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Genesis 25:23 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה לָ֗הּ שְׁנֵ֤י גוֹיִם֙ בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙ מִלְאֹ֣ם יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ וְרַ֖ב יַעֲבֹ֥ד צָעִֽיר׃

BSAand [He]Yᵉhôvâh [Yehovah] to herʼâmar Twoshᵉnayim [a pair, a dual nature] nationsgôwy [Gentile peoples, non-Hebrew communities] are in your wombbeṭen [belly, the seat of emotions and life] and twoshᵉnayim peopleslᵉʼôm [distinct communities, ləʾummîm] from within youmêʻeh will be separatedpârad [divided, parted] one peoplelᵉʼôm [a community, a nation] will be strongerʼâmats [more courageous] than the otherlᵉʼôm and the olderrab [the elder, the firstborn] will serveʻâbad [be in bondage, work for] the youngertsâʻîyr [the younger one, the lesser]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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 (tza.'Ir) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 25:23quick helps
In a sentenceGod tells Rebekah that two nations are in her womb, and they will be divided.
Who is speakingYahweh, the God of Israel, speaks directly to Rebekah.
Where we areIn the narrative of Rebekah's pregnancy, where divine insight is given.
The hard wordגּוֹיִם
Take awayThe older will serve the younger, indicating a reversal of expectations.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיהוה verbאָמַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Genesis 25:23

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

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.”
24When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.
25The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.

Genesis 25:23 reveals God's declaration to Rebekah about the twins she is carrying. This statement not only announces their birth but also foretells the future conflict and distinction between the two nations that will arise from them. The context is significant as it sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of Jacob and Esau, which plays a crucial role in the history of Israel and its relationship with other nations.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 17:16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
2Genesis 24:60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
3Genesis 25:27When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
4Genesis 32:6When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.”
5Genesis 33:3But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

The Key Word גּוֹיִם, go.yimgenerated

The word גּוֹי (goy) means 'nation' and is often used to refer to non-Hebrew peoples. The plural form גּוֹיִם (goyim) indicates multiple nations or peoples, emphasizing the distinction between them. This term is significant in the context of God's promise to Abraham regarding his descendants and their relationship with other nations.

In this verse, the use of גּוֹיִם highlights the broader implications of Rebekah's pregnancy, suggesting that the two nations will have distinct identities and destinies, which will be pivotal in the narrative of the Hebrew Bible.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of גּוֹיִם as 'nations'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (vai.Yo.mer), 'and He said,' governs the entire verse, with multiple clauses detailing what was said. The structure emphasizes the direct speech of God and the prophetic nature of the declaration.

The sentence is constructed with a main clause followed by several subordinate clauses that elaborate on the contents of God's message to Rebekah, highlighting the separation and strength of the nations.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates גּוֹיִם as ἔθνη (ethnē), which also means 'nations.' This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the term in both Hebrew and Greek contexts, emphasizing the identity of distinct peoples.

The use of ἔθνη in the Septuagint aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's relationship with various nations, suggesting an inclusive view of God's plan for humanity.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 25:23 tells us that God spoke to Rebekah about the twins she was carrying. He revealed that two nations would come from her, indicating a future conflict. The older nation would serve the younger, which is a significant reversal of expectations in biblical narratives.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that two nations are in Rebekah's womb?

It means that the twins she is carrying, Esau and Jacob, will grow into two distinct nations with different destinies.

Why will the older serve the younger?

This statement indicates a reversal of the typical birthright tradition, where the older son usually receives the blessing and inheritance.

How does this verse connect to the larger story of Israel?

This prophecy sets the stage for the ongoing conflict between the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom), which is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative.

What significance does the term 'nations' hold in this context?

The term 'nations' signifies that both Esau and Jacob will become founders of distinct peoples, highlighting God's plan for their future and the broader implications for Israel and its neighbors.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty in shaping nations?
  2. How can we understand the dynamic between the older and younger in our own lives?
  3. In what ways do we see conflict arising from differences in identity today?
  4. How does this narrative encourage us to reflect on our own family dynamics and legacies?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, reflecting on the duality within humanity and the historical implications for God's people.

Origen of AlexandriaHOMILIES ON Genesis 12.3 c. 185–253
I think that this can be said also of each of us as individuals that “two nations and two peoples are within you.” For there is a people of virtue within us, and there is no less a people of vice within us.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →
Augustine of HippoCity of God 16.35 354–430
We must now take a look at the history of the city of God, as it takes its course from this point on among the descendants of Abraham.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →
Caesarius of Arles c. 470–542
How then do the wicked serve the good? As persecutors serve the martyrs; as a file or hammer, gold; as a mill, wheat; as ovens, the baking of bread: those are consumed, so that these may be baked.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 25:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the Lord said unto her,.... Either by one or other of the above persons she acquainted with this affair, and entreated to seek the Lord for her; or by an impulse upon her own mind: two nations

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

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

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

The Lord spoke, either by inward inspiration, in a dream or vision; or by the ministry of an angel or prophet. Two nations, i.e. the roots, heads, or parents of two distinct nations, one opposite to the other; the one blessed, the other cursed, namely, the Israelites and Edomites. Shall be separated; not only separated from thee, but one separated or greatly differing from the other in their frame of body, temper of mind, course of life, profession and practice of religion. The elder, or, the greater, namely Esau, who was, as older, so of a stronger constitution of body, and of greater power and dignity in the world than Jacob; and Esau’ s posterity were great princes for a long time, when…

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

Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.Ver. 23. And the Lord said unto her.] Either by an angel, or a prophet, or some divine answer in her own heart. Two nations are in thy womb.] So, what can a man "see in the Shulamite," in every sanctified soul, but "as it were the company of two armies"? Every good man is a divided man; every new man, two men.

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

(23) And the Lord said unto her.—Not by the mouth of Abraham, nor in a dream, but directly, as He spake of old to Adam and Eve. We read of no appearance, as in Genesis 17:1, nor must we invent one. The manner in which Jehovah thus spake has not been revealed, and it is enough for us to know that Jehovah did speak of old to men. The answer is in the form of poverty:— “Two nations are in thy womb; And two peoples from thy bowels shall be separated; And people shall be mightier than people; And the great shall serve the small.” The second line shows that even in their earliest childhood her sons would be unlike in character and unfriendly in disposition; upon this follows their development…

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

Verse 23. Two nations are in thy womb] "We have," says Bishop Newton, "in the prophecies delivered respecting the sons of Isaac, ample proof that these prophecies were not meant so much of single persons as of whole nations descended from them; for what was predicted concerning Esau and Jacob was not verified in themselves, but in their posterity. The Edomites were the offspring of Esau, the Israelites were of Jacob; and who but the Author and Giver of life could foresee that two children in the womb would multiply into two nations? Jacob had twelve sons, and their descendants were all united and incorporated into one nation; and what an overruling providence was it that two nations should…

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

23. And the Lord said] How the Divine answer was granted, whether by priest or soothsayer, by dream or by vision, we are not told. It is in the form of a rhythmic oracle, in four stichoi, or lines. The oracle proclaims, that (1) there are two children who shall be two nations; (2) from the first there shall be separation and discord between the two; (3) one shall overmaster the other; (4) the younger shall be the lord of the elder. The historic rivalry between Israel and Edom is thus prefigured. separated … bowels] The English is ambiguous, as in Galatians 1:15, “the good pleasure of God who separated me even from my mother’s womb.” The meaning is, “even from birth” the destinies of the two…

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

23. The Lord said — Here, too, we have a poetic strain:Then said Jehovah to her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples from thy bowels shall be separated.And people than people shall be

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

and 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.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

and 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.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

and the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated even from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And the Lord sayd to her, Two nations are in thy wombe, and two maner of people shalbe diuided out of thy bowels, and the one people shall be mightier then the other, and the elder shall serue the yonger.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Jehovah said to her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels; And one people shall be stronger than the other people, And the elder shall serve the younger.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Jehovah saith to her, 'Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two peoples from thy bowels are parted; and the [one] people than the [other] people is stronger; and the elder doth serve the younger.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And YHWH says to her, “Two nations [are] in your womb, and two peoples from your bowels are parted; and the [one] people is stronger than the [other] people; and the older serves the younger.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he answering said: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be divided out of thy womb, and one people shall overcome the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

“You have two nations inside you,” the Lord replied. “You're going to give birth to two peoples who will compete against each other. One will be stronger than the other; the older one will be the servant of the younger one.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the Lord said to her, Two nations are in your body, and two peoples will come to birth from you: the one will be stronger than the other, and the older will be the servant of the younger.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֨אמֶרhe.saidsubjectיְהוָ֜הYahwehprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֗toהּherclauseclausenoun phrase · subjectשְׁנֵ֤יtwoגוֹיִם֙nationsprepositional phrase · predicateבְּ[are].innoun phraseבִטְנֵ֔wombךְyourוּandclausenoun phrase · subjectשְׁנֵ֣יtwoלְאֻמִּ֔יםpeoplesprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseמֵּעַ֖יִyour.inwardךְpartsverbיִפָּרֵ֑דוּthey.will.separateוּandclausesubjectלְאֹם֙a.peopleprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִmoreלְאֹ֣םthan.a.peopleverbיֶֽאֱמָ֔ץit.will.be.strongוְand.[the]clausesubjectרַ֖בgreat.[one]verbיַעֲבֹ֥דit.will.serveobjectצָעִֽיר[the].young.[one]

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 closely, with only minor differences in word order. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using the word גוים instead of גוֹיִם, but the meaning remains consistent across these texts.

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

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה לָ֗הּ שְׁנֵ֤י גוֹיִם֙ בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙ מִלְאֹ֣ם יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ וְרַ֖ב יַעֲבֹ֥ד צָעִֽיר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרεἶπενיְהוָ֜הκύριοςלָ֗הּαὐτῇשְׁנֵ֤יδύοגוֹיִם֙ἔθνηבְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְσούוּשְׁנֵ֣יδύοלְאֻמִּ֔יםλαοὶמִמֵּעַ֖יִךְσουיִפָּרֵ֑דוּδιασταλήσονταιוּלְאֹם֙λαὸςמִלְאֹ֣םλαοῦיֶֽאֱמָ֔ץὑπερέχειוְרַ֖בκαὶיַעֲבֹ֥דδουλεύσειצָעִֽיר׃ἐλάσσονι

16 of the 16 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

ויאמר יהוה לה שׁני גוים בבטנך ושׁני לאמים ממעיך יפרדו ולאם מלאם יאמץ ורב יעבד צעיר

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: גוים (people)

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 25:23אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַריהוהYahwehYahwehיהוההָto herto herהָשְׁנַ֫יִםtwotwoשְׁנַ֫יִםגּוֹיnationsnationsגּוֹיבֶּ֫טֶן[are] in wo[are] in womb yבֶּ֫טֶןשְׁנַ֫יִםand twoand twoשְׁנַ֫יִםלְאֹםpeoplespeoplesלְאֹםמֵעֶהfrom inwardfrom inward parמֵעֶהפָּרַדthey will sthey will separפָּרַדלְאֹםand a peopland a peopleלְאֹםלְאֹםmore than amore than a peoלְאֹםאָמֵץit will be it will be stroאָמֵץרַבand [the] gand [the] greatרַבעָבַדit will serit will serveעָבַדצָעִיר[the] young[the] young [onצָעִירהָיָהto beto beהָיָהשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִירָבַבto multiplto multiplyרָבַבצָעַרbe littlebe littleצָעַרגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהרִיקvainvainרִיקשָׁאוֹןroarroarשָׁאוֹןעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהפְּרִיfruitfruitפְּרִימֵעֶהbellybellyמֵעֶהחֳלִיsicknesssicknessחֳלִי
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 25:23

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

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

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

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

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

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

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

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

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

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

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

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

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

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

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

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
יְהוָ֜הYah.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
Yehovah
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 said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
לָ֗הּLah to her H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3fs
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
שְׁנֵ֤יshe.Nei two H8147 Adj
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, a dual nature
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcbdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
גוֹיִם֙go.yim nations H1471 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile peoples, non-Hebrew communities
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְbe.vit.Nekh [are] in womb your H990 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
72× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Amplified meaning
belly, the seat of emotions and life
Tyndale gloss
belly: abdomen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word בֶּ֫טֶן (*beten*) primarily means 'belly,' 'body,' or 'womb.' It is derived from a root suggesting hollowness and encompasses various uses, including the physical abdomen and metaphorical meanings, such as the seat of hunger or mental faculties. The lexicons consistently highlight these aspects without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶּ֫טֶן n.f. belly, body, womb

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H990 בֶּ֫טֶן belly, body, womb

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

990 beten beh'-ten

from an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly,

especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything:--

belly, body, + as they be born, + within, womb.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: abdomen.

: abdomen

1) belly, womb, body

1a) belly, abdomen

1a1) as seat of hunger

1a2) as seat of mental faculties

1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)

1b) womb

בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: womb.

: womb/pregnancy

1) belly, womb, body

1a) belly, abdomen

1a1) as seat of hunger

1a2) as seat of mental faculties

1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)

1b) womb

בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: hump.

: hump

1) belly, womb, body

1a) belly, abdomen

1a1) as seat of hunger

1a2) as seat of mental faculties

1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)

1b) womb

בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: body.

: body

1) belly, womb, body

1a) belly, abdomen

1a1) as seat of hunger

1a2) as seat of mental faculties

1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)

1b) womb

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fs
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
וּשְׁנֵ֣יu.she.Nei and two H8147 Conjunction
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Acbdc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
לְאֻמִּ֔יםle.'u.Mim peoples H3816 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a community or nation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people who share a common identity or culture. The KJV translates it as 'nation' or 'people'.
Amplified meaning
distinct communities, ləʾummîm
Tyndale gloss
people
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְאֹם, transliterated as lom, refers to a 'people' or 'nation.' It is derived from an unused root meaning to gather, indicating a sense of community. The term is noted as chiefly late in usage according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְאֹם, לְאוֹם n.m. people, poet. and chiefly late

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3816 לְאֹם, לְאוֹם people, poet. and chiefly late

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3816 lom leh-ome'

or l owm {leh-ome'}; from an unused root meaning to gather; a

community:--nation, people.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְאֹם (le.om) — people.

a people, nation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְmi.me.'A.yikh from inward parts your H4578 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the internal organs, like the intestines or stomach, and can also mean sympathy or emotions. The KJV translates it as belly, bowels, or womb, depending on the context.
Tyndale gloss
belly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֵעֶה (me`ah) refers to internal organs, particularly the intestines and belly. It is used in plural form and can denote various inward parts, including the womb and the seat of emotions. The term may also imply softness, reflecting a figurative sense of sympathy or emotional distress.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מֵעֶה] n.m. only pl. internal organs, inward parts (intestines, bowels), belly

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4578 מֵעֶה only pl. internal organs, inward parts (intestines, bowels), belly

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4578 me`ah may-aw'

from an unused root probably meaning to be soft; used only in

plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen,

figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extens. the

stomach, the uterus (or of men, the seat of generation), the

heart (figuratively):--belly, bowels, X heart, womb.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֵעֶה (me.eh) — belly.

1) internal organs, inward parts, bowels, intestines, belly

1a) inward parts

1b) digestive organs

1c) organs of procreation, womb

1d) place of emotions or distress or love (fig.)

1e) external belly

Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְעָא "belly" H4577)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp2fs
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
יִפָּרֵ֑דוּyi.pa.Re.du they will separate H6504 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine plural
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
divided, parted
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-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVNi3mp
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.

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
וּלְאֹם֙u.le.'Om and a people H3816 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a community or nation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people who share a common identity or culture. The KJV translates it as 'nation' or 'people'.
Amplified meaning
a community, a nation
Tyndale gloss
people
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְאֹם, transliterated as lom, refers to a 'people' or 'nation.' It is derived from an unused root meaning to gather, indicating a sense of community. The term is noted as chiefly late in usage according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְאֹם, לְאוֹם n.m. people, poet. and chiefly late

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3816 לְאֹם, לְאוֹם people, poet. and chiefly late

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3816 lom leh-ome'

or l owm {leh-ome'}; from an unused root meaning to gather; a

community:--nation, people.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְאֹם (le.om) — people.

a people, nation

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

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
מִלְאֹ֣םmil.'Om more than a people H3816 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a community or nation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people who share a common identity or culture. The KJV translates it as 'nation' or 'people'.
Tyndale gloss
people
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לְאֹם, transliterated as lom, refers to a 'people' or 'nation.' It is derived from an unused root meaning to gather, indicating a sense of community. The term is noted as chiefly late in usage according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לְאֹם, לְאוֹם n.m. people, poet. and chiefly late

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3816 לְאֹם, לְאוֹם people, poet. and chiefly late

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3816 lom leh-ome'

or l owm {leh-ome'}; from an unused root meaning to gather; a

community:--nation, people.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לְאֹם (le.om) — people.

a people, nation

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

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץye.'e.Matz it will be strong H553 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to be strong or courageous, like in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses tells the Israelites to be brave. It can also mean to strengthen or secure something. English Bibles often translate it as 'be courageous' or 'strengthen'.
Amplified meaning
more courageous
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert

Qal

be strong

Imv. be bold

Pi.

make firm, strengthen

assure, secure for oneself

harden, make obstinate

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

make oneself alert, make haste

Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong

. Imv. be bold

. . make firm, strengthen

. assure, secure for oneself

. harden, make obstinate

. . strengthen oneself

. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

. make oneself alert, make haste

. exhibit strength, be strong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

553 'amats aw-mats'

a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or

mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good

courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,

fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make

strong (obstinate, speed).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.

1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard

1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold

1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure

1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to

1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
וְרַ֖בve.Rav and [the] great [one] H7227 Conjunction
454× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Amplified meaning
the elder, the firstborn
Tyndale gloss
many
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רַב 429 adj. much, many, great

(oft. opp. מְעַט)

much: of substances

esp. of collectives, numerous

pl. many

רַב as subst. coll. pers.

cstr. = abounding in

מִן comp. = more numerous than

רַב = abundant, enough

as adv. much, exceedingly

less oft. great

base

רַב 49 n.m. chief

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances

. esp. of collectives, numerous

. pl. many

. רַב as subst. coll. pers.

. cstr. = abounding in

. + מִן comp. = more numerous than

. רַב = abundant, enough

. as adv. much, exceedingly

. less oft. great

H7227b רַב chief

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7227 rab rab

by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,

number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),

captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,

one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,

things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)

much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,

populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).

see HEBREW for 07231

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רַב (rav) — many.

adj

1) much, many, great

1a) much

1b) many

1c) abounding in

1d) more numerous than

1e) abundant, enough

1f) great

1g) strong

1h) greater than

adv

1i) much, exceedingly

רַב (rav) — chief.

captain, chief

Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)

רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.

Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)

§ captain, chief

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
יַעֲבֹ֥דya.'a.Vod it will serve H5647 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
288× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Amplified meaning
be in bondage, work for
Tyndale gloss
to serve
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to work or serve, encompassing a range of activities from laboring for others to serving God, including Levitical service. It can also refer to the cultivation of land or the act of enslaving. The word appears in various forms, indicating different nuances of service and labor.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָבַד 290 vb. work, serve

Qal

labour, work, do work

work for another, serve him by labour

serve as subjects

serve God

serve י׳ with Levitical service

Niph.

be tilled, of land

dub. cultivated field

Pu. worked

Hiph.

compel to labour as slaves

make to serve as subjects

cause to serve God

Hoph. be led or enticed to serve

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5647 עָבַד work, serve .. labour, work, do work

. work for another, serve him by labour

. serve as subjects

. serve God

. serve י׳ with Levitical service

. . be tilled, of land

. dub. cultivated field

. worked

. . compel to labour as slaves

. make to serve as subjects

. cause to serve God

. be led or enticed to serve

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5647 `abad aw-bad'

a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to

serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.:--X be, keep in

bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear,

execute, + husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass,

(cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become)

servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from

margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve.

: serve[someone]

1) to work, serve

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to labour, work, do work

1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour

1a3) to serve as subjects

1a4) to serve (God)

1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)

1b2) to make oneself a servant

1c) (Pual) to be worked

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve

1d2) to cause to serve as subjects

1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve

עָבַד (a.vad) — to serve: minister.

: minister/serve[God/tabernacle/temple]/worship

1) to work, serve

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to labour, work, do work

1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour

1a3) to serve as subjects

1a4) to serve (God)

1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land)

1b2) to make oneself a servant

1c) (Pual) to be worked

1d) (Hiphil)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and he said Yahweh to her two nations [are] in womb your and two peoples from inward parts your they will separate and a people more than a people it will be strong and [the] great [one] it will serve [the] young [one]
צָעִֽיר׃tza.'Ir [the] young [one] H6810 Adj
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means something or someone is little, young, or insignificant. It appears in the Bible to describe something small in number or size. In the KJV, it is translated as least, little, or small.
Amplified meaning
the younger one, the lesser
Tyndale gloss
little
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָעִיר (tsa`iyr) means little, insignificant, or young. It can refer to something that is small in size or number, as well as to youth or lower status. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to size and age, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָעִיר adj. little, insignificant, young

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6810 צָעִיר little, insignificant, young

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6810 tsa`iyr tsaw-eer'

or tsanowr {tsaw-ore'}; from 6819; little; (in number) few;

(in age) young, (in value) ignoble:--least, little (one),

small (one), + young(-er, -est).

see HEBREW for 06819

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָעִיר (tsa.ir) — little.

1) little, insignificant, young

1a) little, insignificant

1b) insignificant, mean

1c) young, younger, youngest

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

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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