Isaiah 29:12 — Word Study
WLCוְנִתַּ֣ן הַסֵּ֗פֶר עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־ יָדַ֥ע סֵ֛פֶר לֵאמֹ֖ר קְרָ֣א נָא־ זֶ֑ה וְאָמַ֕ר לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי סֵֽפֶר׃ ס
BSAOr if the scrollçêpher [book, written document] is handednâthan toʻal oneʼăsher [uneducated] unablelôʼ to readyâdaʻ■ ◂he will sayʼâmar I cannot readlôʼ [do not know how to read, am not learned, have no knowledge of writing]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְנִתַּ֣ן | and it is given | Verb, Niphal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| הַסֵּ֗פֶר | the scroll | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עַל֩ | to | Preposition |
| אֲשֶׁ֨ר | [one] who | Particle |
| לֹֽא־ | not | Particle |
| יָדַ֥ע | he knows | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| סֵ֛פֶר | writing | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לֵאמֹ֖ר | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| קְרָ֣א | read aloud | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| נָא־ | please | Particle |
| זֶ֑ה | this | Particle |
| וְאָמַ֕ר | and he says | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| לֹ֥א | not | Particle |
| יָדַ֖עְתִּי | I know | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| סֵֽפֶר׃ ס | writing | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” |
| KJV | And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. |
| ASV | and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned. |
| YLT | And the book is given to him who hath not known books, Saying, 'Read this, we pray thee,' And he hath said, 'I have not known books.' |
| WEB | and the book is delivered to one who is not educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t read.” |
| BBE | And they give it to one without learning, saying, Make clear to us what is in the book: and he says, I have no knowledge of writing. |
Where they part company is נָתַן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause and two subordinate phrases, clearly delineating the action and the response.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָתַן
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 29:12
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 Inability to Understandgenerated
Isaiah 29:12 describes a situation where a scroll is given to someone who cannot read, highlighting a theme of misunderstanding and ignorance in spiritual matters. This passage is part of a larger discourse on the people's failure to comprehend God's revelations, as seen in the surrounding verses. The inability to read the scroll symbolizes a deeper spiritual blindness that affects their relationship with God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 29:18 | On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see. |
| 2 | Isaiah 28:12–13 | to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 5:4 | Then I said, “They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. |
| 4 | Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. |
| 5 | John 7:15–16 | The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָתַן, ve.ni.Tangenerated
The Hebrew verb נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. In this verse, it indicates the act of handing over the scroll to someone who is unable to read, emphasizing the act of giving as a crucial moment in the narrative.
The Niphal form indicates a passive action, suggesting that the scroll is given to someone without agency in the matter. This reflects the broader context of the verse, where the act of giving is tied to the theme of knowledge and understanding.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is נִתַּן, is given, which governs the structure. The sentence includes a subject noun phrase הַסֵּ֗פֶר, the scroll, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating to whom it is given, and concludes with a clause expressing the inability to read.
The order emphasizes the action of giving, with the scroll being the focal point of the sentence. The structure shows a clear relationship between the act of handing over the scroll and the subsequent response of the recipient.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָתַן as δοθήσεται, which carries the meaning of 'to be given.' This choice reflects a similar action but emphasizes the passive nature of the recipient's role in receiving the scroll.
The use of δοθήσεται suggests a focus on the act of giving as a divine initiative, aligning with the broader themes of revelation and understanding in the text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 29:12 tells us that if a scroll is given to someone who cannot read, that person will simply say, 'I cannot read.' This highlights a theme of misunderstanding and ignorance, especially in spiritual matters, where the inability to comprehend God's messages is a significant issue.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a lack of understanding or knowledge, particularly in relation to God's messages and teachings.
The scroll represents God's written word, and the inability to read it reflects a broader theme of spiritual blindness and ignorance among the people.
The verse is part of a larger discourse that critiques the people's failure to understand God's revelations, emphasizing their spiritual shortcomings.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking understanding and knowledge, especially in spiritual matters.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I struggle to understand God's messages?
- How can I seek to deepen my understanding of Scripture?
- What steps can I take to help others who may be spiritually blind?
- How does recognizing my limitations in understanding lead me to seek God's guidance more earnestly?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 29:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the book is delivered to him that is not learned,.... Or that knows not a book or letters, as before, and so consequently cannot read, having never been put to school, or learned to read: saying,
Read John Gill on Isaiah 29 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. He saith, I am not learned.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 29 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe vision of all; of all your prophets, whether the true or false ones. As the words of a book that is sealed; in which no man can read whilst it is scaled up, as books then sometimes were, ,13, being made in the form of rolls, which was convenient for that purpose. The book is delivered to him that is not learned; unsealed and opened, as the following clause implies. God so orders the manner of delivering this book, that neither the learned nor unlearned could read and understand it.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 29 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 29:12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.Ver. 12. And the book is delivered to one that is not learned.] Heb., Knoweth not to read. By the learned is meant, say some, the rulers in Church and State; by the unlearned, the common people: all were in a pickle. Nicodemus had oft read in this our prophet, in Ezekiel and elsewhere, of regeneration, though not under that term; but how little he understood it, see John 3:4; John 3:9 And what a buzzard is Bellarmine himself in some such fundamentals as whereof it is a shame for a very child to be ignorant! I must needs confess, said a learned Papist to the…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 29 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Collegesch. Isaiah 29:1-14. The announcement of Jehovah’s wonderful purpose regarding Jerusalem, and its reception on the part of the peopleUnder the second “Woe” (Isaiah 29:1) are grouped two oracles, which may have been originally independent; or they may be intimately connected, the second describing the effect of the first on the minds of Isaiah’s hearers. i. Isaiah 29:1-8. The impending humiliation and deliverance of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, apostrophised by the mystic name of “Ariel,” is at present gay and careless and secure, the festal calendar follows its accustomed course, and this state of things may endure for a short time longer (1). But already in vision the prophet sees her beset by…
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 29 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd the book is delivered ... - That is, they are just as ignorant of the true nature and meaning of the revelations of God as a man is of the contents of a book who is utterly unable to read.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 29 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9-12. Stay… wonder; cry — The original, and our version from it, in this verse are obscure. Credibly the meaning is: “Stare with amazed look at the prophecy just given, if you will.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 29 →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
Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”
and the book is delivered to one who is not educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t read.”
Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”
Or when they hand the scroll to one who can’t read and say, “Read this,” he says, “I can’t read.”
Tyndale line
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.
and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
And the booke is giuen vnto him that can not reade, saying, Reade this, I pray thee. And he shall say, I can not reade.
Strictly literal
And they give the book to him that cannot read, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot read.
And the book is given to him who hath not known books, Saying, 'Read this, we pray thee,' And he hath said, 'I have not known books.'
And the scroll is given to him who has not known scrolls, || Saying, “Please read this,” || And he has said, “I have not known scrolls.”
And the book is then delivered to one that cannot read, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot read.
If the book is given to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”
From the Latin
And the book shall be given to one that knoweth no letters, and it shall be said to him: Read: and he shall answer: I know no letters.
Simplified
If you give it to someone who doesn't know how to read and say, “Please read it,” they'll say, “I don't know how to read.”
And they give it to one without learning, saying, Make clear to us what is in the book: and he says, I have no knowledge of writing.
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 and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree closely, with the wording matching in 14 of the 15 words. The Septuagint also aligns well, though its word order differs, showing a consistent understanding of the passage across these ancient witnesses.
וְנִתַּ֣ן הַסֵּ֗פֶר עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־ יָדַ֥ע סֵ֛פֶר לֵאמֹ֖ר קְרָ֣א נָא־ זֶ֑ה וְאָמַ֕ר לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי סֵֽפֶר׃ ס
14 of the 15 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.
ונתנו הספר אל אשר לוא יודע ספר לאמור קרא נא זה ויואמר לוא ידעתי ספר
15 words on the leather.
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 29:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/VNq3ms
סֵ֫פֶר (cepher) refers to a writing or document, encompassing meanings such as book, scroll, and missive. It can denote various types of texts, including legal documents, genealogical records, and scripture. The feminine form, סִפְרָה (siphrah), also signifies a book. Notably, it appears in contexts related to preservation and communication.
סֵ֫פֶר 185 n.m. missive, document, writing, book
missive
legal document
book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
base
[סִפְרָה] n.f. book;—sf. ψ 56:9
ref
H5612a סֵ֫פֶר missive, document, writing, book . missive
. legal document
. book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
H5612b סִפְרָה book
5612 cepher say'-fer
or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608;
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a
book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter,
register, scroll.
see HEBREW for 09
see HEBREW for 05608
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: document.
: document
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
1c5) book (of kings)
1c6) books of the canon, scripture
1c7) record book (of God)
1d) book-learning, writing
1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
סִפְרָה (siph.rah) — scroll.
book
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: book.
: book
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
skrol.
See ROLL.
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Rel — ParticleHTr
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
סֵ֫פֶר (cepher) refers to a writing or document, encompassing meanings such as book, scroll, and missive. It can denote various types of texts, including legal documents, genealogical records, and scripture. The feminine form, סִפְרָה (siphrah), also signifies a book. Notably, it appears in contexts related to preservation and communication.
סֵ֫פֶר 185 n.m. missive, document, writing, book
missive
legal document
book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
base
[סִפְרָה] n.f. book;—sf. ψ 56:9
ref
H5612a סֵ֫פֶר missive, document, writing, book . missive
. legal document
. book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
H5612b סִפְרָה book
5612 cepher say'-fer
or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608;
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a
book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter,
register, scroll.
see HEBREW for 09
see HEBREW for 05608
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: document.
: document
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
1c5) book (of kings)
1c6) books of the canon, scripture
1c7) record book (of God)
1d) book-learning, writing
1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
סִפְרָה (siph.rah) — scroll.
book
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: book.
: book
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
rit'-ing:
I. GENERAL
1. Definition
2. Inward Writing
3. Outward Writing
II. THE SYMBOLS
1. Object Writing
2. Image Writing
3. Picture Writing
4. Mnemonic Writing
5. Phonetic Writing
III. METHODS
IV. INSTRUMENTS
V. MATERIALS
1. Clay
2. Stone
3. Lead
4. Bronze
5. Gold and Silver
6. Wood
7. Bones and Skins
8. Vellum
9. Papyrus
10. Paper
11. Ink
VI. FORMS
1. The Roll
2. The Codex
VII. WRITING
1. Writers
2. The Writing Art
VIII. HISTORY OF BIBLICAL HANDWRITING
1. Mythological Origins
2. Earliest Use
3. Biblical History
LITERATURE
I. General.
1. Definition:
Writing is the art of recording thought, and recording is the making of permanent symbols. Concept, expression and record are three states of the same work or word. Earliest mankind expressed itself by gesture or voice and recorded in memory, but at a very early stage man began to feel the need of objective aids to memory and the need of transmitting a message to a distance or…
Writing
The art of writing must have been known in the time of the early Pharaohs. Moses is commanded “to write for a memorial in a book” (Ex. 17:14) a record of the attack of Amalek. Frequent mention is afterwards made of writing (28:11, 21, 29, 36; 31:18; 32:15, 16; 34:1, 28; 39:6, 14, 30). The origin of this art is unknown, but there is reason to conclude that in the age of Moses it was well known. The inspired books of Moses are the most ancient extant writings, although there are written monuments as old as about B.C. 2000. The words expressive of “writing,” “book,” and “ink,” are common to all the branches or dialects of the Semitic language, and hence it has been concluded that this art must have been known to the earliest Semites before they separated into their various tribes, and nations, and families.
There is no account in the Bible of the origin of writing. That the Egyptians in the time of Joseph were acquainted with writing of a certain kind there is evidence to prove, but there is nothing to show that up to this period the knowledge extended to the Hebrew family. At the same time there is no evidence against it. Writing is first distinctly mentioned in (Exodus 17:14) and the connection clearly implies that it was not then employed for the first time but was so familiar as to be used for historic records. It is not absolutely necessary to infer from this that the art of writing was an accomplishment possessed by every Hebrew citizen. If we examine the instances in which writing is mentioned in connection with individuals, we shall find that in all cases the writers were men of superior position. In (Isaiah 29:11,12) there is…
See BOOK.
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.
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
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
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.
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)
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
HVqv2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
HTj — ParticleHTj
זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2088 zeh zeh
a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this
or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the
one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,
such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on
that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,
2098.
see HEBREW for 02063
see HEBREW for 02090
see HEBREW for 02097
see HEBREW for 02098
זֶה (zeh) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
HTm — ParticleHTm
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.
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
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
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.
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)
Hc/Vqq3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
סֵ֫פֶר (cepher) refers to a writing or document, encompassing meanings such as book, scroll, and missive. It can denote various types of texts, including legal documents, genealogical records, and scripture. The feminine form, סִפְרָה (siphrah), also signifies a book. Notably, it appears in contexts related to preservation and communication.
סֵ֫פֶר 185 n.m. missive, document, writing, book
missive
legal document
book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
base
[סִפְרָה] n.f. book;—sf. ψ 56:9
ref
H5612a סֵ֫פֶר missive, document, writing, book . missive
. legal document
. book or scroll, in which something is written to preserve it for future use
H5612b סִפְרָה book
5612 cepher say'-fer
or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608;
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a
book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter,
register, scroll.
see HEBREW for 09
see HEBREW for 05608
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: document.
: document
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
1c5) book (of kings)
1c6) books of the canon, scripture
1c7) record book (of God)
1d) book-learning, writing
1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
סִפְרָה (siph.rah) — scroll.
book
סֵ֫פֶר (se.pher) — scroll: book.
: book
1) missive, document, writing, book
1a) missive
1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree
1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign
1c) book, scroll
1c1) book of prophecies
1c2) genealogical register
1c3) law-book
1c4) book (of poems)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
rit'-ing:
I. GENERAL
1. Definition
2. Inward Writing
3. Outward Writing
II. THE SYMBOLS
1. Object Writing
2. Image Writing
3. Picture Writing
4. Mnemonic Writing
5. Phonetic Writing
III. METHODS
IV. INSTRUMENTS
V. MATERIALS
1. Clay
2. Stone
3. Lead
4. Bronze
5. Gold and Silver
6. Wood
7. Bones and Skins
8. Vellum
9. Papyrus
10. Paper
11. Ink
VI. FORMS
1. The Roll
2. The Codex
VII. WRITING
1. Writers
2. The Writing Art
VIII. HISTORY OF BIBLICAL HANDWRITING
1. Mythological Origins
2. Earliest Use
3. Biblical History
LITERATURE
I. General.
1. Definition:
Writing is the art of recording thought, and recording is the making of permanent symbols. Concept, expression and record are three states of the same work or word. Earliest mankind expressed itself by gesture or voice and recorded in memory, but at a very early stage man began to feel the need of objective aids to memory and the need of transmitting a message to a distance or…
Writing
The art of writing must have been known in the time of the early Pharaohs. Moses is commanded “to write for a memorial in a book” (Ex. 17:14) a record of the attack of Amalek. Frequent mention is afterwards made of writing (28:11, 21, 29, 36; 31:18; 32:15, 16; 34:1, 28; 39:6, 14, 30). The origin of this art is unknown, but there is reason to conclude that in the age of Moses it was well known. The inspired books of Moses are the most ancient extant writings, although there are written monuments as old as about B.C. 2000. The words expressive of “writing,” “book,” and “ink,” are common to all the branches or dialects of the Semitic language, and hence it has been concluded that this art must have been known to the earliest Semites before they separated into their various tribes, and nations, and families.
There is no account in the Bible of the origin of writing. That the Egyptians in the time of Joseph were acquainted with writing of a certain kind there is evidence to prove, but there is nothing to show that up to this period the knowledge extended to the Hebrew family. At the same time there is no evidence against it. Writing is first distinctly mentioned in (Exodus 17:14) and the connection clearly implies that it was not then employed for the first time but was so familiar as to be used for historic records. It is not absolutely necessary to infer from this that the art of writing was an accomplishment possessed by every Hebrew citizen. If we examine the instances in which writing is mentioned in connection with individuals, we shall find that in all cases the writers were men of superior position. In (Isaiah 29:11,12) there is…
See BOOK.