Exodus 13:12 — Word Study
WLCוְהַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ כָל־ פֶּֽטֶר־ רֶ֖חֶם לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וְכָל־ פֶּ֣טֶר׀ שֶׁ֣גֶר בְּהֵמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ הַזְּכָרִ֖ים לַיהוָֽה׃
BSAyou are to presentʻâbar [dedicate, set apart] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] the firstborn malepeṭer [firstling, initial offspring] of everykôl wombrechem [matrix, place of fetal growth] Allkôl [every, the entirety of] the firstbornpeṭer maleszâkâr [male offspring, sons] of yourhâyâh▸ livestockbᵉhêmâh [animals, beasts] [belong to] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [are consecrated to Yehovah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ | and you will dedicate | Verb, Hiphil, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| כָל־ | every | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| פֶּֽטֶר־ | firstborn of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| רֶ֖חֶם | a womb | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| וְכָל־ | and every | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| פֶּ֣טֶר׀ | firstborn of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| שֶׁ֣גֶר | [the] offspring of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| בְּהֵמָ֗ה | cattle | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| אֲשֶׁ֨ר | which | Particle |
| יִהְיֶ֥ה | it will be[long] | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לְךָ֛ | to you | Preposition, suffix |
| הַזְּכָרִ֖ים | the males | Particle |
| לַיהוָֽה׃ | [will belong] to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. |
| KJV | That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s. |
| ASV | that thou shalt set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be Jehovah’s. |
| YLT | that thou hast caused every one opening a womb to pass over to Jehovah, and every firstling — the increase of beasts which thou hast: the males [are] Jehovah's. |
| WEB | that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Yahweh’s. |
| BBE | You are to put on one side for the Lord every mother's first male child, the first-fruit of her body, and the first young one of every beast; every male is holy to the Lord. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of פֶּֽטֶר — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main clause with two subordinate phrases detailing what is to be dedicated and what belongs to God.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָבַר
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 — Exodus 13:12
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 — Laws Regarding the Firstborngenerated
Exodus 13:12 provides instructions from the LORD on the dedication of the firstborn. This command emphasizes the significance of the firstborn in Israelite culture, reflecting their deliverance from Egypt. The firstborn son and livestock are to be consecrated to God, marking a commitment to His covenant and recognition of His sovereignty. This command is part of a broader narrative that includes the Passover and the Israelites' liberation from slavery, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 13:2 | “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.” |
| 2 | Exodus 22:29 | You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons. |
| 3 | Exodus 34:19 | The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep. |
| 4 | Leviticus 27:26 | But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s. |
| 5 | Numbers 8:17 | For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פֶּֽטֶר, pe.tergenerated
The Hebrew word פֶּ֫טֶר (peter) means 'firstborn' and is derived from a root meaning to open. It signifies the first child born or the first offspring of an animal, holding a special status in biblical law and culture. The firstborn was often associated with privileges and responsibilities, especially in matters of inheritance.
In this verse, the firstborn is to be dedicated to the LORD, indicating a transfer of ownership and a recognition of God's claim over the firstborn as a reminder of His deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase the firstborn male of every womb and the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ (ha'arat-ta), meaning 'you will dedicate,' governs the main clause. The structure includes a direct object phrase detailing what is to be dedicated, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating to whom it belongs.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the act of dedication, with the subject and verb preceding the objects, highlighting the importance of the firstborn in the context of worship and covenant.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ as ἀφελεῖς (apheleis), meaning 'you will take away'. This choice suggests a focus on the act of removal or transfer, emphasizing the dedication aspect of the command.
The use of ἀφελεῖς indicates a slightly different nuance, as it implies a deliberate action of taking away for a sacred purpose, aligning with the overall theme of consecration in this passage.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 13:12 tells the Israelites to dedicate the firstborn male of every womb and all firstborn males of their livestock to the LORD. This reflects God's claim over the firstborn, reminding the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt and their covenant with Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Dedicating the firstborn signifies setting apart something valuable to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the special status of the firstborn in Israelite culture.
The firstborn of livestock represents a significant part of a family's wealth and sustenance, and dedicating them to God emphasizes the importance of recognizing His provision.
This command is closely related to the Passover, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down, while the Israelites' firstborn were spared, leading to their dedication to God as a sign of gratitude and remembrance.
The firstborn held a special status, often receiving a double portion of inheritance and responsibilities within the family, symbolizing leadership and continuity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I recognize and dedicate the 'firstborn' aspects of my life to God?
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge God's sovereignty over my possessions?
- In what ways can I teach others about the significance of the firstborn in biblical culture?
- How does understanding the dedication of the firstborn deepen my relationship with God?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 13:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix,.... Or "the womb", as in Exodus 13:2, and this phrase, "set apart", explains the word "sanctify" there, and shows that it
Read John Gill on Exodus 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThou shalt set apart, i. e. separate it from the rest, resign thy right in it to God. Heb. Cause it to pass, not through the fire, as that verb is used, ; but under the rod, as it is used, and more fully expressed, , which was the rite when any thing was separated and consecrated to God. The males shall be the Lord’ s, devoted to him, either to be sacrificed, if it was clean, or to be otherwise destroyed, if it was unclean, as it here follows.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsExodus 13:12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males [shall be] the LORD’ S. Ver. 12. The males shall be the Lord’ s.] This God did, that with the firstborn son, commonly best beloved, he might draw all the love to himself.
Read John Trapp on Exodus 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Thou shalt set apart—i.e., separate off from the rest of the flock or herd, that it might not be mixed up with those which were not “sanctified.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. thou shalt cause to pass over unto Jehovah] The word is not the ordinary Heb. for ‘set apart’; and its use here is remarkable. In Numbers 27:7 f. (P), cf. 2 Samuel 3:10, it is indeed used in the simple sense of transferring or making over (an inheritance): but it is also the word regularly used of causing to pass over children in fire to Molech (2 Kings 16:3, Ezekiel 20:31 al.), and with ‘to Molech’ alone, Leviticus 18:21 (H), Jeremiah 32:35, cf. Ezekiel 16:21; Ezekiel 23:37 (‘to them,’ i.e. to the idols), an esp. Exodus 20:25-26 (the same expression as here) ‘in that they caused to pass over (viz. in the fire) all that first openeth the womb.’ It may be (cf., p. 409) that this heathen…
Read Cambridge on Exodus 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible11-16. Moses here repeats to Israel the law of the firstborn, given to him in Exodus 13:1-2. As in the instance just given, there is here not a mere repetition, but an amplification and enforcement.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 13 →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
you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Yahweh’s.
you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
then you must give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. Every firstling of a beast that you have – the males will be the Lord’s.
Tyndale line
That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s.
that thou shalt set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be Jehovah’s.
that thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be the LORD’S.
That thou shall set apart to the LORD all that openeth the matrix; and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast, the males shall be the LORD'S.
Then thou shalt set apart vnto the Lord all that first openeth the wombe: also euery thing that first doeth open the wombe, and commeth forth of thy beast: the males shalbe the Lordes.
Strictly literal
that thou shalt offer unto Jehovah all that breaketh open the womb, and every firstling that cometh of cattle which is thine: the males [shall be] Jehovah's.
that thou hast caused every one opening a womb to pass over to Jehovah, and every firstling — the increase of beasts which thou hast: the males [are] Jehovah's.
that you have caused everyone opening a womb to pass over to YHWH, and every firstling—the increase of beasts which you have: the males [are] YHWH’s.
That thou shalt set apart all that openeth the womb unto the Lord; and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou shalt have, the males, shall belong to the Lord.
you must set apart to Yahweh the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn offspring of your animals that are males, will belong to Yahweh.
From the Latin
Thou shalt set apart all that openeth the womb for the Lord, and all that is first brought forth of thy cattle: whatsoever thou shalt have of the male sex, thou shalt consecrate to the Lord.
Simplified
you are to present to the Lord all firstborn males, human or animal. The firstborn males of your livestock all belong to the Lord.
You are to put on one side for the Lord every mother's first male child, the first-fruit of her body, and the first young one of every beast; every male is holy to the Lord.
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 is supported by the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch, with the latter differing only in one word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show a high degree of agreement with the Masoretic Text, with some variations due to restoration by editors.
וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ כָל־ פֶּֽטֶר־ רֶ֖חֶם לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וְכָל־ פֶּ֣טֶר׀ שֶׁ֣גֶר בְּהֵמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ הַזְּכָרִ֖ים לַיהוָֽה׃
12 of the 14 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.
והעברת כל פטר רחם ליהוה וכל פטר שׁגר בהמה אשׁר יהיו לך הזכרים ליהוה
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: יהיו (be)
והעברת כול פטר רחם ליהוה [וכול] [פט] ר שגר בבהמה אשר יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים ליהוה
13 words on the leather — 2 supplied entire by an editor.
[והעברת] כול פטר רחם ליהוה וכול פטר שגר בבהמה [אשר] יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים ליהוה
11 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
והעברת כל פטר רחם ליהוה וכל פטר שגר בבהמה אשר יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים ליהוה
14 words on the leather.
והעברתה כול פטר רחם [ליהוה] [וכל] [פטר] [שגר] [בהמה] [אשר] [יהיה] [ל׳ך] [הזכרים] ליהוה
5 words on the leather — 9 supplied entire by an editor.
והעברת [כל] פטר רחם ליהוה [וכל] [פטר] [שגר] [בהמה] [אשר] [יהיה] ל׳ך הזכרים [ליהוה]
3 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 8 supplied entire by an editor.
והעברת כל פטר רחם ליהוה וכל פטר שגר בהמה אשר יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים ליהוה
14 words on the leather.
והעברת כל פטר רחם ליהוה וכל פטר שגר בהמה אשר יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים ליהוה
14 words on the leather.
[והעברת] כל פטר רחם ליהוה [וכל] [פטר] [שגר] [בהמה] [אשר] [יהיה] [ל׳ך] [הזכרים] ליהוה
5 words on the leather — 9 supplied entire by an editor.
והעברת כל פטר רחם ליהוה וכל פטר שגר בהמה אשר יהיה הזכרים ליהוה
13 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.
[והעברת] כל פטר רחם [בבהמת׳ך] אשר יהיה ל׳ך הזכרים [ליהוה]
10 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
[וכל] [פטר] שגר [בהמה] [אשר] [יהיה] [ל׳ך] [הזכרים] [ליהוה]
9 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 8 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 Exodus 13:12
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.
The Hebrew word עָבַר (abar) is a versatile verb meaning to pass over, through, or by, and it encompasses a range of actions including crossing, traversing, and alienating. It can also imply causing something to pass or be transferred, as well as emotional states like anger in its Hithpael form. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, though they do not provide specific verse references.
עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on
Qal
pass over
Pass beyond
Pass through, traverse
pass along by
pass by
sweep by, of scourge
be past, over, of time
pass along (from hand to hand)
Pass on, go on
Pass away
Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
Pi.
his bull impregnateth
cause one to cross river
cause something to pass over
make over to
devote children to (לְ) heathen god
pass along (from hand to hand)
cause to pass through
let pass through
cause to pass by
let pass by
cause arrow to pass beyond
cause to pass under rod, for counting
cause to pass away, take away
Hiph.
cause to pass over, bring over
he made to pass across with chains of gold
base
[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
base
H5674a עָבַר pass over, through, by, pass on .. pass over
. Pass beyond
. Pass through, traverse
. . pass along by
. pass by
. sweep by, of scourge
. be past, over, of time
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. Pass on, go on
. Pass away
. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
. . his bull impregnateth . cause one to cross river
. cause something to pass over
. make over to
. devote children to (לְ) heathen god
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. . cause to pass through
. let pass through
. . cause to pass by
. let pass by
. cause arrow to pass beyond
. cause to pass under rod, for counting
. cause to pass away, take away
. . cause to pass over, bring over
. he made to pass across with chains of gold
H5674b עָבַר vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
5674 `abar aw-bar'
a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any
transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
copulation):--alienate, alter, X at all, beyond, bring (over,
through), carry over, (over-)come (on, over), conduct (over),
convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail,
gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way,
in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle,
overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over)
pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over,
through), (cause to, make) + proclaim(-amation), perish,
provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove,
send over, set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X
speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away), (make to)
transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be
wrath.
עָבַר (a.var) — to pass.
1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over
1a2) to pass beyond
1a3) to pass through, traverse
1a3a) passers-through (participle)
1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant)
1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by
1a4a) passer-by (participle)
1a4b) to be past, be over
1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance
1a6) to pass away
1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory)
1a6b) to vanish
1a6c) to perish, cease to exist
1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree)
1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands
1b) (Niphal) to be crossed
1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross
1d) (Hiphil)
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vhq2ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
פֶּ֫טֶר (peter) refers to that which separates or first opens, often translated as 'firstborn' or 'firstling.' It is derived from a root meaning to open, and is closely related to the feminine form פִּטְרָה (pitrah), which carries the same meanings. The term appears in contexts such as Numbers 8:16.
ref
H6363a פֶּ֫טֶר that which separates, first opens H6363b פִּתְרָה id. [6363a]
6363 peter peh'-ter
or pitrah {pit-raw'}; from 6362; a fissure, i.e. (concretely)
firstling (as opening the matrix):--firstling, openeth, such
as open.
see HEBREW for 06362
פֶּ֫טֶר (pe.ter) — firstborn.
firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens
Also means: pit.rah (פִּטְרָה "firstborn" H6363B)
פִּטְרָה (pit.rah) — firstborn.
firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens
Another spelling of pe.ter (פֶּ֫טֶר "firstborn" H6363A)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
רֶ֫חֶם (rechem) means 'womb' and is derived from the root word רָחַם (racham). It primarily refers to the womb itself, but can also denote a woman or female servant. The term appears in contexts related to childbirth and femininity.
רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם n.m. womb
base
H7358 רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם womb
7358 rechem rekh'-em
from 7355; the womb (compare 7356):--matrix, womb.
see HEBREW for 07355
see HEBREW for 07356
רֶ֫חֶם (re.chem) — womb.
1) womb
1a) womb
1b) womb-man, woman-slave, woman, two women
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
פֶּ֫טֶר (peter) refers to that which separates or first opens, often translated as 'firstborn' or 'firstling.' It is derived from a root meaning to open, and is closely related to the feminine form פִּטְרָה (pitrah), which carries the same meanings. The term appears in contexts such as Numbers 8:16.
ref
H6363a פֶּ֫טֶר that which separates, first opens H6363b פִּתְרָה id. [6363a]
6363 peter peh'-ter
or pitrah {pit-raw'}; from 6362; a fissure, i.e. (concretely)
firstling (as opening the matrix):--firstling, openeth, such
as open.
see HEBREW for 06362
פֶּ֫טֶר (pe.ter) — firstborn.
firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens
Also means: pit.rah (פִּטְרָה "firstborn" H6363B)
פִּטְרָה (pit.rah) — firstborn.
firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens
Another spelling of pe.ter (פֶּ֫טֶר "firstborn" H6363A)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
שֶׁ֫גֶר (sheger) refers to offspring or young of beasts, derived from a root likely meaning to eject. The term encompasses the idea of an increase or what comes forth, specifically in the context of animal progeny.
שֶׁ֫גֶר n.[f.] offspring, young of beasts
base
H7698 שֶׁ֫גֶר offspring, young of beasts
7698 sheger sheh'-ger
from an unused root probably meaning to eject; the fetus (as
finally expelled):--that cometh of, increase.
שֶׁ֫גֶר (she.ger) — offspring.
offspring, young or offspring of beasts
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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.
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…
בְּהֵמָה (bhemah) refers to a beast or animal, typically denoting domesticated livestock or cattle, and occasionally wild beasts. It is derived from a root that suggests being mute, implying a 'dumb beast.' The term encompasses all living creatures other than humans, with a specific mention of large quadrupeds.
בְּהֵמָה 187 n.f. beast, animal, cattle
of living creatures other than man
opp. also to wild beasts
rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora
base
H929 בְּהֵמָה beast, animal, cattle . of living creatures other than man
. opp. also to wild beasts
. rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora
929 bhemah be-hay-maw'
from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly,
a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often
collective):--beast, cattle.
בְּהֵמָה (be.he.mah) — animal.
1) beast, cattle, animal
1a) beasts (coll of all animals)
1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals)
1c) wild beasts
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
kat'-'-l (behemah, "a dumb beast"; miqneh, "a possession" from qanah, "to acquire" (compare Arabic qana', "to acquire," and Greek kienos, "beast," and plural ktenea, "flocks," from ktaomai, "to acquire," flocks being both with the Homeric peoples and with the patriarchs an important form of property; compare English "fee"); tso'n "small cattle," "sheep" or goats (compare Arabic da'n, "sheep"); seh, a single sheep or goat (compare Arabic shah); mela'khah, "property," from la'akh, "to minister" (compare Arabic malakah and mulk, "property," from malak, "to possess"); meri' "fatling" (1Ki 19); thremma (Joh 4:12), "cattle," i.e. "that which is nourished," from trepho, "to nourish"; baqar, "kine," "oxen" (compare Arabic baqar, "cattle"); shor, tor (Da 4:25), tauros (
Cattle
Abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves (Deut. 8:13; 12:21; 1 Sam. 11:5; 12:3; Ps. 144:14; Jer. 3:24). They may be classified as,
(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in Bashan, beyond Jordan (Num. 32:4). Large herds also pastured on the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (1 Kings 19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens (1 Chr.…
[BULL, BULLOCK].
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
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
זָכָר (zakar) refers to a male, specifically the male of humans and animals. It is used both as a noun to denote male offspring and as an adjective to describe humans as male. The term is derived from a root meaning 'remembered,' emphasizing the male as a noteworthy sex.
זָכָר n.m. & adj. male
subst. male, offspring of men and animals
adj. sg. male (only human beings)
base
H2145 זָכָר male . subst. male, offspring of men and animals
. adj. sg. male (only human beings)
2145 zakar zaw-kawr'
from 2142; properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or
animals, as being the most noteworthy sex):--X him, male,
man(child, -kind).
see HEBREW for 02142
זָכָר (za.khar) — male.
1) male (of humans and animals)
adj
2) male (of humans)
Art | N-mp — ParticleHTd/Aampa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
