Ezekiel 20:49 — Word Study
WLCוָאֹמַ֕ר אֲהָ֖הּ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֑ה הֵ֚מָּה אֹמְרִ֣ים לִ֔י הֲלֹ֛א מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל מְשָׁלִ֖ים הֽוּא׃ פ
BSAand I saidva.'o.Mar▸ alas!'a.Hah O Lord'a.do.Nai YahwehYah.weh ◂theyHe.mah [are] saying'o.me.Rim of meLi ¿ notha.Lo' making a parableme.ma.Shel parablesme.sha.Lim [is] heHu'
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָאֹמַ֕ר | and I said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| אֲהָ֖הּ | alas! | Particle |
| אֲדֹנָ֣י | O Lord | Noun proper |
| יְהוִ֑ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| הֵ֚מָּה | they | Pronoun |
| אֹמְרִ֣ים | [are] saying | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| לִ֔י | of me | Preposition, suffix |
| הֲלֹ֛א | ¿ not | Particle, particle |
| מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל | making a parable | Verb, Piel, participle (active) masculine singular |
| מְשָׁלִ֖ים | parables | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| הֽוּא׃ פ | [is] he | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’” |
| KJV | Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables? |
| ASV | Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables? |
| YLT | And I say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, They are saying of me, Is he not using similes? |
| WEB | Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! They say of me, ‘Isn’t he a speaker of parables?’” |
| BBE | Then I said, Ah, Lord! they say of me, Is he not a maker of stories? |
Where they part company is in the rendering of מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subject and a subordinate clause detailing the people's accusation.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectH1992
verbH559
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 20:49
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 — Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministrygenerated
Ezekiel 20:49 captures a moment of Ezekiel's frustration as he speaks to the Lord about the people's perception of his messages. They accuse him of merely telling parables, which diminishes the seriousness of his prophetic words. This reflects a broader theme in Ezekiel's ministry, where he often faced skepticism and misunderstanding from his audience, similar to the experiences of other prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 13:13–14 | This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ |
| 2 | John 16:25 | I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. |
| 3 | Acts 17:18 | Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל, me.ma.Shelgenerated
The verb מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל (me.ma.Shel) comes from the root מָשַׁל (mashal), meaning to liken or to use figurative language. In this context, it refers to the act of making comparisons or telling stories that convey deeper truths.
The Piel form indicates an active use of the verb, suggesting that Ezekiel is not just passively recounting stories but actively engaging in the art of parable-making to communicate God's messages.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term making a parable, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is וָאֹמַ֕ר (va.'o.Mar), and I said, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a noun phrase that identifies the speaker and a series of clauses that provide the content of what is being said.
The structure emphasizes Ezekiel's lament and the response of the people, who are described in a participial phrase as אֹמְרִ֣ים ('o.me.Rim), [are] saying, indicating ongoing action.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל is rendered as παραβολάς (parabolas), which means parables. This choice suggests a focus on the illustrative nature of Ezekiel's messages, aligning with the literary style of teaching through stories.
The use of παραβολάς indicates that the translators recognized the deeper meaning behind Ezekiel's words, emphasizing their role as lessons rather than mere narratives.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 20:49 shows Ezekiel expressing his sorrow to God about how the people view his messages. They think he is just telling stories, which makes him feel misunderstood. This reflects the challenges prophets often face when their serious messages are dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Ezekiel is expressing his frustration that the people do not take his prophetic messages seriously, viewing them as mere stories rather than important truths.
Parables are often used to convey deeper meanings or lessons. By calling Ezekiel's messages parables, the people are undermining the gravity of his warnings.
This verse illustrates the struggle of prophets like Ezekiel, who often faced skepticism and rejection from their audiences, despite delivering messages from God.
Ezekiel's experience reminds us of the importance of listening to and respecting the messages of those who speak on behalf of God, rather than dismissing them as mere stories.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond when I feel misunderstood or dismissed in my own life?
- What are some ways I can ensure that I take the messages of God's word seriously?
- In what areas of my life do I need to be more receptive to the teachings of others?
- How can I better communicate the truths of God's word to those around me?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 20:49 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen said I, ah Lord God!.... The Septuagint version is, "by no means, Lord, Lord"; that is, let me not be sent on such an errand; at least, let it not be delivered in such figurative terms; or let
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMoreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me. An introductory brief description, in enigma, of the destruction by fire and sword detailed more explicitly in Ezekiel 21:1-32.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhen the prophet had done his duty, and prophesied, and they should have heard and understood, he returns with a complaint of their quarrelling, censuring, flouting, and reproaching him for it: one while they account him mad, out of his wits, taken up with raptures and ecstasies, or else doting and dreaming; thus they fortify themselves in their atheism, infidelity, idolatry, and all other sins, and fear not thy word, but contemn thy servant.
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?Ver. 49. Doth he not speak parables?] Nonne artifex est parabolarum iste? Qui erga non vult intelligi, vult negligi. He is so high that we cannot take him, and shall therefore slight him as a madman, or not much better. A preacher shall have much ado to please a profane people. Neither maketh it much to the matter; but it is grievous, ah, Lord. Davus sum non Oedipus.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(49) Doth he not speak parables?—Or enigmas—things that we cannot understand. This the prophet did designedly, as he had done in other cases, to awaken the attention of the people to the explanation he was about to give.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 49. Ah Lord God] O my God, consider my situation; who will believe what I shall say? They put the evil day far from them. Doth he not speak parables?] הלא ממשל משלים הוא halo memashshel meshalim hu, "Is not he a maker of parables?" Is it not his custom to deal in enigmas? His figures are not to be understood; we should not trouble ourselves with them. We are not obliged to fathom his meaning; and perhaps after all it does not refer to us, or will not be accomplished in our time, if it even respect the land. Thus they turned aside what might have done them good, and rejected the counsel of God against themselves. By dividing the word with our neighbour we often lose the benefit both of…
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges49. speak parables] or, similitudes—with the suggested idea that there lies no reality behind them (Ezekiel 12:21-28). The prophet, indeed, cannot utter a statement plainly, he must throw it first into a figure; the same is true also of Isaiah, though the figures of the latter prophet are brief and pointed, while those of Ezek. are overloaded with details. The words shew how the people took notice of the prophet’s peculiarities, and how he himself was conscious of the impression his manner made. Cf. Ezekiel 24:18.
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible49. Doth he not speak parables — Declaim poems (Kautzsch). The interest of the people has been excited, but they profess not to be able to understand the meaning of this story of the forest fire without explanation.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 20 →The verse in English, compared — 7 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
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”
Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! They say of me, ‘Isn’t he a speaker of parables?’”
Tyndale line
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?
Simplified
Then I said, Ah, Lord! they say of me, Is he not a maker of stories?
But then I said, “Oh no, Lord God! People already say, ‘He's just telling stories!’”
Strictly literal
And I say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, They are saying of me, Is he not using similes?
T4T (Translation for Translators) is not shown above. It restates the passage rather than the verse, so there is no line of English to set beside the others — which is a fact about that translation, not a fault in 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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is the primary witness for this verse, and it is consistent across the available manuscripts. There are no significant variations in the wording, affirming the integrity of Ezekiel's lament.
וָאֹמַ֕ר אֲהָ֖הּ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֑ה הֵ֚מָּה אֹמְרִ֣ים לִ֔י הֲלֹ֛א מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל מְשָׁלִ֖ים הֽוּא׃ פ
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 20:49
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)
Hc/Vqw1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
אֲהָהּ (ahahh) is an interjection expressing pain or lament, commonly translated as 'alas!' or 'oh!'. It is described as a primitive word used exclamatorily to convey feelings of distress.
אֲהָהּ interj. alas!
base
H162 אֲהָהּ
162 'ahahh a-haw'
apparently a primitive word expressing pain exclamatorily;
Oh!:--ah, alas.
אֲהָהּ (a.hah) — alas!.
alas!, oh!, ah!
HTj — ParticleHTj
אֲדֹנָי (Adonay) means 'Lord' and is an emphatic form of another Hebrew word for lord. It is used specifically as a title for God, often in place of Yahweh to show reverence. Variations include אֲדֹנִי and אֲדֹנַי, which help distinguish divine from human references.
אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
base
H136 אָדוֹן lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)
136 'Adonay ad-o-noy'
am emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of
God only):--(my) Lord.
see HEBREW for 0113
אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) — Lord.
Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
Lord
There are various Hebrew and Greek words so rendered.
(1.) Heb. Jehovah, has been rendered in the English Bible LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. The form “Jehovah” is retained only in Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4, both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.
(2.) Heb. ‘adon, means one possessed of absolute control. It denotes a master, as of slaves (Gen. 24:14, 27), or a ruler of his subjects (45:8), or a husband, as lord of his wife (18:12).
The old plural form of this Hebrew word is ’adonai. From a superstitious reverence for the name “Jehovah,” the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name…
[GOD]
This name belongs to God by preeminence; and in this sense ought never to be given to any creature. Jesus Christ, as the Messiah, the Son of God, and equal with the Father, is often called Lord in Scripture, especially in the writing of Paul. The word LORD, in the English Bible, when printed in small capitals, stands always for JEHOVAH in the Hebrew. See JEHOVAH.
יְהֹוִה (Yhovih) is a variation of the name יָהְוֶה (Yahweh), which is the proper name of the God of Israel. It is often used in combination with other terms, such as 'Lord Jehovah.' The name is significant in the context of the Old Testament, particularly in Exodus 3:12-15, where it is revealed to Moses.
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3069 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3069 Yhovih yeh-ho-vee'
a variation of 3068 (used after 136, and pronounced by Jews
as 430, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound,
since they elsewhere pronounce 3068 as 136):--God.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 0136
see HEBREW for 0430
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 0136
יְהֹוִה (ye.ho.vih) — YHWH/God.
1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah'
1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.
הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they
base
H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they
1992 hem haym
or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from
1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)
many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,
their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.
see HEBREW for 01981
הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).
they, these, the same, who
HPp3mp — PronounHPp3mp
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)
HVqrmpa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVqrmpa
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
HTi/Tn — Particle · particleHTi/Tn
מָשַׁל (mashal) means to liken or represent, and can refer to using figurative language such as proverbs or poetry. It encompasses various forms, including comparing and becoming like something. The word appears notably in the context of speaking in parables, particularly in the book of Ezekiel.
[מָשַׁל] vb. represent, be like
Niph. be like, similar
Hiph. compare
Hithp. and I have become like dust
base
מָשַׁל vb. denom. use a proverb, speak in parables or sentences of poetry, esp. Ezek.
Qal use a proverb
Pi. is he not a maker of parables?
base
H4911a מָשַׁל represent, be like . be like, similar
. compare
. and I have become like dust
H4911b מָשַׁל vb. denom. use a proverb, speak in parables or sentences of poetry, esp. Ezek.
4911 mashal maw-shal'
denominative from 4912; to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use
figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like);
intransitively, to resemble:--be(-come) like, compare, use
(as a) proverb, speak (in proverbs), utter.
see HEBREW for 04912
מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to liken.
1) to represent, liken, be like
1a) (Niphal) to liken, be like, be similar
1b) (Hiphil) to compare
1c) (Hithpael) to become like
מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to use a proverb.
1) to speak in a proverb, use a proverb, speak in parables, speak in sentences of poetry
1a) (Qal) to use a proverb, speak a parable or proverb
1b) (Piel) to make a parable
1b1) maker of parables (participle)
HVprmsa — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singularHVprmsa
par'-a-b'-l:
1. Name
2. Historical Data
3. Christ's Use of Parables.
4. Purpose of Christ in Using Parables
5. Interpretation of the Parables
6. Doctrinal Value of the Parables
1. Name:
Etymologically the word "parable" (paraballo) signifies a placing of two or more objects together, usually for the purpose of a comparison. In this widest sense of the term there is practically no difference between parable and simile (see Thayer, Dictionary of New Testament Greek, under the word). This is also what substantially some of Christ's parables amount to, which consist of only one comparison and in a single verse (compare Mt 13:33,44-46). In the more usual and technical sense of the word, "parable" ordinarily signifies an imaginary story, yet one that in its details could have actually transpired, the purpose of the story being to illustrate and…
Parable
(Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or…
(The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another. --McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expanded into a…
Derived from a Greek word, which signifies, to compare things together, to form a parallel or similitude of them with other things.
What we call the Proverbs of Solomon, which are moral maxims and sentences, the Greeks call the Parables of Solomon. In like manner, when Job answers his friends, it is said he took up his "parable," Job 27:1 29:1. In the New Testament the word parable denotes sometimes a true history, or an illustrative sketch from nature; sometimes a proverb or adage, Lu 4:23; a truth darkly or figuratively expressed, Mt 15:15; a type, Heb 9:9; or a similitude, Mt 24:32. The parabolical, enigmatical…
מָשָׁל (mashal) refers to a proverb or parable, often characterized by parallelism and typically found in Hebrew Wisdom literature. It encompasses various forms such as aphorisms, bywords, and ethical maxims. The word is derived from a root suggesting superiority in mental action, indicating its metaphorical nature.
מָשָׁל n.m. proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
base
H4912 מָשָׁל proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)
4912 mashal maw-shawl'
apparently from 4910 in some original sense of superiority in
mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of
metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem,
discourse):--byword, like, parable, proverb.
see HEBREW for 04910
מָשָׁל (ma.shal) — proverb.
1) proverb, parable
1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism
1b) byword
1c) similitude, parable
1d) poem
1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
→ Of the trees Jud 9:8-15
→ Of the lamb 2Sa 12:1-6
→ Of the woman of Tekoa 2Sa 14:5-12
→ Of the garment which was torn in pieces 1Ki 11:30-32
→ Of the prisoner of war 1Ki 20:39-41
→ Of the thistle and cedar 2Ki 14:9
→ Of a vine of Egypt Ps 80:8-16
→ Of the vineyard Isa 5:1-7; 27:2,3
→ Of the husbandman Isa 28:23-29
- Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament
Jud 9:8-15; 2Sa 12:1-4; 14:5-7
- PARABLES OF CHRIST
. Wise and foolish builders
. Children of the bride chamber
. New cloth and old garment
(1) Of the Old Testament
Of Jotham
Of Nathan
Of Woman of Tekoa
Of a Prophet
Of Joash
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
HPp3ms — PronounHPp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
