Ezekiel 19:2 — Word Study
WLCוְאָמַרְתָּ֗ מָ֤ה אִמְּךָ֙ לְבִיָּ֔א בֵּ֥ין אֲרָי֖וֹת רָבָ֑צָה בְּת֥וֹךְ כְּפִרִ֖ים רִבְּתָ֥ה גוּרֶֽיהָ׃
BSAand sayʼâmar Whatmâh [in what manner, how] was your motherʼêm A lionesslâbîyʼ [fierce, powerful] amongbêyn the lionsʼărîy She lay downrâbats■ [rested, crouched] amongtâvek the young lionskᵉphîyr [vulnerable, yet protected] she rearedrâbâh■ [nourished, cared for] her cubsgûwr [whelps, immature lions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאָמַרְתָּ֗ | and you will say | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| מָ֤ה | what? | Pronoun |
| אִמְּךָ֙ | [was] mother your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| לְבִיָּ֔א | a lioness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בֵּ֥ין | between | Prep |
| אֲרָי֖וֹת | lions | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| רָבָ֑צָה | she lay down | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| בְּת֥וֹךְ | in among | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| כְּפִרִ֖ים | young lions | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| רִבְּתָ֥ה | she reared | Verb, Piel, perfect third person feminine singular |
| גוּרֶֽיהָ׃ | cubs her | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs. |
| KJV | And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions. |
| ASV | and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps. |
| YLT | and thou hast said: What [is] thy mother? — a lioness, Among lions she hath crouched down, In the midst of young lions she hath multiplied her whelps. |
| WEB | and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among lions, in the middle of the young lions she nourished her cubs. |
| BBE | What was your mother? Like a she-lion among lions, stretched out among the young lions she gave food to her little ones. |
Where they part company is in the translation of key terms, but all versions agree on the essential imagery of the lioness.
The verse has one main clause followed by two actions describing the lioness, creating a vivid image of her role.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Ezekiel 19:2
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 — A Lament for Israel's Leadersgenerated
Ezekiel 19:2 is part of a lamentation where Ezekiel uses the metaphor of a lioness to illustrate the strength and nurturing nature of Israel's leaders. The passage reflects on their roles and responsibilities, emphasizing the contrast between their powerful image and their ultimate fate. This metaphor continues through the chapter, highlighting themes of leadership and loss in Israel's history.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nahum 2:11–12 | |
| 2 | Zephaniah 3:1–4 | Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! |
| 3 | Job 4:11 | The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. |
| 4 | Psalm 58:6 | O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions. |
| 5 | Isaiah 5:29 | Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away from deliverance. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — לְבִיָּא, le.vi.Ya'generated
The word לְבִיָּא (leviyah) means 'lioness' and is derived from the root associated with lions, emphasizing the fierce and powerful nature of the animal. This term is used to depict strength and maternal care in the context of the verse.
In this passage, the lioness symbolizes the leaders of Israel, suggesting that they were meant to be strong and protective like a mother lion. The imagery evokes both admiration for their strength and a lament for their failure to fulfill their roles.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term lioness to convey the powerful imagery of the original Hebrew.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אָמַרְתָּ֗ (ve.'a.mar.Ta) governs the entire verse, followed by a series of noun phrases and clauses that describe the lioness and her actions. The structure emphasizes the question posed to the audience.
The phrase אִמְּךָ֙ לְבִיָּ֔א ('i.me.Kha le.vi.Ya') serves as the subject, while the subsequent clauses detail her actions and environment, illustrating her role among the lions and her nurturing behavior.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לְבִיָּא as σκύμνος (skymnos), which also refers to a young lion. This choice highlights the nurturing aspect of the lioness, as it connects to the idea of raising young lions.
This translation choice shows a slight shift in focus from the fierce mother to the young she raises, emphasizing the continuity of strength and nurturing.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 19:2 asks about the identity of a mother lioness among lions, illustrating her role in nurturing her young. The imagery of the lioness conveys strength and protection, reflecting on the responsibilities of Israel's leaders.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The lioness symbolizes the leaders of Israel, highlighting their strength and nurturing role in guiding the people.
The imagery emphasizes both power and care, suggesting that leaders should be strong protectors while also nurturing those they lead.
This metaphor teaches about the dual responsibilities of leadership: to be strong and to care for those under one's protection.
It reflects on the failures of Israel's leaders and serves as a lament for their lost potential and the consequences of their actions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I embody the strength and nurturing qualities of a leader in my own life?
- How do I respond to the responsibilities I have towards others, especially those I lead or care for?
- What lessons can I learn from the metaphor of the lioness about the balance between strength and compassion?
- How can I better support those around me, ensuring they feel both protected and nurtured?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 19:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd say, what [is] thy mother?.... That is, say so to the then reigning prince, Zedekiah, what is thy mother like? to what is she to be compared?
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions. And say, What is thy mother?
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhat resemblance shall I use to set out the nature, deportment, and state of the mother of these princes? an unhappy mother of unhappy children! Or, Alas! thy mother, &c. Thy; one of these was upon the throne at once, and therefore the prophet speaks to one at a time, in the singular number. Mother; the land of Judea and Jerusalem, the chief city of it, the royal family of David. A lioness; though chosen of God to execute justice, defend the poor, to be his vicegerents, and to delight in mercy; yet once advanced, they soon degenerated into the fierce and ravening nature of the lioness, and as violently seized the prey. She lay down; associated, couched, and grew familiar with, by leagues…
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 19:2 And say, What [is] thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.Ver. 2. What is thy mother?] Whereby is meant thy city of Jerusalem and people of the Jews, who took these four for their kings, and soon had enough of them. A lioness.] So called for her nobleness, courage, and cruelty. She lay down among lions.] Alludit ad coitum It signifieth that this state, by conversing with other heathen princes, had been corrupted by them and conformed unto them. She nourished her whelps among young lions.] From whom they took in but few good principles for young princes. Wickedness is soon learned Of a certain prince of Germany it was said…
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Thy mother.—Mother stands for the whole national community—the theocracy, as is plain from Ezekiel 19:10. This was represented, since the captivity of the ten tribes, by Judah; and her “princes,” of the line of David, were the legitimate kings of the whole nation. The figure of the lion is a common one in Scripture (see Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24; Numbers 24:9), and was also familiar in Babylonia.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. What is thy mother? A lioness] Judea may here be the mother; the lioness, Jerusalem. Her lying down among lions, her having confederacy with the neighbouring kings; for lion here means king.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–4. Captivity of Jehoahaz in Egypt 2. How was thy mother a lioness!—among the lions; In the midst of young lions she couched—she reared her whelps. 3. And she brought up one of her whelps—he grew a young lion; And he learned to catch the prey—he devoured men. 4. And the nations heard regarding him—he was taken in their pit; And they brought him with hooks—unto the land of Egypt. 1. princes of Israel] Probably with LXX. prince, as required by the pron. thy mother (Ezekiel 19:2). The “prince” is a general term for the king, applicable to one king after another. The lamentation is for the “king” of Judah, represented by one person after another. On “lament” cf. Jeremiah 7:29. 2. What is thy…
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 19 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy mother - The people represented by Judah. Compare Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24.
Read Albert Barnes on Ezekiel 19 →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
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among lions, in the middle of the young lions she nourished her cubs.
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
and say: “‘What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay among young lions; she reared her cubs.
Tyndale line
And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.
and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.
and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.
And say, What is thy mother: A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.
And say, Wherefore lay thy mother as a lyonesse among the lyons? she nourished her yong ones among the lyons whelps,
Strictly literal
and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps in the midst of the young lions.
and thou hast said: What [is] thy mother? — a lioness, Among lions she hath crouched down, In the midst of young lions she hath multiplied her whelps.
and you have said: What [is] your mother? A lioness, || She has crouched down among lions, || She has multiplied her whelps in the midst of young lions.
And say, What a noble lioness was thy mother! among lions did she lie down, in the midst of young lions did she raise her whelps!
and say, 'Who was your mother? A lioness, she lived with a lion's son; in the midst of young lions, she nurtured her cubs.
From the Latin
And say: Why did thy mother the lioness lie down among the lions, and bring up her whelps in the midst of young lions?
Simplified
with these words: “What was your mother? She was a lioness among the lions! She lay down in her place among the young lions and reared her cubs.
What was your mother? Like a she-lion among lions, stretched out among the young lions she gave food to her little ones.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording for this verse, with all 11 words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this text across different traditions.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֗ מָ֤ה אִמְּךָ֙ לְבִיָּ֔א בֵּ֥ין אֲרָי֖וֹת רָבָ֑צָה בְּת֥וֹךְ כְּפִרִ֖ים רִבְּתָ֥ה גוּרֶֽיהָ׃
11 of the 11 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.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 19:2
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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)
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqq2ms
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Part — PronounHPi
The Hebrew word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and can refer to a human mother, an animal's dam, or even a figurative sense, such as Deborah's nurturing role for her people. It also conveys the idea of a point of departure or division. This word is built from a primitive root and encompasses both literal and figurative meanings.
אֵם 221 n.f. mother
lit. (human) mother
fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
of animals, dam
= point of departure or division
base
H517 אֵם mother . lit. (human) mother
. fig. of Deborah as caring for her people
. of animals, dam
. = point of departure or division
517 'em ame
a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a
wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam,
mother, X parting.
see HEBREW for 01
אֵם (em) — mother.
1) mother
1a) of humans
1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
1c) of animals
2) point of departure or division
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
לְבִי (labiy') refers to a lion, while לְבִיָּא (leviyah) denotes a lioness. The entries indicate that לָבִיא (lavi') can also mean lion, with possible feminine forms. The word is associated with the idea of roaring, and it appears in contexts like Ezekiel 19:2.
ref
לָבִיא n. [m.] lion, poss. also [f.] lioness
base
H3833a לְבִי lion H3833b לְבִיָּא lioness H3833c לָבִיא n. [m.] lion, poss. also [f.] lioness
3833 labiy' law-bee'
or (Ezek. 19:2) lbiyao {leb-ee-yaw'}; irreg. masculine plural
lbaviym {leb-aw-eem'}; irreg. feminine plural lbaeowth
{leb-aw-oth'}; from an unused root men. to roar; a lion
(properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;
compare 738)):--(great, old, stout) lion, lioness, young
(lion).
see HEBREW for 0738
לְבִי (le.vi) — lion.
lion
לְבִיָּא (le.viy.ya) — lioness.
lioness
Another spelling of la.vi (לָבִיא "lion" H3833C)
לָבִיא (la.vi) — lion.
lion
Also means: le.viy.ya (לְבִיָּא "lioness" H3833B)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.
בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between
always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
base
H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
996 beyn bane
(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,
the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a
distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before
each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,
either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +
from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.
see HEBREW for 0995
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.
: between
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.
: among
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)
Prep — PrepHAcmsc
אֲרִי (ariy) and אַרְיֵה (aryeh) both mean 'lion' in Hebrew, referring to the animal itself or images of it. The word is derived from a root associated with violence. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֲרִי n.m. lion
base
אַרְיֵה n.m. lion
base
H738a אֲרִי lion H738b אַרְיֵה lion
738 'ariy ar-ee'
or (prolonged) earyeh {ar-yay'}; from 717 (in the sense of
violence); a lion:--(young) lion, + pierce (from the margin).
see HEBREW for 0717
אֲרִי (a.ri) — lion.
1) lion
1a) pictures or images of lions
אַרְיֵה (ar.yeh) — lion.
1) lion
1a) pictures or images of lions
Aramaic equivalent: ar.yeh (אַרְיֵה "lion" H0744)
N-mp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
Lions
The most powerful of all carnivorous animals. Although not now found in Palestine, they must have been in ancient times very numerous there. They had their lairs in the forests (Jer. 5:6; 12:8; Amos 3:4), in the caves of the mountains (Cant. 4:8; Nah. 2:12), and in the canebrakes on the banks of the Jordan (Jer. 49:19; 50:44; Zech. 11:3).
No fewer than at least six different words are used in the Old Testament for the lion. (1.) Gor (i.e., a “suckling”), the lion’s whelp (Gen. 49:9;
רָבַץ (rabats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stretch out or lie down. It encompasses actions like reclining, brooding, or lurking, and can imply causing something to lie down as well. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal and Hiphil, but do not provide specific verse references.
רָבַץ vb. stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
Qal lie down, lie
Hiph. cause to lie down, or lie
base
H7257 רָבַץ stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
7257 rabats raw-bats'
a primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a
recumbent animal); be implication, to recline, repose, brood,
lurk, imbed:--crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay,
(cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit.
רָבַץ (ra.vats) — to stretch.
1) to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
1a) (Qal) to lie down, lie
1b)(Hiphil) to cause to lie down
1b1) laying (stones)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
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.
תָּ֫וֶךְ 416 subst. midst
base
H8432 תָּ֫וֶךְ subst. midst
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).
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)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
AMONG',
AMONGST', preposition [Gr. See Mingle.]
1. In a general or primitive sense, mixed or mingled with; as tares among wheat.
2. Conjoined or associated with, or making part of the number.
Blessed art thou among women. Luke 1:1.
3. Of the number; as, there is not one among a thousand, possessing the like qualities.
{ A‐mong″ , A‐mongst″ , } prep. [OE. amongist, amonges, amonge, among, AS. onmang, ongemang, gemang, in a crowd or mixture. For the ending -st see Amidst. See Mingle.] 1. Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard,
And from his presence hid themselves among
The thickest trees.
Milton.
2. Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women.
Luke i. 28.
3. Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.; also, a relation of reciprocal action.
What news among the merchants?
Shak.
The Hebrew word כְּפִיר (*kefir*) primarily means 'young lion,' while its plural form כְּפִירִים (*kefirim*) likely refers to 'villages.' The word is built from the root associated with 'covering,' suggesting a connection to both young lions and enclosed spaces. It appears in Nehemiah 6:2.
כְּפִיר n.m. young lion
base
כְּפִירִים Ne 6:2, prob. = foregoing [כְּפִירָה] (𝔊 al. n. appell. = villages).
done
H3715a כְּפִיר young lion H3715b כְּפִירִים prob. = כְּפִירָה
3715 kphiyr kef-eer'
from 3722; a village (as covered in by walls); also a young
lion (perhaps as covered with a mane):--(young) lion, village.
Compare 3723.
see HEBREW for 03722
see HEBREW for 03723
כְּפִיר (ke.phir) — lion.
young lion
כְּפִירִים (ke.phi.rim) — Hakkephirim.
village
Another name of o.no (אוֹנוֹ "Ono" H0207)
כְּפִירִים (ke.phi.rim) — villages.
village
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Lions
The most powerful of all carnivorous animals. Although not now found in Palestine, they must have been in ancient times very numerous there. They had their lairs in the forests (Jer. 5:6; 12:8; Amos 3:4), in the caves of the mountains (Cant. 4:8; Nah. 2:12), and in the canebrakes on the banks of the Jordan (Jer. 49:19; 50:44; Zech. 11:3).
No fewer than at least six different words are used in the Old Testament for the lion. (1.) Gor (i.e., a “suckling”), the lion’s whelp (Gen. 49:9;
רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.
[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great
Qal 59
become many, numerous
be great
grow great (Aramaism)
Pi. 4 make large, increase
Hiph. 162
H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous
. . be great
. grow great (Aramaism)
. make large, increase
. . make much or many
. make great, obj. pers.
H7235b רָבָה shoot
7235 rabah raw-baw'
a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring
in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be
in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,
exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,
X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,
make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more
(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much
(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X
process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
see HEBREW for 07232
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.
1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)
1a2) to be or grow great
1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make much, make many, have many
1c1a) to multiply, increase
1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly
1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly
1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much
Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.
(Qal) to shoot
V-Piel-Perf-3fs — Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singularHVpp3fs
גּוּר (gur) refers to a young animal, specifically a whelp or cub, often associated with lions and jackals. The word is built from a root that suggests a young creature still in its lair. It appears in contexts describing young animals, emphasizing their youth.
גּוּר n.m. whelp, young
lion’s whelps
young of jackals
base
H1482 גּוּר whelp, young
1482 guwr goor
or (shortened) gur {goor}; perhaps from 1481; a cub (as still
abiding in the lair), especially of the lion:--whelp, young
one.
see HEBREW for 01481
גּוּר (gur) — whelp.
cub, whelp, young
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3fs