Menu

Job 15:34 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּֽי־ עֲדַ֣ת חָנֵ֣ף גַּלְמ֑וּד וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־ שֹֽׁחַד׃

BSAForkîy [because of this reason] the companyʻêdâh [congregation, gathering] of the godlesschânêph [profane, hypocritical] [will be] barrengalmûwd [desolate, solitary] and fireʼêsh [burning, flame] will consumeʼâkal [eat, devour] the tentsʼôhel [tabernacles, homes] of briberyshachad [gifts given to influence, corrupt rewards]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 34 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 (Sho.chad) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 15:34quick helps
In a sentenceJob warns that the company of the godless will face desolation, and their corrupt practices will lead to destruction.
Who is speakingJob, addressing his friends and discussing the fate of the wicked.
Where we areIn a discourse on the consequences of wickedness, specifically in the context of divine justice.
The hard wordגַּלְמ֑וּד
Take awayThe fate of the wicked is barren and destructive.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאֵשׁ verbאָכַל 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 15:34

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 the Fate of the Wickedgenerated

32It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.
33He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
34For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”

Job 15:34 presents Job's assertion that the assembly of the godless will not prosper and will ultimately face destruction. This reflects a broader theme in the book of Job, where the fate of the wicked is contrasted with the righteous. Job emphasizes that their actions, particularly those involving bribery, will lead to their downfall, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss the consequences of their deeds.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 8:13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
2Job 20:1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
3Job 27:8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
4Job 36:13The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He binds them, they do not cry for help.
5Isaiah 33:14–15The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word גַּלְמ֑וּד, gal.Mudgenerated

The word גַּלְמ֑וּד (galmuwd) is an adjective meaning 'barren' or 'desolate.' It describes a state of emptiness or sterility, often used in contexts that convey bleakness or harsh conditions. The parsing indicates that it functions as a descriptive term within the sentence, attributing a quality to the subject.

In this verse, it highlights the fate of the godless, suggesting that their lives and actions lead to a barren existence, devoid of true value or fruitfulness. This aligns with the overall message of divine justice that permeates the text.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in this verse is אָכְלָ֥ה ('a.khe.Lah), meaning 'it consumes,' which governs the entire clause. The subject of the verb is אֵ֗שׁ (ve.'Esh), meaning 'and fire,' indicating what performs the action of consuming.

The structure of the sentence emphasizes the consequences of the actions described, with the noun phrase גַּלְמ֑וּד serving as a predicate that describes the state of the company of the godless. This arrangement highlights the relationship between the actions of the wicked and their ultimate fate.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עֵדָה as μαρτύριον (martyrion), meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' This choice suggests a shift in emphasis from a mere assembly to a more formal acknowledgment of the actions and consequences faced by the godless.

The Greek word ἀσεβοῦς (asebous) for חָנֵף indicates a focus on the irreverence of the godless, aligning with the overall theme of divine judgment found in both texts.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 15:34 tells us that the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery. This verse emphasizes that those who engage in corrupt practices will ultimately face desolation and destruction, reflecting the consequences of their actions.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the company of the godless will be barren?

It means that the lives and actions of the godless will not yield any fruitful results, leading to emptiness and desolation.

How does fire consume the tents of bribery?

Fire symbolizes destruction and judgment, indicating that corrupt practices, such as bribery, will ultimately lead to ruin.

What is the significance of the word 'company' in this verse?

The term 'company' refers to a gathering or assembly of people, emphasizing that the collective actions of the godless lead to their shared fate.

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

This verse reflects the theme of divine justice in Job, where the consequences of wickedness are highlighted, contrasting with the fate of the righteous.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some examples of how corrupt practices can lead to destruction in our own lives or society?
  2. In what ways can we ensure that our actions align with righteousness rather than leading to barrenness?
  3. How can we support others in choosing integrity over bribery or corruption?
  4. What lessons can we learn from the fate of the godless as described in this verse?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 15:34 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For the congregation of hypocrites [shall be] desolate,.... Hypocrites are such who seem to and would be thought to be, what they are not; they are outwardly righteous before men, but inwardly very

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

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. Rather, The banding together of the hypocrites (wicked) shall be fruitless (Umbreit).

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

The congregation, i.e. their children, and servants, and friends, and dependents. Desolate, i.e. utterly destroyed. Fire, i.e. some eminent and terrible judgment of God, which is oft expressed by fire; as 26:11. The tabernacles of bribery, i.e. which were either built or maintained by extortion and bribery, and suchlike unrighteous courses, whereof they thought Job guilty, .

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

Job 15:34 For the congregation of hypocrites [shall be] desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.Ver. 34. For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate] Heb. Of the hypocrite; where he seemeth to point at Job, as by the unripe grapes, and blasted flowers of the olive, he had understood Job’ s children and possessions, Job 15:33. Now the whole congregation or train and retinue of the hypocrite God will unnest and ruin, saith Eliphaz; they shall all be as one desolated, so the original hath it. And fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery] Heb. The tabernacles of a bribe. Under these two heads, saith one, we may reduce all sorts of sinners; sinners against God…

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

(34) Desolate.—This was Job’s own word (Job 3:7), and as it is an uncommon word, there may be some intentional reference to his use of it.

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

Verse 34. The congregation of hypocrites] 11. Job is here classed with hypocrites, or rather the impious of all kinds. The congregation, or adath, society, of such, shall be desolate, or a barren rock, גלמוד galmud. See this Arabic word explained in Clarke's note on "Job 3:7". Fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.] 12. Another insinuation against Job, that he had perverted justice and judgment, and had taken bribes.

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

34. The same truth as that expressed in Job 15:31-32 now taught without figure, and reduced to a general principle. congregation of hypocrites] Or, company of the ungodly, ch. Job 8:13; Job 13:16. “Desolate” is barren (ch. Job 3:7), unfruitful. The households of the godless are unfruitful, under God’s curse they come to nought; but it is puerile to make the grapes and flowers of Job 15:33 figures for children. tabernacles of bribery] Bribery, a common method of perverting justice in the East, is here a general name for wrong and injustice.

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

For the congregation of hypocrites - The word rendered “congregation” here (עדה ‛êdâh) means properly an appointed meeting; a meeting convened by appointment or at stated times (from ידה yâdâh),

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

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For the company of the godless shall be barren, And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For the company of the godless shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For the congregation of the hypocrite shalbe desolate, and fire shall deuoure the houses of bribes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For the family of the ungodly shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For the company of the profane [is] gloomy, And fire hath consumed tents of bribery.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For the company of the profane [is] barren, || And fire has consumed tents of bribery.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For the assembly of hypocrites will remain desolate, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For the company of godless people will be barren; fire will consume their tents of bribery.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For the congregation of the hypocrite is barren, and fire shall devour their tabernacles, who love to take bribes.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For those who reject God are barren, and fire will burn up the homes of those who love bribes.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For the band of the evil-doers gives no fruit, and the tents of those who give wrong decisions for reward are burned with fire.

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.

כִּֽי(dm)clausenoun phrase · subjectעֲדַ֣תa.companyחָנֵ֣ףof.[the].godlesspredicateגַּלְמ֑וּד[is].barrenוְ֝andclausesubjectאֵ֗שׁfireverbאָכְלָ֥הit.consumesnoun phrase · objectאָֽהֳלֵי[the].tentsשֹֽׁחַדof.a.bribe

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery." The Septuagint largely agrees with the Masoretic Text, as seven out of the eight words match in their word-by-word correspondence, indicating a strong alignment in meaning and content. However, the Septuagint's word order and articles differ, reflecting its unique syntactical structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, suggesting that the Masoretic Text's reading is well-preserved across these witnesses.

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

כִּֽי־ עֲדַ֣ת חָנֵ֣ף גַּלְמ֑וּד וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אָֽהֳלֵי־ שֹֽׁחַד׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עֲדַ֣תμαρτύριονחָנֵ֣ףἀσεβοῦςגַּלְמ֑וּדθάνατοςוְ֝אֵ֗שׁπῦρאָכְלָ֥הκαύσειאָֽהֳלֵי־οἴκουςשֹֽׁחַד׃δωροδεκτῶν

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

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


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

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

Job 15:34כִּיforforכִּיעֵדָהa company oa company ofעֵדָהחָנֵף[the] godle[the] godlessחָנֵףגַּלְמוּד[is] barren[is] barrenגַּלְמוּדאֵשׁand fireand fireאֵשׁאָכַלit consumesit consumesאָכַלאֹ֫הֶל[the] tents[the] tents ofאֹ֫הֶלשֹׁ֫חַדa bribea bribeשֹׁ֫חַדחָנֵףto polluteto polluteחָנֵףגָּלַםto foldto foldגָּלַםאָהַלto shineto shineאָהַלשָׁחַדto bribeto bribeשָׁחַדעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדעֵדָהwitnesswitnessעֵדָהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעקָהַלto gatherto gatherקָהַלקֹ֫רַחKorahKorahקֹ֫רַחתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהאֵשׁfirefireאֵשׁאֵ֫לֶּהthesetheseאֵ֫לֶּהלֶהָבָהflameflameלֶהָבָהיָצַתto kindleto kindleיָצַתשָׁתָהto drinkto drinkשָׁתָהלֶ֫חֶםfoodfoodלֶ֫חֶםמוֹעֵדmeetingmeetingמוֹעֵדפֶּ֫תַחentranceentranceפֶּ֫תַח
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 15:34

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.

for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
כִּֽי־ki- for 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'.
Amplified meaning
because of this reason
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
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
עֲדַ֣ת'a.Dat a company of H5712 Noun common · feminine singular construct
149× 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 a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Amplified meaning
congregation, gathering
Tyndale gloss
congregation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵדָה (edah) refers to a congregation or assembly, typically a group gathered by appointment or acting together. It is derived from a related term and encompasses meanings such as company, multitude, and crowd. The entries consistently emphasize its use in the context of gatherings, without notable disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵדָה 149 n.f. congregation (prop. company assembled together by appointment, or acting concertedly)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5712 עֵדָה congregation (prop. company assembled together by appointment, or acting concertedly

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5712 `edah ay-daw'

feminine of 5707 in the original sense of fixture; a stated

assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family

or crowd):--assembly, company, congregation, multitude,

people, swarm. Compare 5713.

see HEBREW for 05707

see HEBREW for 05713

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵדָה (e.dah) — congregation.

congregation, gathering

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
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…

for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
חָנֵ֣ףcha.Nef [the] godless H2611 Adj
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes someone who is hypocritical and godless, like the Pharisees Jesus condemned in Matthew 23. It means being soiled by sin and acting irreligiously. The KJV Bible translates it as 'hypocrite'.
Amplified meaning
profane, hypocritical
Tyndale gloss
profane
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָנֵף (chaneph) refers to someone who is profane or irreligious, often implying a sense of being hypocritical or morally soiled by sin. The term is consistently associated with a lack of piety and is used in contexts that highlight its negative connotations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָנֵף adj. profane, irreligious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2611 חָנֵף profane, irreligious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2611 chaneph khaw-nafe'

from 2610; soiled (i.e. with sin), impious:--

hypocrite(-ical).

see HEBREW for 02610

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָנֵף (cha.neph) — profane.

hypocritical, godless, profane, hypocrite, irreligious

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god'-les: This word is not found in the text of the King James Version. It is found, however, in Apocrypha (2 Macc 7:34, "O godless (the Revised Version (British and American) "unholy") man"). the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes the word "godless" for the word "hypocrite" in the following passages: Job 8:13; 13:16; 15:34; 17:8; 20:5; 27:8; 34:30; 36:13; Pr 11:9; Isa 33:14. the Revised Version (British and American) does not seem to be consistent in carrying out the idea of "godless" for "hypocrite," for in Isa 9:17; 10:6; Ps 35:16 this same Hebrew word chaneph is translated "profane." The principal…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
גַּלְמ֑וּדgal.Mud [is] barren H1565 Adj
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A desolate or barren place, or a person who is sterile, is described with this word. It can also mean harsh or bleak, like a lonely landscape. This concept is found in the Bible's descriptions of wilderness areas.
Amplified meaning
desolate, solitary
Tyndale gloss
solitary
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּלְמוּד (galmuwd) describes something that is hard, barren, or desolate. It can refer to harsh conditions or a solitary state, particularly in contexts involving desolation or sterility. The word is derived from a root meaning to be wrapped up too tightly, indicating a sense of sterility or bleakness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּלְמוּד adj. hard, barren

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1565 גַּלְמוּד hard, barren

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1565 galmuwd gal-mood'

probably by prolonged from 1563; sterile (as wrapped up too

hard); figuratively, desolate:--desolate, solitary.

see HEBREW for 01563

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּלְמוּד (gal.mud) — solitary.

1) hard, barren, harsh, bleak

1a) harsh, bleak (of a company of wicked men)

1b) barren (of women)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Barren

For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Gen. 16:2; 30:1-23; 1 Sam. 1:6, 27; Isa. 47:9; 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Gen. 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; Judg. 13:2, 3; Luke 1:7, 36).

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
וְ֝אֵ֗שׁve.'Esh and fire H784 Conjunction · noun common both singular absolute
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
burning, flame
Tyndale gloss
fire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire

fire, of conflagration

of supernatural fire

fire for cooking, roasting, parching

esp. of altar fire

fig. of Yahweh's anger

in various combinations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration

. of supernatural fire

. fire for cooking, roasting, parching

. esp. of altar fire

. fig. of Yahweh's anger

. in various combinations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

784 'esh aysh

a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--

burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.

1) fire

1a) fire, flames

1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)

1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)

1d) altar-fire

1e) God's anger (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)

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

fir ('esh; pur):

These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fire

(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).

Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;

is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…

for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
אָכְלָ֥ה'a.khe.Lah it consumes H398 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
810× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Amplified meaning
eat, devour
Tyndale gloss
to eat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָכַל 806 vb. eat

Qal

eat, human subject

of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

fig. of fire, devour, consume

of sword, devour, slay

in genl., devour, consume, destroy

fig. of oppression, devour the poor

Niph.

be eaten by man

be devoured by fire, consumed

be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

Pu. be consumed

Hiph.

cause to eat, feed with

cause to devoure, obj. sword

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject

. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour

. fig. of fire, devour, consume

. of sword, devour, slay

. in genl., devour, consume, destroy

. fig. of oppression, devour the poor

. . be eaten by man

. be devoured by fire, consumed

. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh

. be consumed

. . cause to eat, feed with

. cause to devoure, obj. sword

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

398 'akal aw-kal'

a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at

all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),

feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)

meat, X quite.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.

1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to eat (human subject)

1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)

1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)

1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)

1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)

1a6) to devour (of oppression)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be eaten (by men)

1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)

1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to cause to eat, feed with

1c2) to cause to devour

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to feed

1d2) to cause to eat

1e) (Piel)

1e1) consume

Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
אָֽהֳלֵי־'o.ho.lei- [the] tents of H168 Noun common · masculine plural construct
345× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Amplified meaning
tabernacles, homes
Tyndale gloss
tent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹ֫הֶל (*ohel*) means 'tent' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be conspicuous.' It encompasses various meanings, including a nomad's tent, a dwelling or home, and specifically refers to the sacred tent used for worship, known as the tabernacle. The entries consistently highlight its association with transience and habitation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫הֶל 343 n.m. tent

tent of nomad

dwelling, habitation

the sacred tent used in worship of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H168 אֹ֫הֶל tent

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

168 'ohel o'-hel

from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a

distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle,

tent.

see HEBREW for 0166

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent.

: tent

1) tent

1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience

1b) dwelling, home, habitation

1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)

Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)

אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent: home.

: home

1) tent

1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience

1b) dwelling, home, habitation

1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

for a company of [the] godless [is] barren and fire it consumes [the] tents of a bribe
שֹֽׁחַד׃Sho.chad a bribe H7810 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a gift given to influence someone, often in a wrong way. It can also mean a present or reward, like in 1 Samuel 1:18 where Hannah gives a gift to Eli. The word is about giving something to get something in return.
Amplified meaning
gifts given to influence, corrupt rewards
Tyndale gloss
bribe
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֹׁ֫חַד (shachad) refers specifically to a bribe or present, often implying a venal or redemptive nature. The entries indicate it can mean a gift or reward, stemming from a root related to giving. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֹׁ֫חַד n.m. present, specif. bribe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7810 שֹׁ֫חַד present, specif. bribe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7810 shachad shakh'-ad

from 7809; a donation (venal or redemptive):--bribe(-ry),

gift, present, reward.

see HEBREW for 07809

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֹׁ֫חַד (sha.chad) — bribe.

present, bribe

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

Bribe

None to be taken; “for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous” (Ex. 23:8, literally rendered).

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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

Donate