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Job 9:16 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאִם־ קָרָ֥אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי לֹֽא־ אַ֝אֲמִ֗ין כִּֽי־ יַאֲזִ֥ין קוֹלִֽי׃

BSAIfʼim [in the event that, supposing] I summoned Himqârâʼ [called out to, cried to] and He answered meʻânâh [responded to, hearkened to] I do notlôʼ believeʼâman [am not faithful, do not trust] He would listenʼâzan [give ear to, pay attention to] to my voiceqôwl [my words, my cry]

Word
Listen & take awayJob 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 16 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 (ko.Li) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Job 9:16quick helps
In a sentenceJob expresses doubt about whether God would listen to him, even if he were to call out.
Who is speakingJob, in a moment of despair, questioning God's attentiveness.
Where we areJob is in a dialogue about suffering and divine justice.
The hard wordאֲמִן
Take awayThe struggle to trust in God's responsiveness amid suffering.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbקָרָא 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 9:16

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 Lamentationgenerated

15For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
16If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.
17For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.
18He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness.

Job 9:16 finds Job in deep anguish, questioning the very nature of his relationship with God. He feels that even if he were to call upon God, his voice might not reach Him, reflecting a profound sense of isolation and despair. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job grapples with his suffering and the perceived silence of God, as seen in the surrounding verses 15 and 17.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 18:6In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
2Psalm 66:18–20If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
3Psalm 116:1–2I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy.
4Job 29:24If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious.
5Exodus 6:9Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֲמִן, 'a.'a.Mingenerated

The word אֲמִן (aman) is a verb meaning to be faithful or trustworthy. It is often used to express belief or confidence in something or someone. The parsing indicates that it is in the imperfect aspect, first person singular, which shows Job's personal struggle with faith at this moment.

Job's use of this word conveys his uncertainty about God's willingness to listen to him, suggesting a lack of trust in the divine response. This reflects a broader theme in Job's narrative, where he frequently questions the justice and attentiveness of God amidst his suffering.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse is governed by a series of clauses. The main clause begins with אִם־ ('im), introducing a conditional situation: 'If I summoned.' This is followed by a subordinate clause that describes the action of calling out and the response, leading to Job's declaration of doubt.

The finite verb קָרָ֥אתִי (ka.Ra.ti) anchors the sentence, with subsequent clauses detailing the conditions and Job's feelings of unworthiness and disbelief.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew קָרָא is rendered as καλέσω (kalēsō), which means 'I will call.' This choice indicates a more definitive action compared to the Hebrew, which expresses a more tentative condition.

The translation of יַאֲזִ֥ין as ὑπακούσῃ (hypakousē) suggests an emphasis on obedience or attentiveness, highlighting the expectation of a response from God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Job 9:16 expresses Job's despair about whether God would listen to him if he called out. He feels that even if God responded, he doubts that God would pay attention to his voice. This reflects Job's deep struggle with faith and the feeling of abandonment in his suffering.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Job mean by 'I do not believe He would listen to my voice'?

Job is expressing doubt about God's attentiveness to his cries for help, indicating a profound sense of isolation.

Why does Job feel the need to call out to God?

Job is in distress and seeks a response from God regarding his suffering and the injustices he perceives.

What does this verse reveal about Job's faith?

Job's statement reveals a struggle with faith, highlighting his feelings of doubt and despair in the face of suffering.

How does this verse connect to the overall theme of the Book of Job?

This verse encapsulates the central theme of the Book of Job, which grapples with the nature of suffering and the silence of God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I struggle to trust that God hears my prayers during difficult times?
  2. How can I express my doubts and fears to God while still seeking His presence?
  3. What can I learn from Job's honesty in his conversation with God?
  4. How does this verse encourage me to reflect on my own relationship with God?

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

Gregory the Dialogist references this verse to discuss the nature of divine love and response in the context of suffering.

Gregory the DialogistMorals on the Book of Job, Book IX c. 540–604
And when I have called and He hath answered me, yet do I not believe that He hath hearkened unto my voice. For very often the mind is set on fire with the flame of Divine love,
Early Church Fathers on Job 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Job 9:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

If I had called, and he had answered me,.... Mr. Broughton reads the words, "if I cry, will he answer me?" as if Job had some doubt upon his mind whether God would vouchsafe to answer him, though he

Read John Gill on Job 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

Read Robert Jamieson on Job 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

If I had called, i.e. prayed, as this word is commonly used, to wit, unto my Judge, for a favourable sentence, as he now said, and therefore it was needless here to mention the object of his calling or prayer. Yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice; I could not believe that God had indeed granted my desire, though he had done it; because I am so infinitely below him, and obnoxious to him, and still full of the tokens of his displeasure; and therefore should conclude that it was but a pleasant dream or fancy, and not a real thing: compare .

Read Matthew Poole on Job 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 9:16 If I had called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.Ver. 16. If l had called and he had answered] If, in confidence of mine own righteousness, I had sought some good thing at his hands, and he had therein condescended to me, yet would I not believe that he had, in mercy, hearkened to my voice; but rather, for a further mischief, that he might roll himself upon me, as Joseph upon his brethren, and as God did upon the Israelites after their quails; that he might tear them with his tempest, &c. Some think that Job speaketh these words, as despairing of audience, or denying God’ s particular providence; but neither of these is likely.…

Read John Trapp on Job 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 16. If I had called, and he had answered] I could scarcely suppose, such is his majesty and such his holiness, that he could condescend to notice a being so mean, and in every respect so infinitely beneath his notice. These sentiments sufficiently confuted that slander of his friends, who said he was presumptuous, had not becoming notions of the majesty of God, and used blasphemous expressions against his sovereign authority.

Read AdamClarke on Job 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16. In Job 9:14-15 the plea against God is not supposed actually entered upon; the idea of such a plea presents itself to Job’s mind and he pictures the results that would follow upon himself; in Job 9:16 he assumes the plea entered upon, that he had actually cited God, who had appeared, and he describes what would follow at this stage. if I had called] i. e. cited God as a party in my plea against Him. that he had hearkened] Rather, that he would hearken. Had Job with a superhuman courage cited God, and had God appeared, Job would not believe that He would listen to him, cf. Job 9:35, ch. Job 13:21 seq., Job 23:6 seq.

Read Cambridge on Job 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If I had called, and he had answered me - It is remarked by Schultens, that the expressions in these verses are all taken from courts of justice.

Read Albert Barnes on Job 9 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

16. If I had called — From Job 9:12-15 he supposes the case that God would take the initiative in summoning to trial; now, that he himself would: Should I summon him, and he answer me, I would hardly

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 9 →

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

If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

If I had called, and he had answered me, yet I wouldn’t believe that he listened to my voice.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.

NETBNew English Translation2006

If I summoned him, and he answered me, I would not believe that he would be listening to my voice –

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

RVARevised Version, American1894

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

If I cry, and he answere me, yet woulde I not beleeue, that he heard my voyce.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, —

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Though I had called and He answereth me, I do not believe that He giveth ear [to] my voice.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Though I had called and He answers me, I do not believe that He gives ear [to] my voice.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Or were I to call, and he would answer me, I could yet not believe that he would give ear unto my voice—

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Even if I called and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And if he should hear me when I call, I should not believe that he had heard my voice.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Even if I called him to come and he responded, I don't believe he would listen to me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

If I had sent for him to be present, and he had come, I would have no faith that he would give ear to my voice.

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.

clauseclauseאִםifclauseclauseverbקָרָ֥אתִיI.calledוַֽandclauseverbיַּעֲנֵ֑heobjectנִיanswered.meclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbאַ֝אֲמִ֗יןI.believeclause · objectכִּֽי(dm).thatclauseverbיַאֲזִ֥יןhe.gave.ear.tonoun phrase · objectקוֹלִֽvoiceיmy

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 in their wording, with only minor differences in the order and structure of the phrases. The Septuagint captures the essence of Job's lament while presenting it in a slightly different grammatical form.

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

אִם־ קָרָ֥אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי לֹֽא־ אַ֝אֲמִ֗ין כִּֽי־ יַאֲזִ֥ין קוֹלִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
קָרָ֥אתִיκαλέσωוַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִיὑπακούσῃלֹֽא־οὐאַ֝אֲמִ֗יןπιστεύωכִּֽי־ὅτιיַאֲזִ֥יןεἰσακήκοένקוֹלִֽי׃μου

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

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


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

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

Job 9:16אִםififאִםקָרָאI calledI calledקָרָאעוּןand he answand he answeredעוּןלֹאnotnotלֹאאָמַןI believeI believeאָמַןכִּיthatthatכִּיאָזַןhe gave earhe gave ear toאָזַןקוֹלvoice myvoice myקוֹלעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהאֹ֫זֶןearearאֹ֫זֶןקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאיָמַןto turn rito turn rightיָמַןחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםאִיּוֹבJobJobאִיּוֹבשָׁוַעto cryto cryשָׁוַעיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעתְּפִלָּהprayerprayerתְּפִלָּהקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבתְּרוּעָהshoutshoutתְּרוּעָהשֹׁפָרtrumpettrumpetשֹׁפָר
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 9:16

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.

if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
אִם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
in the event that, supposing
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b 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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

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
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
קָרָ֥אתִיka.Ra.ti I called H7121 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
called out to, cried to
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִיvai.ya.'a.Ne.ni and he answered me H6030 Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
332× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Amplified meaning
responded to, hearkened to
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּן] vb. dwell

base

עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond

Qal

answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

money meets all demands

specif. respond as a witness, testify

less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

Niph.

make answer

be answered

Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

base

עָנָה vb. sing

Qal sing, utter tunefully

Pi. sing sweetly of it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

. money meets all demands

. . specif. respond as a witness, testify

. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

. . make answer

. be answered

. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

H6030c עָנָה sing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6030 `anah aw-naw'

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,

i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to

begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,

announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),

(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,

hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing

(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

See also 1042, 1043.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 01042

see HEBREW for 01043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּן (un) — to dwell.

(Qal) to dwell

עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.

1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to answer, respond to

1a2) to testify, respond as a witness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to make answer

1b2) to be answered, receive answer

Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.

(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vqw3ms/Sp1bs
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
אַ֝אֲמִ֗ין'a.'a.Min I believe H539 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
106× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
am not faithful, do not trust
Tyndale gloss
be faithful
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַן (aman) is a Hebrew root meaning to support or confirm, with applications ranging from nurturing (as a foster parent or nurse) to establishing trust and reliability. It encompasses concepts of faithfulness, permanence, and assurance. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including verbs and nouns, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support

Qal

as vb. support, nourish

as subst. foster-father

foster-mother, nurse

pillars, supporters of the door

Niph.

carried by nurse

made firm, sure, lasting

confirmed, established, sure

verified, confirmed

reliable, faithful, trusty

Hiph.

stand firm

trust, believe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H539 אָמַן confirm, support .. as vb. support, nourish

. as subst. foster-father

. foster-mother, nurse

. pillars, supporters of the door

. . carried by nurse

. made firm, sure, lasting

. confirmed, established, sure

. verified, confirmed

. reliable, faithful, trusty

. . stand firm

. trust, believe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

539 'aman aw-man'

a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster

as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or

faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet;

morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21;

interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand:--hence,

assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful

(of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty,

verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the

right.

see HEBREW for 0541

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַן (a.man) — be faithful.

1) to support, confirm, be faithful

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish

1a1a) foster-father (subst.)

1a1b) foster-mother, nurse

1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm

1b1a) to be carried by a nurse

1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting

1b1c) confirmed, established, sure

1b1d) verified, confirmed

1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in

1c1a) stand firm

1c1b) trust, believe

Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singular
HVhi1cs
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
כִּֽי־ki- that 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
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
יַאֲזִ֥יןya.'a.Zin he gave ear to H238 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Amplified meaning
give ear to, pay attention to
Tyndale gloss
to listen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

hear, perceive by the ear

of God, listening (with favour) to prayer

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

238 'azan aw-zan'

a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a

denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),

i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,

hear(-ken). See 239.

see HEBREW for 0241

see HEBREW for 0239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.

1) to hear, listen

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to hear, listen, give ear

1a2) to be obedient, harken

1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):

(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ear

Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Blood put upon, in consecration of priest Ex 29:20; Le 8:23

→ In cleansing lepers Le 14:14,25

→ Anointed with oil in purifications Le 14:17,28

→ Bored as a sign of servitude Ex 21:5,6; Ps 40:6

→ See DEAFNESS

→ FIGURATIVE

Anthropomorphic uses of Ps 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8

For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance

if I called and he answered me not I believe that he gave ear to voice my
קוֹלִֽי׃ko.Li voice my H6963 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
506× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Amplified meaning
my words, my cry
Tyndale gloss
voice: sound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קוֹל 506 n.m. sound, voice

base

קֹל n.[m.] lightness, frivolity;—Je 3:9

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6963 qowl kole

or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a

voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),

fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,

proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +

yell.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קוֹל (qol) — voice.

: voice/shout/loud

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קֹל (qol) — frivolity.

lightness, frivolity

קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.

: sound/noise

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.

: thunder

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.

: message/proclaim

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].

: [sound_of](THING)

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.

: listen

1) voice, sound, noise

1a) voice

1b) sound (of instrument)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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