Zephaniah 3:4 — Hebrew Word by Word

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Word Parts

נְבִיאֶ֙י הָ֙

נְבִיאֶ֙י

Root word prophet, prophets, prophesy, prophecy

הָ֙

Suffix — pronoun her / it

Dictionary form: נָבִיא · naw-BEE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc/Sp3fs

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

נְבִיאֶי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct
הָ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: her prophets

the prophet ×93 the prophets ×52 of the prophets ×21 a prophet ×14 and the prophets ×12 prophets ×12 and the prophet ×11 prophet ×10

More options

prophet — Modernized from KJV; the standard, widely understood term.

spokesperson — Emphasizes the role of speaking on God's behalf.

seer — Highlights the visionary aspect; good for earlier narrative contexts.

herald — Stresses the proclamation and messenger function.

oracle-giver — Useful when the focus is on delivering divine messages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4928 H5030

נָבִיא₃₀₆ noun masculine spokesman, speaker, prophet — ׳נ Gen 20:7 + 155 t.; suffix נְבִיאֶ֑ךָ Exod 7:1 plural נְבִיאִים Num 11:29 + 82 t.; נְנִאִים Jer 27:18 + 16 t.; suffix נְבִיאַי Ps 105:15 נְבִיָאו 1Kgs 22:22 נְבִיאָו֯ 2Kgs 17:13, etc.; —

1. genuine prophet of ׳י, נביא, anciently called רֹאֶה, 1Sam 9:9 (antiquarian note); change probably occurred in times of Elijah and is first reflected in Ehpraimitic source literally as applied to Abraham Gen 20:7 Moses Deut 34:10, M. and other early prophets. Hos 6:5; Hos 12:11 (twice in verse); Hos 12:14 (twice in verse); Amos 2:11; Amos 2:12 of prophets in ecstatic state Num 12:6 (E), Num 11:24 (JE). So in Judaic literature, of prophet like Moses Deut 18:15; Deut 18:18 (D), of Aaron (as mouthpiece of Moses) Exod 7:1 (P), of Samuel 1Sam 3:20, an unknown Judg 6:8 in time of Samuel prophets were organized in bands: חֶבֶל נביאים ׳להקת הנ 1Sam 19:20 and in time of Elijah were בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים = members of prophets' guilds 1Kgs 20:35; 2Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:7; 2Kgs 2:15; 2Kgs 4:1; 2Kgs 4:38 (twice in verse); נָבִיא of genuine prophets (besides phrases), in Judaic prophets, only Jeremiah, Jer 1:5 Ezekiel, Ezek 2:5 = Ezek 33:33 of ancient prophets Jer 28:8; Jer 28:9 (3 t. in verse); Zech 1:6; Zech 8:9 especially הנביאים הראשׁנים Zech 1:4; Zech 7:7; Zech 7:12, compare הנביאים עבדי(וׅ my (his) servants the prophets 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 17:13; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 21:10; 2Kgs 24:2 (all R^D) Ezra 9:11; Jer 7:25; Jer 25:4; Jer 26:5; Jer 29:19; Jer 35:15; Jer 44:4; Amos 3:7; Zech 1:6, compare Ezek 38:17; Dan 9:6 ׳עבדוֺ הַנּ his servant the prophet 1Kgs 14:18; 2Kgs 14:25 הַנָּבִיא with proper name: Jerome, 2Chr 36:12; Dan 9:2 + 31 t. Jeremiah (but ᵐ5 only 4 t., the rest probably redactional, see Gie^{Jer. xxvii}); Elijah 1Kgs 18:36 (om ᵐ5), 2Chr 21:12; Mal 3:23 Nathan 2Sam 7:2 + 10 t. Samuel and Kings; 4 t. Chronicles; Ps 51:2 (title); Isaiah, 2Kgs 19:2; 2Kgs 20:1; 2Kgs 20:14 = Isa 37:2; Isa 38:1; Isa 39:1; 2Kgs 20:11; 2Chr 26:22; 2Chr 32:20; 2Chr 32:32 Habakkuk Hab 1:1; Hab 3:1 (titles); Haggai, Hag 1:1; Hag 1:3; Hag 1:12; Hag 2:1; Hag 2:10 Zechariah, Zech 1:1; Zech 1:7 (titles); elsewhere several others in Samuel, Kings and Chronicles 15 t.; נביא is used elsewhere of genuine prophecy only 1Sam 9:9 + 34 t. Samuel and Kings; 1Chr 16:22 = Ps 105:15, + 13 t. Chronicles; Ps 74:9 complains of absence of ׳נ; לַחְתֹּם חָזוֺן וְנָבִיא Dan 9:24 see חתם

2. false prophets: prophets as official class, beside priests, character as false prophets: Isa 28:7; Jer 2:26; Jer 4:9; Jer 6:13; Jer 8:1; Jer 8:10; Jer 13:13; Jer 14:18; Jer 18:18; Jer 23:11; Jer 23:33; Jer 23:34; Jer 26:7; Jer 26:8; Jer 26:11; Jer 26:16; Jer 32:32; Zech 7:3, app. also 2Kgs 23:2; Neh 9:32; Lam 2:20; Jer 29:1; Ezek 7:26 (in these not characterized); always false (except of ancient and special prophets given above) in Amos 7:14; Hos 4:5; Hos 9:7; Hos 9:8; Mic 3:5; Mic 3:6; Mic 3:11; Isa 3:2; Isa 9:14; Isa 29:10; Isa 5:13; Isa 5:31; Isa 14:13; Isa 14:14; Isa 14:15 (twice in verse); Jer 23:9 + 16 t. Jer 27:9; Jer 27:14; Jer 27:15; Jer 27:16; Jer 27:18; Jer 29:8; Jer 29:15; Jer 37:19; Ezek 13:2 (twice in verse); Ezek 13:3; Ezek 13:4; Ezek 13:9; Ezek 13:16; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9 (twice in verse); Ezek 14:10; Ezek 22:25; Ezek 22:28; Zeph 3:4; Lam 2:9; Lam 2:14; Lam 4:13 especially discredited Deut 13:2; Deut 13:4; Deut 13:6; Deut 18:20 (twice in verse); Deut 18:22 (twice in verse); Zech 13:2; Zech 13:4; Zech 13:5 such a prophet Hananiah called הַנָּבִיא Jer 28:1; Jer 28:5; Jer 28:10; Jer 28:12; Jer 28:15; Jer 28:17 ( ᵐ5 omits in all but vJer 28:1, where ψευδοπροφήτης). Usage of prophets themselves gives such a bad flavour to נביא, that we are not surprised that it is absent from exilic Isaiah, the Wisdom Literature, and Psalms (except for special reasons in 3 Psalms given under 1).

3. heathen prophets 1Kgs 18:20; 1Kgs 19:1; 2Kgs 3:13 (twice in verse); נביאי האשׁדה 1Kgs 18:19 נביאי הבעל 1Kgs 18:19; 1Kgs 18:22; 1Kgs 18:25; 1Kgs 18:40; 2Kgs 10:19; 1Kgs 22:6; 1Kgs 22:10; 1Kgs 22:12; 1Kgs 22:13; 1Kgs 22:22; 1Kgs 22:23 = 2Chr 18:5; 2Chr 18:9; 2Chr 18:11; 2Chr 18:12; 2Chr 18:21; 2Chr 18:22.

BDB9684 H5029 H5030

[נְבִיא] noun masculine prophet (Hebraism? also ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew); — emphatic נְבִיאָה Kt, נְבִיָּא Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14 plural emphatic נְבִיאַיָּא Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:2.

Strong's Definition H5030

prophet, prophets, prophesy, prophecy

nābîʾ

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

spokesman, speaker, prophet

prophet

Variations 52 forms of this word

Translations 68 English renderings

Prophet

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Word Parts

פֹּֽחֲזִ֔ים

Root word light

Dictionary form: פָּחַז · paw-HAHDZ

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqrmpa

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

פֹּֽחֲזִים

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: are light

and light ×1 are light ×1

More options

reckless — Best for moral/behavioral contexts; implies dangerous impulsiveness.

frivolous — Suggests lacking seriousness; good for character descriptions.

wanton — Carries connotation of unrestrained, undisciplined behavior.

unstable — Emphasizes unreliability; suits contexts of wavering loyalty.

impetuous — Highlights rash, unthinking action; vivid and literary.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6580 H6348

[פָּחַז] verb be wanton, reckless (Late Hebrew id. (rare); Arabic be haughty, boastful, reckless; ᵑ7 פְּחַז, Syriac be lascivious, in derived species and derivatives ); —

Qal Participle אֲנָשִׁים רֵיקִים וּפֹחֲזִים Judg 9:4 of prophets Zeph 3:4 extravagant (|| אַנְשֵׁי בֹּגְדוֺת).

Strong's Definition H6348

light

pāḥaz

to bubble up or froth (as boiling water), i.e., (figuratively) to be unimportant

(Qal) to be wanton, be reckless, be frothy

Variations 2 forms of this word

Translations 2 English renderings

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Word Parts

אַנְשֵׁ֖י

Root word man, men, one, husband, mans, …

Dictionary form: אִישׁ · eesh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc

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

אַנְשֵׁי

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: persons

man ×241 men ×209 a man ×163 every man ×120 the men ×118 the man ×107 every one ×81 one ×57

More options

man — Default singular; covers most direct references to an adult male.

person — Gender-neutral; prefer when context stresses individuality over sex.

husband — Use specifically in marriage or household relationship contexts.

someone — Indefinite pronoun; suits partitive or existential constructions.

everyone — Distributive sense; fits 'each/every man' idioms.

fellow — Informal register; good for relational or contemptuous contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB389 H376 H381 H382

אִישׁ₂₁₆₆ noun masculine man ( = vir) (MI, SI, Phoenician אש, perhaps also Sabean אסם compare Prät^l.c, but DHM^{ZMG 1883, 330}) — ׳א absolute Gen 2:23 +; construct Gen 25:27 +; suffix אִישִׁי Gen 29:32 +, etc.; plural אִישִׁים Ps 141:4 + 2 t. (Phoenician אשם); usually אֲנָשִׁים Gen 12:20 +, from √ אנשׁ q. v.; construct אַנְשֵׁי Judg 6:27 +; suffix אֲנָשַׁי 1Sam 23:12 etc.; — man, opposed to woman Gen 2:23; Gen 2:24; Lev 20:27; Num 5:6; Deut 17:2f; Josh 6:21; Josh 8:25; Jer 40:7, emphasis on sexual distinction & relation Gen 19:8; Gen 24:16; Gen 38:25; Exod 22:15; Lev 15:16 (שִׁכְבַת זָרַ֑ע) vLev 15:18 (וְאִשָּׁה ׳זֿ׳אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אִישׁ אֹתָהּ שׁ) Lev 20:10 f; Num 5:13f; Deut 22:22f; Isa 4:1 +; thence = husband, especially with suffix Gen 3:6; Gen 3:16; Gen 16:3; Gen 29:32; Gen 29:34; Lev 21:7; Num 30:7f; Deut 28:56; Judg 13:8f; Ruth 1:3f; 1Sam 25:19; Jer 29:6; Ezek 16:45 +; figurative of ׳י as husband of Israel אִישִׁי Hos 2:18 (opposed to בַּעְלִּי); man as procreator, father Eccl 6:3 of male child Gen 4:1 compare זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 1:11 man, opposed to beast Exod 11:7; Lev 20:15 (compare אָדָם); compare figurative Ps 22:7 but also of male of animals Gen 7:2 (twice in verse) (אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֺ); man, opposed to God Gen 32:29; Num 23:19 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב (|| וּבֶןאָֿדָם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם); Job 9:32; Job 32:13; Hos 11:9 compare Isa 31:8; Job 12:10 (רוּחַ כָּלבְּֿשַׂר אִישׁ); hence in phrases to denote ordinary, customary, common שֵׁבֶט אֲנָשִׁים 2Sam 7:14 (|| נִגְעֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם); לֶחֶם אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 [

**אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 is textual error; We (apparently Sm) אֲנֻשִׁים; Toy^Hpt אוֺנִים (Hos 9:4).] (compare Isa 8:1); אַמַּתאִֿישׁ Deut 3:11 but also contracted אָדָם Ps 49:3; Ps 62:10 man, as valiant 1Sam 4:9 (twice in verse) (וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים) so 1Kgs 2:2 compare 1Sam 26:15 so אִישׁ חַיִל 1Sam 31:12; 2Sam 24:9; 1Kgs 1:42 +; also אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה Num 31:49; Deut 2:14; Deut 2:16; Josh 5:4; Josh 5:6 +; even of ׳י Exod 15:3 יהוה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה; often prefixed to other nouns in apposition אָדוֺן ׳א Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33, שַׂר וְשֹׁפֵט ׳א Exod 2:14, כֹּהֵן ׳א Lev 21:9, סָרִיס ׳א Jer 38:7 particular before adjective, of a people אִישׁ מִצְרִי Gen 39:1; Exod 2:11; Exod 2:19 compare Gen 37:28; Gen 38:1; Gen 38:2; Gen 39:14; 1Sam 17:12; 1Sam 30:11; 1Sam 30:13 +; a man as resident in, or belonging to a place or people Num 25:6; Judg 10:1 + (so Phoenician); usually plural אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל 1Sam 7:11; 1Sam 31:7 (twice in verse) compare Josh 7:4; Josh 7:5 +; also singularcollective Deut 27:14; Josh 9:6; Josh 9:7; Judg 20:11; 1Sam 11:8 (see Dr) +; 2Sam 10:6; 2Sam 10:8 (טוֺב ׳א); (so MI¹⁰; MI¹³); men = retainers, followers, soldiers 1Sam 18:27; 1Sam 23:3 f 1Sam 24:3; 1Sam 25:13 + compare Deut 33:8 singular collective see Di; אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים man of God = prophet Deut 33:1; Josh 14:6; 1Sam 9:6f; 1Kgs 12:13f + (see אלהים); in phrase followed by abstract אִישׁ חַיִל, מִלְחָמָה ׳א see above; שֵׂיבָה ׳א Deut 32:25, הַדָּמִים ׳א 2Sam 16:7 compare see 8, הַבְּלִיַּעַל ׳א 2Sam 16:7, מָוֶת ׳א 1Kgs 2:26, חָמָס ׳א Ps 140:12; Prov 3:31 +; followed by word of occupation, etc. שָׂדֶה׳א Gen 25:27, הָאֲדָמָה׳א Gen 9:20 (compare Zech 13:5), ׳א הַבֵּנַיִם champion 1Sam 17:4 (compare Dr) v1Sam 17:23, בְּשׂרָה ׳א 2Sam 18:20, אִישׁ עֲצָתוֺ his counsellor Isa 40:13, compare אִישׁ חֶרְמִי 1Kgs 20:42, רֵעִים ׳א Prov 18:24 often distributive = each, every Gen 9:5; Gen 10:5; Gen 40:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:3 +; including women Job 42:11; 1Chr 16:3 וַיְחַלֵּק לְכָלאִֿישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאִישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ כִּכַּרלֶֿחֶם; of inanimate things 1Kgs 7:30; 1Kgs 7:36 also אִישׁ אִישׁ Exod 36:4; Num 4:19; Num 4:49; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7 +; any one Exod 34:3 (twice in verse); Exod 34:24 +; also אִישׁ אִישׁ Lev 15:2; Lev 22:4; Lev 22:18 +; of gods 2Kgs 18:33 = Isa 36:18 one...another וְהִרְגוּ אִישֿׁ אֶתאָֿחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶתרֵֿעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶתקְֿרֹבוֺExod 32:27, אִישׁ ֗֗֗ אָחִיו Deut 1:16; Mic 7:2 (see אָח), אִישׁרֵ֗֗֗עֵהוּ Gen 11:3; Gen 11:7 + (see רֵעַ) of inanimate things Gen 15:10.

Strong's Definition H376

man, men, one, husband, mans, …

ʾîš

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

man

man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

Variations 91 forms of this word

Translations 398 English renderings

Man

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Word Parts

בֹּֽגְד֑וֹת

Root word treacherous

Dictionary form: בֹּגְדוֹת · boh-ɡeh-DOTE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncfpa

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

בֹּֽגְדוֹת

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: and treacherous

and treacherous ×1

More options

treacherous — Direct modern equivalent; broadly applicable across contexts.

deceitful — Emphasizes the deceptive quality of the betrayal.

faithless — Highlights broken loyalty or covenant; relational contexts.

traitorous — Stronger register; implies active, deliberate betrayal.

disloyal — Milder tone; suits contexts of subtle unfaithfulness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB903 H900

בֹּגְדוֺת plural abstract אַנְשֵׁי בֹגְדוֺת men of treachery Zeph 3:4.

Strong's Definition H900

treacherous

bōgĕdôt

treacheries

treacherous, treacherousness, men of treacherous behavior

Variations 1 forms of this word

Translations 1 English renderings

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Word Parts

כֹּהֲנֶ֙י הָ֙

כֹּהֲנֶ֙י

Root word priest, priests, own, princes, ruler, …

הָ֙

Suffix — pronoun her / it

Dictionary form: כֹּהֵן · koh-HANE

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc/Sp3fs

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

כֹּהֲנֶי	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct
הָ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: her priests

the priest ×187 the priests ×117 and the priest ×112 and the priests ×48 of the priests ×42 priest ×40 then the priest ×28 priests ×17

More options

priest — Standard, most broadly applicable rendering.

clergyman — Contemporary register; useful in narrative or explanatory contexts.

officiant — Emphasizes liturgical/ritual function over title.

minister — Highlights service role; suits non-Israelite priestly figures.

religious official — Descriptive; good for officials with administrative duties.

sacred official — Stresses holy/set-apart status in formal or poetic texts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3931 H3548

כֹּהֵן₇₅₀ noun masculine priest (Late Hebrew כֹּהֵן; Aramaic כָּהֵין, כַּהֲנָא, , ; Ethiopic all id.; on Phoenician and Arabic see above); — ׳כ Gen 14:18 + 439 t.; plural כֹּהֲנִים Exod 19:6 + 272 t.; construct כֹּהֲנֵי 1Sam 5:5 + 13 t.; suffix כֹּהֲנַי Lam 1:19 + 22 t. suffixes —

1. priest-king: e.g. Melchizedek Gen 14:18 (E ?), compare Ps 110:4 (the Messianic priest-king like Melchizedek); Zech 6:13 (Messianic priest and king); Israel מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים Exod 19:6 (E) a kingdom of priests (priests and kings at once in their relation to the nations); compare Isa 61:6 (of Israel ministering as a priest); or a chieftain (exercising priestly functions) כֹּהֵן מִדְיָן Exod 2:16; Exod 3:1; Exod 18:1 (all J E); so also probably the sons of David 2Sam 8:18, his grandson 1Kgs 4:5, and Ira the Jairite 2Sam 20:26, who as princes performed priestly functions. With these we may class the כהנים Exod 19:22; Exod 19:24 (J).

2. priests of other religions than ׳י 's: Potiphera אֹן ׳כ Gen 41:45; Gen 41:50 (E), Gen 46:20 (P); Egyptian כהנים Gen 47:22 (twice in verse); Gen 47:26 (J); דָגוֺן ׳כ 1Sam 5:5 Philistine כהנים וקסמים 1Sam 6:2 כֹּהֲנָיו his priests: e.g. of Baal 2Kgs 10:19 = of Ahab 2Kgs 10:11 of Chemosh Jer 48:7 of Malcam Jer 49:3 Mattan was הבעל ׳כ 2Kgs 11:18 = 2Chr 23:17 הכמרים עם הכהנים Zeph 1:4 Josiah burned the bones of the priests of the Baalim and Asherim 2Chr 34:5.

3. priests of special orders in Israel:
a. Micah in the hill-country of Ephraim consecrated his own son וַיְהִילֿוֺ לְכֹהֵן Judg 17:5 but so soon as he could secure Jonathan ben Gershom, a descendant of Moses (see VB Judg 18:30), he consecrated him, לכהן ׳היה ל Judg 17:10; Judg 17:12; Judg 17:13; Judg 18:4; Judg 18:19 הַכֹּהֵן vJudg 18:6 vJudg 18:17 vJudg 18:18 vJudg 18:20 vJudg 18:24 vJudg 18:27. He was captured by the Danites, and he and his line became priests at Dan until the Exile, vJudg 18:19 vJudg 18:19 vJudg 18:30.
b. Jeroboam עשׂה כהנים 1Kgs 12:31 of those not מבני לוי, as (הַ)בָּמוֺת ׳כ priests of (the) high places 1Kgs 12:32; 1Kgs 13:2; 1Kgs 13:33 (twice in verse) = לבמות ׳כ 2Chr 11:15 Amaziah (of this class) was ביתאֿל ׳כ Amos 7:10 see also 2Chr 13:9 called by Chronicler לְלֹא אלהים ׳כ v2Chr 13:9 yet Hosea rebukes them as priests of ׳י Hos 4:4; Hos 4:9; Hos 5:1; Hos 6:9 at the Exile they were deported by the Assyrians 2Kgs 17:27; 2Kgs 17:28.
c. the people imported into Samaria made some of themselves במות ׳כ to worship ׳י the God of the land 2Kgs 17:32.

4. priests in Israel הכהנים who bore the ark and the trumpets Josh 3:13; Josh 3:14; Josh 3:15; Josh 3:17; Josh 4:3; Josh 4:9; Josh 4:10; Josh 4:17; Josh 4:18 (twice in verse); Josh 6:4 (twice in verse); Josh 6:6 (twice in verse); Josh 6:8; Josh 6:9; Josh 6:12; Josh 6:13; Josh 6:16 (all J E), 1Kgs 8:3; 1Kgs 8:6; 1Kgs 8:10; 1Kgs 8:11 Eli was הכהן 1Sam 1:9; 1Sam 2:11 יהוה ׳כ 1Sam 14:3 and his sons ליהוה ׳כ 1Sam 1:3 a מִשְׁפַּט הַכֹּהֲנִים 1Sam 2:13 mentions the ministering priest הכהן and the ׳נַעַר הַכ 1Sam 2:13; 1Sam 2:14; 1Sam 2:15 (twice in verse), Ahijah was ׳הַכּ in time of Saul 1Sam 14:19 (twice in verse); 1Sam 14:36 Abimelech ׳הַכּ at Nob, a priestly center, 1Sam 21:2; 1Sam 21:3; 1Sam 21:5; 1Sam 21:6; 1Sam 21:7; 1Sam 21:10; 1Sam 22:11 where were many ׳כֹּהֲנֵי י 1Sam 22:17 (twice in verse); 1Sam 22:21, all slain by Saul except Abiathar son of Ahimelech 1Sam 22:11; 1Sam 22:18 (twice in verse); 1Sam 22:19, who became ׳הַכּ 1Sam 23:9; 1Sam 30:7; 1Kgs 1:7; 1Kgs 1:19; 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Kgs 2:26 Zadok later was ׳הַכּ 2Sam 15:27; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:26; 1Kgs 1:32; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:38; 1Kgs 1:39; 1Kgs 1:44; 1Kgs 1:45; 1Kgs 2:35; 1Kgs 3:2; 1Chr 16:39; 1Chr 24:6: so that the two were (ה)כהנים 2Sam 8:17 = 1Chr 18:16 (read ׳וְאֶבְיָתָר בֶּןאֿח 2Sam 8:17 ᵑ6 We Dr, and correct 1Chr 18:16 accordingly) 2Sam 15:35 (twice in verse); 2Sam 17:15; 2Sam 19:12; 2Sam 20:25; 1Kgs 4:4 Solomon removed Abiathar 1Kgs 2:27 and Zadok was anointed לְכֹהֵן according to 1Chr 29:22 compare prediction of rejection of house of Eli and selection of נֶאֱמָן ׳כ 1Sam 2:28; 1Sam 2:35 Jehoiada ׳הַכּ led the revolution against Athaliah 2Kgs 11:9 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 11:10; 2Kgs 11:15 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 11:18; 2Kgs 12:3; 2Kgs 12:8; 2Kgs 12:10 = 2Chr 22:11; 2Chr 23:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 23:9; 2Chr 23:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:2; 2Chr 24:20; 2Chr 24:25, perhaps also Jer 29:26 הכהנים sustaining him in his reforms 2Kgs 12:5; 2Kgs 12:6; 2Kgs 12:7; 2Kgs 12:8; 2Kgs 12:9; 2Kgs 12:10; 2Kgs 12:17 Uriah was ׳הַכּ in the reign of Ahaz 2Kgs 16:10; 2Kgs 16:11 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 16:16; Isa 8:2 Hilkiah of Josiah 2Kgs 22:10; 2Kgs 22:12; 2Kgs 22:14; 2Kgs 23:24; 2Chr 34:14; 2Chr 34:18. Other individual priests are named, e.g.: Pashhur of Jehoiachin Jer 20:1 Zephaniah of Zedekiah Jer 21:1; Jer 29:25; Jer 29:26; Jer 29:29; Jer 37:3 ׳הַכּ is Ezekiel's title Ezek 1:3. Priests are classed with officials of state: prophets and priests 2Kgs 23:2; Isa 28:7; Jer 5:31; Jer 6:13; Jer 8:10; Jer 14:18; Jer 23:11; Jer 23:33; Jer 23:34; Jer 26:7; Jer 26:8; Jer 26:11; Jer 26:16; Jer 29:1; Lam 2:20; Lam 4:13 priests and elders Lam 1:19; Lam 4:16 king and priest Lam 2:6 kings, priests, and prophets Jer 13:13 kings, princes, and priests Jer 1:18 princes, eunuchs, and priests Jer 34:19 priest, sage, and prophet Jer 18:18 chiefs, priests, and prophets Mic 3:11 prophets, priests, and elders Ezek 7:26 kings, princes, priests, and prophets Jer 2:26; Jer 4:9; Jer 8:1; Jer 32:32 princes, judges, prophets, and priests Zeph 3:4 seeming to exclude any other officials. Apparently in the same generic sense הכהנים Jer 1:1; Jer 2:8; Jer 27:16; Jer 28:1; Jer 28:5; Jer 29:25; Jer 31:14 כַּכֹּהֵן Isa 24:2 כהנים Job 12:19 כהניה Lam 1:4; Ezek 22:26 כהניו Ps 78:64. Moses and Aaron among his priests Ps 99:6 includes Moses (against P). Zion's priests clothed with righteousness and salvation Ps 132:9; Ps 132:16 = 2Chr 6:41, probably here also.

5. Levitical priests הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם Deut 17:9; Deut 17:18; Deut 18:1; Deut 24:8; Deut 27:9; Josh 3:3; Josh 8:33 (all D), Jer 33:18 (inverted), vJer 33:21 (neither in ᵐ5), 2Chr 5:5 (= ׳הַכּ ׳וְהַלּ 1Kgs 8:4: Chronicler retains original Deuteronomic reading), Ezek 43:19; Ezek 44:15 (compare 6); בְּנֵי לִוֵי ׳הַכּ Deut 21:5; Deut 31:9 ׳לל ׳לקח לכ Isa 66:21 take for priests, for Levites (of the nations in Messianic age). Doubtless of same class are: הַכֹּהֲנִים Deut 18:3; Deut 19:17; Josh 3:6; Josh 3:8; Josh 4:11 (D); and הַכֹּהֵן, the priest officiating on a particular occasion Deut 18:3; Deut 20:2 or holding a particular dignity Deut 17:12; Deut 26:3; Deut 26:4. The כהנים of the other cities of Judah, הבמות ׳כ, who were not allowed to minister in Jerusalem 2Kgs 23:8 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 23:9; 2Kgs 23:20, may be an attempt to enforce an exclusion from the priesthood of all but Levitical priests.

6. Zadokite priests: Ezekiel distinguishes among הכהנים הלוים those of the seed of Zadok, בְּנֵי צָדוֺק; all but the latter excluded by him from priesthood Ezek 40:46; Ezek 43:19; Ezek 44:15; Ezek 48:11 the priests of his code being all Zadokites Ezek 40:45; Ezek 40:46; Ezek 42:13; Ezek 42:14; Ezek 43:24; Ezek 43:27; Ezek 44:21; Ezek 44:22; Ezek 44:30 (twice in verse); Ezek 44:31; Ezek 45:4; Ezek 45:19; Ezek 46:2; Ezek 46:19; Ezek 46:20; Ezek 48:10; Ezek 48:13.

7. Aaronic priests. In H. it is taken for granted that a priest is of the seed of Aaron; the plural is never used; כֹּהֵן is used for any priest Lev 21:9; Lev 22:10; Lev 22:11; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13 הַכֹּהֵן for Aaron Lev 21:21, and for the official priest (acting for the priesthood, almost collective) Lev 17:5; Lev 17:6; Lev 22:14; Lev 23:10; Lev 23:11; Lev 23:20 (twice in verse); Lev 27:8 (3 t. in verse); Lev 27:11; Lev 27:12 (twice in verse); Lev 27:14 (twice in verse); Lev 27:18; Lev 27:21; Lev 27:23. The priests of P are בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן Lev 1:5; Lev 1:8; Lev 1:11; Lev 2:2; Lev 3:2; Lev 21:1; Num 3:3; Num 10:8; Josh 21:19 so in Chronicles 2Chr 13:9; 2Chr 13:10; 2Chr 26:18; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:19; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); הַכֹּהֵן is used of Aaron 22 t., Eleazar 29 t., Phinehas Josh 22:30 and elsewhere; 180 t. of ministering priests, or generic of the priests; הכהנים Lev 6:22; Lev 7:6; Lev 13:2; Lev 16:33; כהן Lev 6:16. Chronicles distinguishes הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם 1Chr 13:2; 1Chr 15:11; 1Chr 15:14; 1Chr 23:2; 1Chr 24:6; 1Chr 24:31; 1Chr 28:13; 1Chr 28:21; 2Chr 8:15; 2Chr 11:13; 2Chr 13:9; 2Chr 13:10; 2Chr 23:4; 2Chr 24:5; 2Chr 29:4; 2Chr 30:15; 2Chr 30:25; 2Chr 31:2 (twice in verse); 2Chr 31:4; 2Chr 31:9; 2Chr 34:30; 2Chr 35:8; 2Chr 35:18 (the variants without וְ 2Chr 23:18; 2Chr 30:27 are due to copyists' errors), Ezra 1:5; Ezra 2:70; Ezra 3:8; Ezra 3:12; Ezra 6:20; Ezra 7:7; Ezra 8:29; Ezra 8:30; Ezra 9:1; Neh 7:72; Neh 8:13; Neh 11:3; Neh 12:1; Neh 12:30; Neh 12:44 (twice in verse); Neh 13:30 הלוים והכהנים 2Chr 19:8; 2Chr 30:21 priests, Levites, and others 1Chr 9:2; Ezra 10:5; Neh 10:1; Neh 10:29; Neh 10:35; Neh 11:20 בְּנֵי לֵוִי antith. to ׳הַכּ Ezra 8:15 הכהן בן אהרן עם הלוים Neh 10:39 (ה)כהנים in Chronicles 67 t. has the same reference, as also כֹּהֲנֵינוּ Ezra 9:7; Neh 9:32; Neh 9:34 כֹּהֵן Ezra 2:63 = Neh 7:65 ליחוה ׳כ 2Chr 26:17 כהניו His (God's) priests 2Chr 13:12 מוֺרֶה ׳כ teaching priest 2Chr 15:3 הַכֹּהֵן is used of Jehoiada in time of David 1Chr 27:5, and Azariah in the reign of Uzziah 2Chr 26:17. In the literature of the restoration הַכֹּהֵן is used of Ezra, Ezra 7:11; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:16; Neh 8:2; Neh 8:9; Neh 12:26 Uriah Ezra 8:33 Eliashib Neh 13:4 Shelemiah Neh 13:13 הכהנים Joel 1:9; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:17; Hag 2:11; Hag 2:12; Hag 2:13; Zech 7:5; Mal 1:6; Mal 2:1 priests and prophets Zech 7:3 כהן Mal 2:7.

8. the high priest: הַכֹּהֵן is frequently used (see 4) to designate the priest who was at the head of priestly affairs. The adjective הַגָּדוֺל first appears of Jehoiada 2Kgs 12:11, then of Hilkiah 2Kgs 22:4; 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 23:4; 2Kgs 2:9 after the exile, of Joshua Hag 1:1; Hag 1:12; Hag 1:14; Hag 2:2; Hag 2:4; Zech 3:1; Zech 3:8; Zech 6:11, and Eliashib Neh 3:1; Neh 3:20; Neh 13:28. But P uses it of Aaron and his eldest descendants who are anointed with holy oil Lev 21:10 (H; הַגָּדוֺל מֵאֶחָיו ׳הכ), Num 35:25; Num 35:28 (twice in verse); Josh 20:6, and so הַמָּשִׁיחַ ׳הַכּ Lev 4:3; Lev 4:5; Lev 4:16; Lev 6:15, compare Lev 16:32. הָראֹשׁ ׳כ is used of Seraiah 2Kgs 25:18 = Jer 52:24 and, in Chronicler, of Amariah 2Chr 19:11, Jehoiada 2Chr 24:11, Azariah 2Chr 26:20; 2Chr 31:10 of Aaron, Ezra 7:5. (We also supposes הרואה in 2Sam 15:27 to be a corruption of הראשׁ, which he regards as post-exilic insertion. The test is corrupt [see Dr^{Sm. 1.c}.]; but this correction is improbable. Lists of high priests occur 1Chr 5:30-41; 1Chr 6:35-38.) A priest of second rank ((ה)מִשְׁנֶה כֹּהֵן) appears in 2Kgs 23:4 (construct plural incorrect), 2Kgs 25:18 = Jer 52:24 ׳זִקְנֵי הַכּ 2Kgs 19:2 = Isa 37:2; Jer 19:1 ׳שָׂרֵי הַכּ 2Chr 36:14; Ezra 8:24; Ezra 8:29; Ezra 10:5 ׳רָאשֵׁי הַכּ Neh 12:7.

BDB9607 H3548 H3549

[כָּהֵן] noun masculine priest (see Biblical Hebrew כהן); — emphatic כָּהֲנָא Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21 plural emphatic נַיָּא- Ezra 6:9; Ezra 6:16; Ezra 6:18; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 7:24 suffix (of Israel) נ֫וֺהִי- vEzra 7:13.

Strong's Definition H3548

priest, priests, own, princes, ruler, …

kōhēn

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

priest, principal officer or chief ruler

priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)

Variations 61 forms of this word

Translations 109 English renderings

Priest

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Word Parts

חִלְּלוּ

Root word began, profane, profaned, polluted, begin, …

Dictionary form: חָלַל · haw-LAHL

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vpp3cp

Verb — Piel, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

חִלְּלוּ

Speech Verb Stem Piel Type Perfect (Qatal) Person Third Person Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: have polluted

began ×19 begin ×4 profane ×4 and began ×3 be polluted ×3 he began ×3 and have profaned ×2 break ×2

More options

begin — Core meaning; use for temporal/sequential start of action.

desecrate — Stronger than 'profane'; ideal for sacred-space violations.

profane — Modernized KJV; good for treating holy things as common.

pollute — Emphasizes contamination of what is holy or pure.

defile — Ritual or moral corruption; fits purity-law contexts.

violate — Useful when a covenant, oath, or boundary is broken.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2777 H2490

I. חָלַל verb bore, pierce (Arabic perforate, pierce through, transfix, Ethiopic (hollow) read; Aramaic חֲלַל hollow out, חֲלִילָא pipe; adjective hollow, cave, sheath, etc.; Late Hebrew in derivatives חָלָל noun hollow, adjective slain, חָלִיל pipe); —

Qal Perfect לִבִּי חָלַל בְּקִרְבִּי my heart is pierced (wounded) within me Ps 109:22 (? literally one has pierced my heart; or read Pu`al חֻלַּל ?); Infinitive construct חַלּוֺתִי הִיא Ps 77:11 it is my piercing, my wound (my woe, my cross; so Ew Hi De Bae MV SS Kö^{i. 341}, but Hup Pe Bi Che read חֲלוֺתִי my sickness). Pi`el Participle plural (Baer) בְּיַד מְחַללֶי֑ךָ Ezek 28:9 in the hand of the ones wounding thee (Sm Co read מְחוֺלְלֶ֑ךָ). Pu`al Participle מְחֻלֲלֵי חֶרֶב pierced by the sword Ezek 32:26. Po`el Perfect 3 feminine singular חֹלֲלָה יָדוֺ נָחָשׁ בָּרִחַ Job 26:13 his hand pierced the fleeing serpent; Participle feminine מְחוֺלֶלֶת תַּנִּין Isa 51:9 who pierced the dragon. Po`al Participle מֲחֹלָל מִפְּשָׁעֵינוּ Isa 53:5 pierced, wounded because of our transgressions (of the servant of ׳י, || מְדֻכָּא מֵעֲוֺנֹתֵינוּ).

BDB2782 H2490

II. [חלל] verb denominative play the pipe, pipe —

Qal Participle plural וְשָׁרִים כְּחֹלֲלִים Ps 87:7 as well the singers as the pipe-players, compare AV; < RV Pe De Che Bae and others Polel Participle from 1. חוּל dancers. Pi`el Participle וְהָעָם מְחַלְּלִים בַּחֲלִלִים 1Kgs 1:40 and the people piped with pipes (compare Assyrian —âlalu, according to D1 in Zim^{BP 117}).

BDB2784 H2490

III. [חָלַל] verb pollute, defile, profane; Hiph`il also begin (literally untie, loosen, open, see Arabic) (Arabic untie, undo, become free, lawful, free from obligation or tie; IV. make lawful; x. esteem lawful or free, profane, desecrate, violate; Late Hebrew חלל be profane, desecrated (also Pi`el Hiph`il transitive), compare Aramaic חֲלַל Pa`el is purify, Aph`el is profane) —

Niph`al Perfect נִחָ֑ל Ezek 25:3, נִחַלְתְּ (תִּי- Co) Ezek 22:16, נִחֲלוּ Ezek 7:24 Imperfect יֵחָ֑ל Isa 48:11, תֵּחֵל Lev 21:9, וָאֵחַל Ezek 22:26 Infinitive הֵחֵל Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22, suffix לְהֵחַלּוֺ Lev 21:4. —

1. reflex. pollute, defile oneself
a. ritually, by contact with dead || טמא, Lev 21:4 (H).
b. sexually || זנה Lev 21:9 (H).

2. Pass., be polluted, defiled, of holy places Ezek 7:24; Ezek 25:3, name of God Ezek 20:9; Ezek 20:14; Ezek 20:22; Isa 48:11 and even God himself Ezek 22:16; Ezek 22:26. Pi`el Perfect חִלֵּל Lev 19:8 + 3 t.; suffix חִלִּלוֺ Deut 20:6 2 masculine singular חִלַּלְתָּ Gen 49:4 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular חִלָּ֑֔לְתְּ Ezek 22:8 3 plural suffix חִלְּלוּהֻ֯ Ezek 7:21 etc., + 16 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְחַלֵּל Lev 21:12; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23 suffix יְחַלְּלֶנּוּ Deut 20:6 plural יְחַלְּלוּ Lev 21:6 + 4 t., יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ Ps 89:32 etc., + 13 t. Imperfect; Infinitive חַלֵּל Amos 2:7 + 4 t.; חַלְּלוֺ Ezek 23:39 + 4 t.; חַלְּלָם Jer 16:18 Participle מְחַלֵּל Ezek 24:21 plural מְחַלְּלִים Mal 1:12; Neh 13:17 suffix מְחַלֲלֶיהָ Exod 31:14 feminine מְחַלֶּלֶת Lev 21:9 —

1. defile, pollute:
a. sexually, Gen 49:4 (poem) = 1Chr 5:1 (the father's bed); a woman = זנה Lev 19:29; Lev 21:9 (H); זַרְעוֺ Lev 21:15 (H).
b. ceremonially, profane, the altar by a tool Exod 20:25 (JE); sacred places Lev 21:12; Lev 21:23 (H), Ezek 7:21; Ezek 7:22 (twice in verse); Ezek 23:39; Ezek 24:21; Ezek 44:7; Zeph 3:4; Mal 2:11; Ps 74:7; Dan 11:31 the holy land Jer 16:18 sacred things Lev 19:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:15 (H) Num 18:32 (P) Ezek 22:26 the sabbath Exod 31:14 (P), Isa 56:2; Isa 56:6; Ezek 20:13; Ezek 20:16; Ezek 20:21; Ezek 20:24; Ezek 22:8; Ezek 23:38; Neh 13:17; Neh 13:18 and so the sanctity of the prince of Tyre who made himself God, and his holy places, Ezek 28:7; Ezek 28:16; Ezek 28:18.
c. the name of God Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 20:3; Lev 21:6; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:32 (all H), Amos 2:7; Jer 34:16; Ezek 20:39; Ezek 36:20; Ezek 36:21; Ezek 36:22; Ezek 36:23; Mal 1:12, God himself Ezek 13:19.
d. ׳י defiles or profanes his inheritance by giving it over to Babylon Isa 47:6 the princes of the sanctuary by giving them to Chaldeans Isa 43:28.

2. violate the honour of, dishonour, ׳י subject crown of Davidic kingdom Ps 89:40 (followed by לארץ pregnantly), kingdom of Judah Lam 2:2 the גאון בל צבי Isa 23:9.

3. violate a covenant Ps 55:21; Ps 89:35; Mal 2:10, the חקות of God Ps 89:32.

4. treat a vineyard as common (see חֹל) by beginning to use its fruit Deut 20:6 (twice in verse); Deut 28:30; Jer 31:5 (see the law Lev 19:23-25, H). Pu`al Participle בַּגּוֺיִם שְׁמִי הַגָּדוֺל הַמְֿחֻלָּל Ezek 36:23 my great name which is profaned among the nations.

Hiph`il 1. a. Imperfect אֶתשֶֿׁםקָֿדְשִׁי עוֺד לֹא אַחֵל Ezek 39:7 I will not let my holy name be profaned any more.
b. לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֺ he shall not violate his word Num 30:3 (P).

2. begin, Perfect הֵחֵל Gen 6:1 + 15 t., הֵ֫חֵלָּה Judg 20:40, הַחִלּוֺתָ Deut 3:24; Esth 6:13, הַחִלֹּתִי Deut 2:31; 1Sam 22:15, הֵחֵ֫לּוּ Ezra 3:6 + 6 t.; Imperfect יָחֵל Judg 10:18; Judg 13:5, וַיָּ֫חֶל Gen 9:20 + 5 t., 3 feminine singular וַ֫תָּחֶל Judg 13:25; Judg 16:19, 2 masculine singular תָּחֵל Deut 16:9, אָחֵל Deut 2:25; Josh 3:7, וַיָּחֵ֫לּוּ Judg 20:31 + 3 t., וַתְּחִלֶּינָה Gen 41:54, תָּחֵ֫לּוּ Ezek 9:6 Imperative הָחֵל Deut 2:24; Deut 2:31 Infinitive construct הָחֵל 1Sam 3:12 + 2 t.; suffix הַחִלָּם Gen 11:6 Participle מֵחַל Jer 25:29 — begin, Num 17:11; Num 17:12 (P) Deut 16:9; 2Chr 29:27 (twice in verse); so 2Sam 24:15 ᵐ5 We Dr (ᵐ5 inserts וְהַמַּגֵּפָה הֵחֵ֫לָּה בָּעָם before וַיָּ֫מָת); with Infinitive (ל) begin to Gen 41:54 (E), Gen 6:1; Gen 10:8 = 1Chr 1:10; Gen 11:6; Num 25:1 (all J), Deut 2:25; Deut 2:31; Deut 3:24; Deut 16:9; Josh 3:7 (D), Judg 10:18; Judg 13:5; Judg 13:25; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:22; Judg 20:31; Judg 20:39; Judg 20:40; 1Sam 3:2; 1Sam 14:35; 1Sam 22:15; 2Kgs 10:32; 2Kgs 15:37; 1Chr 27:24; 2Chr 3:1; 2Chr 3:2; 2Chr 29:17; 2Chr 31:7; 2Chr 31:10; 2Chr 31:21; 2Chr 34:3 (twice in verse); Ezra 3:6; Neh 4:1; Esth 6:13; Esth 9:23; Jer 25:29; Jonah 3:4 with ו consecutive Gen 9:20 (J), Ezra 3:8.; with בְּ begin with Gen 44:12 (J), Ezek 9:6; 2Chr 20:22 so 2Sam 24:5, read וַיָּחֵ֫לּוּ for וַיַּחֲנוּ ᵐ5^L We Dr.; with מן begin from Ezek 9:6 הָחֵל רָשׁ begin! possess! Deut 2:24; Deut 2:31 הָחֵל וְכַלֵּה beginning and ending 1Sam 3:12 (i.e. accomplishing my full purpose, see Dr). Hoph`al Perfect ׳אָז הוּחַל לִקְראֹ בְּשֵׁם י then it was begun (= men began) to call on the name of ׳י Gen 4:26 (J).

Note. — וַיָּחֵלּוּ מְעַט מִמַּשָּׂא Hos 8:10 begin to be minished by reason of the burden RV Hi and others; Wü Now read וְיָחִלוּ (I. חול, חיל) — for omission of daghesh see also וְיָחֵלוּ of Babylonian Manuscript — shall be in anguish a little for the burden, so Ra AV; Ew וְיָחִלוּ that they may wait (?) a little; ᵐ5 וחדלו מעט ממשׁח cease a little from anointing, so Che We, this probably best.

Strong's Definition H2490

began, profane, profaned, polluted, begin, …

ḥālal

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute)

to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin

(Niphal)

to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself

ritually

to profane, make common, defile, pollute

to let be profaned

(Qal) to pierce

Variations 82 forms of this word

Translations 104 English renderings

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Word Parts

קֹ֔דֶשׁ

Root word holy, sanctuary, most, things, holiness, …

Dictionary form: קֹדֶשׁ · koh-DESH

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

קֹדֶשׁ

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: the sanctuary

holy ×53 of the sanctuary ×44 the holy ×39 my holy ×16 in the holy ×15 an holy ×13 of the holy ×13 is most ×11

More options

holiness — Best for abstract quality; noun contexts describing God's nature.

sacred — Versatile adjective; fits persons, places, objects, and times.

sanctuary — Prefer when the referent is a physical sacred space or temple.

holy — Modernizes KJV directly; widely understood in liturgical contexts.

consecrated — Emphasizes deliberate setting-apart; good for dedicated objects or persons.

set apart — Plain, contemporary; highlights separation from common/profane use.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7327 H6946 H6947 H6944 H5880 H8483

II. קָדֵשׁ proper name, of a location (sacred; but perhaps originally קֶדֶשׁ and pointing artificial to distinguish from ׳ק in N); —

1. Καδης: in south of Judah Gen 16:14 (J), Gen 20:1 (E), in מִדְבַּר פָּארָן Num 13:26 (P), specifically צִן ׳מ Num 20:1; Num 33:36, compare קָדֵשׁ ׳מ Ps 29:8 on western border of Edom Num 20:16 (E), Num 33:37 (P), compare Num 20:14 (E), vNum 20:22 (P), Judg 11:16; Judg 11:17 (hence Rob^{BR ii. 175, 194 sought it at} `Ain Weibeh, in west of Arabah); long adobe of Israel during Exodus. Deut 1:46 ׳מֵי מְרִיבַת ק Num 27:14 (compare Num 20:1-13), Deut 32:51 (P), Ezek 47:19 (read מְרִיבַת), Ezek 48:28, compare Deut 33:2 (see קֹדֶשׁ near the end); compare עֵין מִשְׁפָּט Gen 14:7 = בַּרְנֵעַ ׳ק (meaning of ׳ב unknown; ᵐ5 Kings (τοῦ) βαρνη); — Num 32:8 (J), Deut 1:2; Deut 1:19; Deut 2:14; Deut 9:23; Josh 10:41 (D), Num 34:4; Josh 15:3 (P); — modern ±Ain †adîs (kudais, ), approximately 50 miles south of Beersheba, J.Rowlands (1842) see GWilliams^{Holy City, 464 f.}, and especially HCTrumbull (1881)^{Kadesh Barnea, 238-321}.

2. Hittite capital on the Orontes, north of Damascus, towards Hamath (Egyptian †dš, †dšu, †dše WMM^{As.u.Eur.213 ff.}); — 2Sam 24:6 ᵐ5^L We Dr Kit Bu Löhr, reading אֶרֶץ הַחִתִּים קָדֵ֫שָׁה for ᵑ0 תַּחְתִּים חָדְשִׁי ׳א (הַחִתִּים already Hi^{Geschichte. Israel i. 29}; קָדֵ֫שָׁה Th, קֶ֫דְשָׁה Klo, of קֶדֶשׁ in Naphtali); HPS doubts.

BDB7328 H4720 H6944

מִקְדָּשׁ noun masculine^{Amos 7:9} sacred place, sanctuary; — ׳מ Exod 25:8 +; מִקְּדָשׁ Exod 15:17 (Ges^{«GKC:20h»§ 20h} Kö^{ii. 1, 471}); construct מִקְדַּשׁ Lev 16:33 +; suffix מִקְדָּשִׁי Lev 20:3 +, etc., מִקְדְּשׁוֺ Num 18:29 (Kö^{ii. 1, 97}); plural מִקְדָּשִׁים Ezek 21:7, construct מִקְדְּשֵׁי Jer 51:51 + 2 t.; suffix מִקְדָּשַׁי Lev 21:23 מְקַדְשֵׁיהֶם Ezek 7:24 (on anomalous pointing see Ew^{§ 215 a} Hi-Sm; but probably Pi`el Participle was in mind, Ges^{«GKC:93oo»§ 93oo} Anm.; < read מִקְדְּשֵׁיהֶם); etc.; —

1. old Israel sanctuaries: of ׳י at Shechem Josh 24:26 (E); probably also Exod 15:17 (i.e. Shiloh); plural of sanct. to be destroyed by ׳י Lev 26:31 (H); ׳מִקְדְּשֵׁי יִשׂ in Northern Israel Amos 7:9 מִקְדַּשׁמֶֿלֶךְ vAmos 7:13 (Bethel).

2. of the nations: Moab Isa 16:12 plural of Tyre Ezek 28:18 (Co Toy [not Berthol Krae] read קָדְשְׁךָ thy sanctity).

3. tabernacle and its precincts Exod 25:8 (P) +; מִקְדַּשׁ הַקֹּדֶשׁ Lev 16:33, plural Lev 21:23.

4. temple and precincts 1Chr 22:19; Isa 63:18; Ps 74:7 +; בֵּית מִקְדָּשָׁם 2Chr 36:17, מקדשׁ הבית Ezek 48:21, ׳מְכוֺן מ Dan 8:11 plural of many sacred places in and about the temple. ׳מִקְדְּשֵׁי בית י Jer 51:51 מִקְדְּשֵׁי אֵל Ps 73:17. Doubtful are: מִמִּקְדָּשֶׁיךָ Ps 68:36 (ᵐ5 ἐν τοῖς ὁσίοις αὐτοῦ ᵑ9 de sanctuario; SS מִקְדָּשֶׁ֑ךָ); מִקְדָּשִׁים Ezek 21:7 (ᵐ5 Co Berthol Buhl מִקְדָּשָׁם; Toy Krae מִקְדָּשֶׁיהָ; || יְרוּשָׁלַםִ); וּמִקְדָּשׁ לַמִּקְדָּשׁ Ezek 45:4b (Co, after ᵐ5, מִפְקָד לְקָדְשָׁם [לְבָֽתֵּי]; Toy וּלְמִגְרָשִׁים [לְבָֽתִּים], compare Krae לְמִגְרָשׁ).

5. ׳י will become ׳לְמ for his people Ezek 11:16 (Br^{MP 268}), so apparently Isa 8:14 (but gloss Du Che^Hpt Marti; Lag^{Semitic i. 16} מִקָּשׁ i.e. stumbling-block [he compare Syriac strike]).

6. of ׳י's future sanct., בתוכם לעולם ׳מ Ezek 37:26; Ezek 37:28. — (מִמֶּנּוּ) אֶתקּמִקְדְּשׁוֺ (מִכָּלחֶֿלְבּוֺ) Num 18:29 even the hallowed part there of AV RV, but this not the meaning of ׳מ; Ew^{§ 255 c assumes} מַ֗֗֗קְדֵּשׁ in this sense; < read קָדְשׁוֺ (see קֹדֶשׁ 3 d), מִ being dittograph

Strong's Definition H6944

holy, sanctuary, most, things, holiness, …

qōdeš

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

apartness, sacredness, holiness

of God

Variations 52 forms of this word

Translations 156 English renderings

Holy Holy Place The inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and Temple Most Holy Place The innermost room of the tabernacle and temple

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Word Parts

חָמְס֖וּ

Root word violence, wrongeth, away, bare, imagine, …

Dictionary form: חָמַס · haw-MAHS

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqp3cp

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

חָמְסוּ

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Perfect (Qatal) Person Third Person Number Plural

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: they have done violence

and he hath violently taken away ×1 have violated ×1 he shall shake off ×1 made bare ×1 me wrongeth ×1 they have done violence ×1 violence ×1 which ye wrongfully imagine ×1

More options

do violence to — Broad default choice; covers physical and systemic harm.

wrong — Interpersonal register; good for relational or legal contexts.

violate — Strong legal/moral tone; suits covenant or rights language.

oppress — Emphasizes power imbalance; fits structural injustice passages.

mistreat — Softer register; useful when harm is personal rather than criminal.

strip away — Captures the sense of forcible removal or despoiling.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2872 H2554

[חָמַס] verb treat violently, wrong (Late Hebrew id., act violently, treat violently; Aramaic חֲמַס (rare) violently seize; Arabic is be hard, strict, rigorous) —

Qal Perfect 3 plural חָֽמְסוּ Ezek 22:26; Zeph 3:4 Imperfect יַחְמֹס Job 15:33, וַיַּחְמֹס Lam 2:6 תַּחְמֹ֑סוּ Job 21:27; Jer 22:3 Participle חֹמֵס Prov 8:36 — treat violently, wrong; —

1. of physical wrong: ׳תַּחְ Jer 22:3 (|| תֹּנוּ) of wrong to widows and orphans; כַּגַּן שֻׂכּוֺ ׳וַיַּח Lam 2:6 and hath done violence to his pavilion as to a garden (|| שִׁחֵת מֹעֲדוֺ); so, figurative, of vine, wrong, i.e. fail to nourish, kill כַּגֶּפֶן ׳יַח בִּסְרוֺ Job 15:33.

2. of ethical wrong, object תּוֺרָה Zeph 3:4; Exod 22:26 (both || חִלֵּל קֹדֶשׁ); compare מְזִמּוֺת עָלֵי תַּחְמֹ֑סוּ Job 21:27 the devices (wherewith) ye do me violence.

3. both physical and ethical חֹטְאִי חֹמֵס נַפְשׁוֺ Prov 8:36. Niph`al Perfect 3 plural נֶחְמְסוּ Jer 13:22 thy heels suffer violence (|| נִגְלוּ שׁוּלַיִךְ).

Strong's Definition H2554

violence, wrongeth, away, bare, imagine, …

ḥāmas

to be violent; by implication, to maltreat

to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly

(Qal) to treat violently, do wrong

of physical wrong

Variations 7 forms of this word

Translations 8 English renderings

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Word Parts

תּוֹרָֽה

Root word law, laws

Dictionary form: תּוֹרָה · toh-RAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

תּוֹרָֽה

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: to the law

the law ×41 of the law ×28 law ×26 is the law ×21 thy law ×18 in the law ×17 my law ×8 and the law ×4

More options

law — Modernized KJV standard; broad legal or covenantal context.

instruction — Captures the teaching/guidance sense beyond mere rule.

teaching — Emphasizes oral or written guidance passed down.

Torah — Retain Hebrew term when specifically referencing the Mosaic corpus.

regulation — Prefer for specific legal statutes or codes.

directive — Useful for divine commands with a guiding purpose.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3726 H8451 H8452

תּוֺרָה noun feminine^{Deut 1:5} direction, instruction, law (possibly in first instance from casting lots, We^{G i, 470; H 394} (less confidently We^{Skizzen iii, 167}), SS Sm^{AT Rel. Geschichte. 36} Benz^{Archaeology 408} Now^{Archaeology ii, 97, opposed to by} Kö^{Offenb. ii, 347} Baud^{Priesterthum 207}); — ׳ת, Exod 12:49 + 88 t.; construct תּוֺרַת Exod 13:9 + 65 t.; suffixes תּוֺרָתִי Ps 78:1 + 16 t.; תֹּרָר֯תְךָ Jer 32:23 תֹּרָתוֺ Jer 44:23 + 34 t. suffixes; plural תּוֺרוֺת Neh 9:13 תּוֺרֹת Isa 24:5 + 2 t.; suffix תּוֺרֹתַי Ezek 44:24 תּוֺרֹתָ֯ו Ezek 43:11; Ezek 44:5 + 5 t. suffixes; —

1. instruction:
a. human: of a mother Prov 1:8; Prov 6:20; Prov 6:23 of a father Prov 3:1; Prov 4:2; Prov 7:2 of sages Prov 13:14; Prov 28:4 (twice in verse); Prov 28:7; Prov 28:9; Prov 29:18 of a poet Ps 78:1 תּוֺרַת חֶסֶד kind instruction (of a wise wife) Prov 31:26.
b. divine || אֲמָרִים Job 22:22 through his servants Isa 30:9; Jer 8:8 || אִמְרָה Isa 5:24 || דָּבָר Isa 1:10 || תְּעוּדָה Isa 8:16; Isa 8:20 || חָזוֺן Lam 2:9 plural תורות Dan 9:10.
c. a body of prophetic (or sometimes perhaps priestly) teaching Isa 42:21; Isa 42:24; Jer 9:12; Jer 16:11 in the heart Isa 51:7; Ps 37:31; Ps 40:9 || משׁפט Hab 1:4 || משׁפטים Ps 89:31 || דְּבָרִים Jer 6:19; Jer 26:4; Zech 7:12 || חקים Amos 2:4 || חקות Jer 44:10; Jer 44:23 myriads of precepts Hos 8:12.
d. instruction in Messianic age Isa 2:3 = Mic 4:4; Isa 42:4; Isa 51:4; Jer 31:33.
e. a body of priestly direction or instruction relating to sacred things Hos 4:6; Jer 2:8; Jer 18:18; Ezek 7:26; Hag 2:11; Mal 2:6; Mal 2:7; Mal 2:8; Mal 2:9; Zeph 3:4; Ezek 22:26 || לֹא תוֺרָה לֹא כֹּחֵן מוֺרֶה 2Chr 15:3.

2. law (properly direction): namely
a. of special laws, singular of Feast of Maƒƒoth Exod 13:9 (J), sabbath Exod 16:4 (J); of direction given by priests in particular case Deut 17:11 of statutes of priest's code Exod 12:49 (P), Lev 6:2; Lev 6:7; Lev 6:18; Lev 7:1; Lev 7:7; Lev 7:11; Lev 7:37; Lev 11:46; Lev 12:7; Lev 13:59; Lev 14:2; Lev 14:32; Lev 14:54; Lev 14:57; Lev 15:32; Lev 6:13; Lev 6:21 (twice in verse); Num 15:16; Num 15:29; Num 19:2; Num 19:14; Num 31:21 (P); תּוֺרַת הַבָּיִת Ezek 43:12 (twice in verse); לְמִעְוָךְ ׳בֵּין ח 2Chr 19:10 plural תּוֺרוֺת laws, || חקים Exod 18:16; Exod 18:20 (E; of decisions in civil cases given by Moses), Ps 105:45 || מצות Exod 16:28 (J); || מצות, חקות Gen 26:5 (J); || חקים משׁפטים Lev 26:46 (H); || ברית, חק Isa 24:5 || משׁפטים, חקים, מצות Neh 9:13 the laws of the new temple Ezek 43:11; Ezek 44:5; Ezek 44:24 those laws in which men should walk Jer 32:23 (Kt).
b. of codes of law, (1) הַתּוֺרָה as written in the code of the covenant, || הַמִּצְוָה Exod 24:12 (E); ספר תּוֺרַת אלהים Josh 24:26 (E); probably also Deut 33:4, || משׁפטים vDeut 33:10, || בְּרִית Hos 8:1; Ps 78:10, || עֵדוּת vPs 78:5 (2) the law of the Deuteronomic code, in D and Deuteronomic sections of Kings and sources of Chronicles, הַתּוֺרָה הַזּאֹת Deut 1:5; Deut 4:8; Deut 4:44; Deut 17:18; Deut 31:9; Deut 31:11 הזאת ׳דִּבְרֵי הַתּ Deut 27:26; Deut 31:24, + כל Deut 17:19; Deut 27:3; Deut 27:8; Deut 28:58; Deut 29:28; Deut 31:12; Deut 32:46 הזאת ׳סֵפֶר הַתּ Deut 28:61 ספר התורה הזה Deut 29:20; Deut 30:10; Deut 31:26; Josh 1:8 ספר התורה Josh 8:34; 2Kgs 22:8 = 2Chr 34:15 דברי התורה Josh 8:34; 2Kgs 23:24 so התורה אשׁר צוך משׁה Josh 1:7, similarly Josh 22:5; 2Kgs 17:13; 2Kgs 17:34; 2Kgs 17:37; 2Kgs 21:8 תּוֺרַת משׁה (ספר) Josh 8:31; Josh 8:32; Josh 23:6; 1Kgs 2:3; 2Kgs 14:6 = ׳בספר מ ׳הַתּ 2Chr 25:4; 2Kgs 23:25 ׳דִּבְרֵי סֵפֶר הַתּ 2Kgs 22:11= ׳דברי הַתּ 2Chr 34:19 תּוֺרַת יהוה 2Kgs 10:31. It is probable that ׳ת in Ps 1:2 (twice in verse); Ps 94:12 and some other parts of Chronicles, e.g. 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 6:16 (= 1Kgs 8:25 without ׳ת), refers to Deuteronomic code. (3) other passages of Chronicles may refer to code of D, but most of them certainly refer to the law of the Priests' code. The same is true of Malachi, Daniel and late Psalms. The phrases are: (ספר) תורת משׁה 2Chr 23:18; 2Chr 30:16; Ezra 3:2; Ezra 7:6; Neh 8:1; Mal 3:22; Dan 9:11; Dan 9:13 תורת יהוה (ספר) Ezra 7:10; Neh 9:3; 1Chr 16:40; 2Chr 12:1; 2Chr 17:9; 2Chr 31:3; 2Chr 31:4; 2Chr 34:14; 2Chr 35:26; Ps 19:8; Ps 119:1 (ספר) תורת האלהים Neh 8:18; Neh 10:29; Neh 10:30 ׳ספר הַתּ Neh 8:3 ׳דִּבְרֵי הַתּ vNeh 8:9 vNeh 8:13 הַתּוֺרָה 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 31:21; 2Chr 33:8; Neh 10:35; Neh 10:37; Neh 12:44; Neh 13:3 פִּיךָ ׳תּ Ps 119:72 תורתך Neh 9:26; Neh 9:29; Neh 9:34; Dan 9:11; Ps 119:18; Ps 119:29; Ps 119:34; Ps 119:44; Ps 119:51; Ps 119:53; Ps 119:55; Ps 119:61; Ps 119:70; Ps 119:77; Ps 119:85; Ps 119:92; Ps 119:97; Ps 119:109; Ps 119:126; Ps 119:136; Ps 119:142; Ps 119:150; Ps 119:153; Ps 119:163; Ps 119:165; Ps 119:174 תּוֺרָה (indefinite) || חקים, מצוות Neh 9:14.

3. custom, manner: תּוֺרַת הָאָדָם 2Sam 7:19 the manner of man, not of God, i.e. deal with me as man with man, Thes, law for man RV, but Ew^{Geschichte. iii. 180} reads דּוֺרֹת (וַתַּרְאֵנִי) hast shewed me generations of men; so We Dr. — On ׳ת see further Dr on Deut 1:10; Deut 24:8; Deut 33:10 and references

Strong's Definition H8451

law, laws

tôrâ

a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch

law, direction, instruction

instruction, direction (human or divine)

body of prophetic teaching

law of the burnt offering

Variations 64 forms of this word

Translations 48 English renderings

Law