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Ezekiel 23:16 — Word Study

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WLCוַתַּעְגְּבָ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לְמַרְאֵ֣ה עֵינֶ֑יהָ וַתִּשְׁלַ֧ח מַלְאָכִ֛ים אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם כַּשְׂדִּֽימָה׃

BSAAt the sight of themmarʼeh [appearance, beautiful vision] she lustedʻăgab [to have a strong sensual desire] for themʻal and sentshâlach [dispatched, caused to depart] messengersmălʼâk [representatives] to themʼêl in ChaldeaKasdîy [a region in Mesopotamia, land of the Chaldeans]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 23
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 16 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (kas.Di.mah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 23:16quick helps
In a sentenceThe woman saw the men and had a strong desire for them, sending messengers to Chaldea.
Who is speakingThe narrator describes the actions of a woman, symbolizing Israel or Judah.
Where we areIn a prophetic vision, Ezekiel illustrates the unfaithfulness of Israel.
The hard wordעָגַב
Take awayDesire can lead to actions that have significant consequences.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁלַח The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Ezekiel 23:16

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 Unfaithfulness of Oholah and Oholibahgenerated

15wearing belts on their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like officers of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.
16At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
17Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust.
18When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.

Ezekiel 23:16 depicts a metaphorical representation of Israel's infidelity, where the woman, representing Oholibah, sees men from Chaldea and is filled with lust. This passage is part of a larger narrative illustrating the consequences of turning away from God and pursuing foreign alliances. The surrounding verses highlight the actions and reactions of both the woman and the men she desires, emphasizing themes of desire and betrayal.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezekiel 16:29So you extended your promiscuity to Chaldea, the land of merchants—but even with this you were not satisfied!
2Genesis 3:6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
3Genesis 6:2the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.
4Genesis 39:7and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.”
52 Samuel 11:2One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עָגַב, 'agabgenerated

The verb עָגַב (agab) is a primitive root meaning to breathe after or to love, particularly in a sensual context. It conveys a strong, often inappropriate desire for someone, as seen in its use in this verse.

In this context, the word indicates a deep, sensual longing that drives the woman to act, showcasing the metaphor of Israel's unfaithfulness through her actions.


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 of the verse is שָׁלַח, she sent, which governs the action of dispatching messengers. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of the action and another prepositional phrase describing the sight that incited the desire.

The word order emphasizes the woman's lustful reaction to the sight of the men, leading directly to her action of sending messengers.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עָגַב as ἐπέθετο, which conveys a sense of intense desire. This choice reflects a similar meaning but may carry a slightly different emotional weight in the Greek context.

Additionally, the word for messengers is rendered as ἀγγέλους, indicating a consistent understanding of their role as representatives sent to convey messages.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 23:16 shows that the woman saw the men and desired them strongly, leading her to send messengers to Chaldea. This illustrates Israel's infidelity and desire for foreign alliances.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that she lusted?

It indicates a strong, inappropriate desire, illustrating the unfaithfulness of Israel towards God.

Why did she send messengers?

She sent messengers to pursue her desire, symbolizing Israel's attempts to seek alliances with foreign nations.

What is the significance of Chaldea?

Chaldea represents a foreign power that Israel sought after, highlighting their unfaithfulness and desire for worldly alliances.

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

It emphasizes the theme of unfaithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God to pursue other desires.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I recognize inappropriate desires in my own life?
  2. How can I ensure that my pursuits align with my faith and values?
  3. What lessons can I learn from the consequences of unfaithfulness in this passage?
  4. How can I support others in their struggles against inappropriate desires?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 23:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them,.... As lustful women, on the sight of the pictures of men, fall in love with them, and are mad after them; such a vehement desire after

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 23 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. Sent messengers unto them into Chaldea - (Ezekiel 16:29). It was she that solicited the Chaldeans, not they her.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 23 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Saw them; the portraits of them. She doted upon them; like an unsatiable and most impudent adulteress, she fell into most inordinate affection for their persons on sight of their pictures. Sent messengers unto them; courted the love of those strangers, and wooed their embraces, sent to make alliances with them, prostituted herself to them. Into Chaldea: though it was a long journey, troublesome and costly, all this hinders not this extravagant, lewd woman, she sends to these remote parts, and forgets her God.

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 23 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 23:16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.Ver. 16. And as soon as she saw them with her eyes.] Here began the mischief. Ut vidi ut perii! Conciliatorem peccati oculum Talmudici nominant. “ Oculi sunt in amore duces. ” Many have died of the wound in the eye. And sent messengers unto them.] Being themselves, therefore, not long after, sent into captivity unto them, that they might have enough of them.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 23 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Saw them with her eyes.—This is to be taken in a sense wide enough to include knowledge obtained in any way, as well as by actual sight. The intercourse between Judæa and Babylon was so close that many of the people had seen the Babylonians personally, while others knew of them through their report. Sent messengers.—Ahaz “sent messengers” to Assyria (2 Kings 16:7), and Hezekiah entertained ambassadors from Babylon (2 Kings 20:13); but besides these, the whole history of the times implies that there must have been frequent embassies of which no special mention is made. One from Zedekiah is incidentally mentioned by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:3), of which there is no record in history.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 23 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16. Read: and she doted upon them after the sight of her eyes—i.e. with delight and desire (Isaiah 11:3).

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 23 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The sending of “messengers” refers to the act of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:7.

Read Albert Barnes on Ezekiel 23 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

NETBNew English Translation2006

When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes she doted upon them, and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Assoone, I say, as she sawe them, she doted vpon them, and sent messengers vnto them into Caldea.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she lusted after them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And she doteth on them at the sight of her eyes, And sendeth messengers to them, to Chaldea.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And she lusts on them at the sight of her eyes, || And sends messengers to them, to Chaldea.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then did she long for them as soon as she saw them with her eyes, and she sent messengers unto them to Chaldea.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them, so she sent out messengers to them in Chaldea.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

She doted upon them with the lust of her eyes, and she sent messengers to them into Chaldea.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

When she saw the paintings of them, she wanted to have sex with them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And when she saw them she was full of desire for them, and sent servants to them in Chaldaea.

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.

וַandclauseverb phrase · verbתַּעְגְּבָ֥sheהlustedprepositional phrase · prepositionalעֲלֵיonהֶ֖םthemprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseמַרְאֵ֣הthe.sightnoun phraseעֵינֶ֑יher.eyesהָherוַandclauseverbתִּשְׁלַ֧חshe.sentobjectמַלְאָכִ֛יםmessengersprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֲלֵיtoהֶ֖םthemnoun phrase · prepositionalכַּשְׂדִּֽימָtoהChaldea

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


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

Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these ancient traditions.

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

וַתַּעְגְּבָ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לְמַרְאֵ֣ה עֵינֶ֑יהָ וַתִּשְׁלַ֧ח מַלְאָכִ֛ים אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם כַּשְׂדִּֽימָה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַתַּעְגְּבָ֥הἐπέθετοעֲלֵיהֶ֖םαὐτοὺςלְמַרְאֵ֣הὁράσειעֵינֶ֑יהָαὐτῆςוַתִּשְׁלַ֧חἐχαπέστειλενמַלְאָכִ֛יםἀγγέλουςאֲלֵיהֶ֖םαὐτοὺςכַּשְׂדִּֽימָה׃ξαλδαίων

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Ezekiel 23:16עָגַבand she lusand she lusted עָגַבעַלon themon themעַלמַרְאֶהto [the] sito [the] sight מַרְאֶהעַ֫יִןeyes hereyes herעַ֫יִןשָׁלַחand she senand she sentשָׁלַחמַלְאָךְmessengersmessengersמַלְאָךְאֶלto themto themאֶלכַּשְׂדִּיםChaldea towChaldea towardsכַּשְׂדִּיםרָאָהProviderProviderרָאָהעַלheightheightעַלכֶּ֫שֶׂדChesedChesedכֶּ֫שֶׂדאַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּרעַלuponuponעַלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאדְּמוּתlikenesslikenessדְּמוּתיָפֶהbeautifulbeautifulיָפֶהחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרחָפְשִׁיfreefreeחָפְשִׁימַלְאָךְmessengermessengerמַלְאָךְמָנוֹחַManoahManoahמָנוֹחַשָׁלַחto send: dto send: departשָׁלַחפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הבָּבֶ֫לBabylonBabylonבָּבֶ֫ל
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 23:16

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

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

and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
וַתַּעְגְּבָ֥הva.ta'.gavh and she lusted ! H5689 Verb qal sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To have a strong sensual desire or lust for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe the love of Solomon for his many wives in 1 Kings 11:1.
Amplified meaning
to have a strong sensual desire
Tyndale gloss
to lust
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָגַב (agab) is a primitive root meaning to breathe after or to love, particularly in a sensual context. It conveys the idea of having inordinate affection or lust, with related forms indicating a lover or paramour. The entries consistently emphasize the sensual aspect of this affection.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָגַב] vb. have inordinate affection, lust

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5689 עָגַב, עֲגַב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5689 `agab aw-gab'

a primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. to love

(sensually):--dote, lover.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָגַב (a.gav) — to lust.

1) (Qal) to have inordinate affection or lust

1a) lust (participle)

1b) paramours (participle as subst)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw3fs/Sh
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם'a.lei.Hem on them H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
לְמַרְאֵ֣הle.mar.'Eh to [the] sight of H4758 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
103× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a sight or appearance, and can describe something beautiful or a supernatural vision. It encompasses various aspects of seeing, including physical and mental perceptions, and is used in different contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
appearance, beautiful vision
Tyndale gloss
appearance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַרְאֶה (mar'eh) refers to sight, appearance, or vision, encompassing both physical and supernatural aspects of what is seen. It can denote a phenomenon, spectacle, or the power of seeing. The word is derived from a root meaning to see, and it covers a range of meanings related to visual perception.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַרְאֶה 102 n.m. sight, appearance, vision

sight, phenomenon, spectacle

appearance

appearance, sight, vision

in gen. what is seen

specif. a (supernat.) vision

sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4758 מַרְאֶה sight, appearance, vision . . sight, phenomenon, spectacle

. appearance

. appearance, sight, vision

. in gen. what is seen

. specif. a (supernat.) vision

. sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4758 mar'eh mar-eh'

from 7200; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance

(the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if

handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a

vision:--X apparently, appearance(-reth), X as soon as

beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to

look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight,

visage, vision.

see HEBREW for 07200

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַרְאֶה (mar.eh) — appearance.

1) sight, appearance, vision

1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision

1b) what is seen

1c) a vision (supernatural)

1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
עֵינֶ֑יהָ'ei.Nei.ha eyes her H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfdc/Sp3fs — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp3fs
and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
וַתִּשְׁלַ֧חva.tish.Lach and she sent H7971 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
847× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Amplified meaning
dispatched, caused to depart
Tyndale gloss
to send: depart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁלַח 814 vb. send

Qal

send: human subj.

send: subj. י׳ (God)

stretch out, esp. acc. hand

rarely send away: human subj.

let loose

Niph. letters were sent

Pi.

send off, away, human subj.

send away, subj. י׳

give over

cast out

send out, forth

let go, set free

shoot forth branches

let down

shoot

Phrases

Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)

Hiph. and I (י׳) will send

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.

. send: subj. י׳ (God)

. stretch out, esp. acc. hand

. rarely send away: human subj.

. let loose

. letters were sent

. . send off, away, human subj.

. . send away, subj. י׳

. give over

. cast out

. send out, forth

. let go, set free

. shoot forth branches

. let down

. shoot

. Phrases

. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)

. and I (י׳) will send

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7971 shalach shaw-lakh'

a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great

variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the

way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give

(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),

push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send

(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,

stretch forth (out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.

: depart/send

1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to send

1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct

1a3) to send away

1a4) to let loose

1b) (Niphal) to be sent

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out

1c2) to let go, set free

1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)

1c4) to let down

1c5) to shoot

1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled

1e) (Hiphil) to send

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.

: let_go/free

1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to send

1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct

1a3) to send away

1a4) to let loose

1b) (Niphal) to be sent

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out

1c2) to let go, set free

1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)

1c4) to let down

1c5) to shoot

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(shalach; apostello): "Sent" in the Old Testament is the translation of shalach, "to send" (of presents, messengers, etc., Ge 32:18; 44:3; Jud 6:14; 1Ki 14:6; Es 3:13; Pr 17:11; Jer 49:14; Eze 3:5; 23:40; Da 10:11; Ob 1:1); of shelach, Aramaic (Ezr 7:14; Da 5:24); of shilluchim, "sending" (

and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
מַלְאָכִ֛יםmal.'a.Khim messengers H4397 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
214× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A messenger or representative, often of God, like an angel, prophet, or priest, as seen in Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13, carrying out God's will.
Amplified meaning
representatives
Tyndale gloss
messenger
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַלְאָךְ (mal'ak) means 'messenger' and can refer to an angel, particularly as a messenger of God. It is derived from a root meaning to dispatch as a deputy and encompasses roles such as ambassador, prophet, and teacher. The term is used in contexts that include divine communication.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַלְאָךְ 214 n.m. messenger

messenger

angel, as messenger of God

the theophanic angel

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4397 מַלְאָךְ messenger . messenger

. angel, as messenger of God

. the theophanic angel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4397 mal'ak mal-awk'

from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a

messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a

prophet, priest or teacher):--ambassador, angel, king,

messenger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַלְאָךְ (ma.le.akh) — messenger.

: messenger

1) messenger, representative

1a) messenger

1b) angel

1c) the theophanic angel

מַלְאָךְ (ma.le.akh) — messenger: angel.

: angel

1) messenger, representative

1a) messenger

1b) angel

1c) the theophanic angel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם'a.lei.Hem to them H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and she lusted ! on them to [the] sight of eyes her and she sent messengers to them Chaldea towards
כַּשְׂדִּֽימָה׃kas.Di.mah Chaldea towards H3778 Noun proper · suffix
80× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Chaldea refers to a region in Mesopotamia and its inhabitants, known for wisdom and astrology, as seen in Daniel 1:4. The Chaldeans lived near the Persian Gulf and were considered wise. They are mentioned in 2 Kings 25:11.
Amplified meaning
a region in Mesopotamia, land of the Chaldeans
Tyndale gloss
Chaldea
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כַּשְׁדִּים (Kasdim) refers to the Chaldeans or Chaldea, a region in lower Mesopotamia. The term can denote the inhabitants of this area, as well as those considered wise, such as astrologers. It is derived from כֶּסֶד (Kesed), indicating descent. The word appears in various contexts, emphasizing both the geographical and cultural significance of the Chaldeans.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כַּשְׂדִּים n.pr.gent. et terr. Kasdim = Chaldeans, Chaldea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3778 כַּשְׂדִּים Kasdim = Chaldeans, Chaldea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3778 Kasdiy kas-dee'

(occasionally with enclitic) Kasdiymah {kas-dee'- maw};

towards the Kasdites:--into Chaldea), patronymically from 3777

(only in the plural); a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by

implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also an

astrologer (as if proverbial of that people:--Chaldeans,

Chaldees, inhabitants of Chaldea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כַּשְׂדִּים (kas.di) — Chaldea.

§ Chaldea or Chaldeans = "clod-breakers"

1) a territory in lower Mesopotamia bordering on the Persian Gulf

2) the inhabitants of Chaldea, living on the lower Euphrates and Tigris

3) those persons considered the wisest in the land (by extension)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper | Suff — Noun proper · suffix
HNpl/Sd
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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