Menu

Genesis 37:18 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיִּרְא֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מֵרָחֹ֑ק וּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙ יִקְרַ֣ב אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃

BSANow [Joseph’s brothers] sawrâʼâh [from a distance, afar off] himʼêth in the distancerâchôwq [at a far point, physically or in time] and beforeṭerem [prior to, in advance of] he arrivedqârab [came near, approached] they plottednâkal [conspired, made a secret design] to kill himmûwth [slay, put to death, namely, their brother]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 37
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 18 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (la.ha.mi.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 37:18quick helps
In a sentenceJoseph's brothers saw him from afar and conspired to kill him before he could reach them.
Who is speakingThe narrative voice describes the actions of Joseph's brothers.
Where we areThis moment occurs as Joseph approaches his brothers in Dothan, setting the stage for their treachery.
The hard wordנָכַל, nakal
Take awayThe brothers' deceit leads them to plot against their own flesh and blood.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them › clause verbרָאָה 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 37:18

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 Betrayal of Josephgenerated

17“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
18Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.
19“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another.
20“Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”

Genesis 37:18 recounts the moment when Joseph's brothers first see him approaching and decide to conspire against him. This event is pivotal in the story of Joseph, leading to his eventual sale into slavery and the unfolding of God's plan for Israel. The context highlights the tension between Joseph and his brothers, which is rooted in jealousy and betrayal, as they react to his dreams and favored status.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 19:1Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,
2Psalm 31:13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
3Psalm 37:12–32The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
4Psalm 94:21They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
5Psalm 105:25whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word נָכַל, vai.yit.na.ke.Lugenerated

The verb נָכַל (nakal) means to act deceitfully or to plot against someone. It is used here in the Hithpael form, indicating a reflexive action where the brothers conspire against Joseph.

This word carries connotations of craftiness and treachery, reflecting the brothers' intentions to deceive and harm Joseph. The choice of this verb emphasizes their malicious intent and the gravity of their actions.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

One finite verb governs the verse — וַיִּרְא֥וּ, and they saw — with several phrases describing the action: a prepositional phrase indicating distance, a temporal phrase indicating timing, and a clause detailing their plot.

The structure emphasizes the brothers' perception and their subsequent actions. The main verb stands at the forefront, highlighting their sighting of Joseph as the catalyst for their conspiracy.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיִּרְא֥וּ as προεῖδον, which means 'to foresee' or 'to perceive beforehand.' This choice suggests a deeper awareness of Joseph's approach and their premeditated intent.

The Greek term carries a nuance of insight, indicating that the brothers not only saw Joseph but also understood the implications of his arrival, reinforcing their treachery.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 37:18 tells us that Joseph's brothers saw him coming from a distance and plotted to kill him before he could reach them. This moment highlights their jealousy and the lengths they would go to in order to harm their brother.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why did Joseph's brothers plot against him?

They were jealous of Joseph because of their father's favoritism and his dreams that suggested he would one day rule over them.

What does the phrase 'from a distance' signify?

It indicates that the brothers saw Joseph approaching from afar, which allowed them time to conspire before he arrived.

How does this event impact the rest of Joseph's story?

This act of betrayal sets in motion the events that lead to Joseph being sold into slavery, ultimately leading to his rise in Egypt and the preservation of his family during famine.

What can we learn from the actions of Joseph's brothers?

Their deceit and jealousy serve as a warning about the destructive nature of envy and the consequences of betrayal.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen jealousy affect relationships in my life?
  2. How can I guard against the temptation to act deceitfully like Joseph's brothers?
  3. What steps can I take to promote reconciliation rather than division in my relationships?
  4. How does this story challenge me to respond to those I may feel jealous of?

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

Clement of Rome references this verse to highlight themes of betrayal and fulfillment in his letter, illustrating how scriptural events resonate through time.

Clement of RomeClement's First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapters 3-4 d. c. 99
Every kind of honour and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My beloved ate and drank, and was enlarged and became fat,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 37 →

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 37:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And when they saw him afar off,.... They knew him as soon as they saw him, by his stature, his gesture or manner of walking, and especially by his coat of various colours he now had on, Genesis

Read John Gill on Genesis 37 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. When they saw him afar off.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 37 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.Ver. 18. They conspired against him.] So did the husbandmen against Christ: "This is the heir," say they, &c. The word is by one rendered, They craftily conspired. The Greek hath it, malignantly: craft and cruelty go usually together in the Church’ s adversaries. The devil lends them his seven heads to plot, and his ten horns to push poor Joseph, that dreads no danger.

Read John Trapp on Genesis 37 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2b–36 (JE). Joseph sold into Egypt 2b (J). and he was a lad with, &c.] The English here gives an awkward rendering. The meaning is, “he was keeping sheep, being still a lad, with his brethren, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah,” i.e. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. Joseph’s home at this time seems to have been at Hebron (cf. Genesis 35:27). The life of Joseph, the elder son of the favourite wife, spent in the field with the sons of the concubines, was not likely to be happy. the evil report] What this was, does not appear; cf. 1 Samuel 2:23. But Joseph’s action brought upon him the odium of tale-bearing. On the words for “evil report” cf. Numbers 13:32; Numbers 14:36-37 (P).

Read Cambridge on Genesis 37 →

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

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And when they sawe him a farre off, euen before he came at them, they conspired against him for to slay him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And when they saw him from afar, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to put him to death.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And they see him from afar, even before he draweth near unto them, and they conspire against him to put him to death.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And they see him from afar, even before he draws near to them, and they conspire against him to put him to death.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they plotted against him to kill him.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And when they saw him afar off, before he came nigh them, they thought to kill him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But they saw him coming way off in the distance, and before he got to them, they made plans to kill him.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But they saw him when he was a long way off, and before he came near them they made a secret design against him to put him to death;

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּרְא֥וּthey.sawnoun phrase · objectאֹת֖וֹhimprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfromרָחֹ֑קa.distanceוּandclauseclauseprepositional phraseבְטֶ֨רֶם֙beforeclauseverbיִקְרַ֣בhe.drew.nearprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֲלֵיtoהֶ֔םthemוַandclauseverbיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּthey.dealt.cunningly.withnoun phrase · adverbialאֹת֖וֹhimprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoclauseverbהֲמִיתֽkillobjectוֹhim

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 Samaritan Pentateuch agree word for word in this verse, affirming the consistency of the account. The Septuagint, while closely aligned, presents the words in a different order, reflecting its unique translation style.

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

וַיִּרְא֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מֵרָחֹ֑ק וּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙ יִקְרַ֣ב אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּרְא֥וּπροεῖδονאֹת֖וֹαὐτὸνמֵרָחֹ֑קμακρόθενוּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙πρὸיִקְרַ֣בἐγγίσαιאֲלֵיהֶ֔םαὐτοὺςוַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּἐπονηρεύοντοלַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃αὐτόν

8 of the 9 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

ויראו אתו מרחק בטרם יקרב אליהם ויתנכלו אתו להמיתו

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

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 37:18רָאָהand they saand they sawרָאָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתרָחֹקfrom a distfrom a distanceרָחֹקטֶ֫רֶםand just beand just beforeטֶ֫רֶםקָרֵבhe drew neahe drew nearקָרֵבאֶלto themto themאֶלנָכַלand they deand they dealt נָכַלאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמוּתto kill himto kill himמוּתאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתרָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁעֳנִיafflictionafflictionעֳנִינָבַטto lookto lookנָבַטקָרֹבnearnearקָרֹבקָצֶהendendקָצֶהחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלקָרְבָּןofferingofferingקָרְבָּןאִשֶּׁהfood offerfood offeringאִשֶּׁהפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הרָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַר
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 37:18

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

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

and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
וַיִּרְא֥וּvai.yir.'U and they saw H7200 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
1,300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Amplified meaning
from a distance, afar off
Tyndale gloss
Provider
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָאָה 1315 vb. see

Qal 1141

see, subj.

see, c. acc. rei

see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design

see, so as to learn to know

abs. see, have (power of) vision

see = perceive

look at, see, by direct volition

of mental observation

c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

see, c. acc. rei

Niph.

appear

be seen

be visible

Pu. appar. his bones are not detected

Hithp. recipr. look at each other

Hiph.

cause one to see something, shew

cause to experience something

cause to look intently at, to behold

Hoph.

be caused to see, be shewn

be exhibited to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.

. see, c. acc. rei

. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design

. see, so as to learn to know

. abs. see, have (power of) vision

. see = perceive

. look at, see, by direct volition

. of mental observation

. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest

. see, c. acc. rei

. . appear

. be seen

. be visible

. appar. his bones are not detected

. recipr. look at each other

. . . cause one to see something, shew

. cause to experience something

. cause to look intently at, to behold

. . be caused to see, be shewn

. be exhibited to

H7200b רְאוּת look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7200 ra'ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in

numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,

intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,

behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have

experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look

(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,

upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,

regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one

another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X

surely, X think, view, visions.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.

: see/show

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out

1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish

1a6) to look at, gaze at

1a7) to provide, choose

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to appear, present oneself

1b2) to be seen

1b3) to be visible

1c) (Pual) to be seen

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to see, show

1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be caused to see, be shown

1e2) to be exhibited to

1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.

: examine/consider

1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to see

1a2) to see, perceive

1a3) to see, have vision

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

so.

See TOOLS.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used as an instrument of torture 2Sa 12:31; Heb 11:37

→ Used for cutting stone 1Ki 7:9

→ FIGURATIVE Isa 10:15

and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
אֹת֖וֹ'o.To the object marker him H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM | Suff — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
מֵרָחֹ֑קme.ra.Chok from a distance H7350 Preposition
84× 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 far away, either physically or in time. It is often used to describe distant lands or events that happened long ago. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Amplified meaning
at a far point, physically or in time
Tyndale gloss
distant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָחֹק (rachowq) means distant or far, and can refer to both physical distance and time. It can also denote a sense of remoteness or preciousness. The word can be used adverbially and is associated with the concept of distance in various contexts, including distant lands or times.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָחֹק, רָחוֹק adj. distant, far, et n.m. distance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7350 רָחֹק, רָחוֹק distant, far, distance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7350 rachowq raw-khoke'

or rachoq {raw-khoke'}; from 7368; remote, literally or

figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often

used adverbially (with preposition):--(a-)far (abroad, off),

long ago, of old, space, great while to come.

see HEBREW for 07368

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָחֹק (ra.choq) — distant.

adj

1) remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones

1a) of distance, time

n m

2) distance

2a) from a distance (with prep)

Aramaic equivalent: ra.chiq (רְחִיק "far" H7352)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Aamsa
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
וּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙u.ve.Te.rem and just before H2962 Conjunction · preposition
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
prior to, in advance of
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טֶ֫רֶם (terem) is an adverb meaning 'not yet' or 'before.' It is derived from an unused root that suggests interruption or suspension. This word appears in the Old Testament only once, in Ruth 3:14, where it conveys a sense of time prior to an event.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טֶ֫רֶם 54, once (Ru 3:14 Kt) טְרוֹם, adv. of time not yet, ere, before that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2962 טֶ֫רֶם, once טְרוֹם adv. of time not yet, ere, before, that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2962 terem teh'-rem

from an unused root apparently meaning to interrupt or

suspend; properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet

or before:--before, ere, not yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טֶ֫רֶם (te.rem) — before.

before, not yet, before that

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | Adv — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R/Acbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
יִקְרַ֣בyik.Rav he drew near H7126 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
280× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Amplified meaning
came near, approached
Tyndale gloss
to present: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָרַב (qarab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to approach or come near, with various nuances including bringing or presenting something. It encompasses different forms such as Qal (to approach), Niphal (to be brought near), and Hiphil (to bring near). The term is often associated with offerings or dedications to God, particularly in the context of the book of Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרֵב], קָרַב 279 vb. come near, approach

Qal 93 approach

Niph. he shall be brought unto God

Pi. cause to approach, bring near

Hiph.

177

bring near, bring, present

of time

as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7126 קָרֵב, קָרַב come near, approach .approach

. he shall be brought unto God

. cause to approach, bring near

. . . bring near, bring, present

. of time

. as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7126 qarab kaw-rab'

a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for

whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring

(forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw

near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer,

present, produce, make ready, stand, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: come.

: come/approach

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: bring.

: bring/offer

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם'a.lei.Hem to them H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּvai.yit.na.ke.Lu and they dealt deceptively with H5230 Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To plot or act deceitfully, as seen in the actions of Jacob and Esau in Genesis. This verb means to be crafty or treacherous, often with the intention of deceiving others. It is used to describe the cunning actions of biblical characters.
Amplified meaning
conspired, made a secret design
Tyndale gloss
to plot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָכַל (nakal) means to be crafty or deceitful, with implications of plotting and treachery. It encompasses various forms, including being a deceiver or acting knavishly. The entries highlight its use in contexts of deceit and cunning, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכַל] vb. be crafty, deceitful, knavish

Qal Pt. knave

Pi. their wiles with which they beguiled you

Hithp. they knavishly planned against him; to deal knavishly with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5230 [נָכַל] be crafty, deceitful, knavish .Pt. knave

. their wiles with which they beguiled you

. they knavishly planned against him; to deal knavishly with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5230 nakal naw-kal'

a prim root; to defraud, i.e. act treacherously:--beguile,

conspire, deceiver, deal subtilly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכַל (na.khal) — to plot.

1) to be deceitful, be crafty, be knavish

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be knavish

1a2) deceiver (participle)

1b) (Piel) to beguile

1c) (Hithpael) to act craftily, act knavishly, deal knavishly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vtw3mp
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
אֹת֖וֹ'o.To the object marker him H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo/Sp3ms — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they saw the object marker him from a distance and just before he drew near to them and they dealt deceptively with the object marker him to kill him
לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃la.ha.mi.To to kill him H4191 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
840× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
slay, put to death, namely, their brother
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vhcc/Sp3ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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

Donate