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2 Samuel 22:42 — Word Study

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WLCיִשְׁע֖וּ וְאֵ֣ין מֹשִׁ֑יעַ אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽם׃

BSAThey lookedshâʻâh [crying out for help, to gaze intensely] but [there was] no oneʼayin [none, nothing] to save themyâshaʻ [rescue, deliver] toʼêl [toward, towards] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] but He did notlôʼ [refused to, would not] answerʻânâh [respond, give an answer]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 22
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 42 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 ('a.Nam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 22:42quick helps
In a sentenceThe speaker calls out for help, but finds no one to save them, not even the LORD, who does not respond.
Who is speakingThe speaker is expressing despair, looking for a savior.
Where we areThis verse reflects a moment of desperation in a larger song of deliverance.
The hard wordיְהוָ֖ה
Take awayThe cry for help goes unanswered.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectיָשַׁע verbשָׁעָה 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 22:42

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 Song of Praisegenerated

41You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me.
42They looked, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.
43I ground them as the dust of the earth; I crushed and trampled them like mud in the streets.
44You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.

2 Samuel 22:42 is part of a song where David praises the LORD for his deliverance from enemies. In this verse, David expresses a moment of desperation, looking for help but finding none. This reflects the broader theme of reliance on God during times of trouble, as seen throughout the Psalms.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 28:6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
2Job 27:9Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
3Proverbs 1:28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
4Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
5Ezekiel 20:3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יְהוָ֖ה, Yah.wehgenerated

The word יְהוָ֖ה (Yahweh) is the proper name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often rendered as 'the LORD'. It signifies the self-existent nature of God and is deeply tied to the covenant relationship with Israel. In this verse, it highlights the speaker's appeal to God for salvation.

The use of יְהוָ֖ה shows the speaker's recognition of God's authority and power, yet also underscores the pain of feeling unheard in a moment of need.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the LORD for יְהוָ֖ה.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains a main clause introduced by the verb יִשְׁע֖וּ, they looked, followed by a series of phrases that describe the situation: the absence of a deliverer and the appeal to the LORD.

The structure emphasizes the desperation of the speaker, as the verb comes first, highlighting the act of looking for help, followed by the stark realization of abandonment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יִשְׁע֖וּ as βοήσονται (boēsondai), suggesting a similar sense of calling for help. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the urgency in the speaker's plea.

The translation of יְהוָ֖ה as κύριον (kurion) aligns with the common Greek rendering for God, maintaining the reverence associated with the divine name.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 22:42 shows David in a moment of despair, looking for help but finding no one to save him, not even the LORD, who does not respond. This reflects the theme of seeking God's help in times of trouble.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that no one was found to save?

It indicates a deep sense of abandonment and helplessness, as the speaker seeks rescue but finds none.

Why does the speaker turn to the LORD?

The speaker recognizes the LORD as the ultimate source of salvation and deliverance, even in despair.

What is the significance of the LORD not answering?

It highlights the tension between faith in God's ability to save and the painful experience of silence in times of need.

How does this verse connect to other parts of Scripture?

Similar themes of seeking help from God and experiencing silence can be found in other passages, such as in the Psalms.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I felt like I was seeking help but found none?
  2. How do I respond when I feel that God is silent in my prayers?
  3. What does it mean for me to trust in God as my deliverer?
  4. How can I support others who are feeling abandoned or in need of help?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 22:42 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They looked, but [there was] none to save; [even] unto the Lord, but he answered them not. [See comments on Psalms 18:41].

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 22 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(42) They looked.—By the change of a letter this becomes in the psalm “They cried,” and it is so translated here in the LXX., “they shall cry.” One of the readings is doubtless a mere clerical error.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Samuel 22 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

42. They looked] They looked for help. Cp. Isaiah 17:7-8. The Sept. and Psalms 18:41 read, they cried. There is only the difference of a single letter between the words, as far as the consonants are concerned (ιωςε–ιωεςε). even unto the Lord] In their extremity even the heathen might cry for mercy to the “unknown God” of their enemies. Cp. 1 Samuel 5:12; Jonah 3:7 ff.

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 22 →

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

They looked, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They looked, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They looked, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but He did not answer.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They cry out, but there is no one to help them; they cry out to the Lord, but he does not answer them.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They looked, but there was none to save; Even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They looked, but there was none to save; even to the LORD, but he answered them not.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They looked about, but there was none to saue them, euen vnto the Lord, but he answered them not.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They looked, and there was none to save — Unto Jehovah, and he answered them not.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They look, and there is no saviour; Unto Jehovah, and He hath not answered them.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They look, and there is no savior; To YHWH, and He has not answered them.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

They look about, but there is none to help; unto the Lord—but he answereth them not.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They cried for help, but no one saved them; they cried out to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

They shall cry, and there shall be none to save: to the Lord, and he shall not hear them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They cried out for help, but no one came to rescue them. They even called out to the Lord, but he did not answer them.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

They were crying out, but there was no one to come to their help: even to the Lord, but he gave them no answer.

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.

clauseclauseverbיִשְׁע֖וּthey.lookedוְandclausepredicateאֵ֣יןthere.[was].notsubjectמֹשִׁ֑יעַa.delivererclauseclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoיְהוָ֖הYahwehוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbעָנָֽheobjectםanswered.them

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads יִשְׁע֖וּ וְאֵ֣ין מֹשִׁ֑יעַ אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽם׃, which is closely matched by the Septuagint. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain some restored words but agree with the overall meaning of the verse.

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

יִשְׁע֖וּ וְאֵ֣ין מֹשִׁ֑יעַ אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יִשְׁע֖וּβοήσονταιוְאֵ֣יןοὐκמֹשִׁ֑יעַβοηθόςאֶל־πρὸςיְהוָ֖הκύριονוְלֹ֥אοὐξעָנָֽם׃αὐτῶν

7 of the 7 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

ישועו [ואין] מושיע אל יהוה [ולוא] [ענ׳ם]

3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 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 22:42שָׁעָהthey lookedthey lookedשָׁעָהאַ֫יִןand there nand there notאַ֫יִןיָשַׁע[was] a del[was] a deliverיָשַׁעאֶלtotoאֶליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהלֹאand notand notלֹאעוּןhe answeredhe answered theעוּןהָיָהto beto beהָיָהעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןיָשַׁעto saveto saveיָשַׁעמְאֹדmuchmuchמְאֹדכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹבַּצָּרָהdearthdearthבַּצָּרָהפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדאִיּוֹבJobJobאִיּוֹבשָׁוַעto cryto cryשָׁוַע
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 22:42

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.

they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
יִשְׁע֖וּyish.'U they looked H8159 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gaze means to look carefully or intensely at something, often seeking help or guidance, like the Psalmist in Psalm 121:1-2.
Amplified meaning
crying out for help, to gaze intensely
Tyndale gloss
to gaze
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁעָה (sha`ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gaze or look at, often with interest or consideration. It can imply various actions such as inspecting, regarding, or even feeling bewildered. The entries indicate different forms, including Qal (to gaze), Hiphil (to cause to look away), and Hithpael (to gaze in dismay).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁעָה vb. gaze (steadily, with interest, etc.)

Qal gaze at, regard (with favour)

Hiph. cause thy gaze to turn away from me

Hithp. gaze not about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8159 שָׁעָה gaze (steadily, with interest, etc.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8159 sha`ah shaw-aw'

a primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly, for help);

by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be

nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or

bewildered:--depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away),

regard, have respect, spare, turn.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁעָה (sha.ah) — to gaze.

1) to look at or to, regard, gaze at or about

1a) (Qal) to gaze at, regard, behold, look about

1b) (Hiphil) to look away, cause gaze to turn away

1c) (Hithpael) to look in dismay, gaze about (in anxiety)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
וְאֵ֣יןve.'Ein and there not H369 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Amplified meaning
none, nothing
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
מֹשִׁ֑יעַmo.Shi.a' [was] a deliverer H3467 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
206× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
rescue, deliver
Tyndale gloss
to save
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.

Niph.

be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)

be saved in battle, victorious

Hiph.

deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)

save from moral troubles

give victory to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)

. be saved in battle, victorious

. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)

. save from moral troubles

. give victory to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3467 yasha` yaw-shah'

a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.

(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or

succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,

preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,

save(-iour), get victory.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.

1) to save, be saved, be delivered

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered

1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to save, deliver

1b2) to save from moral troubles

1b3) to give victory to

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ An appellation of Jesus Ro 11:26

they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
toward, towards
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

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

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

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

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

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

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

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

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

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
וְלֹ֥אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
refused to, would not
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they looked and there not [was] a deliverer to Yahweh and not he answered them
עָנָֽם׃'a.Nam he answered them H6030 Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
332× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Amplified meaning
respond, give an answer
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּן] vb. dwell

base

עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond

Qal

answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

money meets all demands

specif. respond as a witness, testify

less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

Niph.

make answer

be answered

Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

base

עָנָה vb. sing

Qal sing, utter tunefully

Pi. sing sweetly of it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

. money meets all demands

. . specif. respond as a witness, testify

. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

. . make answer

. be answered

. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

H6030c עָנָה sing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6030 `anah aw-naw'

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,

i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to

begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,

announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),

(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,

hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing

(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

See also 1042, 1043.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 01042

see HEBREW for 01043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּן (un) — to dwell.

(Qal) to dwell

עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.

1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to answer, respond to

1a2) to testify, respond as a witness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to make answer

1b2) to be answered, receive answer

Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.

(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVqp3ms/Sp3mp
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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