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Job 38:41 — Word Study

Depth

WLCמִ֤י יָכִ֥ין לָעֹרֵ֗ב צֵ֫יד֥וֹ כִּֽי־ יְ֭לָדָיו אֶל־ אֵ֣ל יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ יִ֝תְע֗וּ לִבְלִי־ אֹֽכֶל׃

BSAWhomîy [prepares] provideskûwn foodtsayid [meat, provisions, wild game] for the ravenʻôrêb [a dark-colored bird] whenkîy its youngyeled [youth, children] cry outshâvaʻ [cry unto, shout for help] toʼêl Godʼêl [Elohim, the supreme Creator] as they wander abouttâʻâh [go astray, without direction] for lack ofbᵉlîy [without, nothing] foodʼôkel [nourishment, sustenance]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 38
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 41 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 ('O.khel) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 38:41quick helps
In a sentenceGod asks who provides food for the raven when its young cry out for help.
Who is speakingGod, addressing Job and challenging his understanding.
Where we areIn a series of rhetorical questions about God's creation and provision.
The hard wordיָכִ֥ין
Take awayGod's care extends even to the creatures of the wild.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectמִי verbכּוּן 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 38:41

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 — God's Challenge to Jobgenerated

38when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods of earth stick together?
39Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions
40when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket?
41Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

Job 38:41 is part of a larger discourse where God questions Job about the natural world, emphasizing His sovereignty and care for all creation. This verse highlights God's provision for even the most seemingly insignificant creatures, illustrating His attentive nature as the Creator.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 104:27–28All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.
2Psalm 147:9He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.
3Matthew 6:26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
4Luke 12:24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!

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

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.Psalm 104:27–28 Psalm 147:9 Matthew 6:26 Luke 12:24

The Key Word יָכִ֥ין, ya.Khingenerated

The verb כּוּן (kuwn) means to establish or prepare. It conveys the idea of setting something in place or making it ready, which in this context refers to God's action of providing sustenance.

The Hiphil form indicates a causative action, suggesting that God actively prepares food for the raven, demonstrating His role as a provider. This verb emphasizes God's ongoing involvement in the care of His creation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of יָכִ֥ין as 'provides' or 'prepares'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb יָכִ֥ין governs the sentence, with several phrases hanging off it: a prepositional phrase indicating the recipient of the action, a noun phrase detailing the food, and clauses describing the young ravens' actions.

The structure emphasizes the subject, מִי (mi), asking who performs this act of provision, which sets the tone for the rhetorical nature of the verse.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the verb is rendered as ἡτοίμασεν, which also means 'prepared'. This choice reflects a similar understanding of God's provision but may lack the nuance of active establishment found in the Hebrew.

The use of κόρακι for 'raven' aligns with the Hebrew, indicating a consistent translation of the creature's identity.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 38:41 asks who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God. This verse highlights God's care for even the smallest creatures, showing that He listens to their needs.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does this verse tell us about God's care for creation?

This verse illustrates that God provides for all creatures, even those that seem insignificant, emphasizing His attentive nature.

Why does God use the raven as an example?

The raven is often seen as a creature that struggles for survival, and using it highlights God's provision for those in need.

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

It underscores God's sovereignty and wisdom in creation, reminding Job of his limited understanding compared to God's omniscience.

What can we learn from God’s provision for the raven?

We can learn that God cares for all His creation and that we can trust Him to meet our needs as well.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does understanding God's provision for the raven affect your view of His care for you?
  2. In what ways can you recognize God's provision in your life?
  3. What does this verse teach about the relationship between God and His creation?
  4. How can you apply the lesson of God's provision to help others in need?

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

The early Church Fathers often referenced Job's challenges to illustrate God's providence. Here, Gregory the Dialogist quotes this verse to discuss God's care for creation.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book XXX c. 540–604
Who prepareth for the raven his food, when his young ones cry to God, wandering because they have not meat? 28. For what is designated by the name of the raven, and its young ones,
Early Church Fathers on Job 38 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 38:41 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Who provideth for the raven his food?.... Not man, but God; he feeds the ravens, creatures very voracious, mean, and useless, Lu 12:24; when his young ones cry unto God; cry for want of food; which

Read John Gill on Job 38 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. (Luke 12:24.) Transition from the noble lioness to the croaking raven.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 38 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Having mentioned the noblest of brute creatures, he now mentions one of the most contemptible and loathsome, to show the care of God’ s providence over all creatures, both great and small; which is more remarkable in ravens, because, 1. They devour flesh, which it is not easy for them to find. 2. They are greedy, and eat very much. 3. They are generally neglected and forsaken by mankind. 4. Their young ones are so soon forsaken by their dams, that if God did not provide for them in a more than ordinary manner, they would be starved to death.

Read Matthew Poole on Job 38 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.Ver. 41. Who provideth for the raven his food?] Though the raven be a most vile creature, and hated almost of all: in some places there is a reward appointed for those that shall kill them up. Though an unclean creature, and therefore abominable, Leviticus 11:13; Leviticus 11:15. Though unmerciful to her own, and pitiless to other birds, though an inauspicate creature, a sign both of man’ s punishment and God’ s curse, Isaiah 34:11. Though he crieth with a hoarse and harsh voice (whence also he hath derived the origin of his name), and so unfit to move pity; yet God provideth food…

Read John Trapp on Job 38 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(41) They wander for lack of meat.—The second clause is not a direct statement, but is dependent on the previous one; thus: “When his young ones cry unto God, when they wander for lack of meat.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 38 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 41. Who provideth for the raven] This bird is chosen, perhaps, for his voracious appetite, and general hunger for prey, beyond most other fowls. He makes a continual cry, and the cry is that of hunger. He dares not frequent the habitations of men, as he is considered a bird of ill omen, and hated by all. This verse is finely paraphrased by Dr. YOUNG: - "Fond man! the vision of a moment made! Dream of a dream, and shadow of a shade! What worlds hast thou produced, what creatures framed, What insects cherish'd, that thy God is blamed? When pain'd with hunger, the wild raven's brood Calls upon God, importunate for food, Who hears their cry ? Who grants their hoarse request, And stills…

Read AdamClarke on Job 38 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

41. The raven. The question extends to the end of the verse, Who provideth for the raven his food, When his young ones cry unto God, And wander without meat? The raven is one of the commonest birds in Palestine; by its incessant croaking it presses itself upon the attention, and is often alluded to in Scripture. The cry of its young is an appeal unto God (Joe 1:20), and the feeding of it is proof of His universal providence, which does not overlook even the least of His creatures (Psalms 147:9, Luke 12:24). The lion and the raven are here associated perhaps by way of contrast, the one being the most powerful and the other one of the least of God’s creatures. Their natures too are most…

Read Cambridge on Job 38 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Who provideth for the raven his food? - The same thought is expressed in Psalms 147:9, He giveth to the beast his food, And to the young ravens which cry. Compare Matthew 6:26.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 38 →

The verse in English, compared — 16 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

Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

NETBNew English Translation2006

Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Who provideth for the raven his prey, When his young ones cry unto God, And wander for lack of food?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Who provideth for the raven his food, when his young ones cry unto God, and wander for lack of meat?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for want of food.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Who provideth for the raven his food, when his young ones cry unto God, [and] they wander for lack of meat?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Who doth prepare for a raven his provision, When his young ones cry unto God? They wander without food.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Who prepares for a raven his provision, || When his young ones cry to God? They wander without food.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Who provideth for the raven his provision? when his young ones cry unto God, and wander about for lack of food?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Who provides victims for the ravens when their young ones cry out to God and stagger about for lack of food?

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Who provideth food for the raven, when her young ones cry to God, wandering about, because they have no meat?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God, weak from starvation?”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Who gives in the evening the meat he is searching for, when his young ones are crying to God; when the young lions with loud noise go wandering after their food?

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.

clausesubjectמִ֤יwho?verbיָכִ֥יןdoes.he.prepareprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָfornoun phrasetheעֹרֵ֗בravennoun phrase · objectצֵ֫יד֥food-supplyוֹitsכִּֽי(dm)clausenoun phrase · subjectיְ֭לָדָיonesוits.youngprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoאֵ֣לGodverbיְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּthey.will.cry.for.helpclauseverbיִ֝תְע֗וּthey.will.wander.aboutprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִforclausepredicateבְלִיnotsubjectאֹֽכֶלfood

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 show agreement in the core meaning of the verse, with 9 of the 12 words matched. The Septuagint's wording differs in structure but retains the essential message about God's provision.

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

מִ֤י יָכִ֥ין לָעֹרֵ֗ב צֵ֫יד֥וֹ כִּֽי־ יְ֭לָדָיו אֶל־ אֵ֣ל יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ יִ֝תְע֗וּ לִבְלִי־ אֹֽכֶל׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִ֤יτίςיָכִ֥יןἡτοίμασενלָעֹרֵ֗בκόρακιצֵ֫יד֥וֹβοράνיְ֭לָדָיוνεοσσοὶאֶל־πρὸςאֵ֣לκύριονיְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּκεκράγασινיִ֝תְע֗וּπλανώμενοι

9 of the 12 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 38:41מִיwho?who?מִיכּוּןdoes he predoes he prepareכּוּןעֹרֵבfor the ravfor the ravenעֹרֵבצַ֫יִדfood-supplyfood-supply itsצַ֫יִדכִּיififכִּייֶ֫לֶדyoung ones young ones itsיֶ֫לֶדאֶלtotoאֶלאֵלGodGodאֵלשָׁוַעthey will cthey will cry fשָׁוַעתָּעָהthey will wthey will wandeתָּעָהבְּלִיfor notfor notבְּלִיאֹ֫כֶלfoodfoodאֹ֫כֶלעָרַבto grow dato grow darkעָרַבצוּדto huntto huntצוּדיָלַדto begetto begetיָלַדאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלבָּלָהto become to become oldבָּלָהאָכַלto eatto eatאָכַלמָהwhat?what?מָהיָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹתֵּבֵלworldworldתֵּבֵלכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאמִיןkindkindמִיןנַ֫חַלBrookBrookנַ֫חַלעֵשָׂו(Mount) Es(Mount) Esauעֵשָׂויָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעלֵאָהLeahLeahלֵאָהגָּדַלto magnifyto magnifyגָּדַלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַל
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 38:41

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.

who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
מִ֤יmi who? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Amplified meaning
prepares
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
יָכִ֥יןya.Khin does he prepare H3559 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
217× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Tyndale gloss
to establish: prepare
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.

Niph.

be set up, established, fixed

in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

prepare, be ready

pass. be prepared, of judgments

Hiph.

establish, set up

fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

provide for, provide, furnish

direct one's face toward

arrange, order

Hoph.

be established, of throne

be prepared for

Po‛lēl.

set up, establish

constitute, make, a man (in womb)

fix, so as to be ready

direct

Po‛lal. be established

Hithpo‛l. be established

base

נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed

. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

. prepare, be ready

. pass. be prepared, of judgments

. . establish, set up

. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

. provide for, provide, furnish

. direct one's face toward

. arrange, order

. . be established, of throne

. be prepared for

. . set up, establish

. constitute, make, a man (in womb)

. fix, so as to be ready

. direct

. be established

. be established

H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3559 kuwn koon

a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand

perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great

variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper

or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,

fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,

ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),

provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,

fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very

deed.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.

: prepare/direct

1) to be firm, be stable, be established

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed

1a1a) to be firmly established

1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring

1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined

1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)

1a3) to prepare, be ready

1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm

1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish

1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)

1b4) to arrange, order

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be established, be fastened

1c2) to be prepared, be ready

1d) (Polel)

1d1) to set up, establish

1d2) to constitute, make

1d3) to fix

1d4) to direct

1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared

1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored

נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
לָעֹרֵ֗בla.'o.Rev for the raven H6158 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A raven is a dark-colored bird, first mentioned in the Bible as the bird Noah released from the ark in Genesis 8:7. The word is used to describe its dusky hue. It is a symbol of God's care in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
a dark-colored bird
Tyndale gloss
raven
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹרֵב (oreb) means 'raven' and is derived from the root meaning related to its dark color. The entries consistently identify it as a raven without additional nuances or variations in meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹרֵב n.m. raven

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6158 עֹרֵב raven

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6158 `oreb o-rabe'

or mowreb {o-rabe'}; from 6150; a raven (from its dusky

hue):--raven.

see HEBREW for 06150

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹרֵב (o.rev) — raven.

raven

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

ra'-vn (`orebh; korax; Latin Corvus corax): A large family of the smaller birds of prey belonging to the genus Corvus corax. A bird of such universal distribution that it is known from Iceland to Japan, all over Asia, Europe and Africa, but almost extinct and not of general distribution in our own country. In no land is it more numerous than in Palestine In general appearance it resembles the crow, but is much larger, being almost two feet long, of a glossy black, with whiskers around the beak, and rather stiff-pointed neck feathers. A bird exhibiting as much intelligence as any, and of a saucy, impudent disposition, it has been an object of interest from the beginning. It has been able to speak sentences of a few words when carefully taught, and by its uncanny acts has made itself a bird surrounded by superstition, myth, fable, and is connected with the religious rites of many nations.…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Raven

Heb. ‘orebh, from a root meaning “to be black” (comp. Cant. 5:11); first mentioned as “sent forth” by Noah from the ark (Gen. 8:7). “Every raven after his kind” was forbidden as food (Lev. 11:15; Deut. 14:14). Ravens feed mostly on carrion, and hence their food is procured with difficulty (Job 38:41; Ps. 147:9). When they attack kids or lambs or weak animals, it is said that they first pick out the eyes of their victims (Prov. 30:17). When Elijah was concealed by the brook Cherith, God commanded the ravens…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(black). The Hebrew oreb is applied to the several species of the crow family, a number of which are found in Palestine. The raven belongs to the order Insessores , family Corvidae . (It resembles the crow, but is larger weighing three pounds; its black color is more iridescent, and it is gifted with greater sagacity. "There is something weird and shrewd in the expression of the raven’s countenance, a union of cunning and malignity which may have contributed to give it among widely-revered nations a reputation for preternatural knowledge." One writer says that the smell of death is so grateful to them that when in passing over sheep a tainted smell is perceptible, they cry and croak vehemently. It may be that in passing over a human habitation, if a sickly or cadaverous smell arises, they should make it known by their cries, and so has arisen the idea that the croaking of a raven is the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Ge 8:7; Le 11:15, a bird similar to the crow, but larger, and not gregarious. It feeds on dead bodies; and in its general characteristics resembles the crow of America. The eyes of its victim are the first part to be devoured, Pr 30:17; and it drives away its young as soon as they can begin to shift for themselves, Job 38:41; Ps 147:9. Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:6.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
צֵ֫יד֥וֹtzei.Do food-supply its H6718 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes the food or provisions needed for a journey, often obtained through hunting. It can also refer to the act of hunting itself. In the KJV, it is translated as 'food', 'hunter', or 'venison'.
Amplified meaning
meat, provisions, wild game
Tyndale gloss
wild game
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צַ֫יִד (tsayid) refers to hunting and game, as well as provisions or food. It is derived from a root meaning related to the chase, encompassing both the act of hunting and the food obtained from it. The entries consistently highlight its dual meaning of game and food supply, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צַ֫יִד n.m. hunting, game

base

[צַ֫יִד] n.[m.] provision, food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6718a צַ֫יִד hunting, game H6718b צַ֫יִד provision, food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6718 tsayid tsah'-yid

from a form of 6679 and meaning the same; the chase; also

game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a

journey):--X catcheth, food, X hunter, (that which he took

in) hunting, venison, victuals.

see HEBREW for 06679

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צַ֫יִד (tsa.yid) — wild game.

1) hunting, game

1a) hunting

1b) game hunted

צַ֫יִד (tsa.yid) — food.

1) provision, food

1a) provision, food, food-supply

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
כִּֽי־ki- if 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'.
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
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
יְ֭לָדָיוye.la.dov young ones its H3206 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
89× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a young person, like a child or teenager, such as the youth who helped David in 1 Samuel 20:1. It can also mean offspring or descendants, like the children of Israel in Exodus 12:37.
Amplified meaning
youth, children
Tyndale gloss
youth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֶ֫לֶד (yeled) refers to a child, son, or youth, encompassing meanings like offspring and young man. It can also figuratively denote apostate Israelites. The word is derived from a root meaning something born, indicating its connection to birth and lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֶ֫לֶד 89 n.m. child, son, boy, youth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3206 יֶ֫לֶד child, son, boy, youth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3206 yeled yeh'-led

from 3205; something born, i.e. a lad or offspring:--boy,

child, fruit, son, young man (one).

see HEBREW for 03205

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֶ֫לֶד (ye.led) — youth.

1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth

1a) child, son, boy

1b) child, children

1c) descendants

1d) youth

1e) apostate Israelites (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the supreme Creator
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
אֵ֣ל'el God H410 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
241× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

applied to men of might and rank

angels

gods of the nations

Ēl

as characterizing mighty things in nature

God, the one only and true God of Israel

אֵל strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. angels

. gods of the nations

. Ēl

. as characterizing mighty things in nature

. God, the one only and true God of Israel

. אֵל strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

410 'el ale

shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;

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

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

Compare names in "-el."

see HEBREW for 0352

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵל (el) — God.

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

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

אֵל (el) — El (Berith).

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

Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)

אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).

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

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

Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)

אֵל (el) — El (Most High).

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

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

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

אֵל (el) — god.

: god

1) god, god-like one, mighty one

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

1b) angels

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

1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah

2) mighty things in nature

3) strength, power

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

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

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

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

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

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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

who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּye.sha.Ve.'u they will cry for help H7768 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cry out in the original Hebrew means to shout for help or freedom from trouble. This verb is used to describe calling out for assistance in times of need.
Amplified meaning
cry unto, shout for help
Tyndale gloss
to cry
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁוַע (shava`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cry out, particularly for help. It is a primitive root that conveys the idea of calling for freedom from trouble, used in a causative and reflexive sense. The entries consistently indicate its use in the Piel form to express a loud cry or shout.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁוַע] vb. Pi. cry out for help

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7768 שָׁוַע pi. cry out for help

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7768 shava` shaw-vah'

a primitive root; properly, to be free; but used only

causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom

from some trouble):--cry (aloud, out), shout.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁוַע (sha.va) — to cry.

(Piel) to cry out (for help), shout

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVpi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

With the sense of that which brings aid, support, or deliverance, "help" (noun and vb.) represents a large variety of words in Hebrew and Greek (noun 7, verb 16). A principal Hebrew word is `azar, "to help," with the corresponding nouns `ezer, `ezrah; a chief Greek word is boetheo (Mt 15:25; Mr 9:22,24, etc.). True help is to be sought for in Yahweh, in whom, in the Old Testament, the believer is constantly exhorted to trust, with the renouncing of all other confidences (Ps 20:2; 33:20; 42:5; 46:1; 115:9,10,11; 121:2; Isa 41:10,13,14, etc.). In Ro 8:26 it is said, "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity," the verb here…

who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
יִ֝תְע֗וּyit.'U they will wander about H8582 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Amplified meaning
go astray, without direction
Tyndale gloss
to go astray
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּעָה (ta`ah) is a Hebrew verb that means to wander or go astray, both physically and ethically. It can refer to being led astray, as in a moral sense, or to the effects of intoxication. The word has various forms, including Qal (to err), Niphal (to be made to wander), and Hiphil (to cause to wander).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּעָה vb. err

Qal

physically wander about

of intoxication

ethically

Niph.

be made to wander about, as a drunkard

ethically: be led astray

Hiph.

physically cause to wander about

of intoxication

mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8582 תָּעָה err .. physically wander about

. of intoxication

. ethically

. . be made to wander about, as a drunkard

. ethically: be led astray

. . physically cause to wander about

. of intoxication

. mentally and morally, cause to err, mislead

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8582 ta`ah taw-aw'

a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally

or figuratively); also causative of both:--(cause to) go

astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant,

seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the

way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּעָה (ta.ah) — to go astray.

1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger

1a) (Qal) to err

1a1) to wander about (physically)

1a2) of intoxication

1a3) of sin (ethically)

1a4) wandering (of the mind)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard)

1b2) to be led astray (ethically)

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander

1c1) to cause to wander about (physically)

1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication)

1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-bout': The use of this word as a preposition, in the sense of "around," is confined to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, generally an adverb, for Greek hos or "hosei." The Revised Version (British and American) adopts it in several idiomatic translations of mello, referring to what is about to be, i.e. on the point of occurring, or immediately impending, amending the King James Version, in Ac 5:35; 27:2; Re 12:4, etc.

who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
לִבְלִי־liv.li- for not H1097 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
without, nothing
Tyndale gloss
without
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּלִי (bli) refers to a state of wearing out or destruction, and serves as an adverb of negation meaning 'without' or 'not.' It is derived from the root meaning failure and can indicate absence or lack in various contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence

fig. destruction

defect, failure, hence adv. of negation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1097 בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence . fig. destruction

. defect, failure, hence adv. of negation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1097 bliy bel-ee'

from 1086; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction;

usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as

long as, etc.:--corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where

no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without.

see HEBREW for 01086

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּלִי (be.li) — without.

subst

1) wearing out

adv of negation

2) without, no, not

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Part — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
who? does he prepare for the raven food-supply its if young ones its to God they will cry for help they will wander about for not food
אֹֽכֶל׃'O.khel food H400 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Amplified meaning
nourishment, sustenance
Tyndale gloss
food
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֹ֫כֶל (okel) means food and encompasses a range of meanings including meal, meat, and food supply. It is derived from the root word for eating. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as meals and victuals, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫כֶל 40 n.m. food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H400 אֹ֫כֶל food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

400 'okel o'-kel

from 398; food:--eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey,

victuals.

see HEBREW for 0398

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫כֶל (o.khel) — food.

1) food

1a) cereal

1b) meat

2) food supply

3) meal, dinner

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

food:

I. VEGETABLE FOODS

1. Primitive Habits

2. Cereals

3. Leguminous Plants

4. Food of Trees

II. ANIMAL FOOD

LITERATURE

In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.

I. Vegetable Foods.

1. Primitive Habits:

Orientals in general are vegetarians, rather than flesh eaters. There is some reason to believe that primitive man was a vegetarian (see Ge 2:16; 3:2,6). It would seem, indeed, from a comparison of Ge 1:29 f…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Food

Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…

The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.

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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