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Genesis 25:21 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר יִצְחָ֤ק לַֽיהוָה֙ לְנֹ֣כַח אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י עֲקָרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר לוֹ֙ יְהוָ֔ה וַתַּ֖הַר רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃

BSALater, IsaacYitschâq [the son of Abraham, a man of faith] prayedʻâthar [to make supplication, to entreat] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] on behalf ofnôkach his wifeʼishshâh [Rebekah, his partner and companion] becausekîy shehûwʼ [was] barrenʻâqâr [sterile, unable to have children] And the LORDYᵉhôvâh [the sovereign God, full of mercy] heard his prayerʻâthar [listened to, gave attention to] and his wifeʼishshâh RebekahRibqâh conceivedhârâh [became pregnant, received new life]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('ish.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 25:21quick helps
In a sentenceIsaac prayed to the LORD for his wife Rebekah because she was barren, and the LORD answered his prayer.
Who is speakingIsaac, the son of Abraham, praying for his wife.
Where we areIn the narrative of Isaac's family, focusing on his prayer for Rebekah.
The hard wordעָתַר, atar
Take awayGod hears prayers and responds with action.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיִצְחָק verbעָתַר 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 25:21

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

Context — The Birth of Esau and Jacobgenerated

20and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.
21Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
22But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,
23and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:21 describes Isaac's earnest prayer to the LORD on behalf of his wife Rebekah, who was unable to conceive. This moment highlights the significance of prayer in the lives of the patriarchs and sets the stage for the miraculous conception of their children, which is a key theme in the biblical narrative. Isaac's prayer reflects his faith and the covenantal relationship God has with him and his family.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 1:11–27And she made a vow, pleading, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.”
2Psalm 50:15Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
3Psalm 65:2O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.
4Psalm 91:15When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
5Isaiah 45:11Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “How dare you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands?

The Key Word עָתַר, vai.ye'.Targenerated

The verb עָתַר (atar) means to pray or make supplication, often directed towards God. It is derived from a root associated with the act of burning incense in worship, symbolizing a heartfelt appeal and the intimate nature of prayer.

In this context, Isaac's prayer is a personal and urgent plea for his wife Rebekah, showcasing the importance of intercession in familial relationships. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular indicates that this action was ongoing and significant.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife', which is consistent across the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse centers around the finite verb וַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר, vai.ye'atar, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the prayer, a clause explaining the reason for the prayer, and concludes with the divine response.

The structure highlights Isaac's role as the subject of the prayer and the subsequent actions of the LORD, illustrating a clear cause-and-effect relationship in the narrative.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עָתַר as ἐδεῖτο (edeito), which also means to pray or beseech. This choice indicates a direct appeal to God, maintaining the essence of Isaac's supplication.

The use of ἐδεῖτο aligns with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the notion of earnest prayer and intercession in the context of divine response.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 25:21 tells us that Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife Rebekah because she could not have children. The LORD heard Isaac's prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant. This story emphasizes the power of prayer and God's responsiveness to the needs of His people.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Isaac prayed for Rebekah?

Isaac's prayer signifies his concern for Rebekah's well-being and highlights the importance of prayer in seeking God's intervention in difficult circumstances.

Why was Rebekah considered barren?

Rebekah was considered barren because she was unable to conceive children, which was a significant issue in the biblical context, often seen as a source of distress for families.

How did God respond to Isaac's prayer?

God responded to Isaac's prayer by allowing Rebekah to conceive, demonstrating His power and willingness to answer the prayers of His faithful servants.

What is the significance of the names Isaac and Rebekah in this story?

Isaac means 'he laughs', reflecting the joy of his birth, while Rebekah's name is linked to beauty and ensnaring, indicating her important role in the lineage of the patriarchs.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's help through prayer, as Isaac did for Rebekah?
  2. How can I be more intentional in praying for others, especially those facing challenges?
  3. What does this passage teach me about God's willingness to hear and respond to my prayers?
  4. How can I apply the example of Isaac's faith in my own prayer life?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, discussing the significance of prayer and the miraculous conception of Rebekah, linking it to broader themes of faith and divine intervention.

Origen of AlexandriaHOMILIES ON Genesis 12.1 c. 185–253
First of all consider why it is that many holy women in the Scriptures are related to have been barren, as Sarah herself, and now Rebekah. But also Rachel, Israel’s beloved, was barren.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →
Aphrahat the Persian SageON PRAYER 4 c. 270–345
Isaac too demonstrated the power of prayer when he prayed over Rebekah, and she gave birth.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →
Ambrose of MilanOn Isaac and the Soul c. 339–397
And Rebecca conceived, and by her patience she untied the knot of sterility. But let us consider what the prophetic and apostolic soul gives birth to and how it gives birth. She went, it says, to inquire of the Lord (Gen.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 25:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife,.... Was very earnest and constant in his supplications for her, as the word signifies, as is observed by Jarchi; or, "before his wife" (a), she being

Read John Gill on Genesis 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. Entreated the Lord for his wife.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

1838 He prayed, as the Hebrew word signifies, instantly or fervently, frequently and continually, for near twenty years together; for so long, it was between their marriage and the first child. He was so much concerned, because not only his comfort, but the truth of God’ s promise, depended upon this mercy; and he knew very well that God’ s purpose and promise did not exclude, but require the use of all convenient means for their accomplishment. For his wife; or, in the presence of his wife; signifying that, besides their more secret devotions, they did oftentimes in a more solemn manner, and with united force, pray for this mercy wherein they were both equally concerned. Or, over against…

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.Ver. 21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife.] He did it constantly and instantly, as the word òúø signifies; he multiplied prayer, which (as those arrows of deliverance, 2 Kings 13:19) must be often iterated, ere the mercy can be obtained. And the Lord was entreated of him.] Though it were long first, even full twenty years. God knows how to commend his mercies to us, and therefore holds us long in suspense. Cito data, vilescunt. Manna, lightly come by, was as lightly set by.

Read John Trapp on Genesis 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

THE TΤLDΤTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS. Abraham begat Isaac—The Tτldτth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption. The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The name of the district also correctly is “Paddan-Ararn,” and so far from being identical with Aram-Naharaim, in Genesis 24:10, it is strictly the designation of the region immediately in the…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 21. Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife] Isaac and Rebekah had now lived nineteen years together without having a child; for he was forty years old when he married Rebekah, Genesis 25:20, and he was threescore years of age when Jacob and Esau were born, Genesis 25:26. Hence it is evident they had lived nineteen years together without having a child. The form of the original in this place is worthy of notice: Isaac entreated Jehovah, לנכח אשתו lenochach ishto, directly, purposely, especially, for his wife. Ainsworth thinks the words imply their praying together for this thing; and the rabbins say that "Isaac and Rebekah went on purpose to Mount Moriah, where he had been bound, and…

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

21. barren] As in the case of Sarah (Genesis 11:30) and of Rachel (Genesis 29:31). Rebekah has at first no children. The Chosen People are the children of God’s gift. In each generation patience is made the test of faith. Cf. the birth of Samson (Judges 13:2) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1). was intreated] Allowed Himself to be interceded with, i.e. listened to the prayer, as in 2 Samuel 21:14; 2 Samuel 24:25.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 25 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

21. Entreated the Lord — The word for entreated (òúø) implies earnest and repeated prayer, and perhaps the accompaniment of incense offering, or some kind of sacrifice. See the Hebrews lexicons on the word.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 25 →

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

Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren: and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Izhak prayed vuto the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiued,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren; and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Isaac maketh entreaty to Jehovah before his wife, for she [is] barren: and Jehovah is entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiveth,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Isaac makes plea to YHWH before his wife, for she [is] barren: and YHWH accepts his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceives,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Isaac entreated the Lord in behalf of his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Isaac prayed to Yahweh for his wife because she was childless, and Yahweh answered his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Isaac besought the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and he heard him, and made Rebecca to conceive.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Isaac prayed to the Lord for help on behalf of his wife because she couldn't have children. The Lord answered his prayer and she became pregnant.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Isaac made prayer to the Lord for his wife because she had no children; and the Lord gave ear to his prayer, and Rebekah became with child.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֶּעְתַּ֨רhe.prayedsubjectיִצְחָ֤קIsaacprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַֽtoיהוָה֙Yahwehprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseלְtoנֹ֣כַחthe.front.ofnoun phraseאִשְׁתּ֔wifeוֹhisכִּ֥י(dm)clausepredicateעֲקָרָ֖ה[was].barrensubjectהִ֑ואsheוַandclauseverbיֵּעָ֤תֶרhe.was.entreatedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלbyוֹ֙himsubjectיְהוָ֔הYahwehוַandclauseverbתַּ֖הַרshe.conceivednoun phrase · subjectרִבְקָ֥הRebekahnoun phraseאִשְׁתּֽwifeוֹhis

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of the verse, with the Septuagint closely following the Hebrew text. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch presents two differences: it uses אל (to) instead of לַֽיהוָה֙ (to the LORD) and הִיא (she) instead of הִ֑וא (she). These variations do not alter the fundamental meaning of the verse.

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

וַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר יִצְחָ֤ק לַֽיהוָה֙ לְנֹ֣כַח אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י עֲקָרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר לוֹ֙ יְהוָ֔ה וַתַּ֖הַר רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֶּעְתַּ֨רἐδεῖτοיִצְחָ֤קισαακלַֽיהוָה֙κυρίουלְנֹ֣כַחπερὶאִשְׁתּ֔וֹαὐτοῦכִּ֥יὅτιעֲקָרָ֖הστεῖραהִ֑ואἦνוַיֵּעָ֤תֶרἐπήκουσενלוֹ֙αὐτοῦיְהוָ֔הθεόςוַתַּ֖הַרκαὶרִבְקָ֥הρεβεκκαאִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

14 of the 14 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

ויעתר יצחק אל יהוה לנכח אשׁתו כי עקרה היא ויעתר לו יהוה ותהר רבקה אשׁתו

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: אל (to), היא (she)

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 25:21עָתַרand he prayand he prayedעָתַריִצְחָקIsaacIsaacיִצְחָקיהוהto Yahwehto Yahwehיהוהנֹ֫כַחto beforeto beforeנֹ֫כַחאִשָּׁהwife hiswife hisאִשָּׁהכִּיforforכִּיעָקָר[was] barre[was] barrenעָקָרהוּאshesheהוּאעָתַרand he was and he was entrעָתַרוֹby himby himוֹיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוההָרָהand she conand she conceivהָרָהרִבְקָהRebekahRebekahרִבְקָהאִשָּׁהwife hiswife hisאִשָּׁהעֶ֫תֶרEtherEtherעֶ֫תֶרהָיָהto beto beהָיָהצָחַקto laughto laughצָחַקאִישׁmanmanאִישׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁעָקַרto uprootto uprootעָקַרנֹ֫כַחfront, alwfront, always iנֹ֫כַחסוּרto turn asto turn aside: סוּרחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאטַףchildchildטַףנָכְרִיforeignforeignנָכְרִיאַבְרָםAbrahamAbrahamאַבְרָםיַעֲקֹבJacobJacobיַעֲקֹבמִכְשׁוֹלstumblingstumblingמִכְשׁוֹלמֶרְכָּבָהchariotchariotמֶרְכָּבָהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַע
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 25:21

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
וַיֶּעְתַּ֨רvai.ye'.Tar and he prayed H6279 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to pray or make supplication, often involving burning incense in worship. It is used to describe interceding or listening to prayer, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
to make supplication, to entreat
Tyndale gloss
to pray
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָתַר (athar) means to pray or supplicate, specifically directed to God. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including entreating and making supplications. The word is built from a primitive root related to burning incense in worship, indicating a reciprocal relationship in prayer. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6279 עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6279 `athar aw-thar'

a primitive root (rather denominative from 6281); to burn

incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to

prayer):--intreat, (make) pray(-er).

see HEBREW for 06281

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָתַר (a.tar) — to pray.

1) to pray, entreat, supplicate

1a) (Qal) to pray, entreat

1b) (Niphal) to be supplicated, be entreated

1c) (Hiphil) to make supplication, plead

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
יִצְחָ֤קyitz.Chak Isaac H3327 Noun proper masculine
108× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Amplified meaning
the son of Abraham, a man of faith
Tyndale gloss
Isaac
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יִצְחָק (Yitschaq) refers to Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means 'he laughs.' The entries indicate that he is a significant figure in the Old Testament, mentioned first in Genesis 17:19, and is the father of Jacob and Esau. The word is built from the root associated with laughter or mockery.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יִצְחָק 108, יִשְׂחָק 4 n.pr.m. Isaac, son of Abr. and Sarah (he laugheth)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3327 יִצְחָק, יִשְׂחָק Isaac, son of Abr. and Sarah (he laugheth)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3327 Yitschaq yits-khawk'

from 6711; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son

of Abraham:--Isaac. Compare 3446.

see HEBREW for 06711

see HEBREW for 03446

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יִצְחָק (yits.chaq) — Isaac.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19;

son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283);

half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259);

father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478)

§ Isaac = "he laughs"

son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

i'-zak:oIT- (CS:HebrewIT+`iruIT-/CS): Eldest son of Caleb (1Ch 4:15); probably to be read Ir, the syllable "-u" being the conjunction "and" belonging to the following word.

I. NAME

1. Root, Forms, Analogues

2. Implication

II. FAMILY AND KINDRED

1. Birth and Place in the Family

2. Relation to the Religious Birthright

3. Significance of Marriage

III. STORY OF LIFE

1. Previous to Marriage

2. Subsequent to Marriage

IV. BIBLICAL REFERENCES

1. In the Old Testament

2. In the New Testament

V. VIEWS OTHER THAN THE HISTORICAL

I. Name.

1. Root, Forms and Analogues:

This name has the double spelling, yitschaq, and yitschaq (Isaak), corresponding to the two forms in which appears the root meaning "to laugh"--a root that runs through nearly all the Semitic languages. In Hebrew both tsachaq and sachaq have their cognate nouns, and signify, in the simple stem, "to…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Isaac

Laughter. (1) Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes (Amos 7:9, 16).

(2.) The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was the longest lived of the three patriarchs (Gen. 21:1-3). He was circumcised when eight days old (4-7); and when he was probably two years old a great feast was held in connection with his being weaned.

The next memorable event in his life is that connected with the command of God given to Abraham to offer him up as a sacrifice on a mountain in the land of Moriah (Gen. 22). (See ABRAHAM.) When he was forty years of age Rebekah was chosen for his wife (Gen. 24). After the death and burial of his father he took up his residence at Beer-lahai-roi (25:7-11), where his two sons, Esau and Jacob, were born (21-26), the former of whom seems to have been his favourite son…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(laughter), the son whom Sara bore to Abraham, in the hundredth year of his age, at Gerar. (B.C. 1897.) In his infancy he became the object of Ishmael’s jealousy; and in his youth the victim, in intention, of Abraham’s great sacrificial act of faith. When forty years old he married Rebekah his cousin, by whom, when he was sixty, he had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Driven by famine to Gerar, he acquired great wealth by his flocks but was repeatedly dispossessed by the Philistines of the wells which he sunk at convenient stations. After the deceit by which Jacob acquired his father’s blessing Isaac sent his son to seek a wife in Padan-aram; and all that we know of him during the last forty-three years of his life in that he saw that GOD, with a large and prosperous family, return to him at Hebron. (Genesis 36:27) before he died there, at…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Laughter, Ge 17:17 18:12 21:6, one of the patriarchal ancestors of the Hebrew nation and of Christ, son of Abraham and Sarah, B. C. 1896-1705. His history is related in Ge 21:1-34 24:1-28:22 35:27-29. He is memorable for the circumstances attending his birth, as a child of prophecy and promise, in the old age of his parents. Even in childhood he was the object of dislike to his brother Ishmael, son of the bondwoman; and in this, a type of all children of the promise, Ga 4:29. Trained in the fear of God to early manhood, he showed a noble trust and obedience in his conduct during that remarkable trail of faith which established Abraham as the "father of the faithful;" and in his meek submission to all the will of God…

and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
לַֽיהוָה֙la.Yah.weh to Yahweh H3068 Preposition · noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
לְנֹ֣כַחle.No.khach to before H5227 Preposition
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to something being in front of or before something else, often describing location or direction. Used in Deuteronomy to describe the Israelites' position relative to the Promised Land. It can also mean on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֹ֫כַח (nokach) refers to the concept of being in front of or opposite to something. It can function as a noun meaning 'front' or as an adverb and preposition indicating direction or position, such as 'before' or 'on behalf of.' The word is closely related to נֵכַח (nekhach), which also means 'before.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֹ֫כַח subst. front, always in prep. or adv. phrases

as adv. acc. in front of, opposite to

combined with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5227 נֹ֫כַח front

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5227 nokach no'-kakh

from the same as 5226; properly, the front part; used

adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front

of, forward, in behalf of:--(over) against, before,

direct(-ly), for, right (on).

see HEBREW for 05226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֹ֫כַח (no.khach) — before.

subst

1) be in front of

adv

2) in front of, opposite to, in the sight of, before, to the front, right on

prep

3) towards the front of, in front of, on behalf of, as far as in front of

Also means: ne.khach (נֵכַח "before" H5226)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Prep — Preposition
HR/Acmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ'ish.To wife his H802 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
781× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Amplified meaning
Rebekah, his partner and companion
Tyndale gloss
woman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female

woman

Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

Female of animals

With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman

. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

. Female of animals

. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

802 'ishshah ish-shaw'

feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym

{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as

582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,

one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0582

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.

: woman

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.

: wife/widow

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.

: another

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/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 he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

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

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b 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

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
עֲקָרָ֖ה'a.ka.Rah [was] barren H6135 Adj
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means sterile or barren, describing someone unable to have children, as seen in the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:6-8. This word is used to describe a woman who cannot bear children. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of longing for a child.
Amplified meaning
sterile, unable to have children
Tyndale gloss
barren
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָקָר (aqar) means 'barren' or 'sterile,' referring to a lack of fertility in both males and females. It is derived from the root word for 'extirpated' in the generative organs. The term is used in contexts relating to infertility, particularly in women.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָקָר adj. barren

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6135 עָקָר barren

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6135 `aqar aw-kawr'

from 6131; sterile (as if extirpated in the generative

organs):--(X male or female) barren (woman).

see HEBREW for 06131

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָקָר (a.qar) — barren.

barren, sterile

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAafsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Barren

For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Gen. 16:2; 30:1-23; 1 Sam. 1:6, 27; Isa. 47:9; 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Gen. 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; Judg. 13:2, 3; Luke 1:7, 36).

and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
הִ֑ואhi' she H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
וַיֵּעָ֤תֶרvai.ye.'A.ter and he was entreated H6279 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to pray or make supplication, often involving burning incense in worship. It is used to describe interceding or listening to prayer, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
listened to, gave attention to
Tyndale gloss
to pray
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָתַר (athar) means to pray or supplicate, specifically directed to God. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including entreating and making supplications. The word is built from a primitive root related to burning incense in worship, indicating a reciprocal relationship in prayer. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6279 עָתַר pray, supplicate (always to God)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6279 `athar aw-thar'

a primitive root (rather denominative from 6281); to burn

incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to

prayer):--intreat, (make) pray(-er).

see HEBREW for 06281

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָתַר (a.tar) — to pray.

1) to pray, entreat, supplicate

1a) (Qal) to pray, entreat

1b) (Niphal) to be supplicated, be entreated

1c) (Hiphil) to make supplication, plead

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VNw3ms
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
לוֹ֙lo by him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
יְהוָ֔הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
the sovereign God, full of mercy
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
וַתַּ֖הַרva.Ta.har and she conceived H2029 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To conceive or become pregnant, as seen in the story of Sarah and Abraham in Genesis 17, where Sarah conceives Isaac in her old age. This word is used to describe the miracle of birth and new life.
Amplified meaning
became pregnant, received new life
Tyndale gloss
to conceive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָרָה (*harah*) primarily means to conceive or become pregnant, as noted in various lexicons. It can refer to both literal and figurative conception, and includes nuances such as bearing a child or devising something. The entries also indicate different grammatical forms, including Qal, Pual, and Poel, which reflect various aspects of the root meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָרָה vb. conceive, become pregnant

Qal

lit. conceive, become pregnant

metaph.

Pu. a man hath been conceived

Po. conceive, contrive, devise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2029 הָרָה conceive, become pregnant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2029 harah haw-raw'

a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive

(literally or figuratively):--been, be with child, conceive,

progenitor.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָרָה (ha.rah) — to conceive.

1) to conceive, become pregnant, bear, be with child, be conceived, progenitor

1a)(Qal) to conceive, become pregnant

1b) (Pual) to be conceived

1c) (Poel) to conceive, contrive, devise

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
רִבְקָ֥הriv.Kah Rebekah H7259 Noun proper feminine
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, a key figure in Genesis chapters 24-27.
Tyndale gloss
Rebekah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רִבְקָה (Ribqah) refers to Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel and wife of Isaac, who is also the mother of Esau and Jacob. The name is linked to the idea of being ensnared, possibly reflecting her beauty. She is first mentioned in Genesis 22:23, and her familial connections include her brother Laban.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רִבְקָה 30 n.pr.f. Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel and wife of Isaac

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7259 רִבְקָה Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel and wife of Isaac

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7259 Ribqah rib-kaw'

from an unused root probably meaning to clog by tying up the

fetlock; fettering (by beauty); Ribkah, the wife of Isaac:--

Rebekah.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רִבְקָה (riv.qah) — Rebekah.

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.22.23;

daughter of: Bethuel (H1328A);

sister of: Laban (H3837A); married to Isaac (H3327);

mother of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478)

Also named: Rhebekka (Ῥεβέκκα "Rebekah" G4479)

§ Rebekah = "ensnarer"

daughter of Bethuel, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

re-bek'-a (ribhqah; Septuagint and New Testament Rhebekka, whence the usual English spelling Rebecca): Daughter of Bethuel and an unknown mother, grand-daughter of Nahor and Milcah, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, mother of Esau and Jacob.

Her name is usually explained from the Arabic, rabqat, "a tie-rope for animals," or, rather, "a noose" in such a rope; its application would then by figure suggest the beauty (?) of her that bears it, by means of which men are snared or bound; The root is found in Hebrew only in the noun meaning "hitching-place" or "stall," in the familiar phrase "fatted calf" or "calf of the stall," and in view of the meaning of such names as Rachel and Eglah the name Rebekah might well mean (concrete for abstract, like riqmah, chemdah, etc.) a "tied-up calf" (or "lamb"?), one therefore peculiarly choice and fat.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Rebekah

A noose, the daughter of Bethuel, and the wife of Isaac (Gen. 22:23; 24:67). The circumstances under which Abraham’s “steward” found her at the “city of Nahor,” in Padan-aram, are narrated in Gen. 24-27. “She can hardly be regarded as an amiable woman. When we first see her she is ready to leave her father’s house for ever at an hour’s notice; and her future life showed not only a full share of her brother Laban’s duplicity, but the grave fault of partiality in her relations to her children, and a strong will, which soon controlled the gentler nature of her husband.” The time and circumstances of her death are not recorded, but it is said that she was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Gen. 49:31).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(ensnarer), daughter of Bethuel, (Genesis 22:23) and sister of Laban, married to Isaac. She is first presented to us in (Genesis 24:1) ... where the beautiful story of her marriage is related. (B.C. 1857.) For nineteen years she was childless: then Esau and Jacob were born, the younger being the mother’s companion and favorite. (Genesis 25:19-28) Rebekah suggested the deceit that was practiced by Jacob on his blind father. She directed and aided him in carrying it out, foresaw the probable consequence of Esau’s anger, and prevented it by moving Isaac to send Jacob away to Padan-aram, (Genesis 27:1) ... to her own kindred. (

and he prayed Isaac to Yahweh to before wife his for [was] barren she and he was entreated by him Yahweh and she conceived Rebekah wife his
אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃'ish.To wife his H802 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
781× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Tyndale gloss
woman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female

woman

Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

Female of animals

With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman

. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

. Female of animals

. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

802 'ishshah ish-shaw'

feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym

{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as

582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,

one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0582

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.

: woman

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.

: wife/widow

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.

: another

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/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."

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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