Menu

Ecclesiastes 5:8 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאִם־ עֹ֣שֶׁק רָ֠שׁ וְגֵ֨זֶל מִשְׁפָּ֤ט וָצֶ֙דֶק֙ תִּרְאֶ֣ה בַמְּדִינָ֔ה אַל־ תִּתְמַ֖הּ עַל־ הַחֵ֑פֶץ כִּ֣י גָבֹ֜הַּ מֵעַ֤ל גָּבֹ֙הַּ֙ שֹׁמֵ֔ר וּגְבֹהִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

BSAadvantageyithrôwn landʼerets allkôl he/she/ithûwʼ he/she/ithûwʼ King'smelek fieldsâdeh to serveʻâbad

Word
Listen & take awayEcclesiastes 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('a.lei.Hem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ecclesiastes 5:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse addresses the realities of oppression and injustice in society.
Who is speakingThe author of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on observations of social injustice.
Where we areThis part of Ecclesiastes examines the nature of justice in human governance.
The hard wordעֹ֣שֶׁק
Take awayOppression and injustice are common, but they should not surprise us.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectH1364 verbאֶרֶץ The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Ecclesiastes 5:8

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 — The Observations on Justicegenerated

7For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
8If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
9The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 reflects on the observation of societal injustices, particularly the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice. The author encourages readers not to be surprised by these occurrences, as they are part of the human condition. The verse highlights the hierarchical nature of authority, where one official is overseen by another, suggesting a structure of accountability that may not effectively prevent injustice.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ecclesiastes 3:16Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
2Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
3Psalm 12:5“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
4Psalm 55:9O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
5Psalm 58:11Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

The Key Word עֹ֣שֶׁק, 'O.shekgenerated

The Hebrew word עֹ֫שֶׁק ('osheq) refers to oppression and extortion, indicating injury or unjust gain. It is often used in contexts of distress or wrongful acquisition, as seen in the book of Exodus.

The term captures the essence of cruel treatment and the exploitation of the vulnerable, emphasizing the moral implications of such actions in society.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses oppression and denial consistently with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains a main clause introduced by the finite verb תִּרְאֶ֣ה (you will see), followed by a series of noun phrases and prepositional phrases that elaborate on the conditions observed.

The structure emphasizes the conditional nature of the observation, indicating that the speaker is addressing the reader directly about what they might witness in society.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word עֹ֫שֶׁק as περισσεία, which carries a sense of abundance or excess. This choice may imply a broader interpretation of oppression as not just a lack but an overwhelming presence of injustice.

This translation reflects a nuanced understanding of the original Hebrew, suggesting that the impact of oppression extends beyond mere observation to encompass a systemic issue.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ecclesiastes 5:8 discusses the reality of seeing oppression and injustice in society, particularly affecting the poor. It advises not to be surprised by these occurrences, as they are part of human governance where officials are overseen by those in higher authority.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the verse say about the oppression of the poor?

The verse highlights that oppression is a reality in society and encourages awareness of such injustices.

Why should we not be astonished at injustice?

The verse suggests that injustice is common and part of the structure of authority, where oversight exists but may not prevent wrongdoing.

What does it mean that one official is watched by a superior?

This indicates a hierarchy of authority, implying that while there is oversight, it does not necessarily ensure justice.

How does this verse relate to the broader themes of Ecclesiastes?

It reflects the author's observations on the futility of human endeavors and the prevalence of injustice in life.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see injustice in my community, and how can I respond to it?
  2. How can understanding the structure of authority help me navigate issues of injustice?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the nature of human governance and its limitations?
  4. How can I be an advocate for the poor and those who are oppressed in my own context?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 5:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of justice in a province,.... Which is a very disagreeable sight, but often seen; the poor are oppressed, and judgment and justice

Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Here is an account of another vanity, and a sovereign antidote against it. Marvel not, as if it were inconsistent with God’ s wisdom, and justice, and truth to suffer such disorders, or a just cause for any man to throw off that fear and service of God which I have now commended to thee. He that is higher than the highest, the most high God, who is infinitely above the greatest of men, and therefore, if he saw meet, could crush them in an instant, regardeth, not like an idle spectator, but like a judge, who diligently observes and records all these miscarriages, and will so effectually punish them, that neither they shall have any cause of triumph in their former successes, nor good men to…

Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for [he that is] higher than the highest regardeth; and [there be] higher than they.Ver. 8. If thou seest the oppression of the poor.] And so mayest be drawn to doubt of Divine providence, and to withdraw thine awful regard to the divine Majesty, to forego godliness, and to turn fiat atheist, as Diagoras and Averroes did. Marvel not at the matter.] Nil admirari prope res est una Numici. A wise man wonders at nothing; he knows there is good cause why God should allow it so to be, and gives him his glory. Opera Dei sunt in mediis contrariis, saith…

Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) The interpretation of this verse depends on the sense we give to “marvel.” There are some who take it of simple surprise. “You need not think it strange; the instances of oppression which you observe are only parts of a gigantic scheme of mutual wrong-doing, the oppressors of one being themselves oppressed in turn by their superiors.” But instead of “Do not wonder,” the meaning “be not dismayed” is preferable. (Comp. Psalms 48:5; Job 26:11; Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 4:9.) The verse then supplies the answer to the gloomy view of Ecc 4:4. In the view that the last clause speaks of the Divine rectification of earthly injustice, I am confirmed by observing that the author of this book delights…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. If thou seest the oppression of the poor] For this was a frequent case under all governments; and especially in the provinces or colonies which being far from the seat of government, were generally oppressed by the sovereign's deputies. Marvel not at the matter] החפץ hachephets, the will, i.e., of God; which permits such evils to take place; for all things shall work together for good to them that love him. "Marvel not, Ye righteous, if his dispensations here Unequal seem. What, though disorders reign? He still presides, and with unerring hand Directs the vast machine. His wisdom can From discord harmony produce; and make Even vice itself subservient to his ends."

Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. If thou seest the oppression of the poor] From the follies of the religious life we pass to the disorders of the political. As in ch. Ecclesiastes 4:16, the thinker looks on those disorders of the world, “the poor man’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,” and teaches others how he has learnt to think of them. The words “wonder not” tells us with scarcely the shadow of a doubt who had been his teachers. In that counsel we have a distinct echo from one of the floating maxims of Greek proverbial wisdom, from the Μηδὲνθαυμάζειν (“wonder at nothing”) of Pythagoras, and Cebes (Tabula, p. 232), which has become more widely known through the Nil admirari of Horace (Epist. i. 6. 1). Why men were…

Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Matter - Rather, purpose (as in the margin, and Ecclesiastes 3:1), referring either to the will of God or to the edict of an oppressive ruler. For he ... they - literally, for high watches over high and the highest over them, i.

Read Albert Barnes on Ecclesiastes 5 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

NETBNew English Translation2006

If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.

RVARevised Version, American1894

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there be higher than they.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perversion of judgment and justice in a province, wonder not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there are higher than they.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the abundance of the earth is ouer all: the King also consisteth by the fielde that is tilled.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter; for a higher than the high is watching, and there are higher than they.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

If oppression of the poor, and violent taking away of judgment and righteousness thou seest in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for a higher than the high is observing, and high ones [are] over them.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

If oppression of the poor, and violent taking away of judgment and righteousness you see in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for a higher than the high is observing, and high ones [are] over them.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(5:7) If thou see the oppression of the poor, and violence done to justice and righteousness in a province, do not feel astounded at the matter; for one that is high watcheth over the high; and over them, the highest Power.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

When you see the poor being oppressed and robbed of just and right treatment in your province, do not be astonished as if no one knows, because there are people in power who watch those under them, and there are even higher ones over them.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Moreover there is the king that reigneth over all the land subject to him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If you see poor people somewhere being oppressed, or truth and justice violated, don't be shocked at it, for every official is responsible to others higher up, and there are officials over them as well.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

If you see the poor under a cruel yoke, and law and right being violently overturned in a country, be not surprised, because one authority is keeping watch on another and there are higher than they.

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.

clauseclauseאִםifclausenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseעֹ֣שֶׁקoppressionרָ֠שׁof.[one.who.is].poorוְandnoun phraseגֵ֨זֶלrobberynoun phraseמִשְׁפָּ֤טof.justiceוָandצֶ֨דֶק֙righteousnessverbתִּרְאֶ֣הyou.will.seeprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַinnoun phrasetheמְּדִינָ֔הprovinceclauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתִּתְמַ֖הּbe.astonishedprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonnoun phraseהַtheחֵ֑פֶץmatterכִּ֣י(dm)clausenoun phrase · subjectגָבֹ֜הַּa.high.[one]prepositional phraseprepositional phraseמֵ(from)עַ֤לoverגָּבֹ֨הַ֙a.high.[one]verbשֹׁמֵ֔ר[is].watchingוּandclausesubjectגְבֹהִ֖יםhigh.[ones]prepositional phrase · predicateעֲלֵיoverהֶֽםthem

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


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

The Masoretic Text is consistent in its wording regarding oppression and justice, with the Septuagint showing partial correspondence. The differences in word order and some omitted words in the Septuagint indicate a variation in interpretation rather than a fundamental disagreement.

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

אִם־ עֹ֣שֶׁק רָ֠שׁ וְגֵ֨זֶל מִשְׁפָּ֤ט וָצֶ֙דֶק֙ תִּרְאֶ֣ה בַמְּדִינָ֔ה אַל־ תִּתְמַ֖הּ עַל־ הַחֵ֑פֶץ כִּ֣י גָבֹ֜הַּ מֵעַ֤ל גָּבֹ֙הַּ֙ שֹׁמֵ֔ר וּגְבֹהִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אִם־καιעֹ֣שֶׁקπερισσείαרָ֠שׁγῆςוְגֵ֨זֶלπαντίמִשְׁפָּ֤טἐστιוָצֶ֙דֶק֙τοῦתִּרְאֶ֣הἀγροῦבַמְּדִינָ֔הεἰργασμένου

8 of the 19 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.

Ecclesiastes 5:8אִםififאִםעֹ֫שֶׁקoppression oppression ofעֹ֫שֶׁקרוּשׁa poor persa poor personרוּשׁגָּזֵלand robberyand robbery ofגָּזֵלמִשְׁפָּטjusticejusticeמִשְׁפָּטצֶ֫דֶקand righteoand righteousneצֶ֫דֶקרָאָהyou will seyou will seeרָאָהמְדִינָהin the provin the provinceמְדִינָהאַלdo notdo notאַלתָּמַהּbe astonishbe astonishedתָּמַהּעַלononעַלחֵ֫פֶץthe matterthe matterחֵ֫פֶץכִּיforforכִּיגָּבֹהַּa high [onea high [one]גָּבֹהַּעַלoveroverעַלגָּבֹהַּa high [onea high [one]גָּבֹהַּשָׁמַר[is] watchi[is] watchingשָׁמַרגָּבֹהַּand high [oand high [ones]גָּבֹהַּעַלover themover themעַלגָּבַהּto exultto exultגָּבַהּעָשַׁקto oppressto oppressעָשַׁקעַלheightheightעַלשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקדִּיןto judgeto judgeדִּיןחָפֵץto delightto delight inחָפֵץלֹאnotnotלֹאגָּזַלto plunderto plunderגָּזַלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאשָׁפֵלto abaseto abaseשָׁפֵלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁגָּזֵלrobberyrobberyגָּזֵלעָשִׁירrichrichעָשִׁירעִקֵּשׁtwistedtwistedעִקֵּשׁעֹ֫שֶׁקoppressionoppressionעֹ֫שֶׁק
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Ecclesiastes 5:8

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.

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
אִם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b 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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
עֹ֣שֶׁק'O.shek oppression of H6233 Noun common · masculine singular construct
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Oppression refers to injury or fraud, often resulting in unjust gain. It is described in the Bible as a form of distress or extortion, such as in the book of Exodus.
Tyndale gloss
oppression
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹ֫שֶׁק (osheq) refers to oppression and extortion, encompassing concepts of injury and unjust gain. It is derived from the root word for injury and conveys a sense of distress and deceitful acquisition. The term is used in contexts related to cruel treatment and wrongful gain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹ֫שֶׁק oppression, extortion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6233 עֹ֫שֶׁק oppression, extortion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6233 `osheq o'-shek

from 6231; injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress,

(concretely) unjust gain:--cruelly, extortion, oppression,

thing (deceitfully gotten).

see HEBREW for 06231

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹ֫שֶׁק (o.sheq) — oppression.

1) oppression, extortion, injury

1a) oppression

1b) extortion

1c) gain by extortion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
רָ֠שׁrash a poor person H7326 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone who lacks material possessions or is in need, as seen in the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:42. This verb can also be used to describe someone who is spiritually poor or lacking.
Tyndale gloss
be poor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רוּשׁ (ruwsh) means to be poor or in want, covering the state of lacking resources or necessities. It can refer to a poor man or the action of impoverishing oneself, as noted in various forms like the Qal and Hithpolel. The entries indicate a focus on destitution and neediness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רוּשׁ or רִישׁ] 24 vb. be in want, poor

Qal young lions are in want and hunger

Hithpō‛lēl one impoverishing himself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7326 [רוּשׁ or רִישׁ] be in want, poor

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7326 ruwsh roosh

a primitive root; to be destitute:--lack, needy, (make self)

poor (man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רוּשׁ (rush) — be poor.

1) to be poor, be in want, lack

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be poor

1a2) to be in want or hunger

1a3) poor man (subst)

1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqrmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
וְגֵ֨זֶלve.Ge.zel and robbery of H1498 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the act of robbery or the thing that is plundered, like in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30. It is about taking something that does not belong to you, often by force.
Tyndale gloss
robbery
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּזֵל (gazel) refers to robbery or plunder, specifically something taken away by violence. It is derived from the root meaning related to violence, as noted in the entries. The term captures the act of theft and its violent nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּזֵל n.[m.] robbery

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1498 גָּזֵל robbery

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1498 gazel gaw-zale'

from 1497; robbery, or (concretely) plunder:--robbery, thing

taken away by violence.

see HEBREW for 01497

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּזֵל (ga.zel) — robbery.

robbery, something plundered

Also means: ge.zel (גֵּזֶל "violence" H1499)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmsc — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
מִשְׁפָּ֤טmish.Pat justice H4941 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
422× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
justice: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment

judgment

justice, right, rectitude

ordinance

decision

one's (legal) right, privilege, due

proper, fitting, measure

custom, manner

what manner of

plan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment

. justice, right, rectitude

. ordinance

. decision

. one's (legal) right, privilege, due

. . proper, fitting, measure

. custom, manner

. what manner of

. plan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4941 mishpat mish-pawt'

from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)

pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree

(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or

collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the

crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a

participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or

even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,

custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,

fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),

(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,

ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

see HEBREW for 08199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

1c) ordinance

1d) decision (in law)

1e) right, privilege, due (legal)

1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jus'-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered "righteousness." This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have "just" and "justice" in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "righteous" and "righteousness." It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.

See RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Human Justice:

Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Le 19:35,36; De 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Pr 11:1; 16:11…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Justice

Is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A principle of righteousness and equity, controlling our conduct, and securing a due regard to all the rights of others-their persons, property, character, and interests. It has to do, not with pecuniary transactions alone, but with all our intercourse with society. It forms a chief element of the character approved in God’s word; and a truly just man has but to "love mercy, and walk humbly with God," to fulfil all righteousness. Justice in magistrates, rulers, and judges, must be fearless and impartial, and all its decisions such as will bear revision before the court of heaven, De 1:16,17 2Sa 23:3 2Ch 19:6-10. Judgement is peculiarly the prerogative of God, and every earthly tribunal lies under the shadow of the "great white…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 23:1-3,6-8; Le 19:13-15; De 16:18-20; 25:1-4; Ezr 7:26; Ps 72:1,2; 82:2-4; Pr 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 22:27; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; Ec 3:16,17; 5:8; 7:7; Isa 1:17; 56:1; 59:14,15; Jer 22:1-4; La 3:35,36; Am 5:7,11,12;

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
וָצֶ֙דֶק֙va.Tze.dek and righteousness H6664 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Tyndale gloss
Righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness

what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

righteousness, in government

righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

rightness, in speech

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

. righteousness, in government

. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

. rightness, in speech

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek

from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also

(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X

that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)

(cause, -ly, - ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.

1) justice, rightness, righteousness

1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)

1b) righteousness (in government)

1b1) of judges, rulers, kings

1b2) of law

1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah

1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government

1b5) of God's attribute

1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)

1d) rightness (in speech)

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity

1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption

1f2) in name of Messianic king

1f3) of people enjoying salvation

1f4) of Cyrus

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.

This name means justice, righteousness

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmsa — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent

2. Social Customs and Righteousness

3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power

4. Righteousness as Inner

5. Righteousness as Social

6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth

LITERATURE

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:

In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Righteousness

See JUSTIFICATION.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,

→ By faith Ge 15:6; Ro 4:3,5,9,11,13,20,22,24

→ Garment of Job 29:14; Mt 22:11-14

→ Counted (regarded) for the sake of obedience De 6:25; Job 33:26

→ FRUITS OF De 6:25; Jos 22:31; Ps 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; 101:3,4; 106:3; 112:4-8; Pr 2:5-20; 10:2,16; 11:5,6,18,19,30; 12:28; 13:6; 14:34; 21:3; 29:7; Isa…

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
תִּרְאֶ֣הtir.'Eh you will see H7200 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,

behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have

experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look

(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,

upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,

regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one

another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out

1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVqi2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

se: In addition to the ordinary sense of perceiving by the eye, we have

(1) chazah, "to see" (in vision): "Words of Amos .... which he saw concerning Israel" (Am 1:1). The revelation was made to his inward eye. "The word of Yahweh .... which he (Micah) saw concerning Samaria" (Mic 1:1), describing what he saw in prophetic vision (compare Hab 1:1); see REVELATION, III, 4;

(2) horao, "to take heed": "See thou say nothing" (Mr 1:44);

(3) eidon, "to know," "to note with the mind": "Jesus saw that he answered discreetly" (Mr 12:34);

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
בַמְּדִינָ֔הva.me.di.Nah in the province H4082 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
53× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means a province or district, referring to a region or jurisdiction, like a judgeship or area ruled by a judge.
Tyndale gloss
province
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְדִינָה (mdiynah) refers to a province or district, often in the context of governance or jurisdiction. It is derived from a root meaning 'judgeship' and encompasses regions ruled by judges or officials. The term appears in discussions of various empires, including those of Ahab, Babylon, and Persia.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְדִינָה m.f. province

districts of realm of Ahab

of the Babylonian empire

of the Persian empire

provinces in general

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4082 מְדִינָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4082 mdiynah med-ee-naw'

from 1777; properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by

implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a

region:--(X every) province.

see HEBREW for 01777

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְדִינָה (me.di.nah) — province.

1) province, district

1a) district

1b) province

Aramaic equivalent: me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4083)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncfsa — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prov'-ins (medhinah, "jurisdiction"; eparchia (English Versions of the Bible, province) (Ac 23:34; 25:1)):

1. Meaning of the Term

2. Roman Provincial Administration

(1) First Period

(2) Second Period

(3) Third Period

3. Division of Provinces

4. Province of Judea

5. Revenue

LITERATURE

1. Meaning of the Term:

Province (provincia) did not originally denote a territorial circumscription in Roman usage, since the employment of the word was much more ancient than any of the conquests of the Romans outside of Italy. In the most comprehensive official sense it signified a magistrate's sphere of administrative action, which in one instance might be the direction of jurisdiction at Rome, in another the management of military operations against a particular hostile community. When the imperium was conferred upon two consuls at the beginning of the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the Old Testament this word appears in connection with the wars between Ahab and Ben-hadad. (1 Kings 20:14,15,19) The victory of the former is gained chiefly "by the young" probably men of the princes of the provinces the chiefs: of tribes in the Gilead country. More commonly the word is used of the divisions of the Chaldean kingdom. (Daniel 2:49; 3:1,30) and the Persian kingdom. (Ezra 2:1; Nehemiah 7:6; Esther 1:1,22; 2:3) etc. In the New Testament we are brought into contact with the administration of the provinces of the Roman empire. The classification of provinces supposed to need military control and therefore…

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
אַל־'al- do not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
תִּתְמַ֖הּtit.Mah be astonished H8539 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be amazed or stunned, like when God parts the Red Sea in Exodus. It describes a strong emotional response to something incredible. It's used in Psalm 48:5 to describe how kings are amazed by God's power.
Tyndale gloss
to astounded
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּמַהּ (tamah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be astounded or dumbfounded. It has a primitive root form and encompasses the idea of being amazed or astonished, with a specific usage in the Hithpael form indicating mutual astonishment. The entries consistently highlight its emotional impact, emphasizing a sense of wonder or consternation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[תָּמַהּ] vb. be astounded, dumbfounded

Qal be astounded

Hithp. + Qal lit. astonish yourselves, be astounded

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8539 [תָּמַהּ] be astounded, dumbfounded

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8539 tamahh taw-mah'

a primitive root; to be in consternation:--be amazed, be

astonished, marvel(-lously), wonder.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמַהּ (ta.mah) — to astounded.

1) to be astounded, be stunned, be amazed, be dumbfounded

1a) (Qal) to be astounded

1b)(Hithpael) to astonish yourself, be astounded, be astonished at one another

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqj2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
HVqj2ms
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
הַחֵ֑פֶץha.Che.fetz the matter H2656 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to pleasure or delight, often describing something that brings joy or happiness. In the Bible, it can also mean a valuable thing or a desire, like in Psalm 1.
Tyndale gloss
pleasure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2656 חֵ֫פֶץ delight, pleasure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫פֶץ (che.phets) — pleasure.

1) delight, pleasure

1a) delight

1b) desire, longing

1c) the good pleasure

1d) that in which one takes delight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncmsa — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
כִּ֣יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
גָבֹ֜הַּga.Vo.ah a high [one] H1364
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Tyndale gloss
high
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word גָּבֹהַּ (*gaboah*) means high or exalted, covering meanings such as tall, lofty, and haughty. It can also refer to loftiness as a noun. The word is derived from a root meaning to elevate or be elevated, and it appears in contexts that emphasize height or pride.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּבֹהַּ adj. high, exalted

high, lofty, tall

exalted in station

haughty

n.[m.] loftiness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1364 גָּבֹהַּ high, exalted . high, lofty, tall

. exalted in station

. haughty

. n. [m.] loftiness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1364 gaboahh gaw-bo'-ah

or (fully) gabowahh {gaw-bo'-ah}; from 1361; elevated (or

elated), powerful, arrogant:--haughty, height, high(-er),

lofty, proud, X exceeding proudly.

see HEBREW for 01361

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבֹהַּ (ga.vo.ah) — high.

adj

1) high, exalted

1a) high, tall

1b) high (in position)

1c) proud, haughty

n m

2) loftiness

Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAamsa
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
מֵעַ֤לme.'Al over H5921 Preposition · preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/R — Preposition · preposition
HR/R
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
גָּבֹ֙הַּ֙ga.Vo.ah a high [one] H1364
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Tyndale gloss
high
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word גָּבֹהַּ (*gaboah*) means high or exalted, covering meanings such as tall, lofty, and haughty. It can also refer to loftiness as a noun. The word is derived from a root meaning to elevate or be elevated, and it appears in contexts that emphasize height or pride.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּבֹהַּ adj. high, exalted

high, lofty, tall

exalted in station

haughty

n.[m.] loftiness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1364 גָּבֹהַּ high, exalted . high, lofty, tall

. exalted in station

. haughty

. n. [m.] loftiness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1364 gaboahh gaw-bo'-ah

or (fully) gabowahh {gaw-bo'-ah}; from 1361; elevated (or

elated), powerful, arrogant:--haughty, height, high(-er),

lofty, proud, X exceeding proudly.

see HEBREW for 01361

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבֹהַּ (ga.vo.ah) — high.

adj

1) high, exalted

1a) high, tall

1b) high (in position)

1c) proud, haughty

n m

2) loftiness

Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAamsa
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
שֹׁמֵ֔רsho.Mer [is] watching H8104 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Tyndale gloss
to keep: obey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve

Qal 425

keep, have charge of

keep, guard, captives

hence, watch for, wait for

watch, observe

keep, retain, of storing up (food)

keep within bounds, restrain

observe, celebrate

keep sabbath

of other obligations

observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

sts. י׳ subj.

keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

Niph.

36be on one's guard

keep oneself, refrain, abstain

be kept, guarded

Pi. those paying regard to false vanities

Hithp. I kept myself from

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of

. keep, guard, captives

. hence, watch for, wait for

. watch, observe

. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)

. keep within bounds, restrain

. . observe, celebrate

. keep sabbath

. of other obligations

. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

. sts. י׳ subj.

. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

. . be on one's guard

. keep oneself, refrain, abstain

. be kept, guarded

. those paying regard to false vanities

. I kept myself from

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8104 shamar shaw-mar'

a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),

i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,

be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,

look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save

(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.

: obey/observe

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

1a3) to watch for, wait for

1a4) to watch, observe

1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

1a8) to keep, preserve, protect

1a9) to keep, reserve

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

1b3) to be kept, be guarded

1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.

: guard

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqrmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

for men to entrap them

1Sa 18:9; Ps 37:32; Isa 29:20; Jer 20:10; Mr 3:2; Lu 14:1; 20:20

--SEE Net, NET

Plots Laid, PLOTTING

Snares Laid, SNARES LAID

if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
וּגְבֹהִ֖יםu.ge.vo.Him and high [ones] H1364 Conjunction
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Tyndale gloss
high
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word גָּבֹהַּ (*gaboah*) means high or exalted, covering meanings such as tall, lofty, and haughty. It can also refer to loftiness as a noun. The word is derived from a root meaning to elevate or be elevated, and it appears in contexts that emphasize height or pride.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּבֹהַּ adj. high, exalted

high, lofty, tall

exalted in station

haughty

n.[m.] loftiness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1364 גָּבֹהַּ high, exalted . high, lofty, tall

. exalted in station

. haughty

. n. [m.] loftiness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1364 gaboahh gaw-bo'-ah

or (fully) gabowahh {gaw-bo'-ah}; from 1361; elevated (or

elated), powerful, arrogant:--haughty, height, high(-er),

lofty, proud, X exceeding proudly.

see HEBREW for 01361

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבֹהַּ (ga.vo.ah) — high.

adj

1) high, exalted

1a) high, tall

1b) high (in position)

1c) proud, haughty

n m

2) loftiness

Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Aampa — Conjunction
HC/Aampa
if oppression of a poor person and robbery of justice and righteousness you will see in the province do not be astonished on the matter for a high [one] over a high [one] [is] watching and high [ones] over them
עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃'a.lei.Hem over them H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate