Isaiah 1:9 — Word Study
WLCלוּלֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת הוֹתִ֥יר לָ֛נוּ שָׂרִ֖יד כִּמְעָ֑ט כִּסְדֹ֣ם הָיִ֔ינוּ לַעֲמֹרָ֖ה דָּמִֽינוּ׃ ס
BSAUnlesslûwlêʼ [if not, except] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hoststsâbâʼ [army, a large group of people or things] had leftyâthar■ [to remain, spared] a fewmᵉʻaṭ [a very small, little] survivorssârîyd [remnant, those who remain alive] we would have becomehâyâh■ [to be, exist] like SodomÇᵉdôm [similar to, comparable with, a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness] we would have resembleddâmâh■ [to compare, liken] GomorrahʻĂmôrâh [a city in ancient Palestine, known for its wickedness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לוּלֵי֙ | if not | Particle |
| יְהוָ֣ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| צְבָא֔וֹת | of hosts | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| הוֹתִ֥יר | he had left | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לָ֛נוּ | to us | Preposition, suffix |
| שָׂרִ֖יד | survivor[s] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כִּמְעָ֑ט | like a little | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כִּסְדֹ֣ם | like Sodom | Preposition, noun proper |
| הָיִ֔ינוּ | we were | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common plural |
| לַעֲמֹרָ֖ה | Gomorrah | Preposition, noun proper |
| דָּמִֽינוּ׃ ס | we were like | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah. |
| KJV | Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. |
| ASV | Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah. |
| YLT | Unless Jehovah of Hosts had left to us a remnant, Shortly — as Sodom we had been, To Gomorrah we had been like! |
| WEB | Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah. |
| BBE | If the Lord of armies had not kept some at least of us safe, we would have been like Sodom, and the fate of Gomorrah would have been ours. |
Where they part company is in their rendering of the conditional phrase לוּלֵא — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with multiple comparative clauses that illustrate the potential consequences of lacking God's mercy.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָתַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 1:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Judgment of Israelgenerated
Isaiah 1:9 emphasizes the mercy of God in preserving a remnant of Israel amidst impending judgment. The surrounding verses describe the desolation of Zion and the people's sinful state. Isaiah warns that without God's intervention, they would face destruction similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, as seen in Genesis 19:24-25.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 3:22 | Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. |
| 2 | Habakkuk 3:2 | O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy! |
| 3 | Romans 9:29 | It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 6:13 | And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.” |
| 5 | Isaiah 10:22 | Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 24 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — לוּלֵא, lu.Leigenerated
The word לוּלֵא (luwle') conveys a conditional statement, meaning 'unless' or 'if not.' It sets the stage for the consequences that would follow without God's mercy.
This particle emphasizes the critical nature of God's intervention, highlighting that the survival of a remnant is solely due to His grace. It appears frequently in contexts that underscore exceptions or conditions.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of לוּלֵא as 'unless.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE consistently render this word in a similar manner, emphasizing the conditionality of God's mercy.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is הוֹתִ֥יר, he had left, which governs the entire clause. The sentence structure indicates that the condition set by לוּלֵא leads to a consequence expressed in the following clauses.
The phrase structure reveals a complex relationship: the subject is the LORD of Hosts, and the surviving remnant is described in relation to the potential destruction likened to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לוּלֵא as εἰ, meaning 'if,' which simplifies the conditionality expressed in the Hebrew. This choice highlights the necessity of God's mercy without emphasizing the same level of urgency.
The Greek rendering maintains the overall meaning but may lack the depth of the Hebrew's emphasis on exception and condition.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 1:9 highlights that if the LORD of Hosts had not left a few survivors, Israel would have been destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse underscores God's mercy in preserving a remnant of His people amidst judgment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's mercy in preserving a remnant of His people despite their sinfulness, ensuring that a part of Israel remains.
These cities symbolize total destruction due to wickedness, serving as a warning of what could happen to Israel without God's intervention.
Survivors refer to those who remain alive after calamity, indicating hope and continuity for Israel.
It emphasizes that God's judgment is tempered by mercy, as He allows a remnant to survive even in the face of impending destruction.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's mercy in my life?
- How can I recognize the remnants of faith in my community?
- What lessons can I learn from the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah?
- How does understanding God's judgment and mercy shape my view of sin?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of judgment and mercy. Quotations from Justin Martyr and Jerome illustrate their interpretations and theological arguments.
And besides, they beguile themselves and you, supposing that the everlasting kingdom will be assuredly given to those of the dispersion who are of Abraham after the flesh, although they be sinners, and faithless,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 1 →
For all the Gentiles were "desolate" of the true God, serving the works of their hands; but the Jews and Samaritans, having the word of God delivered to them by the prophets, and always expecting the Christ,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 1 →
It was shown above what the prophetic word threatened against Jerusalem and Judah, not pertaining to the time of the Babylonian captivity but to the end of the Romans, when the remnant of the Jewish people were saved in the apostles,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 1 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 1:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleExcept the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant,.... This is an instance of the super abounding goodness of the Lord of hosts, as the Targum expresses it; that he should, in those very
Read John Gill on Isaiah 1 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryExcept the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 1 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIf God, by his infinite power and goodness, had not restrained our enemies, and reserved some of us, the whole nation and race of us had been utterly cut off, as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were; so great was the rage and power of our enemies, and so utterly unable we were to deliver ourselves.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 1 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.Ver. 9. Except the Lord.] Jehovah, the Essentiator et Induperator, the Maker and Monarch of the universe. Had left unto us a very small remnant.] Which he reserved for royal use; pulling them as "a brand out of the fire," or as "two legs or a piece of an ear taken by the shepherd out of the mouth of a lion." The apostle, after the Septuagint, rendereth it "a seed," in allusion to store seed kept by the husbandman; and there hence inferreth that the elect Jews shall by faith in Christ be freed from the tyranny of Satan and terror of hell. And…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 1 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Except the Lord of hosts . . .—This name also had been stamped on the prophet’s mind at the time of his call (Isaiah 6:3). The God of the hosts (or armies) of heaven (sun, moon and stars, angels and archangels) and of earth had not been unmindful of the people. The idea of the “remnant” left when the rest of the people perished is closely connected with the leading thought of Isa 6:12-13. It had, perhaps, been impressed on the prophet’s mind by the “remnant” of Israel that had escaped from Tiglath-pileser or Sargon (2 Chronicles 30:6; comp. Micah 5:7). We should have been as Sodom . . .—Here the prophet, continuing perhaps the thought of Isa 1:7, speaks of the destruction, in the next…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 1 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. The Lord of hosts - "JEHOVAH God of hosts"] As this title of God, יהוה צבאות Yehovah tsebaoth, "JEHOVAH of hosts, occurs here for the first time, I think it proper to note, that I translate it always, as in this place, "JEHOVAH God of hosts;" taking it as an elliptical expression for יהוה אלהי צבאות Yehovah Elohey tsebaoth. This title imports that JEHOVAH is the God or Lord of hosts or armies; as he is the Creator and Supreme Governor of all beings in heaven and earth, and disposeth and ruleth them all in their several orders and stations; the almighty, universal Lord. We should have been as Sodom] As completely and finally ruined as that and the cities of the plain were, no…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 1 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. the Lord of hosts] In Hebr. Yahveh Tsĕ ?bβτth, a peculiarly solemn title of the God of Israel, specially common in the prophetic writings. On the different theories as to the origin of the expression, see the Note in Cheyne, Comm. i. pp. 11 ff. The simplest explanation of its origin is that which regards it as equivalent to “Jehovah (the God) of the armies of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45; cf. Exodus 7:4). It is true that this cannot be the precise sense in which the phrase is used by the prophets, since it is a fundamental conception with them that Jehovah is no longer on the side of the hosts of Israel. But just as Amos took the phrase “day of Jehovah” from the lips of the people (see below…
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 1 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleExcept ... - It is owing entirely to the mercy of God, that we are not like Sodom. The prophet traces this not to the goodness of the nation, not to any power or merit of theirs, but solely to the mercy of God.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 1 →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
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
If the Lord who commands armies had not left us a few survivors, we would have quickly become like Sodom, we would have become like Gomorrah.
Tyndale line
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Except the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom; we should have been like Gomorrah.
Except the Lord of hostes had reserued vnto vs, euen a small remnant: we should haue bene as Sodom, and should haue bene like vnto Gomorah.
Strictly literal
Unless Jehovah of hosts had left us a very small residue, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Unless Jehovah of Hosts had left to us a remnant, Shortly — as Sodom we had been, To Gomorrah we had been like!
Unless YHWH of Hosts had left a remnant to us, || Shortly—we had been as Sodom, || We had been like to Gomorrah!
Unless the Lord of hosts had left unto us a remnant ever so small, like Sodom should we have been, unto Gomorrah should we have been compared.
If Yahweh of hosts had not left for us a small remnant, we would have been like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.
From the Latin
Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrha.
Simplified
If the Lord Almighty hadn't let a few of us survive, we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.
If the Lord of armies had not kept some at least of us safe, we would have been like Sodom, and the fate of Gomorrah would have been ours.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls all agree in their wording for this verse, with the Septuagint providing a direct correspondence. The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the text's integrity with minimal variations.
לוּלֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת הוֹתִ֥יר לָ֛נוּ שָׂרִ֖יד כִּמְעָ֑ט כִּסְדֹ֣ם הָיִ֔ינוּ לַעֲמֹרָ֖ה דָּמִֽינוּ׃ ס
11 of the 11 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.
לולי יהוה צבאות הותיר ל׳נו שריד כמעט כסודם היינו לעומרה דמינו
11 words on the leather.
[לולי] [יהוה] [צבאות]
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 1:9
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.
לוּלֵא (luwle') means 'if not' or 'unless.' It is derived from two other Hebrew words, indicating conditions or exceptions. The term appears in various contexts, emphasizing situations that depend on a negative condition.
לוּלֵא, elsewhere לוּלֵי 10 if not, unless
base
H3884 לוּלֵא if not, unless
3884 luwle' loo-lay'
or luwley {loo lay'}; from 3863 and 3808; if not:--except,
had not, if (...not), unless, were it not that.
see HEBREW for 03863
see HEBREW for 03808
לוּלֵא (lu.le) — unless.
unless, if not, except
Conj — ParticleHTc
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word צָבָא (*tsaba'*) primarily means 'army' or 'warfare,' encompassing organized groups for battle, divine hosts, and even celestial bodies. It can also refer to service or duty in a military context. The term appears in various forms, including צְבָאוֹת (*tsaba'ot*), which denotes the 'hosts' of the Lord, particularly in relation to God's role in warfare.
צָבָא 485 n.m. army, war, warfare
army, host
war, warfare, service
service
צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)
base
H6635a צָבָא army, war, warfare . army, host
. war, warfare, service
. service
H6635b צְבָאוֹת army, war, warfare . army, host
. war, warfare, service
. service
. צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)
6635 tsaba' tsaw-baw'
or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from 6633; a mass of
persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized
for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or
figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed
time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers,
waiting upon, war(-fare).
see HEBREW for 06633
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army.
: army
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
צָבָא (tsa.va) — Hosts.
The Hosts (of the Lord)
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: war.
: war
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: duty.
: duty
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
N-cp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
יָתַר (yathar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to remain or be left over. It encompasses various nuances, including leaving a remnant, excelling, and preserving alive. The entries indicate that it can express both the idea of excess and the act of leaving something behind. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[יָתַר] 107 vb. remain over
Qal Pt. the remainder
Niph. be left over, remain over
Hiph.
leave over, leave
abs. leave a remnant
save over, i.e. presevre alive
excel, shew pre-eminence
shew excess = have more than enough
base
H3498 [יָתַר] remain over .Pt. the remainder
. be left over, remain over
. . . leave over, leave
. abs. leave a remnant
. save over, i.e. presevre alive
. excel, shew pre-eminence
. shew excess = have more than enough
3498 yathar yaw-thar'
a primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to
excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively, to
leave, cause to abound, preserve:--excel, leave (a remnant),
left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let)
remain(-der, -ing, - nant), reserve, residue, rest.
יָתַר (ya.tar) — to remain.
1) to be left over, remain, remain over, leave
1a) (Qal) remainder (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be left over, remain over, be left behind
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to leave over, leave
1c2) to save over, preserve alive
1c3) to excel, show pre-eminence
1c4) to show excess, have more than enough, have an excess
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singularHVhp3ms
left (sama'l, "to go to the left," "to turn to the left," semo'l, "the left hand," sema'li, "belonging to the left," "situated on the left"; aristeros, and euphemistically euonumos, literally, "having a good name," "of good omen"): The words are chiefly used in orientation with or without the addition of the word "hand." So Abraham says to Lot: "If thou wilt take the left hand (semo'l), then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left (sama'l)" (Ge 13:9). Frequently in Hebrew idiom the right hand and the left are mentioned together in order to express the idea "everywhere," "anywhere," "altogether" (Ge 24:49; Ex 14:22,29; Nu 22:26…
נוּ (nu) — us.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person plural
HR/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we
שָׂרִיד (sariyd) means 'survivor' or 'remnant,' referring to what remains after a defeat. It is derived from the root word meaning 'to remain.' The entries consistently emphasize its use in contexts of survival and what is left over.
שָׂרִיד n.m. survivor (from a defeat, etc.)
base
H8300 שָׂרִיד survivor (from a defeat, etc.)
8300 sariyd saw-reed'
from 8277; a survivor:--X alive, left, remain(- ing),
remnant, rest.
see HEBREW for 08277
שָׂרִיד (sa.rid) — survivor.
1) survivor, remnant, that which is left
1a) survivor
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
מְעַט (m`at) refers to something that is small in quantity or degree, encompassing meanings like 'a little' or 'few.' It can be used adverbially to indicate a small amount or to describe something as almost or hardly. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to be small' and is associated with concepts of littleness and fewness.
מְעַט 101 subst. a little, fewness, a few
base
H4592 מְעַט a little, fewness, a few
4592 m`at meh-at'
or miat {meh-awt'}; from 4591; a little or few (often
adverbial or compar.):--almost (some, very) few(-er, -est),
lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some,
soon, X very.
see HEBREW for 04591
מְעַט (me.at) — little.
1) littleness, few, a little, fewness
1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little
1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
סְדֹם (sedom) refers to Sodom, a significant Canaanite city often mentioned alongside Gomorrah. The name is linked to the idea of burning, possibly due to its volcanic or bituminous landscape. It is located near the Dead Sea and is known for its destruction by divine judgment.
סְדֹם 39 n.pr.loc. Sodom, important Canaanitish name (usu.) with Gomorrah
base
H5467 סְדֹם Sodom, important Canaanitish name (usu.) with Gomorrah
5467 Cdom sed-ome'
from an unused root meaning to scorch; burnt (i.e. volcanic
or bituminous) district; Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea:--
Sodom.
סְדֹם (se.dom) — Sodom.
Sodom = "burning"
a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment
Also named: Sodoma (Σόδομα "Sodom" G4670)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
sod'-um (cedhom; Sodoma) One of the 5 CITIES OF THE PLAIN (which see), destroyed by fire from heaven in the time of Abraham and Lot (Ge 19:24). The wickedness of the city became proverbial. The sin of sodomy was an offense against nature frequently connected with idolatrous practices (see Rawlinson, History of Phoenicia). See SODOMITE. The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is used as a warning to those who reject the gospel (Mt 10:15; 11:24; 2Pe 2:6; Jude 1:7). The word is used in a typical sense in Re 11:8. Sodom was probably located in plain South of the Dead Sea, now covered with water. The name is still preserved in Jebel…
Sodom
Burning; the walled, a city in the vale of Siddim (Gen. 13:10; 14:1-16). The wickedness of its inhabitants brought down upon it fire from heaven, by which it was destroyed (18:16-33; 19:1-29; Deut. 23:17). This city and its awful destruction are frequently alluded to in Scripture (Deut. 29:23; 32:32; Isa. 1:9, 10; 3:9; 13:19; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 16:46-56; Zeph. 2:9; Matt. 10:15; Rom. 9:29;
(burning), one of the most ancient cities of Syria. It is commonly mentioned in connection with Gomorrah, but also with Admah and Zeboim, and on one occasion -- (Genesis 14:1) ... --with Bela or Zoar. Sodom was evidently the chief town in the settlement. The four are first named in the ethnological records of (Genesis 10:19) as belonging to the Canaanites. The next mention of the name of Sodom, (Genesis 13:10-13) gives more certain indication of the position of the city. Abram and Lot are standing together between Bethel and Ai, ver. 3, taking a survey of the land around and below them. Eastward of them, and absolutely at their feet, lay the "circle of Jordan." The whole circle was one great oasis --"a garden of Jehovah."…
One of the cities of the plain, and for some time the dwellingplace of Lot, Ge 13:10-13 14:12. Its crimes and vices were so enormous, that God destroyed it by fire from heaven, with three neighboring cities, Gomorrah, Zeboim, and Admah, which were as wicked as itself, Ge 19:1-20. The plain of Siddim in which they stood was pleasant and fruitful, like an earthy paradise; but it was first burned, and afterwards mostly overflowed by the waters of the Dead Sea or Lake of Sodom. See JORDAN, and SEA 3.
The prophets, in denouncing woes upon other countries, mention the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and intimate that these places shall be desert and dried up and uninhabited, Jer 49:18 50:40; that they shall be covered with briers…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-1cp — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common pluralHVqp1cp
עֲמֹרָה (Amorah) refers to Gomorrah, a city known for its wickedness and destruction by divine judgment. The term is derived from a root meaning 'a (ruined) heap.' It is often associated with Sodom, and both cities are noted for their sinful nature in biblical texts.
עֲמֹרָה 19 n.pr.loc. Gomorrah
base
H6017 עֲמֹרָה Gomorrah
6017 `Amorah am-o-raw'
from 6014; a (ruined) heap; Amorah, a place in
Palestine:--Gomorrah.
see HEBREW for 06014
עֲמֹרָה (a.mo.rah) — Gomorrah.
Gomorrah = "submersion"
the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven
Also named: Gomorra (Γόμορρα "Gomorrah" G1116)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
go-mor'-a (`amorah; Septuagint and New Testament Gomorra, or Gomorra; Arabic Ghamara, "to overwhelm with water"): One of the CITIES OF THE PLAIN (which see) destroyed by fire from heaven in the time of Abraham and Lot (Ge 19:23-29). It was located probably in the plain South of the Dead Sea, now covered with water. See ARABAH; CITIES OF THE PLAIN; DEAD SEA. De Saulcy, however, with others who place the Cities of the Plain at the North end of the Dead Sea, fixes upon Khumran (or Gumran), marked on the Survey Map of Palestine North of Ras Feshkeh, where there are ruins about a mile from the Dead Sea. But there is nothing to support this view except the faint resemblance of the name and the inconclusive arguments placing the Cities of the Plain at that end of the sea.
George Frederick Wright
Gomorrah
Submersion, one of the five cities of the plain of Siddim (q.v.) which were destroyed by fire (Gen. 10:19; 13:10; 19:24, 28). These cities probably stood close together, and were near the northern extremity of what is now the Dead Sea. This city is always mentioned next after Sodom, both of which were types of impiety and wickedness (Gen. 18:20; Rom. 9:29). Their destruction is mentioned as an “ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Their wickedness became proverbial (Deut. 32:32;
(submersion), one of the five "cities of the plain" or "vale of Siddim" that under the irrespective kings joined battle there with Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2-8) and his allies by whom they were discomfited till Abraham came to the rescue. Four out of the five were afterwards destroyed by the Lord with fire from heaven. (Genesis 19:23-29) One of them only, Zoar (or Bela; which was its original name), was spared at the request of Lot, in order that he might take refuge there. The geographical position of these cities is discussed under SODOM.
One of the cities in the fruitful vale of Siddim, near the southern part of the ancient Dead Sea, miraculously blasted by God. See SODOM.
דָּמָה (damah) is a primitive root meaning to be like or resemble. It encompasses the ideas of comparing, imagining, and devising, with various forms indicating different nuances such as making oneself like or considering something to be similar. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts of likeness and comparison.
דָּמָה vb. be like, resemble
Qal be like, resemble
Pi. liken, compare; imagine, think, devise
liken, i.e. consider to be like, compare
imagine, form an idea, devise
Hithp. make oneself or become like
base
H1819 דָּמָה be like, resemble .be like, resemble
. liken, compare; imagine, think, devise . liken, i.e. consider to be like, compare
. imagine, form an idea, devise
. make oneself or become like
1819 damah daw-maw'
a primitive root; to compare; by implication, to resemble,
liken, consider:--compare, devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think,
use similitudes.
דָּמָה (da.mah) — to resemble.
1) to be like, resemble
1a) (Qal) to be like, resemble
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to liken, compare
1b2) to imagine, think
1c) (Hithpael) to make oneself like
1d) (Niphal)
Aramaic equivalent: de.mah (דְּמָה "be like" H1821)
V-Qal-Perf-1cp — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common pluralHVqp1cp