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Isaiah 51:1 — Word Study

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WLCשִׁמְע֥וּ אֵלַ֛י רֹ֥דְפֵי צֶ֖דֶק מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַבִּ֙יטוּ֙ אֶל־ צ֣וּר חֻצַּבְתֶּ֔ם וְאֶל־ מַקֶּ֥בֶת בּ֖וֹר נֻקַּרְתֶּֽם׃

BSAListenshâmaʻ [give ear, hear and obey] to Meʼêl you who pursuerâdaph [follow after, chase] righteousnesstsedeq [justice, moral integrity] you who seekbâqash [search for, desire] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the divine Redeemer] Looknâbaṭ [regard, gaze] toʼêl the rocktsûwr [stone, foundation] from which you were cutchâtsab [hewn, carved] and toʼêl the quarrymaqqebeth [hole, pit] from which you were hewnnâqar [digged, extracted]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 51
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the 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 (nu.kar.Tem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 51:1quick helps
In a sentenceIsaiah calls those pursuing righteousness to listen and remember their origins.
Who is speakingThe Lord, addressing the people of Israel.
Where we areThe opening of a message of comfort and remembrance.
The hard wordצֶ֖דֶק
Take awayLook back to your roots for strength and identity.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁמַע 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 51:1

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 — A Call to Remembergenerated

1“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.
2Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
3For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.
4Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.

Isaiah 51:1 encourages those who seek righteousness to listen to God and reflect on their origins. The message emphasizes the importance of remembering the foundations of faith, drawing on the imagery of rock and quarry to illustrate the strength and identity that come from God. This call to remember is part of a larger theme in Isaiah, where God reassures His people of His ongoing commitment to them, as seen in the following verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 51:4–7Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.
2Isaiah 46:3–4“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
3Isaiah 48:12Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.
4Isaiah 55:2–3Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
5Isaiah 51:7Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.

The Key Word שִׁמְע֥וּ, shim.'Ugenerated

The word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and implies listening with the intent to obey. It is often used in contexts where God commands His people to listen and respond to His words.

In this verse, the imperative form directs the people to pay attention to God’s message. The emphasis on listening highlights the relationship between hearing and acting upon God's commands.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses listen for שִׁמְע֥וּ.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb שִׁמְע֥וּ governs the entire verse, with multiple phrases providing context and detail. The structure is built around a call to action, followed by a description of the subjects and the objects of their focus.

The sentence flows from the imperative to listen, leading into the description of those who pursue righteousness and seek the Lord, ultimately directing them to look back at their origins.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שִׁמְע֥וּ as ἀκούσατε, which carries the same imperative meaning of 'listen'. This choice reflects the urgency of the call to heed God's message.

The Greek word emphasizes the need for attentive listening, aligning with the Hebrew intent of urging the people to respond to God's call.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 51:1 calls on those who pursue righteousness to listen to God and remember their origins. The verse emphasizes the importance of looking back to the rock and quarry from which they were hewn, symbolizing strength and identity in their faith.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to pursue righteousness?

To pursue righteousness means to actively seek to live in a way that is just and morally right, aligning one's actions with God's standards.

Why does Isaiah mention the rock and quarry?

The rock and quarry symbolize the origins and foundations of the people's faith, reminding them of their heritage and the strength they derive from it.

How can I apply this verse to my life?

You can apply this verse by reflecting on your own spiritual roots and seeking to live righteously, drawing strength from your faith and the community around you.

What does it mean to seek the LORD?

To seek the LORD means to earnestly search for a relationship with God, desiring His presence and guidance in your life.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can actively pursue righteousness in my daily life?
  2. How does remembering my spiritual roots help me in times of difficulty?
  3. In what ways can I encourage others to seek the LORD?
  4. What practices can I adopt to ensure I am listening to God's voice in my life?

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

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of righteousness and identity in God, drawing from its rich imagery.

JeromeChapter 51, verses 1 and following c. 347–420
Listen to me, you who pursue what is just and seek the Lord. Consider the rock from which you were hewn, and the quarry from which you were dug.
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 51 →
JeromeCOMMENTARY ON Isaiah 14:6 c. 347–420
The Jews refer this to the time of Zerubbabel, because after the devastation of Babylon Zion was restored and its temple built up and the old religion reinstated.… But here the Lord speaks to those who were persecuting him because he was…
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 51 →
Cyril of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON Isaiah 4:5.51:1-3 c. 376–444
“Righteous,” he says, instead of “righteousness,” which is through Christ through faith in him, a faith that justifies the ungodly and removes all stain from those who have been filthy,
Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 51 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 51:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness,.... After having declared the doom of the wicked, and those that trust to their own righteousness, the Lord returns to them that fear him, whom he

Read John Gill on Isaiah 51 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Hearken to me - the God of your fathers.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 51 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

ISAIAH CHAPTER 51 Abraham our pattern to trust in Christ; in his promises, and righteous salvation: this is constant, but men are transitory, . A prayer of the godly in affliction, . The Lord’ s answer, . He bewaileth Jerusalem, . The bitter cup taken from her, and given to her enemies, . Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness: now he turneth his speech again to the believing and godly Jews. That seek the Lord; that make it your chief care and business to seek favour and help from God. Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged; consider the state of Abraham and Sarah, when they procreated Isaac, from whom Jacob and all of you sprang…

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 51 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged.Ver. 1. Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness.] Heb., Ye that pursue or follow hard after it, as Paul did. The speech is directed to those Jews that embraced the gospel; persuading them to persist in the faith, "in nothing terrified by their adversaries," since Almighty God would keep and help them, as he had done faithful Abraham and Sarah, their ancestors; to whom also he would of stones raise up sons in the conversion of the Gentiles, and could do it as easily as he had hewed the Hebrews, that great…

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 51 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

LI. (1) Look unto the rock.—The implied argument is, that the wonder involved in the origin of Israel is as a ground of faith in its restoration and perpetuity. The rock is, of course, Abraham, the pit, Sarah.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 51 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

CHAPTER LI The prophet exhorts the children of Abraham to trust in the Lord; and briefly, but beautifully, describes the great blessedness which should be the consequence, 1-3. Then, turning to the Gentiles, encourages them to look for a portion in the same salvation, 4, 5; the everlasting duration of which is majestically described, 6. And as it is everlasting, so is it sure to the righteous, notwithstanding all the machinations of their enemies, 7, 8. The faithful, then, with exultation and joy, lift their voices, reminding God of his wondrous works of old, which encourage them to look now for the like glorious accomplishment of these promises, 9-11. In answer to this the Divinity is…

Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 51 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. Isaiah 51:1-16. Encouragements addressed to true IsraelitesThe strain of consolation, which was interrupted by the soliloquy of the Servant at ch. Isaiah 50:4, is now resumed, and is continued till we reach the fourth and last of the Servant-passages, Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12. Throughout this long passage (Isaiah 51:1 to Isaiah 52:12) the prophet’s thoughts are occupied with the near prospect of deliverance, and his high-strung emotion finds vent in a series of short impassioned oracles, mostly of a lyrical character. These may be divided into two groups, each consisting of three oracles. While those of the second group (Isaiah 51:17 to Isaiah 52:12) are addressed to the prostrate…

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 51 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Hearken unto me - That is, to the God of their fathers, who now addresses them. They are regarded as in exile and bondage, and as desponding in regard to their prospects.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 51 →

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

“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek Yahweh. Look to the rock you were cut from, and to the quarry you were dug from.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.

NETBNew English Translation2006

“Listen to me, you who pursue godliness, who seek the Lord! Look at the rock from which you were chiseled, at the quarry from which you were dug!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look to the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Heare me, ye that follow after righteousnes, and ye that seeke the Lord: looke vnto the rocke, whence ye are hewen, and to the hole of the pit, whence ye are digged.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock [whence] ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye were digged.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Hearken unto Me, ye pursuing righteousness, Seeking Jehovah, Look attentively unto the rock — ye have been hewn, And unto the hole of the pit — ye have been digged.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

“Listen to Me, you pursuing righteousness, || Seeking YHWH, || Look attentively to the rock—you have been hewn, || And to the hole of the pit—you have been dug.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Hearken to me, ye that pursue righteousness, that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were dug up.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: look at the rock from which you were chiseled and to the quarry from which you were cut.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Give ear to me, you that follow that which is just, and you that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you are dug out.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Listen to me, those of you who follow what is right, and who worship the Lord. Think about the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were chiseled.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Give ear to me, you who are searching for righteousness, who are looking for the Lord: see the rock from which you were cut out, and the hole out of which you were taken.

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.

clauseclauseverbשִׁמְע֥וּlistenprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֵלַ֛toיmeclausenoun phrasenoun phraseרֹ֥דְפֵיO.[you.who].pursueצֶ֖דֶק(of).righteousnessnoun phraseמְבַקְשֵׁ֣י[you.who].seekיְהוָ֑ה(of).Yahwehclauseverbהַבִּ֨יטוּ֙lookprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseאֶלtonoun phraseצ֣וּר[the].rockclauseverbחֻצַּבְתֶּ֔ם[which].you.were.dugוְandprepositional phraseאֶלtonoun phrasenoun phraseמַקֶּ֥בֶת[the].excavationבּ֖וֹרof.[the].pitclauseverbנֻקַּרְתֶּֽם[which].you.were.dug.out

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree closely in wording, with minor variations in the restoration of certain words. The Septuagint also aligns well, though its structure differs from the Hebrew.

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

שִׁמְע֥וּ אֵלַ֛י רֹ֥דְפֵי צֶ֖דֶק מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַבִּ֙יטוּ֙ אֶל־ צ֣וּר חֻצַּבְתֶּ֔ם וְאֶל־ מַקֶּ֥בֶת בּ֖וֹר נֻקַּרְתֶּֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שִׁמְע֥וּἀκούσατέאֵלַ֛יμουרֹ֥דְפֵיδιώκοντεςצֶ֖דֶקδίκαιονמְבַקְשֵׁ֣יζητοῦντεςהַבִּ֙יטוּ֙ἐμβλέψατεאֶל־εἰςצ֣וּרπέτρανחֻצַּבְתֶּ֔םἐλατομήσατεוְאֶל־εἰςנֻקַּרְתֶּֽם׃ὠρύχατε

11 of the 14 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

שמעו אל׳י רודפי צדק מבקשי יהוה הביטו אל צור חצבתמה ואל מקבת בור נקרתמה

14 words on the leather.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Q8a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

שמעו אל׳י רדפי צדק מבקשי יהוה הביטו על צור [חצבתם] [ועל] מקבת בור נקרתם

11 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.

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

[שמעו] [אל׳י] [רדפי] [צדק] [מבקשי] יהוה הביטו [אל] [צור] [חצבתם] [ואל] [מקבת] [בור] [נקרתם]

1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 12 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 51:1שָׁמַעlistenlistenשָׁמַעאֶלto meto meאֶלרָדַףO [those whO [those who] pרָדַףצֶ֫דֶקrighteousnerighteousnessצֶ֫דֶקבָּקַשׁ[those who][those who] seeבָּקַשׁיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהנָבַטlooklookנָבַטאֶלtotoאֶלצוּר[the] rock[the] rockצוּרחָצַב[which] you[which] you werחָצַבאֶלand toand toאֶלמַקֶּ֫בֶת[the] excav[the] excavatioמַקֶּ֫בֶתבּוֹר[the] pit[the] pitבּוֹרנָקַר[which] you[which] you werנָקַרצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקהָיָהto beto beהָיָהצוּרto confineto confineצוּרנָקַבto pierceto pierceנָקַבבּוּרto explainto explainבּוּרפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבנָשַׂגto overtakto overtakeנָשַׂגאַחַרafterafterאַחַרמֵישָׁרuprightnesuprightnessמֵישָׁראֵיפָהephahephahאֵיפָהנֶ֫פֶשׁsoulsoulנֶ֫פֶשׁדָּרַשׁto seekto seekדָּרַשׁנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָל
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 51:1

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.

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
שִׁמְע֥וּshim.'U listen H8085 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine plural
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
give ear, hear and obey
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine plural
HVqv2mp
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
אֵלַ֛י'e.Lai to me H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
רֹ֥דְפֵיRo.de.fei O [those who] pursue H7291 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
follow after, chase
Tyndale gloss
to pursue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָדַף (radaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pursue, chase, or persecute. It conveys the idea of running after something, often with hostile intent, and can also figuratively refer to following time or securing something. The word has various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hiphil, each indicating different nuances of pursuit or being pursued.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָדַף 141 vb. pursue, chase, persecute

Qal 128

pursue

lit. put to flight, chase

lit., the pursuers

chase, hunt

pursue

fig. persecute, harass

pursue, dog

fig. follow after, aim to secure

Niph. upon the neck (i.e. closely) we are pursued

Pi. pursue ardently

Pu. it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains

Hiph. usu. they chased him

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7291 רָדַף pursue, chase, persecute

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7291 radaph raw-daf'

a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent;

figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight,

follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or),

pursue(-r).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָדַף (ra.daph) — to pursue.

1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon

1a2) to persecute, harass (fig)

1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig)

1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be pursued

1b2) one pursued (participle)

1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue

1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away

1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVqrmpc
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
צֶ֖דֶקTze.dek righteousness H6664 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Amplified meaning
justice, moral integrity
Tyndale gloss
Righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness

what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

righteousness, in government

righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

rightness, in speech

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

. righteousness, in government

. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

. rightness, in speech

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek

from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also

(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X

that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)

(cause, -ly, - ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.

1) justice, rightness, righteousness

1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)

1b) righteousness (in government)

1b1) of judges, rulers, kings

1b2) of law

1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah

1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government

1b5) of God's attribute

1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)

1d) rightness (in speech)

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity

1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption

1f2) in name of Messianic king

1f3) of people enjoying salvation

1f4) of Cyrus

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.

This name means justice, righteousness

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

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

ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent

2. Social Customs and Righteousness

3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power

4. Righteousness as Inner

5. Righteousness as Social

6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth

LITERATURE

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:

In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Righteousness

See JUSTIFICATION.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,

→ By faith Ge 15:6; Ro 4:3,5,9,11,13,20,22,24

→ Garment of Job 29:14; Mt 22:11-14

→ Counted (regarded) for the sake of obedience De 6:25; Job 33:26

→ FRUITS OF De 6:25; Jos 22:31; Ps 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; 101:3,4; 106:3; 112:4-8; Pr 2:5-20; 10:2,16; 11:5,6,18,19,30; 12:28; 13:6; 14:34; 21:3; 29:7; Isa…

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
מְבַקְשֵׁ֣יme.vak.Shei [those who] seek H1245 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural common
225× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Amplified meaning
search for, desire
Tyndale gloss
to seek
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek

Pi.

seek to find

seek to secure

seek the face

desire, demand

require, exact

exact equivalent or penalty for

(late) ask, request

Pu. be sought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1245 baqash baw-kash'

a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically

in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,

beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,

(make) request, require, seek (for).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.

1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to seek to find

1a2) to seek to secure

1a3) to seek the face

1a4) to desire, demand

1a5) to require, exact

1a6) to ask, request

1b) (Pual) to be sought

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVprmpc
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
יְהוָ֑הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the divine Redeemer
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
הַבִּ֙יטוּ֙ha.Bi.tu look H5027 Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
69× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to look or regard something carefully. It can also mean to show favor or care for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe how God looks at his people with favor and care, as seen in Psalm 138:6.
Amplified meaning
regard, gaze
Tyndale gloss
to look
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look

Pi. look

Hiph. look

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5027 נָבַט look

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5027 nabat naw-bat'

a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by

implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause

to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.

1) to look, regard

1a) (Piel) to look

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) tolook

1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider

1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
HVhv2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

look:

(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek

(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11;

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
צ֣וּרtzur [the] rock H6697 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A rock or boulder, often used to describe God as a refuge, like in Psalm 18:2.
Amplified meaning
stone, foundation
Tyndale gloss
rock
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often referring to a sharp rock or boulder. It can also signify a refuge or an edge, and is used in various contexts, including references to God as a rock. The word is built from the root associated with strong, compressed formations, and it appears in different forms, such as in the phrase 'rock of God.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צוּר n.m. rock, cliff

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6697 צוּר rock, cliff

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6697 tsuwr tsoor

or tsur {tsoor}; from 6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock,

as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a

refuge; also an edge (as precipitous):--edge, X (mighty) God

(one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong. See also

1049.

see HEBREW for 06696

see HEBREW for 01049

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צוּר (tsur) — Rocks (of Goats).

Combined with ya.el (יָעֵל "Wildgoats'" H3277)

This name means rock, cliff

צוּר (tsur) — rock.

1) rock, cliff

1a) rocky wall, cliff

1b) rock (with flat surface)

1c) block of stone, boulder

1d) rock (specific)

1e) rock (of God)

1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei

1g) Rock

Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)

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

rok ((1) cela`; (2) tsur (3) challamish, "flint"; compare Arabic khalanbus, "flint"; (4) kephim (Job 30:6; Jer 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (Joh 1:42 the King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra):

1. Names:

Tsur and cela` are the words most often found, and there is no well-defined distinction between them. They are frequently coupled together in the parallelism which is characteristic of the Hebrew writers: e.g.

"Be thou to me a strong rock (tsur),

A house of defense to save me.

For thou art my rock (tsela) and my fortress"

(Ps 31:2,3).

"He clave rocks (tsur) in the wilderness,

And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Rock

(Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated “mountain.” It ought to be translated “rock,” as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The “rock” from which the stone is cut there signifies the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Struck by Moses for water De 8:15; Ps 78:15,16,20

→ Houses in Jer 49:16; Ob 1:3; Mt 7:24,25

→ Oil from Job 29:6; De 32:13

→ A name of God De 32:4

→ FIGURATIVE 2Sa 22:32,47; 23:3; Ps 18:2; 31:2; 40:2; Isa 17:10; 32:2; Mt 16:18;

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
חֻצַּבְתֶּ֔םchu.tzav.Tem [which] you were dug H2672 Verb · Pual · perfect second person masculine plural
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hew means to cut or carve wood, stone, or other materials, like the skilled laborers who built Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings. This word is used to describe various tasks, from quarrying to engraving.
Amplified meaning
hewn, carved
Tyndale gloss
to hew
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָצַב (chatsab) means to hew, cut, or carve materials like wood and stone. It encompasses various actions such as digging, dividing, and engraving. The word appears in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of cutting and shaping. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָצַב] חָצֵב vb. hew, hew out, cleave

Qal

hew out, (dig)

hew stone

appar. hew wood

metaph. hew in pieces

Niph. be cut, hewn, graven (words on rock)

Pu. fig., hewn out of rock

Hiph. hew in pieces

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2672 [חָצַב] חָצֵב hew, hew out, cleave

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2672 chatsab khaw-tsab'

or chatseb {khaw-tsabe'}; a primitive root ; to cut or carve

(wood), stone or other material); by implication, to hew,

split, square, quarry, engrave:--cut, dig, divide, grave, hew

(out, -er), made, mason.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָצַב (cha.tsav) — to hew.

1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hew out, dig

1a2) to hew

1a2a) stone

1a2b) wood

1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.)

1a4) to divide, cleave

1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved

1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces

1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Perf-2mp — Verb · Pual · perfect second person masculine plural
HVPp2mp
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
וְאֶל־ve.'el- and to H413 Conjunction · preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
מַקֶּ֥בֶתma.Ke.vet [the] excavation of H4718 Noun common · feminine singular construct
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A hole or perforation, also a hammer that makes holes, like a quarry or excavation site in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
hole, pit
Tyndale gloss
hammer
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַקֶּ֫בֶת (maqqebeth) refers to both a 'hammer' and a 'hole' or 'excavation.' It is derived from a root meaning to pierce, indicating its use in driving nails as well as creating perforations. The only specific Old Testament reference noted is in Isaiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַקֶּ֫בֶת n.f. hammer (by means of which one drives in nails and pegs)

base

מַקֶּבֶת n.f. hole, excavation;—only cstr. Is 51:1

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4718a מַקֶּ֫בֶת hammer H4718b מַקֶּבֶת hole, excavation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4718 maqqebeth mak-keh'-beth

from 5344; properly, a perforator, i.e. a hammer (as

piercing); also (intransitively) a perforation, i.e. a

quarry:--hammer, hole.

see HEBREW for 05344

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַקֶּ֫בֶת (maq.qe.vet) — hammer.

hammer, perforator

Also means: maq.qa.vah (מַקָּבָה "hammer" H4717)

מַקֶּבֶת (maq.qe.vet) — hole.

hole, excavation, perforation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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…

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
בּ֖וֹרBor [the] pit H953 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Tyndale gloss
pit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹר (bor) refers to a pit, well, or cistern, often used for water storage or as a dungeon. It can also denote a grave pit. The term appears in various contexts, including the specific location known as the cistern of Sirah, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:26. The entries consistently emphasize its function as a hole or pit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹר n.m. pit, cistern, well

cistern, containing water, made by digging

later appar. well

pit

dungeon

(poet. & late; never c. art.) pit of the grave

base

בּוֹר הַסִּרָה n.pr.loc. 2 S 3:26 (cistern of Sirah)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H953a בּוֹר pit, cistern, well H953b בּוֹר הַסִּרָה (cistern of Sirah)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

953 bowr bore

from 952 (in the sense of 877); a pit hole (especially one

used as a cistern or a prison):--cistern, dungeon, fountain,

pit, well.

see HEBREW for 0952

see HEBREW for 0877

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹר (bor) — pit.

pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave

בּוֹר (bor) — Cistern.

Cistern of Sirah

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The word translates different Hebrew words of which the most important are:

(1) bor, "pit" or "cistern," made by digging, (Ge 37:20); hence, "dungeon" (Jer 38:6, margin "pit");

(2) be'er, "pit" or "well" made by digging (Ge 21:25);

(3) she'ol, generally rendered "hell" in the King James Version (see HELL);

(4) shachath, a pit in the ground to catch wild animals. (1), (2) and (4) above are used metaphorically of the pit of the "grave" or of "sheol" (Ps 28:1; 30:3; Job 33:24). the King James Version sometimes incorrectly renders (4) by "corruption."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Pit

A hole in the ground (Ex. 21:33, 34), a cistern for water (Gen. 37:24; Jer. 14:3), a vault (41:9), a grave (Ps. 30:3). It is used as a figure for mischief (Ps. 9:15), and is the name given to the unseen place of woe (Rev. 20:1, 3). The slime-pits in the vale of Siddim were wells which yielded asphalt (Gen. 14:10).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[HELL]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A reservoir, either natural or artificial, for water. Pits were sometimes used as dungeons, Ge 37:20; Jer 38:6; or being slightly covered, and baited, they served as traps to catch wild beasts, a device which illustrates the plots of designing men and women, Ps 119:85; Pr 22:14; 26:27; Eze 19:4. The word pit is also used to denote the grave, Ps 28:1; 30:3,9; and hell, Re 20:1.

listen to me O [those who] pursue righteousness [those who] seek Yahweh look to [the] rock [which] you were dug and to [the] excavation of [the] pit [which] you were dug out
נֻקַּרְתֶּֽם׃nu.kar.Tem [which] you were dug out H5365 Verb · Pual · perfect second person masculine plural
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to dig or bore into something, like picking or quarrying stone. It describes a sense of penetration or excavation, often used to create a hole or opening. In the Bible, it is used to describe the act of digging a well or uncovering a hidden truth.
Amplified meaning
digged, extracted
Tyndale gloss
to dig
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָקַר (naqar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bore, pick, or dig. It encompasses actions like penetrating or quarrying, with variations in form indicating different nuances, such as boring out or being dug out. The word appears in contexts related to physical digging or piercing, but specific Old Testament verses are not cited in the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָקַר] vb. bore, pick, dig

Qal both of boring, or picking out eye

Pi. both of boring out eyes

Pu. the quarry (fr. wh.) ye were digged.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5365 נָקַר bore, pick, dig

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5365 naqar naw-kar'

a primitive root; to bore (penetrate, quarry):--dig, pick

out, pierce, put (thrust) out.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָקַר (na.qar) — to dig.

1) to bore, pick, dig, pick out

1a) (Qal) to bore, pick, dig

1b) (Piel) to bore out

1c) (Pual) to be dug out

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Perf-2mp — Verb · Pual · perfect second person masculine plural
HVPp2mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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