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Job 24:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCיִ֭גְזְלוּ מִשֹּׁ֣ד יָת֑וֹם וְֽעַל־ עָנִ֥י יַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃

BSAThe fatherless infantyâthôwm [orphan, without a father, suckling child, baby] is snatchedgâzal [plucked violently, taken away by force] from the breastshad [woman's or animal's breast, swollen with milk] of the poorʻânîy [afflicted, humble, weak] is seized for a debtchâbal [taken, laid hold of, pledge, security for a loan]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (yach.Bo.lu) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 24:9quick helps
In a sentenceJob laments the violent injustice faced by the most vulnerable, highlighting the plight of orphans and the poor.
Who is speakingJob, expressing his observations about societal injustices.
Where we areIn a section describing the suffering of the oppressed and the actions of the wicked.
The hard wordיִ֭גְזְלוּ
Take awayThe imagery of violence underscores the severity of injustice.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbגָּזַל 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 24:9

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 Injustice Faced by the Vulnerablegenerated

8Drenched by mountain rains, they huddle against the rocks for want of shelter.
9The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt.
10Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry the sheaves, but still go hungry.
11They crush olives within their walls; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty.

Job 24:9 describes the harsh realities faced by the fatherless and the poor, illustrating a world where the most innocent are victimized. This verse is part of a broader discourse on the injustices that permeate society, emphasizing the need for compassion and justice for those who cannot defend themselves.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Kings 4:1Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”
2Nehemiah 5:5We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.2 Kings 4:1 Nehemiah 5:5

The Key Word יִ֭גְזְלוּ, Yig.ze.lugenerated

The verb גָּזַל (gazal) means to take something by force, often associated with violent actions such as plundering or robbing. It appears in the Qal form here, indicating a direct action performed by the subject, which in this case refers to people who tear away the vulnerable.

This word evokes a strong sense of injustice, as it portrays the act of taking away a defenseless child from their mother. The use of this verb highlights the brutality of the actions being described, making it clear that such violence is not only physical but also deeply emotional.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses snatched for יִ֭גְזְלוּ, while the KJV and ASV use tear away.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִ֭גְזְלוּ governs the main action of the verse, with the object יָת֑וֹם following it, indicating what is being torn away. The prepositional phrase מִשֹּׁ֣ד specifies the source from which the infant is taken, while the second verb יַחְבֹּֽלוּ introduces another action regarding the poor.

The structure emphasizes the violent actions against the vulnerable, with the arrangement of clauses highlighting the relationship between the oppressors and their victims.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יִ֭גְזְלוּ as ἥρπασανthey seized — which carries a similar meaning of taking by force. This choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the violent actions described in the Hebrew text.

The use of the Greek term emphasizes the severity of the injustice and aligns with the overall message of oppression faced by the fatherless.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 24:9 highlights the injustice faced by orphans and the poor, showing how the fatherless are violently taken from their mothers, and how the needy are seized for debts. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by the most vulnerable members of society.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the fatherless infant is snatched from the breast?

It signifies the violent removal of a defenseless child from their mother, illustrating the extreme injustices faced by orphans.

Why is the nursing child of the poor seized for a debt?

This reflects the harsh reality where the impoverished are exploited, and even their children are taken as collateral for debts.

What is the significance of mentioning the fatherless and the poor?

These groups represent the most vulnerable in society, highlighting the need for justice and compassion towards those who cannot defend themselves.

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

It underscores the theme of suffering and injustice, as Job grapples with the reality of a world where the innocent often suffer.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I show compassion to those who are vulnerable in my community?
  2. What steps can I take to advocate for justice for the oppressed?
  3. In what ways can I support families who are struggling financially?
  4. How does understanding the plight of the fatherless and poor affect my perspective on social justice?

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

Early commentators, including Gregory the Dialogist and Olympiodorus of Alexandria, reflect on the injustices faced by the fatherless, arguing from this verse to highlight moral failings in society.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVI c. 540–604
They have done violence in preying on the fatherless, and have spoiled the common folk of the poor. When Heretics lack the good fortune of the present life, to weak minds they recommend by words of soft persuasion things that are wrong;
Early Church Fathers on Job 24 →
Olympiodorus of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON Job 24:9-12 6th c.
“They have snatched the fatherless from the breast.” They have lamentably and mercilessly taken away the child who still nursed and hanged from his mother’s breast.
Early Church Fathers on Job 24 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 24:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

They pluck the fatherless from the breast,.... Either on purpose to starve it, which must be extremely barbarous; or to sell it to be brought up a slave; or by obliging the mother to wean it before

Read John Gill on Job 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity. Some - the wicked.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They; the wicked oppressors, as is manifest from the following words. From the breast; either out of cruelty, not sparing poor infants, but killing them; or out of covetousness, and with design either to sell the mother, or to employ her in their work, to which they so strictly confine her, that they will not allow any of her time or strength for the suckling of her infant. Take a pledge of the poor; of which See Poole "".

Read Matthew Poole on Job 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 24:9 They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.Ver. 9. They pluck the fatherless from the breast] What can be more to be pitied than a fatherless suckling? Who less to be molested or violenced than the mother doing that office to her babe? In the Parisian Massacre one of the murderers took a little one in his arms, who smiled upon him and played with his beard; yet this barbarous wretch was so far from compassion, that he wounded it with his dagger, and so cast it all gore blood into the river (Acts and Mon.). The story of the infant of the isle of Guernsey, thrown back into the fire, out of which it had sprawled, is well known. So is the savage inhumanity…

Read John Trapp on Job 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. They pluck the fatherless from the breast] They forcibly take young children in order that they may bring them up in a state of slavery. This verse is the commencement of a new paragraph, and points out the arbitrary dealings of oppressors, under despotic governors. Take a pledge of the poor.] Oppressive landlords who let out their grounds at an exorbitant rent, which the poor labourers, though using the utmost diligence, are unable at all times to pay; and then the unfeeling wretch sells then up, as the phrase here is, or takes their cow, their horse, their cart, or their bed, in pledge, that the money shall be paid in such a time. This is one of the crying sins of some countries…

Read AdamClarke on Job 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9–12. These verses describe the miseries of another class, those who have allowed themselves to be subjected, and become serfs and bondmen attached to the estates of the rich. Probably they are but a portion of the same aboriginal tribes mentioned in Job 24:5-7.

Read Cambridge on Job 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

They pluck the fatherless from the breast - That is, they steal away unprotected children, and sell them, or make slaves of them for their own use.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 24 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

Third strophe — The wretched poor are treated worse than the brute, and in the cities even, the blood of the innocent cries to God in vain, Job 24:9-12.9. They — The high-handed oppressors of whom he had spoken in Job 24:4.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 24 →

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

The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

There are those who pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The fatherless child is snatched from the breast, the infant of the poor is taken as a pledge.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor;

RVARevised Version, American1894

There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They plucke the fatherles from the breast, and take the pledge of the poore.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

They take violently away From the breast the orphan, And on the poor they lay a pledge.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

They take away violently || The orphan from the breast, || And they lay a pledge on the poor.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

The others pluck from the breast the fatherless, and the garment of the poor they take in pledge.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

There are wicked people who pluck orphans from their mothers' breast, and wicked people who take children as security from poor people.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stripped the poor common people.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Fatherless children are snatched from their mother's breasts, taking the babies of the poor as security for a debt.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The child without a father is forced from its mother's breast, and they take the young children of the poor for debt.

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.

clauseverbיִ֭גְזְלוּpeople.tear.awayprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfrom.[the]שֹּׁ֣דbreastobjectיָת֑וֹםa.fatherless.oneוְֽandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonעָנִ֥י[the].poorverbיַחְבֹּֽלוּthey.take.pledges

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads יִ֭גְזְלוּ מִשֹּׁ֣ד יָת֑וֹם וְֽעַל־ עָנִ֥י יַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃. The Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong agreement between the two texts, though the word order differs.

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

יִ֭גְזְלוּ מִשֹּׁ֣ד יָת֑וֹם וְֽעַל־ עָנִ֥י יַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יִ֭גְזְלוּἥρπασανיָת֑וֹםὀρφανὸνוְֽעַל־δὲעָנִ֥יἐκπεπτωκόταיַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃ἐταπείνωσαν

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 24:9גָּזַלpeople tearpeople tear awaגָּזַלשַׁדfrom [the] from [the] breaשַׁדיָתוֹםa fatherlesa fatherless onיָתוֹםעַלand onand onעַלעָנִי[the] poor[the] poorעָנִיחָבַלthey take pthey take pledgחָבַלשָׁדַדto wasteto wasteשָׁדַדעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהעַלheightheightעַלגְּזֵלָהviolenceviolenceגְּזֵלָהעֹ֫שֶׁקoppressionoppressionעֹ֫שֶׁקעֹ֫פֶרfawnfawnעֹ֫פֶרתּוֹאָםtwintwinתּוֹאָםאַלְמָנָהwidowwidowאַלְמָנָהגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאחָטַףto catchto catchחָטַףאֶבְיוֹןneedyneedyאֶבְיוֹןיָתוֹםorphanorphanיָתוֹם
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 24:9

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.

people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
יִ֭גְזְלוּYig.ze.lu people tear away H1497 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to take something by force, like plundering or robbing, and is used in stories like David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. It can also mean to strip or flay something, and is often associated with violence.
Amplified meaning
plucked violently, taken away by force
Tyndale gloss
to plunder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּזַל (gazal) is a Hebrew verb that means to tear away, seize, or rob. It is built from a primitive root and covers actions like plundering or taking away by force. The verb appears in both the Qal and Niphal forms, indicating direct action and a passive state of being robbed, respectively.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּזַל vb. tear away, seize, rob

Qal tear away, rob

Niph. subj. sleep

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1497 גָּזַל tear away, seize, rob

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1497 gazal gaw-zal'

a primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip

or rob:--catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob,

spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּזַל (ga.zal) — to plunder.

1) to tear away, seize, plunder, tear off, pull off, rob, take away by force

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to tear away, rob

1a2) to seize, plunder (with acc cognate)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be robbed

1b2) to be taken away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
מִשֹּׁ֣דmi.Shod from [the] breast H7699 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for breast, describing a woman's or animal's breast as swollen. It is used in the Bible to describe nursing or motherly care. The KJV translates it as 'breast' or 'pap'.
Amplified meaning
woman's or animal's breast, swollen with milk
Tyndale gloss
breast
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁד (shad) refers to the female breast, applicable to both humans and animals. The term can also be associated with the variant שֹׁד (shod), which carries the same meaning. The entries indicate that the word is likely derived from another root, but they do not provide further detail on its usage in specific verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שַׁד] n.m. female breast

base

שֹׁד n.m. id. [v.bh.ab]

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7699a שַׁד female breast H7699b שֹׁד id. [7699a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7699 shad shad

or shod {shode}; probably from 7736 (in its original sense)

contracted; the breast of a woman or animal (as

bulging):--breast, pap, teat.

see HEBREW for 07736

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁד (shad) — breast.

1) breast, bosom, (female) breast

1a) breast (of woman)

1b) breast (of animal)

1c) breast (of both human and animal)

Also means: shod (שֹׁד "breast" H7699B)

שֹׁד (shod) — breast.

1) breast, bosom, (female) breast

1a) breast (of woman)

1b) breast (of animal)

1c) breast (of both human and animal)

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

brest: Signifying the front view of the bust in humans and the corresponding portion of the body in animals. chazeh, occurs in Ex 29:26,27; Le 7:30,31,34; 8:29; 10:14,15; Nu 6:20; 18:18; and chadhi, in Da 2:32. shadh or shodh = "breast" in the sense of pap of a woman or animal (Job 24:9; So 8:1,8,10; Isa 60:16; La 4:3). Only one word occurs with this signification in the New Testament: stethos = "bosom," "chest" (

people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
יָת֑וֹםya.Tom a fatherless one H3490 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Amplified meaning
orphan, without a father, suckling child, baby
Tyndale gloss
orphan
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָתוֹם (yathowm) means 'orphan' and is derived from a root that suggests loneliness or bereavement. The term specifically refers to a fatherless child or a bereaved person. All entries consistently define it in this way, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָתוֹם n.[m.] orphan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3490 יָתוֹם orphan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3490 yathowm yaw-thome'

from an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved

person:--fatherless (child), orphan.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָתוֹם (ya.tom) — orphan.

an orphan, fatherless

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wun.

See NUMBER.

people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
וְֽעַל־ve.'al- and on H5921 Conjunction · preposition
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.
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)

Read the full entry →
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)

Read the full entry →
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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/R — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
עָנִ֥י'a.Ni [the] poor H6041 Adj
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Amplified meaning
afflicted, humble, weak
Tyndale gloss
afflicted
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָנִי (aniy) describes a state of being poor, afflicted, or humble. It is built from the root meaning to be depressed in mind or circumstances. The entries indicate it covers a range of meanings including needy, lowly, and wretched. There is a noted disagreement regarding its relationship to another word, עָנָה (anah), with some lexicons viewing one as subjective and the other as objective.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָנִי adj. poor, afflicted, humble

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6041 עָנִי poor, afflicted, humble

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6041 `aniy aw-nee'

from 6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically

the same as 6035, although the margin constantly disputes

this, making 6035 subjective and 6041 objective):--afflicted,

humble, lowly, needy, poor.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06035

see HEBREW for 06035

see HEBREW for 06041

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָנִי (a.ni) — afflicted.

1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched

1a) poor, needy

1b) poor and weak

1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched

1d) humble, lowly

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

poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):

I. In the Old Testament.

The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (De 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (De 15:5), and in De 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.

1. The Terms Employed:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Poor

The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19,21).

(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6).

(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30).

(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27;

Ps 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Ex 23:6 Pr 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Mt 25:42-45 Jas 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mr 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19

people tear away from [the] breast a fatherless one and on [the] poor they take pledges
יַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃yach.Bo.lu they take pledges H2254 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Amplified meaning
taken, laid hold of, pledge, security for a loan
Tyndale gloss
to pledge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָבַל (chabal) is a Hebrew root meaning to bind or pledge, often in the context of taking a pledge. It also conveys the ideas of destruction or corruption, as well as the physical act of writhing or travailing, particularly in childbirth. The lexicons note its use in various forms, including to spoil or be ruined, but do not indicate significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָבַל] vb. bind, pledge

Qal

bind

bind by taking a pledge of

Niph. Impf. becometh pledged to it

Pi. writhe, twist, hence travail

base

חָבַל vb. act (ruinously) corruptly

Qal act corruptly against

Niph. Impf. shall be ruined

Pi. ruin, destroy

Pu. be ruined, broken

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2254a חָבַל bind, pledge .. bind

. bind by taking a pledge of

. Impf. becometh pledged to it

H2254b חָבַל act (ruinously) corruptly .act corruptly against

. Impf. shall be ruined

. ruin, destroy

. be ruined, broken

H2254c חָבַל bind, pledge . writhe, twist, hence travail

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2254 chabal khaw-bal'

a primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind;

specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy;

also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition):--X at all,

band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay

&Š to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, X very, withhold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָבַל (cha.val) — to pledge.

1) to bind

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bind

2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge

2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge

2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged

חָבַל (cha.val) — to destroy.

1) to destroy, spoil, deal corruptly, offend

1a) (Qal) to spoil, corrupt, offend

1b) (Niphal) to be ruined

1c) (Piel) to destroy, ruin

1d) (Pual) to be ruined, be broken

Aramaic equivalent: cha.val (חֲבַל "to destroy" H2255)

חָבַל (cha.val) — be in labour.

1) to bring forth, travail

1a) (Piel) to writhe, twist, travail

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
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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