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Judges 3:11 — Word Study

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WLCוַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּ֖מָת עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל בֶּן־ קְנַֽז׃ פ

BSASo the landʼerets [country, territory] had restshâqaṭ [peace, quietness] for fortyʼarbâʻîym [a significant period of time] yearsshâneh [a period of time] until OthnielʻOthnîyʼêl [lion of God] sonbên [descendant] of KenazQᵉnaz [hunter] diedmûwth [passed away, to cease living]

Word
Listen & take awayJudges 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 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 (ke.Naz) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Judges 3:11quick helps
In a sentenceThe land enjoyed a long period of peace under Othniel's leadership.
Who is speakingThe narrator of the Book of Judges.
Where we areThe conclusion of Othniel's judgeship, marking a time of stability.
The hard wordשָׁקַט
Take awayThe land's rest was significant and lasted until Othniel's death.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁקַט 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 3:11

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 Period of Othniel's Judgeshipgenerated

10The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
11So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
12Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
13After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms.

Judges 3:11 describes a time when Israel was at peace for forty years under the leadership of Othniel, the first judge of Israel. This peace was a result of God's deliverance through Othniel, who had previously defeated their oppressor. The narrative highlights the cycle of sin and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges, where Israel experiences rest until the next cycle of disobedience begins.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Judges 3:30So Moab was subdued under the hand of Israel that day, and the land had rest for eighty years.
2Judges 5:31So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love You shine like the sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.
3Judges 8:28In this way Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. So the land had rest for forty years in the days of Gideon,
4Joshua 11:23So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.
5Esther 9:22as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שָׁקַט, va.tish.Kotgenerated

The verb שָׁקַט (shaqat) means to be quiet or at peace. It indicates a state of tranquility and inactivity, suggesting that the land was undisturbed during this period. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person feminine singular verb indicates that this state of peace was ongoing and significant.

This word conveys a sense of calmness, akin to the stillness after a storm, as noted in Psalm 107:30. The usage here emphasizes the stability of the land under Othniel's judgeship, marking a notable time in Israel's history.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The study uses the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) as the base for comparison.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb שָׁקַט governs the entire verse, indicating the state of the land. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject הָאָ֖רֶץ (the land) and adverbial phrases indicating duration and condition, leading to the conclusion with the verb יָּ֖מָת (he died).

The sentence flows to show the relationship between the land's peace and Othniel's death, emphasizing the cause and effect in this historical narrative.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שָׁקַט as ἡσύξασεν, which means 'to be quiet' or 'to rest.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the theme of peace.

The Greek rendering retains the sense of tranquility found in the Hebrew, reinforcing the notion of a significant period of rest for the land.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Judges 3:11 tells us that the land of Israel had peace for forty years while Othniel was the judge. This peace lasted until Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died. It highlights a significant time of stability for the Israelites.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the land had rest?

It indicates a time of peace and stability in Israel, free from oppression or conflict.

Who was Othniel?

Othniel was the first judge of Israel, known for delivering the Israelites from their enemies.

Why is the number forty significant?

The number forty often represents a significant period of time in the Bible, symbolizing testing or a generation.

What happens after Othniel dies?

The narrative indicates that after Othniel's death, the Israelites would once again turn to evil, leading to further oppression.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn from the peace experienced during Othniel's judgeship?
  2. How does the cycle of peace and conflict in Judges reflect our own lives?
  3. In what ways can we seek peace in our communities today?
  4. What does Othniel's leadership teach us about the qualities of a good leader?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Judges 3:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the land had rest forty years,.... As it should seem from the time of this deliverance; though, according to Ben Gersom and Abarbinel, the eight years' servitude are to be included in them; and

Read John Gill on Judges 3 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. Othniel ... died. 'How powerful the influence of one good man is, in church or state, is best found in his loss' (Dr. Hall).

Read Robert Jamieson on Judges 3 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The land had rest; either, first, It rested about forty years, or the greatest part of forty years; it being most frequent in Scripture to use numbers in such a latitude. Thus the Israelites are said to bear their iniquities forty years in the wilderness, , when there wanted near two years of that number; and to dwell in Egypt four hundred and thirty years, when there wanted many years of that number. Thus Joseph’ s kindred, sent for and called by him into Egypt, are numbered seventy-five souls, , although they were but seventy, as is affirmed, . So here the land is said to rest forty years, although they were in servitude eight of those years, . And in like manner the land is said to have…

Read Matthew Poole on Judges 3 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Judges 3:11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.Ver. 11. And the land had rest forty years,] sc., From the death of Joshua to the death of Othniel, and the eight years of servitude under the Syrians being taken in, as it may be gathered from 1 Kings 6:1.

Read John Trapp on Judges 3 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) The land had rest forty years.—Rabbi Tanchum interprets this to mean, “till forty years after the death of Joshua.” For the very difficult chronology of this period, see the Introduction. Many questions have been raised, such as—Do the forty years include or exclude the period of servitude? Is forty meant to be an exact or a general number? Are the various periods of rest and servitude continuous and successive, or do they refer to different parts of the Holy Land, and do they synchronise? Perhaps no final answer to these questions is as yet possible, and no less than fifty schemes of the chronology of the period of the judges have been attempted, which fact alone proves how…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Judges 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. And the land had rest forty years] A formula of the editor, to whom the chronological scheme of the Book is due; cf. Judges 3:30, Judges 5:31, Judges 8:28; and Joshua 11:23; Joshua 14:15.

Read Cambridge on Judges 3 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The land - means here, as in Judges 1:2, not the whole land of Canaan, but the part concerned, probably the land of the tribe of Judah.

Read Albert Barnes on Judges 3 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

11. Forty years — This long period of peace and independence was necessary to the development of the nation.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Judges 3 →

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

So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The land had rest for forty years; then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the land had rest forty years: and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So the lande had rest fourtie yeeres, and Othniel the sonne of Kenaz dyed.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the land had rest forty years; and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and the land resteth forty years. And Othniel son of Kenaz dieth,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and the land rests forty years. And Othniel son of Kenaz dies,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the land had rest forty years; and then died 'Othniel the son of Kenaz.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The land had peace for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And the land rested forty years, and Othoniel the son of Cenez died.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

As a result, the country was a peace for forty years until Othniel, son of Kenaz, died.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then for forty years the land had peace, till the death of Othniel, the son of Kenaz.

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.

וַandclauseverbתִּשְׁקֹ֥טit.was.at.peacenoun phrase · subjectהָtheאָ֖רֶץlandnoun phrase · adverbialאַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortyשָׁנָ֑הyear[s]וַandclauseverbיָּ֖מָתhe.diednoun phrase · subjectעָתְנִיאֵ֥לOthnielnoun phraseבֶּןthe.sonקְנַֽזof.Kenaz

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


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

Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of Judges 3:11, with all words matching in the Hebrew text. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the original narrative across these texts.

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

וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּ֖מָת עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל בֶּן־ קְנַֽז׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥טἡσύξασενהָאָ֖רֶץγῆאַרְבָּעִ֣יםτεσσαράκονταשָׁנָ֑הἔτηוַיָּ֖מָתἀπέθανενעָתְנִיאֵ֥לγοθονιηλבֶּן־υἱὸςקְנַֽז׃ פκενεζ

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 3:11שָׁקַטand it was and it was at pשָׁקַטאֶ֫רֶץthe landthe landאֶ֫רֶץאַרְבָּעִיםfortyfortyאַרְבָּעִיםשָׁנָהyear[s]year[s]שָׁנָהמוּתand he diedand he diedמוּתעָתְנִיאֵלOthnielOthnielעָתְנִיאֵלבֵּן[the] son o[the] son ofבֵּןקְנַזKenazKenazקְנַזשָׁנָהto changeto changeשָׁנָהבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאַרְבַּעfourfourאַרְבַּעעָתְנִיOthniOthniעָתְנִיאֵלgodgodאֵלשָׁאַןto restto restשָׁאַןבֶּ֫טַחsecuritysecurityבֶּ֫טַחכְּנַ֫עַןCanaanCanaanכְּנַ֫עַןמִצְרַ֫יִם(Sea of) E(Sea of) Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםלַ֫יְלָהnightnightלַ֫יְלָהמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְעֶשְׂרִיםtwentytwentyעֶשְׂרִיםרָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרקְנַזKenazKenazקְנַזעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵןצְפוֹZephoZephoצְפוֹ
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 3:11

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 it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥טva.tish.Kot and it was at peace H8252 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To quiet or be at peace is what this Hebrew word means, like the stillness after a storm, as described in Psalm 107:30.
Amplified meaning
peace, quietness
Tyndale gloss
to quiet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁקַט (shaqat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be quiet or undisturbed. It encompasses a range of meanings including tranquility, inactivity, and rest, and can refer to both people and land. The Hiphil form indicates causing quietness or showing quietness. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁקַט vb. be quiet, undisturbed

Qal be quiet, undisturbed

of land, at peace

be quiet, inactive

Hiph.

shew quietness (inner causat.), of men

cause quietness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8252 שָׁקַט be quiet, undisturbed .be quiet, undisturbed . of land, at peace

. be quiet, inactive

. . shew quietness (inner causat.), of men

. cause quietness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8252 shaqat shaw-kat'

a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative):--appease,

idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet(-ness), (be at, be

in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁקַט (sha.qat) — to quiet.

1) to be quiet, be tranquil, be at peace, be quiet, rest, lie still, be undisturbed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be quiet, be undisturbed

1a1a) to be at peace (of land)

1a2) to be quiet, be inactive

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to show quietness

1b1a) quietness, display of quietness (subst)

1b2) to quiet, be quiet

1b3) to cause quietness, pacify, allay

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pes (shalom; eirene):

1. In the Old Testament:

Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul. The Hebrew word is shalom (both adjective and substantive), meaning, primarily, "soundness," "health," but coming also to signify "prosperity," well-being in general, all good in relation to both man and God. In early times, to a people harassed by foes, peace was the primary blessing. In Ps 122:7, we have "peace" and "prosperity," and in 35:27; 73:3, shalom is translated "prosperity." In 2Sa 11:7 the King James Version, David asked of Uriah "how Joab did" (margin "of the peace of Joab"), "and how the people did (the Revised Version (British and American) "fared," literally, "of the peace of the people"), and…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ EXEMPLIFIED

By Abraham Ge 13:8,9

Abimelech Ge 26:29

Mordecai Es 10:3

David Ps 120:7

See CHARITABLENESS

See NATION, PEACE OF

→ SOCIAL Ge 45:24; Le 26:6; Job 5:23,24; Ps 34:14; 120:6,7; 133:1; Pr 12:20; 15:17; 16:7; 17:1,14; 20:3; Ec 4:6; Isa 2:4; 45:7; Jer…

- God is the author of

Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7; 1Co 14:33

- RESULTS FROM

. Heavenly wisdom

Jas 3:17

. The government of Christ

Isa 2:4

. Praying for rulers

1Ti 2:2

. Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell

Jer 29:7

- Necessary to the enjoyment of life

Ps 34:12,14; 1Pe 3:10,11

- GOD BESTOWS UPON THOSE WHO

. Obey him

Le 26:6

. Please him

and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
הָאָ֖רֶץha.'A.retz the land H776 Particle · 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
country, 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
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

((1) 'erets;

(2) 'adhamah;

(3) sadheh,

"a piece of land";

(4) ge, "earth";

(5) agros, "field";

(6) chora, "region";

(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;

(8) xeros, "dry land";

(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):

'Erets occurs hundreds of times and is used in much the same way as 'adhamah, which also occurs often: e.g. "land of Egypt," 'erets mitsrayim (Ge 13:10), and 'adhmath mitsrayim (Ge 47:20). The other words occur less often, and are used in the…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9

→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23

→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8

→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18

and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים'ar.ba.'Im forty H705 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
136× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Amplified meaning
a significant period of time
Tyndale gloss
forty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַרְבָּעִים (arba`iym) simply means 'forty' in Hebrew. It is a multiple of the number 702 and is consistently defined across various lexicons. There are no significant disagreements among the entries regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַרְבָּעִים a forty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H705 אַרְבָּעִים a forty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

705 'arba`iym ar-baw-eem'

multiple of 702; forty:---forty.

see HEBREW for 0702

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַרְבָּעִים (ar.ba.im) — forty.

forty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for'-ti ('arba`im; tessarakonta).

See FOUR (5); NUMBER.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Remarkable coincidences in the number

→ DAYS

Of rain, at the time of the flood Ge 7:17

Of flood, before sending forth the raven Ge 8:6

For embalming Ge 50:3

Of fasting

By Moses Ex 24:18; 34:28; De 9:9,25

By Elijah 1Ki 19:8

By spies in the land of promise Nu 13:25

Of probation, given to the Ninevites Jon 3:4

By Jesus Mt 4:2

Christ's stay after the resurrection Ac 1:3

and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
שָׁנָ֑הsha.Nah year[s] H8141 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
877× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Amplified meaning
a period of time
Tyndale gloss
year
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁנָה (shaneh) means 'year' and is derived from the root meaning to change or revolve. It encompasses various aspects of time, including divisions of time, measures of age, and even a lifetime. The Aramaic equivalent is שְׁנָה (she.nah), also meaning 'year'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁנָה 877 n.f. year (etym. v. √[v.ek.aa])

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8141 שָׁנָה year (etym. v. √[8138a])

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8141 shaneh shaw-neh'

(in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}; from 8138; a year

(as a revolution of time):--+ whole age, X long, + old,

year(X -ly).

see HEBREW for 08138

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁנָה (sha.neh) — year.

1) year

1a) as division of time

1b) as measure of time

1c) as indication of age

1d) a lifetime (of years of life)

Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
וַיָּ֖מָתvai.Ya.mot and he died H4191 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
840× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
passed away, to cease living
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל'a.te.ni.'El Othniel H6274 Noun proper masculine
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Othniel was a Judge of Israel who lived before the monarchy, and his name means lion of God. He was the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, and the husband of Achsah, and he delivered Israel from the Mesopotamians.
Amplified meaning
lion of God
Tyndale gloss
Othniel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָתְנִיאֵל (Othniy'el) refers to a biblical figure known as the first judge of Israel, described as the son of Kenaz and a hero in Israelite history. The name is derived from elements meaning 'force of God.' He is first mentioned in Joshua 15:17, where he is noted for delivering the Israelites from oppression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָתְנִיאֵל n.pr.m. son of Ḳenaz, a hero in Isr.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6274 עָתְנִיאֵל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6274 `Othniy'el oth-nee-ale'

from the same as 6273 and 410; force of God; Othniel, an

Israelite:--Othniel.

see HEBREW for 06273

see HEBREW for 0410

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עׇתְנִיאֵל (ot.ni.el) — Othniel.

A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.15.17;

son of: Kenaz (H7073I);

brother of: Seraiah (H8304J); married to Achsah (H5915);

father of: Hathath (H2867) and Meonothai (H4587)(?)

§ Othniel = "lion of God"

son of Kenaz, younger brother of Caleb, and husband of Achsah the daughter of Caleb and his own niece; first judge of Israel, who after the death of Joshua, delivered the Israelites from the oppression of Chushanrishathaim

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

oth'-ni-el (`othni'el): A hero in Israel, son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. He conquered Kiriath-sepher, later known as Debir, in the territory of Judah in the days of Joshua, and was given the daughter of Caleb, Achsah, to wife as a reward (Jos 15:17, parallel found in Jud 1:13). He later smote Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom the children of Israel had served 8 years, and thus not only saved the Israelites, but by reviving national sentiment among them (compare Ant, V, iv, 3), and reestablishing government, became the first of those hero-rulers known as "judges." The effects of his victory lasted an entire generation (40 years, Jud 3:9-11). He had a son named Hathath (

Othniel

Lion of God, the first of the judges. His wife Achsah was the daughter of Caleb (Josh. 15:16, 17; Judg. 1:13). He gained her hand as a reward for his bravery in leading a successful expedition against Debir (q.v.). Some thirty years after the death of Joshua, the Israelites fell under the subjection of Chushan-rishathaim (q.v.), the king of Mesopotamia. He oppressed them for full eight years, when they “cried” unto Jehovah, and Othniel was raised up to be their deliverer. He was the younger brother of Caleb (Judg. 3:8, 9-11). He is the only judge mentioned connected with the tribe of Judah. Under him the land had rest forty years.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(lion of God), son of Kenaz and younger brother of Caleb. (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; 3:9; 1 Chronicles 4:13) (B.C. 1460.) The first mention of Othniel is on occasion of the taking of Kirjath-sepher, or Debir as it was afterward called. Caleb promised to give his daughter Achsah to whosoever should assault and take the city. Othniel won the prize. The next mention of him is in (Judges 3:9) where he appears as the first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua, and the deliverer of his countrymen from the oppression of Chushahrishathaim (Judges 3:8-9)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Kenaz, and first judge of the Israelites, delivering them from the tyranny of the king of Mesopotamia, and ruling them in peace forty years. His wife Achsa, daughter of his uncle Caleb, was the reward of his valor in taking the city of Debir, Jos 15:17; Jud 1:13; 3:9-10.

and it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
בֶּן־ben- [the] son of H1121 Noun common · masculine singular construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Amplified meaning
descendant
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
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 it was at peace the land forty year[s] and he died Othniel [the] son of Kenaz
קְנַֽז׃ פke.Naz Kenaz H7073 Noun proper masculine
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Kenaz was the name of an Edomite and two Israelites, including a hunter and a brother of Caleb. The name Kenaz means hunter and is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:15.
Amplified meaning
hunter
Tyndale gloss
Kenaz
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קְנַז (Qnaz) refers to a name meaning 'hunter.' It denotes a man from Edom, specifically the son of Eliphaz and father of Othniel, as well as a brother of Caleb. The entries indicate that Kenaz appears in various contexts, including genealogies in Genesis and Numbers, and is associated with the Edomite dukes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קְנַז n.pr.m. in Edom: son of Eliphaz, and father of Othniel

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7073 קְנַז in Edom: son of Eliphaz, and father of Othniel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7073 Qnaz ken-az'

probably from an unused root meaning to hunt; hunter; Kenaz,

the name of an Edomite and of two Israelites:--Kenaz.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קְנַז (qe.naz) — Kenaz.

A man of the Edomites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.11;

son of: Eliphaz (H0464);

brother of: Teman (H8487), Omar (H0201), Zepho (H6825), Gatam (H1609), Amalek (H6002H) and Korah (H7141H)

§ Kenaz = "hunter"

1) son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau; one of the dukes of Edom

2) a brother of Caleb and father of Othniel

קְנַז (qe.naz) — Kenaz.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.42

§ Kenaz = "hunter"

1) son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau; one of the dukes of Edom

2) a brother of Caleb and father of Othniel

קְנַז (qe.naz) — Kenaz.

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.32.12;

son of: Jephunneh (H3312);

brother of: Caleb (H3612);

father of: Othniel (H6274) and Seraiah (H8304J); also called Kenizzite at Num.32.12; 1x,14;

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Kenaz

Hunter. (1.) One of the sons of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. He became the chief of an Edomitish tribe (Gen. 36:11, 15, 42).

(2.) Caleb’s younger brother, and father of Othniel (Josh. 15:17), whose family was of importance in Israel down to the time of David (1 Chr. 27:15). Some think that Othniel (Judg. 1:13), and not Kenaz, was Caleb’s brother.

(3.) Caleb’s grandson (1 Chr. 4:15).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(hunting). Son of Eliphaz the son of Esau. He was one of the dukes of Edom. (Genesis 36:15,42; 1 Chronicles 1:53) One of the same family, a grandson of Caleb, according to (1 Chronicles 4:15) (where see margin).

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

this purchase; this lamentation

Nave's Topical Bible

1. Grandson of Esau Ge 36:11,15; 1Ch 1:36

2. A duke of Edom Ge 36:42; 1Ch 1:53

3. Brother of Caleb Jos 15:17; Jud 1:13; 3:9,11; 1Ch 4:13

4. Grandson of Caleb 1Ch 4; 15

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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