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Exodus 39:23 — Word Study

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WLCוּפִֽי־ הַמְּעִ֥יל בְּתוֹכ֖וֹ כְּפִ֣י תַחְרָ֑א שָׂפָ֥ה לְפִ֛יו סָבִ֖יב לֹ֥א יִקָּרֵֽעַ׃

BSAwith an openingpeh [like the hole of a coat of mail, a central aperture] in the centertâvek [midst, middle] of the robemᵉʻîyl [a high priest's outer garment] like thatpeh of a garmenttachărâʼ [habergeon, a type of armor] with a collarsâphâh [a band, an edge] aroundçâbîyb the openingpeh [lip, edge, or border] so that it would notlôʼ [to prevent it from] tearqâraʻ [be rent, ripped apart]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 39
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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 (yi.ka.Re.a') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 39:23quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse describes the design of the high priest's robe, emphasizing its opening and collar to prevent tearing.
Who is speakingThe text outlines instructions for the construction of priestly garments.
Where we areThis is part of the detailed description of the high priest's attire in the book of Exodus.
The hard wordתַחְרָא, tach.Ra'
Take awayThe design ensures durability and functionality in the priest's garments.
5 commentators on this verse Jamieson, Ellicott, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectשָׂפָה verbקָרַע 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 39:23

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 — The High Priest's Garmentsgenerated

22They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, the work of a weaver,
23with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.
24They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen on the lower hem of the robe.
25They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates,

Exodus 39:23 details the specifications for the high priest's robe, particularly focusing on the design features that prevent tearing. The emphasis on the collar and the opening reflects the importance of functionality in priestly attire, ensuring that it serves its purpose without damage during use. This is part of a broader section that outlines the garments worn by the high priest, as seen in earlier verses.


Cross References


The Key Word תַחְרָא, tach.Ra'generated

The word תַחְרָא (*tachara'*) refers to a collar or breastplate, indicating a protective feature of the garment. It is associated with priestly attire, suggesting that the collar serves both a practical and symbolic purpose in the high priest's garments.

This term appears in a limited context, specifically relating to the garments of the high priest, highlighting its significance in the ceremonial dress that represents holiness and service.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, and this is the basis for comparison.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is governed by the noun phrase הַמְּעִ֥יל, the robe, which serves as the subject. The structure includes a series of prepositional phrases that elaborate on the robe's features, including its opening and collar.

The sentence structure emphasizes the details of the robe through a series of descriptive phrases, illustrating how each aspect contributes to the overall design.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הַמְּעִ֥יל as ὑποδύτου, indicating a focus on the outer garment's function. This choice aligns with the context of priestly attire, emphasizing the robe's protective and ceremonial role.

The Greek term reflects a broader understanding of the garment's purpose, suggesting an interpretation that may extend beyond the literal Hebrew meaning.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 39:23 describes the high priest's robe, noting its central opening and collar designed to prevent tearing. This detail highlights the careful construction of priestly garments, ensuring they are both functional and durable.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the collar on the high priest's robe?

The collar is designed to prevent the robe from tearing, indicating the importance of durability in priestly garments.

Why is the design of the robe important?

The design reflects the high priest's role and responsibilities, ensuring that the garments are suitable for sacred duties.

How does the robe's design compare to other garments?

The robe's design is unique due to its specific features that cater to the high priest's ceremonial functions, unlike regular garments.

What materials were used for the high priest's robe?

The robe was made of blue cloth, as specified in previous verses, highlighting the significance of color in priestly attire.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn about the importance of design and functionality in our own lives from the high priest's robe?
  2. How does the concept of protection in garments relate to our spiritual lives?
  3. In what ways can we ensure that our actions do not lead to tearing apart our relationships or responsibilities?
  4. What does the high priest's attire teach us about the significance of our roles in serving others?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 39:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 39 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XXXIX. THE MAKING OF THE HOLY .(1-31) This section corresponds to Exodus 28:5-40, but does not follow exactly the same order. Exodus 39:2-7 correspond to Exodus 39:5-12 of Exodus 28; Exodus 39:8-21 to Exodus 39:13-28; Exodus 39:22-26 to Exodus 39:31-35; but after this a dislocation occurs. Exodus 39:27-29 correspond to Exodus 39:39-42 of Exodus 28, and Exodus 39:30-31 to Exodus 39:36-38. It is not clear why any change was made. The order observed in Exodus 28 seems preferable.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 39 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. As the hole of a habergeon] The habergeon or hauberk was a small coat of mail, something in form of a half shirt, made of small iron rings curiously united together. It covered the neck and breast, was very light, and resisted the stroke of a sword. Sometimes it went over the whole head as well as over the breast. This kind of defensive armour was used among the Asiatics, particularly the ancient Persians, among whom it is still worn. It seems to have been borrowed from the Asiatics by the Norman crusaders.

Read AdamClarke on Exodus 39 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22–26 (Exodus 28:31-35 a). The robe of the ephod.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 39 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

THE HOLY OF THE PRIESTS, Exodus 39:1-31 See notes on Exodus 28. ALL BROUGHT TO MOSES AND , Exodus 39:32-43.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 39 →

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

with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.

NETBNew English Translation2006

There was an opening in the center of the robe, like the opening of a collar, with an edge all around the opening so that it could not be torn.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and the hole of the robe in the midst thereof, as the hole of a coat of mail, with a binding round about the hole of it, that it should not be rent.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and the hole of the robe in the midst thereof, as the hole of a coat of mail, with a binding round about the hole of it, that it should not be rent.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And there was a hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band around the hole, that it should not rend.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the hole of the robe was in the middes of it, as the coller of an habergeon, with an edge about the coller, that it shoulde not rent.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and the opening of the cloak in its middle, as the opening of a coat of mail; a binding was round about the opening, that it should not rend.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and the opening of the upper robe [is] in its midst, as the opening of a habergeon, a border [is] to its opening round about, it is not rent;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and the opening of the upper robe [is] in its midst, as the opening of a [linen] habergeon, [with] a border for its opening all around; it is not torn;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And there was an opening in the midst of the robe, as the opening of a habergeon, with a binding round about the opening, that it should not be rent.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

It had an opening for the head in the middle. The opening had a woven edge round about so that it did not tear.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And little bells of the purest gold, which they put between the pomegranates at the bottom of the tunick round about:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

with an opening in the middle at the top. They stitched a woven collar around the opening to strengthen it so it wouldn't tear.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

With a hole at the top in the middle, like the hole in the coat of a fighting-man, edged with a band to make it strong.

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.

וּandclausenoun phrase · subjectפִֽיthe.openingnoun phraseהַofמְּעִ֥ילthe.robeprepositional phrase · predicateבְּinnoun phraseתוֹכ֖the.middleוֹof.itprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּ[was].like.[the]noun phraseפִ֣יopeningתַחְרָ֑אof.a.collarclausesubjectשָׂפָ֥הan.edgeprepositional phrase · predicateלְ[belonged].tonoun phraseפִ֛יopeningוitsadverbialסָבִ֖יבall.aroundclauseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbיִקָּרֵֽעַit.was.torn

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 aligns closely with its wording. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch introduces a variation with the word תחרה (cuirass), indicating a different interpretation of the garment's design. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration but agree with the Masoretic Text's general structure.

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

וּפִֽי־ הַמְּעִ֥יל בְּתוֹכ֖וֹ כְּפִ֣י תַחְרָ֑א שָׂפָ֥ה לְפִ֛יו סָבִ֖יב לֹ֥א יִקָּרֵֽעַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּפִֽי־δὲהַמְּעִ֥ילὑποδύτουבְּתוֹכ֖וֹμέσῳכְּפִ֣יδιυφασμένονתַחְרָ֑אσυμπλεκτόνשָׂפָ֥הᾤανיִקָּרֵֽעַ׃ἀδιάλυτον

7 of the 10 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

ופי המעיל בתוכו כפי תחרה שׂפה לפיו סביב לא יקרע

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: תחרה (cuirass)

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q17a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ופי] [המעיל] בתוכ׳ו כפי תחרא שפה לפי׳ו סביב [לא] [יקרע]

4 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

Exodus 39:23פֶּהand [the] oand [the] openiפֶּהמְעִילthe robethe robeמְעִילתָּ֫וֶךְ[was] in [t[was] in [the] תָּ֫וֶךְפֶּהlike [the] like [the] openפֶּהתַּחְרָאa collara collarתַּחְרָאשָׂפָהan edgean edgeשָׂפָהפֶּה[belonged] [belonged] to oפֶּהסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבלֹאnotnotלֹאקָרַעit was tornit was tornקָרַעפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהמָעַלbe unfaithbe unfaithfulמָעַלחָרָהto be inceto be incensedחָרָהסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחשׁוּלhemhemשׁוּלעָטָהto enwrapto enwrapעָטָהגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּריְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדמְעִילroberobeמְעִיל
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 39:23

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 [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
וּפִֽי־u.fi- and [the] opening of H6310 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
like the hole of a coat of mail, a central aperture
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
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 [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
הַמְּעִ֥ילha.me.'Il the robe H4598 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A meil was a robe or outer garment worn by men of rank, including kings and high priests. It was also worn by David's daughters and is mentioned in various KJV translations as a cloak or coat.
Amplified meaning
a high priest's outer garment
Tyndale gloss
robe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְעִיל (me.il) means 'robe' and refers to an upper or outer garment. It is associated with garments worn by men of rank, long garments for David's daughters, and the high priest's attire. The word is derived from a root meaning 'covering' and encompasses various types of robes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְעִיל n.m. robe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4598 מְעִיל robe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4598 m`iyl meh-eel'

from 4603 in the sense of covering; a robe (i.e. upper and

outer garment):--cloke, coat, mantle, robe.

see HEBREW for 04603

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְעִיל (me.il) — robe.

1) robe

1a) a garment worn over a tunic by men of rank

1b) a long garment worn by David's daughters

1c) a garment of the high priest

1d) (fig.) of attributes

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rob.

See DRESS, sec. 1, (3).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of righteousness 2Ch 6:41; Isa 61:10; Re 6:11; 7:9,13

→ The parable of the man who was not dressed in a wedding garment Mt 22:11

→ See DRESS

and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
בְּתוֹכ֖וֹbe.to.Kho [was] in [the] middle of it H8432 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
418× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Amplified meaning
midst, middle
Tyndale gloss
midst
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּ֫וֶךְ (tavek) means 'midst' or 'middle,' indicating a central position or location. It can also imply being 'among' or 'between' things, particularly in contexts involving separation or division. The term appears in various forms, such as 'into' or 'through,' especially after verbs of motion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּ֫וֶךְ 416 subst. midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8432 תָּ֫וֶךְ subst. midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8432 tavek taw'-vek

from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by

implication) the centre:--among(-st), X between, half, X

(there- ,where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among),

X out (of), X through, X with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּ֫וֶךְ (ta.vekh) — midst.

1) midst, middle

1a) midst, middle

1b) into, through (after verbs of motion)

1c) among (of a number of persons)

1d) between (of things arranged by twos)

1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
כְּפִ֣יke.Fi like [the] opening of H6310 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
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 [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
תַחְרָ֑אtach.Ra' a collar H8473 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A breastplate was a type of armor worn for protection, like a linen vest. In the Bible, it is mentioned as a piece of armor worn by soldiers, and the Hebrew word for it means 'a linen corslet'.
Amplified meaning
habergeon, a type of armor
Tyndale gloss
breastplate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּחְרָא (tachara') likely refers to a linen corselet or breastplate, as indicated in the entries. It appears in Exodus 28:32 and 39:23, where it is associated with priestly garments. The word is derived from roots related to linen and possibly armor.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּחְרָא n.[m.] prob. (linen) corselet (𝔗 Oak שריון);—abs. ת׳ Ex 28:32, ∥ 39:23 (P), in sim.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8473 תַּחְרָא n.[m.] prob. (linen) corselet (𝔗 Oak שריון);—abs. ת׳ Ex 28:32, ∥ 39:23 (P), in sim.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8473 tachara' takh-ar-aw'

from 2734 in the original sense of 2352 or 2353; a linen

corslet (as white or hollow):--habergeon.

see HEBREW for 02734

see HEBREW for 02352

see HEBREW for 02353

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּחְרָא (ta.cha.ra) — breastplate.

corselet

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

kol'-ar, kol'-er:

(1) (neTphah, plural neTphoth, literally, "drops," from naTaph, "to drop"). Jud 8:26 includes neTphoth among the spoils taken from the Midianites and Ishmaelites; the Revised Version (British and American) "pendants," the King James Version "collars." Qimchi at the place suggests "perfume-dropper."

(2) (peh, literally, "mouth"). In Job 30:18 the word is used to indicate the collar band, or hole of a robe, through which the head was inserted. Job, in describing his suffering and writhing, mentions the disfiguring of his garment, and suggests that the whole thing feels as narrow or close-fitting as the neckband, or perhaps that in his fever and pains he feels as if the neckband itself is choking him.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Collar

(Heb. peh), means in Job 30:18 the mouth or opening of the garment that closes round the neck in the same way as a tunic (Ex. 39:23). The “collars” (Heb. netiphoth) among the spoils of the Midianites (Judg. 8:26; R.V., “pendants”) were ear-drops. The same Hebrew word is rendered “chains” in Isa. 3:19.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

For the proper sense of this term, as it occurs in (Judges 8:26) see EARRINGS.

and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
שָׂפָ֥הsa.Fah an edge H8193 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
a band, an edge
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ej:

Very frequently occurs in the phrase "the edge of the sword" (Jos 10:28, et al.) from the Hebrew peh, "lip," or saphah, "lip." Ex 28:7 and 39:4 read "ends," from qatsah, "end" (the King James Version "edge"), and Jos 13:27 has "uttermost part" for the same Hebrew word (the King James Version "edge"). In Jer 31:29 and Eze 18:2, "The children's teeth are set on edge" (qahah, "to be blunt"), i.e. set hard one against another.

and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
לְפִ֛יוle.Fiv [belonged] to opening its H6310 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
lip, edge, or border
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
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 [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
to prevent it from
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] opening of the robe [was] in [the] middle of it like [the] opening of a collar an edge [belonged] to opening its all around not it was torn
יִקָּרֵֽעַ׃yi.ka.Re.a' it was torn H7167 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to tear or rend something, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in the case of reviling or enlarging the eyes. In the book of the Prophet Joel, it describes the heavens being torn open. It can also describe the action of wild beasts.
Amplified meaning
be rent, ripped apart
Tyndale gloss
to tear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרַע (qara`) means to tear or rend, both literally and figuratively. It is often used in the context of tearing garments, but can also refer to tearing away sovereignty or opening the heavens. The word has various applications, including tearing in pieces, making something wide, and being rent, as seen in the usage of wild beasts and altars.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרַע 63 vb. tear

Qal tear, rend

usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

tear away or out

tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

tear, rend asunder

book

= make wide, large

rend open heavens, and descend

tear, rend, of wild beasts

Niph. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7167 קָרַע tear .tear, rend . . usu. (39 t.) of rending garment

. tear away or out

. tear away sovereignty (under fig. of garment)

. tear, rend asunder . book

. = make wide, large

. rend open heavens, and descend

. tear, rend, of wild beasts

. be rent, of garments; be rent, split asunder, of altar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7167 qara` kaw-rah'

a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile,

paint the eyes, as if enlarging them):--cut out, rend, X

surely, tear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַע (qa.ra) — to tear.

1) to tear, tear in pieces

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tear, rend

1a2) to tear away or out

1a3) to tear, rend asunder

1a3a) to make wide or large (of eyes)

1a3b) to rend open (of heavens)

1a4) to tear, rend (of wild beasts)

1b) (Niphal) to be rent, be split asunder

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
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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