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Genesis 11:3 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־ רֵעֵ֗הוּ הָ֚בָה נִלְבְּנָ֣ה לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם הַלְּבֵנָה֙ לְאָ֔בֶן וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר הָיָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לַחֹֽמֶר׃

BSAAnd they saidʼâmar toʼêl oneʼîysh anotherrêaʻ Comeyâhab let us makelâban [form and shape] brickslᵉbênâh [small, whitish blocks made of clay] and bake themsâraph [burn with fire, thoroughly heat] thoroughlysᵉrêphâh [completely, with intense heat] So they usedhâyâh bricklᵉbênâh [as a substitute for stone] instead of stoneʼeben [a rock, a weight] and tarchêmâr [a type of asphalt, bitumen] instead of mortarchômer [a mixture of cement, sand, and lime]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 11
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (la.Cho.mer) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 11:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe people proposed to each other to make and bake bricks for their construction project.
Who is speakingThe people, referred to as each.
Where we areIn the narrative of the Tower of Babel, where humanity seeks to build a city.
The hard wordנִלְבְּנָ֣ה
Take awayThey chose to use bricks and bitumen instead of stone and mortar.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 — Genesis 11:3

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Tower of Babelgenerated

2And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.
3And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.
4“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”
5Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

Genesis 11:3 describes the actions of the people as they sought to build a city and a tower that reached the heavens. They decided to use bricks instead of stones and bitumen instead of mortar, showcasing their ingenuity and ambition. This passage is part of a broader narrative that illustrates humanity's desire to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 11:4–7“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”
2Psalm 64:5They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
3Proverbs 1:11If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,
4Ecclesiastes 2:1I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.
5Isaiah 5:5Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled.

The Key Word נִלְבְּנָ֣ה, nil.be.Nahgenerated

The verb נִלְבְּנָה (nilbenah) is a first person plural form of the root לָבַן (lavan), which means 'to make bricks.' This word conveys the act of creating something new, specifically bricks from clay, which were essential for their construction efforts.

The use of the first person plural indicates a collective decision among the people, emphasizing their unity in the endeavor. The context of this word highlights the industriousness of humanity in their attempt to build a tower to the heavens.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible, which uses make for נִלְבְּנָ֣ה.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֹּאמְר֞וּ (they said) governs the main clause, indicating a collective speech act. This is followed by an infinitive phrase נִלְבְּנָ֣ה (let us make) that specifies what they are proposing.

The structure of the sentence emphasizes the actions of the people in a sequential manner, showing their intention to create and use specific materials for their construction project.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נִלְבְּנָ֣ה as πλινθεύσωμεν (let us make bricks), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the significance of bricks in construction.

The Greek term emphasizes the physical act of making bricks, similar to the Hebrew, while also suggesting the communal effort involved in the project.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 11:3 tells us that the people decided to make bricks and bake them thoroughly for their construction project. They used brick instead of stone and bitumen instead of mortar, showing their determination to build a city and a tower that reached the heavens.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to make bricks?

Making bricks involves shaping clay into small, hard blocks that can be used for construction, as indicated in Genesis 11:3.

Why did they choose bricks instead of stones?

Bricks were easier to manufacture and could be made uniformly, allowing for more consistent building materials compared to natural stones.

What is bitumen used for?

Bitumen, mentioned in Genesis 11:3, is used as a binding material to hold bricks together, similar to mortar.

What does this passage teach about human ambition?

This passage illustrates humanity's ambition to build and create, reflecting a desire for unity and achievement, as seen in their plan to build a tower to the heavens.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I see collective efforts in my community that reflect ambition and creativity?
  2. What materials or resources do I use in my life to build my own goals and dreams?
  3. In what ways can I encourage collaboration among those around me to achieve common objectives?
  4. How can I ensure that my ambitions are aligned with positive outcomes for myself and others?

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

Early interpretations of this verse, including those from Bede, discuss the significance of the people's actions in building and ambition.

BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
And one said to his neighbor: Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire, and they had bricks for stones and bitumen for mortar.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 11 →
BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
But as they mold clay into bricks, which are usually made with equal square sides, hence also taking their name, it shows the composition and ornamentation of secular eloquence, through which the proud city of the devil,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 11 →
BedeCommentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) c. 673–735
They baked the bricks they had made with fire. Indeed, that fire of which it is said: "all adulterers, their hearts are like an oven" (Hosea 7:4),
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 11 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 11:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And they said one to another, go to,.... Advising, exhorting, stirring up, and encouraging one another to the work proposed, of building a city and tower for their habitation and protection; saying,

Read John Gill on Genesis 11 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. Go to - an adverb, interjectionally used as a term of incitement or exhortation.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 11 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Let us make brick, for in that low and fat soil they had no quarries of stones. The heathen writers agree that Babylon’ s walls were made of brick. The slime was a kind of clay called bitumen, which, as Pliny testifieth, is liquid and glutinous, and fit to be used in brick buildings, as Strabo, Dion, and others note. And that Babylon was built with this, as is here said, we have the joint and express testimony of Berosus, Ctesias, Dion, Curtius, and many others.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 11 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.Ver. 3. And they said one to another.] One broached this counsel, and the rest soon consented. Let us consider one another to whet on to love and good works. One live coal may set a whole stack on fire. When Silas came, Paul "burned in spirit," and preached lustily. Let us make brick, &c.] Thus, wanting stones, they devised matter for their cursed building. Good cause hath the Church to be as ingenious and sedulous in building staircases for heaven, as the devil and his imps in digging descents to hell. And they had brick for stone, and…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 11 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Let us make brick, and burn them throughly.—Heb., for a burning. Bricks in the East usually are simply dried in the sun, and this produces a sufficiently durable building material. It marks a great progress in the arts of civilisation that these nomads had learned that clay when burnt becomes insoluble; and their buildings with “slime,” or native pitch, for cement would be virtually indestructible. In fact, Mr. Layard says that at Birs-Nimroud it was scarcely possible to detach the bricks one from another, as the cement by which they were united was most tenacious (Nineveh and Babylon, p. 499).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 11 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Let us make brick] It appears they were obliged to make use of brick, as there was an utter scarcity of stones in that district; and on the same account they were obliged to use slime, that is, bitumen, (Vulg.) ασφαλτος, (Septuagint) for mortar: so it appears they had neither common stone nor lime-stone; hence they had brick for stone, and asphaltus or bitumen instead of mortar.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 11 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. brick for stone, &c.] For a description of building with bricks held together with bitumen in Babylonia, see Herodotus, i. 179. The writer here is evidently more familiar with building in stone and mortar than in brick and bitumen: another indication that the story is Israelite in origin. slime] That is, bitumen, LXX ἄσφαλτος, Lat. bitumen. The Hebrew word ḥ ?κmar is found here and in Genesis 14:10, Exodus 2:3. The word for bitumen or pitch used in Genesis 6:14 (kopher) resembles the Assyrian; and the fact that it is not used here tells for the Israelite character of the story.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 11 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

3. Said one to another — Hebrews, each man to his neighbour. Go to — An obsolete English expression, equivalent to come on.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 11 →

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

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” (They had brick instead of stone and tar instead of mortar.)

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And they said one to another, come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And they said one to another, Come, let vs make bricke, and burne it in the fire. So they had bricke for stone, and slime had they in steade of morter.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And they said one to another, Come on, let us make bricks, and burn [them] thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and they say each one to his neighbour, 'Give help, let us make bricks, and burn [them] thoroughly:' and the brick is to them for stone, and the bitumen hath been to them for mortar.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and they each say to his neighbor, “Give help, let us make bricks, and burn [them] thoroughly”: and the brick is to them for stone, and the bitumen has been to them for mortar.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And they said to one another, Go to, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly. And thus the brick served them for stone, and slime served them for mortar.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick instead of stone and tar as mortar.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And each one said to his neighbour: Come, let us make brick, and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and slime instead of mortar.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They said to one another, “Come on, let's make some bricks and bake them with fire.” (They used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of cement).

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And they said one to another, Come, let us make bricks, burning them well. And they had bricks for stone, putting them together with sticky earth.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּאמְר֞וּthey.saidnoun phrase · adverbialאִ֣ישׁeachprepositional phraseאֶלtonoun phraseרֵעֵ֗neighborהוּhisclauseclauseverb phrase · verbהָ֚בָgiveהclauseverbנִלְבְּנָ֣הlet.us.make.bricksobjectלְבֵנִ֔יםbricksוְandclauseverbנִשְׂרְפָ֖הlet.us.burn.[them]prepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtoשְׂרֵפָ֑הburningוַandclauseverbתְּהִ֨יit.becameprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforהֶ֤םthemnoun phrase · subjectהַ(the)לְּבֵנָה֙brickprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoאָ֔בֶןstoneוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectהַ֣(the)חֵמָ֔רbitumenverbהָיָ֥הit.becameprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforהֶ֖םthemprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtonoun phrase(the)חֹֽמֶרmortar

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 match in wording, indicating a consistent understanding of the actions described. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch shows three differences: it uses בנים (sons) instead of bricks, and חימר (bitumen) twice, suggesting variations in material terminology.

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

וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־ רֵעֵ֗הוּ הָ֚בָה נִלְבְּנָ֣ה לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם הַלְּבֵנָה֙ לְאָ֔בֶן וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר הָיָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לַחֹֽמֶר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּεἶπενאִ֣ישׁἄνθρωποςאֶל־τῷרֵעֵ֗הוּπλησίονהָ֚בָהδεῦτεנִלְבְּנָ֣הπλινθεύσωμενלְבֵנִ֔יםπλίνθουςוְנִשְׂרְפָ֖הὀπτήσωμενלִשְׂרֵפָ֑הπυρίוַתְּהִ֨יἐγένετοלָהֶ֤םαὐτοῖςהַלְּבֵנָה֙πλίνθοςלְאָ֔בֶןλίθονוְהַ֣חֵמָ֔רἄσφαλτοςהָיָ֥הἦνלָהֶ֖םαὐτοῖςלַחֹֽמֶר׃πηλός

17 of the 17 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויאמרו אישׁ אל רעהו הבה נלבנה לבנים ונשׂרפה לשׂרפה ותהי להם הלבנה לאבן והחימר היה להם לחימר

3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: בנים (son), חימר (bitumen), חימר (bitumen)

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.

Genesis 11:3אָמַרand they saand they saidאָמַראִישׁeacheachאִישׁאֶלtotoאֶלרֵעַneighbor hineighbor hisרֵעַיָהַבgive !give !יָהַבלָבֵןlet us makelet us make briלָבֵןלְבֵנָהbricksbricksלְבֵנָהשָׂרַףand let us and let us burnשָׂרַףשְׂרֵפָהto burningto burningשְׂרֵפָההָיָהand becameand becameהָיָההֶםfor themfor themהֶםלְבֵנָהbrickbrickלְבֵנָהאֶ֫בֶןto stoneto stoneאֶ֫בֶןחֵמָרand bitumenand bitumenחֵמָרהָיָהbecamebecameהָיָההֶםfor themfor themהֶםחֹ֫מֶרto mortarto mortarחֹ֫מֶרלָבֵןto whitento whitenלָבֵןלְבֵנָהbrickbrickלְבֵנָהחָמַרto aggitatto aggitateחָמַרשָׂרַףto burnto burnשָׂרַףהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדHouse of SHouse of Shepheבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהשְׂרֵפָהfirefireשְׂרֵפָהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הנָאַףto commit to commit adultנָאַףאִישׁmanmanאִישׁעֹזstrengthstrengthעֹז
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 Genesis 11:3

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 they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּvai.yo.me.Ru and they said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
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-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
אִ֣ישׁ'ish each H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
אֶל־'el- to 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
Prep — Preposition
HR
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
רֵעֵ֗הוּre.'E.hu neighbor his H7453 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
188× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Tyndale gloss
neighbor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7453 rea` ray'-ah

or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less

close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,

neighbour, X (an-)other.

see HEBREW for 0reya2

see HEBREW for 07462

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.

1) friend, companion, fellow, another person

1a) friend, intimate

1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)

1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
הָ֚בָהHa.vah give ! H3051 Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To give means to provide or put something, and can also mean to come or set something, as seen in the Bible. It is used in various contexts, including giving glory to God or providing for others.
Tyndale gloss
to give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָהַב (yahab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to give, with various nuances including to set, provide, and ascribe glory. It can also imply granting or permitting something. The entries highlight its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָהַב] vb. give

give

= set

with reflex. = provide

ascribe glory, etc.

= come now (orig. grant, permit)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3051 יָהַב give . give

. = set

. with reflex. = provide

. ascribe glory, etc.

. = come now (orig. grant, permit)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3051 yahab yaw-hab'

a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative);

generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come:--ascribe,

bring, come on, give, go, set, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָהַב (ya.hav) — to give.

1) to give, provide, ascribe, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to give

1a2) to set, place

1a3) to provide (with reflexive)

1a4) to ascribe (glory)

1a5) to grant, permit, come now

Aramaic equivalent: ye.hav (יְהַב "to give" H3052)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVqv2ms/Sh
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(nathan, yahabh, sum; didomi): "Give" is a very common word in the Old Testament. It is most frequently the translation of nathan, "to give" (Ge 1:29; 3:6; Ex 2:9; De 18,20, etc., over 800 instances); nathan is also translated "to give up" (De 23:14; Isa 43:6; Ho 11:8); of yahabh, "to give" (Ge 30:1; 1Ch 16:28 the King James Version). In Ps 55:22 we have the perfect with suffix, "Cast thy burden upon Yahweh," margin "what he hath given thee"; elsewhere it is…

and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
נִלְבְּנָ֣הnil.be.Nah let us make bricks H3835 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common plural
8× 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 make bricks, often from clay or mud. It's used to describe the process of building and construction, like the tower of Babel. The word is about creating something new.
Amplified meaning
form and shape
Tyndale gloss
to whiten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לָבֵן (*laben*) has two primary meanings: to be white and to make bricks. It can refer to the process of becoming white or purifying in an ethical sense, as well as the act of making bricks. The entries indicate that it is derived from a primitive root and is used in various forms, including Hiphil and Hithpael.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לָבֵן] vb. be white

Hiph.

make white = purify (ethical)

shew whiteness, grow white, of fig tree, stripped by locusts

Hithp. be purified

base

[לָבַן] vb. denom. make brick

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3835a לָבֵן be white H3835b לָבַן vb. denom. make brick

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3835 laban law-ban'

a primitive root; to be (or become) white; also (as

denominative from 3843) to make bricks:--make brick, be (made,

make) white(-r).

see HEBREW for 03843

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָבֵן (la.ven) — to whiten.

1) to be white

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to make white, become white, purify

1a2) to show whiteness, grow white

1b) (Hithpael) to become white, be purified (ethical)

לָבַן (la.van) — to make bricks.

(Qal) to make bricks

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-1cp — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common plural
HVqc1cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bricks

The making of, formed the chief labour of the Israelites in Egypt (Ex. 1:13, 14). Those found among the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are about a foot square and four inches thick. They were usually dried in the sun, though also sometimes in kilns (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 43:9; Nah. 3:14). (See NEBUCHADNEZZAR.)

The bricks used in the tower of Babel were burnt bricks, cemented in the building by bitumen (Gen. 11:3).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Were usually made of clay, dried and hardened in the sun, Ge 11:3, though brick-kilns were sometimes used, 2Sa 12:31 Na 3:14. The tower of Babel was constructed of brick, cemented with bitumen. The bricks used were often a foot square; and great numbers of them are found, both in Babylon and Egypt, impressed with some royal or priestly stamp. The principal subject of interest connected with brick making is the fact that it was the labor in which the Hebrews in Egypt were most oppressed. On the monuments of Egypt, all the parts of this hard and ancient task-work are painted-the carrying, tempering, and molding of the clay, and the drying and pilling of the bricks-all done by foreigners under the orders of taskmasters. The straw…

Thompson Chain Reference topics
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לְבֵנִ֔יםle.ve.Nim bricks H3843 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A brick is a small, whitish block made of clay, used for building, like the altar in Exodus.
Amplified meaning
small, whitish blocks made of clay
Tyndale gloss
brick
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְבֵנָה (lvenah) means 'brick' or 'tile' and refers to a building material, often associated with the whiteness of clay. It can also denote pavement. The word is derived from לָבַן (lavan), meaning 'white.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְבֵנָה n.f. brick, tile

brick, as building-material

= tile, on which plan of city could be engraved

= pavement

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3843 לְבֵנָה brick, tile

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3843 lbenah leb-ay-naw'

from 3835; a brick (from the whiteness of the clay):--(altar

of) brick, tile.

see HEBREW for 03835

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְבֵנָה (le.ve.nah) — brick.

1) tile, brick

1a) brick

1b) tile

1c) pavement

Also spelled: liv.nah (לִבְנָה "brick" H3840)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bricks

The making of, formed the chief labour of the Israelites in Egypt (Ex. 1:13, 14). Those found among the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are about a foot square and four inches thick. They were usually dried in the sun, though also sometimes in kilns (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 43:9; Nah. 3:14). (See NEBUCHADNEZZAR.)

The bricks used in the tower of Babel were burnt bricks, cemented in the building by bitumen (Gen. 11:3).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Were usually made of clay, dried and hardened in the sun, Ge 11:3, though brick-kilns were sometimes used, 2Sa 12:31 Na 3:14. The tower of Babel was constructed of brick, cemented with bitumen. The bricks used were often a foot square; and great numbers of them are found, both in Babylon and Egypt, impressed with some royal or priestly stamp. The principal subject of interest connected with brick making is the fact that it was the labor in which the Hebrews in Egypt were most oppressed. On the monuments of Egypt, all the parts of this hard and ancient task-work are painted-the carrying, tempering, and molding of the clay, and the drying and pilling of the bricks-all done by foreigners under the orders of taskmasters. The straw…

Thompson Chain Reference topics
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖הve.nis.re.Fah and let us burn [them] H8313 Conjunction · verb qal infinitive construct first person common plural
117× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to set something on fire, and is used in the Bible to describe burning or kindling flames, like in Psalm 83:14. It can also mean to utterly destroy something. The word is related to fire and burning, and is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
burn with fire, thoroughly heat
Tyndale gloss
to burn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂרַף (*saraph*) is a primitive root meaning 'to burn.' It encompasses various forms, including Qal (to burn), Niphal (to be burned), Piel (burner), and Pual (to be burnt up). The entries suggest a focus on the act of burning and its implications, with no significant disagreements noted among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂרַף 117 vb. burn

Qal burn

Niph. be burned

Pi. his burner, usu. one burning him, but prob. burning spices for him

Pu. it was burnt up (and gone).

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8313 שָׂרַף burn

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8313 saraph saw-raf'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire:--(cause

to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂרַף (sa.raph) — to burn.

1) to burn

1a) (Qal) to burn

1b) (Niphal) to be burned

1c) (Piel) burner, burning (participle)

1d) (Pual) to be burnt up, be burned

Also means: sa.raph (סָרַף "to burn" H5635)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-1cp — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive construct first person common plural
HC/Vqc1cp
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לִשְׂרֵפָ֑הlis.re.Fah to burning H8316 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to burning or cremation, and is used in the Bible to describe the act of burning something, like in Amos 6:10. It can also mean a burning or a fire, and is often associated with purification or destruction. The word is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
completely, with intense heat
Tyndale gloss
fire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שְׂרֵפָה (*srephah*) means 'burning' or 'cremation.' It is derived from the root word for burning, שָׂרַף (*sarah*), and is used in contexts related to fire. The entries consistently define it as a noun related to the act of burning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׂרֵפָה n.f. burning

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8316 שְׂרֵפָה burning

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8316 srephah ser-ay-faw'

from 8313; cremation:--burning.

see HEBREW for 08313

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׂרֵפָה (se.re.phah) — fire.

burning

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ As a punishment

→ See PUNISHMENT

and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
וַתְּהִ֨יva.te.Hi and became H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לָהֶ֤םla.Hem for 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
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
הַלְּבֵנָה֙ha.le.ve.Nah brick H3843 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A brick is a small, whitish block made of clay, used for building, like the altar in Exodus.
Amplified meaning
as a substitute for stone
Tyndale gloss
brick
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְבֵנָה (lvenah) means 'brick' or 'tile' and refers to a building material, often associated with the whiteness of clay. It can also denote pavement. The word is derived from לָבַן (lavan), meaning 'white.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְבֵנָה n.f. brick, tile

brick, as building-material

= tile, on which plan of city could be engraved

= pavement

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3843 לְבֵנָה brick, tile

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3843 lbenah leb-ay-naw'

from 3835; a brick (from the whiteness of the clay):--(altar

of) brick, tile.

see HEBREW for 03835

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְבֵנָה (le.ve.nah) — brick.

1) tile, brick

1a) brick

1b) tile

1c) pavement

Also spelled: liv.nah (לִבְנָה "brick" H3840)

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

(lebhenah): The ancient Egyptian word appears in the modern Egyptian Arabic toob. In Syria the sun-baked bricks are commonly called libn or lebin, from the same Semitic root as the Hebrew word.

Bricks are mentioned only a few times in the Bible. The story of how the Children of Israel, while in bondage in Egypt, had their task of brick-making made more irksome by being required to collect their own straw is one of the most familiar of Bible narratives (Ex 1:14; 5:7,10-19).

Modern excavations at Pithom in Egypt (Ex 1:11) show that most of the bricks of which that store-city was built were made of mud and straw baked in the sun. These ruins are chosen as an example from among the many ancient brick structures because they probably represent the work of the very Hebrew slaves who…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Genesis 11:3) The brick in use among the Jews were much larger than with us, being usually from 12 to 13 inches square and 3 1/2 inches thick; they thus possess more of the character of tiles. (Ezekiel 4:1) The Israelites, in common with other captives, were employed by the Egyptian monarchs in making bricks and in building. (Exodus 1:14; 5:7) Egyptian bricks were not generally dried in kilns, but in the sun. That brick-kilns were known is evident from (2 Samuel 12:31; Jeremiah 43:9) When made of the Nile mud they required straw to prevent cracking. [See STRAW]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used in building: Babel Ge 11:3

→ Cities in Egypt Ex 1:11,14

→ Houses Isa 9:10

→ Altars Isa 65:3

→ Made by Israelites Ex 5:7-19; 2Sa 12:31; Jer 43:9; Na 3:14

and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לְאָ֔בֶןle.'A.ven to stone H68 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
273× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Amplified meaning
a rock, a weight
Tyndale gloss
stone: weight
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶ֫בֶן (*eben*) means 'stone' and encompasses various types, including common stones, precious stones, and stones used as weights or tools. It can also refer to metaphorical uses, such as a hardened heart or sinking in water. The entries highlight its physical and symbolic significance, with no notable disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫בֶן 274 n.f. stone

in natural state

stone, as material

precious stone, gen. with modifying word

stone containing metal, = ore

a weight, as orig. stone

plummet

objects like stone

in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

In topogr. terms

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H68 אֶ֫בֶן stone . in natural state

. stone, as material

. precious stone, gen. with modifying word

. stone containing metal, = ore

. a weight, as orig. stone

. plummet

. objects like stone

. in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

. In topogr. terms

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

68 'eben eh'-ben

from the root of 1129 through the meaning to build; a

stone:--+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, (chalk-, hail-,

head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).

see HEBREW for 01129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone.

: stone

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

1e) weight

1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal

1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice

1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines

1i) (simile)

1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness

1i2) strength, firmness, solidity

1i3) commonness

1j) (metaph)

1j1) petrified with terror

1j2) perverse, hard heart

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone: weight.

: weight

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Stone

Stones were commonly used for buildings, also as memorials of important events (Gen. 28:18; Josh. 24:26, 27; 1 Sam. 7:12, etc.). They were gathered out of cultivated fields (Isa. 5:2; comp. 2 Kings 3:19). This word is also used figuratively of believers (1 Pet. 2:4, 5), and of the Messiah (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11, etc.). In…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The allusion in Re 2:17 may be to the practice at the Olympic games of giving the successful competitor a white stone, inscribed with his name and the value of his prize; or to the mode of balloting with black and white stones on the question of the acquittal of an accused person, or his admission to certain privileges; if the stones deposited in the urn by the judges were all white, the decision was favorable. In early ages, flint-stone knives were in common use, instead of steel, Ex 4:25 Jos 5:2.

It was also customary to raise a heap or mound of stones in commemoration of any remarkable event, Ge 31:46 Jos 4:5-7 7:26 8:29…

and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔רve.Ha.che.Mar and bitumen H2564 Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word means bitumen or slime, often referring to a type of asphalt. It is used in the Bible to describe the surface of the earth.
Amplified meaning
a type of asphalt, bitumen
Tyndale gloss
bitumen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֵמָר (chemar) refers to bitumen, asphalt, or slime. It is derived from a root meaning to rise to the surface. The entries consistently define it as a substance used in construction or sealing, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵמָר n.[m.] bitumen, asphalt

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2564 חֵמָר bitumen, asphalt

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2564 chemar khay-mawr'

from 2560; bitumen (as rising to the surface):--slime(-pit).

see HEBREW for 02560

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵמָר (che.mar) — bitumen.

slime, pitch, asphalt, bitumen

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

bi-tu'-men.

See SLIME.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bitumen

Gen. 11:3, R.V., margin, rendered in the A.V. “slime”), a mineral pitch. With this the ark was pitched (6:14. See also Ex. 2:3.) (See SLIME.)

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Margin R. V., slime))

An inflammable mineral Ge 11:3; 14:10; Ex 2:3

→ See PETROLEUM

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
הָיָ֥הha.Yah became H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לָהֶ֖םla.Hem for 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
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
and they said each to neighbor his give ! let us make bricks bricks and let us burn [them] to burning and became for them brick to stone and bitumen became for them to mortar
לַחֹֽמֶר׃la.Cho.mer to mortar H2563 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a dry measure, about 65 gallons, or a heap of material like clay or mire. It is used in the Bible to describe measurements and substances.
Amplified meaning
a mixture of cement, sand, and lime
Tyndale gloss
clay
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֹ֫מֶר (chomer) refers to cement, mortar, clay, and also denotes a heap or a unit of dry measure (homer). It is built from the idea of bubbling up, relating to water or earth. The entries indicate its use in various contexts, including construction and measurement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֹ֫מֶר n.m. cement, mortar, clay

base

חֹ֫מֶר n.[m.] heap

base

חֹ֫מֶר n.m. homer, a dry measure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2563a חֹ֫מֶר cement, mortar, clay H2563b חֹ֫מֶר heap H2563c חֹ֫מֶר homer, a dry measure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2563 chomer kho'mer

from 2560; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of

earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap; hence, a chomer or

dry measure:--clay, heap, homer, mire, motion.

see HEBREW for 02560

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — clay.

1) cement, mortar, clay

1a) mortar, cement

1b) clay

1c) mire

חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — heap.

2) heap

2a) swelling, surging (of water)

חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — homer.

homer-a unit of dry measure about 65 imperial gallons (300 l)

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

mor'-ter (medhokhah (Nu 11:8), makhtesh (Pr 27:22)): A hollowed stone or vessel in which grain or other substance was pounded or beaten with a pestle. The Israelites used a mortar in which to beat the manna in the wilderness (Nu 11:8), and Pr 27:22 declares, "Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle .... yet will not his foolishness depart from him," i.e. it is inherent and ineradicable. Some have supposed an allusion to an oriental mode of punishment by pounding the criminal to death in a mortar, but this is unlikely. In illustration of Pr 27:22 such proverbs are quoted as "Though you beat that loose…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mortar

(Heb. homer), cement of lime and sand (Gen. 11:3; Ex. 1:14); also potter’s clay (Isa. 41:25; Nah. 3:14). Also Heb. ‘aphar, usually rendered “dust,” clay or mud used for cement in building (Lev. 14:42, 45).

Mortar for pulverizing (Prov. 27:22) grain or other substances by means of a pestle instead of a mill. Mortars were used in the wilderness for pounding the manna (Num. 11:8). It is commonly used in Palestine at the present day to pound wheat, from which the Arabs make a favourite dish called kibby.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(Genesis 11:3; Exodus 1:14; Leviticus 14:42,45; Isaiah 41:25; Ezekiel 13:10,11,14,15; 22:28; Nehemiah 3:14) The various compacting substances used in Oriental buildings appear to be -- Bitumen, as in the Babylonian structures; Common mud or moistened clay; A very firm cement compounded of sand, ashes and lime, in the proportions respectively of 1,2,3, well pounded, sometimes mixed and sometimes coated with oil, so as to form a surface almost impenetrable to wet or the weather. In Assyrian and also Egyptian brick buildings, stubble or straw, as hair or wool among ourselves, was added to increase the tenacity.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This well-known utensil was employed by the Hebrews in preparing manna for use, Nu 11:8. Large iron mortars, for pounding grain, have been used by the Turks in the execution of criminals; but it is not known that the Jews ever practiced this mode of punishment. To this day a favorite article of food in Syria is prepared by pounding meat for hours in an iron mortar, and adding grain and spice while the process of "braying" goes on, Pr 27:22.

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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