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Job 20:29 — Word Study

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WLCזֶ֤ה׀ חֵֽלֶק־ אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל׃ פ

BSAThiszeh [the appointed fate] is the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin] man’sʼâdâm portionchêleq [inheritance, share] from Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the supreme Judge] the inheritancenachălâh [heritage, legacy] Godʼêl [the Lord, Almighty] has appointed himʼêmer [ordained, decreed, as his rightful due]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 20
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 29 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 (me.'El) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 20:29quick helps
In a sentenceJob declares the fate that awaits the wicked man, revealing what God has determined for him.
Who is speakingJob, reflecting on the destiny of the wicked.
Where we areThe conclusion of a discourse on the fate of the wicked, contrasting their end with the righteous.
The hard wordרָשָׁע
Take awayThe wicked receive a specific portion from God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectזֶה 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 20:29

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 — The Fate of the Wickedgenerated

26Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.
27The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
28The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath.
29This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”

Job 20:29 outlines the destiny of the wicked, emphasizing that their appointed fate is determined by God. This verse serves as a culmination of Job's reflections on justice and divine retribution, revealing that the wicked will face consequences for their actions, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Job. Job contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous, highlighting the moral order established by God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 18:21Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”
2Job 27:13This is the wicked man’s portion from God— the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.
3Job 31:2–3For what is the allotment of God from above, or the heritage from the Almighty on high?
4Deuteronomy 29:20–28The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven
5Psalm 11:5–6The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.

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

appointed unto him by GodLamentations 3:38

The Key Word רָשָׁע, Ra.sho'generated

The Hebrew word רָשָׁע (ra'sha`) denotes someone who is wicked or morally wrong, often guilty of sin. It is used to describe individuals who oppose God and act unjustly towards others. The parsing as a masculine singular absolute noun indicates that it refers to a specific individual or class of people who embody wickedness.

This term captures the essence of moral failure and wrongdoing, emphasizing the consequences that follow such actions. In this verse, it underscores the judgment that awaits the wicked man as determined by God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the meaning of the wicked man's portion from God.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb in this verse is אִמְר֣וֹ, his decree, which governs the entire statement. The structure consists of a subject followed by a series of noun phrases and prepositional phrases that provide detail about the wicked man's portion and inheritance.

The word order emphasizes the subject זֶ֤ה at the beginning, drawing attention to the specific fate being discussed.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates רָשָׁע as ἀσεβοῦς, which carries a similar meaning of wickedness but may imply a broader sense of ungodliness. This choice reflects a slight interpretative shift, emphasizing not just moral failure but also a lack of reverence towards God.

The use of μερὶς for חֵלֶק indicates a focus on the portion or share, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning while maintaining the context of divine judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 20:29 tells us that the wicked man has a specific fate from God, which is described as his portion and inheritance. This verse emphasizes that God has determined what the wicked will receive, highlighting the moral order of justice in the universe.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the wicked have a portion from God?

It indicates that God has determined a specific fate for the wicked, which serves as a consequence of their actions.

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

This verse encapsulates the theme of divine justice and retribution, contrasting the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous.

What is the significance of the term 'wicked' in this context?

The term highlights moral wrongdoing and the consequences that follow, emphasizing that the wicked will face judgment from God.

How does Job's perspective on the wicked compare to other biblical texts?

Job's perspective aligns with other biblical texts that discuss the fate of the wicked, reinforcing the idea of divine justice throughout Scripture.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see justice being served in the world today, similar to what Job describes?
  2. How can I ensure that I am living righteously and not falling into the category of the wicked?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's judgment?
  4. How can I apply the lessons from Job's reflections on the wicked to my own life?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, discussing the implications of the wicked man's portion from God.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XV c. 540–604
Ver. 29. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage of his words from the Lord. 39. For if, while placed in this life, he had been minded to act rightly,
Early Church Fathers on Job 20 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 20:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God,.... All before related, and which is very different from the portion of a good man, which is God himself, both here and hereafter; the wicked man has

Read John Gill on Job 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God. Appointed - not as a matter of chance, but by the divine 'decree' (margin) and settled principle (cf. Job 18:21).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

From God; who like a wise master of a feast gives to every man his proper portion, and as a just judge distributes to him according to his deserts. The heritage appointed unto him by God, Heb. the heritage (i.e. the portion, as before; called here a heritage; partly to note the stability and assurance of it, that it is as firm as an inheritance to the right heir; and partly in opposition to that inheritance which he had gotten by fraud and violence) of his word; either, 1. Of God’ s word, i.e. which is allotted to him by the word or sentence of God. Or, 2. Of the wicked man’ s word, the reward of his speeches; which, like his actions, are and may well be presumed to be wicked and…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 20:29 This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.Ver. 29. This is the portion of a wicked man from God] A portion God alloweth the wicked in this life, Psalms 17:14; as a king, when he reprieveth a traitor, alloweth him a subsistence, prisoner’ s pittance at least. Yea, the worst of men divide the wealth and honours of the world between them for a time. Nebuchadnezzar had Tyre as pay for his pains in Egypt. And the whole Turkish empire is nothing else but a crust cast to his dogs by the great housekeeper of the world, saith Luther. But besides this, God hath provided a far other portion for them (saitb one), and that by way of inheritance…

Read John Trapp on Job 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 29. This is the portion] As God has dealt with the murmuring Israelites, and with the rebellious sons of Korah, so will he deal with those who murmur against the dispensations of his providence, and rebel against his authority. Instead of an earthly portion, and an ecclesiastical heritage, such as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram sought; they shall have fire from God to scorch them, and the earth to swallow them up. Dr. Stock, bishop of Killala, who has noticed the allusion to the quails, and for which he has been most unmeritedly ridiculed, gives us the following note on the passage:- "Here I apprehend is a fresh example of the known usage of Hebrew poets, in adorning their compositions by…

Read AdamClarke on Job 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. Like all the speakers in this second round of debate Zophar concludes by pointing with an impressive gesture to the picture he has drawn. Job should see himself there. He finishes by saying “from God.” This forces Job into the arena; he has no help, however unwilling he may be, but face this argument (ch. Job 21:27), and he shews that that which comes “from God” (ch. Job 21:22) is something very different.

Read Cambridge on Job 20 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This is the portion of a wicked man - This conclusion is similar to that which Bildad drew at the close of his speech, Job 18:21.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

29. The closing verse, for the greater emphasis, lies outside of the strophic arrangement as in Job 5:27. Appointed unto him — Literally, And the heritage of his word from God. Word, in the sense of appointment.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 20 →

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

This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Such is the lot God allots the wicked, and the heritage of his appointment from God.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.

RVARevised Version, American1894

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

This is the portion of the wicked man from God, and the heritage that he shall haue of God for his wordes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

This is the portion of the wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God. And an inheritance appointed him by God.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God. And an inheritance appointed him by God.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and his decreed heritage from God.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

This is the wicked man's portion from God, the heritage reserved for him by God.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance of his doings from the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

This is the share the wicked receive from God, the inheritance God says they should have.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

This is the reward of the evil man, and the heritage given to him by God.

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.

clausesubjectזֶ֤הthisnoun phrase · predicatenoun phrasenoun phraseחֵֽלֶק[is.the].portionnoun phraseאָדָ֣םof.a.personרָ֭שָׁעwickedprepositional phraseמֵfromאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodוְandnoun phrasenoun phraseנַחֲלַ֖תthe.inheritancenoun phraseאִמְר֣his.decreeוֹhisprepositional phraseמֵfromאֵֽלGod

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 in their wording for זֶ֤ה through מֵאֵֽל׃ פ, confirming the consistency of the translation across these ancient witnesses.

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

זֶ֤ה׀ חֵֽלֶק־ אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
זֶ֤ה׀αὕτηחֵֽלֶק־μερὶςאָדָ֣םἀνθρώπουרָ֭שָׁעἀσεβοῦςמֵאֱלֹהִ֑יםκυρίουוְנַחֲלַ֖תκτῆμαאִמְר֣וֹαὐτῷמֵאֵֽל׃ פπαρὰ

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 20:29זֶהthisthisזֶהחֵ֫לֶק[is the] po[is the] portioחֵ֫לֶקאָדָםa persona personאָדָםרָשָׁעwickedwickedרָשָׁעאֱלֹהִיםfrom Godfrom Godאֱלֹהִיםנַחֲלָהand [the] iand [the] inherנַחֲלָהאֹמֶרdecree hisdecree hisאֹמֶראֵלfrom Godfrom Godאֵלחָלַקto divideto divideחָלַקאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםרָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁענָחַלto inheritto inheritנָחַלאָמַרto sayto sayאָמַראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלזֶהthisthisזֶהזֹהthisthisזֹהאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּאַיwhere?where?אַיהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהדְּמוּתlikenesslikenessדְּמוּתבְּהֵמָהanimalanimalבְּהֵמָהצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹן
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 20:29

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.

this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
זֶ֤ה׀zeh this H2088 Particle
1,180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Amplified meaning
the appointed fate
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2088 zeh zeh

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this

or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the

one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,

such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on

that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,

2098.

see HEBREW for 02063

see HEBREW for 02090

see HEBREW for 02097

see HEBREW for 02098

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶה (zeh) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Particle
HTm
this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
חֵֽלֶק־che.lek- [is the] portion of H2506 Noun common · masculine singular construct
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Amplified meaning
inheritance, share
Tyndale gloss
portion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֵ֫לֶק (*cheleq*) has two main meanings: it can refer to a portion or share, often in the context of land or inheritance, and it can denote smoothness or seductiveness, particularly in speech. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including as a divine award. Notably, it appears in Proverbs 7:21 in relation to speech.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫לֶק n.m. portion, tract, territory

portion, share

portion, tract, of land

hence portion, i.e. (acquired) possession

chosen portion, habitual mode of life

portion, award, from God

base

חֵ֫לֶק n.[m.] smoothness, seductiveness of speech, only sg. cstr. Pr 7:21

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2506a חֵ֫לֶק portion, tract, territory H2506b חֵ֫לֶק smoothness, seductiveness of speech

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2506 cheleq khay'lek

from 2505; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an

allotment:--flattery, inheritance, part, X partake, portion.

see HEBREW for 02505

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — portion.

1) portion, share, part, territory

1a) portion, share

1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land)

1c) one's portion, one's possession

1d) (chosen) portion

1e) portion, award (from God)

Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)

חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — smoothness.

smoothness, seductiveness, flattery

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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…

this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
אָדָ֣ם'a.Dam a person H120 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
551× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Tyndale gloss
the man (Adam)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind

a man = human being

coll. man, mankind

n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)

n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being

. coll. man, mankind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

120 'adam aw-dawm'

from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the

species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common

sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָדָם (a.dam) — man.

1) man, mankind

1a) man, human being

1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)

1c) Adam, first man

1d) city in Jordan valley

אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).

The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;

married to Eve (H2332);

father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;

Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)

man, human being

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
רָ֭שָׁעRa.sho' wicked H7563 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
263× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
morally wrong, guilty of sin
Tyndale gloss
wicked
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7563 rasha` raw-shaw'

from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad

person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did

wrong.

see HEBREW for 07561

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.

1) wicked, criminal

1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)

1b) wicked (hostile to God)

1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
מֵאֱלֹהִ֑יםme.'E.lo.Him from God H430 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the supreme Judge
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

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

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
וְנַחֲלַ֖תve.na.cha.Lat and [the] inheritance of H5159 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
222× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Amplified meaning
heritage, legacy
Tyndale gloss
inheritance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance

property

portion, share

inheritance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property

. portion, share

. inheritance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'

from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something

inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an

heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or

portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.

Compare 5158.

see HEBREW for 05157

see HEBREW for 05158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.

1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage

1a) property

1b) portion, share

1c) inheritance, portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc
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…

this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
אִמְר֣וֹ'im.Ro decree his H561 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a word or speech, like a promise or command from God. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's conversations with people.
Amplified meaning
ordained, decreed, as his rightful due
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

561 'emer ay'-mer

from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,

saying, speech, word.

see HEBREW for 0559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.

utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

this [is the] portion of a person wicked from God and [the] inheritance of decree his from God
מֵאֵֽל׃ פme.'El from God H410 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
241× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Amplified meaning
the Lord, Almighty
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵל (*'el*) primarily means 'god' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including nature and power, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵל n.m. god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might

applied to men of might and rank

angels

gods of the nations

Ēl

as characterizing mighty things in nature

God, the one only and true God of Israel

אֵל strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H410 אֵל god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might . applied to men of might and rank

. angels

. gods of the nations

. Ēl

. as characterizing mighty things in nature

. God, the one only and true God of Israel

. אֵל strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

410 'el ale

shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;

especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God

(god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong.

Compare names in "-el."

see HEBREW for 0352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵל (el) — God.

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

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

אֵל (el) — El (Berith).

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)

אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).

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

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)

אֵל (el) — El (Most High).

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

This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power

Combined with "Most High" (el.yon עֶלְיוֹן H5945B)

אֵל (el) — god.

: god

1) god, god-like one, mighty one

1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes

1b) angels

1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations)

1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah

2) mighty things in nature

3) strength, power

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

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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