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Ezekiel 40:20 — Word Study

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WLCוְהַשַּׁ֗עַר אֲשֶׁ֤ר פָּנָיו֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַצָּפ֔וֹן לֶחָצֵ֖ר הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֑ה מָדַ֥ד אָרְכּ֖וֹ וְרָחְבּֽוֹ׃

BSAHe also measuredmâdad [took the dimensions of, to see how wide and how long] the lengthʼôrek [physical distance, extent] and widthrôchab [breadth, spaciousness] of the gatewayshaʻar [entryway, door] of the outerchîytsôwn [external, secular] courtchâtsêr [open space, village] facingpânîym [whose prospect is toward, looking towards] northtsâphôwn [the northern direction, Zaphon]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 40
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 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 (ve.ra.che.Bo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 40:20quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel describes the measurements of the gateway of the outer court that faces north.
Who is speakingEzekiel, the prophet, is recording the measurements as instructed.
Where we areThis verse is part of a detailed vision of the temple's layout.
The hard wordשַׁעַר
Take awayThe specific dimensions of the gateway are noted for clarity.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Cambridge & more — read them › clause verbמָדַד 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 40:20

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 Measurements of the Outer Courtgenerated

19Then he measured the distance from the front of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits on the east side as well as on the north.
20He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north.
21Its three gate chambers on each side, its side pillars, and its portico all had the same measurements as the first gate: fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.
22Its windows, portico, and palm trees had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.

Ezekiel 40:20 is part of a larger vision where Ezekiel details the measurements of the temple and its surroundings. This meticulous account serves to establish the dimensions and layout of sacred spaces, reflecting their importance in worship and community life. The measurements provide a blueprint for understanding the temple's structure, emphasizing the divine order in the design of holy places.


Cross References


The Key Word שַׁעַר, ve.ha.Sha.'argenerated

The word שַׁ֫עַר (sha'ar) means 'gate' and refers to an entryway or door. It can symbolize an important location, such as city entrances or temple doors, and is often associated with significant events or gatherings.

In this verse, it describes the gateway of the outer court, indicating a threshold that separates the sacred from the secular. The parsing as a noun in the singular form highlights its specific reference to this particular gate.


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 finite verb governing the verse is מָדַד, he measured, which leads the sentence. The structure includes noun phrases detailing the subject and the dimensions being measured, along with a prepositional phrase that specifies the direction.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the action of measuring first, followed by the specific details of what is being measured, which is typical in ancient Hebrew prose.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שַׁעַר as πύλη (pulē), meaning 'gate' or 'entrance.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may also reflect a broader understanding of the gate's function in the context of the temple.

This translation indicates a continuity in the concept of a gate as a significant entry point, maintaining the focus on its role in sacred architecture.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 40:20 describes how Ezekiel measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court that faces north. This measurement is part of a detailed vision of the temple's layout, emphasizing the importance of precise dimensions in sacred spaces.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of measuring the gateway?

Measuring the gateway highlights the importance of precise dimensions in the design of the temple, reflecting divine order and the significance of sacred spaces.

Why does Ezekiel specify the direction as north?

The north direction may have symbolic significance in the context of the temple's layout and orientation, often associated with certain spiritual meanings in the ancient Near Eastern culture.

How does this measurement relate to the overall vision of the temple?

This measurement is part of a comprehensive vision that details the structure and dimensions of the temple, serving as a guide for its construction and worship practices.

What role do gateways play in biblical architecture?

Gateways often symbolize transitions between different spaces, such as the sacred and secular, and are crucial in the context of community gatherings and worship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does understanding the measurements of the temple enhance our appreciation of its significance?
  2. What might the direction of the gateway indicate about its use or purpose?
  3. In what ways do physical structures in our lives serve as gateways to spiritual experiences?
  4. How can we apply the principles of order and structure found in this passage to our own lives?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss the significance of sacred architecture and the importance of discernment in interpreting scripture.

JeromeVerse 20, 21. c. 347–420
He also measured the gate of the outer court that faced north, both in length and width. It had three rooms on each side, and its front and vestibule were the same size as those of the gate that faced east.
Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 40 →
Gregory the DialogistHomilies on Ezekiel, Book 2, Homily 7 c. 540–604
Readers must exercise great discernment, so that when any single word is used in sacred Scripture, it is not believed to always signify one and the same thing—just as sometimes "sun" is taken in a good sense, and sometimes in a bad sense.
Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 40 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 40:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north,.... Or the north gate of this building: having finished the dimensions of the eastern gate, those of the north gate are taken: he

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 40 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. The different approaches corresponded in plan.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 40 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Now is this measurer giving account of the north gate of this outward court, in which is a most exact harmony with the measures, fashion, and ornaments of the east gate, so that nothing needs be here repeated; who would know all particulars of this gate may find them in the east gate.

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 40 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20. The dimensions of the N. gate were as those of the E. gate.

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 40 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The gates both of the outer and of the inner court. Compare Plan II.

Read Albert Barnes on Ezekiel 40 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

20. The northern and southern gates are here seen to correspond exactly in dimensions, surroundings, and distance from the gate of the inner court, with the eastern or main entrance, which has been previously described.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 40 →

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

He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He measured the length and width of the gate of the outer court which faces toward the north.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He measured the length and width of the gate of the outer court which faces north.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the gate of the outer court whose prospect is toward the north, he measured the length thereof and the breadth thereof.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the gate of the outer court whose prospect is toward the north, he measured the length thereof and the breadth thereof.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the gate of the outward court that looked towards the north, he measured its length, and its breadth.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the gate of the outwarde court, that looked toward the North, measured he after the length and breadth thereof.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the gate of the outer court, that looked toward the north, he measured its length and its breadth.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

As to the gate of the outer court whose front [is] northward, he hath measured its length and its breadth;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

As for the gate of the outer court whose front [is] northward, he has measured its length and its breadth;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the gate of the outer court that looked in a northern direction, he measured after its length, and its breadth.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then he measured the length and width of the gate that was at the north of the outer court.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He measured also both the length and the breadth of the gate of the outward court, which looked northward.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer courtyard that faced north.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And there was a doorway to the outer square, looking to the north; and he took the measure of it to see how wide and how long it was.

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.

וְandclauseclausenoun phraseהַthenoun phrasenoun phraseשַּׁ֗עַרgaterelpאֲשֶׁ֤רwhichclausenoun phrase · subjectפָּנָיfrontו֙itsnoun phrase · predicateדֶּ֣רֶךְ[was].the.directionnoun phraseהַofצָּפ֔וֹןthe.northprepositional phraseלֶofnoun phrasethenoun phraseחָצֵ֖רcourtyardadjective phraseהַ(the)חִֽיצוֹנָ֑הouterclauseverbמָדַ֥דhe.measurednoun phrase · objectnoun phraseאָרְכּ֖lengthוֹitsוְandnoun phraseרָחְבּֽbreadthוֹits

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 largely agree in their wording for this verse, with eight of the ten words matching. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it retains the essential meaning of the original Hebrew.

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

וְהַשַּׁ֗עַר אֲשֶׁ֤ר פָּנָיו֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַצָּפ֔וֹן לֶחָצֵ֖ר הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֑ה מָדַ֥ד אָרְכּ֖וֹ וְרָחְבּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהַשַּׁ֗עַרπύληפָּנָיו֙βλέπουσαדֶּ֣רֶךְπρὸςהַצָּפ֔וֹןβορρᾶνלֶחָצֵ֖רαὐλῇהַחִֽיצוֹנָ֑הἐχωτέρᾳאָרְכּ֖וֹμῆκοςוְרָחְבּֽוֹ׃πλάτος

8 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Ezekiel 40:20שַׁ֫עַרand the gatand the gateשַׁ֫עַראֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרפָּנֶהface itsface itsפָּנֶהדֶּ֫רֶךְ[was] [the][was] [the] dirדֶּ֫רֶךְצָפוֹןthe norththe northצָפוֹןחָצֵרof the courof the courtyarחָצֵרחִיצוֹןouterouterחִיצוֹןמָדַדhe measuredhe measuredמָדַדאֹ֫רֶךְlength itslength itsאֹ֫רֶךְרֹ֫חַבand breadthand breadth itsרֹ֫חַבפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהשָׁעַרto calculato calculateשָׁעַרדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְצָפַןto treasurto treasureצָפַןחצצרto blowto blowחצצרחַ֫יִץwallwallחַ֫יִץאָרַךְto prolongto prolongאָרַךְרָחַבto enlargeto enlargeרָחַבאַמָּהcubitcubitאַמָּהמָדַדto measureto measureמָדַדפֶּ֫תַחentranceentranceפֶּ֫תַחצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןמִזְרָחeasteastמִזְרָחפֵּאָהsidesideפֵּאָהמַטָּרָהguardhouseguardhouseמַטָּרָה
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 40:20

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 the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
וְהַשַּׁ֗עַרve.ha.Sha.'ar and the gate H8179 Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
374× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
entryway, door
Tyndale gloss
gate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁ֫עַר (sha'ar) means 'gate' and is derived from a root that signifies an opening. It encompasses various types of gates, including those of cities, palaces, and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like 'gate of heaven.' The entries consistently highlight its role as an entrance or threshold.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁ֫עַר 373 n.m. gate

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8179 שַׁ֫עַר gate

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8179 sha`ar shah'-ar

from 8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or

gate:--city, door, gate, port (X -er).

see HEBREW for 08176

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate.

: gate

1) gate

1a) gate (of entrance)

1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)

1b1) city, town

1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)

1d) heaven

שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate: town.

: town

1) gate

1a) gate (of entrance)

1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)

1b1) city, town

1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)

1d) heaven

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

gat (Hebrew normally (over 300 times) sha`ar; occasionally deleth, properly, "gateway" (but compare De 3:5); elsewhere the gateway is pethach (compare especially Ge 19:6); Aramaic tera`; Greek pulon, pule; the English Revised Version and the King James Version add caph, "threshold," in 1Ch 9:19,22; and the King James Version adds delathayim, "double-door," in Isa 45:1; thura, "door," Ac 3:2):

(1) The usual gateway was provided with double doors, swung on projections that fitted into sockets in the sill and lintel. Ordinarily the material was wood (Ne 2:3,17), but greater…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gate

(1.) Of cities, as of Jerusalem (Jer. 37:13; Neh. 1:3; 2:3; 3:3), of Sodom (Gen. 19:1), of Gaza (Judg. 16:3).

(2.) Of royal palaces (Neh. 2:8).

(3.) Of the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:34, 35; 2 Kings 18:16); of the holy place (1 Kings 6:31, 32; Ezek. 41:23, 24); of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate (Acts 3:2).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The gate and gateways of eastern cities anciently held and still hold an important part, not only in the defence but in the public economy of the place. They are thus sometimes taken as representing the city itself. (Genesis 22:17; 24:60; 12:12; Judges 5:8; Ruth 4:10; Psalms 87:2; 122:2) Among the special purposes for which they were used may be mentioned. As places of public resort. (Genesis 19:1; 23:10; 34:20; 24; 1 Samuel 4:18) etc. Places for public deliberation, administration of Justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors. (16:18; 21:19; 25:7;

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The gates of eastern walled towns were usually of wood, Jud 16:3, often covered with thick plates of iron or copper, Ps 107:16 Isa 45:2 Ac 12:10, secured by bolts and bars, De 3:5 1Ki 4:13, and flanked by towers, 2Sa 18:24,33. A city was usually regarded as taken when its gates were won, De 28:52 Jud 5:8. Hence "gate" sometimes signifies power, dominion; almost in the same sense as the Turkish sultan’s…

and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.Sher which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTr — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
פָּנָיו֙pa.Nav face its H6440 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.
Amplified meaning
whose prospect is toward, looking towards
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
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
דֶּ֣רֶךְDe.rekh [was] [the] direction of H1870 Noun common · both singular construct
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcbsc — Noun common · both singular construct
HNcbsc
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 the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
הַצָּפ֔וֹןha.tza.Fon the north H6828 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
153× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Amplified meaning
the northern direction, Zaphon
Tyndale gloss
Zaphon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָפוֹן (tsaphown) means 'north' and is derived from a root meaning 'hidden' or 'dark.' It is used specifically to refer to the northern direction, often associated with gloominess and the unknown. The term also appears in the context of a name, 'Zaphon,' which similarly denotes the north.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָפוֹן 153 n.f. north (as the hidden, dark)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6828 צָפוֹן north

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6828 tsaphown tsaw-fone'

or tsaphon {tsaw-fone'}; from 6845; properly, hidden, i.e.

dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and

unknown):--north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).

see HEBREW for 06845

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — north.

1) north (of direction), northward

1a) north

1b) northward

צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — Zaphon.

This name means north

Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See EAST. The Babylonians and Assyrians are represented as coming from "the north," because they invaded Israel by a northern route in order to avoid the desert, Jer 1:14 46:6,24 Zep 2:13. "Fair weather," says Job, or golden weather, "cometh out of the north," Job 37:22. This is as true in Syria and Arabia now as it was three thousand years ago. A traveler there remarks, "Our friends, who have been long residents, informed us that we should have fair weather for our start on the morrow, as the wind was from the north."

"... And so we have found it come to pass that the clouds of a golden hue always followed upon a north wind, and indicated a clear day; and as in the times of the Savior, we could always say when it was evening…

Thompson Chain Reference topics
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
לֶחָצֵ֖רle.cha.Tzer of the courtyard H2691 Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
191× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A village in the Bible is a small settlement surrounded by walls. In Matthew 21:2, Jesus sends his disciples to a village to find a donkey, while in Mark 6:6, Jesus travels from village to village teaching.
Amplified meaning
open space, village
Tyndale gloss
court
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָצֵר (chatser) refers to an enclosure or court, and can also mean a settled abode, settlement, or village, typically appearing in the plural form חֲצֵרִים. The word is derived from a root meaning to enclose, indicating spaces that are surrounded by walls or fences.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָצֵר 145 n.m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court

base

[חָצֵר] 46 n.m. settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2691a חָצֵר n. m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court H2691b חָצֵר settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2691 chatser khaw-tsare'

(masculine and feminine); from 2690 in its original sense; a

yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly

surrounded with walls):--court, tower, village.

see HEBREW for 02690

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָצֵר (cha.tser) — court.

1) court, enclosure

1a) enclosures

1b) court

חָצֵר (cha.tser) — village.

settled abode, settlement, village, town

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
HRd/Ncbsa
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֑הha.chi.tzo.Nah outer H2435 Particle
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means outer or external, describing something outside or secular. It is used in Ezekiel 40:5 to describe the outer wall of a building.
Amplified meaning
external, secular
Tyndale gloss
outer
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חִיצוֹן (chiytsown) refers to something that is outer or external, derived from the root word for 'wall side.' It covers meanings related to the exterior or outward aspects, often in a secular context as opposed to sacred. The entries consistently emphasize its use in describing outer or external qualities.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חִיצוֹן adj. outer, external

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2435 חִיצוֹן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2435 chiytsown khee-tsone'

from 2434; properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior;

figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred):--outer, outward,

utter, without.

see HEBREW for 02434

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חִיצוֹן (chi.tson) — outer.

outer, external, outward

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aafsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

out'-er: This adjective is used 12 times by Ezekiel of the outside court of the temple. In Matthew we find it 3 times (8:12; 22:13; 25:30) in "outer darkness" (to skotos to exoteron), which typifies the utter darkness of the doom of the lost.

and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
מָדַ֥דma.Dad he measured H4058 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
51× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To measure means to stretch or extend something, like a line or a boundary. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's measurements for the tabernacle and temple. It can also mean to assess or evaluate something.
Amplified meaning
took the dimensions of, to see how wide and how long
Tyndale gloss
to measure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָדַד (madad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to measure or stretch. It encompasses various forms, including measuring length or distance, extending, and being measured. The word appears in different contexts, such as dry measures and figurative uses related to waters and requital. Notably, it can also refer to the act of extending oneself, as seen in its usage in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָדַד 53 vb. measure

Qal

measure of length, distance

of dry measure

fig. of measuring waters; of requital

Niph. be measured

Pi.

extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)

measure, measure off

Po. measured

Hithpo. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4058 מָדַד measure .. measure of length, distance

. of dry measure

. fig. of measuring waters; of requital

. be measured

. . extend, continue (= make extent or continuation)

. measure, measure off

. measured

. measured (= extended, stretched) himself upon the boy

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4058 madad maw-dad'

a primitive root: properly, to stretch; by implication, to

measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be

extended:--measure, mete, stretch self.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָדַד (ma.dad) — to measure.

1) to measure, stretch

1a) (Qal) to measure

1b) (Niphal) to be measured

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to extend, continue

1c2) to measure, measure off

1d) (Po) measured

1e) (Hithpolel) to extend oneself, stretch oneself

Also means: mid.dad (מָדַד "to extend" H4059)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
אָרְכּ֖וֹ'a.re.Ko length its H753 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.
Amplified meaning
physical distance, extent
Tyndale gloss
length
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֹ֫רֶךְ (orek) means 'length' and can refer to physical length or duration of time. It also encompasses concepts of forbearance and self-restraint, particularly in the context of patience. The word is derived from a root associated with the idea of length, as noted in Strong's entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫רֶךְ 94 n.[m.] length

length

of time

forbearance, self-restraint

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H753 אֹ֫רֶךְ length

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

753 'orek o'rek'

from 748; length:--+ forever, length, long.

see HEBREW for 0748

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫רֶךְ (o.rekh) — length.

1) length

1a) physical length

1b) of time

2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
and the gate which face its [was] [the] direction of the north of the courtyard outer he measured length its and breadth its
וְרָחְבּֽוֹ׃ve.ra.che.Bo and breadth its H7341 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
101× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means width or breadth, used to describe physical size or space. It appears in the Bible to describe the width of the earth or a room. In the KJV, it is translated as breadth or broad.
Amplified meaning
breadth, spaciousness
Tyndale gloss
width
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֹ֫חַב (rochab) refers to width or breadth, encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It is derived from the root word meaning to be wide. The term appears in various contexts, indicating expanse or largeness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֹ֫חַב 101 n.[m.] breadth, width

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7341 רֹ֫חַב breadth, width

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7341 rochab ro'-khab

from 7337; width (literally or figuratively):--breadth,

broad, largeness, thickness, wideness.

see HEBREW for 07337

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֹ֫חַב (ro.chav) — width.

breadth, width, expanse

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
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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