Song of Solomon 6:8

שִׁשִּׁ֥ים הֵ֙מָּה֙ מְּלָכ֔וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

שִׁשִּׁ֥ים
שִׁשִּׁ֥ים
Root word threescore, sixty
Dictionary form: שִׁשִּׁים · shish-SHEEM

Adjective — Cardinal Number, both plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"; a number (one, two, three, …)

In the KJV here: are threescore
and threescore ×19 threescore ×11 sixty ×7 was threescore ×4 sixty and ×3 were threescore ×3 of them threescore ×2 of them were threescore ×2
More options
sixty — Standard modern cardinal number; universally preferred.
sixty-fold — Use when expressing multiplication or ratio contexts.
sixtieth — Use as ordinal form when indicating position or rank.
six dozen — Informal register; highlights grouping of twelve.

BDB8490 H8346

BDB8489 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8491

שִׁשִּׁים59 noun indeclinable sixty; — before singular noun: city Deut 3:4 + 4 t., cubit 1Kgs 6:2; Ezek 40:14, man 2Kgs 25:19 = Jer 52:25, day Lev 12:5, etc.; plural noun בָּנוֺת 2Chr 11:21, compare Song 3:7 after plural noun Num 7:88 (3 t. in verse); 2Chr 3:3; 2Chr 11:21 +; שִׁשִּׁים אֶלֶף 2Chr 12:3 +; ׳שׁ following units Gen 5:15 + 12 t.; ׳שׁ precedes unit Isa 7:8 + 12 t.; ׳שׁ following 100 (1000) Ezra 8:10 + 11 t.; precedes Gen 5:18 = 8 t.

threescore, sixty
šiššîm
sixty
  • sixty, three score

Breakdown unavailable for this word. Dictionary form: הֵם · hame

Noun — masculine plural plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: there
they ×204 and they ×49 in those ×34 are they ×33 these ×15 but they ×12 them ×10 those ×8
More options
they — Default third-person plural pronoun; broadest usage.
them — Use when serving as object of verb or preposition.
those — Demonstrative use; points to a specific group or set.
these — Demonstrative, near reference; contrasts with distant group.
who — Relative pronoun use; links back to a preceding noun.
themselves — Reflexive or emphatic contexts stressing the subject.

BDB2087 H1931 H1992 H2007

BDB2086 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2088

הוּא masculine הִיא feminine (plural masculine הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם; feminine הֵ֫נָּה, הֵן [the latter only with prefixes]; see these words), pronoun of the 3rd person singular, he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it, Latin is, ea, id. (The א is not orthographic merely, but radical, being written on Moabite and Phoenician inscriptions, though dropped in some of the later dialects. [In Hebrew only Jer 29:23 Kt, and in the proper name אֱלִיהוּ.] Moabite (MI6; 27) and Phoenician (often) הא; Aramaic of Zinjirli הא, once הו (DHMInschr. von Sendschirli 55); ᵑ7 הוּא, הִיא Syriac , ; Arabic , (for h¥°a, h£°a, WSG 104); Ethiopic we°§t¥, ye°§t£; perhaps also Assyrian šû, šî, himself, herself suffix šu, ši; compare demonstrative šuatu, šiati (see KraeBAS. i. 383 & references, WSG 98, 105 Dl§ 55b, 57). In the Pentateuch, הוא is of common gender, the feminine form הִיא occurring only 11 times, namely Gen 14:2; Gen 20:5; Gen 38:25 (see Masora here), Lev 11:39; Lev 13:10; Lev 13:21; Lev 16:31; Lev 20:17; Lev 21:9; Num 5:13; Num 5:14. The punctuators, however, sought to assimilate the usage of the Pentateuch to that of the rest of the OT, and accordingly wherever הוא was construed as a feminine pointed it הִוא (as a Qr perpetuum). Outside the Pentateuch the same Qr occurs 1Kgs 17:15; Isa 30:33; Job 31:11a — probably for the sake of removing gramm. anomalies: five instances of the converse change, namely of היא to be read as הוּא, occur for a similar reason, 1Kgs 17:15 (וַתּאֹכַל הוּאוָֿהִיא to be read as וַתּאֹכַל הִיאוָֿהוּא, on account of the feminine verb) Ps 73:16; Job 31:11b (כי הוא זמה והיא עָוֺן פלילים to be read as כי היא זמה והוא עון פלילים), Eccl 5:8; 1Chr 29:16. The origin of the peculiarity in the Pentateuch is uncertain. It can hardly be a real archaism : for the fact that arab., Aramaic, & Ethiopic have distinct forms for masculine & feminine shews that both must have formed part of the original Semitic stock, and consequently of Hebrew as well, from its earliest existence as an independent language. Nor is the peculiarity confined to the Pentateuch: in the Manuscript of the Later Prophets, of A.D. , now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile by Strack (1876), the feminine occurs written הוא (see the passages cited in the Adnotationes Criticae, p. 026). In Phoenician both masculine and feminine are alike written הא (CIS i. 1Chr 1:9 מלך צדק הא, 1Chr 1:13 מלאכת הא, 1Chr 3:10 אדם הא, 1Chr 1:11 ממלכת הא, 1Chr 93:2; 1Chr 94:2), though naturally this would be read as hu° or hi° as occasion required. Hence, as ᵐ5 shews that in the older Hebrew MSS. the scriptio plena was not yet generally introduced, it is probably that originally הא was written for both genders in Hebrew likewise, and that the epicene הוא in the Pentateuch originated at a comparatively late epoch in the transmission of the text — perhaps in connection with the assumption, which is partly borne out by facts (compare DeZKWL 1880, pp. 393-399), that in the older language feminine forms were more sparingly used than subsequently.)

In usage הוּא (feminine הִיא; plural הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם, ׃ הֵ֫נָּה see הֵ֫מָּה) is

1. an emphatic he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (especially with the article) that (those):
  a. Gen 3:15 הוא ישׁופך ראשׁ he (ᵐ5 αὐτὸς) shall bruise thee as to the head (opposed to the following אתה thou), vGen 3:20 for she (and no one else) was the mother of all living (so often in causal sentences, where some emphasis on the subject is desirable as Judg 14:3; Ps 24:2; Ps 25:15; Ps 33:9; Ps 91:3; Ps 103:14; Ps 148:5; Job 5:18; Job 11:11; Job 28:24; Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7b Hos 6:1; Hos 11:10 : Dr1Sam 14:18), 1Sam 4:20 Adah bare Jabal הוא היה אבי ישׁב אהלים he (ἐκεῖνος) was the father of tent-dwellers, v1Sam 4:21; 1Sam 10:8 he began to be a mighty one in the earth, 1Sam 20:5 (αὐτός), Judg 13:5; Isa 32:7; Isa 33:22; 2Kgs 14:7; 2Kgs 14:22; 2Kgs 14:25; Hos 10:2 he — the unseen observer of their thoughts and deeds (Che), Hos 13:15 b (he, the foe figured by the east wind). (For its use thus in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 157, 160, 168, 169.) And where the predicate is a substantive or participle, Gen 2:11 הוּא הַסֹּבֵב ֗֗֗ that is the one which encompasseth etc., vGen 2:13 vGen 2:14; Gen 10:12 that is the great city. So in the explanatory notices, Gen 14:3 הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַת that is the salt sea, vGen 14:8 הוּאצֹֿעַר that is Zoar, Gen 36:1 + often
  b. pointing back to the subj. and contrasting it with something else : Gen 4:4 הבל גסהֿוא Abel, he also ... vGen 4:26; Gen 10:21; Gen 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא and she, herself also said, Exod 1:10 + often
  c. appended alone to a verb (more rarely, but always with intentional emphasis), Exod 4:14 I know כי דבר ידבר הוא that he can speak, vExod 4:16; 1Sam 22:18 ויפגע הוא בכהנים and he (though none else would do it) smote the priests, 1Sam 23:22 for one hath told me, עָרֹם יַעְרִם הוּא He can deal subtilly, Ezek 12:12 (peculiarly), compare Dr§ 160 n.: very rarely indeed to a noun Num 18:23 הַלֵּוִי הוּא Isa 7:14 הוא ׳י, Esth 9:1 (הֵמָּה) being probably all the examples in the OT.
  d. Gen 13:1 and Abram came up out of Egypt, הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֺ himself and his wife, and all that he had, Gen 14:15 הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו he and his servants, Gen 19:30 so very often
  e. prefixed to a noun (very rare, and mostly late), Exod 12:42b Ezek 3:8 & Ezek 33:8 הוּא רָשָׁע : to proper names Exod 6:27 הוא משׁה ואהרן, 1Chr 26:26 that Shelomoth, 1Chr 27:6; 2Chr 28:22; 2Chr 32:12 (different from 2Kgs 18:22), v2Kgs 18:30; 2Kgs 33:23; Ezra 7:6: compare הֵם Neh 10:38 (compare in Syriac , Nö§ 227): compare Ps 87:5; 1Sam 20:29.

2. It resumes the subject with emphasis:
  a. when the predicate is a verb (especially if it be separated from its subject by an intervening clause), Gen 15:4 but one that shall come forth out of thine own bowels, הוּא יִירָשֶׁ֑ךָ he shall be thy heir, Gen 3:12 the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, הוא נתנה לי she gave to me, Gen 24:7; Gen 44:17 etc. Judg 7:4; 2Sam 14:19 (throwing stress on יוֺאָב) 1Chr 11:20; Isa 33:15-16; Isa 34:16; Isa 38:19; Isa 47:10; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5; Hos 7:8 often in Proverbs, as Hos 10:18; Hos 10:22; Hos 10:24; Hos 11:28; Hos 13:13; Hos 19:21; Hos 22:9; Hos 24:12; 1Sam 1:13 (see Dr), Ps 68:36.
  b. when the predicate is a noun, Gen 2:14 and the fourth river, הוּא פְרָת it was the Euphrates, vGen 2:19; Gen 9:18; Gen 15:2; Gen 42:6 הַשַּׁלִּיט וְיוֺסֵף הוּא and Joseph, he was the ruler etc.: in sentences of the type הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים ׳י, הוּא הַנִּלְחָם ׳י לָכֶם, הוּא נַחֲלָ˜תְךָ ׳י, Deut 3:22; Deut 4:35; Deut 7:9; Deut 10:9; Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; Isa 9:14; Isa 33:6; (in these cases, to avoid stiffness, it is convenient often to drop the pronoun in translating, as 'And the fourth river was the Euphrates:' the pronoun, however, though it then corresponds to the substantive verb in English, does not really express it, the copula, as the examples shew, being in fact understood. Sts. in AV the pronoun is retained for emphasis, as Deuteronomy ll. cc.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in an affirmative sentence, Gen 9:3 all creeping things אֲשֶׁר הוּאחַֿי which are living, Lev 11:39; Num 9:13; Num 14:8; Num 35:31 אֲשֶׁר הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת who is guilty of death, Deut 20:20; 1Sam 10:19; Hag 1:9 and elsewhere (On 2, compare Dr§ 199, with Obs.)

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the predicate, its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible: thus
  a. Gen 12:18 why didst thou not tell me כי אשׁתך הוא that she was thy wife ? Gen 20:13; Gen 21:13 כי זרעך הוא for he is thy seed, Gen 31:20 because he told him not כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא, Gen 37:3 + often (the opposite order rare and emphatic: Gen 24:65; Deut 4:6; Deut 30:20; Josh 10:2; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 3:4; 1Kgs 21:2; Hos 2:4; Ps 45:12).
  b. resuming the subject, Gen 31:16 all the wealth which God hath taken etc., לנו הוא ולבנינו it is ours and our children's, vGen 31:43 and all that thou seest, לי הוא it is mine (or, omitting the pronoun, as not required in our idiom, simply) is mine, Gen 41:26 חלום פרעה אחד הוא the dream of Pharaoh is one, Gen 48:5 (לי הם), Exod 3:5 for the place where on thou standest, אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא it is holy ground, Num 13:32; Num 21:26; Deut 1:17; Josh 5:15; Josh 6:19; Job 3:19 + often; Gen 23:15 ארץ ֗֗֗ מַההִֿוא, so Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 (הֵנָּה); הֵמָּה .... אַתֶּם (unusual) Zeph 2:12. (In all such cases the predicate is not referred directly to the subject, but, the subject being made a casus pendens, it is resumed by the pronoun, and the predicate thus referred to it indirectly. By this means the sentence is lightened and relieved, especially if the subject consist of many words: in Gen 31:16 for instance, the direct form of predicate כִּי לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ כָּלהָֿעשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֱלֹהִים מֵאָבִינוּ would have been heavy and inelegant.) So
  c. after אֲשֶׁר in a negative sentence, Gen 7:2; Gen 17:12 אֲשֶׁר לאֹ מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא which is not of thy seed, Num 17:5; Deut 17:5; 1Kgs 8:41 (compareהֵמָּה 3 c).
  d. peculiarly, as the subject of לֹא, Jer 5:12 לוֺא הוּא He is not; and as embracing its predicate in itself, Isa 18:2; Isa 18:7 a nation terrible מִןהֿוּא (= מַאֲשֶׁר הוּא) from (the time that) it was, Nah 2:9 מִימֵי הִיא from the days that (stative construct Ges«GKC:130»§ 130. 4) as it was, 2Kgs 7:7 they left the camp כַּאֲשֶׁר הִיא as it was (compare כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה v2Kgs 7:10). (On 3, compare Dr§ 198, with Obs.)

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject namely
  a. (rare) Song 6:9 אַהַת הִיא יוֺנָתִי תַמָּתִי one is she, my dove my perfect one, Lev 25:11; Ezek 11:15; Ezek 21:16; Lam 1:18 ׳צַדִּיק הוּא י (often so in Late Hebrew); EC Lam 6:10 וְנוֺדָע אֲשֶׁר הוּא אָדָם and that which he, even man, is, is known (De Now); compare 1Sam 6:19 מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ an accident is it, (that) hath befallen us. (compare הֵמָּה 4 a.)
  b. after pronouns — (α) 2Sam 7:28 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים Thou art he — God, Ps 44:5 אתה הוא מלבי thou art he — my king, Isa 37:16; Isa 43:25 (אנכי), Isa 51:9; Isa 51:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6; Jer 14:22; Jer 29:23 Kt +; compare Jer 49:12 וְאַתָּה הוּא נָקֹה תִנָּקֶה and art thou he (that) shall be unpunished ? (with change of person κατά σύνεσιν, compare Judg 13:11; 1Chr 21:17; Ezek 38:17.) So Ew§ 297 b Müll§ 499. But others, as GesThes Roo§ 563 DeIsa 37:16; Ps 44. 5, treat הוא as emphasizing the pronoun, 'Thou, he, art God' i.e. Thou and none else art God; 'Thou (emphatic) art my king.'. (β) מִי הוּא, followed by a participle or substantive Gen 27:33; Ps 24:10 מִי הוּא זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֺד who is he, then — the king of glory ? (according to others, as before, 'Who (emphatic), then, is the king of glory ?'); followed by a verb Isa 50:9 מִי הוּא יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי who is he (that) will condemn me ? (others 'Who (emphatic) will condemn me ?') Job 4:7; Job 13:19; Job 17:3; Job 41:2; Jer 30:21 (so with הֵנָּה Gen 21:29, הֵמָּה Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5). (γ) זֶההֿוּא 1Chr 22:1 EC 1Chr 1:17 (frequently in Late Hebrew, where the two words coalesce into one זֶהוּ) . On the analogous אֵלֶּה הֵם ֗֗֗ ), see הֵמָּה 4 b (γ). (compare Dr§ 200, 201)

5. As an emphatic predicate, of God, 'I am He,' i.e. I am He Who is (opposed to unreal gods, named in context, or to transitory world), the Unseen, yet Omni-present, and Self-consistent, Ruler of the world, Deut 32:39 אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא I, I am he, and beside me there is no God, Isa 41:4 (see Che) Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13 even from to-day I am he, Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12; Ps 102:28 (see Che) thou art he, and thy years have no end (ᵐ5 usually ἐγώ εἰμι : in Psalms σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ). So also, according to many, Job 3:19, but is הוא a mere predicate of identity ? see rather 3b.

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matter, etc.) —
  a. Josh 2:21 כְּדִבְרֵיכֶם כֶּןהֿוּא according to your words, so be it; Gen 42:14 הוא אשׁר דברתי that is what I said, Exod 16:23; Lev 10:3; 2Kgs 9:36; Job 8:19 הן הוא משׂושׂ דרכו lo that (what has just been described) is the joy of his way, Job 13:16; Job 15:9; Job 31:28; Prov 7:23; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:9; Esth 9:1b; similarly the feminine הִיא, Judg 14:4 they knew not היא ׳כי מי that it was from ׳י, Num 14:41; Josh 10:13; Isa 14:24; Ps 77:10 חַלּוֺתִי הִיא it (this perplexity) is my sickness, Job 9:22; Prov 18:13; Jer 22:16; 2Chr 25:20; Eccl 3:13 reference to זאת Amos 7:6; Ps 118:23; Job 5:27, זִּה Eccl 2:24. (Where there is a predicate, the gender of this usually regulates the choice of m. or f.: hence הִוא Gen 34:14; Exod 8:15; Num 15:25 (Eccl 5:5) Deut 4:6 +.)
  b. affirming the presence or existence of something (rare) : 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21 כִּי מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ הִיא for it was the king's command, saying etc., 1Sam 20:33 (text dubious), Jer 50:15; Jer 50:25; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:11; Mic 2:3, perhaps Job 32:8. p. 241.
7. With the art. הַהוּא, הַהִיא, הָהֵ֫מָּה, הָהֵם, הָהֵ֫נָּה: so regularly when joined to a substantive defined itself by the article: Gen 2:12 הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא that land, Gen 19:35 ובלילה ההוא and in that night, Gen 21:22 בָּעֵת הַהִוא at that time, Deut 1:19 המדבר הגדול והנורא ההוא. Only four times does there occur the anomalous construction בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא Gen 19:33; Gen 30:16; Gen 32:23; 1Sam 19:10.

BDB2188 H1992 H2004 H3860 H3861

BDB2187 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2189

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except probably in so far as the longer or shorter from was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences: on the whole הֵמָּה (alone) is somewhat more frequently than הֵם, הָהֵם on the contrary is said regularly, הָהֵמָּה occurring only 12 t., namely Num 9:7 (P), Jer 14:15; Zech 14:15, and in the phrase בַּ(הַ)מִָים הָהֵמָּה 2Kgs 18:4; Jer 3:16; Jer 3:18; Jer 5:18; Jer 50:4; Joel 3:2; Joel 4:1; Zech 8:23; Neh 13:15, though בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם is much more common) pronoun 3 plural masculine (הֵמָּה used incorrectly for the feminine Zech 5:10; Ruth 1:22; Song 6:8), feminine הֵ֫נָּה [Late Hebrew also הֵן, which occurs however in Biblical Hebrew only after a prefix: see below 8], pronoun 3 plural they (Biblical Aramaic הִמּוֺ, q. v.; , ; Ethiopic (one form) 'em¥n-t¥, em¹n-t¥; compare also for the dissyllabic form, the suffix -œm¥ [feminine -œn]; perhaps also Assyrian suffix šunu, šina [ni], compare references below הוּא). In usage not different in genl. from הוּא, הִיא (which see, under the corresponding headings, for fuller explanations), thus: —

1. a. Gen 6:4; Exod 5:7 הֵם יֵָֽלְכוּ let them (emphatic) go and gather straw, Num 31:16; Isa 24:14; Hos 4:14; Hos 7:3 etc.; after כִּי Jer 5:5; Jer 34:7. (For the use in circumstantial clauses see Dr§ 160, 169.)
  b. Judg 1:22 ויעלו ֗֗֗ גַם הֵם, Deut 2:11 (אַף הֵם), Deut 3:20; Josh 9:4; Ezek 30:17.
  c. Exod 18:22 every small matter יִשְׁפְּטוּהֵֿם let them judge themselves, vExod 18:26; Jer 15:19; Jer 17:18; Ps 109:28; Esth 9:1.
  d. Gen 33:6; Gen 44:3; Judg 6:5 etc.
  e. compare Neh 10:38.

2. a. (Resuming the subject with emphasis) Gen 14:24 (note accents), Deut 1:39; Ps 23:4; Ps 27:2 (accents), Ps 37:9; Ps 107:24; Ezek 36:7; Ezek 44:15.
  b. Isa 30:7; Ezek 27:13; Ezek 27:17; Ezek 27:21 compare Isa 44:11.
  c. Num 14:27 a Jer 27:9; Ezek 43:19 אֲשֶׁר הֵם מִזֶּרַע צָדוֺק, Eccl 4:2; Neh 2:13.
**— הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחֻמִי Job 6:7 read perhaps ׳וַהֲמָה וגו (or זָָֽהֲמָה) it is loathesome (√ זהס).

3. a. Gen 3:7; Exod 5:8 כִּי נִרְפִּים הֵם for they are idle, Exod 14:3; Exod 15:23; Exod 29:33 etc. (the opposite order rare: Num 11:16; Isa 61:9, compare DePs 94:11).
  b. Gen 34:21; Gen 34:23; Gen 41:26; Gen 48:5 שׁני בניך ֗֗֗ לִי הֵם thy two sons . . ., they are mine, Exod 32:16 + often: Isa 41:22 הָרִאשֹׁנוֺת מָה הֵנָּה, Isa 49:21 אֵלֶּה אֵיפֹה הֵם these — where were they? Zeph 2:12 after אַתֶּם, peculiarly (compare Dr§ 198 Obs. 2).
  c. Deut 20:15 אֲשֶׁר לֹאמֵֿעָרֵי הַגֹּויִם הָאֵלֶּה הֵנָּה, Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 9:20.
  d. 2Kgs 7:10 כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה. (Prov 19:7 Kt לֹאהֵֿמָּה is probably corrupt: see Commentaries)

4. a. Prov 30:24 אַרְבָּעָה הֵם קְטַנֵּיאָֿ֑רֶץ four things are they, the little ones of the earth, vProv 30:29 (compare before a rel. clause vProv 30:15 vProv 30:18; Prov 6:16) Song 6:8; Isa 51:19 שְׁתַּיִם הֵנָּה קֹרְאֹתַיִךְ, 1Chr 9:26 (see הוא 4 a).
  b. (β) Gen 21:29 מָה הֵנָּה שֶׁבַע ֗֗֗ literally What are they — these seven sheep? Zech 1:9; Zech 4:5. (γ) אֵלֶּה ֗֗֗ הֵם Gen 25:16 (= 1Chr 1:36) Lev 23:2; Num 3:20; Num 3:21; Num 3:27; Num 3:33; 1Sam 4:8; 1Chr 8:6; 1Chr 12:15 (see Dr § 201, 3).

6. a. In a neuter sense (rare), Job 6:7 הֵמָּה כִּדְוֵי לַחמִי they (i.e. such sufferings as mine) are as loathsomeness in my meat, Jer 7:4 ׳הֵיכַל י הֵמָּה they (i.e. these buildings) are the temple of ׳י; and in the feminine, Lev 5:22 of all that a man doeth to sin בָּהֵנָּה therein, 1Chr 21:10 מֵהֵנָּה (|| 2Sam 24:12 מֵהֶם); 2Sam 12:8; Job 23:14 כָּהֵנָּה things such as these.

7. With art. הָהֵם, Gen 6:4; Exod 2:11; Num 14:38 + often; הָהֵמָּה 12 t. (see above); הָהֵנָּה 1Sam 17:28.

[Note]

N.B. — Ezek 8:6 Kt מָהֵם stands for מָה הֵם (so Qr), compare מַזֶּה for מַהזֶּֿה Exod 4:2; 2Kgs 9:18 עַדהֵֿם is irregular for עֲדֵיהֶם; 2Sam 4:6 ׳וְהֵנָּה וג is textual error for ׳וְהִנֵּה שֹׁעֶרֶת הַבַּיִת סֹקְלָה חִטִּים וג see We Dr (ᵐ5 & RVm).

8. With preps. (in lieu of the normal, and more usual, forms with suffixes בָּהֶם, לָהֶם, מֵהֶם etc. [כָּהֶם & כָּהֶן, however, each once only, כְּמוֺהֶם thrice: see כְּ]) —
  a.בָּהֵמָּה Exod 30:4; Exod 36:1 (both P), Hab 1:16 כָּהֵמָּה Jer 36:32 לְהֵמָּה Jer 14:16 מֵהֵמָּה Jer 10:2; Eccl 12:12.
  b. כָּהֵם 2Sam 24:3 Yahweh add to the people כָּהֵם וְכָהֵם מֵאָה פְעָמִים the like of themselves and the like of themselves 100 times, = 1Chr 21:3 (but כָּהֵם here only once, compare Deut 1:11 בָּכֶם), 2Chr 9:11; Eccl 9:12.
  c. בָּהֵנָּה Lev 5:22 (P) Num 13:19 (JE) Jer 5:17: כָּהֵנָּה Gen 41:19; 2Sam 12:8 וְאֹסִפָה לְךָ כָּהֵנָּה וְכָהֵנָּה, Job 23:14: לָהֵנָּה Ezek 1:5; Ezek 1:23 (twice in verse); Ezek 42:9; Zech 5:9: מֵהֵנָּה Lev 4:2 (P) Isa 34:16; Jer 5:6; Ezek 16:51; Ezek 42:5; Ps 34:21; 1Chr 21:10 (|| 2Sam 24:12 מֵהֶם).
  d. בָּהֵן Gen 19:29 (P) Gen 30:26; Gen 30:37; Exod 25:29; Exod 37:16 (both P) Lev 10:1; Lev 11:21; Lev 14:40; Num 10:3; Num 16:7 (all P) Deut 28:52; Jer 4:29; Jer 48:9; Jer 51:43 (twice in verse) (בָּהֶן thrice only); כָּהֵן Ezek 18:14 (editions; Baer כָּהֶן); לָהֵן ( = therefore) Ruth 1:13 (twice in verse) (also Biblical Aramaic); מֵהֵן Ezek 16:47; Ezek 16:52 (editions; Baer מֵהֶן). With the exception of כָּחֵנָּה, these forms are found mostly in P and writers not earlier than Jeremiah; b and d, however, depend solely on the punctuation.)

BDB9475 H1994 H1992

BDB9474 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9476

הִמּוֺ9 (Ezra), הִמּוֺן3 (Daniel), pronoun 3 plural they, them (= Biblical Hebrew הֵם, הֵמָּה, q. v., but the more original forms. Egyptian Aramaic המו CIS145 B 4 (Cooke207),149 A 1, S-CPap. C 7, 10 +; not ᵑ7 Syriac, which use אִנּוּן , , instead; Arabic , . The n in הִמּוֺן, as in דֵּין, אִלֵּין, by the side of זֶה, אֵלֶּה, ; NöM 86 WCG 106); — they, them:
  a. as nominative Ezra 5:11 אֲבַחְנָא הִמּוֺ עַבְדוֺהִי we are his servants (construction as in Syriac, Nö§ 312 D Matt 5:13, K§ 87. 3).
  b. as accusative (in Biblical Aramaic, as in Syriac, there being no verbal suffix of 3 plural; so Egyptian Aramaic Cooke76 B 4, S-CPap. E 5 +), En 2:34 והדקת הִמּוֺ and crushed them, v35; 3:22; Ezra 4:10; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:5; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 5:14 (twice in verse); Ezra 5:15; Ezra 7:17. — compare אִנּוּן.

they, those, these, them, who, …
hēm
they (only used when emphatic)
  • they, these, the same, who

מְּלָכ֔וֹת
מְּלָכ֔וֹת
Root word queen, queens
Dictionary form: מַלְכָּה · mahl-KAW

Noun — Common, feminine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: queens
the queen ×23 and when the queen ×4 queen ×2 unto the queen ×2 and the queen ×1 her yea the queens ×1 queens ×1 to the queen ×1
More options
queen — Standard modern rendering; fits most contexts.
ruler — When emphasizing sovereign authority over royal title.
sovereign — Formal register; highlights supreme governing role.
monarch — Gender-neutral option stressing royal rank.
royal consort — Use when the queen is a king's wife, not reigning.
noblewoman — Broader term; use in poetic or general contexts.

BDB4670 H4436

BDB4669 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4671

מַלְכָּה35 noun feminine queen: — absolute ׳מ Esth 1:9 + 24 t. Esther; construct מַלְכַּת 1Kgs 10:1 + 7 t.; plural מְלָכוֺת Song 6:8; Song 6:9 — queen of Sheba 1Kgs 10:1; 1Kgs 10:4; 1Kgs 10:10; 1Kgs 10:13 = 2Chr 9:1; 2Chr 9:3; 2Chr 9:9; 2Chr 9:12 of Persia, Vashti Esth 1:9 + 7 t. Esth 1 Esther Esth 2:22 + 16 t. Esth 4-9 (in Esther mostly apposition of proper name; it precedes proper name Esth 1:12; Esth 1:15 follows proper name Esth 1:9 + 17 t.); of Israel queens only plural and only Song 6:8; Song 6:9 (both || פִּילַגְשִׁים). compare גְּבִירָה.

queen, queens
malkâ
a queen
  • queen

וּ שְׁמֹנִ֖ים
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
שְׁמֹנִ֖ים
Root word fourscore, eighty, eightieth
Dictionary form: שְׁמֹנִים · sheh-moh-NEEM

Adjective — Cardinal Number, both plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"; a number (one, two, three, …)

In the KJV here: and fourscore
and fourscore ×14 fourscore ×12 eighty and ×3 him fourscore ×2 was fourscore ×2 and eightieth ×1 even fourscore ×1 man even fourscore ×1
More options
eighty — Standard modern cardinal number; most broadly useful.
eightieth — Use for ordinal contexts, e.g. 'the eightieth year'.
fourscore — Retain for poetic or archaic-flavored passages only.
80 — Numeric form suits lists, genealogies, or technical prose.

BDB8818 H8084

BDB8817 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8819

שְׁמֹנִים38 noun plural indeclinable an eighty; — without other numbers: followed by singular שָׁנָה Ps 90:10 + 4 t., אִישׁ 2Kgs 10:24; Jer 41:5 followed by plural noun 2Chr 26:17; Ezra 8:8; Song 6:8 noun omitted 2Kgs 6:25; 1Chr 15:9 with other numbers, cardinal: אֶלֶף ׳שׁ Num 2:9 + 6t.; ׳שׁ following units Gen 5:25 + 4 t.; precedes, Gen 16:16 + 4 t.; following 100 etc. 1Chr 25:7 + 6 t.; precedes, Gen 5:26 + 2 t.; ordinal, שָׁנָךְ ׳וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֺת שָׁנָה לָּ בִּשׁ 1Kgs 6:1.

[שְׁמַנִּים], שְׁמַנֵּי see שָׁמָן.

fourscore, eighty, eightieth
šĕmōnîm
eighty, also eightieth
  • eighty, fourscore
    • eighty (as cardinal number)
      • "eightieth (as ordinal number)"in combination with other numbers

פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים
פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים
Root word concubine, concubines, paramours
Dictionary form: פִּילֶגֶשׁ · pee-leh-ɡESH

Noun — Common, feminine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: concubines
concubine ×6 concubines ×6 and his concubine ×5 his concubine ×3 the concubines ×2 and his concubines ×1 and my concubine ×1 and the concubines ×1
More options
concubine — Modernized standard term; widely recognized in biblical contexts.
secondary wife — Clarifies legal/social status without archaic baggage.
mistress — Emphasizes non-primary sexual partner; use carefully for modern readers.
consort — Formal, dignified tone; suits royal or courtly settings.
paramour — Highlights romantic/illicit nuance; use for poetic or prophetic passages.
unofficial wife — Plain, explanatory; good for study Bibles or footnotes.

BDB6630 H6370

BDB6629 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6631

פִּלֶ֫גֶשׁ, פִּילֶ֫גֶשׁ37 noun feminine concubine (Late Hebrew id.; ᵑ7J (פַּלְקְתָא) פִּילַּקְתָּא, perhaps influenced by Greek παλλακή, παλλακίς (properly young girl), Latin pellex; originally Greek word according to StaG. i. 380, compare also LewyFremdw. 66f; on possibly Hittite origin see JenZMG xiviii (1894), 468 ff.); — ׳פִּ absolute 2Sam 3:7, construct 2Sam 21:11, ׳פִּי absolute Gen 36:12; Judg 19:1, construct Gen 35:22 + 4 t.; suffix פִּילַגְשׁוֺ Gen 22:24 +, שֵׁהוּ- Judg 19:24 שִׁי- Judg 20:4 + 2 t.; plural פִּלַגְשִׁים 2Sam 5:13 + 2 t., ׳פִּי Gen 25:6 + 5 t.; construct פִּלַגְשֵׁי 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 16:22 suffix פִּילַגְשָׁיו 2Chr 11:21, פִּלַגְשֶׁיךָ 2Sam 19:6, פִּלַגְשֵׁיהֶם Ezek 23:20 —

1. concubine Gen 22:24; Gen 25:6; Gen 35:22; Gen 36:12; Judg 8:31; Judg 19:1 + 10 t. Judg 19:20; 2Sam 3:7 (twice in verse) + 7 t. 2 Samuel; 1Kgs 11:3; 1Chr 1:32 + 6 t. Chronicles; Esth 2:14; Song 6:8; Song 6:9.
2. either = paramour (perhaps contempt.; ὁ πάλλαξ = youth), or < concubinage Ezek 23:20 (figurative of Jerusalem doting on Babylon).

concubine, concubines, paramours
pîlegeš
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
  • concubine, paramour
    • concubine
      • "paramour

וַ עֲלָמ֖וֹת
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
עֲלָמ֖וֹת
Root word maid, virgin, virgins, damsels
Dictionary form: עַלְמָה · al-MAW

Noun — Common, feminine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: and virgins
a virgin ×1 and the maid ×1 and virgins ×1 do the virgins ×1 that when the virgin ×1 them were the damsels ×1 with a maid ×1
More options
young woman — Most accurate, neutral; preferred in modern scholarly translations.
maiden — Slightly poetic; good for literary or elevated prose contexts.
girl — Casual register; suits informal or narrative passages.
virgin — Use only when context strongly implies sexual purity.
young bride — Use when marriage or betrothal context is explicit.
adolescent girl — Emphasizes age over status; useful in explanatory translations.

BDB6116 H5959 H5961 H4192

BDB6115 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6117

עַלְמָה noun feminine young woman (ripe sexually; maid or newly married); — ׳ע Gen 24:43 (J), Exod 2:8 (E), Prov 30:19; Isa 7:14 plural עֲלָמוֺת Ps 68:26; Song 1:3; Song 6:8 עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת to (the voice of) young women, either literally, or of soprano or falsetto of boys: 1Chr 15:20; Ps 9:1 (read עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת לַבֵּן [for עַלמֿוּת לַבֵּן], 'voce virginea a pueris decantandum,' Thes), Ps 46:1; Ps 48:15 (read עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת [for עַלמֿוּת]; translated probably to Ps 49:1).

maid, virgin, virgins, damsels
ʿalmâ
a lass (as veiled or private)
  • virgin

אֵ֥ין
אֵ֥ין
Particle not
Dictionary form: אַיִן · ah-YIN

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: without
there is no ×50 and none ×33 there is none ×33 not ×31 without ×29 is not ×27 neither ×24 there was no ×22
More options
there is no — Best for existential negation; most common contextual use.
nothing — Use when אַיִן stands alone as a noun meaning total absence.
without — Prefer when modifying a noun to indicate lack.
none — Good for negating a previously mentioned subject or group.
not — Broad negative; use when no stronger nuance is needed.
nor — Use in compound negations to connect two negated clauses.

BDB374 H369

BDB373 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB375

II. אַ֫יִן nought.

אִיעֶזֶר see אֲבִיעֶזֶר.

אִיתָמָר see I. אָוָה.

BDB385 H369

BDB384 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB386

II. אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן construct אֵין substantive properly nothing, nought (Moabite אן, Assyrian iânu).

1. Isa 40:23 הַנּוֺתֵן רוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִן who bringeth princes to nothing; כְּאַיִן as nothing, ib. Isa 40:17; Isa 41:11; Isa 41:12; Hag 2:3; Ps 39:6 almost (|| כִּמְעַט) Ps 73:2 מֵאַיִן of nothing Isa 41:24.
2. construct אֵין, very frequently as particle of negations, is not, are not, was not, were not, etc. (corresponding to the affirmative יֵשׁ q. v. Similar in usage, though not etymology akin, are , לַיִת, , , properly 'there is nought of ...' followed by a substantive or a pronominal suffix (אֵינֶנִּי [verbal form, Ges«GKC:100»§ 100, 5; «GKC:152»152, 1 c], אֵינְךָ, אֵינֵךְ, אֵינֶנּוּ, אֵינֶנָּה, אֵינְכֶם, אֵינָם, also Ps 59:14 אֵינֵ֫מוֺ, Ps 73:5 אֵינֵ֫ימוֺ): twice abnormally, in late Hebrew, a noun אֵין אֲנִי, אֵין אֲנַחְנוּ Neh 4:17 (so sometimes לַיִת, , NöM. p. 295); once, incorrectly, את Hag 2:17.
  a. denying existence absolutely Isa 44:6; Isa 47:10 אֵין רֹאָנִי there is none that seeth me, literally nought of one seeing me! אֵין עוֺד there is none else Deut 4:39; 1Kgs 8:60; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:22.
  b. more commonly, in a limited sense, there is none here or at hand Exod 2:12 and he saw כִּיאֵֿין אִישׁ that there was no man (that is, there), Num 21:5; Gen 5:24 וְאֵינֶנּוּ and he was not (of Enoch's disappearance from earth) Gen 42:13 one (cas. pend. as often), he is not, vGen 42:36 often = is (or has) vanished Gen 37:30; 1Kgs 20:40; Isa 17:14; Ps 37:10; Ps 103:16; Job 8:22; Job 24:24; Job 27:19.
  c. with the sense determined by a predicate following: Gen 37:29 Joseph was not in the pit, Gen 41:39 + often; Exod 5:10 אֵינֶנִּי נֹתֵן לָכֶם תֶּבֶן I am not giving you straw; and so often with particip. where duration has to be expressed Gen 39:23; Deut 21:18; Isa 1:15; Jer 7:16, or intention Gen 20:7 אֵינְךָ מֵשִׁיב דַּע ֗֗֗ אִם if thou art not restoring her, know Gen 43:5; Exod 8:17; Exod 33:15 (idiomatically, after אם; see Dr§ 137) Judg 12:3. Following once pleonastic by יֵשׁ Ps 135:17. Treated as a mere particle of negation, אֵין may vary its position in the sentence, the substantive which should strictly stand in the genitive being not only separated from it by a little word, as בּוֺ Gen 37:24, לוֺ Exod 22:1, שָׁם Exod 12:30, גַּם Ps 14:3, etc., but even for emphasis prefixed to it, as Gen 19:31; Gen 40:8 וּפֹתֵר אֵין אֹתוֺ Gen 41:15; Exod 5:16; Judg 13:9; Judg 14:6; Judg 16:15; Judg 19:1 (so MI24): if however it be thus brought to the end of a sentence, or be disconnected with what follows, it stands in the absolute form, as Gen 2:5 ואדם אַיִן לעבד האדמה and man there was none to till the ground, Lev 26:37 וְרֹדֵף אָ֑יִן Num 20:5; 2Kgs 19:3; Hos 13:4; Mic 7:2.
  d. sometimes the subject has to be supplied from the context: thus (α) 1Sam 9:4 and they passed through the land of Shaalim וָאַיִן and they (the asses) were not (literally and nought!), especially after verbs of waiting or seeking Isa 59:11; Ps 69:21; Job 3:9; Isa 41:17. Ezek 7:25; Prov 14:6; Prov 13:4; Prov 20:4. (β) Exod 17:7 is ׳י in the midst of us אִםאָֽֿיִן ׃ or not ? Num 13:20. (γ) Judg 4:20 וְאָמַרְתְּ אָֽיִן׃ then thou shalt say, There is not, 1Kgs 18:10; 1Sam 10:14. (δ) Gen 30:1 give me children, וְאִםאַֿיִן and if not, I die, Exod 32:32; Judg 9:15; Judg 9:20; 2Sam 17:6 (see Dr) 2Kgs 2:10; Job 33:33.
  e. with subject not expressed, once (late), Dan 8:5 וְאֵין נֹגֵעַ בָּאָרֶץ and (it) was not touching the earth. feminine once, Job 35:15 with the finite verb; but read here כִּי אֵין פֹּקֵד (the usage of , cited by De, does not justify the anomaly in Hebrew) Jer 38:5 the imperfect may be due to the fact that no participle of יָכֹל was in use, and a relation must be tacitly supplied: 'The king is not (one that) can do aught against you.' On Exod 3:2 see Ges«GKC:52»§ 52, 2 R. 6; Ew§ 169 d.
3. ׳אֵין לְ, with substantive, or pronoun, there is (was) not to . . . = . . . have, has, had, etc. not: Gen 11:30 אֵין לָהּ וָלָד she had no child, Num 27:9 וְאִםאֵֿין לוֺ בַּת and if he have no daughter + often; with a participle Deut 22:27; Jer 14:16; Jer 30:17; Jer 49:5; Jer 50:32; Ps 142:5; Lam 1:2; Lam 1:9; Lam 1:17; Exod 22:2 אִםאֵֿין לוֺ if he have nought, Dan 9:26 ואין לו and have nought (or none).
4. in circumstantial clauses (Dr§ 164): —
   (a) Exod 21:11 she shall go out free אֵין כָּ֑סֶף without money, Exod 22:9 אֵין רֹאֶה none seeing it, Num 11:6; Isa 47:1; Jer 2:32; Hos 3:4; Hos 7:11; Ps 32:9; Ps 88:5 + .
   (b) Deut 32:4 a God of faithfulness וְאֵין עָוֶל and no iniquity, i.e. without iniquity, Jer 5:21; Joel 1:6; Ps 104:25.
   (c) very often, in such phrases as וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד with none to affright Lev 26:6 (12 t.); וְאֵין מְכַבֶּה Isa 1:31 and elsewhere; וְאֵין מַצִּיל Isa 5:29; Ps 7:3, etc. (Dr§ 159).
5. with infinitive and ׳ל, it is not to . . . : i.e.
   (a) like οὐκ ἔστιν, it is not possible to . . . (compare below יֵשׁ and לֹא), but hardly except in late Hebrew; 2Chr 20:6 וְאֵין עִמְּךָ לְהִתְיַצֵּב it is not possible to stand (in conflict) with thee, 2Chr 22:9; Ezra 9:15; Eccl 3:14; Esth 4:2. Once without ל, Ps 40:6 אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלָיךָ οὐκ ἔστι παραβάλλειν σοι. (β) there is no need to . . . 1Chr 23:26 וְגַם לַלְוִיִּם אֵיןלָֿשֵׂאת for the Levites also there was no need to bear 2Chr 5:11; 2Chr 35:15 (see Dr§ 202. 1).
6. with prefixes : —
  a. בְּאֵין properly in defect of: — (a) for want of, without — Prov 5:23 HE will die בְּאֵין מוּסָר for lack of instruction, Prov 11:14 בְּאֵין תַּחְבֻּלוֺת without guidance, Prov 14:4; Prov 15:22; Prov 26:20; Prov 29:18; Isa 57:1; Ezek 38:11 compare בְּלֹא. (β) of time = when there was (were) not Prov 8:24 (twice in verse).
  b. כְּאֵין Isa 59:10 כְּאֵין עֵינַיִם in poetry for כַּאֲשֶׁר אֵין לוֺ עֵינַיִם (compare Ew§ 286 g Ges«GKC:152»§ 152. 1 h).
  c. לְאֵין (α) for לַאֲשֶׁר אֵין לוֺ Isa 40:29 inlate prose 2Chr 14:10; Neh 8:10. (β) in the condition of not. . . (ל of state, see below ל) = without or so that not . . . (peculiar to Chronicles), 1Chr 22:4 cedar trees לְאֵין מִסְפָּר without number, 2Chr 14:12 and there fell of the Cushites לְאֵיןלָֿהֶם מִחְיָה so that they had none remaining alive, 2Chr 20:25 לְאֵין מַשָּׂא so that there was no carrying away, 2Chr 21:18; Ezra 9:14. (γ) עַדלְֿאֵין (see ׳עַד ל), 2Chr 36:16 until there was no remedy (compare עַד אֵין ֗֗֗ Ps 40:13; Job 5:9).
  d. מֵאֵין
   (a) (מִן causal) from lack of . . . Isa 50:2; Jer 7:32; Jer 19:11. (β) (מִן negative, see מִן) properly away from there being no. . . (with אֵין pleonastic, compare מִבְּלִי, and מִבְּלִי אֵין), i.e. so that not. . ., without, mostly epexegetical of some term expressing desolation: Isa 5:9 Surely many houses shall be desolate מֵאֵין יוֺשֵׁב without inhabitant, Isa 6:11 + often Jeremiah & Zephaniah; Isa 6:11 מֵאֵין אָדָם, Jer 32:43 מֵאֵין אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה Jer 33:10; Jer 33:12; Ezek 33:28; Lam 3:49. Once followed by infinitive Mal 2:13 so that there is no regarding more. (γ) in Jer 10:6; Jer 10:7 מֵאֵין כָּמוֺךָ, מֵאֵין is supposed by some to = a strengthened אֵין, even none, none at all; but it is difficult to justify this explanation logically; and it is preferable to point מֵאַיִן כָּמוֺךָ whence is any like thee? compare Jer 30:7. (So Hi see DrHebraica. ii. 34-7.)

no, not, none, without, neither, …
ʾayin
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
  • nothing, not, nought
    • (n) nothing, nought
      • "(neg) not"to have not (of possession)"(adv) without"(with prep) for lack of

מִסְפָּֽר
מִסְפָּֽר
Root word number, few, innumerable, all, time, …
Dictionary form: מִסְפָּר · mis-PAWR

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: number
according to the number ×27 number ×14 the number ×11 shall be according to their number ×7 and the number ×6 by number ×6 in number ×6 a few ×3
More options
number — Most direct rendering; fits nearly any context.
count — Emphasizes the act or result of counting.
total — Prefer when a sum or aggregate is in view.
few — Use when the context stresses smallness of quantity.
tally — Slightly informal; good for lists or census contexts.
sum — Best when a final, cumulative figure is meant.

BDB5700 H4557

BDB5699 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5701

I. מִסְפָר133 noun masculine1Chr 27:24 number, tale; — absolute ׳מ Gen 34:30 +; construct מִסְפַר Exod 16:16 +; suffix מִסְפַּרְכֶם Num 14:29, מִסְפָּרָם Judg 21:23 +; plural construct מִסְפְּרֵי 1Chr 12:23 —

1. a. number, Judg 7:6 the number of those lapping, לַכּוֺכָבִים ׳מִס Ps 147:4, + often (37 t. PH); ׳לֹא עָלָה הַמִּסְפָּר בְּמִסְפַּר דִּבְרֵי וגו 1Chr 27:24 (read בְּסֵפֶר) the number did not come up into (was not recorded in) the book of the daily doings, etc.; redundant after number, 2Sam 21:20 twenty-four (in) number; ׳אֵין מ it was (they were) innumerable Gen 41:49 (E), with לְ Judg 6:5; Judg 7:12; 1Chr 22:16; 2Chr 12:3, ׳לִתְבוּנָתוֺ אֵין מ Ps 147:5 (of ׳י); absolute Jer 2:32; Job 21:33; Song 6:8 ׳עַדאֵֿין מ = id. Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Ps 40:13, ׳וְאֵין לָהֶם מ Jer 46:23 ׳לְאֵין מ 1Chr 22:4 ׳וְאֵין מ Ps 104:25; Ps 105:34; Joel 1:6 לִגְדוּדָיו ׳הֲיֵשׁ מ Job 25:3 can his bands be numbered ? without אֵין = numerable, i.e. few, ׳וִיהִי מְתָיו מ Deut 33:6 but let his men be few ׳יָמִים מ Num 9:20, ׳מ alone Isa 10:19, usually in combination, ׳מְתֵי מ = a few men Gen 34:30 (J), Deut 4:27; Jer 44:28; 1Chr 16:19; Ps 105:12, ׳אַנְשֵׁי מ Ezek 12:16 so ׳שְׁנוֺת מ Job 16:22 adverb phrase מִסְפַר יְמֵי חַיֵּיהֶם Eccl 2:3 = during all their lives, compare Eccl 5:17; Eccl 6:18 = appointed (normal) number, יָמֶיךָ מֲַלֵּא ׳מ Exod 23:26 (E).
  b. with preposition ׃בְּ ׳מְעַט בְּמ Ezek 5:3 few in number; ׳בְּמ by (exact) count, tale 2Sam 2:15; Deut 25:2; 1Chr 9:28 (twice in verse), so probably Ezek 20:37 read בְּמִסְפַּר ᵐ5 Toy for ᵑ0 מָסֹרֶת; in (prescribed) number Num 29:18 + 6 t. Num 29 (P), Ezra 3:4 = acc. to (proportioned to) the number of Lev 25:15. 15 + often; ׳לְמִס according to number Judg 21:23; Josh 4:5; Josh 4:8 (JE) Num 14:29 (P) Ezek 4:5; 1Chr 27:1 ׳כְּמִס = id. 1Kgs 18:31; Num 15:12 (twice in verse) (P); so ׳מ alone (adverb accusative) Exod 16:16 (P) Job 1:5; Jer 2:28; Jer 11:13. — Num 23:10b read סָפַר מִי, compare va, so ᵐ5 Di SoKau.
2. recounting, relation מִסְפַּר הַחֲלוֺם Judg 7:15 the recounting of the dream.

number, few, innumerable, all, time, …
mispār
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
  • number, tale
    • number
      • number
        • "innumerable (with negative)"few, numerable (alone)"by count, in number, according to number (with prep)
      recounting, relation

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
שִׁשִּׁ֥ים הֵ֙מָּה֙ Pashta — a lesser break מְּלָכ֔וֹת Zaqef Qatan — a strong break וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת Tipeha — a lesser break אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר Silluq — end of the verse

שִׁשִּׁים הֵמָּה מְּלָכוֹת וּשְׁמֹנִים פִּֽילַגְשִׁים וַעֲלָמוֹת אֵין מִסְפָּֽר׃
8
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
Cross References

Psalms 45:14

לִרְקָמוֹת תּוּבַל לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּתוּלוֹת אַחֲרֶיהָ רֵעוֹתֶיהָ מוּבָאוֹת לָֽךְ׃
14
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

1 Kings 11:3

וַיְהִי-לוֹ נָשִׁים שָׂרוֹת שְׁבַע מֵאוֹת וּפִֽלַגְשִׁים שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וַיַּטּוּ נָשָׁיו אֶת-לִבּֽוֹ׃
3
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

1 Kings 11:1

וְהַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה אָהַב נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֹת רַבּוֹת וְאֶת-בַּת-פַּרְעֹה מֽוֹאֲבִיּוֹת עַמֳּנִיּוֹת אֲדֹמִיֹּת צֵֽדְנִיֹּת חִתִּיֹּֽת׃
1
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

2 Chronicles 11:21

וַיֶּֽאֱהַב רְחַבְעָם אֶת-מַֽעֲכָה בַת-אַבְשָׁלוֹם מִכָּל-נָשָׁיו וּפִילַגְשָׁיו כִּי נָשִׁים שְׁמוֹנֶֽה-עֶשְׂרֵה נָשָׂא וּפִֽילַגְשִׁים שִׁשִּׁים וַיּוֹלֶד עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה בָּנִים וְשִׁשִּׁים בָּנֽוֹת׃
21
And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

Psalms 45:9

בְּנוֹת מְלָכִים בְּיִקְּרוֹתֶיךָ נִצְּבָה שֵׁגַל לִֽימִינְךָ בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִֽיר׃
9
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Revelation 7:9

Μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον καὶ ἰδού ὄχλος πολύς ὃν ἀριθμῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐδεὶς ἠδύνατο ἐκ παντὸς ἔθνους καὶ φυλῶν καὶ λαῶν καὶ γλωσσῶν ἑστῶτες ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου περιβεβλημένοι στολὰς λευκάς καὶ φοίνικες ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν
9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Song of Solomon 6:7
Read Song of Solomon 6
Song of Solomon 6:9