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Ezekiel 44:21 — Word Study

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WLCוְיַ֥יִן לֹֽא־ יִשְׁתּ֖וּ כָּל־ כֹּהֵ֑ן בְּבוֹאָ֖ם אֶל־ הֶחָצֵ֥ר הַפְּנִימִֽית׃

BSANolôʼ [none, not any] priestkôhên [one who serves God, a spiritual leader] may drinkshâthâh [consume, ingest] wineyayin [fermented drink, causing intoxication] before he entersbôwʼ [prior to, when entering, comes into, approaches] the innerpᵉnîymîy [interior, internal] courtchâtsêr [a designated sacred area]

Word
Listen & take awayEzekiel 44
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 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 (ha.pe.ni.Mit) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezekiel 44:21quick helps
In a sentenceEzekiel instructs that no priest should consume wine before entering the sacred inner court.
Who is speakingEzekiel, relaying God's commands regarding priestly conduct.
Where we areIn a section detailing the regulations for priests serving in the temple.
The hard wordיַיִן
Take awayPriests must remain sober when approaching sacred duties.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁתָה 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 44:21

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 — Regulations for Priestsgenerated

20They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.
21No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.
22And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest.
23They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.

Ezekiel 44:21 outlines specific guidelines for priests serving in the temple, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and focus during their sacred duties. This directive highlights the seriousness of their role and the need for sobriety as they approach the inner court, a significant area within the temple, where God's presence is believed to dwell. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the conduct expected of priests, including their grooming and marital choices, ensuring they uphold the sanctity of their office.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Leviticus 10:9“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.
2Luke 1:15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
31 Timothy 3:8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
41 Timothy 5:23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
5Titus 1:7–8As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.Leviticus 10:9 Luke 1:15 1 Timothy 3:8 1 Timothy 5:23 Titus 1:7–8

The Key Word יַיִן, ve.Ya.yingenerated

The Hebrew word יַיִן (yayin) refers specifically to fermented wine, known for its intoxicating effects. It is derived from an unused root suggesting effervescence, indicating that it is not merely a drink but one that can lead to drunkenness. In this context, it underscores the need for priests to remain sober while performing their duties.

The prohibition against drinking wine before entering the inner court reflects a broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from worldly distractions. This word appears frequently in the context of feasting and celebration, but here it serves as a clear reminder of the seriousness of the priestly role.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which states, "No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court." The BSB aligns closely with the KJV and ASV, which also emphasize the prohibition of wine for priests.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִשְׁתּ֖וּ (they will drink) governs the sentence, indicating the action that priests are prohibited from taking. The structure includes a noun phrase as the subject, a negation, and a prepositional phrase that specifies the location and context of the action.

The order of the words emphasizes the prohibition, with the negation לֹא (not) placed before the verb to highlight the seriousness of the command.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יַיִן as οἶνον (oinon), which also means 'wine.' This choice maintains the original meaning while fitting the Greek context, emphasizing the same concerns about intoxication and purity.

The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the importance of sobriety for those serving in sacred roles.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezekiel 44:21 states that no priest is allowed to drink wine before entering the inner court. This instruction is part of the guidelines for priests, ensuring they remain sober and focused on their sacred duties.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why must priests avoid drinking wine before entering the inner court?

This prohibition is to ensure that priests maintain a clear mind and are fully focused on their sacred duties, reflecting the seriousness of their role in serving God.

What is the significance of the inner court?

The inner court is a designated sacred area where God's presence is believed to dwell, making it essential for priests to approach with reverence and sobriety.

Are there other instances in the Bible where drinking is prohibited for leaders?

Yes, similar prohibitions are found in Leviticus 10:9 and in the New Testament, where Paul advises leaders to avoid excessive drinking in 1 Timothy 3:8.

What does this verse teach about the conduct of spiritual leaders?

It emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and focus in their duties, ensuring that they are always prepared to serve God and lead others in worship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can ensure I remain focused and clear-minded in my responsibilities?
  2. How does this instruction for priests apply to my own life as a believer?
  3. In what situations do I find it challenging to maintain clarity and focus?
  4. How can I support others in their spiritual journey, ensuring they also remain focused on their commitments?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 44:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Neither shall any priest drink wine,.... That is, to excess, immoderately, so as to be inebriated with it, Leviticus 10:9, should not be given to it, and greedy of it, and drink it so as to disguise

Read John Gill on Ezekiel 44 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 44 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Any priest; any one, on any pretence. Wine, or any other strong intoxicating liquor. When they enter into the inner court; when they go, either to trim the lamps, or set the shew-bread in order, or to offer incense in the temple; or when they go to the altar to offer a sacrifice, which stood in the inner court: this prohibition you have , which see, and it was to prevent all indecencies in the service.

Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 44 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezekiel 44:21 Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.Ver. 21. Neither shall any priest drink wine.] Wherein is excess.

Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 44 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

21. On this prohibition cf. the narrative Leviticus 10:1-9.

Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 44 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

21. This was according to Leviticus 10:9. On ordinary occasions the Jews might drink wine in moderation. The Palestinian wine and the Hebrew temperament differed greatly from the American.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 44 →

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

No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

NETBNew English Translation2006

No priest may drink wine when he enters the inner court.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Neither shall any Priest drinke wine when they enter into the inner court.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Neither shall any priest drink wine when they enter into the inner court.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And no priest doth drink wine in their coming in unto the inner court.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And no priest drinks wine in their coming into the inner court.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And wine shall none of the priests drink when they enter into the inner court.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

No priest may drink wine when he comes to the inner court,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And no priest shall drink wine when he is to go into the inner court.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

No priest shall drink wine before he enters the inner courtyard.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The priests are not to take wine when they go into the inner square.

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.

וְandclauseobjectיַ֥יִןwineadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיִשְׁתּ֖וּthey.will.drinknoun phrase · subjectכָּלanyכֹּהֵ֑ןpriestprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּwhenclauseverbבוֹאָ֖comesubjectםtheyprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלintonoun phraseהֶthenoun phraseחָצֵ֥רcourtyardadjective phraseהַ(the)פְּנִימִֽיתinner

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 in their wording for this verse, with the Septuagint matching the Hebrew closely in meaning and intent. Both texts emphasize the prohibition against priests drinking wine before entering the inner court.

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

וְיַ֥יִן לֹֽא־ יִשְׁתּ֖וּ כָּל־ כֹּהֵ֑ן בְּבוֹאָ֖ם אֶל־ הֶחָצֵ֥ר הַפְּנִימִֽית׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְיַ֥יִןοἶνονלֹֽא־οὐיִשְׁתּ֖וּπίωσινכָּל־πᾶςכֹּהֵ֑ןἱερεὺςבְּבוֹאָ֖םἐνאֶל־εἰςהֶחָצֵ֥רαὐλὴνהַפְּנִימִֽית׃ἐσωτέραν

9 of the 9 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 44:21יַ֫יִןand wineand wineיַ֫יִןלֹאnotnotלֹאשָׁתָהthey will dthey will drinkשָׁתָהכֹּלanyanyכֹּלכֹּהֵןpriestpriestכֹּהֵןבּוֹאwhen come twhen come theyבּוֹאאֶלintointoאֶלחָצֵרthe courtyathe courtyardחָצֵרפְּנִימִיinnerinnerפְּנִימִיכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלחצצרto blowto blowחצצרפָּנֶהfacefaceפָּנֶהשָׁקָהto water: to water: waterשָׁקָהכָּהַןto ministeto ministerכָּהַןשֵׁכָרstrong dristrong drinkשֵׁכָרשָׁתָהto drinkto drinkשָׁתָהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדיַ֫יִןwinewineיַ֫יִןעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהאֶלְעָזָרEleazarEleazarאֶלְעָזָרצָדוֹקZadokZadokצָדוֹקשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫המַטָּרָהguardhouseguardhouseמַטָּרָה
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 44:21

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 wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
וְיַ֥יִןve.Ya.yin and wine H3196 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Amplified meaning
fermented drink, causing intoxication
Tyndale gloss
wine
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַ֫יִן (yayin) means 'wine' and is associated with fermentation and intoxication. It appears in various contexts, including banqueting. The word is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of effervescence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַ֫יִן 141 n.m. wine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3196 יַ֫יִן wine

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3196 yayin yah'-yin

from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as

fermented); by implication, intoxication:--banqueting, wine,

wine(-bibber).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַ֫יִן (ya.yin) — wine.

wine

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wine

The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning “to boil up,” “to be in a ferment.” Others derive it from a root meaning “to tread out,” and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos_, and the Latin _vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.

(1.) Ashishah (2 Sam. 6:19; 1 Chr. 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hos. 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake of raisins.

(2.) ‘Asis, “sweet wine,” or “new wine,” the product of the same year (Cant. 8:2;

The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [VINE] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian paintings, and was carried to the wine-press. It was then placed in the upper one of the two vats or receptacles of which the winepress was formed, and was subjected to the process of "treading," which has prevailed in all ages in Oriental…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The vine being natural to the soil of Canaan and its vicinity, wine was much used as a beverage, especially at festivals, Es 1:7 5:6 Da 5:1-4 Joh 2:3. As one of the staple products of the Holy Land, it was employed for drink-offerings in the temple service, Ex 20:26 Nu 15:4-10; it was included among the "first-fruits," De 18:4, and was used in the celebration of the Passover, and subsequently of the Lord’s supper, Mt 26:27-29. Together with corn and oil it denoted all temporal supplies,

→ Made from grapes Ge 40:11; 49:11; Isa 25:6; Jer 40:1,12

→ From pomegranates So 8:2

→ Kept in jars Jer 13:12; 48:12

→ In skins (R. V.) Jos 9:4,13; Job 32:19; Mt 9:17; Lu 5:37,38

→ In bottles Jos 9:4,13; Job 32:19; Jer 13:12; 48:12;

and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
none, not any
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
יִשְׁתּ֖וּyish.Tu they will drink H8354 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
217× 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 to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Amplified meaning
consume, ingest
Tyndale gloss
to drink
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁתָה (shathah) means 'to drink' and can refer to both literal drinking and figurative uses, such as feasting or experiencing God's wrath. It is a primitive root that appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating actions like drinking and being drunk. The lexicons note its connection to the Aramaic equivalent שְׁתָה (she.tah), but do not present significant disagreements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁתָה 217 vb. drink

Qal 216

Niph. all which is (may be) drunk

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8354 שָׁתָה drink

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8354 shathah shaw-thaw'

a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively):--X

assuredly, banquet, X certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk

(X -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of 8248.)

see HEBREW for 08248

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁתָה (sha.tah) — to drink.

1) to drink

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to drink

1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig)

1a2) to feast

1b) (Niphal) to be drunk

Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See FOOD; DRINK, STRONG.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Drink

The drinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, “strong drink,” and vinegar. Their drinking vessels were the cup, goblet or “basin,” the “cruse” or pitcher, and the saucer.

To drink water by measure (Ezek. 4:11), and to buy water to drink (Lam. 5:4), denote great scarcity. To drink blood means to be satiated with slaughter.

The Jews carefully strained their drinks through a sieve, through fear of violating the law of Lev. 11:20, 23, 41, 42. (See Matt. 23:24. “Strain at” should be “strain out.”)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ INTOXICATING

See ABSTINENCE, TOTAL

→ See DRUNKARD

→ See DRUNKENNESS

→ See WINE

and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
כָּל־kol- any H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
כֹּהֵ֑ןko.Hen priest H3548 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
750× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Amplified meaning
one who serves God, a spiritual leader
Tyndale gloss
priest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3548 כֹּהֵן priest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3548 kohen ko-hane'

active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a

priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a

layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal

officer.

see HEBREW for 03547

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.

1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler

1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)

1b) pagan priests

1c) priests of Jehovah

1d) Levitical priests

1e) Zadokite priests

1f) Aaronic priests

1g) the high priest

Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:

I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE

1. Implies Divine Choice

2. Implies Representation

3. Implies Offering Sacrifice

4. Implies Intercession

II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON

III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER

1. A Strictly Religious Order

2. Priestism Denied

3. The High Priest's Qualifications

4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod

IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)

1. Symbolism of Consecration

2. Type and Archetype

LITERATURE

A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Priest

The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.

At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).

The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…

and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
בְּבוֹאָ֖םbe.vo.'Am when come they H935 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Amplified meaning
prior to, when entering, comes into, approaches
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vqcc/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
אֶל־'el- into H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
הֶחָצֵ֥רhe.cha.Tzer the courtyard H2691 Particle · 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
a designated sacred area
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
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absolute
HTd/Ncbsa
and wine not they will drink any priest when come they into the courtyard inner
הַפְּנִימִֽית׃ha.pe.ni.Mit inner H6442 Particle
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes something as inner or interior, like the inner part of a person or a building. It is used in Psalm 51:17 to describe a broken spirit.
Amplified meaning
interior, internal
Tyndale gloss
inner
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פְּנִימִי (pniymiy) means 'inner' or 'interior.' It is derived from the root word פָּנָה (panah), which relates to being within or inward. The term is used to describe something that is located inside or inwardly directed.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּנִימִי 32 adj. inner

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6442 פְּנִימִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6442 pniymiy pen-ee-mee'

from 6440; interior:--(with-)in(-ner, - ward).

see HEBREW for 06440

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פְּנִימִי (pe.ni.mi) — inner.

inner

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aafsa
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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