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Lamentations 1:17 — Word Study

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WLCפֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה צִיּ֜וֹן בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לָ֔הּ צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב סְבִיבָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו הָיְתָ֧ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לְנִדָּ֖ה בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ ס

BSAZionTsîyôwn [the city of God, Jerusalem] stretches outpâras her handsyâd [in distress, for help] but there is noʼayin one to comfortnâcham [show pity, sympathize with] The LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel] has decreedtsâvâh [commanded, appointed] against JacobYaʻăqôb [the people of Israel] that his neighborsçâbîyb [those around him, his enemies] become his foestsar [adversaries, those against him] JerusalemYᵉrûwshâlaim [the city of peace] has becomehâyâh an unclean thingniddâh [like a menstruous woman, impure] among thembêyn [in their sight, to them]

Word
Listen & take awayLamentations 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 17 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 (bei.nei.Hem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Lamentations 1:17quick helps
In a sentenceZion, in her distress, reaches out for help, but finds no comfort as the LORD has turned her neighbors into foes.
Who is speakingThe speaker is expressing the sorrow of Zion, personified as a woman in anguish.
Where we areThis verse is situated in a lament over Jerusalem's desolation and suffering.
The hard wordמְנַחֵם
Take awayZion's plea for help goes unanswered, highlighting her isolation and the severity of her plight.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectצִיּוֹן verbפָּרַשׂ 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 — Lamentations 1:17

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

Context — The Lament of Ziongenerated

16For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.
17Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed against Jacob that his neighbors become his foes. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.
18The LORD is righteous, for I have rebelled against His command. Listen, all you people; look upon my suffering. My young men and maidens have gone into captivity.
19I called out to my lovers, but they have betrayed me. My priests and elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive.

Lamentations 1:17 depicts Zion, the personification of Jerusalem, reaching out in desperation for comfort amidst her suffering. The verse illustrates the profound sense of abandonment as the LORD has declared that her neighbors will become her enemies. This lamentation reflects the deep sorrow felt by the city that once thrived, now reduced to a state of impurity and despair, as seen in the surrounding verses that detail the extent of her desolation.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 8:22–38Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,
2Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
3Jeremiah 4:31For I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child— the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands to say, “Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!”
4Lamentations 1:2–9She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.
5Lamentations 2:1–8How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with the cloud of His anger! He has cast the glory of Israel from heaven to earth. He has abandoned His footstool in the day of His anger.

The Key Word מְנַחֵם, me.na.Chemgenerated

The word מְנַחֵם (nacham) is a participle derived from the root meaning to comfort or show pity. It emphasizes the act of providing solace to someone in distress. In this context, it highlights the absence of comfort for Zion, who is depicted as reaching out for help yet finding none.

This word is significant in the Hebrew Bible, often associated with God's compassion towards His people. Here, it underscores the depth of Zion's plight, as she longs for sympathy and support but is met with silence and rejection.


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 finite verb צִוָּ֧ה (he has commanded) governs the entire verse, with multiple phrases expanding on the subjects and actions. The structure reveals a complex interplay of subjects, actions, and descriptions, emphasizing the lamentation's depth.

The main clause centers on Zion's action of stretching out her hands, while the subsequent clauses detail the absence of comfort and the LORD's decree against Jacob, illustrating the layered nature of the lament.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, מְנַחֵם is rendered as κατήγαγεν, which typically means to bring down or lead away. This translation shows a shift from the idea of comfort to a more punitive action, suggesting a different interpretation of the LORD's relationship with Zion.

The choice of words in the Septuagint indicates a broader understanding of the themes of suffering and abandonment, emphasizing the severity of Zion's situation.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Lamentations 1:17 shows Zion reaching out for help but finding no one to comfort her. The LORD has declared that her neighbors will be her enemies, and Jerusalem has become impure in their eyes. This verse expresses deep sorrow and abandonment.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Zion stretches out her hands?

It symbolizes Zion's desperate plea for help and comfort in her time of distress.

Why is there no one to comfort Zion?

The verse indicates that the LORD has decreed against Jacob, leading to the abandonment of Zion by her neighbors.

What does it mean for Jerusalem to be an unclean thing?

It refers to Jerusalem's state of impurity, likening it to a menstruous woman, which signifies both physical and moral corruption.

How does this verse connect to the overall theme of Lamentations?

This verse encapsulates the themes of sorrow, abandonment, and the consequences of sin that permeate the book of Lamentations.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I seek comfort in times of distress, and how can I better turn to God?
  2. How can the imagery of Zion help me understand the feelings of abandonment in my own life?
  3. What does the state of Jerusalem teach us about the consequences of turning away from God's commands?
  4. How can I support others who may feel like Zion, reaching out for help but finding none?

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

Early interpretations of this verse highlight its lamentation over Zion's suffering, with insights from the Glossa Ordinaria and Thomas Aquinas discussing the implications of Zion's plight.

Glossa Ordinaria 12th c.
SION HAS SPREAD FORTH HER HANDS: the fourth topic of complaint. Historical interpretation ZION HAS SPREAD FORTH HER HANDS: this signifies pain as that of a woman in labor,
Early Church Fathers on Lamentations 1 →
Thomas Aquinas 1225–1274
Here is first a loud lamentation, second, it is due to a captivity during the reign of Sedecias, (Zedekiah, the last king of Judah), when the people were totally captive. As to this situation three more ideas are proposed.
Early Church Fathers on Lamentations 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Lamentations 1:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Zion spreadeth forth her hands,.... Either as submitting to the conqueror, and imploring mercy; or rather as calling to her friends to help and relieve her.

Read John Gill on Lamentations 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

Read Robert Jamieson on Lamentations 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The same in this verse is meant by Zion, Jacob, and Jerusalem, unless Zion more specially signifieth the Jews considered as a church, because of the temple built upon it. She spreadeth out her hands as in a posture of mourning, and bewailing herself; but she had none that could afford her any comfort. God had commanded concerning the Jews who were descended from Jacob, (their twelve tribes from his twelve sons,) that their enemies should encompass them. They were become loathsome and filthy even in the eyes of their enemies, like women which were separated from the congregation during their legal uncleanness.

Read Matthew Poole on Lamentations 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Lamentations 1:17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands, [and there is] none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, [that] his adversaries [should be] round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.Ver. 17. Zion spreadeth forth her hands.] But to whom? To God? She should have done it sooner - namely, while he stretched out his hands to her all the day long. To the Babylonian? At barbarus nil nisi iras spirat, but his tender mercies are mere cruelties. God will not take the wicked by the hand, saith Bildad; men may not, whenas God will not. No better course can be taken in this case than that prescribed, Lamentations 3:40-41; then God will repent, and men shall…

Read John Trapp on Lamentations 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) Zion spreadeth forth her hands . . .—The normal attitude of Eastern prayer, or, perhaps, of lamentation and despair. That his adversaries . . .—Better, that those round about him should be his adversaries, the nearest neighbours being the bitterest foes. Jerusalem is as . . .—The image is the same as in Lamentations 1:8, and might be rendered as one polluted, or as an abomination.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Lamentations 1 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 17. Zion spreadeth forth her hands] Extending the hands is the form in supplication. Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman] To whom none dared to approach, either to help or comfort, because of the law, Leviticus 15:19-27.

Read AdamClarke on Lamentations 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

17. Here the poet speaks, while Zion resumes her lament from Lamentations 1:18 to the end of the ch. spreadeth forth her hands] in fruitless supplication. For the phrase itself cp. Exodus 9:29; 1 Kings 8:38, etc. The Targ., however, takes the expression to indicate a gesture of pain. Jerusalem is, etc.] They look on her with loathing, as though ceremonially defiled.

Read Cambridge on Lamentations 1 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Spreadeth forth her hands - In prayer Exodus 9:29, Exodus 9:33, but Zion entreats in vain. There is no one to comfort her - not God, for He is chastising her, nor man, for all the neighboring nations have become her enemies.

Read Albert Barnes on Lamentations 1 →

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

Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed against Jacob that his neighbors become his foes. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Zion spreads out her hands. There is no one to comfort her. Yahweh has commanded concerning Jacob, that those who are around him should be his adversaries. Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed against Jacob that his neighbors become his foes. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Zion spread out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The Lord has issued a decree against Jacob; his neighbors have become his enemies. Jerusalem has become like filthy garbage in their midst.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; Jehovah hath commanded concerning Jacob, that they that are round about him should be his adversaries: Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that they that are round about him should be his adversaries: Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be around him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Zion stretcheth out her handes, and there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath appoynted the enemies of Iaakob rounde about him: Ierusalem is as a menstruous woman in the middes of them.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; Jehovah hath commanded concerning Jacob, [that] his adversaries [should be] round about him; Jerusalem is as an impurity among them.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Spread forth hath Zion her hands, There is no comforter for her, Jehovah hath charged concerning Jacob, His neighbours [are] his adversaries, Jerusalem hath become impure among them.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Zion has spread forth her hands, || There is no comforter for her, || YHWH has charged concerning Jacob, || His neighbors [are] his adversaries, || Jerusalem has become impure among them.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, without one to comfort her; the Lord hath given a charge concerning Jacob to all his adversaries round about him: Jerusalem is become as an unclean woman among them.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Zion has spread her hands wide; there is none to comfort her. Yahweh has commanded that those around Jacob should be his adversaries. Jerusalem is something unclean to them.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Phe. Sion hath spread forth her hands, there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath commanded against Jacob, his enemies are round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Zion holds out her hands in distress, but there's no one to comfort her. The Lord issued orders against Jacob, and his neighbors became his enemies. Jerusalem is to them something disgusting.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Zion's hands are outstretched; she has no comforter; the Lord has given orders to the attackers of Jacob round about him: Jerusalem has become like an unclean thing among them.

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.

clauseverbפֵּֽרְשָׂ֨הit.has.spread.outsubjectצִיּ֜וֹןZionprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּ(in)noun phraseיָדֶ֗יhandsהָitsclausepredicateאֵ֤יןthere.[is].notsubjectמְנַחֵם֙a.comforterprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֔forהּitclauseverbצִוָּ֧הhe.has.commandedsubjectיְהוָ֛הYahwehprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְofיַעֲקֹ֖בJacobclausenoun phrase · subjectסְבִיבָ֣י[those].aroundוhimnoun phrase · predicateצָרָ֑יbe].his.foesו[willclauseverbהָיְתָ֧הit.has.becomesubjectיְרוּשָׁלִַ֛םJerusalemprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְ(into).anנִדָּ֖הimpure.thingprepositional phrase · prepositionalבֵּינֵיbetweenהֶֽםthem

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement in the core elements of the verse, although the scrolls contain some restored words. The Septuagint, however, differs significantly in wording and structure, which reflects a different interpretive approach to the lament.

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

פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה צִיּ֜וֹן בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לָ֔הּ צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב סְבִיבָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו הָיְתָ֧ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לְנִדָּ֖ה בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨הκλαίωצִיּ֜וֹןבְּיָדֶ֗יהָμουאֵ֤יןκατήγαγενלָ֔הּלְיַעֲקֹ֖בἠφανισμένοι

6 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q111a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

פרשה ציון בידי׳ה [אין] מנחם ל׳ה מכול אוהבי׳ה צדיק אתה יהוה צפה אדוני ליעקוב סביבי׳ו [צרי׳ו] היתה ציון לנדוח בני׳המה

16 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

Lamentations 1:17פָּרַשׂit has spreit has spread oפָּרַשׂצִיּוֹןZionZionצִיּוֹןיָדhands itshands itsיָדאַ֫יִןnotnotאַ֫יִןנחםa comfortera comforterנחםהָ[belongs] t[belongs] to itהָצָוָהhe has commhe has commandeצָוָהיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהיַעֲקֹבof Jacobof Jacobיַעֲקֹבסָבִיב[those] aro[those] around סָבִיבצַר[will be] o[will be] opponצַרהָיָהit has becoit has becomeהָיָהיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫JerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫נִדָּהan impure tan impure thingנִדָּהבַּ֫יִןbetween thebetween themבַּ֫יִןכַּףpalmpalmכַּףהָיָהto beto beהָיָהעָקַבto assailto assailעָקַבסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבצוּרto confineto confineצוּרנָדַדto wanderto wanderנָדַדבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןצִיוּןsignpostsignpostצִיוּןאַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאיְרוּשְׁלֵםJerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשְׁלֵםיָרָאto shootto shootיָרָארֶ֫שֶׁתnetnetרֶ֫שֶׁתסוּךְto fenceto fenceסוּךְגִּילto rejoiceto rejoiceגִּילקִנְאָהjealousyjealousyקִנְאָהחָזָקstrongstrongחָזָקנָצַלto rescueto rescueנָצַל
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 Lamentations 1:17

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.

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨הpe.re.Sah it has spread out H6566 Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singular
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to spread or break something apart, like scattering or stretching out. It is used to describe physical and figurative actions in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to spread
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרַשׂ (paras) is a Hebrew verb meaning to spread out or scatter. It encompasses actions like breaking apart, dispersing, and stretching forth. The word appears in various forms, including Qal (to spread), Niphal (to be scattered), and Piel (to scatter). The entries collectively highlight its use in contexts of spreading or scattering, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּרַשׂ vb. spread out, spread

Qal

spread out

spread

Niph. they shall be scattered

Pi.

spread out

= scatter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6566 פָּרַשׂ spread out, spread

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6566 paras paw-ras'

a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:--break,

chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth,

selves, out), stretch (forth, out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרַשׂ (pa.ra.s) — to spread.

1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to spread out, display

1a2) to spread over

1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to spread out

1c1) to scatter

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3fs — Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singular
HVpp3fs
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
צִיּ֜וֹןtzi.Yon Zion H6726 Noun proper
154× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Amplified meaning
the city of God, Jerusalem
Tyndale gloss
Zion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyôn) refers to Zion, often identified as a mountain in Jerusalem and a symbolic name for the city itself, particularly in prophetic contexts. The term is linked to the Hebrew word for Jerusalem and is noted for meaning 'parched place.' It is consistently recognized across lexicons as a proper noun.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צִיּוֹן 154 n.pr.loc. Ṣiyyôn, Zion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6726 צִיּוֹן Ṣiyyôn, Zion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6726 Tsiyown tsee-yone'

the same (regularly) as 6725; Tsijon (as a permanent

capital), a mountain of Jerusalem:--Zion.

see HEBREW for 06725

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon) — Zion.

Zion = "parched place"

another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion):

1. Meaning of the Word

2. The Zion of the Jebusites

3. Zion of the Prophets

4. Zion in Later Poetical Writings and Apocrypha

5. Omission of Name by Some Writers

6. The Name "Zion" in Christian Times

LITERATURE

1. Meaning of the Word:

A name applied to Jerusalem, or to certain parts of it, at least since the time of David. Nothing certain is known of the meaning. Gesenius and others have derived it from a Hebrew root tsahah, "to be dry"; Delitzsch from tsiwwah, "to set up" and Wetzstein from tsin, "to protect." Gesenius finds a more hopeful suggestion in the Arabic equivalent cihw, the Arabic cahwat signifying "ridge of a mountain" or "citadel," which at any rate suitably applies to what we know to have been the original Zion (compare Smith, HGHL, under the word).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Zion

Sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built. It was surrounded on all sides, except the north, by deep valleys, that of the Tyropoeon (q.v.) separating it from Moriah (q.v.), which it surpasses in height by 105 feet. It was the south-eastern hill of Jerusalem.

When David took it from the Jebusites (Josh. 15:63; 2 Sam. 5:7) he built on it a citadel and a palace, and it became “the city of David” (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 19:21, 31; 1 Chr. 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps. 87:2; 149:2;

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
בְּיָדֶ֗יהָbe.ya.Dei.ha hands its H3027 Preposition · noun common both dual construct · suffix
1,619× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Amplified meaning
in distress, for help
Tyndale gloss
hand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָד 1604 n.f. hand

hand

Fig. = strength, power

Fig. = side

יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—

sign, monument

part, fractional part or share

time, repetition

axle-trees

stays, supports for laver

tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

a (beckoning) hand

יַד with prep.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3027 יָד hand . hand

. Fig. = strength, power

. Fig. = side

. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument

. part, fractional part or share

. time, repetition

. axle-trees

. stays, supports for laver

. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle

. a (beckoning) hand

. יַד with prep.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3027 yad yawd

a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,

means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed

one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of

applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate

and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,

at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,

(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +

creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,

force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,

labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,

ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,

power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,

draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by

them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,

+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָד (yad) — hand.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: power.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)

1d) (various special, technical senses)

1d1) sign, monument

1d2) part, fractional part, share

1d3) time, repetition

1d4) axle-trees, axle

1d5) stays, support (for laver)

1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)

1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)

1d8) wrists

יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.

: hand/arm[anatomy]

1) hand

1a) hand (of man)

1b) strength, power (fig.)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cd | Suff — Preposition · noun common both dual construct · suffix
HR/Ncbdc/Sp3fs
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
אֵ֤ין'ein not H369 Noun common · masculine singular construct
789× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Tyndale gloss
nothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought

to nothing, as nothing

cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

in circumst. clauses

with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

with prefixes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing

. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not

. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not

. in circumst. clauses

. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …

. with prefixes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

369 'ayin ah'-yin

as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not

exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative

particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,

in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,

thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),

well-nigh, without. Compare 370.

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.

1) nothing, not, nought n

1a) nothing, nought neg

1b) not

1c) to have not (of possession) adv

1d) without w/prep

1e) for lack of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
מְנַחֵם֙me.na.Chem a comforter H5162 Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
108× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.
Amplified meaning
show pity, sympathize with
Tyndale gloss
to be sorry: comfort
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָחַם (nacham) is a Hebrew root that conveys a range of meanings related to feelings of sorrow, compassion, and comfort. It can signify being sorry, repenting, or consoling oneself, as well as avenging oneself in a more negative context. The verb appears in various forms, including Niph., Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of comfort and regret.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נחם] vb. Niph. be sorry, console oneself, etc.

Niph.

be sorry, moved to pity, have compassion, for others

be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent, of one’s own doings

comfort oneself, be comforted

comfort oneself, ease oneself, by taking vengeance

Piel—comfort, console

Pual; be comforted, consoled

Hithpa.—

be sorry, have compassion

rue, repent of

comfort oneself, be comforted

ease oneself, by taking vengeance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5162 נחם Niph. be sorry, console oneself, etc. .comfort, console

. be comforted, consoled

.— . be sorry, have compassion

. rue, repent of

. comfort oneself, be comforted

. ease oneself, by taking vengeance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5162 nacham naw-kham'

a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly;

by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to

pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge

(oneself):--comfort (self), ease (one's self),

repent(-er,-ing, self).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָחַם (na.cham) — to be sorry: comfort.

: comfort

1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion

1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent

1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted

1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself

1b) (Piel) to comfort, console

1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to be sorry, have compassion

1d2) to rue, repent of

1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted

1d4) to ease oneself

Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)

נָחַם (na.cham) — to be sorry: relent.

: relent

1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion

1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent

1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted

1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself

1b) (Piel) to comfort, console

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singular
HVprmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kum'-fer-ter: This is translation of the word patakletos, in the Johannine writings. In the Gospel it occurs in Joh 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7, and refers to the Holy Spirit. The word means literally, "called to one's side" for help. The translation "Comforter" covers only a small part of the meaning as shown in the context. The word "Helper" would be a more adequate translation. The Spirit does a great deal for disciples besides comforting them, although to comfort was a part of His work for them. The Spirit guides into truth; indeed, He is called the Spirit of truth. He teaches and quickens the memory of disciples and glorifies Christ in them. He also has a work to do in the hearts of unbelievers, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (Joh 14-16). The Comforter remains permanently with disciples after He comes…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Comforter

The designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., “or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos”). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated “Advocate” in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly “one who is summoned to the side of another” to help him in a court of justice by defending him, “one who is summoned to plead a cause.” “Advocate” is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs.

It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the “intercession” both of Christ and the Spirit (Rom. 8:27, 34).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(John 14:16) The name given by Christ to the Holy Spirit. The original word is Paraclete , and means first Advocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Greek PARACLETE, an advocate, teacher, or consoler. This title is given to our Savior: "We have an advocate (paraclete) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," 1Jo 2:1. But more frequently it designates the Holy Spirit. He is the "other Comforter," succeeding Christ, the great promised blessing of the Christian church, Joh 14:16,17,26 15:1-27 16:1-33 Lu 24:29 Ac 1:4. The English word Comforter does not adequately describe the office of the Paraclete, who was not only to console, but to aid and direct them, as Christ had done. The disciples found the promise fulfilled to them. The Comforter aided them when called before councils; guided them into all truth respecting the plan of salvation; brought to their remembrance the…

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
לָ֔הּLah [belongs] to it H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
צִוָּ֧הtzi.Vah he has commanded H6680 Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
494× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
commanded, appointed
Tyndale gloss
to command
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צָוָה (tsavah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to command or give orders. It is built from a primitive root and primarily used in the Piel form, indicating actions like appointing or charging someone with a task. The entries highlight its various applications, including laying charges and sending messengers. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[צָוָה] 485 vb. Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6680 צָוָה Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6680 tsavah tsaw-vaw'

a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute,

enjoin:--appoint, (for-)bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give

in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put,

(set) in order.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָוָה (tsa.vah) — to command.

1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order

1a)(Piel)

1a1) to lay charge upon

1a2) to give charge to, give command to

1a3) to give charge unto

1a4) to give charge over, appoint

1a5) to give charge, command

1a6) to charge, command

1a7) to charge, commission

1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act)

1b) (Pual) to be commanded

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singular
HVpp3ms
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
יְהוָ֛הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the Lord of Israel
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
לְיַעֲקֹ֖בle.ya.'a.Ko of Jacob H3290 Preposition · noun proper masculine
350× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Amplified meaning
the people of Israel
Tyndale gloss
Jacob
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַעֲקֹב (i.e. *Ya`aqob*) refers to Jacob, a key figure in the Old Testament. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter.' Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, brother of Esau, and father of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is also known as Israel, highlighting his significance in biblical history.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַעֲקֹב 344, יַעֲקוֹב 6 n.pr.m. et gent. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, father of tribes of Isr.

as n.pr.m.

as n.pr.gent.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3290 יַעֲקֹב, יַעֲקוֹב Jacob

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3290 Ya`aqob yah-ak-obe'

from 6117; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the

Israelitish patriarch:--Jacob.

see HEBREW for 06117

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַעֲקֹב (ya.a.qov) — Jacob.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26;

son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259);

brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A);

father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently

Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478)

§ Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter"

son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
HR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jacob

One who follows on another’s heels; supplanter, (Gen. 25:26; 27:36; Hos. 12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father was fifty-nine and Abraham one hundred and fifty-nine years old. Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34).

When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The birthright secured to him who…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(supplanter), the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. He was born with Esau, probably at the well of Lahai-roi, about B.C. 1837. His history is related in the latter half of the book of Genesis. He bought the birthright from his brother Esau, and afterward acquired the blessing intended for Esau, by practicing a well-known deceit on Isaac. (Jacob did not obtain the blessing because of his deceit, but in spite of it. That which was promised he would have received in some good way; but Jacob and his mother, distrusting God’s promise, sought the promised blessing in a wrong way, and received with it trouble and sorrow. --ED.) Jacob, in his 78th year, was sent from the family home to avoid his brother, and to seek a wife among his kindred in Padan-aram. As he passed through Bethel, God appeared to him. After the lapse of twenty-one years he returned from Padan-aram with two wives, two…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin-brother to Esau. As at his birth he held his brother’s heel, he was called Jacob, that is, the heelholder, one who comes behind and catches the heel of his adversary, a supplanter, Ge 25:26. This was a king of predictive intimation of his future conduct in life. Jacob was meek and peaceable, living a shepherd life at home. Esau was more turbulent and fierce, and passionately fond of hunting. Isaac was partial to Esau, Rebekah to Jacob. Jacob having taken advantage of his brother’s absence and his father’s infirmity to obtain the blessing of the birthright, or primogeniture, was compelled to fly into Mesopotamia to avoid the consequences of his brother’s wrath, Ge 27:1-28:22. On his journey the Lord appeared to him in a dream, (see LADDER,)…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

that supplants, undermines; the heel

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
סְבִיבָ֣יוse.vi.Vav [those] around him H5439 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Amplified meaning
those around him, his enemies
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
צָרָ֑יוtza.Rav [will be] opponents his H6862 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
109× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Amplified meaning
adversaries, those against him
Tyndale gloss
narrow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צַר adj. narrow, tight

base

צַר n.[m.] straits, distress

base

צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe

base

צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6862 tsar tsar

or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place

(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in

6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,

afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,

narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.

see HEBREW for 06887

see HEBREW for 06864

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צַר (tsar) — narrow.

narrow, tight

צַר (tsar) — distress.

straits, distress

צַר (tsar) — enemy.

adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor

צַר (tsar) — hard.

hard pebble, flint

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

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

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
הָיְתָ֧הha.ye.Tah it has become H1961 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-kum':

(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.

(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛םye.ru.sha.Lim Jerusalem H3389 Noun proper
643× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Amplified meaning
the city of peace
Tyndale gloss
Jerusalem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם (Yruwshalaim) refers to Jerusalem, the capital city of Palestine. The name is thought to derive from terms meaning 'founded peaceful' and is linked to its two main hills. It is described as the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם 644 n.pr.loc. Jerusalem

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3389 יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם Jerusalem

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3389 Yruwshalaim yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im

rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in

allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of

the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from

(the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful;

Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of

Palestine:--Jerusalem.

see HEBREW for 03390

see HEBREW for 03384

see HEBREW for 07999

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.laim) — Jerusalem.

§ Jerusalem = "teaching of peace"

the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

je-roo'-sa-lem:

I. THE NAME

1. In Cuneiform

2. In Hebrew

3. In Greek and Latin

4. The Meaning of Jerusalem

5. Other Names

II. GEOLOGY, CLIMATE AND SPRINGS

1. Geology

2. Climate and Rainfall

3. The Natural Springs

III. THE NATURAL SITE

1. The Mountains Around

2. The Valleys

3. The Hills

IV. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF JERUSALEM

1. Description of Josephus

2. Summary of the Names of the Five Hills

3. The Akra

4. The Lower City

5. City of David and Zion

V. EXCAVATIONS AND ANTIQUITIES

1. Robinson

2. Wilson, and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1865)

3. Warren and Conder

4. Maudslay

5. Schick

6. Clermont-Ganneau

7. Bliss and Dickie

8. Jerusalem Archaeological Societies

VI. THE CITY'S WALLS AND GATES

1. The Existing Walls

2. Wilson's Theory

3. The Existing Gates

4. Buried Remains of Earlier Walls

5. The Great Dam of the Tyropoeon

6. Ruins of Ancient Gates

7. Josephus' Description of the Walls

8. First Wall

9. Second Wall

10. Third Wall

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jerusalem

Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the “city of God,” the “holy city;” by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning “the holy;” once “the city of Judah” (2 Chr. 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means “possession of peace,” or “foundation of peace.” The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the “upper” and the “lower city.” Jerusalem is a “mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness” (comp. Ps. 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(the habitation of peace), Jerusalem stands in latitude 31 degrees 46’ 35" north and longitude 35 degrees 18’ 30" east of Greenwich. It is 32 miles distant from the sea and 18 from the Jordan, 20 from Hebron and 36 from Samaria. "In several respects," says Dean Stanley, "its situation is singular among the cities of Palestine. Its elevation is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of the highest table-lands of the country. Hebron indeed is higher still by some hundred feet, and from the south, accordingly (even from Bethlehem), the approach to Jerusalem is by a slight descent. But from any other side the ascent is perpetual; and to the traveller approaching the city from the east or west it must always have presented the appearance beyond any other capital…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The chief city of the Holy Land, and to the Christian the most illustrious in the world. It is situated in 31 degrees 46’43" N. lat., and 35 degrees 13’ E. long. on elevated ground south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles from the Mediterranean, and about twenty-four from the Jordan. Its site was early hallowed by God’s trial of Abraham’s faith, Ge 22:1-24 2Ch 3:1. It was on the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, mostly within the limits of the former, but reckoned as belonging to the latter, because conquered by it, Jos 15:8 18:16,28 Jud 1:18. The most ancient name of the city was Salem, Ge…

it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
לְנִדָּ֖הle.ni.Dah an impure thing H5079 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Impurity, which can refer to ceremonial uncleanness, such as menstruation, or moral corruption, like idolatry, as discussed in Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
like a menstruous woman, impure
Tyndale gloss
impurity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נִדָּה (niddah) refers to impurity, particularly in the context of menstruation and moral issues like idolatry and incest. It is derived from a root meaning 'rejection' and encompasses various forms of ceremonial impurity. The term is associated with being set apart or unclean, reflecting both physical and moral dimensions of impurity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נִדָּה n.f. impurity (as abhorrent, shunned)

of ceremonial impurity

fig. (with allusion to cerem. usage), impure thing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5079 נִדָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5079 niddah nid-daw'

from 5074; properly, rejection; by implication, impurity,

especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry,

incest):--X far, filthiness, X flowers, menstruous (woman),

put apart, X removed (woman), separation, set apart,

unclean(-ness, thing, with filthiness).

see HEBREW for 05074

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִדָּה (nid.dah) — impurity.

1) impurity, filthiness, menstruous, set apart

1a) impurity

1a1) of ceremonial impurity

1a2) of menstruation

1b) impure thing (fig.)

1b1) of idolatry, immorality

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
it has spread out Zion hands its not a comforter [belongs] to it he has commanded Yahweh of Jacob [those] around him [will be] opponents his it has become Jerusalem an impure thing between them
בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ סbei.nei.Hem between them H996 Suffix
407× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Amplified meaning
in their sight, to them
Tyndale gloss
between
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between

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

Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

996 beyn bane

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 0995

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.

: between

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

בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.

: among

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Suffix
HAcmpc/Sp3mp
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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