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Job 15:14 — Word Study

Depth

WLCמָֽה־ אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי־ יִזְכֶּ֑ה וְכִֽי־ יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה׃

BSAWhatmâh [inquiries about human nature] is manʼĕnôwsh [mankind, a human being] thatkîy he should be purezâkâh [considered or become, clean, without sin] or one bornyâlad [brought forth, begotten] of womanʼishshâh [a female, a wife] thatkîy he should be righteoustsâdaq [declared or made, just, upright, in right standing with God]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 14 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.Shah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 15:14quick helps
In a sentenceJob questions the purity and righteousness of mankind, reflecting on human nature.
Who is speakingEliphaz, one of Job's friends, is expressing his views on humanity.
Where we areThis verse is part of a discourse on the nature of man and God's perspective on humanity.
The hard wordאֱנוֹשׁ
Take awayHumanity is frail and cannot claim purity or righteousness.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֱנוֹשׁ verbזָכָה 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 15:14

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 Discourse on Humanitygenerated

13as you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?
14What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?
15If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes,
16how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

Job 15:14 is part of a larger conversation where Eliphaz argues that humans are inherently flawed and cannot attain purity or righteousness. This reflects a broader theme in the Book of Job, which explores the nature of suffering and the human condition in relation to divine justice. Eliphaz emphasizes the limitations of humanity, contrasting them with God's holiness, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 9:2“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?
2Job 14:4Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!
3Job 25:4–6How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure?
41 Kings 8:46When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,
52 Chronicles 6:36When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near,

The Key Word אֱנוֹשׁ, 'e.No.oshgenerated

The word אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to a human or mankind, highlighting the frailty and mortality of humans. It is often used in poetic contexts to distinguish humans from more exalted beings.

This term encompasses both individual persons and humanity as a whole, illustrating the vulnerability and imperfections inherent in human nature.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations of this verse generally agree on the meanings, with all versions acknowledging the essence of humanity's flawed state.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse revolves around two main verbs: יִזְכֶּ֑ה (he will be pure) and יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק (he will be righteous), both linked to the subject אֱנוֹשׁ (man). The use of the interrogative מָֽה־ (what?) at the beginning sets a questioning tone.

The verse's syntax emphasizes the limitations of humanity by posing rhetorical questions about purity and righteousness, inviting reflection on the nature of man.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֱנוֹשׁ as βροτός (brotos), which means 'mortal' or 'human.' This choice highlights the fragility of human life and aligns with the themes of mortality and imperfection found in the Hebrew text.

The Greek translation maintains the essence of the original Hebrew, emphasizing the limitations of humanity in contrast to the divine.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 15:14 asks what it means for man to be pure or righteous. Eliphaz points out that humans, being mortal and flawed, cannot achieve such states on their own. This reflects a common theme in the Book of Job, where the limitations of humanity are contrasted with God's holiness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that man cannot be pure?

This suggests that human beings, due to their inherent flaws and sinful nature, cannot attain true purity without divine intervention.

Why does Eliphaz emphasize the frailty of mankind?

Eliphaz aims to highlight the limitations of humans in the face of God's greatness, reinforcing the idea that no one can claim righteousness on their own.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Job?

This verse contributes to the theme of human suffering and the quest for understanding God's justice, emphasizing that humans are not inherently righteous.

What implications does this have for understanding sin?

It underscores the biblical view that all humans are flawed and in need of redemption, as purity and righteousness are beyond their reach.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see the frailty of humanity reflected in my own life?
  2. How can I better understand the concept of righteousness in relation to God?
  3. What does it mean for me to seek purity in my life, and how can I pursue it?
  4. How does recognizing human limitations shape my perspective on others and myself?

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

Early commentary on this verse explores the nature of humanity and its relationship to purity and righteousness, as discussed by various Church Fathers.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XII c. 540–604
Ver. 14. What is man, that he should be clean? MORAL INTERPRETATION For hereby alone that he is called 'man' he is described as earthly and weak; for man is so named ['homo' from 'humus,' as Hebrew 'Adam'] from the earth.
Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Olympiodorus of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON Job 15:14-16 6th c.
“Who is the person,” Eliphaz asks, “who can be blameless or can proclaim, I am righteous?” If, in fact, those who are very holy, both men and angels,
Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Ishodad of MervCOMMENTARY ON Job 15:16 9th c.
“He will drink iniquity like water.” The author says these words in order to show that [human beings] enjoy uttering blasphemies.
Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 15:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

What [is] man, that he should be clean?.... Frail, feeble, mortal man, or woeful man, as Mr.

Read John Gill on Job 15 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

What is man, Heb. frail, or sick, or wretched man? his mean original and corrupt nature showeth him to be unclean. Which is born of a woman; from whom he derives infirmity, and corruption, and guilt, and the curse consequent upon it. Righteous, to wit, in his own eyes, as thou, O Job, art.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 15:14 What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?Ver. 14. What is man, that he should be clean?] Eliphaz hath now done chiding (it is but time he should), and falls to reasoning; wherein nevertheless he showeth himself an empty and troublesome disputer, urging again the same arguments as before, Job 14:17-19, and not resting satisfied in a sufficient answer. Did Job ever assert himself clean? Said he not the clean contrary in many places? See Job 14:4. Only as washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of his God, 1 Corinthians 6:11, he discoursed of his integrity and righteousness; not…

Read John Trapp on Job 15 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) What is man?—This is the ceaseless burden.·(See Job 4:17; Job 9:2; Job 25:4, &c.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 15 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 14. What is man, that he should be clean?] מה אנוש mah enosh; what is weak, sickly, dying, miserable man, that he should be clean? This is the import of the original word enosh. And - born of a woman, that he should be righteous?] It appears, from many passages in the sacred writings, that natural birth was supposed to be a defilement; and that every man born into the world was in a state of moral pollution. Perhaps the word יצדק yitsdak should be translated, that he should justify himself, and not that he should be righteous.

Read AdamClarke on Job 15 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. What is there to justify such passion—thy pretended innocence? What is man that he should be clean? cf. ch. Job 14:1. Eliphaz recurs again to his principles formerly enunciated, ch. Job 4:17 seq., for his former speech is in his mind throughout.

Read Cambridge on Job 15 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What is man that he should be clean? - The object of Eliphaz in this is to overturn the positions of Job that he was righteous, and had been punished beyond his deserts.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →

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

What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

NETBNew English Translation2006

What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

RVARevised Version, American1894

What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

What is man, that he should be clean? and he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

What is man, that he should be cleane? and he that is borne of woman, that he shoulde be iust?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

What is man, that he should be pure? and he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

What [is] man that he is pure, And that he is righteous, one born of woman?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

What [is] man that he is pure, || And that he is righteous, one born of woman?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

What is man, that he should be pure? and that he who is born of woman should be declared righteous?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

What is man that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman that he should be righteous?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

What is man that he should be without spot, and he that is born of a woman that he should appear just?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Who can say they are clean? Which human being can say that they do what is right?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

What is man, that he may be clean? and how may the son of woman be upright?

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.

clauseclausepredicateמָֽהwhat?subjectאֱנ֥וֹשׁ[is].a.personclauseclauseכִּֽי(cmp)clauseverbיִזְכֶּ֑הhe.will.be.pureוְandclauseכִֽי(cmp)clauseverbיִ֝צְדַּ֗קhe.will.be.righteousnoun phrase · subjectיְל֣וּד[one].bornאִשָּֽׁהof.a.woman

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 agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This consistency underscores the shared understanding of humanity's flawed nature.

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

מָֽה־ אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי־ יִזְכֶּ֑ה וְכִֽי־ יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מָֽה־τίςאֱנ֥וֹשׁβροτόςכִּֽי־ὅτιיִזְכֶּ֑הἄμεμπτοςוְכִֽי־ὡςיִ֝צְדַּ֗קδίκαιοςיְל֣וּדγεννητὸςאִשָּֽׁה׃γυναικός

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Job 15:14מָהwhat?what?מָהאֱנוֹשׁ[is] a pers[is] a personאֱנוֹשׁכִּיthatthatכִּיזָכָהhe will be he will be pureזָכָהכִּיand thatand thatכִּיצָדֵקhe will be he will be righצָדֵקיָלַד[one] born [one] born ofיָלַדאִשָּׁהa womana womanאִשָּׁהאָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁזָכַךְbe cleanbe cleanזָכַךְאִישׁmanmanאִישׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלעַיAiAiעַיצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקרָחַץto wash: wto wash: washרָחַץרָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁעצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקשֶׁ֫לַחShelahShelahשֶׁ֫לַחהָרָהto conceivto conceiveהָרָהטַףchildchildטַףנָכְרִיforeignforeignנָכְרִי
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 15:14

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.

what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
מָֽה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Amplified meaning
inquiries about human nature
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

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

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

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

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

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

1c3b) for how long?

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

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

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
אֱנ֥וֹשׁ'e.No.osh [is] a person H582 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
mankind, a human being
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the

more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or

collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,

chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,

husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some

( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
כִּֽי־ki- that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
יִזְכֶּ֑הyiz.Keh he will be pure H2135 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make something clean, like washing away sins. In the Bible, it's used to describe God's people being purified and made righteous. It appears in Leviticus and Ezekiel, emphasizing God's desire for cleanliness.
Amplified meaning
considered or become, clean, without sin
Tyndale gloss
to clean
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָכָה (zakah) means to be clear, clean, or pure, often in a moral sense. It is a primitive root that can imply being justified or regarded as righteous. The verb appears in various forms, including making oneself clean or keeping something pure. The entries consistently emphasize its moral implications.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[זָכָה] vb. be clear, clean, pure, alw. in a moral sense

Qal

be clean, pure

be clear, be justified = be regarded as just, righteous, of God

Pi. make or keep clean, pure

Hithp. make yourselves clean

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2135 זָכָה be clear, clean, pure, alw. in a moral sense

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2135 zakah zaw-kaw'

a primitive root (compare 2141); to be translucent;

figuratively, to be innocent:--be (make) clean, cleanse, be

clear, count pure.

see HEBREW for 02141

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָכָה (za.khah) — to clean.

1) to be clean, be pure, be clear

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be clean, be pure

1a2) to be clear, be justified

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make clean, make pure, keep clean, keep pure

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to cleanse

1c2) to make yourself clean, purify oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
וְכִֽי־ve.khi- and that H3588 Conjunction · particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Conj — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
יִ֝צְדַּ֗קyitz.Dak he will be righteous H6663 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to the act of making something right, either by justifying oneself or being declared righteous by God. It is used to describe God's justice and people's attempts to do what is right. This concept is key to understanding the Bible's teachings on sin and redemption.
Amplified meaning
declared or made, just, upright, in right standing with God
Tyndale gloss
to justify
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָדֵק (tsadaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be just or righteous, encompassing a range of actions from justifying oneself to declaring others righteous. It appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of justification and righteousness. The entries highlight its moral and forensic implications, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָדֵק, צָדֹק] vb. denom. be just, righteous

Qal

have a just cause, be in the right

be justified

be just

be just, righteous

Niph. the holy place shall be put right

Pi. justify

Hiph.

do justice

declare righteous, justify

justify, vindicate the cause of, save

make righteous, turn to righteousness

Hithp. how shall we justify ourselves

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6663 צָדֵק, צָדֹק vb. denom. be just, righteous

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6663 tsadaq tsaw-dak'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral

or forensic sense):--cleanse, clear self, (be, do)

just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָדֵק (tsa.daq) — to justify.

1) to be just, be righteous

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to have a just cause, be in the right

1a2) to be justified

1a3) to be just (of God)

1a4) to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character)

1b) (Niphal) to be put or made right, be justified

1c) (Piel) justify, make to appear righteous, make someone righteous

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to do or bring justice (in administering law)

1d2) to declare righteous, justify

1d3) to justify, vindicate the cause of, save

1d4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness

1e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Compared with

The sun Jud 5:31; Mt 13:43

Stars Da 12:3

Lights Mt 5:14; Php 2:15

Mount Zion Ps 125:1,2

Lebanon Ho 14:5-7

Treasure Ex 19:5; Ps 135:4

Jewels Mal 3:17

Gold Job 23:10; La 4:2

what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
יְל֣וּדye.Lud [one] born of H3205 Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular common
496× 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 give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
brought forth, begotten
Tyndale gloss
to beget
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget

Qal

bear, bring forth

less often beget

of both parents

Niph. be born

Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

Pu. be born

Hiph.

beget (a father a child)

bear

Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday

Hithp. declared their pedigree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth

. less often beget

. of both parents

. be born

. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

. be born

. . beget (a father a child)

. bear

. day of one's being born = birthday

. declared their pedigree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3205 yalad yaw-lad'

a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;

medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show

lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring

forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be

delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,

labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be

the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.

1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bear, bring forth

1a1a) of child birth

1a1b) of distress (simile)

1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)

1a2) to beget

1b) (Niphal) to be born

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cause or help to bring forth

1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife

1c3) midwife (participle)

1d) (Pual) to be born

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to beget (a child)

1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)

1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)

1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singular common
HVqsmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

what? [is] a person that he will be pure and that he will be righteous [one] born of a woman
אִשָּֽׁה׃'i.Shah a woman H802 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
781× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Amplified meaning
a female, a wife
Tyndale gloss
woman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female

woman

Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

Female of animals

With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman

. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)

. Female of animals

. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

802 'ishshah ish-shaw'

feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym

{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as

582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,

one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

see HEBREW for 0376

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0582

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.

: woman

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.

: wife/widow

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.

: another

1) woman, wife, female

1a) woman (opposite of man)

1b) wife (woman married to a man)

1c) female (of animals)

1d) each, every (pronoun)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

woom'-an ('ishshah, "a woman" (feminine of 'ish, "a man"]; gune, "a woman" "wife"):

I. IN THE CREATIVE PLAN

II. IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES

1. Prominence of Women

2. Social Equality

3. Marriage Laws

4. Inheritance

5. Domestic Duties

6. Dress and Ornaments

7. Religious Devotion and Service

(1) in Idolatry and False Religion

(2) in Spiritual Religion

III. INTER-TESTAMENTAL ERA

IV. IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES

1. Mary and Elisabeth

2. Jesus and Women

3. In the Early Church

4. Official Service

5. Widows

6. Deaconesses

IV. LATER TIMES

1. Changes in Character and Condition

2. Notable Examples of Christian Womanhood

3. Woman in the 20th Century

The generic term "man" includes woman. In the narrative of the creation (Ge 1:26,27) Adam is a collective term for mankind. It may signify human being, male or female, or humanity entire. "God said, Let us make man .... and let them"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Woman

Was “taken out of man” (Gen. 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. “The head of the woman is the man;” but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, “as unto the weaker vessel” (1 Cor. 11:3, 8, 9; 1 Pet. 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4, 5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36, 37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is spoken of in Scripture as the beloved and honored companion and helpmeet, not the servant, of man, Ge 2:23,24, created as the necessary completion of man, Ge 3:16 1Co 11:3,8,9 14:34,35 1Ti 2:11-14, yet specially qualified for that sphere, and as necessary in it as man in his. Man and woman are indeed essentially one, the natural qualities of each so responding to those of the other as to lay the foundation of the most tender and abiding unity. The Bible thus raised the Jewish woman high above the woman of heathenism; and the Old Testament contains some of the finest portraitures of female character. But still greater is the contrast between the women of heathenism and…

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- Origin and cause of the name

Ge 2:23

- ORIGINALLY MADE

. By God in his own image

Ge 1:27

. From one of Adam's ribs

Ge 2:21,22

. For man

1Co 11:9

. To be an helpmeet for man

Ge 2:18,20

. Subordinate to man

1Co 11:3

. To be the glory of man

1Co 11:7

- Deceived by Satan

Ge 3:1-6; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14

- Led man to disobey God

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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