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Exodus 28:7 — Word Study

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WLCשְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת יִֽהְיֶה־ לּ֛וֹ אֶל־ שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָ֖יו וְחֻבָּֽר׃

BSAIt shall havehâyâh twoshᵉnayim [a pair, dual] shoulder pieceskâthêph [upper ends of the arm, where garments hang] attachedchâbar atʼêl twoshᵉnayim [a pair, dual] of its cornersqâtsâh [ends, edges] so it can be fastenedchâbar [to unite, join together, charming or spellbinding, joined together, closed]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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 (ve.chu.Bar) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 28:7quick helps
In a sentenceThe ephod is to have two shoulder pieces attached at its corners for fastening.
What is being describedThe construction details of the ephod, a priestly garment.
Where we areIn the instructions for the priestly garments in Exodus.
The hard wordחֹֽבְרֹ֗ת
Take awayThe ephod is designed for unity and functionality.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbחָבַר 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 28:7

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 — Instructions for the Priestly Garmentsgenerated

6They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
7It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
8And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
9Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:

Exodus 28:7 provides specific instructions for the construction of the ephod, a sacred garment worn by the high priest. This verse highlights the importance of the shoulder pieces, which are essential for fastening the garment securely. The ephod represents the priest's role in mediating between God and the people, as seen in the broader context of Exodus 28 where detailed guidelines for priestly attire are given.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 39:4They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.

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

It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.Exodus 39:4

The Key Word שְׁנַיִם, she.Teigenerated

The word שְׁנַיִם (shnayim) means 'two' and denotes a pair or duality. It serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number, indicating the concept of pairs, such as two witnesses or two tablets. Its dual form emphasizes the significance of having two shoulder pieces in the construction of the ephod.

This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where duality is essential. The parsing as an adjective highlights its role in describing the specific number of shoulder pieces required for the ephod.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses two for שְׁנַיִם and shoulder pieces for כְתֵפֹת.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is יִֽהְיֶה, it will be, which governs the entire clause. The structure indicates that the ephod will have two shoulder pieces, with additional phrases providing details about their attachment.

The phrase שְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת serves as a noun phrase indicating the subject, while the prepositional phrases clarify the location of the shoulder pieces. The Hebrew word order emphasizes the duality and the specific function of the shoulder pieces.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, שְׁנַיִם is rendered as δύο, which directly corresponds to the Hebrew meaning of 'two.' This translation maintains the duality emphasized in the original text.

The term for shoulder pieces, כְתֵפֹת, is translated as ἐπωμίδες, indicating the same concept of garments worn on the shoulders, preserving the functional aspect of the ephod.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 28:7 explains that the ephod, a priestly garment, must have two shoulder pieces attached at its corners. This design ensures that the ephod can be fastened securely, highlighting the importance of unity and functionality in the priestly attire.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the two shoulder pieces?

The two shoulder pieces serve to secure the ephod, symbolizing the importance of stability and support in the priestly role.

Why is the ephod made of finely spun linen?

Finely spun linen represents purity and quality, suitable for garments worn in sacred service.

What does it mean for the shoulder pieces to be 'attached'?

To be 'attached' indicates that the shoulder pieces are securely fastened, ensuring the integrity of the ephod during use.

How does this verse connect to the broader context of the priestly garments?

This verse is part of detailed instructions for the priestly garments, emphasizing the importance of proper attire for mediating between God and the people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What do the two shoulder pieces symbolize in the context of the ephod?
  2. How can we apply the principles of unity and support seen in the ephod to our own lives?
  3. In what ways does the design of the ephod reflect the holiness required in serving God?
  4. How does understanding the details of the ephod enhance our appreciation for the priestly role in ancient Israel?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 28:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof,.... Which were two pieces that joined to the ephod, reaching from the arm holes to the shoulders both on the right and left, coming from before and

Read John Gill on Exodus 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. Ephod.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The two shoulder-pieces were two parts of the ephod going up from the body of the ephod, the one before, the other behind, which when the priest had put over his head, were tied together, and covered the priest’ s shoulders, and part of his back and breast.

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) The two shoulder pieces thereof.—Rather, two shoulder pieces.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. Read with Sam. LXX. and Exodus 39:4 : It shall have two shoulder-straps joined (to it): at its two (top) edges shall it be joined (ιηαψ for εηαψ). The ephod went closely round the body; and it was supported by two straps passing over the shoulders, and attached in front and behind to its top edges.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7. Two shoulderpieces — Hence the ephod is called, by the Septuagint translators, επωμις, and the Vulgate, superhumerale, a garment to be worn upon the shoulder.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 28 →

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

It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.

NETBNew English Translation2006

It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be joined together.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together.

RVARevised Version, American1894

It shall have two shoulderpieces joined to the two ends thereof; that it may be joined together.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

It shall have the two shoulder-pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The two shoulders thereof shalbe ioyned together by their two edges: so shall it be closed.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined at the two ends thereof, where it is joined together.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

it hath two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

it has two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Two shoulder-pieces shall it have joined at the two edges thereof; by which it shall be joined together.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two upper corners.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

It shall have the two edges joined in the top on both sides, that they may be closed together.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Two shoulder pieces are to be attached to the front and back pieces.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

It is to have two bands stitched to it at the top of the arms, joining it together.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseשְׁתֵּ֧יtwoכְתֵפֹ֣תshoulder-piecesחֹֽבְרֹ֗תjoinedverbיִֽהְיֶהit.will.belongprepositional phrase · prepositionalלּ֛toוֹitprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseשְׁנֵ֥יthe.twonoun phraseקְצוֹתָ֖יendsוitsוְandclauseverbחֻבָּֽרit.will.be.joined.together

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all nine words of this verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, shows five differences: it uses כתפות (shoulder), חברות (be united), על (upon), קצתיו (end), and יחבר (be united), indicating variations in the wording but maintaining the overall meaning.

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

שְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת יִֽהְיֶה־ לּ֛וֹ אֶל־ שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָ֖יו וְחֻבָּֽר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שְׁתֵּ֧יδύοכְתֵפֹ֣תἐπωμίδεςחֹֽבְרֹ֗תσυνέξουσαιיִֽהְיֶה־ἔσονταιלּ֛וֹαὐτῷאֶל־ἐπὶשְׁנֵ֥יδυσὶקְצוֹתָ֖יוμέρεσινוְחֻבָּֽר׃ἐχηρτημέναι

9 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

שׁתי כתפות חברות יהיה לו על שׁני קצתיו יחבר

5 words differ from the Masoretic Text: כתפות (shoulder), חברות (be united), על (upon), קצתיו (end), יחבר (be united)

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 28:7שְׁנַ֫יִםtwotwoשְׁנַ֫יִםכָּתֵףshoulder-pishoulder-piecesכָּתֵףחָבַרjoinedjoinedחָבַרהָיָהit will be[it will be[longהָיָהוֹto itto itוֹאֶלtotoאֶלשְׁנַ֫יִם[the] two[the] twoשְׁנַ֫יִםקָצָהends itsends itsקָצָהחָבַרand it willand it will be חָבַרשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִיקָצֶהendendקָצֶההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלקֶ֫רֶסclaspclaspקֶ֫רֶסיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהיְמָנִיrightrightיְמָנִימוּלoppositeoppositeמוּלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫החֹ֫שֶׁןbreastpiecbreastpieceחֹ֫שֶׁןכְּרוּבcherubcherubכְּרוּב
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 28:7

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.

two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
שְׁתֵּ֧יshe.Tei two H8147 Adj
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, dual
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcfdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
כְתֵפֹ֣תkhe.te.Fot shoulder-pieces H3802 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for shoulder describes the upper end of the arm, where garments hang, and is used in Exodus 28:7 to describe the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Amplified meaning
upper ends of the arm, where garments hang
Tyndale gloss
shoulder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּתֵף (katheph) means 'shoulder' and can refer to the shoulder-blade, side, or slope of a mountain. It is derived from a root meaning to clothe, indicating the shoulder as the place where garments hang. The term can also describe shoulder-pieces of animals and supports, as well as lateral projections.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּתֵף n.f. shoulder, shoulder-blade, side

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3802 כָּתֵף shoulder, shoulder-blade, side

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3802 katheph kaw-thafe'

from an unused root meaning to clothe; the shoulder (proper,

i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the

garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection

of anything:--arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side,

undersetter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּתֵף (ka.teph) — shoulder.

1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope

1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man)

1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals)

1c) side, slope (of mountain)

1d) supports (of laver)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Pieces

(1) of silver. In Ps. 68:30 denotes “fragments,” and not properly money. In 1 Sam. 2:36 (Heb. agorah), properly a “small sum” as wages, weighed rather than coined. Josh. 24:32 (Heb. kesitah, q.v.), supposed by some to have been a piece of money bearing the figure of a lamb, but rather simply a certain amount. (Comp. Gen. 33:19).

(2.) The word pieces is omitted in many passages, as Gen. 20:16; 37:28; 45:22, etc. The passage in Zech. 11:12, 13 is quoted in the Gospel (Matt. 26:15), and from this we…

two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
חֹֽבְרֹ֗תchoe.Rot joined H2266 Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine plural
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to unite or join, and can also refer to charming or spellbinding someone. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It can also mean to make an alliance or fellowship.
Tyndale gloss
to unite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense, but can also refer to tying magic spells or charms. It encompasses various forms of joining, including making alliances or being in fellowship. The verb appears in different stems, indicating nuances like being allied or compacted, but no significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַר] vb. unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Qal

unite, be joined

tie magic knots, charm

Pi.

make an ally of, unite one with

unite, join (trans.)

Pu.

be allied with

be united to = be one of

be joined together

Hiph. I could make a joining with words

Hithp. join oneself to, make an alliance with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2266 חָבַר unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2266 chabar khaw-bar'

a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively);

specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er),

be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up,

join (self, together), league.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַר (cha.var) — to unite.

1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to unite, be joined

1a2) to tie magic charms, charm

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to unite with, make an ally of

1b2) to unite, join, ally

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be allied with, be united

1c2) to be joined together

1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words)

1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine plural
HVqrfpa
two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
יִֽהְיֶה־yih.yeh- it will be[long] H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine 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
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
לּ֛וֹlo to it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
שְׁנֵ֥יshe.Nei [the] two H8147 Adj
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, dual
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcbdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
קְצוֹתָ֖יוke.tzo.Tav ends its H7098 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the book of Isaiah, this word means the end or termination of something. It can also refer to a corner or edge of a territory. This word is used to describe the limits of God's creation.
Amplified meaning
ends, edges
Tyndale gloss
end
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָצָה (qatsah) refers to an end or extremity, indicating a termination point. It can denote a coast, corner, or edge, and is derived from the related word קָצָה (qatsah), which shares similar meanings. The entries collectively emphasize its use in describing boundaries or limits.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָצָה n.f. et (pl.) m. end

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7098 קָצָה end

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7098 qatsah kaw-tsaw'

feminine of 7097; a termination (used like 7097):--coast,

corner, (selv-)edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle

see HEBREW for 07097

see HEBREW for 07097

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָצָה (qa.tsah) — end.

1) end, extremity

1a) end

1b) from the whole of, from among (of what is included between extremities)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp3ms
two shoulder-pieces joined it will be[long] to it to [the] two ends its and it will be joined together
וְחֻבָּֽר׃ve.chu.Bar and it will be joined together H2266 Verb · Pual · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to unite or join, and can also refer to charming or spellbinding someone. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It can also mean to make an alliance or fellowship.
Amplified meaning
to unite, join together, charming or spellbinding, joined together, closed
Tyndale gloss
to unite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense, but can also refer to tying magic spells or charms. It encompasses various forms of joining, including making alliances or being in fellowship. The verb appears in different stems, indicating nuances like being allied or compacted, but no significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַר] vb. unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Qal

unite, be joined

tie magic knots, charm

Pi.

make an ally of, unite one with

unite, join (trans.)

Pu.

be allied with

be united to = be one of

be joined together

Hiph. I could make a joining with words

Hithp. join oneself to, make an alliance with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2266 חָבַר unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2266 chabar khaw-bar'

a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively);

specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er),

be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up,

join (self, together), league.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַר (cha.var) — to unite.

1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to unite, be joined

1a2) to tie magic charms, charm

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to unite with, make an ally of

1b2) to unite, join, ally

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be allied with, be united

1c2) to be joined together

1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words)

1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Pual-3ms — Verb · Pual · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VPq3ms
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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