Deuteronomy 21:6 — Word Study
WLCוְכֹ֗ל זִקְנֵי֙ הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֔וא הַקְּרֹבִ֖ים אֶל־ הֶחָלָ֑ל יִרְחֲצוּ֙ אֶת־ יְדֵיהֶ֔ם עַל־ הָעֶגְלָ֖ה הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה בַנָּֽחַל׃
BSAThen allkôl [the entire group of] the elderszâqên [respected leaders, old in wisdom] of the cityʻîyr [town, settlement] nearestqârôwb [close in proximity, adjacent] the victimchâlâl [slain man, one who has been killed] shall washrâchats▸ [to cleanse, purify] their handsyâd [an open hand; strength, a side or share] by the streamnachal [brook, small river] overʻal the heiferʻeglâh [young female calf, nearly grown] whose neck has been brokenʻâraph [beheaded, killed by cutting off]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְכֹ֗ל | and all | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| זִקְנֵי֙ | [the] elders of | Adj |
| הָעִ֣יר | the city | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| הַהִ֔וא | that | Particle, pronoun |
| הַקְּרֹבִ֖ים | near | Particle |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| הֶחָלָ֑ל | the [one] slain | Particle |
| יִרְחֲצוּ֙ | they will wash | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| יְדֵיהֶ֔ם | hands their | Noun common both dual construct, suffix |
| עַל־ | over | Preposition |
| הָעֶגְלָ֖ה | the heifer | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה | broken necked | Particle, verb qal participle (passive) feminine singular |
| בַנָּֽחַל׃ | in the wadi | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken, |
| KJV | And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: |
| ASV | And all the elders of that city, who are nearest unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley; |
| YLT | and all the elders of that city, who are near unto the slain one, do wash their hands over the heifer which is beheaded in the valley, |
| WEB | All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. |
| BBE | And all the responsible men of that town which is nearest to the dead man, washing their hands over the cow whose neck was broken in the valley, |
There are no significant differences among the translations on this verse.
The main clause is supported by two prepositional phrases that provide context for the action of washing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָחַץ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Deuteronomy 21:6
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 Ritual for Unsolved Murdersgenerated
Deuteronomy 21:6 provides a procedure for the elders of the nearest city to perform a ritual when a murder occurs without a known killer. This act of washing their hands over a heifer signifies their innocence and responsibility for the community. The ritual serves to atone for the shedding of innocent blood, emphasizing the importance of communal purity and justice in ancient Israel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 9:30 | If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, |
| 2 | Psalm 19:12 | Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. |
| 3 | Psalm 26:6 | I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, |
| 4 | Psalm 51:2–7 | Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. |
| 5 | Psalm 73:13 | Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָרַף, ha.'a.ru.Fahgenerated
The Hebrew word עָרַף (araph) means to break the neck, often used in the context of animal sacrifice. It implies a violent act of killing, particularly beheading, which is significant in the ritual described in this verse.
The use of this word in the context of the heifer indicates the seriousness of the ritual, as it symbolizes the atonement for the bloodshed. The elders' act of washing their hands signifies their role in the community's response to the crime.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the key actions in this verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִרְחֲצוּ (they will wash) governs the main action of the sentence, with the subject being the elders and additional phrases providing details about the location and object of the washing.
The structure emphasizes the elders' communal responsibility, with the washing action directly linked to the heifer, which serves as a sacrificial element in the ritual.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָרַף as νενευροκοπημένης, which conveys a similar meaning of a neck being broken. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the sacrificial context and the significance of the heifer in the ritual.
The Greek term used suggests a focus on the act of killing, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on the violent nature of the sacrifice.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 21:6 describes a ritual for the elders of the nearest city to a murder victim. They must wash their hands over a heifer with a broken neck to declare their innocence. This act symbolizes the community's responsibility and the need for atonement for the shedding of innocent blood.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Washing their hands signifies the elders' declaration of innocence regarding the murder, indicating they did not participate in the act.
The heifer represents a sacrifice for atonement, symbolizing the community's need to address the bloodshed and seek forgiveness.
The nearest city is significant because it ties the community directly to the incident, emphasizing their responsibility to address the crime.
This ritual shows that the community held collective responsibility for crimes and that atonement was necessary to maintain purity and justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the act of washing hands symbolize in our own lives when we seek to declare innocence or responsibility?
- How can we apply the principles of communal responsibility and justice in our communities today?
- In what ways can rituals or acts of atonement play a role in our understanding of justice and forgiveness?
- How does this passage challenge our views on collective guilt and innocence?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 21:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd all the elders of that city that are next unto the slain man,.... The whole court of judicature belonging to it, all the magistracy of it; even though there were an hundred of them, Maimonides
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn testimony of their innocency. See Poole "".
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 21:6 And all the elders of that city, [that are] next unto the slain [man], shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:Ver. 6. Shall wash their hands.] An old ceremony, used in this case by the Gentiles also, as the Scholiast upon Sophocles showeth.
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 21 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXXI. Deuteronomy 21:1-9. .(1) If one be found slain—It is remarkable that in our own time the most effectual remedy against outrages of which the perpetrators cannot be discovered is a fine upon the district in which they occur. (2) Thy elders and thy judges shall come forth.—Rashi says these were to be special commissioners, members of the great Sanhedrin. (3-4) An heifer, which hath not been wrought with . . . a rough valley which is neither eared nor sown.—Rashi’s note on this is curious: “The Holy One, blessed be He! said, ‘A yearling heifer which hath borne no fruit shall come and be beheaded in a place which yieldeth no fruit, to atone for the murder of the man whom they did not…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Shall wash their hands over the heifer] Washing the hands, in reference to such a subject as this, was a rite anciently used to signify that the persons thus washing were innocent of the crime in question. It was probably from the Jews that Pilate learned this symbolical method of expressing his innocence.
Read AdamClarke on Deuteronomy 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. wash their hands] thus disowning their own and their community’s guilt. Psalms 26:6; Psalms 73:13, Matthew 27:24. over the heifer] As representing the murderer or the murder?
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 21 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleFORMS TO BE WHEN ONE WAS FOUND SLAIN, Deuteronomy 21:1-9.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Deuteronomy 21 →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
Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,
All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley.
Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,
and all the elders of that city nearest the corpse must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley.
Tyndale line
And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
And all the elders of that city, who are nearest unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;
and all the elders of that city, who are nearest unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley:
And all the elders of that city that are next to the slain man , shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
And all the Elders of that citie that came neere to the slayne man, shall wash their hands ouer the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
Strictly literal
And all the elders of that city, that are nearest unto him that is slain, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck is broken in the watercourse,
and all the elders of that city, who are near unto the slain one, do wash their hands over the heifer which is beheaded in the valley,
and all [the] elderly of that city, who are near to the slain one, wash their hands over the heifer which is beheaded in the valley,
And all the elders of that city who are nearest unto the slain person shall wash their hands over the heifer, the neck of which is broken in the valley.
All the elders of the city that is the nearest to the killed man must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;
From the Latin
And the ancients of that city shall come to the person slain, and shall wash their hands over the heifer that was killed in the valley,
Simplified
Then all the elders of the town nearest the body are to wash their hands in the stream over the dead cow, saying,
And all the responsible men of that town which is nearest to the dead man, washing their hands over the cow whose neck was broken in the valley,
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches 11 of the 14 words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using the word קרובים (near) instead of the Masoretic הַקְּרֹבִ֖ים. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration but align closely with the Masoretic Text.
וְכֹ֗ל זִקְנֵי֙ הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֔וא הַקְּרֹבִ֖ים אֶל־ הֶחָלָ֑ל יִרְחֲצוּ֙ אֶת־ יְדֵיהֶ֔ם עַל־ הָעֶגְלָ֖ה הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה בַנָּֽחַל׃
11 of the 14 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.
וכל זקני העיר הקרובים אל החלל ירחצו את ידיהם על העגלה הערופה בנחל
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: קרובים (near)
וכל זקני [העיר] [ההיא] הקרבים אל החלל [ירחצו] [את] [ידי׳הם] [על] [העגלה] [הערופה] [בנחל]
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 9 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.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 21:6
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.
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' and is used to refer to human beings, often as a noun for 'old man' or 'elder.' It encompasses meanings related to age and authority, indicating both age and leadership roles. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be old,' and it is consistently associated with the concept of elders in various contexts.
זָקֵן adj. old
old, of human beings
usu. as subst.
old man (or woman)
elder
base
H2205 זָקֵן old . old, of human beings
. usu. as subst. . old man (or woman)
. elder
2205 zaqen zaw-kane'
from 2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man,
men and...women), senator.
see HEBREW for 02204
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old: elder.
: elder/leader
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old.
: old
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Adj — AdjHAampc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):
I. THE CANAANITE CITY
1. Origin
2. Extent
3. Villages
4. Sites
5. External Appearance
6. General
II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION
1. Tower or Stronghold
2. High Place
3. Broad Place
4. Streets
5. General Characteristics
III. STORE CITIES
IV. LEVITICAL CITIES
LITERATURE
I. The Canaanite City.
1. Origin:
The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…
City
The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…
The towns and cities of Palestine were commonly built on heights, for better security against robbers or invaders. These heights, surrounded by walls, sometimes formed the entire city. In other cases, the citadel alone crowned the hill, around and at the base of which the town was built; and in time of danger the surrounding population all took refuge in the fortified place. Larger towns and cities were often not only defended by strong outer walls, with towers and gates, but by a citadel or castle within these limits-a last resort when the rest of the city was taken, Jud 9:46,51. The "fenced cities" of the Jews, De 3:5, were of various sizes and degrees of strength; some being surrounded by high and thick stone walls, and others by feebler ramparts, often of clay or sun-dried…
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
HTd/Pp3fs — Particle · pronounHTd/Pp3fs
קָרֹב (qarowb) means 'near' and can refer to proximity in place, time, or personal relationships, including kinship. It is derived from the root meaning to approach or be allied. The term appears in various contexts, such as describing the nearest city or a neighbor, as well as in relation to God.
קָרֹב, קָרוֹב 78 adj. near;—
of city, the nearest
of pers.:
the nearest to; his neighbour.
abs.
of near relationship
near to י׳
near to י׳ in ceremon. function
of God (י׳)
of word
of time
base
H7138 קָרֹב, קָרוֹב near
7138 qarowb kaw-robe'
or qarob {kaw-robe'}; from 7126; near (in place, kindred or
time):--allied, approach, at hand, + any of kin,
kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is)
next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly).
see HEBREW for 07126
קָרֹב (qa.rov) — near.
1) near
1a) of place
1b) of time
1c) of personal relationship
1c1) kinship
Art | Adj — ParticleHTd/Aampa
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.
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
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
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).
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)
HR — PrepositionHR
חָלָל (chalal) primarily means 'pierced' or 'slain,' often in a context of fatal wounding. It can also refer to something that is 'profaned' or 'defiled.' The word is built from the root associated with piercing and carries both literal and figurative meanings related to death and pollution.
חָלָל 90 n.m. pierced
pierced, fatally wounded
slain
base
חָלָל adj. profaned
base
H2491a חָלָל pierced H2491b חָלָל profaned
2491 chalal khaw-lawl'
from 2490; pierced (especially to death); figuratively,
polluted:--kill, profane, slain (man), X slew, (deadly)
wounded.
see HEBREW for 02490
חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: killed.
: killed
1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced
1a) pierced, fatally wounded
1b) slain
Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
חָלָל (cha.lal) — profaned.
adj
1) (CLBL) profaned
1a) defiled, profaned (by divorce)
חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: wounded.
: wounded
1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced
1a) pierced, fatally wounded
1b) slain
Art | Adj — ParticleHTd/Aamsa
רָחַץ (rachats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to wash or bathe. It covers various forms of washing, including washing oneself and being washed. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect actions of washing and being washed. The lexicons do not present any significant disagreement.
רָחַץ 72 vb. wash, wash off, away, bathe
Qal 69
trans. wash (with water)
intrans. wash, bathe (oneself)
Pu. be washed
Hithp. if I washed myself in snow
base
H7364 רָחַץ wash, wash off, away, bathe
7364 rachats raw-khats'
a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a
thing):--bathe (self), wash (self).
רָחַץ (ra.chats) — to wash: wash.
: wash
1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away
1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself)
1b) (Pual) to be washed
1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself
2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
יָד 1604 n.f. hand
hand
Fig. = strength, power
Fig. = side
יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—
sign, monument
part, fractional part or share
time, repetition
axle-trees
stays, supports for laver
tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
a (beckoning) hand
יַד with prep.
base
H3027 יָד hand . hand
. Fig. = strength, power
. Fig. = side
. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument
. part, fractional part or share
. time, repetition
. axle-trees
. stays, supports for laver
. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
. a (beckoning) hand
. יַד with prep.
3027 yad yawd
a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,
means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed
one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of
applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate
and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,
at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,
(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +
creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,
force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,
labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,
ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,
power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,
draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by
them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,
+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,
יָד (yad) — hand.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: power.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
N-cd | Suff — Noun common both dual construct · suffixHNcbdc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word עֶגְלָה (*eglah*) means 'heifer' and refers to a female calf, particularly one that is nearly grown. It is also associated with a geographical location, עֶגְלַת (*eglat*), known as Eglath-shelishiyah, situated near Zoar and the southern border of Moab.
עֶגְלָה n.f. heifer
base
עֶגְלַת n.pr.loc. (the) third Eglath, near Zoar and S. border of Moab
base
H5697a עֶגְלָה heifer H5697b עֶגְלַת (the) third Eglath, near Zoar and S. border of Moab
5697 `eglah eg-law'
feminine of 5695; a (female) calf, especially one nearly
grown (i.e. a heifer):--calf, cow, heifer.
see HEBREW for 05695
עֶגְלָה (eg.lah) — heifer.
heifer
עֶגְלַת (eg.lat) — Eglath-shelishiyah.
§ Eglath = "heifer"
A place near Zoar and south of Moab
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
hef'-er (parah, in Nu 19 (see following article) and Ho 4:16; `eghlah, elsewhere in the Old Testament; damalis, in Heb 9:13):For the "heifer of three years old" in the King James Version, the Revised Version margin of Isa 15:5; Jer 48:34, see EGLATH-SHELISHIYAH. A young cow (contrast BULLOCK). The `eghlah figures specifically in religious rites only in the ceremony of De 21:1-9 for the cleansing of the land, where an unexpiated murder had been committed. This was not a sacrificial rite--the priests are witnesses only, and the animal was slain by breaking the neck--but sacrificial purity was required for the heifer.…
Heifer
Heb. ‘eglah, (Deut. 21:4, 6; Jer. 46:20). Untrained to the yoke (Hos. 10:11); giving milk (Isa. 7:21); ploughing (Judg. 14:18); treading out grain (Jer. 50:11); unsubdued to the yoke an emblem of Judah (Isa. 15:5; Jer. 48:34).
Heb. parah (Gen. 41:2; Num. 19:2). Bearing the yoke (Hos. 4:16)…
(1 Samuel 6:7-12; Job 21:10; Isaiah 7:21) The heifer or young cow was not commonly used for ploughing, but only for treading out the corn. (Hosea 10:11) but see Judg 14:18 When it ran about without any headstall, (26:4) hence the expression an "unbroken heifer," (Hosea 4:16) Authorized Version "backsliding" to which Israel is compared.
Red heifers were to be offered in sacrifice for the national sins, in the impressive manner described in Nu 19:1-10, illustrating the true sacrifice for sin in the person of Christ, Heb 9:13,14. The well-fed heifer was a symbol of wanton wildness, Jer 46:20 50:11 Ho 4:16.
עָרַף (araph) is a verb meaning to break the neck of an animal, derived from a primitive root suggesting bending downward. It is used in a figurative sense to imply destruction. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to the act of beheading or breaking down.
[עָרַף] vb. denom. break the neck of an animal
base
H6202 עָרַף vb. denom. break the neck of an animal
6202 `araph aw-raf'
a primitive root (identical with 6201 through the idea of
sloping); properly, to bend downward; but used only as a
denominative from 6203, to break the neck; hence
(figuratively) to destroy:--that is beheaded, break down,
break (cut off, strike off) neck.
see HEBREW for 06201
see HEBREW for 06203
עָרַף (a.raph) — to break the neck.
(Qal) to break the neck (of an animal)
Art | V-Qal-Inf-c — Particle · verb qal participle (passive) feminine singularHTd/Vqsfsa
נַ֫חַל (*nachal*) primarily refers to a torrent or stream, often associated with a valley or wadi where water flows, particularly in winter. It can also denote a shaft of a mine. Additionally, the term may relate to palm trees in certain contexts. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, including references in Psalms and Ezekiel.
נַ֫חַל n.m. torrent, torrent-valley, wady
base
[נַ֫חַל] n.[m.] perh. palm-tree;—only pl. abs., Nu 24:6
ref
H5158a נַ֫חַל torrent, torrent-valley, wady H5158b נַ֫חַל perh. palm-tree
5158 nachal nakh'-al
or (feminine) nachlah (Psalm 124:4) {nakh'-law}; or nachalah
(Ezekiel 47:19; 48:28) {nakh-al-aw'}; from 5157 in its
original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by
implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a
shaft (of a mine):--brook, flood, river, stream, valley.
see HEBREW for 05157
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — torrent: river.
: river/bed
1) torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley
1a) torrent
1b) torrent-valley, wadi (as stream bed)
1c) shaft (of mine)
Also means: na.chal (נַ֫חַל ": valley" H5158N)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — palm-tree.
palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Eshcol) Valley.
Combined with esh.kol (אֶשְׁכֹּל " of Eshcol" H0812H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Shittim) Valley.
Combined with shit.tim (שִׁטִּים " of Shittim" H7851H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Sorek) Valley.
Combined with s.vo.req (שֹׂרֵק " of Sorek" H7796)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa