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Isaiah 5:17 — Word Study

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WLCוְרָע֥וּ כְבָשִׂ֖ים כְּדָבְרָ֑ם וְחָרְב֥וֹת מֵחִ֖ים גָּרִ֥ים יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃

BSALambskebes [young rams, sheep] will grazerâʻâh [feed, eat] as in their own pasturesdôber [assigned, designated, grazing lands, fields] and strangersgûwr [sojourners, wanderers] will feedʼâkal [eat, devour] in the ruinschorbâh [desolate places, waste lands] of the wealthymêach [fat ones, rich]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 (yo.Khe.lu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 5:17quick helps
In a sentenceIsaiah describes a time of peace where lambs graze freely, and strangers feed in the ruins of the wealthy.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, conveying a message about the future.
Where we areIn a prophetic vision, Isaiah contrasts the fate of the humble with the ruins of the proud.
The hard wordוְרָע֥וּ
Take awayThe imagery suggests restoration and provision after destruction.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectכֶּבֶשׂ verbרָעָה 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 5:17

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Consequences of Injusticegenerated

16But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.
17Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.
18Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes,
19to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”

Isaiah 5:17 presents a vivid imagery of a future where lambs graze peacefully in their pastures, symbolizing safety and abundance. This stands in stark contrast to the previous verses that discuss the consequences of injustice and the downfall of the wealthy. The passage highlights the reversal of fortunes, where the humble thrive in the aftermath of destruction, while the proud face desolation. This theme of restoration is echoed throughout the book of Isaiah, reflecting God's promise to care for His people even in times of judgment.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 7:21–22On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep,
2Isaiah 17:2The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.
3Isaiah 32:14For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever— the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—
4Isaiah 40:11He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
5Isaiah 65:10Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for My people who seek Me.

The Key Word וְרָע֥וּ, ve.ra.'Ugenerated

The verb רָעָה (*ra'ah*) is a Qal perfect form, indicating a completed action in the third person plural. It encompasses meanings related to tending or grazing, much like a shepherd cares for sheep. This word is often used in contexts that imply care, companionship, and leadership, reflecting the relationship between a shepherd and his flock.

In this verse, it conveys the idea of lambs grazing freely, suggesting a time of peace and provision. The verb’s usage here emphasizes the nurturing aspect of the environment being described, where the lambs are well-cared for, contrasting with the previous themes of desolation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses grazing for וְרָע֥וּ, while the KJV and ASV also agree on graze.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb וְרָע֥וּ, and they will graze, governs the sentence, with two subjects: כְבָשִׂ֖ים (lambs) and גָּרִ֥ים (sojourners). The structure highlights the action of grazing and feeding as central to the imagery of the verse.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the grazing lambs and the sojourners who will eat, creating a vivid picture of abundance in a desolate context.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וְרָע֥וּ as βοσκηθήσονται (*boskēthēsontai*), which means 'they will be fed'. This choice reflects a focus on the action of being provided for, aligning with the nurturing aspect of the original Hebrew.

This translation emphasizes the idea of provision and care, suggesting a divine orchestration of the peace and abundance described in the verse.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 5:17 depicts a future where lambs graze in their own pastures, symbolizing safety and abundance, while strangers feed in the ruins of the wealthy. This imagery highlights a reversal of fortunes, suggesting that the humble will thrive after destruction.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that lambs will graze in their own pastures?

This imagery suggests a time of peace and security for the humble, indicating that they will have their needs met in a safe environment.

Who are the strangers mentioned in this verse?

The strangers represent those who are not part of the wealthy class but will benefit from the abundance that comes after the downfall of the proud.

What is the significance of the ruins of the wealthy?

The ruins symbolize the consequences of injustice and pride, showing that those who were once powerful will face desolation, while the humble will be provided for.

How does this verse connect to the broader themes in Isaiah?

This verse reflects the overarching theme of restoration and reversal of fortunes found throughout Isaiah, where God promises to care for His people even in times of judgment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see God providing for those who are humble in my own life?
  2. How can I reflect the care of a shepherd in my relationships with others?
  3. What does it mean for me to find abundance in places that seem desolate?
  4. How can I support those who are marginalized or in need, like the sojourners in this verse?

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

Jerome comments on this verse, noting the abundance that will come from desolation and the feeding of lambs in their order.

JeromeVerse 17 c. 347–420
And the lambs will be fed in their order: and the deserted places will be turned into abundance, and strangers will feast upon them.
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 5:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner,.... That is, the people of God, the disciples of Christ, either apostles and ministers of the Gospel, whom he sent forth as lambs among wolves, Lu 10:3

Read John Gill on Isaiah 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner - kªdaabªraam (H1699); literally, according to their own word, i:e., at will.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then; when God shall have finished that work of judgment upon the ungodly, he will extend mercy to a remainder. This is very usual in this prophet, in the midst of his threatenings, to insert something for the support of believers. The lambs; the poor and harmless people, who shall be left in the land when the rich are carried into captivity, as it fell out, . Feed after their manner; or, by their fold, as this word is manifestly used, , the only place of Scripture, except this, in which this word is found. The waste places; the lands left by their owners, who were either slain or carried into captivity. Of the fat ones; of the rich and great men, so called 78:31 . Strangers; the poor…

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 5:17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.Ver. 17. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner,] i.e., Freely and quietly. By lambs here understand the godly poor - those lambs with golden fleeces - who shall be graciously provided for. And the waste places of the fat ones.] Medullatorum, of those fat bulls of Bashan, who had oppressed the poor, and laid waste their dwellings, but are now served in like sort by the enemy. Shall the strangers eat.] Such as had been strangers at home, because held captive in a far country, but are now returned, and repossessed of all.

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) Then shall the lambs feed after their manner.—Better, feed even as on their pasture. The meaning is clear enough. The lands that have been gained by oppression shall, in the day of retribution, become common pasture ground instead of being reserved for the parks and gardens of the rich; and strangers—i.e., invaders, Philistines, Assyrians, or nomadic tribes—shall devour the produce (Isaiah 1:7). Possibly, however, the “lambs” may stand for the poor and meek, as in contrast with the “fat ones” of the earth. The LXX. version follows a different reading in the second clause, and gives “kids” instead of “strangers.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. The lambs - "And the kids"] גרים gerim, "strangers." The Septuagint read, more agreeably to the design of the prophet, כרים carim, αρνες, "the lambs." גדים gedayim, "the kids," Dr. Durell; nearer to the present reading: and so Archbishop Secker. The meaning is, their luxurious habitations shall be so entirely destroyed as to become a pasture for flocks. After their manner - "Without restraint"] כדברם kedobram, secundum duetum eorum; i.e. suo ipsorum ductu; as their own will shall lead them.

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. The obverse of the picture in Isaiah 5:14. The city, with all its tumult and gaiety, has vanished into the underworld, and now flocks are seen grazing amidst the ruins,—an image of awful desolation rather than of “idyllic peace.” Then shall the lambs … manner] And lambs shall grate as in their pasture (R.V.). strangers] sojourners—perhaps “nomadic shepherds.” But the reading of the LXX. (ἄ ?ñíåò = lambs) can be explained by a slight change in the text and is on some grounds to be preferred.

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then shall the lambs feed - This verse is very variously interpreted.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 5 →

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

Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Lambs will graze as if in their pastures, amid the ruins the rich sojourners will graze.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then shall the lambes feede after their maner, and the strangers shall eate the desolate places of the fat.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the lambs shall feed as on their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And fed have lambs according to their leading, And waste places of the fat ones Do sojourners consume.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And lambs have fed according to their leading, || And sojourners consume wastelands of the fat ones.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Then shall the sheep feed according to their wont, and the ruins of the fat ones shall sojourners eat.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then the sheep will feed as in their own pasture, and in the ruins, lambs will graze as foreigners.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And the lambs shall feed according to their order, and strangers shall eat the deserts turned into fruitfulness.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Lambs will graze as in their own pasture; fattened livestock and goats will feed among the ruins of the rich.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then the lambs will get food as in their grass-lands, and the fat cattle will be feasting in the waste places.

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.

וְandclauseverbרָע֥וּthey.will.grazesubjectכְבָשִׂ֖יםlambsprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּlikenoun phraseדָבְרָ֑their.ownםpastureוְand.[the]clausenoun phrase · adverbialחָרְב֥וֹתruinsמֵחִ֖יםof.fatlingssubjectגָּרִ֥ים[those.who].sojournverbיֹאכֵֽלוּthey.will.eat

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


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

The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement in the essential wording of this verse. The Septuagint's translation aligns closely with the Hebrew, while the Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial matches, indicating consistency in the core message across these ancient texts.

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

וְרָע֥וּ כְבָשִׂ֖ים כְּדָבְרָ֑ם וְחָרְב֥וֹת מֵחִ֖ים גָּרִ֥ים יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְרָע֥וּβοσκηθήσονταιכְּדָבְרָ֑םὡςוְחָרְב֥וֹתκαὶמֵחִ֖יםἀπειλημμένωνגָּרִ֥יםἄρνεςיֹאכֵֽלוּ׃φάγονται

6 of the 7 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

ורעו כבושים כדבר׳ם וחרבות מיחים גרים יאכלו

7 words on the leather.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q56a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ורעו] [כבשים] [כדבר׳ם] [וחרבות] מחים גרים יאכלו

1 word on the leather — 2 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

Isaiah 5:17בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדand they wiand they will gבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדכֶּ֫בֶשׂlambslambsכֶּ֫בֶשׂדֹּ֫בֶרlike own palike own pasturדֹּ֫בֶרחָרְבָּהand [the] rand [the] ruinsחָרְבָּהמֵחַfatlingsfatlingsמֵחַגּוּרsojournerssojournersגּוּראָכַלthey will ethey will eatאָכַלדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרמָחָהto wipeto wipeמָחָהחֹ֫רֶבdroughtdroughtחֹ֫רֶברָבַץto stretchto stretchרָבַץעֵ֫דֶרflockflockעֵ֫דֶרעַתּוּדgoatgoatעַתּוּדאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשַׁמָּהhorror: dehorror: destroyשַׁמָּהשְׁמָמָהDesolateDesolateשְׁמָמָהגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרתָּ֫וֶךְmidstmidstתָּ֫וֶךְשָׁתָהto drinkto drinkשָׁתָהלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶם
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 5:17

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.

and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
וְרָע֥וּve.ra.'U and they will graze H7462 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
177× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Amplified meaning
feed, eat
Tyndale gloss
House of Shepherds
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָעָה (*ra'ah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to tend or pasture a flock. It covers a range of meanings including to graze, rule, associate with, and befriend. The term appears in contexts related to shepherding and companionship, with a specific mention of the 'binding-house of shepherds' in 2 Kings 10:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים perh. n.pr.loc. (binding-house of the shepherds) 2 K 10:12

base

רָעָה 167 vb. pasture, tend, graze

Qal

trans.

intrans.

Niph. poss.

Hiph. v.

base

[רָעָה] vb. prob. associate with

Qal cherish faithfulness

Hithp. do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man

base

[רָעָה] vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend;—Ju 14:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7462a בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים binding-house of shepherds H7462b רָעָה pasture, tend, graze H7462c רָעָה prob. associate with H7462d רָעָה vb. denom. Pi. be a special friend

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7462 ra`ah raw-aw'

a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it;

intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);

generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a

friend):--X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat

up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with,

herdman, keep (sheep)(-er), pastor, + shearing house,

shepherd, wander, waste.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים (bet-e.qed ha.ro.im) — House of Shepherds.

Ra'ah = "pasturing"

perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to pasture.

1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tend, pasture

1a1a) to shepherd

1a1b) of ruler, teacher (fig)

1a1c) of people as flock (fig)

1a1d) shepherd, herdsman (subst)

1a2) to feed, graze

1a2a) of cows, sheep etc (literal)

1a2b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig)

1b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess

Also means: ro.i (רֹעִי "to shepherd" H7473)

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to accompany.

1) to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable)

1a) (Qal) to associate with

1b) (Hithpael) to be companions

רָעָה (ra.ah) — to befriend.

(Piel) to be a special friend

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common plural
Hc/Vqq3cp
and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
כְבָשִׂ֖יםkhe.va.Sim lambs H3532 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
107× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a young ram or lamb, old enough to butt or fight. In the Bible, it is used to describe the animals used for sacrifice or as a symbol of innocence.
Amplified meaning
young rams, sheep
Tyndale gloss
lamb
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֶּ֫בֶשׂ (*kebes*) means 'lamb' and can also refer to a young ram or sheep. The word is derived from an unused root suggesting a meaning related to dominance. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily denoting young sheep.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֶּ֫בֶשׂ 107 n.m. lamb

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3532 כֶּ֫בֶשׂ lamb

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3532 kebes keh-bes'

from an unused root meaning to dominate; a ram (just old

enough to butt):--lamb, sheep.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֶּ֫בֶשׂ (ke.ve.s) — lamb.

lamb, sheep, young ram

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

are the young of sheep, but originally included also the young of goats. They formed an important part of almost every sacrifice. (Exodus 29:38-41; Numbers 28:9,11; 29:2,13-40) etc. [On the paschal lamb see PASSOVER]

and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
כְּדָבְרָ֑םke.da.ve.Ram like own pasture their H1699 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a statement or a way of speaking, like a shepherd arranging his flock in a pasture. It appears in various forms, including 'fold' and 'manner'.
Amplified meaning
assigned, designated, grazing lands, fields
Tyndale gloss
pasture
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֹּ֫בֶר (dover) primarily refers to 'pasture' or 'fold', indicating a place for flocks. It is also associated with the act of 'speaking' or 'statement', as seen in דִּבֵּר (dibber). The word is derived from a root meaning related to arrangement, but the entries do not provide significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[דֹּ֫בֶר] n.[m.] pasture

base

דִּבֵּר n.[m.] speaking Je 5:13

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1699a דֹּ֫בֶר pasture H1699b דִּבֵּר speaking

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1699 dober do'-ber

from 1696 (in its original sense); a pasture (from its

arrangement of the flock):--fold, manner.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֹּ֫בֶר (do.ver) — pasture.

pasture

דִּבֵּר (dib.ber) — statement.

word, speaking

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
וְחָרְב֥וֹתve.cha.re.Vot and [the] ruins of H2723 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a place that has been laid waste or destroyed, often due to war or disaster. In the Bible, it is used to describe the consequences of sin and disobedience. The prophet Ezekiel used this word to describe a desolate city.
Amplified meaning
desolate places, waste lands
Tyndale gloss
desolation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָרְבָּה (chorbah) refers to waste, desolation, or ruin. It is derived from the root meaning drought and implies a place that has been laid waste or destroyed. The entries consistently emphasize its association with desolation and ruin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָרְבָּה n.f. waste, desolation, ruin

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2723 חָרְבָּה waste, desolation, ruin

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2723 chorbah khor-baw'

feminine of 2721; properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a

desolation:--decayed place, desolate (place, -tion),

destruction, (laid) waste (place).

see HEBREW for 02721

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חׇרְבָּה (chor.bah) — desolation.

a place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
HC/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…

and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
מֵחִ֖יםme.Chim fatlings H4220 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A fatling is a young animal that is well-fed and healthy, often used for sacrifices or special occasions. This word can also mean something rich or abundant. The KJV translates it as 'fatling'.
Amplified meaning
fat ones, rich
Tyndale gloss
fatling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֵחַ (meach) means 'fatling' or 'fat one,' indicating something rich or well-fed. It is derived from a root meaning to grease, suggesting abundance or richness. The entries consistently define it as a term for a young animal that is fattened for slaughter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מֵחַ] n.[m.] fatling

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4220 [מֵחַ] fatling

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4220 meach may'-akh

from 4229 in the sense of greasing; fat; figuratively,

rich:--fatling (one).

see HEBREW for 04229

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֵחַ (me.ach) — fatling.

fatling, fat one

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
גָּרִ֥יםga.Rim sojourners H1481 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
97× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.
Amplified meaning
sojourners, wanderers
Tyndale gloss
to sojourn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוּר (gur) is a Hebrew verb with a range of meanings including to sojourn, abide, and seek hospitality, as well as to stir up strife or quarrel, and to dread or fear. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of turning aside from a path, often for lodging. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both positive and negative interactions, such as hospitality and conflict.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוּר vb. sojourn

Qal

sojourn

abide

Hithpol. seek hospitality with

base

[גּוּר] vb. stir up strife, quarrel

Qal.

stir up strife

quarrel

Hithpol. they excite themselves, but unlikely

base

[גּוּר] vb. dread

Qal

be afraid of

stand in awe of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1481a גּוּר sojourn .. sojourn

. abide

. seek hospitality with

H1481b גּוּר stir up strife, quarrel H1481c גּוּר dread

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1481 guwr goor

a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for

a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest);

also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather

for hostility (as afraid):--abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell,

fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in

awe, (be) stranger, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוּר (gur) — to sojourn.

1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time

1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell

1b) (Hithpolel)

1b1) to seek hospitality with

1b2) to assemble oneself

גּוּר (gur) — to quarrel.

1) to stir up trouble, strife, quarrel, gather together

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stir up strife

1a2) to quarrel

1b) (Hithpolel) to excite oneself

גּוּר (gur) — to dread.

1) to dread, fear, stand in awe, be afraid

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fear, be afraid

1a2) to be in awe, stand in awe

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

Ge 12:10; 20:1; 21:34; 47:4; Le 18:26; 20:2; 25:40; Nu 15:15

De 26:5; Jud 17:7; Ru 1:1; Heb 11:9

--SEE Strangers, STRANGERS

and they will graze lambs like own pasture their and [the] ruins of fatlings sojourners they will eat
יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃yo.Khe.lu they will eat H398 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
810× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Amplified meaning
eat, devour
Tyndale gloss
to eat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָכַל 806 vb. eat

Qal

eat, human subject

of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

fig. of fire, devour, consume

of sword, devour, slay

in genl., devour, consume, destroy

fig. of oppression, devour the poor

Niph.

be eaten by man

be devoured by fire, consumed

be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

Pu. be consumed

Hiph.

cause to eat, feed with

cause to devoure, obj. sword

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject

. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

. fig. of fire, devour, consume

. of sword, devour, slay

. in genl., devour, consume, destroy

. fig. of oppression, devour the poor

. . be eaten by man

. be devoured by fire, consumed

. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

. be consumed

. . cause to eat, feed with

. cause to devoure, obj. sword

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

398 'akal aw-kal'

a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at

all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),

feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)

meat, X quite.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.

1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to eat (human subject)

1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)

1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)

1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)

1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)

1a6) to devour (of oppression)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be eaten (by men)

1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)

1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to cause to eat, feed with

1c2) to cause to devour

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to feed

1d2) to cause to eat

1e) (Piel)

1e1) consume

Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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