Ezekiel 19:6 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בְּתוֹךְ־ אֲרָי֖וֹת כְּפִ֣יר הָיָ֑ה וַיִּלְמַ֥ד לִטְרָף־ טֶ֖רֶף אָדָ֥ם אָכָֽל׃
BSAHe prowledhâlak▸ [went up and down, walked among] amongtâvek the lionsʼărîy and becamehâyâh■ ◂a young lionkᵉphîyr [a lion in its youth] After learninglâmad▸ [to guide, to instruct] to tearṭâraph [to pull apart, to provide food] [his] preyṭereph [something torn apart, food] he devouredʼâkal■ [to eat, to consume] ◂menʼâdâm [the man, Adam, humanity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ | and it went about | Verb, Hithpael, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בְּתוֹךְ־ | in among | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אֲרָי֖וֹת | lions | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| כְּפִ֣יר | a young lion | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| הָיָ֑ה | it was | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| וַיִּלְמַ֥ד | and it learned | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לִטְרָף־ | to tear | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| טֶ֖רֶף | prey | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אָדָ֥ם | human[s] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אָכָֽל׃ | it devoured | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. |
| KJV | And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men. |
| ASV | And he went up and down among the lions; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men. |
| YLT | And it goeth up and down in the midst of lions, A young lion it hath been, And it learneth to tear prey, man it hath devoured. |
| WEB | He went up and down among the lions. He became a young lion. He learned to catch the prey. He devoured men. |
| BBE | And he went up and down among the lions and became a young lion, learning to go after beasts for his food; and he took men for his meat. |
Where they part company is כְּפִ֣יר — see How Translations Differ.
The structure centers around the main action of prowling, with additional clauses detailing the subject's transformation and actions.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָלַךְ
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 19:6
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 Lament for Israel's Leadersgenerated
Ezekiel 19:6 describes a young lion that learned to hunt and devoured men, symbolizing a leader who rose to power and inflicted harm. This passage is part of a larger lamentation about the downfall of Israel's kings, highlighting themes of strength, predation, and loss. The imagery of lions conveys both the ferocity and the tragic fate of leadership in Israel, as seen in the surrounding verses that recount the destruction of cities and the terror inspired by this figure's actions.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 24:1–7 | During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 36:5 | Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 22:13–17 | “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, |
| 4 | Jeremiah 26:1–24 | At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: |
| 5 | Jeremiah 36:1–32 | In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כְּפִ֣יר, ke.Firgenerated
The Hebrew word כְּפִיר (*kephir*) means 'young lion' and is often associated with youth and strength. It signifies a lion in its prime, representing vigor and ferocity in the context of hunting.
This term appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, emphasizing the qualities of a lion as a symbol of power and dominance. In this verse, it illustrates the transformation of the subject into a formidable predator.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ, and he prowled, governs the entire verse, with several phrases detailing the actions and transformations of the subject. The structure emphasizes the progression from prowling among lions to becoming a predator.
The sentence is built around a series of actions: prowling, becoming, learning, and devouring, each contributing to the overall narrative of transformation and predation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ as ἀνεστρέφετο, which conveys the idea of turning or moving about. This choice captures the essence of the Hebrew term while also suggesting a more dynamic movement.
The word for 'young lion' is rendered as λέων, which is a broader term for lion, but still retains the connotation of strength and power. This choice may reflect a more general depiction of the lion's character rather than its youth.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 19:6 tells us that a young lion prowled among other lions and learned to hunt, ultimately devouring men. This verse illustrates the rise of a powerful figure who became a fierce predator, symbolizing the destructive nature of leadership in Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This signifies the transformation of the subject into a powerful figure capable of hunting and dominating, symbolizing strength and authority.
Lions symbolize strength, power, and ferocity, making them fitting representations of leadership and its potential for destruction.
This indicates the acquisition of skills necessary for survival and dominance, reflecting the harsh realities of leadership and predation.
It serves as a lament for the downfall of those who wielded power, highlighting the consequences of their actions and the devastation they caused.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do we see leaders in our world today acting like predators?
- How can we learn from the mistakes of those in power to avoid similar pitfalls?
- What qualities should we seek in leaders to ensure they protect rather than prey upon their people?
- How does the imagery of a lion resonate with our understanding of strength and authority in leadership?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 19:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he went up and down among the lions,.... The kings, as the Targum; kings of neighbouring nations, as Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and sometimes he was subject to the
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe, Jehoiakim, went up and down: it is said of him, because he continued eleven years on the throne, and so many years, as a lion, tore and devoured; whereas Jehoahaz was taken as soon almost as he first ventured out to hunt the prey. Among the lions; carried it after the manners and usages of the heathen kings, those barbarous tyrants, with whom he entered leagues, as he saw good, and laid aside the law of God, which was to guide king and people. Became a young lion; grew strong, fierce, ravenous, unsaltable: see where the rest is explained. Devoured men; either his neighbours the Ammonites and Moabites, or he devoured his own subjects, impoverished and eat out their estates, spared not…
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 19:6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, [and] devoured men.Ver. 6. He went up and down, &c.] Of whom he learned to king it, and to lionise it. See Ezekiel 19:2-3. Learned to catch the prey.] To pull his subjects, and to make havoc, as our Henry III did, who was therefore called Regni dilapidator. destroyer of the kingdom. And devoured men.] As Ezekiel 19:3; see Jeremiah 20:17.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. And he went up and down among the lions] He became a perfect heathen, and made Judea as idolatrous as any of the surrounding nations. He reigned eleven years, a monster of iniquity, 2Kg 23:30, &c.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–8. Jehoiachin carried captive to Babylon The second young lion is Jehoiachin. The intermediate prince Jehoiakim could not be included in an elegy, because he died in peace. It is the princes of Israel whom foreign nations captured that are lamented. What is touched upon is more the humiliation and sorrow of Israel, the mother lioness, in her young lions being captured, than the fate of the two persons. The elegy is a national one, cf. on Ezekiel 19:1. 5. And she saw that she had waited—her hope was lost; And she took another of her whelps—she made him a young lion. 6. And he walked among the lions—he grew a young lion, And he learned to catch the prey—he devoured men. 7. And he broke down…
Read Cambridge 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
He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
He went up and down among the lions. He became a young lion. He learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.
He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
He walked about among the lions; he became a young lion. He learned to tear prey; he devoured people.
Tyndale line
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
And he went up and down among the lions; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion: and he learned to catch the prey, he devoured men.
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
Which went among the lyons, and became a lyon, and learned to catch the praye, and he deuoured men.
Strictly literal
And he went up and down among the lions; he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.
And it goeth up and down in the midst of lions, A young lion it hath been, And it learneth to tear prey, man it hath devoured.
And he goes up and down in the midst of lions, || He has been a young lion, || And he learns to tear prey, || He has devoured man.
And he went up and down in the midst of lions, he became a young lion; and he learned to tear in pieces the prey; even men he devoured.
This young lion roamed about in the midst of lions. He was a young lion and learned to tear his victims; he devoured men.
From the Latin
And he went up and down among the lions, and became a lion: and he learned to catch the prey, and to devour men.
Simplified
He went around with the other lions, and became strong. Once he had learned how to tear up his prey, he started eating people.
And he went up and down among the lions and became a young lion, learning to go after beasts for his food; and he took men for his meat.
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 (MT) of Ezekiel 19:6 states, "וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בְּתוֹךְ־ אֲרָי֖וֹת כְּפִ֣יר הָיָ֑ה וַיִּלְמַ֥ד לִטְרָף־ טֶ֖רֶף אָדָ֥ם אָכָֽל׃" The Septuagint (LXX) agrees with the MT in meaning, as all ten words correspond directly in a word-by-word analysis, although the order and articles may differ. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a consistent transmission of the text across these witnesses.
וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בְּתוֹךְ־ אֲרָי֖וֹת כְּפִ֣יר הָיָ֑ה וַיִּלְמַ֥ד לִטְרָף־ טֶ֖רֶף אָדָ֥ם אָכָֽל׃
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.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 19:6
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.
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vtw3ms
a-bout': The use of this word as a preposition, in the sense of "around," is confined to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, generally an adverb, for Greek hos or "hosei." The Revised Version (British and American) adopts it in several idiomatic translations of mello, referring to what is about to be, i.e. on the point of occurring, or immediately impending, amending the King James Version, in Ac 5:35; 27:2; Re 12:4, etc.
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.
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;
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-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
li'-un:
(1) Occurring most often in the Old Testament is 'aryeh, plural 'ardyoth. Another form, 'ari, plural 'arayim, is found less often.
1. Names:
Compare 'ari'el, "Ariel" (Ezr 8:16; Isa 29:1,2,7); char'el, "upper altar," and 'ari'el, "altar hearth" (Eze 43:15); 'aryeh, "Arieh" (2Ki 15:25); 'ar'eli, "Areli" and "Arelites" (Ge 46:16; Nu 26:17).
"The most powerful, daring and impressive of all carnivorous animals, the most magnificent in aspect and awful in voice." At present lions do not exist in Palestine; but they must in ancient times have been numerous. The lion of Palestine was in all probability the Asiatic variety, described by Aristotle and Pliny as distinguished by its short and curly mane, and by being shorter and rounder in shape, like the sculptured lion found at Arban. It was less daring than the longer named species, but when driven by hunger it not only ventured to attack the flocks in the desert in presence of the shepherd, (1 Samuel 17:34; Isaiah 31:4) but laid waste towns and villages, (2 Kings 17:25,26; Proverbs 22:13; 26:13) and devoured men.…
The well-known and noble king of beasts, frequently spoken of in Scripture. He often exceeds eight feet in length and four feet in height; and his majestic and dauntless aspect, his prodigious strength and agility, and his peculiar roar, make him the terror of the forests. Lions were common in Palestine, (See JORDAN,) and the Hebrews had seven different names for them, to distinguish the different ages, etc. Five of these occur together in Job 4:10,11. See also Na 2:11,12. The psalmist alludes to the stealthy creeping of the lion till he can spring upon his prey, when he says of the crafty wicked man, "He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; .... he croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones." The Bible reader will remember the exploits of…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
לָמַד (lamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to learn or teach. It encompasses the ideas of exercising in a skill, being trained, and instructing others. The root suggests a connection to motivation or incentive, as seen in the context of teaching with a rod. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to learn), Piel (to teach), and Pual (to be taught).
לָמַד vb. exercise in, learn
Qal learn something
Piel teach
Pual trained; taught
base
H3925 לָמַד exercise in, learn .learn something
.teach
.trained; taught
3925 lamad law-mad'
a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to
teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive):(un-) accustomed,
X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -
ing).
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: teach.
: teach
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: learn.
: learn
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
טָרַף (taraph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tear, rend, or pluck. It can describe the action of tearing in various forms, such as being torn in pieces or providing food. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical tearing to metaphorical feeding, with specific examples in contexts like animals being torn apart.
טָרַף vb. tear, rend, pluck
Qal tear, rend
Niph. of animal torn
Pu. Joseph has certainly been torn in pieces
Hiph. let me devour my appointed bread
base
H2963 טָרַף tear, rend, pluck
2963 taraph taw-raf'
a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively
to supply with food (as in morsels):--catch, X without doubt,
feed, ravin, rend in pieces, X surely, tear (in pieces).
טָרַף (ta.raph) — to tear.
1) to tear, rend, pluck
1a) (Qal) to tear, rend
1b) (Niphal) to be torn in pieces
1c) (Poal) to be torn in pieces
1d) (Hiphil) to provide food
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
טֶ֫רֶף (teref) refers to something that is torn, such as prey or food, and can also mean a leaf. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of fragments. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to prey and food, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
טֶ֫רֶף n.m. prey, food; leaf
base
H2964 טֶ֫רֶף prey, food; leaf
2964 tereph teh'-ref
from 2963; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh
leaf, prey, food:--leaf, meat, prey, spoil.
see HEBREW for 02963
טֶ֫רֶף (te.reph) — prey.
1) prey, food, leaf
1a) prey
1b) food
1c) leaf
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pra (baz, Tereph, shalal): "Prey" is frequent in the Old Testament, chiefly as the translation of baz, "spoil," "plunder" (Nu 14:3,11; De 1:39; Isa 10:6, etc.); of Tereph, "prey of wild beasts," "torn thing" (Ge 49:9; Nu 23:24; Job 4:11, etc.); of malqoah, "a taking" (Nu 31:11, etc.; Isa 49:24,25); of shalal, "spoil" or "booty" (Jud 5:30 twice; Jud…
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms