Job 19:28 — Word Study
WLCכִּ֣י תֹ֭אמְרוּ מַה־ נִּרְדָּף־ ל֑וֹ וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ דָּ֝בָ֗ר נִמְצָא־ בִֽי׃
BSAIfkîy you sayʼâmar▸ [to yourselves] [Let us]mâh persecuterâdaph▸ [pursue, chase after] since the rootsheresh [source, foundation] of the matterdâbâr [affair, thing] liesmâtsâʼ■ [is found, exists]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֣י | if | Particle |
| תֹ֭אמְרוּ | you will say | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine plural |
| מַה־ | what? | Pronoun |
| נִּרְדָּף־ | will we persecute | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common plural |
| ל֑וֹ | him | Preposition, suffix |
| וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ | and [the] root of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| דָּ֝בָ֗ר | [the] matter | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| נִמְצָא־ | it has been found | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| בִֽי׃ | in me | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | If you say, ‘Let us persecute him, since the root of the matter lies with him, ’ |
| KJV | But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? |
| ASV | If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me; |
| YLT | But ye say, 'Why do we pursue after him?' And the root of the matter hath been found in me. |
| WEB | If you say, ‘How we will persecute him!’ because the root of the matter is found in me, |
| BBE | If you say, How cruel we will be to him! because the root of sin is clearly in him: |
Translations agree on the rendering of נִּרְדָּף־ as persecute.
The sentence is structured around a conditional statement with a main clause and two subordinate phrases, emphasizing Job's challenge to his accusers.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 19:28
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Defense Against Accusationgenerated
Job 19:28 occurs in a passage where Job is asserting his integrity and the reality of his suffering. He is speaking to his friends who have accused him of wrongdoing, suggesting that their desire to persecute him reveals their own lack of understanding. Job emphasizes that the root of the matter lies within him, indicating that the truth of his situation is deeper than their accusations. This reflects the broader theme of the book of Job, where the nature of suffering and divine justice is explored amidst human misunderstanding.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 19:22 | Why do you persecute me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? |
| 2 | Psalm 69:26 | For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 14:13 | All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. For this is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will receive a proper burial, because only in him has the LORD, the God of Israel, found any good in the house of Jeroboam. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נִּרְדָּף־, nir.dof-generated
The verb נִּרְדָּף־ (nir.dof-) is a first person plural imperfect form of the root רָדַף (radaph), meaning to pursue or chase after. It carries a connotation of hostile intent, indicating that Job is responding to his friends with a challenge about their motives.
This word encapsulates the act of persecution, suggesting a pursuit not just in a physical sense but also in a moral or social context. Job's use of this verb highlights the seriousness of their intentions against him.
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 is תֹ֭אמְרוּ (To.me.ru), you will say, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a direct question, מַה־ (mah-), meaning what?, and the subsequent clauses describe the action of persecution and the nature of the matter.
The structure emphasizes Job's challenge to his accusers, placing the responsibility of the accusation back on them. The arrangement of the clauses reflects a logical flow from accusation to justification.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נִּרְדָּף־ as ἐροῦμεν (eroumen), meaning we will say. This choice maintains the original challenge of Job's statement while adapting it to a Greek-speaking audience.
This translation choice shows a direct engagement with the Hebrew text, preserving the confrontational tone of Job's words.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 19:28 expresses Job's response to his friends who want to persecute him. He questions their motives, suggesting that the true issue lies within him. This highlights the theme of misunderstanding and the deeper realities of his suffering.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job refers to the underlying truth of his situation, indicating that the real issue is not his supposed wrongdoing but rather the misunderstanding of his friends.
Job challenges his accusers to highlight their lack of insight into his suffering and to turn the accusation back on them, questioning their motives.
The word 'persecute' indicates a hostile pursuit, emphasizing the seriousness of the accusations Job faces from his friends.
This verse fits into Job's defense of his integrity amidst his friends' accusations, showcasing the theme of suffering and the search for truth.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I might misunderstand the suffering of others, like Job's friends did?
- How can I ensure that I seek the truth in difficult situations rather than jumping to conclusions?
- In what ways can I support those who are being unjustly persecuted?
- How can I reflect on my own motives when I judge others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on Job's challenge to his accusers, emphasizing the need to recognize the truth and the consequences of their actions.
Wherefore then do ye now say, Let us persecute him, and find out the root of the word against him? Fly therefore from the face of the sword, for the sword is an avenger of wickedness; and know that there is a judgment.Early Church Fathers on Job 19 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 19:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut ye should say,.... Here Job directs his friends what use they should make of this confession of his faith; they should upon this say within themselves, and to one another, why persecute we him,
Read John Gill on Job 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? Rather, ye will then (when the Vindicator cometh) say, Why did we persecute him?
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBut; or, therefore; because this is my case, and my faith and hope in God. Ye should say: so the future is used potentially, as it is ; and the sense is, it would become you; or, it is your duty upon this account to say. Or, you will say, i.e. either, 1. I hope you will say so, and that you will be more moderate in your censures and expressions concerning me, as being convinced and sweetened by this sincere and solemn profession of my faith and hope. Or, 2. Peradventure you will say, to wit, by way of excuse for yourselves. Why persecute we him? so it is a correction of themselves. Seeing things are thus with him, we are blameworthy, that we have persecuted him with such bitter invectives…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 19:28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?Ver. 28. But ye should say, Why persecute we him?] Nam olim dicitis cur eum persequebamur? (Tigur.) This ye shall one day surely say, "Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked," &c., Malachi 3:18. Then shall it repent you (it should do so now) that ye have rated and reviled me for a hypocrite; viz. when God hath cleared mine integrity (as he did, Job 42:10), or at the last day howsoever, what time there shall be a resurrection of names as well as of bodies. Would ye but say so now it would be some satisfaction. Quem poenitet peccasse poene est innocens. You have…
Read John Trapp on Job 19 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) Seeing the root of the matter.—This verse is variously understood, according as “the root of the matter” is interpreted of the cause of suffering or the essence of piety. “For ye say, How we will persecute him, and that the root of the matter is found in me.” The Authorised Version takes the other view. It seems preferable to render, “For ye say, What is a persecuted man to Him (why should He persecute any man without cause?), and therefore the root of the matter (i.e., the cause of the afflictions) is, i.e., must be found in me.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 19 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. But ye should say] Or, Then ye shall say. Why persecute we him] Or, as Mr. Good, How did we persecute him! Alas! we are now convinced that we did wrong. Seeing the root of the matter] A pure practice, and a sound hope, resting on the solid ground of sound faith, received from God himself. Instead of בי bi, in ME, בי bo, in HIM, is the reading of more than one hundred of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and in several of the versions. Seeing the root of the matter is found in HIM.
Read AdamClarke on Job 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28, 29. Brief threat to his three friends. God’s appearance, which will bring joy to Job, will carry terror to those who persecute him and fasten false charges of guilt upon him. The language in these verses is in some parts obscure, and there may be faults in the text. Job 19:28 reads in connexion with Job 19:29, If ye say, How we will pursue him! And the root of the matter is found in me: Be ye afraid of the sword, &c. Job 19:28 forms the supposition and Job 19:29 states the consequence, the penalty of the conduct referred to on the part of Job’s friends. If they shall continue their unjust persecution of him, asserting that the “root of the matter,” i. e. the real cause of his…
Read Cambridge on Job 19 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut ye should say - Noyes renders this, “Since ye say, ‘How may we persecute him, and find grounds of accusation against him?’” Dr.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 19 →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
If you say, ‘Let us persecute him, since the root of the matter lies with him, ’
If you say, ‘How we will persecute him!’ because the root of the matter is found in me,
If you say, ‘Let us persecute him, since the root of the matter lies with him,’
If you say, ‘How we will pursue him, since the root of the trouble is found in him!’
Tyndale line
But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me;
If ye say, How we will persecute him! seeing that the root of the matter is found in me;
But ye would say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
But yee sayde, Why is hee persecuted? And there was a deepe matter in me.
Strictly literal
If ye say, How shall we persecute him? when the root of the matter is found in me,
But ye say, 'Why do we pursue after him?' And the root of the matter hath been found in me.
But you say, Why do we pursue after him? And the root of the matter has been found in me.
But if ye should say, How will we pursue him? seeing the root of the matter is found in me:
If you say, 'How we will persecute him! The root of his troubles lies in him,'
From the Latin
Why then do you say now: Let us persecute him, and let us find occasion of word against him?
Simplified
You say to yourselves, ‘How can we make him suffer so he can see he is the source of his problems?’
If you say, How cruel we will be to him! because the root of sin is clearly in him:
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.
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 closely in their wording, with all nine words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the text across these traditions.
כִּ֣י תֹ֭אמְרוּ מַה־ נִּרְדָּף־ ל֑וֹ וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ דָּ֝בָ֗ר נִמְצָא־ בִֽי׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 19:28
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.
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.'
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
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
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.
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)
Conj — ParticleHTc
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine pluralHVqi2mp
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.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
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.
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
Part — PronounHPi
רָדַף (radaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pursue, chase, or persecute. It conveys the idea of running after something, often with hostile intent, and can also figuratively refer to following time or securing something. The word has various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hiphil, each indicating different nuances of pursuit or being pursued.
רָדַף 141 vb. pursue, chase, persecute
Qal 128
pursue
lit. put to flight, chase
lit., the pursuers
chase, hunt
pursue
fig. persecute, harass
pursue, dog
fig. follow after, aim to secure
Niph. upon the neck (i.e. closely) we are pursued
Pi. pursue ardently
Pu. it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains
Hiph. usu. they chased him
base
H7291 רָדַף pursue, chase, persecute
7291 radaph raw-daf'
a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent;
figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight,
follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or),
pursue(-r).
רָדַף (ra.daph) — to pursue.
1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon
1a2) to persecute, harass (fig)
1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig)
1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be pursued
1b2) one pursued (participle)
1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue
1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away
1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common pluralHVqi1cp
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ (*sheresh*) means 'root' and can refer to both literal roots and metaphorical uses, such as a foundation or source of something. It is associated with concepts of depth and permanence. The word is derived from a related term, שָׁרַשׁ (*sharash*, H8327), which also pertains to roots.
שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ n.m. root
base
H8328 שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ root
8328 sheresh sheh'-resh
from 8327; a root (literally or figuratively):--bottom,
deep, heel, root.
see HEBREW for 08327
שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ (she.resh) — root.
1) root
1a) root (literal)
1b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (fig)
1c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (fig)
Aramaic equivalent: sho.resh (שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ "root" H8330)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
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.
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…
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
mat'-er: This word being a very general term may express various ideas. the Revised Version (British and American) therefore frequently changes the reading of the King James Version in order to state more definitely the meaning of the context (compare Ex 24:14; 1Sa 16:18; 1Ki 8:59; 2Sa 11:19; Es 3:4; Ps 35:20; 64:5; Pr 16:20; 18:13). dabhar, and the Greek logos, both meaning "word," are very frequently translated by "matter." hule, "wood," is rendered "matter" in
מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.
מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find
Qal
find
find out
= come upon, light upon
noteworthy phrases
Niph. pass. of Qal, be found
Hiph.
cause to find, attain
cause to light upon, come upon, come
cause to encounter
present unto
base
H4672 מָצָא attain to, find
4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'
a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or
exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;
figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,
befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to
hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,
out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,
light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,
ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.
1) to find, attain to
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to find
1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)
1a1b) to find (what is lost)
1a1c) to meet, encounter
1a1d) to find (a condition)
1a1e) to learn, devise
1a2) to find out
1a2a) to find out
1a2b) to detect
1a2c) to guess
1a3) to come upon, light upon
1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with
1a3b) to hit
1a3c) to befall
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be found
1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered
1b1b) to appear, be recognised
1b1c) to be discovered, be detected
1b1d) to be gained, be secured
1b2) to be, be found
1b2a) to be found in
1b2b) to be in the possession of
1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be
1b2d) to be left (after war)
1b2e) to be present
1b2f) to prove to be
1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to find, attain
1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come
1c3) to cause to encounter
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singularHVNp3ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
