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Judges 20:43 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּתְּר֤וּ אֶת־ בִּנְיָמִן֙ הִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּ מְנוּחָ֖ה הִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּ עַ֛ד נֹ֥כַח הַגִּבְעָ֖ה מִמִּזְרַח־ שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

BSAThey surroundedkâthar [enclosed, compassed] the BenjamitesBinyâmîyn [son of the right hand, the youngest son of Jacob] pursued themrâdaph [chased with hostile intent] and easilymᵉnûwchâh [with ease, at their resting place] overtook themdârak in the vicinityʻad [before, near] of GibeahGibʻâh [a city in Palestine, the birthplace of King Saul] on the eastshemesh [the direction of the sunrise, toward the sun-rising]

Word
Listen & take awayJudges 20
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 43 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 (Sha.mesh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Judges 20:43quick helps
In a sentenceThe Israelites surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and overtook them near Gibeah.
Who is speakingThe narrator recounts a battle involving the Israelite tribes against the tribe of Benjamin.
Where we areThis passage describes a critical moment in the conflict between Israel and Benjamin.
The hard wordכִּתְּר֤וּ
Take awayThe Israelite forces effectively contained and defeated the Benjamites.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbכָּתַר 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 — Judges 20:43

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 Battle Against Benjamingenerated

42So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there.
43They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.
44And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor.
45Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more.

Judges 20:43 describes a decisive moment in the conflict between the Israelite tribes and the tribe of Benjamin. After a series of battles, the Israelites successfully surrounded the Benjamites, who were fleeing. This verse highlights the tactical advantage the Israelites had in the battle, leading to the defeat of the Benjamites. The narrative reflects the gravity of the situation and the consequences of the conflict, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Joshua 8:20–22When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word כִּתְּר֤וּ, ki.te.Rugenerated

The verb כָּתַר (kathar) means to surround or encircle, emphasizing the action of enclosing the Benjamites during the conflict. The Piel form indicates a deliberate and forceful action, reflecting the hostile intent of the Israelites as they sought to capture their opponents.

This word conveys a sense of both physical and strategic encirclement, which is crucial in the context of battle. The act of surrounding implies a complete enclosure, cutting off escape routes and asserting dominance over the situation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the verb כִּתְּר֤וּ is rendered as surrounded, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main action is driven by the finite verb כִּתְּר֤וּ, they surrounded, which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes several clauses detailing the actions taken by the Israelites: surrounding, pursuing, and overtaking.

The sentence is structured to convey a sequence of actions, with each verb representing a critical step in the Israelites' military strategy against the Benjamites.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates כִּתְּר֤וּ as περίκλυσαν, which means 'they surrounded' but carries a slightly different nuance, suggesting a more encompassing action. This choice indicates a broader interpretation of the Israelites' tactical maneuvers.

The use of περίκλυσαν in the Septuagint may imply a more comprehensive encirclement, emphasizing the totality of the Israelites' control over the Benjamites.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Judges 20:43 tells us that the Israelites surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them near Gibeah. This moment highlights the effectiveness of the Israelite strategy in the battle against the tribe of Benjamin.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that they surrounded the Benjamites?

Surrounding the Benjamites means that the Israelites enclosed them on all sides, preventing their escape and asserting control during the battle.

Why did the Israelites pursue the Benjamites?

The pursuit was driven by a desire to defeat the Benjamites after they had fled, reflecting the intensity of the conflict between the tribes.

What is the significance of Gibeah in this context?

Gibeah is significant as it is a key location in the battle, being both a geographical reference and the birthplace of King Saul, which adds historical weight to the events described.

How does this verse connect to the surrounding verses?

This verse connects to the surrounding verses by illustrating the climax of the conflict and the consequences faced by the Benjamites, as many fell in battle.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What strategies can I learn from the Israelites' approach to conflict resolution?
  2. How can I apply the concept of surrounding in a protective or supportive way in my relationships?
  3. What lessons about leadership and strategy can I draw from this battle narrative?
  4. In what areas of my life do I need to be more decisive and take action like the Israelites did?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Judges 20:43 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Thus they enclosed the Benjaminites round about,.... Surrounded them on all sides, the army of Israel being posted in different places, and people coming out of all the cities to their assistance.

Read John Gill on Judges 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Judges 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

With ease; without great difficulty. Now that God gave them his presence and assistance, they easily did that which before they found too hard for them. Or, unto Menuchah; or, as far as Menuchah; a place so called. See .

Read Matthew Poole on Judges 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Judges 20:43 [Thus] they inclosed the Benjamites round about, [and] chased them, [and] trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.Ver. 43. And chased them, and trode them.] These things are recorded, that people may see the woe of war, and take heed of sin, the cause of it.

Read John Trapp on Judges 20 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) A strong and poetic description of the total rout and massacre which ensued. With ease.—There is no “with” in the Hebrew, but perhaps it may be understood. The LXX. and Luther make it mean “from Noria.” Others render it “in their rest,” i.e., in the places to which they fled for refuge. The Vulg. paraphrases it: “Nor was there any repose of the dying.” But the whole verse is obscure.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Judges 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

43. The unidiomatic style (and … and are not in the original), together with the obscurity of the sense, prove that the text is corrupt. Of the various attempts to emend it, the following is as plausible as any: taking the two Hebr. words for the Benjamites … chased them as a doublet of the next two at their resting place, trode them down, and omitting the latter, we may read they cut down (LXX. cod. B) Benjamin and pursued him as far as over against Geba toward the sunrising. The Gibeah of the text was not E. of the flying Benjamites; as elsewhere it is confused with Geba = Jeba‘, 3 m. N.E. of Tell el-Fûl. Jeba‘ lies on the way to Rammôn; but before the fugitives could reach their place of…

Read Cambridge on Judges 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The language and construction of this verse is poetical; it seems to be an extract from a song, and to describe, in the language of poetry, the same event which the preceding verse described in that of prose.

Read Albert Barnes on Judges 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

43. With ease — The Hebrew word thus rendered is better taken as a proper name, Menuchah, as in the margin.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Judges 20 →

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

They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, and trod them down at their resting place, as far as near Gibeah toward the sunrise.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They surrounded the Benjaminites, chased them from Nohah, and annihilated them all the way to a spot east of Geba.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

They inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trod them down at their resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

RVARevised Version, American1894

They enclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down at their resting place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Thus they inclosed the Benjaminites on all sides, and chased them, and trod them down with ease over against Gibeah towards the sun-rising.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thus they compassed the Beniamites about, and chased them at ease, and ouerranne them, euen ouer against Gibeah on the Eastside.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They encompassed the Benjaminites, chased them, trode them down at the resting-place over against Gibeah toward the sun-rising.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

they have compassed the Benjamites — they have pursued them — with ease they have trodden them down till over-against Gibeah, at the sun-rising.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

they have surrounded the Benjamites—they have pursued them—they have trodden them down with ease as far as the front of Gibeah, at the sun-rising.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

They enclosed the Benjamites round about, chased them, they overtook them in their places of rest, as far as opposite to Gib'ah toward the rising of the sun.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and trampled them down at Nohah, all the way to the east side of Gibeah.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And so it was, that they were slain on both sides by the enemies, and there was no rest of their men dying. They fell and were beaten down on the east side of the city Gabaa.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Chasing after the Benjamites, the Israelites surrounded them, easily overtaking them east of Gibeah.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And crushing Benjamin down, they went after them, driving them from Nohah as far as the east side of Gibeah.

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.

clauseverbכִּתְּר֤וּthey.surroundednoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)בִּנְיָמִן֙Benjaminclauseverbהִרְדִיפֻ֔theyobjectהוּpursued.himclauseadverbialמְנוּחָ֖הrestverbהִדְרִיכֻ֑theyobjectהוּtrod.him.downprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֛דtoprepositional phraseנֹ֥כַחoppositenoun phraseהַ(the)גִּבְעָ֖הGibeahprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfrom.[the]noun phraseמִּזְרַחrisingשָֽׁמֶשׁof.[the].sun

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 Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with 8 of the 11 words matched. However, the Septuagint's word order and articles differ from the Hebrew text, reflecting its own syntactical structure.

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

כִּתְּר֤וּ אֶת־ בִּנְיָמִן֙ הִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּ מְנוּחָ֖ה הִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּ עַ֛ד נֹ֥כַח הַגִּבְעָ֖ה מִמִּזְרַח־ שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בִּנְיָמִן֙βενιαμινהִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּαὐτὸνהִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּαὐτοῦעַ֛דἕωςנֹ֥כַחἀπέναντιהַגִּבְעָ֖הγαβααמִמִּזְרַח־ἀνατολὰςשָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ἡλίου

8 of the 11 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.

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.

Judges 20:43כָּתַרthey surrouthey surroundedכָּתַראֵתthe object the object markאֵתבִּנְיָמִיןBenjaminBenjaminבִּנְיָמִיןרָדַףthey pursuethey pursued hiרָדַףמְנוּחָהrestrestמְנוּחָהדָּרַךְthey trod dthey trod down דָּרַךְעַדtotoעַדנֹ֫כַחoppositeoppositeנֹ֫כַחגִּבְעָהGibeahGibeahגִּבְעָהמִזְרָחfrom [the] from [the] risiמִזְרָחשֶׁ֫מֶשׁ[the] sun[the] sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁזָרַחto riseto riseזָרַחאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתבֵּןson: childson: childבֵּןמָנוֹחַManoahManoahמָנוֹחַנֹ֫כַחfront, alwfront, always iנֹ֫כַחגִּבְעָהGibeatGibeatגִּבְעָהבֵּיתHeliopolisHeliopolisבֵּיתעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקכִּיforforכִּימִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁגִּבְעָהGibeahGibeahגִּבְעָהמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהנָשַׂגto overtakto overtakeנָשַׂגאַחַרafterafterאַחַרנוּחַto restto restנוּחַהֵידָדshoutshoutהֵידָדיֶ֫קֶבwinewineיֶ֫קֶב
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 Judges 20:43

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.

they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
כִּתְּר֤וּki.te.Ru they surrounded H3803 Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To surround something means to enclose or crown it, like when God surrounds his people with protection in Psalm 139:5.
Amplified meaning
enclosed, compassed
Tyndale gloss
to surround
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּתַר (kathar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to surround. It can refer to enclosing something in a friendly manner, such as crowning, or in a hostile sense, like besieging. The word has different forms, including the Piel and Hiphil, which emphasize the act of surrounding or encircling.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כָּתַר] vb. surround (in Pi.)

Pi. of surrounding an enemy

Hiph. throw out crowns, i.e. appear with crowns

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3803 כָּתַר surround (in Pi.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3803 kathar kaw-thar'

a primitive root; to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to

crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as

restraining oneself):--beset round, compass about, be crowned

inclose round, suffer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּתַר (ka.tar) — to surround.

1) to surround

1a) (Piel) to surround

1b) (Hiphil) to surround, encircle

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
HVpp3cp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

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

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

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

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

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

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
בִּנְיָמִן֙bin.ya.Min Benjamin H1144 Noun proper masculine
166× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Benjamin means son of the right hand, referring to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. The term is first used in Genesis 35:18. Benjamin was a brother of Joseph and a half-brother of Reuben and others.
Amplified meaning
son of the right hand, the youngest son of Jacob
Tyndale gloss
(Gate of) Benjamin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word בִּנְיָמִין (i.e., *Binyamiyn*) means 'son of the right hand.' It refers primarily to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, as well as to the tribe descended from him. The entries also mention a son of Bilhan and several individuals from the time of Ezra. Notably, the name is associated with various contexts in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּנְיָמִין n.pr.m. 166 (son of (the) right hand)—

youngest son of Jacob, so called by him, but Rachel, the mother, who died at Benjamin's birth, called בֶּן־אוֹנִ֑י (q.v.)

son of Bilhan and great-grandson of Benjamin

a Jew of Ezra's time

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1144 בִּנְיָמִין . youngest son of Jacob, so called by him, but Rachel, the mother, who died at Benjamin's birth, called בֶּן־אוֹנִ֑י (q.v.)

. son of Bilhan and great-grandson of Benjamin

. a Jew of Ezra's time

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1144 Binyamiyn bin-yaw-mene'

from 1121 and 3225; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin,

youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and

its territory:--Benjamin.

see HEBREW for 01121

see HEBREW for 03225

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּנְיָמִין (bin.ya.min) — Benjamin.

A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18;

son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354);

brother of: Joseph (H3130);

half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);

father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x

§ Benjamin = "son of the right hand"

1) Jacob's and Rachel's youngest son, Joseph's full brother

2) son of Bilhan, great-grandson of Benjamin

3) a Benjamite, one of the sons of Harim, in the time of Ezra who had taken a strange wife

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

ben'-ja-min (binyamin, or binyamin; Beniaein, Beniamin):

1. The Patriarch:

The youngest of Jacob's sons. His mother Rachel died in giving him birth. As she felt death approaching she called him Benoni, "son of my sorrow." Fearing, probably, that this might bode evil for the child--for names have always preserved a peculiar significance in the East--Jacob called him Benjamin, "son of the fight hand" (Ge 35:17 ff). He alone of Jacob's sons was born in Palestine, between Bethel and Ephrath. Later in the chapter, in the general enumeration of the children born in Paddan-ar am, the writer fails to except Benjamin (Ge 35:24). Joseph was his full brother. In the history where Benjamin appears as an object of solicitude to his father and brothers, we must not forget that he was already a…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Benjamin

Son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 35:18). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him birth, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, son of my pain, a name which was changed by his father into Benjamin. His posterity are called Benjamites (Gen. 49:27; Deut. 33:12; Josh. 18:21).

The tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one (Num. 1:36, 37; Ps. 68:27). During the march its place was along with Manasseh…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(son of the right hand, fortunate). The youngest of the children of Jacob. His birth took place on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, near the latter, B.C. 1729. His mother, Rachel, died in the act of giving him birth, naming him with her last breath Ben-oni (son of my sorrow). This was by Jacob changed into Benjamin. (Genesis 35:16,18) Until the journeys of Jacob’s sons and Jacob himself into Egypt we hear nothing of Benjamin. Nothing personal is known of him. Henceforward the history of Benjamin is the history of the tribe. A man of the tribe of Benjamin, son of bilhan, and the head of a family of warriors. (1 Chronicles 7:10) One of the "sons of Harim," an Israelite in the time of Ezra who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra…

The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Ge 35:16-18. Rachel died immediately after he was born, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, the son of my sorrow; but Jacob called him Benjamin, son of my right hand. He was a great comfort to his father, who saw in him the beloved wife he had buried, and Joseph whose loss he mourned. He could hardly be persuaded to let him go with his brethren to Egypt, Ge 42:38. The tribe of Benjamin was small at first and was almost exterminated in the days of the Judges, Jud 20:1-48, but afterwards greatly increased, 2Ch 14:8 17:17. It was valiant, Ge 49:27, and "beloved of the Lord,"…

they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
הִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּhir.di.Fu.hu they pursued him H7291 Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
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
chased with hostile intent
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-Hiphil-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVhp3cp/Sp3ms
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
מְנוּחָ֖הme.nu.Chah rest H4496 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a resting place or a state of quietness, like a peaceful home, as described in the Bible. It can also refer to marriage as a source of comfort and rest. Rest is the main idea.
Amplified meaning
with ease, at their resting place
Tyndale gloss
resting
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְנוּחָה (menuchah) refers to a resting place or rest, derived from the root word for repose. It encompasses meanings such as comfort, ease, and quietness, and can also imply a sense of consolation, particularly in the context of matrimony. The term is feminine and is related to other Hebrew words for rest.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְנוּחָה, מְנֻחָה n.f. resting-place, rest

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4496 מְנוּחָה, מְנֻחָה resting-place, rest

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4496 mnuwchah men-oo-khaw'

or mnuchah {men-oo-khaw'}; feminine of 4495; repose or

(adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation

(specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an

abode:--comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still.

see HEBREW for 04495

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְנוּחָה (me.nu.chah) — Nohah.

This name means rest, resting place

Another name of ma.na.chat (מָנַ֫חַת "Manahath" H4506A)

מְנוּחָה (me.nu.chah) — resting.

1) resting place, rest

1a) resting place

1b) rest, quietness

Also means: nu.ach (נוּחַ "rest" H5118)

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

(nuach, menuchah, "cessation from motion," "peace," "quiet," etc.; anapausis, [@katapausis): "Rest" in the above sense is of frequent occurrence, and is the translation of several words with various applications and shades of meaning, chiefly of the words given above. It is applied to God as ceasing from the work of creating on the 7th day (Ge 2:2 f) ; as having His place of rest in the midst of His people in the temple (1Ch 28:2; Ps 132:8,14); as resting in His love among His people (Ze 3:17, the Revised Version margin "Hebrew, `be silent' "). The 7th day was to be one of rest (Ex 16:23; 31:15; see SABBATH); the land also was to have its rest in the 7th year (

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Rest

(1.) Gr. katapausis, equivalent to the Hebrew word noah (Heb. 4:1).

(2.) Gr. anapausis, “rest from weariness” (Matt. 11:28).

(3.) Gr. anesis, “relaxation” (2 Thess. 1:7).

(4.) Gr. sabbatismos, a Sabbath rest, a rest from all work (Heb. 4:9; R.V., “sabbath”), a rest like that of God when he had finished the work of creation.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Ac 9:31, refers to the respite from persecution enjoyed by the Christians in Palestine, after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, during the last two years of Caligula’s short reign, A. D. 39 and 40, when the Jews were so harassed by the attempts of the emperor to force them to worship him as a god, that they forbore to afflict the followers of Christ.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Divine institutions for

See SABBATH

→ Days of Ex 23:12; 34:21

→ The annual feasts, added rest days Le 23:7,8,21,25,28,30,31,35,36; Nu 28:18,25,26; 29:1,7,12,35

→ Recommended by Jesus Mr 6:31,32; with Mt 8:18,24

→ HEAVENLY 2Th 1:7

→ SPIRITUAL Mt 11:29; Heb 4:1-11

See PEACE, SPIRITUAL

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
הִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּhid.ri.Khu.hu they trod down him H1869 Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To tread means to walk or step on something, and is used in the Bible to describe various actions, such as treading a press or leading an army. In Exodus 15:6 and Psalm 60:12, the word is used to describe God's power and leadership, highlighting His ability to guide and direct His people.
Tyndale gloss
to tread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּרַךְ (darakh) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tread or march. It encompasses a range of actions including walking, leading, and bending a bow. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, indicating both simple and causative actions. Notably, it can refer to treading down or guiding others.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּרַךְ vb. tread, march

Qal

tread, march, march forth

tread upon

tread wine- (or oil-) press

tread (i.e. bend) the bow

Hiph.

tread, tread down

tread (bend) the bow

causat. cause to tread or march, lead

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1869 דָּרַךְ tread, march

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1869 darak daw-rak'

a primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to

string a bow (by treading on it in bending):--archer, bend,

come, draw, go (over), guide, lead (forth), thresh, tread

(down), walk.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּרַךְ (da.rakh) — to tread.

1) to tread, bend, lead, march

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tread, march, march forth

1a2) to tread on, tread upon

1a3) to tread (a press)

1a4) to tread (bend) a bow

1a5) archer, bow-benders (participle)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to tread, tread down

1b2) to tread (bend with the foot) a bow

1b3) to cause to go, lead, march, tread

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVhp3cp/Sp3ms
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
עַ֛ד'ad to H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Amplified meaning
before, near
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
נֹ֥כַחNo.khach opposite H5227
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to something being in front of or before something else, often describing location or direction. Used in Deuteronomy to describe the Israelites' position relative to the Promised Land. It can also mean on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֹ֫כַח (nokach) refers to the concept of being in front of or opposite to something. It can function as a noun meaning 'front' or as an adverb and preposition indicating direction or position, such as 'before' or 'on behalf of.' The word is closely related to נֵכַח (nekhach), which also means 'before.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֹ֫כַח subst. front, always in prep. or adv. phrases

as adv. acc. in front of, opposite to

combined with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5227 נֹ֫כַח front

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5227 nokach no'-kakh

from the same as 5226; properly, the front part; used

adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front

of, forward, in behalf of:--(over) against, before,

direct(-ly), for, right (on).

see HEBREW for 05226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֹ֫כַח (no.khach) — before.

subst

1) be in front of

adv

2) in front of, opposite to, in the sight of, before, to the front, right on

prep

3) towards the front of, in front of, on behalf of, as far as in front of

Also means: ne.khach (נֵכַח "before" H5226)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmsc
HAcmsc
they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
הַגִּבְעָ֖הha.giv.'Ah Gibeah H1390 Particle · noun proper
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gibeah was a city in Palestine, specifically in the region of Benjamin, and was the birthplace of King Saul. The name means hill, and it is mentioned in various KJV translations as Gibeah or the hill.
Amplified meaning
a city in Palestine, the birthplace of King Saul
Tyndale gloss
Gibeah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבְעָה (Gib'ah) means 'hill' and refers to several locations in ancient Palestine, notably a city in the mountainous region of Judah and another in Benjamin, which is recognized as the birthplace of King Saul. The entries indicate that it is derived from a similar word, גִּבְעָה (H1389), emphasizing its geographical significance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבְעָה n.pr.loc. (hill)

a city of Judah

city of Benj.

a city of Ephraim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1390 גִּבְעָה (hill)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1390 Gib`ah ghib-aw'

the same as 1389; Gibah; the name of three places in

Palestine:--Gibeah, the hill.

see HEBREW for 01389

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeah.

§ Gibeah = "hill"

a city in the mountain district of Judah

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeah.

§ Gibeah = "hill"

a city of Benjamin, birthplace of king Saul

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-proper — Particle · noun proper
HTd/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gib'-e-a (gibh`ah, "hill"): The Hebrew word denotes generally an eminence or hill, in distinction from har, which is used for mountain, or mountain range. It occurs, however, in two instances, as a place-name. Under GEBA (which see) we have seen that Geba, Gibeah, and Gibeon are liable to be confused. This arises from their resemblance in form and meaning.

(1) An unidentified city in the territory of Judah (Jos 15:57). It is named in the group containing Carmel, Ziph and Kain; it is therefore probably to be sought to the Southeast of Hebron. It may be one of the two villages mentioned by Eusebius, Onomasticon (s.v. "Gabathon"), Gabaa and Gabatha; in the East of the Daroma. It is probably identical with Gibeah mentioned in 2Ch 13:2.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gibeah

A hill or hill-town, “of Benjamin” (1 Sam. 13:15), better known as “Gibeah of Saul” (11:4; Isa. 10:29). It was here that the terrible outrage was committed on the Levite’s concubine which led to the almost utter extirpation of the tribe of Benjamin (Judg. 19; 20), only six hundred men surviving after a succession of disastrous battles. This was the birthplace of Saul, and continued to be his residence after he became king (1 Sam. 10:26; 11:4; 15:34). It was reckoned among the ancient sanctuaries of Palestine (10:26; 15:34; 23:19; 26:1; 2 Sam. 21:6-10), and hence it is called “Gibeah of God” (1 Sam. 10:5, R.V.…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

a word employed in the Bible to denote a hill. Like most words of this kind it gave its name to several towns and places in Palestine, which would doubtless be generally on or near a hill. They are -- Gibeah, a city in the mountain district of Judah, named with Maon and the southern Carmel, (Joshua 15:57) and comp. 1Chr 2:49 etc. Gibeah of Benjamin first appears in the tragical story of the Levite and his concubine. (Judges 19:20) It was then a "city," with the usual open street or square, (Judges 19:15,17,20) and containing 700 "chosen men," ch. (Judges 20:15) probably the same whose skill as slingers is preserved in…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A hill,

1. A city of Benjamin, 1Sa 13:15, and the birthplace and residence of Saul king of Israel; whence it is frequently called "Gibeah of Saul," 1Sa 11:4; 15:34; 23:19; 26:1; 2Sa 21:6; Isa 10:29. Gibeah was also famous for its sins; particularly for its sins; particularly for that committed by forcing the young Levite’s wife, who went to lodge there; and for the war which succeeded it, to the almost entire extermination of the tribe of Benjamin, Jud 19:1- 30. Scripture remarks, that this occurred at a time when there was no king in Israel, and when every one did what was right in his own eyes. Dr. Robinson found…

they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
מִמִּזְרַח־mi.miz.rach- from [the] rising of H4217 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means the direction of the sunrise, or east. It is used in the Bible to describe the direction of the sun and the east side of something.
Tyndale gloss
east
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִזְרָח (mizrach) means 'place of sunrise' or simply 'east.' It is derived from the root meaning 'to rise' and refers to the direction of the sunrise. The entries consistently highlight its use to denote the east, both as a cardinal direction and in relation to the rising sun.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִזְרָח n.[m.] place of sunrise, east

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4217 מִזְרָח place of sunrise, east

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4217 mizrach miz-rawkh'

from 2224; sunrise, i.e. the east:--east (side, -ward),

(sun-)rising (of the sun).

see HEBREW for 02224

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — East (Gate).

This name means place of sunrise, east

מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — east.

1) place of sunrise, east

1a) sunrise, east (with 'sun')

1b) the east (without 'sun')

1b1) to or toward the place of sunrise

1b2) to the east, eastward

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsc — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
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…

they surrounded the object marker Benjamin they pursued him rest they trod down him to opposite Gibeah from [the] rising of [the] sun
שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃Sha.mesh [the] sun H8121 Noun common · both singular absolute
134× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The sun, or shemesh, represents not just the celestial body, but also east or west direction, and even objects that shine like battlements. It is often used to describe the rising or setting of the sun.
Amplified meaning
the direction of the sunrise, toward the sun-rising
Tyndale gloss
sun
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ 133 n.f. et m. sun

sun

of direction: toward sun-rise, = East

obj. of worship

other phr.

pinnacle, as glittering, shining

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8121 שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ sun

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8121 shemesh sheh'-mesh

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01053

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (she.mesh) — sun.

1) sun

1a) sun

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

1c) sun (as object of illicit worship)

1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases)

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sun

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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

Nave's Topical Bible

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

→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5

→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6

→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3

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

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

→ Miracles concerning

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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