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Ezra 2:63 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙ לָהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ יֹאכְל֖וּ מִקֹּ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד כֹּהֵ֖ן לְאוּרִ֥ים וּלְתֻמִּֽים׃

BSAThe governorTirshâthâʼ [Tirshatha, a high-ranking official] orderedʼâmar notlôʼ to eatʼâkal [or partake of] the most holy thingsqôdesh [sacred offerings, set-apart gifts] untilʻad there was a priestkôhên [a spiritual leader, one who serves God] to consult the UrimʼÛwrîym [to inquire of, to seek guidance from, stones of light, used for divine decision] and ThummimTummîym [used for divine guidance]

Word
Listen & take awayEzra 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 63 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 (u.le.tu.Mim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ezra 2:63quick helps
In a sentenceThe governor commands that they refrain from eating the most sacred offerings until a priest is available to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Who is speakingThe governor, referred to as הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙, ha.tir.Sha.ta'.
Where we areIn the context of returning to Jerusalem, establishing order among the people, and ensuring proper worship.
The hard wordעַ֛ד, 'ad
Take awayThe sacred offerings are not to be consumed without proper priestly oversight.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectכֹּהֵן verbאָמַר 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 — Ezra 2:63

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 Sacred Offeringsgenerated

62These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
63The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
64The whole assembly numbered 42,360,
65in addition to their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 200 male and female singers.

Ezra 2:63 describes the governor's directive regarding the consumption of the most holy things, emphasizing the necessity of a priest to guide the people in their worship practices. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining holiness and proper order in the community’s religious life, especially after returning from exile.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Nehemiah 7:65The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
2Nehemiah 8:9Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.
3Nehemiah 10:1Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah,
4Leviticus 2:3–10The remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD.
5Leviticus 6:17–29It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.

The Key Word עַ֛ד, 'adgenerated

The Hebrew word עַד ('ad) means 'until' and indicates a point in time or condition that must be met. It is often used to set boundaries or limits, as seen in various contexts throughout the Bible.

In this verse, עַד establishes the condition that the people cannot eat the holy things until a priest is present, underscoring the importance of priestly authority in matters of sacredness.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase not to eat the most holy things.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is וַיֹּ֤אמֶר, vai.Yo.mer, and he said, which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a subject (the governor), a negation, and a series of phrases detailing what is not to be done and under what condition.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the governor's command, highlighting the authority behind the instruction regarding the sacred offerings.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיֹּ֤אמֶר as εἶπεν, eipen, which means 'he said.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the command.

The term for 'until' in the Septuagint is ἕως, heōs, which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the conditional aspect of the command.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ezra 2:63 tells us that the governor instructed the people not to eat the most sacred offerings until there was a priest available to consult the Urim and Thummim. This highlights the importance of having proper guidance in religious practices.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the governor's command signify?

The command signifies the importance of maintaining holiness and order in worship, ensuring that sacred offerings are treated with the utmost respect.

Why are the Urim and Thummim mentioned?

The Urim and Thummim were used by the high priest to discern God's will, and their mention underscores the need for divine guidance in making decisions.

What role does the priest play in this context?

The priest serves as a spiritual leader who mediates between God and the people, ensuring that worship practices are conducted correctly.

What is the significance of the term 'most holy things'?

The term refers to offerings that are set apart for God, indicating their sacred nature and the need for proper handling.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can understanding the role of the priest enhance our view of worship today?
  2. What does it mean to treat sacred things with respect in our own lives?
  3. In what ways do we seek guidance from God in our decisions?
  4. How can we ensure that we are following proper practices in our spiritual lives?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ezra 2:63 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the Tirshatha said unto them,.... By whom Jarchi understands Nehemiah, and observes, that their rabbins say he was so called, because the wise men allowed him to drink the wine of the Gentiles,

Read John Gill on Ezra 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ezra 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The Tirshatha, i.e. the governor, to wit, Zerubbabel; whence Nehemiah also is so called, 10:1. Till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim; that this point, which could not be found out by any human skill or industry, might be determined by Divine direction. Hereby it appears that the Urim and Thummim were lost in the destruction of the city and temple, though the Jews fed themselves with hopes of recovering them, but in vain. Of the Urim and Thummim, see .

Read Matthew Poole on Ezra 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ezra 2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.Ver. 63. And the Tirshatha said unto them] i.e. Zerubbabel, the chief magistrate, a man of great power and no less courage, who would not be guilty of passive injustice. That they should not eat of the most holy things] Make a gain of the priesthood, which they had slighted when nothing was to be obtained by it. Now they should neither do the work nor have the means. Caietan commenting upon Matthew, then when the French soldiers brake into Rome, and made a scorn and prey of the Popish clergy, acknowledged that it was a just hand of God upon…

Read John Trapp on Ezra 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(63) Tirshatha.—Interchangeable with Pechah, or governor, as Zerubbabel is called in chapter 5:14 and always in Haggai. It is probably an old Persian term, signifying “The Feared.” With Urim and with Thummim.—See Exodus 28:30. They were pronounced to be excluded from priestly functions. Without ark or temple, the people had not as yet that special presence of Jehovah before which the high priest could “inquire of the Lord by Urim and Thummim.” Zerubbabel might hope that this privilege would return, and thought the official purity of the priestly line of sufficient importance for such an inquiry. But the holy of holies in the new temple never had in it the ancient “tokens “; and by Urim and…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezra 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 63. The Tirshatha] This is generally supposed to be Nehemiah, or the person who was the commandant; see Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 10:1, for the word appears to be the name of an office. The Vulgate and Septuagint write it Atershatha, the Syriac and Arabic render it the princes of Judah. Some suppose the word to be Persian, but nothing like it of the same import occurs in that language at present. If, as Castel supposed, it signifies austerity, or that fear which is unpressed by the authority of a governor, it may come from [Persian] ters, FEAR, or [Persian] tersh, ACID, the former from [Persian] tarsidan, to FEAR or DREAD. Should not eat of the most holy things] There was a high priest…

Read AdamClarke on Ezra 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

63. the Tirshatha] This title is here and in Nehemiah 7:65; Nehemiah 7:70 apparently applied to Zerubbabel: Haggai his contemporary calls him ‘Pekhah’ (= Governor), see Haggai 1:1; Haggai 1:14; Haggai 2:2; Haggai 2:21. In the same way Nehemiah, who is called the Tirshatha, Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 10:1, is also spoken of as ‘Pekhah’ in Nehemiah 12:26. ‘Pekhah’ was the Babylonian, ‘Tirshatha’ the Persian title for a local or provincial governor. The governors were subject to the satraps, the satraps were responsible to the king. The word ‘Tirshatha’ is said to be the same as the Persian ‘tarsβta’, from ‘tars’ to fear, and to denote complimentarily the awe which the office inspired. That the…

Read Cambridge on Ezra 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Tirshatha - i. e., Zerubbabel. See margin. The word is probably old Persian, though it does not occur in the cuneiform inscriptions. Some derive it from a root “to fear.” See the introduction to the Book of Ezra, first note.

Read Albert Barnes on Ezra 2 →

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

The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the Tirshatha said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Tirshatha saide vnto them, that they should not eate of the most holy thing, tell there rose vp a Priest with Vrim and Thummim.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the Tirshatha said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and the Tirshatha saith to them, that they eat not of the most holy things till the standing up of a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and the Tirshatha says to them that they do not eat of the most holy things until the standing up of a priest with [the] Lights and with [the] Perfections.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the Thirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there should stand up a priest with the Urim and Thummim.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

So the governor told them they must not eat any of the holy sacrifices until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holy of holies, till there arose a priest learned and perfect.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The governor instructed them not to eat anything from the sanctuary sacrifices until a priest could ask the Lord about the issue by using the Urim and Thummim.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the Tirshatha said that they were not to have the most holy things for their food, till a priest came to give decision by Urim and Thummim.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֤אמֶרhe.saidnoun phrase · subjectהַtheתִּרְשָׁ֨תָא֙governorprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָtoהֶ֔םthemclause · objectrelpאֲשֶׁ֥ר(cmp)clauseadverbialלֹאnotverbיֹאכְל֖וּthey.will.eatprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִanynoun phraseקֹּ֣דֶשׁof.the.holy.thingnoun phraseהַofקֳּדָשִׁ֑יםthe.holy.thingsprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֛דuntilclauseverbעֲמֹ֥דwill.arisesubjectכֹּהֵ֖ןa.priestprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseלְtoאוּרִ֥יםUrimוּandprepositional phraseלְtoתֻמִּֽיםThummim

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, with the Septuagint providing a direct correspondence to the Hebrew text. Both versions emphasize the prohibition against eating the holy things until a priest is available.

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

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙ לָהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ יֹאכְל֖וּ מִקֹּ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד כֹּהֵ֖ן לְאוּרִ֥ים וּלְתֻמִּֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרεἶπενהַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙αθερσαθαלָהֶ֔םαὐτοῖςאֲשֶׁ֥רτοῦלֹא־μὴיֹאכְל֖וּφαγεῖνמִקֹּ֣דֶשׁἁγίουהַקֳּדָשִׁ֑יםἁγίωνעַ֛דἕωςעֲמֹ֥דἀναστῇכֹּהֵ֖ןἱερεὺςלְאוּרִ֥יםφωτίζουσινוּלְתֻמִּֽים׃τελείοις

13 of the 13 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.

Ezra 2:63אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַרתִּרְשָׁתָאthe governothe governorתִּרְשָׁתָאהֶםto themto themהֶםאֲשֶׁרthatthatאֲשֶׁרלֹאnotnotלֹאאָכַלthey will ethey will eatאָכַלקֹ֫דֶשׁany of [theany of [the] hoקֹ֫דֶשׁקֹ֫דֶשׁthe holy ththe holy thingsקֹ֫דֶשׁעַדuntiluntilעַדעָמַדwill arisewill ariseעָמַדכֹּהֵןa priesta priestכֹּהֵןאוּרִיםto Urimto Urimאוּרִיםתֹּםand to Thumand to Thummimתֹּםקָדַשׁto consecrto consecrate: קָדַשׁעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדכָּהַןto ministeto ministerכָּהַןאוּרflameflameאוּרתֹּםintegrityintegrityתֹּםמִקְרָאassemblyassemblyמִקְרָאשֶׁ֫קֶלshekelshekelשֶׁ֫קֶלכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהנְחֶמְיָהNehemiahNehemiahנְחֶמְיָהאָכַלto eatto eatאָכַלצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדשָׁתָהto drinkto drinkשָׁתָהלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶםמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶב
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 Ezra 2:63

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 he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙ha.tir.Sha.ta' the governor H8660 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tirshatha was a title used by Persian governors in Judea, like Nehemiah. It refers to a high-ranking official. This title appears in the book of Nehemiah.
Amplified meaning
Tirshatha, a high-ranking official
Tyndale gloss
governor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תִּרְשָׁתָא (Tirshatha) refers to a title for a Persian governor in Judea, specifically used by Nehemiah. The term is derived from foreign origins and is consistently defined across entries as a designation for a deputy or governor.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תִּרְשָׁתָא n.m. Tirshathâ, title of Persian governor in Judaea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8660 תִּרְשָׁתָא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8660 Tirshatha' teer-shaw-thaw'

of foreign derivation; the title of a Persian deputy or

governor:--Tirshatha.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תִּרְשָׁתָא (tir.sha.ta) — governor.

1) Tirshatha-governor

1a) a title used by the Persian governor in Judea

1a1) Nehemiah used this title

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

guv'-er-ner: The word "governor" is employed in English Versions of the Bible in rendering a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. In certain cases strict consistency is neither observed nor possible.

1. In the Old Testament:

In the rendering of Hebrew terms account has naturally been taken of the translations offered in Septuagint, which, being the work of different hands, is both uneven in quality and inconsistent. But there are inherent difficulties which can never be entirely overcome. First and most important, there is the difficulty arising from our ignorance of many details of the government of the oriental nations to which the terms apply. Hardly less is the embarrassment occasioned by the vague employment of words in indiscriminate reference to persons of superior rank and somehow exercising authority. There is consequently much confusion in the use of titles such as "deputy,"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Governor

(1.) Heb. nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chr. 28:7; comp. 1 Kings 4:6), chief of the temple (1 Chr. 9:11; Jer. 20:1), the leader of the Aaronites (1 Chr. 12:27), keeper of the sacred treasury (26:24), captain of the army (13:1), the king (1 Sam. 9:16), the Messiah (Dan. 9:25).

(2.) Heb. nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Num. 3:24, 30, 32, 35); also of tribes (2:3…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the Authorized Version this one English word is the representative of no less than ten Hebrew and four Greek words. The chief of a tribe or family. A ruler in his capacity of lawgiver and dispenser of justice. A ruler consider especially as having power over the property and persons of his subjects. (Genesis 24:2; Joshua 12:2; Psalms 100:20) The "governors of the people," in (2 Chronicles 23:20) appear to have been the king’s body-guard; cf. (2 Kings 11:19) A prominent personage, whatever his capacity. It is applied to a king as the military and civil chief of his people, (

and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
לָהֶ֔םla.Hem to them H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher that 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 he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
לֹא־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.
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 he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
יֹאכְל֖וּyo.khe.Lu they will eat H398 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
810× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Amplified meaning
or partake of
Tyndale gloss
to eat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָכַל 806 vb. eat

Qal

eat, human subject

of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

fig. of fire, devour, consume

of sword, devour, slay

in genl., devour, consume, destroy

fig. of oppression, devour the poor

Niph.

be eaten by man

be devoured by fire, consumed

be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

Pu. be consumed

Hiph.

cause to eat, feed with

cause to devoure, obj. sword

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject

. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

. fig. of fire, devour, consume

. of sword, devour, slay

. in genl., devour, consume, destroy

. fig. of oppression, devour the poor

. . be eaten by man

. be devoured by fire, consumed

. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

. be consumed

. . cause to eat, feed with

. cause to devoure, obj. sword

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

398 'akal aw-kal'

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

all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),

feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)

meat, X quite.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.

1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to eat (human subject)

1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)

1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)

1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)

1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)

1a6) to devour (of oppression)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be eaten (by men)

1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)

1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to cause to eat, feed with

1c2) to cause to devour

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to feed

1d2) to cause to eat

1e) (Piel)

1e1) consume

Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
מִקֹּ֣דֶשׁmi.Ko.desh any of [the] holy thing of H6944 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Amplified meaning
sacred offerings, set-apart gifts
Tyndale gloss
Holy Place
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) refers to the concepts of apartness, sacredness, and holiness. It can denote a sacred place or thing, such as the Most Holy Place or a sanctuary. The term emphasizes the idea of being set apart, whether in relation to God, places, or objects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6944 קֹ֫דֶשׁ apartness, sacredness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6944 qodesh ko'-desh

from 6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract,

sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed

(thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing),

saint, sanctuary.

see HEBREW for 06942

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — holiness.

1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness

1a1) of God

1a2) of places

1a3) of things

1b) set-apartness, separateness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Most Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Most Holy Place" G0039H)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — (Way of) Holiness.

Combined with de.rekh (דֶּ֫רֶךְ "Way" H1870H)

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑יםha.ko.da.Shim the holy things H6944 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Tyndale gloss
Holy Place
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) refers to the concepts of apartness, sacredness, and holiness. It can denote a sacred place or thing, such as the Most Holy Place or a sanctuary. The term emphasizes the idea of being set apart, whether in relation to God, places, or objects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6944 קֹ֫דֶשׁ apartness, sacredness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6944 qodesh ko'-desh

from 6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract,

sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed

(thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing),

saint, sanctuary.

see HEBREW for 06942

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — holiness.

1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness

1a1) of God

1a2) of places

1a3) of things

1b) set-apartness, separateness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Most Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Most Holy Place" G0039H)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — (Way of) Holiness.

Combined with de.rekh (דֶּ֫רֶךְ "Way" H1870H)

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncmpa — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
עַ֛ד'ad until H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
עֲמֹ֥ד'a.Mod will arise H5975 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
521× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Tyndale gloss
to stand: stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָמַד (amad) means to stand and encompasses a variety of related actions such as remaining, enduring, and taking a stand. It can refer to both literal and figurative stances, including presenting oneself or being appointed. The word appears in various contexts, including standing still, ceasing movement, and even serving. There are different forms of the verb, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, each with specific nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמַד 620 take one's stand, stand

Qal 435

take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

stand forth

take a stand against, in opposition to

present oneself before

attend upon, be(come) servant of

stand afar

stand (silent)

stand (appealingly)

stand, subj. רֶגֶל

stand, of water

stand still, stop, cease moving

= be inactive

= be attentive

stop, cease doing a thing

tarry, delay

remain

continue, abide

endure

be steadfast

persist

make a stand, hold one's ground

stand upright

arise, appear, come on the scene

stand forth, appear = come into being

rise up as foe

rare usages

Hiph.

83station, set

cause to stand firm

cause to stand up, set up, erect

present one before king

appoint

other meanings

Hoph. be presented

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5975 עָמַד take one's stand, stand .. . take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

. stand forth

. take a stand against, in opposition to

. present oneself before

. attend upon, be(come) servant of

. stand afar

. stand (silent)

. stand (appealingly)

. stand, subj. רֶגֶל

. stand, of water

. . stand still, stop, cease moving

. = be inactive

. = be attentive

. stop, cease doing a thing

. . tarry, delay

. remain

. continue, abide

. endure

. be steadfast

. persist

. make a stand, hold one's ground

. stand upright

. . arise, appear, come on the scene

. stand forth, appear = come into being

. rise up as foe

. rare usages

. . station, set

. cause to stand firm

. cause to stand up, set up, erect

. present one before king

. appoint

. other meanings

. be presented

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5975 `amad aw-mad'

a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and

figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind),

appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed,

endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be)

present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth,

over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by,

fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמַד (a.mad) — to stand: stand.

: stand/stop/establish

1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of

1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease

1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast

1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground

1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright

1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against

1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to station, set

1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain

1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect

1b4) to present (one) before (king)

1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqcc — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
כֹּהֵ֖ןko.Hen a 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
a spiritual leader, one who serves God
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 he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
לְאוּרִ֥יםle.'u.Rim to Urim H224 Preposition · noun
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Urim refers to the stones on the high-priest's breastplate, used to determine God's decisions. These stones were a key part of Israel's worship, providing guidance.
Amplified meaning
to inquire of, to seek guidance from, stones of light, used for divine decision
Tyndale gloss
Urim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אוּרִים (Urim) is a plural form meaning 'lights.' It refers to stones used by the high priest, kept in a pouch on his breastplate, for divine decision-making. The entries consistently describe Urim as associated with oracular brilliance, but do not provide specific biblical verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אוּרִים n.m. Urim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H224 אוּרִים Urim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

224 'Uwriym oo-reem'

plur of 217; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the

figures in the high-priest's breastplate:--Urim.

see HEBREW for 0217

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אוּרִים (u.rim) — Urim.

Urim = "lights"

stones kept in a pouch on the high-priest's breastplate, used in determining God's decision in certain questions and issues

Also named: dēlos (δῆλος "Urim" G1212)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun
HR/Ntmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Urim

Lights (Vulg.“doctrina;” LXX. “revelation”). See THUMMIM.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

lights; fires

and he said the governor to them that not they will eat any of [the] holy thing of the holy things until will arise a priest to Urim and to Thummim
וּלְתֻמִּֽים׃u.le.tu.Mim and to Thummim H8550 Conjunction · preposition · noun
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Thummim refers to the objects on the high priest's breastplate, used to reveal God's will. It represents complete truth and perfection, as described in Exodus and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
used for divine guidance
Tyndale gloss
Thummim
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תֹּם (toom) refers to completeness, integrity, and innocence, while תֻּמִּים (Tummiym) is a plural term meaning 'perfections' and is associated with the high priest's breastplate, symbolizing complete truth. The entries highlight its use in sacred contexts, particularly in relation to the Urim and Thummim, which were used to discern God's will.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תֹּם n.[m.] completeness, integrity

completeness, fulness

innocence, simplicity

integrity

תֻּמִּים

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8550 תֹּם completeness, integrity . completeness, fulness

. innocence, simplicity

. integrity

. תֻּמִּים

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8550 Tummiym toom-meem'

plural of 8537; perfections, i.e. (techn.) one of the

epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an

emblem of complete Truth:--Thummim.

see HEBREW for 08537

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תֻּמִּים (tum.mim) — Thummim.

§ Thummim = "perfection"

1) stones provided for the means of achieving a sacred lot

1a) used with the Urim, the will of God was revealed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun
HC/R/Ntmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

thum'-im. See URIM AND THUMMIM.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Thummim

Perfection (LXX., “truth;” Vulg., “veritas”), Ex. 28:30; Deut. 33:8; Judg. 1:1; 20:18; 1 Sam. 14:3,18; 23:9; 2 Sam. 21:1. What the “Urim and Thummim” were cannot be determined with any certainty. All we certainly know is that they were a certain divinely-given means by which God imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to Israel when these were needed. The method by which this was done can be only a matter of mere conjecture. They were apparently material objects, quite distinct from the breastplate, but something added to it after all the stones had been set in it, something in addition to the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[URIM AND THUMMIM AND THUMMIM]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See URIM.

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

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