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2 Samuel 13:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיֵּ֨צֶר לְאַמְנ֜וֹן לְהִתְחַלּ֗וֹת בַּֽעֲבוּר֙ תָּמָ֣ר אֲחֹת֔וֹ כִּ֥י בְתוּלָ֖ה הִ֑יא וַיִּפָּלֵא֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י אַמְנ֔וֹן לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָ֖הּ מְאֽוּמָה׃

BSAAmnonʼAmnôwn was sickchâlâh [deeply distressed, vexed] with frustrationyâtsar [sick with love, infatuated] overʻâbûwr his sisterʼâchôwth [biological sibling, close relative] TamarTâmâr forkîy shehûwʼ was a virginbᵉthûwlâh [pure, untouched] and it seemedʻayin [hard] implausiblepâlâʼ for [him]ʼAmnôwn to doʻâsâh anythingmᵉʼûwmâh [make any move, take any action]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (me.'U.mah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 13:2quick helps
In a sentenceAmnon is deeply distressed over his sister Tamar's virginity, feeling it implausible to act on his desires.
Who is speakingThe narrator describes Amnon's emotional turmoil regarding his sister.
Where we areThis verse is part of a narrative about the tragic events involving Amnon and Tamar.
The hard wordצָרַר
Take awayAmnon's infatuation leads to a complex and tragic situation.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהִיא verbצרר 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 13:2

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Tragedy of Amnon and Tamargenerated

1After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.
2Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.
3Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
4so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

2 Samuel 13:2 describes Amnon's intense frustration over his sister Tamar, highlighting the emotional and moral complexities of their relationship. This narrative sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, illustrating the consequences of unchecked desire and familial betrayal, as seen in the broader context of David's family dynamics.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 21:4So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.
2Song of Solomon 5:8
32 Corinthians 7:10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

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


The Key Word צָרַר, tsarargenerated

The verb צָרַר (tsarar) means to be distressed or to feel constrained, derived from a root that suggests being pressed or narrowed. This word captures Amnon's emotional state, illustrating his deep frustration and infatuation with Tamar, which leads him to a state of emotional turmoil.

The usage of this verb in the context of Amnon indicates not just a passing frustration but a profound distress that affects his actions and decisions. The Qal form emphasizes that this distress is active and personal, reflecting Amnon's inner conflict.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֵּ֨צֶר governs the main clause, indicating Amnon's emotional state. The structure includes a prepositional phrase explaining the cause of his distress, and a subsequent clause that elaborates on Tamar's status as a virgin.

The order of the Hebrew words emphasizes Amnon's distress first, followed by the reason for it, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship that underscores the intensity of his feelings.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates צָרַר as ἐθλίβετο, which conveys a sense of being oppressed or troubled. This choice reflects a similar emotional state but may imply a broader context of suffering beyond personal distress.

This translation choice highlights the translators' understanding of Amnon's situation, emphasizing the weight of his emotional struggle in a way that resonates with Greek-speaking audiences.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 13:2 tells us that Amnon was deeply frustrated over his sister Tamar because she was a virgin. He felt it was implausible to act on his feelings for her. This situation leads to tragic events in the narrative.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Amnon was sick with frustration?

It means that Amnon was deeply troubled and infatuated with Tamar, leading to emotional distress.

Why is Tamar described as a virgin?

Tamar's virginity is significant in the context of the story, emphasizing her purity and the moral implications of Amnon's desires.

What are the consequences of Amnon's feelings for Tamar?

Amnon's infatuation leads to tragic actions that have severe repercussions for both him and Tamar, affecting their family dynamics.

How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of David's family?

This verse highlights the complexities and moral failings within David's family, setting the stage for further conflict and tragedy.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn from Amnon's emotional turmoil about the dangers of unchecked desire?
  2. How does Tamar's virginity shape the narrative and the actions of the characters involved?
  3. In what ways can we see the consequences of our actions reflected in this story?
  4. How might this passage inform our understanding of relationships and boundaries?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 13:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And Amnon was so vexed,.... Distressed, straitened, and perplexed in his mind through unruly and unbridled lusts that raged in him: that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; as Antiochus son of

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. For she was a virgin.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He fell sick; the passion of his mind disturbed his body, as is usual. She was a virgin, and therefore diligently kept, so as he could not get private converse with her; and withal modest, and abhorring any compliance with his lustful desires, both from her inclination and interest.

Read Matthew Poole on 2 Samuel 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she [was] a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.Ver. 2. And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick.] So did Antiochus, the son of Seleucus, king of Syria, for the love of his step-mother, Stratonice; so that he was near to death. Mors et Amor comites sunt, et mutant et mutuant aliquando sagittas. “ Mutarunt arma inter se Mors atque Cupido: Haec falcem gestat, gestat at ille facem. ” The reason hereof is given by some, and it is this: The affections are in the grossest and basest part of the mind, which hath greatest affinity with the body; and thence it is that the vehemency of the…

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Thought it hard.—Rather, it seemed impossible to Amnon. The modest seclusion of Tamar in the harem of her mother seemed to leave him no opportunity to carry out his desires. It appears from the narrative that the king’s children lived in different households, and each grown-up son dwelt in his own house.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Samuel 13 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Amnon was so vexed - for she was a virgin] It has been well remarked that "the passion of love is nowhere so wasting and vexatious, as where it is unlawful. A quick sense of guilt, especially where it is enormous, as in the present instance, strikes the soul with horror; and the impossibility of an innocent gratification loads that horror with desperation: a conflict too cruel and too dreadful for human bearing." - Delaney.

Read AdamClarke on 2 Samuel 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. Amnon thought it hard] It seemed impossible to Amnon. Tamar lived a secluded life in the women’s apartments, where Amnon could not obtain access to her.

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2. So vexed, that he fell sick — “Not being able to obtain his desires, his grief so ate up his body that he grew lean, and his colour was changed.” — Josephus.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 13 →

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

Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But Amnon became frustrated because he was so lovesick over his sister Tamar. For she was a virgin, and to Amnon it seemed out of the question to do anything to her.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do any thing unto her.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Amnon was so afflicted, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Amnon was so sore vexed, that he fell sicke for his sister Tamar: for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to doe any thing to her.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed difficult for Amnon to do the least thing to her.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Amnon hath distress — even to become sick, because of Tamar his sister, for she [is] a virgin, and it is hard in the eyes of Amnon to do anything to her.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Amnon has distress—even to become sick, because of his sister Tamar, for she [is] a virgin, and it is hard in the eyes of Amnon to do anything to her.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Amnon worried himself so that he fell sick on account of Thamar his sister; for she was a virgin; and it was impossible in the eyes of Amnon to do her the least [harm].

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Amnon was so frustrated that he became sick because of his sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he was exceedingly fond of her, so that he fell sick for the love of her: for as she was a virgin, he thought it hard to do any thing dishonestly with her.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Amnon became so infatuated with his sister Tamar that he felt sick. She was a virgin, and Amnon saw it was impossible for him to have her.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he was so deeply in love that he became ill because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin, and so it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֵּ֨צֶרit.was.distressprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoאַמְנ֜וֹןAmnonprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbהִתְחַלּ֗וֹתmake.himself.sickprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּֽbecausenoun phraseעֲבוּר֙ofnoun phraseתָּמָ֣רTamarnoun phraseאֲחֹת֔sisterוֹhisכִּ֥י(dm)clausepredicateבְתוּלָ֖ה[was].a.virginsubjectהִ֑יאsheוַandclauseverbיִּפָּלֵא֙it.was.difficultprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseעֵינֵ֣יthe.eyesאַמְנ֔וֹןof.Amnonprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoclauseverbעֲשׂ֥וֹתdoprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֖toהּherobjectמְאֽוּמָהanything

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


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

The Masoretic Text presents a complete and coherent account of Amnon's distress, while the Septuagint matches 13 of the 15 words, indicating a strong correspondence. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial agreement with the Masoretic Text but include several words supplied by an editor, suggesting some loss of the original text.

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

וַיֵּ֨צֶר לְאַמְנ֜וֹן לְהִתְחַלּ֗וֹת בַּֽעֲבוּר֙ תָּמָ֣ר אֲחֹת֔וֹ כִּ֥י בְתוּלָ֖ה הִ֑יא וַיִּפָּלֵא֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י אַמְנ֔וֹן לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָ֖הּ מְאֽוּמָה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֵּ֨צֶרἐθλίβετοלְאַמְנ֜וֹןαμνωνלְהִתְחַלּ֗וֹתἀρρωστεῖνבַּֽעֲבוּר֙διὰתָּמָ֣רθημαρאֲחֹת֔וֹαὐτοῦכִּ֥יὅτιבְתוּלָ֖הπαρθένοςוַיִּפָּלֵא֙ὑπέρογκονבְּעֵינֵ֣יὀφθαλμοῖςאַמְנ֔וֹןαμνωνלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתποιῆσαίמְאֽוּמָה׃τι

13 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

[ויצר] [לאמנון] [להתחלות] [בעבור] [תמר] [אחת׳ו] כי בתולה היא [ויפלא] [בעיני] [אמנון] [לעשות] [ל׳ה] [מאומה]

3 words on the leather — 12 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 13:2צָרַרand it was and it was distצָרַראַמְנוֹןto Amnonto Amnonאַמְנוֹןחָלָהto make himto make himselfחָלָהעָבוּרfor sake offor sake ofעָבוּרתָּמָרTamarTamarתָּמָראָחוֹתsister hissister hisאָחוֹתכִּיforforכִּיבְּתוּלָה[was] a vir[was] a virginבְּתוּלָההוּאshesheהוּאפָּלָאand it was and it was diffפָּלָאעַ֫יִןin [the] eyin [the] eyes oעַ֫יִןאַמְנוֹןAmnonAmnonאַמְנוֹןעָשָׂהto doto doעָשָׂההָto herto herהָמְא֫וּמָהanythinganythingמְא֫וּמָהאָמַןbe faithfube faithfulאָמַןחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלעָבַרto passto passעָבַרתָּמָרpalmpalmתָּמָראָחbrother: mbrother: male-sאָחאֶזְרָחִיEzrahiteEzrahiteאֶזְרָחִימאוּםblemishblemishמאוּםתָּמָרTamarTamarתָּמָרבֶּן־חָנָןבֶּן־חָנָןצַ֫עַדstepstepצַ֫עַדמְאֹדmuchmuchמְאֹדשֶׁ֫בֶרbreakingbreakingשֶׁ֫בֶרמַכָּהwoundwoundמַכָּהאֲדָמָהland: soilland: soilאֲדָמָהבָּרַךְto blessto blessבָּרַךְאַמְנוֹןAmnonAmnonאַמְנוֹןכַּלָהdaughter-idaughter-in-lawכַּלָהעֶרְוָהnakednessnakednessעֶרְוָה
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 13:2

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

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

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
וַיֵּ֨צֶרvai.Ye.tzer and it was distress H3334 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes being in distress or a tight spot, like being narrow or cramped. It's used in the Bible to describe difficult situations, such as in Psalm 119:143.
Amplified meaning
sick with love, infatuated
Tyndale gloss
be distressed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צָרַר (tsarar) encompasses meanings related to binding, being restricted, and experiencing distress. It is derived from a primitive root that suggests pressing or narrowing, and can describe both physical and emotional states of being cramped or in straits. The entries highlight its usage in various forms, including Qal and Hiphil, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָרַר vb. bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped

trans.

Qal bind or tie up

Pu. tied up (mended by tying)

intrans.

Qal be scant, cramped, in straits

Hiph. make narrow for, press hard upon, cause distress to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3334 צָרַר bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3334 yatsar yaw-tsar'

a primitive root; to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow;

figuratively, be in distress:--be distressed, be narrow, be

straitened (in straits), be vexed.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַר (ya.tsar) — be distressed.

1) to bind, be distressed, be in distress, be cramped, be narrow, be scant, be in straits, make narrow, cause distress, beseige

1a) (Qal) to suffer distress

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
לְאַמְנ֜וֹןle.'am.Non to Amnon H550 Preposition · noun proper masculine
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Amnon was a son of King David, known for his tragic story in the Bible. His name means 'faithful', but his actions were not faithful, as he committed a terrible sin against his sister Tamar.
Tyndale gloss
Amnon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַמְנוֹן (Amnon) means 'faithful' and refers primarily to two figures in the Old Testament: the eldest son of King David, known for his tragic story involving Tamar and Absalom, and a son of Shimon from Caleb's clan. The entries highlight his familial connections, particularly within David's lineage, and note the character's complex narrative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַמְנוֹן n.pr.m. (faithful)

eldest son of David

a son of Shimon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H550 אַמְנוֹן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

550 'Amnown am-nohn'

or uAmiynown {am-ee-nohn'}; from 539; faithful; Amnon (or

Aminon), a son of David:--Amnon.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַמְנוֹן (am.non) — Amnon.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.2;

son of: David (H1732) and Ahinoam (H0293H);

half-brother of: 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)

§ Amnon = "faithful"

1) oldest son of David, rapist of Tamar, slain by Absalom

2) a son of Shimon (of Caleb's clan)

אַמְנוֹן (am.non) — Amnon.

A man of the tribe of Judah(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.20;

son of: Shimon (H7889);

brother of: Rinnah (H7441), Ben-hanan (H1135) , Tilon (H8436)

§ Amnon = "faithful"

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
HR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Amnon

Faithful. (1.) One of the sons of Shammai, of the children of Ezra (1 Chr. 4:20; comp. 17).

(2.) The eldest son of David, by Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Chr. 3:1; 2 Sam. 3:2). Absalom caused him to be put to death for his great crime in the matter of Tamar (2 Sam. 13:28, 29).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(faithful). Eldest son of David. (B.C. 1052.) He dishonored his half-sister Tamar, and was in consequence murdered by her brother. (2 Samuel 13:1-29) Son of Shimon. (1 Chronicles 4:20)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The eldest son of David, by Ahimoam of Jezreel. He is known only by his guilt in violating his sister; for which Absalom, two years after, caused him to be assassinated, 2Sa 13:1-39.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

faithful and true; tutor

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
לְהִתְחַלּ֗וֹתle.hit.cha.Lot to make himself sick H2470 Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct common
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To beg or entreat means to ask or pray for something, often with a sense of weakness or sickness, like when someone is grieving or in pain.
Amplified meaning
deeply distressed, vexed
Tyndale gloss
be weak: weak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָלָה (*chalah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to be rubbed or worn, covering a range of meanings related to weakness, sickness, and grief. It can refer to becoming weak or ill, making oneself sick, or even entreating favor. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of these concepts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלָה vb. be weak, sick

Qal

be or become weak

become sick, ill

Niph.

make oneself sick, fig. for strain oneself

be made sick

Pi. make sick

Pu. be made weak

Hithp. make oneself sick

Hiph.

make (sick, i.e.) sore thy smiting

make sick

shew (signs of) sickness, become sick

Hoph. make sick = wounded

base

[חָלָה] vb. only Pi. mollify, appease, entreat the favour of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2470a חָלָה be weak, sick .. be or become weak

. become sick, ill

. . make oneself sick, fig. for strain oneself

. be made sick

. make sick

. be made weak

. make oneself sick

. . make (sick, i.e.) sore thy smiting

. make sick

. shew (signs of) sickness, become sick

. make sick = wounded

H2470b חָלָה only Pi. mollify, appease, entreat the favour of

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2470 chalah khaw-law'

a primitive root (compare 2342, 2470, 2490); properly, to be

rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick,

afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to

stroke (in flattering), entreat:--beseech, (be) diseased, (put

to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay

to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick,

sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail,

be (become) weak, be wounded.

see HEBREW for 02342

see HEBREW for 02470

see HEBREW for 02490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלָה (cha.lah) — be weak: weak.

: weak/disabled

1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry

1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak

1b2) to become sick, become ill

1c) (Niphal)

1c1) to make oneself sick

1c2) to be made sick

1c3) to be tired

1d) (Pual) to be made weak, become weak

1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself sick

1f) (Hiphil)

1f1) to make sore

1f2) to make sick

1f3) to show signs of sickness, become sick

1f4) to grieve

1g) (Hophal)

1g1) to be made sick

1g2) to be wounded

חָלָה (cha.lah) — to beg.

1) (Piel)

1a) (CLBL) to mollify, entreat, pray, beg

חָלָה (cha.lah) — be weak: ill.

: ill/injured

1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry

1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct common
HR/Vtcc
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
בַּֽעֲבוּר֙ba.'a.Vur for sake of H5668 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means for the sake of or because of something, like in Genesis when God acts on account of his people's needs. It shows a reason or purpose behind an action. The KJV often translates it as because of or for someone's sake.
Tyndale gloss
for the sake of
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָבוּר (*'abuwr*) is used only in the forms בַּעֲבוּר and בַּעֲבֻר, functioning as a preposition and conjunction. It conveys meanings such as 'for the sake of,' 'on account of,' and 'in order that.' The entries indicate it derives from the root related to crossing or transit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָבוּר] n. only in בַּעֲבוּר 47, בַּעֲבֻר, prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, in order that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5668 עָבוּר only in בַּעֲבוּר, בַּעֲבֻר, prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, in order that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5668 `abuwr aw-boor'

or rabur {aw-boor'}; passive participle of 5674; properly,

crossed, i.e. (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on

account of, in order that:--because of, for (...'s sake),

(intent) that, to.

see HEBREW for 05674

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָבוּר (a.vur) — for the sake of.

prep

1) for the sake of, on account of, because of, in order to

conj

2) in order that

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
תָּמָ֣רta.Mar Tamar H8559 Noun proper feminine
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tamar was the name of three women and a place in the Bible, including the wife of Judah's son Er. The name means palm tree and is also associated with the city of Tadmor
Tyndale gloss
Tamar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּמָר (Tamar) refers to several women and a location, meaning "palm-tree." Notably, it includes the daughter-in-law of Judah, the daughter of David and sister of Absalom, and a place on the southern border of Gad. The entries indicate that there are three women named Tamar, each with distinct narratives in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּמָר n.pr.

f.

daughter-in-law of Judah

daughter of David, sister of Absalom

loc. site not certain

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8559 תָּמָר n. pr. . f. . daughter-in-law of Judah

. daughter of David, sister of Absalom

. loc. site not certain

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8559 Tamar taw-mawr'

the same as 8558; Tamar, the name of three women and a

place:--Tamar.

see HEBREW for 08558

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמָר (ta.mar) — Tamar.

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.6; married to Judah (H3063) and Er (H6147);

mother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I)

Also named: Thamar (Θάμαρ "Tamar" G2283)

§ Tamar = "palm-tree"

1) widow of Er, the son of Judah; fiancee of Shelah, another son of Judah; wife of Judah and mother of Pharez and Zerah

2) daughter of David by Maacah, sister of Absalom, and rape victim of Amnon her half brother, another son of David

3) daughter of Absalom

4) a place on the southern border of Gad

תָּמָר (ta.mar) — Tamar.

A woman of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.1;

daughter of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I)

sister of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416)…

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

Tamar

Palm. (1.) A place mentioned by Ezekiel (47:19; 48:28), on the southeastern border of Palestine. Some suppose this was “Tadmor” (q.v.).

(2.) The daughter-in-law of Judah, to whose eldest son, Er, she was married (Gen. 38:6). After her husband’s death, she was married to Onan, his brother (8), and on his death, Judah promised to her that his third son, Shelah, would become her husband. This promise was not fulfilled, and hence Tamar’s revenge and Judah’s great guilt (38:12-30).

(3.) A daughter of David (2 Sam. 13:1-32; 1 Chr. 3:9), whom Amnon shamefully outraged and afterwards “hated exceedingly,” thereby illustrating the law of human nature noticed even by the heathen, “Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(palm tree). The wife successively of the two sons of Judah, Er and Onan. (Genesis 38:8-30) (B.C. about 1718.) Her importance in the sacred narrative depends on the great anxiety to keep up the lineage of Judah. It seemed as if the family were on the point of extinction. Er and Onan had successively perished suddenly. Judah’s wife, Bathshuah, died; and there only remained a child, Shelah, whom Judah was unwilling to trust to the dangerous union as it appeared, with Tamar, lest he should meet with the same fate as his brothers. Accordingly she resorted to the desperate expedient of entrapping the father himself into the union which he feared for his son. The fruits of this intercourse were twins, Pharez and Zarah, and through Pharez the sacred line was continued. Daughter of David and Maachah the Geshurite princess, and thus sister of…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A palm-tree,

1. A Canaanitish woman, mother of Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:1-30.

2. A daughter of David. See TALMAI.

3. A daughter of Absalom, 2Sa 14:27.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

palm; palm-tree

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
אֲחֹת֔וֹ'a.cho.To sister his H269 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
114× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A sister in the Bible can be a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative. In Genesis 4:2, Cain's sister is not named, but in Genesis 24:15, Rebekah is Isaac's cousin and future wife.
Amplified meaning
biological sibling, close relative
Tyndale gloss
sister
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָחוֹת (achowth) means 'sister' and can refer to a full sister, half-sister, or a relative. It is used both literally and figuratively, symbolizing relationships such as that of Israel and Judah, and can also imply intimacy or connection. The word is built from a feminine form related to other terms for kinship.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָחוֹת 114 n.f. sister

sister

= beloved

symbol. of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem

fig. of intimate connection

another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H269 אָחוֹת sister

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

269 'achowth aw-khoth'

irregular feminine of 251; a sister (used very widely (like

250), literally and figuratively):--(an-)other, sister,

together.

see HEBREW for 0251

see HEBREW for 0250

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָחוֹת (a.chot) — sister.

1) sister

1a) sister (same parents)

1b) half-sister (same father)

1c) relative

1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship

1d) beloved

1d1) bride

1e) (fig.) of intimate connection

1f) another

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
בְתוּלָ֖הve.tu.Lah [was] a virgin H1330 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A virgin, or bride, is described by this word, emphasizing her private and untouched state, as seen in the stories of Genesis and Esther.
Amplified meaning
pure, untouched
Tyndale gloss
virgin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּתוּלָה (bthuwlah) means 'virgin' and is derived from a passive participle of an unused root that suggests separation. It can also refer to a bride and, in a figurative sense, to a city or state. The term appears in contexts related to purity and marital status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּתוּלָה 60 n.f. virgin

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1330 בְּתוּלָה virgin

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1330 bthuwlah beth-oo-law'

feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to

separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by

continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or

state:--maid, virgin.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּתוּלָה (be.tu.lah) — virgin.

virgin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Virgin

In a prophecy concerning our Lord, Isaiah (7:14) says, “A virgin [R.V. marg., ‘the virgin’] shall conceive, and bear a son” (comp. Luke 1:31-35). The people of the land of Zidon are thus referred to by Isaiah (23:12), “O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon;” and of the people of Israel, Jeremiah (18:13) says, “The virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.”

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Proofs of De 22:13-21

→ Dowry of Ex 22:17

→ Character of, to be protected De 22:17-21,23,24

→ Betrothal of, a quasi-marriage De 22:23,24

→ Distinguishing apparel of 2Sa 13:18

→ A priest could marry only a Le 21:14

→ Mourn in the temple La 1:4; 2:10

→ Virginity of, bewailed Jud 11:37-39

→ Parable of the wise and foolish Mt 25:1-13

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
הִ֑יאHi' she H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
וַיִּפָּלֵא֙vai.yi.pa.Le' and it was difficult H6381 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
71× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to wonder or be amazed, often at something great or difficult. It describes God's power and miracles in the Bible, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as 'marvelous' or 'wonderful'.
Tyndale gloss
to wonder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּלָא (pala') is a verb that conveys the idea of being extraordinary or wonderful. It can describe actions that are difficult to perform or understand, as well as marvelous acts of God, particularly in judgment and redemption. The word can also refer to making special offerings or showing oneself in a marvelous way.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּלָא] 71 vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary

Niph.

be beyond one's power, difficult to do

be difficult to understand

be extraordinary, wonderful

as subst., marvellous things

= wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption

Pi. make a special votive offering

Hiph.

do a hard or difficult thing

make wonderful, do wondrously

of God working wonders in doing

Hithp. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6381 פָּלָא vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary . . be beyond one's power, difficult to do

. be difficult to understand

. . be extraordinary, wonderful

. as subst., marvellous things

. = wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption

. make a special votive offering

. . do a hard or difficult thing

. make wonderful, do wondrously

. of God working wonders in doing

. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6381 pala' paw-law'

a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e.

distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be

(causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful:--accomplish,

(arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do,

do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles,

perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make)

wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things,

works, -ly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּלָא (pa.la) — to wonder.

1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be beyond one's power, be difficult to do

1a2) to be difficult to understand

1a3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary

1a3a) marvellous (participle)

1b) (Piel) to separate (an offering)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing

1c2) to make wonderful, do wondrously

1d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VNw3ms
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
בְּעֵינֵ֣יbe.'ei.Nei in [the] eyes of H5869 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
hard
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cd — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
HR/Ncfdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
אַמְנ֔וֹן'am.Non Amnon H550 Noun proper masculine
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Amnon was a son of King David, known for his tragic story in the Bible. His name means 'faithful', but his actions were not faithful, as he committed a terrible sin against his sister Tamar.
Tyndale gloss
Amnon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַמְנוֹן (Amnon) means 'faithful' and refers primarily to two figures in the Old Testament: the eldest son of King David, known for his tragic story involving Tamar and Absalom, and a son of Shimon from Caleb's clan. The entries highlight his familial connections, particularly within David's lineage, and note the character's complex narrative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַמְנוֹן n.pr.m. (faithful)

eldest son of David

a son of Shimon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H550 אַמְנוֹן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

550 'Amnown am-nohn'

or uAmiynown {am-ee-nohn'}; from 539; faithful; Amnon (or

Aminon), a son of David:--Amnon.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַמְנוֹן (am.non) — Amnon.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.2;

son of: David (H1732) and Ahinoam (H0293H);

half-brother of: 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)

§ Amnon = "faithful"

1) oldest son of David, rapist of Tamar, slain by Absalom

2) a son of Shimon (of Caleb's clan)

אַמְנוֹן (am.non) — Amnon.

A man of the tribe of Judah(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.20;

son of: Shimon (H7889);

brother of: Rinnah (H7441), Ben-hanan (H1135) , Tilon (H8436)

§ Amnon = "faithful"

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

Amnon

Faithful. (1.) One of the sons of Shammai, of the children of Ezra (1 Chr. 4:20; comp. 17).

(2.) The eldest son of David, by Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Chr. 3:1; 2 Sam. 3:2). Absalom caused him to be put to death for his great crime in the matter of Tamar (2 Sam. 13:28, 29).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(faithful). Eldest son of David. (B.C. 1052.) He dishonored his half-sister Tamar, and was in consequence murdered by her brother. (2 Samuel 13:1-29) Son of Shimon. (1 Chronicles 4:20)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The eldest son of David, by Ahimoam of Jezreel. He is known only by his guilt in violating his sister; for which Absalom, two years after, caused him to be assassinated, 2Sa 13:1-39.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

faithful and true; tutor

and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla.'a.Sot to do H6213 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
לָ֖הּlah to her H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3fs
and it was distress to Amnon to make himself sick for sake of Tamar sister his for [was] a virgin she and it was difficult in [the] eyes of Amnon to do to her anything
מְאֽוּמָה׃me.'U.mah anything H3972 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to something, no matter how small, or nothing at all. It's used in phrases like 'anything' or 'nothing'. The Bible uses it in various books to convey the idea of something or nothing.
Amplified meaning
make any move, take any action
Tyndale gloss
anything
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְא֫וּמָה (muwmah) means 'anything' or 'nothing' in Hebrew. It is derived from a form of another word, מָוֶן (muwm), which suggests a speck or point. The entries indicate that it can imply a lack or absence, as well as a general reference to something.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְא֫וּמָה 32 pron.indef. anything

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3972 מְא֫וּמָה anything

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3972 muwmah meh-oo'-maw

apparently a form of 3971; properly, a speck or point, i.e.

(by implication) something; with negative, nothing:--fault, +

no(-ught), ought, somewhat, any ((no-))thing.

see HEBREW for 03971

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְא֫וּמָה (me.u.mah) — anything.

anything

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
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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