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Jeremiah 9:18 — Word Study

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WLCוּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָה וְתִשֶּׂ֥נָה עָלֵ֖ינוּ נֶ֑הִי וְתֵרַ֤דְנָה עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ דִּמְעָ֔ה וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּ יִזְּלוּ־ מָֽיִם׃

BSAa lamentnᵉhîy [wailing, mourning song]

Word
Listen & take awayJeremiah 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 18 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 (Ma.yim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Jeremiah 9:18quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse calls for swift lamentation, expressing deep sorrow through tears and flowing water.
Who is speakingThe speaker is the prophet Jeremiah, conveying a message from the LORD.
Where we areThis verse is part of a lament, highlighting the grief over the devastation of Jerusalem.
The hard wordנֶ֑הִי
Take awayThe urgency of mourning is emphasized through the imagery of tears and flowing water.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbמִשְׁכָּן 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 9:18

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Lament for Jerusalemgenerated

17This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them.
18Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.
19For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How devastated we are! How great is our shame! For we have abandoned the land because our dwellings have been torn down.’”
20Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.

Jeremiah 9:18 is a call for lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah urges the women to come quickly and mourn, emphasizing the depth of sorrow felt by the people. This lamentation reflects the broader theme of grief and loss found throughout the book of Jeremiah, particularly regarding the fate of Zion and the consequences of the people's disobedience to God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Jeremiah 9:10–20I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away.
2Jeremiah 9:1Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
3Jeremiah 6:26O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
4Jeremiah 13:17But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.
5Jeremiah 14:17You are to speak this word to them: ‘My eyes overflow with tears; day and night they do not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people has been shattered by a crushing blow, a severely grievous wound.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word נֶ֑הִי, Ne.higenerated

The word נֶ֑הִי (Ne.hi) refers to a wailing or lamentation, often associated with mourning songs. It highlights expressions of grief, particularly in the context of loss and sorrow. This term is used in various passages in the Old Testament, indicating its significance in articulating deep emotional pain.

As a noun, it is in the masculine singular form, which indicates that it is a specific type of mourning song. The usage of this word in Jeremiah underscores the communal aspect of grief, as the people collectively express their sorrow over the devastation they experience.


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 verse consists of several clauses, with the main action driven by two finite verbs: תְמַהֵ֕רְנָה (and they may hasten) and תִשֶּׂ֥נָה (and they may take up), which are followed by additional phrases describing the action of lamenting and the resulting emotional outpouring.

The structure emphasizes urgency and collective mourning, with the verbs indicating actions taken by the women in response to the devastation. The arrangement of the clauses reflects the flow of thought, moving from the call to action to the emotional consequences.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נֶ֑הִי as πῶς (pōs), which means 'how'. This choice shifts the focus slightly, emphasizing the depth of sorrow rather than the act of lamentation itself, suggesting a reflection on the state of affairs rather than merely calling for a response.

The translation indicates a broader interpretation of the lament, inviting readers to consider the profound impact of the situation on the people.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Jeremiah 9:18 calls for women to come quickly and mourn over the destruction of Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes the depth of sorrow through tears and flowing water, illustrating the emotional state of the people in response to their loss.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the lament in this verse signify?

The lament signifies deep sorrow and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem, reflecting the emotional pain of the people.

Why are women specifically called to lament?

In ancient Israel, women were often seen as the primary mourners, and their voices in lamentation were significant in expressing communal grief.

How does this verse connect to the overall themes in Jeremiah?

This verse connects to the themes of grief, loss, and the consequences of disobedience to God, which are prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah.

What imagery is used to convey the sorrow in this verse?

Imagery of overflowing tears and gushing water is used to convey the depth of sorrow and emotional outpouring of the people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I express my grief in times of loss, and what role does community play in that process?
  2. In what ways can I support others who are mourning, similar to how the women were called to lament?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the importance of expressing emotions, especially in relation to sorrow?
  4. How can I reflect on the consequences of actions in my life, as Jeremiah reflects on the fate of Jerusalem?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 9:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us,.... Deliver out a mournful song, as the Arabic version; setting forth their miseries and distresses, and affecting their minds with them.

Read John Gill on Jeremiah 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. That our eyes may run down with tears ... - (Jeremiah 14:17).

Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Let them make haste: as by the calling for their artificial mourners he did intimate the greatness of the misery that was coming upon them, that with all, their art they could not sufficiently bewail it; so here, by making haste, he intimates the near approach of it, that it was even at the doors. Take up a wailing for us; pitch upon some form of mourning that may be suitable to our condition. Our eyelids gush out with waters: this and the former are each of them a hyperbolical expression, and yet are too little to bewail the greatness of the judgment, which suits with the prophet’ s lamentation, . The prophet would herein intimate that they that were so stupid as to hear the prophets…

Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Jeremiah 9:18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.Ver. 18. And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us.] Of this vanity or affectation God approveth not, as neither he did of the Olympic games, of usury, of that custom at Corinth, which yet he maketh his use of.

Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 9 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) Take up a wailing for us.—There is in all such figures of speech an inevitable blending of metaphors. The mourners wail for the dead nation, and yet the members of the nation are sharers in the obsequies, and their eyes run down with tears.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17–22. See summary introducing the section.

Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 9 →

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

Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Let them make haste and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears and our eyelids gush out with waters.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I said, “Indeed, let them come quickly and sing a song of mourning for us. Let them wail loudly until tears stream from our own eyes and our eyelids overflow with water.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And let them make haste, and let them take vp a lamentation for vs, that our eyes may cast out teares and our eye liddes gush out of water.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids pour forth waters.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And they hasten, and lift up for us a wailing. And run down our eyes do tears, And from our eyelids do waters flow.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And they hurry, and lift up a wailing for us. And tears run down our eyes, || And waters flow from our eyelids.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(9:17) And let them make haste, and take up for us a lamentation, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids drop down water.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Let them hurry and sing a mournful song over us, so our eyes may run with tears and our eyelids flow with water.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Let them hasten and take up a lamentation for us: let our eyes shed tears, and our eyelids run down with waters.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Have them come as quickly as possible, and sing a funeral song about us, so we can cry our eyes out, so our tears will flow like streams.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let them quickly make cries of sorrow for us, so that drops may be flowing from our eyes till they are streaming with water.

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.

וּandclauseverbתְמַהֵ֕רְנָהlet.them.hastenוְandclauseverbתִשֶּׂ֥נָהlet.them.take.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלֵ֖יonנוּusobjectנֶ֑הִיwailingוְsoclauseverbתֵרַ֤דְנָהthat.they.may.run.downnoun phrase · subjectעֵינֵ֨יeyesנוּ֙ouradverbialדִּמְעָ֔הtear[s]וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectעַפְעַפֵּ֖יeyelidsנוּourverbיִזְּלוּthey.may.flowadverbialמָֽיִםwater

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for Jeremiah 9:18, with 9 of the 10 words matched. The differences in word order and the use of articles in the Septuagint reflect its unique syntactical structure, but the core message of lamentation remains consistent.

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

וּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָה וְתִשֶּׂ֥נָה עָלֵ֖ינוּ נֶ֑הִי וְתֵרַ֤דְנָה עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ דִּמְעָ֔ה וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּ יִזְּלוּ־ מָֽיִם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָהφωνὴוְתִשֶּׂ֥נָהἠκούσθηעָלֵ֖ינוּσιωνנֶ֑הִיπῶςוְתֵרַ֤דְנָהκατῃσξύνθημενעֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ὅτιדִּמְעָ֔הἐγκατελίπομενוְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּἀπερρίψαμενמָֽיִם׃ἡμῶν

9 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 9:18מָהַרand they maand they may haמָהַרנָשָׂאand they maand they may taנָשָׂאעַלon uson usעַלנְהִיwailingwailingנְהִייָרַדso they mayso they may runיָרַדעַ֫יִןeyes oureyes ourעַ֫יִןדִּמְעָהtear[s]tear[s]דִּמְעָהעַפְעַףand eyelidsand eyelids ourעַפְעַףנָזַלthey may flthey may flowנָזַלמַיwaterwaterמַינָהָהto wailto wailנָהָהעוּףto flyto flyעוּףאֵבfruitfruitאֵבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדעַלheightheightעַלדֶּ֫מַע[ ] (weepi[ ] (weeping, tדֶּ֫מַעאֲבִיגַ֫יִלAbigailAbigailאֲבִיגַ֫יִלכַּדjarjarכַּדכְּלִמָּהshameshameכְּלִמָּהמָשָׁלproverbproverbמָשָׁלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאבְּכִיweepingweepingבְּכִיקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלשְׁאוֹלhell: Sheohell: SheolשְׁאוֹלבּוֹרpitpitבּוֹרחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁר
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 9:18

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
וּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָהu.te.ma.He.re.nah and they may hasten H4116 Conjunction · verb piel third person feminine plural
68× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to hurry or do something quickly, like when someone is in a rush. It can also mean to buy something by paying a price. The Bible uses it in Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
to hasten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָהַר (mahar) primarily means to hasten or hurry, conveying a sense of urgency or quickness. It can describe being anxious or impetuous, as well as the act of preparing or bringing something quickly. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning related to acquiring something by payment. The lexicons agree on these definitions without notable disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מָהַר] vb. hasten

Niph. be hurried = anxious, disturbed; hasty, precipitate; impetuous

Pi.

hasten, make haste = go or come quickly

hasten vb.

trans. hasten, = prepare quickly; = bring quickly; = do quickly

base

מָהַר vb. denom. acquire by paying purchase-price

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4116a [מָהַר] hasten . be hurried = anxious, disturbed; hasty, precipitate; impetuous

. . hasten, make haste = go or come quickly

. hasten vb.

. trans. hasten, = prepare quickly; = bring quickly; = do quickly

H4116b מָהַר vb. denom. acquire by paying purchase-price

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4116 mahar maw-har'

a primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e.

(by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often

used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly:--be carried

headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make) haste(-n, -ily),

(be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) X quickly, rash, X shortly,

(be so) X soon, make speed, X speedily, X straightway, X

suddenly, swift.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָהַר (ma.har) — to hasten.

1)(Qal) to hasten

1a) (Niphal) to be hurried, be anxious

1a) hasty, precipitate, impetuous

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to hasten, make haste

1b2) hasten (used as adverb with another verb)

1b3) to hasten, prepare quickly, do quickly, bring quickly

מָהַר (ma.har) — to buy.

acquire by paying purchase-price

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Vpu3fp — Conjunction · verb piel third person feminine plural
HC/Vpu3fp
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
וְתִשֶּׂ֥נָהve.ti.Se.nah and they may take up H5375 Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine plural
656× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Tyndale gloss
to lift: raise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take

Qal

lift, lift up

Bear, carry

Take, take away

Niph.

be lifted up

refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

be borne, carried

be taken away, carried off

Pi.

lift up = exalt

fig. = desire, long

carry, bear continuously

take, take away

Hithp. lift oneself up

Hiph.

cause one to bear iniquity

appar. cause to bring, have brought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up

. Bear, carry

. Take, take away

. . be lifted up

. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

. be borne, carried

. be taken away, carried off

. . lift up = exalt

. fig. = desire, long

. carry, bear continuously

. take, take away

. lift oneself up

. . cause one to bear iniquity

. appar. cause to bring, have brought

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5375 nasa' naw-saw'

or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to

lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and

figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,

arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring

(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,

exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,

give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,

lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,

pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,

stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.

see HEBREW for 04

see HEBREW for 06

see HEBREW for 07

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.

: raise/take_up

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up

1b3) to be borne, be carried

1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist

1c2) to desire, long (fig.)

1c3) to carry, bear continuously

1c4) to take, take away

1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)

1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.

: look/lift(eyes)

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Vqu3fp — Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine plural
HC/Vqu3fp
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
עָלֵ֖ינוּ'a.Lei.nu on us H5921 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)

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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
HRd/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bp
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

US, pronoun objective case of we.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.

Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.

Us, pron. oblique case of we

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
נֶ֑הִיNe.hi wailing H5092 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
7× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A mourning song or lamentation, like those in the book of Jeremiah. This word describes a time of sorrow and mourning. It is often used in the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
wailing, mourning song
Tyndale gloss
wailing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְהִי (neh-hee) refers to a type of wailing or lamentation, often associated with mourning songs. It is derived from the root word for wailing, indicating its focus on expressions of grief. The entries consistently emphasize its use in contexts of sorrow and mourning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְהִי n.[m.] wailing, lamentation, mourning song

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5092 נְהִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5092 nhiy neh-hee'

from 5091; an elegy:--lamentation, wailing.

see HEBREW for 05091

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְהִי (ne.hi) — wailing.

1) wailing, lamentation, mourning song

1a) wailing

1b) mourning song

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

→ Of the wicked Mt 13:42

Thompson Chain Reference topics

--SEE Mourners, SORROW

Weeping, WEEPING

& WEEPING

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
וְתֵרַ֤דְנָהve.te.Rad.nah so they may run down H3381 Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine plural
381× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Tyndale gloss
to go down
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend

Qal 306

come or go down

go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

from Jerusalem

from altar

go down

= sink, in water

go down to She’ôl

fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

= be prostrated

of divine manifestations: descend

of inanimate things

Hiph.

cause to come or go down

bring down

send down rain = cause to flow down

= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

bring down to She’ôl

take down (from cart)

let down

Hoph.

be brought down

be taken down

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down

. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle

. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor

. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt

. from Jerusalem

. from altar

. go down

. = sink, in water

. go down to She’ôl

. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears

. = be prostrated

. of divine manifestations: descend

. of inanimate things

. . cause to come or go down . bring down

. send down rain = cause to flow down

. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor

. bring down to She’ôl

. take down (from cart)

. let down

. . be brought down

. be taken down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3381 yarad yaw-rad'

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or

conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,

the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to

bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,

bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,

fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X

indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,

let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.

1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come down

1a2) to sink

1a3) to be prostrated

1a4) to come down (of revelation)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to bring down

1b2) to send down

1b3) to take down

1b4) to lay prostrate

1b5) to let down

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought down

1c2) to be taken down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Vqu3fp — Conjunction · verb qal third person feminine plural
HC/Vqu3fp
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙'ei.Nei.nu eyes our H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfdc/Sp1bp — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp1bp
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
דִּמְעָ֔הdim.'Ah tear[s] H1832 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tears are drops of liquid that fall from the eyes as a result of crying or weeping. This word is used in the Bible to describe times of sadness or sorrow.
Tyndale gloss
tears
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דִּמְעָה (dim`ah) refers to 'tears' and is primarily used in a poetic context, with frequent occurrences in the book of Jeremiah and contemporary literature. It is a feminine noun derived from the root word for 'weeping' (דִּמְעָה is noted as a collective term for tears). The entries consistently emphasize its poetic nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דִּמְעָה n.f. coll. tears (chiefly poet. and late; freq. in Je. and contemp.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1832 דִּמְעָה coll. tears (chiefly poet. and late; freq. in Je. and contemp.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1832 dim`ah dim-aw'

feminine of 1831; weeping:--tears.

see HEBREW for 01831

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דִּמְעָה (dim.ah) — tears.

tears

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּve.'af.'a.Pei.nu and eyelids our H6079 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can refer to an eyelid or an eyelash, and is also used figuratively to describe the morning sun's rays. It appears in descriptions of nature and beauty.
Tyndale gloss
eyelid
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַפְעַף (aph'aph) refers to an eyelid, derived from a root meaning to flutter. It can also figuratively describe the rays of the morning sun or dawn. The entries consistently emphasize its primary meaning related to the eyelid, with a secondary figurative use.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עַפְעַף] n.m. eyelid

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6079 עַפְעַף

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6079 `aph`aph af-af'

from 5774; an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning

ray:--dawning, eye-lid.

see HEBREW for 05774

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַפְעַף (aph.aph) — eyelid.

1) eyelid

1a) eyelid

1b) of dawn, rays of sun (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmpc/Sp1bp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HC/Ncmpc/Sp1bp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
יִזְּלוּ־yi.ze.lu- they may flow H5140 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to flow or drip, like a stream or flood, and is used to describe the movement of water. It appears in descriptions of natural wonders, like rivers and waterfalls. In the Bible, it is used in Isaiah 44:3 to describe God's blessings flowing like a river.
Tyndale gloss
to flow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָזַל (nazal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flow or trickle. It encompasses various forms of flowing, including distilling and shedding liquid. The term appears in both the Qal and Hiphil stems, indicating both a simple action of flowing and causing something to flow. The poetic usage suggests a rich imagery associated with water and movement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָזַל] vb. flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)

Qal

flow

distil

Hiph. cause to flow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5140 [נָזַל] flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5140 nazal naw-zal'

a primitive root; to drip, or shed by trickling:--distil,

drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing), gush out, melt, pour

(down), running water, stream.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָזַל (na.zal) — to flow.

1) to flow, distil, flow forth or down, trickle, drop

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to flow

1a1a) streams, floods (participle)

1a2) to distil

1b) (Hiphil) to cause to flow

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they may hasten and they may take up on us wailing so they may run down eyes our tear[s] and eyelids our they may flow water
מָֽיִם׃Ma.yim water H4325 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
581× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Tyndale gloss
Water (Gate)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4325 mayim mah'-yim

dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+

piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַי (ma.yim) — water.

1) water, waters

1a) water

1b) water of the feet, urine

1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)

מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).

This name means water, refreshment

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

wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):

(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.

(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.

(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CISTERN and WELLS.

In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5

→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9

→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11

→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20

→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5

→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22

→ Libation of 1Sa 7:6

→ Irrigation with

See IRRIGATION

→ Miraculously supplied

To the Israelites Ex 17:1,6; Nu 20:11

To Samson Jud 15:19

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- One of the elements of the world

Ge 1:2

- GOD ORIGINALLY

. Created the firmament to divide

Ge 1:6,7

. Collected into one place

Ge 1:9

. Created fowls and fishes, &c from

Ge 1:20,21

- Necessary to vegetation

Ge 2:5,6; Job 14:9; Isa 1:30

- Some plants particularly require

Job 8:11

- Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man

Isa 41:17; Zec 9:11

- COLLECTED IN

. Springs

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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