Isaiah 41:29 — Word Study
WLCהֵ֣ן כֻּלָּ֔ם אָ֥וֶן אֶ֖פֶס מַעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם ר֥וּחַ וָתֹ֖הוּ נִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃ פ
BSASeehên [look, behold] [they are] allkôl [every one of them] a delusionʼâven [vanity, emptiness] their worksmaʻăseh [deeds, actions] amount to nothingʼepheç [are worthless, of no value] their imagesneçek [idols, molten images] are as emptytôhûw [worthless, without substance] as the windrûwach [a blast of air]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֵ֣ן | there! | Particle |
| כֻּלָּ֔ם | all of them | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אָ֥וֶן | [are] deception | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֶ֖פֶס | [are] nothing | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מַעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם | deeds their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| ר֥וּחַ | [are] a wind | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וָתֹ֖הוּ | and emptiness | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃ פ | molten images their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. |
| KJV | Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. |
| ASV | Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought; their molten images are wind and confusion. |
| YLT | 'Lo, all of them [are] vanity, Nought [are] their works, Wind and emptiness their molten images!' |
| WEB | Behold, all of their deeds are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion. |
| BBE | Truly they are all nothing, their works are nothing and of no value: their metal images are of no more use than wind. |
Where they part company is אָ֥וֶן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure emphasizes the declarations about idols, leading with the assertion of their delusion.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 41:29
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 Futility of Idolsgenerated
Isaiah 41:29 presents a stark contrast between the living God and the idols created by man. Isaiah emphasizes that these idols are mere illusions, devoid of substance and power. This verse serves as a reminder of the futility of placing trust in anything other than God, who is the source of truth and reality. The surrounding verses highlight God's sovereignty and the emptiness of human-made objects of worship, reinforcing the theme of divine authority over falsehood.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 41:24 | Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable. |
| 2 | Isaiah 44:9–20 | All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. |
| 3 | Psalm 115:4–8 | Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. |
| 4 | Psalm 135:15–18 | The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 10:2–16 | This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אָ֥וֶן, 'A.vengenerated
The word אָ֥וֶן (aven) refers to deception, vanity, or emptiness, often associated with idolatry. It conveys a strong moral dimension, indicating that what is false or wicked leads to nothingness.
In this verse, it underscores the idea that idols are not just ineffective; they embody a deeper moral failure, representing the absence of true value and purpose.
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 verse consists of several clauses, with the main predicate being אָ֥וֶן (are deception) and אֶ֖פֶס (are nothing), which describe the idols and their works. The structure emphasizes the futility of these objects through a series of statements about their nature.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the idols first, followed by their characteristics, reinforcing the idea that they are fundamentally flawed and without value.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word used for אָ֥וֶן is μάτην (mātin), which means 'in vain' or 'useless.' This choice narrows the focus on the futility of idols and their inability to provide any real substance or help.
This translation reflects a similar concept of emptiness, aligning with the Hebrew text while using a term that emphasizes the lack of efficacy in idols.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 41:29 tells us that all idols are a delusion and their works are worthless. This verse highlights the emptiness of trusting in man-made images, which are as insubstantial as the wind.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Isaiah indicates that idols are false representations that cannot provide truth or value, leading people away from the living God.
He stresses that actions based on false beliefs are ultimately fruitless and lack any real significance.
This comparison illustrates the fleeting and insubstantial nature of idols, showing they have no lasting impact or power.
It reinforces the contrast between God's sovereignty and the futility of human-made idols, underscoring the importance of worshiping the true God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the influence of false beliefs in my life or society?
- How can I ensure that my actions and beliefs align with the truth of God rather than empty idols?
- What are some practical steps I can take to focus on the living God in my daily life?
- How does understanding the emptiness of idols help me in my faith journey?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 41:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBehold, they are all vanity,.... Both the idols and the worshippers of them; in vain they claim the title of deity, to which they have no right; and in vain do men worship them, since they receive no
Read John Gill on Isaiah 41 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBehold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. Their molten images (are) ... confusion - emptiness: Hebrew, thohu, without form (Isaiah 34:11).
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 41 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey are all vanity: this is the conclusion of the whole dispute, and the just sentence which God passeth upon idols after a fair trial; they are vain things, and are falsely called gods. Their works are nothing: see . Their molten images; which he mentions, because their materials were most precious, and more cost and art was commonly bestowed upon them; for after they had been molten, they used to be carved, or polished, and adorned: but under these he synecdochichally comprehends all images whatsoever. Are wind; empty and unsatisfying things, which also, like the wind, do quickly pass away, and come to nothing. And confusion; confused, and deformed, and useless things, like that rude…
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 41 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 41:29 Behold, they [are] all vanity; their works [are] nothing: their molten images [are] wind and confusion.Ver. 29. Behold they are all vanity.] Jeremiah 10:3; Jeremiah 10:15. Their works are nothing.] See Isaiah 41:24. Are wind and confusion.] Or, Emptiness; Heb., Tohu. Nothing in themselves, and yet of sufficient efficacy to inflict vengeance on their worshippers.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 41 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(29) They are all . . . their works . . .—The first pronoun refers to the idols themselves, the second to the idolaters who make them. In “confusion” we have the familiar tohu.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 41 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges29. The last word of the argument. all of them (R.V.)] idols and worshippers together. their works] are the images of the gods, “the work of men’s hands” (parallel to “molten images” below). confusion] “nothingness”—chaos (see ch. Isaiah 40:17).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 41 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBehold, they are all vanity - They are unable to predict future events; they are unable to defend their friends, or to injure their enemies.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 41 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible28, 29. I beheld — All opportunities were given the prophets of idolatry, pagan priests, soothsayers, necromancers, etc., to furnish the first indication of predictive power; but not one ever appeared.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 41 →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
See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.
Behold, all of their deeds are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion.
See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.
Look, all of them are nothing, their accomplishments are nonexistent; their metal images lack any real substance.
Tyndale line
Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought; their molten images are wind and confusion.
Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Behold, they are all vanity, their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Beholde, they are all vanitie: their worke is of nothing, their images are wind and confusion.
Strictly literal
Behold, they are all vanity, their works are nought, their molten images are wind and emptiness.
'Lo, all of them [are] vanity, Nought [are] their works, Wind and emptiness their molten images!'
“Behold, all of them [are] vanity, || Their works [are] nothing, || Their molten images [are] wind and emptiness!”
Behold, they all are naught; their works are nothing: wind and vanity are their molten images.
Look, all of them are nothing, and their deeds are nothing; their cast metal figures are wind and emptiness.
From the Latin
Behold they are all in the wrong, and their works are vain: their idols are wind and vanity.
Simplified
Look at them! They're all evil, deceptive things. They can't do anything! They're just idols full of hot air! ”
Truly they are all nothing, their works are nothing and of no value: their metal images are of no more use than wind.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Qisaa agree closely, with minor variations in wording. Both emphasize the same themes of emptiness and deception regarding idols, affirming the consistency of this message across different textual witnesses.
הֵ֣ן כֻּלָּ֔ם אָ֥וֶן אֶ֖פֶס מַעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם ר֥וּחַ וָתֹ֖הוּ נִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃ פ
1 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
הנה כול׳ם אין ואפס מעשי׳המה רוח ותוהו נסיכי׳המה
8 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 41:29
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.
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'.
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
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
2005 hen hane
a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)
if:--behold, if, lo, though.
הֵן (hen) — look!.
interj
1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part
2) if
Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Part — ParticleHTj
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness
trouble, sorrow
idolatry
trouble of iniquity, wickedness
base
H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness
205 'aven aw-ven'
from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,
to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);
strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;
specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,
iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,
unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.
see HEBREW for 0369
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ INSTANCES OF
By Satan Ge 3:4
Abraham, in stating that Sarah was his sister Ge 12:13; 20:2
Isaac, in stating that his wife was his sister Ge 26:7
Jacob and Rebekah, in imposing Jacob on his father, and Jacob's impersonating Esau Ge 27:6-23
Jacob's sons, in entrapping the Shechemites Ge 34:13-31
In representing to their father that Joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts Ge 37:29-35
Joseph, in his ruse with his brothers Ge 42; 43; 44
The Gibeonites, in misrepresenting their habitat Jos 9:3-15
The Hebrew word אֶ֫פֶס (*'ephec*) primarily means 'ceasing' or 'end,' and it can express non-existence. It also refers to the dual form אֹ֫פֶס (*'ofes*), which denotes the 'soles' or 'ankles' as the two extremities of the feet. The entries highlight its usage in various contexts, including adverbial forms indicating absence or limitation.
אֶ֫פֶס, אָ֑פֶס n.m. prop. ceasing, hence
end, extremity
Expressing non-existence
base
[אֹ֫פֶס] n.[m.] only in the du. lit. the two extremities, i.e. either the soles of the feet, or the ankles
base
H657a אֶ֫פֶס, אָ֑פֶס prop. ceasing, hence . end, extremity
. Expressing non-existence
H657b אֹ֫פֶס only in the du. lit. the two extremities, i.e. either the soles of the feet, or the ankles
657 'ephec eh'-fes
from 656; cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth);
often used adverb, no further; also (like 6466) the ankle (in
the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot:--ankle,
but (only), end, howbeit, less than nothing, nevertheless
(where), no, none (beside), not (any, -withstanding), thing of
nought, save(-ing), there, uttermost part, want, without
(cause).
see HEBREW for 0656
see HEBREW for 06466
אֶ֫פֶס (e.phes) — end.
1) ceasing, end, finality
2) expressing non-existence
אֹ֫פֶס (o.phes) — soles.
the two extremities, i.e. either the soles of the feet or the ankles
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
nuth'-ing (lo', lo' @me'umah, etc.; medeis, oudeis): "Nothing" is represented by various words and phrases, often with lo', which is properly a substantive with the meaning of "nothing." Most frequently we have lo' me'umah, "not anything" (Ge 40:15; Jud 14:6).
Other forms are lo' dhabhar, "not anything"; (Ge 19:8); lo'khol, "not any(thing)" (Ge 11:6; Pr 13:7); la' (Aramaic), "no," "nothing" (Da 4:35, "as nothing"); 'ephec, "end," "cessation" (Isa 34:12); bilti, "without," "save," "not" (
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp
רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.
רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit
breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
wind (117 t.)
spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
spirit of the living, breathing being
spirit as seat of emotion
occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
rarely of the will
רוּחַ esp. of moral character
spirit of God (94 t.)
base
H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
. wind (117 t.)
. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
. spirit of the living, breathing being
. spirit as seat of emotion
. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
. rarely of the will
. רוּחַ esp. of moral character
. spirit of God (94 t.)
7307 ruwach roo'-akh
from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or
even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,
unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by
resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including
its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X
cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),
tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).
see HEBREW for 07306
רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.
: spirit
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
1a) breath
1b) wind
1b1) of heaven
1b2) quarter (of wind), side
1b3) breath of air
1b4) air, gas
1b5) vain, empty thing
1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
1c2) courage
1c3) temper, anger
1c4) impatience, patience
1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
1c7) prophetic spirit
1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1e1) desire
1e2) sorrow, trouble
1f) spirit
1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts
1f2) rarely of the will
1f3) as seat especially of moral character
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wind (anemos:
1. Causes:
Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.
See WHIRLWIND.
2. West Wind:
In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…
תֹּ֫הוּ (tohu) refers to formlessness, confusion, and emptiness, often conveying a sense of desolation or worthlessness. It can describe both physical emptiness, like wilderness, and abstract concepts such as vanity or unreality. The term is rooted in a meaning related to lying waste, and it appears in contexts discussing chaos or the primeval state of the earth.
תֹּ֫הוּ n.m. formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness (primary meaning difficult to seize)
formlessness
fig. of what is empty, unreal
base
H8414 תֹּ֫הוּ formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness (primary meaning difficult to seize) . formlessness
. fig. of what is empty, unreal
8414 tohuw to'-hoo
from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of
surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing;
adverbially, in vain:--confusion, empty place, without form,
nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.
תֹּ֫הוּ (to.hu) — formlessness.
1) formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness
1a) formlessness (of primeval earth)
1a1) nothingness, empty space
1b) that which is empty or unreal (of idols) (fig)
1c) wasteland, wilderness (of solitary places)
1d) place of chaos
1e) vanity
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word נֶ֫סֶךְ (*necek*) primarily means 'drink offering' or 'libation,' referring to a ritual pouring of liquid. It can also denote 'molten images' or 'cast idols.' The word is derived from a root meaning to pour out, and its Aramaic equivalent is noted as well.
נֶ֫סֶךְ n.m. drink-offering
drink-offering
molten images
base
H5262 נֶ֫סֶךְ drink-offering . drink-offering
. molten images
5262 necek neh'-sek
or necek {nay'-sek}; from 5258; a libation; also a cast
idol:--cover, drink offering, molten image.
see HEBREW for 05258
נֶ֫סֶךְ (ne.sekh) — drink offering.
1) drink offering, libation, molten image, something poured out
1a) drink offering
1b) molten images
Aramaic equivalent: ne.sakh (נְסַךְ "drink offering" H5261)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp