Menu

Genesis 45:15 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיְנַשֵּׁ֥ק לְכָל־ אֶחָ֖יו וַיֵּ֣בְךְּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאַ֣חֲרֵי כֵ֔ן דִּבְּר֥וּ אֶחָ֖יו אִתּֽוֹ׃

BSAJoseph kissednâshaq [touched, showed affection to] eachkôl of his brothersʼâch [male siblings, close relatives] as he weptbâkâh [cried, shed tears] over themʻal [upon, in emotional response to] And afterwardʼachar [after that, following] his brothersʼâch talkeddâbar [spoke, communicated] with himʼêth [in his presence, near him]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 45
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 ('i.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 45:15quick helps
In a sentenceJoseph expresses deep affection for his brothers through kisses and tears, leading to a heartfelt conversation.
Who is speakingJoseph, showing his emotional response to his brothers after years of separation.
Where we areIn the dramatic reunion of Joseph with his brothers, a pivotal moment in the narrative.
The hard wordנָשַׁק
Take awayThe act of kissing signifies reconciliation and love, while the weeping reveals deep emotional ties.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָשַׁק 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 45:15

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 — Joseph's Reunion with His Brothersgenerated

14Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.
15Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.
16When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
17Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45:15 describes the emotional reunion of Joseph and his brothers after years of separation. Joseph, who had risen to power in Egypt, reveals his identity and affection for his brothers through kisses and tears. This moment highlights themes of forgiveness and familial love, as Joseph transitions from a position of authority to one of brotherly compassion, reflecting on their shared past and the pain of their earlier actions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 45:2But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.
2Genesis 29:11–13Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.
3Genesis 33:4Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.
4Exodus 4:27Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him.
5Ruth 1:9–14May the LORD enable each of you to find rest in the home of your new husband.” And she kissed them as they wept aloud

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

talkedPsalm 77:4

The Key Word נָשַׁק, vay.na.Shekgenerated

The verb נָשַׁק (nashaq) is a Piel form meaning 'to kiss' and conveys a sense of affection and intimacy. It can also imply equipping or touching, but in this context, it emphasizes the emotional connection between Joseph and his brothers.

The usage here suggests a deep bond, as Joseph kisses each of his brothers, indicating reconciliation after their earlier betrayal. The act of kissing is rich in meaning, representing both familial love and the healing of past wounds.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word kissed, consistent with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥ק (and he kissed), which governs the actions of kissing and weeping. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the object of affection and a subordinate clause describing the subsequent conversation.

The arrangement of the sentence emphasizes Joseph's emotional actions first, followed by the interaction with his brothers, highlighting the importance of the reunion.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נָשַׁק as καταφιλήσας, which suggests a deep and affectionate kiss, aligning with the emotional weight of the moment. This choice emphasizes the intimacy of the reunion.

The Greek word choice reflects a similar understanding of the act as one of love and reconciliation, reinforcing the emotional significance of Joseph's actions.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 45:15 tells us about Joseph's emotional reunion with his brothers. He kissed each of them while crying, showing his love and forgiveness. After this, they spoke with him, highlighting their restored relationship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why did Joseph kiss his brothers?

Joseph kissed his brothers as an expression of love and reconciliation after years of separation and hardship.

What does Joseph's weeping signify?

Joseph's weeping signifies deep emotional relief and joy at being reunited with his family, as well as the pain of their past actions.

What was the brothers' reaction after Joseph kissed them?

After Joseph kissed them, his brothers spoke with him, indicating a moment of connection and healing in their relationship.

How does this passage reflect themes of forgiveness?

This passage reflects themes of forgiveness as Joseph, despite being wronged by his brothers, chooses to embrace them with love and affection.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I show love and forgiveness to those who have wronged me?
  2. How can I express my emotions more openly in my relationships?
  3. What does this passage teach me about the importance of family bonds?
  4. How can I cultivate a spirit of reconciliation in my own life?

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

The early church fathers often reflected on Joseph's actions as a model of forgiveness and charity, highlighting the significance of his emotional response to his brothers.

Caesarius of ArlesSERMON 90.4 c. 470–542
You have admired the chastity of Joseph; now behold his generosity. He repays hatred with charity. When he saw his brothers, or rather enemies in his brothers,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 45 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 45:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Moreover, he kissed all his brethren,.... In their turns, to testify his real affection for them, and hearty reconciliation to them: and wept upon them; that is, upon their necks, as he had on

Read John Gill on Genesis 45 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he fell upon ... Benjamin's neck.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 45 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To wit, freely and familiarly, being encouraged by his kindness.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 45 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 45:15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.Ver. 15. Kissed all his brethren.]

Read John Trapp on Genesis 45 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. kissed] See note on Genesis 45:2. after that] Joseph’s brethren were evidently slow to believe that they might rely upon his sincerity.

Read Cambridge on Genesis 45 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

15. After that his brethren talked with him — That is, after the embracing of Benjamin (Genesis 45:14) and the weeping and kissing of them all.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 45 →

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

Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After this his brothers talked with him.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Moreouer, he kissed all his brethren, and wept vpon them: and afterwarde his brethren talked with him.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them; and after that his brethren talked with him.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he kisseth all his brethren, and weepeth over them; and afterwards have his brethren spoken with him.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and he kisses all his brothers, and weeps over them; and afterward his brothers have spoken with him.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he kissed all his brothers, and wept upon them; and after that his brothers spoke with him.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers were able to start talking with him.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then he gave a kiss to all his brothers, weeping over them; and after that his brothers had no fear of talking to him.

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.

וַandclauseverbיְנַשֵּׁ֥קhe.kissedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ(to)noun phraseכָלallnoun phraseאֶחָ֖יbrothersוhisוַandclauseverbיֵּ֣בְךְּhe.weptprepositional phrase · prepositionalעֲלֵיoverהֶ֑םthemוְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאַ֣חֲרֵיafterכֵ֔ןthusverbדִּבְּר֥וּthey.spokenoun phrase · subjectאֶחָ֖יbrothersוhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalאִתּֽwithוֹhim

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word, indicating consistency in this passage. The Dead Sea Scrolls also provide partial agreement, with some words restored by an editor, showing that the core message remains intact across these ancient witnesses.

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

וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥ק לְכָל־ אֶחָ֖יו וַיֵּ֣בְךְּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאַ֣חֲרֵי כֵ֔ן דִּבְּר֥וּ אֶחָ֖יו אִתּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥קκαταφιλήσαςלְכָל־πάνταςאֶחָ֖יוαὐτοῦוַיֵּ֣בְךְּἔκλαυσενעֲלֵיהֶ֑םαὐτοῖςוְאַ֣חֲרֵיμετὰכֵ֔ןταῦταדִּבְּר֥וּἐλάλησανאֶחָ֖יוαὐτοῦ

9 of the 10 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

וינשׁק לכל אחיו ויבך עליהם ואחרי כן דברו אחיו אתו

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q9a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[וינשק] [לכל] [אחי׳ו] ויבך עלי׳הם ואחרי כן דברו אחי׳ו את׳ו

5 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.

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 45:15נָשַׁקand he kissand he kissedנָשַׁקכֹּלallallכֹּלאָחbrothers hibrothers hisאָחבָּכָהand he weptand he weptבָּכָהעַלover themover themעַלאַחַרand afterand afterאַחַרכֵּןthusthusכֵּןדָבַרthey spokethey spokeדָבַראָחbrothers hibrothers hisאָחאֵתwith himwith himאֵתכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלאָבfatherfatherאָבאָחַרto delayto delayאָחַרכּוּןto establito establish: pכּוּןאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהשָׂלַקto kindleto kindleשָׂלַקחָזַקto strengtto strengthen: חָזַקעַלheightheightעַלעֵשָׂו(Mount) Es(Mount) EsauעֵשָׂויוֹסֵףJosephJosephיוֹסֵףבָּכָהto weepto weepבָּכָהקֶ֫שֶׁתbowbowקֶ֫שֶׁתעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהבְּכִיweepingweepingבְּכִיכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּארָדַףto pursueto pursueרָדַף
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 45:15

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 kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥קvay.na.Shek and he kissed H5401 Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To kiss or touch, also to equip with weapons, as seen in armed men or rulers. It appears in various forms, including a romantic kiss or a mode of attachment. In the Bible, it is used to describe intimate touch.
Amplified meaning
touched, showed affection to
Tyndale gloss
to kiss
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָשַׁק (nashaq) primarily means 'to kiss,' with various forms indicating gentle touching or equipping with weapons. The exact meaning can be uncertain, possibly extending to handling or being equipped. It appears in contexts related to affection and attachment, as well as in descriptions of armed individuals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשַׁק vb. kiss

Qal kiss

Pi. kiss

Hiph. of wings of cherubim, gently touching each other

base

[נָשַׁק] vb. exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5401a נָשַׁק kiss H5401b נָשַׁק exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5401 nashaq naw-shak'

a primitive root (identical with 5400, through the idea of

fastening up; compare 2388, 2836); to kiss, literally or

figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip

with weapons:--armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.

see HEBREW for 05400

see HEBREW for 02388

see HEBREW for 02836

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to kiss.

1) to put together, kiss

1a) (Qal) to kiss

1b) (Piel) to kiss

1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently

נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to handle.

1) to handle, be equipped with

1a) (Qal) to be equipped

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vpw3ms
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
לְכָל־le.khol all H3605 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

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

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

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

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

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

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

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

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
אֶחָ֖יו'e.Chav brothers his H251 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
630× 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 a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
male siblings, close relatives
Tyndale gloss
brother: male-sibling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָח 630 n.m. brother

brother, born of same mother (& father)

indef. = relative

fig. of resemblance

in phr. one … another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H251 אָח brother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
וַיֵּ֣בְךְּvai.Ye.vek and he wept H1058 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
114× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.
Amplified meaning
cried, shed tears
Tyndale gloss
to weep
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּכָה (bakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to weep or bewail. It encompasses various forms of weeping, including expressions of grief, humiliation, or joy, and can denote lamentation or crying bitterly. The entries highlight its use in both the Qal and Piel stems, indicating different nuances of weeping.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּכָה 114 vb. weep, bewail

Qal

weep

weep bitterly

weep upon

bewail

in sense of burden, annoy with weeping

of penitent weeping

Pi. lament; bewail

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1058 בָּכָה weep, bewail

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1058 bakah baw-kaw'

a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan:--X at all,

bewail, complain, make lamentation, X more, mourn, X sore, X

with tears, weep.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּכָה (ba.khah) — to weep.

1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy)

1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.)

1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep)

1a4) to bewail

1b) (Piel) participle

1b1) lamenting

1b2) bewailing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם'a.lei.Hem over them H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
upon, in emotional response to
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
וְאַ֣חֲרֵיve.'A.cha.rei and after H310 Conjunction
716× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Amplified meaning
after that, following
Tyndale gloss
after
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part

adv.

of place, behind

of time, afterwards

prep.

of place, behind, after

of time, after

conj. after that.

base

אַחֲרַי adj. Pr 28:23 a man that turneth backwards.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind

. of time, afterwards

. prep. . of place, behind, after

. of time, after

. conj. after that.

H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

310 'achar akh-ar'

from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an

adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after

(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),

behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,

hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,

posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),

when, with.

see HEBREW for 0309

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַחַר (a.char) — after.

1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)

1a) as an adverb

1a1) behind (of place)

1a2) afterwards (of time)

1b) as a preposition

1b1) behind, after (of place)

1b2) after (of time)

1b3) besides

1c) as a conjunction

1c) after that

1d) as a substantive

1d1) hinder part

1e) with other prepositions

1e1) from behind

1e2) from following after

אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.

backwards (of a man that turns backwards)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction
HC/Acmpc
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
כֵ֔ןKhen thus H3651 Adverb
771× 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 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
right
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest

right

veritable, true

pl. concr. honest (men)

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

כֵּן adv. so

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3651 ken kane

from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as

adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)

rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and

relation; often with other particles):--+ after that

(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be

(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like

(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,

straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,

thus, true, well, X you.

see HEBREW for 03559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֵּן (ken) — right.

adv

adj

1) right, just, honest, true, veritable

1a) right, just, honest

1b) correct

1c) true, veritable

[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.

adv

forasmuch as, since

כֵּן (ken) — so.

adv

1) so, therefore, thus

1a) thus, so

1b) just so

1c) therefore

1d) so...as (paired with adv)

1e) then

1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)

1g) (with prep)

1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)

1g2) hitherto

1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)

1g4) afterwards

1g5) in such case

Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
דִּבְּר֥וּdi.be.Ru they spoke H1696 Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
1,142× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Amplified meaning
spoke, communicated
Tyndale gloss
to speak: speak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)

Qal speak

Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk

Pi. speak

Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for

Hithp. speaking this word

Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1696 dabar daw-bar'

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used

figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive

sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,

declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,

say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,

use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.

: speak/tell/command

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.

: subdue

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.

: promise/declare

1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing

1a) (Qal) to speak

1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to speak

1c2) to promise

1d) (Pual) to be spoken

1e) (Hithpael) to speak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
HVpp3cp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

spok (1Ki 7:33).

See SEA, THE MOLTEN.

and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
אֶחָ֖יו'e.Chav brothers his H251 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
630× 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 a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
brother: male-sibling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָח 630 n.m. brother

brother, born of same mother (& father)

indef. = relative

fig. of resemblance

in phr. one … another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H251 אָח brother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he kissed all brothers his and he wept over them and after thus they spoke brothers his with him
אִתּֽוֹ׃'i.To with him H854 Preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Amplified meaning
in his presence, near him
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/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