Ecclesiastes 2:23 — Word Study
WLCכִּ֧י כָל־ יָמָ֣יו מַכְאֹבִ֗ים וָכַ֙עַס֙ עִנְיָנ֔וֹ גַּם־ בַּלַּ֖יְלָה לֹא־ שָׁכַ֣ב לִבּ֑וֹ גַּם־ זֶ֖ה הֶ֥בֶל הֽוּא׃
BSAIndeedkîy allkôl [every single one] his daysyôwm are filled with griefmakʼôb [sorrows, pain] and his taskʻinyân [travail, labor] is sorrowfulkaʻaç [grief, vexation] evengam at nightlayil [in the darkness] his mindlêb [heart, intellect] does notlôʼ restshâkab■ [lie down, find peace] Thiszeh toogam [also, even] is futilehebel [vanity, emptiness, a breath of air]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֧י | for | Particle |
| כָל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יָמָ֣יו | days his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מַכְאֹבִ֗ים | [are] pains | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וָכַ֙עַס֙ | and [is] vexation | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עִנְיָנ֔וֹ | task his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| גַּם־ | also | Adverb |
| בַּלַּ֖יְלָה | in the night | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| שָׁכַ֣ב | it rests | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לִבּ֑וֹ | heart his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| גַּם־ | also | Adverb |
| זֶ֖ה | this | Particle |
| הֶ֥בֶל | [is] futility | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| הֽוּא׃ | it | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. |
| KJV | For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. |
| ASV | For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. |
| YLT | For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath not lain down; this also [is] vanity. |
| WEB | For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. |
| BBE | All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose. |
The translations agree on the emotional weight of the verse, particularly in their rendering of grief and sorrow.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with additional phrases that elaborate on the subject's emotional state and experiences.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
verbשָׁכַב
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 — Ecclesiastes 2:23
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 — Reflections on Life's Toilgenerated
Ecclesiastes 2:23 presents a somber view of human existence, where the Preacher observes that all of a person's days are marked by grief and sorrow. This passage emphasizes the relentless nature of toil, even extending into the night when one cannot find peace. It connects with the broader themes of Ecclesiastes that explore the meaninglessness of life without divine purpose, as seen in verses surrounding this one.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 47:9 | “My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.” |
| 2 | Job 5:7 | Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. |
| 3 | Job 14:1 | “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. |
| 4 | Psalm 90:7–10 | For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath. |
| 5 | Psalm 127:2 | In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַכְאֹבִ֗ים, makh.'o.Vimgenerated
The word מַכְאֹב (mak'ob) refers to pain or grief, encompassing both physical and emotional suffering. It highlights the distress experienced in life, particularly in the context of labor and toil. The plural form indicates a multitude of pains, suggesting that life is filled with various sorrows.
This term is significant in understanding the Preacher's perspective on the human condition. It reflects the burdens that accompany daily existence, reinforcing the theme of futility in Ecclesiastes.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses grief and sorrowful to convey the emotional weight of the Preacher's observations.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is מַכְאֹבִ֗ים, are pains, which governs the description of the subject's days and tasks. The structure emphasizes the connection between the subject's daily experiences and the emotional weight of those experiences.
The sentence is complex, with multiple clauses detailing the subject's sorrowful existence, including an adverbial clause that highlights the lack of rest at night. This structure underscores the pervasive nature of grief in life.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַכְאֹבִ֗ים as ἀλγημάτων, indicating a focus on pain and suffering. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may also reflect a broader interpretation of the emotional struggles faced by individuals.
The consistent rendering across both texts shows a shared understanding of the burdens of life, emphasizing the universal nature of human suffering.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 2:23 tells us that all of a person's days are filled with grief and sorrow. Their work is hard, and even at night, they cannot find peace. This shows how life can feel empty and burdensome.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It suggests that a person's daily life is marked by sorrow and struggle, reflecting the burdens of existence.
This indicates that the stress and worries of life continue even during times meant for rest, highlighting the relentless nature of these struggles.
Futility emphasizes the emptiness and transitory nature of life's efforts, suggesting that without meaning or purpose, all toil can feel pointless.
It aligns with the overarching themes of the book, which explore the meaning of life and the inevitability of sorrow in human experience.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I experience the burdens of daily life, and how do I cope with them?
- How can I find meaning in my work and daily tasks despite feelings of futility?
- What practices can help me find peace and rest in my life?
- How does understanding the nature of life's struggles influence my perspective on happiness and fulfillment?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 2:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief,.... All his days are full of sorrows, of a variety of them; and all his affairs and transactions of life are attended with grief and trouble;
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. All his days are sorrows and his travail grief. Same sentiment as Ecclesiastes 2:21, interrogatively.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFor all his days are sorrows; or, though all his days were sorrows, i.e. full of sorrows. For this seems added to aggravate the evil mentioned in the foregoing verse. Though he took great and unwearied pains all his days, yet after death he hath no more benefit by it than another man hath. His travail grief; the toils of his body are, or were, accompanied with the vexations of his mind. Taketh not rest in the night; either because his mind is distracted, or his sleep broken, with perplexing cares and fears.
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 2:23 For all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.Ver. 23. For all his days are sorrows, &c.] All the days of the afflicted are evil, and every day hath a sufficient evil laid upon it by God. "Few and evil" were the days of Jacob’ s pilgrimage. God gave him not a draught only of the cup of affliction, but made him a diet drink. "Man is born to trouble," saith Eliphaz, "as the sparks fly upward." Man and miserable are in a manner terms convertible. He that remembers that himself is a man, will not think much of any sorrow betides him, saith the heathen orator. For, “ Si nisi res cuius nulla est contraria…
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) The fact that the wise man must surrender his acquisitions exhibits the inutility of the painful toil by which he has gained them.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 23. His days are sorrows] What a picture of human life where the heart is not filled with the peace and love of God! All his days are sorrows; all his labours griefs; all his nights restless; for he has no portion but merely what earth can give; and that is embittered by the labour of acquisition, and the disappointment in the using. This is also vanity.] Emptiness of good and substantial misery.
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night] The verse speaks out the experience of the men who labour for that which does not profit. There is no real pleasure, even at the time. The “cares of this world” come together with “the pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14). We trace the same yearning after the “sweet sleep” that lies in the far-off past as in ch. Ecclesiastes 5:12, perhaps also in the “almond tree” of ch. Ecclesiastes 12:5. So has the great master-poet portrayed the wakefulness of successful ambition, the yearning for the sleep of the “smoky crib,” or even of the ship-boy on the mast, the terrible conclusion, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”Shakespeare, Henry IV. Part…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 2 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible23. His days… sorrows — Better, All his days his business is anxious and vexing: and often fails, both in its prosecution and results, to yield the satisfaction and comfort he had expected. Surely, this is also vanity.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ecclesiastes 2 →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
Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!
Tyndale line
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
For all his days are sorrows, and his labor grief; yes, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
For all his dayes are sorowes, and his trauaile griefe: his heart also taketh not rest in the night: which also is vanitie.
Strictly literal
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath not lain down; this also [is] vanity.
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart has not lain down; this [is] also vanity.
For all his days are full of pains, and vexation is [mingled with] his employment: yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. Also this is vanity.
Every day his work is painful and stressful, so at night his soul does not find rest. This also is vapor.
From the Latin
All his days axe full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?
Simplified
Your working life is full of trouble and strife—even at night your thoughts keep you awake. This is tough to comprehend!
All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.
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
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording and meaning of this verse, with no significant variations. This consistency reinforces the shared understanding of the futility and sorrow inherent in human existence.
כִּ֧י כָל־ יָמָ֣יו מַכְאֹבִ֗ים וָכַ֙עַס֙ עִנְיָנ֔וֹ גַּם־ בַּלַּ֖יְלָה לֹא־ שָׁכַ֣ב לִבּ֑וֹ גַּם־ זֶ֖ה הֶ֥בֶל הֽוּא׃
15 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
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 2:23
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.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
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)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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).
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word מַכְאוֹב (mak'ob) means pain, encompassing both physical and mental anguish. It is derived from a root meaning to be in distress. The term appears in contexts of grief and sorrow, notably referenced in Isaiah 53:3.
מַכְאוֹב n.m. pain
base
H4341 מַכְאוֹב pain
4341 mak'ob mak-obe'
sometimes makcowb {mak-obe'}; also (feminine Isaiah 53:3)
makfobah {mak-o-baw'}; from 3510; anguish or (figuratively)
affliction:--grief, pain, sorrow.
see HEBREW for 03510
מַכְאוֹב (makh.ov) — pain.
1) pain, sorrow
1a) pain (physical)
1b) pain (mental)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
כַּ֫עַס (ka.as) refers to feelings of vexation and anger, encompassing grief and provocation. It is derived from a root that suggests a sense of irritation or sorrow. The word appears in contexts relating to both human and divine emotions, indicating a range of feelings from frustration to wrath.
כַּ֫עַס n.m. vexation, anger
base
כַּ֫עַשׂ n.m.
vexation, grief
vexation, anger
base
H3708a כַּ֫עַס vexation, anger H3708b כַּ֫עַשׂ . vexation, grief
. vexation, anger
3708 ka`ac kah'-as
or (in Job) kaoas {kah'-as}; from 3707; vexation: -anger,
angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, X sore,
sorrow, spite, wrath.
see HEBREW for 03707
כַּ֫עַס (ka.as) — vexation.
anger, vexation
Also means: ka.as (כַּ֫עַשׂ "vexation" H3708B)
כַּ֫עַשׂ (ka.as) — vexation.
1) anger, vexation, provocation, grief
1a) vexation
1a1) of men
1a2) of God
1b) vexation, grief, frustration
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
עִנְיָן (inyan) refers to an occupation or task, derived from the root word for 'ado' or 'employment.' It is used specifically in the context of business or affairs, with a notable mention in Ecclesiastes. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to work or tasks.
עִנְיָן n.m. occupation, task, only Ec
base
H6045 עִנְיָן
6045 `inyan in-yawn'
from 6031; ado, i.e. (generally) employment or (specifically)
an affair:--business, travail.
see HEBREW for 06031
עִנְיָן (in.yan) — task.
occupation, task, job
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
לַ֫יְלָה (layil) means 'night' and is derived from a root that suggests a twist away from light. It encompasses the literal sense of night as opposed to day, as well as figurative uses related to gloom or adversity. The term appears in contexts like Isaiah 21:11.
לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל 242 n.m. night
base
H3915 לַ֫יְלָה, לַ֫יִל night
3915 layil lah'-yil
or (Isa. 21:11) leyl {lale}; also laylah {lah'- yel-aw}; from
the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e.
night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).
see HEBREW for 03883
לַ֫יְלָה (lay.lah) — night.
1) night
1a) night (as opposed to day)
1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
nit.
See DAY AND NIGHT for the natural usage and the various terms.
1. In the Old Testament:
Figurative uses: The word "night" (laylah or layil is sometimes used figuratively in the Old Testament. Thus, Moses compares the brevity of time, the lapse of a thousand years, to "a watch in the night" (Ps 90:4). Adversity is depicted by it in such places as Job 35:10; compare Isa 8:20; Jer 15:9. Disappointment and despair are apparently depicted by it in the "burden of Dumah" (Isa 21:11,12); and spiritual blindness, coming upon the false prophets (Mic 3:6); again sudden and…
[DAY]
The ancient Hebrews began their artificial day at evening, and ended it the next evening, so that the night proceeded the day. This usage may probably be traced to the terms employed in describing the creation, Ge 1:5,8,13, etc., "The evening and the morning were the first day." The Hebrews allowed twelve to the day; but these hours were not equal, except at the equinox. At other times, when the hours of the night were long, those of the day were short, as in winter; and when the hours of night were short, as at midsummer, the hours of the day were long in proportion. See HOURS.
The nights are sometimes extremely cold in Syria, when the days are very hot; and travelers in the deserts and among the mountains near Palestine refer to their own sufferings from these opposite extremes, in illustration of Jacob’s words in
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word שָׁכַב (shakab) is a primitive root meaning 'to lie down.' It covers a range of meanings including resting, lodging, engaging in sexual relations, and lying down in death. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of lying down. Notably, it can also figuratively mean to relax.
שָׁכַב 212 vb. lie down
Qal
lie down
= lodge (for night)
of sexual relations, lie with
lie down in death
esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers
fig. = relax
Niph. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.
Hiph. lay
Hoph. laid
base
H7901 שָׁכַב lie down .. lie down
. = lodge (for night)
. of sexual relations, lie with
. . lie down in death
. esp. in phr. lie down with his fathers
. fig. = relax
. Pu. = be lain with (sexually; subj. women), only as Qr for Kt [שָׁגֵל] Niph. Pu. q.v.
. lay
. laid
7901 shakab shaw-kab'
a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection,
decease or any other purpose):--X at all, cast down,
((lover-))lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to
sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.
שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: lay down.
: lay_down/lie_with
1) to lie down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on
1a2) to lodge
1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)
1a4) to lie down (in death)
1a5) to rest, relax (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)
1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)
1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down
1e) (Hophal) to be laid
שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: sleep.
: sleep/rest
1) to lie down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on
1a2) to lodge
1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)
1a4) to lie down (in death)
1a5) to rest, relax (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)
1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)
1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down
1e) (Hophal) to be laid
שָׁכַב (sha.khav) — to lie down: have sex.
: have_sex
1) to lie down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on
1a2) to lodge
1a3) to lie (of sexual relations)
1a4) to lie down (in death)
1a5) to rest, relax (fig)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2088 zeh zeh
a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this
or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the
one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,
such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on
that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,
2098.
see HEBREW for 02063
see HEBREW for 02090
see HEBREW for 02097
see HEBREW for 02098
זֶה (zeh) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Pron — ParticleHTm
הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) refers to vapour or breath, and is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word can function as an adverb meaning 'vainly.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' and appears in contexts discussing the fleeting nature of life.
הֶ֫בֶל 73 n.m. vapour, breath
base
H1892 הֶ֫בֶל vapour, breath
1892 hebel heh'bel
or (rarely in the abs.) habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891;
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and
unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain,
vanity.
see HEBREW for 01891
הֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) — vanity.
1) vapour, breath
1a) breath, vapour
1b) vanity (fig.)
adv
2) vainly
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
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)
HPp3ms — PronounHPp3ms
