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Jeremiah 3:4 — Word Study

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WLCהֲל֣וֹא מֵעַ֔תָּה קָרָ֥את לִ֖י אָבִ֑י אַלּ֥וּף נְעֻרַ֖י אָֽתָּה׃

BSAHave you notlôʼ [just now, at this time] justʻattâh calledqârâʼ My Fatherʼâb [the guide, leader, and protector of my life] You [are]ʼattâh my friendʼallûwph [close companion, ally] from youthnâʻûwr [the time of being young, formative years]

Word
Listen & take awayJeremiah 3
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 ('A.tah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Jeremiah 3:4quick helps
In a sentenceGod asks Israel if they have called Him 'Father' and acknowledged their friendship since their youth.
Who is speakingThe LORD, addressing Israel directly.
Where we areIn a passage where God confronts Israel about their unfaithfulness.
The hard wordאַלּ֥וּף
Take awayGod desires a genuine relationship, yet Israel's actions betray their words.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאַתָּה verbקָרָא 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 3:4

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 Call to a Wayward Israelgenerated

3Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.
4Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth.
5Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”
6Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.

Jeremiah 3:4 is part of a larger dialogue where God laments Israel's unfaithfulness. The preceding verses highlight God's disappointment over Israel's actions, while this verse emphasizes the relationship between God and His people, as they refer to Him as 'Father' and a friend from their formative years. The context reveals a longing for reconciliation amidst their waywardness.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Jeremiah 3:19Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.
2Jeremiah 31:9–18They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
3Hosea 14:1–3Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity.
4Jeremiah 2:27say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces, yet in the time of trouble they beg, ‘Rise up and save us!’
5Jeremiah 2:2“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

My fatherJeremiah 2:27

The Key Word אַלּ֥וּף, 'a.Lufgenerated

The word אַלּ֥וּף ('a.Luf) refers to a close companion or ally, often indicating a leader or someone in a position of authority. It conveys the idea of friendship intertwined with guidance and protection, highlighting the depth of the relationship God desires with His people.

In this verse, it underscores the contrast between Israel's acknowledgment of God as their father and their failure to live in accordance with that relationship. The term evokes a sense of intimacy and loyalty, which is betrayed by their actions.


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 main verb is קָרָ֥את, have you called, which governs the subject אָֽתָּה, you, and the direct object לִ֖י, to me. The structure emphasizes the direct address to Israel and their relationship with God.

The sentence is constructed with a series of phrases that build upon the main clause, creating a layered meaning that reveals both the question and the underlying emotional weight of God's inquiry.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אַלּ֥וּף as πατέρα, which means 'father.' This choice highlights the paternal aspect of the relationship God has with Israel, emphasizing His role as a protector and guide.

The translation reflects a narrowing of the term's broader implications of friendship and authority to focus on the fatherly relationship, which is central to the message of the verse.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Jeremiah 3:4 shows God asking Israel if they have called Him 'Father' and recognized Him as their friend since their youth. This verse highlights the relationship God desires with His people, emphasizing both intimacy and the disappointment of their unfaithfulness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for God to be called 'Father'?

Calling God 'Father' signifies a personal relationship, indicating care, guidance, and authority, much like a human father.

Why does God emphasize friendship in this verse?

God emphasizes friendship to highlight the closeness and loyalty expected in their relationship, which Israel has failed to uphold.

What does the term 'youth' refer to in this context?

The term 'youth' refers to the formative years of Israel's relationship with God, indicating a long-standing bond that has been neglected.

How does this verse reflect Israel's spiritual state?

This verse reflects Israel's spiritual state by showing their acknowledgment of God while simultaneously highlighting their unfaithfulness and disobedience.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I recognize God as my Father in my daily life?
  2. How can I strengthen my friendship with God as described in this verse?
  3. What does it mean to me that God desires a close relationship with His people?
  4. How can I ensure that my actions align with my acknowledgment of God as my Father?

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

Jerome comments on this verse, interpreting it as a call to recognize God as the leader and protector of their lives, urging a return to faithfulness.

JeromeVerse 4, 5. c. 347–420
Therefore, at least from now on, call me, my Father, you are the leader of my virginity: will you be angry forever, or will you persist until the end? Let the heretics be ashamed who do not want to convert to better things,
Early Church Fathers on Jeremiah 3 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 3:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me,.... These words are either a confirmation and proof of that impudence with which these people are charged; for had they not been impudent, or had not a

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

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

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

Wilt thou not from this time, viz. that I have withholden showers? Some refer this, 1. To the time to come; Wilt thou not yet be wise, and for the future seek to me, having found all thy other ways successless? . 2. To the time present; How canst thou challenge me for my present severity, and continuing it towards thee, when thou still retainest thy filthiness, thy whore’ s forehead, . Thou still continuest worshipping idols, and yet fanciest thyself faithful to me. 3. To the time past, i.e. Hast thou not all along pretended kindness to me, and as if thou hadst walked close with me? ,33 Eze 23:39. Cry unto me, My father; wilt thou not as a child call upon, me, whom thou hast thus greatly…

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

Jeremiah 3:4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?Ver. 4. Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me?] And is not this extreme impudence? Hast thou a face thus to collogue? Hypocritis nihil impudentius; hypocrites are impudent flatterers; they would, if they could, cheat God of his heaven. Thou art the guide of my youth,] i.e., My dear husband. Fair words are light cheap, and may make fools fain; but God is not to be so courted and complimented.

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

(4) Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me . . .?—Better, Hast thou not from this time cried unto me . . .? The prophet paints with a stern irony the parade of the surface repentance of Josiah’s reign. There had been a pathetic appeal to God as the forgiving husband of the faithless wife, but not the less had the wife returned to her wickedness. Guide.—The same word as in Proverbs 2:17; the “chief friend,” as applied to the husband.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 3 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 4. Wilt thou not - cry unto me, My father] Wilt thou not allow me to be thy Creator and Preserver, and cease thus to acknowledge idols? See on Jeremiah 2:27.

Read AdamClarke on Jeremiah 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. Wilt thou not from this time cry] Hast thou not but now cried. Judah, at the very time that she is deserting Jehovah, is using to Him the language of wheedling affection. guide] mg. companion. The same word is used of a husband in Proverbs 2:17.

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

Or, Hast thou Not from this time called “me, My Father, thou art the” husband “of my youth?” i. e., from the time of Josiah’s reforms in his eighteenth year, in opposition to “of old time” Jeremiah 2:20.

Read Albert Barnes on Jeremiah 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

Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Will you not from this time cry to me, ‘My Father, you are the guide of my youth!’?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Even now you say to me, ‘You are my father! You have been my faithful companion ever since I was young.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Wilt thou not from this time cry to me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Diddest thou not stil crie vnto me, Thou art my father, and the guide of my youth?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Hast thou not henceforth called to Me, 'My father, Thou [art] the leader of my youth?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Have you not from now on called to Me, || My Father, You [are] the leader of my youth?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Wilt thou not from this time call out unto mem My father, the guide of my youth art thou?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Have you not just now called to me: 'My father! My closest friend even from my youth!

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Therefore at least at this time call to me: Thou art my father, the guide of my virginity:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Didn't you just tell me, “My father, you've been such a close friend to me since I was little.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Will you not, from this time, make your prayer to me, crying, My father, you are the friend of my early years?

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.

clauseהֲ?clauseadverbialל֣וֹאnotprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfromעַ֔תָּהnowverbקָרָ֥אתhave.you.calledprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִ֖toיmeclause · objectclausenoun phraseאָבִ֑my.fatherיmyclausenoun phrase · predicateאַלּ֥וּף[were].the.close.friendnoun phraseנְעֻרַ֖my.youth(s)יmysubjectאָֽתָּהyou

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 7 out of 8 words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it preserves the essential meaning of the original Hebrew.

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

הֲל֣וֹא מֵעַ֔תָּה קָרָ֥את לִ֖י אָבִ֑י אַלּ֥וּף נְעֻרַ֖י אָֽתָּה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הֲל֣וֹאοὐξמֵעַ֔תָּהοἶκόνקָרָ֥אתμεלִ֖יἐκάλεσαςאָבִ֑יπατέραנְעֻרַ֖יπαρθενίαςאָֽתָּה׃σου

7 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.

Jeremiah 3:4לֹא¿ not¿ notלֹאעַתָּ֫הfrom nowfrom nowעַתָּ֫הקָרָאhave you cahave you calledקָרָאנִיto meto meנִיאָבO father myO father myאָבאַלּוּף[were] [the[were] [the] clאַלּוּףנְעוּרִיםyouth myyouth myנְעוּרִיםאַתָּ֫הyouyouאַתָּ֫העֵתtimetimeעֵתאָלַףto teach/lto teach/learnאָלַףנַ֫עַרyouthyouthנַ֫עַרקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדנָאpleasepleaseנָאאֲנַ֫חְנוּweweאֲנַ֫חְנוּצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַראֵםmothermotherאֵםתִּמְנָעTimnaTimnaתִּמְנָעדַּדbreastbreastדַּדזָנָהto fornicato fornicateזָנָהיָרַשׁto possessto possess: posיָרַשׁ
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 3:4

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.

¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
הֲל֣וֹאha.Lo' ¿ not H3808 Particle · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
just now, at this time
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part | Part — Particle · particle
HTi/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
מֵעַ֔תָּהme.'A.tah from now H6258 Preposition · adverb
433× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
now
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַתָּ֫ה (attah) is an adverb of time meaning 'now.' It can also function as a conjunction or expletive, indicating immediacy or a current moment. The word is derived from a related term, עַת (att), and is used in various contexts to denote the present time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַתָּ֫ה 435, עָ֑֫תָּה, adv. of time, now

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6258 עַתָּ֫ה, עָ֑֫תָּה of time, now

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6258 `attah at-taw'

from 6256; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or

expletive:--henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.

see HEBREW for 06256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — now.

1) now

1a) now

1b) in phrases

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverb
HR/D
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
קָרָ֥אתka.ra.ti have you called H7121 Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-2fs — Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
HVqp2fs
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
לִ֖יli to 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
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
אָבִ֑י'a.Vi O father my H1 Noun common masculine singular 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
the guide, leader, and protector of my life
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-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
אַלּ֥וּף'a.Luf [were] [the] close friend of H441 N-ms
69× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A chief or leader is referred to as 'alluwph' in Hebrew. The word can also mean friend or governor. It describes someone in a position of authority or guidance.
Amplified meaning
close companion, ally
Tyndale gloss
tame
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַלּוּף (al-luph) has meanings related to both tameness and leadership. It can refer to something that is tame or docile, as well as to a friend or chief. The word is built from the root associated with familiarity and gentleness, and it can denote a captain or governor in a leadership context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַלּוּף adj. tame

tame, docile

n.m. friend, intimate

i.q.

base

אַלּוּף n.m. chief, chiliarch

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H441a אַלּוּף tame H441b אַלּוּף chief, chiliarch

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

441 'alluwph al-loof'

or (shortened) talluph {al-loof'}; from 502; familiar; a

friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied,

although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as

notable, like neat cattle):--captain, duke, (chief) friend,

governor, guide, ox.

see HEBREW for 0502

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַלּוּף (al.luph) — tame.

1) tame, docile

2) friend, intimate

אַלּוּף (al.luph) — chief.

chief

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — N-ms
HAamsc
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…

¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
נְעֻרַ֖יne.'u.Rai youth my H5271 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Amplified meaning
the time of being young, formative years
Tyndale gloss
youth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְעוּרִים (na`uwr) refers to youth or early life, encompassing both the state of juvenility and young people collectively. It appears in the plural form and has a feminine counterpart, נְעוּרוֹת (na`ur), which carries the same meaning. The term is notably used in Jeremiah 32:30.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְעוּרִים n.[m.]pl. youth, early life

base

[נְעוּרוֹת] n.[f.]pl. id. [n.ei.ae];—only Je 32:30 (fig. of nation).

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5271a נְעוּרִים youth, early life H5271b נְעוּרוֹת id. [5271a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5271 na`uwr naw-oor'

or naur {naw-oor'}; and (feminine) nturah {neh- oo-raw'};

properly, passive participle from 5288 as denominative; (only

in plural collectively or emphatic form) youth, the state

(juvenility) or the persons (young people):--childhood,

youth.

see HEBREW for 05288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְעוּרִים (na.ur) — youth.

youth, early life

Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)

נְעוּרוֹת (na.ur) — youth.

youth, early life

Another spelling of na.ur (נְעוּרִים "youth" H5271A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
¿ not from now have you called to me O father my [were] [the] close friend of youth my you
אָֽתָּה׃'A.tah you H859 Pronoun
1,094× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Tyndale gloss
you(m.s.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou

base

אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)

base

אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)

base

אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)

base

אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

859 'attah at-taw'

or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine

(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem

{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah

{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun

of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and

you:--thee, thou, ye, you.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).

you (second pers. sing. masc.)

אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).

you (second pers. sing. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).

you (second pers. pl. masc.)

Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)

אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).

you (second pers. pl. fem.)

A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp2ms
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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