Ecclesiastes 7:19 — Word Study
WLCהַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃
BSAWisdomchokmâh [skill and good judgment, prudence] makes the wise manchâkâm [intelligent, crafty] stronger thanʻâzaz▸ [to be strong, prevail] tenʻeser [a decade, numerous] rulersshallîyṭ [domineering, in charge] in a cityʻîyr [a town, excitement]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה | wisdom | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| תָּעֹ֣ז | it gives strength | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| לֶחָכָ֑ם | to the wise [person] | Preposition |
| מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ | more than ten | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים | rulers | Adj |
| אֲשֶׁ֥ר | who | Particle |
| הָי֖וּ | they are | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| בָּעִֽיר׃ | in the city | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. |
| KJV | Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. |
| ASV | Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. |
| YLT | The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city. |
| WEB | Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. |
| BBE | Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a town. |
Where they part company is תָּעֹ֣ז — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two phrases providing comparison and context. The structure emphasizes the strength wisdom provides in contrast to rulers.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָזַז
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 7:19
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 Value of Wisdomgenerated
Ecclesiastes 7:19 emphasizes the superiority of wisdom over mere authority. The verse illustrates that wisdom equips the wise person with strength that exceeds that of ten rulers in a city, highlighting the importance of wisdom in governance and life decisions. This section of Ecclesiastes contrasts the fleeting nature of life with the enduring value of wisdom, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 9:15–18 | Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 20:16–22 | a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 21:22 | A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 4 | Proverbs 24:5 | A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. |
| 5 | Colossians 1:9–11 | For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָכְמָה, ha.cha.khe.Mahgenerated
The Hebrew word חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.
In this verse, wisdom is portrayed as a source of strength, indicating that a wise person has capabilities that can surpass those of multiple rulers. This reflects the belief that wisdom is not just knowledge but the ability to apply that knowledge effectively.
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 verb of the sentence is תָּעֹ֣ז, it gives strength, which governs the subject הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה (wisdom) and describes the comparison to שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים (rulers). The structure emphasizes the relationship between wisdom and strength.
The phrase מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ (more than ten) serves as a comparative element, highlighting that wisdom's strength surpasses that of multiple rulers, illustrating the superiority of wisdom in leadership.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חָכְמָה is rendered as σοφία (sophia), which also means wisdom. This choice aligns with the broader Greek understanding of wisdom as encompassing both knowledge and practical application.
The translation of תָּעֹ֣ז as βοηθήσει (boēthēsei, meaning 'will help') suggests a focus on the supportive role of wisdom, indicating that wisdom not only empowers but also assists in overcoming challenges.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 7:19 states that wisdom makes a wise person stronger than ten rulers in a city. This highlights the significant power and influence that wisdom can provide, surpassing even the authority of many leaders.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the insight and understanding gained through wisdom provide a person with greater strength and capability than simply having authority or power.
Wisdom involves discernment and good judgment, which can lead to better decision-making and outcomes than brute force or mere authority.
This verse suggests that wisdom is indeed more valuable than power, as it equips individuals to navigate challenges effectively.
Wisdom can be gained through study, experience, and seeking counsel from those who are wise, as well as through reflection and learning from life's experiences.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I seek wisdom to make better decisions?
- How have I seen the impact of wisdom in the lives of others around me?
- What steps can I take to cultivate wisdom in my own life?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of strength and authority?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and its superiority over mere authority, as shown in their quotations.
The inhabited world arises in no other way than in the wisdom of God. For “wisdom gives strength to the wise beyond ten rulers who live in the city.” “And the one who despises wisdom and instruction is miserable, and his hope empty,Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Look for the might of a general in his wisdom rather than in the size of his troops.… If a city has many mighty men but lacks wisdom, these cannot help the city.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →
"It is good that you should take hold of this, and do not withdraw your hand; for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. "It is good to do good to righteous men, but also being kind to sinners is not wicked.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 7:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWisdom strengtheneth the wise,.... Against such extremes as before mentioned; it is a guard about him, as well as a guide unto him; it is a defence unto him, as before observed, Ecclesiastes 7:12;
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Wisdom - Hebrew, "The wisdom," i:e., the true wisdom, religion (2 Timothy 3:15).
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWisdom; true wisdom, which is always joined with the fear of God, and which teacheth a man to keep close to the rule of his duty, without turning either to the right hand or to the left. Strengtheneth the wise; supporteth him in and secureth him against troubles and dangers. Ten, i.e. many, uniting the forces together.
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.Ver. 19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise, &c.] Prudence excelleth puissance, and counsel valour. This made Agamemnon set such a price upon Ulysses; Darius, upon Zopyrus; the Syracusans, upon Archimedes; the Spartans, upon Leonidas, who, with six hundred men, dispersed five hundred thousand of Xerxes his host. Those that are wise to salvation go ever under a double guard; the peace of God within them, the power of God without them. No sultan of Babylon or Egypt (who have that title from the Hebrew word here rendered mighty men) did ever go so well guarded. Justin., lib. ii.
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) Mighty men.—The word is translated “governor” Genesis 42:6, and so see Ecclesiastes 10:5; see also Ecclesiastes 8:8. The preacher returns to the topic of Ecc 7:12. Of the “For” in the next verse, only forced explanations have been given; the sentiment is Solomon’s (1 Kings 8:46).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 7 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise] One wise, thoroughly learned, and scientific man, may be of more use in fortifying and defending a city, than ten princes. Witness the case of Syracuse, when attacked by the Romans both by sea and land. Archimedes, by his engines, burnt and dashed their fleet to pieces, and destroyed all that came near the walls. And had not the city been betrayed, and he killed, all their force and skill could not have taken it.
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise] The fact that the Debater had not forgotten that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 111:10; Job 28:21) serves as the connecting link between this and the preceding verse. The “ten mighty men” stand as a vague number, certus pro incerto (comp. Genesis 31:7; Numbers 14:22), and it is a fantastic line of interpretation to connect them with any definite political organization, Assyrian viceroys, Persian vice-satraps, Roman decurions, or the like. It is, however, an interesting coincidence, pointed out by Mr Tyler, that a city was defined by the Mishna (Megila i. 3) to be a town in which there were ten Batlanim, or men of…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 7 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible19. This and the following verses refer to the imperfectness of the examples of great men.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ecclesiastes 7 →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
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.
Tyndale line
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.
Be not thou wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?
Strictly literal
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] that are in a city.
The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.
The wisdom gives strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.
Wisdom giveth more strength to the wise than ten rulers which were in the city.
Wisdom is powerful in the wise man, more than ten rulers in a city.
From the Latin
It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.
Simplified
Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.
Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a town.
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 of Ecclesiastes 7:19 states, "Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all eight words correspond, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q109) preserve six words from the verse, but four of these are restored by an editor, indicating partial agreement with the Masoretic Text while lacking a complete textual match.
הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[החכמה] תעזר [מעשרה] [שליטים] [שהיו] בעיר
6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ecclesiastes 7:19
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.
חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.
חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom
skill in war
wisdom, in administration
shrewdness, wisdom
wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
wisdom, ethical and religious
base
H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war
. wisdom, in administration
. shrewdness, wisdom
. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
. wisdom, ethical and religious
2451 chokmah khok-maw'
from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,
wisely, wit.
see HEBREW for 02449
חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.
1) wisdom
1a) skill (in war)
1b) wisdom (in administration)
1c) shrewdness, wisdom
1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
wiz'-dum:
1. Linguistic
2. History
3. Religious Basis
4. Ideals
5. Teaching of Christ
6. Remainder of the New Testament
(1) James
(2) Paul
7. Hypostasis
LITERATURE
1. Linguistic:
In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…
עָזַז (azaz) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong or to prevail. It can refer to both literal and figurative strength, with uses in the Qal form indicating strength or prevailing, and in the Hiphil form suggesting making firm or strengthening. The entries highlight its application in contexts of boldness, particularly in relation to a wicked man.
[עָזַז] vb. be strong
Qal be strong, prevail
Hiph. a wicked man maketh firm (sheweth boldness) with his face
base
H5810 [עָזַז] be strong .be strong, prevail
. a wicked man maketh firm (sheweth boldness) with his face
5810 `azaz aw-zaz'
a primitive root; to be stout (literally or
figuratively):--harden, impudent, prevail, strengthen (self),
be strong.
עָזַז (a.zaz) — be strong.
1) to be strong
1a) (Qal) to be strong, prevail
1b) (Hiphil) to make firm, strengthen
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
עֶשֶׂר (eser) means 'ten' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root related to counting, specifically indicating the number ten and its use in combination with other numbers. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂר (asar), also meaning 'ten.'
עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten
base
H6235 עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה ten
6235 `eser eh'ser
masculine of term aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from 6237; ten (as an
accumulation to the extent of the digits):--ten, (fif-,
seven-)teen.
see HEBREW for 06237
עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) — ten.
1) ten
1a) ten
1b) with other numbers
Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Prep | Adj — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
שַׁלִּיט (shalit) refers to someone who has mastery or is domineering, often used to describe a ruler or someone in power. It is derived from the root meaning to have power, and can denote a prince or warrior. The term emphasizes authority and control.
שַׁלִּיט adj. having mastery, domineering
base
H7989 שַׁלִּיט having mastery, domineering
7989 shalliyt shal-leet'
from 7980; potent; concretely, a prince or
warrior:--governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler.
see HEBREW for 07980
שַׁלִּיט (shal.lit) — domineering.
1) having mastery, domineering, master
1a) having mastery
1a1) ruler (subst)
1b) domineering, imperious
Aramaic equivalent: shal.lit (שַׁלִּיט "ruling" H7990)
Adj — AdjHAampa
→ (Appointed and removed by God)
→ See GOVERNMENT, GOD IN
→ Chastised Da 4
→ See NATION
→ Monarchical
See KINGS
→ Patriarchal Ge 27:29,37
→ INSTANCES OF
Nimrod Ge 10:8-10
Abraham Ge 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:21-32
Melchizedek Ge 14:18
Isaac Ge 26:26-31
Judah Ge 38:24
Heads of families Ex 6:14
Ishmael Ge 17:20
Esau, and the dukes of Edom Ge 36
Theocratic
See GOVERNMENT
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):
I. THE CANAANITE CITY
1. Origin
2. Extent
3. Villages
4. Sites
5. External Appearance
6. General
II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION
1. Tower or Stronghold
2. High Place
3. Broad Place
4. Streets
5. General Characteristics
III. STORE CITIES
IV. LEVITICAL CITIES
LITERATURE
I. The Canaanite City.
1. Origin:
The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…
City
The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…
The towns and cities of Palestine were commonly built on heights, for better security against robbers or invaders. These heights, surrounded by walls, sometimes formed the entire city. In other cases, the citadel alone crowned the hill, around and at the base of which the town was built; and in time of danger the surrounding population all took refuge in the fortified place. Larger towns and cities were often not only defended by strong outer walls, with towers and gates, but by a citadel or castle within these limits-a last resort when the rest of the city was taken, Jud 9:46,51. The "fenced cities" of the Jews, De 3:5, were of various sizes and degrees of strength; some being surrounded by high and thick stone walls, and others by feebler ramparts, often of clay or sun-dried…
