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Esther 9:32 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוּמַאֲמַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֔ר קִיַּ֕ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַפֻּרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְתָּ֖ב בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ פ

BSASo Esther’sʼEçtêr decreemaʼămar [command, or authoritative word] confirmedqûwm theseʼêl-leh [matters, or practices] regulationsdâbâr about PurimPûwr [the special feast] which were writtenkâthab [recorded, inscribed, or documented] into the recordçêpher [official, historical, or sacred, book, scroll, or chronicle]

Word
Listen & take awayEsther 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 32 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 (ba.Se.fer) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Esther 9:32quick helps
In a sentenceEsther's decree confirmed the regulations for Purim, which were documented in the official record.
Who is speakingEsther, the queen, alongside Mordecai.
Where we areThe conclusion of the events surrounding the establishment of Purim.
The hard wordוּמַאֲמַ֣ר
Take awayThe decree solidifies the practices of Purim for future generations.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbקוּם 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 — Esther 9:32

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 Establishment of Purimgenerated

29So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.
30And Mordecai sent letters with words of peace and truth to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes,
31in order to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and had committed themselves and their descendants to the times of fasting and lamentation.
32So Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.

Esther 9:32 describes how Esther's decree solidified the observance of Purim, ensuring that the regulations were formally recorded. This decree was significant in preserving the memory of the Jewish people's deliverance from their enemies, as celebrated during the festival of Purim. The context shows the importance of this event in Jewish history, emphasizing the role of Esther and Mordecai in safeguarding their community's traditions.


Cross References


The Key Word וּמַאֲמַ֣ר, u.ma.'a.Margenerated

The word מַאֲמָר (ma'amar) is a noun meaning 'command' or 'authoritative word.' It is derived from the root that conveys the act of speaking, indicating something said with authority. This word is often used to denote commands or decrees, especially those from figures of authority.

In this verse, it describes Esther's decree, highlighting its significance as an official command that confirms the regulations regarding Purim. The use of this term underscores the authoritative nature of Esther's words in establishing the observance of this important festival.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term confirmed for קִיַּ֕ם.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb קִיַּ֕ם (kiyam) governs the main clause, indicating that Esther's decree confirmed the regulations. The structure includes a noun phrase as the subject and another noun phrase as the object, with additional phrases providing context about the regulations and their documentation.

The sentence's flow emphasizes the confirmation of the regulations and the act of writing them into the record, showcasing the importance of both actions in solidifying the observance of Purim.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates קִיַּ֕ם as ἔστησεν, meaning 'established' or 'set up,' which aligns with the idea of confirming the regulations. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the establishment of authority.

For וְנִכְתָּ֖ב, the Greek ἐγράφη means 'was written,' indicating the action of recording the decree, consistent with the Hebrew intent of documenting the regulations.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Esther 9:32 tells us that Esther's decree confirmed the regulations for the feast of Purim, which were documented in the official record. This decree was essential for establishing the observance of Purim among the Jewish people, ensuring that the memory of their deliverance would be preserved.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of Esther's decree?

Esther's decree is significant because it formally establishes the observance of Purim, ensuring that the Jewish people's deliverance is remembered and celebrated.

How does this verse relate to the celebration of Purim?

This verse relates to Purim by confirming the regulations that govern its observance, highlighting the importance of remembering the events that led to the Jewish people's salvation.

What does the term 'Purim' mean?

Purim means 'lots,' referring to the casting of lots that Haman used to determine the date for the destruction of the Jews, which was ultimately overturned.

Why is it important that the regulations were written into the record?

Writing the regulations into the record ensures that they are preserved for future generations, maintaining the tradition and significance of Purim.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I remember and celebrate God's deliverance in my own life, similar to how Purim commemorates the Jewish people's salvation?
  2. How can I ensure that important traditions and memories are passed down in my family or community?
  3. What role do authoritative words or commands play in shaping our understanding of cultural or religious practices?
  4. How can I actively participate in preserving the history and significance of my faith traditions?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Esther 9:32 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim,.... As a festival to be observed by the Jews in future generations: and it was written in the book; either in this book of Esther; or in the

Read John Gill on Esther 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Esther had received authority and commission from the king to impose this upon all the Jews. In the book; either in the public registers of that kingdom; or rather, in the records which the Jews kept of their most memorable passages.

Read Matthew Poole on Esther 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Esther 9:32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.Ver. 32. And the decree of Esther confirmed, &c.] Dux femina facti. Money was coined in the year 1588, in honour of Queen Elizabeth, with that posy inscribed. The like may be here said of Queen Esther, yea, we may add that in the Gospel, spoken concerning another: Wherever this history shall be read in all the world, this that she hath done shall be spoken of to her eternal commendation. And it was written in the book] Tremellius rendereth it thus, When, therefore, the edict of Esther had confirmed these things, it was written in this book. Lyra and others thus, She requested the wise men…

Read John Trapp on Esther 9 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) In the book.—It is doubtful what “the book” here means. The Vulgate explains it of the Book of Esther itself, and so many modern scholars. Still “the book” hardly seems a natural Hebrew way of referring to a work on the part of its author as he writes it, and no similar case is adducible. Others think it must have been a book written at the time on the subject of the festival, which is, perhaps, possible. Canon Rawlinson identifies it with “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia.” Because such is the use of the word book elsewhere in Esther.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Esther 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 32. The decree of Esther confirmed these matters] It was received by the Jews universally with all respect, and they bound themselves to abide by it. The Vulgate gives a strange turn to this verse: Et omnia quae libri hujus, qui vocatur Esther, historia continentur; "And all things which are contained in the history of this book, which is called Esther." The Targum says, And by the word of Esther all these things relative to Purim were confirmed; and the roll was transcribed in this book. The Syriac is the same as the Hebrew, and the Septuagint in this place not very different.

Read AdamClarke on Esther 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

32. in the book] not meaning the Book of Esther, but most likely the book from which the compiler drew this part of his materials.

Read Cambridge on Esther 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As “the book” elsewhere in Esther always means a particular book - “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia” - Esther 2:23; Esther 6:1; Esther 10:2 it seems best to give it the same sense here.

Read Albert Barnes on Esther 9 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

32. The decree of Esther — This is to be understood as the same with the letter of authority respecting Purim which is mentioned in Esther 9:29, and was issued by both Esther and Mordecai.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Esther 9 →

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

So Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Esther’s command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the decree of Ester confirmed these words of Purim, and was written in the booke.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And a saying of Esther hath established these matters of Purim, and it is written in the Book.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And a saying of Esther has established these matters of Purim, and it is written in the Scroll.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the order of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The command of Esther confirmed these regulations regarding Purim, and it was written in the book.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And all things which are contained in the history of this book, which is called Esther.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

In this way Esther's decree confirmed these practices regarding Purim, which were entered in the official record.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The order given by Esther gave the force of law to the rules about the Purim; and it was recorded in the book.

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.

וּandclausenoun phrase · subjectמַאֲמַ֣רthe.commandאֶסְתֵּ֔רof.Estherverbקִיַּ֕םit.confirmednoun phrase · objectnoun phraseדִּבְרֵ֥יthe.wordsnoun phraseהַofפֻּרִ֖יםthe.Purimadjective phraseהָ(the)אֵ֑לֶּהtheseוְandclauseverbנִכְתָּ֖ב[it.was].writtenprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phrasetheסֵּֽפֶרbook

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint share significant agreement in the wording of this verse, with five of the eight words matching directly. This indicates a strong consistency in how both texts convey Esther's decree and its implications for the observance of Purim.

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

וּמַאֲמַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֔ר קִיַּ֕ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַפֻּרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְתָּ֖ב בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּמַאֲמַ֣רκαὶאֶסְתֵּ֔רεσθηρקִיַּ֕םἔστησενוְנִכְתָּ֖בἐγράφηבַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ פμνημόσυνον

5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Esther 9:32מַאֲמָרand [the] cand [the] commaמַאֲמָראֶסְתֵּרEstherEstherאֶסְתֵּרלֵבit confirmeit confirmedלֵבדָּבָר[the] words[the] words ofדָּבָרפּוּרthe Purimthe Purimפּוּראֵ֫לֶּהthesetheseאֵ֫לֶּהכָּתַבand [it wasand [it was] wrכָּתַבסֵ֫פֶרin the bookin the bookסֵ֫פֶראָמַרto sayto sayאָמַרדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרפָּרַרto breakto breakפָּרַראֵלthesetheseאֵלסָפַרto recountto recountסָפַראֲבֵדָהsomething something lostאֲבֵדָהסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶראֶסְתֵּרEstherEstherאֶסְתֵּרמָרְדֳּכַיMordecaiMordecaiמָרְדֳּכַישַׁרְבִֿיטscepterscepterשַׁרְבִֿיטמַלְכָּהqueenqueenמַלְכָּהנֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶרעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדיֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶראֵ֫לֶּהthesetheseאֵ֫לֶּהתּוֹלֵדוֹתgenerationgenerationתּוֹלֵדוֹתאַלּוּףtametameאַלּוּףלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַ
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 Esther 9:32

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.

and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
וּמַאֲמַ֣רu.ma.'a.Mar and [the] command of H3982 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a command or edict, something that is authoritatively said or decreed. It is used to describe the words or commands of God or those in authority. This concept is seen in the commands given to the Israelites.
Amplified meaning
command, or authoritative word
Tyndale gloss
command
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַאֲמָר (ma'amar) refers to something that is said authoritatively, such as a command or decree. It is derived from the root meaning to speak, and is associated with the concept of an edict or commandment. The Aramaic equivalent is מֵאמַר (me.mar), which also means command.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַאֲמָר] n.m. word, command

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3982 מַאֲמָר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3982 ma'amar mah-am-ar'

from 559; something (authoritatively) said, i.e. an

edict:--commandment, decree.

see HEBREW for 0559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַאֲמַר (ma.a.mar) — command.

word, command

Aramaic equivalent: me.mar (מֵאמַר "command" H3983)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — 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…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
אֶסְתֵּ֔ר'es.Ter Esther H635 Noun proper feminine
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Esther was a brave Jewish woman who became queen of Persia, as told in the book of Esther. She was adopted by her cousin Mordecai and later helped save the Jewish people from persecution.
Tyndale gloss
Esther
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶסְתֵּר (es-ter) refers to Esther, a Jewish heroine and queen of Persia, known for her pivotal role in the Book of Esther. She is described as the daughter of Abihail and the cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai. The name is of Persian origin and means 'star.' Esther is first mentioned in Est. 2.7.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶסְתֵּר n.pr.f. Esther—daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of tribe of Benjamin; made queen in Vashti’s place by Ahasuerus

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H635 אֶסְתֵּר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

635 'Ecter es-tare'

of Persian derivation; Ester, the Jewish heroine:--Esther.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶסְתֵּר (es.ter) — Esther.

A woman living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.2.7;

daughter of: Abihail (H0032K); also called Hadassah at Est.2.7;

Also named: ha.das.sah (הֲדַסָּה "Hadassah" H1919)

§ Esther = "star"

the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther-daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin, made queen by king Ahasuerus to replace divorced queen, Vashti.

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

es'-ter ('ecter, akin to the Zend tstara, the Sanskrit stri, the Greek aster, "a star," Esther):

Esther was a Jewish orphan, who became the queen of Xerxes, in some respects the greatest of the Persian kings. She was brought up at Susa by her cousin Mordecai, who seems to have held a position among the lower officials of the royal palace. Vashti, Xerxes' former queen, was divorced; and the most beautiful virgins from all the provinces of the empire were brought to the palace of Susa that the king might select her successor. The choice fell upon the Jewish maiden. Soon after her accession a great crisis occurred in the history of the Jews. The entire people was threatened with destruction. The name of Esther is forever bound up with the record of their deliverance. By a course of action which gives her a distinguished place among the women of the Bible, the great enemy of the Jews was…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Esther

The queen of Ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. She was a Jewess named Hadas’sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known (Esther 2:7). It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star. She was the daughter of Abihail, a Benjamite. Her family did not avail themselves of the permission granted by Cyrus to the exiles to return to Jerusalem; and she resided with her cousin Mordecai, who held some office in the household of the Persian king at “Shushan in the palace.” Ahasuerus having divorced Vashti, chose Esther to be his wife. Soon after this he gave Haman the Agagite, his prime minister, power and authority to kill and extirpate all the Jews throughout the Persian empire. By the interposition of Esther this…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a star), the Persian name of HADASSAH (myrtle), daughter of Abihail, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Esther was a beautiful Jewish maiden. She was an orphan, and had been brought up by her cousin Mordecai, who had an office in the household of Ahasuerus king of Persia --supposed to be the Xerxes of history-- and dwelt at "Shushan the palace." When Vashti was dismissed from being queen, the king chose Esther to the place on account of her beauty, not knowing her race or parentage; and on the representation of Haman the Agagite that the Jews scattered through his empire were pernicious race, he gave him full power and authority to kill them all. The means taken by Esther to avert this great calamity from her people and her kindred are fully related in the book of Esther. The Jews still commemorate this deliverance in the yearly festival Purim, on the 14th and 15th of…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Persian name given to Hadassah, a daughter of Abihail, of the tribe of Benjamin. The family had not returned to Judea after the permission given by Cyrus, and she was born probably beyond the Tigris, and nearly five hundred years before Christ. Her parents being dead, Mordecai, her father’s brother, took care of her education. After Ahasuerus had discovered Vashti, search was made throughout Persia for the most beautiful women, and Esther was one selected. She found favor in the eyes of the king, and he married her with royal magnificence, bestowing largesses and remissions of tribute on his people. She was thus in a position which enabled her to do a signal favor to her people, then very numerous in Persia. Their deliverance is still celebrated by the Jews in the yearly festival called Purim, which was instituted at that time. The husband of Esther is supposed to have been the Xerxes…

and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
קִיַּ֕םki.Yam it confirmed H6965 Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
628× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Tyndale gloss
(Leb)-kamai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand

Qal 460

arise

arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

arise, abs., = become powerful

arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

arise for, i.e. to become

arise for action

arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

stand

Pi.

fulfil

confirm, ratify

confirm, establish

impose, an obligation

Pō‛l. raise up

Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up

Hiph.

146cause to arise, raise

raise, set up, stones

erect, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = bring on the scene

raise up = rouse, stir up

instigate, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = constitute

cause to stand

Hoph. be raised up

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise

. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

. arise, abs., = become powerful

. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

. arise for, i.e. to become

. . arise for action

. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

. stand

. . fulfil

. . confirm, ratify

. confirm, establish

. impose, an obligation

. raise up

. raise oneself, = rise up

. . cause to arise, raise

. . raise, set up, stones

. erect, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = bring on the scene

. . raise up = rouse, stir up

. instigate, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = constitute

. cause to stand

. be raised up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6965 quwm koom

a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,

figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X

be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X

enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift

up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise

(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse

up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,

strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -

rising).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.

Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)

§ -Kamai = "my adversary"

Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.

: rise/get_going

1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arise

1a2) to arise (hostile sense)

1a3) to arise, become powerful

1a4) to arise, come on the scene

1a5) to stand

1a5a) to maintain oneself

1a5b) to be established, be confirmed

1a5c) to stand, endure

1a5d) to be fixed

1a5e) to be valid

1a5f) to be proven

1a5g) to be fulfilled

1a5h) to persist

1a5i) to be set, be fixed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to fulfil

1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose

1c) (Polel) to raise up

1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause to arise, raise

1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build

1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene

1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate

1e5) to raise up, constitute

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
HVpp3ms
and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
דִּבְרֵ֥יdiv.Rei [the] words of H1697 Noun common · masculine plural construct
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

. sg. a word, words

. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or

thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X

any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +

dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +

eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,

+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,

message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +

please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,

question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,

sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),

somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,

X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,

what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
הַפֻּרִ֖יםha.pu.Rim the Purim H6332 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Purim is a special feast that celebrates the Jews' deliverance from Haman's destruction through queen Esther's actions. The word means lot or piece, referring to the broken piece used to cast lots, and is often translated as Pur or Purim in the KJV Bible.
Amplified meaning
the special feast
Tyndale gloss
Purim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פּוּר (pur) refers to a lot or piece, derived from the root word for casting lots. It is notably associated with פּוּרִים (Puriym), the plural form, which denotes the Jewish festival of Purim, celebrating the deliverance from Haman's plot as recounted in the Book of Esther.

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6332 פּוּר, פוּרִים, פֻרִים

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6332 Puwr poor

also (plural) Puwriym {poo-reem'}; or Puriym {poo-reem'};

from 6331; a lot (as by means of a broken piece):--Pur,

Purim.

see HEBREW for 06331

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פּוּר (pur) — Purim.

§ Pur or Purim = "lot" or "piece"

means: lot

a special feast among the post-exilic Jews, to celebrate their deliverance from Haman's destruction through queen Esther's heroic actions

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-proper — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

(lots), the annual festival instituted to commemorate the preservation of the Jews in Persia from the massacre with which they were threatened through the machinations of Haman. (Esther 9:1) ... It was probably called Purim by the Jews in irony. Their great enemy Haman appears to have been very superstitious, and much given to casting lots. (Esther 3:7) They gave the name. Purim, or "Lots," to the commemorative festival because he had thrown lots to ascertain what day would be suspicious for him to carry into effect the bloody decree which the king had issued at his instance. (Esther 9:24) The festival lasted two days, and was regularly observed on the 14th and 15th of Adar. According to modern custom, as soon as the stars begin…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Lots, a Jewish festival instituted by Esther and Mordecai, during the reign of Ahasuerus king of Persia, in memory of the providential deliverance of the Jews from the malignant designs of Haman. The propriety of the name appears form the fact that the lot was cast in the presence of Haman for every day from the first month to the twelfth, before an auspicious day was found for destroying the Jews; and thus the superstition of Haman was made the means of giving them time to turn his devices against himself, Pr 16:33 Es 3:7 9:20-32. This festival was preceded by a day of fasting, and was observed by reading the book of Esther publicly in the synagogues, and by private festivities, mutual presents, alms, plays, and selfindulgence. Some think it is alluded to in

and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
הָאֵ֑לֶּהha.'E.leh these H428 Particle · particle
746× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Amplified meaning
matters, or practices
Tyndale gloss
these
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these

in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

428 'el-leh ale'-leh

prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one

sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,

thus, which, who(-m).

see HEBREW for 0411

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.

1) these

1a) used before antecedent

1b) used following antecedent

Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Pron — Particle · particle
HTd/Tm
and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
וְנִכְתָּ֖בve.nikh.Tav and [it was] written H3789 Conjunction · verb niphal participle (active) masculine singular
224× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To write or record something, including inscribing or engraving. It is used in various contexts, such as writing down a decree or subscribing to an agreement. This word is about putting thoughts or ideas into written form.
Amplified meaning
recorded, inscribed, or documented
Tyndale gloss
to write
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כָּתַב (*kathab*) means 'to write' and encompasses various forms of writing, including recording, enrolling, and decreeing. It can also refer to something being written or recorded. The entries indicate that it is a primitive root with frequent usage in different contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּתַב 223 vb. write

Qal

write

= write down, describe in writing

= register, enroll

= decree

Niph.

be written

= be written down, recorded

Pi. frequent.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3789 כָּתַב write .. write

. = write down, describe in writing

. = register, enroll

. = decree

. . be written

. = be written down, recorded

. frequent.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3789 kathab kaw-thab'

a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write

(describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe):--describe, record,

prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּתַב (ka.tav) — to write.

1) to write, record, enrol

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on

1a2) to write down, describe in writing

1a3) to register, enrol, record

1a4) to decree

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be written

1b2) to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled

1c) (Piel) to continue writing

Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתַב "to write" H3790)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-Inf-c — Conjunction · verb niphal participle (active) masculine singular
HC/VNrmsa
and [the] command of Esther it confirmed [the] words of the Purim these and [it was] written in the book
בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ פba.Se.fer in the book H5612 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
186× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a written document, like a scroll or book, used to record important events or messages. It appears in books like Isaiah and Matthew, referring to written records.
Amplified meaning
official, historical, or sacred, book, scroll, or chronicle
Tyndale gloss
scroll: document
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סֵ֫פֶר (cepher) refers to a writing or document, encompassing meanings such as book, scroll, and missive. It can denote various types of texts, including legal documents, genealogical records, and scripture. The feminine form, סִפְרָה (siphrah), also signifies a book. Notably, it appears in contexts related to preservation and communication.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סֵ֫פֶר 185 n.m. missive, document, writing, book

missive

legal document

book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use

base

[סִפְרָה] n.f. book;—sf. ψ 56:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5612a סֵ֫פֶר missive, document, writing, book . missive

. legal document

. book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use

H5612b סִפְרָה book

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5612 cepher say'-fer

or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608;

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a

book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter,

register, scroll.

see HEBREW for 09

see HEBREW for 05608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: document.

: document

1) missive, document, writing, book

1a) missive

1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree

1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign

1c) book, scroll

1c1) book of prophecies

1c2) genealogical register

1c3) law-book

1c4) book (of poems)

1c5) book (of kings)

1c6) books of the canon, scripture

1c7) record book (of God)

1d) book-learning, writing

1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')

סִפְרָה (siph.rah) — scroll.

book

סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: book.

: book

1) missive, document, writing, book

1a) missive

1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree

1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign

1c) book, scroll

1c1) book of prophecies

1c2) genealogical register

1c3) law-book

1c4) book (of poems)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

book (cepher; he biblos):

1. Definition

2. Inward Books

3. Publication

(1) Mechanical Copies

(2) Personal Copies

4. Oral Transmission

5. Manuscripts

(1) Epigraphy

(2) Sphragistics

(3) Numismatics

(4) Diplomatics

(5) Paleography

6. Printed Books

7. Variations

8. Textual Criticism

9. Higher Criticism

10. Literary Criticism

11. Origin of New Forms

12. Survival

13. Book Collections

14. Early History of Books in Bible Lands

LITERATURE

A book is any record of thought in words. It consists of a fixed form of words embodied in some kind of substance.

1. Definition:

The form of words is the main factor, but it has no existence without the record. The kind of record is indifferent; it may be carved on stone, stamped on clay, written or printed on vellum, papyrus or paper, or only stamped on the mind of author or hearer, if so be it keeps the words in fixed form. Looked on as a form of words the book is called a work, and…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Book

This word has a comprehensive meaning in Scripture. In the Old Testament it is the rendering of the Hebrew word sepher, which properly means a “writing,” and then a “volume” (Ex. 17:14; Deut. 28:58; 29:20; Job 19:23) or “roll of a book” (Jer. 36:2, 4).

Books were originally written on skins, on linen or cotton cloth, and on Egyptian papyrus, whence our word “paper.” The leaves of the book were generally written in columns, designated by a Hebrew word properly meaning “doors” and “valves” (Jer. 36:23, R.V., marg. “columns”).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[WRITING]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Several sorts of materials were anciently used in making books. Plates of lead or copper, the bark of trees, brick, stone, and wood, were originally employed to engrave such things and documents upon as men desired to transmit to posterity, De 27:2,3 Job 19:23,24. God’s laws were written on stone tablets. Inscriptions were also made on tiles and bricks, which were afterwards hardened by fire. Many of these are found in the ruins of Babylon. Tablets of wood, box, and ivory were common among the ancients: when they were of wood only, they were oftentimes coated over with wax, which received the writing inscribed on them with the point of a style, or iron pen, Jer 17:13; and what was written might be effaced by the broad end of…

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.

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