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Exodus 30:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְצִפִּיתָ֨ אֹת֜וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֗וֹר אֶת־ גַּגּ֧וֹ וְאֶת־ קִירֹתָ֛יו סָבִ֖יב וְאֶת־ קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לּ֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

BSAOverlaytsâphâh [cover completely] with pureṭâhôwr [clean, untainted] goldzâhâb [a valuable, brilliant metal] the topgâg [roof, upper surface] and allçâbîyb the sidesqîyr [walls, surrounding areas] and hornsqeren [a horn; a hill or peak] and makeʻâsâh [construct, fashion] a moldingzêr [border, decorative edge] of goldzâhâb [precious, shining] around itçâbîyb [surrounding, encircling]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 30
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (sa.Viv) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 30:3quick helps
In a sentenceGod instructs Moses on how to overlay the altar with gold.
Who is speakingGod, giving detailed instructions to Moses.
Where we areInstructions for the construction of the altar in the tabernacle.
The hard wordצָפָה
Take awayThe altar is to be beautifully adorned with gold.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbצָפָה 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 30:3

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 Altargenerated

2It is to be square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns must be of one piece.
3Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it.
4And make two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it.
5Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

Exodus 30:3 provides specific instructions for overlaying the altar with pure gold, emphasizing the importance of purity and beauty in the construction of sacred objects. This verse is part of a larger section detailing the design and materials for the tabernacle and its furnishings, highlighting God's desire for holiness in worship.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 25:11–24Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

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


The Key Word צָפָה, ve.tzi.pi.Tagenerated

The verb צָפָה (tsaphah) is a Piel form meaning to overlay or cover, often used in contexts involving plating with metal. The action involves laying one material over another, indicating a transformation or enhancement of the surface.

In this verse, צָפָה signifies the divine command to cover the altar with gold, which enhances its sanctity and reflects the glory of God. This act of overlaying not only serves a practical purpose but also carries deep spiritual significance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses overlay for צָפָה.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs צִפִּיתָ֨ and עָשִׂ֥יתָ govern the structure of the verse, with several noun phrases acting as objects and modifiers. The first verb commands the overlaying of the altar, while the second verb instructs the making of a molding.

The sentence is structured with a series of actions and objects, emphasizing the detailed nature of God's instructions. The use of conjunctions and object markers links the components, creating a clear directive for the construction process.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates צָפָה as καταξρυσώσεις, which conveys a similar meaning of overlaying or plating. This choice indicates a focus on the act of covering, aligning with the Hebrew intent.

The translation of זֵ֥ר as ξρυσίῳ suggests a decorative element, reinforcing the importance of beauty in the sacred space, similar to the Hebrew understanding.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 30:3 gives instructions for overlaying the altar with pure gold, indicating that both the top and the sides, including the horns, should be covered. Additionally, a molding of gold is to be made around it, emphasizing the importance of beauty and purity in the construction of the altar.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to overlay with gold?

To overlay with gold means to cover the surface of an object with a layer of gold, enhancing its appearance and signifying its importance.

Why is purity emphasized in this instruction?

Purity is emphasized because the altar is a sacred object, intended for worship and sacrifice, reflecting the holiness of God.

What is the significance of the molding mentioned?

The molding serves both a decorative and structural purpose, enhancing the beauty of the altar and ensuring that it is distinct and set apart for holy use.

How does this instruction relate to the overall design of the tabernacle?

This instruction is part of a larger set of guidelines for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings, all of which are designed to reflect God's glory and the holiness required in worship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the use of gold symbolize in the context of sacred objects?
  2. How can we apply the principle of purity in our own lives?
  3. What does the molding represent in terms of setting apart something for God?
  4. In what ways can we ensure that our worship reflects beauty and holiness?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 30:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold,.... Hence this altar is sometimes called the golden altar, Numbers 4:11 this may figure the deity of Christ, whose head is as the most fine gold, and is in

Read John Gill on Exodus 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The top was made hollow like a grate, that the ashes might fall through it. The crown was a border which encompassed the altar, that the things laid on it might not fall off.

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.Ver. 3. Overlay it with pure gold.] Shadowing Christ’ s deity, yielding glory to his humanity. A crown of gold round about.] To show that devotion is a rich royal virtue, best beseeming the best princes.

Read John Trapp on Exodus 30 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.—Next to the Ark of the Covenant the most holy article of furniture contained either in the sanctuary or in its court was the altar of incense. It symbolised prayer in its general use (Psalms 141:2; Luke 1:10), and it symbolised expiation in the purpose whereto it was to be applied on certain occasions, as when the high priest had sinned in his official capacity (Leviticus 4:3-12), or when the whole congregation had sinned through inadvertence (Leviticus 4:13-21). It was, therefore, “most holy to the Lord.” Hence, its materials were to be the same with those of the ark of the covenant, and its place was to be directly opposite the ark, near to it…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. pure gold] see on Exodus 25:3. From being thus overlaid wholly (except at the bottom) with gold, it was also called the golden altar (Exodus 39:38, Exodus 40:5; Exodus 40:26, Numbers 4:11). sides] Heb. walls: so of the Bronze altar, Leviticus 1:15; Leviticus 5:9. a crown] a rim or moulding: see on Exodus 25:11, and cf. Exodus 25:24.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 30 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2-5. Horns… rings… staves — In these respects it was fashioned after the manner of the greater altar in the court, and also of some portions of the ark, (Exodus 25:12-15.) The crown of gold round

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 30 →

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

Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding around it.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it.

NETBNew English Translation2006

You are to overlay it with pure gold – its top, its four walls, and its horns – and make a surrounding border of gold for it.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, its top, and its sides round about, and its horns; and thou shalt make to it a crown of gold round about.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And thou shalt ouerlay it with fine golde, both the toppe therof and the sides thereof round about, and his hornes: also thou shalt make vnto it a crowne of gold round about.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make upon it a border of gold round about.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And thou hast overlaid it with pure gold, its top, and its sides round about, and its horns; and thou hast made to it a crown of gold round about;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And you have overlaid it with pure gold—its top, and around its sides, and its horns; and you have made a crown of gold for it all around;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, its top, and its sides round about, and its horns; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You must cover the incense altar with pure gold—its top, its sides, and its horns. You must make a surrounding border of gold for it.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And thou shalt overlay it with the purest gold, as well as the grate thereof, as the walls round about and the horns. And thou shalt make to it a crown of gold round about,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Cover its top, its side, and its horns with pure gold, and make a gold trim to go all around it.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

It is to be plated with the best gold, the top of it and the sides and the horns, with an edging of gold all round it.

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.

וְandclauseclauseverbצִפִּיתָ֨you.will.overlaynoun phrase · objectאֹת֜וֹitnoun phrase · adverbialזָהָ֣בgoldטָה֗וֹרpureclauseclausenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseגַּגּ֧topוֹitsוְandclausenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseקִירֹתָ֛יsidesוitsadverbialסָבִ֖יבall.aroundוְandclausenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseקַרְנֹתָ֑יhornsוitsוְandclauseverbעָשִׂ֥יתָyou.will.makeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלּ֛forוֹitnoun phrase · objectזֵ֥רa.moldingזָהָ֖בof.goldadverbialסָבִֽיבall.around

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with 14 of the 16 words matched. This consistency highlights the preservation of the text across traditions, although the Septuagint's word order and articles differ from the Hebrew.

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

וְצִפִּיתָ֨ אֹת֜וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֗וֹר אֶת־ גַּגּ֧וֹ וְאֶת־ קִירֹתָ֛יו סָבִ֖יב וְאֶת־ קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לּ֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְצִפִּיתָ֨καταξρυσώσειςאֹת֜וֹαὐτὰזָהָ֣בξρυσίῳטָה֗וֹרκαθαρῷגַּגּ֧וֹαὐτοῦוְאֶת־καὶקִירֹתָ֛יוαὐτοῦסָבִ֖יבκύκλῳוְאֶת־καὶקַרְנֹתָ֑יוαὐτοῦוְעָשִׂ֥יתָποιήσειςלּ֛וֹαὐτῷזָהָ֖בξρυσῆνסָבִֽיב׃κύκλῳ

14 of the 16 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Exodus 30:3צָפָהand you wiland you will ovצָפָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹראֵתthe object the object markאֵתגָּגtop itstop itsגָּגאֵתand the objand the object אֵתקִירsides itssides itsקִירסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבאֵתand the objand the object אֵתקֶ֫רֶןhorns itshorns itsקֶ֫רֶןעָשָׂהand you wiland you will maעָשָׂהוֹfor itfor itוֹזֵרa molding oa molding ofזֵרזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵרגָּאָהto rise upto rise upגָּאָהקוּרto digto digקוּרקָרַןto shineto shineקָרַןזָרַרto sneezeto sneezeזָרַרצָפָהto watchto watchצָפָהמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהכֶּ֫סֶףsilver: mosilver: moneyכֶּ֫סֶףאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןשִׁטָּהacaciaacaciaשִׁטָּהוָוhookhookוָומְנוֹרָהlampstandlampstandמְנוֹרָהחָצִירgrassgrassחָצִירקָטַרto offer: to offer: burnקָטַר
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 30:3

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 you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
וְצִפִּיתָ֨ve.tzi.pi.Ta and you will overlay H6823 Verb · Piel · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tsaphah can also mean to overlay or cover something, often with metal. It involves laying something over another material, like plating or coating.
Amplified meaning
cover completely
Tyndale gloss
to overlay
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָפָה (tsaphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lay out, overlay, or cover. It can refer to actions like plating or laying over materials, particularly metals. The entries suggest a focus on the physical act of covering or overlaying, with examples including pillars overlaid with gold. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָפָה] 47 vb. lay out, lay over

Qal they lay out the rug!

Pi. overlay, plate

Pu. impure silver laid over a sherd; pillars overlaid with gold.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6823 [צָפָה] lay out, lay over .they lay out the rug!

. overlay, plate

. impure silver laid over a sherd; pillars overlaid with gold.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6823 tsaphah tsaw-faw'

a primitive root (probably identical with 6822 through the

idea of expansion in outlook, transferring to action); to

sheet over (especially with metal):--cover, overlay.

see HEBREW for 06822

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָפָה (tsa.phah) — to overlay.

1) to lay out, lay over, overlay, cover

1a) (Piel) to overlay, plate, stud

1b) (Pual) to be laid over

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-2ms — Verb · Piel · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
Hc/Vpq2ms
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
אֹת֜וֹ'o.To the object marker it H853 Particle · suffix
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/Sp3ms — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
זָהָ֣בza.Hav gold H2091 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
389× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Amplified meaning
a valuable, brilliant metal
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָהָב 385 n.m. gold

= gold-ore, gold in raw state

gold as wealth

gold as spoil of war

gold as merchandise

gold as costly gift

gold as material

gold described by its source

gold defined by var. adj. and pts.

as measure of weight and value

= golden oil, from colour

often named with

the chief vbs. used

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2091 זָהָב gold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2091 zahab zaw-hawb'

from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,

something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--

gold(-en), fair weather.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.

1) gold

1a) as precious metal

1b) as a measure of weight

1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

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

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;

Gold

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…

and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
טָה֗וֹרta.Hor pure H2889 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Amplified meaning
clean, untainted
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
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 you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
גַּגּ֧וֹga.Go top its H1406 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for roof, or the top of an altar, like the one in the temple in Jerusalem.
Amplified meaning
roof, upper surface
Tyndale gloss
roof
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּג (gag) means 'roof' or 'top,' often referring specifically to the roof of a house or the top of an altar. It is derived from a root that suggests a form of reduplication. The term is used in contexts related to buildings and altars, indicating both physical structures and their elevated parts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּג n.m. roof, top

roof

top of altar of incense, in tabern.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1406 גָּג roof, top

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1406 gag gawg

probably by reduplication from 1342; a roof; by analogy, the

top of an altar:--roof (of the house), (house) top (of the

house).

see HEBREW for 01342

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּג (gag) — roof.

1) roof, top, housetop

1a) roof (of house)

1b) top (of altar of incense)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
וְאֶת־ve.'Et and the object marker H853 Conjunction · 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
HC/To — Conjunction · particle
HC/To
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
קִירֹתָ֛יוki.ro.Tav sides its H7023 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
75× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Amplified meaning
walls, surrounding areas
Tyndale gloss
wall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קִיר (qir) means 'wall' and can refer to the walls of a house, chamber, or altar sides. It is derived from a root that is not clearly defined. The word appears in contexts such as Isaiah 22:5, where it is used to describe a wall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קִיר 74 n.m. wall (√ unknown)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7023 קִיר wall (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7023 qiyr keer

or qir (Isa. 22:5) {keer}; or (feminine) qiyrah {kee-raw'};

from 6979; a wall (as built in a trench):--+ mason, side,

town, X very, wall.

see HEBREW for 06979

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קִיר (qir) — wall.

1) wall, side

1a) wall (of house or chamber)

1b) the sides (of the altar)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp3ms
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
סָבִ֖יבsa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
וְאֶת־ve.'Et and the object marker H853 Conjunction · 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
HC/To — Conjunction · particle
HC/To
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
קַרְנֹתָ֑יוkar.no.Tav horns its H7161 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a horn or a corner, and can also refer to power or a mountain peak. It's used to describe a place called Karnaim, which was conquered by Israel. The KJV translation uses phrases like 'hill' or 'horn' to convey the idea.
Amplified meaning
a horn; a hill or peak
Tyndale gloss
horn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קֶ֫רֶן (*qeren*) primarily means 'horn,' which can refer to a ram's horn, a musical instrument, or horn-like projections on an altar. It also has figurative meanings related to strength and can denote a flask or rays of light. The term קַרְנַ֫יִם (*qarnaim*) refers to a location conquered by Israel, likely in Bashan.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫רֶן 75 n.f. horn

of ram

used as oil-flask

as wind instr.

(from curved shape of tusks)

fig. of pers., symbol of strength

of altar, horn-like projections at corners

hill (so in Ar., peak, isolated hill)

rays at his side(s) he had (of lightning-flashes in theoph.)

base

קַרְנַ֫יִם n.pr.loc. conquered by Isr.; prob. in Bashan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7161a קֶ֫רֶן horn . . of ram

. used as oil-flask

. as wind instr.

. (from curved shape of tusks)

. fig. of pers., symbol of strength

. of altar, horn-like projections at corners

. hill (so in Ar., peak, isolated hill)

. rays at his side(s) he had (of lightning-flashes in theoph.)

H7161b קַרְנַ֫יִם conquered by Isr.; prob. in Bashan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7161 qeren keh'-ren

from 7160; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask,

cornet; by resembl. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner

(of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light);

figuratively, power:--X hill, horn.

see HEBREW for 07160

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫רֶן (qe.ren) — horn.

1) horn

1a) horn

1b) of strength (fig)

1c) flask (container for oil)

1d) horn (as musical instrument)

1e) horn (of horn-like projections on the altar)

1f) of rays of light

1g) hill

Aramaic equivalent: qe.ren (קֶ֫רֶן "horn" H7162)

קַרְנַ֫יִם (qar.na.im) — Karnaim.

(BDB) Karnaim, a place conquered by Israel probably in Bashan

Another name of ash.te.rot qar.na.yim (עַשְׁתְּרֹת קַרְנַיִם "Ashteroth-karnaim" H6255)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp3ms
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָve.'a.Si.ta and you will make H6213 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Amplified meaning
construct, fashion
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
Hc/Vqq2ms
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
לּ֛וֹlo for 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
and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
זֵ֥רzer a molding of H2213 Noun common · masculine singular construct
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a border or molding, like the decorative edge on a building or a crown on a king's head, as described in the book of Exodus where the Israelites built the tabernacle. The KJV translates it as 'crown'.
Amplified meaning
border, decorative edge
Tyndale gloss
border
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֵר (zer) refers to a circlet or border, originating from the idea of something that presses or binds. It encompasses meanings related to a crown or moulding, indicating a decorative or structural element. The term is linked to the concept of scattering, as noted in Strong's entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֵר n.m. circlet, border (orig. that which presses, binds)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2213 זֵר circlet, border (orig. that which presses, binds)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2213 zer zare

from 2237 (in the sense of scattering); a chaplet (as spread

around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border

moulding:--crown.

see HEBREW for 02237

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֵר (zer) — border.

border, moulding, circlet

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…

and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
זָהָ֖בza.Hav gold H2091 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
389× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Amplified meaning
precious, shining
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָהָב 385 n.m. gold

= gold-ore, gold in raw state

gold as wealth

gold as spoil of war

gold as merchandise

gold as costly gift

gold as material

gold described by its source

gold defined by var. adj. and pts.

as measure of weight and value

= golden oil, from colour

often named with

the chief vbs. used

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2091 זָהָב gold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2091 zahab zaw-hawb'

from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,

something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--

gold(-en), fair weather.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.

1) gold

1a) as precious metal

1b) as a measure of weight

1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

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

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;

Gold

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…

and you will overlay the object marker it gold pure the object marker top its and the object marker sides its all around and the object marker horns its and you will make for it a molding of gold all around
סָבִֽיב׃sa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Amplified meaning
surrounding, encircling
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
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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