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1 Chronicles 4:23 — Word Study

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WLCהֵ֚מָּה הַיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔ים וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י נְטָעִ֖ים וּגְדֵרָ֑ה עִם־ הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ בִּמְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ יָ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם׃ ס

BSAThese [were]hêm the pottersyâtsar [craftsmen, makers of clay vessels] who livedyâshab at NetaimNᵉṭâʻîym [among plants, a fertile place] They livedyâshab thereshâm [in that place, dwelling] in the servicemᵉlâʼkâh [for the work, in employment] of the kingmelek [the royal ruler, with authority]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 4
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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 (Sham) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
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1 Chronicles 4:23quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse identifies the potters and their locations, emphasizing their role in service to the king.
Who is speakingThe narrator of 1 Chronicles, detailing the lineage and occupations of the people.
Where we areIn a genealogical context, listing the descendants and occupations of the tribe of Judah.
The hard wordיֹוצֵר
Take awayThe potters served the king, indicating their importance in the community.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהֵמָּה verbיָשַׁב The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 4:23

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 Descendants of Judahgenerated

22Jokim, the men of Cozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi-lehem. (These names are from ancient records.)
23These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.
24The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul.
25The sons of Shaul: Shallum, Mibsam, and Mishma.

1 Chronicles 4:23 provides a brief account of the potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah, highlighting their role in serving the king. This verse is part of a larger genealogical list that traces the lineage and occupations of the tribe of Judah, emphasizing the contributions of its members to the community and the royal household.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 4:14Meonothai was the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah was the father of Joab, the father of those living in Ge-harashim, which was given this name because its people were craftsmen.
2Psalm 81:6“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.1 Chronicles 4:14 Psalm 81:6

The Key Word יֹוצֵר, hai.Yotz.Rimgenerated

The word יֹוצֵר (yotzer) is a noun meaning 'potter' or 'one who forms.' It is derived from the root יָצַר (yatsar), which means to form or shape, particularly in the context of creating vessels from clay. This word is used to describe craftsmen who mold and create, emphasizing their skill and artistry.

In this verse, יֹוצֵר identifies the potters as significant contributors to the community, specifically in the service of the king. Their work is essential for producing items needed for the royal household, indicating their valued position within society.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses potters to translate יֹוצֵר.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יָ֥שְׁבוּ (they dwelt) governs the main clause, indicating the action of the subjects, the potters. The structure emphasizes their dwelling in specific locations, with additional phrases providing context about their occupation and service.

The sentence structure highlights the subjects הֵ֚מָּה (they) and their action, with the adverbial שָֽׁם (there) indicating the specific locations where they lived, reinforcing the geographical context.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יֹוצֵר as κεραμεῖς (kerameis), which means 'potters.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but reflects the Greek understanding of the craft, emphasizing the artisanship involved in pottery.

This translation choice indicates a continuity of meaning from Hebrew to Greek, preserving the significance of the potters in their cultural context.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 4:23 tells us about the potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah, emphasizing their role in serving the king. This verse is part of a genealogical record that highlights the occupations of the tribe of Judah, showing their importance in the community.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that they were potters?

Being potters indicates that they were skilled craftsmen who made clay vessels, which were essential for daily life and possibly for royal use.

Why are Netaim and Gederah significant?

Netaim and Gederah are significant as they represent specific locations where these potters lived, indicating the geographical context of their work and community.

What does it mean to be in service of the king?

Being in service of the king suggests that their work was not only a trade but also a duty to the royal household, highlighting their importance in the social structure.

How does this verse fit into the genealogical context?

This verse fits into the genealogical context by providing details about the occupations of the descendants of Judah, emphasizing their contributions to society and the royal family.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What skills do I have that I can use to serve others in my community?
  2. How can I learn from the craftsmanship of the potters in my own work or hobbies?
  3. In what ways can I contribute to the service of those in authority over me?
  4. How does understanding the roles of individuals in the Bible help me appreciate the community I belong to?

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

The verse is referenced in early commentaries, where it is used to discuss the significance of the potters and their contributions to society.

Richard Challoner 1691–1781
Plantations and Hedges: These are the proper names of the places where they dwelt. In Hebrew Atharim and Gadira.
Early Church Fathers on 1 Chronicles 4 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 4:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

These were the potters,.... Or are the potters; the posterity of those men, who were so famous in their day, are now of mean employments: some of them made earthen pots; and some of them dwelt among

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

These were the potters; or rather, these are; for he seems to oppose their present servitude to their former glory and to show their low and mean spirits, that had rather tarry among the heathen to do their drudgery, than return to Jerusalem to serve God and enjoy their freedom. There they dwelt, or tarried or now dwell, when their brethren are returned. With the king of Babylon or Persia; esteeming it a greater honour and happiness to serve that earthly monarch in the meanest employments, than to serve the King of kings in his temple, and in his most noble and heavenly work.

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 4 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 4:23 These [were] the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.Ver. 23. Those that dwelt among plants and hedges.] Hedge rogues, Mr Dyke calleth them: the base brood of their degenerated forefathers, saith another; poor-spirited men; not like that late learned martyr, who in his banishment or flight for conscience, served the mason; nor like Musculus, forced to dig in the town ditch one while for a poor livelihood; but such as choose rather to abide under the hedges of Babylon, and there to plant gardens, make fences and flower pots for the king of Babylon, than to return to their own country, though Cyrus had proclaimed…

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) These were the potters.—Viz., the clans enumerated in 1 Chronicles 4:22. And those that dwelt among plants and hedges.—Rather, and inhabitants of Net aim and Gederah. Netaim means “plantations” (Isaiah 17:10). Solomon had pleasure-gardens near Bethlehem. See also the notice of Uzziah’s farms and vineyards (2 Chronicles 26:10). Gederah (Joshua 15:36), a town in the Shephelah. There they dwelt with the king.—Literally, with the king in his work they dwelt there. This seems to say that the potteries of Netaim and Gederah were a royal establishment, as those of Sevres used to be. Perhaps the linen-weaving of Beth-Ashbea (1 Chronicles 4:21) should be included.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 4 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. These were the potters] "These are the disciples of the law, for whose sake the world was created; who preside in judgment, and establish the world; and they build and perfect the fallen down house of Israel: they dwelt there with the Shechinah of the King of the world, in the study of the law and the intercalation or months, and determining the commencement of years and festivals: and they computed the times from heaven in the days of Ruth, the mother of kingdoms, to the days of Solomon the king." - T. I am afraid this paraphrase gives us as little light as the text itself, which speaks of potters, and those who dwelt among plants and hedges. They were probably brickmakers…

Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 4 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. those that dwelt amongst plants and hedges] R.V. The inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. there they dwelt with the king for his work] In the days of the kingdom the inhabitants of these villages were clients of the king and did his work; cp. 1 Kings 7:46. The simplicity of this statement seems to have been a stumbling-block to the early translators; LXX. They were strong in his kingdom and dwelt there; Targ., They made their dwelling there with the Shekinah of the King of the World for the practice of the Law.

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Among plants and hedges - Rather, “in Netaim and Gederah” Joshua 15:36.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 4 →

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

These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there with the king for his work.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They were the potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah; they lived there and worked for the king.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

RVARevised Version, American1894

These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

These were potters, and dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his worke.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

These were the potters, and those that abode among plantations and enclosures: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They [are] the potters and inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera; with the king in his work they dwelt there.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They [are] the potters and inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera; they dwelt there with the king in his work.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

There were the potters, and those that dwelt in plantations and sheepfolds: for the king's sake to do his work they dwelt there.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

These were the potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah and worked for the king.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

These are the potters, and they dwelt in Plantations, and Hedges, with the king for his works, and they abode there.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They were potters, inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah, who lived there and worked for the king.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

These were the potters, and the people living among planted fields with walls round them; they were there to do the king's work.

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.

clausesubjectהֵ֚מָּהtheynoun phrase · predicatenoun phraseהַ[were].theיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔יםpottersוְandnoun phraseיֹשְׁבֵ֥יthe.inhabitantsnoun phraseנְטָעִ֖יםof.Netaimוּandגְדֵרָ֑הGederahclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithnoun phraseהַtheמֶּ֥לֶךְkingprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּinnoun phraseמְלַאכְתּ֖serviceוֹhisverbיָ֥שְׁבוּthey.dweltadverbialשָֽׁםthere

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 on the wording of this verse, with a close word-by-word correspondence. The Septuagint's translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text, although it may differ in word order and specific articles.

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

הֵ֚מָּה הַיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔ים וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י נְטָעִ֖ים וּגְדֵרָ֑ה עִם־ הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ בִּמְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ יָ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הֵ֚מָּהοὗτοιהַיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔יםκεραμεῖςוְיֹשְׁבֵ֥יκατοικοῦντεςנְטָעִ֖יםναταϊμוּגְדֵרָ֑הγαδηραעִם־μετὰהַמֶּ֥לֶךְβασιλέωςבִּמְלַאכְתּ֖וֹβασιλείᾳשָֽׁם׃ סἐκεῖ

9 of the 10 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 4:23הֵ֫מָּהtheytheyהֵ֫מָּהיָצַר[were] the [were] the pottיָצַריָשַׁבand [the] iand [the] inhabיָשַׁבנְטָעִיםNetaimNetaimנְטָעִיםגְּדֵרָהand Gederahand Gederahגְּדֵרָהעִםwithwithעִםמֶ֫לֶךְthe kingthe kingמֶ֫לֶךְמְלָאכָהin service in service hisמְלָאכָהיָשַׁבthey dweltthey dweltיָשַׁבשָׁםtherethereשָׁםהֲלַךְto goto goהֲלַךְעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְצָרַרbe distresbe distressedצָרַריָצַעto layto layיָצַענֶ֫טַעplantationplantationנֶ֫טַעגְּדֵרָהwallwallגְּדֵרָהמַלְאָךְmessengermessengerמַלְאָךְאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַחכְּנַעֲנִיCanaanitesCanaanitessכְּנַעֲנִימְרִיrebellionrebellionמְרִיסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרחֶ֫רֶשׂearthenwarearthenwareחֶ֫רֶשׂחֹ֫מֶרclayclayחֹ֫מֶרשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר
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 4:23

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.

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
הֵ֚מָּהHe.mah they H1992 Pronoun
553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
they(masc.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1992 hem haym

or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from

1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)

many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,

their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.

see HEBREW for 01981

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3mp
they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
הַיּ֣וֹצְרִ֔יםhai.Yotz.Rim [were] the potters H3335 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Amplified meaning
craftsmen, makers of clay vessels
Tyndale gloss
to form: formed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַר (yatsar) means to form or fashion, often in the context of creation, whether by human or divine activity. It encompasses the act of shaping, as a potter does, and can refer to the formation of individuals or the people of Israel. The word also implies planning or preordaining in a figurative sense.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצַר vb. form, fashion

Qal

of human activity

of divine activity

Niph. before me a god was not formed (created)

Pu. days (that) were pre-ordained (in divine purpose)

Hoph. any weapon that is formed against thee will not prosper.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3335 יָצַר form, fashion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3335 yatsar yaw-tsar'

probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into

shape); ((compare 3331)); to mould into a form; especially as

a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a

resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r),

potter, purpose.

see HEBREW for 03334

see HEBREW for 03331

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: formed.

: formed

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: potter.

: potter

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | V-Qal — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥יve.yo.she.Vei and [the] inhabitants of H3427 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common
HC/Vqrmpc
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…

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
נְטָעִ֖יםne.ta.'Im Netaim H5196 Noun proper
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Netaim is a place in Palestine, mentioned in the Bible as a location. The name means among plants, indicating a fertile area. It is referenced in the book of Ezra.
Amplified meaning
among plants, a fertile place
Tyndale gloss
Netaim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נְטָעִים (*Neta'im*) is a plural noun derived from the root word for 'plant.' It refers to a location in Palestine, specifically mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:23. The term translates to 'among plants,' indicating its association with vegetation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְטָעִים n.pr.loc. 1 Ch 4:23

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5196 נְטָעִים

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5196 Nta`iym net-aw-eem'

plural of 5194; Netaim, a place in Palestine:--plants.

see HEBREW for 05194

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְטָעִים (ne.ta.im) — Netaim.

§ Netaim = "among plants"

a place in Palestine

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

na'-ta-im, ne'-ta-im, ne-ta'-im neTa`im; Codex Vaticanus Azaeim; Codex Alexandrinus Ataeim): In 1Ch 4:23 the King James Version reads "those that dwell among plants and hedges," the Revised Version (British and American) "the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah." The latter may be taken as correct. Gederah was in the Judean Shephelah. Here also we should seek for Netaim; but no likely identification has yet been suggested.

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
וּגְדֵרָ֑הu.ge.de.Rah and Gederah H1449 Conjunction · noun proper
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gederah is a town in Judah, mentioned in the Bible, with a name that means wall, and is found in the lowland country of Palestine.
Tyndale gloss
Gederah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גְּדֵרָה (Gderah) refers to a location in ancient Judah, identified as a city mentioned in Joshua 15:36. The term is linked to the concept of a 'hedge' or 'wall,' indicating its possible defensive features. The entries consistently describe it as a place in Palestine without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גְּדֵרָה n.pr.loc. a city of Judah Jos 15:36

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1449 גְּדֵרָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1449 Gderah ghed-ay-raw'

the same as 1448; (with the article) Gederah, a place in

Palestine:--Gederah, hedges.

see HEBREW for 01448

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גְּדֵרָה (ge.de.rah) — Gederah.

§ Gederah = "wall"

a town of Judah in the lowland country

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Npl — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gederah

The fortress; a fortified place, a town in the plain (shephelah) of Judah (Josh. 15:36). This is a very common Canaanite and Phoenician name. It is the feminine form of Geder (12:13); the plural form is Gederoth (15:41). This place has by some been identified with Jedireh, a ruin 9 miles from Lydda, toward Eleutheropolis, and 4 miles north of Sur’ah (Zorah), in the valley of Elah.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a sheepfold), a town of Judah in the lowland country, (Joshua 15:36) apparently in its eastern part. No town bearing this name has, however, been yet discovered in this hitherto little-explored district.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A city in the plain of Judah, Jos 15:36, probably the same with the preceding Geder, and with Beth-Gader, 1Ch 2:51. It would thence seem to have pertained to the family of Caleb.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A city in the plain of Judah Jos 15:3,6

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
עִם־'im- with H5973 Preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְha.Me.lekh the king H4428 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
the royal ruler, with authority
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

from 4427; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

King

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called KING OF KINGS Ezr 7:12; Eze 26:7; Da 2:37

→ Divinely authorized De 17:15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12; 1Ch 22:10; 2Ch 2:11,12; Pr 8:15; Da 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Ho 8:4; 13:11

→ How chosen

By divine appointment, Saul 1Sa 10:1

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
בִּמְלַאכְתּ֖וֹbim.lakh.To in service his H4399 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
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
for the work, in employment
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
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
יָ֥שְׁבוּYa.she.vu they dwelt H3427 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
they [were] the potters and [the] inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah with the king in service his they dwelt there
שָֽׁם׃ סSham there H8033 Adverb
834× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Amplified meaning
in that place, dwelling
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁם (sham) is a Hebrew adverb meaning 'there' or 'thither,' indicating a location or direction. It can also refer to a point in time, translating to 'then.' The word is derived from a relative pronoun and is used in various contexts, including movement and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁם adv. there, thither

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8033 שָׁם there, thither

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8033 sham shawm

a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, 834);

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or

thence:--in it, + thence, there (-in, + of, + out), +

thither, + whither.

see HEBREW for 0834

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁם (sham) — there.

1) there, thither

1a) there

1b) thither (after verbs of motion)

1c) from there, thence

1d) then (as an adverb of time)

Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

שָׁם (sham) — (Jerusalem) Is There.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

This name means there, thither

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
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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