Leviticus 18:16 — Word Study
WLCעֶרְוַ֥ת אֵֽשֶׁת־ אָחִ֖יךָ לֹ֣א תְגַלֵּ֑ה עֶרְוַ֥ת אָחִ֖יךָ הִֽוא׃ ס
BSAYou must notlôʼ [under no circumstances] have sexual relations withʻervâh [uncover the nakedness, intimacy] your brother’sʼâch wifeʼishshâh [woman, sister-in-law] thathûwʼ would shameʻervâh [result in, bring, disgrace, nakedness] your brotherʼâch [male sibling, close relative]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֶרְוַ֥ת | [the] nakedness of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אֵֽשֶׁת־ | [the] wife of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אָחִ֖יךָ | brother your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| תְגַלֵּ֑ה | you will uncover | Verb, Piel, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| עֶרְוַ֥ת | [is] [the] nakedness of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אָחִ֖יךָ | brother your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| הִֽוא׃ ס | it | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother. |
| KJV | Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. |
| ASV | Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. |
| YLT | 'The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it [is] thy brother's nakedness. |
| WEB | “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness. |
| BBE | You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's. |
Translations agree on the core message of the verse, emphasizing the prohibition against sexual relations with a brother's wife.
The structure consists of a main prohibition followed by a consequence, emphasizing the seriousness of the command.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהִיא
verbגָּלָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Leviticus 18:16
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 — Laws on Sexual Relationsgenerated
Leviticus 18:16 is part of a series of laws given to the Israelites regarding sexual conduct. This section outlines various prohibitions to maintain holiness and family integrity. The surrounding verses elaborate on other forbidden relationships, emphasizing the importance of respecting familial bonds and avoiding actions that could lead to shame and disgrace.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:21 | If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 25:5 | When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. |
| 3 | Matthew 14:3–4 | Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, |
| 4 | Matthew 22:24 | “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. |
| 5 | Mark 6:17 | For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֶרְוָה, 'er.Vatgenerated
The word עֶרְוָה ('ervah) specifically refers to nakedness, often associated with shame or exposure. This term is commonly used in the context of sexual relations to denote inappropriate behavior, as seen in other passages like Genesis 9:22 and Leviticus 18:6.
The use of this term in the verse highlights the seriousness of the prohibition against such relationships, indicating that uncovering the nakedness of a brother's wife is not only a breach of personal boundaries but also carries significant moral implications.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase you must not have sexual relations, consistent with other translations like the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is תְגַלֵּ֑ה, you will uncover, which governs the structure of the verse. It is followed by a noun phrase indicating the subject of the action, עֶרְוַ֥ת אֵֽשֶׁת־אָחִ֖יךָ, [the] nakedness of your brother's wife, and concludes with a clause that states the consequence of this action.
The Hebrew structure emphasizes the prohibition first, followed by the specific relationship involved, which serves to underline the gravity of the command.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, עֶרְוָה is translated as ἀσχημοσύνην (aschēmousynēn), which means 'shameful conduct.' This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the act as not only a violation of familial boundaries but also as an act that brings disgrace.
This translation highlights the moral implications of the Hebrew term, suggesting that the act is not just forbidden but is inherently dishonorable.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 18:16 instructs that a man must not have sexual relations with his brother's wife, as this would bring shame. This law is part of a larger set of guidelines meant to maintain moral conduct and familial respect.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
In this context, 'nakedness' refers to sexual relations and the shame associated with violating family boundaries.
This command emphasizes the importance of maintaining familial integrity and avoiding actions that could lead to disgrace.
Yes, similar prohibitions can be found in other parts of Leviticus, such as Leviticus 20:21, which further outline forbidden relationships.
Violating this command would bring shame upon the individual and their family, as indicated in the verse.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do cultural values regarding family relationships influence your understanding of this verse?
- In what ways can we apply the principles of this command to our own lives today?
- What are the implications of shame in our society, and how does this verse address that?
- How can understanding the context of these laws help us appreciate their significance?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 18:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife,.... Neither debauch her nor after the death of the brother marry her, that is, unless he dies without issue; and then, by another law, he
Read John Gill on Leviticus 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleNeither in his lifetime, nor after his death, and therefore a woman might not marry her husband’ s brother, nor might a man marry his wife’ s sister, either before or after his wife’ s death, for so all the prohibitions are to be understood; which will give light to . But God, who can undoubtedly dispense with his own laws, did afterwards make one exception to this rule, of which see .
Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsLeviticus 18:16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’ s wife: it [is] thy brother’ s nakedness. Ver. 16. Brother’ s wife.] Except in that special case. This was Herod’ s sin and our Henry VIII’ s; whereupon was the divorce.
Read John Trapp on Leviticus 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) The nakedness of thy brother’s wife.—Though alliance with a brother’s wife is here forbidden—the prohibition, according to the administrators of the law during the second Temple, extending to illicit commerce or marriage in case she is divorced from her husband during the lifetime of her husband—and though the offenders are threatened with the curse of childlessness (see Leviticus 20:21), yet the law on this point is by no means absolute. Under certain conditions the law enjoins it as a moral and civil duty for a man to marry his brother’s widow. If a brother dies without issue, it is incumbent upon each surviving brother in succession to marry the widow, and if the brother-in-law…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Thy brother's wife] This was an illegal marriage, unless the brother died childless. In that case it was not only lawful for her to marry her brother-in-law, but he was obliged by the law, Deuteronomy 25:5, to take her to wife.
Read AdamClarke on Leviticus 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy brother’s wife - That is, if she had children. See Deuteronomy 25:5. The law here expressed was broken by Antipas in his connection with Herodias Matthew 14:3-4.
Read Albert Barnes on Leviticus 18 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. Brother’s wife — This is supposed to refer either to a brother’s widow who has children, or to a woman put away from the brother by divorce, whose bill of divorcement permitted her to “go and be
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 18 →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
You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.
“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.
You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.
You must not have sexual intercourse with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness.
Tyndale line
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.
Thou shalt not discouer the shame of thy brothers wife. for it is thy brothers shame.
Strictly literal
The nakedness of thy brother's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy brother's nakedness.
'The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it [is] thy brother's nakedness.
You do not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it [is] your brother’s nakedness.
The nakedness of thy brother's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy brother's nakedness.
Do not sleep with your brother's wife; do not dishonor him in this way.
From the Latin
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: because it is the nakedness of thy brother.
Simplified
Don't have sex with your brother's wife and bring shame on your brother.
You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's.
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.
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 align closely, with all words matched. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, replacing the pronoun with הִיא (she), which may emphasize the subject's identity. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that align with the Masoretic Text but include restorations.
עֶרְוַ֥ת אֵֽשֶׁת־ אָחִ֖יךָ לֹ֣א תְגַלֵּ֑ה עֶרְוַ֥ת אָחִ֖יךָ הִֽוא׃ ס
8 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.
ערות אשׁת אחיך לא תגלה ערות אחיך היא
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: היא (she)
אחי׳ך לא תגלה ערות [אחי׳ך] [היא]
6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 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.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 18:16
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.
עֶרְוָה (ervah) refers to nakedness or nudity, particularly emphasizing the pudenda. It can also denote shame, disgrace, or improper behavior. The term has a figurative use, suggesting exposure or vulnerability. The Aramaic equivalent is עַרְוָה (arvah), meaning dishonor.
עֶרְוָה 54 n.f. nakedness, pudenda
base
H6172 עֶרְוָה nakedness, pudenda
6172 `ervah er-vaw'
from 6168; nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or
figuratively (disgrace, blemish):--nakedness, shame,
unclean(-ness).
see HEBREW for 06168
עֶרְוָה (er.vah) — nakedness.
1) nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda
1a) pudenda (implying shameful exposure)
1b) nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behaviour
1c) exposed, undefended (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: ar.vah (עַרְוָה "dishonor" H6173)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.
אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female
woman
Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
Female of animals
With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
base
H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman
. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
. Female of animals
. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
802 'ishshah ish-shaw'
feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym
{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as
582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,
one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
see HEBREW for 0376
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0582
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.
: woman
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.
: wife/widow
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.
: another
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word גָּלָה (galah) is a primitive root meaning to uncover or remove, with implications of revealing, disclosing, or going into exile. It encompasses various forms, including reflexive and passive uses, and can refer to both physical uncovering and metaphorical revelation. The word is notably associated with disgraceful exposure and the act of exile.
גָּלָה 189 vb. uncover, remove
Qal
uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
intr. remove, depart
go into exile
Niph.
refl.
uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
discover or shew oneself
pass.
be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
be disclosed, discovered
be removed
Pi.
uncover
disclose, discover, lay bare
make known, shew, reveal
Pu. be uncovered
Hiph. carry away into exile, take into exile
Hoph. carried into exile
Hithp.
was uncovered (naked)
that his heart may reveal itself
base
H1540 גָּלָה uncover, remove .. uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
. intr. remove, depart
. go into exile
. . refl. . uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
. discover or shew oneself
. pass. . be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
. be disclosed, discovered
. be removed
. . uncover
. disclose, discover, lay bare
. make known, shew, reveal
. be uncovered
. carry away into exile, take into exile
. carried into exile
. . was uncovered (naked)
. that his heart may reveal itself
1540 galah gaw-law'
a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful
sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually
stripped); figuratively, to reveal:--+ advertise, appear,
bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity),
depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly,
publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell,
uncover.
הֶגְלָם (ga.lah) — Heglam.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.7;
son of: Ehud (H0164);
brother of: Naaman (H5283J), Ahijah (H0281K), Uzza (H5798H) and Ahihud (H0284); also called Heglam (KJV: "removed"; NIV: "deported") at 1Ch.8.7;
Another name of ge.ra (גֵּרָא "Gera" H1617J)
to reveal oneself
גָּלָה (ga.lah) — to reveal: reveal.
: reveal[information]
1) to uncover, remove
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to uncover
1a2) to remove, depart
1a3) to go into exile
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) (reflexive)
1b1a) to uncover oneself
1b1b) to discover or show oneself
1b1c) to reveal himself (of God)
1b2) (passive)
1b2a) to be uncovered
1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered
1b2c) to be revealed
1b3) to be removed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to uncover (nakedness)
1c1a) nakedness
1c1b) general
1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare
1c3) to make known, show, reveal
1d) (Pual) to be uncovered
HVpi2ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect second person masculine singularHVpi2ms
עֶרְוָה (ervah) refers to nakedness or nudity, particularly emphasizing the pudenda. It can also denote shame, disgrace, or improper behavior. The term has a figurative use, suggesting exposure or vulnerability. The Aramaic equivalent is עַרְוָה (arvah), meaning dishonor.
עֶרְוָה 54 n.f. nakedness, pudenda
base
H6172 עֶרְוָה nakedness, pudenda
6172 `ervah er-vaw'
from 6168; nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or
figuratively (disgrace, blemish):--nakedness, shame,
unclean(-ness).
see HEBREW for 06168
עֶרְוָה (er.vah) — nakedness.
1) nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda
1a) pudenda (implying shameful exposure)
1b) nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behaviour
1c) exposed, undefended (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: ar.vah (עַרְוָה "dishonor" H6173)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
Pron — PronounHPp3fs