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Job 33:27 — Word Study

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WLCיָשֹׁ֤ר׀ עַל־ אֲנָשִׁ֗ים וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָ֭טָאתִי וְיָשָׁ֥ר הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי וְלֹא־ שָׁ֥וָה לִֽי׃

BSAThen he singsshûwr [makes a song, tells others] beforeʻal with these wordsʼâmar I have sinnedchâṭâʼ [missed the mark, gone wrong] and pervertedʻâvâh [twisted, done wrong] what was rightyâshâr [just, upright] yet I did notlôʼ get what I deservedshâvâh [receive, obtain, what was due to me, my punishment]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 33
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 27 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Li) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 33:27quick helps
In a sentenceA man acknowledges his sin and wrongdoing before others.
Who is speakingThe speaker is a man who has recognized his faults.
Where we areIn a context of repentance and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
The hard wordחָטָאתִי
Take awayRecognition of sin does not always lead to immediate consequences.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשׁוּר 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 33:27

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

Context — The Confession of Singenerated

26He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.
27Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’
29Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,

Job 33:27 presents a moment where a man sings out his confession of sin and acknowledges his failure to uphold righteousness. This passage reflects a broader theme in Job, where the human condition and the struggle for understanding God's justice are explored. The surrounding verses illustrate God's interaction with humanity and the hope of restoration, as seen in Job 33:26 and Job 33:28.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 16:13So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”
22 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
3Psalm 11:4The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
4Psalm 14:2The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
5Psalm 139:1–4O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

The Key Word חָטָאתִי, Cha.ta.tigenerated

The word חָטָאתִי (Cha.ta.ti) is a perfect first person singular verb form of חָטָא (chata'), meaning 'I have sinned.' This term conveys the act of missing the mark or failing to meet a standard, often implying guilt or wrongdoing. It encompasses a range of meanings from simply erring to incurring moral or spiritual guilt.

In this context, the speaker openly admits to his sin, highlighting the importance of confession and the recognition of one's faults. The use of this verb emphasizes personal responsibility and the acknowledgment of moral failure.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that the speaker confesses his sin with the phrase 'I have sinned.' Each version maintains the core meaning of this admission.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs in this verse are יָשֹׁ֤ר (ya.Shor), וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (vai.Yo.mer), חָ֭טָאתִי (Cha.ta.ti), הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי (he.'e.Vei.ti), and שָׁ֥וָה (Sha.vah). The structure consists of a main clause where the speaker sings and confesses, followed by a series of phrases that detail his admission of sin and wrongdoing.

The arrangement of the verbs emphasizes the sequence of actions: the act of singing, the declaration of sin, and the acknowledgment of not receiving what he deserved.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the verb יָשֹׁ֤ר as ἀπομέμψεται, which suggests a focus on the act of expressing or declaring one's faults. This choice indicates a more formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

This translation choice may reflect a broader interpretative approach that emphasizes the public nature of confession.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 33:27 shows a man singing before others, admitting, 'I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.' This highlights the importance of recognizing one's faults and the nature of accountability.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to say 'I have sinned'?

It means to acknowledge wrongdoing and recognize that one has failed to meet moral or ethical standards.

Why is confession important in this context?

Confession is vital as it reflects honesty and the desire for restoration and reconciliation.

What does 'perverted what was right' imply?

It suggests that the speaker has twisted or distorted moral truths, leading to wrongdoing.

What can we learn from this verse about accountability?

This verse teaches that acknowledging one's faults is a crucial step towards accountability and personal growth.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways I can acknowledge my own faults in my life?
  2. How can recognizing my mistakes lead to personal growth?
  3. In what situations have I seen the importance of confession in relationships?
  4. How can I support others in their journey of acknowledgment and accountability?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, discussing the nature of sin and recognition of righteousness.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXIV c. 540–604
He will look on men, and will say, I have sinned. He would not know himself to be a sinner, if he had not righteousness. For no one detects his own deformity, except when he has begun to be upright.
Early Church Fathers on Job 33 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 33:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He looketh upon men,.... According to our version, and other interpreters, the sense is, God looks upon men as he does on all men in general, their ways and their works; and particularly he takes

Read John Gill on Job 33 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: Effects of restoration to God's favour; literally, to Job a temporal revival; spiritually, an eternal regeneration.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 33 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He looketh upon men; either, 1. The sick man shall look upon and converse with mankind, his friends, or others, as he did before, and shall say, (as the following word is and may be rendered,) I have sinned, & c., i.e. he shall confess to them that God was not to be blamed, but that he, by his own sin and folly, did bring that evil upon himself. And then he shall acknowledge God’ s great goodness to him, and shall add what follows in the next verse, He hath delivered my soul, &c., and my life, &c., as they render it. Or rather, 2. God diligently observes all mankind, and their several carriages, especially in sickness and distress. If any say, I have sinned; if there be any man that…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 33 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 33:27 He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;Ver. 27. He looketh upon men] He looketh to see when any will repent and return unto him. Now Christ’ s looks are often operative, and cause that which he looks after. A stroke from guilt broke Judas’ s heart into despair; but a look from Christ broke Peter’ s heart into tears. And if any say, I have sinned] So he say it penitently, as David and the prodigal; and not feignedly, as Saul; or forcedly, as Pharaoh; or desperately, as Judas. In men’ s courts, saith Quintilian, it is best to say Non feci, to plead not guilty; but in God’ s court it is better to say Ego…

Read John Trapp on Job 33 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) He looketh upon men, and if any say.—Rather, He looketh upon men, and saith, I have sinned, &c.: that is the confession of the restored sinner. Some render it, He shall sing before men, but hardly so probably or appropriately.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 33 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 27. He looketh upon men] אנשים anashim, wretched, fallen men. He shines into them, to convince them of sin; and if any, under this convincing light of God, say, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and perverted the right - abused the powers, faculties, mercies, and advantages, which thou didst give me, by seeking rest and happiness in the creature, and it profited me not - it was all vanity and vexation of spirit; ולא שוה לי velo shavah li, "and it was not equal to me," did not come up to my expectation, nor supply my wants: -

Read AdamClarke on Job 33 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

13–28. When Elihu gives the general answer to Job’s charges against God that “God is greater than man” he means that the moral loftiness of God’s nature made it impossible that He should act in the arbitrary, hostile manner charged against Him by Job (comp. ch. Job 36:5). It was but another form of the same charge of arbitrary hostility to man when Job affirmed that God was deaf to all appeal and refused to speak to man; comp. ch. Job 19:7, Job 30:20, and often. To this general form of the charge Elihu directs his attention and replies that God speaks to man in many ways, though He may not answer when challenged as Job had challenged Him; comp. ch. Job 35:14. He speaks to man in ways…

Read Cambridge on Job 33 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He looketh upon men - Margin, “or, he shall look upon men, and say, I have sinned.” Umbreit renders this, Nun singt er jubelnd zu den Menschen - “now he sings joyfully among men.” So Noyes, “He shall

Read Albert Barnes on Job 33 →

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

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

NETBNew English Translation2006

That person sings to others, saying: ‘I have sinned and falsified what is right, but I was not punished according to what I deserved.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:

RVARevised Version, American1894

He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He looketh upon men, and if any shall say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He looketh vpon men, and if one say, I haue sinned, and peruerted righteousnesse, and it did not profite me,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He will sing before men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it hath not been requited to me;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

He looketh on men, and saith, 'I sinned, And uprightness I have perverted, And it hath not been profitable to me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

[Then] he looks on men and says, || I sinned, and I have perverted uprightness, || And it has not been profitable to me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

He then should assemble men around, and say, “I had sinned, and perverted what is right, yet have I not received a like return.”

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then that person will sing in front of other people and say, 'I sinned and perverted that which was right, but my sin was not punished.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They sing, and tell others, ‘I sinned, I distorted what is right, but it did not do me any good.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He makes a song, saying, I did wrong, turning from the straight way, but he did not give me the reward of my sin.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseverbיָשֹׁ֤רhe.watchesprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלoverאֲנָשִׁ֗יםpeopleוַandclauseverbיֹּ֗אמֶרhe.saidclauseclauseclauseverbחָ֭טָאתִיI.have.sinnedוְandclauseobjectיָשָׁ֥רupright[ness]verbהֶעֱוֵ֗יתִיI.have.pervertedוְandclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbשָׁ֥וָהit.was.equalprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִֽtoיme

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 Dead Sea Scrolls agree in the wording of this verse, with the scrolls providing a nearly complete reconstruction of the text. The Septuagint, while not a direct match, captures the essence of the confession.

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

יָשֹׁ֤ר׀ עַל־ אֲנָשִׁ֗ים וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָ֭טָאתִי וְיָשָׁ֥ר הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִי וְלֹא־ שָׁ֥וָה לִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יָשֹׁ֤ר׀ἀπομέμψεταιאֲנָשִׁ֗יםἄνθρωποςוַיֹּ֗אמֶרλέγωνוְלֹא־οὐκלִֽי׃με

5 of the 10 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q99a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ישר] [על] [אנשים] [ויאמר] [חטאתי] [וישר] [העויתי] [ולא] [שוה] [ל׳י]

nothing on the leather here — 10 supplied entire by an editor.

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 33:27שׁוּרhe watcheshe watchesשׁוּרעַלoveroverעַלאֱנוֹשׁpeoplepeopleאֱנוֹשׁאָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַרחָטָאI have sinnI have sinnedחָטָאיָשָׁרand uprightand upright[nesיָשָׁרעָוָהI have pervI have perverteעָוָהלֹאand notand notלֹאשָׁוָהit was equait was equalשָׁוָהנִיto meto meנִיאָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁיָשַׁרto smoothto smoothיָשַׁרשׁוּרto travelto travelשׁוּרעַלheightheightעַלתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהאֵלgodgodאֵלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַלעַיAiAiעַיכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהנְבָטNebatNebatנְבָטסָלַחto forgiveto forgiveסָלַחצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקעַ֫יִןeyeeyeעַ֫יִןרָשַׁעbe wickedbe wickedרָשַׁעחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָא
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 33:27

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
יָשֹׁ֤ר׀ya.Shor he watches H7789 Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine singular
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To see or observe something, like a spy watching from a distance, as in the story of Moses sending scouts to Canaan. It can also mean to care for or regard someone, showing concern for their well-being. This word is used in many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
makes a song, tells others
Tyndale gloss
to see
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוּר (shuwr) is a primitive root meaning to see or observe. It encompasses a range of actions from simply seeing and regarding to more active forms like spying or lying in wait. The entries suggest a dual focus on both positive observation and negative lurking. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שׁוּר] vb. behold, regard

behold

regard with watchful care

watch stealthily, lie in wait

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7789 שׁוּר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7789 shuwr shoor

a primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of

going round for inspection); to spy out, i.e. (generally)

survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for:--behold,

lay wait, look, observe, perceive, regard, see.

see HEBREW for 07788

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּר (shur) — to see.

1) to see, behold, observe, regard

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to behold, observe

1a2) to regard

1a3) to watch, watch (stealthily), lie in wait

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-3ms — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine singular
HVqj3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Watches

The periods into which the time between sunset and sunrise was divided. They are so called because watchmen relieved each other at each of these periods. There are frequent references in Scripture to the duties of watchmen who were appointed to give notice of the approach of an enemy (2 Sam. 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20; Isa. 21:5-9). They were sometimes placed for this purpose on watch-towers (2 Kings 17:9; 18:8). Ministers or teachers are also spoken of under this title (Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 33:2-9; Heb. 13:17).

Thompson Chain Reference topics

divisions of time

Ex 14:24; Jud 7:19; Ps 90:4; Mt 14:25; 24:43; Lu 12:38

--SEE Tables, 3538

he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
עַל־'al- over H5921 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
Prep — Preposition
HR
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
אֲנָשִׁ֗ים'a.na.Shim people H582 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the

more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or

collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,

chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,

husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some

( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
חָ֭טָאתִיCha.ta.ti I have sinned H2398 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
238× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Amplified meaning
missed the mark, gone wrong
Tyndale gloss
to sin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָטָא (chata') means to miss a goal or way, and is commonly translated as 'to sin.' It encompasses a range of meanings including incurring guilt, making a sin offering, and purifying from uncleanness. The word can also imply leading others to sin or causing oneself to lose one's way. It appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of the concept of sin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָטָא 238 vb. miss (a goal or way), go wrong, sin

Qal

miss

sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty

incur guilt, penalty by sin, forfeit

Pi.

bear loss

make a sin offering

purify from sin

purify from uncleanness

Hiph.

miss the mark

induce or cause to sin

bring into guilt, condemnation, punishment

Hithp.

miss oneself, lose oneself, fig. for be bewildered, beside oneself

purify oneself from uncleanness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2398 חָטָא miss (a goal or way), go wrong, sin .. miss

. sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty

. incur guilt, penalty by sin, forfeit

. . bear loss

. make a sin offering

. purify from sin

. purify from uncleanness

. . miss the mark

. induce or cause to sin

. bring into guilt, condemnation, punishment

. . miss oneself, lose oneself, fig. for be bewildered, beside oneself

. purify oneself from uncleanness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2398 chata' khaw-taw'

a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and

generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate,

repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn:--bear the blame,

cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss,

miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self),

make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָטָא (cha.ta) — to sin.

1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to miss

1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty

1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to bear loss

1b2) to make a sin-offering

1b3) to purify from sin

1b4) to purify from uncleanness

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to miss the mark

1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin

1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way

1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
וְיָשָׁ֥רve.ya.Shar and upright[ness] H3477 Conjunction
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jashar refers to being straight or just, like doing what is convenient and right. A man named Jashar lived before Israel's monarchy, as mentioned in Joshua 10:13. He wrote a book of poetry and songs, now lost.
Amplified meaning
just, upright
Tyndale gloss
Jashar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשָׁר (yashar) means straight or upright, covering a range of meanings from physical straightness to moral correctness. It can refer to something that is pleasing, just, or fitting, as well as the concept of uprightness itself. The term is also associated with a figure named Jashar, mentioned in Joshua 10:13.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשָׁר adj. straight, right

straight, level

right, pleasing

straightforward, just, upright

abstr., uprightness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3477 יָשָׁר straight, right . straight, level

. right, pleasing

. straightforward, just, upright

. abstr., uprightness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3477 yashar yaw-shawr'

from 3474; straight (literally or figuratively):--convenient,

equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous),

straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 03474

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.

1) straight, upright, correct, right

1a) straight, level

1b) right, pleasing, correct

1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper

1d) uprightness, righteous, upright

1e) that which is upright (subst)

Also means: ya.shar (יָשָׁר "upright" H3477I)

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — Jashar.

A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.

1) straight, upright, correct, right

1a) straight, level

1b) right, pleasing, correct

1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper

1d) uprightness, righteous, upright

1e) that which is upright (subst)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִיhe.'e.Vei.ti I have perverted H5753 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to do wrong or commit iniquity, like when people turn away from God's laws. It appears in various forms, such as doing wickedly or perverting what is right. In the Bible, it is often used to describe those who stray from God's path.
Amplified meaning
twisted, done wrong
Tyndale gloss
to twist
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָוָה (avah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bend or twist, both literally and figuratively. It encompasses actions like distorting paths, committing iniquity, and doing wrong. The entries indicate various forms, such as being bent or perverted (Niphal) and committing iniquity (Hiphil). There is some overlap in the definitions across the lexicons, but they consistently emphasize the themes of distortion and moral wrongdoing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָוָה] vb. bend, twist

Niph. be bent, bowed down, twisted

Pi. my paths hath he twisted; its surface will he distort

Hiph. the right have I perverted

base

[עָוָה] vb. denom. commit iniquity, do wrong

Qal (late) she hath done wrong

Hiph. commit iniquity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5753a עָוָה bend, twist . be bent, bowed down, twisted

. my paths hath he twisted; its surface will he distort

. the right have I perverted

H5753b עָוָה vb. denom. commit iniquity, do wrong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5753 `avah aw-vaw'

a primitive root; to crook, literally or figuratively (as

follows):--do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity,

pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, X turn, do wickedly, do

wrong.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוָה (a.vah) — to twist.

1) to bend, twist, distort

1a) (Niphal) to be bent, be bowed down, be twisted, be perverted

1b) (Piel) to twist, distort

1c) (Hiphil) to do perversely

עָוָה (a.vah) — to pervert.

1) to commit iniquity, do wrong, pervert

1a) (Qal) to do wrong, commit iniquity

1b) (Hiphil) to commit iniquity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
וְלֹא־ve.lo'- and not H3808 Conjunction · 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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
שָׁ֥וָהSha.vah it was equal H7737 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to set or place something, and it is used to describe the act of leveling or equalizing something. It can also mean to adjust or compare things, and it is used in various contexts in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
receive, obtain, what was due to me, my punishment
Tyndale gloss
be like
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁוָה (shavah) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of being even or smooth, and extends to meanings like agreeing, resembling, or making something like another. It is built from a primitive root and covers a range of uses, including to level, set, or adjust. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of the verb.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁוָה vb. (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble

Qal it was not equalled to me, i.e. not requited

Pi. he hath levelled

Hiph. make like

Nithp. (appar.) are alike

base

[שָׁוָה] vb. Pi. set, place

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7737a שָׁוָה (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble . make like

. (appar.) are alike

H7737b שָׁוָה Pi. set, place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7737 shavah shaw-vaw'

a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize;

figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e.

counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield,

etc.):--avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail,

(be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a- )like, make plain, profit,

reckon.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — be like.

1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be like

1a2) equivalent (participle)

1a3) to set, place

1a4) setting (participle)

1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still

1c) (Hiphil) to make like

1d) (Nithpael) to be alike

Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)

שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — to set.

(Piel) to set, place

Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be set" H7739B)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

e'-kwal isos:

In Eze 18:25; 29; 33:17,20, "The way of the Lord is not equal" translates Hebrew yittakhen for takhan, "to weigh," and means "is not adjusted to any fixed standard," "arbitrary," "fitful," and, therefore, "not equitable, fair, or impartial" Septuagint ("is not set straight"). Compare same Hebrew word in 1Sa 2:3, where the Lord is said to `weigh actions.' "Equal," therefore, is what will bear the closest investigation and strictest judgment. In Mt 20:12, "made them equal" means "put them upon the same footing," i.e. regarded their brief service as though it were the very same as our long hours of toil. In Lu 20:36 the context restricts the equality to a…

he watches over people and he said I have sinned and upright[ness] I have perverted and not it was equal to me
לִֽי׃Li to me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/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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