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Exodus 23:26 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֛ה מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה וַעֲקָרָ֖ה בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָ אֶת־ מִסְפַּ֥ר יָמֶ֖יךָ אֲמַלֵּֽא׃

BSANolôʼ {woman} in your landʼerets [nor any female animal, country, territory] will miscarryshâkôl [have a premature birth, be bereaved] or be barrenʻâqâr [sterile, unable to have children] I will fulfillmâlêʼ [complete, make full] the numbermiçpâr [quantity, span] of your daysyôwm [lifetime, years]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 23
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 26 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('a.ma.Le') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 23:26quick helps
In a sentenceGod promises that no woman will miscarry or be barren in Israel, and He will ensure that their days are fulfilled.
Who is speakingThe LORD, addressing the Israelites.
Where we areIn the midst of God's covenant promises to His people.
The hard wordמְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה
Take awayGod's provision includes health and the fulfillment of life.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָיָה 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 23:26

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 — God's Promises to Israelgenerated

25So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you.
26No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.
27I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.
28I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.

Exodus 23:26 is part of God's covenant with the Israelites, where He outlines blessings for obedience. This verse emphasizes the health and fertility of the people in their land, assuring them that He will fulfill their days. This promise is consistent with other blessings found in Deuteronomy 7:14 and 28:4, reinforcing the idea of God's care for His people.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 7:14You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock.
2Deuteronomy 28:4The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock— the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
3Job 21:10Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry.
4Psalm 107:38He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.
5Psalm 144:13Our storehouses will be full, supplying all manner of produce; our flocks will bring forth thousands, tens of thousands in our fields.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה, me.sha.ke.Lahgenerated

The word שָׁכֹל (shakol) is a Piel participle meaning 'to miscarry' or 'to be bereaved.' It conveys the idea of loss, particularly in the context of childbirth. In this verse, it emphasizes the absence of loss among the women of Israel, promising a community free from the grief of miscarriage.

The active participle form indicates an ongoing state, suggesting that God will ensure this condition remains true for His people. The usage here highlights God's protective role over the fertility and health of the nation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb אֲמַלֵּֽא ('a.ma.Le', I will complete) governs the sentence, with two clauses describing what will not happen: the miscarrying and barrenness. The structure emphasizes God's promise of health and fulfillment for the people.

The sentence begins with a negation, לֹ֥א (lo', not), setting the tone for the assurances that follow. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the negative conditions that will not exist among them.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה is rendered as ἄγονος (agonos), which translates to 'barren' or 'infertile.' This choice narrows the focus on the state of being unable to bear children, aligning with the overall theme of fertility in the promise.

The use of ἄγονος suggests a direct interpretation of the Hebrew, maintaining the emphasis on the absence of barrenness and loss among the people.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 23:26 assures the Israelites that no woman will miscarry or be barren in their land, and God promises to fulfill their days. This highlights God's care and provision for His people, ensuring their health and the continuation of life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does this verse promise about women in Israel?

The verse promises that no woman will miscarry or be barren, indicating God's blessing on fertility and health.

How does this verse relate to God's covenant with Israel?

It reflects God's commitment to bless His people with health and abundance, which is a central theme in the covenant.

What can we learn about God's character from this verse?

This verse shows God's care and provision for His people, emphasizing His desire for their well-being and fulfillment.

How does this promise relate to the broader context of Exodus?

It fits within God's broader promises to protect and bless the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen God's provision in my own life?
  2. How can I trust God to fulfill His promises in my circumstances?
  3. What does it mean to me that God cares about the health and well-being of His people?
  4. How can I share the message of God's blessings with others?

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

Origen of Alexandria references this verse in his commentary, noting its significance in understanding God's promises regarding fertility and blessing.

Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS, PROLOGUE 2 c. 185–253
And we notice that the saying, “The barren has borne seven, and she that has many children is weakened,” is in accord with this;
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 23 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 23:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren in the land,.... There shall be no abortions or miscarriages, nor sterility or barrenness, either among the Israelites, or their cattle of every

Read John Gill on Exodus 23 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 23 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Here was a double mercy. God gave them strength both to conceive, and to retain the conception till the natural and proper time of bringing forth came. The number of thy days I will fulfil; I will preserve thee so as thou shalt live as long as the course of nature and temper of thy body will permit, when evil men shall not live out half their days, .

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 23 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exodus 23:26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.Ver. 26. The number of thy days.] Thou shalt die, as Abraham did, with a good hoary head; be satur dierum, as Job; fall as a full ripe apple into the hands of God, the gatherer.

Read John Trapp on Exodus 23 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren.—Abortions, untimely births, and barrenness, when they exceeded a certain average amount, were always reckoned in the ancient world among the signs of God’s disfavour, and special expiatory rites were devised for checking them. Conversely, when such misfortunes fell short of the ordinary average, God’s favour was presumed. The promises here made confirm man’s instinctive feeling. The number of thy days I will fulfil.—Comp. Exodus 20:12. Long life is always regarded in Scripture as a blessing. (Comp. Psalms 55:23; Psalms 90:10; Job 5:26; Job 42:16-17; 1 Kings 3:11; Isaiah 65:20; Ephesians 6:3, &c.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 23 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 26. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren] Hence there must be a very great increase both of men and cattle. The number of thy days I will fulfil.] Ye shall all live to a good old age, and none die before his time. This is the blessing of the righteous, for wicked men live not out half their days; Psalms 55:23.

Read AdamClarke on Exodus 23 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20–33. Hortatory epilogue. The laws which Israel is to observe have been defined: and now Jehovah declares what He will do for His people if it is obedient to His voice (v. 22): He will give it prosperity, freedom from sickness and long life, success in its contests with the nations of Canaan, and extension of territory afterwards. Comp. the similar, but longer and more elaborated, hortatory discourses (including curses on disobedience), concluding the codes of H (Leviticus 26:3-45) and Dt. (Deuteronomy 28). It is remarkable that the commands which Israel is to obey are not those embodied in ch. Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 23:19, but (v. 22) those to be given it in the future by the angel on the…

Read Cambridge on Exodus 23 →

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

No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

No one will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.

NETBNew English Translation2006

No woman will miscarry her young or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

RVARevised Version, American1894

There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: I will complete the number of thy days.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

There shall none cast their fruite nor be baren in thy lande: the number of thy dayes will I fulfill.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land; the number of thy days will I fulfil.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

there is not a miscarrying and barren one in thy land; the number of thy days I fulfil:

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

there is not a miscarrying and barren one in your land; I fulfill the number of your days.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

There shall be no one casting her children, nor a barren woman, in thy land; the number of thy days I will make full.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

No woman will be barren or will miscarry her young in your land. I will give you long lives.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

There shall not be one fruitless nor barren in thy land: I will fill the number of thy days.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

No woman will have a miscarriage or be without children. I will make sure you live long lives.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

All your animals will give birth without loss, not one will be without young in all your land; I will give you a full measure of life.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbתִהְיֶ֛הanyone.will.benoun phrase · subjectמְשַׁכֵּלָ֥הmiscarryingוַandעֲקָרָ֖הbarrenprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseאַרְצֶ֑landךָyourclausenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseמִסְפַּ֥רthe.numbernoun phraseיָמֶ֖יyour.daysךָyourverbאֲמַלֵּֽאI.will.complete

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree word for word in this verse. The Septuagint reflects a similar meaning, though its word order and specific terms differ slightly, maintaining the promise of fertility and fulfillment.

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

לֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֛ה מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה וַעֲקָרָ֖ה בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָ אֶת־ מִסְפַּ֥ר יָמֶ֖יךָ אֲמַלֵּֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹ֥אοὐκתִהְיֶ֛הἔσταιמְשַׁכֵּלָ֥הἄγονοςוַעֲקָרָ֖הστεῖραבְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָσουמִסְפַּ֥רἀριθμὸνיָמֶ֖יךָσουאֲמַלֵּֽא׃ἀναπληρώσω

8 of the 9 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

ולא תהיה משׁכלה ועקרה בארצך את מספר ימיך אמלא

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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 23:26לֹאnotnotלֹאהָיָהanyone willanyone will beהָיָהשָׁכֹלmiscarryingmiscarryingשָׁכֹלעָקָרand barrenand barrenעָקָראֶ֫רֶץin land youin land yourאֶ֫רֶץאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמִסְפָּר[the] numbe[the] number ofמִסְפָּריוֹםdays yourdays yourיוֹםמָלֵאI will compI will completeמָלֵאעָקַרto uprootto uprootעָקַראוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתסָפַרto recountto recountסָפַרהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאעוֹדstillstillעוֹדיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלחֶ֫רֶבswordswordחֶ֫רֶבבְּהֵמָהanimalanimalבְּהֵמָהכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁפַּרbullockbullockפַּרעֶשְׂרִיםtwentytwentyעֶשְׂרִיםשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִישַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּתחָמָסviolenceviolenceחָמָסעָנָןcloudcloudעָנָן
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 23:26

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.

not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
תִהְיֶ֛הtih.Yeh anyone will be H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TESTAMENT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ THE MENTAL FACULTY

Freedom of, recognized by God Ge 4:6-10; De 5:29; 1Ki 20:42; Isa 1:18-20; 43:26; Jer 36:3,7; Joh 7:17

See BLESSINGS, CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE

See CHOICE

See CONTINGENCY

→ OF GOD, THE SUPREME RULE OF DUTY Mt 6:10; 12:50; 26:39,42; Mr 3:35; 14:36; Lu 11:2; 22:42; Joh 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; Ac…

not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥הme.sha.ke.Lah miscarrying H7921 Verb · Piel · participle (active) feminine singular
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Barrenness refers to the inability to have children. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who has lost a child or is unable to conceive, like Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:5-6.
Amplified meaning
have a premature birth, be bereaved
Tyndale gloss
be bereaved
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁכֹל (shakol) primarily means 'to be bereaved' or 'to miscarry,' indicating loss or childlessness. It can refer to causing barrenness or abortion and includes related forms like שָׁכוּל (shakul), meaning 'childless.' The entries reflect a range of meanings associated with loss of children, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁכֹל, שָׁכַל] vb. be bereaved

Qal be bereaved

Pi.

make childless

cause barrenness, or abortion

shew barrenness, or abortion

Hiph. miscarrying womb

base

[שָׁכוּל] adj. childless (through bereavement);—fs. Is 49:21

ref

מְשַׁכֶּ֫לֶת n.f.abstr. barrenness, 2 K 2:21

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7921a שָׁכֹל, שָׁכַל be bereaved .be bereaved

. . make childless

. . cause barrenness, or abortion

. shew barrenness, or abortion

. miscarrying womb

H7921b שָׁכוּל childless H7921c מְשַׁכֶּ֫לֶת n. f. abstr. childless (through bereavement)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7921 shakol shaw-kole'

a primitive root; properly, to miscarry, i.e. suffer

abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or

figuratively):--bereave (of children), barren, cast calf

(fruit, young), be (make) childless, deprive, destroy, X

expect, lose children, miscarry, rob of children, spoil.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁכֹל (sha.khol) — be bereaved.

1) to be bereaved, make childless, miscarry

1a) (Qal) to be bereaved

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make childless

1b2) to cause barrenness, show barrenness or abortion

1b3) to miscarry

1c) (Hiphil) miscarrying (participle)

שָׁכוּל (sha.khul) — childless.

adj

childless (through bereavement)

Also means: shak.kul (שַׁכּוּל "childless" H7909)

מְשַׁכֶּ֫לֶת (me.sha.ke.let) — barenness.

barrenness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) feminine singular
HVprfsa
not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
וַעֲקָרָ֖הva.'a.ka.Rah and barren H6135 Conjunction
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means sterile or barren, describing someone unable to have children, as seen in the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:6-8. This word is used to describe a woman who cannot bear children. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of longing for a child.
Amplified meaning
sterile, unable to have children
Tyndale gloss
barren
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָקָר (aqar) means 'barren' or 'sterile,' referring to a lack of fertility in both males and females. It is derived from the root word for 'extirpated' in the generative organs. The term is used in contexts relating to infertility, particularly in women.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָקָר adj. barren

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6135 עָקָר barren

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6135 `aqar aw-kawr'

from 6131; sterile (as if extirpated in the generative

organs):--(X male or female) barren (woman).

see HEBREW for 06131

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָקָר (a.qar) — barren.

barren, sterile

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aafsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Barren

For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Gen. 16:2; 30:1-23; 1 Sam. 1:6, 27; Isa. 47:9; 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Gen. 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; Judg. 13:2, 3; Luke 1:7, 36).

not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָbe.'ar.Tze.kha in land your H776 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
nor any female animal, country, territory
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
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
not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
מִסְפַּ֥רmis.Par [the] number of H4557 Noun common · masculine singular construct
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Amplified meaning
quantity, span
Tyndale gloss
number
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִסְפָּר (mispar) means 'number' or 'tale.' It can refer to definite or indefinite quantities, ranging from large to small. The word also encompasses concepts of narration and recounting. The entries consistently highlight its numerical and narrative aspects without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִסְפָּר 133 n.m. number, tale

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4557 מִסְפָּר number, tale

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4557 micpar mis-pawr'

from 5608; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite

(large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly)

narration:--+ abundance, account, X all, X few, (in-)finite,

(certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, + time.

see HEBREW for 05608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִסְפָּר (mis.par) — number.

1) number, tale

1a) number

1a1) number

1a2) innumerable (with negative)

1a3) few, numerable (alone)

1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep)

1b) recounting, relation

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
יָמֶ֖יךָya.Mei.kha days your H3117 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
lifetime, years
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
not anyone will be miscarrying and barren in land your the object marker [the] number of days your I will complete
אֲמַלֵּֽא׃'a.ma.Le' I will complete H4390 Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
249× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Amplified meaning
complete, make full
Tyndale gloss
to fill
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָלֵא (male') means 'to fill' or 'be full,' with applications ranging from literal filling to figurative uses like accomplishing or completing something. It appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances such as being satisfied or confirming. Notably, it can also refer to massing against someone.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָלֵא 249 vb. be full, fill

Qal 99

be full, usu. c. acc. material

trans. fill

Niph.

be filled

be accomplished, ended

Pi.

fill

special uses are:

fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day

Pu. filled

Hithp. mass themselves against me

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4390 מָלֵא be full, fill .. be full, usu. c. acc. material

. trans. fill

. . be filled

. be accomplished, ended

. . fill

. special uses are:

. fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day

. filled

. mass themselves against me

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4390 male' maw-lay'

or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or

(intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally

and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at

an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X

draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow,

fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume,

replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have

wholly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָלֵא (ma.le) — to fill.

1) to fill, be full

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be full

1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle)

1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended

1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied

1b2) to be accomplished, be ended

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to fill

1c2) to satisfy

1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete

1c4) to confirm

1d) (Pual) to be filled

1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against

Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singular
HVpi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kom-plet': In the King James Version for pleroo, the verb ordinarily used for the coming to pass of what had been predicted. the King James Version translates this "complete" in Col 2:10; 4:12 to express the final and entire attainment of what is treated, leaving nothing beyond to be desired or hoped for; otherwise rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) ("made full"). In the Revised Version (British and American), c. appears once for Greek artios, from aro, "to join," in 2Ti 3:17, in sense of "accurately fitted for," where the King James Version has "perfect."

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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