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Hosea 2:6 — Word Study

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WLCלָכֵ֛ן הִנְנִי־ שָׂ֥ךְ אֶת־ דַּרְכֵּ֖ךְ בַּסִּירִ֑ים וְגָֽדַרְתִּי֙ אֶת־ גְּדֵרָ֔הּ וּנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָ לֹ֥א תִמְצָֽא׃

BSAherʼêth so she cannotlôʼ [will not be able to]

Word
Listen & take awayHosea 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 (tim.Tza') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Hosea 2:6quick helps
In a sentenceGod declares that He will obstruct her path with thorns and build a wall to prevent her from finding her way.
Who is speakingThe Lord, through the prophet Hosea, addressing Israel.
Where we areIn a passage where God expresses His judgment and corrective action towards Israel's unfaithfulness.
The hard wordשָׂךְ, sakh
Take awayThe barriers are set to guide her back to the right path.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbלֹא 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 — Hosea 2:6

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 — God's Judgment on Unfaithful Israelgenerated

5For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’
6Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way.
7She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’
8For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold— which they crafted for Baal.

Hosea 2:6 reveals God's intention to intervene in Israel's waywardness by creating obstacles that will lead her back to Him. The surrounding verses illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness, as she seeks fulfillment from false lovers rather than from God, prompting His corrective measures to redirect her path toward repentance and restoration.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 3:23Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?
2Job 19:8He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; He has veiled my paths with darkness.
3Lamentations 3:7–9He has walled me in so I cannot escape; He has weighed me down with chains.
4Luke 15:14–16After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
5Luke 19:43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שָׂךְ, sakhgenerated

The Hebrew word שָׂךְ (*sakh*) is a verb in the Qal form, meaning to hedge or fence in. It emphasizes the act of enclosing or creating barriers, often for protection or restraint. In this context, it signifies God's action to obstruct Israel's wayward pursuits.

This word is used in a limited number of occurrences, highlighting its specific application in contexts where barriers are necessary. The imagery of hedging up a path conveys God's desire to protect His people from the consequences of their unfaithfulness.


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 main verb הִנְנִי־, here I, introduces the action of the speaker, with two clauses following: one describing the action of hedging up her path and another detailing the action of enclosing her with a wall. The structure emphasizes God's direct intervention.

The Hebrew word order places the actions of God at the forefront, highlighting His authority and intention to guide Israel back to the right path through these barriers.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word שָׂךְ as οὐ, which indicates a negation rather than the act of hedging. This choice suggests a different interpretative angle, focusing on the prevention of finding rather than the act of enclosing.

This divergence in translation may reflect a broader understanding of God's intentions, emphasizing the consequences of Israel's actions rather than the specific means of His intervention.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Hosea 2:6 shows God declaring that He will block Israel's path with thorns and build a wall to prevent her from finding her way. This reflects His desire to redirect her back to Him after her unfaithfulness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God will hedge up her path?

It signifies God's action to create obstacles in Israel's life to lead her back to Him, preventing her from pursuing false loves.

Why does God use thorns and walls as imagery?

Thorns represent painful barriers to highlight the consequences of unfaithfulness, while walls symbolize strong boundaries that keep one from wandering.

How does this verse connect with the overall message of Hosea?

This verse illustrates God's persistent love and desire for Israel's return, despite her unfaithfulness, showcasing His willingness to intervene.

What can we learn from God's actions in this verse?

We can understand that God desires our faithfulness and may create circumstances to guide us back to Him when we stray.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life might God be placing obstacles to guide me back to Him?
  2. How can I recognize the thorns in my life as a sign of God's love and desire for my return?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure I am following God's path rather than my own?
  4. How can I support others who may be struggling to find their way back to God?

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

Early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss God's providence and the consequences of unfaithfulness, illustrating the need for repentance.

John CassianCONFERENCE 13:8.1 c. 360–435
Through the prophet Hosea the divine word well expressed God’s concern and providence toward us. He speaks of the image of Jerusalem as a prostitute who is drawn with wicked ardor to the worship of idols.
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 2 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book 34:3 c. 540–604
For hence is that which the Lord says, under the character of every soul, to Judaea who is weak, and walking in evil ways;
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 2 →
Gregory the DialogistForty Gospel Homilies, Homily 36 c. 540–604
For there are some who understand the good things they ought to do, but cease from doing them; they see what they ought to do, but do not follow it out of desire.
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Hosea 2:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns,.... As fields and vineyards are fenced with thorn hedges to keep out beasts; or rather as closes and fields are fenced to keep cattle in, from

Read John Gill on Hosea 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Therefore; because she is so impetuous and shameless in her idolatrous courses, nothing hath, and she resolves nothing shall, hinder her, but she will follow them. Behold; take notice of it, thou lewd woman, and all that stand by. I will hedge up thy way with thorns: thou wilt set no bounds to thy lusts, and thy wanderings to satisfy them; I will deal with thee as men do with unruly and rambling beasts, set a hedge of thorns about thee, i.e. compass thee in with wars and other calamities, which shall wound and pierce thee, that though thou love thy sinful courses, and wilt follow them, thou shalt have little pleasure in them. And make a wall; another allusion to the method men take to keep…

Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hosea 2:6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.Ver. 6. Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns] i.e. with difficulties and distresses. So God had fenced up Job’ s way that he could not pass, Job 19:8, he had thrown the cross in his way, to stop him in his career. And so he had hedged the Church about, that she could not get out, Lamentations 3:7, he had enclosed her ways with hewn stone, and made her paths crooked, Lamentations 3:9. A great mercy if well considered, though grievous to the flesh, that loveth not to be cooped or kept within compass. Man is fitly compared to a wild ass’ s colt used to the…

Read John Trapp on Hosea 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6-7) Contains a brief introductory prelude, summarizing the general contents of Hos 2:8-23. Jehovah addresses the adulterous wife: “I will erect impassable barriers that shall pierce and mangle her flesh. The path of evil shall be a path of thorns.” Hedge up . . . and make a wall.—In accordance with most Hebrew texts, the literal rendering is, wall up her wall. Here, again, we have a sudden change of person. She shall . . .—She may anticipate in her exile closer proximity to her idol-lovers, but in respect of national prosperity or religious satisfaction she will make complete mistake.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Hosea 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. I will hedge up thy way with thorns] I will put it out of your power to escape the judgments I have threatened; and, in spite of all your attachment to your idols, you shall find that they can give you neither bread, nor water, nor wool, nor flax, nor oil, nor drink. And ye shall be brought into such circumstances, that the pursuit of your expensive idolatry shall be impossible. And she shall be led so deep into captivity, as never to find the road back to her own land. And this is the fact; for those who were carried away into Assyria have been lost among the nations, few of them having ever returned to Judea. And, if in being, where they are now is utterly unknown.

Read AdamClarke on Hosea 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. I will hedge up thy way with thorns] Notice how, in the excitement of anger, the person changes from the second to the third. The figure is that of a traveller, who has not indeed lost his way, but finds it shut up by a thorn-hedge planted right across it, and by a wall, which formerly could be scaled through a breach, but is now solidly built up. Job 3:23; Job 19:8 and Lamentations 3:7; Lamentations 3:9 are strikingly parallel. The reality signified is of course some dark calamity utterly paralyzing the vital powers. In the second line render a wall for her (lit., ‘her wall’).

Read Cambridge on Hosea 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore - that is, because she said, “I will go after my lovers,” “behold I will hedge up thy ways;” literally, “behold, I hedging.” It expresses an immediate future, or something which, as being

Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 2 →

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

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Therefore behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, that she can’t find her way.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Therefore, I will soon fence her in with thorns; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, that she shall not find her paths.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and I will make a fence against her, that she shall not find her paths.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore beholde, I will stoope thy way with thornes, and make an hedge, that shee shall not finde her pathes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Therefore behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns; and I will fence [her] in with a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Therefore, lo, I am hedging up thy way with thorns, And I have made for her a wall, And her paths she doth not find.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Therefore, behold, I am hedging up your way with thorns, || And I have made a wall for her, || And her paths she does not find.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(2:8) Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and I will close it up with a fence, that she shall not find her paths.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Therefore I will build up a hedge to block her way with thorns. I will build up a wall against her so she cannot find her way.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Wherefore behold I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and I will stop it up with a wall, and she shall not find her paths.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

That is why I am going to block her path with thorn bushes, and build a stone wall to stop her so she won't find her way.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For this cause I will put thorns in her road, building up a wall round her so that she may not go on her way.

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.

conjunction phraseprepositional phraseלָthereforeכֵ֛ןclauseclause · subjectpredicateהִנְheresubjectנִיIverbשָׂ֥ךְ[am].about.to.fence.upnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseדַּרְכֵּ֖wayךְyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּwithnoun phrase(the)סִּירִ֑יםthornsוְandclauseverbגָֽדַרְתִּי֙I.will.wall.upnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseגְּדֵרָ֔wallהּherוּandclausenoun phrase · objectנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יpathsהָheradverbialלֹ֥אnotverbתִמְצָֽאshe.will.find

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


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

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as it stands, while the Septuagint matches only a portion of the words, indicating some interpretative differences. The Septuagint's rendering does not fully capture the Hebrew's emphasis on God's act of creating barriers.

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

לָכֵ֛ן הִנְנִי־ שָׂ֥ךְ אֶת־ דַּרְכֵּ֖ךְ בַּסִּירִ֑ים וְגָֽדַרְתִּי֙ אֶת־ גְּדֵרָ֔הּ וּנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָ לֹ֥א תִמְצָֽא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לָכֵ֛ןκαὶהִנְנִי־τὰשָׂ֥ךְοὐאֶת־ἐλεήσωדַּרְכֵּ֖ךְτέκναבַּסִּירִ֑יםἐστίν

6 of the 12 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.

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.

Hosea 2:6כֵּןthereforethereforeכֵּןהֵןhere Ihere Iהֵןשׂוּךְ[am] about [am] about to fשׂוּךְאֵתthe object the object markאֵתדֶּ֫רֶךְway yourway yourדֶּ֫רֶךְסִירwith thornswith thornsסִירגָּדַרand I will and I will wallגָּדַראֵתthe object the object markאֵתגָּדֵרwall herwall herגָּדֵרנָתִיבand paths hand paths herנָתִיבלֹאnotnotלֹאמָצָאshe will fishe will findמָצָאאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתגָּדַרto wall upto wall up/offגָּדַרכּוּןto establito establish: pכּוּןדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁכֹּהthusthusכֹּהאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןיָפֶהbeautifulbeautifulיָפֶהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹןיָעshovelshovelיָעשָׁפַתto setto setשָׁפַתגָּדֵרwallwallגָּדֵרפֶּ֫רֶץbreachbreachפֶּ֫רֶץאֹ֫רַחwaywayאֹ֫רַחיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹד
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 Hosea 2:6

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.

therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
לָכֵ֛ןla.Khen therefore H3651 Preposition · 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
HR/D — Preposition · adverb
HR/D
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
הִנְנִי־hi.ni- here I H2005 Particle · suffix
316× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Tyndale gloss
look!
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵן (hen) is a demonstrative adverb or interjection meaning 'lo!' or 'behold!'. It is primarily used to draw attention to a fact that prompts action or leads to a conclusion. The word can also express surprise and is less common than its counterpart הִנֵּה (hinneh). Additionally, it can function hypothetically as 'if'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵן 100 demonstr.adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2005 הֵן demonstr. adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2005 hen hane

a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)

if:--behold, if, lo, though.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵן (hen) — look!.

interj

1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part

2) if

Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTj/Sp1bs — Particle · suffix
HTj/Sp1bs
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
שָׂ֥ךְsakh [am] about to fence up H7753 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hedge means to enclose or shut in something, like a garden or a vineyard, for protection or restraint. This Hebrew word is used in Micah 7:11 to describe a fenced city.
Tyndale gloss
to hedge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׂוּךְ (sukh) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hedge or fence in. It conveys the idea of enclosing something for formation, protection, or restraint. The entries consistently emphasize its use in the context of creating a barrier or boundary.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שׂוּךְ] vb. hedge or fence up, about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7753 שׂוּךְ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7753 suwk sook

a primitive root; to entwine, i.e. shut in (for formation,

protection or restraint):--fence, (make an) hedge (up).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׂוּךְ (sukh) — to hedge.

1) to hedge or fence up or about

1a) (Qal) to fence about, hedge up

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqrmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
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
Conj | DirObjM — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
דַּרְכֵּ֖ךְdar.Kekh way your H1870 Noun common both singular construct · suffix
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcbsc/Sp2fs — Noun common both singular construct · suffix
HNcbsc/Sp2fs
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
בַּסִּירִ֑יםba.si.Rim with thorns H5518 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a thorn or a hook, something that springs up rapidly. It can also mean a pot or a pan, and is used in various contexts in the Bible, including cooking and fishing.
Tyndale gloss
pot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סִיר (sir) has meanings related to both cooking and nature, referring to a 'pot' or 'caldron' as well as a 'thorn' or 'hook.' It is derived from a root meaning to boil up, indicating its connection to cooking utensils. The word appears in contexts like Jeremiah 52:18, where it is used in reference to a pot.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סִיר n.m. et f. pot

base

[סִיר] n.[m.] thorn, hook

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5518a סִיר pot H5518b סִיר thorn, hook

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5518 ciyr seer

or (feminine) ciyrah {see-raw'}; or cirah (Jeremiah 52:18)

{see-raw'}; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot;

also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a

hook:--caldron, fishhook, pan, ((wash-))pot, thorn.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סִיר (sir) — pot.

1) pot

1a) pot (household utensil)

1b) pot (of temple)

סִיר (sir) — thorn.

1) thorn, hook, brier

1a) thorns

1b) hooks

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

and Thistles. There appear to be eighteen or twenty Hebrew words which point to different kinds of prickly or thorny shrubs. These words are variously rendered in the Authorized Version By "thorns," "briers," "thistles," etc. Palestine abounded in a great variety of such plants. ("Travellers call the holy land ’a land of thorns.’ Giant thistles, growing to the height of a man on horseback, frequently spread over regions once rich and fruitful, as they do on the pampas of South America; and many of the most interesting historic spats and ruins are rendered almost inaccessible by thickets of fiercely-armed buckthorns. Entire fields are covered with the troublesome creeping stems of the spinous ononis , while the bare hillsides are studded with the dangerous capsules of the puliuris and tribulus . Roses of the most prickly kinds abound on the lower slopes of Hermon; while the sub-tropical…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See THISTLES.

Thompson Chain Reference topics
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
וְגָֽדַרְתִּי֙ve.ga.dar.Ti and I will wall up H1443 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect first person common singular
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To wall up or off means to build a barrier around something. This word is used in the Bible to describe the work of masons and the act of closing off or shutting in a place. It is often translated as 'to fence up' or 'to repair'.
Tyndale gloss
to wall up/off
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּדַר (gadar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to wall up or wall off, indicating actions like closing in, fencing, or building a wall. It is described as a primitive root and includes meanings related to masons and repairers. The entries consistently emphasize its use in constructing barriers or enclosures.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּדַר vb. wall up or wall off, build a wall

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1443 גָּדַר wall up or wall off, build a wall

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1443 gadar gaw-dar'

a primitive root; to wall in or around:--close up, fence up,

hedge, inclose, make up (a wall), mason, repairer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּדַר (ga.dar) — to wall up/off.

1) to wall up, wall off, close off, build a wall

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to wall up, shut off

1a2) masons (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqq1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect first person common singular
Hc/Vqq1cs
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
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 — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
גְּדֵרָ֔הּge.de.Rah wall her H1447 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for wall or fence, used to describe a barrier or enclosure, is found in various Bible translations as fence, hedge, or wall.
Tyndale gloss
wall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּדֵר (gader) means 'wall' and can also refer to a fence or hedge. It is derived from the root word for a circumvallation, indicating an enclosure. The entries consistently highlight its meaning as a physical barrier, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּדֵר n.m. wall

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1447 גָּדֵר wall

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1447 gader gaw-dare'

from 1443; a circumvallation; by implication, an

inclosure:--fence, hedge, wall.

see HEBREW for 01443

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּדֵר (ga.der) — wall.

fence, wall

Also means: ge.der (גֶּדֶר "wall" H1444)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp3fs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3fs
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
וּנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָu.ne.ti.vo.Tei.ha and paths her H5410 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a path or road that people walk on, like a beaten track. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, referring to a traveler's journey. The word is used to describe a way or pathway.
Tyndale gloss
path
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָתִיב (nathiyb) refers to a path or pathway, emphasizing a trodden track. It can denote both a physical path and the concept of travel or a traveler. The feminine form נְתִיבָה (nethiybah) shares the same meaning. The word is derived from an unused root meaning to tramp.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָתִיב n.m. path, pathway

base

נְתִיבָה n.f. id. [n.gd.ab];—path

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5410a נָתִיב path, pathway H5410b נְתִיבָה id. [5410a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5410 nathiyb naw-theeb'

or (feminine) nthiybah {neth-ee-baw'}; or nthibah (Jeremiah

6:16) {neth-ee-baw'}; from an unused root meaning to tramp; a

(beaten) track:--path((-way)), X travel(-ler), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָתִיב (na.tiv) — path.

1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway

2) path, pathway, traveller

נְתִיבָה (ne.ti.vah) — path.

1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway

2) path, pathway, traveller

Also means: na.tiv (נָתִיב "path" H5410A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncfpc/Sp3fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HC/Ncfpc/Sp3fs
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
will not be able to
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
therefore here I [am] about to fence up the object marker way your with thorns and I will wall up the object marker wall her and paths her not she will find
תִמְצָֽא׃tim.Tza' she will find H4672 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or

exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;

figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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