Menu

Isaiah 38:8 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהִנְנִ֣י מֵשִׁ֣יב אֶת־ צֵ֣ל הַֽמַּעֲל֡וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָרְדָה֩ בְמַעֲל֨וֹת אָחָ֥ז בַּשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֑וֹת וַתָּ֤שָׁב הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֔וֹת בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָרָֽדָה׃ ס

BSAI will makeshûwb the sun’sshemesh shadowtsêl [dark area, providing shade] thatʼăsher fallsyârad on the stairwaymaʻălâh [steps, journey upward] of AhazʼÂchâz [king of Judah] go backʼăchôrannîyth [to return, turn back] tenʻeser [a decade, a period of time] stepsmaʻălâh [journey upward, ascent] So the sunlightshemesh went backshûwb [to return, turn back] the tenʻeser stepsmaʻălâh it had descendedyârad [gone down, to a lower place]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 38
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ya.Ra.dah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 38:8quick helps
In a sentenceGod promises to reverse the sun's shadow as a sign to Hezekiah.
Who is speakingThe LORD, addressing Hezekiah.
Where we areIn the context of a miraculous sign confirming God's promise.
The hard wordמֵשִׁ֣יב
Take awayGod has the power to alter the natural order.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them › clause verbשׁוּב The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Isaiah 38:8

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 Sign for Hezekiahgenerated

7This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised:
8I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.
9This is a writing by Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:
10I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.”

Isaiah 38:8 describes a miraculous event where God promises to make the sun's shadow retreat as a sign for King Hezekiah. This miracle occurs in the context of Hezekiah's illness and God's assurance of healing and extended life, demonstrating God's control over time and nature. The narrative emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises and His willingness to provide signs to affirm His word.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Joshua 10:12–14On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
22 Kings 20:11So Isaiah the prophet called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz.
32 Chronicles 32:24–31In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.
4Matthew 16:1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מֵשִׁ֣יב, me.Shivgenerated

The word מֵשִׁ֣יב (me.Shiv) is a participle of the verb שׁוּב (shuwb), meaning to return or turn back. It indicates an action that is ongoing or about to happen, emphasizing the reversal of the sun's shadow.

This word can be used in various contexts, but here it specifically refers to the miraculous act of the sun's shadow moving backward, which serves as a sign to Hezekiah. The verb's Hiphil form indicates causation, suggesting that God is the one causing the shadow to return.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is primarily read in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates מֵשִׁ֣יב as make...go back.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse is structured around the finite verb מֵשִׁ֣יב, about to turn back, which governs the action of the shadow and the subsequent description of the sunlight's return. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the action of returning, highlighting its significance.

The sentence includes several noun phrases, detailing the shadow, the steps, and the context of Ahaz, which collectively illustrate the miraculous nature of the event.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates מֵשִׁ֣יב as ἀποστρέψω (apostrephō), meaning to turn back or return. This choice emphasizes the act of reversing the shadow, aligning with the miraculous nature of the event.

The use of this Greek term suggests a direct correlation to the Hebrew concept of returning, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 38:8 tells us that God promised King Hezekiah that the sun's shadow would go back ten steps as a sign of His power and faithfulness. This miracle demonstrates God's ability to control time and nature, providing reassurance to Hezekiah during a time of distress.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the shadow going back signify?

The shadow going back signifies God's miraculous power and serves as a sign to Hezekiah of His promise to heal him.

Why did God choose to perform this miracle?

God performed this miracle to reassure Hezekiah of His promise and to demonstrate His authority over nature.

What is the significance of the number ten in this context?

The number ten represents a complete set or a decade, symbolizing a significant period of time in this miraculous event.

How does this event compare to other miracles in the Bible?

This event is similar to other miracles where God intervenes in nature, such as parting the Red Sea or stopping the sun in Joshua 10.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this miracle reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
  2. In what ways can we recognize God's signs and promises in our own lives?
  3. How does the concept of time and its manipulation by God impact our understanding of His sovereignty?
  4. What can we learn about faith from Hezekiah's response to God's promise?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, discussing the significance of the miracle and its implications for understanding God's power and authority.

Hippolytus of RomeHippolytus Exegetical Fragments c. 170–235
We find in the commentaries, written by our predecessors, that day had thirty-two hours. For when the sun had run its course, and reached the tenth hour, and the shadow had gone down by the ten degrees in the house of the temple,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 38 →
Cyril of JerusalemCatechetical Lecture 2:15 c. 313–386
For Hezekiah’s sake the sun turned back, but for Christ the sun was eclipsed. The sun did not simply retrace its path for Christ but was completely eclipsed. This shows the difference between Hezekiah and Jesus.
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 38 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 38:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees,.... Or lines made on a dial plate, to show the progress of the sun, and what time of day it was.

Read John Gill on Isaiah 38 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 38 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. Ver. 8. See 2 Kings 20:9-12

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 38 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. Which is gone down - "By which the sun is gone down"] For בשמש bashshemesh, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee read השמש, hashshemesh. - Houbigant. In the history of this miracle in the book of Kings, (2Kg 20:9-11,) there is no mention at all made of the sun, but only of the going backward of the shadow: which might be effected by a supernatural refraction. The first ὁἡλιος, the sun, in this verse is omitted in the Septuagint, MS. Pachom.

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 38 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. The R.V. has (after Ahaz) the phrase “with the sun,” which is wrongly taken by the A.V. as an adjunct of the word “dial” (the sun dial). It is necessary, however, to strike out the preposition “with” (as in the LXX.). The whole verse then reads literally: Behold I will turn the shadow of the steps which the sun has gone down on the steps of Ahaz backward ten steps; and the sun turned back ten steps on the steps which it had gone down. We must suppose that the “steps,” whatever they were, could be seen from the sick-chamber of Hezekiah, to whose mind the sign had an obvious symbolical significance. The retreating shadow, miraculously lengthening the day, was a pledge of the postponement…

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 38 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, I will bring again the shadow - The shadow, or shade which is made by the interception of the rays of the sun by the gnomon on the dial.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 38 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7, 8. The corresponding narrative in 2 Kings xx, is more full and circumstantial, for comments on which, see Terry, WHEDON’S Commentary, 2 Kings 20:1, etc. A sign — A token of the truth of Isaiah’s prediction of lengthened life.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 38 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps.”’” So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Look, I will make the shadow go back ten steps on the stairs of Ahaz.” And then the shadow went back ten steps.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial whereon it was gone down.

RVARevised Version, American1894

behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial whereon it was gone down.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which hath gone down on the sun-dial of Ahaz ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it had gone down.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Beholde, I will bring againe the shadowe of the degrees (whereby it is gone downe in the diall of Ahaz by the sunne) ten degrees backeward: so the sunne returned by tenne degrees, by the which degrees it was gone downe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees which hath gone down with the sun on the dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned on the dial ten degrees, by which it had gone down.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Lo, I am bringing back the shadow of the degrees that it hath gone down on the degrees of Ahaz, by the sun, backward ten degrees:' and the sun turneth back ten degrees in the degrees that it had gone down.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Behold, I am bringing back the shadow of the degrees that it has gone down on the degrees of Ahaz, by the sun, backward ten degrees”; and the sun turns back ten degrees in the degrees that it had gone down.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Behold, I will cause the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down on the dial of Achaz by the sun, to return backward ten degrees. So the sun returned ten degrees, by the degrees which he was gone down.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Look, I will cause the shadow on the stairs of Ahaz to go back ten steps.'” So the shadow went back ten steps of the stairs on which it had advanced.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Behold I will bring again the shadow of the lines, by which it is now gone down in the sun dial of Achaz with the sun, ten lines backward. And the sun returned ten lines by the degrees by which it was gone down.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Look, I will make the shadow made by the sun go back the ten steps that it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz. So the sun went back the ten steps that it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

See, I will make the shade which has gone down on the steps of Ahaz with the sun, go back ten steps. So the shade went back the ten steps by which it had gone down.

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.

clauseclause · subjectpredicateהִנְheresubjectנִ֣יIverbמֵשִׁ֣יב[am].about.to.turn.backnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phrasenoun phraseצֵ֣לthe.shadownoun phraseהַֽofמַּעֲל֡וֹתthe.stepsrelpאֲשֶׁ֣רwhichclauseverbיָרְדָה֩it.had.gone.downprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְonnoun phraseמַעֲל֨וֹתthe.stepsאָחָ֥זof.Ahazprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּwithnoun phrasetheשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁsunadverbialאֲחֹרַנִּ֖יתbackwardsnoun phrase · adverbialעֶ֣שֶׂרtenמַעֲל֑וֹתstepsוַandclauseverbתָּ֤שָׁבit.went.backnoun phrase · subjectהַtheשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ֙sunnoun phrase · adverbialעֶ֣שֶׂרtenמַעֲל֔וֹתstepsprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּֽonnoun phrasethenoun phraseמַּעֲל֖וֹתstepsrelpאֲשֶׁ֥רwhichclauseverbיָרָֽדָהit.had.gone.down

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 — 1Qisaa agree on the wording of the verse, affirming the miraculous nature of the event. The Septuagint, while differing slightly in structure, conveys a similar message, highlighting God's power over the natural order.

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

הִנְנִ֣י מֵשִׁ֣יב אֶת־ צֵ֣ל הַֽמַּעֲל֡וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָרְדָה֩ בְמַעֲל֨וֹת אָחָ֥ז בַּשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֑וֹת וַתָּ֤שָׁב הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֔וֹת בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָרָֽדָה׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
צֵ֣לσκιὰνהַֽמַּעֲל֡וֹתἀναβαθμῶνאֲשֶׁ֣רοὓςיָרְדָה֩κατέβηבְמַעֲל֨וֹתἀναβαθμοὺςבַּשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁἀποστρέψωעֶ֣שֶׂרδέκαמַעֲל֑וֹתἀναβαθμούςוַתָּ֤שָׁבἀνέβηהַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ἥλιοςעֶ֣שֶׂרδέκαמַעֲל֔וֹתἀναβαθμούςבַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת———אֲשֶׁ֥רοὓςיָרָֽדָה׃ סκατέβη

15 of the 20 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

הנ׳ני משיב את צל המעלות אשר ירדה במעלות עלית אחז את השמש אחורנית עשר מעלות ותשוב השמש עשר מעלות במעלות אשר ירדה

22 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.

Isaiah 38:8הֵןhere Ihere Iהֵןשׁוּב[am] about [am] about to tשׁוּבאֵתthe object the object markאֵתצֵל[the] shado[the] shadow ofצֵלמַעֲלָהthe stepsthe stepsמַעֲלָהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁריָרַדit had goneit had gone dowיָרַדמַעֲלָהon [the] ston [the] steps מַעֲלָהאָחָזAhazAhazאָחָזשֶׁ֫מֶשׁwith the suwith the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁאֲחֹרַנִיתbackwardsbackwardsאֲחֹרַנִיתעֶשֶׂרtentenעֶשֶׂרמַעֲלָהstepsstepsמַעֲלָהשׁוּבand it wentand it went bacשׁוּבשֶׁ֫מֶשׁthe sunthe sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁעֶשֶׂרtentenעֶשֶׂרמַעֲלָהstepsstepsמַעֲלָהמַעֲלָהon the stepon the stepsמַעֲלָהאֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁריָרַדit had goneit had gone dowיָרַדמַעֲלֶהascentascentמַעֲלֶהעָשַׂרto titheto titheעָשַׂראוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתצָלַלto shadeto shadeצָלַלאָחַזto graspto graspאָחַזבֵּיתHeliopolisHeliopolisבֵּיתאָחוֹרbackbackאָחוֹרשִׁירsongsongשִׁירשְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהשְׁאוֹלhell: Sheohell: Sheolשְׁאוֹלבּוֹרpitpitבּוֹריָרֵחַmoonmoonיָרֵחַזָרַחto riseto riseזָרַחמָלֵאfullfullמָלֵארֹ֫חַבwidthwidthרֹ֫חַביָפֶהbeautifulbeautifulיָפֶה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 38:8

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.

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
הִנְנִ֣יhi.Ni here I H2005 Particle · suffix
316× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Tyndale gloss
look!
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵן (hen) is a demonstrative adverb or interjection meaning 'lo!' or 'behold!'. It is primarily used to draw attention to a fact that prompts action or leads to a conclusion. The word can also express surprise and is less common than its counterpart הִנֵּה (hinneh). Additionally, it can function hypothetically as 'if'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵן 100 demonstr.adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2005 הֵן demonstr. adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2005 hen hane

a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)

if:--behold, if, lo, though.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵן (hen) — look!.

interj

1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part

2) if

Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTj/Sp1bs — Particle · suffix
HTj/Sp1bs
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
מֵשִׁ֣יבme.Shiv [am] about to turn back H7725 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
צֵ֣לtzel [the] shadow of H6738 Noun common · masculine singular construct
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.
Amplified meaning
dark area, providing shade
Tyndale gloss
shadow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֵל (tsel) means 'shadow' or 'shade,' encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It can refer to a physical shadow, as well as a protective shade or a symbol of life's transience. The word is derived from a root meaning to shade, and it is related to another term, צֵלֶל (tselel), which also means 'shadow.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6738 צֵל shadow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6738 tsel tsale

from 6751; shade, whether literal or figurative:--defence,

shade(-ow).

see HEBREW for 06751

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֵל (tsel) — shadow.

1) shadow, shade

1a) shadow (on dial)

1b) shadow, shade (as protection)

1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)

Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
הַֽמַּעֲל֡וֹתha.ma.'a.Lot the steps H4609 Particle · noun common feminine plural absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents a step or journey upward, like the steps of a stair or a song of ascent, as in Psalm 120-134, which are songs the Israelites sang while traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. It symbolizes spiritual ascent.
Amplified meaning
steps, journey upward
Tyndale gloss
thought
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָה (ma`alah) refers to a step or stair, as well as the concept of elevation or ascent. It can denote both a physical journey to a higher place and a figurative rise in thought or status. The term is notably used in the context of 'songs of ascent' in certain Psalms, indicating a spiritual or literal elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָה] n.f. what comes up;—pl. cstr. Ez 11:5

ref

מַעֲלָה 46 n.f. step, stair

step, stair

steps (forming sun-dial)

stories of heaven

ascent

song of ascents

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4609a מַעֲלָה what comes up H4609b מַעֲלָה step, stair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4609 ma`alah mah-al-aw'

feminine of 4608; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a

journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising),

or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or

grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station);

specifically a climactic progression (in certain

Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up,

stair, step, story.

see HEBREW for 04608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — thought.

what comes up, thoughts

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — step.

1) step, stair

1a) step, stair

1b) steps (of sundial)

1c) stories (of heaven)

1d) ascent

1e) song of ascent

1e1) to the three great pilgrim feasts (Psalm titles)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absolute
HTd/Ncfpa
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sher which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
יָרְדָה֩ya.re.Dah it had gone down H3381 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
381× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Tyndale gloss
to go down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend

Qal 306

come or go down

go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

from Jerusalem

from altar

go down

= sink, in water

go down to She’ôl

fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

= be prostrated

of divine manifestations: descend

of inanimate things

Hiph.

cause to come or go down

bring down

send down rain = cause to flow down

= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

bring down to She’ôl

take down (from cart)

let down

Hoph.

be brought down

be taken down

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down

. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

. from Jerusalem

. from altar

. go down

. = sink, in water

. go down to She’ôl

. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

. = be prostrated

. of divine manifestations: descend

. of inanimate things

. . cause to come or go down . bring down

. send down rain = cause to flow down

. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

. bring down to She’ôl

. take down (from cart)

. let down

. . be brought down

. be taken down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3381 yarad yaw-rad'

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or

conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,

the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to

bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,

bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,

fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X

indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,

let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.

1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come down

1a2) to sink

1a3) to be prostrated

1a4) to come down (of revelation)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to bring down

1b2) to send down

1b3) to take down

1b4) to lay prostrate

1b5) to let down

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought down

1c2) to be taken down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
בְמַעֲל֨וֹתve.ma.'a.Lot on [the] steps of H4609 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents a step or journey upward, like the steps of a stair or a song of ascent, as in Psalm 120-134, which are songs the Israelites sang while traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. It symbolizes spiritual ascent.
Amplified meaning
journey upward, ascent
Tyndale gloss
thought
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָה (ma`alah) refers to a step or stair, as well as the concept of elevation or ascent. It can denote both a physical journey to a higher place and a figurative rise in thought or status. The term is notably used in the context of 'songs of ascent' in certain Psalms, indicating a spiritual or literal elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָה] n.f. what comes up;—pl. cstr. Ez 11:5

ref

מַעֲלָה 46 n.f. step, stair

step, stair

steps (forming sun-dial)

stories of heaven

ascent

song of ascents

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4609a מַעֲלָה what comes up H4609b מַעֲלָה step, stair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4609 ma`alah mah-al-aw'

feminine of 4608; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a

journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising),

or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or

grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station);

specifically a climactic progression (in certain

Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up,

stair, step, story.

see HEBREW for 04608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — thought.

what comes up, thoughts

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — step.

1) step, stair

1a) step, stair

1b) steps (of sundial)

1c) stories (of heaven)

1d) ascent

1e) song of ascent

1e1) to the three great pilgrim feasts (Psalm titles)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
HR/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
אָחָ֥ז'a.Chaz Ahaz H271 Noun proper masculine
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ahaz was a king of Judah, son of Jotham and father of Hezekiah, as mentioned in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His name means 'he has grasped', possibly indicating his efforts to hold onto power or his faith in God. Ahaz's reign was marked by significant events in Judah's history.
Amplified meaning
king of Judah
Tyndale gloss
Ahaz
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָחָז (Achaz) means 'he has grasped' and refers to two notable figures: a king of Judah, son of Jotham and father of Hezekiah, and a Benjamite, son of Micah. The entries consistently identify Achaz as a significant historical figure during the Divided Monarchy, first mentioned in 2 Kings 15:38.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָחָז n.pr.m. (he has grasped)

king of Judah, son of Jotham, father of Hezekiah

son of Micah, & great-grandson of Jonathan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H271 אָחָז (he has grasped)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

271 'Achaz aw-khawz'

from 270; possessor; Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of

an Israelite:--Ahaz.

see HEBREW for 0270

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָחָז (a.chaz) — Ahaz.

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.15.38;

son of: Jotham (H3147H); married to Abi (H0021);

father of: Hezekiah (H2396) and Maaseiah (H4641J)

Also named: Achaz (Ἀχάζ "Ahaz" G0881)

§ Ahaz = "he has grasped"

1) king of Judah, son Jotham, father of Hezekiah

2) a Benjamite, son of Micah, and great grandson of Jonathan

אָחָז (a.chaz) — Ahaz.

A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.8.35;

son of: Micah (H4318H);

brother of: Pithon (H6377), Melech (H4429) and Tarea (H8390);

father of: Jehoaddah (H3085)

§ Ahaz = "he has grasped"

1) king of Judah, son Jotham, father of Hezekiah

2) a Benjamite, son of Micah, and great grandson of Jonathan

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

a'-haz ('achaz, "he has grasped," 2Ki 16; 2Ch 28; Isa 7:10 ff; Achaz).

1. Name:

The name is the same as Jehoahaz; hence appears on Tiglath-pileser's Assyrian inscription of 732 BC as Ia-u-ha-zi. The sacred historians may have dropped the first part of the name in consequence of the character of the king.

2. The Accession:

Ahaz was the son of Jotham, king of Judah. He succeeded to the throne at the age of 20 years (according to another reading 25). The chronology of his reign is difficult, as his son Hezekiah is stated to have been 25 years of age when he began to reign 16 years after (2Ki 18:2). If the accession of Ahaz be placed as early as 743 BC, his grandfather Uzziah, long unable to perform the functions of his office on account of his leprosy (

Ahaz

Possessor. (1.) A grandson of Jonathan (1 Chr. 8:35; 9:42).

(2.) The son and successor of Jotham, king of Judah (2 Kings 16; Isa. 7-9; 2 Chr. 28). He gave himself up to a life of wickedness and idolatry. Notwithstanding the remonstrances and warnings of Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, he appealed for help against Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king of Israel, who threatened Jerusalem, to Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria, to the great injury of his kingdom and his own humilating subjection to the Assyrians (2 Kings 16:7, 9; 15:29). He also introduced among his people many heathen and idolatrous customs (Isa. 8:19; 38:8; 2 Kings 23:12). He died at the age of thirty-five…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(possessor), eleventh king of Judah, son of Jotham, reigned 741-726, about sixteen years. At the time of his accession, Rezin king of Damascus and Pekah king of Israel had recently formed a league against Judah, and they proceeded to lay siege to Jerusalem. Upon this Isaiah hastened to give advice and encouragement to Ahaz, and the allies failed in their attack on Jerusalem. Isai 7,8,9. But, the allies inflicted a most severe injury on Judah by the capture of Elath, a flourishing port on the Red Sea, while the Philistines invaded the west and south. 2Kin 16; 2Chr 28. Ahaz, having forfeited God’s favor by his wickedness, sought deliverance from these numerous troubles by appealing to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, who forced him from his most formidable enemies. But Ahaz had to purchase this help at a costly price; he became tributary to Tiglath-pileser. He was weak, a gross idolater…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Jotham, and twelfth king of Judah. He ascended the throne at twenty years of age, and reigned sixteen years, 2Ki 16:1,2,20. B. C. 738. He was distinguished for his idolatry and contempt of the true God; and against him many of the prophecies of Isaiah are directed, Isa 7.1-25. He made his own children pass through the fire to idols; he introduced the Syrian gods into Jerusalem, altered the temple after the Syrian model, and even closed it altogether. Having thus forfeited the aid of Jehovah, he met various repulses in battle with Pekah and Rezin; the Edomites revolted, and the Philistines harassed his borders. He turned yet more away from God in his distress, and sought aid from Pul, king of Assyria. This fatal step made him tributary to Pul, and to Tig-lath-pileser his successor. Ahaz was reduced to great extremities, in…

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
בַּשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁba.She.mesh with the sun H8121 Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The sun, or shemesh, represents not just the celestial body, but also east or west direction, and even objects that shine like battlements. It is often used to describe the rising or setting of the sun.
Tyndale gloss
sun
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (shemesh) means 'sun' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be brilliant.' It encompasses various meanings, including directions like east and west, and can refer to the sun as an object of worship. Additionally, it can denote shining pinnacles or battlements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ 133 n.f. et m. sun

sun

of direction: toward sun-rise, = East

obj. of worship

other phr.

pinnacle, as glittering, shining

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8121 שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ sun

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8121 shemesh sheh'-mesh

from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by

implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (arch.) a

notched battlement:--+ east side(-ward), sun ((rising)), +

west(-ward), window. See also 1053.

see HEBREW for 01053

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (she.mesh) — sun.

1) sun

1a) sun

1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction)

1c) sun (as object of illicit worship)

1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases)

1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absolute
HRd/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sun

(Heb. shemesh), first mentioned along with the moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Gen. 1:14-18). By their motions and influence they were intended to mark and divide times and seasons. The worship of the sun was one of the oldest forms of false religion (Job 31:26,27), and was common among the Egyptians and Chaldeans and other pagan nations. The Jews were warned against this form of idolatry (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; comp. 2 Kings 23:11; Jer. 19:13).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the history of "greater light," of the creation the sun is described as "greater light," in contradistinction to the moon, the "lesser light," in conjunction with which it was to serve "for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years," while its special office was "to rule the day." (Genesis 1:14-16) The "signs" referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29) with Luke 21:25 The joint influence assigned to the sun and moon in deciding the "seasons," both for agricultural operations and for religious festivals, and also in regulating the length and…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The great luminary of day, which furnishes so many similitudes to the Hebrew poets, as well as those of all nations, Jud 5:31 Ps 84:11 Pr 4:18 Lu 1:78,79 Joh 8:12. For the idolatrous worship of the sun, see BAAL.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Created Ge 1:14-18; Ps 74:16; 136:7; Jer 31:35

→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5

→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6

→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3

→ Worshiped Job 31:26-28; Jer 8:2; Eze 6:4,6; 8:16

→ Kings of Judah dedicate horses to 2Ki 23:11

→ Miracles concerning

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית'a.cho.ra.Nit backwards H322 Adverb
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Meaning backwards or the rear, this word describes something located at the back or something that is done in reverse.
Amplified meaning
to return, turn back
Tyndale gloss
backwards
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲחֹרַנִית (*'achoranniyth*) means 'backwards' or 'the rear.' It is derived from a root meaning 'back' and is used to describe something that is oriented towards the back or rear part. The entries consistently define it in this way without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲחֹרַנִית adv. backwards

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H322 אֲחֹרַנִית backwards

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

322 'achoranniyth akh-o-ran-neeth'

prolonged from 268; backwards:--back (-ward, again).

see HEBREW for 0268

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲחֹרַנִּית (a.cho.ran.nit) — backwards.

backwards, back part, the rear

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
עֶ֣שֶׂר'E.ser ten H6235 Noun common · masculine singular construct
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
a decade, a period of time
Tyndale gloss
ten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶשֶׂר (eser) means 'ten' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root related to counting, specifically indicating the number ten and its use in combination with other numbers. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂר (asar), also meaning 'ten.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6235 עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה ten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6235 `eser eh'ser

masculine of term aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from 6237; ten (as an

accumulation to the extent of the digits):--ten, (fif-,

seven-)teen.

see HEBREW for 06237

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) — ten.

1) ten

1a) ten

1b) with other numbers

Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(`eser; deka).

See NUMBER.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Used for an indefinite number) Ge 31:7; Le 26:26; Nu 14:22; Zec 8:23

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
מַעֲל֑וֹתma.'a.Lot steps H4609 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents a step or journey upward, like the steps of a stair or a song of ascent, as in Psalm 120-134, which are songs the Israelites sang while traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. It symbolizes spiritual ascent.
Tyndale gloss
thought
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָה (ma`alah) refers to a step or stair, as well as the concept of elevation or ascent. It can denote both a physical journey to a higher place and a figurative rise in thought or status. The term is notably used in the context of 'songs of ascent' in certain Psalms, indicating a spiritual or literal elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָה] n.f. what comes up;—pl. cstr. Ez 11:5

ref

מַעֲלָה 46 n.f. step, stair

step, stair

steps (forming sun-dial)

stories of heaven

ascent

song of ascents

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4609a מַעֲלָה what comes up H4609b מַעֲלָה step, stair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4609 ma`alah mah-al-aw'

feminine of 4608; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a

journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising),

or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or

grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station);

specifically a climactic progression (in certain

Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up,

stair, step, story.

see HEBREW for 04608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — thought.

what comes up, thoughts

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — step.

1) step, stair

1a) step, stair

1b) steps (of sundial)

1c) stories (of heaven)

1d) ascent

1e) song of ascent

1e1) to the three great pilgrim feasts (Psalm titles)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
וַתָּ֤שָׁבva.Ta.shov and it went back H7725 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Amplified meaning
to return, turn back
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ha.She.mesh the sun H8121 Particle · noun common both singular absolute
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The sun, or shemesh, represents not just the celestial body, but also east or west direction, and even objects that shine like battlements. It is often used to describe the rising or setting of the sun.
Tyndale gloss
sun
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (shemesh) means 'sun' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be brilliant.' It encompasses various meanings, including directions like east and west, and can refer to the sun as an object of worship. Additionally, it can denote shining pinnacles or battlements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ 133 n.f. et m. sun

sun

of direction: toward sun-rise, = East

obj. of worship

other phr.

pinnacle, as glittering, shining

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8121 שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ sun

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8121 shemesh sheh'-mesh

from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by

implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (arch.) a

notched battlement:--+ east side(-ward), sun ((rising)), +

west(-ward), window. See also 1053.

see HEBREW for 01053

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (she.mesh) — sun.

1) sun

1a) sun

1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction)

1c) sun (as object of illicit worship)

1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases)

1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absolute
HTd/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sun

(Heb. shemesh), first mentioned along with the moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Gen. 1:14-18). By their motions and influence they were intended to mark and divide times and seasons. The worship of the sun was one of the oldest forms of false religion (Job 31:26,27), and was common among the Egyptians and Chaldeans and other pagan nations. The Jews were warned against this form of idolatry (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; comp. 2 Kings 23:11; Jer. 19:13).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the history of "greater light," of the creation the sun is described as "greater light," in contradistinction to the moon, the "lesser light," in conjunction with which it was to serve "for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years," while its special office was "to rule the day." (Genesis 1:14-16) The "signs" referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29) with Luke 21:25 The joint influence assigned to the sun and moon in deciding the "seasons," both for agricultural operations and for religious festivals, and also in regulating the length and…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The great luminary of day, which furnishes so many similitudes to the Hebrew poets, as well as those of all nations, Jud 5:31 Ps 84:11 Pr 4:18 Lu 1:78,79 Joh 8:12. For the idolatrous worship of the sun, see BAAL.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Created Ge 1:14-18; Ps 74:16; 136:7; Jer 31:35

→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5

→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6

→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3

→ Worshiped Job 31:26-28; Jer 8:2; Eze 6:4,6; 8:16

→ Kings of Judah dedicate horses to 2Ki 23:11

→ Miracles concerning

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
עֶ֣שֶׂר'E.ser ten H6235 Noun common · masculine singular construct
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
ten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶשֶׂר (eser) means 'ten' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root related to counting, specifically indicating the number ten and its use in combination with other numbers. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂר (asar), also meaning 'ten.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6235 עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה ten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6235 `eser eh'ser

masculine of term aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from 6237; ten (as an

accumulation to the extent of the digits):--ten, (fif-,

seven-)teen.

see HEBREW for 06237

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) — ten.

1) ten

1a) ten

1b) with other numbers

Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(`eser; deka).

See NUMBER.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Used for an indefinite number) Ge 31:7; Le 26:26; Nu 14:22; Zec 8:23

here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
מַעֲל֔וֹתma.'a.Lot steps H4609 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents a step or journey upward, like the steps of a stair or a song of ascent, as in Psalm 120-134, which are songs the Israelites sang while traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. It symbolizes spiritual ascent.
Tyndale gloss
thought
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָה (ma`alah) refers to a step or stair, as well as the concept of elevation or ascent. It can denote both a physical journey to a higher place and a figurative rise in thought or status. The term is notably used in the context of 'songs of ascent' in certain Psalms, indicating a spiritual or literal elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָה] n.f. what comes up;—pl. cstr. Ez 11:5

ref

מַעֲלָה 46 n.f. step, stair

step, stair

steps (forming sun-dial)

stories of heaven

ascent

song of ascents

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4609a מַעֲלָה what comes up H4609b מַעֲלָה step, stair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4609 ma`alah mah-al-aw'

feminine of 4608; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a

journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising),

or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or

grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station);

specifically a climactic progression (in certain

Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up,

stair, step, story.

see HEBREW for 04608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — thought.

what comes up, thoughts

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — step.

1) step, stair

1a) step, stair

1b) steps (of sundial)

1c) stories (of heaven)

1d) ascent

1e) song of ascent

1e1) to the three great pilgrim feasts (Psalm titles)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfpa — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹתba.ma.'a.Lot on the steps H4609 Preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents a step or journey upward, like the steps of a stair or a song of ascent, as in Psalm 120-134, which are songs the Israelites sang while traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. It symbolizes spiritual ascent.
Tyndale gloss
thought
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲלָה (ma`alah) refers to a step or stair, as well as the concept of elevation or ascent. It can denote both a physical journey to a higher place and a figurative rise in thought or status. The term is notably used in the context of 'songs of ascent' in certain Psalms, indicating a spiritual or literal elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַעֲלָה] n.f. what comes up;—pl. cstr. Ez 11:5

ref

מַעֲלָה 46 n.f. step, stair

step, stair

steps (forming sun-dial)

stories of heaven

ascent

song of ascents

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4609a מַעֲלָה what comes up H4609b מַעֲלָה step, stair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4609 ma`alah mah-al-aw'

feminine of 4608; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a

journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising),

or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or

grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station);

specifically a climactic progression (in certain

Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up,

stair, step, story.

see HEBREW for 04608

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — thought.

what comes up, thoughts

מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah) — step.

1) step, stair

1a) step, stair

1b) steps (of sundial)

1c) stories (of heaven)

1d) ascent

1e) song of ascent

1e1) to the three great pilgrim feasts (Psalm titles)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncfpa — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absolute
HRd/Ncfpa
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTr — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here I [am] about to turn back the object marker [the] shadow of the steps which it had gone down on [the] steps of Ahaz with the sun backwards ten steps and it went back the sun ten steps on the steps which it had gone down
יָרָֽדָה׃ סya.Ra.dah it had gone down H3381 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
381× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Amplified meaning
gone down, to a lower place
Tyndale gloss
to go down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend

Qal 306

come or go down

go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

from Jerusalem

from altar

go down

= sink, in water

go down to She’ôl

fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

= be prostrated

of divine manifestations: descend

of inanimate things

Hiph.

cause to come or go down

bring down

send down rain = cause to flow down

= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

bring down to She’ôl

take down (from cart)

let down

Hoph.

be brought down

be taken down

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down

. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

. from Jerusalem

. from altar

. go down

. = sink, in water

. go down to She’ôl

. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

. = be prostrated

. of divine manifestations: descend

. of inanimate things

. . cause to come or go down . bring down

. send down rain = cause to flow down

. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

. bring down to She’ôl

. take down (from cart)

. let down

. . be brought down

. be taken down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3381 yarad yaw-rad'

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or

conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,

the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to

bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,

bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,

fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X

indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,

let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.

1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come down

1a2) to sink

1a3) to be prostrated

1a4) to come down (of revelation)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to bring down

1b2) to send down

1b3) to take down

1b4) to lay prostrate

1b5) to let down

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought down

1c2) to be taken down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate