Ecclesiastes 10:8 — Word Study
WLCחֹפֵ֥ר גּוּמָּ֖ץ בּ֣וֹ יִפּ֑וֹל וּפֹרֵ֥ץ גָּדֵ֖ר יִשְּׁכֶ֥נּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃
BSAHe who digschâphar [to search, excavate] a pitgûwmmâts△ [a hole or cavity in the ground] may fallnâphal▸ [to come down, sink] and he who breachespârats [breaks through, tears down] a wallgâdêr [a barrier, fence] may be bittennâshak▸ [to wound, pierce] by a snakenâchâsh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חֹפֵ֥ר | [one who] digs | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| גּוּמָּ֖ץ | a pit | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בּ֣וֹ | in it | Preposition, suffix |
| יִפּ֑וֹל | he will fall | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וּפֹרֵ֥ץ | and [one who] breaks through | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| גָּדֵ֖ר | a wall | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יִשְּׁכֶ֥נּוּ | it will bite him | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| נָחָֽשׁ׃ | a snake | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
| KJV | He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. |
| ASV | He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. |
| YLT | Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him. |
| WEB | He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
| BBE | He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment. |
Translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the consequences of one's actions.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', illustrating parallel actions and their consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectנָחָשׁ
verbחָפַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 8 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 — Ecclesiastes 10:8
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 — Wisdom on Actions and Consequencesgenerated
Ecclesiastes 10:8 presents a cautionary statement about the potential pitfalls of one's actions. The verse illustrates that those who engage in risky or harmful behaviors, such as digging a pit or breaching a wall, may ultimately face negative repercussions. This reflects a broader theme in Ecclesiastes regarding the unpredictability of life and the importance of wisdom in decision-making.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 9:5–53 | He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 17:23 | When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 18:15 | And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. |
| 4 | Esther 7:10 | So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided. |
| 5 | Psalm 7:15–16 | He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חֹפֵ֥ר, cho.Fergenerated
The word חֹפֵ֥ר (chofer) is a participle form of the verb חָפַר (chaphar), meaning 'to dig' or 'to search.' It conveys the idea of someone actively engaging in the act of digging, often with the intention of uncovering something. The parsing indicates that it is an active masculine singular participle, suggesting a person who is currently performing the action.
This word is used in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often relating to physical digging or searching, such as in the context of mining or seeking knowledge. The implications of digging metaphorically suggest the risks involved in pursuing endeavors that may lead to one's downfall.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which aligns closely with the KJV and ASV in using the phrases He who digs a pit and he who breaches a wall.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses connected by 'and': חֹפֵ֥ר גּוּמָּ֖ץ and וּפֹרֵ֥ץ גָּדֵ֖ר. Each clause has a subject and a verb, with the second clause elaborating on the consequences of the actions described in the first.
The structure highlights the parallelism in the actions and consequences, emphasizing the relationship between the act of digging and breaching and the resulting fall or bite.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חֹפֵ֥ר as ὁ ἀσκαφῶν (ho askaphōn), which means 'the one who digs.' This choice maintains the literal sense of the Hebrew while also emphasizing the action.
The Greek term for גּוּמָּ֖ץ is βόθρον (bóthron), meaning 'pit,' which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may carry additional connotations in the Greek context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 10:8 warns that those who dig a pit may fall into it, and those who break down a wall may be bitten by a snake. This verse teaches that our actions can lead to unexpected consequences, highlighting the importance of wisdom in our choices.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To dig a pit refers to engaging in an action that may have harmful or unintended consequences, often implying a trap for oneself.
Breaching a wall symbolizes taking risks or breaking boundaries, which can lead to danger or harm.
Being bitten by a snake represents the unforeseen dangers that can arise from reckless actions.
This verse serves as a reminder to consider the potential consequences of our actions and decisions in everyday life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some actions I have taken that I later regretted due to unexpected consequences?
- How can I apply wisdom to my decisions to avoid pitfalls?
- In what areas of my life do I need to be more cautious or aware of potential dangers?
- How can I help others recognize the risks associated with their actions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the consequences of unjust actions and the folly of seeking harm against others.
The Jews in their imaginings, and in their agreeing to act unjustly against the Lord, forgot that they were bringing wrath upon themselves.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 10 →
"He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who breaks down a wall will be bitten by a snake. "This is partly unambiguous and partly to be understood in a more complicated way.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 10 →
Scripture says that there are deep things that must not under any circumstances be looked into, and the one who searches in a hedge will be bitten by a snake.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 10 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 10:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe that diggeth a pit shall fall into it,.... This and the three following clauses are proverbial expressions, teaching men to be wise and cautious, lest by their conduct they bring mischief upon
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 10 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 10 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe that diggeth a pit with this design, that another may unawares fall into it, shall fall into it; shall through God’ s just judgment be destroyed by his own wicked devices. Breaketh an hedge; whereby another man’ s fields, or vineyards, or orchards are distinguished and fenced, that he may either enter upon them, and take away their fruits, or by that means enlarge his own adjoining fields. Possibly he may have a particular respect unto magistrates or rulers, whom God hath hedged or fenced in, both with his own institution of magistracy, and with his laws, strictly requiring obedience from their subjects; and so he notes the danger of rising and rebelling against them. A serpent, which…
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 10 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.Ver. 8. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it.] As heedless huntsmen do. He that being of base beginning, and unmeet for government, seeks to set up himself upon better men’ s ruins, and where he finds not a way to make it, shall fall from his high hopes into remediless misery; as he hath made a match with mischief, so he shall have his belly full of it. As he hath conceived with guile, so (though he grow never so big) he shall bring forth nothing but vanity, and worse. And whoso breaketh an hedge.] The hedge of God’ s commandments, as our first parents did, to come to the…
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 10 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) Commentators cannot be said to have been very successful in their attempts to trace a connection between the proverbs of this chapter. Perhaps nothing better can be said than that the common theme of these proverbs is the advantage of wisdom, and here in particular of caution in great enterprises. It is forcing the connection to imagine that the enterprise from which the writer seeks to dissuade, is that of rebellion against the ruler whose error is condemned (Ecclesiastes 10:5). Diggeth a pit.—See Proverbs 26:27; Sir 27:26. The word here used for “pit” is found in later Hebrew, and nowhere else in the Old Testament. An hedge.—Rather, a stone wall, in the crevices of which serpents…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 10 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.] While spoiling his neighbour's property, he himself may come to greater mischief: while pulling out the sticks, he may be bit by a serpent, who has his nest there. Some have supposed that נחש nachash here means a thorn; perhaps from the similarity of its prick to the serpent's sting. He who forces his way through a hedge will be pricked by the thorns.
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 10 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it] It is scarcely a profitable task to endeavour to trace a very close connexion between this and the preceding verses. The writer has got into what we may call the gnomic, or proverb-making state of mind, and, as in the Book of Proverbs, his reflections come out with no very definite or logical sequence. All that we can say is that the context seems to indicate that the maxims which follow, like those which have gone before, indicate a wide experience in the life of courts, and that the experience of a courtier rather than of a king, and accordingly find their chief application in the region of man’s political life, and that their general drift is…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 10 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk.
Read Albert Barnes on Ecclesiastes 10 →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
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Tyndale line
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fal into it, and he that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Strictly literal
He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
Whoever is digging a pit falls into it, || And whoever is breaking a hedge, a serpent bites him.
He that diggeth a pit will fall into it; and him who breaketh down a fence—a serpent will bite him.
Anyone who digs a pit can fall into it, and whenever someone breaks down a wall, a snake can bite him.
From the Latin
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Simplified
If you dig a pit, you could fall in. If you knock down a wall, you could be bitten by a snake.
He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment.
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 states, "חֹפֵ֥ר גּוּמָּ֖ץ בּ֣וֹ יִפּ֑וֹל וּפֹרֵ֥ץ גָּדֵ֖ר יִשְּׁכֶ֥נּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃" which translates to, "He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake." The Septuagint closely matches this text, with 7 of the 8 words corresponding, though its word order and articles differ, indicating a strong agreement in the overall meaning. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, thus reinforcing the consistency of the Masoretic Text in this instance.
חֹפֵ֥ר גּוּמָּ֖ץ בּ֣וֹ יִפּ֑וֹל וּפֹרֵ֥ץ גָּדֵ֖ר יִשְּׁכֶ֥נּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ecclesiastes 10:8
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.
חָפַר (chaphar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to dig or search for. It is a primitive root that conveys the idea of prying into something, exploring, or delving deeper. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts related to digging and searching.
חָפַר vb. dig, search for
base
H2658 חָפַר dig, search for
2658 chaphar khaw-far'
a primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to
delve, to explore:--dig, paw, search out, seek.
חָפַר (cha.phar) — to search.
1) to dig, search for
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to dig
1a2) to search, search out, explore
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
גּוּמָּץ (guwmmats) refers to a 'pit.' The entries indicate that its derivation is uncertain, but it is consistently defined as a pit across different lexicons.
גּוּמָּץ n.m. pit
base
H1475 גּוּמָּץ
1475 guwmmats goom-mawts'
of uncertain derivation; a pit:--pit.
גּוּמָּץ (gum.mats) — pit.
pit
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The word translates different Hebrew words of which the most important are:
(1) bor, "pit" or "cistern," made by digging, (Ge 37:20); hence, "dungeon" (Jer 38:6, margin "pit");
(2) be'er, "pit" or "well" made by digging (Ge 21:25);
(3) she'ol, generally rendered "hell" in the King James Version (see HELL);
Pit
A hole in the ground (Ex. 21:33, 34), a cistern for water (Gen. 37:24; Jer. 14:3), a vault (41:9), a grave (Ps. 30:3). It is used as a figure for mischief (Ps. 9:15), and is the name given to the unseen place of woe (Rev. 20:1, 3). The slime-pits in the vale of Siddim were wells which yielded asphalt (Gen. 14:10).
[HELL]
A reservoir, either natural or artificial, for water. Pits were sometimes used as dungeons, Ge 37:20; Jer 38:6; or being slightly covered, and baited, they served as traps to catch wild beasts, a device which illustrates the plots of designing men and women, Ps 119:85; Pr 22:14; 26:27; Eze 19:4. The word pit is also used to denote the grave, Ps 28:1; 30:3,9; and hell, Re 20:1.
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.
נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie
Qal 366
fall, by accident
Esp. of violent death
fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
fig. = experience calamity
fall, of a city
Fall prostrate
fall = prostrate oneself before
fall upon one's neck, in embrace
Fall upon = attack
desert or fall away to, go over to
Fig., of deep sleep
Other idiomatic uses
= lie; = lie prostrate
Hiph.
cause to fall
Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
Esp. of casting lot
Fig., let drop, cause to fail
cause deep sleep to fall
Other idioms
Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself
base
H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident
. . Esp. of violent death
. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
. fig. = experience calamity
. fall, of a city
. . Fall prostrate
. fall = prostrate oneself before
. fall upon one's neck, in embrace
. . Fall upon = attack
. desert or fall away to, go over to
. Fig., of deep sleep
. Other idiomatic uses
. = lie; = lie prostrate
. . cause to fall
. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
. Esp. of casting lot
. Fig., let drop, cause to fail
. cause deep sleep to fall
. Other idioms
. throw, or prostrate oneself
5307 naphal naw-fal'
a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications
(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be
accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide
(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall
(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have
(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay
(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,
lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make
to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.
see HEBREW for 06419
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.
: fall/drop/fail
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before
1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of
1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result
1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to
1a7) to lie, lie prostrate
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate
1b2) to overthrow
1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot
1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)
1b5) to cause to fall
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon
1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself
1d) (Pilel) to fall
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.
: deserting
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
fol (vb.): The idea of falling is most frequently expressed in Hebrew by naphal, but also by many other words; in Greek by pipto, and its compounds. The uses of the word in Scripture are very varied. There is the literal falling by descent; the falling of the countenance in sorrow, shame, anger, etc. (Ge 4:5,6); the falling in battle (Ge 14:10; Nu 14:3, etc.); the falling into trouble, etc. (Pr 24:16,17); prostration in supplication and reverence (Ge 17:3; Nu 14:5, etc.); falling of the Spirit of Yahweh (Eze 11:5…
פָּרַץ (parats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to break through or burst out, with applications that range from literal actions like breaking open to figurative uses such as increasing or spreading. It can describe violent actions, breaches, or the act of breaking away. The entries suggest a variety of contexts, including mining and the dispersion of visions.
פָּרַץ vb. break through
Qal
break or burst out
break through, down (from without)
break into
break open, a mining shaft
break up, break in pieces
break out (violently) upon
use violence
break over [limits], increase
burst open, intrans., of wine vats
spread, i.e. become known
Niph. no vision spread abroad
Hithp. slaves who break away
base
H6555 פָּרַץ break through .. break or burst out
. break through, down (from without)
. break into
. break open, a mining shaft
. break up, break in pieces
. break out (violently) upon
. use violence
. break over [limits], increase
. burst open, intrans., of wine vats
. spread, i.e. become known
. no vision spread abroad
. slaves who break away
6555 parats paw-rats'
a primitive root; to break out (in many applications, direct
and indirect, literal and figurative):--X abroad, (make a)
breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out,
come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open,
press, scatter, urge.
פָּרַץ (pa.rats) — to break through.
1) to break through or down or over, burst, breach
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure)
1a2) to break through or down, make a breach in
1a3) to break into
1a4) to break open
1a5) to break up, break in pieces
1a6) to break out (violently) upon
1a7) to break over (limits), increase
1a8) to use violence
1a9) to burst open 1a10) to spread, distribute
1b) (Niphal) to be broken through
1c) (Pual) to be broken down
1d) (Hithpael) to break away
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
גָּדֵר (gader) means 'wall' and can also refer to a fence or hedge. It is derived from the root word for a circumvallation, indicating an enclosure. The entries consistently highlight its meaning as a physical barrier, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
גָּדֵר n.m. wall
base
H1447 גָּדֵר wall
1447 gader gaw-dare'
from 1443; a circumvallation; by implication, an
inclosure:--fence, hedge, wall.
see HEBREW for 01443
גָּדֵר (ga.der) — wall.
fence, wall
Also means: ge.der (גֶּדֶר "wall" H1444)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
wol.
See ARCHITECTURE; CITY; FORTIFICATION; HOUSE; JERUSALEM; VILLAGE.
Wall
Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from “unwalled villages” (Ezek. 38:11; Lev. 25:29-34). They were made thick and strong (Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5). Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size (1 Kings 6:7; 7:9-12; 20:30; Mark 13:1, 2). The term is used metaphorically of security and safety (Isa. 26:1; 60:18; Rev. 21:12-20). (See FENCE.)
נָשַׁךְ (nashak) primarily means 'to bite,' as in the action of striking with a sting, often associated with serpents. It also has a figurative sense related to financial transactions, specifically to 'pay interest' or 'lend upon usury.' The entries indicate that it can be used in different grammatical forms, such as Qal and Piel for biting, and Qal and Hiphil for lending with interest.
נָשַׁךְ vb. bite
Qal bite
Pi. and they shall bite you fatally
base
[נָשַׁךְ] vb. denom pay, give interest
Qal interest of anything off which one giveth interest
Hiph. make one give interest
base
H5391a נָשַׁךְ bite H5391b נָשַׁךְ vb. denom pay, give interest
5391 nashak naw-shak'
a primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent);
figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan:--bite, lend
upon usury.
נָשַׁךְ (na.shakh) — to bite.
1) to bite
1a) (Qal) to bite
1b) (Piel) to bite
נָשַׁךְ (na.shakh) — to pay interest.
1) to pay, give interest, lend for interest or usury
1a) (Qal) to give interest
1b) (Hiphil) to make to give interest
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word נָחָשׁ (*nachash*) means 'serpent' or 'snake.' It can refer to a literal snake, a bronze image of a serpent, or even a mythological fleeing serpent. The word is derived from a root meaning to hiss, which relates to the sound snakes make.
נָחָשׁ n.m. serpent
serpent
bronze image of serpent
mythol. fleeing serpent
base
H5175 נָחָשׁ serpent
5175 nachash naw-khawsh'
from 5172; a snake (from its hiss):--serpent.
see HEBREW for 05172
נָחָשׁ (na.chash) — serpent.
1) serpent, snake
1a) serpent
1b) image (of serpent)
1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa