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1 Chronicles 25:1 — Word Study

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WLCוַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל דָּוִיד֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַצָּבָ֜א לַעֲבֹדָ֗ה לִבְנֵ֤י אָסָף֙ וְהֵימָ֣ן וִֽידוּת֔וּן הַֽנִּבְּאִ֛ים בְּכִנֹּר֥וֹת בִּנְבָלִ֖ים וּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם וַֽיְהִי֙ מִסְפָּרָ֔ם אַנְשֵׁ֥י מְלָאכָ֖ה לַעֲבֹדָתָֽם׃

BSAAdditionally, DavidDâvid [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and the commanderssar [rulers, leaders] of the armytsâbâʼ set apartbâdal [to separate, divide, or make a distinction] some of the sonsbên [descendants, male offspring] of AsaphʼÂçâph HemanHêymân and JeduthunYᵉdûwthûwn to prophesynâbîyʼ [to speak or sing under the influence of the divine spirit] with the accompaniment of lyreskinnôwr [musical instrumentation, a stringed instrument] harpsnebel [a musical instrument with strings] and cymbalsmᵉtsêleth [double tinklers used to make music] The followinghâyâh is the listmiçpâr [number, count] who performedmᵉlâʼkâh [carried out, executed] this serviceʻăbôdâh [work, ministry, act of worship]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the 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 (la.'a.vo.da.Tam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Chronicles 25:1quick helps
In a sentenceDavid and his commanders designated certain sons to lead in prophetic music.
Who is speakingDavid, the king of Israel, along with his military leaders.
Where we areThis verse introduces the organization of musicians and prophets in David's court.
The hard wordוַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל
Take awayThe act of separation highlights the importance of these roles in worship.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbבָּדַל 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 25:1

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 Organization of Worship Leadersgenerated

1Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
2From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
3From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD.
4From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.

1 Chronicles 25:1 describes how David, alongside his military leaders, set apart certain sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the purpose of prophesying through music. This organization was part of a larger effort to establish worship practices in Israel, ensuring that music and prophecy were integral to their service to God. The following verses detail the specific individuals involved and their roles in this sacred duty.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 12:28and Zadok, a mighty young man of valor, with 22 commanders from his own family.
21 Chronicles 23:2Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites.
31 Chronicles 24:5–6Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.
42 Chronicles 23:1–9Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds—with Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
51 Chronicles 6:33–39These are the men who served, together with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,

The Key Word וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל, vai.yav.Delgenerated

The verb בָּדַל (badal) means to separate or divide and is used here to indicate the intentional act of designating certain individuals for a specific purpose. This verb appears in various contexts, often related to making distinctions, such as between clean and unclean or holy and profane.

In this verse, the Hiphil form indicates that David actively separated these sons for a divine function, emphasizing the importance of their roles in worship and prophecy. The act of setting apart is foundational to their ministry, highlighting the seriousness of their calling.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations agree on the meaning of וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל as 'and he separated.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all convey this idea without variation.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל (and he separated) governs the entire verse, with several phrases detailing who was separated and for what purpose. The structure emphasizes the action of separation as central to the verse's meaning.

The sentence is constructed with a subject (David and the commanders) followed by a series of noun phrases that specify the individuals and their roles, culminating in the purpose of their separation for prophetic service.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל as ἔστησεν (estēsen), meaning 'he established' or 'he set up.' This choice reflects a broader interpretation, suggesting not just separation but also the establishment of a formal role within the worship context.

This translation indicates a focus on the organizational aspect of David's actions, showing the importance of these roles in the worship practices of Israel.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 25:1 tells us that David and his military leaders set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with musical instruments. This organization was part of establishing worship in Israel, highlighting the importance of music and prophecy in their service to God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that David set apart these sons?

David's act of setting apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun signifies their special role in leading worship and prophesying through music, indicating a structured approach to worship in Israel.

Why were musical instruments included in their service?

Musical instruments were integral to worship in ancient Israel, enhancing the prophetic messages and creating an atmosphere of reverence and praise during their service.

How does this verse connect to the broader context of worship in Israel?

This verse is part of a larger narrative about establishing worship practices in Israel, showing how David organized the Levitical musicians and prophets to ensure a structured approach to worship.

Who were Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun?

Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were prominent figures in the Levitical music ministry, known for their roles in leading worship and prophesying through music in the temple.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What role do you think music plays in worship today compared to ancient Israel?
  2. How can we set apart individuals in our communities for specific roles in service to God?
  3. In what ways can we incorporate music into our expressions of faith?
  4. What lessons can we learn from David's organization of worship leaders?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Cassiodorus references this verse to discuss David's organization of worship, highlighting the importance of psalmody in the service of God.

CassiodorusEXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS, PREFACE 2 c. 485–585
We read in the first book of Paralipomena that when the prophet David grew old in years devoted to the Lord, he chose four thousand young men from the people of Israel to render the psalms,
Early Church Fathers on 1 Chronicles 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 25:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Moreover, David and the captains of the host separated to the service,.... Of singing the praises of God; this was done by the princes of the people, and the chief of the priests, who were gathered

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

1 CHAPTER 25 The number and offices of the singers out of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, . Their division by lot into twenty-four orders, The captains of the host; both of the civil and sacred host, to wit, all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites, whom David gathered together, , for this very end, that in their presence, and with their approbation and consent, all these things might be established; who are here fitly called the captains of the host; for the princes were, under David, the chief captains or commanders of the militia or trained bands of the kingdom: and as the Levites are called a host, and the Lord’ s host, , and elsewhere, because of their number…

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:Ver. 1. The captains of the host.] Of the holy host, the Levites, called princes of the sanctuary, mighty men of valour. Some will have all the princes meant, both civil and ecclesiastical, by whose advice David would do all. And of Jeduthun.] Called also Ethan. Who should prophesy.] Sing holy songs with a holy zeal, fervour, and motions of the body, like to those of the prophets. And the number of the workmen.] Heb., Men of…

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XXV. THE TWENTY-FOUR CLASSES OF SINGERS, OR .(1) Moreover (and) David and the captains of the host.—The latter (“the princes” of 1 Chronicles 24:6), were also concerned in the arrangement of the priestly classes (1 Chronicles 23:2). Separated to the service of the sons of Asaph.—Rather, separated for service the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun. These formed three guilds of sacred minstrels, famous to all after times. (Comp. the headings of many psalms in which these names occur, and also 1 Chronicles 6:33, sqq., whence it appears that Asaph belonged to the sub tribe of Gershon, Heman to that of Kohath, and Ethan-Jeduthun to that of Merari, so that all the branches of Levi were…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

CHAPTER XXV The number and offices of the singers and players on musical instruments; and their division by lot into twenty-four courses, 1-31. NOTES ON CHAP. XXV Verse 1. David and the captains of the host] The chiefs of those who formed the several orders: not military captains. Should prophesy] Should accompany their musical instruments with prayer and singing.

Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. 1 Chronicles 25:1-7. The Families of the Singers 1. Moreover David] Render, And David. separated] Cp. 1 Chronicles 23:13, note. to the service of the sons of Asaph] R.V. for the service certain of the sons of Asaph. psalteries] See 1 Chronicles 13:8, note. of the workmen] R.V. of them that did the work.

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The captains of the host - Rather, “the princes” of 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 24:6.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 25 →

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

Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. The number of those who did the work according to their service was:

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

NETBNew English Translation2006

David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. The following men were assigned this responsibility:

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Moreover David and the captains of the host set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was:

RVARevised Version, American1894

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So Dauid and the captaines of the armie separated for the ministerie the sonnes of Asaph, and Heman, and Ieduthun, who should sing prophesies with harpes, with violes, and with cymbales, and their nomber was euen of the men for the office of their ministerie, to wit,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And David and the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals; and the number of the men employed according to their service was:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And David and the heads of the host separate for service, of the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, who are prophesying with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals, and the number of the workmen is according to their service.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And David and the heads of the host separate for service, of the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, who are prophesying with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals; and the number of the workmen is according to their service.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

David also divided off with the chiefs of the host for the service of the sons of Assaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, those who uttered praise [accompanied] with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and their number was of the men [that did] the work in their service.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

David and the leaders of the army selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Moreover David and the chief. officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Idithun: to prophesy with harps, and with psalteries, and with cymbals according to their number serving in their appointed office.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

David and the leaders of the Levites chose men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to serve by prophesying accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. Here is the list of those who performed this service:

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Further, David and the chiefs of the servants of the holy place made selection of certain of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun for the work of prophets, to make melody with corded instruments and brass; and the number of the men for the work they had to do was:

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.

וַandclauseverbיַּבְדֵּ֣לhe.separatednoun phrase · subjectדָּוִיד֩Davidוְandnoun phraseשָׂרֵ֨יthe.commandersnoun phraseהַofצָּבָ֜אthe.armyprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַforעֲבֹדָ֗הserviceprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִ(to).thenoun phraseבְנֵ֤יsonsnoun phraseאָסָף֙of.Asaphוְandהֵימָ֣ןHemanוִֽandידוּת֔וּןJeduthunnoun phrase · objectהַֽ[who]noun phraseclauseverbנִּבְּאִ֛יםprophesiedprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבְּwithכִנֹּר֥וֹתharpsprepositional phraseבִּwithנְבָלִ֖יםlyresוּandprepositional phraseבִwithמְצִלְתָּ֑יִםcymbalsוַֽandclauseverbיְהִי֙it.wasnoun phrase · subjectמִסְפָּרָ֔numbernoun phraseםtheirnoun phraseאַנְשֵׁ֥יmenמְלָאכָ֖הof.workprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַfornoun phraseעֲבֹדָתָֽserviceםtheir

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 largely agree in their wording, with 17 of the 18 words matching. The Septuagint's translation reflects a consistent understanding of the Hebrew text, emphasizing the role of these individuals in worship.

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

וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל דָּוִיד֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַצָּבָ֜א לַעֲבֹדָ֗ה לִבְנֵ֤י אָסָף֙ וְהֵימָ֣ן וִֽידוּת֔וּן הַֽנִּבְּאִ֛ים בְּכִנֹּר֥וֹת בִּנְבָלִ֖ים וּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם וַֽיְהִי֙ מִסְפָּרָ֔ם אַנְשֵׁ֥י מְלָאכָ֖ה לַעֲבֹדָתָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּבְדֵּ֣לἔστησενדָּוִיד֩δαυιδוְשָׂרֵ֨יἄρξοντεςהַצָּבָ֜אδυνάμεωςלַעֲבֹדָ֗הἔργαלִבְנֵ֤יυἱοὺςאָסָף֙ασαφוְהֵימָ֣ןαιμανוִֽידוּת֔וּןιδιθωνהַֽנִּבְּאִ֛יםἀποφθεγγομένουςבְּכִנֹּר֥וֹתκινύραιςבִּנְבָלִ֖יםἐνוּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִםκυμβάλοιςוַֽיְהִי֙ἐγένετοמִסְפָּרָ֔םἀριθμὸςמְלָאכָ֖הἐργαζομένωνלַעֲבֹדָתָֽם׃ἔργοις

17 of the 18 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 25:1בָּדַלand he sepaand he separateבָּדַלדָּוִדDavidDavidדָּוִדשַׂרand [the] cand [the] commaשַׂרצָבָאthe armythe armyצָבָאעֲבֹדָהfor servicefor serviceעֲבֹדָהבֵּן[the] sons [the] sons ofבֵּןאָסָףAsaphAsaphאָסָףהֵימָןand Hemanand Hemanהֵימָןיְדוּתוּןand Jeduthuand Jeduthunיְדוּתוּןנָבָאwho propheswho prophesiedנָבָאכִּנּוֹרwith harpswith harpsכִּנּוֹרנֵ֫בֶלwith lyreswith lyresנֵ֫בֶלמְצִלְתַּיִםand with cyand with cymbalמְצִלְתַּיִםהָיָהand it wasand it wasהָיָהמִסְפָּרnumber theinumber theirמִסְפָּראֱנוֹשׁmen ofmen ofאֱנוֹשׁמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהעֲבֹדָהfor servicefor service theעֲבֹדָהעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדשָׂרַרto ruleto ruleשָׂרַרצָבָאto serveto serveצָבָאבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאָסַףto gatherto gatherאָסַףאָמַןbe faithfube faithfulאָמַןיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהנָבֵלbe senselebe senselessנָבֵלצָלַלto tingleto tingleצָלַלסָפַרto recountto recountסָפַראָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁדּוֹדbelovedbelovedדּוֹדהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאמַלְאָךְmessengermessengerמַלְאָךְמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָההֵימָןHemanHemanהֵימָןיְדוּתוּןJeduthunJeduthunיְדוּתוּןמְצִלְתַּיִםcymbalcymbalמְצִלְתַּיִם
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 25:1

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 he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וַיַּבְדֵּ֣לvai.yav.Del and he separated H914 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to separate or divide, and is used in various contexts, including to set apart or make a distinction. It is translated as divide, separate, or difference in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
to separate, divide, or make a distinction
Tyndale gloss
to separate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּדַל (badal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to divide or separate. It encompasses various senses, including making distinctions between clean and unclean or holy and profane. The word can also imply setting apart or severing, with reflexive forms indicating self-separation. The entries consistently highlight its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּדַל] vb. be divided, separate

Hiph. divide, separate

divide, separate, subj. God

separate, set apart

make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

divide into parts

Niph.

(reflex. of Hiph. 2)

pass. be separated

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H914 בָּדַל be divided, separate . divide, separate . divide, separate, subj. God

. separate, set apart

. make a distinction between clean and unclean, holy and profane

. divide into parts

. . (reflex. of Hiph. 2)

. pass. be separated

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

914 badal baw-dal'

a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or

figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.):--

(make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate

(self, -ation), sever (out), X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּדַל (ba.dal) — to separate.

1) to divide, separate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to divide, separate, sever

1a2) to separate, set apart

1a3) to make a distinction, difference

1a4) to divide into parts

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to separate oneself from (reflexive of 1a2)

1b2) to withdraw from

1b3) to separate oneself unto

1b4) to be separated

1b5) to be excluded

1b6) to be set apart

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
דָּוִיד֩da.Vid David H1732 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
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
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 he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וְשָׂרֵ֨יve.sa.Rei and [the] commanders of H8269 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
421× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Amplified meaning
rulers, leaders
Tyndale gloss
ruler
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8269 sar sar

from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain

(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,

lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.

see HEBREW for 08323

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׂר (sar) — ruler.

1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain

1a) chieftain, leader

1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)

1c) captain, general, commander (military)

1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)

1e) heads, princes (of religious office)

1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)

1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)

1h) patron-angel

1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)

1j) warden

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
הַצָּבָ֜אha.tza.Va' the army H6635 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
485× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Tyndale gloss
army
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צָבָא (*tsaba'*) primarily means 'army' or 'warfare,' encompassing organized groups for battle, divine hosts, and even celestial bodies. It can also refer to service or duty in a military context. The term appears in various forms, including צְבָאוֹת (*tsaba'ot*), which denotes the 'hosts' of the Lord, particularly in relation to God's role in warfare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָבָא 485 n.m. army, war, warfare

army, host

war, warfare, service

service

צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6635a צָבָא army, war, warfare . army, host

. war, warfare, service

. service

H6635b צְבָאוֹת army, war, warfare . army, host

. war, warfare, service

. service

. צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6635 tsaba' tsaw-baw'

or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from 6633; a mass of

persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized

for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or

figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed

time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers,

waiting upon, war(-fare).

see HEBREW for 06633

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army.

: army

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

צָבָא (tsa.va) — Hosts.

The Hosts (of the Lord)

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

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: war.

: war

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: duty.

: duty

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

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

ar'-mi (chayil, "army," tsabha', "host," ma`arakhah, "army in battle array" gedhudh, "troop"):

1. The First Campaign of History

2. In the Wilderness

3. The Times after the Conquest

4. In the Early Monarchy

5. From the Time of Solomon Onward

6. Organization of the Hebrew Army

7. The Army in the Field

8. The Supplies of the Army

9. In the New Testament

The Israelites were not a distinctively warlike people and their glory has been won on other fields than those of war. But Canaan, between the Mediterranean and the desert, was the highway of the East and the battle-ground of nations. The Israelites were, by the necessity of their geographical position, often involved in wars not of their own seeking, and their bravery and endurance even when worsted in their conflicts won for them the admiration and respect of their conquerors.

1. The First Campaign of History:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Army

The Israelites marched out of Egypt in military order (Ex. 13:18, “harnessed;” marg., “five in a rank”). Each tribe formed a battalion, with its own banner and leader (Num. 2:2; 10:14). In war the army was divided into thousands and hundreds under their several captains (Num. 31:14), and also into families (Num. 2:34; 2 Chr. 25:5; 26:12). From the time of their entering the land of Canaan to the time of the kings, the Israelites made little progress in military affairs, although often engaged in warfare. The kings introduced the custom of maintaining a bodyguard (the Gibborim; i.e., “heroes”), and thus the nucleus of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

I. JEWISH ARMY.--Every man above 20 years of age was a soldier, (Numbers 1:3) each tribe formed a regiment, with its own banner and its own leader (Numbers 2:2; 10:14) their positions in the camp or on the march were accurately fixed, Numb. 2; the whole army started and stopped at a given signal, (Numbers 10:5,6) thus they came up out of Egypt ready for the fight. (Exodus 13:18) On the approach of an enemy a conscription was made from the general body, under the direction of a muster-master, (20:5; 2 Kings 25:19) by whom also the officers were appointed. (20:9) The army had then divided into thousands and hundreds under…

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
לַעֲבֹדָ֗הla.'a.vo.Dah for service H5656 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
145× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Amplified meaning
work, ministry, act of worship
Tyndale gloss
service
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲבֹדָה (abodah) refers to various forms of labor or service, including the work of a servant or slave, the service of captives or subjects, and the service of God. It is built from the root word for work and encompasses a range of meanings related to labor and ministry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲבֹדָה, and (Chr) עֲבוֹדָה 146 n.f. labour, servicelabour, work

labour of servant or slave

labour, service of captives or subjects

service of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5656 עֲבֹדָה, and עֲבוֹדָה labour . labour, work

. labour of servant or slave

. labour, service of captives or subjects

. service of God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5656 `abodah ab-o-daw'

or mabowdah {ab-o-daw'}; from 5647; work of any kind:--act,

bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try),

office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, X wrought.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service.

: service[as_servant/slave]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: ministry.

: ministry[for_God]/tabernacle]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: work.

: work/labour

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sur'-vis: Six Hebrew, two Aramaic and four Greek words are so rendered.

1. In the Old Testament:

In the Old Testament the word most used for "service" is

(1) `abhodhah, from `abhadh, which is the general word, meaning "to work" and so "to serve," "to till," also "to enslave." The noun means "bondage," "labor," "ministering," "service," "tillage," "work," "use." The word is used in describing work in the fields (Ex 1:14, et al.), work in the tabernacle (Ex 27:19, et al.), sanctuary service (Nu 7:9), service of Yahweh (Nu 8:11), Levitical or priestly service (Nu 8:22), kingly service (

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
לִבְנֵ֤יliv.Nei [the] sons of H1121 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Amplified meaning
descendants, male offspring
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

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

See SON, SONS.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
אָסָף֙'a.Saf Asaph H623 Noun proper masculine
46× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Asaph means gatherer, the name of several Israelites, including a Levite and the father of Hezekiah's secretary. He is mentioned in Exodus 6:24 and 1 Chronicles 26:1. Asaph was a common name in biblical times.
Tyndale gloss
Asaph
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָסָף (Asaph) means 'gatherer' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, particularly a Levite musician under King David and the father of Joah, a royal recorder. The name appears in various contexts, including genealogies and roles related to music and royal duties. There are multiple mentions of Asaph across different books, including 2 Kings and Chronicles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָסָף n.pr.m. (gatherer)

father of יוֹאָח the recorder

one of David’s chief musicians, a Levite, son of Berechiah

keeper of king’s park

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H623 אָסָף (gatherer)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

623 'Acaph aw-sawf'

from 622; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and

of the family of the first:--Asaph.

see HEBREW for 0622

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.18;

father of: Joah (H3098)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David

3) a Persian officer over the royal forest

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.39;

son of: Berechiah (H1296H);

father of: Zaccur (H2139J), Joseph (H3130I), Nethaniah (H5418H) and Asharelah (H0841)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David

3) a Persian officer over the royal forest

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.9.15;

father of: Zichri (H2147K)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

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

a'-saf ('acaph): Is the name of three men in the Old Testament, of whom one is the reputed author of Psalms 50 and 73-83. He was one of David's three chief musicians, the other two being Heman, and Ethan or Jeduthun, and we first hear of him when the ark was taken to Jerusalem (1Ch 15:16-19). He conducted with cymbals the music performed in the tent where the ark was housed (1Ch 16:4,5,7,37), while his two coadjutors discharged the same office at Gibeon (1Ch 16:41,42). In 1Ch 25:1 ff we are told that four of his sons were appointed to conduct under him detachments of the great chorus, the families of Heman and Jeduthun also furnishing leaders, and all took part at the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Asaph

Convener, or collector. (1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer” (2 Chr. 29:30). The “sons of Asaph,” mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master.

(2.) The “recorder” in the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(collector of the people). A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David’s choir. (1 Chronicles 6:39) Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to him; and he was in after times celebrated as a seer as well as a musical composer. (2 Chronicles 29:30; Nehemiah 12:46) (B.C. 1050.) The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah, (2 Kings 18:18,37; Isaiah 36:3,22) probably the same as the preceding. The keeper of the royal forest or "paradise" of Artaxerxes, (Nehemiah 2:8) a Jew, in high office at the court of Persia. (B.C. 536.) Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Assembler, a celebrated musician in David’s time, and one of the leaders of the temple music. 1Ch 16:5 25:1,2. This service appears to have been hereditary in his family, Ne 7:44 11:22. He is also called a seer, 2Ch 29:30; and his name is prefixed to twelve Psalms, (Ps 50:1-23 73:1-83:18) but whether they were written by him, or for him or his family to sing, is unknown. See MUSIC.

2. A recorder of King Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:18 Isa 36:3

3. Keeper of forests under Artaxerxes, Ne 2:8.

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וְהֵימָ֣ןve.hei.Man and Heman H1968 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Heman was the name of at least two Israelites, including a man from the tribe of Levi who lived during the United Monarchy. He was the son of Joel and father of many sons. The KJV translates his name as 'Heman'.
Tyndale gloss
Heman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵימָן (Heyman) means 'faithful' and refers to a notable figure in the Old Testament, specifically a wise man compared to Solomon. There are at least two individuals named Heman, one a Levitical singer and author of Psalm 88, and the other a man from the tribe of Judah. The entries consistently highlight his wisdom and lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵימָן n.pr.m. Heman (faithful) a wise man with whom Solomon is compared

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1968 הֵימָן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1968 Heyman hay-mawn'

probably from 539; faithful; Heman, the name of at least two

Israelites:--Heman.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.4.31;

son of: Mahol (H4235);

brother of: Ethan (H0387), Calcol (H3633) and Darda (H1862)

§ Heman = "faithful"

1) a wise man to whom Solomon was compared

2) son of Joel, grandson of Samuel, and a Levitical singer and author of PS 88

3) a seer

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.2.6;

son of: Zerah (H2226I);

brother of: Zabdi (H2067), Ethan (H0387H), Calcol (H3633H) and Dara (H1873)

§ Heman = "faithful"

1) a wise man to whom Solomon was compared

2) son of Joel, grandson of Samuel, and a Levitical singer and author of PS 88

3) a seer

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.33;

son of: Joel (H3100);

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

he'-man (heman, "faithful"): The name of two men in the Old Testament.

(1) A musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joe and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1Ch 6:33), appointed by David as one of the leaders of the temple-singing (1Ch 15:17; 2Ch 5:12). He had 14 sons (and 3 daughters) who assisted their father in the chorus. Heman seems also to have been a man of spiritual power; is called "the king's seer in matters of God" (1Ch 25:5; 2Ch 35:15).

(2) One of the noted wise men prior to, or about, the time of Solomon. He was one of the three sons of Mahol (

Heman

Faithful. (1.) 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chr. 2:6, a son of Zerah, noted for his wisdom. (2.) Grandson of Samuel (1 Chr. 6:33; 15:17), to whom the 88th Psalm probably was inscribed. He was one of the “seers” named in 2 Chr. 29:14, 30, and took a leading part in the administration of the sacred services.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(faithful) Son of Zerah. (1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Kings 4:31) Son of Joel and grandson of Samuel the prophet, a Kohathite. He is called "the singer," rather the musician, (1 Chronicles 6:33) and was the first of the three Levites to whom was committed the vocal and instrumental music of the temple service in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 15:16-22) The 88th Psalm is ascribed to him. (B.C. 1014.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A celebrated sage, of the tribe of Judah. The period of his life is unknown, 1Ki 4:31.

2. A Kohathite Levite, to whom as a chief musicians of the temple of the eighty-eighty Psalm is inscribed, 1Ch 6:33; 16:41,42.

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וִֽידוּת֔וּןvi.du.Tun and Jeduthun H3038 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jeduthun was a Levite and the chief of a temple choir, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:16 and Psalms 39, 62, and 77. His name means 'praising' and his descendants formed a perpetual temple choir.
Tyndale gloss
Jeduthun
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְדוּתוּן (Yduwthuwn) refers to Jeduthun, a Levite and chief of one of the temple choirs. His name, meaning 'praising,' appears in the context of worship and music, particularly in three Psalms (Ps 39:1; 62:1; 77). He is noted as the father of several descendants and is associated with the family of Merari.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְדוּתוּן, יְדֻתוּן n.pr.m. chief of one of the three choirs of the temple

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3038 יְדוּתוּן, יְדֻתוּן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3038 Yduwthuwn yed-oo-thoon'

or Yduthuwn {yed-oo-thoon'}; or Ydiythuwn {yed-ee-thoon'};

probably from 3034; laudatory; Jeduthun, an

Israelite:--Jeduthun.

see HEBREW for 03034

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְדוּתוּן (ye.du.tun) — Jeduthun.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.44;

son of: Kishi (H7029);

father of: Obed-edom (H5654), Mattithiah (H4993H), Gedaliah (H1436I), Zeri (H6874), Jeshaiah (H3470H), Hashabiah (H2811I), Shemaiah (H8098K) and Uzziel (H5816K); also called Ethan at 1Ch.6.44; 15.17,19;

Also named: e.tan (אֵיתָן "Ethan" H0387J)

§ Jeduthun = "praising"

a Levite of the family of Merari and the chief of one of the 3 choirs of the temple whose descendants also formed one of the perpetual temple choirs; he is named at the beginning of 3 Psalms (Ps 39:1; 62:1; 77: either as the composer or the recipient of those Psalms but most likely as the leader of the choir by which those Psalms were to be sung

יְדוּתוּן (ye.du.tun) — Jeduthun.

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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

je-du'-thun.

See ASAPH.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jeduthun

Lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6). He is called in 2 Chr. 35:15 “the king’s seer.” His descendants are mentioned as singers and players on instruments (Neh. 11:17). He was probably the same as Ethan (1 Chr. 15:17, 19). In the superscriptions to Ps. 39, 62, and 77, the words “upon Jeduthun” probably denote a musical instrument; or they may denote the style or tune invented or introduced by Jeduthun, or that the psalm was to be sung by his choir.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(praising), a Levite of the family of Merari, is probably the same as Ethan. Comp. (1 Chronicles 15:17,19) with 1Chr 16:41,42; 25:1,3,6; 2Chr 35:15 His office was generally to preside over the music of the temple service, Jeduthun’s name stands at the head of the 39th, 62d and 77th Psalms, indicating probably that they were to be sung by his choir. (B.C. 1014.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Levite, one of the directors of music at the temple, 1Ch 16:38-42. His descendants held the same office, 2Ch 35:15 Ne 11:7; and the name of one of them appears in the title of Ps 39:1-13 62:1-12 77:1-20. See ASAPH.

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
הַֽנִּבְּאִ֛יםha.ne.bi.'im who prophesied H5012 Particle · verb niphal participle (active) masculine plural
115× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To prophesy means to speak or sing under the influence of the divine spirit, as seen in the prophets of the Bible. This can include predicting the future or simply speaking God's message to others.
Tyndale gloss
to prophesy
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבָא (naba') is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to prophesy.' It encompasses speaking or singing under divine inspiration, often associated with religious ecstasy. The entries note its use in both true and false prophecy, highlighting its application in various contexts, including the influence of the divine spirit and ecstatic states among prophets.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבָא] vb. denom. prophesy (in oldest forms, of religious ecstasy with or without song and music; later, essentially religious instruction, with occasional predictions)

Niph.

prophesy under influence of divine spirit

of false prophets

cf. heathen prophets

Hithp.

prophesy under influence of divine spirit

of heathen prophets of Baal in ecstatic state

of false prophets

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5012 נָבָא vb. denom. prophesy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5012 naba' naw-baw'

a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by

inspiration (in prediction or simple

discourse):--prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבָא (na.va) — to prophesy.

1) to prophesy

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to prophesy

1a1a) under influence of divine spirit

1a1b) of false prophets

1b)(Hithpael)

1b1) to prophesy

1b1a) under influence of divine spirit

1b1b) of false prophets

Aramaic equivalent: ne.va (נבא "to prophesy" H5013)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/VNrmpa — Particle · verb niphal participle (active) masculine plural
HTd/VNrmpa
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
בְּכִנֹּר֥וֹתbe.khi.no.Rot with harps H3658 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
musical instrumentation, a stringed instrument
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
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
HR/Ncfpa
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
בִּנְבָלִ֖יםbin.va.Lim with lyres H5035 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
a musical instrument with strings
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
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִםu.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 used to make music
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 he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
וַֽיְהִי֙vay.Hi and it was H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
מִסְפָּרָ֔םmis.pa.Ram number their H4557 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Amplified meaning
number, count
Tyndale gloss
number
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִסְפָּר (mispar) means 'number' or 'tale.' It can refer to definite or indefinite quantities, ranging from large to small. The word also encompasses concepts of narration and recounting. The entries consistently highlight its numerical and narrative aspects without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִסְפָּר 133 n.m. number, tale

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4557 מִסְפָּר number, tale

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4557 micpar mis-pawr'

from 5608; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite

(large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly)

narration:--+ abundance, account, X all, X few, (in-)finite,

(certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, + time.

see HEBREW for 05608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִסְפָּר (mis.par) — number.

1) number, tale

1a) number

1a1) number

1a2) innumerable (with negative)

1a3) few, numerable (alone)

1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep)

1b) recounting, relation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3mp
and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
אַנְשֵׁ֥י'an.Shei men of H582 Noun common · masculine plural construct
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the

more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or

collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,

chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,

husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some

( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
מְלָאכָ֖הme.la.Khah work H4399 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
167× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Amplified meaning
carried out, executed
Tyndale gloss
work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְלָאכָה (mla'kah) refers to work or occupation, encompassing various aspects such as business, craftsmanship, and service. It can denote both the act of working and the products resulting from labor. The term also extends to public and political business. There is a slight variation in emphasis among lexicons, with some highlighting its non-servile nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְלָאכָה 167 n.f. occupation, work

occupation, business

property in which one is occupied

work as something done or made

workmanship

service, use

public business

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4399 מְלָאכָה occupation, work . occupation, business

. property in which one is occupied

. work as something done or made

. workmanship

. service, use

. public business

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4399 mla'kah mel-aw-kaw'

from the same as 4397; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry;

generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or

concretely); also property (as the result of

labor):--business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation,

(+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of)

work((-man), -manship).

see HEBREW for 04397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְלָאכָה (me.la.khah) — work.

1) occupation, work, business

1a) occupation, business

1b) property

1c) work (something done or made)

1d) workmanship

1e) service, use

1f) public business

1f1) political

1f2) religious

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See INDUSTRY

→ See LABOR

and he separated David and [the] commanders of the army for service [the] sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps with lyres and with cymbals and it was number their men of work for service their
לַעֲבֹדָתָֽם׃la.'a.vo.da.Tam for service their H5656 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
145× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Tyndale gloss
service
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲבֹדָה (abodah) refers to various forms of labor or service, including the work of a servant or slave, the service of captives or subjects, and the service of God. It is built from the root word for work and encompasses a range of meanings related to labor and ministry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲבֹדָה, and (Chr) עֲבוֹדָה 146 n.f. labour, servicelabour, work

labour of servant or slave

labour, service of captives or subjects

service of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5656 עֲבֹדָה, and עֲבוֹדָה labour . labour, work

. labour of servant or slave

. labour, service of captives or subjects

. service of God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5656 `abodah ab-o-daw'

or mabowdah {ab-o-daw'}; from 5647; work of any kind:--act,

bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try),

office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, X wrought.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service.

: service[as_servant/slave]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: ministry.

: ministry[for_God]/tabernacle]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: work.

: work/labour

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp
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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