Nahum 3:14 — Word Study
WLCמֵ֤י מָצוֹר֙ שַֽׁאֲבִי־ לָ֔ךְ חַזְּקִ֖י מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ בֹּ֧אִי בַטִּ֛יט וְרִמְסִ֥י בַחֹ֖מֶר הַחֲזִ֥יקִי מַלְבֵּֽן׃
BSAWater (Gate)mayim [for the time of siege, to prepare for battle] siegemâtsôwr [a time of attack, a place of entrenchment] to drawshâʼab to strengthenchâzaq [to be strong, to seize or conquer] fortificationmibtsâr Lebobôwʼ mudṭîyṭ to tramplerâmaç claychômer [mud, a difficult situation] to strengthenchâzaq brickmalbên
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מֵ֤י | water of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| מָצוֹר֙ | siege | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| שַֽׁאֲבִי־ | draw | Verb, Qal, imperative second person feminine singular |
| לָ֔ךְ | for yourself | Preposition, suffix |
| חַזְּקִ֖י | strengthen | Verb, Piel, imperative second person feminine singular |
| מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ | fortifications your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| בֹּ֧אִי | go | Verb, Qal, imperative second person feminine singular |
| בַטִּ֛יט | in the clay | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְרִמְסִ֥י | and trample | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person feminine singular |
| בַחֹ֖מֶר | on the mortar | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| הַחֲזִ֥יקִי | take hold of | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person feminine singular |
| מַלְבֵּֽן׃ | a brick mold | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln! |
| KJV | Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln. |
| ASV | Draw thee water for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brickkiln. |
| YLT | Waters of a siege draw for thyself, Strengthen thy fortresses, Enter into mire, and tread on clay, Make strong a brick-kiln. |
| WEB | Draw water for the siege. Strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay, and tread the mortar. Make the brick kiln strong. |
| BBE | Get water for the time when you are shut in, make strong your towns: go into the potter's earth, stamping it down with your feet, make strong the brickworks. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of מָצוֹר — see How Translations Differ.
The verse is structured around a series of imperatives, emphasizing the urgency of preparation in the face of an impending siege.
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 — Nahum 3:14
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 — A Call to Prepare for Siegegenerated
Nahum 3:14 is a direct call to action for the people of the city facing an impending siege. The prophet Nahum emphasizes the need for practical preparations, such as drawing water and reinforcing fortifications, to withstand the attack. This verse highlights the urgency of readiness in the face of danger, similar to other biblical exhortations to prepare for challenges, as seen in Isaiah 21:5.
The Key Word — מָצוֹר, ma.tzOrgenerated
The word מָצוֹר (matsowr) means 'siege' or 'entrenchment.' It refers to both the physical act of besieging and the state of being besieged, indicating confinement and the need for defense. The parsing shows it as a masculine singular noun, which is consistent with its usage in contexts describing cities under attack.
This term is built from a root meaning to hem in, suggesting a stronghold or fortified place. Its occurrence in various biblical texts emphasizes the seriousness of a siege situation, and it is often used in conjunction with calls for preparation and strength.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses siege for מָצוֹר.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains multiple imperative verbs: שַֽׁאֲבִי, חַזְּקִי, בֹּ֧אִי, רִמְסִ֥י, and הַחֲזִ֥יקִי. Each verb directs an action related to preparation for the siege.
The structure emphasizes a series of commands, creating a sense of urgency and direct action required from the audience. The verbs are followed by their respective objects and prepositional phrases, which clarify the actions to be taken.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מָצוֹר as περιοξῆς, which conveys a similar meaning of entrenchment but may imply a broader context of confinement. This choice reflects the Greek understanding of siege as both a physical and strategic situation.
The translation of שַֽׁאֲבִי־ as ἐπίσπασαι indicates an active command to draw, aligning with the Hebrew imperative and maintaining the urgency of the action.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Nahum 3:14 tells the people to prepare for a siege by drawing water and strengthening their defenses. They are urged to work with clay and mortar to repair the brick kiln, emphasizing the need for readiness in times of attack.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Nahum is instructing the people to gather water in preparation for a time of attack, ensuring they have the necessary resources during the siege.
Strengthening fortifications is crucial for defense against enemies, as it helps protect the city and its inhabitants during a siege.
This phrase signifies the need to actively engage in repairing and reinforcing the city's structures, ensuring they are strong enough to withstand an attack.
Repairing the brick kiln is important for maintaining the city's infrastructure, as it allows for the production of bricks needed for construction and fortification.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What preparations can I make in my own life to face challenges or difficulties?
- How can I strengthen my defenses, both physically and spiritually, in times of trouble?
- What resources do I have that I can draw upon when facing a siege in my life?
- In what ways can I actively engage in repairing or reinforcing my own foundations?
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
Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln!
Draw water for the siege. Strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay, and tread the mortar. Make the brick kiln strong.
Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln!
Draw yourselves water for a siege! Strengthen your fortifications! Trample the mud and tread the clay! Make mud bricks to strengthen your walls!
Tyndale line
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
Draw thee water for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brickkiln.
Draw thee water for the siege, strengthen thy fortresses: go into the clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brickkiln.
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick-kiln.
Drawe thee waters for the siege: fortifie thy strong holdes: go into the clay, and temper the morter: make strong bricke.
Strictly literal
Draw thee water for the siege, strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick-kiln.
Waters of a siege draw for thyself, Strengthen thy fortresses, Enter into mire, and tread on clay, Make strong a brick-kiln.
Waters of a siege draw for yourself, || Strengthen your fortresses, || Enter into mire, and tread on clay, || Make strong a brick-kiln.
Water for the siege draw for thyself, fortify thy strongholds: go into the clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick-kiln.
Go draw water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses; go into the clay and tread the mortar; pick up the molds for the bricks.
From the Latin
Draw thee water for the siege, build up thy bulwarks: go into the clay, and tread, work it and make brick.
Simplified
Store water to prepare for a siege! Strengthen your fortresses! Go to the clay pits to tread it well, mix the cement, get your brick molds ready!
Get water for the time when you are shut in, make strong your towns: go into the potter's earth, stamping it down with your feet, make strong the brickworks.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches 10 of the 12 words. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but agree with the overall message of preparation for the siege.
מֵ֤י מָצוֹר֙ שַֽׁאֲבִי־ לָ֔ךְ חַזְּקִ֖י מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ בֹּ֧אִי בַטִּ֛יט וְרִמְסִ֥י בַחֹ֖מֶר הַחֲזִ֥יקִי מַלְבֵּֽן׃
10 of the 12 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.
מי מצור שאבי ל׳ך [חזקי] [מבצרי׳ך] [באי] [בטיט] [ורמסי] [בחמר] החזיקי מלבן
4 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Nahum 3:14
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.
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מָצוֹר (matsowr) refers to a siege or an enclosure used during a siege, such as a rampart or fortification. It can denote both the physical structures associated with besieging and the abstract concept of distress. The word is built from a root meaning to hem in, indicating confinement or defense.
מָצוֹר n.[m.] siege-enclosure, siege, entrenchment
base
H4692 מָצוֹר siege-enclosure, siege, entrenchment
4692 matsowr maw-tsore'
or matsuwr {maw-tsoor'}; from 6696; something hemming in,
i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a
siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a
fastness:--besieged, bulwark, defence, fenced, fortress,
siege, strong (hold), tower.
see HEBREW for 06696
מָצוֹר (ma.tsor) — siege.
1) siege-enclosure, siege, entrenchment, siege works
1a) siege
1b) enclosure, siege-works, rampart
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sej (matsor (De 28:52,53; 1Ki 15:27; 2Ki 25:2; Isa 29:3; Eze 4:2); "to be besieged," "to suffer siege," ba-matsor bo' (De 20:19; 2Ki 24:10; 25:2)):
1. In Early Hebrew History
2. In the Monarchy
3. Preliminaries to Siege
4. Siege Operations: Attack
(1) Investment of City
(2) Line of Circumvallation
(3) Mound, or Earthworks
(4) Battering-Rams
(5) Storming of Walls and Rushing of Breach
5. Siege Operations: Defense
6. Raising of Siege
7. Horrors of Siege and Capture
8. Siege in the New Testament
LITERATURE
→ An offer of peace must be made to the city before beginning a De 20:10-12
→ Conducted by erecting embankments parallel to the walls of the besieged city De 20:19,20; Isa 29:3; 37:33
→ Battering-rams used in
See BATTERING-RAMS
→ Distress of the inhabitants during a 2Ki 6:24-29; 25:3; Isa 9:20; 36:12; Jer 19:9
שָׁאַב (sha'ab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to draw water. It is described as a primitive root and specifically refers to the act of drawing water, often associated with women who perform this task. The entries consistently focus on this singular meaning without significant variation.
[שָׁאַב] vb. draw (water)
base
H7579 שָׁאַב draw (water)
7579 sha'ab sahw-ab'
a primitive root; to bale up water:--(woman to) draw(-er,
water).
שָׁאַב (sha.av) — to draw.
1) to draw (water)
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to draw (water)
1a2) water-drawing women (participle)
V-Qal-Impv-2fs — Verb · Qal · imperative second person feminine singularHVqv2fs
ךְ (kh) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person feminine singular
HR/Sp2fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2fs
The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen
Qal
intrans. be or grow strong
transit. only strengthened him not
Pi.
make strong (physically)
strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
make strong = bold, encourage
make firm
make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
Hiph.
make strong, strengthen
make firm, the kingdom
display strength
make severe, of battle
support
= repair
prevail
esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
put forth strength, use one's strength
withstand
hold strongly with
base
H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong
. transit. only strengthened him not
. . make strong (physically)
. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
. make strong = bold, encourage
. make firm
. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
. . . make strong, strengthen
. make firm, the kingdom
. display strength
. make severe, of battle
. support
. = repair
. prevail
. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
. . strengthen oneself
. put forth strength, use one's strength
. withstand
. hold strongly with
2388 chazaq khaw-zak'
a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong
(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,
repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,
amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,
constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),
encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make
hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play
the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,
repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be
stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),
be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.
: strengthen/support/encourage
1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be strong, grow strong
1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon
1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure
1a1c) to press, be urgent
1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)
1a1e) to be severe, be grievous
1a2) to strengthen
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make strong
1b2) to restore to strength, give strength
1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage
1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage
1b5) to make firm
1b6) to make rigid, make hard
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make strong, strengthen
1c2) to make firm
1c3) to display strength
1c4) to make severe
1c5) to support
1c6) to repair
1c7) to prevail, prevail upon
1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
1c9) to hold, contain
1d) (Hithpael)
V-Piel-Impv-2fs — Verb · Piel · imperative second person feminine singularHVpv2fs
The Hebrew word מִבְצָר (mibtsar) means 'fortification' and can refer to a castle or fortified city. It is derived from a root meaning to 'fence' or 'fortify.' The entries indicate its use in contexts related to strongholds and defense, including a reference in Daniel 11:15.
מִבְצָר n.m. fortification
base
H4013 מִבְצָר fortification
4013 mibtsar mib-tsawr'
also (in plural) feminine (Dan. 11:l5) mibtsarah
{mib-tsaw-raw'}; from 1219; a fortification, castle, or
fortified city; figuratively, a defender:--(de-, most)
fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).
see HEBREW for 0l5
see HEBREW for 01219
מִבְצָר (miv.tsar) — fortification.
fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2fs
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
V-Qal-Impv-2fs — Verb · Qal · imperative second person feminine singularHVqv2fs
(halakh, yalakh, bo', yatsa'; ago, hupago, anabaino, erchomi, aperchomai, poreuomai): "Go" ("went," etc.) occurs very frequently in the English Bible, and is the translation of a great many different Hebrew and Greek terms. As the word implies movement of all kinds, physical and mental, it has naturally many applications.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament halakh and yalakh are among the commonest words, meaning "to go" in its original sense of "to walk," but also in the most varied senses, according to the verbal conjugations, etc., the preposition attached, and the words in connection with which the terms stand; halakh and yalakh are often used figuratively (translated "to walk," etc.) for to live, to pursue a way of life, e.g. "to walk ever in his ways" (De 19:9; compare
טִיט (tiyt) refers to mud, mire, or clay, and is derived from a root that suggests stickiness. It can also figuratively denote calamity. The term appears in various contexts, including poetic uses for clay. There is an Aramaic equivalent, טִין (tin), meaning 'common.'
טִיט n.m. mud, mire, clay
base
H2916 טִיט mud, mire, clay
2916 tiyt teet
from an unused root meaning apparently to be sticky (rath.
perb. a demon. from 2894, through the idea of dirt to be swept
away); mud or clay; figuratively, calamity:--clay, dirt, mire.
see HEBREW for 02894
טִיט (tit) — mud.
1) mud, clay, mire, damp dirt
1a) mud, mire
1b) clay (poetical)
Aramaic equivalent: tin (טִין "common" H2917)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
kla (chomer, chacaph, TiT, meleT, `abhi, ma`abheh, abhTiT; pelos, "wet clay," "mud"): True clay, which is a highly aluminous soil, is found in certain localities in Palestine, and is used in making pottery. The Hebrew and Greek words, as well as the English "clay," are, however, used loosely for any sticky mud. In making mud bricks, true clay is not always used, but ordinary soil is worked up with water and mixed with straw, molded and left to dry in the sun. Chomer (compare chmar, "slime" or "bitumen") is rendered both "clay" and "mortar." TiT is rendered "clay" or "mire." In Isa 41:25 we have: "He shall come upon rulers as upon mortar (chomer), and as the potter treadeth clay" (TiT). In Na 3:14, "Go into the clay (TiT), and tread the mortar (chomer); make strong the brickkiln"…
Clay
This word is used of sediment found in pits or in streets (Isa. 57:20; Jer. 38:60), of dust mixed with spittle (John 9:6), and of potter’s clay (Isa. 41:25; Nah. 3:14; Jer. 18:1-6; Rom. 9:21). Clay was used for sealing (Job 38:14; Jer. 32:14). Our Lord’s tomb may have been thus sealed (Matt. 27:66). The practice of sealing doors with clay is still…
As the sediment of water remaining in pits or in streets, the word is used frequently in the Old Testament. (Psalms 18:42; Isaiah 57:20; Jeremiah 38:6) and in the New Testament, (John 9:6) a mixture of sand or dust with spittle. It is also found in the sense of potter’s clay. (Isaiah 41:25) The great seat of the pottery of the present day in Palestine is Gaza, where are made the vessels in dark-blue clay so frequently met with. Another use of clay was for sealing. (Job 38:14) Our Lord’s tomb may have been thus sealed, (Matthew 27:66) as also the earthen vessel containing the evidences of Jeremiah’s purchase. (
Designed for earthenware was trodden by the feet to mix it well, Isa 41:25, was molded on a wheel, and then baked in a kiln, Jer 18:3 43:9. The potter’s art is referred to in Scripture to illustrate man’s dependence upon God, Isa 64:8 Ro 9:21. See POTTER. Clay seems to have been also used in sealing, as wax is with us, Job 38:14. The bricks of Babylon are found marked with a large seal or stamp, and modern travellers find the locks of doors in eastern khans and granaries sealed on the outside with clay.
רָמַס (ramas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to trample or tread upon. It is a primitive root that conveys the action of stepping heavily, often in a way that implies oppression or force. The verb appears in both the Qal form, indicating active tramping, and the Niphal form, suggesting a passive state of being trampled.
רָמַס vb. trample
Qal trample
Niph. be trampled
base
H7429 רָמַס trample
7429 ramac raw-mas'
a primitive root; to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or
abusively):--oppressor, stamp upon, trample (under feet),
tread (down, upon).
רָמַס (ra.mas) — to trample.
1) to trample
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to trample
1a2) trampler (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be trampled
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2fs — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person feminine singularHC/Vqv2fs
חֹ֫מֶר (chomer) refers to cement, mortar, clay, and also denotes a heap or a unit of dry measure (homer). It is built from the idea of bubbling up, relating to water or earth. The entries indicate its use in various contexts, including construction and measurement.
חֹ֫מֶר n.m. cement, mortar, clay
base
חֹ֫מֶר n.[m.] heap
base
חֹ֫מֶר n.m. homer, a dry measure
base
H2563a חֹ֫מֶר cement, mortar, clay H2563b חֹ֫מֶר heap H2563c חֹ֫מֶר homer, a dry measure
2563 chomer kho'mer
from 2560; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of
earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap; hence, a chomer or
dry measure:--clay, heap, homer, mire, motion.
see HEBREW for 02560
חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — clay.
1) cement, mortar, clay
1a) mortar, cement
1b) clay
1c) mire
חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — heap.
2) heap
2a) swelling, surging (of water)
חֹ֫מֶר (cho.mer) — homer.
homer-a unit of dry measure about 65 imperial gallons (300 l)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
mor'-ter (medhokhah (Nu 11:8), makhtesh (Pr 27:22)): A hollowed stone or vessel in which grain or other substance was pounded or beaten with a pestle. The Israelites used a mortar in which to beat the manna in the wilderness (Nu 11:8), and Pr 27:22 declares, "Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle .... yet will not his foolishness depart from him," i.e. it is inherent and ineradicable. Some have supposed an allusion to an oriental mode of punishment by pounding the criminal to death in a mortar, but this is unlikely. In illustration of Pr 27:22 such proverbs are quoted as "Though you beat that loose…
Mortar
(Heb. homer), cement of lime and sand (Gen. 11:3; Ex. 1:14); also potter’s clay (Isa. 41:25; Nah. 3:14). Also Heb. ‘aphar, usually rendered “dust,” clay or mud used for cement in building (Lev. 14:42, 45).
Mortar for pulverizing (Prov. 27:22) grain or other substances by means of a pestle instead of a mill. Mortars were used in the wilderness for pounding the manna (Num. 11:8). It is commonly used in Palestine at the present day to pound wheat, from which the Arabs make a favourite dish called kibby.
(Genesis 11:3; Exodus 1:14; Leviticus 14:42,45; Isaiah 41:25; Ezekiel 13:10,11,14,15; 22:28; Nehemiah 3:14) The various compacting substances used in Oriental buildings appear to be -- Bitumen, as in the Babylonian structures; Common mud or moistened clay; A very firm cement compounded of sand, ashes and lime, in the proportions respectively of 1,2,3, well pounded, sometimes mixed and sometimes coated with oil, so as to form a surface almost impenetrable to wet or the weather. In Assyrian and also Egyptian brick buildings, stubble or straw, as hair or wool among ourselves, was added to increase the tenacity.
This well-known utensil was employed by the Hebrews in preparing manna for use, Nu 11:8. Large iron mortars, for pounding grain, have been used by the Turks in the execution of criminals; but it is not known that the Jews ever practiced this mode of punishment. To this day a favorite article of food in Syria is prepared by pounding meat for hours in an iron mortar, and adding grain and spice while the process of "braying" goes on, Pr 27:22.
The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen
Qal
intrans. be or grow strong
transit. only strengthened him not
Pi.
make strong (physically)
strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
make strong = bold, encourage
make firm
make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
Hiph.
make strong, strengthen
make firm, the kingdom
display strength
make severe, of battle
support
= repair
prevail
esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
put forth strength, use one's strength
withstand
hold strongly with
base
H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong
. transit. only strengthened him not
. . make strong (physically)
. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
. make strong = bold, encourage
. make firm
. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
. . . make strong, strengthen
. make firm, the kingdom
. display strength
. make severe, of battle
. support
. = repair
. prevail
. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
. . strengthen oneself
. put forth strength, use one's strength
. withstand
. hold strongly with
2388 chazaq khaw-zak'
a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong
(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,
repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,
amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,
constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),
encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make
hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play
the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,
repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be
stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),
be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.
: strengthen/support/encourage
1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be strong, grow strong
1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon
1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure
1a1c) to press, be urgent
1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)
1a1e) to be severe, be grievous
1a2) to strengthen
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make strong
1b2) to restore to strength, give strength
1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage
1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage
1b5) to make firm
1b6) to make rigid, make hard
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make strong, strengthen
1c2) to make firm
1c3) to display strength
1c4) to make severe
1c5) to support
1c6) to repair
1c7) to prevail, prevail upon
1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
1c9) to hold, contain
1d) (Hithpael)
V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person feminine singularHVhv2fs
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַלְבֵּן (malben) refers to a brick-kiln or brick mold, as well as a quadrangle. It is derived from the root meaning to mold or shape, specifically in the context of bricks. The entries consistently define it in relation to brick-making, with no significant disagreements noted among the lexicons.
מַלְבֵּן n.[m.] 1. brick-mould; 2. quadrangle
base
H4404 מַלְבֵּן
4404 malben mal-bane'
from 3835 (denominative); a brick-kiln:--brickkiln.
see HEBREW for 03835
מַלְבֵּן (mal.ben) — brick.
1) brick mold, brick kiln, quadrangle
1a) brick mould, brick kiln
1b) quadrangle
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa