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1 Chronicles 13:8 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְדָוִ֣יד וְכָל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים לִפְנֵ֥י הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּכָל־ עֹ֑ז וּבְשִׁירִ֤ים וּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙ וּבִנְבָלִ֣ים וּבְתֻפִּ֔ים וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִם וּבַחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃

BSADavidDâvid [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and allkôl [every single one] the IsraelitesYisrâʼêl [descendants of Jacob] were celebratingsâchaq [playing, making music] beforepânîym Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the one supreme God] with allkôl [every bit of] their mightʻôz [strength, power] with songsshîyr [musical expressions of praise] and on harpskinnôwr [lyres, stringed instruments] and lyresnebel [harp-like instruments] with tambourinestôph [percussion instruments] cymbalsmᵉtsêleth [double tinklers] and trumpetschătsôtsᵉrâh [instruments for signaling]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (u.va.cha.tzo.tze.Rot) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
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1 Chronicles 13:8quick helps
In a sentenceDavid and all the Israelites celebrated before God with great enthusiasm and music.
Who is speakingDavid, the king of Israel, leading his people in worship.
Where we areThe joyful occasion of bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem.
The hard wordמְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים
Take awayThe celebration is filled with music and joy, reflecting the community's devotion.
3 commentators on this verse Trapp, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them › clause verbשָׂחַק The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 13:8

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Ark Brought to Jerusalemgenerated

7So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.
8David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
9When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled.
10And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

1 Chronicles 13:8 describes a significant moment when David and the Israelites joyfully celebrated before God as they transported the ark. This event marks a pivotal point in Israel's history, emphasizing the importance of worship and community unity. The celebration involved various musical instruments, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Israel and their devotion to God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 15:10–24and from the Uzzielites, Amminadab the chief and 112 of his relatives.
21 Samuel 10:5After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
32 Samuel 6:5–23David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.
42 Kings 3:15But now, bring me a harpist. ” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha
5Psalm 47:5God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD with the sound of the horn.

The Key Word מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים, me.sa.cha.Kimgenerated

The word מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים (me.sachaqim) is a participle from the root שָׂחַק (sachaq), meaning 'to laugh' or 'to play.' In this context, it conveys the idea of making merry or celebrating with music, highlighting the joyful atmosphere of the event.

The participial form indicates ongoing action, suggesting that the celebration was lively and continuous. It captures the essence of community joy and worship, as the people engaged in music and merriment before God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים governs the entire verse, indicating the action of celebrating. The structure includes a subject noun phrase, a prepositional phrase describing the location of the celebration, and multiple prepositional phrases detailing the instruments used in worship.

The word order places emphasis on the collective action of David and the Israelites, showcasing their unity in worship before God, which is central to the verse's message.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים as παίζοντες (paizontes), meaning 'playing.' This choice highlights the joyful and playful aspect of the celebration, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also broadening its interpretation to include the act of playing music.

This translation reflects a similar understanding of the event's joyful nature, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship through music.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 13:8 tells us that David and all the Israelites celebrated joyfully before God. They played music with various instruments, including harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets, showing their devotion and happiness in worship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that David and the Israelites were celebrating?

It signifies a communal expression of joy and worship, reflecting their gratitude and reverence for God as they brought the ark to Jerusalem.

Why are so many musical instruments mentioned?

The variety of instruments illustrates the richness of their worship and the importance of music in expressing praise and joy in biblical celebrations.

What is the significance of celebrating before God?

Celebrating before God emphasizes the acknowledgment of His presence and sovereignty, as well as the joy that comes from worshiping Him together as a community.

How does this celebration compare to other instances in the Bible?

Similar celebrations are found throughout the Bible, such as in 2 Samuel 6:5, where David dances before the Lord, highlighting the importance of joy in worship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can express joy in my worship, similar to David and the Israelites?
  2. How can music enhance my experience of worship and community?
  3. In what ways do I celebrate God's presence in my life?
  4. How can I encourage others to join in joyful worship?

Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 13:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all [their] might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.Ver. 8. David and all Israel played.] How should we rejoice in the gospel now restored! O nos ingratos! And with singing.] Psallunt et saliunt. All this is no warrant for those Popish pompous processions and superstitous will-worships.

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) Played.—Were dancing (to music).With all their might, and with singing.—So LXX. and Syriac. Samuel has “with all woods of cypresses;” a strange expression, probably due to confusion of similar letters, and transposition. The LXX. there has “in strength.” Cymbals and trumpets.—Samuel (Hebrew) has sistrums (a kind of rattle) and cymbals. The former word only occurs there. The Chronicle has a later term for cymbals (meçiltayim for çilçeþlîm).

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. played] The Heb. word means to sport, to dance (cp. 1 Chronicles 15:29). with all their might, and with singing] A better reading than that of 2 Samuel 6:5, with all manner of instruments made of fir wood. and with singing] R.V. even with songs. psalteries] The instrument here meant (Heb. nηbhel) “is generally identified at the present day with an instrument called the santir still in use among the Arabs. This consists of a long box with a flat bottom covered with a somewhat convex sounding-board over which the strings are stretched.” (Nowack, Hebrδische Arckδologie, I. 275.) The “harp” (Heb. kinnτr) was a simpler instrument, a lyre rather than a true harp. For a full discussion of…

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 13 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

NETBNew English Translation2006

while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before God, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might: even with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Dauid and all Israel played before God with all their might, both with songes and with harpes, and with violes, and with timbrels and with cymbales and with trumpets.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with lutes, and with tambours, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and David and all Israel are playing before God, with all strength, and with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and David and all Israel are playing before God, with all strength, and with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and on harps, and on psalteries, and on tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might. They were singing with stringed instruments, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might with hymns, and with harps, and with psalteries, and timbrels, and cymbals, and trumpets,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

David and all of Israel were celebrating before the Lord as loudly as possible, singing songs and playing music on lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then David and all Israel made melody before God with all their strength, with songs and corded instruments of music, and with brass instruments and horns.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectדָוִ֣ידDavidוְandnoun phraseכָלallיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelverbמְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים[were].playingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִbeforenoun phraseפְנֵ֥יnoun phraseהָ(the)אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבְּwithnoun phraseכָלallעֹ֑זstrengthוּandprepositional phraseבְonשִׁירִ֤יםsongsוּandprepositional phraseבְonכִנֹּרוֹת֙harpsוּandprepositional phraseבִonנְבָלִ֣יםlyresוּandprepositional phraseבְonתֻפִּ֔יםtambourinesוּandprepositional phraseבִonמְצִלְתַּ֖יִםcymbalsוּandprepositional phraseבַonחֲצֹצְרֽוֹתtrumpets

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all 14 words matched. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the text across these ancient traditions, affirming the significance of the celebration.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וְדָוִ֣יד וְכָל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מְשַׂחֲקִ֛ים לִפְנֵ֥י הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּכָל־ עֹ֑ז וּבְשִׁירִ֤ים וּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙ וּבִנְבָלִ֣ים וּבְתֻפִּ֔ים וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִם וּבַחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְדָוִ֣ידδαυιδוְכָל־πᾶςיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לισραηλמְשַׂחֲקִ֛יםπαίζοντεςלִפְנֵ֥יἐναντίονהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםθεοῦבְּכָל־πάσῃעֹ֑זδυνάμειוּבְשִׁירִ֤יםψαλτῳδοῖςוּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙κινύραιςוּבִנְבָלִ֣יםνάβλαιςוּבְתֻפִּ֔יםτυμπάνοιςוּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִםκυμβάλοιςוּבַחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃σάλπιγχιν

14 of the 14 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

1 Chronicles 13:8דָּוִדand Davidand Davidדָּוִדכֹּלand alland allכֹּליִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלשָׂחַק[were] maki[were] making mשָׂחַקפָּנֶהbeforebeforeפָּנֶהאֱלֹהִיםGodGodאֱלֹהִיםכֹּלwith allwith allכֹּלעֹזstrengthstrengthעֹזשִׁירand with soand with songsשִׁירכִּנּוֹרand with haand with harpsכִּנּוֹרנֵ֫בֶלand with lyand with lyresנֵ֫בֶלתֹּףand with taand with tambouתֹּףמְצִלְתַּיִםand with cyand with cymbalמְצִלְתַּיִםחֲצֹצְרָהand with trand with trumpeחֲצֹצְרָהכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלחצצרto blowto blowחצצרשָׂרָהto striveto striveשָׂרָהפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהעָזַזbe strongbe strongעָזַזשִׁירto singto singשִׁירנָבֵלbe senselebe senselessנָבֵלתָּפַףto beatto beatתָּפַףצָלַלto tingleto tingleצָלַלדּוֹדbelovedbelovedדּוֹדאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּמִזְמוֹרmelodymelodyמִזְמוֹרעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהמְצִלְתַּיִםcymbalcymbalמְצִלְתַּיִםנֵ֫בֶלbagbagנֵ֫בֶלכִּנּוֹרlyrelyreכִּנּוֹרנָצַחto conductto conductנָצַח
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 13:8

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וְדָוִ֣ידve.da.Vid and David H1732 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
1,075× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Amplified meaning
the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel
Tyndale gloss
David
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1732 David daw-veed'

rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;

loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.

see HEBREW for 01730

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;

son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);

brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);

father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculine
HC/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):

I. NAME AND GENEALOGY

II. EARLY YEARS

1. Shepherd

2. Slinger

3. Harpist

4. Poet

5. Psalmist

6. Tribesman

III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL

1. David First Meets Saul

2. His First Exploit

3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David

4. Jonathan and David

IV. DAVID IN EXILE

1. David as Outlaw

2. David Joins the Philistines

V. DAVID AS KING

1. Civil War

2. Conquests Abroad

3. Political Situation

4. The Ark

VI. DOMESTIC LIFE

1. His Wives and Children

2. Domestic Troubles

VII. HIS OFFICIALS

1. Prophets

2. Priests

3. Military Officers

4. Other Officials

5. Mutual Rivalry

VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID

1. Chronicles

2. Psalms

3. Complex Character

4. Physical Courage

5. Moral Courage

6. Prudence

7. Strategy

8. Nobility

9. David in Relation to His Family

10. David in Relation to His Friends

11. His Success

12. His Foreign Friends

13. Nemesis

Easton's Bible Dictionary

David

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).

His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וְכָל־ve.khol and all H3605 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every single one
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'El Israel H3478 Noun proper
2,508× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Amplified meaning
descendants of Jacob
Tyndale gloss
Israel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el) refers to both the second name of Jacob, meaning 'God prevails,' and the name of the Hebrew nation descended from him. It is derived from roots meaning 'to rule' and 'God.' The term encompasses Jacob's descendants and is used historically for the northern kingdom of Israel and the nation as a whole after the Babylonian exile.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יִשְׂרָאֵל 2507 n.pr.m. et gent. Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth)

n.pr.m. second name of Jacob

n.pr.gent. name of Hebrew nation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth) . n. pr. m. second name of Jacob

. n. pr. gent. name of Hebrew nation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3478 Yisra'el yis-raw-ale'

from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical

name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:

--Israel.

see HEBREW for 08280

see HEBREW for 0410

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יִשְׂרָאֵל (yis.ra.el) — Israel.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26;

son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259);

brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A);

father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently

§ Israel = "God prevails"

1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel

2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob

2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

iz'-ra-el.

See JACOB.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Israel

The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because “as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.” (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob’s descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called “Israelites,” the “children of Israel” (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the “house of Israel” (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).

This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(the prince that prevails with God). The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Who prevails with God, a name given to Jacob, after having wrestled with the Angel-Jehovah at Penuel. Ge 32:1,2,28,30 Ho 12:3. See JACOB. By the name Israel is sometimes understood all the posterity of Israel, the seed of Jacob, 1Co 10:18; sometimes all true believers, his spiritual seed, Ro 9:6; and sometimes the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes, as distinct from the kingdom of Judah.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
מְשַׂחֲקִ֛יםme.sa.cha.Kim [were] making merry H7832 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to laugh, often in contempt or derision, as seen in Genesis 21:9 when Ishmael mocks Isaac. It can also mean to play or make sport, like in Psalm 104:26 where God plays with the whale. In the Bible, it appears over 50 times, including in the book of Job.
Amplified meaning
playing, making music
Tyndale gloss
to laugh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂחַק (sachaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to laugh, with connotations of playfulness and mockery. It can express laughter in pleasure or derision, as well as the act of playing or making sport. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal for general laughter, Piel for making sport, and Hiphil for mockery.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂחַק vb. laugh

Qal 

laugh at

appar. of friendly laugh

sport, play

Pi.

make sport

jest

play

Hiph. (declar.) they uttered mockery

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7832 שָׂחַק laugh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7832 sachaq saw-khak'

a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by

implication, to play:--deride, have in derision, laugh, make

merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in

(make) sport.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂחַק (sa.chaq) — to laugh.

1) to laugh, play, mock

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)

1a2) to sport, play

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make sport

1b2) to jest

1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing)

1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural
HVprmpa
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei before H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); 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.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) 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

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) 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…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HR/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםha.'E.lo.Him God H430 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the one supreme God
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
בְּכָל־be.khol with all H3605 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every bit of
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
עֹ֑ז'Oz strength H5797 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
92× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes strength or might, including physical power, social status, or boldness, like the strength of God or a strong leader.
Amplified meaning
strength, power
Tyndale gloss
strength
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might

material and physical

personal, social, and political

might of י׳

= boldness, impudence

= stronghold

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical

. personal, social, and political

. might of י׳

. = boldness, impudence

. = stronghold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5797 `oz oze

or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various

applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,

loud, might, power, strength, strong.

see HEBREW for 05810

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹז (oz) — strength.

1) might, strength

1a) material or physical

1b) personal or social or political

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבְשִׁירִ֤יםu.ve.shi.Rim and with songs H7892 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
90× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a song or singing, and it is used in the Bible to describe musical expressions of praise and worship, like the songs of David in the book of Psalms. It can also be used to describe a specific song or ode.
Amplified meaning
musical expressions of praise
Tyndale gloss
song
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁיר (shir) and שִׁירָה (shiyrah) both mean 'song' in Hebrew, covering various types of songs, including lyrical and religious ones. The entries indicate that shir is a masculine noun while shiyrah is feminine. The word is linked to the act of singing and is associated with Levitical choirs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁיר 77 n.m. song

base

שִׁירָה n.f. song

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7892a שִׁיר song H7892b שִׁירָה song

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7892 shiyr sheer

or feminine shiyrah {shee-raw'}; from 7891; a song;

abstractly, singing:--musical(-ick), X sing(-er, -ing), song.

see HEBREW for 07891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁיר (shir) — song.

1) song

1a) lyric song

1b) religious song

1c) song of Levitical choirs

Also means: shi.rah (שִׁירָה "song" H7892B)

שִׁירָה (shi.rah) — song.

1) song

1a) song, ode

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-cp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/R/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Songs

Of Moses (Ex. 15; Num. 21:17; Deut. 32; Rev. 15:3), Deborah (Judg. 5), Hannah (1 Sam. 2), David (2 Sam. 22, and Psalms), Mary (Luke 1:46-55), Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79), the angels (Luke 2:13), Simeon (Luke 2:29), the redeemed (Rev. 5:9; 19), Solomon (see SOLOMON, SONGS OF).

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙u.ve.khi.no.rOt and with harps H3658 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Kinnor is a musical instrument, specifically a lyre or harp. It is used to make music and is mentioned in the Bible as a instrument used by musicians.
Amplified meaning
lyres, stringed instruments
Tyndale gloss
lyre
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּנּוֹר (kinnor) refers to a lyre or harp, derived from a root meaning to twang. The term is consistently used across lexicons to denote this stringed musical instrument.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּנּוֹר n.m. lyre

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3658 כִּנּוֹר lyre

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3658 kinnowr kin-nore'

from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp: -harp.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּנּוֹר (kin.nor) — lyre.

lyre, harp

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
HC/R/Ncfpa
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבִנְבָלִ֣יםu.vin.va.Lim and with lyres H5035 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A harp is a musical instrument, and this word is also used to describe a skin-bag for liquids or a vase. It is often translated as a psaltery or viol in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
harp-like instruments
Tyndale gloss
bag
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֵ֫בֶל (nevel) refers to both a container and a musical instrument. It can denote a skin-bottle or jar used for liquids, as well as a harp or lute. The word is derived from a root meaning to collapse, reflecting its use for a flexible container. The entries consistently highlight these two main meanings without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֵ֫בֶל n.m.

skin-bottle, skin

jar, pitcher

base

נֵ֫בֶל, נֶ֫בֶל n.m. a musical instrument, either a portable harp, or a lute, guitar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5035a נֵ֫בֶל . skin-bottle, skin

. jar, pitcher

H5035b נֵ֫בֶל, נֶ֫בֶל a musical instrument, either a portable harp, or a lute, guitar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5035 nebel neh'-bel

or nebel {nay'-bel}; from 5034; a skin-bag for liquids (from

collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape

when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like

form):--bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol.

see HEBREW for 05034

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֵ֫בֶל (ne.vel) — bag.

1) a skin-bag, jar, pitcher

1a) skin-bottle, skin

1b) jar, pitcher (earthen)

נֵ֫בֶל (ne.vel) — harp.

harp, lute, guitar, musical instrument

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/R/Ncmpa
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבְתֻפִּ֔יםu.ve.tu.Pim and with tambourines H8596 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A tambourine is a musical instrument, used in celebrations and worship in the Bible. The word appears in Exodus, where the Israelites use tambourines to praise God, and in other books like Psalm and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
percussion instruments
Tyndale gloss
tambourine
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תֹּף (toph) refers to a tambourine or timbrel, a percussion instrument. The entries indicate it is a contracted form of another Hebrew word, but do not provide further details on its usage or context in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תֹּף n.m. timbrel, tambourine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8596 תֹּף timbrel, tambourine

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8596 toph tofe

from 8608 contracted; a tambourine:--tabret, timbrel.

see HEBREW for 08608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תֹּף (toph) — tambourine.

timbrel, tambourine

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/R/Ncmpa
and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִםu.vim.tzil.Ta.yim and with cymbals H4700 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine dual absolute
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Metselt refers to cymbals, specifically double tinklers used to make music in biblical times.
Amplified meaning
double tinklers
Tyndale gloss
cymbal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְצִלְתַּיִם (metsi'taim) refers to cymbals, specifically in the dual form, indicating a pair. It is derived from the root word for tinkling or clanging sounds, as noted in Strong's entries. The term appears in contexts related to music and worship.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְצִלְתַּיִם n.f.du. cymbals

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4700 מְצִלְתַּיִם, מְצֵלֶת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4700 mtseleth mets-ay'-leth

from 6750; (only dual) double tinklers, i.e.

cymbals:--cymbals.

see HEBREW for 06750

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְצִלְתַּיִם (me.tse.let) — cymbal.

cymbals

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-fd — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine dual absolute
HC/R/Ncfda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cymbals

(Heb. tzeltzelim, from a root meaning to “tinkle”), musical instruments, consisting of two convex pieces of brass one held in each hand, which were clashed together to produce a loud clanging sound; castanets; “loud cymbals.” “Highsounding cymbals” consisted of two larger plates, one held also in each hand (2 Sam. 6:5; Ps. 150:5; 1 Chr. 13:8; 15:16, 19, 28; 1 Cor. 13:1).

and David and all Israel [were] making merry before God with all strength and with songs and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with cymbals and with trumpets
וּבַחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃u.va.cha.tzo.tze.Rot and with trumpets H2689 Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for trumpet, which made a quavering note, is used in the Bible to signal important events. In Numbers 10:2, God tells Moses to make two trumpets to call the community together. Trumpets were also used in battle, as in Joshua 6:4.
Amplified meaning
instruments for signaling
Tyndale gloss
trumpet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲצֹצְרָה (chatsotsrah) refers to a trumpet, characterized by its distinctive sound. It is noted for both secular and sacred uses, suggesting its importance in various contexts. The word is derived from a related term, חָצֹר (chatsor), which also pertains to sound.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲצֹצְרָה n.f. clarion

as secular instr.

as sacred instr.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2689 חֲצֹצְרָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2689 chatsotsrah khats-o-tser-aw'

by reduplication from 2690; a trumpet (from its sundered or

quavering note):--trumpet(-er).

see HEBREW for 02690

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲצֹצְרָה (cha.tso.tse.rah) — trumpet.

trumpet, clarion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-fp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
HC/R/Ncfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Trumpets

Were of a great variety of forms, and were made of divers materials. Some were made of silver (Num. 10:2), and were used only by the priests in announcing the approach of festivals and in giving signals of war. Some were also made of rams’ horns (Josh. 6:8). They were blown at special festivals, and to herald the arrival of special seasons (Lev. 23:24; 25:9; 1 Chr. 15:24; 2 Chr. 29:27; Ps. 81:3; 98:6).

“Trumpets” are among the symbols used in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:10; 8:2). (See HORN.)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ FEAST OF

When and how observed Le 23:24,25; Nu 29:1-6

Celebrated after the captivity with joy Ne 8:2,9-12

See FEASTS

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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