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1 Samuel 8:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיְהִ֞י שֶׁם־ בְּנ֤וֹ הַבְּכוֹר֙ יוֹאֵ֔ל וְשֵׁ֥ם מִשְׁנֵ֖הוּ אֲבִיָּ֑ה שֹׁפְטִ֖ים בִּבְאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃

BSAThe nameshêm [identity, character] of his firstbornbᵉkôwr [eldest, of highest rank] sonbên washâyâh JoelYôwʼêl [Jehovah is God] and the nameshêm [identity, character] of his secondmishneh was AbijahʼĂbîyâh [my father is the Lord] They were judgesshâphaṭ [rulers, governing authorities] in BeershebaBᵉʼêr Shebaʻ [well of the sevenfold oath, a city in Palestine]

Word
Listen & take away1 Samuel 8
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (Sha.va') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Samuel 8:2quick helps
In a sentenceSamuel's sons are named Joel and Abijah, and they served as judges in Beersheba.
Who is speakingThe narrator, recounting the history of Israel's judges.
Where we areIn the context of Samuel's leadership and the transition of power.
The hard wordשֹׁפְטִ֖ים
Take awayThe names given to Samuel's sons indicate their identities and roles.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָיָה 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 8:2

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 Appointment of Samuel's Sonsgenerated

1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
3But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

1 Samuel 8:2 provides details about Samuel's sons, Joel and Abijah, who were appointed as judges in Beersheba. This verse is part of a larger narrative where the elders of Israel express their dissatisfaction with Samuel's sons, who did not follow his ways, leading to a request for a king. The context highlights the challenges of leadership and the expectations of justice in Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 6:28–38The sons of Samuel: Joel his firstborn and Abijah his second son.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שֹׁפְטִ֖ים, sho.fe.Timgenerated

The Hebrew word שֹׁפְטִ֖ים (sho.fe.Tim) is a participle form of the verb שָׁפַט (shaphat), meaning 'to judge' or 'to govern'. This term refers to individuals who hold authority and make decisions regarding justice and order within the community.

In this verse, it emphasizes the role of Joel and Abijah as judges, indicating their responsibility to uphold justice in Beersheba. The use of the participle suggests an ongoing function rather than a one-time action.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the term judges for שֹׁפְטִ֖ים.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains two main clauses linked by the conjunction וְ (and), with the first clause stating the names of the sons and the second clause describing their roles as judges. The structure emphasizes the identities of the sons before their functions.

The finite verb יְהִ֞י (vay.Hi) introduces the subject of the sentence, setting the stage for the names and roles that follow.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שֹׁפְטִ֖ים as δικασταὶ (dikastaí), which means 'judges' or 'rulers'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, confirming their authoritative role in governance.

The use of δικασταὶ indicates a consistent understanding of the role of judges in both the Hebrew and Greek traditions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Samuel 8:2 tells us that Samuel had two sons named Joel and Abijah, who served as judges in Beersheba. This highlights their roles in the community and sets the stage for the challenges that followed in Israel's leadership.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What do the names Joel and Abijah mean?

Joel means 'Jehovah is God', while Abijah means 'my father is the Lord', reflecting their identities and the significance of their roles.

Why were Samuel's sons appointed as judges?

They were appointed to help govern Israel, but their failure to follow Samuel's ways led to dissatisfaction among the people.

What does it mean to be a judge in Israel?

Being a judge involved upholding justice, making decisions on legal matters, and leading the community.

What is the significance of Beersheba?

Beersheba was an important city in Palestine, known as 'the well of the sevenfold oath', and served as a location for governance.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What qualities do you think are important for a judge or leader in a community?
  2. How can we ensure that our leaders uphold justice and integrity?
  3. In what ways can names reflect identity and purpose in our lives?
  4. What lessons can we learn from Samuel's sons about the importance of following a good example?

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

Early commentary on this verse highlights the significance of the names Joel and Abijah, as well as the role of judges in Israel's history.

BedeCommentary on Samuel c. 673–735
The name of his firstborn son was Joel, etc. Joel means 'beginning' or 'was of God', Abia stands for 'father', and Beersheba means 'well of the oath'.
Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 8 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 8:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel,.... In 1 Chronicles 6:28 he is called Vashni; [See comments on 1 Chronicles 6:28].

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

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. No JFB commentary on this verse.

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

In the southern border of the land of Canaan, where he placed his sons, because these parts were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places, Samuel himself still executed the office of the judge; sending his sons to reside and judge in distant places, for the ease and convenience of the people.

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

1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba.Ver. 2. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel.] Which some will have to be Joel the prophet, the son of Pethuel, that is, of Samuel, say they, as this Joel is called Vashni. He might afterwards repent of his government without righteousness, which is but robbery by authority, and be a prophet as was his father. Howsoever, he had a good son - viz., Heman the music master and a prophet. They were judges in Beersheba,] i.e., From Dan to Beersheba, saith Junius: the one in Dan, the other in Beersheba, saith Josephus. Pellican thinketh they dwelt both at Beersheba, purposely…

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

2. Now the name, &c.] Joel = “Jehovah is God:” Abiah = “Jah is my father:” names significant of a protest against the prevalent idolatry. The text of 1 Chronicles 6:28, where the names are given as “the firstborn Vashni and Abiah,” is corrupt. “Joel” has dropped out after “the firstborn,” and “Vashni” is an obvious corruption of the Heb. word meaning “and the second.” judges in Beer-sheba] See note on ch. 1 Samuel 3:20. Beer-sheba was the most convenient centre for the southern district, which Samuel assigned to his sons, retaining the northern himself. Josephus says that “resigning his office to his sons he divided the people between them, and placed them in Bethel and Beer-sheba,” a…

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

The mention of Beer-sheba, on the extreme southern frontier of Judah, as the place where Samuel’s sons judged Israel is remarkable.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Samuel 8 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2. In Beer-sheba — Their chief seat was there, as Samuel’s was at Ramah.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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

The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

(And the name of his eldest sonne was Ioel, and the name of the second Abiah) euen Iudges in Beer-sheba.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah; they judged in Beer-sheba.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the name of his first-born son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the name of his firstborn son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second Abiyah: they judged in Beer-sheba'.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel: and the name of the second was Abia, judges in Bersabee.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. They were rulers in Beersheba.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The name of his first son was Joel and the name of his second Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

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.

וַandclauseclauseverbיְהִ֞יit.wasnoun phrase · subjectשֶׁםthe.namenoun phrasenoun phraseבְּנ֤his.sonוֹhisnoun phraseהַtheבְּכוֹר֙firstbornobjectיוֹאֵ֔לJoelוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectשֵׁ֥םthe.namenoun phraseמִשְׁנֵ֖his.secondהוּhisobjectאֲבִיָּ֑ה[was].Abijahclauseverbשֹׁפְטִ֖יםjudgesprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּin

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 show agreement in the main content of 1 Samuel 8:2, with nine of the eleven words matched. The differences in word order reflect the distinct grammatical structures of Hebrew and Greek.

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

וַיְהִ֞י שֶׁם־ בְּנ֤וֹ הַבְּכוֹר֙ יוֹאֵ֔ל וְשֵׁ֥ם מִשְׁנֵ֖הוּ אֲבִיָּ֑ה שֹׁפְטִ֖ים בִּבְאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיְהִ֞יταῦταבְּנ֤וֹαὐτοῦהַבְּכוֹר֙πρωτότοκοςיוֹאֵ֔לιωηλוְשֵׁ֥םὄνομαמִשְׁנֵ֖הוּδευτέρουאֲבִיָּ֑הαβιαשֹׁפְטִ֖יםδικασταὶבִּבְאֵ֥רἐν

9 of the 11 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 Samuel 8:2הָיָהand it wasand it wasהָיָהשֵׁם[the] name [the] name ofשֵׁםבֵּןson hisson hisבֵּןבְּכוֹרthe firstbothe firstbornבְּכוֹריוֹאֵלJoelJoelיוֹאֵלשֵׁםand [the] nand [the] name שֵׁםמִשְׁנֶהsecond hissecond hisמִשְׁנֶהאֲבִיָּ֫הוּ[was] Abija[was] Abijahאֲבִיָּ֫הוּשָׁפַטjudgesjudgesשָׁפַטבְּאֵרin Beerin BeerבְּאֵרבְּאֵרShebaShebaבְּאֵרשׂוּםto set: mato set: makeשׂוּםבְּאֵרwellwellבְּאֵרבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהבָּכַרto be/bearto be/bear firsבָּכַריהוהThe LordThe Lordיהוהשָׁנָהto changeto changeשָׁנָהאָבfatherfatherאָבהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָאיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהחֲצַרחֲצַרעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵןפָּדָהto ransomto ransomפָּדָהאֲבִיָּ֫הוּAbijahAbijahאֲבִיָּ֫הוּעֲזַרְיָ֫הוּAzariahAzariahעֲזַרְיָ֫הוּרָכַבto rideto rideרָכַבכֶּ֫סֶףsilver: mosilver: moneyכֶּ֫סֶף
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 8:2

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 it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
וַיְהִ֞יvay.Hi and it was H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

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

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

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

Come into being, become

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

sq. prep.

become

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

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

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

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

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

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

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

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

. sq. prep.

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

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

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

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

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

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

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

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

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

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

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

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

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

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

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

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

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

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
שֶׁם־shem- [the] name of H8034 Noun common · masculine singular construct
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Amplified meaning
identity, character
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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 it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
בְּנ֤וֹbe.No son his H1121 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

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

n. relat. of age

base

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

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

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

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

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

. n. relat. of age

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

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

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

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

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

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

§ Beno = "his son"

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

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

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

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

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

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

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
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 it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
הַבְּכוֹר֙ha.be.khOr the firstborn H1060 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
122× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to the firstborn child or animal, often holding a special status or responsibility. It appears in stories like Genesis and Exodus, highlighting the importance of birth order. The KJV translates it as 'eldest' or 'firstborn'.
Amplified meaning
eldest, of highest rank
Tyndale gloss
firstborn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּכוֹר (bekor) means 'first-born' and can refer to both humans and animals. It denotes the eldest son or daughter and can also be used figuratively. The word is derived from a root that emphasizes the concept of being first or chief.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּכוֹר 122 n.m. first-born

men and women

animals

figurative

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1060 בְּכוֹר first-born

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1060 bkowr bek-ore'

from 1069; firstborn; hence, chief:--eldest (son),

firstborn(-ling).

see HEBREW for 01069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּכוֹר (be.khor) — firstborn.

1) firstborn, firstling

1a) of men and women

1b) of animals

1c) noun of relation (fig.)

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

Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days, the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time. (Exodus 13:12-15,16; Leviticus 27:6) The eldest son received a double portion of the father’s inheritance, (21:17) but not of the mother’s. Under the monarchy the eldest son usually, but no always, as appears in the case of Solomon, succeeded his father in the kingdom. (1 Kings 1:30; 2:22) The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This phrase is not always to be understood literally; it is sometimes taken for the prime, most excellent, most distinguished of things, Ps 89:27 Ro 8:29 Heb 1:4-6. Thus Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature," Col 1:15, inasmuch as he was the "Only begotten" of the Father before any creature was produced. He is "the firstborn from the dead," Col 1:18, because he is the beginning, and the author of the resurrection of all who die in faith.

After the destroying angel had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, God ordained that all the Jewish firstborn, both of men and of beasts for service, should be consecrated to…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of man and beast, reserved to himself by God Ex 13:2,12-16; 22:29,30; 34:19,20; Le 27:26; Nu 3:13; 8:17,18; De 15:19-23; Ne 10:36

→ Redemption of Ex 13:13; 34:20; Le 27:27; Nu 3:40-51; 18:15-17

→ Levites taken instead of firstborn of the families of Israel Nu 3:12,40-45; 8:16-18

and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
יוֹאֵ֔לyo.'El Joel H3100 Noun proper masculine
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Joel means Jehovah is God, the name of twelve Israelites, including a minor prophet who wrote the book of Joel. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:24 and his book is one of the minor prophets in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
Jehovah is God
Tyndale gloss
Joel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹאֵל (Yow'el) means 'Jehovah is God' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including the second of the twelve minor prophets. The name is associated with various figures, such as Samuel's eldest son and leaders from the tribes of Simeon, Reuben, and Gad. The entries highlight a range of roles, from prophets to warriors, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹאֵל n.pr.m. (usu. interpr. as י׳ is God)

Samuel’s firstborn

a Simeonite prince

a Reubenite

a Gadite chief

a chief man of Issachar

one of David’s heroes

a chief of Manasseh

a Jew of Ezra’s time

a Benjamite

the prophet, son of Pethuel

Levites

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3100 יוֹאֵל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3100 Yow'el yo-ale'

from 3068 and 410; Jehovah (is his) God; Joel, the name of

twelve Israelites:--Joel.

see HEBREW for 03068

see HEBREW for 0410

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹאֵל (yo.el) — Joel.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.8.2;

son of: Samuel (H8050);

brother of: Abijah (H0029);

father of: Heman (H1968I); also translated "second" at 1Ch.6.28;

Also named: vash.ni (וַשְׁנִי "`second`" H2059)

§ Joel = "Jehovah is God"

1) son of Pethuel and the 2nd of the 12 minor prophets with a book by his name; probably prophesied in the time of king Uzziah of Judah

2) eldest son of Samuel the prophet and father of Heman the singer

3) a Simeonite chief

4) a Reubenite

5) a chief of Gad

6) son of Izrahiah and a chief of Issachar

7) brother of Nathan of Zobah and one of David's mighty warriors

8) son of Pedaiah and a chief of the half tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan in the time of David

9) a son of Nebo who returned with Ezra and had a foreign wife

10) a Benjamite, son of Zichri

11) a Levite

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Joel

Jehovah is his God. (1.) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba (1 Sam. 8:2). (See VASHNI.) (2.) A descendant of Reuben (1 Chr. 5:4,8). (3.) One of David’s famous warriors (1 Chr. 11:38). (4.) A Levite of the family of Gershom (1 Chr. 15:7, 11). (5.) 1 Chr. 7:3. (6.) 1 Chr. 27:20. (7.) The second of the twelve minor prophets. He was the son of Pethuel. His personal history is only known from his book.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(to whom Jehovah is God). Eldest son of Samuel the prophet, (1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 6:33; 15:17) and father of Heman the singer. (B.C. 1094.) In (1 Chronicles 6:36) Authorized Version, Joel seems to be merely a corruption of Shaul in ver. 24. A Simeonite chief. (1 Chronicles 4:35) A descendant of Reuben. Junius and Tremellius make him the son of Hanoeh, while others trace his descent through Carmi. (1 Chronicles 5:4) (B.C. before 1092.) Chief of the Gadites, who dwelt in the land of Bashan. (1 Chronicles 5:12) (B.C. 782.) The son of Izrahiah, of the tribe of…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One of the minor prophets, of whom nothing is known beyond the few hints furnished in his brief but valuable prophecy. He lived in the kingdom of Judah, and at a time when the temple and temple-worship still existed, Joe 1:14 2:1,15,32 3:1. Different authors assign to his prophecy different dates, but the prevailing opinion is that he prophesied in the reign of Uzziah, nearly 800 B. C.

The BOOK of JOEL opens with a most graphic and powerful description of the devastation caused by swarms of divers kinds of locusts, accompanied by a terrible drought. The plague of locusts, one of the most dreadful scourges of the East, (see LOCUSTS,) is highly suggestive of an invasion of hostile legions such as have often ravaged Judea; and many have understood, by the locusts of Joel, the Chaldeans, Persians, Greeks, or Romans. The prophet, however…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

he that wills or commands

and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
וְשֵׁ֥םve.Shem and [the] name of H8034 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Amplified meaning
identity, character
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

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

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 it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
מִשְׁנֵ֖הוּmish.Ne.hu second his H4932 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishneh means a second or duplicate, like a copy of a document, or something that is double in amount, also referring to a second in order or rank, like a secondary position or a copy of a law.
Tyndale gloss
second
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh) means double, copy, or second, and can refer to a duplicate document or something that is second in order or rank. It can also denote a second quarter or district in a town. The word is derived from a root meaning repetition and encompasses various contexts, including quantity and location.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁנֶה n.[m.] double, copy, second

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4932 מִשְׁנֶה double, copy, second

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4932 mishneh mish-neh'

from 8138; properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of

a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second

(in order, rank, age, quality or location):--college, copy,

double, fatlings, next, second (order), twice as much.

see HEBREW for 08138

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁנֶה (mish.neh) — Second [Quarter].

This name means second, referring to the second quarter or district in a town

מִשְׁנֶה (mish.neh) — second.

1) double, copy, second, repetition

1a) double

1b) copy (of law)

1c) second (in order)

1c1) second rank

1c2) second in age

1d) second quarter or district

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 it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
אֲבִיָּ֑ה'a.vi.Yah [was] Abijah H29 Noun proper masculine
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Abijah was the name of several people in the Bible, including a king of Judah and a son of Samuel. The name Abijah means 'Jehovah is my father', showing devotion to God. It is mentioned in books like 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
Amplified meaning
my father is the Lord
Tyndale gloss
Abijah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ (*Abiyah*) means 'father of Jah' and is associated with several figures in the Old Testament. It refers to a king of Judah, the second son of Samuel, and others, including a woman and a man from the tribe of Benjamin. The name is linked to the meaning 'Jehovah is (my) father'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ n.pr.m. & f. (Yah(u) is (my) father)—so † 2 Ch 13:20, 21 = אֲבִיָּם † 1 K 14:31 15:1, 7, 7, 8 (𝔊 Ἀβιου, Ἀβια); = אֲבִי † 2 K 18:2 (𝔊 Ἀβου, Ἀβουθ); = אֲבִיָּה 1 S 8:2 22 t.—

king of Judah, son & successor of Rehoboam

2nd son of Samuel

son of Jerob.

son of Becher, a Benjamite

head of a priestly house

id.

wife of Hezron

mother of Hezekiah

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H29 אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

29 'Abiyah ab-ee-yaw'

or prolonged Abiyahuw {ab-ee-yaw'-hoo}; from 1 and 3050;

father (i.e. worshipper) of Jah; Abijah, the name of several

Israelite men and two Israelitesses:--Abiah, Abijah.

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 03050

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲבִיָּה (a.viy.yah) — Abijah.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.8.2;

son of: Samuel (H8050);

brother of: Joel (H3100)

§ Abia or Abiah or Abijah = "Jehovah is (my) father"

second son of Samuel

אֲבִיָּה (a.viy.yah) — Abijah.

A man of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ki.14.1;

son of: Jeroboam (H3379);

brother of: Nadab (H5070H)

§ Abia or Abiah or Abijah = "Jehovah is (my) father"

1) king of Judah, son and successor of Rehoboam

2) second son of Samuel

3) son of Jeroboam the first, king of Israel

4) son of Becher, a Benjamite

5) head of a priestly house (one of the 24 Levite groups)

6) head of a priestly house (after the exile)

7) wife of Hezron

8) mother of Hezekiah (cf H021)

אֲבִיָּ֫הוּ, אֲבִיָּה (a.viy.yah) — Abijah.

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

a-bi'-ja ('abhiyah or 'abhiyahu (2Ch 13:20,21), "my father is Yahweh," or "Yahweh is father"): The name of six or more men and two women in the Old Testament.

(1) The seventh son of Becher the son of Benjamin (1Ch 7:8).

(2) The second son of the prophet Samuel (1Sa 8:2; 1Ch 6:28 (6:13)).

(3) The eighth among "the holy captains and captains of God" appointed by lot by David in connection with the priestly courses (1Ch 24:10). Compare "Zacharias of the course of Abijah" (Lu 1:5).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Abijah

Father (i.e., “possessor or worshipper”) of Jehovah. (1.) 1 Chr. 7:8. (2.) 1 Chr. 2:24.

(3.) The second son of Samuel (1 Sam. 8:2; 1 Chr. 6:28). His conduct, along with that of his brother, as a judge in Beer-sheba, to which office his father had appointed him, led to popular discontent, and ultimately provoked the people to demand a royal form of government.

(4.) A descendant of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, a chief of one of the twenty-four orders into which the priesthood was divided by David (1 Chr. 24:10). The order of Abijah was one of those which did not return from the Captivity (

1. Called, in Lu 1:5, Abia; founder of a family among the posterity of Aaron. When David divided the priests into twenty-four courses, to perform the temple-service, in turn, the eighth class was called after him, 1Ch 24:10. To this class of course Zacharias belonged.

2. Son of Jeroboam, the first king of Israel. He died young, and much beloved and lamented, for in him there was found some good thing towards the Lord, 1Ki 14:1-18

3. Son of Rehoboam, the first king of Judah; called in, 1Ki 22:53, Abijam. He came to the throne A.M. 3046, and reigned only three years. In war with Jeroboam he gained a signal victory, 2Ch…

and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
שֹׁפְטִ֖יםsho.fe.Tim judges H8199 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
202× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Amplified meaning
rulers, governing authorities
Tyndale gloss
to judge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁפַט (shaphat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to judge or govern. It encompasses a range of actions including pronouncing sentences, executing judgments, and deciding controversies in various contexts such as civil and religious matters. The word can also imply being judged or entering into legal disputes. There is a specific mention of its use in the context of final judgment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁפַט 185 vb. judge, govern

Qal

act as law-giver, judge, governor

specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions

execute judgment

Niph.

recipr., enter into controversy, plead

pass. be judged

Pô‛el = my opponent-at-law

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8199 שָׁפַט judge, govern .. act as law-giver, judge, governor

. specif. decide controversy, discriminate betw. persons, in civil, political, domestic and religious questions

. execute judgment

. . recipr., enter into controversy, plead

. pass. be judged

.= my opponent-at-law

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8199 shaphat shaw-fat'

a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or

against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by

extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or

figuratively):--+ avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend,

execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead,

reason, rule.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁפַט (sha.phat) — to judge.

1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man)

1a1a) to rule, govern, judge

1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man)

1a3) to execute judgment

1a3a) discriminating (of man)

1a3b) vindicating

1a3c) condemning and punishing

1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together

1b2) to be judged

1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors; not supreme magistrates, succeeding to the authority of Moses and Joshua. Their power only extended over portions of the country, and some of them were contemporaneous. Their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war; they then administered justice to the people, and their authority supplied the want of a regular government. Even while the administration of Samuel gave something like a settled government to the south, there was scope for the irregular exploits of Samson on the borders of the Philistines; and Samuel at last established his authority as judge and prophet, but still as the servant of Jehovah, only to see it so abused by his sons as to exhaust the patience of the people, who at length demanded a king , after the pattern of the surrounding nations. The…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Hebrew Shophetim, were the rulers, chiefs, or leaders of Israel, from Joshua to Saul. They were very different from the ordinary administrators of justice among the Hebrews, respecting whom, see JUSTICE. The Carthaginians, a colony of the Tyrians, had likewise governors, whom they called Suffetes, or Sophetim, with authority almost equal to that of kings.

The dignity of judge was for life; but the succession was not always constant. There were anarchies, or intervals, during which the commonwealth was without rulers. There were likewise long intervals of foreign servitude and oppression, under which the Hebrews groaned without deliverers. Although God alone regularly appointed the judges, yet the people, on some occasions, chose that individual who appeared to them most proper to deliver them from oppression; and as it often happened that the oppressions which occasioned recourse to…

and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
בִּבְאֵ֥רbiv.'Er in Beer H884 Preposition · noun proper
68× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Beersheba was a city in Palestine, located at the south edge of Israel, and its name means 'well of the sevenfold oath'. It was an important place in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
well of the sevenfold oath, a city in Palestine
Tyndale gloss
Beersheba
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע (B'er Sheba) refers to Beersheba, a location in Palestine. The name means 'well of an oath,' derived from the roots for 'well' and 'oath.' It is noted as a city at the southern edge of Israel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע n.pr.loc. Beersheba

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H884 בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע Beersheba

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

884 B'er Sheba` be-ayr' sheh'-bah

from 875 and 7651 (in the sense of 7650); well of an oath;

Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine:--Beer-shebah.

see HEBREW for 0875

see HEBREW for 07651

see HEBREW for 07650

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע (be.er she.va) — Beersheba.

§ Beer-sheba = "well of the sevenfold oath"

a city at the south edge of Israel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be'-er (be'er; phrear; Latin puteus = "well"):

(1) A station on the march of the Israelites to the North of the Arnon (Nu 21:16). Here it was that they sang round the well this song: `Spring up O well; greet it with song, Well, that the princes have dug, The nobles of the people have bored, With the scepter--with their staves' (Nu 21:16 ff). The place is not identified.

(2) The town to which Jotham fled from his brother Abimelech after declaring his parable from Mt. Gerizim (Jud 9:21). This may be identical with BEEROTH, which see.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Beer

Well. (1.) A place where a well was dug by the direction of Moses, at the forty-fourth station of the Hebrews in their wanderings (Num. 21:16-18) in the wilderness of Moab. (See WELL.)

(2.) A town in the tribe of Judah to which Jotham fled for fear of Abimelech (Judg. 9:21). Some have identified this place with Beeroth.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a well). One of the latest halting-places of the Israelites, lying beyond the Arnon. (Numbers 21:16-18) This is possibly the BEER-ELIM of (Isaiah 15:8) A place to which Jotham, the son of Gideon, fled for fear of his brother Abimelech. (Judges 9:21)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well,

1. A station of the Hebrews in Moab, where God gave them water, Nu 21:16-18; Isa 15:8.

2. A town in Judah, according to Eusebius and Jerome a few miles west of Jerusalem, near Beth-shemesh. Jotham took refuge there from his brother Abimelech, Jud 9:21.

and it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba
שָֽׁבַע׃Sha.va' Sheba H884 Noun proper
68× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Beersheba was a city in Palestine, located at the south edge of Israel, and its name means 'well of the sevenfold oath'. It was an important place in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
Beersheba
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע (B'er Sheba) refers to Beersheba, a location in Palestine. The name means 'well of an oath,' derived from the roots for 'well' and 'oath.' It is noted as a city at the southern edge of Israel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע n.pr.loc. Beersheba

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H884 בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע Beersheba

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

884 B'er Sheba` be-ayr' sheh'-bah

from 875 and 7651 (in the sense of 7650); well of an oath;

Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine:--Beer-shebah.

see HEBREW for 0875

see HEBREW for 07651

see HEBREW for 07650

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַע (be.er she.va) — Beersheba.

§ Beer-sheba = "well of the sevenfold oath"

a city at the south edge of Israel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpl — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sheba

An oath, seven. (1.) Heb. shebha, the son of Raamah (Gen. 10:7), whose descendants settled with those of Dedan on the Persian Gulf.

(2.) Heb. id. A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:28), probably the founder of the Sabeans.

(3.) Heb. id. A son of Jokshan, who was a son of Abraham by Keturah (Gen. 25:3).

(4.) Heb. id. A kingdom in Arabia Felix. Sheba, in fact, was Saba in Southern Arabia, the Sabaeans of classical geography, who carried on the trade in spices with the other peoples of the ancient world. They were Semites, speaking one of the two main dialects of Himyaritic or South Arabic. Sheba had become a monarchy before the days of Solomon. Its queen brought him gold, spices, and precious stones (

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Raamah, Ge 10:7. His posterity is supposed to have settled near the head of the Persian Gulf. See CUSH and RAAMAH.

2. Son of Joktan, of the race of Shem, Ge 10:28. See SABEANS 2.

3. Son of Jokshan, and grandson of Abraham by Keturah, Ge 25:3. He is supposed to have settled in Arabia Deserta.

4. A turbulent Benjamite, who after the death of Absalom made a fruitless effort to excite a rebellion in Israel against David. Being pursued, and besieged in Abel-beth-maachah, near the southern part of Lebanon, he was beheaded by the people of the city, 2Sa 20:1-26.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

captivity; old man; repose; oath

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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