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Exodus 2:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־ הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃

BSAAfter lookingpânâh [this way and that way, around] this waykôh [and] thatkôh and seeingrâʼâh [with careful observation, to perceive] noʼayin oneʼîysh [no man, any person] he struck downnâkâh [slew, smote] the EgyptianMitsrîy [a man from Egypt] and hid his bodyṭâman [concealed, buried, him] in the sandchôwl [the desert ground, sandy particles]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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.Chol) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 2:12quick helps
In a sentenceMoses turned to look around, saw no one, struck down the Egyptian, and hid his body in the sand.
Who is speakingMoses, acting in response to witnessing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew.
Where we areThis verse describes a pivotal moment in Moses' early life, where he takes action against oppression.
The hard wordנָכָה
Take awayMoses' actions reveal his deep connection to his people and foreshadow his future role as their leader.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאִישׁ verbפָּנָה 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 — Exodus 2:12

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 — Moses' Early Actionsgenerated

11One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.
12After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.
13The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?”
14But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? ” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”

Exodus 2:12 describes a significant moment in Moses' life where he witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. After looking around and ensuring no one was watching, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. This act marks the beginning of Moses' journey as a leader for his people, showing his commitment to their welfare and foreshadowing his future role in their liberation.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Acts 7:24–26And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to

he lookedActs 7:24–26

The Key Word נָכָה, vai.yaKhgenerated

The verb נָכָה (naKhah) means to strike or smite, indicating a forceful action. It is used in various contexts, often associated with punishment or judgment, as seen in instances where God strikes down enemies or punishes wrongdoing.

In this verse, Moses' act of striking down the Egyptian reflects both his anger at the oppression of his people and his willingness to take drastic measures. The parsing shows it as a sequential imperfect verb, indicating that this action was a deliberate and ongoing decision in the narrative.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main action is governed by the finite verb וַיַּךְ (vai.yaKh), and he struck down, with several phrases providing context: an adverbial phrase describing how Moses looked, a clause indicating what he saw, and a prepositional phrase detailing where he hid the body.

The structure emphasizes the sequence of actions: first looking around, then acting decisively, and finally concealing the evidence of his act. This order highlights Moses' careful consideration before taking action.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נָכָה as πατάχας (patakhas), which means to strike or hit. This choice reflects a direct equivalence in the sense of causing harm, maintaining the gravity of Moses' action.

The Greek word emphasizes the violent nature of the act, aligning with the Hebrew's connotation of striking down, which adds a layer of interpretation to Moses' character and the seriousness of his actions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 2:12 shows Moses witnessing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. After looking around to ensure no one was watching, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. This moment is crucial as it demonstrates Moses' commitment to his people and sets the stage for his future leadership.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why did Moses look around before acting?

Moses looked around to ensure that no one was watching, indicating his awareness of the consequences of his actions and his desire to avoid detection.

What does it mean that Moses struck down the Egyptian?

Moses' act of striking down the Egyptian signifies his deep anger against the oppression of his people and his willingness to take action, even if it meant resorting to violence.

What was the significance of hiding the body?

Hiding the body indicates Moses' attempt to cover up his actions, reflecting a sense of guilt and the fear of repercussions for his violent act.

How does this event shape Moses' future?

This event marks the beginning of Moses' journey as a leader for the Hebrews, illustrating his commitment to their welfare and foreshadowing his role in their eventual liberation from Egypt.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn from Moses' actions about standing up against injustice?
  2. How does the act of hiding the body reflect Moses' internal conflict?
  3. In what ways can we be more aware of the struggles faced by those around us?
  4. How can we ensure our actions align with our values when faced with difficult situations?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early Church Fathers reference this moment in Moses' life to discuss themes of leadership and moral responsibility. Quotations from Clement of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea, and Ambrose of Milan are included, reflecting on the implications of Moses' actions.

Clement of AlexandriaThe Stromata Book 1 c. 150–215
Eupolemus in his work On the Kings of Judea says that Moses was the first sage and the first person to transmit to the Jews the science of writing, which passed from the Jews to the Phoenicians and from the Phoenicians to the Greeks.
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 2 →
Basil of CaesareaEXEGETIC HOMILIES 1.1 c. 330–379
He who hated the pomp of royalty returned to the lowly state of his own race. He preferred to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 2 →
Ambrose of MilanOn Cain and Abel 2.4.14 c. 339–397
Moses indeed killed the Egyptian and became a fugitive from the land of Egypt, in order to avoid the tyrant of that land. But he would not have killed that Egyptian man before he had first killed the Egyptian man of spiritual wickedness…
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 2:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And he looked this way, and that way,.... All around, to observe if there were any within sight who could see what he did; which did not arise from any consciousness of any evil he was about to

Read John Gill on Exodus 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Looked this way and that way; not from conscience of guilt in what he intended, but from human and warrantable prudence. This action of Moses was extraordinary, and is not to be justified by the common right of defending the oppressed, which belongs not to private persons, ; but only by his Divine and special vocation to be the ruler and deliverer of Israel. Which call of his, howsoever manifested, whether by his father, as Josephus saith, or immediately to himself, was evident to his own conscience, and he gave this as a signal to make it evident to the people.

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exodus 2:12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that [there was] no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.Ver. 12. He slew the Egyptian.] This deed of his was heroic and extraordinary, and therefore not to be imitated by every Birchet, who, by this example of Moses and that other of Ehud, persuaded himself it was lawful to kill such as oppose the truth of the gospel: whereupon he wounded Hawkins, slew his keeper, and thought he had a calling to kill a great personage in this kingdom, whom he took to be God’ s enemy. The like madness is reported of the Monasterian Anabaptists. Camden’ s Elisab., fol. 174. Mr Bayly’ s Dissuas., part 2.

Read John Trapp on Exodus 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) He looked this way and that way.—To see that no one observed him. He slew the Egyptian.—Jewish commentators gloss over the act, or even eulogise it as patriotic and heroical. But it was clearly the deed of a hasty and undisciplined spirit. The offence did not deserve death, and if it had, Moses had neither legal office nor Divine call, justifying him in making himself an executioner. The result was, that, by his one wrong act, Moses put it out of his power to do anything towards alleviating the sufferings of his brethren for forty years. Hid him in the sand.—To the east of the Delta the sand creeps up close to the cultivated grounds. There are even patches of it within the Delta…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11–14. The first acts of Moses’ manhood. He chivalrously interposes, first on behalf of an Israelite maltreated by an Egyptian, and then in a quarrel between two Israelites. On account of his slaughter of the Egyptian, he is obliged to flee to Midian. Cf., in St Stephen’s speech, Acts 7:23-29.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The slaying of the Egyptian is not to be justified, or attributed to a divine inspiration, but it is to be judged with reference to the provocation, the impetuosity of Moses’ natural character,

Read Albert Barnes on Exodus 2 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

MOSES’S FAILURE, AND FLIGHT FROM EGYPT, Exodus 2:11-22. 11, 12. Looked on their burdens — Looked with sympathy and longed to help. St. Stephen says (Acts 7:23) that he was now forty years old.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 2 →

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

After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He looked this way and that and saw that no one was there, and then he attacked the Egyptian and concealed the body in the sand.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And he looked rounde about, and when he sawe no man, hee slewe the Egyptian, and hid him in the sande.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he turned this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he turneth hither and thither, and seeth that there is no man, and smiteth the Egyptian, and hideth him in the sand.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and he turns here and there, and sees that there is no man, and strikes the Egyptian, and hides him in the sand.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one by, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one there, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And when he had looked about this way and that way, and saw no one there, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He looked all around to make sure no one was watching, and then he killed the Egyptian and buried his body in the sand.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And turning this way and that, and seeing no one, he put the Egyptian to death, covering his body with sand.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּ֤פֶןhe.turnedadverb phrase · adverbialכֹּה֙thusוָandכֹ֔הthusוַandclauseverbיַּ֖רְאhe.sawclause · objectכִּ֣י(dm).thatclausepredicateאֵ֣יןthere.[was].notsubjectאִ֑ישׁanyoneוַandclauseverbיַּךְ֙he.struck.downnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseהַtheמִּצְרִ֔יEgyptianוַֽandclauseverbיִּטְמְנֵ֖heobjectהוּhid.himprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phrasetheחֽוֹלsand

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־ הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃" The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the Masoretic Text word for word. The Septuagint has a similar structure, matching 9 of the 12 words, although its word order and articles differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q13) contain partial text with some words restored and others supplied by an editor, but they align closely with the Masoretic Text in content. Overall, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement with the Masoretic Text, while the Septuagint presents a slightly altered form.

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

וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־ הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּ֤פֶןπεριβλεψάμενοςכֹּה֙ὧδεוָכֹ֔הὧδεוַיַּ֖רְאὁρᾷאִ֑ישׁοὐδέναוַיַּךְ֙πατάχαςהַמִּצְרִ֔יαἰγύπτιονוַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּαὐτὸνבַּחֽוֹל׃ἐν

9 of the 12 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויפן כה וכה וירא כי אין אישׁ ויך את המצרי ויטמנהו בחול

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q13a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ויפן כה [וכה] וירא [כי] [אין] [איש] [ויך] [את] [המצרי] [ויטמנ׳הו] [בחול]

2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 9 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.

Exodus 2:12פָּנָהand he turnand he turnedפָּנָהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהכֹּהand thusand thusכֹּהרָאָהand he sawand he sawרָאָהכִּיthatthatכִּיאַ֫יִןthere notthere notאַ֫יִןאִישׁ[was] a per[was] a personאִישׁנָכָהand he struand he struck dנָכָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמִצְרִיthe Egyptiathe Egyptianמִצְרִיטָמַןand he hid and he hid himטָמַןחוֹלin the sandin the sandחוֹלהוּאhe/she/ithe/she/itהוּאאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןעֳנִיafflictionafflictionעֳנִינָבַטto lookto lookנָבַטיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַמַכָּהwoundwoundמַכָּהפְּלִשְׁתִּי(Sea of th(Sea of the) Phפְּלִשְׁתִּימִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁ
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 Exodus 2:12

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.

and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
וַיִּ֤פֶןvai.Yi.fen and he turned H6437 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
135× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to turn or face something, like looking at a corner or a gate. It appears in descriptions of daily life and interactions, like in Genesis and Psalms. It's about changing direction or focus.
Amplified meaning
this way and that way, around
Tyndale gloss
Corner (Gate)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּנָה (panah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn, with various implications such as turning toward, away, or doing something. It can refer to both physical and figurative actions, like looking or regarding something. The entries indicate it can also mean to decline or approach, and it has different forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, each with specific nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּנָה 135 vb. turn

Qal 117

turn toward

turn from

turn and do a thing

turn, decline

turn toward, approach

turn and look, look

of inanimate things, face

esp. fig. look at, regard

look for = expect

fig. look at = consider

Hiph.

turn

make a turn, shew (signs of) turning

Hoph. be ye turned back!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6437 פָּנָה turn .. . turn toward

. turn from

. turn and do a thing

. turn, decline

. turn toward, approach

. . turn and look, look

. of inanimate things, face

. esp. fig. look at, regard

. look for = expect

. fig. look at = consider

. . turn

. make a turn, shew (signs of) turning

. be ye turned back!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6437 panah paw-naw'

a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e.

appear, look, etc.:--appear, at (even-)tide, behold, cast

out, come on, X corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look,

mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to),

(re-)turn (aside, away, back, face, self), X right (early).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנָה (pa.nah) — to turn.

1) to turn

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn toward or from or away

1a2) to turn and do

1a3) to turn, decline (of day)

1a4) to turn toward, approach (of evening)

1a5) to turn and look, look, look back or at or after or for

1b) (Piel) to turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to turn

1c2) to make a turn, show signs of turning, turn back

1d) (Hophal) to be turned back

פָּנָה (pa.nah) — Corner (Gate).

This name means corner, to turn, to turn back

Another spelling of pin.nah (פִּנָּה "Corner( Gate)" H6438)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
כֹּה֙koh thus H3541 Adverb
577× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Tyndale gloss
thus
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּה (koh) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'thus' or 'here.' It can indicate manner, place, or time, covering usages like 'thus,' 'here,' and 'until now.' The word is built from a prefix meaning 'like' and a root related to 'to be.' There is an Aramaic equivalent, כָּה (kah), which also means 'thus.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּה demonstr.adv. thus, here

of manner, thus

of place, here

of time, hitherto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3541 כֹּה thus, here

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3541 koh ko

from the prefix k and 1931; properly, like this, i.e. by

implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here

(or hither); or (of time) now:--also, here, + hitherto, like,

on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on)

this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while,

yonder.

see HEBREW for 01931

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּה (koh) — thus.

1) thus, here, in this manner

1a) thus, so

1b) here, here and there

1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile

Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
וָכֹ֔הva.Khoh and thus H3541 Conjunction · adverb
577× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Tyndale gloss
thus
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּה (koh) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'thus' or 'here.' It can indicate manner, place, or time, covering usages like 'thus,' 'here,' and 'until now.' The word is built from a prefix meaning 'like' and a root related to 'to be.' There is an Aramaic equivalent, כָּה (kah), which also means 'thus.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּה demonstr.adv. thus, here

of manner, thus

of place, here

of time, hitherto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3541 כֹּה thus, here

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3541 koh ko

from the prefix k and 1931; properly, like this, i.e. by

implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here

(or hither); or (of time) now:--also, here, + hitherto, like,

on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on)

this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while,

yonder.

see HEBREW for 01931

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּה (koh) — thus.

1) thus, here, in this manner

1a) thus, so

1b) here, here and there

1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile

Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adv — Conjunction · adverb
HC/D
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
וַיַּ֖רְאvai.Yar' and he saw H7200 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
with careful observation, to perceive
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

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

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

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

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

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

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

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

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

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

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

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

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

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

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

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

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

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

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

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

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

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

so.

See TOOLS.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used as an instrument of torture 2Sa 12:31; Heb 11:37

→ Used for cutting stone 1Ki 7:9

→ FIGURATIVE Isa 10:15

and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
כִּ֣יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
אֵ֣ין'ein there not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
אִ֑ישׁ'Ish [was] a person H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
no man, any person
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
וַיַּךְ֙vai.yaKh and he struck down H5221 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Amplified meaning
slew, smote
Tyndale gloss
to smite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָכָה (nakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to strike or smite, encompassing a range of actions from lightly hitting to fatal blows. It appears in various forms, indicating actions like attacking, punishing, or causing disease. The entries suggest its use in both literal and figurative contexts, including divine judgment and applause. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכָה] 501 vb. smite (not in Qal)

Niph. and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

Pu. both be smitten down by the hail

Hiph.

lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

smite repeatedly, beat a man

and they clapped hands (in applause)

give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

smite, of sun

Smite fatally

Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

Of God

smite with a plague, disease, etc.

smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

of God’s destroying palaces

Hoph. be smitten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5221 נָכָה smite (not in Qal) . and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

. both be smitten down by the hail

. . . lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

. smite repeatedly, beat a man

. and they clapped hands (in applause)

. give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

. smite, of sun

. Smite fatally

. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

. Of God . smite with a plague, disease, etc.

. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

. of God’s destroying palaces

. be smitten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5221 nakah naw-kaw'

a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally

or figuratively):--beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), X

go forward, X indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer,

punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike,

be stricken, (give) stripes, X surely, wound.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכָה (na.khah) — to smite.

1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill

1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust

1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast)

1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage

1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy

1d) (Hophal) to be smitten

1d1) to receive a blow

1d2) to be wounded

1d3) to be beaten

1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain

1d5) to be attacked and captured

1d6) to be smitten (with disease)

1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
הַמִּצְרִ֔יha.mitz.Ri the Egyptian H4713 Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to an Egyptian, someone from the country of Egypt. It appears in the Old Testament, describing people from this northeastern African nation. Egyptians are mentioned in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
a man from Egypt
Tyndale gloss
Egyptian
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִצְרִי (mitsriy) is an adjective meaning 'Egyptian,' derived from the noun for Egypt, מִצְרַ֫יִם (mitsrajim). It refers to an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt. The entries consistently define it in relation to Egypt without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִצְרִי adj. gent. Egyptian

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4713 מִצְרִי adj. gent. Egyptian

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4713 Mitsriy mits-ree'

from 4714; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of

Mitsrajim:--Egyptian, of Egypt.

see HEBREW for 04714

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִצְרִי (mits.ri) — Egyptian.

Group of mits.ra.yim (מִצְרַ֫יִם "Egypt" H4714G)

§ Egyptian, of Egypt "double straits"

Egyptian-an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt

an Egyptian

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ngmsa
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּvai.yit.me.Ne.hu and he hid him H2934 Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means to hide or conceal something, often secretly, as in Joshua. It can also mean to bury or lay something aside, out of sight or knowledge.
Amplified meaning
concealed, buried, him
Tyndale gloss
to hide
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָמַן (taman) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hide or conceal. It can refer to hiding something by covering it over, as well as to the act of burying or laying something secretly. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hiding, such as hiding oneself or causing something to be hidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָמַן vb. hide, conceal

Qal

hide

often of hiding, concealing, secretly laying a snare

that which is darkened = darkness

Niph. hide thyself in the dust

Hiph. and they went and hid (it)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2934 טָמַן hide, conceal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2934 taman taw-man'

a primitive root; to hide (by covering over):--hide, lay

privily, in secret.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָמַן (ta.man) — to hide.

1) to hide, conceal, bury

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hide

1a2) hiding, concealing, secretly laying (participle)

1a3) darkness (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to hide oneself

1c) (Hiphil) to hide

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw3ms/Sp3ms
and he turned thus and thus and he saw that there not [was] a person and he struck down the object marker the Egyptian and he hid him in the sand
בַּחֽוֹל׃ba.Chol in the sand H2344 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to sand, describing it as round or whirling particles. It is used in the Bible to talk about the desert or beach, and is often translated simply as 'sand'.
Amplified meaning
the desert ground, sandy particles
Tyndale gloss
sand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חוֹל (chol) means 'sand,' possibly derived from the idea of turning or whirling particles. The entries consistently define it as sand, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חוֹל n.m. sand (perh. as turning or whirling)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2344 חוֹל sand (perh. as turning or whirling)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2344 chowl khole

from 2342; sand (as round or whirling particles):--sand.

see HEBREW for 02342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חוֹל (chol) — sand.

sand

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

(chol; ammos; a variant of the more usual psammos; compare amathos, psamathos): Sand is principally produced by the grinding action of waves. This is accompanied by chemical solution, with the result that the more soluble constituents of the rock diminish in amount or disappear and the sands tend to become more or less purely silicious, silica or quartz being a common constituent of rocks and very Insoluble. The rocks of Palestine are so largely composed of limestone that the shore and dune sands are unusually calcareous, containing from 10 to 20 per cent of calcium carbonate. This is subject to solution and redeposition as a cement between the sand grains, binding them together to form the porous sandstone of the seashore, which is easily worked and is much used in building.

See Rock, III, (2).

Figurative:

Thompson Chain Reference topics

of the sea (figurative)

Ge 22:17; Ho 1:10; Heb 11:12; Re 20:8

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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