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2 Chronicles 24:19 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח בָּהֶם֙ נְבִאִ֔ים לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם אֶל־ יְהוָ֑ה וַיָּעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖ם וְלֹ֥א הֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ ס

BSANevertheless, [the LORD] sentshâlach [Yehovah, the national name for God, dispatched, to depart] prophetsnâbîyʼ [those who speak for God] to bring [the people] backshûwb [to return, turn back] toʼêl [Him]Yᵉhôvâh [toward the Lord] and to testifyʻûwd [to repeat, affirm, uphold] but they would notlôʼ [refused to, not willing to] listenʼâzan [to hear, obey, give ear]

Word
Listen & take away2 Chronicles 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 19 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 (he.'e.Zi.nu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Chronicles 24:19quick helps
In a sentenceThe LORD sent prophets to call the people back to Him, but they refused to listen.
Who is speakingThe LORD, acting through His prophets.
Where we areIn a period of disobedience, as the people have turned away from God.
The hard wordנְבִאִ֔ים
Take awayDespite God's efforts, the people chose not to listen.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbשָׁלַח 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 — 2 Chronicles 24:19

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 Call to Repentancegenerated

18They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and idols. So wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.
19Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to testify against them; but they would not listen.
20Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
21But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 24:19 recounts how, despite the people's abandonment of God's house and their idolatry, the LORD sent prophets to urge them to return. This reflects God's persistent desire for His people to repent and turn back to Him, even in the face of their rebellion. The following verses illustrate the consequences of their refusal to listen, culminating in further disobedience and violence against God's messengers.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Chronicles 36:15–16Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place.
22 Kings 17:13–15Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
3Nehemiah 9:26But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
4Jeremiah 7:25–26From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again.
5Jeremiah 25:4–5And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.

The Key Word נְבִאִ֔ים, ne.vi.'Imgenerated

The Hebrew word נָבִיא (nabiy') refers to a prophet, someone who speaks on behalf of God. It encompasses both true and false prophets, indicating a role of divine communication. The usage here highlights the importance of prophetic voices in guiding the people back to their covenant relationship with God.

In this context, the prophets serve as mediators, calling the people to repentance. The term emphasizes their role as spokespersons for God, tasked with delivering His messages and warnings.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the meaning of נְבִאִ֔ים as prophets, affirming their role as those who speak for God.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (and he sent) governs the sentence, with several phrases describing the action and its context. The structure indicates a sequence of actions: sending prophets, the purpose of their sending, and the people's response.

The sentence is complex, with multiple clauses and prepositional phrases that clarify the relationship between the LORD, the prophets, and the people. This layered structure underscores the urgency of the message and the gravity of the people's refusal.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח as ἀπέστειλεν, indicating a direct correspondence in meaning. This choice emphasizes the act of sending as a significant divine initiative.

The Greek word προφήτας for נְבִאִ֔ים also reinforces the prophetic role, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of prophets as messengers of God's will.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Chronicles 24:19 shows that even though the people turned away from God, He sent prophets to call them back. These prophets warned the people, but they chose not to listen to them.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the LORD sent prophets?

It indicates God's desire to communicate with His people, urging them to return to Him and warning them of the consequences of their actions.

Why did the people refuse to listen?

Their refusal reflects a hardened heart and a commitment to their own ways, despite the clear messages from God's prophets.

What can we learn from this verse?

It highlights the importance of heeding God's messages and the consequences of ignoring His call to repentance.

How does this verse connect to other parts of Scripture?

This theme of God sending prophets to call His people back to Him appears throughout the Old Testament, as seen in references like Jeremiah 7:25 and Nehemiah 9:26.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways might God be calling me back to Him today?
  2. How can I be more receptive to the messages from God in my life?
  3. What role do I believe prophets or spiritual leaders play in guiding us today?
  4. How do I respond when I hear messages that challenge my current beliefs or behaviors?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 24:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord,.... To reprove them for their sin, to warn them of their danger, to exhort them to their duty, and endeavour to restore them, and

Read John Gill on 2 Chronicles 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Chronicles 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.Ver. 19. Yet he sent prophets to them.] As God loveth to foresignify; such is his pity and patience. And they testified against them: but they would not give ear.] The Vulgate rendereth it, Quos Protestantes illi audire nolebant: which Poynes the Papist construeth thus, Whom those Protestants would not hear; and therehence, very doctor like, inferreth that it was foretold in the Old Testament that the Protestants were a malignant church, whereas Protestantes there is to be referred to prophets going before; and so it followeth better that the name…

Read John Trapp on 2 Chronicles 24 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Yet.—And.To them.—Among them.And they testified against them.—Solemnly besought them, exhorted them in the name of God (Exodus 20:21; 2 Kings 17:13). But they would.—And they did.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. he sent prophets] Cp. 2 Chronicles 36:15. to them] Rather, among them.

Read Cambridge on 2 Chronicles 24 →

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

Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to testify against them; but they would not listen.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to Yahweh, and they testified against them; but they would not listen.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to testify against them, but they would not listen.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The Lord sent prophets among them to lead them back to him. They warned the people, but they would not pay attention.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto Jehovah; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And God sent Prophets amog the, to bring them againe vnto the Lord: and they made protestation among them, but they would not heare.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he sent prophets among them to bring them again to Jehovah, and they testified against them; but they would not give ear.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And He sendeth among them prophets, to bring them back unto Jehovah, and they testify against them, and they have not given ear;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And He sends among them prophets, to bring them back to YHWH, and they testify against them, and they have not given ear;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he sent prophets among them, to bring them back again unto the Lord; and they gave them warning; but they did not give ear.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to himself, Yahweh; the prophets testified against the people, but they refused to listen.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he sent prophets to them to bring them back to the Lord, and they would not give ear when they testified against them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The Lord sent prophets to bring the people back to him and to warn them; but they refused to listen.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the Lord sent them prophets to make them come back to him; and they gave witness against them, but they would not give ear.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּשְׁלַ֤חhe.sentprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּamongהֶם֙themobjectנְבִאִ֔יםprophetsprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoclauseverbהֲשִׁיבָ֖bringobjectםthem.backprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoיְהוָ֑הYahwehוַandclauseverbיָּעִ֥ידוּthey.warnedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָ֖(in)םthemוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbהֶאֱזִֽינוּthey.gave.ear

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording and meaning of this verse. Both texts emphasize the LORD's action in sending prophets and the people's refusal to heed their warnings.

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

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח בָּהֶם֙ נְבִאִ֔ים לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם אֶל־ יְהוָ֑ה וַיָּעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖ם וְלֹ֥א הֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חἀπέστειλενבָּהֶם֙αὐτοὺςנְבִאִ֔יםπροφήταςלַהֲשִׁיבָ֖םἐπιστρέψαιאֶל־πρὸςיְהוָ֑הκύριονוַיָּעִ֥ידוּδιεμαρτύραντοבָ֖םαὐτοῖςוְלֹ֥אοὐκהֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ סἤκουσαν

10 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

2 Chronicles 24:19שָׁלַחand he sentand he sentשָׁלַחהֶםamong themamong themהֶםנָבִיאprophetsprophetsנָבִיאשׁוּבto bring bato bring back tשׁוּבאֶלtotoאֶליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהעוּדand they waand they warnedעוּדהֶםthemthemהֶםלֹאand notand notלֹאאָזַןthey gave ethey gave earאָזַןנָבָאto prophesto prophesyנָבָאהָיָהto beto beהָיָהאֹ֫זֶןearearאֹ֫זֶןחָפְשִׁיfreefreeחָפְשִׁימַלְאָךְmessengermessengerמַלְאָךְנָתָןNathanNathanנָתָןחֲנַנְיָ֫הוּHananiahHananiahחֲנַנְיָ֫הוּשְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַליָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדתְּפִלָּהprayerprayerתְּפִלָּהקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁב
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 2 Chronicles 24:19

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

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

and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חvai.yish.Lach and he sent H7971 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
847× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the national name for God, dispatched, to depart
Tyndale gloss
to send: depart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁלַח 814 vb. send

Qal

send: human subj.

send: subj. י׳ (God)

stretch out, esp. acc. hand

rarely send away: human subj.

let loose

Niph. letters were sent

Pi.

send off, away, human subj.

send away, subj. י׳

give over

cast out

send out, forth

let go, set free

shoot forth branches

let down

shoot

Phrases

Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)

Hiph. and I (י׳) will send

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.

. send: subj. י׳ (God)

. stretch out, esp. acc. hand

. rarely send away: human subj.

. let loose

. letters were sent

. . send off, away, human subj.

. . send away, subj. י׳

. give over

. cast out

. send out, forth

. let go, set free

. shoot forth branches

. let down

. shoot

. Phrases

. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)

. and I (י׳) will send

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7971 shalach shaw-lakh'

a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great

variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the

way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give

(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),

push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send

(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,

stretch forth (out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.

: depart/send

1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to send

1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct

1a3) to send away

1a4) to let loose

1b) (Niphal) to be sent

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out

1c2) to let go, set free

1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)

1c4) to let down

1c5) to shoot

1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled

1e) (Hiphil) to send

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.

: let_go/free

1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to send

1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct

1a3) to send away

1a4) to let loose

1b) (Niphal) to be sent

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out

1c2) to let go, set free

1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)

1c4) to let down

1c5) to shoot

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(shalach; apostello): "Sent" in the Old Testament is the translation of shalach, "to send" (of presents, messengers, etc., Ge 32:18; 44:3; Jud 6:14; 1Ki 14:6; Es 3:13; Pr 17:11; Jer 49:14; Eze 3:5; 23:40; Da 10:11; Ob 1:1); of shelach, Aramaic (Ezr 7:14; Da 5:24); of shilluchim, "sending" (

and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
בָּהֶם֙ba.Hem among them H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
נְבִאִ֔יםne.vi.'Im prophets H5030 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
315× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Amplified meaning
those who speak for God
Tyndale gloss
prophet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבִיא (nabiy') refers to a prophet or an inspired speaker, covering genuine, false, and heathen prophets. It is derived from the root meaning to bubble forth, indicating a connection to prophecy. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting its significance in both true and false prophetic roles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָבִיא 306 n.m. spokesman, speaker, prophet

genuine prophet of י׳

false prophets

heathen prophets

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5030 נָבִיא spokesman, speaker, prophet

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5030 nabiy' naw-bee'

from 5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man:--prophecy,

that prophesy, prophet.

see HEBREW for 05012

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבִיא (na.vi) — prophet.

1) spokesman, speaker, prophet

1a) prophet

1b) false prophet

1c) heathen prophet

Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A class of men of God, especially in the Old Testament dispensation, inspired to foretell future and secret events; and who also revealed he will of God as to current events and duties, and were his ambassadors to men. But the word is sometimes used in a wider sense; thus Aaron was Moses; prophet, Ex 7:1, appointed to deliver to the people the messages that Moses received from God; the sacred musicians are said to prophecy, 1Ch 25:1; and Paul gives the name, according to the custom of the Greeks, to the poet Aratus, "a prophet of their own," Tit 1:12. Scripture does not withhold the name of prophet from impostors, although they falsely boasted of inspiration. As true prophets, when filled y the energy of God’s Spirit, were…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called SEERS 1Sa 9:19; 2Sa 15:27; 24:11; 2Ki 17:13; 1Ch 9:22; 29:29; 2Ch 9:29; 12:15; 29:30; Isa 30:10; Mic 3:7

→ Schools of 1Ki 20:35; 2Ki 2:3-15; 4:1,38; 9:1

→ Kept the chronicles 1Ch 29:29; 2Ch 9:29; 12:15

→ Counselors to kings Isa 37:2,3

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God spoke of old by

Ho 12:10; Heb 1:1

- The messengers of God

2Ch 36:15; Isa 44:26

- The servants of God

Jer 35:15

- The watchmen of Israel

Eze 3:17

- WERE CALLED

. Men of God

1Sa 9:6

. Prophets of God

Ezr 5:2

. Holy prophets

Lu 1:70; Re 18:20; 22:6

. Holy men of God

2Pe 1:21

. Seers

and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖םla.ha.shi.Vam to bring back them H7725 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Amplified meaning
to return, turn back
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vhcc/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
יְהוָ֑הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
toward the Lord
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
וַיָּעִ֥ידוּvai.ya.'I.du and they warned H5749 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
44× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To testify means to repeat or affirm something, like a witness in court. In the Bible, it appears in Deuteronomy 4:26 and Isaiah 44:26. It involves speaking up or warning others.
Amplified meaning
to repeat, affirm, uphold
Tyndale gloss
to uphold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוּד (uwd) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to return, repeat, or do again. It also encompasses the idea of bearing witness or testifying, often with a sense of solemnity or urgency. The word can imply surrounding or restoring, and its various forms indicate actions like admonishing or warning. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּד] vb. prob. return, go about, repeat, do again

Pi. surround

Pōl‛ēl, restore, relieve

Hithpōl. be restored

base

עוּד vb. denom. bear witness

Qal Impf. < Hiph.

Hiph.

testify, bear witness

cause to testify, take as witness

protest, affirm solemnly, wanr

Hoph. and protest be entered

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5749a עוּד prob. return, go about, repeat, do again H5749b עוּד vb. denom. bear witness .Impf. < Hiph.

. . testify, bear witness

. cause to testify, take as witness

. protest, affirm solemnly, wanr

. and protest be entered

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5749 `uwd ood

a primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to

protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to

encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication):--admonish,

charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record,

relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning,

(bear, call to, give, take to) witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּד (ud) — to uphold.

1) to return, repeat, go about, do again

1a) (Piel) to surround, go round and round

1b) (Pilel) to restore, relieve

1c) (Hithpalel) to be restored

עוּד (ud) — to testify.

1) to bear witness

1a) (Qal) to bear witness, say again and again

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to testify, bear witness

1b2) to cause to testify, take or call as witness, invoke

1b3) to protest, affirm solemnly, warn, exhort or enjoin solemnly, admonish, charge

1c) (Hophal) to protest, give warning

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vhw3mp
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
בָ֖םvam them H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
וְלֹ֥אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
refused to, not willing to
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he sent among them prophets to bring back them to Yahweh and they warned them and not they gave ear
הֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ סhe.'e.Zi.nu they gave ear H238 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common plural
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Amplified meaning
to hear, obey, give ear
Tyndale gloss
to listen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

hear, perceive by the ear

of God, listening (with favour) to prayer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

238 'azan aw-zan'

a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a

denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),

i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,

hear(-ken). See 239.

see HEBREW for 0241

see HEBREW for 0239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.

1) to hear, listen

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to hear, listen, give ear

1a2) to be obedient, harken

1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common plural
HVhp3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):

(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ear

Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blood put upon, in consecration of priest Ex 29:20; Le 8:23

→ In cleansing lepers Le 14:14,25

→ Anointed with oil in purifications Le 14:17,28

→ Bored as a sign of servitude Ex 21:5,6; Ps 40:6

→ See DEAFNESS

→ FIGURATIVE

Anthropomorphic uses of Ps 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8

For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance

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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