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Isaiah 10:5 — Word Study

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WLCה֥וֹי אַשּׁ֖וּר שֵׁ֣בֶט אַפִּ֑י וּמַטֶּה־ ה֥וּא בְיָדָ֖ם זַעְמִֽי׃

BSAWoehôwy [a lament, oh no] to AssyriaʼAshshûwr [Asshur, a nation descended from the second son of Shem] the rodshêbeṭ [a staff] of My angerʼaph [intense displeasure, indignation] the staffmaṭṭeh [a scepter, instrument of punishment] in their handsyâd [an open hand; strength, a side or share] is My wrathzaʻam [strong, fierce anger, nose or face, indicating God's emotional response]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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 (za'.Mi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 10:5quick helps
In a sentenceIsaiah laments the role of Assyria as an instrument of God's anger.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, conveying God's message.
Where we areIn a passage discussing God's judgment and the means He uses to execute it.
The hard wordהוֹי
Take awayAssyria is depicted as both a tool of punishment and a target of divine wrath.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא 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 — Isaiah 10:5

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 Assyriagenerated

4Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
5Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.
6I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.
7But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

Isaiah 10:5 addresses Assyria's role as a tool of God's anger. The surrounding verses highlight the severity of God's judgment, illustrating that despite Assyria's power, it is ultimately subject to God's will. This theme of divine sovereignty is echoed throughout the book of Isaiah, where nations are depicted as instruments in God's hands, fulfilling His purposes.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 10:11From that land he went forth into Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,
2Isaiah 10:15Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!
3Isaiah 8:4For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
4Isaiah 14:5–6The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.
5Psalm 17:14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

O AssyrianGenesis 10:11

The Key Word הוֹי, Hogenerated

The word הוֹי (hoy) is an interjection expressing deep sorrow or lament, often translated as 'woe' or 'alas'. It conveys a strong emotional response to impending judgment or calamity. This particle is frequently used in prophetic literature to signal a warning or lamentation over the fate of a nation.

In this verse, הוֹי sets the tone for the proclamation against Assyria, highlighting the gravity of the situation. It emphasizes God's displeasure and the serious consequences that follow from Assyria's actions as His instrument of wrath.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause of the verse is introduced by the interjection הוֹי, woe to, which sets the lamenting tone. Following this, the subject is identified as אַשּׁ֖וּר, Assyria, with the predicate שֵׁ֣בֶט, the rod of, indicating its function as an instrument of divine wrath.

The structure emphasizes the relationship between Assyria and God's anger, with the noun phrases detailing the nature of this anger and the instrument used. The arrangement of the words highlights the gravity of the statement and the seriousness of Assyria's role in God's judgment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הוֹי as οὐαὶ (ouai), which carries a similar connotation of lamentation. This choice reflects the emotional weight of the Hebrew term, maintaining the sense of warning and sorrow.

The Greek term ἀσσυρίοις is used for אַשּׁ֖וּר, indicating a direct translation that preserves the identity of the nation. This consistency suggests a clear understanding of Assyria's role in the context of divine judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 10:5 warns of God's judgment on Assyria, describing it as the rod of His anger. This verse highlights how God uses Assyria to express His wrath, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions and the consequences that follow.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does 'woe to Assyria' mean?

It signifies a lament over Assyria's role as an instrument of God's anger, indicating impending judgment.

Why is Assyria called the rod of God's anger?

Assyria is depicted as a tool used by God to execute judgment against other nations, reflecting His sovereignty.

What is the significance of the staff in their hands?

The staff symbolizes authority and power, indicating that Assyria's strength is derived from God's will.

How does this verse relate to God's judgment?

It illustrates that while Assyria may appear powerful, it is ultimately subject to God's control and serves His purposes.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I understand the concept of God using nations as instruments of His judgment in today's context?
  2. What can I learn about God's sovereignty from this verse?
  3. In what ways might I see parallels between Assyria's role and current events in the world?
  4. How can I respond to the idea of divine judgment in my own life?

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

Early commentary on this verse highlights the prophetic warning against Assyria as an instrument of God's anger, illustrating the seriousness of divine judgment.

JeromeVerse 5 and following c. 347–420
Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hands is my fury. I will send him against a deceitful nation, and I will command him against the people of my wrath, to take the spoil and seize the prey,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 10:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger,..... Either as calling him to come against the land of Israel to spoil it, so Kimchi; or as grieving that he was obliged to make use of him in such a manner against

Read John Gill on Isaiah 10 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 10 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

O Assyrian: so it is God’ s call or invitation to him to take the charge, and set upon the work. Or, Woe to the Assyrian! because though he do my work, yet he doth it in a wicked manner, and for wicked ends, as we shall see. The rod of mine anger; the instrument of mine anger. wherewith I shall chastise my people. The staff in their hand is mine indignation; mine anger against my people puts the weapons of war into their hand, and gives them strength and success in this expedition.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 10 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.Ver. 5. O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger.] Or, Woe to the Assyrian; or, Heu Assur, Alas, the Assyrian! q.d., Alas, that I am forced by this sharp and iron rod to correct my people, whom I have bred so choicely! Dolentis vocem assumit Deus, saith Oecolampadius. The rod of mine anger.] Or, My rod of anger. A rod of anger to beat the little ones, and a staff of indignation to bastinado the bigger and more stubborn. So Nebuchadnezzar is called the "hammer of the whole earth." Tamerlane called himself, The wrath of God, and the desolation of the world, Attilas styled himself, King of Huns, Medes…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 10 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) O Assyrian.—The words open, as has been said above, a perfectly distinct section. Assyria had been named in connection with the Syro-Ephraim alliance against Judah (Isaiah 7:17-20; Isaiah 8:7-8); but this is the first prophetic utterance of which it is the direct subject. Anticipating the phraseology of Isa 13:1, we might call it the “burden of Assyria.” In the judgment of the best Assyrian scholars, some years had passed since the date of the alliance and invasion. Tiglath – pileser had taken Damascus and reduced Samaria to submission. Pekah and Ahaz had met at Damascus to do homage to their common suzerain. In B.C. 727 Salmaneser succeeded to the throne of Assyria, and began the…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 10 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. O Assyrian - "Ho to the Assyrian"] Here begins a new and distinct prophecy, continued to the end of the twelfth chapter: and it appears from Isaiah 10:9-11 of this chapter, that this prophecy was delivered after the taking of Samaria by Shalmaneser; which was in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah: and as the former part of it foretells the invasion of Sennacherib, and the destruction of his army, which makes the whole subject of this chapter it must have been delivered before the fourteenth of the same reign. The staff in their hand - "The staff in whose hand"] The word הוא hu, the staff itself, in this place seems to embarrass the sentence. I omit it on the authority of the…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 10 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5–7. Jehovah’s plan contrasted with Assyria’s purpose.

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 10 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

O Assyrian - The word הוי hôy, is commonly used to denounce wrath, or to indicate approaching calamity; as an interjection of threatening; Isaiah 1:4.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 10 →

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

Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation!

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Assyria, the club I use to vent my anger, is as good as dead, a cudgel with which I angrily punish.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!

RVARevised Version, American1894

Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!

NWBWebster's Bible1833

O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

O Asshur, the rodde of my wrath: and the staffe in their hands is mine indignation.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Ah! the Assyrian! the rod of mine anger! and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Woe [to] Asshur, a rod of Mine anger, And a staff in their hand [is] Mine indignation.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

“Woe [to] Asshur, a rod of My anger, || And My indignation [is] a staff in their hand.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Woe over Asshur, the rod of my anger; and a staff is in their hand my indignation.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Woe to the Assyrian, the club of my anger, the rod by whom I wield my fury!

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Woe to the Assyrian, he is the rod and the staff of my anger, and my indignation is in their hands.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Tragedy is coming to the Assyrians, even though the rod they use represents my anger and the stick they hold in their hands represents my fury!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Ho! Assyrian, the rod of my wrath, the instrument of my punishment!

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.

clauseclauseה֥וֹיwoe.to!clausenoun phraseאַשּׁ֖וּרAssyrianoun phraseשֵׁ֣בֶטthe.rodnoun phraseאַפִּ֑my.angerיmyוּand.[is]clauseclausepredicateמַטֶּהa.staffsubjectה֥וּאitclauseprepositional phrase · predicateבְinnoun phraseיָדָ֖handםtheirnoun phrase · subjectזַעְמִֽindignationיmy

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all eight words in this verse. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, with one scroll showing some restoration but maintaining the essential content of the verse.

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

ה֥וֹי אַשּׁ֖וּר שֵׁ֣בֶט אַפִּ֑י וּמַטֶּה־ ה֥וּא בְיָדָ֖ם זַעְמִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
ה֥וֹיοὐαὶאַשּׁ֖וּרἀσσυρίοιςשֵׁ֣בֶטῥάβδοςאַפִּ֑יμουוּמַטֶּה־ὀργῆςה֥וּאἐστινבְיָדָ֖םξερσὶνזַעְמִֽי׃μου

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Qisaaa copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

הוי אשור שבט אפ׳י ומטה הוא ביד׳ם זעמ׳י

8 words on the leather.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q59a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

הוי אשור שבט אפ׳י ומטה [הוא] [ביד׳ם] [זעמ׳י]

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

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Isaiah 10:5הוֹיwoe to!woe to!הוֹיאַשּׁוּרAssyriaAssyriaאַשּׁוּרשֵׁ֫בֶט[the] rod o[the] rod ofשֵׁ֫בֶטאַףanger myanger myאַףמַטֶּהand [is] a and [is] a stafמַטֶּההוּאititהוּאיָדin hand thein hand theirיָדזַ֫עַםindignationindignation myזַ֫עַםאָשַׁרto blessto blessאָשַׁראָנֵףbe angrybe angryאָנֵףנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהכַּףpalmpalmכַּףזָעַםbe indignabe indignantזָעַםהוֹAh!Ah!הוֹאוֹיwoe!woe!אוֹיחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןסָפַדto mournto mournסָפַדתִּגְלַתתִּגְלַתסַנְחֵרִיבSennacheriSennacheribסַנְחֵרִיבחֲצִיhalfhalfחֲצִימְנַשֶּׁהMosesMosesמְנַשֶּׁהאָרֵךְslowslowאָרֵךְנָשִׂיאleaderleaderנָשִׂיאטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָק
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 Isaiah 10:5

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.

woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
ה֥וֹיHo woe to! H1945 Particle
51× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hoy is an expression of sadness or pain, like saying oh or woe. It's used to show strong emotions, and is often translated as alas or woe in the KJV Bible. This word conveys a sense of lament or regret.
Amplified meaning
a lament, oh no
Tyndale gloss
woe!
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוֹי (hoy) is an interjection expressing dissatisfaction and pain, often translated as 'ah,' 'alas,' or 'woe.' It is used in lamentations and conveys a sense of sorrow or distress. The word is a prolonged form of another Hebrew term, indicating its emotional weight.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוֹי 81 interj. expressing usually dissatisfaction and pain, Ah, Alas, Ha (not distinctly Woe!) used in lamentations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1945 הוֹי expressing usually dissatisfaction and pain, Ah, Alas, Ha (not distinctly Woe!) used in lamentations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1945 howy hoh'ee

a prolonged form of 1930 (akin to 188); oh!:--ah, alas, ho,

O, woe.

see HEBREW for 01930

see HEBREW for 0188

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוֹי (hoy) — woe!.

ah!, alas!, ha!, ho!, O!, woe!

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is sometimes used in our Bibles where a softer expression would be at least equally proper: "Woe to such a one!" is in our language a threat or imprecation of some calamity, natural or judicial, to befall a person; but this is not always the meaning of the word in Scripture. We find the expression, "Woe is me!" that is, Alas for my sufferings! And, "Woe to the women with child, and those who give suck!" that is, Alas for their redoubled sufferings in times of distress! If in the denunciatory language of Christ, we should read, "Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida!" we should do not injustice to the general sentiments of the passage.

Yet in many cases the word woe is used in a fuller and more awful sense, expressing an inspired denunciation and foreshadowing of God’s wrath upon sinners; as when we read, "Woe to those who build houses by unrighteousness, and cities by blood;"…

woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
אַשּׁ֖וּר'a.Shur Assyria H804 Noun proper
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Asshur was the second son of Shem and the ancestor of the Assyrians, mentioned in Genesis 10:22. The name Asshur means 'a step'.
Amplified meaning
Asshur, a nation descended from the second son of Shem
Tyndale gloss
Asshur
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַשּׁוּר (Ashshuwr) refers to Assyria, the ancient empire and its people, as well as Asshur, the second son of Shem. The term encompasses the region, the nation, and the descendants of Asshur. It is linked to the notion of success and is first mentioned in Genesis 10:22.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַשּׁוּר n.pr.gent. & terr. Asshur, Assyria

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H804 אַשּׁוּר Asshur, Assyria

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

804 'Ashshuwr ash-shoor'

or iAshshur {ash-shoor'}; apparently from 833 (in the sense

of successful); Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his

descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e. Assyria),

its region and its empire:--Asshur, Assur, Assyria,

Assyrians. See 838.

see HEBREW for 0833

see HEBREW for 0838

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַשּׁוּר (ash.shur) — Assyria.

§ Asshur or Assyria = "a step"

the nation, Assyria

the land, Assyria or Asshur

אַשּׁוּר (ash.shur) — Asshur.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.22;

son of: Shem (H8035);

brother of: Elam (H5867C), Arpachshad (H0775), Lud (H3865) and Aram (H0758)

§ Asshur or Assyria = "a step"

1) the second son of Shem, eponymous ancestor of the Assyrians

2) the people of Assyria

3) the nation, Assyria

4) the land, Assyria or Asshur

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-sir'-i-a:

I. GEOGRAPHY

II. EARLY HISTORY

III. CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS

IV. POPULATION

V. TRADE AND LAW

VI. ART

VII. MECHANICS

VIII. FURNITURE, POTTERY AND EMBROIDERY

IX. LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND SCIENCE

X. GOVERNMENT AND ARMY

XI. RELIGION

XII. EXCAVATIONS

XIII. CHRONOLOGY

XIV. HISTORY

1. Early Period

2. The Older Empire

3. The Second Empire

4. Last Period and Fall of Empire

LITERATURE

Assyria, a Greek name formed from Asshur ('ashshur; 'Assour; Assyrian Assur): The primitive capital of the country.

I. Geography.

The origin of the city (now Kala'at Shergat), which was built on the western bank of the Tigris between the Upper and Lower Zab, went back to pre-Sem times, and the meaning of the name was forgotten (see Ge 2:14, where the Hiddekel or Tigris is said to flow on the eastern side of Asshur). To the North of the junction of the Tigris and Upper Zab…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Assyria

The name derived from the city Asshur on the Tigris, the original capital of the country, was originally a colony from Babylonia, and was ruled by viceroys from that kingdom. It was a mountainous region lying to the north of Babylonia, extending along the Tigris as far as to the high mountain range of Armenia, the Gordiaean or Carduchian mountains. It was founded in B.C. 1700 under Bel-kap-kapu, and became an independent and a conquering power, and shook off the yoke of its Babylonian masters. It subdued the whole of Northern Asia. The Assyrians were Semites (Gen. 10:22), but in process of time non-Semite tribes mingled with the inhabitants. They were a military people, the “Romans of the East.”

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A celebrated country and empire, had its name from Ahur, or Assur, the second son of Shem, who settled in that region, Ge 10:22. In the Bible the name Assyria is employed in three different significations: namely, 1. Assyria ancient and proper lay east of the Tigris, between Armenia, Susiana, and Media, and appears to have comprehended the six provinces attributed to it by Ptolemy, namely, Arrapachis, Adiabene, Arbelis, (now Erbil,) Calachene, (Heb. Halah? 2Ki 17:6,) Apollonias, and Sittacne. It is the region which mostly comprises the modern Kurdistan and the pashalik of Mosul. Of these provinces, Adiabene was the most fertile and important; in it was situated Nineveh the capital; and the term Assyria, in its most narrow sense, seems sometimes to have meant only this province.…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

country of Assur or Ashur

woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
שֵׁ֣בֶטShe.vet [the] rod of H7626 Noun common · masculine singular construct
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Amplified meaning
a staff
Tyndale gloss
tribe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁ֫בֶט (shebet) refers to both a physical object and a social group. It can mean a rod, staff, or sceptre, often associated with authority or punishment, as well as a tribe or clan. The word is built from a root likely meaning to branch off, indicating both literal and figurative uses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁ֫בֶט 189 n.m. 1. rod, staff, club, sceptre. 2. tribe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7626 שֵׁ֫בֶט 1. rod, staff, club, sceptre. 2. tribe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7626 shebet shay'-bet

from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion,

i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting,

ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:--X

correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: staff.

: staff

1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe

1a) rod, staff

1b) shaft (of spear, dart)

1c) club (of shepherd's implement)

1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)

1e) clan, tribe

שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe.

: tribe

1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe

1a) rod, staff

1b) shaft (of spear, dart)

1c) club (of shepherd's implement)

1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)

1e) clan, tribe

שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: javelin.

: javelin

1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe

1a) rod, staff

1b) shaft (of spear, dart)

1c) club (of shepherd's implement)

1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)

1e) clan, tribe

שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) — tribe: ruler.

: ruler

1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe

1a) rod, staff

1b) shaft (of spear, dart)

1c) club (of shepherd's implement)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
אַפִּ֑י'a.Pi anger my H639 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
276× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Amplified meaning
intense displeasure, indignation
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַף (aph) primarily means nostril or nose, but it also refers to the face and is often associated with anger. It can denote a person's countenance or expressions of ire. The entries highlight its connection to rapid breathing in passionate states, indicating its use in contexts of anger or wrath.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַף 277 n.m. nostril, nose, face, anger

nostril, as organ of breathing

Dn. face

mostly anger

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H639 אַף nostril, nose, face, anger

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

639 'aph af

from 599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and

occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in

passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, +

forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril,

snout, X worthy, wrath.

see HEBREW for 0599

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַף (aph) — face: anger.

: anger

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

אַף (aph) — face: nose.

: nose

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

אַף (aph) — face.

: face

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
וּמַטֶּה־u.ma.teh- and [is] a staff H4294 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
252× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Amplified meaning
a scepter, instrument of punishment
Tyndale gloss
tribe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַטֶּה (mat-teh) refers to a staff, rod, or branch, and can also denote a tribe. It is derived from a root meaning to extend, and its uses include both literal and figurative meanings, such as a support or a means of correction. The lexicons consistently highlight its association with leadership and community.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַטֶּה 251 n.m.

staff, rod, shaft

branch

tribe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4294 מַטֶּה . staff, rod, shaft

. branch

. tribe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4294 matteh mat-teh'

or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from 5186; a branch (as

extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for

chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre),

throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a

support of life, e.g. bread):--rod, staff, tribe.

see HEBREW for 05186

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: rod.

: rod/staff

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe.

: tribe

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: arrow.

: arrow

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: stick.

: stick

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: supply.

: supply

1) staff, branch, tribe

1a) staff, rod, shaft

1b) branch (of vine)

1c) tribe

1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

staf: Many Hebrew terms are represented by this word. The "staves" of the ark translate the word badh, literally, "a part," hence, branch, bar, etc. (Ex 25:13,14,15,27,28, etc.). Other words, as matteh, maqqel, shebhet, used of the staff in the hand, the shepherd's staff, figuratively, "staff of bread" (matteh, Eze 4:16; 5:16; 14:13), as indispensable for support of life, are dealt with under ROD (which see). The New Testament word is rhabdos (Mt 10:10 parallel Lu 9:3; Heb 11:21).

See also SCEPTRE.

Thompson Chain Reference topics
woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
ה֥וּאhu' it H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp3ms — Pronoun
HPp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
בְיָדָ֖םve.ya.Dam in hand their H3027 Preposition · noun common both singular construct · suffix
1,619× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Amplified meaning
an open hand; strength, a side or share
Tyndale gloss
hand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָד 1604 n.f. hand

hand

Fig. = strength, power

Fig. = side

יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—

sign, monument

part, fractional part or share

time, repetition

axle-trees

stays, supports for laver

tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

a (beckoning) hand

יַד with prep.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3027 יָד hand . hand

. Fig. = strength, power

. Fig. = side

. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument

. part, fractional part or share

. time, repetition

. axle-trees

. stays, supports for laver

. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

. a (beckoning) hand

. יַד with prep.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3027 yad yawd

a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,

means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed

one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of

applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate

and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,

at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,

(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +

creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,

force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,

labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,

ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,

power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,

draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by

them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,

+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָד (yad) — hand.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: power.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs | Suff — Preposition · noun common both singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncbsc/Sp3mp
woe to! Assyria [the] rod of anger my and [is] a staff it in hand their indignation my
זַעְמִֽי׃za'.Mi indignation my H2195 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to intense anger or fury, often used to describe God's displeasure with sin. In Deuteronomy 9:19, it is used to describe God's indignation towards the Israelites for worshiping a golden calf. It is a strong feeling of anger or rage.
Amplified meaning
strong, fierce anger, nose or face, indicating God's emotional response
Tyndale gloss
indignation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זַ֫עַם (za`am) refers to indignation or anger, particularly in the context of God's displeasure with sin. It is derived from the root word for frothing at the mouth, emphasizing a strong emotional response. The entries consistently highlight its use to convey fury and rage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זַ֫עַם n.m. indignation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2195 זַ֫עַם indignation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2195 za`am zah'-am

from 2194; strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively)

fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin):--angry,

indignation, rage.

see HEBREW for 02194

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זַ֫עַם (za.am) — indignation.

anger, indignation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
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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