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Jeremiah 2:5 — Word Study

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WLCכֹּ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה מַה־ מָּצְא֨וּ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֥ם בִּי֙ עָ֔וֶל כִּ֥י רָחֲק֖וּ מֵעָלָ֑י וַיֵּֽלְכ֛וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י הַהֶ֖בֶל וַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃

BSAThis is whatkôh the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] saysʼâmar Whatmâh faultʻevel [iniquity, moral evil] did your fathersʼâb [ancestors, forefathers] findmâtsâʼ thatkîy they strayed so farrâchaq [gone far away, removed themselves] from Meʻal worthless idolshebel [vain, empty] and became worthless themselveshâbal [to become, turned into, vain, without value]

Word
Listen & take awayJeremiah 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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 (vai.yeh.Ba.lu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Jeremiah 2:5quick helps
In a sentenceGod questions why the ancestors of Israel turned away from Him to follow worthless idols.
Who is speakingThe LORD (Yahweh), addressing the house of Jacob.
Where we areThe opening of a message from God, calling attention to Israel's unfaithfulness.
The hard wordעָוֶל, 'A.vel'
Take awayThe question highlights the futility of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיהוה verbאָמַר 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 — Jeremiah 2:5

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 — God's Charge Against Israelgenerated

4Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all you families of the house of Israel.
5This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me, and followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?
6They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’
7I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you came and defiled My land, and made My inheritance detestable.

Jeremiah 2:5 presents a direct address from the LORD to Israel, questioning their ancestors about the reasons for their abandonment of God. This verse is part of a larger passage where God reminds Israel of their history and the blessings they received, contrasting it with their current idolatry and moral decay. The context includes a call to remember their covenant with God and the consequences of their actions, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Jeremiah 2:31You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?
2Isaiah 5:3–4“And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard.
3Isaiah 43:22–23But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel.
4Micah 6:2–3Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:
5Jeremiah 12:2You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

The Key Word יְהוָה, Yahwehgenerated

The name יְהוָה (Yahweh) is the proper name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as 'the LORD'. It signifies God's eternal and self-existent nature. This name is central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God, appearing throughout the Old Testament as a reminder of His promises and faithfulness.

In this verse, יְהוָה speaks directly to His people, emphasizing His role as their God and the seriousness of their actions in turning away from Him. The use of this name underscores the gravity of the situation and the expectation of fidelity from His followers.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb אָמַר, he says, governs the entire verse, with several clauses and phrases hanging off it. The structure includes a question posed by God, followed by the actions of the fathers and the consequences of their idolatry.

The main clause is introduced by כֹּה, thus, setting the tone for God's declaration. The sequence of actions reflects the progression from questioning to the description of the ancestors' straying and their subsequent actions.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, יְהוָה is rendered as κύριος (kurios), which also means 'Lord' and carries similar connotations of authority and divinity. This choice reflects the translators' intent to convey the same sense of reverence and relationship found in the Hebrew text.

The Greek word for עָוֶל is πλημμέλημα (plēmmelēma), which denotes a moral failure or offense, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also suggesting a broader range of wrongdoing.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Jeremiah 2:5 shows God asking Israel why their ancestors turned away from Him to follow empty idols. This question highlights the foolishness of abandoning the true God for worthless things, leading to their own downfall.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does God mean by asking about the fault found by the fathers?

God is questioning why the ancestors of Israel found any reason to abandon Him, suggesting that their actions were unjustified given His faithfulness.

What is the significance of following worthless idols?

Following idols represents a rejection of God and His ways, leading to moral decay and emptiness in life, as indicated by the consequences of such actions.

How does this verse relate to the broader message of Jeremiah?

This verse encapsulates Jeremiah's message of warning against idolatry and the need for repentance, emphasizing God's desire for a faithful relationship with His people.

What can we learn from the ancestors' actions?

The actions of the ancestors serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning away from God and the futility of seeking fulfillment in anything other than Him.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways might I be tempted to follow 'worthless idols' in my own life?
  2. How can I ensure that I remain faithful to God and His teachings?
  3. What lessons can I learn from the mistakes of my ancestors regarding faithfulness?
  4. How does understanding God's character as 'Yahweh' impact my relationship with Him?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse to highlight the significance of God's question about the ancestors' unfaithfulness and their ingratitude.

John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON REPENTANCE AND ALMSGIVING. 4:5.23 c. 347–407
Again, elsewhere he says, “What fault have your fathers found in me?” That which is said is great and marvelous, because what he says means, “What wrong have I done?” God tells human beings,
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 2 →
John ChrysostomHOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Matthew 68:2 c. 347–407
“What transgression have your fathers found in me?” … showing their thankless disposition, and that when in the enjoyment of all things, they requited it by the contraries; but here God expresses it with yet greater force.
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 2:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Thus saith the Lord, what iniquity have your fathers found in me,.... What injustice or injury has been done them?

Read John Gill on Jeremiah 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Iniquity - wrong done to them (Isaiah 5:4; Micah 6:3; cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

God having, as it were on his own behalf, shown how kind he had been, calls upon them to speak now, if they knew any thing of injury, either in breach of covenant or severity, that they can charge him with, that they have thus apostatized. See Poole ""; See Poole "": compare . By this manner of speech his proceeding appears the more justifiable; he both makes their conviction the clearer, and the reproof the sharper. Walked after vanity, viz. idols, showing their folly in going from God to such vain things as idols are, ,21; and see on ; the abstract for the concrete, . Become vain, viz. in following their imaginations; fools, ,22, as senseless as the stocks and stones that they made their…

Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?Ver. 5. What iniquity have your fathers found in me?] How unreasonable was their apostasy! and how senseless is your pleading from their example! Nothing is more irrational than irreligion. That they are gone far from me.] Are ye weary of receiving so many benefits by one man? said Themistocles to his ungrateful countrymen. And have walked after vanity.] An idol is nothing at all, but only in the vain opinion of the idolater. And are become vain,] scil., " In their imaginations"; as vain as their very idols.

Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Vanity.—In the special sense, as a synonym for idol-worship (Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13). As in the character of a husband wronged by his wife’s desertion Jehovah pleads with His people, and asks whether He has failed in anything.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. What iniquity have your fathers found in me] Have they ever discovered any thing cruel, unjust, oppressive in my laws? Any thing unkind or tyrannical in my government? Why then have they become idolaters?

Read AdamClarke on Jeremiah 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. Has Israel had any excuse for their disloyalty to Me? None. have walked after vanity] ‘vanity’ (lit. a breath) is here used in the same sense as in 1 Kings 16:13. Jehovah and His prophets regarded idols simply as unsubstantial, unreal things. Hence ‘vanity’ (i.e. idols) expresses their view. So in 1 Corinthians 8:4. Cp. Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 16:19; 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:9 f. Ch. Jeremiah 10:10 contrasts God as “the true God,” “the living God”; while the notions of that which is unreal and that which is positively injurious are combined in Jeremiah 16:19. and are become vain] have their characters assimilated to the objects which they serve. Cp. Romans 1:21 f., they…

Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 2 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

5. Have walked after vanity — The original of “vanity” is, in the historical books, used in the sense of idols or false gods, as in Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; 1 Kings 16:26, etc.; but in Job,

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Jeremiah 2 →

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

This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me, and followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh says, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after worthless vanity, and have become worthless?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.

NETBNew English Translation2006

This is what the Lord says: “What fault could your ancestors have possibly found in me that they strayed so far from me? They paid allegiance to worthless idols, and so became worthless to me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

RVARevised Version, American1894

thus saith the LORD, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thus sayeth the Lord, What iniquitie haue your fathers founde in mee, that they are gone farre from mee, and haue walked after vanitie, and are become vaine?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Thus saith Jehovah: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and become vain?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Thus said Jehovah: What — have your fathers found in Me perversity, That they have gone far off from Me, And go after the vanity, and become vain,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Thus said YHWH: “What perversity have your fathers found in Me, || That they have gone far off from Me, || And go after vanity, and become vain,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Thus hath said the Lord, What fault did your fathers find in me, that they went away far from me, and walked after vanity, and became vain?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Yahweh says this, “What did your fathers find wrong with me, that they went far from following me? That they went after useless idols and became useless themselves?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thus saith the Lord: What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

This is what the Lord says: What did your forefathers think was wrong with me that they went so far away from me? They went off to worship useless idols, and as a result became useless themselves!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

These are the words of the Lord: What evil have your fathers seen in me that they have gone far from me, and, walking after what is false, have become false?

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.

clauseadverbialכֹּ֣הthusverbאָמַ֣רhe.sayssubjectיְהוָ֗הYahwehclauseclauseadverbialמַהwhat?verbמָּצְא֨וּdid.they.findnoun phrase · subjectאֲבוֹתֵיancestorsכֶ֥םyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּinי֙meobjectעָ֔וֶלinjusticeclauseכִּ֥י(cmp)clauseclauseverbרָחֲק֖וּthey.became.distantprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמֵfromעָלָ֑withיmeוַandclauseclauseverbיֵּֽלְכ֛וּthey.walkedprepositional phrase · prepositionalאַחֲרֵ֥יafternoun phraseהַ(the)הֶ֖בֶלvanityוַandclauseverbיֶּהְבָּֽלוּthey.became.vain

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Jeremiah 2:5 states that the LORD questions what fault the fathers found in Him that led them to stray and follow worthless idols, resulting in their own worthlessness. The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the overall meaning and word correspondence, as all 15 words match in a word-by-word translation, although the order and articles may differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences in meaning between these two witnesses for this verse.

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

כֹּ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה מַה־ מָּצְא֨וּ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֥ם בִּי֙ עָ֔וֶל כִּ֥י רָחֲק֖וּ מֵעָלָ֑י וַיֵּֽלְכ֛וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י הַהֶ֖בֶל וַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כֹּ֣ה׀τάδεאָמַ֣רλέγειיְהוָ֗הκύριοςמַה־τίמָּצְא֨וּεὕροσανאֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֥םὑμῶνבִּי֙ἐμοὶעָ֔וֶלπλημμέλημαכִּ֥יὅτιרָחֲק֖וּμακρὰνמֵעָלָ֑יἐμοῦוַיֵּֽלְכ֛וּἐπορεύθησανאַחֲרֵ֥יὀπίσωהַהֶ֖בֶלματαίωνוַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃ἐματαιώθησαν

15 of the 15 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.

Jeremiah 2:5כֹּהthusthusכֹּהאָמַרhe sayshe saysאָמַריהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהמָהwhat?what?מָהמָצָאdid they fidid they findמָצָאאָבancestors yancestors yourאָבנִיin mein meנִיעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלכִּיthatthatכִּירָחַקthey becamethey became disרָחַקעַלfrom with mfrom with meעַלהָלַךְand they waand they walkedהָלַךְאַחַרafterafterאַחַרהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלהָבַלand they beand they becameהָבַלהָיָהto beto beהָיָהעָוַלto act unjto act unjustlyעָוַלאָחַרto delayto delayאָחַרהָבַלto become to become vainהָבַלהוּאhe/she/ithe/she/itהוּאעַלheightheightעַלהָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןכֹּהthusthusכֹּהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַראֵםmothermotherאֵם
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 Jeremiah 2:5

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.

thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
כֹּ֣ה׀koh thus H3541 Adverb
577× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Tyndale gloss
thus
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּה (koh) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'thus' or 'here.' It can indicate manner, place, or time, covering usages like 'thus,' 'here,' and 'until now.' The word is built from a prefix meaning 'like' and a root related to 'to be.' There is an Aramaic equivalent, כָּה (kah), which also means 'thus.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּה demonstr.adv. thus, here

of manner, thus

of place, here

of time, hitherto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3541 כֹּה thus, here

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3541 koh ko

from the prefix k and 1931; properly, like this, i.e. by

implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here

(or hither); or (of time) now:--also, here, + hitherto, like,

on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on)

this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while,

yonder.

see HEBREW for 01931

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּה (koh) — thus.

1) thus, here, in this manner

1a) thus, so

1b) here, here and there

1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile

Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
אָמַ֣ר'a.Mar he says H559 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
יְהוָ֗הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

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

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

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

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

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

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

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
מָּצְא֨וּma.tze.'U did they find H4672 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or

exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;

figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֥ם'a.vo.tei.Khem ancestors your H1 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
1,213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Amplified meaning
ancestors, forefathers
Tyndale gloss
father
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָב 1101 n.m. father

father of individual

of God as father of his people

head of household, family or clan

ancestor

originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

fig. of producer, generator

fig. of benevolence & protection

term of respect & honor

specif., ruler, chief (late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1 אָב father . father of individual

. of God as father of his people

. head of household, family or clan

. ancestor

. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

. fig. of producer, generator

. fig. of benevolence & protection

. term of respect & honor

. specif., ruler, chief (late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1 'ab awb

a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or

figurative and remote application):--chief,

(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names

in "Abi-".

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָב (av) — father.

1) father of an individual

2) of God as father of his people

3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan

4) ancestor

4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person

4b) of people

5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

6) of producer, generator (fig.)

7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)

8) term of respect and honour

9) ruler or chief (spec.)

Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;

Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)

אָב (av) — father of.

The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;

son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2mp
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
בִּי֙bi in me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bs
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
עָ֔וֶל'A.vel injustice H5766 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Injustice or moral evil is what this word represents, covering violent deeds, unfair speech, and general wrongdoing. It is used to describe actions that go against God's standards of righteousness.
Amplified meaning
iniquity, moral evil
Tyndale gloss
injustice
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָ֫וֶל (*evel*) and its variant עַוְלָה (*avlah*) both denote concepts of injustice and unrighteousness. They encompass moral evil, including violent deeds and wrongful speech. The entries highlight their usage as nouns, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָ֫וֶל n.m. injustice, unrighteousness

base

עַוְלָה n.f. injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5766a עָ֫וֶל injustice, unrighteousness H5766b עַוְלָה injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5766 `evel eh'-vel

or lavel {aw'-vel}; and (feminine) lavlah {av-law'}; or owlah

{o-law'}; or .olah {o-law'}; from 5765; (moral)

evil:--iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly),

unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).

see HEBREW for 05765

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָ֫וֶל (e.vel) — injustice.

injustice, unrighteousness

Another spelling of av.lah (עַוְלָה "injustice" H5766B)

עַוְלָה (av.lah) — injustice.

1) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

1a) violent deeds of injustice

1b) injustice (of speech)

1c) injustice (generally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 22:21,22; 23:1-3,6,7; Le 19:15,35,36; De 16:19,20; 24:17,18; 27:19; Job 16:16,17; 31:13-15; Ps 12:5; 43:1; 82:2; Pr 11:7; 17:15; 28:8; 29:27; 31:4,5; Ec 3:16; 5:8; Isa 26:10; Jer 22:3-5; La 3:34-36; Am 5:11,12; Zep…

- Forbidden

Le 19:15,35; De 16:19

- SPECIALLY TO BE AVOIDED TOWARDS

. The poor

Ex 23:6; Pr 22:16,22,23

. The stranger and fatherless

Ex 22:21,22; De 24:17; Jer 22:3

. Servants

Job 31:13,14; De 24:14; Jer 22:13

- Of the least kind, condemned

Lu 16:10

- GOD

. Regards

thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
כִּ֥יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
רָחֲק֖וּra.cha.Ku they became distant H7368 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To remove or go far away, as in Genesis 21:16 where Hagar is sent away by Abraham. It means to create distance or separate oneself from something or someone.
Amplified meaning
gone far away, removed themselves
Tyndale gloss
to remove
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָחַק (rachaq) is a primitive root meaning to be or become far or distant. It encompasses various forms, including intransitive meanings like receding and transitive meanings such as removing or sending away. The entries indicate uses in different stems, including Qal (to be distant), Piel (to send far away), and Hiphil (to cause to be distant).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָחַק vb. be, or become, far, distant

Qal be far, distant

Pi. send far away

Hiph.

dir. caus. make, or exhibit, distance, be gone for

indir. caus. remove, put far away

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7368 רָחַק be, or become, far, distant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7368 rachaq raw-khak'

a primitive root; to widen (in any direction), i.e.

(intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or

figuratively, of place or relation):--(a-, be, cast, drive,

get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw)

far (away, off), loose, X refrain, very, (be) a good way

(off).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָחַק (ra.chaq) — to remove.

v

1) to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away

1a) (Qal) to be far, be distant

1b) (Piel) to send far away, extend

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make or exhibit distance, be gone far

1c2) to remove, put far away

2) (Niphal) loose

v inf (as adv)

3) at a distance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
מֵעָלָ֑יme.'a.Lai from with me H5921 Preposition · preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Prep | Suff — Preposition · preposition · suffix
HR/Rd/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
וַיֵּֽלְכ֛וּvai.ye.le.Khu and they walked H1980 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance

twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

quite by itself

13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

In combination with other verbal forms

Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:

pass away, die

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently

. to intensify meaning of finite form

. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance

. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

. quite by itself

. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety

of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,

apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,

depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,

forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,

out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,

march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),

be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,

still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,

on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,

(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqw3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
אַחֲרֵ֥י'a.cha.Rei after H310
716× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Tyndale gloss
after
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part

adv.

of place, behind

of time, afterwards

prep.

of place, behind, after

of time, after

conj. after that.

base

אַחֲרַי adj. Pr 28:23 a man that turneth backwards.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind

. of time, afterwards

. prep. . of place, behind, after

. of time, after

. conj. after that.

H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

310 'achar akh-ar'

from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an

adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after

(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),

behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,

hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,

posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),

when, with.

see HEBREW for 0309

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַחַר (a.char) — after.

1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)

1a) as an adverb

1a1) behind (of place)

1a2) afterwards (of time)

1b) as a preposition

1b1) behind, after (of place)

1b2) after (of time)

1b3) besides

1c) as a conjunction

1c) after that

1d) as a substantive

1d1) hinder part

1e) with other prepositions

1e1) from behind

1e2) from following after

אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.

backwards (of a man that turns backwards)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmpc
HAcmpc
thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
הַהֶ֖בֶלha.He.vel vanity H1892 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Amplified meaning
vain, empty
Tyndale gloss
vanity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) refers to vapour or breath, and is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word can function as an adverb meaning 'vainly.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' and appears in contexts discussing the fleeting nature of life.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֶ֫בֶל 73 n.m. vapour, breath

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1892 הֶ֫בֶל vapour, breath

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1892 hebel heh'bel

or (rarely in the abs.) habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891;

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and

unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain,

vanity.

see HEBREW for 01891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) — vanity.

1) vapour, breath

1a) breath, vapour

1b) vanity (fig.)

adv

2) vainly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Does not usually denote, in Scripture, self-conceit or personal pride, 2Pe 2:18, but sometimes emptiness and fruitlessness, Job 7:3 Ps 144:4 Ec 1:1-18. It often denotes wickedness, particularly falsehood, De 32:21 Ps 4:2 24:4 119:37, and sometimes idols and idol-worship, 2Ki 17:15 Jer 2:5 18:15 Jon 2:8. Compare Paul’s expression, "they turned the truth of God into a lie,"

→ A consequence of the fall Ro 8:20

→ Every man has Ps 39:11

→ Every state of man is Ps 62:9

→ Man, at his best estate, is Ps 39:5

→ Man is similar to Ps 144:4

→ The thoughts of man are Ps 94:11

→ The days of man are Job 7:16; Ec 6:12

→ Childhood and youth are Ec 11:10

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- A consequence of the fall

Ro 8:20

- Every man is

Ps 39:11

- Every state of man is

Ps 62:9

- Man at his best estate is

Ps 39:5

- Man is like to

Ps 144:4

- The thoughts of man are

Ps 94:11

- The days of man are

Job 7:16; Ec 6:12

- Childhood and youth are

Ec 11:10

- The beauty of man is

Ps 39:11; Pr 31:30

thus he says Yahweh what? did they find ancestors your in me injustice that they became distant from with me and they walked after vanity and they became vain
וַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃vai.yeh.Ba.lu and they became vain H1891 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to become empty or meaningless, like a vain hope. It appears in the Bible as 'be vain' or 'become vain', warning against pointless actions, like in Isaiah 49:4. It's about futility
Amplified meaning
to become, turned into, vain, without value
Tyndale gloss
to become vain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָבַל (haval) means to become vain or act emptily. It can refer to individuals becoming vain themselves or being led astray, particularly by false prophets who fill others with vain hopes. The entries emphasize both the Qal form, indicating a state of vanity, and the Hiphil form, which involves causing others to become vain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָבַל vb. denom. act emptily, become vain

Qal they went after vanity and became vain

Hiph. cause to become vain (of false prophets) i.e. fill you with vain hopes.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1891 הָבַל vb. denom. act emptily, become vain .they went after vanity and became vain

. cause to become vain (of false prophets) i.e. fill you with vain hopes.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1891 habal haw-bal'

a primitive root; to be vain in act, word, or expectation;

specifically to lead astray:--be (become, make) vain.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָבַל (ha.val) — to become vain.

1) to act emptily, become vain, be vain

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to become vain

1a2) to be utterly vain (with cognate acc)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to become vain

1b2) to fill with vain hopes

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

van: The adjective of "vanity," and representing the same Hebrew and Greek words as does the latter, with a few additions (chiefly kenos, "empty," and its compounds in the New Testament). And "vain" can always be replaced by its synonym "empty," often with advantage in modern English (Job 15:2; 1Co 15:14, etc.). The exception is the phrase "in vain," and even there the interchange can be made if some (understood) noun such as "ways" be added. So "to take God's name in vain" (Ex 20:7; De 5:11) means simply to take it for an "empty" ("not good") purpose.

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

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