Kgs 22:51; 2Kgs 8:24; 2Kgs 15:38 compare v2Kgs 15:7, 2Kgs 16:20 + (all of kings of Judah); intensive, אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֺת אֲבֹתֶיךָ Exod 10:6 compare Dan 11:24 (b) of people Gen 10:21 (J) Gen 17:4; Gen 17:5 (P) Gen 19:37; Gen 19:38 (J) Gen 36:9; Gen 36:43 (P) Deut 26:5; Isa 51:2; Isa 43:27 (where אביך הראשׁון thy first father, see Che) compare also Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 + often; plural Exod 3:13; Exod 3:15; Exod 3:16 (E) Deut 1:8; Josh 1:6; Judg 2:1; 1Sam 12:6 +; 1Sam 12:15 near the end read וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם ᵐ5 We Dr.
5. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art Gen 4:20; Gen 4:21.
6. figurative of producer, generator Job 38:28 הֲיֵשׁ לַמָּטָר אָ֑ב (|| הוֺלִיד אֶגְלֵיטָֽֿל׃ מִיֿ).
7. figurative of benevolence & protection Job 29:6 אָב אָֽנֹכִי לָֽאֶבְיוֺנִים, compare Job 31:18 of Eliakim Isa 22:21 perhaps also of gracious Messianic king אֲבִי עַד Isa 9:5 everlasting father (Ge Ew De Che Brd Di) — others divider of spoil (Abarb Hi Kn Kue BrMP).
8. term of respect & honour (Abbas, Pater, Papa, Pope); applied to master 2Kgs 5:13 priest Judg 17:10; Judg 18:19 prophet 2Kgs 2:12 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:21; 2Kgs 13:14 (twice in verse); compare 2Kgs 8:9 counsellor Gen 45:8 (E; compare δευτέρου πατρός ᵐ5 add. Esth 3:13 τῷ πατρί 1 Mac Esth 11:32); king 1Sam 24:12 artificer 2Chr 2:12; 2Chr 4:16.
9. specifically, ruler, chief (late) 1Chr 2:24; 1Chr 2:42 (twice in verse); etc. (compare Ew§ 273 b) see also EwGeschichte. i. 524. H i. 365. On the force of אָב in proper names (in many probably a divine title), see CheEncy. Bib., ABI, NAMES WITHib., NAMES, §§ 44, 45.

fathers, father, chief, families, patrimony, …
ʾāb
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • father of an individual
  • "of God as father of his people"head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan"ancestor
    • grandfather, forefathers (of a person)
    • "of people
    originator or patron of a class, profession, or art"of producer, generator (figuratively)"of benevolence and protection (figuratively)"term of respect and honor"ruler or chief (specifically)

תַּ֭שְׁחֵת
תַּ֭שְׁחֵת
Root word al-taschith
Dictionary form: אַל תַּשְׁחֵת · al tahsh-HATE

Verb — Hiphil, Jussive, second person masculine singular causative — "he made (someone) do" a wish or command — try "let him ___" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: al-taschith
al-taschith ×4
More options
Do Not Destroy — Literal rendering; clearest for psalm superscription context.
Do Not Corrupt — Emphasizes moral or spiritual ruin over physical destruction.
Spare / Do Not Ruin — Softer appeal; suits petitionary or mercy contexts.
Let Nothing Be Lost — Captures preservation nuance; less common but evocative.

BDB8615 H7843 H6013 H7743 H7845 H1870 H516

BDB8614 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8616

[שָׁחַת]151 verb go to ruin (?), only derived species (Late Hebrew Hiph`il = Biblical Hebrew, Ecclus. שחיתה Eccl 30:11 corrupt act; Arabic extirpate; Ethiopic injure, violate; Tel Amarna ša—âtu is fall (especially of city), be prostrate (? of land), perhaps Canaanism (see WklTelAm. Vocab.), Assyrian possibly šêtu, flee, escape (compare אבד); Old Aramaic (Zinjirli) שחת destroy Lzb374, Aramaic שְׁחַת, (assimilation of ), multilate; — very improbable Gerber179 denominative from שַׁחַת); —

Niph`al be marred, spoiled, Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁחַת, of waistcloth Jer 13:7, vessel Jer 18:4 be injured, or even (hyperb.) ruined, Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּשָּׁחֵת Exod 8:20 (J) of land (מִפְנֵי הֶעָרֹב); be corrupted, corrupt, in mnorals and rel., of earth, Perfect 3 feminine singular נִשְׁחָ֑תָה Gen 6:12 (P), Imperfect 3 feminine singular ׳לִפְנֵי הָא ׳וַתִּשּׁ vGen 6:11 (P); so Participle feminine plural as adjective נִשְׁחָתוֺת Ezek 20:44. Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular שִׁחֵת Exod 32:7 +, suffix שִׁחֶתְךָ Hos 13:9 2 masculine singular שִׁחַתָּ Isa 14:20 +, etc.; Imperative masculine plural שַׁחֵ֑תוּ Jer 5:10 Infinitive construct שַׁחֵת Gen 13:10 +, etc.; —
1. spoil, ruin, accusative of eye Exod 21:26 (E), vineyard Jer 12:10 (figurative), branches Nah 2:3 (figurative), also = destroy, accusative of person 2Sam 1:14; 2Sam 14:11 (accusative omitted), Ezek 5:16; Ezek 20:17, כָּלבָֿשָׂר Gen 6:17; Gen 9:15 (P), city, fortress, etc., Gen 13:10; Gen 19:13; Gen 19:29 (all J), 2Sam 24:16; Jer 5:10 (accusative omitted), Jer 48:18; Ezek 26:4; Ezek 43:3; Lam 2:5, ruin temple vLam 2:6, nation Hos 11:9; Hos 13:9 (read perhaps שִׁחַתִּךָ Oort Now), land 2Kgs 19:12 (Hiph`il in || Isa 37:12), Judg 6:5; Josh 22:33 (P), Ezek 22:30; Ezek 30:11, earth Gen 9:11 (P); with ל object (ל 3b), city 1Sam 23:10, person Num 32:15 (P); with accusative רַחֲמָיו Amos 1:11, destroyed (stifled) his compassion (or, RSK 28 and others, the bonds of kinship, see רַחֲמִים), בְּרִית Mal 2:8, i.e. violate it, see especially אַרְצָה ׳וְשׁ (that is, semen) Gen 38:9 (J) he spoiled (it) upon the ground, made it ineffective, = waste words Prov 23:8.
2. pervert, corrupt, accusative wisdom Ezek 28:17, absolute = deal corruptly, הֶעֱמִיקוּ שִׁחֵתוּ Hos 9:9 (compare [עָמֹק], p.770:b; but We Now read שַׁחְתּוֺ, √ שׁוח), Exod 32:7 (JE), Deut 9:12, so לוֺ ׳שׁ Deut 32:5. Hiph`il103 Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁחִית Gen 6:12 +; 1 singular וְהִשְׁחַתִּ֫י Jer 51:20, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַשְׁחִית Dan 8:24 +, יַשְׁחִת Mal 3:11 +, וַיַּשְׁחֵת 1Chr 20:1 2 feminine singular וַתַּשְׁחִתִי Ezek 16:47, 2 masculine plural תַּשְׁחִתוּן Deut 4:16; Deut 31:29 Imperative masculine singular suffix הַשְׁחִיתָהּ 2Kgs 18:25 = Isa 36:10 Infinitive absolute הַשְׁחֵת Deut 31:29 construct הַשְׁחִית 1Sam 26:15 +, etc.; Participle מַשְׁחִית Gen 19:14 +, etc.; —
1. spoil, ruin, accusative crop Judg 6:4; Mal 3:11, trees Deut 20:19; Deut 20:20; Jer 11:19 (figurative), vessels 2Chr 36:19, houses 2Chr 34:11, palaces Jer 6:5 compare Isa 65:8; Lev 19:27 (H), Ruth 4:6 דַּיָּם ׳הִשׁ Jer 49:9 thieves damage as much as they want; accusative of person = ruin, destroy, 1Sam 26:9; 1Sam 26:15; Judg 20:21; Judg 20:25 (+ אַ֫רְצָה), vJudg 20:35 vJudg 20:42; 2Kgs 13:23; 2Chr 24:23 (+ מִן separ.), + 12 t., + (accusative of person omitted) Isa 51:13 + 4 t., accusative בֵּית דָּוִד 2Chr 21:7, absolute Isa 11:9 = Isa 65:25 also ruin one (by words) Prov 11:9 accusative עַם 2Sam 24:16; Deut 9:26 land 1Sam 6:5; Jer 36:29; Dan 11:17 (see Dr); city wall 2Sam 20:15 (Ew Th here denominative from שַׁחַת they were making a pit; < ᵐ5 We (?) Klo Dr Bu HPS Now מְחַשְּׁבִים were devising), Lam 2:8, cities and nations Gen 18:28 (twice in verse) (J, accusative omitted), Gen 19:13; Gen 19:14 (J), Isa 37:12 (Pi`el in || 2Kgs 19:12), 2Kgs 36:10 (twice in verse) = 2Kgs 18:25 (twice in verse) + 11 t. + (Israel personified) Deut 4:31; Deut 10:10; 2Kgs 8:19, pride of Judah Jer 13:9, earth Jer 51:1 absolute with adverb accusative Dan 8:24 (see Dr; Bev conjecture יְשׂחֵחַ or יָשִׂיחַ utter monstrous things), compare 1Chr 21:12 Participle as adjective, of lion Jer 2:30, angel 1Chr 21:15 = destroyer Exod 12:23 (J), Jer 22:7; Isa 54:16, גּוֺיִם ׳מ Jer 4:7, ׳רוּחַ מ Jer 51:1 singular collective (׳הַמּ Ges«GKC:126l»§ 126l; the destroying band, compare Dr Bu Now) 1Sam 13:17; 1Sam 14:15 (spoilers, ravagers); figurative for snare, trap, Jer 5:26.
2. pervert, corrupt, morally, accusative דֶּרֶךְ Gen 6:12 (P; see דֶּרֶךְ 6), נַפְשׁוֺ Prov 6:32, compare Zeph 3:7; Ezek 23:11 (מִן compare); ׳הִשׁ הִתְעִיבוּ עֲלִילָה Ps 14:1 = Ps 53:2 ׳הַשְׁחֵת תַּשְׁח (+ verb of particular act) Deut 4:16; Deut 31:29 declar. = act corruptly, Isa 1:4; Deut 4:28 (+ verb of act), 2Chr 27:2, + מִן compare Judg 2:19; Ezek 16:47 Participle as substantive Jer 6:28, ׳אִישׁ מַשׁ Prov 28:24 (Prov 18:9 see infra). — אַלתַּֿשְׁחֵת destroy not (catchword of old song or melody ?) in Psalm-titles: Prov 57:1; Prov 58:1; Prov 59:1; Prov 75:1. Hoph`al Participle מָשְׁחָת spoiled, ruined, of a spring, מָקוֺר Prov 25:26 (|| מַעְיָן נִרְפָּשׂ); as substantive Mal 1:14 sacrificing a spoiled thing.

al-taschith
ʾal tašḥēt
do not destroy
'Thou must not destroy'; probably the opening words to a popular song
  • (Hiphil) a command to the chief musician, or perhaps the title of a melody used for several Psalms

לְ דָוִ֣ד
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
דָוִ֣ד
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of david")
Dictionary form: דָּוִד · daw-WID

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: of david
david ×341 of david ×222 and david ×220 davids ×36 so david ×26 a psalm of david ×22 then david ×21 unto david ×16
More options
David — Standard modern English spelling; use in all contexts.
David's — Possessive form; for genitive or ownership contexts.
King David — Use when royal identity or authority is emphasized.
David the king — More formal; highlights his royal office explicitly.

BDB1866 H1732

BDB1865 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1867

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד1066 proper name, masculine David, son of יִשַׂי, king of Israel, whose dynasty remained on the throne of Jerusalem till the Babylonian exile (compare 2Sam 7:11-15 etc.) (beloved one ? compare BaNB 189; according to SayceModern Rev. 1884, 158 ff.; Rel. Babylonian 53, 56 f. originally Dodo, title of sun-god worshipped in Israel compare דודה name of divinity among east Jordan Israelites MI12) — דָּוִד always Ruth, Samuel, Kings (except 1Kgs 3:14; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 11:36) Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah; also 1Chr 13:6; Ezek 34:24; Ezek 37:24; Ezek 37:25 (c. 790 t.); דָּוִיד always Zechariah, Chronicles (except 1Chr 13:6), Ezra, Nehemiah; also Amos 6:5 (where gloss according to PetersHebraica. Apr. 1886, p. 175) Amos 9:11; Hos 3:5; Ezek 34:23; 1Kgs 3:14; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 11:36; Song 4:4 (c. 276 t.); — first named 1Sam 16:13 compare also Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22; 2Sam 1:1 +, 1Kgs 1:1 +, 1Kgs 2:1 +, etc. (see above); in titles of Psalm 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 (73 in all); also in Ps 18:51 (= 2Sam 22:51); 2Sam 72:20; 2Sam 89:36; 2Sam 89:50; 2Sam 122:5; 2Sam 132:17 עַבְדִּי ׳ד (׳י speaks) 2Sam 3:18; 2Sam 7:5; 2Sam 7:8 = 1Chr 17:4; 1Chr 17:7 compare v1Chr 17:26 = 1Chr 17:24, also 1Kgs 8:24; 1Kgs 8:25; 1Kgs 8:26; 1Kgs 8:66 = 2Chr 6:15; 2Chr 6:16; 2Chr 6:17; 2Chr 11:32; 2Chr 11:34; 2Chr 11:36; 2Chr 11:38; 2Chr 14:8; 2Kgs 8:19; 2Kgs 19:34 = Isa 37:35; 2Kgs 20:6 compare further Ps 18:1; Ps 36:1 (both titles compare above) Ps 78:70; Ps 89:4; Ps 89:21; Ps 132:10; Ps 144:10; Jer 33:21; Jer 33:22; Jer 33:26 so also as represented in coming (Messianic) ruler Ezek 34:23; Ezek 34:24; Ezek 37:24; Ezek 37:25, compare Hos 3:5; Jer 30:9 (see עֶבֶד). Phrases are:
  a. ׳עִיר ד (according to SayceMod.Rev.l.c. originally city of god Dod [o]) = stronghold or citadel of Zion, 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 5:9 = 1Chr 11:5; 1Chr 11:7; 2Sam 6:10; 2Sam 6:12; 2Sam 6:16 = 1Chr 13:13; 1Chr 15:1; 1Chr 15:29, compare Isa 22:9 especially of burial of kings 1Kgs 2:10; 1Kgs 3:1; 1Kgs 8:1 = 2Chr 5:2; 1Kgs 9:24 = 2Chr 8:11; 1Kgs 11:27 v1Kgs 11:43 = 2Chr 9:31; 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 15:8 = 2Chr 12:16; 2Chr 13:23; 1Kgs 15:24 = 2Chr 9:31; 1Kgs 14:31; 1Kgs 15:8 = 2Chr 12:16; 2Chr 13:23; 1Kgs 15:24 = 2Chr 16:14; 1Kgs 22:50 = 2Chr 21:1; 2Kgs 8:24 = 2Chr 21:20; 2Kgs 9:28; 2Kgs 12:22 = 2Chr 24:25; 2Kgs 14:20; 2Kgs 15:7, v2Kgs 15:38 = 2Chr 27:9; 2Kgs 16:20 burial of Jehoiada 2Chr 24:16 further 2Chr 32:5; 2Chr 32:30; 2Chr 33:14; Neh 12:37 compare also ׳קִרְיַת חָנָה ד Isa 29:1.
  b. ׳בֵּית ד 2Sam 3:1; 2Sam 3:6 + (compare בַּיִת 5 c.
  c. ׳אֹהֶל ד Isa 16:5 (compare אֹהֶל 2).
  d. ׳סֻכַּת ד Amos 9:11 (compare סֻכָּה below סכך).
  e. ׳כִּסֵּא ד 2Sam 3:10 compare 1Kgs 1:37; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Kgs 2:45; Isa 9:6; Jer 17:25; Jer 22:2; Jer 22:30; Jer 29:16; Jer 36:30 compare Jer 13:13; Jer 22:4, (compare also כִּסֵּא). feminine ׳קִבְרֵי ד Neh 3:16 compare 2Chr 32:33 ׳קִבְרֵי בְנֵידֿ (compare קֶבֶר).
  g. ׳מִגְדַּל ד Song 4:4.
  h. אישׁ האלהים ׳כְּלֵישִֿׁיר ד Neh 12:36.
  i. ׳אֱלֹהֵי ד 2Kgs 20:5 + (compare אֱלֹהִים 4 b).
  j. ׳חַסְדֵי ד 2Chr 6:42; Isa 55:3 (compare 2Sam 7:15; 1Kgs 3:6; Ps 89:50; 2Chr 1:8 etc.). — (On text note the following: — דָּוִד 1Sam 30:20a strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ7 We Dr; 2Sam 3:5 read probably name of a former husband of Eglah We Dr; 2Sam 13:39 read רוּחַ Wep.223 Dr; 2Sam 19:44 read בְּכוֺר (for בדוד) ᵐ5 The We Dr; insert דָּוִד 2Sam 9:11; 2Sam 15:32 & 2Sam 24:15 ᵐ5 We Dr; in 1Chr 18:12; Ps 60:1 אבשׁי & יואב are less original than דָּוִד 2Sam 8:13 We Dr).

david, davids
dāwid
beloved
David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel

מִכְתָּ֑ם
מִכְתָּ֑ם
Root word michtam
Dictionary form: מִכְתָּם · mik-TAWM

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: michtam
michtam ×6
More options
miktam — Standard modern scholarly transliteration; preferred in academic contexts.
inscription — Emphasizes a written or engraved character of the composition.
golden poem — Reflects traditional rabbinic interpretation of 'gold' (kethem).
atonement psalm — Follows interpretations linking the term to covering sin.
musical or liturgical notation — Treats the term as a technical psalm heading marker.

BDB4249 H4387

BDB4248 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4250

מִכְתָּם noun [masculine] Mikhtam, a technical term in Psalm titles, meaning unknown (ᵐ5 στηλογθαφια: compare BaePs. p. xiii f.); always with לְדָוִד֯׃לְדָוִד ׳מ Ps 16:1; Ps 60:1 ׳לְדָוִד מ Ps 56:1; Ps 57:1; Ps 58:1; Ps 59:1.

michtam
miktām
an engraving, i.e., (technically) a poem
  • michtam
    • a technical term found in psalm titles
    • "meaning uncertain

בְּ בָרְח ֥וֹ
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
בָרְח
Root word fled, flee, away, chased, fain, …
֥וֹ
Suffix — pronoun his / him / it
Dictionary form: בָּרַח · baw-RA

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

In the KJV here: when he fled
fled ×17 flee ×6 and fled ×5 when he fled ×3 ran away ×2 was fled ×2 and chaseth away ×1 and let us flee ×1
More options
flee — Most direct modern equivalent; broad applicability.
run away — Informal; suits narrative prose and dialogue contexts.
escape — Emphasizes successful departure from danger.
take flight — Slightly elevated register; stresses urgency of departure.
bolt — Vivid and colloquial; good for sudden, panic-driven fleeing.
slip away — Implies stealth; use when evasion is quiet or covert.

BDB1320 H1272

BDB1319 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1321

בָּרַח verb go through, flee (compare German durchgehen (Arabic go away, withdraw, flee) —

Qal Perfect בָּרַח Gen 31:22 + 9 t., בָּֽרְחוּ Job 9:25, בָּרָ֑חוּ Isa 22:3 Imperfect יִבְרַח Job 20:24, יִבְרָ֑ח Job 27:22; Neh 6:11, וַיִּבְרַח Gen 31:21 + 13 t.; 3 feminine singular וַתִּבְרַח Gen 16:6, אֶבְרָ֑ח Ps 139:7, יִבְרְחוּ Jer 52:7, וַיִּבְרְחוּ 2Sam 4:3 + 4 t., נִבְרָחָ֑ה 2Sam 15:14 Imperative בְּרַח Gen 27:43 + 3 t., בִּרְחוּ Isa 48:20 Infinitive absolute בָּרוֺחַ Job 27:22 construct בְּרֹחַ 1Sam 23:6 + 3 t., בִּרוֺחַ Jonah 1:3 suffix בָּרְחִי 1Kgs 2:7, בָּרְחֲךָ Gen 31:5, בָּרְחוֺ Gen 35:7 + 2 t.; —
1. go or pass though, of bar, וַיַּעַשׂ אֶתהַֿבְּרִיחַלִ֗֗֗בְרֹחַ Exod 36:33 (P).
2. flee Gen 31:20; Gen 21:21; Gen 31:22 (E) Exod 14:5 (J) Judg 9:21; 1Sam 19:12; 1Sam 19:18; 1Sam 22:17; 2Sam 13:34; 2Sam 13:37; 2Sam 13:38 (strike out Dr compare We) 2Sam 15:14; Isa 22:3; Jer 4:29; Jer 26:21; Jer 39:4; Jer 52:7; Neh 6:11 figurative of days fleeing away Job 9:25 of man, like a shadow Job 14:2 with מִן flee from a place 1Sam 20:1; 2Sam 19:10 9 + מֵעַל person) Isa 48:20, a weapon Job 20:24 a person, with מֵאֵת 1Kgs 11:23, usually with מִפְּנֵי Gen 16:6; Gen 16:8; Gen 31:27; Gen 35:1; Gen 35:7; Exod 2:15 (all J E) Judg 11:3; 2Sam 21:11; 1Kgs 2:7; 1Kgs 12:2 = 2Chr 10:2; Ps 3:1; Ps 57:1 (titles) Ps 139:7; Jonah 1:10 ׳מִיַּד י figurative Job 27:22 flee to, with accusative place 1Sam 27:4; 1Kgs 11:40; Hos 12:13 with place & לְ Neh 13:10 with place & ָ  ה locative Jonah 1:3; Jonah 4:2; 2Sam 4:3 with place & אֶלֿ Num 24:11; Amos 7:12 with אֶלֿ & person 1Sam 23:6; Gen 27:43 (J) 1Kgs 2:39; 1Kgs 11:40 אַחֲרֵי & person 1Sam 22:20 flee, followed by infinitive 1Kgs 11:17; Dan 10:7.
3. flee = hasten, come quickly Song 8:14. Hiph`il Perfect הִבְרִיחוּ 1Chr 8:13 Imperfect יַבְרִיחַ Prov 19:26 suffix יַבְרִיחֶנּוּ Job 41:20, וָאַבְרִחֵהוּ Neh 13:28, וַיַּבְרִיחוּ 1Chr 12:15 Participle מַבְרִחַ Exod 26:28
1. pass through literal Exod 26:28 (P) compare
Qal. 2. cause to flee, put to flight, animal Job 41:20, men 1Chr 8:18; 1Chr 12:16 drive away Prov 19:16; Neh 13:28 (followed by מֵעָלַי).

fled, flee, away, chased, fain, …
bāraḥ
to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly
  • to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away
    • (Qal)
      • to go, pass through
      • "to flee"to hasten, come quickly
      (Hiphil)
      • to pass through
      • "to cause to flee, put to flight"to drive away

מִ פְּנֵי
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
פְּנֵי
Root word before, face, presence, because, faces, …
Dictionary form: פָּנִים · paw-NEEM

Noun — Common, both plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: from
before ×796 the face ×55 from before ×53 his face ×53 because ×49 my face ×48 thy face ×39 before him ×38
More options
face — Most direct rendering; prefer for literal, physical contexts.
presence — Ideal for divine or royal encounter contexts.
countenance — Slightly elevated; suits emotional or expressive descriptions.
surface — Use for physical objects, land, or water (e.g. 'surface of the deep').
in front of — Best for spatial or positional prepositional phrases.
because of — Use when פָּנִים heads a causal prepositional phrase.

BDB4446 H3942 H6440

BDB4445 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4447

לִפְנָָֽי 1Kgs 6:17 see below [ פָּנֶה], פָּנִים.


BDB6680 H6440 H3942

BDB6679 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6681

[פָּנֶה], plural פָּנִים2123 noun masculineProv 25:23 and (Ezekiel = Prov 21:21 = edge; on 2Sam 10:9 see below) feminine face, also faces (as turned toward one); — plural absolute פָּנִים Gen 32:31 +; construct פְּנֵי 2Sam 14:32 +; suffix 1 singular פָּנַי Gen 43:3 +; 3 masculine singular פָּנָיו Gen 4:5 +, פָּנֵי֑מוֺ Ps 11:7 (ll.1.446); 2 masculine pluralפְּנֵיכֶם Gen 40:7 +, etc.; — usually with verb plural, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6; Exod 33:14 +; with verb singular Lam 4:16 (through influence of intervening ׳י, Ges«GKC:146a»§ 146a), Prov 15:14 (but read פִּי, as Qr, see פֶּה); —

I. 1. face, faces (Jer 30:6; Ezek 27:35 +, compare Ezek 1:6; Ezek 10:14; Ezek 10:21 etc.):
  a. literally, of man Gen 43:31; 2Sam 19:5; 1Kgs 19:13; Lev 13:14; Dan 8:18; Dan 10:9; Dan 10:15 +; ׳עוֺר פ Exod 35:29; Exod 35:30; Exod 35:35 pale (from alarm) Isa 29:22; Jer 30:6, flushed Isa 13:8; Ezek 21:3, compare Nah 2:11; Joel 2:6 tearful Isa 25:8; Job 16:16 sad, רעים ׳פ Gen 40:7, compare Neh 2:2; Neh 2:3, also ׳רֹעַ פ Eccl 7:8 i.e. sadness; ׳יֵּיטִב פ Prov 15:13 maketh glad the face; נָָֽפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ, Gen 4:5; Gen 4:6 why is the face fallen (in displeasure), compare 1Sam 1:18 (reading נָָֽפְלָה, נָָֽפְ לוּ, or הִפִּילָה); covered with shame Ezek 7:18, whence figurative of confusion, discomfiture Jer 51:51; Ps 69:8; Ps 83:17, etc.
  b. of ׳י Exod 33:20, compare vExod 33:23.
  c. פָּנִים אֶלפָּֿנִים face to face, of seeing (God) Gen 32:31, compare Judg 6:22, knowing Deut 34:10, judging Ezek 20:35, speaking Exod 33:11, and so ׳בְּפ ׳פ Deut 5:4 נִתְרֶאֶה פָנִים 2Kgs 14:8 see each other (in the) face = meet each other in battle, compare v2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:17; 2Chr 25:21.
  d. of relations with ׳׃י ׳הֵרִים פ Ezra 9:6, in worship (see also נשׂא); in spiritual sense Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33 (פָּנָה אֵלַי עֹרֶף וְלֹא פָנִים); ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ י ׳נָתַן פ 2Chr 20:3 ׳נָתַן אֶתפֿ אֶלאֲֿדֹנָי Dan 9:3 הַבָּנִים קְשֵׁי פָנִים Ezek 2:4.
  e. of ׳י himself, לֹא יָסִיר פָּנִיםִ מִכֶּם 2Chr 30:9 בְּעֹשֵׂי ׳פְּנֵי י רָ֑ע Ps 34:17 גַּעֲרַת פָּנֶיךָ Ps 80:17. — See further below
7. 2. a. = presence, person, of ׳י Exod 33:14; Exod 33:15, בְּפָנָיו Deut 4:37, מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו Isa 63:9 לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, see לֶחֶם; of ׳י's angry presence Lam 4:16; Ps 21:10 of Absalom 2Sam 17:11 in weakened sense, nearly = suffix (compare נפשׁ 4 a), Prov 7:15.
  b. with ראה technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence: before a man Gen 32:21 (+ 3 other uses of ׳פ), (God, with יראה pointed as Niph`al, see II 2); especially as privilege, = have access to, man of rank Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5; Gen 44:23; Gen 44:26, king Exod 10:28 (twice in verse) compare vExod 10:29 (all J), 2Sam 14:24 (twice in verse); 2Sam 14:28; 2Sam 14:32 compare 2Sam 3:13 (twice in verse); רֹאֵי פְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25; Esth 1:14 implying favour of person seen, man Gen 33:10 (J), God vGen 33:10, compare Job 33:26 (Hiph`il), and, with חזה, Ps 11:7; Ps 17:15.
3. face of seraphim Isa 6:2, cherubim Exod 25:20 (twice in verse) = Exod 37:9 (twice in verse), Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:11; 2Chr 3:13 +.
4. face of animals, פְּנֵי הַצּאֹן Gen 30:40 ׳אַרְיֵה וּפ ׳פ נֶשֶׁר ׳שׁוֺר ופ Ezek 1:10 (in descr. of cherubim), compare Ezek 10:14 אַרְיֵה ׳פ also 1Chr 12:8 (figurative), כְֿפִיר׳פ Ezek 41:19 ׳פִּתְחֵי פ Job 41:6 of crocodile.
5. face (= surface) of ground (הָאֲדָמָה) Gen 2:6; Gen 4:14; Gen 7:4; Ps 104:30 +, so הָאָרֶץ ׳פ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3; Gen 8:9; Gen 11:4; Gen 11:8; Gen 11:9; Gen 19:28; Isa 24:1, תֵבֵל ׳פ Isa 14:21; Isa 27:6 of a field Prov 24:31 תְהוֺם ׳פ Gen 1:2 (twice in verse); Job 38:30, הַמַּיִם ׳פ Gen 7:18 רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם׳פ Gen 1:20 כִֿסֵּה׳פ Job 26:9 i.e. of God's throne (but Bu reads כֶּסֶה fullmoon); הַלּוֺט ׳פ Job 25:7 see [ לוּט; לְבוּשׁוֺ ׳פ Job 41:5 the expanse of his [the crocodile's] coat; front (especially Ezek.), of house Ezek 41:14; Ezek 47:1, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳פ Ezek 41:21 of gate Ezek 40:6; Ezek 40:20; Ezek 40:22; Ezek 42:15; Ezek 43:4 of chamber Ezek 40:44 (twice in verse); Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46 of pot (סִיר) Jer 1:13 הַמִּלְחָמָה ׳פ 2Sam 10:9 battle-front = 1Chr 19:10 (verb agrees with ׳הַמּ in gender, Ges«GKC:146a»§ 146a); = van of locust-army Joel 2:20 (opposed to סֹפוֺ); front, i.e. edge, of sword Ezek 21:21, of axe Eccl 10:10 = condition, state of a thing, as denoted by its appearance; of flock Prov 27:23 הַדָּבָר ׳פ 2Sam 14:20 the appearance (situation, attitude) of the affair.
6. as adverb of location מִפָּנִים וּמֵאָחוֺר 2Sam 10:9 before and behind = ׳וְֿ ׳פ 1Chr 19:10, also Ezek 2:10; 2Chr 13:14 פְּנֵי toward Song 7:5, also in front (to the East?) of 2Chr 20:16 (see לִפְנֵי d below); לְפָנִים forward Jer 7:24 (opposed to לְאחוֺר); מִלִּפְנִים 1Kgs 6:29 see פְּנִימָה; adverb temporal לְפָנִים formerly Deut 2:12; Deut 2:20; Josh 11:10; Judg 1:10; Judg 1:11; Judg 1:13 + 12 t.; מִלְּפָנִים Isa 41:26 from beforetime (|| מֵראֹשׁ).
7. for other phrases see: אוֺר verb Hiph`il 5; אוֺר n. 10; בּוֺשׁ Hiph`il; בקשׁ Pi`el 3; בּשֶׁת 1; [הַכָּרָה]; הָדַר 2; זָעַם Niph`al; זָעַף 1; הָבַשׁ 1 a; I. חָרָה I חָוַר; חָזַק Pi`el 5; II. חלה; IV. חמר; חָפָה; טָחַן; יָעַד Hoph`al; יְשׁוּעָה 3; כּוּן Hiph`il 3; כִּפֶּר 1; כָּסָה Pi`el 1, 2; מָאוֺר; מְגַמָּה p. 169; I. מוּל; מַשּׂא; [נָבַט] Hiph`il 3; נֶגֶד 1, 2 c; נֹכַח; נָכַר Hiph`il; נָפַל 3 b, and Hiph`il 5; נָשָׂא 1 b (3); נָתַן 2 b; סָבַב Hiph`il 1 a; סָתַר Hiph`il 2; I. עֵבֶר 2; עַז, עָזַז Hiph`il; עָמַד Hiph`il 6 a; II. עֻמָּה; [צָרַב]; [קָדַם] Pi`el; שִׂים; שׁוּב Hiph`il; שִׁית; II.שָׁנָה Pi`el; תֹּפֶת. II. פְּנֵי with prepositions: —
1. אֶלפְּֿנֵי:
  a. to the presence of, Exod 23:17 pregnantly יֵרָאֶה ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הָאָדוֺן shall appear (coming) to the presence of (= before) ׳י (|| Exod 34:23 ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי הָא); with יָצָא = to confront 2Chr 19:2.


  b. to the front of, after a verb of motion, Lev 6:7 הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳הַקְרֵב אֹתָהּ ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵ, Lev 9:5; Lev 16:2; Num 17:8; Num 20:10.
  c. towards or on the front of (אֶל = עַל), Ezek 41:4; Ezek 41:12; Ezek 41:15; Ezek 41:25; Ezek 42:2; Ezek 42:3; Ezek 42:7; Ezek 42:10; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 45:7; Ezek 48:21.
  d. on to the surface of, Lev 14:53 וְשִׁלַּח ֗֗֗ אֶלפְּֿנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, Ezek 16:5.

2. אֶתפְּֿנֵי close by (II. אֵת) the face or front of: hence
  a. the presence of, 1Sam 2:11 עֵלִי ׳אֶתפֿ 1Kgs 12:6 who stood שְׁלֹמֹה ׳אֶתפֿ (compare לִפְנֵי 1Kgs 10:8), Esth 1:10; Prov 17:24 pregnantly (nisi וַיַּנִּחֵם leg., ᵑ6 ᵑ7 We Dr and others) 1Sam 22:4. Specifically ׳אֶתפְּֿנֵי י Gen 19:13 (1Sam 2:17), v1Sam 2:27; 1Sam 2:18 and with נִרְאָה of the appearance of all males at the three annual חַגִּים, Exod 34:23 הָאָדֹן ׳יֵרָאֶה כָּלזְֿכוּרְךָ אֶתפֿ, vExod 34:24; Deut 16:16 (compare Dr), Deut 31:11; 1Sam 1:22 (|| ׳י ׳אלפֿ Exod 23:17); so פָּנַי alone Exod 23:15 = Exod 34:20 (לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי רֵיקָם), Isa 1:22, פָנֶיךָ Ps 42:3 (according to many, GesThes DiExod 23:15 CheIsa 1:12, critical note, the verb in all these passages was originally Qal, afterwards pointed as Niph`al to avoid the expression see the face of ׳י); אֶתפָּֿנֶיךָ in thy presence Ps 16:10; Ps 21:7; Ps 140:14.
  b. in front of, Gen 33:18. הָעִיר ׳וַיִּחַן אֶתפֿ, Lev 4:6 פָרֹכֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳אֶתפֿ ׳לִפְנֵי י vLev 4:17. — מֵאֵת פְּנֵי from before, see II. אֵת
4 a. 3. בִּפְנֵי: (a) in the face of, mostly in particular phrases, with hostile import: thus, with יָרַק to spit Num 12:14; Deut 25:9 התיצב to make a stand Deut 7:24; Deut 11:25, and עמד Josh 10:8, לֹא יַעֲמֹד אִישׁ בְּפָנֶיךָ Josh 21:42; Josh 23:9 עָנָה to answer (give evidence) against, Hos 5:5 וענה גאון ישׂראל בפניו, Hos 7:10; Job 16:8 וְנָקֹטוּ בִּפְנֵיהֶם = feel loathing against their own selves, Ezek 6:9, so Ezek 20:43; Ezek 36:31. (b) in front of, Ezek 42:12.

4. לִפְנֵי, properly at the face or front of, the most general word for in the presence of, before: as Gen 18:22 עֹמֵד לִפְנֵי אַבְרָהָם, Exod 4:21; Exod 11:10; 2Sam 2:14; Prov 17:18 + often; after a verb of motion, Gen 47:2 וַיַּצִּיגֵם ׳לפני פ and set them before Pharaoh, Gen 27:20 ׳כִּי הִקְרָה י לפני literally made (it) to meet before me (compare Gen 24:12), Exod 29:10; Prov 18:16 etc. In particular,
  a. With the implication of
   (a) under the eye or oversight of, Deut 25:2; 1Sam 3:1.
   (b) under the eye and regard of, Gen 17:18 לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ, Hos 6:2; Isa 53:2; Ps 61:8 compare Jer 30:20; Jer 31:36; Isa 66:22; Ps 102:29: also 1Sam 2:28; 2Sam 19:14.
   (c) figurative for in (or into) the full (mental) view of, Gen 6:13 קֵץ כָּלבָּֿשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי is come in before me, Lam 1:22 תָּבאֹ כָלרָֿעָתָם לְפָנֶיךָ, Jonah 1:2 עָֽלְתָה לְפָנַי (compare אֶל Gen 18:21; Exod 2:23), Isa 65:6 כְּתוּבָה לְפָנָ֑י, Jer 2:22 נִכְתָּךְ לְפָנָי (compare נֶגְדִּי Isa 47:12).
   (d) openly before, 1Sam 12:2 הִתְהַלֵךְ לִפְנֵי, and with collateral idea of deserving (and receiving) regard 1Sam 2:35, especially ׳לפני י Gen 17:1 and elsewhere.
   (e) in presence of the moon or sun, Ps 72:5; Ps 72:17, i.e. as long as they endure.
   (f) free before, at the disposal of,Gen 13:9 הֲלֹא כָלהָֿאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ (compare Gen 20:15; Gen 34:10; Gen 47:6; Jer 40:4; 2Chr 14:6), 2Chr 24:51; Song 8:12.
   (g) in the sight (estimation) of, Gen 7:1 thee have I seen to be just before me, Gen 10:9 a mighty hunter before ׳י, Deut 24:4 ׳י ׳תּוֺעֵבָה ל, vDeut 24:13 ׳י ׳צְדָקָה ל, 1Sam 20:1 b, אָרוּר ׳י ׳ל Josh 6:26; 1Sam 26:19, ׳י ׳לְרָצוֺן ל acceptable before ׳י, Lev 1:3 +, Ps 19:15; 2Kgs 5:1 a great man לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנָיו, Prov 14:12; Ps 143:2 ׳וַיִּיטַב ל (late synonym of earlier בְּעֵנֵי) Neh 2:5; Neh 2:6; Esth 5:14 ׳טוֺב ל Eccl 2:26; Eccl 7:26 compare also נָתַן לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי, see רַחֲמִים.
   (h) ׳לִפְנֵי י, specifically of acts done with a solemn sense of ׳י's presence, often, but not always, at a sanctuary: Gen 27:7 that I may eat and bless thee before ׳י, before I die, Exod 18:12 to eat bread before God, Deut 1:45 ye wept before ׳י, Deut 6:25; Deut 12:7 (to eat, so vDeut 12:18; Deut 14:23; Deut 14:26; Deut 15:20), vDeut 15:12 (rejoice, so vDeut 15:18; Deut 27:7; Isa 9:2), Josh 18:6; Josh 24:1; Judg 11:11; Judg 20:23; Judg 20:26; Judg 21:2; 1Sam 7:6; 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 11:15; 1Sam 12:7; 1Sam 15:33; 1Sam 23:18; 2Sam 5:3; 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 21:9 and constantly in P, as Exod 16:9; Exod 16:33; Exod 16:34; Lev 1:5; Lev 1:11; Lev 3:1; Lev 3:7 etc.; of residents in Jerusalem Isa 23:18. So in ׳י ׳הָלַךְ ל 1Kgs 2:4 and elsewhere.
  b. In other phrases: —
   (a) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on, Deut 1:38 and elsewhere (see עָמַד 1 e). Simil. הָיָה לִפְנֵי 1Sam 19:7 (compare 1Sam 29:8), 2Kgs 5:2 ׳עָבַד ל 2Sam 16:19.
   (b) הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לִפְנֵי to bow down before Gen 23:12; Deut 26:10; 2Kgs 18:22 and elsewhere (see below שָׁחָה; also נָפַל 3 b): so with הִתְפַּלֵּל to pray 1Sam 1:12 +; compare הלך פָני 1Kgs 12:30; 1Chr 21:30.
   (c) to be smitten (נִגַּף) before a foe; see נָגַף Niph`al [contrast נוּס מִפְּנֵי: below 6 a]. So with נָפַל 1Sam 14:13 נָתַן (in helplessness or flight), especially in Deuteronomy, as Deut 1:8; Deut 1:21; Deut 7:2 (twice in verse); Deut 7:23; Josh 10:12; Josh 11:6 + (DrDT lxxxii): compare Judg 4:15; 2Sam 5:20; Isa 45:1; Jer 1:17.
   (d) עָמַד לִפְנֵי to stand (make a stand) before (not quite so strong as בִּפְנֵי ׳ע, above 3), Exod 9:11; Judg 2:14; 2Kgs 10:4; Jer 49:19; Ps 76:8; Ps 147:17; Nah 1:6 so with הִתְיַצֵּב Deut 9:2; Josh 1:5; Job 41:2, קוּם Josh 7:12; Josh 7:13.
   (e) in hostile sense (rare), יָצָא לִפְנֵי go forth to face 1Chr 14:8; 2Chr 14:9.
   (f) לִפְנֵי (נָתַן) שִׂים, of food, to set or place before, Gen 18:8; Gen 24:33 +.
   (g) נָתַן לִפְנֵי to set before, i.e. propound for acceptance or choice, usually of laws (especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah), Deut 4:8; Deut 11:26; Deut 11:32; Deut 30:1; Deut 30:15; Deut 30:19; 1Kgs 9:6 (D2), Jer 9:12; Jer 21:8; Jer 26:4; Jer 44:10; , compare Ezek 23:24 (place at disposal of): so with שִׂים Exod 19:7; Exod 21:1.
  c. With reference to position:
   (a) in front of, before, especially with verbs of motion (with which נֶגֶד is hardly used), Gen 32:21 בַּמִּנְחָה הַהֹלֶכֶת לְפָנָ֔י that goeth before me, Gen 33:14 the cattle אֲשֶׁר לְפָנַי, Exod 17:5; Exod 23:20 etc.; in the description of a march or procession, Exod 13:21; Exod 13:22; Num 10:33; Isa 52:12; Isa 58:8 +; 2Sam 3:31 and wail before Abner (before his bier); of flocks before a shepherd Gen 32:18 of captives or booty driven before a conqueror 1Sam 30:20 (read וַיִּנְהֲגוּ לְפָנָיו We Dr), Isa 8:4; Isa 40:10 = Isa 62:11 וּפְעֻלָּתוֺ לְפָנָיו his recompence (i.e. his newly-recovered people, regarded as his prize of war) before him, Amos 9:4; Lam 1:5; Lam 1:6
   (b) of a leader, etc. = at the head of, Deut 10:11; Judg 9:39; 1Sam 8:20; Mic 1:13 and elsewhere; compare בא ויצא לפני (העם) Num 27:17; 1Sam 18:13; 1Sam 18:16; 2Chr 1:10; Eccl 4:16 before whom (at whose head) he was.
   (c) denoting superiority, before, above, Gen 48:20 וַיָּשֶׂם אתאֿפרים לפני מנשׁה, Job 34:19.
  d. Of places (not very common): Exod 14:2 before Pi-hahiroth . . ., before Baal-zephon, Num 33:7b, Gen 23:17 מַמְרֵא ׳אשׁר ל (usually ׳על פני מ: see 7 a d), 1Chr 19:7; Neh 8:1; Neh 8:3 before the temple, veil, altar, etc., Exod 16:34 + הָעֵדֻת ׳ל, Exod 30:6 + הַפָּרֹכֶת ׳ל, Exod 40:5; Exod 40:6; Num 3:38; Num 7:10 and elsewhere (all P), 1Kgs 6:21; 1Kgs 7:49 +.
  e. Of time, before: Amos 1:1: לפני הָָֽ רעַשׁ before the earthquake, Gen 29:26; Gen 30:30 לְפָנַי before me (i.e. before I came to thee), Exod 10:14 לפניו לא היה כן before it there was not the like, Num 13:22; 1Kgs 16:25; 1Kgs 16:30 מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר לְפָנָיו, Isa 43:10; Isa 48:7; Prov 8:25; Job 15:7 etc. Sq. infinitive, Gen 13:10 ׳לִפְנֵי שַׁחֵת י before ׳י's destroying, etc., Gen 27:7 לִפְנֵי מוֺתִי, Gen 36:31; 1Sam 9:15 +. Once, in late Hebrew, לִפְנֵי מִזֶּה before this Neh 13:4. feminine In the manner of, like (rare and dubious), 1Sam 1:16 אַלתִּֿתֵּן אֶתאֲֿמָֽתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַתבִּֿלִיַּעַל like a worthless woman, Job 3:24 like my food, Job 4:19 they are crushed like the moth (compare Lat pro).
5. מִלִּפְנֵי73 from before: —
  a. from the presence of (properly, from a position before a person or object: to be distinguished from מִפְּנֵי; see 6):
   (a) Gen 41:46 ׳ויצא יוסף מִלִּפְנֵי פ from before Pharaoh, Gen 47:10; 2Kgs 5:27; 2Kgs 6:32 +; ׳י ׳מל Gen 4:6 Cain went forth from before ׳י, Jonah 1:3; Jonah 1:10 specifically of the sanctuary, Lev 9:24 ׳ותצא אשׁ מלפני י (so Lev 10:2), קֶצֶף Num 17:11 (compare 2Chr 19:2), with לָקַח etc. Lev 16:12; Num 17:24; Num 20:9, 1Sam 21:7 the shew-bread that was removed from before ׳י; from before a place 1Kgs 8:54; Ezra 10:6; 2Chr 1:13,
   (b) of taking, etc., from before a person, Gen 23:4 to bury my dead from before me, vGen 23:8; Exod 36:3; Deut 17:18 ׳וכתב לו מִשְׁנֵה התורה הזאת מל הכהנים from (the copy) before the priests, Deut 28:31 גָּזוּכ מלפניך.
   (c) with בקשׁ Esth 4:8 [compare מִןקֳדָם Dan 2:18]; and to express the idea of proceeding from a person, Esth 1:19 [compare Dan 2:15], Eccl 10:5; 1Chr 29:12 הָעשֶׁר והכבוד מלפניך (compare Acts 3:19); Ps 17:2 מלפניך. יֵצֵא משׁפטי.
   (d) of cutting off, etc., from before ׳י (compare לִפְנֵי a b, c), Lev 22:3; 1Kgs 8:25 לֹאיִֿכָּרֵת לְךָ אִישׁ, מִלְּפָנִי Jer 31:36; Jer 33:18; Isa 48:19: Ps 51:13 אַלתַּֿשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנְיךָ (compare 8 a); Jer 16:17 לֹא נִסְתְּרוּ מִלְּפָנַי, Jer 18:23; Neh 3:37.
   (e) of expelling from before an invader, Exod 23:28; Deut 9:4; Deut 11:23; Deut 31:3 + (but much less common than מִפְּנֵי).
  b. (Chiefly late) to express the source or cause, with the force of the לְ weakened, in cases where the earlier language would have used מִפְּנֵי: with verbs of fearing, 1Sam 18:12; Eccl 3:14; Eccl 8:12; Eccl 8:13; 1Chr 16:30 חִילִי מִלְּפָנָיו [|| Ps 96:9 מפניו], Ps 114:7 (twice in verse); Esth 7:6; 2Chr 32:7 ( + מפני); failing, etc., Isa 57:16; Ps 97:5 being humbled, 1Kgs 21:29 ( + מפני), 2Chr 32:12; 2Chr 32:23; 2Chr 34:27 [|| 2Kgs 22:19 מפני], 2Kgs 36:12 crying for help 1Sam 8:18 [compare מפני Exod 3:7], singing 1Chr 16:33 [|| Ps 96:13 לפני], fleeing 1Chr 19:18 [|| 2Sam 10:18 מִפְּנֵי].
  c. of time, once, = לִפְנֵי Eccl 1:10. — With the later usages of ׳מל, compare מִן קֳדָם in Biblical Aramaic and ᵑ7 (Dr Smlxx-lxxi, lxxiii); see also ii. 320.
6. מִפְּנֵי from the face or presence of, from before, Exod 14:19 וַיִּסַּע עמוד הענן מִפְּנֵיהֶם removecl from before them, Isa 30:11; Hos 11:2 so
  a. (often with suggestion of causation (see מִן 2 d, e, f), because of, for fear of [so AV RV Judg 9:21; 1Sam 21:11; 1Sam 23:26; (twice in verse); Jer 37:11; Jer 41:9; Jer 50:16]) after verbs of hiding Gen 3:8; Gen 4:14; Isa 2:10 (compare vIsa 2:19 vIsa 2:21); and especially of escaping, Judg 9:21 (Thes 'bene ᵑ9 ob metum A.'), 1Sam 18:11; 1Sam 19:10; 1Sam 23:26, or fleeing, Exod 4:3; Exod 14:25; 1Sam 17:24 + often (see בָּרַךְ and נוּס), and expelling, destroying, etc. Exod 23:30 אֲגָָֽרְשֶׁנּוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ I will expel them from before thee, Exod 34:11; Exod 34:24 אוֺרִישׁ גּוֺיִם מִפָּנֶיךָ (see הוֺרִישׁ), Lev 18:24; Deut 8:20; Amos 2:9; Ps 89:24 + often (as though clearing the way for Israel, for Israel's sake: compare Isa 63:12 בּוֺקֵעַ מַיִס מִפְּנֵיהֶם, Josh 2:10; Josh 4:23). Pregn. Isa 17:9 ׳כַּעֲזוּבַת ֗֗֗ אשׁר עזבו מפני בני ישׂר which they forsook (fleeing) from before, etc.
  b. implying causation more distinctly. Ps 9:4 יאבדו מפניך perish from before thee or at the presence, Deut 7:20: very often with verbs of fearing, as גור, יגר, חיל, ירא, ערץ, פחד, קוץ Exod 9:30; Num 22:3 (twice in verse); Deut 1:17; Jer 5:22 etc. (mostly when the object inspiring fear is a person: when it is a thing, מִן alone is preferred; but see Deut 5:5; Deut 9:19); of being alarmed or dismayed Gen 45:3; Josh 2:9; Jer 1:17; Job 23:15, etc.; of humbling oneself Exod 10:3; Judg 11:33 +; with other words, to indicate the external ground of an action or effect, as הַס מִפָּנָיו be silent at (i.e. because of) his presence Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Judg 5:5 the mountains flowed ׳מפני י at the presence of ׳י, Isa 63:19; Jer 4:26; Nah 1:5; Ps 68:3 as wax melteth מפני אשׁ; Deut 20:19; Isa 19:1; Isa 26:17 כן היינו מפניך so were we through thy presence (more than לפניך, — implying that their state was due to ׳י); קום מפני to rise up at the presence of Gen 31:35; Lev 19:32. (
N.B. In a, b, frequently rendered before in AV RV, and so confused with לפני; but the מִן retains always its full force in the Hebrew)
  c. of the cause, whether nearer or more remote:
   (a) Gen 6:13 מָֽלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם because of them (i.e. occasioned by them), Gen 27:4 I loathe my life because of the daughters of Heth, Gen 36:7 the land could not support them because of their cattle, Gen 41:31; Gen 47:13; Exod 3:7 their cry by reason of their taskmasters, Exod 8:20 תִּשָּׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי הֶעָרֹב, Exod 9:11; Josh 2:11; Josh 23:3; Judg 2:18; Judg 6:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 8:11 + often; Isa 10:27 (RVm), Jer 15:17; Ps 38:4; Ps 38:6, etc.; Jer 4:4 + מִפְּנֵי רֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם by reason of the evil of your doings, Jer 7:12; Jer 9:6; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:16; Jer 23:9 + often
   (b) stating the reason for which a thing is not done (Latin prae,), 1Kgs 8:11; Job 37:19.
   (c) with אֲשֶׁר as a conjunction, twice, because that, Exod 19:18; Jer 44:23. — Num 33:8 see פִּי הַחִירֹת.
7. עַלפְּֿנֵי (compare Phoenician עַל פְּנֵ, עלת פְּנֵ, Lzb352) has different meanings according to the different senses of the noun and the preposition: —
  a. From the sense of face or front:
   (a) in front of (more definite and distinct than לפני): Ps 18:43 as dust before the wind (compare לפני Ps 35:5; Ps 83:14 +), Gen 32:22 the present passed on עלפֿניו in front of him, Exod 33:19 אעביר כלטֿוּבי עלפֿניך,2Sam 15:18; 2Sam 15:23 (read עלפֿניו: see Dr), Job 4:15 = in the sight of, Lev 10:3 ועלפֿני כל העם אֶכָּבֵד, Jer 6:7 עַלפָּֿנַי תָּמִיד חֳלִי וּמַכָּה, Jer 13:26 (compare Nah 3:5), Ps 9:20 יִשָּֽׁפְטוּ גוים עלפֿניך before thee: defiantly, Job 1:11 אםלֿא עלֿ פניך יְבָֽרְכֶךָּ will renounce thee to thy face, Job 6:28 ועלפֿניכם אם אֲכַוֵּב, Job 21:31 to die in the presence of any one ( = in his lifetime) Gen 11:28; Num 3:4.
   (b) before, to the exclusion of another, i.e. in preference to, Deut 21:16, and perhaps(Ew§ 217 l) Exod 20:3 (Deut 5:7) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים עלפֿני (Thes and others as c).
   (c) in addition to, Job 16:14 פֶּרֶץעַלפְּֿנֵיפֶֿרֶץ יִפְרְצֵנִי.
   (d) of localities, in front of, mostly (but not always: see GFMJu., p. 351) = east of, 1Kgs 6:3 the porch in front of, etc., v1Kgs 6:3; 1Kgs 7:6; 1Kgs 8:8; 2Chr 3:17; Ezek 42:8; Gen 16:12 עלפֿני כלאֿחיו ישׁכן (compare Gen 25:18 b), perhaps (Di and others) with collateral idea of defiance; מַמְרֵא ׳עַלפֿ Gen 23:19 (Gen 50:13), Exod 16:14 often in אשׁר עלפֿני ֗֗֗ Gen 25:9 (Gen 49:30), מצרים vGen 49:18 a (Josh 13:3; 1Sam 15:7), Num 21:11; Num 33:7 a, ירחו Deut 32:49 (Deut 34:1), Josh 13:3; Josh 13:25; Josh 15:8 (Josh 18:16), Josh 17:7; Josh 18:14; Josh 19:11; Judg 16:3; 1Sam 24:3 (probably), 1Sam 26:1; 1Sam 26:3; 2Sam 2:24; 1Kgs 11:7 (the Mt. of Olives, east of Jews.; so 2Kgs 23:13; Zech 14:4), Zech 17:3; Zech 17:5. — Gen 1:20 let fowl fly עלפֿני רקיע השׁמים in front of the firmament of heaven, namely as looked up to from below, i.e. between the firmament and the earth. (ε) with verbs implying direction, over towardas, Gen 18:16 וישׁקף עלפֿני סדם, Gen 19:28; Num 21:20 (Num 23:28) נשׁקפה עלפֿני הישׁימן overlooking; to sprinkle against the front of Lev 16:14 in a hostile sense (rare), Nah 2:2 עָלָה מֵפִיץ עַלפָּֿנַיִךְ, Ps 21:13; Ezek 32:10.


  b. From the sense of surface, Gen 1:2 עלפֿני תהום upon the face of the deep, Exod 16:14 ׳המדבר עלפֿ: often in the phrases עלפֿני (כל) הארץ Gen 1:29; Gen 7:3 +, and (more frequently) עלפֿני האדמה on the face of the ground Gen 6:1; Gen 7:23 etc.; על פני השׂדה Lev 17:5; Num 19:16; 1Sam 14:25 +; after verbs of motion, 1Sam 11:4 lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth, v1Sam 11:8 v1Sam 11:9; Exod 32:20; Lev 14:7 (Lev 14:53 אל), Isa 18:2; Isa 19:8; Amos 5:8; Ezek 32:4; Job 5:10 +.

8. מֵעַלפְּֿנֵי
  a. from before the face of, Gen 23:3 Abraham rose up מֵעַל פְּנֵי מֵתוֺ from before his dead, i.e. from mourning before or beside it; Psalms (פניו) מֵעַל פני from before my (his) face, often in Kings & Jeremiah of the rejection of Israel or the temple, as with שִׁלַּת 1Kgs 9:7 (|| 2Chr 7:20 השׁליך), Jer 15:1, השׁליד 2Kgs 13:23; 2Kgs 24:20 (Jer 52:3), Jer 7:15, נטשׁ Jer 23:39, הסיר 2Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 23:27; 2Kgs 24:3; Jer 32:31.
  b. from of the surface of, often in the phrase מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, with verbs of cutting off, removing, expelling, etc., Psalms; Gen 4:14; Gen 6:7; Gen 7:4; Gen 8:8; Exod 32:12; Deut 6:15; 1Sam 20:15; 1Kgs 9:7; 1Kgs 13:34; Amos 9:8; Jer 28:16; Zeph 1:2; Zeph 1:3.


BDB6683 H3942 H6440

BDB6682 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6684

לִפְנָ֑י 1Kgs 6:17, Ew§ 164 a Ke as adjective, anterior, but read, with ᵐ5, לִפְנֵי הַדְּבִיד Th Sta Kit and others

before, face, presence, because, faces, …
pānîm
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
  • face
    • face, faces
    • "presence, person"face (of seraphim or cherubim)"face (of animals)"face, surface (of ground)"as adv of loc/temp
      • before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
      with prep
      • in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

שָׁ֝א֗וּל
שָׁ֝א֗וּל
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Saul")
Dictionary form: שָׁאוּל · shaw-OOL

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: saul
saul ×140 and saul ×89 of saul ×67 sauls ×14 then saul ×8 and when saul ×7 so saul ×7 to saul ×6
More options
Saul — Standard modern spelling for this proper name.
Shaul — Use when distinguishing non-Israelite or minor figures named שָׁאוּל.
Saul's — Possessive form; use for genitive constructions.

BDB8369 H7586

BDB8368 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8370

שָׁאוּל proper name, masculine ( = asked (of ׳י), cf שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל below; Palmyrene proper name שאילא Lzb371 Cooke283); — Σαονλ:

1.397 1st king of Israel, 1Sam 9:2; 1Sam 9:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 9:5 (son of Kish, a Benjamite) + 359 t. Samuel; 28 t. 1 Chronicles; Ps 18:1; Ps 52:2; Ps 54:2; Ps 57:1; Ps 59:1 (all in titles); ׳גִּבְעַת שׁ Isa 10:29 (and 1Sam 11:4; 1Sam 15:34; 2Sam 21:6 see II . גִּבְעָה).
2. a king of Edom Gen 36:37; Gen 36:38 (P) = 1Chr 1:48; 1Chr 1:49
3. a son of Simeon Gen 46:10; Exod 6:15; Num 26:13 (all P) = 1Chr 4:24.
4. a Levite 1Chr 6:9.

saul, sauls, shaul
šāʾûl
desired
Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
  • a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel
  • "an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah"a son of Simeon"a Levite, son of Uzziah

בַּ מְּעָרָֽה
בַּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
מְּעָרָֽה
Root word cave, caves, den, dens, holes
Dictionary form: מְעָרָה · meh-aw-RAW

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

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: in the cave
the cave ×10 in a cave ×5 in the cave ×5 of the cave ×5 and the cave ×3 a cave ×1 a den ×1 and caves ×1
More options
cave — Most neutral, widely understood term; default choice.
cavern — Suggests a larger or more dramatic underground space.
den — Implies a hiding place or lair; good for threat/refuge contexts.
grotto — Slightly elevated register; suits sacred or scenic settings.
hollow — Emphasizes the void/recess; works for smaller rock openings.
refuge — Contextual rendering when shelter function is foregrounded.

BDB6415 H4631 H4632

BDB6414 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6416

מְעָרָה40 noun feminine cave; — absolute ׳מ Gen 19:30 +; construct מְעָרַת Gen 23:19 +; plural מְעָרוֺת Judg 6:2 +, construct id. Isa 2:19cave, especially as place of sojourn or refuge Gen 19:30 (J), 1Sam 24:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 24:7; 1Sam 24:8; 1Sam 24:10 (Ginsb; v.1Sam 24:4 v.1Sam 24:8 v.1Sam 24:9 v.1Sam 24:11 van d. H. Bear), 1Kgs 19:1; 1Kgs 19:13; Ezek 33:27; Josh 10:16 (בַמַּקֵּדָה ׳מ) + 7 t. Josh 10; Judg 6:2; 1Sam 13:6; 1Kgs 18:4; 1Kgs 18:13, compare Ps 57:1; Ps 142:1 מְעָרוֺת צֻרִים Isa 2:19, hence פָּרִצִים ׳מ Jer 7:11 robbers' cave; Isa 32:14 den (of wild beasts); — עֲדֻלָּם ׳מ 1Sam 22:1; 2Sam 23:13, whence in || 1Chr 11:15, read probably ׳מְצֻדַת ע or מְצָדַת We, compare Dr, Bu Kit HPS; — as burial place, הַמַּכְפֵּלָה ׳מ Gen 23:9 + (see מַכְפֵּלָה) = ׳מ alone Gen 23:11; Gen 23:17; Gen 23:20; Gen 49:29; Gen 49:32 (all P). אֲשֶׁר לַצִּידֹנִים ׳מ Josh 13:4 (D), cave-region in Lebanon east of Sidon, modern Mughâr Gezzîn, according to most, but dubious; perhaps, rather, near Tyre BuhlMDPV 1895, 55.

cave, caves, den, dens, holes
mĕʿārâ
a cavern (as dark)
  • cave, den, hole

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.
לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ אַל תַּ֭שְׁחֵת Dechi — a lesser break לְדָוִ֣ד מִכְתָּ֑ם Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here בְּבָרְח֥וֹ מִפְּנֵי שָׁ֝א֗וּל Revia Mugrash — a lesser break בַּמְּעָרָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

לַמְנַצֵּחַ אַל-תַּשְׁחֵת לְדָוִד מִכְתָּם בְּבָרְחוֹ מִפְּנֵי-שָׁאוּל בַּמְּעָרָֽה׃
0
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.