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Job 21:27 — Word Study

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WLCהֵ֣ן יָ֭דַעְתִּי מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת עָלַ֥י תַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃

BSABeholdhên [look, see] I knowyâdaʻ [am aware of, perceive] your thoughts full wellmachăshâbâh [plans, intentions] the schemes by whichmᵉzimmâh [plots, devices, in order to, so that] you would wrongchâmaç [injure, harm] meʻal [do me wrong, act unjustly against me]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 21
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 27 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 (tach.Mo.su) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 21:27quick helps
In a sentenceJob asserts that he is fully aware of his friends' thoughts and their intentions to harm him.
Who is speakingJob, responding to his friends' accusations.
Where we areIn a dialogue where Job defends his integrity against the assumptions of his friends.
The hard wordמַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
Take awayJob knows their thoughts and the schemes they devise against him.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָדַע 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 21:27

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 His Friendsgenerated

26But together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.
27Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
28For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house, and where are the tents in which the wicked dwell?’
29Have you never asked those who travel the roads? Do you not accept their reports?

Job 21:27 is part of Job's response to his friends, where he emphasizes his awareness of their thoughts and intentions. He challenges their perceptions and accusations, asserting that he knows the schemes they have against him. This verse highlights the tension in their dialogue as Job seeks to defend his character amidst their judgments.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Job 4:8–11As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.
2Job 5:3–5I have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.
3Job 8:3–6Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4Job 15:20–35A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.
5Job 20:5–29the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם, mach.she.vo.tei.Khemgenerated

The word מַחְשָׁבָה (machashabah) refers to thoughts, plans, or devices, encompassing both positive and negative intentions. It is derived from a root meaning to contrive or devise, indicating a range of cognitive processes from creativity to scheming.

In this verse, it signifies the underlying intentions of Job's friends, suggesting that their thoughts are not merely innocent inquiries but are instead plotted schemes against him.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the meaning of מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם, rendering it as 'thoughts' or 'plans'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains two finite verbs: יָ֭דַעְתִּי, I know, and תַּחְמֹֽסוּ, you do violence. The structure emphasizes Job's knowledge of his friends' intentions, followed by a direct accusation of their wrongdoing.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on Job's knowledge first, setting the stage for his confrontation of their schemes.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָ֭דַעְתִּי as οἶδα, which conveys a strong sense of knowledge or awareness. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may suggest a more definitive understanding of their thoughts.

The translation of מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם as ὑμᾶς indicates a direct address to the audience, reinforcing the confrontational nature of Job's statement.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 21:27 shows Job declaring that he knows exactly what his friends are thinking and the schemes they have against him. He is aware that they intend to harm him, which he confronts directly.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by knowing their thoughts?

Job asserts that he is fully aware of the intentions and schemes that his friends have against him, indicating a deep understanding of their motives.

How does Job's knowledge of their schemes affect his response?

Job's awareness of their plots strengthens his defense, allowing him to confront their accusations with confidence.

What is the significance of the word 'schemes' in this context?

The term 'schemes' indicates that Job believes his friends are not merely expressing concern but are actively plotting against him.

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

This verse highlights the tension between Job and his friends, illustrating the misunderstandings and accusations that contribute to his suffering.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can be more aware of the intentions of those around me?
  2. How do I respond when I feel others are plotting against me?
  3. In what situations have I misjudged someone's thoughts or intentions?
  4. How can I ensure that my own thoughts and plans align with integrity?

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

The verse is referenced by Gregory the Dialogist in his commentary on Job, where he discusses Job's awareness of the thoughts and devices of his friends.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XV c. 540–604
Ver. 27, 28. Behold I know your thoughts, and the devices that ye wrongfully imagine against me. For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwellings of the wicked? 63.
Early Church Fathers on Job 21 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 21:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Behold, I know your thoughts,.... God only truly, really, and in fact, knows the thoughts of men; this is his peculiar prerogative, he only is the searcher of the hearts and the trier of the reins of the children of men.

Read John Gill on Job 21 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. Their wrongful thoughts against Job are stated by him in Job 21:28. They do not honestly name Job, but insinuate

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 21 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I know your thoughts; I perceive what you think, and will object, and say for your own defence. The devices, or, evil thoughts; for so this word is oft used, as 14:17 . Wrongfully imagine, or wrest, or violently force. For they strained both Job’ s words, and their own thoughts, which were biassed by their prejudice and passion against Job. Against me; for I know very well that your discourses, though they be of wicked men in the general, yet are particularly levelled at me.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 21 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.Ver. 27. Behold, I know your thoughts] sc. By your words; as it is no hard matter for a wise man to do, Proverbs 20:5; for otherwise, God only knoweth the heart, 1 Peter 1:24 Psalms 139:3, it is his royalty. But when men discover their thoughts by their discourses, looks, gestures, &c., we may say, as Job doth here, "I know your thoughts"; and that by the wicked wretch described by you myself is intended; this I am well aware of, though you hover in generals, and speak in a third person. Bartolus writeth of Dr Gabriel Nele, that by the only motion of the lips, without any utterance, he…

Read John Trapp on Job 21 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 27. I know your thoughts] Ye still think that, because I am grievously afflicted, I must therefore be a felonious transgressor.

Read AdamClarke on Job 21 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

27–34. Finally, still pursuing his argument, Job turns to the insinuations of his friends against himself, which lie under their descriptions of the fate of the wicked. He knows what they mean when they say, Where is the house of the prince? But their conclusions were against the testimony of those who had travelled far and seen much. These testified that the wicked man was preserved in the day of destruction; that he came to an honoured grave, and the clods of the valley lay softly on him; and that his example, so far from being shunned, was followed by the mass of men, as there were multitudes that preceded him in the way he walked.

Read Cambridge on Job 21 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, I know your thoughts - That is, “I see that you are not satisfied, and that you are disposed still to maintain your former position. You will be ready to ask, Where “are” the proofs of the prosperity of the wicked?

Read Albert Barnes on Job 21 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

Second division — THE REPORT OF IS, THAT THE OF THE WICKED IS HELD IN , Job 21:27-34.Strophe a — If, instead of judging by appearances in this present life the friends had made more extensive

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 21 →

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

Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

“Yes, I know what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the enterprises, wherewith ye do me wrong.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Lo, I know your thoughts, and the devices ye wrongfully imagine against me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Lo, I have known your thoughts, And the devices against me ye do wrongfully.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Behold, I have known your thoughts, || And the schemes against me you do wrongfully.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the opinions which ye wrongfully devise against me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

See, I know your thoughts, and the ways in which you wish to wrong me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Look, I know what you're thinking, and your schemes to do me wrong.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;

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.

clauseclauseהֵ֣ןhere!clauseverbיָ֭דַעְתִּיI.knownoun phrase · objectnoun phraseמַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיthoughtsכֶ֑םyourוּ֝and.[the]noun phraseמְזִמּ֗וֹתschemesclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלַ֥[which].onיmeverbתַּחְמֹֽסוּyou.do.violence

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with five of the six words matched. This consistency highlights the shared understanding of Job's assertion about his friends' thoughts and their intentions.

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

הֵ֣ן יָ֭דַעְתִּי מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת עָלַ֥י תַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הֵ֣ןὥστεיָ֭דַעְתִּיοἶδαמַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑םὑμᾶςוּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹתτόλμῃתַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃ἐπίκεισθέ

5 of the 6 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 21:27הֵןhere!here!הֵןיָדַעI knowI knowיָדַעמַחֲשָׁבָהthoughts yothoughts yourמַחֲשָׁבָהמְזִמָּהand [the] sand [the] schemמְזִמָּהעַלon meon meעַלחָמַסyou do violyou do violenceחָמַסחָשַׁבto devise:to devise: counחָשַׁבזָמַםto planto planזָמַםעַלheightheightעַליָפֶהbeautifulbeautifulיָפֶהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןאַחֲרִיתendendאַחֲרִיתדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאחָלַלto boreto boreחָלַלתּוֹרָהinstructioinstructionתּוֹרָה
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 21:27

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.

here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
הֵ֣ןhen here! H2005 Particle
316× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Amplified meaning
look, see
Tyndale gloss
look!
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵן (hen) is a demonstrative adverb or interjection meaning 'lo!' or 'behold!'. It is primarily used to draw attention to a fact that prompts action or leads to a conclusion. The word can also express surprise and is less common than its counterpart הִנֵּה (hinneh). Additionally, it can function hypothetically as 'if'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵן 100 demonstr.adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2005 הֵן demonstr. adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2005 hen hane

a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)

if:--behold, if, lo, though.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵן (hen) — look!.

interj

1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part

2) if

Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

her, in composition:

here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
יָ֭דַעְתִּיYa.da'.ti I know H3045 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
am aware of, perceive
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑םmach.she.vo.tei.Khem thoughts your H4284 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a plan, device, or invention, which can be either good or bad. It appears in places like 2 Chronicles 2:11 and Esther 8:3, where it is used to describe clever ideas or schemes. The word is associated with creativity and problem-solving.
Amplified meaning
plans, intentions
Tyndale gloss
plot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashabah) refers to thoughts, devices, plans, or inventions, encompassing both good and bad intentions. It is derived from a root meaning to contrive or devise. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts relating to intention and creativity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַחֲשָׁבָה n.f. thought, device

thought

device, plan, purpose

invention

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4284 מַחֲשָׁבָה thought, device . thought

. device, plan, purpose

. invention

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4284 machashabah makh-ash-aw-baw'

or machashebeth {makh-ash-eh'-beth}; from 2803; a

contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or

(abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good,

advice):--cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed),

imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought.

see HEBREW for 02803

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַחֲשָׁבָה (ma.cha.sha.vah) — plot.

1) thought, device

1a) thought

1b) device, plan, purpose

1c) invention

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2mp
here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹתu.me.zi.Mot and [the] schemes H4209 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absolute
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a plan or plot, which can be either good or evil. It appears in the Bible as a device, discretion, or intent. In the KJV, it is translated as a wicked device or witty invention.
Amplified meaning
plots, devices, in order to, so that
Tyndale gloss
plot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְזִמָּה (mzimmah) refers to a plan or device, often with a connotation of evil intent. It can denote purpose, discretion, or plot, and may describe both wicked and wise schemes. The term is derived from a root meaning to plan and is used in contexts that highlight both malicious and clever intentions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְזִמָּה n.f. purpose, discretion, device

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4209 מְזִמָּה purpose, discretion, device

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4209 mzimmah mez-im-maw'

from 2161; a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good

(sagacity):--(wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty

invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly.

see HEBREW for 02161

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְזִמָּה (me.zim.mah) — plot.

1) purpose, discretion, device, plot

1a) purpose

1b) discretion

1c) devices (evil)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absolute
HC/Ncfpa
here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
עָלַ֥י'a.Lai on me H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
do me wrong, act unjustly against me
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

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Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

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Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
here! I know thoughts your and [the] schemes on me you do violence
תַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃tach.Mo.su you do violence H2554 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine plural
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to harm or injure someone, either physically or emotionally. It is used in Exodus and Deuteronomy to describe violent acts, and in Proverbs to warn against doing wrong to others. It involves treating others cruelly.
Amplified meaning
injure, harm
Tyndale gloss
to injure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָמַס (chamac) is a primitive root meaning to treat violently or wrongfully, encompassing both physical and ethical dimensions of wrongdoing. The entries indicate it can refer to acts of violence or maltreatment, as well as the experience of being wronged. Notably, the term appears in contexts discussing both physical and ethical violations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָמַס] vb. treat violently, wrong

Qal treat violently, wrong

of physical wrong

of ethical wrong

both physical and ethical

Niph. thy heels suffer violence

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2554 [חָמַס] treat violently, wrong .treat violently, wrong . of physical wrong

. of ethical wrong

. both physical and ethical

. thy heels suffer violence

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2554 chamac khaw-mas'

a primitive root; to be violent; by implication, to

maltreat:--make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take

away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָמַס (cha.mas) — to injure.

1) to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly

1a) (Qal) to treat violently, do wrong

1a1) of physical wrong

1a2) of ethical wrong

1a3) of physical and ethical wrong

1b) (Niphal) to be treated violently

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVqi2mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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