Menu

Genesis 13:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהֲלֹ֤א כָל־ הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הִפָּ֥רֶד נָ֖א מֵעָלָ֑י אִם־ הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל וְאֵימִ֔נָה וְאִם־ הַיָּמִ֖ין וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃

BSAIs notlôʼ [certainly, absolutely] the wholekôl [entire, all] landʼerets [earth, territory, region] before youpânîym [in your presence, in front of you] Nownâʼ separate yourselfpârad [divide, go your separate ways] from meʻal [from my presence, from my company] Ifʼim you go to the leftsᵉmôʼwl [travel, move, north, to the left hand] I will go to the rightyâman [journey, travel, south, to the right hand] ifʼim you go to the rightyâmîyn [travel, move, south, to the right hand] I will go to the leftsâmaʼl [journey, travel, north, to the left hand]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ve.'as.me.'I.lah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 13:9quick helps
In a sentenceAbram offers Lot the choice of land, urging separation to avoid conflict.
Who is speakingAbram, addressing Lot, his nephew.
Where we areAbram and Lot are discussing their future in the land of Canaan.
The hard wordהִפָּ֥רֶד
Take awayAbram's proposal emphasizes the importance of peace and mutual respect.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbפָּרַד 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 13:9

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 — Abram and Lot Separategenerated

8So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are brothers.
9Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
10And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
11So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company.

Genesis 13:9 shows Abram's wisdom in addressing potential conflict with Lot. He offers Lot the first choice of land, emphasizing their kinship and the need to avoid strife between their herdsmen. This moment is pivotal as it sets the stage for Lot's choice and the subsequent events in their lives, reflecting themes of choice and divine guidance.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 20:15And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”
2Genesis 34:10You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”
3Psalm 120:7I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.
4Romans 12:18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
51 Corinthians 6:7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הִפָּ֥רֶד, hi.Pa.redgenerated

The verb הִפָּ֥רֶד (hi.Pa.red) is in the imperative form, commanding separation. It is derived from the root פָּרַד (parad), which means to divide or separate. This word conveys the action of making a clear distinction or parting ways.

In this context, the imperative form indicates Abram's request for Lot to choose a direction, highlighting the necessity of their separation for peace. The use of this verb underscores the importance of resolving conflicts amicably.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which has separate as the translation for הִפָּ֥רֶד.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb הִפָּ֥רֶד governs the sentence, with several clauses following it. The structure is straightforward, with a clear command followed by conditional phrases outlining the options available to Lot.

The order of the clauses emphasizes the imperative nature of Abram's request, with the conditions for Lot's choice clearly laid out, illustrating the importance of the decision at hand.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הִפָּ֥רֶד as διαξωρίσθητι (diaxōrísthēti), which carries a similar meaning of separation. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the necessity to part ways for the sake of harmony.

The translation indicates that the Greek translators recognized the significance of this separation, aligning with Abram's intent to maintain peace.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 13:9 shows Abram asking Lot to choose land for himself to avoid conflict. Abram emphasizes their relationship and the need for peace, suggesting that Lot can go left or right, and he will take the opposite direction.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Abram mean by 'the whole land before you'?

Abram is indicating that Lot has the freedom to choose any part of the land available, emphasizing the abundance of options.

Why does Abram want to separate from Lot?

Abram seeks to avoid strife between their herdsmen, valuing their relationship and peace over potential conflict.

What is the significance of Lot's choice?

Lot's choice reflects his priorities and values, which will have significant implications for his future.

How does this passage illustrate themes of choice and conflict?

Abram's offer to Lot highlights the importance of making wise choices to maintain harmony, a recurring theme in relationships.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I handle conflicts in my relationships to ensure peace?
  2. What choices have I made that reflect my values and priorities?
  3. In what ways can I encourage others to make wise decisions?
  4. How can I apply Abram's wisdom in my own life?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 13:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

[Is] not the whole land before thee?.... Signifying, that though there were not room and convenience for them both in that part of the country in which they were, yet there were in other parts; and

Read John Gill on Genesis 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And there was a strife.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 13 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Is not the whole land before thee? i.e. open to thy view, and free to choose which part thou pleasest, as thou canst agree with the owners: I give thee full power to choose before me. See a like phrase, 34:10,21 47:6. Thou wilt take: this and the following supplement are easily gathered both from the words of this and , and from the nature of the thing. And the Hebrew language being a concise or short language, such supplements are frequently necessary, and very usual. Compare , with , with .

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 13:9 [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.Ver. 9. Is not the whole land before thee?] Abram chooseth rather to take wrong, than to strive for his right, which he here parts with for peace’ s sake. They that do otherwise, though they think they do bravely, and get the better of their adversary, yet (if St Paul may judge) they sit down by the loss. For he purposely disgraceth their contentious courses, in standing for their utmost right, without respect to peace and quietness, by a word (ηττημα) that signifieth…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8, 9) Let there be no strife.—It is evident that Lot was beginning to take part with his herdmen, and regard himself as an injured man. But Abram meets him with the utmost generosity, acknowledges that their growth in wealth rendered a separation necessary, and gives him his choice. And Lot accepts it. Instead of feeling that it was due to his uncle’s age and rank to yield to him the preference, he greedily accepts the offer, selects the region that seemed to offer the greatest earthly advantages, but finds in the long run that it has perils which far outweigh its promises of wealth and pleasure.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 13 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Is not the whole land before thee.] As the patriarch or head of the family, Abram, by prescriptive right, might have chosen his own portion first, and appointed Lot his; but intent upon peace, and feeling pure and parental affection for his nephew, he permitted him to make his choice first.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. the whole land, &c.] Abram’s offer is made with the elaborate profuseness and courtesy characteristic of an Oriental bargain: cf. Genesis 23:11-16; 2 Samuel 24:21-24.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 13 →

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

Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself now from me. If you go to the left, then I’ll go to the right, but if you go to the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou wilt depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Is not the whole land before thee? depart I pray thee from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will goe to the right: or if thou goe to the right hand, then I will take the left.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if to the left, then I will take the right; and if to the right, then I will take the left.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Is not all the land before thee? be parted, I pray thee, from me; if to the left, then I to the right; and if to the right, then I to the left.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Is not all the land before you? Please be parted from me; if to the left, then I to the right; and if to the right, then I to the left.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right, then I will go to the left.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Is not the whole land before you? Go ahead and separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Behold the whole land is before thee: depart from me I pray thee: if thou wilt go to the left hand, I will take the right: if thou choose the right hand, I will pass to the left.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You see all this land that's available right in front of you? We have to split up. If you choose to go to the left, I'll go to the right. If you choose to go to the right, I'll go to the left.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Is not all the land before you? then let us go our separate ways: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; or if you take the right, I will go to the left.

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.

clauseהֲ?clauseadverbialלֹ֤אnotnoun phrase · subjectכָל[is].allnoun phraseהָtheאָ֨רֶץ֙landprepositional phrase · predicateלְbeforenoun phraseפָנֶ֔יךָyouclauseverbהִפָּ֥רֶדseparateadverbialנָ֖אpleaseprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמֵfromעָלָ֑withיmeclauseclauseאִםifclausenoun phrase · adverbialהַtheשְּׂמֹ֣אלleftוְandclauseverbאֵימִ֔נָהI.will.go.to.the.rightוְandclauseclauseאִםifclausenoun phrase · adverbialהַtheיָּמִ֖יןrightוְandclauseverbאַשְׂמְאִֽילָהI.will.go.to.the.left

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches 11 of the 13 words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in five words, notably using לוא (not) and variations for left and right, indicating a slight variation in wording while maintaining the overall meaning.

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

הֲלֹ֤א כָל־ הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הִפָּ֥רֶד נָ֖א מֵעָלָ֑י אִם־ הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל וְאֵימִ֔נָה וְאִם־ הַיָּמִ֖ין וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הֲלֹ֤אοὐκכָל־πᾶσαהָאָ֙רֶץ֙γῆלְפָנֶ֔יךָἐστινהִפָּ֥רֶדδιαξωρίσθητιמֵעָלָ֑יἐμοῦאִם־εἰהַשְּׂמֹ֣אלἀριστεράוְאֵימִ֔נָהδεχιάוְאִם־εἰהַיָּמִ֖יןδεχιά

11 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

הלוא כל הארץ לפניך הפרד נא מעלי אם השׂמאלה והימינה ואם הימינה והשׂמאלה

5 words differ from the Masoretic Text: לוא (not), שׂמאלה (left-hand side), ימינה (right-hand side), ימינה (right-hand side), שׂמאלה (left-hand side)

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 13:9לֹא¿ not¿ notלֹאכֹּל[is] all[is] allכֹּלאֶ֫רֶץthe landthe landאֶ֫רֶץפָּנֶהbefore youbefore youפָּנֶהפָּרַדseparateseparateפָּרַדנָאpleasepleaseנָאעַלfrom with mfrom with meעַלאִםififאִםשְׂמֹאלthe leftthe leftשְׂמֹאליָמַןso let me gso let me go riיָמַןאִםand ifand ifאִםיָמִיןthe rightthe rightיָמִיןשִׂמְאֵלand I will and I will go lשִׂמְאֵליָמַןto go righto go rightיָמַןכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהעַלheightheightעַלשִׂמְלָהmantlemantleשִׂמְלָהחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָמִין[Ben]jamin[Ben]jaminיָמִיןשְׂמֹאלleftleftשְׂמֹאליֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסלְאֹםpeoplepeopleלְאֹם
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 13:9

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.

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
הֲלֹ֤אha.Lo' ¿ not H3808 Particle · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
certainly, absolutely
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 | Part — Particle · particle
HTi/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
כָל־khol- [is] all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
entire, all
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

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

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

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

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

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

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

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

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

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

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ha.'A.retz the land H776 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
earth, territory, region
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

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

((1) 'erets;

(2) 'adhamah;

(3) sadheh,

"a piece of land";

(4) ge, "earth";

(5) agros, "field";

(6) chora, "region";

(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;

(8) xeros, "dry land";

(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):

'Erets occurs hundreds of times and is used in much the same way as 'adhamah, which also occurs often: e.g. "land of Egypt," 'erets mitsrayim (Ge 13:10), and 'adhmath mitsrayim (Ge 47:20). The other words occur less often, and are used in the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9

→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23

→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8

→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
לְפָנֶ֔יךָle.fa.Nei.kha before you H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Amplified meaning
in your presence, in front of you
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

face, faces

presence, person

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

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. . presence, person

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

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

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

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

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

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

1g) with prep

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

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

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

1g) with prep

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
הִפָּ֥רֶדhi.Pa.red separate H6504 Verb · Niphal · imperative second person masculine singular
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To separate or divide, as seen in Exodus when God parted the Red Sea. It can also mean to scatter or disperse, like when the Israelites were sent out of Egypt. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
divide, go your separate ways
Tyndale gloss
to separate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרַד (parad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to divide or separate. It encompasses various forms, including making a separation and being divided. The entries detail its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating a range of meanings from dividing to being separated.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּרַד] vb. divide

Qal Pt. pass. divided

Niph.

divide, separate (intrans.)

be divided, separated

Pi. make a separation

Pu. Pt. divided

Hiph.

divide, separate

make a division, separation, between

Hithp. be divided, separated, from each other

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6504 פָּרַד divide .Pt. pass. divided

. . divide, separate (intrans.)

. be divided, separated

. make a separation

. Pt. divided

. . divide, separate

. make a division, separation, between

. be divided, separated, from each other

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6504 parad paw-rad'

a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate

(oneself):--disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter

(abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרַד (pa.rad) — to separate.

1) to separate, divide

1a) (Qal) to divide

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to divide, separate

1b2) to be divided, be separated

1c) (Piel) to be separated

1d) (Pual) to be divided

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to divide, separate

1e2) to make a division, make a separation

1f) (Hithpael) to be divided, be separated, get separated

Aramaic equivalent: be.dar (בְּדַר "to scatter" H0921)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Niphal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVNv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sep'-a-rat: The translation of a number of Hebrew and Greek words, badhal (Le 20:24, etc.), and aphorizo (Mt 25:32, etc.), being the most common. "To separate" and "to consecrate" were originally not distinguished (e.g. Nu 6:2 margin), and probably the majority of the uses of "separate" in English Versions of the Bible connote "to set apart for God." But precisely the same term that is used in this sense may also denote the exact opposite (e.g. the use of nazar in Eze 14:7 and Zec 7:3).

See HOLINESS; NAZIRITE; SAINTS.

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
נָ֖אna' please H4994 Particle
404× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Tyndale gloss
please
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4994 na' naw

a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may

usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly

to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,

occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)

thee (you), go to, now, oh.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָא (na) — please.

1) I (we) pray, now, please

1a) used in entreaty or exhortation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
מֵעָלָ֑יme.'a.Lai from with me H5921 Preposition · preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
from my presence, from my company
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Prep | Suff — Preposition · preposition · suffix
HR/Rd/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
אִם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
הַשְּׂמֹ֣אלha.se.Mol the left H8040 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means 'left' or 'north', referring to the left hand or side, as seen in KJV translations. It describes direction or orientation.
Amplified meaning
travel, move, north, to the left hand
Tyndale gloss
left
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׂמֹאל (semol) means 'left' and can refer to the left hand or side. It also denotes the direction north when facing east. The word is derived from the idea of darkness or being enveloped, suggesting a connection to the north. The entries consistently highlight these meanings without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׂמֹאל, שְׂמֹאול 54 n.[m.] the left (√ dub.)

left, region on the left

left hand

= north (on left of one facing east)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8040 שְׂמֹאל, שְׂמֹאול the left (√ dub.) . left, region on the left

. left hand

. = north (on left of one facing east)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8040 smo'wl sem-ole'

or smosl {sem-ole'}; a primitive word (rather perhaps from

the same as 8071 (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea

of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the

north; hence (by orientation), the left hand:--left (hand,

side).

see HEBREW for 08071

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׂמֹאל (se.mo.l) — left.

1) the left, the left hand, the left side

1a) left

1b) left hand

1c) north (as one faces east)

שְׂמֹאל (se.mo.l) — left: north.

1) the left, the left hand, the left side

1a) left

1b) left hand

1c) north (as one faces east)

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

left (sama'l, "to go to the left," "to turn to the left," semo'l, "the left hand," sema'li, "belonging to the left," "situated on the left"; aristeros, and euphemistically euonumos, literally, "having a good name," "of good omen"): The words are chiefly used in orientation with or without the addition of the word "hand." So Abraham says to Lot: "If thou wilt take the left hand (semo'l), then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left (sama'l)" (Ge 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Ge 24:49; Ex 14:22,29; Nu 22:26

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
וְאֵימִ֔נָהve.'ei.Mi.nah so let me go right H3231 Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To go right means to move in a rightward direction or to use the right hand. This term is used in the Bible to describe physical actions, such as turning to the right or using the right hand for a task.
Amplified meaning
journey, travel, south, to the right hand
Tyndale gloss
to go right
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָמַן (yaman) is a verb that means to go or choose the right, specifically to use the right hand or be right-handed. It is a denominative verb derived from the root meaning to be firm or right. The entries indicate that it is used in the Hiphil form, emphasizing the action of turning or going to the right.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָמַן] vb. denom. Hiph. go to or choose the right, use the right hand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3231 יָמַן vb. denom. Hiph. go to or choose the right, use the right hand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3231 yaman yaw-man'

a primitive root; to be (physically) right (i.e. firm); but

used only as denominative from 3225 and transitive, to be

right-handed or take the right-hand side:--go (turn) to (on,

use) the right hand.

see HEBREW for 03225

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָמַן (ya.man) — to go right.

(Hiphil) to choose the right, go to the right, use the right hand, be right handed

Also means: a.man (אָמַן "to turn right" H0541)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs — Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
HC/Vhc1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rit (yashar, mishpaT; dikaios, euthus): Many Hebrew words are translated "right," with different shades of meaning. Of these the two noted are the most important: yashar, with the sense of being straight, direct, as "right in the sight" of Yahweh (Ex 15:26; De 12:25, etc.), in one's own eyes (Jud 17:6), "right words" (Job 6:25 the King James Version, yosher), "right paths" (Pr 4:11 the King James Version); and mishpaT "judgment" "cause" etc., a forensic term, as "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Ge 18:25). In

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
וְאִם־ve.'im- and if H518 Conjunction · particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Conj — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
הַיָּמִ֖יןhai.ya.Min the right H3225 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.
Amplified meaning
travel, move, south, to the right hand
Tyndale gloss
[Ben]jamin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָמִין (*yamiyn*) means 'right hand' or 'right side,' and it can also refer to the direction south, as the right hand points south when facing east. It is derived from the root word for 'to be strong' and covers various contexts, including body parts and directional references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָמִין 137 n.f. right hand

right hand

of situation on, or direction toward the right

of other parts of the body

= south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3225 יָמִין right hand . right hand

. of situation on, or direction toward the right

. of other parts of the body

. = south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3225 yamiyn yaw-meen'

from 3231; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or

other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally,

the south:--+ left-handed, right (hand, side), south.

see HEBREW for 03231

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָמִין (ya.min) — right.

1) right, right hand, right side

1a) right hand

1b) right (of direction)

1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)

Also means: ya.min (יָמִין ": south" H3225H)

יָמִין (ya.min) — right: south.

1) right, right hand, right side

1a) right hand

1b) right (of direction)

1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)

יָמִין (ya.min) — [Ben]jamin.

A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18;

son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354);

brother of: Joseph (H3130);

half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);

Read the full entry →
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

rit (yashar, mishpaT; dikaios, euthus): Many Hebrew words are translated "right," with different shades of meaning. Of these the two noted are the most important: yashar, with the sense of being straight, direct, as "right in the sight" of Yahweh (Ex 15:26; De 12:25, etc.), in one's own eyes (Jud 17:6), "right words" (Job 6:25 the King James Version, yosher), "right paths" (Pr 4:11 the King James Version); and mishpaT "judgment" "cause" etc., a forensic term, as "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Ge 18:25). In

¿ not [is] all the land before you separate please from with me if the left so let me go right and if the right and I will go left
וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃ve.'as.me.'I.lah and I will go left H8041 Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or turn to the left, using the left hand or direction. It appears in various forms, including 'go to the left' and 'turn aside to the left'.
Amplified meaning
journey, travel, north, to the left hand
Tyndale gloss
to go left
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׂמְאֵל (sama'l) is a verb meaning to take or go to the left. It is derived from a primitive root and is used in the Hiphil form to indicate actions like turning aside or using the left hand. The entries consistently emphasize its directional aspect without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שִׂמְאֵל] vb. denom. Hiph. take the left

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8041 שִׂמְאֵל vb. denom. Hiph. take the left

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8041 sama'l saw-mal'

a primitive root (denominative from 8040); to use the left

hand or pass in that direction):--(go, turn) (on the, to the)

left.

see HEBREW for 08040

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׂמְאֵל (sa.mal) — to go left.

1) to take the left, go to the left

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to go to the left

1a2) to turn (aside) to the left (fig)

1a3) to use the left hand

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs — Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular
HC/Vhc1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

left (sama'l, "to go to the left," "to turn to the left," semo'l, "the left hand," sema'li, "belonging to the left," "situated on the left"; aristeros, and euphemistically euonumos, literally, "having a good name," "of good omen"): The words are chiefly used in orientation with or without the addition of the word "hand." So Abraham says to Lot: "If thou wilt take the left hand (semo'l), then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left (sama'l)" (Ge 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Ge 24:49; Ex 14:22,29; Nu 22:26

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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate