Menu

Ezekiel 13:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְהִנֵּ֖ה נָפַ֣ל הַקִּ֑יר הֲלוֹא֙ יֵאָמֵ֣ר אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אַיֵּ֥ה הַטִּ֖יחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר טַחְתֶּֽם׃ ס

BSASurelyhinnêh when the wallqîyr [physical or spiritual barrier] has fallennâphal [collapsed, been defeated] you will notlôʼ be askedʼâmar [inquired of, questioned] Whereʼayêh is the whitewashṭîyach [coating, plaster] with whichʼăsher [by means of, through] you covered itṭûwach [overspread, smeared, the wall, the structure]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (tach.Tem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 13:12quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel warns that when the wall falls, those who whitewashed it will not escape questioning.
Who is speakingThe prophet Ezekiel, delivering a message from God.
Where we areIn a prophecy about the judgment against false security and superficial repairs.
The hard wordטַחְתֶּם
Take awayThe façade will not withstand the coming storm.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָפַל The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 — Ezekiel 13:12

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Judgment Against False Securitygenerated

11tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth.
12Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’
13Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury.
14I will tear down the wall you whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:12 is part of a message where God, through Ezekiel, condemns those who provide false hope by superficially covering up the true state of affairs. The wall symbolizes a false sense of security that will ultimately fail, leading to inevitable questioning about the inadequate measures taken to protect it. This passage is a warning against relying on empty assurances instead of true faith and integrity.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 32:37He will say: “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge,
2Judges 9:38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
3Judges 10:14Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”
42 Kings 3:13Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”
5Jeremiah 2:28But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word טַחְתֶּם, tach.Temgenerated

The verb טוּחַ (tuach) means to smear or overspread, specifically referring to the act of applying a layer of plaster or coating. It conveys the idea of superficially covering something, which in this context refers to the inadequate attempts to secure the wall against impending disaster.

This action reflects a broader theme of false security; the whitewash represents a deceptive appearance that fails to provide real protection. The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action that has ongoing implications.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase is rendered as you plastered, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֵאָמֵ֣ר, will it be said, governs the sentence, with a series of phrases providing context and detail. The structure emphasizes the questioning that will follow the wall's collapse.

The sentence is built around the main clause, with subordinate clauses and phrases that elaborate on the action of falling and the inquiry about the covering, creating a layered meaning that reflects the consequences of false security.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἠλείψατε to translate טַחְתֶּם, which means 'you plastered.' This choice emphasizes the act of applying a superficial layer, suggesting a similar critique of false appearances.

The translation aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the idea that the covering is inadequate against the impending judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 13:12 warns that when the wall falls, those who whitewashed it will not be able to escape questioning about their actions. The wall represents a false sense of security, and the inquiry emphasizes the futility of superficial measures in the face of judgment.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the wall symbolize in this verse?

The wall symbolizes a false sense of security, representing superficial measures taken to protect against impending disaster.

What does whitewashing imply in this context?

Whitewashing implies covering up or disguising the true condition of the wall, which ultimately fails to provide real protection.

Why will there be questioning after the wall falls?

The questioning reflects accountability for relying on false security and inadequate measures instead of genuine protection.

How does this verse relate to the broader message of Ezekiel?

This verse underscores the theme of judgment against those who provide false hope and security, highlighting the consequences of superficiality.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life might I be relying on superficial measures instead of seeking true security?
  2. How can I ensure that I am addressing the real issues rather than just covering them up?
  3. What steps can I take to build a stronger foundation in my faith?
  4. How does this warning about false security apply to our community today?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 13:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Lo, when the wall is fallen,.... Jerusalem is taken: shall it not be said unto you; the false prophets, by the people who had been deceived by them: where [is] the daubing wherewith ye have daubed [it]?

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? When the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Will not men thenceforth laugh you to scorn? you that built, you that daubed, you that applauded the wall, will they not upbraid you with your folly?

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 13:12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where [is] the daubing wherewith ye have daubed [it]?Ver. 12. Lo, when the wall is fallen.] As fall it will, and with a force, because made of ill mortar; and they that stand under it for shelter shall perish, as did sometimes seven and twenty thousand of Benhadad’ s men in Aphek. Vocat autem eloquentiara secularem et rhetoricam inanem, lutum sine palea, &c., saith Oecolampadius here - i.e., by untempered mortar is meant worldly eloquence and empty rhetoric in sermons; this is as sand without lime, or as lime without litter, hair, chaff, or the like stuff to hold it together. Where is the daubing?] What is your false…

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) Where is the daubing?—The basis of all their false prophesying being destroyed by the coming judgments, the folly and falsehood of their words would be exposed to the eyes of all. As it is said in Ezekiel 13:14, the wall itself being thrown down to its very foundation, they who have tried to make the people trust in it shall be overwhelmed in its ruin.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. Where is the daubing — Without God and holiness the defenses of the city are rotten, and the prophet’s work is but the veneer which shall make the wreck more conspicuous.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 13 →

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

Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Behold, when the wall has fallen, won’t it be said to you, “Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’

NETBNew English Translation2006

When the wall has collapsed, people will ask you, “Where is the whitewash you coated it with?”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Lo, when the wall hath fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the daubing with which ye have daubed it ?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not bee sayd vnto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye haue daubed it?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing with which ye have daubed [it]?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And lo, fallen hath the wall! Doth not one say unto you, Where [is] the daubing that ye daubed?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And behold, the wall has fallen! Does one not say to you, Where [is] the coating that you coated?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And, lo, the wall is fallen down; will it not now be said unto you, Where is the plastering wherewith ye have plastered?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

See, the wall will fall down. Have others not said to you, “Where is the whitewash that you put on it?”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Behold, when the wall is fallen: shall it not be said to you: Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Don't you think that when the wall collapses people are going to ask you, ‘What happened to the whitewash you painted it with?’

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And when the wall has come down, will they not say to you, Where is the whitewash which you put on 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.

וְandclauseclauseהִנֵּ֖הthere!clauseverbנָפַ֣לit.has.fallennoun phrase · subjectהַtheקִּ֑ירwallclauseהֲ?clauseadverbialלוֹא֙notverbיֵאָמֵ֣רwill.it.be.saidprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֲלֵיtoכֶ֔םyouclause · subjectpredicateאַיֵּ֥הwhere?noun phrase · subjectהַ[is].thenoun phraseטִּ֖יחַplasterrelpאֲשֶׁ֥רwhichclauseverbטַחְתֶּֽםyou.plastered

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


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

Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with a direct correspondence between the Hebrew and Greek terms. This consistency highlights the shared understanding of the message regarding false security.

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

וְהִנֵּ֖ה נָפַ֣ל הַקִּ֑יר הֲלוֹא֙ יֵאָמֵ֣ר אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אַיֵּ֥ה הַטִּ֖יחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר טַחְתֶּֽם׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהִנֵּ֖הἰδοὺנָפַ֣לπέπτωκενהַקִּ֑ירτοῖξοςהֲלוֹא֙οὐκיֵאָמֵ֣רἐροῦσινאֲלֵיכֶ֔םὑμᾶςאַיֵּ֥הποῦהַטִּ֖יחַאֲשֶׁ֥רἣνטַחְתֶּֽם׃ סἠλείψατε

10 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.

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.

Ezekiel 13:12הִנֵּהand there!and there!הִנֵּהנָפַלit has fallit has fallenנָפַלקִירthe wallthe wallקִירלֹא¿ not¿ notלֹאאָמַרwill it be will it be saidאָמַראֶלto youto youאֶלאַיֵּהwhere?where?אַיֵּהטִיחַ[is] the pl[is] the plasteטִיחַאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרטוּחַyou plasteryou plasteredטוּחַפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלקוּרto digto digקוּראַיwhere?where?אַיהֵןlook!look!הֵןטוּחַto oversprto overspreadטוּחַנֶ֫גַעplagueplagueנֶ֫גַעחֲלוֹםdreamdreamחֲלוֹםגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלשָׁתַןto urinateto urinateשָׁתַןחָתַרto digto digחָתַריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהיִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫האַרְפַּדArpadArpadאַרְפַּדחֲמָתHamathHamathחֲמָת
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 Ezekiel 13:12

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
וְהִנֵּ֖הve.hi.Neh and there! H2009 Conjunction · particle
843× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
behold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2009 hinneh hin-nay'

prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.

see HEBREW for 02005

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.

behold, lo, see, if

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tj
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
נָפַ֣לna.Fal it has fallen H5307 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
435× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Amplified meaning
collapsed, been defeated
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
הַקִּ֑ירha.Kir the wall H7023 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
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
physical or spiritual barrier
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
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wol.

See ARCHITECTURE; CITY; FORTIFICATION; HOUSE; JERUSALEM; VILLAGE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wall

Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from “unwalled villages” (Ezek. 38:11; Lev. 25:29-34). They were made thick and strong (Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5). Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size (1 Kings 6:7; 7:9-12; 20:30; Mark 13:1, 2). The term is used metaphorically of security and safety (Isa. 26:1; 60:18; Rev. 21:12-20). (See FENCE.)

and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
הֲלוֹא֙ha.lO' ¿ not H3808 Particle · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part | Part — Particle · particle
HTi/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
יֵאָמֵ֣רye.'a.Mer will it be said H559 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Amplified meaning
inquired of, questioned
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם'a.lei.Khem to you H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2mp
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
אַיֵּ֥ה'ai.Yeh where? H346 Particle
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for where, used to ask for the location of someone or something. It appears in various biblical contexts, including rhetorical questions.
Tyndale gloss
where?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַיֵּה (*'ayeh*) means "where?" and is used as an interrogative adverb. It can refer to the location of persons or things and may also be used rhetorically. The word is derived from a prolonged form of another root, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage in specific verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַיֵּה 46 interr.adv. Where?

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H346 אַיֵּה Where?

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

346 'ayeh ah-yay'

prolonged from 335; where?:--where.

see HEBREW for 0335

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַיֵּה (ay.yeh) — where?.

1) where?

1a) of persons, things

1b) rhetorical

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTi
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
הַטִּ֖יחַha.Ti.ach [is] the plaster H2915 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a coating or plaster, like mortar used in construction. It is used in the Bible to describe the process of daubing or covering something with a layer of material.
Amplified meaning
coating, plaster
Tyndale gloss
coating
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טִיחַ (tiyach) refers to a type of coating or plaster, specifically used in the context of daubing. The word is derived from a root meaning to cover, and it appears in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 13:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טִיחַ n.[m.] a coating, only Ez 13:12.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2915 טִיחַ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2915 tiyach tee'akh

from (the equiv. of) 2902; mortar or plaster:--daubing.

see HEBREW for 02902

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טִיחַ (ti.ach) — coating.

a coating, plaster

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Le 14:42,43,48; De 27:2; Da 5:5

and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Amplified meaning
by means of, through
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and there! it has fallen the wall ¿ not will it be said to you where? [is] the plaster which you plastered
טַחְתֶּֽם׃ סtach.Tem you plastered H2902 Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine plural
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be smeared means to apply a layer of something, like plaster or mud. This verb is used to describe covering or overlaying a surface.
Amplified meaning
overspread, smeared, the wall, the structure
Tyndale gloss
to overspread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word טוּחַ (*tuwach*) is a primitive root meaning to smear or overspread, often associated with coating or plastering. It has forms in both the Qal and Niphal stems, indicating actions of applying or being coated. The related word טָחַח (*tachach*) specifically refers to being besmeared, appearing only in the Qal perfect form. The entries suggest a focus on physical application, particularly in contexts like construction or artistry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[טוּחַ] vb. over-spread, over-lay, coat, besmear

Qal over-spread, coat

Niph. be coated

base

[טָחַח] vb. be besmeared—only Qal Pf. Is 44:18

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2902a טוּחַ over-spread, over-lay, coat, besmear H2902b טָחַח be besmeared—only Qal Pf.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2902 tuwach too'-akh

a primitive root; to smear, especially with lime:--daub,

overlay, plaister, smut.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוּחַ (tu.ach) — to overspread.

1) to spread over, overlay, plaster, cover over, coat, besmear

1a) (Qal) to overspread, coat, overlay

1b) (Niphal) to be coated, be plastered

טָחַח (ta.chach) — to be smeared.

(Qal) to be besmeared

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-2mp — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine plural
HVqp2mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate