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Isaiah 8:22 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְאֶל־ אֶ֖רֶץ יַבִּ֑יט וְהִנֵּ֨ה צָרָ֤ה וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙ מְע֣וּף צוּקָ֔ה וַאֲפֵלָ֖ה מְנֻדָּֽח׃

BSAThen they will looknâbaṭ [gaze attentively] toʼêl the earthʼerets [land, territory] and seehinnêh only distresstsârâh [trouble, adversity] and darknesschăshêkâh [a state of gloom, dimness] and the gloommâʻûwph [deep gloom, thick darkness] of anguishtsôwq [extreme pain, vexation] And they will be drivennâdach [banished, expelled] into utter darknessʼăphêlâh [thick, complete, a state of blackness, no light]

Word
Listen & take awayIsaiah 8
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 22 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 (me.nu.Dach) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Isaiah 8:22quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse depicts a bleak outlook for those who turn away from God, emphasizing their despair and darkness.
Who is speakingThe prophet Isaiah, warning the people about their spiritual state.
Where we areThis passage is part of a warning about the consequences of ignoring God's guidance.
The hard wordמְנֻדָּח
Take awayThe imagery conveys a deep sense of anguish and separation from light.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָבַט The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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

Deep Study — Isaiah 8:22

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 Turning Away from Godgenerated

19When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
21They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God.
22Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

Isaiah 8:22 describes the dire state of those who seek guidance from the dead rather than from God. The preceding verses emphasize the importance of consulting God and adhering to His law, warning that ignoring His guidance leads to despair and darkness. This context serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual consequences of turning away from divine instruction.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 5:30In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
2Isaiah 9:1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
32 Chronicles 15:5–6In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts.
4Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.
5Jeremiah 30:6–7Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?

The Key Word מְנֻדָּח, me.nu.Dachgenerated

The word מְנֻדָּח (me.nu.Dach) is a passive participle derived from the root נָדַח (nadach), meaning to banish or thrust away. It describes a state of being driven out or expelled, emphasizing the severity of the separation from light and hope.

In this verse, it illustrates the fate of those who turn away from God, highlighting their utter exclusion from His presence and the resulting darkness they face.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase driven into utter darkness, aligning closely with the KJV and ASV that also convey a strong sense of expulsion into darkness.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb יַבִּ֑יט (ya.Bit), meaning 'it will look', governs the sentence, with several phrases providing context about what is seen. The structure emphasizes the progression from looking to the earth to the realization of distress and darkness.

The use of conjunctions and noun phrases creates a layered description of the bleak state, culminating in the participial phrase מְנֻדָּח (me.nu.Dach), which highlights the finality of their banishment.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֶרֶץ as γῆν (gēn), meaning 'earth', which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may reflect a broader understanding of the earth's condition.

The choice of ἀπορία for מְע֣וּף suggests a deeper interpretation of gloom, indicating a state of confusion or lack of direction, further emphasizing the despair described.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Isaiah 8:22 shows that when people turn away from God, they will look to the earth and see only trouble and darkness. They will be thrust into complete darkness, emphasizing the consequences of ignoring divine guidance.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be driven into utter darkness?

Being driven into utter darkness signifies a complete separation from light and hope, reflecting the consequences of turning away from God.

Why is there a warning against consulting the dead?

Consulting the dead signifies a rejection of God's guidance, leading to spiritual confusion and despair.

How does this verse connect to the surrounding context?

This verse serves as a culmination of warnings about the consequences of ignoring God's law, emphasizing the resulting anguish and darkness.

What is the significance of the imagery used in this verse?

The imagery of darkness and distress highlights the seriousness of spiritual neglect and the dire outcomes of seeking guidance outside of God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I seek guidance in my life, and how can I ensure it aligns with God's will?
  2. How can I recognize the signs of spiritual darkness in my own life?
  3. What steps can I take to turn back to God when I feel lost or in distress?
  4. How does understanding this verse change my perspective on seeking help in difficult times?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Isaiah 8:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And they shall look unto the earth,.... As persons in distress, upwards and downwards, backwards and forwards, on the right hand and on the left, particularly into the land of Judea; a land that used

Read John Gill on Isaiah 8 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 8 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They shall look unto the earth; finding no help from heaven, they turn their eyes downward, looking hither and thither for comfort. Trouble and darkness. &c.; many words expressing the same thing are put together, to signify the variety, and extremity, and continuance of their miseries.

Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 8 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.Ver. 22. Trouble and darkness, &c.] A huge heap of words all to one sense; to set forth their deepest distress without all hope of help.

Read John Trapp on Isaiah 8 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22. The last words of the previous verse should be taken along with this one: and he shall look upward and shall look to the earth: and behold, &c. Whether he look to heaven or earth, no ray of hope shall appear (cf. ch. Isaiah 5:30). trouble and darkness …] Render with R.V. distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. The word here translated “gloom” is slightly different in form from that in Isaiah 9:1, and does not occur again. and they shall … darkness] Probably: and he shall be chased into thick darkness. A somewhat similar phrase in Jeremiah 23:12. Others render: “and darkness shall be driven (upon him)”; others: “but (the) darkness shall be dispelled.”

Read Cambridge on Isaiah 8 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And they shall look unto the earth - They would look upward and find no relief, and then in despair cast their eyes to the earth to obtain help there. Yet equally in vain.

Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 8 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22. Then from looking upward they look to earth again; to enchantments and sorcery they look, only to feel woes more bitter, and to see forever no dawn, NO dawn. Trouble… darkness… dimness… anguish — Accumulated images.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 8 →

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

Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

then look to the earth and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

NETBNew English Translation2006

When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and they shall look unto the earth, and, behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and they shall look unto the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And when he shall looke to the earth, beholde trouble, and darkenes, vexation and anguish, and he is driuen to darkenes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and they will look to the earth; and behold, trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they shall be driven into thick darkness.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And unto the land it looketh attentively, And lo, adversity and darkness! — Dimness, distress, and thick darkness is driven away, But not the dimness for which she is in distress!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And it looks attentively to the land, || And behold, adversity and darkness! Dimness, distress, and thick darkness are driven away, || But not the dimness for which she is in distress!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And they will look unto the earth; and behold there are trouble and darkness, dimness of oppression, and they shall be scattered into obscurity.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They will look at the earth and see distress, darkness, and oppressive gloom. They will be driven into a land of darkness.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And they shall look to the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, weakness and distress, and a mist following them, and they cannot fly away from their distress.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Then they will look towards the earth and see only misery and gloom and agonizing depression, and they will be thrown out into the darkness.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he will be looking down on the earth, and there will be trouble and dark clouds, black night where there is no seeing.

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.

וְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoאֶ֖רֶץ[the].earthverbיַבִּ֑יטit.will.lookוְandclauseclauseהִנֵּ֨הthere!clausenoun phrase · predicateצָרָ֤הtroubleוַandחֲשֵׁכָה֙darknessnoun phraseמְע֣וּףgloomצוּקָ֔הof.distressוַandclauseadverbialאֲפֵלָ֖הdarknessverbמְנֻדָּֽח[it.is].thrust.out

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


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

וְאֶל־ אֶ֖רֶץ יַבִּ֑יט וְהִנֵּ֨ה צָרָ֤ה וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙ מְע֣וּף צוּקָ֔ה וַאֲפֵלָ֖ה מְנֻדָּֽח׃ from the Masoretic Text aligns closely with the Dead Sea Scrolls, indicating consistency in the wording. The Septuagint matches 8 of the 10 words, though its structure differs.

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

וְאֶל־ אֶ֖רֶץ יַבִּ֑יט וְהִנֵּ֨ה צָרָ֤ה וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙ מְע֣וּף צוּקָ֔ה וַאֲפֵלָ֖ה מְנֻדָּֽח׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאֶל־εἰςאֶ֖רֶץγῆνיַבִּ֑יטἐμβλέψονταιוְהִנֵּ֨הἰδοὺצָרָ֤הθλῖψιςוַחֲשֵׁכָה֙σκότοςמְע֣וּףἀπορίαוַאֲפֵלָ֖הσκότος

8 of the 10 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

ואל הארץ יביט והנה צרה וחשוכה מעיף צוקה ואפלה מנדח

10 words on the leather.

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


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

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

Isaiah 8:22אֶלand toand toאֶלאֶ֫רֶץ[the] earth[the] earthאֶ֫רֶץנָבַטit will looit will lookנָבַטהִנֵּהand there!and there!הִנֵּהבַּצָּרָהtroubletroubleבַּצָּרָהחֲשֵׁכָהand darknesand darknessחֲשֵׁכָהמָעוּףgloom ofgloom ofמָעוּףצוֹקdistressdistressצוֹקאֲפֵלָהand gloomand gloomאֲפֵלָהנָדַח[it is] thr[it is] thrust נָדַחחָשַׁךְto darkento darkenחָשַׁךְעוּףto flyto flyעוּףצוּקto pressto pressצוּקהֵןlook!look!הֵןצַרnarrownarrowצַראָפֵלgloomgloomאָפֵלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָלשָׁמַיheavenheavenשָׁמַינֶ֫גַעplagueplagueנֶ֫גַעחֲלוֹםdreamdreamחֲלוֹםעֵתtimetimeעֵתיָשַׁעto saveto saveיָשַׁעהִנֵּהbeholdbeholdהִנֵּההָלַךְto go: walto go: walkהָלַךְ
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 8:22

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 to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust 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
and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
אֶ֖רֶץ'E.retz [the] earth H776 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
2,504× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Amplified meaning
land, territory
Tyndale gloss
land: soil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land

earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

earth, opp. to heaven, sky

earth = inhabitants of earth

land =

country, territory

district, region

trial territory

piece of ground

specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

= inhabitants of land

used even of Shᵉʼôl

ground, surface of ground

soil, as productive

אֶרֶץ in phrases

people of the land

in measurements of distance

the country of the plain, level or plain country

land of the living

end(s) of the earth

pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)

. earth, opp. to heaven, sky

. earth = inhabitants of earth

. land = . country, territory

. district, region

. trial territory

. piece of ground

. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel

. = inhabitants of land

. used even of Shᵉʼôl

. . ground, surface of ground

. soil, as productive

. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land

. in measurements of distance

. the country of the plain, level or plain country

. land of the living

. end(s) of the earth

. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

776 'erets eh'-rets

from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth

(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,

field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.

: country/field

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

1b2) district, region

1b3) tribal territory

1b4) piece of ground

1b5) land of Canaan, Israel

1b6) inhabitants of land

1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world

1b8) city (-state)

1c) ground, surface of the earth

1c1) ground

1c2) soil

1d) (in phrases)

1d1) people of the land

1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)

1d3) level or plain country

1d4) land of the living

1d5) end(s) of the earth

1e) (almost wholly late in usage)

1e1) lands, countries

1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.

: soil

1) land, earth

1a) earth

1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)

1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)

1a3) earth (inhabitants)

1b) land

1b1) country, territory

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):

In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.

'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Earth

(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.

(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.

Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2

and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
יַבִּ֑יטya.Bit it will look H5027 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
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
gaze attentively
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-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
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;

and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
וְהִנֵּ֨הve.hi.Neh and there! H2009 Conjunction · particle
843× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
behold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2009 hinneh hin-nay'

prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.

see HEBREW for 02005

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.

behold, lo, see, if

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tj
and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
צָרָ֤הtza.Rah trouble H6869 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A vexer is someone who causes trouble or distress, like a rival wife, used in the Bible to describe relationships or situations that cause anguish or affliction, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
trouble, adversity
Tyndale gloss
dearth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צָרָה (*tsarah*) is built from the root meaning tightness or trouble. It covers a range of meanings including dearth, distress, and adversary, as well as specifically referring to a rival wife. The entries note its use in contexts of adversity and anguish, with a specific reference to 1 Samuel 1:6.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּצָּרָה n.f. dearth, destitution

base

צָרָה 72 n.f. id. [r.dz.ac] straits, distress

base

[צָרָה] n.f. vexer, rival-wife;—sf. 1 S 1:6.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6869a בַּצָּרָה dearth, destitution H6869b צָרָה id. [6862b] H6869c צָרָה vexer, rival-wife

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6869 tsarah tsaw-raw'

feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble);

transitively, a female rival:--adversary, adversity,

affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.

see HEBREW for 06862

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah) — dearth.

death, destitution

צָרָה (tsa.rah) — distress.

straits, distress, trouble

צָרָה (tsa.rah) — vexer.

vexer, rival wife

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ BORROWING Mt 6:25-34; Mr 5:35,36; Joh 14:1; 16:6,7; Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7

See AFFLICTION

See SUFFERING

→ INSTANCES OF

Israelites at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-12

About water Ex 15:23-25; 17:2,3; Nu 20:1-13

Food Ex 16:2,3; Nu 11:4-33

When Moses waited upon the mountain Ex 32:1

and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙va.cha.she.Khah and darkness H2825 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means darkness, and it can also mean a time of sadness or trouble. It is used in the book of Exodus to describe the darkness that fell upon Egypt. The Psalmist also uses this word to describe a time of distress.
Amplified meaning
a state of gloom, dimness
Tyndale gloss
darkness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲשֵׁכָה (chashekah) means 'darkness,' primarily used in a poetic context. It is derived from the root word for darkness, חֶשְׁכָה (cheshkah), which also conveys a sense of misery. The term is noted in various lexicons, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲשֵׁכָה n.f. darkness (chiefly poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2825 חֲשֵׁכָה darkness (chiefly poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2825 chashekah khash-ay-kaw'

or chashekah {khash-ay-kaw'}; from 2821; darkness;

figuratively, misery:--darkness.

see HEBREW for 02821

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲשֵׁכָה (cha.she.khah) — darkness.

darkness

Also means: chesh.khah (חֶשְׁכָה "dark" H2824)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
HC/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Darkness

The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (ver. 23).

When Jesus hung upon the cross (Matt. 27:45; Luke 23:44), from the “sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.”

On Mount Sinai, Moses (Ex. 20:21) “drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” This was the “thick cloud upon the mount” in which Jehovah was when he spake unto Moses there. The Lord dwelt in the cloud upon the mercy-seat (1 Kings…

is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (Job 10:21,22) and frequently, figuratively, for ignorance and unbelief, as the privation of spiritual light. (

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The absence of natural light, Ge 1:2, and hence figuratively a state of misery and adversity, Job 18:6 Ps 107:10 Isa 8:22 9:1; also the absence of the sun and stars, and hence the fall of chief men and national convulsions, Isa 13:10 Ac 2:20. "Works of darkness," are the impure mysteries practiced in heathen worship, Eph 5:11. "Outer darkness" illustrates the gloom of those on whom the gates of heaven are closed, Mt 8:12. The darkness in Egypt,

→ Over the face of the earth Ge 1:2; Job 38:9; Jer 4:23

→ Called NIGHT Ge 1:5

→ God creates Isa 45:7

→ Miraculous

In Egypt Ex 10:21,22; Ps 105:28

At Mount Sinai Ex 20:21; Heb 12:18

At the crucifixion Mt 27:45; Mr 15:33

→ FIGURATIVE

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
מְע֣וּףme.'Uf gloom of H4588 Noun common · masculine singular construct
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means darkness or gloom, describing a lack of light. It is used in the Bible to describe a somber or sad atmosphere. In the KJV, it is translated as dimness.
Amplified meaning
deep gloom, thick darkness
Tyndale gloss
gloom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָעוּף (ma`uwph) refers to a state of gloom or dimness. It is derived from a root meaning to cover with shade, and is associated with darkness. The term appears in Isaiah 8:22, where it conveys a sense of obscurity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מָעוּף] n.[m.] id. [מוּעָף];—cstr. Is 8:22

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4588 מָעוּף id. [מוּעָף]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4588 ma`uwph maw-off'

from 5774 in the sense of covering with shade (compare 4155);

darkness:--dimness.

see HEBREW for 05774

see HEBREW for 04155

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָעוּף (ma.uph) — gloom.

gloom

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
צוּקָ֔הtzu.Kah distress H6695 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A feeling of anguish or distress, like being in a tight spot, as expressed in Job 15:24.
Amplified meaning
extreme pain, vexation
Tyndale gloss
distress
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צוֹק (tsowq) and its feminine form צוּקָה (tsu.qah) both relate to the concept of distress or pressure. They are derived from a root meaning 'to be narrow' or 'to be in a strait,' covering meanings like anguish and constraint. The entries emphasize the figurative use of these terms in contexts of emotional or physical distress.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צוֹק n.[m.] constraint, distress

base

צוּקָה n.f. pressure, distress

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6695a צוֹק constraint, distress H6695b צוּקָה pressure, distress

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6695 tsowq tsoke

or (feminine) tsuwqah {tsoo-kaw'}; from 6693; a strait, i.e.

(figuratively) distress:--anguish, X troublous.

see HEBREW for 06693

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צוֹק (tsoq) — distress.

1) constraint, distress, strait

1a) distress, anguish (fig.)

צוּקָה (tsu.qah) — anguish.

pressure, distress

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
וַאֲפֵלָ֖הva.'a.fe.Lah and gloom H653 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes a state of darkness or gloom, often used to describe a difficult or trying time. In the book of Isaiah, it is used to describe a time of sadness and despair.
Amplified meaning
thick, complete, a state of blackness, no light
Tyndale gloss
darkness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲפֵלָה (aphelah) is a feminine noun meaning darkness or gloominess, and it can also refer to calamity or misfortune. It is derived from a related term that emphasizes concealment. The entries highlight its use in both concrete and figurative contexts, including associations with wickedness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲפֵלָה n.f. darkness, gloominess, calamity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H653 אֲפֵלָה darkness, gloominess, calamity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

653 'aphelah af-ay-law'

feminine of 651; duskiness, figuratively, misfortune;

concrete, concealment:--dark, darkness, gloominess, X thick.

see HEBREW for 0651

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲפֵלָה (a.phe.lah) — darkness.

1) darkness, gloominess, calamity

2) wickedness (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absolute
HC/Ncfsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] earth it will look and there! trouble and darkness gloom of distress and gloom [it is] thrust out
מְנֻדָּֽח׃me.nu.Dach [it is] thrust out H5080 Verb · Pual · participle (passive) masculine singular
55× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To banish or drive away, used in various contexts, such as expelling someone from a community, as seen in the story of David and Absalom.
Amplified meaning
banished, expelled
Tyndale gloss
to banish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָדַח (nadach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to impel, thrust, or banish. It encompasses a variety of actions, including driving away, compelling, and being thrust out or banished. The word appears in different forms, indicating various nuances such as being hunted or thrust into darkness. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָדַח] vb. impel, thrust, banish

Qal trans.

impel (i.e. wield) an axe

thrust away, banish

Niph.

be impelled

be thrust out, banished

driven away (fr. herd, i.e.) straying

thrust away, aside

Pu. thrust into darkness

Hiph.

thrust, move, impel

thrust out, banish

thrust away, aside

compel, force, subj. adulteress (by flattery)

Hoph. chased, hunted

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5080 [נָדַח] impel, thrust, banish .trans. . impel (i.e. wield) an axe

. thrust away, banish

. . be impelled

. be thrust out, banished

. driven away (fr. herd, i.e.) straying

. thrust away, aside

. thrust into darkness

. . thrust, move, impel

. thrust out, banish

. thrust away, aside

. compel, force, subj. adulteress (by flattery)

. chased, hunted

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5080 nadach naw-dakh'

a primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of

applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead,

strike, inflict, etc.):--banish, bring, cast down (out),

chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a

stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָדַח (na.dach) — to banish.

1) to impel, thrust, drive away, banish

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to impel

1a2) to thrust away, banish

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be impelled

1b2) to be thrust out, be banished

1b2a) banished, outcast (participle)

1b3) to be driven away

1b4) to be thrust away, thrust aside

1c) (Pual) to be thrust into

1c1) thrust (participle)

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to thrust, move, impel

1d2) to thrust out, banish

1d3) to thrust away, thrust aside

1e) (Hophal) to be chased, be hunted

1e1) chased, hunted (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Inf-c — Verb · Pual · participle (passive) masculine singular
HVPsmsa
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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