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Job 34:37 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּ֥י יֹ֘סִ֤יף עַֽל־ חַטָּאת֣וֹ פֶ֭שַׁע בֵּינֵ֣ינוּ יִסְפּ֑וֹק וְיֶ֖רֶב אֲמָרָ֣יו לָאֵֽל׃ ס

BSAForkîy [because of this reason] he addsyâçaph [increases, piles up] rebellionpeshaʻ [transgression, revolt against God] toʻal his sinchaṭṭâʼâh [guilt, punishment for sin] he claps [his hands]çâphaq [slaps, applauds, in scorn, mockery] among usbêyn [between us, in our presence] and multipliesrâbâh [increases, grows] his wordsʼêmer [speeches, accusations] against Godʼêl [the Almighty, divine Judge]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 34
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 37 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 (la.'El) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 34:37quick helps
In a sentenceJob's accuser describes a man who compounds his rebellion with sin, mocking God through his words.
Who is speakingA wise observer, reflecting on Job's situation.
Where we areIn a discourse on the nature of Job's words and actions.
The hard wordיֹ֘סִ֤יף
Take awayThe man’s actions reveal a deepening contempt for God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָסַף 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 34:37

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 Defense and Accusationsgenerated

34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Job 34:37 is part of a larger discourse where wise men assess Job's claims and his relationship with God. They argue that Job's words reflect a lack of understanding and insight, suggesting that he is compounding his sin with rebellion against God. This verse illustrates the gravity of his words and actions in the presence of others.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
2Isaiah 1:19–20If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.
3Job 27:23It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place.
4Job 8:2–3“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
5Job 11:2–3“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

he clappethJob 27:23

The Key Word יֹ֘סִ֤יף, yo.Sifgenerated

The verb יָסַף (yo.Sif) is a Hiphil imperfect form meaning 'to add' or 'to increase.' It indicates a continuous action, suggesting that the subject is not merely committing sin but is actively piling up rebellion on top of it. This emphasizes the seriousness of the man's actions.

The use of this verb in the context of sin highlights a deliberate choice to rebel against God, reinforcing the idea that his actions are intentional and escalating.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses adds for יֹ֘סִ֤יף.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is יֹ֘סִ֤יף, he adds, governing the following phrases. The structure is complex, with a series of clauses describing the actions taken by the subject, emphasizing the accumulation of sin and rebellion.

The syntax indicates a layering of actions: first, the addition of rebellion to sin, followed by the act of clapping hands and multiplying words, all against God. This structure serves to intensify the portrayal of the subject's contempt.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יֹ֘סִ֤יף as προσθῶμεν, which means 'let us add.' This choice implies an invitation to increase or continue in a certain action, suggesting a communal aspect to the rebellion.

This rendering indicates a broader interpretation of the subject's actions, framing them not just as individual sins but as part of a larger context of rebellion against God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 34:37 describes a man who adds rebellion to his sin, showing contempt for God through his actions and words. He claps his hands in mockery and increases his accusations against God, highlighting his defiance.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to add rebellion to sin?

It means to not only commit sin but to actively increase one's defiance against God, showing a deliberate choice to oppose Him.

Why does the speaker emphasize clapping hands?

Clapping hands in this context signifies mockery or scorn, indicating that the man is not just sinning but doing so with a dismissive attitude towards God.

What is the significance of multiplying words against God?

Multiplying words suggests a persistent and escalating attitude of accusation and rebellion, indicating that the man is vocal and unrepentant in his defiance.

How do these actions reflect on Job's situation?

These actions illustrate a broader theme of the discourse, where Job is being accused of similar attitudes, reflecting a lack of understanding of his relationship with God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways might I be compounding my actions against God without realizing it?
  2. How can I ensure that my words reflect respect and reverence towards God?
  3. What steps can I take to avoid mockery in my speech and actions?
  4. How does understanding the weight of my words change my approach to my relationship with God?

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

Gregory the Dialogist comments on Job's actions, arguing that he adds blasphemy to his sins, indicating a deeper level of guilt and deserved punishment.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXVI c. 540–604
Who hath added blasphemy upon his sins. He accuses him of having deserved scourges for his sins, and of having sinned after the scourges.
Early Church Fathers on Job 34 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 34:37 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin,.... Or he "may" or "will" add (u), if he is suffered to go on at this rate, and is not stopped; as yet he has only committed, it may be charitably hoped, some

Read John Gill on Job 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. Clappeth ... hands - in scorn (Job 27:23; Ezekiel 21:17). Multiplieth ... words - (Job 11:2; Job 35:16).

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He sinned before, as other ways, so by impatience under his afflictions, which may be ascribed to human infirmity; but now he is grown obstinate and incorrigible, and instead of repenting and humbling himself for his sins, he excuseth them, and justifieth himself, and accuseth the blessed God. Or thus, For otherwise, unless he be thoroughly tried and rebuked, he will add rebellion unto his sin; he will break forth into open rebellion against God, and (as it follows) he will clap, &c. For the Hebrew words are of the future tense, although such are oft rendered by the past tense. He clappeth his hands, in token of joy and victory, as this phrase is used, 98:8; insulting and triumphing, not…

Read Matthew Poole on Job 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 34:37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.Ver. 37. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin] Or, he will add, viz. unless he be exercised and subdued by more and longer load of afflictions; there will else be no hoe with him, no ground will hold him. The cross is of singular use to tame that rebel flesh; and is theretbre prayed for by Jeremiah for himself, Jeremiah 10:24, and here by Elihu for Job, who had before advisedly chosen affliction rather than sin, and reckoned it as a mercy to be visited every morning, and tried every moment, Job 7:18. He clappeth his hands among us] By way of derision, and as insulting over…

Read John Trapp on Job 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(37) He clappeth his hands among us.—As though he were confident of victory in argument.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 37. He addeth rebellion unto his sin] An ill-natured, cruel, and unfounded assertion, borne out by nothing which Job had ever said or intended; and indeed, more severe than the most inveterate of his friends (so called) had ever spoken. Mr. Good makes this virulent conclusion still more virulent and uncharitable, by translating thus: - "For he would add to his transgressions apostasy; He would clap his hands in the midst of us: Yea, he would tempest his words up to God." There was no need of adding a caustic here; the words in the tamest translation are tart enough. Though Elihu began well and tolerantly, he soon got into the spirit, and under the mistake, of those who had preceded…

Read AdamClarke on Job 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

37. Job’s sin is that of his former life, for which he has been cast into afflictions; his rebellion is his unsubmissive, defiant demeanour against God in his speeches. This “rebellion” is further described as clapping of the hands, a gesture of open mockery and contempt. The next clause, “multiplieth his words against God”, that is, his rebellious speeches, indicates that it is against God that Job “claps his hands,” not against his friends and counsellors—he shews his defiant scorn of God among them. The passage is decisive as to the position taken by Elihu towards Job. His judgment of Job extends far beyond the mere bearing of the latter under his afflictions; it embraces Job’s former…

Read Cambridge on Job 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin - To the sin which he has formerly committed and which bas brought these trials upon him, he now adds the sin of complaining and rebellion against God.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 34 →

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

For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For he addeth rebellion to his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For he addeth rebellion vnto his sinne: he clappeth his handes among vs, and multiplieth his wordes against God.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he vomiteth, And multiplieth his sayings to God.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For he adds to his sin, || He vomits transgression among us, || And multiplies his sayings to God.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For he addeth unto his sin transgression: among us he uttereth too many loud words, and multiplieth his speeches against God.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands in mockery in our midst; he piles up words against God.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For in addition to his sin, he is uncontrolled in heart; before our eyes he makes sport of God, increasing his words against him.

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.

כִּ֥י(dm)clauseverbיֹ֘סִ֤יףhe.addsprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַֽלtonoun phraseחַטָּאת֣sinוֹhisobjectפֶ֭שַׁעtransgressionclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבֵּינֵ֣יbetweenנוּusverbיִסְפּ֑וֹקhe.clapsוְandclauseverbיֶ֖רֶבhe.multipliesnoun phrase · objectאֲמָרָ֣יwordsוhisprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָtonoun phraseאֵֽלGod

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, with eight of the ten words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential meaning is preserved across both texts.

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

כִּ֥י יֹ֘סִ֤יף עַֽל־ חַטָּאת֣וֹ פֶ֭שַׁע בֵּינֵ֣ינוּ יִסְפּ֑וֹק וְיֶ֖רֶב אֲמָרָ֣יו לָאֵֽל׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יֹ֘סִ֤יףπροσθῶμενעַֽל־ἐφ’חַטָּאת֣וֹἡμῶνבֵּינֵ֣ינוּἡμῖνיִסְפּ֑וֹקλογισθήσεταιוְיֶ֖רֶבλαλούντωνאֲמָרָ֣יוῥήματαלָאֵֽל׃ סκυρίου

8 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.

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 34:37כִּיforforכִּייָסַףhe addshe addsיָסַףעַלtotoעַלחַטָּאָהsin hissin hisחַטָּאָהפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgressitransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעבַּ֫יִןbetween usbetween usבַּ֫יִןסָפַקhe clapshe clapsסָפַקרָבָהand he multand he multipliרָבָהאֹמֶרwords hiswords hisאֹמֶראֵלto Godto Godאֵלחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָאפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןאָמַרto sayto sayאָמַראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלעַלheightheightעַלרָבַבto multiplto multiply tenרָבַביָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעחֲמִישִׁיfifthfifthחֲמִישִׁיעֹלyokeyokeעֹלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאשָׂעִרhairyhairyשָׂעִרעֵזgoatgoatעֵזחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָהעָוֹןiniquity: iniquity: crimeעָוֹןבָּדַלto separatto separateבָּדַליָרֵךְthighthighיָרֵךְ
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 34:37

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.

for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Amplified meaning
because of this reason
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
יֹ֘סִ֤יףyo.Sif he adds H3254 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
212× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Amplified meaning
increases, piles up
Tyndale gloss
to add
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָסַף (yacaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to add or increase. It can denote actions like joining oneself to something or continuing to do a task. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, with nuances of doing something again or augmenting an amount.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָסַף 214 vb. add

Qal add

Niph.

join (intr.), join oneself to

be joined, added to

Hiph.

add

sq. inf. add to do = do again or more

sq. Impf.

sq. Impf. asynd.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3254 יָסַף add . add

. . join (intr.), join oneself to

. be joined, added to

. . add

. . sq. inf. add to do = do again or more

. sq. Impf.

. sq. Impf. asynd.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3254 yacaph yaw-saf'

a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to

continue to do a thing):--add, X again, X any more, X cease, X

come more, + conceive again, continue, exceed, X further, X

gather together, get more, give more-over, X henceforth,

increase (more and more), join, X longer (bring, do, make,

much, put), X (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed

(further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, X yet, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add: again.

: again/continue/more[instances]

1) to add, increase, do again

1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to join, join oneself to

1b2) to be joined, be added to

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to add, increase

1c2) to do more, do again

יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add.

: add/more[amount]

1) to add, increase, do again

1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to join, join oneself to

1b2) to be joined, be added to

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to add, increase

1c2) to do more, do again

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
עַֽל־'al- to 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
for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
חַטָּאת֣וֹcha.ta.To sin his H2403 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
295× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Amplified meaning
guilt, punishment for sin
Tyndale gloss
sin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) refers to sin and encompasses various aspects such as the condition of sin, guilt, punishment, and sin-offering. It can denote both the act of sinning and the consequences, including purification from ceremonial uncleanness. The term is built from the root word for offense and is used in contexts relating to sin and its expiation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַטָּאָה n.f. sinful thing, sin, Ex 34:7 (J E) Is 5:18.

done

חַטָּאת n.f. sin, sin-offering

sin

condition of sin, guilt of sin

punishment for sin

sin-offering

purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2403a חַטָּאָה sin, sin-offering(?) . sin

. sin-offering

H2403b חַטָּאת sin, sin-offering . sin

. condition of sin, guilt of sin

. punishment for sin

. sin-offering

. purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2403 chatta'ah khat-taw-aw'

or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes

habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or

expiation; also (concretely) an offender:--punishment (of

sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).

see HEBREW for 02398

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַטָּאָה (chat.ta.ah) — sin.

sin, sinful thing

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin.

: sin

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: sin offering.

: sin_offering

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: punishment.

: punishment/purification

1) sin, sin offering

1a) sin

1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin

1c) punishment for sin

1d) sin-offering

1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
פֶ֭שַׁעFe.sha' transgression H6588 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
93× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Transgression refers to a revolt or rebellion against God or others, resulting in guilt and punishment, as in Genesis 3:6-7. It involves intentional disobedience.
Amplified meaning
transgression, revolt against God
Tyndale gloss
transgression
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6588 pesha` peh'-shah

from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or

religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.

see HEBREW for 06586

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.

1) transgression, rebellion

1a1) transgression (against individuals)

1a2) transgression (nation against nation)

1a3) transgression (against God)

1a3a) in general

1a3b) as recognised by sinner

1a3c) as God deals with it

1a3d) as God forgives

1a4) guilt of transgression

1a5) punishment for transgression

1a6) offering for transgression

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

trans-gresh'-un: From "transgress," to pass over or beyond; to overpass, as any rule prescribed as the limit of duty; to break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or known principle of rectitude; breach of command; offense; crime; sin. In the Old Testament pesha`, occurs 80 times, rendered in all versions by "transgression." Its meaning is "rebellion"; see REBELLION. The word "rebellion" differs from this word in that it may be in the heart, though no opportunity should be granted for its manifestation: "An evil man seeketh only rebellion" (Pr 17:11). Here the wise man contemplates an evil heart, looking for an excuse or opportunity to rebel.

The New Testament uses parabasis, "trespass": "The law .... was added because of transgressions" (

for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
בֵּינֵ֣ינוּbei.Nei.nu between us H996 Suffix
407× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Amplified meaning
between us, in our presence
Tyndale gloss
between
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between

always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between

. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

996 beyn bane

(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,

the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a

distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before

each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,

either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +

from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.

see HEBREW for 0995

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.

: between

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.

: among

between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Suffix
HAcmpc/Sp1bp
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

US, pronoun objective case of we.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.

Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.

Us, pron. oblique case of we

for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
יִסְפּ֑וֹקyis.Pok he claps H5606 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To suffice or be enough is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It can also mean to clap hands in satisfaction or grief. The KJV translates it as 'clap, smite, strike, suffice, wallow'.
Amplified meaning
slaps, applauds, in scorn, mockery
Tyndale gloss
to slap
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָפַק (saphaq) has meanings related to clapping or slapping, as well as sufficiency. It can denote actions like clapping hands in various contexts, including derision or punishment, and implies satisfaction or excess. The word appears in verses such as 1 Kings 20:10 and Job 27:23.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָפַק, [שָׂפַק], vb. slap, clap

Qal

slap

slap, chastise

splash

Hiph. and into the hands of foreigners they clap, lit. cause to clap

base

[שָׂפַק] vb. suffice;—Qal 1 K 20:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5606a סָפַק, שָׂפַק slap, clap H5606b שָׂפַק suffice

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5606 caphaq saw-fak'

or saphaq (1 Kings 20:10; Job 27:23; Isaiah 2:6) {saw-fak'};

a primitive root; to clap the hands (in token of compact,

derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication

of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of excess, to

vomit:--clap, smite, strike, suffice, wallow.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָפַק (sa.phaq) — to slap.

1) to clap, slap

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to slap, clap

1a2) to slap, chastise

1a3) to splash, throw up

1b) (Hiphil) to cause to clap

שָׂפַק (sa.paq) — to suffice.

suffice

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
וְיֶ֖רֶבve.Ye.rev and he multiplies H7235 Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singular
227× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Amplified meaning
increases, grows
Tyndale gloss
to multiply
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great

Qal 59

become many, numerous

be great

grow great (Aramaism)

Pi. 4 make large, increase

Hiph. 162

make much or many

make great, obj. pers.

base

[רָבָה] vb. shoot;—only Qal Gn 21:20

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous

. . be great

. grow great (Aramaism)

. make large, increase

. . make much or many

. make great, obj. pers.

H7235b רָבָה shoot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7235 rabah raw-baw'

a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring

in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be

in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,

exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,

X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,

make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more

(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much

(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X

process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.

see HEBREW for 07232

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.

1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)

1a2) to be or grow great

1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make much, make many, have many

1c1a) to multiply, increase

1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly

1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly

1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much

Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)

רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.

(Qal) to shoot

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singular
HC/Vhj3ms
for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
אֲמָרָ֣יו'a.ma.Rav words his H561 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a word or speech, like a promise or command from God. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's conversations with people.
Amplified meaning
speeches, accusations
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

561 'emer ay'-mer

from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,

saying, speech, word.

see HEBREW for 0559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.

utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

for he adds to sin his transgression between us he claps and he multiplies words his to God
לָאֵֽל׃ סla.'El to God H410 Preposition · 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 Almighty, divine Judge
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
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
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…

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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