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2 Samuel 1:11 — Word Study

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WLCוַיַּחֲזֵ֥ק דָּוִ֛ד בִּבְגָדָ֖יו וַיִּקְרָעֵ֑ם וְגַ֥ם כָּל־ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃

BSAThen DavidDâvid [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] took holdchâzaq of his own clothesbeged [garments, robes] and tore themqâraʻ [rent, ripped] and allkôl [everything, every single one] who [were]ʼăsher with himʼêth [near, accompanying] did the samegam [likewise, in the same manner]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 ('i.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 1:11quick helps
In a sentenceDavid expresses his grief by tearing his clothes, a traditional sign of mourning.
Who is speakingDavid, the king of Judah, is the central figure in this account.
Where we areThis moment occurs after the death of Saul, marking a significant transition in Israel's leadership.
The hard wordחָזַק
Take awayThe act of tearing clothes signifies deep sorrow and mourning.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectדָּוִד verbחָזַק 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 Samuel 1:11

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 — David's Mourning for Saulgenerated

10So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”
11Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
12They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.”

2 Samuel 1:11 describes a poignant moment where David, upon hearing of Saul's death, tears his clothes in mourning, a customary expression of grief in ancient Israel. This act is shared by the men with him, reflecting collective sorrow and respect for the fallen king. The surrounding verses highlight the significance of this moment in the context of David's rise to kingship and the end of Saul's reign.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Samuel 3:31Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.
22 Samuel 13:31Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
3Genesis 37:29–34When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
4Acts 14:14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
5Romans 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

likewiseRomans 12:15

The Key Word חָזַק, vai.ya.cha.Zekgenerated

The verb חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. In this context, it conveys the act of taking hold of something with determination, reflecting David's emotional state as he confronts the tragedy of Saul's death.

The Hiphil form indicates a causative action, suggesting that David is not just physically holding his garments but is also emotionally engaging with his grief. This word captures both the physical act of tearing and the emotional strength required to express such sorrow.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses took hold of for חָזַק, while the KJV and ASV use took hold on, maintaining the same essential meaning.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is חָזַק, he took hold, with a sequence of actions following it. The structure emphasizes David's actions and their immediate emotional impact.

The sentence includes a compound structure where David's actions are mirrored by those of the men with him, highlighting a communal response to grief.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חָזַק as ἐκράτησεν, which means 'he seized' or 'he grasped'. This choice emphasizes the act of taking hold in a more assertive manner, suggesting an intense emotional response.

This rendering may imply a stronger sense of urgency or intensity in David's actions compared to the Hebrew, which focuses more on the act of holding.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 1:11 describes how David mourned the death of Saul by tearing his clothes, a traditional sign of grief. This act was shared by all the men with him, showing their collective sorrow for the fallen king.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does tearing clothes signify in this context?

Tearing clothes is a traditional expression of mourning in ancient Israel, symbolizing deep sorrow and loss.

Why did David and the men react this way?

Their actions reflect respect for Saul, acknowledging his position as king and their grief over his death.

Is this action common in other parts of the Bible?

Yes, similar expressions of mourning are found throughout the Bible, such as in Genesis and in the accounts of other leaders.

What can we learn from David's response to Saul's death?

David's mourning shows the importance of honoring those who have passed, even when they were adversaries, and highlights the depth of human emotion in times of loss.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I express grief in my own life?
  2. How can I support others who are mourning?
  3. What does it mean to honor someone who has passed, even if there were conflicts?
  4. In what ways can I show respect for the leaders or figures in my life?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 1:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

When David took hold on his clothes,.... Not on the young man's but his own: and rent them; on bearing of the death of Saul and Jonathan, see Genesis 37:34; from whence the Jews (l) gather, that a

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him:Ver. 11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them.] Which manner was taken up at first by extremity of passion, without any regard to the decency of whole apparel, or damage by tearing them; and afterwards, by the example of some eminent persons, drawn into common practice. This David and his men did cordially, as there was cause, for the public; though for their own particular there was no such great reason.

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. on] “On” used as we now use “of.” Cp. 1 Samuel 27:11.

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 1 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

11. David took hold on his clothes, and rent them — The sign of most bitter humiliation and grief. See references.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 1 →

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

Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then David took hold on his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.

NETBNew English Translation2006

David then grabbed his own clothes and tore them, as did all the men who were with him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

RVARevised Version, American1894

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then Dauid tooke hold on his clothes, and rent them, and likewise al the men that were with him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Then David took hold of his garments and rent them; and all the men that were with him [did] likewise.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And David taketh hold on his garments, and rendeth them, and also all the men who [are] with him,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And David takes hold on his garments, and tears them, and also all the men who [are] with him,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

David thereupon took hold of his clothes, and rent them; and [so did] likewise all the men that were with him:

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Then David took hold of his garments and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

David grabbed hold of his clothes and ripped them, as did his men.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then David gave way to bitter grief, and so did all the men who were with him:

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.

וַandclauseclauseclauseverbיַּחֲזֵ֥קhe.took.holdsubjectדָּוִ֛דDavidprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּonnoun phraseבְגָדָ֖יgarmentsוhisוַandclauseverbיִּקְרָעֵ֑heobjectםtore.themconjunction phraseוְandגַ֥םalsoclausenoun phrase · subjectכָּלallnoun phraseהָthenoun phraseאֲנָשִׁ֖יםmenrelpאֲשֶׁ֥רwhoclauseprepositional phrase · predicateאִתּֽ[were].withוֹhim

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely in their wording, with the Septuagint maintaining the same essential meaning. However, the Dead Sea Scrolls show a partially restored text with some words supplied by an editor, indicating a slight variation in preservation.

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

וַיַּחֲזֵ֥ק דָּוִ֛ד בִּבְגָדָ֖יו וַיִּקְרָעֵ֑ם וְגַ֥ם כָּל־ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּחֲזֵ֥קἐκράτησενדָּוִ֛דδαυιδבִּבְגָדָ֖יוαὐτοῦוַיִּקְרָעֵ֑םαὐτάוְגַ֥םκαὶכָּל־πάντεςהָאֲנָשִׁ֖יםἄνδρεςאֲשֶׁ֥רοἱאִתּֽוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

[ויחזק] [דויד] [בבגדי׳ו] [ויקרע׳ם] וגם [כול] [האנשים] [אשר] [את׳ו]

1 word on the leather — 8 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

2 Samuel 1:11חָזַקand he tookand he took holחָזַקדָּוִדDavidDavidדָּוִדבֶּ֫גֶדon garmentson garments hisבֶּ֫גֶדקָרַעand he toreand he tore theקָרַעגַּםand alsoand alsoגַּםכֹּלallallכֹּלאֱנוֹשׁthe menthe menאֱנוֹשׁאֲשֶׁרwhowhoאֲשֶׁראֵת[were] with[were] with himאֵתבָּגַדto act treto act treacherבָּגַדכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלאָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהדּוֹדbelovedbelovedדּוֹדבֶ֫דֶקbreachbreachבֶ֫דֶקאָמֵץto strengtto strengthenאָמֵץמִזְמוֹרmelodymelodyמִזְמוֹרנָצַחto conductto conductנָצַחכָּבַסto washto washכָּבַסקָרַעto tearto tearקָרַעמְעִילroberobeמְעִילבֶּ֫גֶדtreacherytreacheryבֶּ֫גֶדתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַל
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 Samuel 1:11

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 took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
וַיַּחֲזֵ֥קvai.ya.cha.Zek and he took hold H2388 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
291× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen: strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen

Qal

intrans. be or grow strong

transit. only strengthened him not

Pi.

make strong (physically)

strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

make strong = bold, encourage

make firm

make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

Hiph.

make strong, strengthen

make firm, the kingdom

display strength

make severe, of battle

support

= repair

prevail

esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

put forth strength, use one's strength

withstand

hold strongly with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong

. transit. only strengthened him not

. . make strong (physically)

. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

. make strong = bold, encourage

. make firm

. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

. . . make strong, strengthen

. make firm, the kingdom

. display strength

. make severe, of battle

. support

. = repair

. prevail

. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

. . strengthen oneself

. put forth strength, use one's strength

. withstand

. hold strongly with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2388 chazaq khaw-zak'

a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong

(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,

repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,

amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,

constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),

encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make

hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play

the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,

repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be

stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),

be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.

: strengthen/support/encourage

1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be strong, grow strong

1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon

1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure

1a1c) to press, be urgent

1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)

1a1e) to be severe, be grievous

1a2) to strengthen

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make strong

1b2) to restore to strength, give strength

1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage

1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage

1b5) to make firm

1b6) to make rigid, make hard

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make strong, strengthen

1c2) to make firm

1c3) to display strength

1c4) to make severe

1c5) to support

1c6) to repair

1c7) to prevail, prevail upon

1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support

1c9) to hold, contain

1d) (Hithpael)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hold: In the American Standard Revised Version frequently "stronghold" (Jud 9:49; 1Sa 22:4; 24:22; 2Sa 5:17; 23:14; 1Ch 11:16; 12:16). See FORTIFICATION. In Re 18:2 for the King James Version "cage" (phulake) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes, as in first clause, "hold," and in the margin "prison."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hold

A fortress, the name given to David’s lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).

and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
דָּוִ֛דda.Vid David H1732 Noun proper masculine
1,075× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Amplified meaning
the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah
Tyndale gloss
David
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1732 David daw-veed'

rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;

loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.

see HEBREW for 01730

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;

son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);

brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);

father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)

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

da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):

I. NAME AND GENEALOGY

II. EARLY YEARS

1. Shepherd

2. Slinger

3. Harpist

4. Poet

5. Psalmist

6. Tribesman

III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL

1. David First Meets Saul

2. His First Exploit

3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David

4. Jonathan and David

IV. DAVID IN EXILE

1. David as Outlaw

2. David Joins the Philistines

V. DAVID AS KING

1. Civil War

2. Conquests Abroad

3. Political Situation

4. The Ark

VI. DOMESTIC LIFE

1. His Wives and Children

2. Domestic Troubles

VII. HIS OFFICIALS

1. Prophets

2. Priests

3. Military Officers

4. Other Officials

5. Mutual Rivalry

VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID

1. Chronicles

2. Psalms

3. Complex Character

4. Physical Courage

5. Moral Courage

6. Prudence

7. Strategy

8. Nobility

9. David in Relation to His Family

10. David in Relation to His Friends

11. His Success

12. His Foreign Friends

13. Nemesis

Easton's Bible Dictionary

David

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).

His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…

and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
בִּבְגָדָ֖יוbiv.ga.dov on garments his H899 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
217× 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 clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Amplified meaning
garments, robes
Tyndale gloss
treachery
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֶּ֫גֶד (beged) has meanings related to both clothing and treachery. It can refer to a garment or covering, as well as deceit or betrayal. The word is built from a root that suggests a duality in its usage, appearing in contexts that range from apparel to treacherous actions, notably in Isaiah 24:16 and Jeremiah 12:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶּ֫גֶד n.[m.] treachery Is 24:16 Je 12:1.

done

בֶּ֫גֶד n.m. garment, covering

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H899a בֶּ֫גֶד treachery H899b בֶּ֫גֶד garment, covering

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

899 beged behg'-ed

from 898; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or

pillage:--apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag,

raiment, robe, X very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.

see HEBREW for 0898

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫גֶד (be.ged) — treachery.

treachery, deceit

בֶּ֫גֶד (be.ged) — garment.

(CLBL) garment, clothing (used indiscriminately)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/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 he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
וַיִּקְרָעֵ֑םvai.yik.ra.'Em and he tore them H7167 Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to tear or rend something, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in the case of reviling or enlarging the eyes. In the book of the Prophet Joel, it describes the heavens being torn open. It can also describe the action of wild beasts.
Amplified meaning
rent, ripped
Tyndale gloss
to tear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרַע (qara`) means to tear or rend, both literally and figuratively. It is often used in the context of tearing garments, but can also refer to tearing away sovereignty or opening the heavens. The word has various applications, including tearing in pieces, making something wide, and being rent, as seen in the usage of wild beasts and altars.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרַע 63 vb. tear

Qal tear, rend

usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

tear away or out

tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

tear, rend asunder

book

= make wide, large

rend open heavens, and descend

tear, rend, of wild beasts

Niph. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7167 קָרַע tear .tear, rend . . usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

. tear away or out

. tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

. tear, rend asunder . book

. = make wide, large

. rend open heavens, and descend

. tear, rend, of wild beasts

. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7167 qara` kaw-rah'

a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile,

paint the eyes, as if enlarging them):--cut out, rend, X

surely, tear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַע (qa.ra) — to tear.

1) to tear, tear in pieces

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tear, rend

1a2) to tear away or out

1a3) to tear, rend asunder

1a3a) to make wide or large (of eyes)

1a3b) to rend open (of heavens)

1a4) to tear, rend (of wild beasts)

1b) (Niphal) to be rent, be split asunder

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw3ms/Sp3mp
and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
וְגַ֥םve.Gam and also H1571 Conjunction · adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Amplified meaning
likewise, in the same manner
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | DirObjM — Conjunction · adverb
HC/D
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
everything, every single one
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
הָאֲנָשִׁ֖יםha.'a.na.Shim the men H582 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

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

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

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

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

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

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

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncmpa — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher who H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he took hold David on garments his and he tore them and also all the men who [were] with him
אִתּֽוֹ׃'i.To [were] with him H854 Preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Amplified meaning
near, accompanying
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
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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