Genesis 27:40 — Word Study
WLCוְעַל־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ תִֽחְיֶ֔ה וְאֶת־ אָחִ֖יךָ תַּעֲבֹ֑ד וְהָיָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּרִ֔יד וּפָרַקְתָּ֥ עֻלּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֥ל צַוָּארֶֽךָ׃
BSAYou shall livechâyâh▸ [by your strength, with violence] byʻal the swordchereb [as a warrior, with cutting instrument] and serveʻâbad▸ [be in bondage, as a slave] your brotherʼâch [close relative, male sibling] But whenʼăsher you rebelrûwd▸ [break loose, have dominion] you will tearpâraq [break off, deliver] his yokeʻôl [wooden beam] fromʻal your necktsavvâʼr [status, or burden]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְעַל־ | and on | Conjunction, preposition |
| חַרְבְּךָ֣ | sword your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| תִֽחְיֶ֔ה | you will live | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| אָחִ֖יךָ | brother your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תַּעֲבֹ֑ד | you will serve | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וְהָיָה֙ | and it will be | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר | just as | Preposition, particle |
| תָּרִ֔יד | you will be restless | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וּפָרַקְתָּ֥ | and you will tear off | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| עֻלּ֖וֹ | yoke his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מֵעַ֥ל | from on | Preposition, preposition |
| צַוָּארֶֽךָ׃ | neck your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.” |
| KJV | And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. |
| ASV | And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck. |
| YLT | and by thy sword dost thou live, and thy brother dost thou serve; and it hath come to pass when thou rulest, that thou hast broken his yoke from off thy neck.' |
| WEB | You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you will shake his yoke from off your neck.” |
| BBE | By your sword will you get your living and you will be your brother's servant; but when your power is increased his yoke will be broken from off your neck. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of certain phrases regarding servitude and rebellion.
The sentence has a main clause followed by subordinate phrases that elaborate on Esau's future actions and circumstances.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 27:40
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 Blessing of Isaacgenerated
Genesis 27:40 presents Isaac's pronouncement over Esau, detailing the hardships he will face and his eventual rebellion against Jacob's authority. This blessing reflects the complex dynamics of their relationship and the ongoing conflict between their descendants, as seen in the broader narrative of Genesis. The context emphasizes themes of struggle, servitude, and the quest for freedom, which resonate throughout the biblical story.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 32:6 | When 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.” |
| 2 | Matthew 10:34 | Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. |
| 3 | Genesis 25:23 | 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.” |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 8:14 | He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 11:15–17 | Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חַרְבְּךָ֣, char.be.Khagenerated
The Hebrew word חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) refers to a sword, a cutting instrument used in warfare. It signifies not only a physical weapon but also the violence and struggle that will characterize Esau's life. The parsing indicates it is a feminine singular noun, showing that it is treated as a concrete object of action in this context.
In this verse, the sword symbolizes Esau's means of survival and the aggressive nature of his existence. It implies that his life will be defined by conflict and the necessity of fighting for his place in the world.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the essence of the verse, consistently conveying Esau's future of living by the sword and serving his brother.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תִֽחְיֶ֔ה, you will live, governs the sentence, with several phrases detailing how Esau will live and serve. The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between living by the sword and serving his brother.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the actions Esau will take, indicating a life marked by violence and servitude, ultimately leading to his rebellion.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חַרְבְּךָ֣ as σου, indicating possession. This choice reflects the personal nature of the sword in Esau's life, emphasizing that it is his means of survival and conflict.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text while adapting it for a Hellenistic audience, maintaining the themes of struggle and servitude.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 27:40 shows Isaac telling Esau that he will live by violence and serve Jacob. However, he will eventually break free from this servitude. This verse highlights the ongoing struggle between the two brothers and sets the stage for future conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that Esau's life will be marked by conflict and violence, suggesting a warrior's existence.
This reflects the dynamics of their relationship, where Jacob is favored and Esau is placed in a position of servitude.
To tear off the yoke signifies Esau's rebellion and desire for freedom from servitude, indicating a future struggle for independence.
This verse encapsulates the ongoing conflict between Esau and Jacob, which is a central theme in the Genesis narrative, highlighting issues of favoritism, rivalry, and destiny.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see struggles for power and freedom reflected in my own life?
- How can I understand the dynamics of servitude and rebellion in my relationships?
- What does it mean to live by the sword in today's context?
- How can I apply the lessons from Esau's story to my own experiences of conflict and resolution?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, interpreting it in the context of conflict and servitude, as they explore the implications of Isaac's blessing on Esau's descendants.
And the words: “You shall live by your sword” mean that the people never stop being in defensive or aggressive war with the nations living around them, as Scripture itself shows.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
Nevertheless Esau brought it about by his demands and entreaties that he did receive a blessing but such a blessing as was in agreement and correspondence with the earlier one, namely, that he should serve his brother.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
Everyone who does not possess the authority conferred by a clear conscience is a slave; whoever is crushed by fear or ensnared by pleasure or seduced by desires or provoked by wrath or felled by grief is a slave.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 27:40 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd by thy sword shalt thou live,.... By what he could get by it; his land being so poor that he could not live upon it, but must be obliged to such methods for a livelihood; or his country being
Read John Gill on Genesis 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy thy sword shalt thou live; by violence and rapine, in an unquiet and military posture, troubling others, and forced to defend thyself. But this, as also the following clause, though spoken to Esau, was not fulfilled in him, but in his posterity the Edomites, whose history makes good this prophecy. Thus things spoken and promised to Abraham were fulfilled in his posterity, as 22:18. When thou shalt have the dominion; when thou shalt grow potent. Some render the words thus, When thou shalt have mourned or groaned, as the same word is used ; when thou hast oppressed as long as I think fit.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.Ver. 40. When thou shalt have the dominion.] Cum planxeris, saith Junius; when thou hast for some time undergone hard, troublesome, and lamentable servitude, the grief whereof thou dost greatly groan under; as in David’ s time, who "cast his shoe over them". The Sodomites, those worst of men, were the first that we find in Scripture brought in bondage to others. When the Danes and other foreigners domineered in this kingdom, was it not a lamentable time? were not men’ s dearest lives sold as cheap as…
Read John Trapp on Genesis 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(40) When thou shalt have the dominion.—This rendering of a rare and difficult Hebrew word is scarcely more than a guess made by two or three ancient Jewish commentators. Its real meaning here, and in Jeremiah 2:31, Hosea 11:12, is to toss the yoke—be restless and unquiet. The prophecy of Edom’s subjection to his brother was literally fulfilled, as Idumæa was for ages a mere dependency upon Judah; but in the days first of Joram, and then of Ahaz, it revolted, and recovered its freedom. It was again conquered by Hyrcanus, the nephew of Judas Maccabaeus; nor was its subject condition altered by the fact that the dynasty of the Herods was of Edomite extraction. In troubled times, then, it…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 27 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 40. By thy sword shalt thou live] This does not absolutely mean that the Edomites should have constant wars; but that they should be of a fierce and warlike disposition, gaining their sustenance by hunting, and by predatory excursions upon the possessions of others. Bishop Newton speaks on this subject with his usual good sense and judgment: "The elder branch, it is here foretold, should delight more in war and violence, but yet should be subdued by the younger. By thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother. Esau might be said to live much by the sword; for he was a cunning hunter, a man of the field. He and his children got possession of Mount Seir by force and violence…
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges40. by thy sword] The soil will not furnish means of subsistence. The life of marauders dwelling in mountain fastnesses is here depicted. They will raid their brother’s borders. They will cut off the merchants travelling with caravans and camels between the Red Sea and Syria. thou shalt serve thy brother] Cf. Genesis 25:23. The people of Edom were first subjugated by Israel in the reign of David. Cf. 2 Samuel 8:14. break loose] Better, as Driver, “become restless.” The word in the original is obscure, being found elsewhere only in Psalms 55:2, “restless”; Jeremiah 2:31, “broken loose”; Hosea 11:12 (R.V. marg. is yet unstedfast with). Probably the metaphor is that of an animal shaking itself…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 27 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible40. By thy sword shalt thou live — By war and rapine. Here note how different from Jacob, whose source of support is abundance of grain and of sweet wine. Genesis 27:28.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 27 →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
You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you will shake his yoke from off your neck.”
You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
You will live by your sword but you will serve your brother. When you grow restless, you will tear off his yoke from your neck.”
Tyndale line
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother: and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And by thy sword shalt thou liue, and shalt be thy brothers seruant. But it shall come to passe, when thou shalt get the masterie, that thou shalt breake his yoke from thy necke.
Strictly literal
And by thy sword shalt thou live; And thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass when thou rovest about, That thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
and by thy sword dost thou live, and thy brother dost thou serve; and it hath come to pass when thou rulest, that thou hast broken his yoke from off thy neck.'
and by your sword you live, and your brother serves you; and it has come to pass, when you rule, that you have broken his yoke from off your neck.”
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thy brother shalt thou serve; and it shall come to pass, that when thou shalt have the dominion, thou canst break his yoke from off thy neck.
By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will shake his yoke from off your neck.”
From the Latin
Shall thy blessing be. Thou shalt live by the sword and shalt serve thy brother: and the time shall come, when thou shalt shake off and loose his yoke from thy neck.
Simplified
You will make a living by using your sword, and you will be your brother's servant. But when you rebel, you will throw off his yoke from your neck.”
By your sword will you get your living and you will be your brother's servant; but when your power is increased his yoke will be broken from off your neck.
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.
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 13 of the 13 words matched. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in two words, suggesting alternative interpretations of Esau's fate and the nature of his servitude.
וְעַל־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ תִֽחְיֶ֔ה וְאֶת־ אָחִ֖יךָ תַּעֲבֹ֑ד וְהָיָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּרִ֔יד וּפָרַקְתָּ֥ עֻלּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֥ל צַוָּארֶֽךָ׃
13 of the 13 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ועל חרבך תחיה ואת אחיך תעבד והיה כאשׁר תהדר ופרקת עולו מעל צוארך
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: תהדר (honour), עולו (yoke)
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.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 27:40
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.
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · prepositionHC/R
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.
חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)
base
H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)
2719 chereb kheh'-reb
from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its
destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp
implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
see HEBREW for 02717
חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.
1) sword, knife
1a) sword
1b) knife
1c) tools for cutting stone
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
חָיָה (chayah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to live or have life, encompassing both literal and figurative senses. It includes various nuances such as reviving, preserving life, and restoring health. The entries detail its use in different stems, with Qal focusing on living and being quickened, while Piel and Hiphil emphasize giving life and reviving. No specific verse references are provided.
חָיָה 283 vb. live
Qal 203
live
be quickened, revive
Pi.
preserve alive, let live
give life
quicken, revive, refresh
Hiph.
preserve alive, let live
quicken, revive
base
H2421 חָיָה live .. live
. be quickened, revive
. . preserve alive, let live
. give life
. quicken, revive, refresh
. . preserve alive, let live
. quicken, revive
2421 chayah khaw-yaw'
a primitive root (compare 2331, 2421); to live, whether
literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:--keep
(leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let,
suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken,
recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save
(alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.
see HEBREW for 02331
see HEBREW for 02421
חָיָה (cha.yah) — to live.
1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to live
1a1a) to have life
1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive
1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon
1a1d) to live (prosperously)
1a2) to revive, be quickened
1a2a) from sickness
1a2b) from discouragement
1a2c) from faintness
1a2d) from death
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to preserve alive, let live
1b2) to give life
1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh
1b3a) to restore to life
1b3b) to cause to grow
1b3c) to restore
1b3d) to revive
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to preserve alive, let live
1c2) to quicken, revive
1c2a) to restore (to health)
1c2b) to revive
1c2c) to restore to life
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
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.
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
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
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,
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)
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Hc/Vqq3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Prep | Rel — Preposition · particleHR/Tr
az: Conj. and adverb (usually Greek hos hosper, kathos), designating:
(1) Likeness: (a) between nouns (Ge 3:5; Jud 6:5; Php 2:8; Heb 11:27,29); (b) between verbs (Lu 6:36; Joh 5:30; 1Co 10:7); (c) between adjectives (1Co 15:48).
(2) Limitation (with respect to a particular aspect or relation) (1Pe 4:15,16).
רוּד (ruwd) is a primitive root meaning to wander restlessly or roam. It includes nuances of showing restlessness and can imply a lack of knowledge. The entries indicate its use in different forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, but do not provide specific verse references.
רוּד vb. wander restlessly, roam
Qal lacks knowledge
Hiph. shew restlessness
base
H7300 רוּד wander restlessly, roam .lacks knowledge
. shew restlessness
7300 ruwd rood
a primitive root; to tramp about, i.e. ramble (free or
disconsolate):--have the dominion, be lord, mourn, rule.
רוּד (rud) — to roam.
1) to wander restlessly, roam
1a) (Qal) to roam
1b) (Hiphil) to be restless, show restlessness
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singularHVhi2ms
פָּרַק (paraḳ) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tear apart or away. It can imply breaking off, delivering, or rescuing in various forms, such as tearing away or being broken in pieces. The entries suggest a range of uses, including both literal and figurative senses, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[פָּרַק] vb. tear apart, away
Qal tear away yoke
Pi. he shall tear off their hoofs
Hithp. tear off (for, i.e. from, oneself)
base
H6561 [פָּרַק] tear apart, away
6561 paraq paw-rak'
a primitive root; to break off or crunch; figuratively, to
deliver:--break (off), deliver, redeem, rend (in pieces),
tear in pieces.
פָּרַק (pa.raq) — to tear.
1) to tear apart or away, tear off, break away
1a) (Qal) to tear away, snatch, rescue
1b) (Piel) to tear off
1c) (Hithpael) to tear off from oneself, be broken off, be broken in pieces
Aramaic equivalent: pe.raq (פְּרַק "to break" H6562)
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqq2ms
עֹל (ol) means 'yoke' and is used both literally and figuratively. It is derived from a root meaning to impose, which suggests a burden or constraint. The entries consistently define it as a yoke, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
עֹל 39 n.m. yoke
base
H5923 עֹל yoke
5923 `ol ole
or mowl {ole}; from 5953; a yoke (as imposed on the neck),
literally or figuratively:--yoke.
see HEBREW for 05953
עֹל (ol) — yoke.
yoke
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Prep — Preposition · prepositionHR/R
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
The Hebrew word צַוָּאר (*tsavvar*) primarily means 'neck' or 'back of the neck,' and can refer to both humans and animals. It is related to the word צַוָּרוֹן (*tsavvaron*), which means 'necklace,' as noted in Song of Solomon 4:9. The term is derived from a root meaning 'binding,' suggesting a connection to burdens carried on the neck.
צַוָּאר n.m. neck, back of neck
base
[צַוָּרוֹן] n.[m.]pl. necklace;—sf. Ct 4:9.
ref
H6677a צַוָּאר neck, back of neck H6677b צַוָּרוֹן n. [m.] pl. necklace
6677 tsavva'r tsav-vawr'
or tsavvar (Nehemiah 3:5) {tsav-vawr'}; or tsavvaron (Song of
Solomon 4:9) {tsav-vaw-rone'}; or (feminine) tsavva.rah (Micah
2:3) {tsav-vaw-raw'}; intensively from 6696 in the sense of
binding; the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are
bound):--neck.
see HEBREW for 06696
צַוָּאר (tsav.var) — neck.
1) neck, back of neck
1a) neck, back of neck (of man)
1b) neck (of animals)
Aramaic equivalent: tsav.var (צַוַּאר "neck" H6676)
צַוָּרוֹן (tsav.va.ron) — necklace.
necklace
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
