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Micah 2:5 — Word Study

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WLCלָכֵן֙ לֹֽא־ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לְךָ֔ מַשְׁלִ֥יךְ חֶ֖בֶל בְּגוֹרָ֑ל בִּקְהַ֖ל יְהוָֽה׃

BSAThereforekên [so, thus] you will havehâyâh no onelôʼ [none, any] in the assemblyqâhâl [congregation, group of people] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the Lord God] to divideshâlak [cast, throw] the landchebel [territory, property] by lotgôwrâl [allotted portion, pebble used for decision]

Word
Listen & take awayMicah 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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 (Yah.weh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Micah 2:5quick helps
In a sentenceMicah declares that the people will have no inheritance in the land because of their actions.
Who is speakingThe prophet Micah, addressing the people of Israel.
Where we areA warning about the consequences of injustice and unfaithfulness.
The hard wordמַשְׁלִ֥יךְ
Take awayThe people will lose their place among God's chosen.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָיָה 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 — Micah 2:5

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 Consequences of Injusticegenerated

4In that day they will take up a proverb against you and taunt you with this bitter lamentation: ‘We are utterly ruined! He has changed the portion of my people. How He has removed it from me! He has allotted our fields to traitors.’”
5Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.
6“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
7Should it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these the things He does?” Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?

Micah 2:5 warns that the people will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot, indicating a loss of inheritance due to their wrongdoing. This follows a lament about their ruin and the changes to their portion, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions. The surrounding verses highlight the consequences of ignoring God's word and the resulting judgment on the people.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 32:8When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
2Joshua 18:4–10Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me
3Psalm 16:6The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful.
4Hosea 9:3They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.
5Deuteronomy 23:2–8No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מַשְׁלִ֥יךְ, mash.Likhgenerated

The word שָׁלַךְ (*shalak*) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast. In this verse, it is used in the participle form, indicating an active role in the action of casting lots for land division. This reflects the practice of making decisions by casting lots, a common method in ancient Israel.

The Hiphil form suggests that the subject is the one causing the action to happen, in this case, the one who casts the lot. The emphasis is on the act of division, which is denied to the people due to their unfaithfulness.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses you will have no one to convey the absence of a person in the assembly.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the sentence is יִֽהְיֶ֣ה, he will belong, which governs the overall meaning of the verse. The structure indicates a negation of presence in the assembly, leading to the conclusion about the division of land.

The sentence is built around the main clause with additional prepositional phrases that provide context about the assembly of the LORD and the action of casting lots, emphasizing the consequences of the people's actions.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְהוָֽה as κυρίου, which means Lord, maintaining the sacredness of God's name. This choice reflects the reverence for God in the Greek translation.

The Greek word for מַשְׁלִ֥יךְ is βάλλων, indicating the action of throwing or casting, similar to the Hebrew meaning but may imply a broader range of actions related to decision-making.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Micah 2:5 tells us that the people will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot. This means they will lose their inheritance because of their actions. The surrounding verses show the consequences of turning away from God and the judgment that follows.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to have no one in the assembly of the LORD?

It indicates that the people will not have a place among God's chosen, losing their right to the land due to their unfaithfulness.

Why is casting lots significant in this context?

Casting lots was a traditional method for making decisions, especially regarding land division, symbolizing God's guidance in the allocation of territory.

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

This verse reflects Micah's warning about the consequences of injustice and unfaithfulness, emphasizing that turning away from God leads to loss and judgment.

What can we learn from the consequences described in this verse?

We learn that faithfulness to God is crucial for maintaining our inheritance and standing within His community.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be neglecting faithfulness to God?
  2. How can I ensure that I am making decisions that align with God's will, similar to casting lots?
  3. What does it mean for me to be part of the assembly of the LORD today?
  4. In what ways can I encourage others to remain faithful and avoid the consequences of unfaithfulness?

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

The verse has been commented on by early scholars. Where a Father quotes or interprets this passage, the relevant quotations are included here.

Richard Challoner 1691–1781
Thou shalt have none: Thou shalt have no longer any lot or inheritance in the land of the people of the Lord.
Early Church Fathers on Micah 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Micah 2:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot,.... This confirms what was before delivered in a parabolical way, and as a lamentation; and is spoken either to the false prophet, as

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

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD. Therefore - resumed from Micah 2:3. On account of your crimes, described in Micah 2:1-2.

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

Therefore; because your sins, so great, universal, and incorrigible, have provoked God to frame and design this desolation against you, and because he will punish you according to your ways. Thou; either oppressor, spoken thus as to one, that it might comprehend every one of them, who are described , or else this thou is the whole family, spoken of ; perhaps both these may best be meant here. None that shall cast a cord by lot; none that shall ever return to this land, to claim an inheritance there, or to see it allotted by line, and given to them to possess it. The prophet here alludes to the manner of dividing fields and inheritance of old in use among them, as in Joshua’ s time. So both…

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

Micah 2:5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.Ver. 5. Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot] Fields were divided with cords of old, and inheritances also. See Psalms 16:5; Psalms 105:11; Psalms 78:55 2 Samuel 8:2. This hope is henceforth cut off from revolted Israel; the ten tribes never returned, the other two did, and some few of the ten among them. Whether upon their conversion to Christ they shall be restored to the promised land, Time, the mother of Truth, will make manifest. In the congregation of the Lord] So you were once, but now nothing less. A congregation ye are still, but of malignants; a rabble of…

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

(5) Thou shalt have none . . .—i.e., thou shalt have no part or inheritance in the congregation of the Lord—apparently referring to the ancient division of the land by lot.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Micah 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. None that shall cast a cord] You will no more have your inheritance divided to you by lot, as it was to your fathers; ye shall neither have fields nor possessions of any kind.

Read AdamClarke on Micah 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. Therefore thou shall have none, &c.] Because the Israelites have violated the divinely sanctioned law of land-tenure, ‘therefore’ they shall have no future opportunity of redistributing the soil in accordance with equity. And this, because the ‘congregation of Jehovah,’ from which such a redistribution should proceed, is itself about to be dissolved. that shall cast a cord by lot] Rather, that shall cast the measuring-line upon a lot (i.e. an allotment); alluding to the original distribution of Canaan by lot. Of course, the redistribution of the land in the year of Jubilee was governed, not by lot, but by regard for the old family-rights; still the primitive term ‘lot’ held its ground…

Read Cambridge on Micah 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall east a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord - Thou, in the first instance, is the impenitent Jew of that day.

Read Albert Barnes on Micah 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

Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in Yahweh’s assembly.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Therefore no one will assign you land in the Lord’s community.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the line by lot in the assembly of Jehovah.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the line by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore thou shalt haue none that shall cast a corde by lot in the Congregation of the Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the measuring line upon a lot, in the congregation of Jehovah.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Therefore, thou hast no caster of a line by lot In the assembly of Jehovah.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Therefore, you have no caster of a line by lot || In the assembly of YHWH.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Therefore shalt thou have none that shall draw the [measuring] cord in [his] lot in the congregation of the Lord.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Therefore, you rich people will have no descendants to divide up the territory by lot in the assembly of Yahweh.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the cord of a lot in the assembly of the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Consequently at that time there will be none of you in the assembly of the Lord responsible for the division of the land.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For this cause you will have no one to make the decision by the measuring line in the meeting of the Lord.

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.

conjunction phraseprepositional phraseלָthereforeכֵן֙clauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיִֽהְיֶ֣הhe.will.belongprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoךָ֔younoun phrase · subjectclauseverbמַשְׁלִ֥יךְ[one.who].castsobjectחֶ֖בֶלa.measuring-lineprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּbyגוֹרָ֑לlotprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּinnoun phraseקְהַ֖לthe.assemblyיְהוָֽהof.Yahweh

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 agree closely, with 9 of the 9 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, while partially restored, also align with the Masoretic Text in meaning, showing consistency in this passage.

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

לָכֵן֙ לֹֽא־ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לְךָ֔ מַשְׁלִ֥יךְ חֶ֖בֶל בְּגוֹרָ֑ל בִּקְהַ֖ל יְהוָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לָכֵן֙τοῦτοלֹֽא־οὐκיִֽהְיֶ֣הἔσταιלְךָ֔σοιמַשְׁלִ֥יךְβάλλωνחֶ֖בֶלσξοινίονבְּגוֹרָ֑לκλήρῳבִּקְהַ֖לἐκκλησίᾳיְהוָֽה׃κυρίου

9 of the 9 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 — Mur88a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

לכן לא יהיה [ל׳ך] משליך חבל בגורל בקהל יהוה

5 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 1 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.

Micah 2:5כֵּןthereforethereforeכֵּןלֹאnotnotלֹאהָיָהhe will belhe will belongהָיָהךָּto youto youךָּשָׁלַךְ[one who] c[one who] castsשָׁלַךְחֶ֫בֶלa measuringa measuring-linחֶ֫בֶלגּוֹרָלby lotby lotגּוֹרָלקָהָלin [the] asin [the] assembקָהָליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהכּוּןto establito establish: pכּוּןחָבַלto pledgeto pledgeחָבַלקָהַלto gatherto gatherקָהַלהָיָהto beto beהָיָההָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאכֹּהthusthusכֹּהאָדוֹןLordLordאָדוֹןיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדנְבֵלָהcarcasscarcassנְבֵלָהבּוֹרpitpitבּוֹראַרְגֹּבArgobArgobאַרְגֹּבמָשַׁךְto drawto drawמָשַׁךְמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהנֶ֫גֶדbeforebeforeנֶ֫גֶדנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָא
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 Micah 2:5

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.

therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
לָכֵן֙la.Khen therefore H3651 Preposition · adverb
771× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
so, thus
Tyndale gloss
right
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest

right

veritable, true

pl. concr. honest (men)

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

כֵּן adv. so

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3651 ken kane

from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as

adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)

rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and

relation; often with other particles):--+ after that

(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be

(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like

(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,

straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,

thus, true, well, X you.

see HEBREW for 03559

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֵּן (ken) — right.

adv

adj

1) right, just, honest, true, veritable

1a) right, just, honest

1b) correct

1c) true, veritable

[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.

adv

forasmuch as, since

כֵּן (ken) — so.

adv

1) so, therefore, thus

1a) thus, so

1b) just so

1c) therefore

1d) so...as (paired with adv)

1e) then

1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)

1g) (with prep)

1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)

1g2) hitherto

1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)

1g4) afterwards

1g5) in such case

Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverb
HR/D
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
none, any
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
therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
יִֽהְיֶ֣הyih.Yeh he will belong H1961 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine 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-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
לְךָ֔le.Kha to you H9031 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

ךָּ (ka) — you.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2ms
therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
מַשְׁלִ֥יךְmash.Likh [one who] casts H7993 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
125× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Amplified meaning
cast, throw
Tyndale gloss
to throw
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁלַךְ (shalak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw, cast, or fling. It can be used literally or figuratively, covering actions like throwing away or casting lots. The Hiphil form indicates an active throwing, while the Hophal form suggests being thrown or cast. The entries collectively emphasize various nuances of throwing and casting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁלַךְ] 125 vb. Hiph. 112 throw, fling, cast

Hoph.

be thrown, cast

be cast forth, out

be cast down

metaph., be cast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7993 שָׁלַךְ Hiph. throw, fling, cast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7993 shalak shaw-lak

a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or

figuratively):--adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off,

out), hurl, pluck, throw.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) — to throw.

1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down

1a2) to cast (lots) (fig)

1b) (Hophal)

1b1) to be thrown, be cast

1b2) to be cast forth or out

1b3) to be cast down

1b4) to be cast (metaph)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
חֶ֖בֶלChe.vel a measuring-line H2256 Noun common · both singular absolute
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Amplified meaning
territory, property
Tyndale gloss
cord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֶ֫בֶל (*chevel*) encompasses meanings related to a cord or rope, territory, and pain or pangs. It can refer to a measuring line, a company or band, and even destruction. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical objects like cords to abstract concepts like sorrow. Notably, it is associated with both physical and emotional contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫בֶל n.m. f. cord, territory, band

cord, rope

measuring-cord, line

measured portion, lot, part, region

band, company of prophets

base

חֵ֫בֶל n.m. pain, pang

pains of travail

of other than birth-pangs

base

חֹבְלִים n.[m.]pl. union (lit. binders) name of Zec.’s second symbolic staff

base

חֶ֫בֶל n.m. destruction—Mi 2:10

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2256a חֶ֫בֶל cord, territory, band H2256b חֵ֫בֶל pain, pang H2256c חֹבְלִים union H2256d חֶ֫בֶל destruction

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2256 chebel kheh'-bel

or chebel {khay'-bel}; from 2254; a rope (as twisted),

especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or

inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords);

figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe

(especially of parturition); also ruin:--band, coast, company,

cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion,

region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling.

see HEBREW for 02254

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — Mahalab.

This name means a cord, territory, region

Another name of ach.lav (אַחְלָב "Ahlab" H0303)

חֵ֫בֶל (che.vel) — pain.

1) pain, sorrow, travail, pang

1a) pains of travail

1b) pains, pangs, sorrows

חֹבְלִים (chov.lim) — union.

union

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — destruction.

destruction

חֶ֫בֶל (che.vel) — cord.

1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company

1a) a rope, cord

1b) a measuring-cord or line

1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region

1d) a band or company

§ destruction

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(qaw, qeweh): The usual meaning is simply line, rope or cord, in Isa 28:10,13, but the line was used for measurement, as is evident from such passages as 1Ki 7:23; Job 38:5; Jer 31:39. Whether the line for measuring had a definite length or not we have no means of knowing. In Isa 44:13 it refers to the line used by the carpenter in marking the timber on which he is working, and in Zec 1:16 it refers to the builder's line.

Figuratively: It signifies destruction, or a portion of something marked off by line for destruction, as in

therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
בְּגוֹרָ֑לbe.go.Ral by lot H1486 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a pebble or small stone used for making decisions by casting lots. It symbolizes a portion or destiny assigned by chance, like the drawing of lots to determine an outcome. This concept is central to ancient Israelite decision-making practices.
Amplified meaning
allotted portion, pebble used for decision
Tyndale gloss
allotted
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to a 'lot' or 'portion,' often associated with decision-making through casting pebbles. It encompasses the idea of something assigned or apportioned, including land division and duties. The term can also imply recompense or retribution. The entries indicate that it is derived from a root meaning 'to be rough,' suggesting its connection to the physical stones used in the practice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹרָל 77 n.m. & f. lot

lot for dividing land

lot for assigning to service, duty or punishment

thing assigned, apportioned, allotted

portion = recompence, retribution

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1486 גּוֹרָל lot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1486 gowral go-rawl'

or (shortened) goral {go-ral'}; from an unused root meaning

to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small

stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion

or destiny (as if determined by lot):--lot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹרָל (go.ral) — allotted.

1) lot

1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions

2) portion

2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots)

2b) recompense, retribution

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lot

(Heb. goral, a “pebble”), a small stone used in casting lots (Num. 33:54; Jonah 1:7). The lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with strictest reference to the interposition of God, and as a method of ascertaining the divine will (Prov. 16:33), and in serious cases of doubt (Esther 3:7). Thus the lot was used at the division of the land of Canaan among the serveral tribes (Num. 26:55; 34:13), at the detection of Achan (Josh. 7:14, 18), the election of Saul to be king (1 Sam. 10:20, 21), the distribution of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(literally a pebble). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God’s appointment. "As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practiced." "Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. in other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The son of Haran, and nephew of Abraham, followed his uncle from Ur, and afterwards from Haran, to settle in Canaan, Ge 11:31 12:4-6 13:1. Abraham always had a great affection for him, and when they could not continue longer together in Canaan, because they both had large flocks and their shepherds sometimes quarreled, Ge 13:5-7, he gave Lot the choice of his abode. Lot chose the plain of Sodom, which appears then to have been the most fertile parts of the land. Here he continued to dwell till the destruction of Sodom and the adjacent cities. He was a righteous man even in Sodom, 2Pe 2:7; but the calamities consequent upon his choice of this residence-his capture by eastern marauders, the molestation caused by his ungodly and…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Lotan, wrapt up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin

therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
בִּקְהַ֖לbik.Hal in [the] assembly of H6951 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
123× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A group of people gathered together, like the congregation in Solomon's temple or a crowd in the streets of Jerusalem.
Amplified meaning
congregation, group of people
Tyndale gloss
assembly
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָהָל (qahal) refers to an assembly or congregation, often used in contexts like religious gatherings or groups formed for specific purposes, including war or counsel. It is derived from a root meaning to assemble. The term encompasses various forms of organized groups, including returning exiles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָהָל 123 n.m. assembly, convocation, congregation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6951 קָהָל assembly, convocation, congregation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6951 qahal kaw-hawl'

from 6950; assemblage (usually concretely):--assembly,

company, congregation, multitude.

see HEBREW for 06950

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָהָל (qa.hal) — assembly.

1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation

1a) assembly

1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes

1b) company (of returning exiles)

1c) congregation

1c1) as organised body

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…

therefore not he will belong to you [one who] casts a measuring-line by lot in [the] assembly of Yahweh
יְהוָֽה׃Yah.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 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
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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