Menu

Job 10:17 — Word Study

Depth

WLCתְּחַדֵּ֬שׁ עֵדֶ֨יךָ׀ נֶגְדִּ֗י וְתֶ֣רֶב כַּֽ֭עַשְׂךָ עִמָּדִ֑י חֲלִיפ֖וֹת וְצָבָ֣א עִמִּֽי׃

BSAYou produce newchâdash [renew, restore] witnessesʻêd [testifiers, accusers] against meneged and multiplyrâbâh [increase, grow] Your angerkaʻaç [vexation, frustration] toward meʻimmâd Hardshipstsâbâʼ [changes, warfare] assault meʻim [attack, oppress] in wave after wavechălîyphâh [army, campaign, succession, repetition]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 10
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 ('i.Mi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 10:17quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses his feeling of being overwhelmed by new accusations and increasing hardships.
Who is speakingJob, in a moment of despair, addresses God directly.
Where we areJob is in the midst of a lament, reflecting on his suffering and the seeming injustice of his situation.
The hard wordתְּחַדֵּשׁ
Take awayJob feels besieged by relentless trials and divine anger.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחָדַשׁ 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 — Job 10:17

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 — Job's Lamentgenerated

16Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.
17You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.
18Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me!
19If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave.

Job 10:17 captures Job's anguish as he feels God is bringing forth new witnesses against him, intensifying His anger, while he is beset by relentless hardships. This passage illustrates Job's deep sense of injustice and his plea for understanding amidst his suffering. The surrounding verses show Job grappling with the meaning of his existence and the reasons for his pain, further emphasizing his emotional turmoil.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 16:8You have bound me, and it has become a witness; my frailty rises up and testifies against me.
2Ruth 1:21I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”
3Psalm 55:19God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
4Jeremiah 48:11Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged.
5Zephaniah 1:12And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תְּחַדֵּשׁ, te.cha.Deshgenerated

The verb חָדַשׁ (chadash) means to renew or repair, indicating an action of making something new again. In this context, it suggests that God is introducing new accusations against Job, which adds to his distress.

The Piel form of this verb indicates a more intensive action, highlighting the severity of Job's situation as he feels overwhelmed by these new witnesses. The idea of renewal here is not positive; it compounds Job's suffering, as he perceives these witnesses as adversaries.


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 verbs תְּחַדֵּשׁ and תֶ֣רֶב govern the main clauses, with the first verb indicating the action of God and the second describing the increase of anger. The structure emphasizes Job's perspective of being under attack.

The sentence is constructed with a series of phrases that build on each other, illustrating the compounding nature of Job's distress through new accusations and increasing hardships.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תְּחַדֵּשׁ as ἐπανακαινίζων, which carries the sense of renewing or restoring. This choice reflects a broader interpretation, suggesting not just the introduction of new witnesses but an active renewal of Job's suffering.

This translation indicates an interpretation that sees God's actions as not merely punitive but also as a form of renewal in Job's life, albeit a painful one.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 10:17 shows Job feeling overwhelmed by new accusations from God and the increasing anger he perceives. He describes how hardships come at him like waves, illustrating his sense of being under constant attack.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'new witnesses'?

Job refers to new accusations or testimonies against him, which he feels are unjust and add to his suffering.

How does Job describe his hardships?

He uses the metaphor of waves to describe the relentless and overwhelming nature of his troubles.

What is the significance of Job's plea?

Job's plea highlights his deep sense of injustice and desire for understanding from God regarding his suffering.

How does this verse connect to the broader themes in Job?

This verse encapsulates Job's struggle with divine justice and human suffering, central themes throughout the Book of Job.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I felt overwhelmed by circumstances in my life, similar to Job's experience?
  2. How can I find hope amidst feelings of accusation or hardship?
  3. What does it mean to me that God is aware of my struggles, even when I feel attacked?
  4. How can I support others who are experiencing waves of hardship like Job?

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

Gregory the Dialogist interprets this verse in his work, discussing the implications of God's witnesses and Job's suffering.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book IX c. 540–604
Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, and multipliest Thy wrath: and pains war in me. HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION For 'God's witnesses' are they, who bear witness by the practice of holy works,
Early Church Fathers on Job 10 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 10:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me,.... Not the devils, as some, nor Job's friends, as others; but rather afflictions, which were daily renewed, and frequently repeated, new troubles coming

Read John Gill on Job 10 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. Thou renewest thy witnesses against me.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 10 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Thy witnesses, i.e. thy judgments, which are the witnesses and evidences, both of my sins, and of thy wrath. Thy indignation, i.e. my miseries, the effects of thine anger. These words are added to explain what he meant by renewing witnesses. Changes and war; or, changes and an army; which may be a figure called hendiadis, for the changes of an army, i.e. many miseries succeeding one another, like companies of the soldiers of an army in battle; or changes may note the various kinds, and an army the great numbers, of his afflictions.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 10 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war [are] against me.Ver. 17. Thou renewest thy witnesses against me] These fresh witnesses were devils, say some; Job’ s friends, say others; his dolorous sufferings rather, saith Austin; those open witnesses of some secret wickedness in Job, as the world would esteem them. See Job 16:8 Rth 1:21. Thus the Jews censured our Saviour, Isaiah 53:3-4; the barbarians Paul, Acts 28:4; and those in the Gospel them that perished by the fall of the tower of Siloam. And how many precious men as well as Job have been cast upon this evidence for traitors and rebels against the highest majesty? Junius…

Read John Trapp on Job 10 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) Thou renewest thy witnesses against me.—Some understand this of the sores on Job’s person, which his friends regarded as witnesses—proofs of his guilt; but it seems more probable that the figure is forensic: “Thou still bringest fresh witnesses against me, and multipliest thine anger against me, so that relays of them, even a host, are against me; for they come upon me host after host—these witnesses of Thine anger, the ministers of Thy vengeance.” The sublimity of this indictment against God is only equalled by the sense of terrific awe with which one reads it. The language is Job’s, and so far has the sanction of Holy Writ; but we may surely learn therefrom the condescension as well…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 10 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. Thou renewest thy witnesses] In this speech of Job he is ever referring to trials in courts of judicature, and almost all his terms are forensic. Thou bringest witnesses in continual succession to confound and convict me. Changes and war] I am as if attacked by successive troops; one company being wearied, another succeeds to the attack, so that I am harassed by continual warfare.

Read AdamClarke on Job 10 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. thou renewest] wouldst renew. Similarly, and increase. All the verbs in these verses (Job 10:14-17) are to be translated from the point of view of God’s intention cherished beforehand with regard to Job. This intention has, of course, been carried out, and has been fulfilled in Job’s present condition, and this condition supplies the colours in which the intention is painted. God’s “witnesses” are His plagues and afflictions, as the margin explains, which testified to Job’s guilt, cf. ch. Job 16:8. changes and war are against me] Or, changes and a host with me. The words are either an exclamation, in which the preceding statements of Job 10:17 are summed up; or are in apposition to…

Read Cambridge on Job 10 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me - Margin, “that is, plagues.” The Hebrew is, “thy witnesses” - עדיך ‛ēdeykā. So the Vulgate. The Septuagint is, “renewing against me my examination,” τὴνἐξέτασίνμου tēn ecetasin mou.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 10 →

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

You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your indignation on me. Changes and warfare are with me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.

NETBNew English Translation2006

You bring new witnesses against me, and increase your anger against me; relief troops come against me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and warfare are with me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thy indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Thou renuest thy plagues against me, and thou increasest thy wrath against me: changes and armies of sorowes are against me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Thou renewest thy witnesses before me and increasest thy displeasure against me; successions [of evil] and a time of toil are with me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, And dost multiply Thine anger with me, Changes and warfare [are] with me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

You renew Your witnesses against me, and multiply Your anger with me, || Changes and warfare [are] with me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Thou ever renewest thy witnesses against me, and causest thy indignation to grow strong against me; changes and multitudes [of sufferings] are around me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger against me; you attack me with fresh armies.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and multipliest thy wrath upon me, and pains war against me.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You repeat your arguments against me, you pour out more and more of your anger against me, you send fresh armies against me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

That you would send new witnesses against me, increasing your wrath against me, and letting loose new armies on me.

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.

clauseverbתְּחַדֵּ֬שׁyou.renewnoun phrase · objectעֵדֶ֨יwitnessesךָyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalנֶגְדִּ֗beforeיmeוְandclauseverbתֶ֣רֶבyou.increasenoun phrase · objectכַּֽ֭עַשְׂvexationךָyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִמָּדִ֑withיmeclausenoun phrase · subjectחֲלִיפ֖וֹתchangesוְandצָבָ֣אan.armyprepositional phrase · predicateעִמִּֽ[are].withיme

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 on the wording of this verse, with eight of the nine words matched. The Septuagint's rendering, while different in structure, conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing Job's plight.

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

תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁ עֵדֶ֨יךָ׀ נֶגְדִּ֗י וְתֶ֣רֶב כַּֽ֭עַשְׂךָ עִמָּדִ֑י חֲלִיפ֖וֹת וְצָבָ֣א עִמִּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁἐπανακαινίζωνעֵדֶ֨יךָ׀ἐμὲנֶגְדִּ֗יμουוְתֶ֣רֶבὀργῇכַּֽ֭עַשְׂךָμεγάλῃעִמָּדִ֑יἐξρήσωוְצָבָ֣אἐμὲעִמִּֽי׃πειρατήρια

8 of the 9 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.

Job 10:17חָדַשׁyou renewyou renewחָדַשׁעֵדwitnesses ywitnesses yourעֵדנֶ֫גֶדbefore mebefore meנֶ֫גֶדרָבָהand you incand you increasרָבָהכַּ֫עַסvexation yovexation yourכַּ֫עַסעִםwith mewith meעִםחֲלִיפָהchangeschangesחֲלִיפָהצָבָאand an armyand an armyצָבָאעִם[are] with [are] with meעִםכָּעַסto provoketo provokeכָּעַסעוּדto upholdto upholdעוּדנָגַדto tellto tellנָגַדחָלַףto passto passחָלַףצָבָאto serveto serveצָבָאעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםרָבַבto multiplto multiply tenרָבַבעִםwithwithעִםשָׁמֵםbe desolatbe desolate: deשָׁמֵםרוּחַspiritspiritרוּחַשֶׁ֫קֶרdeceptiondeceptionשֶׁ֫קֶרבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלפָּרָהbe fruitfube fruitfulפָּרָהמָעַטto diministo diminishמָעַטאֱוִילfool(ish)fool(ish)אֱוִילרִיבto contendto contendרִיבחֶ֫סֶדkindnesskindnessחֶ֫סֶדשִׂמְלָהmantlemantleשִׂמְלָה
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 Job 10:17

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.

you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁte.cha.Desh you renew H2318 Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singular
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to renew or repair something, making it new again. It is used in the Bible to describe rebuilding or restoring something, and can also mean to renew oneself. The KJV translates it as 'renew' or 'repair'.
Amplified meaning
renew, restore
Tyndale gloss
to renew
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָדַשׁ (chadash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be new, renew, or repair. It is primarily used in the Piel and Hithpael forms, indicating actions like making something new or renewing oneself. The entries emphasize the idea of renewal and restoration, with a notable example of renewal likened to the rejuvenation of youth, as seen in the phrase about eagles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָדַשׁ] vb. only Pi. (and Hithp.) renew, repair

Pi.

renew, make anew

repair

Hithp. thy youth reneweth itself, like the eagle.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2318 [חָדַשׁ] only Pi. (and Hithp.) renew, repair

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2318 chadash khaw-dash'

a primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild:--renew,

repair.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָדַשׁ (cha.dash) — to renew.

1) to be new, renew, repair

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to renew, make anew

1a2) to repair

1b) (Hithpael) to renew oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVpi2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

re-nu': The word is used in various senses:

(1) of material things, e.g. Ps 104:30; here it means to give a new appearance, to refresh, to restore the face of the earth;

(2) in 1Sa 11:14, to establish more firmly the kingdom by reinstalling King Saul;

(3) in 2Ch 15:8, to rebuild or repair the broken altar;

(4) in La 5:21, "renew our days," restore the favors of former days;

(5) in Isa 41:1, `let them gather together, or marshal their strongest arguments for answer';

(6) in Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31, it refers to the…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
עֵדֶ֨יךָ׀'e.Dei.kha witnesses your H5707 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
70× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.
Amplified meaning
testifiers, accusers
Tyndale gloss
witness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵד (ed) means 'witness' and encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies. It is derived from a root suggesting emphatic affirmation. The term can refer to evidence of things or to individuals providing testimony.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵד 69 n.m. witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming)

witness, testimony, evidence, of things

witness, a person

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5707 עֵד witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming) . witness, testimony, evidence, of things

. witness, a person

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5707 `ed ayd

contracted from 5749 ; concretely, a witness; abstractly,

testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:--witness.

see HEBREW for 05749

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵד (ed) — witness.

1) witness

1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things)

1b) witness (of people)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
נֶגְדִּ֗יneg.Di before me H5048 Suffix
151× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5048 neged neh'-ghed

from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a

counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with

preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,

X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,

sight, X to view.

see HEBREW for 05046

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.

subst

1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of

adv

2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of

3) in front of oneself, straightforward

4) before your face, in your view or purpose

with prep

5) what is in front of, corresponding to

6) in front of, before

7) in the sight or presence of

8) parallel to

9) over, for

10) in front, opposite

11) at a distance

prep

12) from the front of, away from

13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from

14) from before, in front of

15) as far as the front of

Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Suffix
HAcmsc/Sp1bs
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
וְתֶ֣רֶבve.Te.rev and you increase H7235 Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive second person masculine singular
227× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Amplified meaning
increase, grow
Tyndale gloss
to multiply
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great

Qal 59

become many, numerous

be great

grow great (Aramaism)

Pi. 4 make large, increase

Hiph. 162

make much or many

make great, obj. pers.

base

[רָבָה] vb. shoot;—only Qal Gn 21:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous

. . be great

. grow great (Aramaism)

. make large, increase

. . make much or many

. make great, obj. pers.

H7235b רָבָה shoot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7235 rabah raw-baw'

a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring

in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be

in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,

exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,

X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,

make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more

(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much

(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X

process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.

see HEBREW for 07232

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.

1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)

1a2) to be or grow great

1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make much, make many, have many

1c1a) to multiply, increase

1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly

1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly

1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much

Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)

רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.

(Qal) to shoot

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms — Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive second person masculine singular
HC/Vhj2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in'-kres, (noun), in-kres' (verb): Employed in the English Bible both as verb and as noun, and in both cases to represent a number of different words in the original. As a verb it is used in the ordinary sense of the term. As a noun it is usually used of plant life, or of the herds and flocks, to denote the fruitage or the offspring; more rarely of money, to denote the interest. As examples of the different terms translated by this word, students who read Hebrew or Greek may compare De 7:22; Pr 16:21; Job 10:16 the King James Version; Job 12:23; Nu 18:30; De 7:13

you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
כַּֽ֭עַשְׂךָKa.'as.kha vexation your H3708 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun refers to the feeling of anger or frustration, like in Deuteronomy 32 where it describes God's vexation with the Israelites. It can also mean grief or provocation. It's a strong negative emotion.
Amplified meaning
vexation, frustration
Tyndale gloss
vexation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כַּ֫עַס (ka.as) refers to feelings of vexation and anger, encompassing grief and provocation. It is derived from a root that suggests a sense of irritation or sorrow. The word appears in contexts relating to both human and divine emotions, indicating a range of feelings from frustration to wrath.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כַּ֫עַס n.m. vexation, anger

base

כַּ֫עַשׂ n.m.

vexation, grief

vexation, anger

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3708a כַּ֫עַס vexation, anger H3708b כַּ֫עַשׂ . vexation, grief

. vexation, anger

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3708 ka`ac kah'-as

or (in Job) kaoas {kah'-as}; from 3707; vexation: -anger,

angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, X sore,

sorrow, spite, wrath.

see HEBREW for 03707

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כַּ֫עַס (ka.as) — vexation.

anger, vexation

Also means: ka.as (כַּ֫עַשׂ "vexation" H3708B)

כַּ֫עַשׂ (ka.as) — vexation.

1) anger, vexation, provocation, grief

1a) vexation

1a1) of men

1a2) of God

1b) vexation, grief, frustration

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
עִמָּדִ֑י'i.ma.Di with me H5978 Preposition · suffix
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means 'with me', showing accompaniment, like in Psalm 23:4 where David says God is with him even in difficult times.
Tyndale gloss
with me
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עִם (*im*) means 'with' and is used to indicate companionship, aid, or joint actions. It can also imply opposition in contexts of contest or combat. The entries suggest a range of meanings, including proximity, possession, and metaphorical uses, such as 'in spite of.' There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5978 עִם with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5978 `immad im-mawd'

prol. for 5973; along with:--against, by, from, + me, +

mine, of, + that I take, unto, upon, with(-in.)

see HEBREW for 05973

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִמָּדִי (im.mad) — with me.

with

A grammatical form of im (עִם "with" H5973A)

§ 1) with

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
חֲלִיפ֖וֹתcha.li.Fot changes H2487 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a change or replacement, like switching clothes or taking turns, and is used in the Bible to describe things like changing courses in life.
Amplified meaning
army, campaign, succession, repetition
Tyndale gloss
change
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲלִיפָה (chaliyphah) refers to a change or replacement, often associated with garments or life circumstances. It encompasses various meanings, including a change of raiment, relays, and even a figurative sense of relief from death. The term suggests the idea of alternation or substitution, reflecting a broader concept of change in life.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חֲלִיפָה] n.f. a change (from the idea of replacing, changing, substituting)

change of raiment

relays

revival after death, under fig. of relief from milit. service

changing, varying, of course of life

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2487 [חֲלִיפָה] a change (from the idea of replacing, changing, substituting)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2487 chaliyphah khal-ee-faw'

from 2498; alternation:--change, course.

see HEBREW for 02498

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲלִיפָה (cha.li.phah) — change.

1) a change, change (of garments), replacement

1a) change (of raiment)

1b) relays

1c) relief (from death)

1d) changing, varying (course of life)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
וְצָבָ֣אve.tza.Va' and an army H6635 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
485× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Amplified meaning
changes, warfare
Tyndale gloss
army
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צָבָא (*tsaba'*) primarily means 'army' or 'warfare,' encompassing organized groups for battle, divine hosts, and even celestial bodies. It can also refer to service or duty in a military context. The term appears in various forms, including צְבָאוֹת (*tsaba'ot*), which denotes the 'hosts' of the Lord, particularly in relation to God's role in warfare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צָבָא 485 n.m. army, war, warfare

army, host

war, warfare, service

service

צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6635a צָבָא army, war, warfare . army, host

. war, warfare, service

. service

H6635b צְבָאוֹת army, war, warfare . army, host

. war, warfare, service

. service

. צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6635 tsaba' tsaw-baw'

or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from 6633; a mass of

persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized

for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or

figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed

time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers,

waiting upon, war(-fare).

see HEBREW for 06633

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army.

: army

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

צָבָא (tsa.va) — Hosts.

The Hosts (of the Lord)

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: war.

: war

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: duty.

: duty

1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host

1a) army, host

1a1) host (of organised army)

1a2) host (of angels)

1a3) of sun, moon, and stars

1a4) of whole creation

1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war

1c) service

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ar'-mi (chayil, "army," tsabha', "host," ma`arakhah, "army in battle array" gedhudh, "troop"):

1. The First Campaign of History

2. In the Wilderness

3. The Times after the Conquest

4. In the Early Monarchy

5. From the Time of Solomon Onward

6. Organization of the Hebrew Army

7. The Army in the Field

8. The Supplies of the Army

9. In the New Testament

The Israelites were not a distinctively warlike people and their glory has been won on other fields than those of war. But Canaan, between the Mediterranean and the desert, was the highway of the East and the battle-ground of nations. The Israelites were, by the necessity of their geographical position, often involved in wars not of their own seeking, and their bravery and endurance even when worsted in their conflicts won for them the admiration and respect of their conquerors.

1. The First Campaign of History:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Army

The Israelites marched out of Egypt in military order (Ex. 13:18, “harnessed;” marg., “five in a rank”). Each tribe formed a battalion, with its own banner and leader (Num. 2:2; 10:14). In war the army was divided into thousands and hundreds under their several captains (Num. 31:14), and also into families (Num. 2:34; 2 Chr. 25:5; 26:12). From the time of their entering the land of Canaan to the time of the kings, the Israelites made little progress in military affairs, although often engaged in warfare. The kings introduced the custom of maintaining a bodyguard (the Gibborim; i.e., “heroes”), and thus the nucleus of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

I. JEWISH ARMY.--Every man above 20 years of age was a soldier, (Numbers 1:3) each tribe formed a regiment, with its own banner and its own leader (Numbers 2:2; 10:14) their positions in the camp or on the march were accurately fixed, Numb. 2; the whole army started and stopped at a given signal, (Numbers 10:5,6) thus they came up out of Egypt ready for the fight. (Exodus 13:18) On the approach of an enemy a conscription was made from the general body, under the direction of a muster-master, (20:5; 2 Kings 25:19) by whom also the officers were appointed. (20:9) The army had then divided into thousands and hundreds under…

you renew witnesses your before me and you increase vexation your with me changes and an army [are] with me
עִמִּֽי׃'i.Mi [are] with me H5973 Preposition · suffix
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Amplified meaning
attack, oppress
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate