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Job 22:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י תִצְדָּ֑ק וְאִם־ בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־ תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃

BSADoes it delightchêphets [bring pleasure, cause joy] the AlmightyShadday [Shadday, all-powerful God] thatkîy you are righteoustsâdaq [just, morally upright] Does He profitbetsaʻ [gain, benefit] ifkîy your waysderek [path, manner of life] are blamelesstâmam [perfect, without sin]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 22
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (de.ra.Khei.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 22:3quick helps
In a sentenceJob questions whether human righteousness brings any benefit to God.
Who is speakingEliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends.
Where we areIn a series of rhetorical questions aimed at Job's understanding of God's nature.
The hard wordחֵ֣פֶץ
Take awayHuman righteousness does not add to God's perfection.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbצָדֵק 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 22:3

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Job's Discourse on Righteousnessgenerated

2“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
3Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?
4Is it for your reverence that He rebukes you and enters into judgment against you?
5Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?

Job 22:3 presents a challenge to Job regarding the value of his righteousness before God. Eliphaz questions whether God finds pleasure in human righteousness and whether it benefits Him if one's ways are blameless. This discourse highlights the relationship between divine justice and human behavior, as seen in the broader context of Job's suffering and his friends' responses. The surrounding verses further explore the implications of human actions in relation to God's judgment.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 29:17I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
2Psalm 147:10–11He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
3Proverbs 11:1–20Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
4Proverbs 12:22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
5Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חֵ֣פֶץ, ha.Che.fetzgenerated

The word חֵ֣פֶץ (*chephets*) is a noun meaning pleasure or delight. It conveys the idea of something that brings joy or happiness, and can also refer to a valuable thing or desire. In this verse, it questions whether human righteousness brings any delight to God.

The parsing indicates that it is a common masculine singular noun, emphasizing its role as the subject of the inquiry. Eliphaz's use of this word suggests a view of God that is not dependent on human righteousness for joy or satisfaction.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree that the verse questions whether God finds pleasure in human righteousness.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of two main clauses: the first asks if it delights God that Job is righteous, while the second questions if God profits from Job's blameless ways. The structure emphasizes the rhetorical nature of the questions posed by Eliphaz.

The finite verbs תִצְדָּ֑ק and תַתֵּ֥ם govern their respective clauses, indicating actions attributed to Job, while the predicates חֵ֣פֶץ and בֶּ֝֗צַע focus on God's perspective.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חֵ֣פֶץ as κυρίῳ (to the Lord), indicating a direct reference to God. This choice highlights the relationship between human actions and divine perception.

The translation of בֶּ֝֗צַע as ὠφέλεια (profit) aligns with the original meaning, emphasizing the concept of gain or benefit in relation to God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 22:3 asks whether God finds pleasure in human righteousness and if He gains anything from a blameless life. Eliphaz questions the value of Job's moral actions in light of God's greatness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God delights in righteousness?

This suggests that while human righteousness is good, it does not add to God's perfection or benefit Him directly.

Why does Eliphaz question Job's righteousness?

Eliphaz is trying to point out that Job's suffering may indicate a lack of righteousness, questioning the value of Job's claims.

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

It reflects the theme of questioning the relationship between human actions and divine justice, a central issue in the book of Job.

What can we learn from this verse about God's nature?

It teaches that God is not dependent on human righteousness for His joy or benefit, emphasizing His self-sufficiency.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I seek to please God through my actions?
  2. How do I understand the relationship between my righteousness and God's nature?
  3. What does it mean for me to live a blameless life in my daily actions?
  4. How can I reconcile my understanding of suffering with the idea of God's justice?

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

Early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of righteousness and its significance to God, as shown in their writings.

John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON Job 22:3-4 c. 347–407
“What does it matter to the Lord, if you were blameless in your works?” That is, it has no importance for God. “Or does he gain any profit from the righteousness of your conduct?” It cannot be said that, in fact,
Early Church Fathers on Job 22 →
Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVI c. 540–604
Is it any profit to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it gain to Him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? For in all that we do well, we are doing good to ourselves and not to God.
Early Church Fathers on Job 22 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 22:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

[Is it] any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous?.... It is not; the Lord indeed takes pleasure in his people, not as sinners, but as righteous; and as they are considered such in Christ,

Read John Gill on Job 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 22 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Any pleasure, i.e. such a pleasure as he needs for his own ease and contentment, without which he could not be happy, as appears by the foregoing and following words; for otherwise God is oft said to delight in the good actions of his people, to wit, so far as to approve and accept them. That thou makest thy ways perfect; that thy life is free from blemish, as thou pretendest, but falsely, as I shall show.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 22 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 22:3 [Is it] any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or [is it] gain [to him], that thou makest thy ways perfect?Ver. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous?] Num volupe est Omnipotenti? &c. Is anything added to his joy? Or needeth he thy manners and virtues to the making up of his perfection? Nothing less, surely. True it is, that he soliciteth suitors, John 4:23, and is well pleased with our performances, Psalms 51:6. But it is for our sakes, and to our benefit, and not his own. Like as the sun, when he casteth abroad his beams in the world, seemeth to receive light from some other creatures, whereas in truth they all receive light from him, and…

Read John Trapp on Job 22 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty] Infinite in his perfections, he can neither gain nor lose by the wickedness or righteousness of men.

Read AdamClarke on Job 22 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. Is it any pleasure] Or, advantage, concern; see on ch. Job 21:21. The idea that men’s actions cannot affect God is common in the Book, see ch. Job 7:20, Job 35:5-8. Job 22:2-3 go together, and express this single conception that God’s treatment of men is not due to any respect He has to Himself, but is strictly according to the character of men.

Read Cambridge on Job 22 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? - This is the same sentiment which was advanced in the previous verse. The meaning is, that it can be no advantage to God that a man is righteous.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 22 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

3. Pleasure to the Almighty — çôö, same word as in Job 21:21, which see. It is the necessity of every moral being to delight in those moral qualities that are like its own.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 22 →

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

Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him that you make your ways perfect?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?

NETBNew English Translation2006

Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him , that thou makest thy ways perfect?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Is it any thing vnto the Almightie, that thou art righteous? or is it profitable to him, that thou makest thy wayes vpright?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if thou art righteous? And is it gain [to him] that thou makest thy ways perfect?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Is it a delight to the Mighty One That thou art righteous? is it gain, That thou makest perfect thy ways?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Is it a delight to the Mighty One || That you are righteous? Is it gain, || That you make your ways perfect?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it any gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

What doth it profit God if thou be just? or what dost thou give him if thy way be unspotted?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Is it any benefit to the Almighty if you're a good person? What does he gain if you do what's right?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?

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.

clauseclauseהַ[does]clausepredicateחֵ֣פֶץpleasure?prepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ֭[belong].to.[the]שַׁדַּיAlmightyclause · subjectכִּ֣י(cmp)clauseverbתִצְדָּ֑קyou.are.righteousוְandclauseאִםor?clausepredicateבֶּ֝֗צַעprofitclause · subjectכִּֽי(cmp)clauseverbתַתֵּ֥םyou.make.blamelessnoun phrase · objectדְּרָכֶֽיwaysךָyour

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 for this verse, with eight out of nine words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the essential meaning remains consistent with the Masoretic Text.

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

הַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י תִצְדָּ֑ק וְאִם־ בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־ תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לְ֭שַׁדַּיκυρίῳכִּ֣יἐὰνתִצְדָּ֑קἦσθαוְאִם־בֶּ֝֗צַעὠφέλειαכִּֽי־ὅτιתַתֵּ֥םἁπλώσῃςדְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃σου

8 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.

Job 22:3חֵ֫פֶץ¿ [does] pl¿ [does] pleasuחֵ֫פֶץשַׁדַּי[belong] to[belong] to [thשַׁדַּיכִּיthatthatכִּיצָדֵקyou are rigyou are righteoצָדֵקאִםand or?and or?אִםבֶ֫צַעprofitprofitבֶ֫צַעכִּיthatthatכִּיתָּמַםyou make blyou make blamelתָּמַםדֶּ֫רֶךְways yourways yourדֶּ֫רֶךְבָּצַעto cut offto cut offבָּצַעחָפֵץto delightto delight inחָפֵץשָׁדַדto ruinto ruinשָׁדַדדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעשְׁבָאShebaShebaשְׁבָאשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַלעָוַתto pervertto pervertעָוַתאֵלgodgodאֵלרָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁעצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁשָׂנֵאto hateto hateשָׂנֵארָעָבfaminefamineרָעָבעַדtilltillעַדפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהצָפוֹןZaphonZaphonצָפוֹן
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 22:3

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.

¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
הַחֵ֣פֶץha.Che.fetz ¿ [does] pleasure H2656 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to pleasure or delight, often describing something that brings joy or happiness. In the Bible, it can also mean a valuable thing or a desire, like in Psalm 1.
Amplified meaning
bring pleasure, cause joy
Tyndale gloss
pleasure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֵ֫פֶץ (*chephets*) primarily means delight or pleasure. It encompasses concepts of desire and longing, as well as the good pleasure or purpose of Yahweh. The word can also refer to something valuable or a matter of interest. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫פֶץ n.m. delight, pleasure

delight

desire, longing

the good pleasure, will, purpose, of Yahweh

that in which one takes delight, his business (late), or matter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2656 חֵ֫פֶץ delight, pleasure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2656 chephets khay'-fets

from 2654; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a

valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in

mind):--acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired,

matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.

see HEBREW for 02654

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫פֶץ (che.phets) — pleasure.

1) delight, pleasure

1a) delight

1b) desire, longing

1c) the good pleasure

1d) that in which one takes delight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTi/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

plezh'-ur (chephets, ratson; eudokia, hedone: "Pleasure" is the translation of various Hebrew words, chiefly of chephets, "inclination," hence, "pleasure," "delight" (Job 21:21, "What pleasure hath he in his house?" the American Standard Revised Version "what careth he for"; Job 22:3, "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty?"; Ps 111:2; Ec 5:4; 12:1; in Isa 44:28; 46:10; 48:14; 53:10, it has the sense of will or purpose, "He shall perform all my pleasure," etc.); of ratson, "delight," "acceptance," "good will" (Ezr 10:11;

¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
לְ֭שַׁדַּיLe.sha.dai [belong] to [the] Almighty H7706 Preposition · noun proper
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shadday means Almighty, referring to God's great power. It is another name for the Lord, emphasizing His strength and might. This name is used in the Bible to describe God's power and authority.
Amplified meaning
Shadday, all-powerful God
Tyndale gloss
Almighty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a Hebrew word meaning 'Almighty' and is often used to refer to God. It is derived from a root that suggests self-sufficiency. The entries indicate that this term emphasizes God's power and might, and it is recognized as another name for the LORD (יהוה).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee

from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.

see HEBREW for 07703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.

Shaddai, the Almighty (God)

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

This name means almighty, most powerful

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol-mit'-i:

(1) (shaddai (Ge 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in combination with 'el, "God"). The root meaning is uncertain.

(2) (pantokrator), the exclusive translation of this Greek word in the New Testament, found principally in Re (nine times), once besides (2Co 6:18). Its occurrence in the Apocrypha is frequent. See GOD, NAMES OF.

¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
כִּ֣יki that H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
תִצְדָּ֑קtitz.Dak you are righteous H6663 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to the act of making something right, either by justifying oneself or being declared righteous by God. It is used to describe God's justice and people's attempts to do what is right. This concept is key to understanding the Bible's teachings on sin and redemption.
Amplified meaning
just, morally upright
Tyndale gloss
to justify
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Qal

have a just cause, be in the right

be justified

be just

be just, righteous

Niph. the holy place shall be put right

Pi. justify

Hiph.

do justice

declare righteous, justify

justify, vindicate the cause of, save

make righteous, turn to righteousness

Hithp. how shall we justify ourselves

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6663 tsadaq tsaw-dak'

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָדֵק (tsa.daq) — to justify.

1) to be just, be righteous

1a) (Qal)

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

1a2) to be justified

1a3) to be just (of God)

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

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

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

1d) (Hiphil)

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

1d2) to declare righteous, justify

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

1d4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness

1e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVqi2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Compared with

The sun Jud 5:31; Mt 13:43

Stars Da 12:3

Lights Mt 5:14; Php 2:15

Mount Zion Ps 125:1,2

Lebanon Ho 14:5-7

Treasure Ex 19:5; Ps 135:4

Jewels Mal 3:17

Gold Job 23:10; La 4:2

¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
וְאִם־ve.'im- and or? H518 Conjunction · particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b 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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Tc — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
בֶּ֝֗צַעBe.tza' profit H1215 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
23× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes unjust gain or profit, often acquired through violence or dishonest means, as referred to in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
gain, benefit
Tyndale gloss
unjust-gain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֶ֫צַע (betsah) refers to gain that is typically acquired through violence or unjust means. The term encompasses notions of profit and covetousness, often implying dishonesty in the acquisition of wealth. It is derived from a root that suggests plunder, indicating a focus on unethical or violent means of obtaining gain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֶ֫צַע n.m. gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1215 בֶ֫צַע gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1215 betsa` beh'-tsah

from 1214; plunder; by extension, gain (usually

unjust):--covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit.

see HEBREW for 01214

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֶּ֫צַע (be.tsa) — unjust-gain.

profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence

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

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
תַתֵּ֥םta.Tem you make blameless H8552 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singular
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To finish or complete something, either in a good or bad sense, like when God finished creating the world in Genesis. It can also mean to be consumed or destroyed. The KJV Bible uses words like accomplish, cease, or have done to translate it.
Amplified meaning
perfect, without sin
Tyndale gloss
to finish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּמַם (tamam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be complete or finished. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to accomplish, cease, be consumed, or be sound and upright. The word can be used in various forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of completion or integrity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[תָּמַם], תַּם vb. be complete, finished

Qal

be finished, completed

be finished, come to an end, cease

be complete, of number

be consumed, exhausted, spent

be finished, consumed, destroyed

be complete, sound, unimpaired

twice, very strangely

Hiph.

finish, complete, perfect, a matter

finish, cease doing a thing

complete, sum up

destroy uncleanness

causative: make sound thy ways.

Hithp. deal in integrity with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8552 [תָּמַם], תַּם be complete, finished

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8552 tamam taw-mam'

a primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense,

literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive (as

follows):--accomplish, cease, be clean (pass-)ed, consume,

have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to

the full, be all gone, X be all here, be (make) perfect, be

spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמַם (ta.mam) — to finish.

1) to be complete, be finished, be at an end

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be finished, be completed

1a1a) completely, wholly, entirely (as auxiliary with verb)

1a2) to be finished, come to an end, cease

1a3) to be complete (of number)

1a4) to be consumed, be exhausted, be spent

1a5) to be finished, be consumed, be destroyed

1a6) to be complete, be sound, be unimpaired, be upright (ethically)

1a7) to complete, finish

1a8) to be completely crossed over

1b) (Niphal) to be consumed

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to finish, complete, perfect

1c2) to finish, cease doing, leave off doing

1c3) to complete, sum up, make whole

1c4) to destroy (uncleanness)

1c5) to make sound

1d) (Hithpael) to deal in integrity, act uprightly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singular
HVhi2ms
¿ [does] pleasure [belong] to [the] Almighty that you are righteous and or? profit that you make blameless ways your
דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃de.ra.Khei.kha ways your H1870 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Amplified meaning
path, manner of life
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
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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