Ecclesiastes 3:1 — Word Study
WLCלַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־ חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ס
BSATo everythingkôl [all things, the whole universe] there is a seasonzᵉmân [a fixed time, an appointed occasion] and a timeʻêth [a scheduled event, an opportune moment] for everykôl purposechêphets [delight, pleasure] undertachath heavenshâmayim [the sky, the spiritual realm]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לַכֹּ֖ל | for everything | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| זְמָ֑ן | an appointed time | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְעֵ֥ת | and an time | Conjunction, noun common both singular absolute |
| לְכָל־ | for every | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| חֵ֖פֶץ | matter | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| תַּ֥חַת | under | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ס | the heavens | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: |
| KJV | To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: |
| ASV | For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: |
| YLT | To everything — a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens: |
| WEB | For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: |
| BBE | For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun. |
Translations agree here, using variations of 'everything' to convey the same concept across versions.
The structure features one main clause with two phrases that expand on its meaning, emphasizing the relationship between time and purpose.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectזְמָן
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 3:1
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 Seasons of Lifegenerated
Ecclesiastes 3:1 introduces a profound observation about the nature of time and purpose. It emphasizes that every aspect of life is governed by a specific season, suggesting a divine order to the events that unfold under heaven. This verse serves as a prelude to a series of contrasts that illustrate the various times and seasons that characterize human existence, as seen in the subsequent verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 3:17 | I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.” |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 7:14 | In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 8:5–6 | Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 5:26 | But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 33:12 | And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כֹּל, la.Kolgenerated
The word כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'everything.' It encompasses totality, including every person, thing, or circumstance. Its parsing as a noun indicates it is a common masculine singular term, showing that it can refer to a complete set of things or situations.
In this verse, כֹּל emphasizes that every aspect of life is included in the divine timing and purpose, highlighting the universality of the statement. The lexicons affirm its broad application, indicating no significant disagreement on its meaning.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the finite verb וְעֵ֥ת, and a time, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase that expands on the subject and another noun phrase that specifies the purpose. The structure emphasizes the relationship between time and purpose.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the universality of the statement, with לַכֹּ֖ל (for everything) leading the sentence, indicating the all-encompassing nature of the seasons and purposes discussed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כֹּל as πᾶσιν (pasin), meaning 'all things.' This choice reflects a similar emphasis on totality and universality, consistent with the Hebrew meaning.
For זְמָן, the LXX uses ξρόνος (chronos), which can denote a specific time, aligning with the Hebrew's focus on appointed times.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that everything has its own season and purpose under heaven. This verse introduces a theme that continues throughout Ecclesiastes, highlighting the different times for various activities in life. It reminds us that there is a divine order to the events we experience.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that every aspect of life has an appropriate time and purpose, suggesting that there is a divine plan governing our experiences.
Time is significant because it frames the context for understanding the various purposes and activities in life, emphasizing that nothing is random.
This verse sets the stage for a series of contrasts that illustrate the different times for various human experiences, reinforcing the overarching theme of the book.
We can learn to recognize and accept the different phases of life, understanding that each has its own value and purpose.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some seasons in my life that I can identify, and what purposes did they serve?
- How can I better recognize the appointed times in my daily life?
- In what ways can I find joy in the different seasons of my life?
- How does understanding the concept of time and purpose help me cope with challenges?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of time and divine purpose, drawing lessons from its insights.
What, then, is the Paraclete’s administrative office but this: the direction of discipline, the revelation of the Scriptures, the reformation of the intellect,Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 3 →
“To everything then is its season, and a time for everything under heaven,” a time to gather the goodly pearls, and a time after their gathering to find the one precious pearl,Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 3 →
For this present time is filled with all things that are most contrary to each other— births and deaths, the growth of plants and their uprooting, cures and killings, the building up and the pulling down of houses, weeping and laughing,Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 3:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo every [thing there is] a season,.... A set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: To every thing ... a season - Heb., zªmaan (H2165)2165 determined time.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCHAPTER 3 Every thing hath its time; in which, to enjoy it, and therewith do good to others, is our good, . God doth all according to his decree that we should fear him, and there is nothing new, ,15. The vanity of unjust judgment; God is the great Judge of all, ,17; and he will make men know that they are here but as brute beasts, . A season; a certain thee appointed by God for its being and continuance, which no human wit or providence can prevent or alter. And by virtue of this appointment or decree of God, all the vicissitudes and changes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, do come to pass; which is here added, partly, to prove what he last said, ,26, that both…
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:Ver. 1. To everything there is a season.] A set time, such as we can neither alter nor order. This is one of those keys that God carries under his own belt. To seek, to do, or get anything before the time, is to pull apples before they are ripe, saith a father, which set the teeth on edge, and breed stomach worms. They labour in vain that would prevent the time prefixed by God, as those hasty Ephraimites in Egypt those heady Israelites in the wilderness. Moses would be acting the judge before his time, he is therefore sent to keep sheep in Midian. David stayed God’ s leisure for the kingdom…
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 3 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) A season.—The word is only found in later Hebrew (Nehemiah 2:6; Esther 9:27; Esther 9:31), and in the Chaldee of Daniel and Ezra. Purpose.—The use of the word here and in Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Ecclesiastes 8:6, in the general sense of “a matter,” belongs to later Hebrew. The primary meaning of the word is “pleasure” or “desire,” and it is so used in this book (Ecclesiastes 5:4; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Ecclesiastes 12:10).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER III Every thing has its time and season, 1-8. Men are exercised with labour, 9, 10. Every thing is beautiful in its season, 11. Men should enjoy thankfully the gifts of God, 12, 13. What God does is for ever, 14. There is nothing new, 15. The corruption of judgment; but the judgments of God are right, 16, 17. Man is brutish, and men and brutes die in like manner, 18-21. Man may enjoy the fruit of his own labours, 22. NOTES ON CHAP. III Verse 1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose] Two general remarks may be made on the first eight verses of this chapter. 1. God by his providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to…
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose] The two Hebrew nouns stand to each other in much the same relation as the Greek χρόνος and καιρός, the former expressing a period of duration, the latter the appointed time at which an event happens. Accepting this view, the words “season” and “time” in the A. V. ought, perhaps, to change places. The thought is one of which we find an echo in the maxim of Pittacus, Καιρὸνγνῶθι—“Know the right season for everything” (Diog. Laert. i. 4, § 6). It is significant, in connexion with the conclusion maintained in the Introduction, Ch. iii., that Demetrius Phalereus, the librarian of Ptolemy Philadelphus, wrote a treatise, περὶκαιροῦ…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleEverything - More particularly, the actions of people (e. g. his own, Ecclesiastes 2:1-8) and events which happen to people, the world of Providence rather than the world of creation.
Read Albert Barnes on Ecclesiastes 3 →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
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
Tyndale line
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen.
Strictly literal
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens:
To everything — a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:
To everything—a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:
For every thing there is a season; and a [proper] time is for every pursuit under the heavens.
For everything there is an appointed time, and a season for every purpose under heaven.
From the Latin
All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.
Simplified
Everything has its own time—a time for all that happens here:
For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
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, "לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־ חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ס," which translates to, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all seven words correspond directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, confirming the consistency of the text across these witnesses.
לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־ חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ס
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
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 3:1
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)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
זְמָן (zman) refers to an appointed occasion or time. It is derived from the root word for 'time' and is used to denote a set or appointed time. The entries indicate that it has a specific focus on designated moments, but do not provide significant disagreement among lexicons.
זְמָ֑ן n.m. (late) appointed time, time
base
H2165 זְמָ֑ן
2165 zman zem-awn'
from 2163; an appointed occasion:--season, time.
see HEBREW for 02163
זְמָ֑ן (ze.man) — time.
a set time, appointed time, time
Aramaic equivalent: ze.man (זְמַן "time" H2166)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
tim: The basis of the Hebrew measurement of time was the day and the lunar month, as with the Semites generally. The division of the day into hours was late, probably not common until after the exile, although the sun-dial of Ahaz (2Ki 20:9; Isa 38:8) would scent to indicate some division of the day into periods of some sort, as we know the night was divided, The word used for "hour" is Aramaic she`a' (sha`ta'), and does not occur in the Old Testament until the Book of Daniel (4:33; 5:5), and even there it stands for an indefinite period for which "time" would answer as well.
1. The Day:
The term "day" (yom) was in use from the earliest times, as is indicated in the story of the Creation (Ge 1). It there doubtless denotes an indefinite period, but is marked off by "evening and…
Besides the ordinary uses of this word, the Bible sometimes employs it to denote a year, as in Da 4:16; or a prophetic year, consisting of three hundred and sixty natural year, a day being taken for a year. Thus in Da 7:25 12:7, the phrase "a time, times, and the dividing of a time" is supposed to mean three and a half prophetic years, or 1,260 natural years. This period is elsewhere paralleled by the expression, "forty-two months," each month including thirty years, Re 11:2-3 12:6,14 13:5.
עֵת (eth) means 'time,' covering various aspects such as the time of an event, a usual time, or an appointed time. It can also refer to experiences or occurrences. The entries suggest it can denote both specific and uncertain times, but they do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עֵת 297 n.f. time
time of an event
= usual time
proper, suitable time
appointed time
as uncertain
= experience, fortunes
occurrence, occasion
base
H6256 עֵת time . time of an event
. . = usual time
. proper, suitable time
. appointed time
. as uncertain
. = experience, fortunes
. occurrence, occasion
6256 `eth ayth
from 5703; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now,
when, etc.:--+ after, (al-)ways, X certain, + continually, +
evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-,
noon-)tide, ((meal-)), what) time, when.
see HEBREW for 05703
עֵת (et) — time.
1) time
1a) time (of an event)
1b) time (usual)
1c) experiences, fortunes
1d) occurrence, occasion
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common both singular absoluteHC/Ncbsa
tim: The basis of the Hebrew measurement of time was the day and the lunar month, as with the Semites generally. The division of the day into hours was late, probably not common until after the exile, although the sun-dial of Ahaz (2Ki 20:9; Isa 38:8) would scent to indicate some division of the day into periods of some sort, as we know the night was divided, The word used for "hour" is Aramaic she`a' (sha`ta'), and does not occur in the Old Testament until the Book of Daniel (4:33; 5:5), and even there it stands for an indefinite period for which "time" would answer as well.
1. The Day:
The term "day" (yom) was in use from the earliest times, as is indicated in the story of the Creation (Ge 1). It there doubtless denotes an indefinite period, but is marked off by "evening and…
Besides the ordinary uses of this word, the Bible sometimes employs it to denote a year, as in Da 4:16; or a prophetic year, consisting of three hundred and sixty natural year, a day being taken for a year. Thus in Da 7:25 12:7, the phrase "a time, times, and the dividing of a time" is supposed to mean three and a half prophetic years, or 1,260 natural years. This period is elsewhere paralleled by the expression, "forty-two months," each month including thirty years, Re 11:2-3 12:6,14 13:5.
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)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
The Hebrew word חֵ֫פֶץ (*chephets*) primarily means delight or pleasure. It encompasses concepts of desire and longing, as well as the good pleasure or purpose of Yahweh. The word can also refer to something valuable or a matter of interest. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
חֵ֫פֶץ n.m. delight, pleasure
delight
desire, longing
the good pleasure, will, purpose, of Yahweh
that in which one takes delight, his business (late), or matter
base
H2656 חֵ֫פֶץ delight, pleasure
2656 chephets khay'-fets
from 2654; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a
valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in
mind):--acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired,
matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.
see HEBREW for 02654
חֵ֫פֶץ (che.phets) — pleasure.
1) delight, pleasure
1a) delight
1b) desire, longing
1c) the good pleasure
1d) that in which one takes delight
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
mat'-er: This word being a very general term may express various ideas. the Revised Version (British and American) therefore frequently changes the reading of the King James Version in order to state more definitely the meaning of the context (compare Ex 24:14; 1Sa 16:18; 1Ki 8:59; 2Sa 11:19; Es 3:4; Ps 35:20; 64:5; Pr 16:20; 18:13). dabhar, and the Greek logos, both meaning "word," are very frequently translated by "matter." hule, "wood," is rendered "matter" in
תַּחַת (tachath) refers to the concept of being underneath or below. It can function as a noun meaning 'the under part,' or as an adverb and preposition indicating position or substitution, such as 'instead of' or 'for the sake of.' The word encompasses various uses, including physical placement and metaphorical meanings related to subjection or exchange.
תַּחַת n.[m.] the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
base
H8478 תַּחַת the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
8478 tachath takh'-ath
from the same as 8430; the bottom (as depressed); only
adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix
underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat,
in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead
of, under, X unto, X when...was mine, whereas, (where-)fore,
with.
see HEBREW for 08430
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: under.
: under/below
1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m
1a) the under part adv accus
1b) beneath prep
1c) under, beneath
1c1) at the foot of (idiom)
1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig)
1c3) of subjection or conquest
1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands
1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)
1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense)
1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged)
conj
1e) instead of, instead of that
1f) in return for that, because that in compounds
1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion)
1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: instead.
: instead/in_place/exchange
Prep — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.