Hosea 13:7 — Word Study
WLCוָאֱהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם כְּמוֹ־ שָׁ֑חַל כְּנָמֵ֖ר עַל־ דֶּ֥רֶךְ אָשֽׁוּר׃
BSASo likekᵉmôw [as or similar to] a lionshachal [a powerful and fierce predator] I will pouncehâyâh▸ [attack suddenly and forcefully] like a leopardnâmêr [comparable to, a stealthy and agile hunter] I will lurkshûwr▸ [lie in wait, observe secretly] byʻal the pathderek [the way or road, a journey or course of life]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָאֱהִ֥י | and I became | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| לָהֶ֖ם | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| כְּמוֹ־ | like | Preposition |
| שָׁ֑חַל | a lion | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כְּנָמֵ֖ר | like a leopard | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עַל־ | on | Preposition |
| דֶּ֥רֶךְ | a road | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| אָשֽׁוּר׃ | I will watch | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. |
| KJV | Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: |
| ASV | Therefore am I unto them as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way; |
| YLT | And I am to them as a lion, As a leopard by the way I look out. |
| WEB | Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path. |
| BBE | So I will be like a lion to them; as a cruel beast I will keep watch by the road; |
Where they part company is שָׁחַל — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is supported by two similes, emphasizing the dual nature of God's approach in judgment.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
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 — Hosea 13:7
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 Judgment of Israelgenerated
Hosea 13:7 describes God's fierce judgment against Israel, using vivid imagery of a lion and a leopard to illustrate His approach. The context shows Israel's pride and forgetfulness of God, leading to their destruction, as seen in the preceding and following verses. This passage serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 5:14 | For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. |
| 2 | Isaiah 42:13 | The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: |
| 3 | Jeremiah 5:6 | Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous. |
| 4 | Lamentations 3:10 | He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush. |
| 5 | Amos 1:2 | He said: “The LORD roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁחַל, Sha.chalgenerated
The word שָׁחַל (shachal) refers to a lion, a powerful and fierce predator. It emphasizes strength and ferocity, often used in poetic contexts to convey danger and might. The imagery of a lion suggests not only physical power but also a sense of impending judgment.
In this verse, the use of שָׁחַל highlights God's readiness to pounce on His people as a lion would on its prey, illustrating the swift and unavoidable nature of His judgment against Israel.
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
The finite verbs in this verse are אֱהִ֥י (va.'e.Hi) and אָשֽׁוּר ('a.Shur), which govern the two main clauses: the first describes God's action of pouncing, and the second describes His lurking behavior. The structure emphasizes the duality of God's approach — both sudden and stealthy.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs prominently, highlighting the actions of God as the subject of the sentence, with the similes following to illustrate the nature of His judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שָׁחַל is rendered as πανθὴρ, which means 'panther' or 'fierce beast.' This choice broadens the imagery, emphasizing not just a lion but a general fierce predator, which may suggest a more universal sense of danger.
The use of ὡς for כְּמוֹ reinforces the comparative nature of God's actions, aligning with the original Hebrew intent while adapting to the Greek audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Hosea 13:7 uses the imagery of a lion and a leopard to describe God's judgment on Israel. He warns that just as these powerful animals stalk their prey, He will swiftly and stealthily come upon them because of their pride and forgetfulness of Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's sudden and powerful judgment against Israel for their rebellion and pride.
The leopard represents stealth and agility, indicating that God's judgment will be both unexpected and precise.
The imagery emphasizes the ferocity and inevitability of God's judgment, illustrating that He is both powerful and watchful.
This verse encapsulates the themes of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God, which are central to Hosea's message.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the consequences of pride in my own life?
- How can I be more aware of God's presence and guidance in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God as a powerful protector rather than a distant observer?
- How can I apply the lessons from Israel's pride and God's judgment to my own spiritual journey?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome comments on Hosea 13:7-8, using the verse to illustrate God's fierce judgment and the consequences of Israel's actions.
"And I will be to them like a lioness, like a leopard on the road to Assyria; I will confront them like a bear that has lost its cubs, and I will tear open their chests;Early Church Fathers on Hosea 13 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Hosea 13:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTherefore I will be unto them as a lion, Because of their idolatry, ingratitude, luxury, and especially their forgetfulness of God, which is last mentioned, and with which the words are connected.
Read John Gill on Hosea 13 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTherefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: Therefore I will be unto them as a lion - (Hosea 5:14; Lamentations 3:10, "He was unto me as a bear lying in
Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 13 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTherefore; since they have so abused my gifts by luxury, pride, and atheistical forgetfulness of me, of what I had done for them, what I deserved and expected from them, I will use them as is meet, and take my revenge upon them. I will be unto them; unthankful, apostates, idolaters, sottish drunkards, belly-gods, who live to eat and drink, and forget me. As a lion: see ; that is, in his fullest strength, of a middle age, swift in pursuing, and that can continue the chase till he overtake his prey; and which is strong, courageous, and proud of his strength and success; that will dreadfully roar over his prey, as if he challenged any one to attempt its rescue. As a leopard; a very fierce…
Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 13 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsHosea 13:7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe [them]:Ver. 7. Therefore will I be unto them as a lion, as a leopard, &c.] Thus still God proceedeth to use similitudes by the ministry of his prophets, as he did before, Hosea 13:3. He here compareth himself (who otherwise is compared to an eagle, bearing her young upon her wings; to a hen, hovering over chickens; to a father, cherishing his children, Exodus 19:4 Deuteronomy 32:10-11 Matthew 23:37) to a lion, yea, to an old lion, which taketh the prey but seldom, and therefore is more ravenous of it when taken; to a leopard, or panther, that diligently observeth by the way, and lieth in wait for his…
Read John Trapp on Hosea 13 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) I will be . . .—More correctly, have become . . . as a panther in the way do I lie in wait. The idea of this and the following verses is that of a Divine judgment suspended over Israel, destined soon to fall with overwhelming ruin (721 B.C.). The English version follows the interpretation of the Targum. But the LXX., Vulg., and Syriac versions are based on a slightly different reading of the text contained in some Hebrew MSS. They render, “as a panther on the way to Assyria.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Hosea 13 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. I will be unto them as a lion] שחל shachal is supposed to mean here the black lion, frequent in Ethiopia. As a leopard] נמר namar, so termed from its spotted skin, for to be spotted is the signification of the root. Will I observe them] The leopard, tiger, and panther will hide themselves in thick bush-wood, near where they expect any prey to pass; and as soon as it comes near, spring suddenly upon it. To this is the allusion in the text: "By the way will I observe them;" watch for them as the leopard does. They shall be greatly harassed even on their way to Assyria, when going into captivity.
Read AdamClarke on Hosea 13 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. I will be] Rather, I have become. The evident decay of Israel as a nation shows that the punishment has begun (see Hosea 7:8-10). the leopard] Familiar to the Hebrews and Assyrians under the same name (nâmçr, nimru). Its habit of springing from an ambush is again referred to in Jeremiah 5:6. by the way will I observe them] According to another pronunciation of the consonants, the Septuagint, Peshito, and Vulgate (supported by some MSS. and many editions of the Hebrew Bible), render ‘in the way to Assyria’, an allusion being supposed to Israel’s dallying with the great northern empire (Hosea 5:13). So also Hitzig and Ewald. But the prophet has to deal now with the disease itself, not with…
Read Cambridge on Hosea 13 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will be unto them as a lion - They had waxen fat, were full; yet it was, to become themselves a prey. Their wealth which they were proud of, which they abused, allured their enemies.
Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 13 →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
So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.
So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
Tyndale line
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
Therefore am I unto them as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way;
Therefore am I unto them as a lion: as a leopard will I watch by the way:
Therefore I will be to them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them .
And I wil be vnto them as a very lyon, and as a leopard in the way of Asshur.
Strictly literal
And I will be unto them as a lion; as a leopard I will lurk for them by the way;
And I am to them as a lion, As a leopard by the way I look out.
And I am to them as a lion, || I look out as a leopard by the way.
And now I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard will I lie in wait by the way.
I will become like a lion to them; like a leopard I will watch along the path.
From the Latin
And I will be to them as a lioness, as a leopard in the way of the Assyrians.
Simplified
So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lie in wait beside the path.
So I will be like a lion to them; as a cruel beast I will keep watch by the road;
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 reads, "וָאֱהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם כְּמוֹ־ שָׁ֑חַל כְּנָמֵ֖ר עַל־ דֶּ֥רֶךְ אָשֽׁוּר׃" which translates to, "So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the words used, though it presents them in a different order. The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically 4Q78 and 4Q82, contain fragments that align closely with the Masoretic Text, but they also include some words that have been restored by editors due to the incomplete nature of the manuscripts. Overall, the primary elements of the verse are consistent across these witnesses, with some minor variations in wording and completeness in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
וָאֱהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם כְּמוֹ־ שָׁ֑חַל כְּנָמֵ֖ר עַל־ דֶּ֥רֶךְ אָשֽׁוּר׃
8 of the 8 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.
[ואהיה] [ל׳המה] [כמו] [שחל] כנמר על דרכ [אשור]
3 words on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
[ואהי] [ל׳הם] [כמו] [שחל] [כנמר] [על] [דרך] אשור
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Hosea 13:7
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 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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
כְּמוֹ (kemo) is an adverb and conjunction meaning 'like' or 'as,' often used to draw comparisons or indicate similarity. It can also mean 'when' or 'according to.' The word is derived from a pleonastic form of the prefix כְּ (k-) and is related to the word מוֹ (mo). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)
base
H3644 כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)
3644 kmow kem-o'
or kamow {kaw-mo'}; a form of the prefix "k-", but used
separately (compare 3651); as, thus, so:--according to, (such)
as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto),
thus, when, worth.
see HEBREW for 03651
כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — like.
adv
1) like, as, the like of which
conj
2) when, according as, as it were
כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — (Geruth) Chimham.
Combined with ge.rut (גֵּרוּת "Geruth" H1628)
Prep — PrepositionHR
שַׁ֫חַל (shachal) refers to a lion, often used in a poetic context. The term is likely derived from a root meaning to roar, emphasizing the lion's fierce nature. It can also figuratively refer to Jehovah or wicked men. The entries consistently define it as a lion without notable disagreement.
שַׁ֫חַל n.m. lion (poet.)
base
H7826 שַׁ֫חַל lion (poet.)
7826 shachal shakh'-al
from an unused root probably meaning to roar; a lion (from
his characteristic roar):--(fierce) lion.
שַׁ֫חַל (sha.chal) — lion.
1) lion
1a) of Jehovah, wicked men (fig)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
li'-un:
(1) Occurring most often in the Old Testament is 'aryeh, plural 'ardyoth. Another form, 'ari, plural 'arayim, is found less often.
1. Names:
Compare 'ari'el, "Ariel" (Ezr 8:16; Isa 29:1,2,7); char'el, "upper altar," and 'ari'el, "altar hearth" (Eze 43:15); 'aryeh, "Arieh" (2Ki 15:25); 'ar'eli, "Areli" and "Arelites" (Ge 46:16; Nu 26:17).
"The most powerful, daring and impressive of all carnivorous animals, the most magnificent in aspect and awful in voice." At present lions do not exist in Palestine; but they must in ancient times have been numerous. The lion of Palestine was in all probability the Asiatic variety, described by Aristotle and Pliny as distinguished by its short and curly mane, and by being shorter and rounder in shape, like the sculptured lion found at Arban. It was less daring than the longer named species, but when driven by hunger it not only ventured to attack the flocks in the desert in presence of the shepherd, (1 Samuel 17:34; Isaiah 31:4) but laid waste towns and villages, (2 Kings 17:25,26; Proverbs 22:13; 26:13) and devoured men.…
The well-known and noble king of beasts, frequently spoken of in Scripture. He often exceeds eight feet in length and four feet in height; and his majestic and dauntless aspect, his prodigious strength and agility, and his peculiar roar, make him the terror of the forests. Lions were common in Palestine, (See JORDAN,) and the Hebrews had seven different names for them, to distinguish the different ages, etc. Five of these occur together in Job 4:10,11. See also Na 2:11,12. The psalmist alludes to the stealthy creeping of the lion till he can spring upon his prey, when he says of the crafty wicked man, "He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; .... he croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones." The Bible reader will remember the exploits of…
נָמֵר (namer) means 'leopard' and is derived from a root suggesting the idea of being spotted or stained, akin to the animal's distinctive markings. It has an Aramaic equivalent, נְמַר (ne.mar). The entries consistently identify this word with the leopard without significant disagreement.
נָמֵר n.m. leopard
base
H5246 נָמֵר leopard
5246 namer naw-mare'
from an unused root meaning properly, to filtrate, i.e. be
limpid (comp 5247 and 5249); and thus to spot or stain as if
by dripping; a leopard (from its stripes):--leopard.
see HEBREW for 05247
see HEBREW for 05249
נָמֵר (na.mer) — leopard.
leopard
Aramaic equivalent: ne.mar (נְמַר "leopard" H5245)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Leopard
(Heb. namer, so called because spotted, Cant. 4:8), was that great spotted feline which anciently infested the mountains of Syria, more appropriately called a panther (Felis pardus). Its fierceness (Isa. 11:6), its watching for its prey (Jer. 5:6), its swiftness (Hab. 1:8), and the spots of its skin (Jer. 13:23), are noticed. This word is used symbolically (Dan. 7:6; Rev. 13:2).
(Heb. namer) is invariably given by the Authorized Version as the translation of the Hebrew word, which occurs in the seven following passages: (Solomon 4:8; Isaiah 11:6; Jeremiah 5:6; 13:23; Daniel 7:6; Hosea 13:7); Habb 1:8 Leopard occurs also in Ecclus. 28:23 and in (Revelation 13:2) From (Solomon 4:8) we learn that the hilly ranges of Lebanon were in ancient times frequented by these animals. They are now not uncommonly seen in and about Lebanon and the southern maritime mountains of Syria. Under the name namer , which means "spotted," it is not improbable that another animal, namely the cheetah (Gueparda jubata), may be included; which is tamed by the Mohammedans of…
A fierce wild beast of the feline genus, beautifully spotted with a diversity of colors; it has small eyes, wide jaws, sharp teeth, round ears, a large tail; five claws on the fore feet, and four on those behind. It is swift, craft, and cruel; dangerous to all domestic cattle, and even to man, Jer 5:6 13:23 Da 10:6 Ho 13:7 Hab 1:8. Its name, leopard, implies that it has something of the lion and of the panther in its nature. It seems from Scripture that the leopard could not be rare in Palestine. Its Hebrew name occurs significantly in several names of places; as Beth-nimrah, the haunt of leopards, Nu 32:36. So in Nimrah…
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 — PrepositionHR
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
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
Road
(1 Sam. 27:10; R.V., “raid”), an inroad, an incursion. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of a way or path.
This word occurs but once in the Authorized Version of the Bible, viz. in (1 Samuel 37:10) where it is used in the sense of "raid" or "inroad." Where a travelled road is meant "path" or "way" is used, since the eastern roads are more like our paths.
שׁוּר (shuwr) is a primitive root meaning to see or observe. It encompasses a range of actions from simply seeing and regarding to more active forms like spying or lying in wait. The entries suggest a dual focus on both positive observation and negative lurking. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[שׁוּר] vb. behold, regard
behold
regard with watchful care
watch stealthily, lie in wait
ref
H7789 שׁוּר
7789 shuwr shoor
a primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of
going round for inspection); to spy out, i.e. (generally)
survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for:--behold,
lay wait, look, observe, perceive, regard, see.
see HEBREW for 07788
שׁוּר (shur) — to see.
1) to see, behold, observe, regard
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to behold, observe
1a2) to regard
1a3) to watch, watch (stealthily), lie in wait
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singularHVqi1cs
woch ('ashmurah, 'ashmoreth; phulake): A division of the night. The night was originally divided into three watches (Jud 7:19), but later into four, as we find in the New Testament (Mt 14:25; Mr 6:48). We do not know the limits of the watches in the first division, but the middle watch probably began two hours before midnight and ended two hours after. The fourfold division was according to the Roman system, each of which was a fourth part of the night.
See TIME.
"Watch" is also the guard placed on watch (mishmar, Ne 4:9; koustodia, from Latin custodia, Mt 27:65,66; 28:11). It sometimes refers to the act of watching, as in…
A division of the night. See HOURS.
→ (A division of time)
See NIGHT TIME