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Job 27:2 — Word Study

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WLCחַי־ אֵ֭ל הֵסִ֣יר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י הֵמַ֥ר נַפְשִֽׁי׃

BSAAs surely as Godʼêl [the living One, El] liveschay who has deprived me ofçûwr justicemishpâṭ [my right, judgment] the AlmightyShadday [Shadday, all-powerful] who has embitteredmârar [made bitter, provoked] my soulnephesh [my inner being]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (naf.Shi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 27:2quick helps
In a sentenceJob asserts that God, the Almighty, has taken away his justice and made his soul bitter.
Who is speakingJob, expressing his deep anguish and sense of injustice.
Where we areJob's ongoing discourse about his suffering and the perceived injustice he faces.
The hard wordשַׁדַּי
Take awayJob feels deprived of justice and embittered in his soul.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbסוּר 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 27:2

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 Declaration of Innocencegenerated

1Job continued his discourse:
2“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice— the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—
3as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils,
4my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

Job 27:2 reveals Job's profound sense of injustice and bitterness as he declares that God has deprived him of his rightful judgment. Job's speech reflects his struggle with his circumstances and his feelings towards God's actions, emphasizing the emotional turmoil he experiences amidst his suffering. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job defends his integrity and laments his plight, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 14:21“Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD,
2Ruth 3:13Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning.”
31 Samuel 14:39–45As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
41 Samuel 20:21Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.
51 Samuel 25:26–34Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

The Key Word חַי, chai-generated

The Hebrew word חַי (*chai*) means 'alive' or 'living' and encompasses various aspects of life. In this context, it emphasizes the certainty of God's existence and the life-giving nature of God. The parsing as an adjective indicates that it describes the state of being alive, which is crucial for Job's declaration of God's living presence.

This word is often used in the Bible to signify not just physical life but also spiritual vitality. Job's use of it underscores the seriousness of his claim about God's active role in his suffering.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree here, consistently rendering חַי as 'lives' or 'alive'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause is introduced by the finite verb הֵסִ֣יר, he has taken away, which governs the rest of the sentence. The structure emphasizes Job's assertion about God's actions, with the subject being God and the object being his justice.

The sentence includes additional clauses that elaborate on Job's feelings of bitterness, where הֵמַ֥ר, he has made bitter, further illustrates the depth of Job's emotional state.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חַי as ζῇ, meaning 'lives', which captures the essence of God's living nature. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing God's active presence.

The use of κύριος for אֵל reflects the translators' understanding of God as sovereign and powerful, reinforcing the idea of divine authority in Job's lament.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 27:2 shows Job expressing his anguish, declaring that as surely as God lives, He has taken away his justice and made his soul bitter. This verse captures Job's deep feelings of injustice and the emotional pain he experiences in his suffering.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'God has deprived me of justice'?

Job feels that he has been wronged and that his rights have been taken away by God, which contributes to his sense of bitterness.

Why does Job refer to God as 'the Almighty'?

Job uses 'the Almighty' to emphasize God's great power and authority, highlighting the contrast between God's might and Job's suffering.

What does it mean that God has made Job's soul bitter?

This indicates that Job is experiencing deep emotional pain and anguish, feeling overwhelmed by his circumstances.

How does this verse reflect Job's overall situation?

This verse encapsulates Job's struggle with his faith amidst suffering, as he grapples with the perceived injustice of his situation.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I felt deprived of justice in my own life?
  2. How can I reconcile my feelings of bitterness with my understanding of God's character?
  3. What does it mean to me that God is described as 'the Almighty'?
  4. How can I find hope in my struggles, similar to Job's search for justice?

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

The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist interprets this verse as Job expressing his circumstances and the trials of the Holy Church.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVIII c. 540–604
As God liveth, Who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, Who hath brought my soul to bitterness. By which same words blessed Job at once tells his own circumstances, and represents the times of Holy Church under affliction,
Early Church Fathers on Job 27 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 27:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

[As] God liveth,.... Which is an oath, as Jarchi observes, and is a form of one frequently used, see 2 Samuel 2:27; and is used by God himself, who, because he can swear by no greater, swears by

Read John Gill on Job 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; As God liveth - (1 Samuel 20:3). As God liveth - (1 Samuel 20:3).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He confirms the truth and sincerity of his expressions by an oath, because he found them very hard to believe all his professions. My judgment, or my right, or my cause, i.e. who, though he knows my integrity and piety towards him, yet doth not plead my cause against my friends, nor will admit me to plead my cause with him before them, as I have so oft and earnestly desired, nor doth deal with me according to those terms of grace and mercy wherewith he treateth other men and saints; but useth me with great rigour, and by his sovereign power punisheth me sorely, without discovering to me what singular cause I have given him to do so.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 27:2 [As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul;Ver. 2. As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment] Job well knew the nature and end of an oath, which is to put an end to all strife and controversy among men, Hebrews 6:16. For more authority’ s sake, therefore, to his ensuing discourse, by taking God as witness in a matter of so great moment, and that his friends might the better believe him, he doubteth not to begin his speech with a private oath (for a public is that which is taken before a magistrate, who upon just cause may exact it), which, so it be sparingly and warily used, is not unlawful, as appeareth by the example of…

Read John Trapp on Job 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment.—Job’s faith leads him to see that, though there may be no explanation for his sufferings, yet they are laid upon him by God for purposes of His own, which are veiled from him.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 27 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Who hath taken away my judgment] Who has turned aside my cause, and has not permitted it to come to a hearing, where I might have justice done to me, but has abandoned me to the harsh and uncharitable judgment of my enemies? There appears to be a great want of reverence in these words of Job; he speaks with a degree of irritation, if not bitterness, which cannot be justified. No man should speak thus of his Maker.

Read AdamClarke on Job 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2–6. Job with the solemnity of an oath by God declares that he speaks in sincerity when affirming his innocence. Till he die he will not admit his guilt; his conscience reproaches him for no part of his life. Job 27:2-4 read, 2. As God liveth who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty who hath made bitter my soul, 3. (For my life is yet whole in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils), 4. My lips do not speak unjustly, Neither doth my tongue utter deceit.

Read Cambridge on Job 27 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As God liveth - A form of solemn adjuration, or an oath by the living God.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 27 →

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

“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice— the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“As God lives, who has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice—the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—

NETBNew English Translation2006

“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter –

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

As God liveth, who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul

RVARevised Version, American1894

As God liveth, who hath taken away my right; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty who hath afflicted my soul;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The liuing God hath taken away my iudgement: for the Almightie hath put my soule in bitternesse.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

[As] God liveth, who hath taken away my right, and the Almighty, who hath embittered my soul,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

God liveth! He turned aside my judgment, And the Mighty — He made my soul bitter.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

“God lives! He turned aside my judgment, || And the Mighty—He made my soul bitter.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

As God liveth, who hath removed justice from me; and by the Almighty, who hath embittered my soul:

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

“As surely as God lives, who has taken away my justice, the Almighty, who made my life bitter,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath brought my soul to bitterness,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

“I promise you—as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

By the life of God, who has taken away my right; and of the Ruler of all, who has made my soul bitter;

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.

clausepredicateחַי[by].the.lifenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseאֵ֭לof.Godclauseverbהֵסִ֣יר[who].he.has.taken.awaynoun phrase · objectמִשְׁפָּטִ֑rightיmyוְ֝and.[the]noun phraseשַׁדַּ֗יAlmightyclauseverbהֵמַ֥ר[who].he.has.made.bitternoun phrase · objectנַפְשִֽׁselfיmy

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 on this verse, with five of the seven words matching. The Septuagint's word order differs but conveys the same essential meaning as the Hebrew.

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

חַי־ אֵ֭ל הֵסִ֣יר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י הֵמַ֥ר נַפְשִֽׁי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
חַי־ζῇאֵ֭לκύριοςמִשְׁפָּטִ֑יμεוְ֝שַׁדַּ֗יπαντοκράτωρנַפְשִֽׁי׃μου

5 of the 7 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 27:2חַי[by] [the] [by] [the] lifeחַיאֵלof Godof Godאֵלסוּר[who] he ha[who] he has taסוּרמִשְׁפָּטright myright myמִשְׁפָּטשַׁדַּיand [the] Aand [the] Almigשַׁדַּימָרַר[who] he ha[who] he has maמָרַרנֶ֫פֶשׁself myself myנֶ֫פֶשׁחָיָהto liveto liveחָיָהאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטשָׁדַדto ruinto ruinשָׁדַדנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁמַרbitterbitterמַרמַרdropdropמַרעוֹףbirdbirdעוֹףשָׂדַיfieldfieldשָׂדַיקַנָּאjealousjealousקַנָּאשַׁדַּיAlmightyAlmightyשַׁדַּישְׂמֹאלleftleftשְׂמֹאלבָּמָהhigh placehigh placeבָּמָהחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקעָוַתto pervertto pervertעָוַתאֵלgodgodאֵליָחִידonlyonlyיָחִיד
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 27:2

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.

[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
חַי־chai- [by] [the] life H2416 Adj
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Tyndale gloss
alive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַי adj. alive, living

of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

of man

of animals, alive, living

animals and man

(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

of water, fresh

(dub.) lively, active

reviving

base

[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18

ref

חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal

animal

in general

wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

living beings, of the cherubic chariot

life, only in late poetry

appetite, activity of hunger

revival, renewal

base

חַיָּה n.f. community

base

חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life

life: physical

life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

sustenance, maintenance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

. of man

. of animals, alive, living

. animals and man

. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

. of water, fresh

. (dub.) lively, active

. reviving

H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general

. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

. living beings, of the cherubic chariot

. life, only in late poetry

. appetite, activity of hunger

. revival, renewal

H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical

. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

. sustenance, maintenance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2416 chay khah'-ee

from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,

year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine

singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether

literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)

beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living

(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)

old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

see HEBREW for 02421

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַי (chay) — alive.

adj

1) living, alive

1a) green (of vegetation)

1b) flowing, fresh (of water)

1c) lively, active (of man)

1d) reviving (of the springtime)

Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.

kinsfolk

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.

1) living thing, animal

1a) animal

1b) life

1c) appetite

1d) revival, renewal

Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.

community

חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.

1) life (abstract emphatic)

1a) life

1b) sustenance, maintenance

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

lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):

I. THE TERMS

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING

1. Popular Use of the Term

2. Complexity of the Idea

III. IN THE APOCRYPHA

IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In the Synoptic Gospels

2. In the Fourth Gospel

3. In the Ac of the Apostles

4. In the Writings of Paul

5. In the Writings of John

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament

LITERATURE

I. The Terms.

Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Life

Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS

Breath of Ge 2:7

Called SPIRIT OF GOD Job 27:3

Tree of Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Pr 3:18; 13:12; Re 2:7

→ (SACREDNESS OF, an inference from what is taught in the law concerning murder)

See HOMICIDE

Long life promised to obedient children Ex 20:12; De 5:16

To those who keep the commandments De 4:40; 22:7

Vanity of Ec 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Hated Ec 2:17

[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
אֵ֭ל'el of God H410 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
241× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Amplified meaning
the living One, El
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

applied to men of might and rank

angels

gods of the nations

Ēl

as characterizing mighty things in nature

God, the one only and true God of Israel

אֵל strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. angels

. gods of the nations

. Ēl

. as characterizing mighty things in nature

. God, the one only and true God of Israel

. אֵל strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

410 'el ale

shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;

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

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

Compare names in "-el."

see HEBREW for 0352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵל (el) — God.

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

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

אֵל (el) — El (Berith).

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

Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)

אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).

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

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

Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)

אֵל (el) — El (Most High).

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

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

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

אֵל (el) — god.

: god

1) god, god-like one, mighty one

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

1b) angels

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

1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah

2) mighty things in nature

3) strength, power

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

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

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

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

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

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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

[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
הֵסִ֣ירhe.Sir [who] he has taken away H5493 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
to turn aside: remove
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סוּר (sur) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn aside or depart. It encompasses a range of actions including removal, avoidance, and coming to an end. The word can be used in various forms, such as causing something to turn aside or be taken away. It appears in contexts involving both literal and figurative departures.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סוּר and [שׂוּר] 300 vb. turn aside

Qal

turn aside, out of one's course

depart

of lifeless things = be removed

= come to an end

Pô‛lēl he turned aside my ways (my steps)

Hiph.

cause to (turn aside,) depart, common word for remove, take away

rarer uses

Pô‛lēl be taken away, removed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5493 סוּר, שׂוּר turn aside .. turn aside, out of one's course

. depart

. of lifeless things = be removed

. = come to an end

.he turned aside my ways (my steps)

. . cause to (turn aside,) depart, common word for remove, take away

. rarer uses

.be taken away, removed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5493 cuwr soor

or suwr (Hosea 9:12) {soor}; a primitive root; to turn off

(literal or figurative):--be(-head), bring, call back,

decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous,

lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away,

down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take

(away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: remove.

: remove

1) to turn aside, depart

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto

1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid

1a3) to be removed

1a4) to come to an end

1b) (Polel) to turn aside

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose

1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish

1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed

סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: depart.

: depart

1) to turn aside, depart

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto

1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid

1a3) to be removed

1a4) to come to an end

1b) (Polel) to turn aside

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose

1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish

1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed

סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: turn aside.

: turn_aside/deflect

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
HVhp3ms
[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
מִשְׁפָּטִ֑יmish.pa.Ti right my H4941 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
422× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
my right, judgment
Tyndale gloss
justice: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment

judgment

justice, right, rectitude

ordinance

decision

one's (legal) right, privilege, due

proper, fitting, measure

custom, manner

what manner of

plan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment

. justice, right, rectitude

. ordinance

. decision

. one's (legal) right, privilege, due

. . proper, fitting, measure

. custom, manner

. what manner of

. plan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4941 mishpat mish-pawt'

from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)

pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree

(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or

collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the

crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a

participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or

even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,

custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,

fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),

(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,

ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

see HEBREW for 08199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

1c) ordinance

1d) decision (in law)

1e) right, privilege, due (legal)

1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗יve.sha.Dai and [the] Almighty H7706 Conjunction · 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
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
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/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.

[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
הֵמַ֥רhe.Mar [who] he has made bitter H4843 Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The word marar means to be or make something bitter. It can also describe a strong or intense emotion, such as anger or grief. In the Bible, it is used to describe a range of feelings and experiences, from physical bitterness to emotional pain.
Amplified meaning
made bitter, provoked
Tyndale gloss
to provoke
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָרַר (marar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be bitter, with various forms indicating actions like making something bitter or showing bitterness. It can express both literal and figurative bitterness, and can also imply provoking or vexing. The entries suggest its usage in different grammatical forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpalpel, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָרַר vb. be bitter

Qal be bitter

Pi. make bitter, shew bitterness

Hiph. make bitter, shew bitterness

Hithpalp. and the king of the south shall embitter himself (be enraged)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4843 מָרַר be bitter

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4843 marar maw-rar'

a primitive root; properly, to trickle (see 4752); but used

only as a denominative from 4751; to be (causatively, make)

bitter (literally or figuratively):--(be, be in, deal, have,

make) bitter(-ly, - ness), be moved with choler, (be, have

sorely, it) grieved(-eth), provoke, vex.

see HEBREW for 04752

see HEBREW for 04751

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָרַר (ma.rar) — to provoke.

1) to be bitter

1a) (Qal) to be bitter

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to show bitterness

1b2) to make bitter

1c) (Hiphil) to make bitter, embitter

1d) (Hithpalpel)

1d1) to embitter oneself

1d2) to be enraged

2) (TWOT) to be strong, strengthen

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singular
HVhp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bitter

Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude (Ex. 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jer. 9:15). The Chaldeans are called the “bitter and hasty nation” (Hab. 1:6). The “gall of bitterness” expresses a state of great wickedness (Acts 8:23). A “root of bitterness” is a wicked person or a dangerous sin (Heb. 12:15).

The Passover was to be eaten with “bitter herbs” (Ex. 12:8; Num. 9:11). The kind of herbs so designated is not known. Probably they were…

[by] [the] life of God [who] he has taken away right my and [the] Almighty [who] he has made bitter self my
נַפְשִֽׁי׃naf.Shi self my H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
my inner being
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
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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