Isaiah 30:14 — Word Study
WLCוּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר נֵ֧בֶל יוֹצְרִ֛ים כָּת֖וּת לֹ֣א יַחְמֹ֑ל וְלֹֽא־ יִמָּצֵ֤א בִמְכִתָּתוֹ֙ חֶ֔רֶשׂ לַחְתּ֥וֹת אֵשׁ֙ מִיָּק֔וּד וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף מַ֖יִם מִגֶּֽבֶא׃ פ
BSAIt will breakshâbar [shatter completely, smashed to bits] in piecessheber like a potter’syâtsar jarnebel [earthenware vessel] shatteredkâthath [broken into fragments, crushed] so that no fragmentlôʼ [shard, piece] can be foundlôʼ [discovered, located] Not a shardcheres [piece of pottery, broken piece] will be foundmâtsâʼ▸ [exist, be present] in the dustmᵉkittâh△ [powder, debris] large enough to scoopchâthâh [sufficient, adequate, take, remove] the coalsʼêsh [glowing embers, hot ashes] from a hearthyâqad [fireplace, burning pit] or to skimchâsaph [draw, dip] the watermayim [liquid, refreshment] from a cisterngebeʼ [reservoir, water tank]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ | and someone will break it | Verb qal sequential perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר | like [the] breaking of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| נֵ֧בֶל | a jar of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יוֹצְרִ֛ים | potters | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| כָּת֖וּת | crushed | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| לֹ֣א | [which] not | Particle |
| יַחְמֹ֑ל | anyone will spare | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וְלֹֽא־ | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| יִמָּצֵ֤א | it will be found | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בִמְכִתָּתוֹ֙ | among fragment[s] its | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| חֶ֔רֶשׂ | a potsherd | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַחְתּ֥וֹת | to snatch up | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| אֵשׁ֙ | fire | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| מִיָּק֔וּד | from a fireplace | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף | and to scoop | Conjunction, preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| מַ֖יִם | water | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| מִגֶּֽבֶא׃ פ | from a cistern | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.” |
| KJV | And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. |
| ASV | And he shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces thereof a sherd wherewith to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern. |
| YLT | And He hath broken it As the breaking of the potters' bottle, Beaten down — He doth not spare, Nor is there found, in its beating down, A potsherd to take fire from the burning, And to draw out waters from a ditch. |
| WEB | He will break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing, so that there won’t be found among the broken pieces a piece good enough to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.” |
| BBE | And he will let it be broken as a potter's vessel is broken: it will be smashed to bits without mercy; so that there will not be a bit in which one may take fire from the fireplace, or water from the spring. |
Where they part company is שְׁבָרָהּ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by subordinate clauses that elaborate on the nature of the destruction and its consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectחֶרֶשׂ
verbכָּתַת
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 17 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 30:14
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 Consequences of Rebelliongenerated
Isaiah 30:14 depicts the dire consequences of Israel's rebellion against God. The imagery of a potter's jar being shattered illustrates the totality of destruction that awaits those who turn away from divine guidance. This verse serves as a warning about the futility of relying on human strength instead of trusting in God, as seen in the surrounding verses that emphasize the importance of repentance and reliance on the Lord.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 2:9 | You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery. ” |
| 2 | Jeremiah 19:10–11 | Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you, |
| 3 | Revelation 2:27 | He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery —just as I have received authority from My Father. |
| 4 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 29:20 | The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 20 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שְׁבָרָהּ, U.she.va.rahgenerated
The verb שְׁבָרָהּ (shevarah) means to break or shatter, indicating a violent destruction. It is a third person masculine singular form in the perfect tense, suggesting a completed action. The word conveys a sense of totality in its destruction, leaving nothing intact.
This word is often used in contexts that imply significant damage or ruin. In this verse, it emphasizes the fragility of the potter's jar, which serves as a metaphor for the people and their impending fate.
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 שְׁבָרָהּ governs the sentence, indicating the action of breaking. The structure includes a simile comparing the destruction to a potter's jar, followed by a description of the aftermath — the absence of any fragments.
The sentence emphasizes the complete nature of the destruction through its arrangement, with the main action presented first, followed by the consequences, creating a vivid image of total ruin.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׁבָרָהּ with σύντριμμα (sýntrimma), which means 'broken pieces' or 'fragments'. This choice highlights the completeness of the shattering, aligning with the Hebrew's intent to convey total destruction.
This translation choice reinforces the idea that nothing remains usable after the destruction, as the Greek term encapsulates the essence of being utterly broken.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 30:14 describes how something as fragile as a potter's jar will be completely shattered, leaving no pieces behind. This verse warns of the consequences of rebellion against God, illustrating that nothing will remain to salvage.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The potter's jar symbolizes something fragile and easily destroyed, representing the fate of those who rebel against God.
The absence of fragments emphasizes the totality of destruction, indicating that there will be no hope of recovery or redemption.
The verse serves as a warning that turning away from God leads to destruction, contrasting with the call to repentance and reliance on Him for salvation.
It underscores the futility of relying on human strength, highlighting the need for divine guidance and support.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own strength rather than trusting in God?
- How can I recognize the fragility of my own plans in light of God's sovereignty?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am not following a path that leads to destruction?
- How does understanding the consequences of rebellion against God impact my daily decisions?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 30:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he shall break it as the breaking of the potter's vessel,.... That is, their confidence in an arm of flesh, and they that place it there; and this either God shall do, or the enemy, and God by
Read John Gill on Isaiah 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth,
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe shall break it; he, either God, or he whom God shall send against them. Or, it shall be broken; for such phrases are oft taken indefinitely and passively; it, this iniquity last mentioned, , your carnal confidence and all the grounds of it, and you that lean upon it.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 30:14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit. Ver. 14. And he shall break it as the breaking of a potter’ s vessel.] Collige ex hoc loco, saith Oecolampadius, gather we may from this text that remediless ruin will befall such as resist the Holy Ghost, and sin against light.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) As the breaking of the potters’ vessel . . . Psalms 2:9 had given currency to the figure. In Jeremiah 18:4; Jeremiah 19:10, it passes into a parable of action. The schemes of the intriguers were to be not crushed only but pulverised.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. He shall not spare - "And spareth it not"] Five MSS. add the conjunction ו vau to the negative; ולא velo.
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. he shall break it] or: it shall be broken. that is broken … spare] R.V. “breaking it in pieces without sparing”; better: shivering it unsparingly (Cheyne). in the bursting of it] among its fragments. So completely will the Jewish state be shattered by the crooked policy of its leaders. For pit read cistern (as R.V.).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd he shall break it as the breaking - That is, its breaking shall be like the breaking of a potter’s vessel.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 30 →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
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”
He will break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing, so that there won’t be found among the broken pieces a piece good enough to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”
It shatters in pieces like a clay jar, so shattered to bits that none of it can be salvaged. Among its fragments one cannot find a shard large enough to scoop a hot coal from a fire or to skim off water from a cistern.”
Tyndale line
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
And he shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces thereof a sherd wherewith to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.
And he shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces thereof a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the cistern.
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter's vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a piece to take fire from the hearth, or to take water out of the pit.
And the breaking thereof is like the breaking of a potters pot, which is broken without pitie, and in the breaking thereof is not found a sheard to take fire out of the hearth, or to take water out of the pit.
Strictly literal
And he shall break it as the breaking of a potter's vessel, that is broken in pieces unsparingly; and in the pieces of it there shall not be found a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to scoop water out of the cistern.
And He hath broken it As the breaking of the potters' bottle, Beaten down — He doth not spare, Nor is there found, in its beating down, A potsherd to take fire from the burning, And to draw out waters from a ditch.
And He has broken it || As the breaking of the potters’ bottle, || Beaten down—He does not spare, || Nor is there found, in its beating down, || A potsherd to take fire from the burning, || And to draw out waters from a ditch.”
And he will break it, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, dashing it in pieces without sparing it; so that there cannot be found among its fragments a sherd to rake fire from a hearth and to draw water from a pit.
He will break it as a potter's vessel is broken; he will not spare it, so that there will not be found among its pieces a shard with which to scrape fire from the hearth, or to scoop up water out of the cistern.
From the Latin
And it shall be broken small, as the potter’s vessel is broken all to pieces with mighty breaking, and there shall not a sherd be found of the pieces thereof, wherein a little fire may be carried from the hearth, or a, little water be drawn out of the pit.
Simplified
You will be smashed like a clay pot, broken into such tiny pieces that there won't be a big enough piece to pick up coals from a hearth or a little bit of water from a well.
And he will let it be broken as a potter's vessel is broken: it will be smashed to bits without mercy; so that there will not be a bit in which one may take fire from the fireplace, or water from the spring.
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 aligns closely with the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the 1Qisaa manuscript, which preserves 17 words of the verse. Both agree on the wording and imagery, emphasizing the total destruction without any surviving fragments.
וּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר נֵ֧בֶל יוֹצְרִ֛ים כָּת֖וּת לֹ֣א יַחְמֹ֑ל וְלֹֽא־ יִמָּצֵ֤א בִמְכִתָּתוֹ֙ חֶ֔רֶשׂ לַחְתּ֥וֹת אֵשׁ֙ מִיָּק֔וּד וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף מַ֖יִם מִגֶּֽבֶא׃ פ
10 of the 17 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.
ושבר׳ה כשבר נבל יוצרים כתות לוא יחמולו ולוא ימצא במכתת׳ו חרש לחתות אש מיקוד ולחסוף מים מגבה
17 words on the leather.
ושבר׳ה כשבר [נבל] [יוצרים] [כתות] [לא] [יחמל] [ולא] ימצא במכתת׳ו [חרש] לחתות אש מיקוד [ולחשף] [מים] [מגבא]
3 words on the leather — 4 partly restored, 10 supplied entire by an editor.
[ושבר׳ה] [כשבר] [נבל] יוצרים כתות לוא יחמול [ולא] [ימצא] [במכתת׳ו] [חרש] [מיקוד] [ולחשוף] מים מגבא
15 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 9 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 30:14
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.
שָׁבַר (shabar) means to break or shatter, with various nuances including breaking in pieces, causing to break out (like bringing to birth), and being broken or crushed. It appears in different forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating active and passive meanings. The lexicons do not present any significant disagreements.
שָׁבַר 148 vb. break, break in pieces
Qal 53 break, lit.
Niph. 57 be broken
Pi. 26 shatter, break
Hiph. cause to break out, i.e. bring to the birth
Hoph. be broken, shattered (in heart)
base
H7665 שָׁבַר break, break in pieces .break, lit.
. be broken
. shatter, break
. cause to break out, i.e. bring to the birth
. be broken, shattered (in heart)
7665 shabar shaw-bar'
a primitive root; to burst (literally or
figuratively):--break (down, off, in pieces, up),
broken((-hearted)), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt,
quench, X quite, tear, view (by mistake for 7663).
see HEBREW for 07663
שָׁבַר (sha.var) — to break.
1) to break, break in pieces
1a) (Qal)
1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench
1a2) to break, rupture (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked
1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig)
1c) (Piel) to shatter, break
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth
1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered
Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vqq3ms/Sp3fs
שֶׁ֫בֶר (sheber) refers to breaking or fracturing, encompassing meanings like crash, ruin, and destruction. It can also denote the breaking of a dream and its interpretation. The term appears in various contexts, including physical damage and emotional distress.
שֶׁ֫בֶר, שֵׁ֫בֶר n.m. breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
base
H7667 שֶׁ֫בֶר, שֵׁ֫בֶר breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
7667 sheber sheh'-ber
or sheber {shay'-ber}; from 7665; a fracture, figuratively,
ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream):--affliction,
breach, breaking, broken(-footed, -handed), bruise, crashing,
destruction, hurt, interpretation, vexation.
see HEBREW for 07665
שֶׁ֫בֶר (she.ver) — breaking.
1) breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering
1a) breaking, fracture, shattering, crushing
1b) crashing
1c) breaking (of a dream), interpretation
1d) quarries
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
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.
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…
נֵ֫בֶל (nevel) refers to both a container and a musical instrument. It can denote a skin-bottle or jar used for liquids, as well as a harp or lute. The word is derived from a root meaning to collapse, reflecting its use for a flexible container. The entries consistently highlight these two main meanings without significant disagreement.
נֵ֫בֶל n.m.
skin-bottle, skin
jar, pitcher
base
נֵ֫בֶל, נֶ֫בֶל n.m. a musical instrument, either a portable harp, or a lute, guitar
base
H5035a נֵ֫בֶל . skin-bottle, skin
. jar, pitcher
H5035b נֵ֫בֶל, נֶ֫בֶל a musical instrument, either a portable harp, or a lute, guitar
5035 nebel neh'-bel
or nebel {nay'-bel}; from 5034; a skin-bag for liquids (from
collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape
when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like
form):--bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol.
see HEBREW for 05034
נֵ֫בֶל (ne.vel) — bag.
1) a skin-bag, jar, pitcher
1a) skin-bottle, skin
1b) jar, pitcher (earthen)
נֵ֫בֶל (ne.vel) — harp.
harp, lute, guitar, musical instrument
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word יָצַר (yatsar) means to form or fashion, often in the context of creation, whether by human or divine activity. It encompasses the act of shaping, as a potter does, and can refer to the formation of individuals or the people of Israel. The word also implies planning or preordaining in a figurative sense.
יָצַר vb. form, fashion
Qal
of human activity
of divine activity
Niph. before me a god was not formed (created)
Pu. days (that) were pre-ordained (in divine purpose)
Hoph. any weapon that is formed against thee will not prosper.
base
H3335 יָצַר form, fashion
3335 yatsar yaw-tsar'
probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into
shape); ((compare 3331)); to mould into a form; especially as
a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a
resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r),
potter, purpose.
see HEBREW for 03334
see HEBREW for 03331
יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: formed.
: formed
1) to form, fashion, frame
1a) (Qal) to form, fashion
1a1) of human activity
1a2) of divine activity
1a2a) of creation
1a2a1) of original creation
1a2a2) of individuals at conception
1a2a3) of Israel as a people
1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)
1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created
1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained
1d) (Hophal) to be formed
יָצַר (ya.tsar) — to form: potter.
: potter
1) to form, fashion, frame
1a) (Qal) to form, fashion
1a1) of human activity
1a2) of divine activity
1a2a) of creation
1a2a1) of original creation
1a2a2) of individuals at conception
1a2a3) of Israel as a people
1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)
1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created
1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained
1d) (Hophal) to be formed
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
כָּתַת (kathath) is a Hebrew verb meaning to beat or crush, often with a violent connotation. It encompasses actions like crushing fine, breaking into pieces, and shattering. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, including Qal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, which express different nuances of beating or being beaten.
[כָּתַת] vb. beat, crush by beating
Qal
beat or crush fine
beat, hammer (ploughshares into swords)
Pi. Pf.;—as Qal 1. beat or crush fine
Pu. and they were beaten in pieces, one nation against another.
Hiph. beat in pieces an enemy
Hoph. and to ruins is the gate crushed
base
H3807 [כָּתַת] beat, crush by beating .. beat or crush fine
. beat, hammer (ploughshares into swords)
. Pf.;—as Qal 1. beat or crush fine
. and they were beaten in pieces, one nation against another.
. beat in pieces an enemy
. and to ruins is the gate crushed
3807 kathath kaw-thath'
a primitive root; to bruise or violently strike:--beat (down,
to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit,
smite, stamp.
כָּתַת (ka.tat) — to crush.
1) to beat, crush by beating, crush to pieces, crush fine
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to beat or crush fine
1a2) to beat, hammer
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to beat or crush fine
1b2) to beat, hammer
1c) (Pual) to be beaten
1d) (Hiphil) to beat in pieces, shatter
1e) (Hophal) to be beaten, be crushed
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
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
חָמַל (chamal) is a primitive root meaning to spare or have compassion. It encompasses the ideas of commiseration and pity, primarily in the Qal stem. The entries consistently emphasize its connotation of sparing or showing compassion.
H2550 חָמַל spare
2550 chamal khaw-mal'
a primitive root; to commiserate; by implication, to
spare:--have compassion, (have) pity, spare.
חָמַל (cha.mal) — to spare.
(Qal) to spare, pity, have compassion on
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
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)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.
מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find
Qal
find
find out
= come upon, light upon
noteworthy phrases
Niph. pass. of Qal, be found
Hiph.
cause to find, attain
cause to light upon, come upon, come
cause to encounter
present unto
base
H4672 מָצָא attain to, find
4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'
a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or
exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;
figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,
befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to
hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,
out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,
light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,
ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.
1) to find, attain to
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to find
1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)
1a1b) to find (what is lost)
1a1c) to meet, encounter
1a1d) to find (a condition)
1a1e) to learn, devise
1a2) to find out
1a2a) to find out
1a2b) to detect
1a2c) to guess
1a3) to come upon, light upon
1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with
1a3b) to hit
1a3c) to befall
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be found
1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered
1b1b) to appear, be recognised
1b1c) to be discovered, be detected
1b1d) to be gained, be secured
1b2) to be, be found
1b2a) to be found in
1b2b) to be in the possession of
1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be
1b2d) to be left (after war)
1b2e) to be present
1b2f) to prove to be
1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to find, attain
1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come
1c3) to cause to encounter
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms
מְכִתָּה (mkittah) refers to crushed or pulverized fragments, indicating a state of being broken or fractured. It is derived from the root meaning to crush, and is used in contexts like Isaiah 30:14, where it describes the nature of something that has been shattered.
[מְכִתָּה] n.f. the crushed or pulverized = coll. crushed fragments;—sg. sf. Is 30:14
ref
H4386 [מְכִתָּה] the crushed or pulverized = coll. crushed fragments
4386 mkittah mek-it-taw'
from 3807; a fracture:--bursting.
see HEBREW for 03807
מְכִתָּה (me.khit.tah) — fragment.
crushed or pulverised fragments
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
חֶ֫רֶשׂ (cheres) refers to earthenware or pottery, including terms like sherd and potsherd. It is derived from a form that connects to other Hebrew words related to pottery. The entries consistently emphasize its use in describing clay vessels and fragments.
חֶ֫רֶשׂ n.[m.] earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd potsherd
base
H2789 חֶ֫רֶשׂ earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd potsherd
2789 cheres kheh'-res
a collateral form mediating between 2775 and 2791; a piece of
pottery:--earth(-en), (pot-)sherd, + stone.
see HEBREW for 02775
see HEBREW for 02791
חֶ֫רֶשׂ (che.re.s) — earthenware.
earthenware, clay pottery, shard, potsherd, earthen vessel
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pot'-shurd (cheres): A piece of earthenware (Job 2:8; Ps 22:15; Isa 45:9). the Revised Version (British and American) renders the word in Pr 26:23, "an earthen vessel," and in Job 41:30 substitutes "sharp potsherds" for "sharp stones." Sirach 22:7 refers to the art of "gluing a potsherd (ostrakon) together."
See HARSITH; OSTRACA.
Potsherd
A “shred”, i.e., anything severed, as a fragment of earthenware (Job 2:8; Prov. 26:23; Isa. 45:9).
also in Authorized Version "sherd," a broken piece of earthenware. (Proverbs 26:23)
חָתָה (chathah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to snatch up or take hold of, particularly in reference to fire or coals. The entries indicate that it conveys the idea of seizing or picking up, often in a context involving heat or flames.
[חָתָה] vb. snatch up, usu. fire, coals
base
H2846 [חָתָה] snatch up, usu. fire, coals
2846 chathah khaw-thaw'
a primitive root; to lay hold of; especially to pick up
fire:--heap, take (away).
חָתָה (cha.tah) — to snatch up.
(Qal) to take hold of, seize, take away, pile up, snatch up (coals)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire
fire, of conflagration
of supernatural fire
fire for cooking, roasting, parching
esp. of altar fire
fig. of Yahweh's anger
in various combinations
base
H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration
. of supernatural fire
. fire for cooking, roasting, parching
. esp. of altar fire
. fig. of Yahweh's anger
. in various combinations
784 'esh aysh
a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--
burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.
1) fire
1a) fire, flames
1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)
1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)
1d) altar-fire
1e) God's anger (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
fir ('esh; pur):
These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…
In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…
יָקַד (ya.qad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to burn or be kindled. It is a primitive root with forms in both the Qal and Hoph'al stems, indicating actions of burning or being set on fire. The entries suggest a focus on physical burning, with a figurative use related to judgment noted in the Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon.
[יָקַד] vb. be kindled, burn
Qal be kindled, fig. of judgment; so burn
Hoph. be burning, burn
base
H3344 [יָקַד] be kindled, burn
3344 yaqad yaw-kad'
a primitive root; to burn:--(be) burn(-ing), X from the
hearth, kindle.
יָקַד (ya.qad) — to burn.
1) to burn, kindle, be kindled
1a) (Qal) to be kindled
1b) (Hophal) to burn, be burning,
Aramaic equivalent: ye.qad (יְקַד "to burn" H3345)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
חָשַׂף (chasaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to strip off or make bare. It encompasses actions like uncovering, drawing out, or draining a liquid. The entries suggest its use in contexts of exposure or removal, but do not specify particular verses from the Old Testament.
חָשַׂף vb. strip off, strip, make bare
base
H2834 חָשַׂף strip off, strip, make bare
2834 chasaph khaw-saf'
a primitive root; to strip off, i.e. generally to make naked
(for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a
liquid):--make bare, clean, discover, draw out, take, uncover.
חָשַׂף (cha.saph) — to strip.
1) to strip, strip off, lay bare, make bare, draw out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to strip off
1a2) to strip, lay bare
1a3) to draw (water), skim, take from the surface
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHC/R/Vqcc
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):
(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.
(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.
(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…
See CISTERN and WELLS.
In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare
→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5
→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9
→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11
→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20
→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5
→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22
גֶּ֫בֶא (gebe) refers to a cistern or pool, with the possibility of also meaning a marsh. It is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of collecting water. The term appears in contexts related to reservoirs and water storage.
גֶּ֫בֶא n.m. cistern, pool
cistern
pool, marsh
base
H1360 גֶּ֫בֶא cistern, pool . cistern
. pool, marsh
1360 gebe geh'-beh
from an unused root meaning probably to collect; a reservoir;
by analogy, a marsh:--marish, pit.
גֶּ֫בֶא (ge.ve) — cistern.
1) cistern, pool
1a) cistern
1b) pool, marsh
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Cistern
The rendering of a Hebrew word bor, which means a receptacle for water conveyed to it; distinguished from beer, which denotes a place where water rises on the spot (Jer. 2:13; Prov. 5:15; Isa. 36:16), a fountain. Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Palestine made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Num. 21:22). (See WELL.)
Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jer. 38:6; Lam. 3:53; Ps. 40:2; 69:15). The “pit” into which Joseph was…
a receptacle for water, either conducted from an external spring or proceeding from rain-fall. The dryness of the summer months and the scarcity of springs in Judea made cisterns a necessity, and they are frequent throughout the whole of Syria and Palestine. On the long-forgotten way from Jericho to Bethel, "broken cisterns" of high antiquity are found at regular intervals. Jerusalem depends mainly for water upon its cisterns, of which almost every private house possesses one or more, excavated in the rock on which the city is built. The cisterns have usually a round opening at the top, sometimes built up with stonework above and furnished with a curb and a wheel for a bucket. (Ecclesiastes 12:6) Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons and places of confinement. Joseph was cast into a "pit," (