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Job 12:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCגַּם־ לִ֤י לֵבָ֨ב׀ כְּֽמוֹכֶ֗ם לֹא־ נֹפֵ֣ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּ֑ם וְאֶת־ מִי־ אֵ֥ין כְּמוֹ־ אֵֽלֶּה׃

BSABut I alsogam [even, too] a mindlêbâb [heart, innermost being] Iʼânôkîy am notlôʼ [in no way] inferiornâphal [less wise, fallen] Whomîy [what person, anyone] does not [know]ʼayin [is not without, have understanding of, recognize] such thingskᵉmôw [these matters, truths] as theseʼêl-leh [like these, of this kind]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 12
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 ('E.leh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 12:3quick helps
In a sentenceJob asserts his own understanding and wisdom, claiming equality with his friends.
Who is speakingJob, responding to his friends' claims of wisdom.
Where we areJob is defending his position amidst a discussion about wisdom and understanding.
The hard wordלֵבָב
Take awayJob emphasizes that he possesses understanding and is not lesser than his companions.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectלֵבָב verbנָפַל 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 12:3

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 Defense of His Wisdomgenerated

2“Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die!
3But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
4I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.
5The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

Job 12:3 captures Job's response to his friends, asserting that he too has a mind and is not inferior to them. He challenges their assumptions about wisdom, suggesting that understanding is not limited to them alone. This passage highlights Job's struggle to be recognized for his own insights amidst the accusations of his friends, as he seeks to affirm his own perspective on suffering and knowledge.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 13:2–5What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
2Proverbs 26:4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
32 Corinthians 11:5–21I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
4Job 6:6–7Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg ?
5Job 26:2–3“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word לֵבָב, le.Vavgenerated

The word לֵבָב (levav) refers to the heart, which in Hebrew thought encompasses not just the emotions but also the mind and will. It signifies the innermost being of a person, where thoughts and feelings converge. Job uses this term to assert that he possesses the same depth of understanding as his friends.

This term appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often indicating moral character or emotional state. In this context, it serves to emphasize Job's claim to wisdom, suggesting that he is equally capable of understanding the truths they discuss.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb נֹפֵ֣ל (nofel) governs the main assertion of the verse, with Job stating his equality with his friends. The structure includes multiple phrases that elaborate on his claim, establishing a clear contrast between himself and his companions.

The sentence structure emphasizes Job's declaration of understanding, with the main clause asserting his equality and the subsequent phrases reinforcing his position.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates לֵבָב as καρδία (kardia), which also means heart but carries a connotation of emotional and rational faculties. This choice reflects a broader understanding of the heart as the seat of thought and feeling.

This translation choice indicates a continuity in the conceptualization of the heart between the Hebrew and Greek texts, emphasizing the importance of inner understanding in the discourse.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 12:3 shows Job asserting that he also has understanding and is not less wise than his friends. He questions who among them does not recognize the truths he speaks of, highlighting his equal status in the discussion about wisdom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by saying he has a mind?

Job is asserting that he possesses understanding and insight, just like his friends, and he is capable of grasping the truths they discuss.

Why does Job emphasize he is not inferior?

Job wants to challenge the notion that only his friends possess wisdom, affirming that he too has valuable insights about their situation.

What is the significance of the heart in this verse?

In Hebrew thought, the heart represents the inner self, encompassing both intellect and emotions, indicating that Job's understanding is deep and comprehensive.

How does this verse relate to Job's overall argument?

This verse is part of Job's defense against his friends' accusations, emphasizing his equal capacity for wisdom and understanding in the face of their judgments.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I recognize my own understanding in discussions with others?
  2. How can I assert my insights without diminishing the contributions of others?
  3. What does it mean to have a heart of understanding in my own life?
  4. How can I learn from Job's example in seeking to communicate my thoughts clearly?

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

Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and understanding, highlighting Job's assertion of his own insights in contrast to his friends.

Didymus the BlindCOMMENTARY ON Job 12:3 c. 313–398
Job wants to reveal their wrong perceptions with the words, “But I have understanding as well as you,” and still I do not think the same thoughts as you.
Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book X c. 540–604
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yea, who knoweth not such things as these that ye know? For who is ignorant how greatly the practice and the knowledge of blessed Job excels the knowledge that his friends…
Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 12:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But I have understanding as well as you,.... A natural understanding, or an understanding of natural things, which distinguishes a man from a brute; and a spiritual understanding, an understanding

Read John Gill on Job 12 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? Not inferior - not vanquished in argument and "wisdom" (Job 13:2).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 12 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

An understanding, Heb. a heart; which is oft put for the understanding, as ; i.e. God hath given me also the knowledge and ability to judge of these matters. I am not inferior to you in these things; which he speaketh, not in a way of vain-glorious boasting, but for the just and necessary vindication both of himself; and of that cause of God, which for the matter and substance of it he maintained rightly, as God himself attests, . Who knoweth not such things as these? the truth is, neither you nor I have any reason to be puffed up with our knowledge of these things; for the most foolish and barbarous nations know that God is infinite in wisdom, and power, and justice. But this is not the…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 12 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?Ver. 3. But I have understanding as well as you] Think not that you have engrossed all the knowledge, and that you have the monopoly of wisdom in your breasts; for surely I may come into the balance with you, and claim as great a share in understanding as yourselves. Zophar was pleased to call me hollow and heartless, Job 11:12; but I have a heart (so the Hebrew here hath it), that seat of understanding; and that shall appear in the ensuing discourse: where Job proveth that by solid arguments concerning which Zophar had but barely propounded. And whereas this patient man…

Read John Trapp on Job 12 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. I am not inferior to you] I do not fall short of any of you in understanding, wisdom, learning, and experience. Who knoweth not such things as these?] All your boasted wisdom consists only in strings of proverbs which are in every person's mouth, and are no proof of wisdom and experience in them that use them.

Read AdamClarke on Job 12 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. But I have understanding] Rather, I also have understanding, lit. heart; cf. on ch. Job 11:12, to the depreciating words of which Job refers. who knoweth not such things as these] lit. with whom are not such things as these? i. e. such knowledge as this. The reference is to Zophar’s exhibition of the Divine wisdom and might, ch. Job 11:7-12.

Read Cambridge on Job 12 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But I have understanding as well as you - Margin, as in the Hebrew “an heart.” The word “heart” in the Scriptures is often used to denote the understanding or mind.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 12 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

3. Understanding — Or, a heart. With the ancient Hebrews the heart was the seat of the understanding, and the bowels the seat of the emotions. “He also has a heart like them; he is, therefore, not ‘empty.’” — Delitzsch.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 12 →

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

But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

NETBNew English Translation2006

I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

RVARevised Version, American1894

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knoweth not such things as these?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But I haue vnderstanding aswel as you, and am not inferior vnto you: yea, who knoweth not such things?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; and who knoweth not such things as these?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, And with whom is there not like these?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, || And with whom is there not like these?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I also have sense like you; I do not fall short compared with you: and who possesseth not such things as these?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But I too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But I have a mind as well as you; I am equal to you: yes, who has not knowledge of such things as these?

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · predicateגַּםalsoprepositional phraseלִ֤[belongs].toיmesubjectלֵבָ֨בa.heartprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּֽמוֹlikeכֶ֗םyouclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbנֹפֵ֣ל[am].fallingsubjectאָנֹכִ֣יIprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִmoreכֶּ֑םthan.youוְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶתwithמִיwhom?predicateאֵ֥ין[are].there.notprepositional phrase · prepositionalכְּמוֹlikeאֵֽלֶּהthese.[things]

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 content, with a close correspondence in the wording. However, the Septuagint's phrasing and structure differ slightly, reflecting its own interpretative style.

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

גַּם־ לִ֤י לֵבָ֨ב׀ כְּֽמוֹכֶ֗ם לֹא־ נֹפֵ֣ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּ֑ם וְאֶת־ מִי־ אֵ֥ין כְּמוֹ־ אֵֽלֶּה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֵבָ֨ב׀καρδίαכְּֽמוֹכֶ֗םὑμᾶςלֹא־’’נֹפֵ֣ל’’אָנֹכִ֣י’’מִכֶּ֑ם’’מִי־’’אֵ֥ין’’כְּמוֹ־’’אֵֽלֶּה׃’’

10 of the 13 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 12:3גַּםalsoalsoגַּםנִי[belongs] t[belongs] to meנִילֵבָבa hearta heartלֵבָבכְּמוֹlike youlike youכְּמוֹלֹאnotnotלֹאנָפַל[am] fallin[am] fallingנָפַלאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יכֶםmore than ymore than youכֶםאֵתand withand withאֵתמִיwhom?whom?מִיאַ֫יִן[are] there[are] there notאַ֫יִןכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹאֵ֫לֶּהthese [thinthese [things]אֵ֫לֶּהלבבto encourato encourageלבבכֵּןrightrightכֵּןאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהאֵלthesetheseאֵלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלמָהwhat?what?מָהאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןחֹ֫מֶרclayclayחֹ֫מֶרכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםשָׁלֵםcompletecompleteשָׁלֵםדָּרַשׁto seekto seekדָּרַשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָה
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 12:3

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.

also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
גַּם־gam- also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Amplified meaning
even, too
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
לִ֤יli [belongs] to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
לֵבָ֨ב׀le.Vav a heart H3824 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
252× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Amplified meaning
heart, innermost being
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the seas

usu. of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific ref. to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

spec. ref. to moral character

= the man himself

spec. as seat of appetites

spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas

. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific ref. to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. spec. ref. to moral character

. = the man himself

. spec. as seat of appetites

. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions

. seat of courage

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3824 lebab lay-bawb'

from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also

like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,

courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X

unawares, understanding.

see HEBREW for 03823

see HEBREW for 03820

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads:

1. Various Meanings:

It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body. Fear, love, courage, anger, Joy, sorrow, hatred are always ascribed to the heart--especially in the Old Testament; thus courage for which usually ruach is used (Ps 27:14); joy (Ps 4:7); anger (De 19:6, "while his heart is hot," lebhabh); fear (1Sa 25:37); sorrow (Ps 13:2), etc.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Heart

According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. “Heart” and “soul” are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.

The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6;

also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
כְּֽמוֹכֶ֗םke.mo.Khem like you H3644 Preposition · suffix
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Amplified meaning
these matters, truths
Tyndale gloss
like
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּמוֹ (kemo) is an adverb and conjunction meaning 'like' or 'as,' often used to draw comparisons or indicate similarity. It can also mean 'when' or 'according to.' The word is derived from a pleonastic form of the prefix כְּ (k-) and is related to the word מוֹ (mo). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3644 כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3644 kmow kem-o'

or kamow {kaw-mo'}; a form of the prefix "k-", but used

separately (compare 3651); as, thus, so:--according to, (such)

as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto),

thus, when, worth.

see HEBREW for 03651

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — like.

adv

1) like, as, the like of which

conj

2) when, according as, as it were

כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — (Geruth) Chimham.

Combined with ge.rut (גֵּרוּת "Geruth" H1628)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2mp
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
in no way
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
נֹפֵ֣לno.Fel [am] falling H5307 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
435× 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 fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Amplified meaning
less wise, fallen
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
אָנֹכִ֣י'a.no.Khi I H595 Pronoun
359× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָֽנֹכִ֫י (*anokiy*) is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is a variant spelling of אֲנִי (*ani*), which also means 'I.' The entries confirm its use as a personal pronoun without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H595 אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

595 'anokiy aw-no-kee'

sometimes {aw-no'-kee}; a primitive pro.; I:--I, me, X

which.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָֽנֹכִ֫י (a.no.khi) — I.

I (first pers. sing.)

Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
מִכֶּ֑םmi.Kem more than you H9036 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֶם (khem) — you.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine plural

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2mp
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
וְאֶת־ve.'Et and with H854 Conjunction · preposition
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/R — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
מִי־mi- whom? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Amplified meaning
what person, anyone
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
אֵ֥ין'ein [are] there not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Amplified meaning
is not without, have understanding of, recognize
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
כְּמוֹ־ke.mov- like H3644 Preposition
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Tyndale gloss
like
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּמוֹ (kemo) is an adverb and conjunction meaning 'like' or 'as,' often used to draw comparisons or indicate similarity. It can also mean 'when' or 'according to.' The word is derived from a pleonastic form of the prefix כְּ (k-) and is related to the word מוֹ (mo). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3644 כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3644 kmow kem-o'

or kamow {kaw-mo'}; a form of the prefix "k-", but used

separately (compare 3651); as, thus, so:--according to, (such)

as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto),

thus, when, worth.

see HEBREW for 03651

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — like.

adv

1) like, as, the like of which

conj

2) when, according as, as it were

כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — (Geruth) Chimham.

Combined with ge.rut (גֵּרוּת "Geruth" H1628)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
also [belongs] to me a heart like you not [am] falling I more than you and with whom? [are] there not like these [things]
אֵֽלֶּה׃'E.leh these [things] H428 Particle
746× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Amplified meaning
like these, of this kind
Tyndale gloss
these
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these

in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

428 'el-leh ale'-leh

prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one

sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,

thus, which, who(-m).

see HEBREW for 0411

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.

1) these

1a) used before antecedent

1b) used following antecedent

Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Particle
HTm
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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