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1 Samuel 8:12 — Word Study

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WLCוְלָשׂ֣וּם ל֔וֹ שָׂרֵ֥י אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֣י חֲמִשִּׁ֑ים וְלַחֲרֹ֤שׁ חֲרִישׁוֹ֙ וְלִקְצֹ֣ר קְצִיר֔וֹ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כְּלֵֽי־ מִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹ וּכְלֵ֥י רִכְבּֽוֹ׃

BSAHe will appointsûwm as commanderssar [leaders, commanders] of thousandsʼeleph [large groups, companies] and ofsar fiftieschămishshîym [smaller units] and others to plowchârash [cultivate, work] his groundchârîysh to reapqâtsar [gather, harvest] his harvestqâtsîyr and to makeʻâsâh his weaponskᵉlîy [instruments, weapons] of warmilchâmâh and equipmentkᵉlîy for his chariotsrekeb [vehicles, cavalry]

Word
Listen & take away1 Samuel 8
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (rikh.Bo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Samuel 8:12quick helps
In a sentenceThe king will appoint leaders and workers for various tasks, emphasizing his control over resources and labor.
Who is speakingThe prophet Samuel, conveying God's warning about the future king.
Where we areThis is part of a larger warning about the demands of a king, found in 1 Samuel 8:11-18.
The hard wordוְלָשׂ֣וּם
Take awayThe king will take control of the people’s labor and resources.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 Samuel 8:12

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 Warning About a Kinggenerated

11He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots.
12He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.
13And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.

1 Samuel 8:12 describes how a future king will take control of the people’s sons and daughters, assigning them various roles, from military leaders to agricultural workers. This passage serves as a warning about the implications of having a king, highlighting the potential for exploitation and loss of freedom. The context emphasizes the tension between the desire for a king and the consequences that come with that choice.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 27:1–22This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division:
21 Kings 4:7–22Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year,
32 Chronicles 32:28–29He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word וְלָשׂ֣וּם, ve.la.Sumgenerated

The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) means to put, place, or set, and in this verse, it refers to the act of appointing individuals to specific roles within the king's administration. This verb carries a sense of authority and control, as the king determines who will serve in various capacities.

The use of this word indicates a hierarchical structure where the king not only commands but also organizes his subjects for his purposes. The infinitive construct form emphasizes the action of appointing as a key function of the king’s role.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the meaning of וְלָשׂ֣וּם as 'to appoint' or 'to set.' All versions reflect the king's authority in organizing his people for various tasks.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in this verse is וְלָשׂ֣וּם (to appoint), which governs several phrases describing the roles assigned by the king. The structure highlights the king's authority in determining how his subjects will serve.

The sentence includes multiple noun phrases that specify the types of leaders and workers, creating a clear picture of the king's organizational strategy.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew וְלָשׂ֣וּם is rendered as θέσθαι (thesthai), meaning 'to set' or 'to establish.' This choice reflects a similar concept of appointing and organizing individuals under the king's authority.

The Greek term emphasizes the act of placing individuals into roles, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning while also conveying the authoritative aspect of the king's decisions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Samuel 8:12 explains that the king will appoint leaders and workers for various tasks, such as military and agricultural roles. This reflects the king's authority and control over the people and their resources.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for the king to appoint commanders?

It means the king will designate leaders to oversee groups of soldiers or workers, indicating a structured military and labor force.

How does this verse reflect the nature of kingship?

This verse illustrates the centralization of power in a king, who has the authority to organize and command his subjects for his own purposes.

What roles will the king assign to the people?

The king will assign roles such as military commanders and agricultural workers, showing the diverse responsibilities he will impose on his subjects.

Why is this warning significant?

This warning highlights the potential for exploitation and loss of freedom under a king, contrasting the people's desire for a monarchy with the reality of royal demands.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are the implications of having a king who appoints leaders and workers?
  2. How does this verse challenge our understanding of authority and service?
  3. In what ways can we see parallels between this ancient text and modern leadership structures?
  4. What responsibilities come with leadership, and how can they impact those being led?

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

The early church fathers referenced this passage to discuss the nature of authority and leadership, highlighting the implications of appointing leaders in the context of governance.

Gregory the DialogistCommentary on 1 Kings, Book 4, Chapter 2 c. 540–604
5. There follows: 'And he will appoint for himself tribunes and centurions.' Tribunes and centurions are made when they come to such an advance in evil that, for carrying out the tyrant's commands,
Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 8 →
Gregory the DialogistCommentary on 1 Kings, Book 4, Chapter 4 c. 540–604
They are tribunes when they begin; centurions when they are perfected in spiritual teaching. For indeed, as we said above, a centurion is so called from the number one hundred.
Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 8 →
BedeCommentary on Samuel c. 673–735
And he will appoint for himself tribunes and centurions, etc. And from your great deeds, as if from sons born from the womb of a good conscience, the ancient corrupter will appoint others for himself to this office,
Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 8 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 8:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties,.... Which though posts of honour, yet when they are not matter of choice, and especially being precarious, and depending on

Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 8 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 8 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He will appoint him, Heb. to or for himself emphatically, i.e. for his own fancy, or glory, or conveniency, or evil design, and not only when the necessities of the kingdom or commonwealth require it, as the judges did. And though this might seem to be no encumbrance, as it is here represented, but an honour and advantage to the persons so advanced, yet even in them that honour was accompanied with great dangers, and pernicious snares of many kinds, which those faint shadows of glory could not recompense; and as to the public, their pomp and power proved very burdensome and oppressive to the people, whose lands and fruits were taken from them, and bestowed upon these, for the support of…

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel 8 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Samuel 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.Ver. 12. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, &c.] Who shall use the common soldiers as the Turkish commanders do their asapi, only to blunt the swords of the enemy, and to fill up ditches with their dead bodies, &c. Turk. Hist., 317.

Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 8 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) To ear his ground.—To ear, that is, to plough. The word is an old word (Anglo-Saxon earian), and connected with the Latin arare.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Samuel 8 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. captains over thousands and captains over fifties] The Sept. reads “captains of hundreds and captains of thousands,” which are the usual military divisions (ch. 1 Samuel 22:7; Numbers 31:14): but the Heb. text is to be preferred as mentioning the highest and the lowest offices. Cp. 2 Kings 1:9 ff. For the fact cp. ch. 1 Samuel 14:52. to ear his ground] “To ear” = “to plough,” from Lat. arare through A.-S. erian. The verb occurs again in Deuteronomy 21:4 and Isaiah 30:24; the subst. earing in Genesis 45:6; Exodus 34:21. Shakespeare uses the word: “And let them goTo ear the land that hath some hope to grow.”Richard II. A. iii. Sc. 2.

Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 8 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This organization was as old as the time of Moses Numbers 31:14; Deuteronomy 1:15, and prevailed among the Philistines also 1 Samuel 29:2.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Samuel 8 →

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

He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He will appoint for himself leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties, as well as those who plow his ground, reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and his chariot equipment.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to till his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Also he will make them his captaines ouer thousands, and captaines ouer fifties, and to eare his ground, and to reape his haruest, and to make instruments of warre, and the thinges that serue for his charets.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and [he will take them] that he may appoint for himself captains over thousands, and captains over fifties, and that they may plough his ground, and reap his harvest, and make his instruments of war and instruments of his chariots.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

also to appoint for himself heads of thousands, and heads of fifties; also to plow his plowing, and to reap his reaping; and to make instruments of his war, and instruments of his charioteer.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

also to appoint for himself heads of thousands, and heads of fifties; also to plow his plowing, and to reap his reaping; and to make instruments of his war, and instruments of his charioteer.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And to appoint for himself captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and to plough his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He will appoint for himself captains of thousands and captains of fifties. He will make some plow his ground, some reap his harvest, and some make his weapons of war and the equipment for his chariots.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he will appoint of them to be his tribunes, and centurions, and to plough his fields, and to reap his corn, and to make him arms and chariots.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Some of them he will make commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some will have to plow his fields and reap his harvest. Some will be assigned to making weapons of war and chariot equipment.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he will make them captains of thousands and of fifties; some he will put to work ploughing and cutting his grain and making his instruments of war and building his war-carriages.

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.

וְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseלָtoclauseverbשׂ֣וּםappoint.[them]prepositional phrase · prepositionalל֔forוֹhimselfnoun phrase · objectnoun phraseשָׂרֵ֥יcommandersאֲלָפִ֖יםof.thousandsוְandnoun phraseשָׂרֵ֣יcommandersחֲמִשִּׁ֑יםof.fiftiesוְandprepositional phraseלַtoclauseverbחֲרֹ֤שׁplownoun phrase · objectחֲרִישׁplowingוֹ֙hisוְandprepositional phraseלִtoclauseverbקְצֹ֣רharvestnoun phrase · objectקְצִיר֔harvestוֹhisוְandprepositional phraseלַtoclauseverbעֲשׂ֥וֹתmakenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseכְּלֵֽיthe.weaponsnoun phraseמִלְחַמְתּ֖his.warfareוֹhisוּandnoun phraseכְלֵ֥יthe.equipment(s)noun phraseרִכְבּֽhis.chariotryוֹhis

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 align closely in their wording, with 14 of the 15 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but maintain the core meaning of the verse, indicating a consistent understanding of the king's role across these ancient texts.

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

וְלָשׂ֣וּם ל֔וֹ שָׂרֵ֥י אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֣י חֲמִשִּׁ֑ים וְלַחֲרֹ֤שׁ חֲרִישׁוֹ֙ וְלִקְצֹ֣ר קְצִיר֔וֹ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כְּלֵֽי־ מִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹ וּכְלֵ֥י רִכְבּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְלָשׂ֣וּםθέσθαιל֔וֹἑαυτῷאֲלָפִ֖יםξιλιάρξουςוְשָׂרֵ֣יκαὶחֲמִשִּׁ֑יםἑκατοντάρξουςוְלַחֲרֹ֤שׁθερίζεινחֲרִישׁוֹ֙αὐτοῦוְלִקְצֹ֣רτρυγᾶνקְצִיר֔וֹαὐτοῦוְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתποιεῖνכְּלֵֽי־σκεύηמִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹαὐτοῦוּכְלֵ֥יσκεύηרִכְבּֽוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

14 of the 15 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q51a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ולשום] [ל׳ו] [שרי] [אלפים] [ושרי] [מאות] [ולחרש] חריש׳ו [ולקצר] [קציר׳ו] [ולעשת] [כלי] [מלחמת׳ו] [וכלי] [רכב׳ו]

nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 14 supplied entire by an editor.

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 Samuel 8:12שׂוּםand to appoand to appoint שׂוּםוֹfor himselffor himselfוֹשַׂרcommanders commanders ofשַׂראֶ֫לֶףthousandsthousandsאֶ֫לֶףשַׂרand commandand commanders שַׂרחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftiesfiftiesחֲמִשִּׁיםחָרַשׁand to plowand to plowחָרַשׁחָרִישׁplowing hisplowing hisחָרִישׁקָצֵרand to harvand to harvestקָצֵרקָצִירharvest hisharvest hisקָצִירעָשָׂהand to makeand to makeעָשָׂהכְּלִי[the] weapo[the] weapons oכְּלִימִלְחָמָהwarfare hiswarfare hisמִלְחָמָהכְּלִיand [the] eand [the] equipכְּלִירֶ֫כֶבchariotry hchariotry hisרֶ֫כֶבשָׂרַרto ruleto ruleשָׂרַרכָּלָהto end: fito end: finishכָּלָהחָרַשׁto plow/plto plow/plotחָרַשׁלָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםרָכַבto rideto rideרָכַבאֶ֫לֶףcattlecattleאֶ֫לֶףקָצֵרbe shortbe shortקָצֵרחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyfiftyחֲמִשִּׁיםמֵאָהhundredhundredמֵאָהחָמֵשׁfivefiveחָמֵשׁקָצִירharvestharvestקָצִירזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבשַׁמָּהhorror: dehorror: destroyשַׁמָּהשְׁמָמָהDesolateDesolateשְׁמָמָהשָׁבַתto ceaseto ceaseשָׁבַתזָרַעto sowto sowזָרַעקַ֫יִץsummersummerקַ֫יִץחִטָּהwheatwheatחִטָּה
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 Samuel 8:12

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 to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וְלָשׂ֣וּםve.la.Sum and to appoint [them] H7760 Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
585× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Tyndale gloss
to set: make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set

Qal

put, set, in a place

put something upon

put, lay, set

put, c. בֵּין

set, direct

set, ordain, in a place

set, establish a law, statute

set, found a nation

set, appoint (as ruler, official)

set, constitute, make

set, determine, fix, bounds

set, station, at a post

put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

set up altars

= plant, wheat

set, fix (countenance)

make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

make, constitute

work, bring to pass

appoint, give

set, fix (countenance)

Hiph. I will make him for a sign

Hoph. there was set before him

base

שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place

. put something upon

. put, lay, set

. put, c. בֵּין

. set, direct

. . set, ordain, in a place

. set, establish a law, statute

. set, found a nation

. set, appoint (as ruler, official)

. set, constitute, make

. set, determine, fix, bounds

. . set, station, at a post

. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

. set up altars

. = plant, wheat

. set, fix (countenance)

. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

. make, constitute

. work, bring to pass

. appoint, give

. set, fix (countenance)

. I will make him for a sign

. there was set before him

H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7760 suwm soom

or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great

variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,

and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a

name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,

convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap

up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),

mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,

purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set

(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,

((over-))turn, X wholly, work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.

: make/establish

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix

1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give

1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign

1c) (Hophal) to be set

שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.

token of unluckiness, scowl

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.

: put/give

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HC/R/Vqcc
and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
ל֔וֹlo for himself H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
שָׂרֵ֥יsa.Rei commanders of H8269 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
leaders, commanders
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
N-mp — 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 to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
אֲלָפִ֖ים'a.la.Fim thousands H505 Noun common · both plural absolute
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Amplified meaning
large groups, companies
Tyndale gloss
thousand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫לֶף (eleph) means 'thousand' in Hebrew. It can refer to the numeral itself or denote a company or clan, particularly a group of men under one leader. The word is built from the concept of a thousand, and it is associated with the ox's head, which is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫לֶף n.m. thousand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H505 אֶ֫לֶף thousand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

505 'eleph eh'-lef

prop, the same as 504; hence (the ox's head being the first

letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral)

a thousand:--thousand.

see HEBREW for 0504

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫לֶף (e.leph) — thousand.

: thousand

1) a thousand

1a) as numeral

2) a thousand, company

2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops

אֶ֫לֶף (e.leph) — thousand: clan.

: clan

1) a thousand

1a) as numeral

2) a thousand, company

2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both plural absolute
HNcbpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Thousands

(Micah 5:2), another name for “families” or “clans” (see Num. 1:16; 10:4; Josh. 22:14, 21). Several “thousands” or “families” made up a “tribe.”

and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וְשָׂרֵ֣יve.sa.Rei and 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.
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 to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
חֲמִשִּׁ֑יםcha.mi.Shim fifties H2572 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
163× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Amplified meaning
smaller units
Tyndale gloss
fifty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲמִשִּׁים (chamishshiym) means 'fifty' and is a cardinal number. It can also refer to a multiple of fifty or the ordinal number 'fiftieth.' The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant variation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲמִשִּׁים 164 n.pl. (a) fifty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2572 חֲמִשִּׁים (a) fifty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2572 chamishshiym kham-ish-sheem'

multiple of 2568; fifty:--fifty.

see HEBREW for 02568

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמִשִּׁים (cha.mish.shim) — fifty.

1) fifty

1a) fifty (cardinal number)

1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers)

1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וְלַחֲרֹ֤שׁve.la.cha.Rosh and to plow H2790 Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb can mean to be quiet or silent, but also to scratch or engrave, like a farmer plowing a field. It is used in various contexts, including being silent or deaf. The KJV translates it in different ways, including 'cease' or 'hold peace'.
Amplified meaning
cultivate, work
Tyndale gloss
to plow/plot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise

Qal

cut in, engrave

plough

devise

Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed

Hiph. fabricating mischief against

base

[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.

Qal

be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray

be deaf

Hiph.

be silent (= exhibit silence)

once causat. make silent

be deaf, shew deafness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless

. be deaf; chiefly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2790 charash khaw-rash'

a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to

engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate

(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);

hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;

hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of

dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,

ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,

plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep

silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,

worker.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.

1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cut in, engrave

1a2) to plough

1a3) to devise

1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed

1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil

חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.

1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be silent

1a2) to be deaf

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to be silent, keep quiet

1b2) to make silent

1b3) to be deaf, show deafness

1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HC/R/Vqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

plou (charash; arotrioo): No implement of the Bible is more frequently illustrated today than the plow. This is partly because there is every reason to believe that the plows still used throughout Egypt, Palestine, and Syria are counterparts of the ancient ones. The first plows were probably an adaptation of the ancient Egyptian hoe, where the handle was lengthened in order that animals might be hitched to it. To make it easier to break up the ground, it was pointed, and handles were added by which it could be guided. The ancient plow probably varied in type in different sections of the country, as it does today. In one form a young tree Of oak or other strong wood of a diameter of 3 or 4 inches is cut off just below a good-sized branch and again 15 or 20 inches above. The upper end of the severed trunk is pointed and forms the share. Between this and the side branch is fitted a brace.…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Shares of, sharpened by the smiths of the Philistines 1Sa 13:20

→ Used by Elisha with twelve yoke (pairs) of oxen 1Ki 19:19

→ By Job' s servants Job 1:14

→ FIGURATIVE

Of afflictions Ps 129:3

and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
חֲרִישׁוֹ֙cha.ri.Sho plowing his H2758 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Charish means plowing or the season of plowing. It is related to the time of year when the ground is prepared for planting.
Tyndale gloss
plowing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָרִישׁ (chariysh) refers to the act of ploughing or the time associated with ploughing. It is derived from the root word for ploughing and is mentioned in Genesis 45:6. The entries consistently emphasize its agricultural context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָרִישׁ n.m. ploughing, ploughing-time—abs. Gn 45:6

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2758 חָרִישׁ ploughing, ploughing-time

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2758 chariysh khaw-reesh'

from 2790; ploughing or its season:--earing (time), ground.

see HEBREW for 02790

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָרִישׁ (cha.rish) — plowing.

ploughing, ploughing time

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/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."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וְלִקְצֹ֣רve.lik.Tzor and to harvest H7114 Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to reap or harvest, like cutting down grain or grass. It is used in the Bible to describe the act of harvesting, and also to describe being discouraged or grieved.
Amplified meaning
gather, harvest
Tyndale gloss
be short
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָצֵר (qatsar) is a Hebrew word that primarily means 'to be short' or 'to reap.' It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of curtailing or harvesting, applicable in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate that it can express feelings of impatience or grief, as well as the act of harvesting crops.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָצֵר], I. קָצַר vb. be short

Qal be short

Pi. shorten

Hiph. id.

base

[קָצַר] vb. reap, harvest

Qal reap

Hiph. Jb 24:6 Kt

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7114a קָצֵר, קָצַר be short H7114b קָצַר reap, harvest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7114 qatsar kaw-tsar'

a primitive root; to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or

intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest

(grass or grain):--X at all, cut down, much discouraged,

grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax)

short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָצֵר (qa.tser) — be short.

1) to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved

1a) (Qal) to be short

1b) (Piel) to shorten

1c) (Hiphil) to shorten

קָצַר (qa.tsar) — to reap.

1) to reap, harvest

1a) (Qal) to reap, harvest

1b) (Hiphil) to reap, harvest

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HC/R/Vqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

har'-vest (qatsir; therismos): To many of us, harvest time is of little concern, because in our complex life we are far removed from the actual production of our food supplies, but for the Hebrew people, as for those in any agricultural district today, the harvest was a most important season (Ge 8:22; 45:6). Events were reckoned from harvests (Ge 30:14; Jos 3:15; Jud 15:1; Ru 1:22; 2:23; 1Sa 6:13; 2Sa 21:9; 23:13). The three principal feasts of the Jews corresponded to the three harvest seasons (

→ Sabbath to be observed in Ex 34:21

→ Sabbath desecrated in Ne 13:15-22

→ Of wheat at Pentecost, in Palestine Ex 34:22; Le 23:15-17

→ And of wheat before harvest time Le 26:5

→ Of barley, before wheat Ex 9:31,32

→ Celebrated with joy Jud 9:27; Isa 9:3; 16:10; Jer 48:33

and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
קְצִיר֔וֹke.tzi.Ro harvest his H7105 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the harvest or the time of harvest, as well as the reaper or the crop itself. It can also mean a limb or foliage of a tree, emphasizing the idea of growth and abundance. The concept of harvest is central to the biblical narrative, particularly in the book of Ruth.
Tyndale gloss
harvest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָצִיר (qatsiyr) refers to the act of harvesting or the harvest itself, encompassing the process, the crop, and the time of harvest. It can also denote boughs or branches of trees. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to sever,' indicating its connection to reaping.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָצִיר n.m. harvesting, harvest

process of harvesting

what is reaped, harvested, crop

time of harvest

base

קָצִיר n.m. usually coll., boughs, branches

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7105a קָצִיר harvesting, harvest H7105b קָצִיר usually coll., boughs, branches

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7105 qatsiyr kaw-tseer'

from 7114; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the

time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or

simply foliage):--bough, branch, harvest (man).

see HEBREW for 07114

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — harvest.

1) harvest, harvesting

1a) process of harvesting

1b) crop, what is harvested or reaped

1c) time of harvest

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — foliage.

boughs, branches

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/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."

and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתve.la.'a.Sot and to make H6213 Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HC/R/Vqcc
and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
כְּלֵֽי־ke.lei- [the] weapons of H3627 Noun common · masculine plural construct
325× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Amplified meaning
instruments, weapons
Tyndale gloss
article/utensil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּלִי (kliy) refers to an article or utensil, encompassing a wide range of objects such as vessels, tools, and implements used for various purposes, including music and warfare. It is derived from a root meaning 'to prepare' and can denote anything from furniture to weapons. The entries highlight its general use in the Old Testament without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּלִי 324 n.m. article, utensil, vessel

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3627 כְּלִי article, utensil, vessel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3627 kliy kel-ee'

from 3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an

implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon):--armour

((-bearer)), artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture,

instrument, jewel, that is made of, X one from another, that

which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool,

vessel, ware, weapon, + whatsoever.

see HEBREW for 03615

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּלִי (ke.li) — article/utensil.

1) article, vessel, implement, utensil

1a) article, object (general)

1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel

1b1) implement (of hunting or war)

1b2) implement (of music)

1b3) implement, tool (of labour)

1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen)

1b5) utensils, furniture

1c) vessel, receptacle (general)

1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — 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 to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
מִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹmil.cham.To warfare his H4421 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
320× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Tyndale gloss
battle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) means 'battle' or 'war.' It is derived from the root word for fighting and encompasses both specific engagements and the broader concept of warfare. The entries consistently define it in this way, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִלְחָמָה 319 n.f. battle, war

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4421 מִלְחָמָה battle, war

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4421 milchamah mil-khaw-maw'

from 3898 (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the

engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare):--battle,

fight(-ing), war((-rior)).

see HEBREW for 03898

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִלְחָמָה (mil.cha.mah) — battle.

battle, war

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/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."

and to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
וּכְלֵ֥יu.khe.Lei and [the] equipment of H3627 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
325× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Tyndale gloss
article/utensil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּלִי (kliy) refers to an article or utensil, encompassing a wide range of objects such as vessels, tools, and implements used for various purposes, including music and warfare. It is derived from a root meaning 'to prepare' and can denote anything from furniture to weapons. The entries highlight its general use in the Old Testament without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּלִי 324 n.m. article, utensil, vessel

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3627 כְּלִי article, utensil, vessel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3627 kliy kel-ee'

from 3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an

implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon):--armour

((-bearer)), artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture,

instrument, jewel, that is made of, X one from another, that

which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool,

vessel, ware, weapon, + whatsoever.

see HEBREW for 03615

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּלִי (ke.li) — article/utensil.

1) article, vessel, implement, utensil

1a) article, object (general)

1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel

1b1) implement (of hunting or war)

1b2) implement (of music)

1b3) implement, tool (of labour)

1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen)

1b5) utensils, furniture

1c) vessel, receptacle (general)

1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

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 to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his
רִכְבּֽוֹ׃rikh.Bo chariotry his H7393 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for chariot refers to a vehicle, team of horses, or cavalry. It is also used to describe the upper millstone in a grinding mill. Chariots were important in biblical times for transportation and war.
Amplified meaning
vehicles, cavalry
Tyndale gloss
chariot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫כֶב (rekeb) refers to a chariot or vehicle, and can also denote a team of horses, cavalry, or riders. It is associated with the upper millstone, implying a connection to movement or transport. The term encompasses various meanings, including chariotry, individual chariots, and groups of horsemen.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫כֶב 120 n.m. chariotry, chariot, mill-stone; appar. also riders

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7393 רֶ֫כֶב chariotry, chariot, mill-stone; appar. also riders

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7393 rekeb reh'-keb

from 7392; a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension,

cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the upper

millstone:--chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the

margin), wagon.

see HEBREW for 07392

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫כֶב (re.khev) — chariot.

: chariot

1) a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders

1a) chariotry, chariots

1b) chariot (single)

1c) upper millstone (as riding on lower millstone)

1d) riders, troop (of riders), horsemen, pair of horsemen, men riding, ass-riders, camel-riders

Also means: re.khev (רֶ֫כֶב ": millstone" H7393H)

רֶ֫כֶב (re.khev) — chariot: millstone.

: millstone

1) a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders

1a) chariotry, chariots

1b) chariot (single)

1c) upper millstone (as riding on lower millstone)

1d) riders, troop (of riders), horsemen, pair of horsemen, men riding, ass-riders, camel-riders

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/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."

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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