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Ezekiel 23:41 — Word Study

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WLCוְיָשַׁבְתְּ֙ עַל־ מִטָּ֣ה כְבוּדָּ֔ה וְשֻׁלְחָ֥ן עָר֖וּךְ לְפָנֶ֑יהָ וּקְטָרְתִּ֥י וְשַׁמְנִ֖י שַׂ֥מְתְּ עָלֶֽיהָ׃

BSAYou satyâshab [dwelt, remained] onʻal a couchmiṭṭâh [stately bed, luxurious sofa] of luxurykᵉbûwddâh [wealth, magnificence] with a tableshulchân [place of communion] spreadʻârak before itpânîym onʻal which you had setsûwm [appointed, placed] My incenseqᵉṭôreth [sweet smoke, pleasing aroma] and My oilshemen [olive oil]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 23
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 41 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 ('a.Lei.ha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 23:41quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel describes a scene of opulence and indulgence, highlighting the excesses of those who have turned away from God.
Who is speakingThe prophet Ezekiel, delivering a message of judgment.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger passage depicting the unfaithfulness of Israel, using vivid imagery.
The hard wordכְבוּדָּה
Take awayThe imagery of luxury contrasts sharply with the spiritual reality of the people.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectשֻׁלְחָן verbיָשַׁב 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 23:41

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 Indulgence of Israelgenerated

40Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry.
41You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil,
42accompanied by the sound of a carefree crowd. Drunkards were brought in from the desert along with men from the rabble, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns on your head.
43Then I said of her who had grown old in adulteries: ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is!’

Ezekiel 23:41 describes a lavish scene where the people of Israel are depicted as indulging in luxury while neglecting their covenant with God. This verse illustrates the stark contrast between their physical comfort and spiritual disobedience, contributing to the overall message of judgment against unfaithfulness. The imagery evokes a sense of decadence, highlighting the consequences of turning away from divine commands.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Esther 1:6Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.
2Proverbs 7:16–17I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
3Isaiah 57:7On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
4Amos 2:8They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their God, they drink wine obtained through fines.
5Amos 6:4You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָשַׁב, ve.ya.shavTgenerated

The verb יָשַׁב (yashab) means to sit, remain, or dwell. It conveys a sense of permanence, suggesting that the subject is not just sitting temporarily but has established a presence in that place.

In this verse, it emphasizes the act of sitting on a luxurious couch, symbolizing comfort and indulgence. The parsing as a perfect tense indicates a completed action in the past, suggesting that this state of luxury has been ongoing.


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 יָשַׁבְתְּ governs the entire verse, with a series of phrases describing the setting and actions. The structure emphasizes the opulent surroundings and the actions performed within that context.

The prepositional phrase עַל־ מִטָּ֣ה כְבוּדָּ֔ה describes the luxurious couch, while the participial phrase עָר֖וּךְ indicates the table's arrangement, creating a vivid image of abundance and preparation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יָשַׁב is rendered as ἐκάθου, which carries a similar meaning of sitting but may imply a more passive state. This choice reflects the translators' interpretation of the act of sitting as one of comfort rather than action.

This choice of wording in the LXX highlights the luxurious nature of the setting, aligning with the overall theme of indulgence present in the Hebrew text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 23:41 shows a picture of Israel sitting on a luxurious couch with a table set before it, where they have placed incense and oil. This imagery highlights their indulgence and the contrast with their spiritual state.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to sit on a couch of luxury?

It symbolizes comfort and indulgence, reflecting a state of excess that contrasts with the spiritual neglect of God's commands.

Why is incense mentioned in this verse?

Incense represents worship and offerings to God, but in this context, it highlights the irony of their lavish lifestyle while being unfaithful.

What is the significance of the table being spread?

A spread table symbolizes abundance and preparation for communion, yet it underscores the disconnect between physical luxury and spiritual fidelity.

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

It illustrates the theme of judgment against Israel for their unfaithfulness, using vivid imagery to convey their excesses.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see indulgence in my own life that may distract me from my spiritual commitments?
  2. How can I ensure that my actions reflect my values and beliefs, rather than simply following societal norms?
  3. What does it mean to me to create a space of communion with God, as symbolized by the table in this verse?
  4. How can I recognize and address the areas in my life where I may be spiritually unfaithful?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 23:41 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And satest upon a stately bed,.... Or honourable (g), a bed of state: either a throne, a royal seat under a canopy, on which the king of Judah sat to receive foreign ambassadors; or a stately bed at

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

The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; A summing up of the sins of the two sisters, especially those of Judah.

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

Safest; it is a table gesture, as appears, she was prepared to feast them. Upon a stately bed; a magnificent, rich bed, on which women sat to feast, when men leant on their sides, which would not have been a comely posture to a woman. Table prepared; table furnished with choicest provision, such as made for feasts, when solemn sacrifices were offered, or when vows were paid, as the harlot, ,15. Set mine incense: this assures us that idolatrous worship was acted by her in compliance with the Chaldeans, offered to their idols, and then feasted the idolaters, with what God had given her, when they confirmed their leagues, and swore by false gods.

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

Ezekiel 23:41 And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.Ver. 41. And satest.] For entertainment sake. Whereupon thou hast set mine incense] So fighting against me, as it were, with mine own weapons, and abusing my best gifts to my greatest dishonour, contrary to Proverbs 3:9.

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

(41) A stately bed is rather the couch or divan used for reclining at a feast. “Mine incense and mine oil” (comp. Ezekiel 16:18) may be taken simply as the products of the land, the good gifts of God which Israel bestowed upon the heathen; but as both of these were especially used in sacrifices, it is better to connect with this the perversion to the worship of the idols of the heathen of what should have been Jehovah’s only.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 23 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 41. And satest upon a stately bed] Hast raised a stately altar to thy idols; probably alluding to that which Ahaz ordered to be made, after the similitude of that which he saw at Damascus. The bed here is in allusion to the sofas on which the ancients were accustomed to recline at their meals; or to the couches on which they place Asiatic brides, with incense pots and sweetmeats on a table before them.

Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 23 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

41. a table prepared] i.e. spread. hast set mine incense] didst set. The words indicate that service of other gods is referred to under the figure of the harlot’s entertainment.

Read Cambridge 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

You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

and sat on a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon you set my incense and my oil.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil,

NETBNew English Translation2006

You sat on a magnificent couch, with a table arranged in front of it where you placed my incense and my olive oil.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and sit upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou didst set mine incense and mine oil.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and satest upon a stately bed. with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou didst set mine incense and mine oil.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And sattest upon a stately bed and a table prepared before it, upon which thou hast set my incense and my oil.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And satest vpon a costly bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oyle.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and satest upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hadst set mine incense and mine oil.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And thou hast sat on a couch of honour, And a table arrayed before it, And My perfume and My oil placed on it.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And you have sat on a couch of honor, || And a table arrayed before it, || And placed My incense and My oil on it.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And thou didst sit upon a stately bed, with a table spread before it, and my incense and my oil didst thou set upon it.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

There you sat on a beautiful bed and at a table arranged before it where you placed my incense and my oil.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou sattest on a very fine bed, and a table was decked before thee: whereupon thou didst set my incense, and my ointment.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You sat on an expensive couch, with my incense and my oil on a table placed in front of it.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And she took her seat on a great bed, with a table put ready before it on which she put my perfume and my oil.

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.

וְandclauseverbיָשַׁבְתְּ֙you.satprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonnoun phraseמִטָּ֣הa.couchכְבוּדָּ֔הgloriousוְandclausesubjectשֻׁלְחָ֥ןa.tableverbעָר֖וּךְ[was].arrangedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְbeforenoun phraseפָנֶ֑יהָitוּandclausenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseקְטָרְתִּ֥incenseיmyוְandnoun phraseשַׁמְנִ֖oilיmyverbשַׂ֥מְתְּyou.putprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלֶֽיonהָit

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely on this verse, with all words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This indicates a strong consistency in the depiction of the scene.

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

וְיָשַׁבְתְּ֙ עַל־ מִטָּ֣ה כְבוּדָּ֔ה וְשֻׁלְחָ֥ן עָר֖וּךְ לְפָנֶ֑יהָ וּקְטָרְתִּ֥י וְשַׁמְנִ֖י שַׂ֥מְתְּ עָלֶֽיהָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְיָשַׁבְתְּ֙ἐκάθουעַל־ἐπὶמִטָּ֣הκλίνηςכְבוּדָּ֔הἐστρωμένηςוְשֻׁלְחָ֥ןτράπεζαעָר֖וּךְκεκοσμημένηלְפָנֶ֑יהָαὐτῆςוּקְטָרְתִּ֥יμουוְשַׁמְנִ֖יμουשַׂ֥מְתְּεὐφραίνοντοעָלֶֽיהָ׃αὐτοῖς

11 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Ezekiel 23:41יָשַׁבand you satand you satיָשַׁבעַלononעַלמִטָּהa coucha couchמִטָּהכָּבוֹדgloriousgloriousכָּבוֹדשֻׁלְחָןand a tableand a tableשֻׁלְחָןעָרַךְ[was] arran[was] arrangedעָרַךְפָּנֶהbefore itbefore itפָּנֶהקְטֹ֫רֶתand incenseand incense myקְטֹ֫רֶתשֶׁ֫מֶןand oil myand oil myשֶׁ֫מֶןשׂוּםyou putyou putשׂוּםעַלon iton itעַלעַלheightheightעַלנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהשָׁלַחto send: dto send: departשָׁלַחפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהקָטַרto offer: to offer: burnקָטַרשָׁמֵןto grow fato grow fatשָׁמֵןכָּבֵדto honor: to honor: honouכָּבֵדכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַחכְּנַעֲנִיCanaanitesCanaanitessכְּנַעֲנִיחֶ֫דֶרchamberchamberחֶ֫דֶריָנַקto suckleto suckleיָנַקפָּנֶהfacefaceפָּנֶהמַעֲרֶ֫כֶתrowrowמַעֲרֶ֫כֶתשֻׁלְחָןtabletableשֻׁלְחָןקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַר
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 23:41

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 you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
וְיָשַׁבְתְּ֙ve.ya.shavT and you sat H3427 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person feminine singular
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
dwelt, remained
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2fs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person feminine singular
Hc/Vqq2fs
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
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 — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
מִטָּ֣הmi.Tah a couch H4296 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a bed or couch, often used for sleeping or eating. In the Bible, it can also refer to a sofa or a bier for carrying the dead. It is a physical object for rest or relaxation.
Amplified meaning
stately bed, luxurious sofa
Tyndale gloss
bed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִטָּה (mittah) refers to a bed or couch, primarily a place for reclining, sleeping, or eating. It can also denote a bier or litter. The word is derived from a root meaning to extend, indicating its function as a surface for rest.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִטָּה n.f. couch, bed (place of reclining)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4296 מִטָּה couch, bed (place of reclining)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4296 mittah mit-taw'

from 5186; a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by

analogy, a sofa, litter or bier:--bed((-chamber)), bier.

see HEBREW for 05186

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִטָּה (mit.tah) — bed.

couch, bed, bier

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kouch (substantive.).

See BED.

Couch (verb): rabhats, "to crouch," "lurk," as a beast in readiness to spring on its prey. "If thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door" (Ge 4:7, the King James Version "lieth"), waiting for it to open. Cain is warned to beware of the first temptations to evil, in his case especially a sullen and jealous disposition (compare Dante, Inferno, I, 30). See ABEL; CAIN. The tribe of Judah is compared for its bravery to a recumbent lion or lioness (Ge 49:9; compare Nu 24:9 f); and Issachar to "a strong ass, couching down between the sheepfolds" (Ge 49:14, the King James Version "between two burdens"; compare

Couch

(Gen. 49:4; 1 Chr. 5:1; Job 7:13; Ps. 6:6, etc.), a seat for repose or rest. (See BED.)

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[BED]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See BED.

and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
כְבוּדָּ֔הkhe.vu.Dah glorious H3520 N-fs
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means wealth or magnificence, describing something as having great value or importance, like riches or a stately carriage. It is used to convey a sense of abundance or grandeur. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's glory.
Amplified meaning
wealth, magnificence
Tyndale gloss
glorious
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּבוֹד (kabod) is an adjective meaning 'glorious,' while כְּבוּדָּ֯ה (kevodah) is a noun referring to 'abundance' or 'riches.' The word is derived from a root meaning 'weightiness' or 'magnificence.' It appears in contexts related to wealth and glory, including Judges 18:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כָּבוֹד] adj. glorious

base

כְּבוּדָּ֯ה n.f. abundance, riches Ju 18:21.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3520a כָּבוֹד adj. glorious H3520b כְּבוּדָּ֯ה abundance, riches

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3520 kbuwddah keb-ood-daw'

irreg. feminine passive participle of 3513; weightiness, i.e.

magnificence, wealth:--carriage, all glorious, stately.

see HEBREW for 03513

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glorious.

glorious

כְּבוּדָּ֯ה (ke.vud.dah) — riches.

abundance, riches, wealth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — N-fs
HAcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

glo'-ri-us: The adjective "glorious" is used in the majority of cases as the translation of one of the nouns which are fully discussed in the article GLORY, and the general meaning is the same, for the glorious objects or persons have the quality which is described by the word "glory," that is, they are honorable, dignified, powerful, distinguished, splendid, beautiful or radiant. It is worthy of note that in many passages in the New Testament where the King James Version has "glorious," the Revised Version (British and American) has the noun "glory." So among others in Ro 8:21, the King James Version has "glorious liberty," the Revised Version (British and American) "liberty of the glory of the sons of God." The obsolete use of the word glorious in the sense of "boastful," "vain-glorious," "eager for glory," as it is used in…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
וְשֻׁלְחָ֥ןve.shul.Chan and a table H7979 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
71× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A shulchan refers to a table, often used for meals or sacred purposes, like a king's table. It symbolizes a place of community and sharing.
Amplified meaning
place of communion
Tyndale gloss
table
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שֻׁלְחָן (shulchan) means 'table' and is derived from the root meaning to spread out. It can refer to various types of tables, including those used for kings, private use, or sacred purposes. The entries consistently emphasize its primary meaning as a table.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֻׁלְחָן 71 n.m. table

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7979 שֻׁלְחָן table

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7979 shulchan shool-khawn'

from 7971; a table (as spread out); by implication, a

meal:--table.

see HEBREW for 07971

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֻׁלְחָן (shul.chan) — table.

1) table

1a) table

1a1) of king's table, private use, sacred uses

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

"Table" is derived from the Latin tabula, meaning primarily "a board," but with a great variety of other significances, of which "writing-tablet" is the most important for the Biblical use of "table." So in English "table" meant at first "any surface" and, in particular, "a surface for writing," and further specialization was needed before "table" became the name of the familiar article of furniture ("object with a horizontal surface"), a meaning not possessed by tabula in Latin. After this specialization "table" in the sense of "a surface for writing" was replaced in later English by the diminutive form "tablet." But "surface for writing" was still a common meaning of "table," and in this sense it represents luach (Ex 24:12, etc.), a word of uncertain origin, plax, "something flat" (

Of the altar Mal 1:7,12

Of the Lord' s supper 1Co 10:21

Of idolatrous feasts 1Co 10:21

Of charities Ac 6:2

2. Of shewbread

Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) An Article of Furniture

Jud 1:7; 2Sa 9:7; 1Ki 10:5; 18:19; Ne 5:17; Mt 15:27

(2) Of Shewbread, used in the Tabernacle

Ex 25:23; 31:8; 37:10; 40:22; Nu 3:31; 2Ch 13:11; Heb 9:2

--SEE Shewbread, SHEWBREAD

and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
עָר֖וּךְ'a.Rukh [was] arranged H6186 Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular
75× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to value or arrange things in order. It is used in various contexts, like setting up an army for battle or estimating the value of something, as seen in 1 Kings 10.
Tyndale gloss
to arrange
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָרַךְ (arak) means to arrange or set in order, applicable in various contexts such as preparing a table, organizing a battle, or stating a legal case. It can also denote valuing or taxing in the Hiphil form. The word encompasses a wide range of meanings related to order and comparison.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָרַךְ vb. arrange or set in order

Qal

arrange in order, seven altars

set or lay in order, as wood

in common life, arrange a table

arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order

arrange weapons of army in order for battle

arrange words

state in order, set forth a legal case

compare (as result of arranging in order)

intrans. be comparable

base

עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6186a עָרַךְ arrange or set in order .. . arrange in order, seven altars

. set or lay in order, as wood

. in common life, arrange a table

. arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order

. arrange weapons of army in order for battle

. arrange words

. state in order, set forth a legal case

. . compare (as result of arranging in order)

. intrans. be comparable

H6186b עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6186 `arak aw-rak'

a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order

(in a very wide variety of applications):--put (set) (the

battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem,

estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle),

ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax,

value.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to arrange.

1) to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place

1a2) to compare, be comparable

עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to value.

(Hiphil) to value, tax

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular
HVqsmsa
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
לְפָנֶ֑יהָle.fa.Nei.ha before it H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
וּקְטָרְתִּ֥יu.ke.ta.re.Ti and incense my H7004 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
60× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Incense refers to a sweet smoke from burning sacrifices, used in worship and perfume. It symbolizes a pleasing aroma to God, found in Leviticus and other books.
Amplified meaning
sweet smoke, pleasing aroma
Tyndale gloss
incense
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קְטֹ֫רֶת (qtoreth) refers to smoke or the odour of burning sacrifices, specifically incense or perfume. It is derived from the root word for fumigation. The term encompasses the sweet smoke associated with sacrifices and is used in contexts related to offerings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קְטֹ֫רֶת 60 n.f. smoke, odour of (burning) sacrifice, incense

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7004 קְטֹ֫רֶת smoke, odour of (burning) sacrifice, incense

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7004 qtoreth ket-o'-reth

from 6999; a fumigation:--(sweet) incense, perfume.

see HEBREW for 06999

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קְטֹ֫רֶת (qe.to.ret) — incense.

1) incense, smoke, odour of (burning) sacrifice

1a) sweet smoke of sacrifice

1b) incense

1c) perfume

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
וְשַׁמְנִ֖יve.sham.Ni and oil my H8081 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
193× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for oil, often referring to olive oil, which was highly valued in ancient times. It symbolizes richness, anointing, and healing, and is used in various biblical contexts, including rituals and medicinal practices.
Amplified meaning
olive oil
Tyndale gloss
oil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫מֶן (shemen) refers to fat or oil, particularly olive oil, and includes meanings related to richness and anointing. It is derived from the root word for grease and can also metaphorically describe fertile land. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts like medicinal applications and anointing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫מֶן 192 n.m. fat, oil

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8081 שֶׁ֫מֶן fat, oil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8081 shemen sheh'-men

from 8080; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive,

often perfumed); figuratively, richness:--anointing, X fat

(things), X fruitful, oil((-ed)), ointment, olive, + pine.

see HEBREW for 08080

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫מֶן (she.men) — oil.

1) fat, oil

1a) fat, fatness

1b) oil, olive oil

1b1) as staple, medicament or unguent

1b2) for anointing

1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
שַׂ֥מְתְּsamt you put H7760 Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
585× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Amplified meaning
appointed, placed
Tyndale gloss
to set: make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set

Qal

put, set, in a place

put something upon

put, lay, set

put, c. בֵּין

set, direct

set, ordain, in a place

set, establish a law, statute

set, found a nation

set, appoint (as ruler, official)

set, constitute, make

set, determine, fix, bounds

set, station, at a post

put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

set up altars

= plant, wheat

set, fix (countenance)

make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

make, constitute

work, bring to pass

appoint, give

set, fix (countenance)

Hiph. I will make him for a sign

Hoph. there was set before him

base

שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place

. put something upon

. put, lay, set

. put, c. בֵּין

. set, direct

. . set, ordain, in a place

. set, establish a law, statute

. set, found a nation

. set, appoint (as ruler, official)

. set, constitute, make

. set, determine, fix, bounds

. . set, station, at a post

. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

. set up altars

. = plant, wheat

. set, fix (countenance)

. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

. make, constitute

. work, bring to pass

. appoint, give

. set, fix (countenance)

. I will make him for a sign

. there was set before him

H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7760 suwm soom

or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great

variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,

and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a

name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,

convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap

up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),

mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,

purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set

(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,

((over-))turn, X wholly, work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.

: make/establish

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix

1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give

1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign

1c) (Hophal) to be set

שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.

token of unluckiness, scowl

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.

: put/give

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-2fs — Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
HVqp2fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

put (puT; Phoud, in Genesis and Chronicles, variant for Genesis Phout, for Chronicles, Phouth):

1. Renderings:

In consequence of the identification at the time, the prophets have "Libya" (Libues), except Nab 3:9, where the Greek renders the word as phuge, "flight." The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has "Phut," "Phuth," and in the Prophets "Libyes" and "Libya"; the King James Version "Phut."

2. Son of Ham:

In the "Table of Nations" Put is the third son of Ham (Ge 10:6), the first and second being Cush and Misraim, and the fourth Canaan. Put is the only one of the sons of Ham who is not credited with descendants.

3. As Nationality:

In the Prophets, warriors from Put are referred to, principally in connection with the forces of Egypt. They appear as shield-bearers (Jer 46:9

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See PHUT

and you sat on a couch glorious and a table [was] arranged before it and incense my and oil my you put on it
עָלֶֽיהָ׃'a.Lei.ha on it 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)

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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)

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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

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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