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Job 28:19 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלֹֽא־ יַ֭עַרְכֶנָּה פִּטְדַת־ כּ֑וּשׁ בְּכֶ֥תֶם טָ֝ה֗וֹר לֹ֣א תְסֻלֶּֽה׃ פ

BSATopazpiṭdâh [a precious gemstone, like the ones on the breastplate] from CushKûwsh [Ethiopia, the region south of Egypt] cannotlôʼ compare to itʻârak [be equal or similar] nor can itlôʼ be valuedçâlâh [weighed or measured] in pureṭâhôwr [clean, untainted] goldkethem [a highly valued metal, like the ornaments in the Temple]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 19 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 (te.su.Leh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 28:19quick helps
In a sentenceJob highlights the incomparable value of wisdom, stating that even precious stones like topaz from Cush cannot match it.
What is being comparedTopaz from Cush, a precious gemstone, is contrasted with wisdom.
Where we areThe context is a poetic exploration of wisdom's value in Job 28.
The hard wordפִּטְדַת־
Take awayWisdom's worth surpasses all earthly treasures.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbסָלָה 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 28:19

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 Value of Wisdomgenerated

18Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?
21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.

Job 28:19 emphasizes that no earthly treasure, including topaz from Cush, can compare to the value of wisdom. The surrounding verses explore the depths of wisdom and its elusive nature, asking profound questions about its origin and accessibility. This passage contrasts material wealth with the greater worth of understanding and insight.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 28:17And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;
2Exodus 39:10And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;
3Ezekiel 28:13You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation.
4Revelation 21:20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word פִּטְדַת־, pit.dat-generated

The word פִּטְדָה (pitdah) refers to a precious gemstone, specifically topaz. It is mentioned in contexts alongside other gems, indicating its value and beauty, particularly in the high priest's breastplate as noted in Exodus 28:17.

This term is a feminine singular construct noun, showing its role as a subject in the verse. The comparison here emphasizes that even such a valuable stone cannot match the worth of wisdom, highlighting the theme of Job's discourse on the significance of understanding.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree that topaz from Cush cannot compare to wisdom.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is יַ֭עַרְכֶנָּה (ya'ar'khenah), meaning 'it will be comparable.' This governs the structure of the sentence, with two negations preceding it, indicating what cannot compare or be valued.

The sentence structure places emphasis on the negation לֹא (lo'), which appears twice, underscoring the impossibility of comparing wisdom to earthly riches.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates פִּטְדַת־ as τοπάζιον (topazion), indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew term for topaz. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the stone's value in both texts.

The Greek rendering maintains the comparison of topaz from Cush to wisdom, reinforcing the theme of the verse.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 28:19 states that topaz from Cush cannot compare to wisdom, nor can it be valued in pure gold. This verse highlights the idea that wisdom is far more valuable than any earthly treasure.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by saying topaz cannot compare to wisdom?

Job is emphasizing that no material possession, no matter how precious, can match the value and importance of wisdom.

Why is topaz specifically mentioned?

Topaz is mentioned as a representation of precious stones, illustrating the idea that even the most valued gems are insignificant compared to wisdom.

What is the significance of comparing wisdom to gold?

Gold is often seen as a standard of value, and by stating that wisdom cannot be valued in pure gold, Job is underscoring its unmatched worth.

How does this verse fit into the larger context of Job 28?

This verse is part of a poetic exploration of wisdom, highlighting its elusive nature and the idea that it is more valuable than any material wealth.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I prioritize wisdom over material possessions in my life?
  2. How can I seek wisdom in my daily decisions and interactions?
  3. What are some examples of wisdom that I have encountered that surpasses earthly treasures?
  4. How does understanding the value of wisdom change my perspective on success and fulfillment?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, arguing from it to illustrate the incomparable value of wisdom over earthly treasures.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XVIII c. 540–604
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it. Neither shall the purest dyes be brought into comparison. What do we take 'Ethiopia' for, save the present world,
Early Church Fathers on Job 28 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 28:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it,.... Not Ethiopia Abyssinia, or that which lies beyond Egypt in Africa; for, as Ludolphus (x) says, there are no gems found there, or very rarely; but Cush,

Read John Gill on Job 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Ethiopia - Cush in the Hebrew. Either Ethiopia or the south of Arabia near the Tigris.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The topaz; of which see 39:10. Of Ethiopia, or, of Arabia; for Cush signifies both Ethiopia and Arabia; and the topaz was found in the Red Sea, which lay between both, and so might be ascribed to either.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 28 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.Ver. 19. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it] Of the Topaz, see Plin. lib. 86, cap. 8. It seemeth to have the lustre of gold and purity of crystal, and those agreeable mixtures of colours which make the purple of kings. The operations of this stone are many and rare, as Rueus sets them forth, lib. 2, cap. 3. Neither shall it be valued with pure gold] Plato saith as much of moral wisdom, Oυτεχρυσυς, ουτεαδαμας, ουτωςαστραπτει, No gold or gem so glistereth. And elsewhere he saith, that if moral virtue could be beheld with mortal eyes, mirificos sui amores excitaret, it would wonderfully enamour…

Read John Trapp on Job 28 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 19. The topaz of Ethiopia] The country called Cush, which we call Ethiopia, is supposed to be that which extends from the eastern coast of the Red Sea, and stretches towards Lower Egypt. Diodorus Siculus says that the topaz was found in great abundance, as his description intimates, in an island in the Red Sea called Ophiodes, or the isle of serpents, Hist. lib. iii., p. 121. His account is curious, but I greatly doubt its correctness; it seems too much in the form of a legend: yet the reader may consult the place. See also Clarke on "Job 28:16".

Read AdamClarke on Job 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. equal it] See on Job 28:17. be valued] See on Job 28:16.

Read Cambridge on Job 28 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The topaz - The topaz is a precious stone, whose colors are yellow, green, blue, and red. Its natural place is in various primitive rocks, such as the topaz-rock, gneiss, and clay-slate.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

19. Topaz — A most precious gem, whose prevailing colour was wine-yellow, passing over into carnation red, lilac, or a pale green. Professor Eadie states that a single topaz has sold for more than a million dollars.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 28 →

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

Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it. It won’t be valued with pure gold.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The topaz of Cush shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The Topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equall vnto it, neither shall it be valued with the wedge of pure gold.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be compared to it, neither shall it be set in the balance with pure gold.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Not equal it doth the topaz of Cush, With pure gold it is not valued.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The topaz of Cush does not equal it, || It is not valued with pure gold.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

She cannot be estimated after the topaz of Ethiopia, nor can she be valued with pure gold.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The topaz of Cush does not equal it; neither can it be valued in terms of pure gold.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equal to it, neither shall it be compared to the cleanest dyeing.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Topaz from Ethiopia can't compare with it; it cannot be bought with the purest gold.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may not be valued with the best gold.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיַ֭עַרְכֶitobjectנָּהwill.be.comparable.to.itnoun phrase · subjectפִּטְדַת(the).topazכּ֑וּשׁof.Cushclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseכֶ֥תֶםgoldטָ֝ה֗וֹרpureadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbתְסֻלֶּֽהit.will.be.paid

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this text across these ancient witnesses.

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

לֹֽא־ יַ֭עַרְכֶנָּה פִּטְדַת־ כּ֑וּשׁ בְּכֶ֥תֶם טָ֝ה֗וֹר לֹ֣א תְסֻלֶּֽה׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹֽא־οὐκיַ֭עַרְכֶנָּהαὐτῇפִּטְדַת־τοπάζιονכּ֑וּשׁαἰθιοπίαςבְּכֶ֥תֶםξρυσίῳטָ֝ה֗וֹרκαθαρῷלֹ֣אοὐתְסֻלֶּֽה׃ פσυμβασταξθήσεται

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Job 28:19לֹאnotnotלֹאעָרַךְit will be it will be compעָרַךְפִּטְדָהtopaz oftopaz ofפִּטְדָהכּוּשׁCushCushכּוּשׁכֶּ֫תֶםin goldin goldכֶּ֫תֶםטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹרלֹאnotnotלֹאסָלָהit will be it will be paidסָלָהכָּתַםbe stainedbe stainedכָּתַםטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדשֻׁלְחָןtabletableשֻׁלְחָןקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאאֹ֫דֶםsardiussardiusאֹ֫דֶםבָּרֶ֫קֶתgemgemבָּרֶ֫קֶתתִּרְהָקָהTirhakahTirhakahתִּרְהָקָהסְבָאSebaSebaסְבָאסָלָהto rejectto rejectסָלָהאוֹפִירOphirOphirאוֹפִירצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהמְנוֹרָהlampstandlampstandמְנוֹרָהכֶּ֫תֶםgoldgoldכֶּ֫תֶםלֹאnotnotלֹא
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 28:19

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.

not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
יַ֭עַרְכֶנָּהYa.'ar.khe.nah it will be comparable to it H6186 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
75× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to value or arrange things in order. It is used in various contexts, like setting up an army for battle or estimating the value of something, as seen in 1 Kings 10.
Amplified meaning
be equal or similar
Tyndale gloss
to arrange
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָרַךְ (arak) means to arrange or set in order, applicable in various contexts such as preparing a table, organizing a battle, or stating a legal case. It can also denote valuing or taxing in the Hiphil form. The word encompasses a wide range of meanings related to order and comparison.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָרַךְ vb. arrange or set in order

Qal

arrange in order, seven altars

set or lay in order, as wood

in common life, arrange a table

arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order

arrange weapons of army in order for battle

arrange words

state in order, set forth a legal case

compare (as result of arranging in order)

intrans. be comparable

base

עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6186a עָרַךְ arrange or set in order .. . arrange in order, seven altars

. set or lay in order, as wood

. in common life, arrange a table

. arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order

. arrange weapons of army in order for battle

. arrange words

. state in order, set forth a legal case

. . compare (as result of arranging in order)

. intrans. be comparable

H6186b עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6186 `arak aw-rak'

a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order

(in a very wide variety of applications):--put (set) (the

battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem,

estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle),

ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax,

value.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to arrange.

1) to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place

1a2) to compare, be comparable

עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to value.

(Hiphil) to value, tax

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVqi3ms/Sp3fs
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
פִּטְדַת־pit.dat- topaz of H6357 Noun common · feminine singular construct
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The topaz is a precious gemstone mentioned in Exodus 28:17, where it is listed as one of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest. This gem is highly valued for its beauty and rarity.
Amplified meaning
a precious gemstone, like the ones on the breastplate
Tyndale gloss
topaz
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פִּטְדָה (pitdah) refers to a precious stone, specifically topaz or chrysolite. It is noted in contexts alongside other gems in Ezekiel 28:13 and Exodus 28:17, 39:10. The term is considered to have foreign origins, possibly linked to the Sanskrit word for yellow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פִּטְדָה n.f. (m. acc. to Albr ZAW xvi (1896), 108) topaz or chrysolite (acc. to 𝔊 τοπάζιον, 𝔙 topazius, etc.; prob. foreign word, cf. Skr. pîta (prop. yellow));—named with other precious stones Ez 28:13 Ex 28:17 = 39:10; cstr. פִּטְדַת־כּוּשׁ Jb 28:19.—Vid. Plin NH xxxvii 8 (32), Houghton in Sm DB, Topaz, Ri HWB, Edelstein.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6357 פִּטְדָה n.f. (m. acc. to Albr ZAW xvi (1896), 108) topaz or chrysolite (acc. to 𝔊 τοπάζιον, 𝔙 topazius, etc.; prob. foreign word, cf. Skr. pîta (prop. yellow));—named with other precious stones Ez 28:13 Ex 28:17 = 39:10; cstr. פִּטְדַת־כּוּשׁ Jb 28:19.—Vid. Plin NH xxxvii 8 (32), Houghton in Sm DB, Topaz, Ri HWB, Edelstein.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6357 pitdah pit-daw'

of foreign derivation; a gem, probably the topaz:--topaz.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פִּטְדָה (pit.dah) — topaz.

1) topaz or chrysolite

1a) a precious stone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
כּ֑וּשׁKush Cush H3568 Noun proper
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Cush refers to Ethiopia or a Benjamite in Psalm 7:1. It means black, referencing the dark skin of its people.
Amplified meaning
Ethiopia, the region south of Egypt
Tyndale gloss
Ethiopia
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כּוּשׁ (Kuwsh) refers to Cush, a name associated with a son of Ham and the territory in the southern Nile Valley, often identified with Ethiopia. It also denotes a Benjamite mentioned in the title of Psalm 7:1. The term is linked to the meaning 'black' and may have foreign origins, with some entries suggesting a connection to Babylonian Kaššu.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כּוּשׁ n.pr.pers.m., gent. et terr.

1st ‘son’ of חָם

land and people of southern Nile-valley, or Upper Egypt, extending from Syene indefinitely to the south

כּוּשׁ is err. for כַּשׁ = Bab. Kaššu

base

כּוּשׁ n.pr.m. a Benjamite, ψ 7:1 (title)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3568a כּוּשׁ n. pr. pers. m., gent. et terr. . 1st ‘son’ of חָם

. land and people of southern Nile-valley, or Upper Egypt, exyending from Syene indefinitely to the south

. כּוּשׁ is err. for כַּשׁ = Bab. Kaššu

H3568b כּוּשׁ a Benjamite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3568 Kuwsh koosh

probably of foreign origin; Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a

son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an

Israelite:--Chush, Cush, Ethiopia.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כּוּשׁ (kush) — Cush.

§ Cush = "black"

the land occupied by the descendants of Cush located around the southern parts of the Nile (Ethiopia)

כּוּשׁ (kush) — Cush.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Psa.7.1

§ Cush = "black"

a Benjamite mentioned only in the title of Ps 7:1

כּוּשׁ (kush) — Cush.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.6;

son of: Ham (H2526);

brother of: Canaan (H3667), Egypt (H4714) and Put (H6316);

father of: Seba (H5434), Havilah (H2341H), Sabtah (H5454), Raamah (H7484), Sabteca (H5455) and Nimrod (H5248)

§ Cush = "black"

a Benjamite mentioned only in the title of Ps 7:1

כּוּשׁ (kush) — Ethiopia.

§ Cush = "black"

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cush

Black. (1.) A son, probably the eldest, of Ham, and the father of Nimrod (Gen. 10:8; 1 Chr. 1:10). From him the land of Cush seems to have derived its name. The question of the precise locality of the land of Cush has given rise to not a little controversy. The second river of Paradise surrounded the whole land of Cush (Gen. 2:13, R.V.). The term Cush is in the Old Testament generally applied to the countries south of the Israelites. It was the southern limit of Egypt (Ezek. 29:10, A.V. “Ethiopia,” Heb. Cush), with which it is generally associated (Ps. 68:31; Isa.…

1. The eldest son of Ham, and father of Nimrod, Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtecha, most of whom settled in Arabia Felix, Ge 10:6-8.

2. The countries peopled by the descendants of Cush, and generally called in the English Bible, Ethiopia, though not always. But under this name there seem to be included not less than three different countries:

A. The oriental Cush, comprehending the regions of Persis, Chusistan, and Susiana, in Persia. It lay chiefly to the eastward of the Tigris. Hither we may refer the river Gihon, Ge 2:13 Zep 3:10. See EDEN.

B. The Hebrews also, in the opinion of many, used Cush and Cushan, Hab 3:7, to designate the southern parts of Arabia, and the…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Cushan, Cushi, Ethiopians; blackness

not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
בְּכֶ֥תֶםbe.Khe.tem in gold H3800 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to pure gold, often used to describe valuable items like the golden ornaments in the Temple.
Amplified meaning
a highly valued metal, like the ornaments in the Temple
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֶּ֫תֶם (kethem) refers to gold, specifically pure gold, and is noted as a poetic and late term. It is derived from a root meaning something carved out, indicating ore. The entries consistently emphasize its association with fine or pure gold.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֶּ֫תֶם n.m. gold, poet. and late

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3800 כֶּ֫תֶם gold, poet. and late

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3800 kethem keh'-them

from 3799; properly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence,

gold (pure as originally mined):--((most) fine, pure) gold(-en

wedge).

see HEBREW for 03799

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֶּ֫תֶם (ke.tem) — gold.

gold, pure gold

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

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;

Gold

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
טָ֝ה֗וֹרta.Hor pure H2889 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Amplified meaning
clean, untainted
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not it will be comparable to it topaz of Cush in gold pure not it will be paid
תְסֻלֶּֽה׃ פte.su.Leh it will be paid H5541 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person feminine singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to weigh or balance something, like measuring its value or importance, as seen in the book of Job. It can also mean to tread down or contemptuously treat something. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's judgment and evaluation of humanity.
Amplified meaning
weighed or measured
Tyndale gloss
to reject
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָלָה (salá) is a Hebrew verb with meanings related to weighing and rejecting. It can denote making light of something, tossing it aside, or weighing and balancing it. The entries suggest a figurative sense of contempt in some uses, particularly in the Piel form, where it conveys flouting or rejecting. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[סָלָה] vb. make light of, toss aside

Qal thou dost make light of all those that err from thy statutes.

Pi. intens. Adonay hath flouted at my mighty ones.

base

[סָלָה] vb. weigh, balance;—Pu.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5541a סָלָה make light of, toss aside H5541b סָלָה weigh, balance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5541 calah saw-law'

a primitive root; to hang up, i.e. weigh, or (figuratively)

contemn:--tread down (under foot), value.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָלָה (sa.lah) — to reject.

1) to make light of, toss aside

1a) (Qal) to make light of

1b) (Piel) to flout, reject

סָלָה (sa.lah) — to weigh.

1) to weigh, balance

1a) (Pual) to be weighed

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVPi3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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