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Hosea 7:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוּבַל־ יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ לִלְבָבָ֔ם כָּל־ רָעָתָ֖ם זָכָ֑רְתִּי עַתָּה֙ סְבָב֣וּם מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם נֶ֥גֶד פָּנַ֖י הָיֽוּ׃

BSABut they fail tobal [do not consider, are not mindful] considerʼâmar [think, reflect] in their heartslêbâb [innermost being, mind and emotions] that I rememberzâkar [keep in mind, recall] allkôl their evilraʻ [wickedness, bad deeds] Nowʻattâh [at this time, currently] their deedsmaʻălâl [actions] are all around themçâbab [surrounding, encompassing] they arehâyâh beforeneged [in front of, in the presence of] My facepânîym [presence, sight]

Word
Listen & take awayHosea 7
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (ha.Yu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Hosea 7:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe people do not realize that God remembers all their evil deeds, which surround them and are always before Him.
Who is speakingGod, addressing Israel about their unawareness of His judgment.
Where we areIn a prophetic declaration concerning Israel's moral state and God's awareness of their actions.
The hard wordרָעָתָ֖ם
Take awayThe people's evil deeds are ever-present before God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָמַר 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 7:2

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 Israelgenerated

1When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim will be exposed, as well as the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits raid in the streets.
2But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.
3They delight the king with their evil, and the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough.

Hosea 7:2 reveals that the people of Israel are oblivious to the fact that God is fully aware of their evil actions. This verse is part of a larger discourse where God expresses His disappointment with Israel's moral decay and their failure to acknowledge the consequences of their deeds. The surrounding verses illustrate the depth of their deceit and the impending judgment they face due to their unfaithfulness.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 32:29If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
2Psalm 50:22Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
3Isaiah 1:3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
4Isaiah 5:12At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.
5Isaiah 44:19And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”

The Key Word זָכָ֑רְתִּי, za.Kha.re.tigenerated

The verb זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is derived from a root implying recognition. It encompasses the act of recalling thoughts and is often used in contexts where God remembers His covenant or actions. In this verse, it indicates God's active remembrance of Israel's evil deeds, emphasizing His awareness and the seriousness of their actions.

The perfect tense here suggests a completed action, indicating that God's remembrance of their evil is not a future consideration but a present reality. This serves as a reminder that nothing escapes God's notice, reinforcing the gravity of their situation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study uses the Berean Standard Bible as the base for comparison.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ (yo.me.Ru), meaning 'they say', governs the structure of the verse. It is supported by a prepositional phrase indicating the object of their thoughts, followed by a series of clauses that detail God's remembrance and the people's actions.

The syntax highlights a direct relationship between the people's failure to acknowledge their deeds and God's awareness of them. The order of the phrases emphasizes the contrast between their neglect and God's constant vigilance.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates זָכָ֑רְתִּי as ἐμνήσθην (emnēsthen), which means 'I remembered.' This choice reflects a direct connection to the Hebrew meaning but also emphasizes the ongoing nature of God's remembrance, reinforcing the idea that their actions are always present to Him.

The use of the Greek term suggests a broader understanding of remembrance, indicating not just recollection but also the implications of those memories in terms of judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Hosea 7:2 shows that the people of Israel do not understand that God is fully aware of their evil actions. Their deeds surround them and are always visible to Him. This verse highlights the importance of being mindful of one's actions and the consequences they bring.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God remembers their evil?

It signifies that God is aware of all the wrongdoings of His people and holds them accountable for their actions.

Why do the people fail to consider this?

This reflects a spiritual blindness or unawareness of their moral state and the seriousness of their sins.

What is the significance of their deeds surrounding them?

It suggests that their actions have consequences that are inescapable and always present in their lives.

How does this verse relate to God's judgment?

It illustrates that God's judgment is based on His knowledge of their actions, emphasizing that nothing is hidden from Him.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I sometimes overlook my own actions and their consequences?
  2. How can I become more mindful of my thoughts and behaviors in relation to God?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure that I am living in a way that is pleasing to God?
  4. How does understanding God's awareness of my actions affect my daily life?

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

Early Christian writers have commented on this verse, emphasizing the need for vigilance in one's heart regarding moral conduct.

Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF Matthew 11:15 c. 185–253
Therefore each one must keep his heart with all watchfulness, for when the Lord comes in the day of judgment, “He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts,” “all the thoughts of…
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 7 →
JeromeCommentary on Hosea 7:2 c. 347–420
"And lest perhaps they should say in their hearts: all their wickedness (all wickedness Vulg.) I have remembered, they have encompassed me in the inventions of their own thoughts,
Early Church Fathers on Hosea 7 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Hosea 7:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And they consider not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness,.... That is, the people of the ten tribes, and the inhabitants of Samaria, whose iniquity and wickedness are said to be

Read John Gill on Hosea 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. And they consider not in their hearts - literally, say not to, etc. (Psalms 14:1).

Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They who are thus greatly wicked, notorious sinners, consider not in their hearts, do not remember, nor will they once seriously ponder this, that I remember all their wickedness; that I see all they do, and remember all I see; and that with more than an idle, unactive looking on, or retaining in memory; I look on, and remember to call them to account, and to punish for their sins. They would flatter themselves into an opinion that I take no notice of their wickedness, and that I will never require it. Their own doings; the guilt and punishment, the iniquity and mischief, of the works they have done; their own doings, not their fathers’ , as hypocrites and the incorrigible are ready to…

Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hosea 7:2 And they consider not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.Ver. 2. And they consider not in their hearts] Heb. They say not in their hearts; that is, they set not down themselves with this consideration, they commune not with their consciences upon this most needful, but much neglected matter. A good man’ s work lieth much within doors; he loves to be dealing with himself, and working good and wholesome considerations upon his own affections. He is never less alone than when he is alone; for still he hath God and himself to talk to. That I remember all their wickedness] i.e. Record and register…

Read John Trapp on Hosea 7 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Have beset them about.—The wicked deeds of the nation crowded around them as witnesses to reveal their treason against Jehovah.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Hosea 7 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. They consider not in their hearts] They do not consider that my eye is upon all their ways; they do not think that I record all their wickedness; and they know not their own evil doings are as a host of enemies encompassing them about.

Read AdamClarke on Hosea 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. they consider not in their hearts] Rather, as margin, they say not to their heart. ‘Heart’ here = self; the meaning is therefore they have no pricks of conscience. now their own doings have beset them about] They are so entangled in sin (to use a more familiar figure) that they cannot even try to repent. they are before my face] Comp. Psalms 90:8.

Read Cambridge on Hosea 7 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And they consider not in their hearts - Literally, (as in the E.

Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 7 →

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

But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They do not realize that I remember all of their wicked deeds. Their evil deeds have now surrounded them; their sinful deeds are always before me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them around; they are before my face.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And they consider not in their hearts, that I remember all their wickednes: now their owne inuentions haue beset them about: they are in my sight.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And they say not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness: now do their own doings encompass them; they are before my face.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And they do not say to their heart, [That] all their evil I have remembered, Now compassed them have their doings, Over-against My face they have been.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And they do not say to their heart, || [That] I have remembered all their evil, || Now their doings have surrounded them, || They have been before My face.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And they never think in their own heart that I remember all their wickedness: though now their own doings are all round about them; before my face are they present.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They do not realize in their hearts that I remember all their evil deeds. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And lest they may say in their hearts, that I remember all their wickedness: their own devices now have beset them about, they have been done before my face.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But they don't realize that I remember all of their wickedness. Their sins surround them and are always before me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And they do not say to themselves that I keep in mind all their sin; now their evil acts come round them on every side; they are before my face.

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.

וּandclauseadverbialבַלnotverbיֹֽאמְרוּ֙they.sayprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtonoun phraseלְבָבָ֔heartםtheirclausenoun phrase · objectכָּלallnoun phraseרָעָתָ֖evilםtheirverbזָכָ֑רְתִּיI.rememberclauseadverbialעַתָּה֙nowverbסְבָב֣וּtheyobjectםhave.surrounded.themnoun phrase · subjectמַֽעַלְלֵיdeedsהֶ֔םtheirclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalנֶ֥גֶדbeforenoun phraseפָּנַ֖faceיmyverbהָיֽוּthey.are

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 11 of the 12 words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the core message of the verse across these ancient texts.

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

וּבַל־ יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ לִלְבָבָ֔ם כָּל־ רָעָתָ֖ם זָכָ֑רְתִּי עַתָּה֙ סְבָב֣וּם מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם נֶ֥גֶד פָּנַ֖י הָיֽוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּבַל־ὅπωςיֹֽאמְרוּ֙συνᾴδωσινלִלְבָבָ֔םαὐτῶνכָּל־πάσαςרָעָתָ֖םκακίαςזָכָ֑רְתִּיἐμνήσθηνעַתָּה֙νῦνסְבָב֣וּםαὐτοὺςנֶ֥גֶדἀπέναντιפָּנַ֖יμουהָיֽוּ׃ἐγένοντο

11 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 7:2בַּלand notand notבַּלאָמַרthey saythey sayאָמַרלֵבָבto heart thto heart theirלֵבָבכֹּלallallכֹּלרַעevil theirevil theirרַעזָכַרI rememberI rememberזָכַרעַתָּ֫הnownowעַתָּ֫הסָבַבthey have sthey have surroסָבַבמַעֲלָלdeeds theirdeeds theirמַעֲלָלנֶ֫גֶדbeforebeforeנֶ֫גֶדפָּנֶהface myface myפָּנֶההָיָהthey arethey areהָיָהבָּלָהto become to become oldבָּלָהלבבto encourato encourageלבבכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלרָעַעbe evilbe evilרָעַעזָכָרmalemaleזָכָרעֵתtimetimeעֵתעָלַלto abuseto abuseעָלַלנָגַדto tellto tellנָגַדפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאמוֹטto shaketo shakeמוֹטכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהשָׁלֵםcompletecompleteשָׁלֵםדָּרַשׁto seekto seekדָּרַשׁעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהמַעֲלָלdeeddeedמַעֲלָל
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 7:2

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 not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
וּבַל־u.val- and not H1077 Conjunction · particle
73× 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 not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Amplified meaning
do not consider, are not mindful
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּל (bal) is an adverb meaning 'not' or 'none.' It conveys a sense of negation, indicating absence or failure. The word is derived from a root that implies nothingness and can also be used in contexts like 'lest' or 'neither.' The entries consistently emphasize its function as a negation in various forms.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּל 69 adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1077 בַּל not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1077 bal bal

from 1086; properly, a failure; by implication nothing;

usually (adverb) not at all; also lest:--lest, neither, no,

none (that...), not (any), nothing.

see HEBREW for 01086

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּל (bal) — not.

not, hardly, else

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
יֹֽאמְרוּ֙yo.me.Ru they say H559 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Amplified meaning
think, reflect
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
לִלְבָבָ֔םlil.va.Vam to heart their H3824 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
252× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Amplified meaning
innermost being, mind and emotions
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the seas

usu. of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific ref. to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

spec. ref. to moral character

= the man himself

spec. as seat of appetites

spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas

. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific ref. to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. spec. ref. to moral character

. = the man himself

. spec. as seat of appetites

. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

. seat of courage

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3824 lebab lay-bawb'

from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also

like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,

courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X

unawares, understanding.

see HEBREW for 03823

see HEBREW for 03820

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
כָּל־kol- all H3605 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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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 not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
רָעָתָ֖םra.'a.Tam evil their H7451 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
662× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Amplified meaning
wickedness, bad deeds
Tyndale gloss
bad: harmful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רַע (ra) is a Hebrew word meaning bad or evil, encompassing a range of negative qualities such as distress, misery, and ethical wrongdoing. It can describe unpleasantness, harm, or low value, and is used in various contexts, including emotional states and moral judgments. The entries also note its comparative form, indicating worse than or worst. The word has feminine forms, such as רָעָה (ra.ah), which similarly convey concepts of evil and distress.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רַע 228 adj. bad, evil

bad, disagreeable, malignant

bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery

evil, displeasing

bad of its kind

bad, , i.e. of low value

מִן comp., worse than

sad, unhappy

devise evil (hurtful) device

bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper

ethically bad, evil, wicked

base

רַע 126 n.m. evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity

evil, distress, adversity

evil, injury, wrong

ethical evil

base

רָעָה 310 n.f. evil, misery, distress, injury

evil, misery, distress

evil, injury, wrong

ethical evil

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7451a רַע bad, evil . bad, disagreeable, malignant

. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery

. evil, displeasing

. bad of its kind

. bad, , i.e. of low value

. + מִן comp., worse than

. sad, unhappy

. devise evil (hurtful) device

. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper

. ethically bad, evil, wicked

H7451b רַע evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity . evil, distress, adversity

. evil, injury, wrong

. ethical evil

H7451c רָעָה evil, misery, distress, injury . evil, misery, distress

. evil, injury, wrong

. ethical evil

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7451 ra` rah

from 7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):--

adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure),

distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X

great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured),

+ mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not

please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex,

wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.

(Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).

see HEBREW for 07489

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רַע (ra) — bad: harmful.

: harmful

adj

1) bad, evil

1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant

1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)

1c) evil, displeasing

1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)

1e) bad (of value)

1f) worse than, worst (comparison)

1g) sad, unhappy

1h) evil (hurtful)

1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)

1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)

1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts

1j2) deeds, actions

רַע (ra) — bad: evil.

1) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity

1a) evil, distress, adversity

1b) evil, injury, wrong

1c) evil (ethical)

רָעָה (ra.ah) — distress: harm.

: harm

1) evil, misery, distress, injury

1a) evil, misery, distress

1b) evil, injury, wrong

1c) evil (ethical)

רַע (ra) — bad: evil.

: evil

adj

1) bad, evil

1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant

1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)

1c) evil, displeasing

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3mp
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
זָכָ֑רְתִּיza.Kha.re.ti I remember H2142 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
232× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To remember means to recall or mark something, like God remembering his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 9:1 and Exodus 2:24.
Amplified meaning
keep in mind, recall
Tyndale gloss
to remember
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is built from a primitive root implying recognition. It covers a range of meanings, including recalling thoughts, commemorating days, and causing others to remember. The entries also note its use in various grammatical forms, such as being remembered or making a memorial.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָכַר vb. remember

Qal

Human subj.

remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action

remember persons (human subj.)

remember י׳

remember

think of or on, call to mind something present or future

remember a day, to observe, commemorate it

remember, with implied mention of, obj.

Subj. י׳ (אלהִם)

remember persons

remember the distress of his servants

their devotion

remember his own covenant (with them)

his mercy

extenuating circumstances

remember sins, idolatries

Niph.

be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.

neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation

be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated

Hiph.

cause to remember, remind

cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance

mention

record, only pt.

of sacrifice, make a memorial

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2142 זָכַר remember .. Human subj. . remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action

. remember persons (human subj.)

. remember י׳

. remember

. think of or on, call to mind something present or future

. remember a day, to observe, commemorate it

. remember, with implied mention of, obj.

. Subj. י׳ (אלהִם) . remember persons

. . remember the distress of his servants

. their devotion

. . remember his own covenant (with them)

. his mercy

. extenuating circumstances

. remember sins, idolatries

. . be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.

. neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation

. be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated

. . cause to remember, remind

. cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance

. mention

. record, only pt.

. of sacrifice, make a memorial

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2142 zakar zaw-kar'

a primitive root; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized),

i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; also (as

denominative from 2145) to be male:--X burn (incense), X

earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount,

record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call,

come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X

well.

see HEBREW for 02145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָכַר (za.khar) — to remember.

1) to remember, recall, call to mind

1a) (Qal) to remember, recall

1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to remember, remind

1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance

1c3) to mention

1c4) to record

1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
עַתָּה֙'a.Tah now H6258 Adverb
433× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
at this time, currently
Tyndale gloss
now
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַתָּ֫ה (attah) is an adverb of time meaning 'now.' It can also function as a conjunction or expletive, indicating immediacy or a current moment. The word is derived from a related term, עַת (att), and is used in various contexts to denote the present time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַתָּ֫ה 435, עָ֑֫תָּה, adv. of time, now

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6258 עַתָּ֫ה, עָ֑֫תָּה of time, now

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6258 `attah at-taw'

from 6256; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or

expletive:--henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.

see HEBREW for 06256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — now.

1) now

1a) now

1b) in phrases

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
סְבָב֣וּםse.va.Vum they have surrounded them H5437 Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Amplified meaning
surrounding, encompassing
Tyndale gloss
to turn: turn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָבַב (savav) means to turn or go around, encompassing a range of actions such as surrounding, marching, and changing direction. It is built from a primitive root and has various applications, both literal and figurative, including transforming or enclosing. The entries detail its uses in different verbal forms, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבַב vb. turn about, go around, surround

Qal

turn, intrans.

march, or walk, around

go partly round, circle, skirt

make a round, or circuit, go about to

surround, encompass

Niph.

turn oneself against, close round upon

turn round (from a direct course)

esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

pass. be turned over to, into the power of

Pi. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

Po‛.

encompass (with protection)

come about, assemble round

march or go about

enclose, envelop

Hiph.

turn (trans.), cause to turn

bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

turn into, of changing name

= bring round, of changing name

cause to go around

surround with (acc.) wall

perh. also encompass (as foe)

Hoph.

be turned, of cart wheel

surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5437 סָבַב turn about, go around, surround .. turn, intrans.

. . march, or walk, around

. go partly round, circle, skirt

. make a round, or circuit, go about to

. surround, encompass

. . . turn oneself against, close round upon

. turn round (from a direct course)

. esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

. pass. be turned over to, into the power of

. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

. . encompass (with protection)

. come about, assemble round

. march or go about

. enclose, envelop

. . . turn (trans.), cause to turn

. bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

. turn into, of changing name

. = bring round, of changing name

. . cause to go around

. surround with (acc.) wall

. perh. also encompass (as foe)

. . be turned, of cart wheel

. surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5437 cabab saw-bab'

a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in

various applications, literally and figuratively (as

follows):--bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, X whirl, X

round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset

(about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to

come about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round),

drive, environ, X on every side, beset (close, come, compass,

go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit

down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: turn.

: turn/bring_around

1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change

1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round

1b2) to be turned over to

1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform

1d) (Poel)

1d1) to encompass, surround

1d2) to come about, assemble round

1d3) to march, go about

1d4) to enclose, envelop

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round

1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass

1f) (Hophal)

1f1) to be turned

1f2) to be surrounded

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: surround.

: surround/go_round

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVqp3cp/Sp3mp
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֔םma.'a.lei.Hem deeds their H4611 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Maalal means a deed or act, which can be good or bad, such as a practice or invention. It is used in the Bible to describe human actions and their consequences. This term is found in various biblical contexts.
Amplified meaning
actions
Tyndale gloss
deed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָל (ma`alal) refers to a deed or practice, often with a negative connotation. It encompasses actions or works, whether good or bad, and is derived from a root meaning to act. The entries consistently highlight its focus on deeds and practices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָל] 41 n.m. deed, practice

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4611 מַעֲלָל deed, practice

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4611 ma`alal mah-al-awl'

from 5953; an act (good or bad):--doing, endeavour,

invention, work.

see HEBREW for 05953

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָל (ma.a.lal) — deed.

1) deed, practice

1a) practice (usually bad)

1b) deeds

1c) acts

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3mp
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
נֶ֥גֶדNe.ged before H5048 Prep
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Amplified meaning
in front of, in the presence of
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5048 neged neh'-ghed

from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a

counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with

preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,

X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,

sight, X to view.

see HEBREW for 05046

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.

subst

1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of

adv

2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of

3) in front of oneself, straightforward

4) before your face, in your view or purpose

with prep

5) what is in front of, corresponding to

6) in front of, before

7) in the sight or presence of

8) parallel to

9) over, for

10) in front, opposite

11) at a distance

prep

12) from the front of, away from

13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from

14) from before, in front of

15) as far as the front of

Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Prep
HAcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
פָּנַ֖יpa.Nai face my H6440 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Amplified meaning
presence, sight
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and not they say to heart their all evil their I remember now they have surrounded them deeds their before face my they are
הָיֽוּ׃ha.Yu they are H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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.

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
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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