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Leviticus 2:12 — Word Study

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WLCקָרְבַּ֥ן רֵאשִׁ֛ית תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אֹתָ֖ם לַיהוָ֑ה וְאֶל־ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ לֹא־ יַעֲל֖וּ לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹֽחַ׃

BSAYou may bringqârab themʼêth to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] as an offeringqorbân [oblation, gift] of firstfruitsrêʼshîyth [the beginning or first part of the harvest] but they must notlôʼ [never] go upʻâlâh onʼêl the altarmizbêach [place of sacrifice] as a pleasingnîychôwach [sweet, soothing] aromarêyach [fragrance, scent]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (ni.Cho.ach) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 2:12quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse outlines the regulations for bringing firstfruits to the LORD, emphasizing that they should not be offered on the altar.
Who is speakingThe LORD, giving instructions to the Israelites regarding their offerings.
Where we areIn the context of grain offerings within the laws given to Israel.
The hard wordקָרְבַּ֥ן
Take awayFirstfruits are to be brought to God, but not as a burnt offering.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbקָרַב 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 — Leviticus 2:12

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 — Regulations for Grain Offeringsgenerated

11No grain offering that you present to the LORD may be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as an offering made by fire to the LORD.
12You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.
13And you shall season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering; you are to add salt to each of your offerings.
14If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted on the fire.

Leviticus 2:12 is part of a larger section that details the offerings the Israelites were to bring to the LORD. This verse specifically addresses the offering of firstfruits, which signifies the initial yield of their harvest, as a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision. It reinforces the importance of the offerings while setting clear boundaries on how they should be presented.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 23:10–11Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham,
2Exodus 22:29You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.
3Exodus 23:10–11For six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce,
4Numbers 15:20From the first of your dough, you are to lift up a cake as a contribution; offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor.
5Deuteronomy 26:10And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land that You, O LORD, have given me.” Then you are to place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before Him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word קָרְבַּ֥ן, ka.re.Bangenerated

The word קָרְבַּן (qorban) refers to an offering or oblation, specifically something brought near the altar as a sacrificial present. It indicates a physical act of bringing something to God, emphasizing the relationship between the offerer and the divine.

This term is derived from a root meaning to bring near, highlighting the act of presenting something valuable to God. In this verse, it denotes the firstfruits that are to be offered, but with the stipulation that they are not to be placed on the altar, which alters the typical understanding of an offering.


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 main verb of the verse is תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ, you will present, which governs the noun phrase קָרְבַּ֥ן רֵאשִׁ֛ית and the following object אֹתָ֖ם. The structure emphasizes the act of presenting the firstfruits to the LORD, while the subsequent clauses clarify the restrictions on how these offerings are to be treated.

The phrase וְאֶל־ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ introduces a prepositional phrase indicating the location of the prohibition, creating a contrast between the act of presenting and the restriction of not offering on the altar.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates קָרְבַּ֥ן as δῶρον (dōron), meaning 'gift' or 'offering.' This choice aligns with the idea of a present brought to God, emphasizing the act of giving.

The word נִיחֹֽחַ is rendered as εὐωδίας (euōdias), which means 'sweet-smelling' or 'fragrant,' reinforcing the notion of pleasing aromas associated with offerings, even though this specific offering is prohibited from being placed on the altar.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 2:12 explains that the Israelites can bring firstfruits to the LORD as an offering, but these should not be placed on the altar. This instruction highlights the importance of the offerings while clarifying how they should be treated.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What are firstfruits in the context of offerings?

Firstfruits refer to the initial yield of the harvest that is offered to God as a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of His provision, representing the best of what one has.

Why are firstfruits not to be offered on the altar?

The prohibition against offering firstfruits on the altar emphasizes that while they are to be presented to God, they do not carry the same sacrificial significance as other offerings.

What does the term 'offering' signify in this context?

The term 'offering' signifies a presentation made to God, typically involving a sacrifice or gift that acknowledges His sovereignty and provision.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of offerings in Leviticus?

This verse illustrates the specific regulations surrounding offerings, highlighting the importance of obedience and the proper approach to worship within the sacrificial system established in Leviticus.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean to bring my firstfruits to God in my own life?
  2. How can I ensure that I am offering my best to God in all areas?
  3. In what ways do I understand the significance of offerings in my worship?
  4. How do I respond to God's instructions regarding my offerings?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 2:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord,.... Or "in" or "with the oblation", as some render it; that is, along with the oblation of the firstfruits leaven and honey

Read John Gill on Leviticus 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Or, the offering, or, for the offering of the first-fruits you shall or may offer them, or either of them, to wit, leaven or honey, which were offered and accepted in that case, . They shall not be burnt; but reserved for the priests, .

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Leviticus 2:12 As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.Ver. 12. Ye shall offer them,] i.e., With the firstfruits ye shall offer both leaven and honey. Both which are sometimes taken in the better part.

Read John Trapp on Leviticus 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) As for the oblation.—Better, as an oblation of firstfruits ye may offer them. This verse mentions an exception to the rule laid down in the previous one. i.e., leaven and honey, which are excluded from the meat offerings, may be used with firstfruits. Hence they are mentioned with firstfruits (Leviticus 23:17; 2 Chronicles 31:5).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 2 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. Firstfruits — This oblation was to be made publicly by the nation at the three great annual festivals, but individuals could make it at any time.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 2 →

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

You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

As an offering of first fruits you shall offer them to Yahweh, but they shall not rise up as a pleasant aroma on the altar.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they must not go up on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

NETBNew English Translation2006

You can present them to the Lord as an offering of first fruit, but they must not go up to the altar for a soothing aroma.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

As an oblation of first-fruits ye shall offer them unto Jehovah: but they shall not come up for a sweet savor on the altar.

RVARevised Version, American1894

As an oblation of firstfruits ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not come up for a sweet savour on the altar.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

As for the oblation of the first-fruits, ye shall offer them to the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savor.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

In the oblation of the first fruits ye shall offer them vnto the Lord, but they shall not be burnt vpon the altar for a sweete sauour.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

As to the offering of the first-fruits, ye shall present them to Jehovah; but they shall not be offered upon the altar for a sweet odour.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'An offering of first -[fruits] — ye bring them near to Jehovah, but on the altar they go not up, for sweet fragrance.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

An offering of first-[fruits]—you bring them near to YHWH, but they do not go up on the altar for refreshing fragrance.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

As an oblation of the first-fruits shall ye offer them unto the Lord: but on the altar shall they not come for a sweet savor.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You will offer them to Yahweh as an offering of firstfruits, but they will not be used to produce a sweet aroma on the altar.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

You shall offer only the firstfruits of them and gifts: but they shall not be put upon the altar, for a savour of sweetness,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

You may give them to the Lord when you present your offerings of firstfruits, but they must not be offered on the altar to be accepted by the Lord.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

You may give them as an offering of first-fruits to the Lord, but they are not to go up as a sweet smell on the altar.

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.

clausenoun phrase · second objectקָרְבַּ֥ןa.presentרֵאשִׁ֛יתof.first.[fruit]verbתַּקְרִ֥יבוּyou.will.presentnoun phrase · objectאֹתָ֖םthemprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoיהוָ֑הYahwehוְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtonoun phraseהַtheמִּזְבֵּ֥חַaltaradverbialלֹאnotverbיַעֲל֖וּthey.will.go.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseרֵ֥יחַan.odorנִיחֹֽחַof.soothing

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


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

The Masoretic Text (MT) of Leviticus 2:12 states, "קָרְבַּ֥ן רֵאשִׁ֛ית תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אֹתָ֖ם לַיהוָ֑ה וְאֶל־ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ לֹא־ יַעֲל֖וּ לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹֽחַ׃" The Septuagint (LXX) matches the MT word-for-word, indicating agreement in the text. The Samaritan Pentateuch also agrees with the MT, presenting the same wording. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q24) contain partial readings that align with the MT, but some words are restored or supplied by an editor, suggesting that while the overall message is consistent, the preservation of the text is less complete than in the MT and other witnesses. Overall, the MT, LXX, and Samaritan Pentateuch are in agreement, while the Dead Sea Scrolls show partial alignment with some editorial restoration.

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

קָרְבַּ֥ן רֵאשִׁ֛ית תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אֹתָ֖ם לַיהוָ֑ה וְאֶל־ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ לֹא־ יַעֲל֖וּ לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹֽחַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
קָרְבַּ֥ןδῶρονרֵאשִׁ֛יתἀπαρξῆςתַּקְרִ֥יבוּπροσοίσετεאֹתָ֖םαὐτὰלַיהוָ֑הκυρίῳוְאֶל־ἐπὶהַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַθυσιαστήριονלֹא־οὐκיַעֲל֖וּἀναβιβασθήσεταιלְרֵ֥יחַὀσμὴνנִיחֹֽחַ׃εὐωδίας

11 of the 11 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

קרבן ראשׁית תקריבו אתם ליהוה ואל המזבח לא יעלו לריח ניחח

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q24a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

קרבן [ראשית] [תקריבו] [את׳ם] [ליהוה] [ואל] [המזבח] [לא] [יעלו] לריח ניחוח

2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 8 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.

Leviticus 2:12קָרְבָּןa present oa present ofקָרְבָּןרֵאשִׁיתfirst [fruifirst [fruit]רֵאשִׁיתקָרֵבyou will pryou will presenקָרֵבאֵתthe object the object markאֵתיהוהto Yahwehto Yahwehיהוהאֶלand toand toאֶלמִזְבֵּחַthe altarthe altarמִזְבֵּחַלֹאnotnotלֹאעָלָהthey will gthey will go upעָלָהרֵיחַto an odor to an odor ofרֵיחַנִיחֹחַsoothingsoothingנִיחֹחַקָרֵבto presentto present: comקָרֵבאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתהָיָהto beto beהָיָהזָבַחto sacrifito sacrificeזָבַחרִיחַto smellto smellרִיחַנוּחַto restto restנוּחַרֹאשׁheadheadרֹאשׁאִשֶּׁהfood offerfood offeringאִשֶּׁהעֹלָהburnt offeburnt offeringעֹלָהקְעָרָהdishdishקְעָרָהעֲרִיסָהdoughdoughעֲרִיסָהאוֹןstrengthstrengthאוֹןקָרְבָּןofferingofferingקָרְבָּןמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫ה
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 Leviticus 2:12

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.

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
קָרְבַּ֥ןka.re.Ban a present of H7133 Noun common · masculine singular construct
82× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an offering or sacrifice brought near to the altar, and is used in the Bible to describe the sacrifices made by the Israelites. In Leviticus 1:2, it describes the burnt offering presented to God.
Amplified meaning
oblation, gift
Tyndale gloss
offering
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָרְבָּן (qorban) refers to an offering or oblation, specifically something brought near the altar as a sacrificial present. The term has two spellings: קָרְבָּן and קֻרְבָּן, both meaning 'offering.' The word is derived from a root meaning to bring near.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרְבָּן 80 n.m. offering, oblation

base

[קֻרְבָּן] n.[m.] offering

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7133a קָרְבָּן offering, oblation H7133b קֻרְבָּן offering

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7133 qorban kor-bawn'

or qurban {koor-bawn'}; from 7126; something brought near the

altar, i.e. a sacrificial present:--oblation, that is

offered, offering.

see HEBREW for 07126

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קׇרְבָּן (qor.ban) — offering.

offering, oblation

Also means: qur.ban (קֻרְבָּן "offering" H7133B)

קֻרְבָּן (qur.ban) — offering.

offering

Another spelling of qor.ban (קׇרְבָּן "offering" H7133A)

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

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
רֵאשִׁ֛יתre.Shit first [fruit] H7225 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
51× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to the beginning or first part of something, like the firstfruits of a harvest. It is used in Exodus 23:19 to describe the best of the harvest. The idea is to give God the best.
Amplified meaning
the beginning or first part of the harvest
Tyndale gloss
first: beginning
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֵאשִׁית (re'shiyth) means 'beginning' or 'chief.' It is derived from a root meaning 'first' and covers concepts like the first in time, order, or rank, including firstfruits. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to primacy and importance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֵאשִׁית n.f. beginning, chief

beginning

first

first, chief

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7225 רֵאשִׁית beginning, chief . . beginning

. first

. first, chief

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7225 re'shiyth ray-sheeth'

from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or

rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est),

first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.

see HEBREW for 07218

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: beginning.

: beginning

1) first, beginning, best, chief

1a) beginning

1b) first

1c) chief

1d) choice part

Also means: re.shit (רֵאשִׁית ": best" H7225H)

רֵאשִׁית (re.shit) — first: best.

: best

1) first, beginning, best, chief

1a) beginning

1b) first

1c) chief

1d) choice part

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

froot.

See FOOD; BOTANY, and special articles on APPLE; FIG; VINE, etc.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fruit

A word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes:,

(1.) The fruit of the field, “corn-fruit” (Heb. dagan); all kinds of grain and pulse.

(2.) The fruit of the vine, “vintage-fruit” (Heb. tirosh); grapes, whether moist or dried.

(3.) “Orchard-fruits” (Heb. yitshar), as dates, figs, citrons, etc.

Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Num. 18:12; Deut. 14:23). This word “fruit” is also used of children or offspring (Gen. 30:2; Deut. 7:13; Luke 1:42;

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
תַּקְרִ֥יבוּtak.Ri.vu you will present H7126 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
280× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Tyndale gloss
to present: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָרַב (qarab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to approach or come near, with various nuances including bringing or presenting something. It encompasses different forms such as Qal (to approach), Niphal (to be brought near), and Hiphil (to bring near). The term is often associated with offerings or dedications to God, particularly in the context of the book of Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרֵב], קָרַב 279 vb. come near, approach

Qal 93 approach

Niph. he shall be brought unto God

Pi. cause to approach, bring near

Hiph.

177

bring near, bring, present

of time

as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7126 קָרֵב, קָרַב come near, approach .approach

. he shall be brought unto God

. cause to approach, bring near

. . . bring near, bring, present

. of time

. as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7126 qarab kaw-rab'

a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for

whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring

(forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw

near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer,

present, produce, make ready, stand, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: come.

: come/approach

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: bring.

: bring/offer

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVhi2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prez'-ent.

See GIFT.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See GIFT

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
אֹתָ֖ם'o.Tam the object marker them H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM | Suff — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
לַיהוָ֑הla.Yah.weh to Yahweh H3068 Preposition · 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 covenant Name of God
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
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
וְאֶל־ve.'el- and to H413 Conjunction · preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

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

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

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

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

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

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

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

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

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

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

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

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

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

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

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

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

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

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

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

5) in addition to, to

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

7) according to (rule or standard)

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַha.miz.Be.ach the altar H4196 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
401× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Amplified meaning
place of sacrifice
Tyndale gloss
altar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) means 'altar' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word meaning to slay or kill, indicating its use in sacrificial contexts. The term is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to refer to places of sacrifice and worship.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִזְבֵּחַ 401 n.m. altar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ altar

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4196 mizbeach miz-bay'-akh

from 2076; an altar:--altar.

see HEBREW for 02076

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִזְבֵּחַ (miz.be.ach) — altar.

altar

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-ter (mizbeach, literally, "place of slaughter or sacrifice," from zabhach, which is found in both senses; bomos, (only in Ac 17:23), thusiasterion):

I. CLASSIFICATION OF HEBREW ALTARS

Importance of the Distinction

II. LAY ALTARS

1. Pre-Mosaic

2. In the Mosaic Age

3. Dangers of the Custom

4. The Mosaic Provisions

III. HORNED ALTARS OF BURNT OFFERING

1. The Tabernacle Altar

2. The Altar of Jos 22

3. The Altar till Solomon

4. The Horned Altar in Use

5. The Temple of Solomon

6. The Altar of Ahaz

7. Ezekiel

8. The Post-exilic Altar

9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars

10. The Horns

IV. ALTARS OF INCENSE

V. RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS 1. A Gezer Altar

2. The Taanach Altar of Incense

LITERATURE

A. CRITICAL

I. Classification of Hebrew Altars.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Altar

(Heb. mizbe’ah, from a word meaning “to slay”), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. 22:9; Ezek. 6:3; 2 Kings 23:12; 16:4; 23:8; Acts 14:13). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it—the sacrifice Christ offered.

Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God” (Acts 17:23), or rather “to an [i.e., some]…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The first altar of which we have any account is that built by Noah when he left the ark. (Genesis 8:20) In the early times altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by religious associations, e.g., where God appeared. (Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 26:25; 35:1) Though generally erected for the offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been only memorials. (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 17:15,16) Altars were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses allowed them to be made of either earth or unhewn stones. (Exodus 20:24,25) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering . It differed in construction at…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A table-like structure, on which sacrifices and incense were offered, built of various materials, usually of stone, but sometimes of brass, etc. It is evident that sacrifices were offered long before the flood; but the first mention of an altar in Scripture is when Noah left the ark. Mention is made of altars reared by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The latter was commanded to build an altar of earth, Ex 20:24. If stone was employed, it must be rough and unhewn, probably lest the practice of sculpture should lead them to violate the second commandment. It was not to be furnished with steps, De 27:2-6.

The altars in the Jewish tabernacle, and in the temple at Jerusalem, were the following: 1. The altar of burnt offerings. 2. The altar of incense. 3. The table of showbread, for…

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
never
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
יַעֲל֖וּya.'a.Lu they will go up H5927 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
890× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Tyndale gloss
to ascend: rise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָלָה (alah) means 'to ascend' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including going up, climbing, and rising in various contexts such as personal, natural, and spiritual. It can refer to actions involving people, animals, vegetation, and even thoughts, and includes nuances of being exalted or offering sacrifices. The word is built from a primitive root and appears in various grammatical forms, indicating different aspects of ascent or elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָלָה 890 vb. go up, ascend, climb

Qal

of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

go up, in personal relations

of animals, go or come up

of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

of natural phenom., go up, rise

of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

of thoughts

come up before God, arrogance

go up, extend, of boundary

excel

Niph.

be brought up

be taken up

pass., be taken up, away

reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

reflex.: take oneself away

be exalted, of God

Hiph.

bring up persons

in personal relations

bring up animals

cause to ascend

mentally

offer a present; bring up tithe to

exalt

cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

Hoph.

be carried away

be taken up into, inserted in

be offered

Hithp. lift oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5927 עָלָה go up, ascend, climb .. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

. go up, in personal relations

. of animals, go or come up

. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

. of natural phenom., go up, rise

. of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

. of thoughts

. come up before God, arrogance

. go up, extend, of boundary

. excel

. . . be brought up

. be taken up

. . pass., be taken up, away

. reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

. reflex.: take oneself away

. be exalted, of God

. . bring up persons

. in personal relations

. bring up animals

. cause to ascend

. mentally

. offer a present; bring up tithe to

. exalt

. cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

. . be carried away

. be taken up into, inserted in

. be offered

. lift oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5927 `alah aw-law'

a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or

actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary

and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow):--arise

(up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up),

bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb

(up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart,

exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up);

grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light,

(make) up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect,

prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise

(up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring

(up), stir up, take away (up), work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלָה (a.lah) — to ascend: rise.

: rise/go

1) to go up, ascend, climb

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go up, ascend

1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat

1a3) to go up, come up (of animals)

1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)

1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)

1a6) to come up (before God)

1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)

1a8) to excel, be superior to

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away

1b2) to take oneself away

1b3) to be exalted

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up

1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away

1c3) to bring up, draw up, train

1c4) to cause to ascend

1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally)

1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts)

1c7) to exalt

1c8) to cause to ascend, offer

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be carried away, be led up

1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in

1d3) to be offered

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
לְרֵ֥יחַle.Rei.ach to an odor of H7381 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a pleasant aroma or fragrance, often associated with sacrifices to God. It is used in books like Leviticus and Numbers to describe the soothing smell of offerings, and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
fragrance, scent
Tyndale gloss
aroma
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֵיחַ (reyach) refers to scent or odor, derived from the root meaning breath. It encompasses general fragrances and specifically the odor associated with sacrifices to God. The term appears in various contexts, highlighting its significance in both everyday and ritualistic settings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֵיחַ 58 n.m. scent, odour (prop. breath)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7381 רֵיחַ scent, odour (prop. breath)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7381 reyach ray'-akh

from 7306; odor (as if blown):--savour, scent, smell.

see HEBREW for 07306

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֵיחַ (re.ach) — aroma.

1) scent, fragrance, aroma, odour

1a) scent, odour

1b) odour of soothing (technical term for sacrifice to God)

Aramaic equivalent: re.ach (רֵיחַ "smell" H7382)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

a present of first [fruit] you will present the object marker them to Yahweh and to the altar not they will go up to an odor of soothing
נִיחֹֽחַ׃ni.Cho.ach soothing H5207 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A soothing or pleasant feeling, like the peace that comes from trusting in God. In the Bible, it is used to describe the sweet smell of incense or the delight of being in God's presence.
Amplified meaning
sweet, soothing
Tyndale gloss
soothing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נִיחֹחַ (nichowach) refers to a state of soothing or tranquility. It is derived from the root meaning restful or pleasant, often associated with a sweet odor. The word is consistently described as conveying a sense of quieting or soothing across the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נִיחֹחַ and נִיחוֹחַ 43 n.[m.] a quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5207 נִיחֹחַ, נִיחוֹחַ a quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5207 nichowach nee-kho'-akh

or niychoach {nee-kho'-akh}; from 5117; properly, restful,

i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight:--sweet (odour).

see HEBREW for 05117

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִיחֹחַ (ni.cho.ach) — soothing.

soothing, quieting, tranquillising

Aramaic equivalent: ni.cho.ach (נִיחוֹחַ "soothing" H5208)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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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