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Nehemiah 13:2 — Word Study

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WLCכִּ֣י לֹ֧א קִדְּמ֛וּ אֶת־ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּלֶּ֣חֶם וּבַמָּ֑יִם וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר עָלָ֤יו אֶת־ בִּלְעָם֙ לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ הַקְּלָלָ֖ה לִבְרָכָֽה׃

BSAbecausekîy they had notlôʼ metqâdam [with hospitality, food and water] the Israelitesbên [sons of Jacob, God's chosen people] with foodlechem [bread, sustenance] and watermayim [refreshment, spiritual nourishment] but had hiredsâkar [paid, employed] BalaamBilʻâm [a prophet, diviner] to call down a curseqâlal [invoke, pronounce, condemnation, evil] against themʻal [to harm, destroy] although our Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the supreme Creator] had turnedhâphak [overturned, transformed] the curseqᵉlâlâh [evil, harm] into a blessingBᵉrâkâh [prosperity, divine favor]

Word
Listen & take awayNehemiah 13
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (liv.ra.Khah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Nehemiah 13:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse explains why the Ammonites and Moabites were excluded from Israel due to their failure to show hospitality and their attempt to curse the Israelites.
Who is speakingThe narrator recounts events from Israel's history, highlighting God's intervention.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger narrative about the reading of the Book of Moses and the people's response.
The hard wordבַּלֶּ֣חֶם
Take awayDespite attempts to harm them, God transformed a curse into a blessing.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbקָדַם 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 — Nehemiah 13:2

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 Exclusion of Foreigners from Israelgenerated

1At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
2because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).
3As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.
4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God

Nehemiah 13:2 recounts a critical moment when the Israelites learned about the prohibition against Ammonites and Moabites entering the assembly of God. This was due to their lack of hospitality towards the Israelites and their hiring of Balaam to curse them. The narrative emphasizes God's sovereignty, as He turned the intended curse into a blessing, showcasing His protective nature over His chosen people.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Matthew 25:40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
2Numbers 22:3–6and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.
3Joshua 24:9–10Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
4Numbers 23:8–11How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?
5Numbers 24:5–10How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!

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


The Key Word בַּלֶּ֣חֶם, ba.Le.chemgenerated

The Hebrew word בַּלֶּ֣חֶם (lechem) means food or bread, specifically referring to sustenance necessary for life. In this context, it highlights the failure of the Ammonites and Moabites to provide basic hospitality to the Israelites, which was a serious breach of cultural norms.

The parsing indicates it is a noun in the singular form, emphasizing the concept of food as essential for survival and community. This word's presence underscores the importance of hospitality in ancient Israelite society.


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 clause is introduced by the conjunction כִּי, for, indicating the reason for the exclusion of the Ammonites and Moabites. The verb קִדְּמ֛וּ, they had met, governs the sentence, with several phrases describing the actions taken and their consequences.

The structure shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship: the failure to provide hospitality leads to the hiring of Balaam to curse the Israelites, which is countered by God's intervention.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term בַּלֶּ֣חֶם is rendered as ἄρτῳ (artos), meaning bread. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may emphasize the physical sustenance aspect more than the broader cultural implications of hospitality.

The translation of קְלָלָה as κατάραν (katáran) indicates a direct connection to the idea of invoking harm, which remains consistent with the Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Nehemiah 13:2 explains that the Ammonites and Moabites did not provide food and water to the Israelites and instead hired Balaam to curse them. However, God changed that curse into a blessing, demonstrating His care for His people.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why were the Ammonites and Moabites excluded from Israel?

They were excluded because they failed to show hospitality to the Israelites by not providing food and water, and they attempted to harm them by hiring Balaam to curse them.

What does it mean that God turned the curse into a blessing?

This indicates that despite the intentions of Balaam to bring harm, God intervened and transformed that curse into a positive outcome for the Israelites.

Who was Balaam?

Balaam was a prophet known for his ability to bless or curse, and he was hired by the Moabites to curse the Israelites.

What is the significance of hospitality in this verse?

Hospitality was a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, and the failure to provide it was seen as a serious offense, highlighting the importance of community and care for one another.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I demonstrate hospitality in my own life, as a reflection of God's love?
  2. In what ways have I seen God transform difficult situations into blessings?
  3. What lessons can I learn from Balaam's story about the consequences of seeking to harm others?
  4. How does understanding the cultural importance of hospitality change my perspective on this verse?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Nehemiah 13:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread,.... The same reason is given, and what follows in this verse is observed in Deuteronomy 23:4; [See comments on Deuteronomy 23:4] [See comments on Deuteronomy 23:5].

Read John Gill on Nehemiah 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Read Robert Jamieson on Nehemiah 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Nehemiah 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.Ver. 2. Because they met not the children of Israel] A bare omission of observance subjected them to divine vengeance. As God requiteth the least courtesy done to his people, be it but a cup of cold water; so he repayeth the least discourtesy, or but neglect of them, to whom the glorious angels are ministering spirits, and may not think themselves too good to serve them, Hebrews 1:14. But hired Balaam against them] With the rewards of divination, Numbers 22:7, the wages of wickedness, Judges 1:11 2…

Read John Trapp on Nehemiah 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XIII.(1-3) Reform as to mixed marriages. (1) On that day.—Probably the season of the Feast of Tabernacles, as before. But portions were selected to be read. They read in the book of Moses.—“It was read” in the Pentateuch, and specially Deuteronomy 23. This is introduced for the sake of the action taken, and the history is given in brief, with a striking and characteristic parenthesis of Nehemiah’s own concerning the curse turned into a blessing. Therein was found written.—What to the people generally was not known. For ever.—No Ammonite or Ammonite family could have legal standing in the congregation, “even to their tenth generation;” and this interdict was to last “for ever.” It virtually…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Nehemiah 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. because they met not, &c.] Cf. Deuteronomy 23:4, ‘Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they (Heb. he) hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia to curse thee.’ Balaam is referred to by the Deuteronomist as the prophet whose curse would be fatal; the Deuteronomist writer, like the prophet Micah (Nehemiah 6:5) follows the Jehovist account in Numbers 22-24, and shows no sign of acquaintance with the Elohist’s description of Balaam (Numbers 31:8; Numbers 31:16) as an instigator of the Midianite plot to corrupt the children of Israel. but hired] The verb in the Hebrew is in the singular ‘he…

Read Cambridge on Nehemiah 13 →

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

because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

WEBWorld English Bible2000

because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

NETBNew English Translation2006

for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.)

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

RVARevised Version, American1894

because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Baalam against them, that he should curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: and our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and with water, and had hired Balaam against them, to curse them; but our God turned the curse into blessing.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turns the reviling into a blessing.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and with water, but had hired Bil'am against them, that he should curse them; although our God had changed the curse into a blessing.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

This was because they had not come to the people of Israel with bread and with water, but they had hired Balaam to curse Israel. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

because they hadn't brought food and water when they met the Israelites, but instead they had hired Balaam to put a curse on them—though our God turned that curse into a blessing!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.

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.

כִּ֣י(dm)clauseadverbialלֹ֧אnotverbקִדְּמ֛וּthey.had.metnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseבְּנֵ֥יthe.peopleיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לof.Israelprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבַּwithnoun phrase(the)לֶּ֣חֶםfoodוּandprepositional phraseבַwithnoun phrase(the)מָּ֑יִםwaterוַandclauseverbיִּשְׂכֹּ֨רhe.had.hiredprepositional phrase · prepositionalעָלָ֤יonוitnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)בִּלְעָם֙Balaamprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbקַֽלְל֔curseobjectוֹitוַandclauseverbיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְhe.turnednoun phrase · subjectאֱלֹהֵ֛יGodנוּournoun phrase · objectהַtheקְּלָלָ֖הcurseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִintoבְרָכָֽהblessing

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


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

The Masoretic Text states that the people did not meet the Israelites with food and water and hired Balaam to curse them, while God turned that curse into a blessing. The Septuagint has a similar account, agreeing with 14 out of 17 words from the Masoretic Text, although it presents the information with different word order and articles. There are no significant differences in meaning between the two texts, but the Septuagint's wording may reflect a different stylistic choice rather than a textual variation.

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

כִּ֣י לֹ֧א קִדְּמ֛וּ אֶת־ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּלֶּ֣חֶם וּבַמָּ֑יִם וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר עָלָ֤יו אֶת־ בִּלְעָם֙ לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ הַקְּלָלָ֖ה לִבְרָכָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כִּ֣יὅτιלֹ֧אοὐקִדְּמ֛וּσυνήντησανבְּנֵ֥יυἱοῖςיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לισραηλבַּלֶּ֣חֶםἄρτῳוּבַמָּ֑יִםὕδατιוַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨רἐμισθώσαντοעָלָ֤יוαὐτὸνבִּלְעָם֙βαλααμוַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְἔστρεψενאֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּἡμῶνהַקְּלָלָ֖הκατάρανלִבְרָכָֽה׃εὐλογίαν

14 of the 17 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.

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.

Nehemiah 13:2כִּיforforכִּילֹאnotnotלֹאקָדַםthey had methey had metקָדַםאֵתthe object the object markאֵתבֵּן[the] peopl[the] people ofבֵּןיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵללֶ֫חֶםwith foodwith foodלֶ֫חֶםמַיand with waand with waterמַיסָכַרand he had and he had hireסָכַרעַלon iton itעַלאֵתthe object the object markאֵתבִּלְעָםBalaamBalaamבִּלְעָםקָלַלto curse itto curse itקָלַלהָפַךְand he turnand he turnedהָפַךְאֱלֹהִיםGod ourGod ourאֱלֹהִיםקְלָלָהthe cursethe curseקְלָלָהבְּרָכָהinto blessiinto blessingבְּרָכָהאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהשָׂרָהto striveto striveשָׂרָהלָחַםto fightto fightלָחַםבַּלnotnotבַּלקָלַלto lightento lightenקָלַלבָּרַךְto blessto blessבָּרַךְכָּרָהto tradeto tradeכָּרָהשָׁכַרbe drunkbe drunkשָׁכַרעַלheightheightעַלאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדכָּפַףto bendto bendכָּפַףחֵץarrowarrowחֵץעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹן
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 Nehemiah 13:2

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.

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
כִּ֣יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
לֹ֧אlo' 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.
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
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
קִדְּמ֛וּki.de.Mu they had met H6923 Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To meet or go before someone, often for help, as seen in the Bible when God meets his people in Exodus. This word can also mean to anticipate or hasten something. In the book of Psalms, it is used to describe God coming to the aid of his people.
Amplified meaning
with hospitality, food and water
Tyndale gloss
to meet
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָדַם (qadam) is a verb meaning to meet or come in front of someone or something. It covers actions such as anticipating, leading, and confronting, with nuances in its Piel and Hiphil forms. The entries emphasize its use in contexts of meeting or preceding, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָדַם] vb. Pi. denom. come or be in front, meet

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6923 [קָדַם] vb. Pi. denom. come or be in front, meet

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6923 qadam kaw-dam'

a primitive root; to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence,

to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help):--come (go,

(flee)) before, + disappoint, meet, prevent.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָדַם (qa.dam) — to meet.

1) to meet, come or be in front, confront, go before

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to meet, confront, come to meet, receive

1a2) to go before, go in front, be in front

1a3) to lead, be beforehand, anticipate, forestall

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to come in front

1b2) to confront, anticipate

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Perf-3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
HVpp3cp
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
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
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
בְּנֵ֥יbe.Nei [the] people of H1121 Noun common · masculine plural construct
4,943× 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 son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Amplified meaning
sons of Jacob, God's chosen people
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'El Israel H3478 Noun proper
2,508× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Tyndale gloss
Israel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el) refers to both the second name of Jacob, meaning 'God prevails,' and the name of the Hebrew nation descended from him. It is derived from roots meaning 'to rule' and 'God.' The term encompasses Jacob's descendants and is used historically for the northern kingdom of Israel and the nation as a whole after the Babylonian exile.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יִשְׂרָאֵל 2507 n.pr.m. et gent. Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth)

n.pr.m. second name of Jacob

n.pr.gent. name of Hebrew nation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth) . n. pr. m. second name of Jacob

. n. pr. gent. name of Hebrew nation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3478 Yisra'el yis-raw-ale'

from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical

name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:

--Israel.

see HEBREW for 08280

see HEBREW for 0410

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יִשְׂרָאֵל (yis.ra.el) — Israel.

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

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

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

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

§ Israel = "God prevails"

1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel

2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob

2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpl — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

iz'-ra-el.

See JACOB.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Israel

The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because “as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.” (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob’s descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called “Israelites,” the “children of Israel” (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the “house of Israel” (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).

This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(the prince that prevails with God). The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Who prevails with God, a name given to Jacob, after having wrestled with the Angel-Jehovah at Penuel. Ge 32:1,2,28,30 Ho 12:3. See JACOB. By the name Israel is sometimes understood all the posterity of Israel, the seed of Jacob, 1Co 10:18; sometimes all true believers, his spiritual seed, Ro 9:6; and sometimes the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes, as distinct from the kingdom of Judah.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
בַּלֶּ֣חֶםba.Le.chem with food H3899 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
298× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Amplified meaning
bread, sustenance
Tyndale gloss
food
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֶ֫חֶם (lechem) means bread or food, encompassing items like grain and provisions for both humans and animals. It is derived from a related root and is used in various contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its primary association with bread, though they also acknowledge its broader meaning as food.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3899 lechem lekh'-em

from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or

grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit,

loaf, meat, victuals. See also 1036.

see HEBREW for 03898

see HEBREW for 01036

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food.

: food(eating)

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: bread.

: bread/loaf

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: allowance.

: allowance

1) bread, food, grain

1a) bread

1a1) bread

1a2) bread-corn

1b) food (in general)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

food:

I. VEGETABLE FOODS

1. Primitive Habits

2. Cereals

3. Leguminous Plants

4. Food of Trees

II. ANIMAL FOOD

LITERATURE

In a previous article (see BREAD) it has been shown that in the Bible "bread" usually stands for food in general and how this came to be so. In a complementary article on MEALS the methods of preparing and serving food will be dealt with. This article is devoted specifically to the foodstuffs of the Orient, more especially to articles of food in use among the Hebrews in Bible times. These are divisible into two main classes.

I. Vegetable Foods.

1. Primitive Habits:

Orientals in general are vegetarians, rather than flesh eaters. There is some reason to believe that primitive man was a vegetarian (see Ge 2:16; 3:2,6). It would seem, indeed, from a comparison of Ge 1:29 f…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Food

Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man (Gen. 1:29), with the exception mentioned (2:17). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9:2-5). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Gen. 18:6-8; 25:34; 27:3, 4; 43:11. Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:5. In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails (Ex.…

The diet of eastern nations has been in all ages light and simple. Vegetable food was more used than animal. The Hebrews used a great variety of articles, (John 21:5) to give a relish to bread. Milk and its preparations hold a conspicuous place in eastern diet, as affording substantial nourishment; generally int he form of the modern leben , i.e. sour milk. Authorized Version "butter;" (Genesis 18:8; Judges 5:25; 2 Samuel 17:29) Fruit was another source of subsistence: figs stood first in point of importance; they were generally dried and pressed into cakes. Grapes were generally eaten in a dried state as raisins. Of vegetables we have most frequent notice of lentils…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables. But throughout the East, vegetable food is more used than animal. Bread was the principal food. Grain of various kinds, beans, lentils, onions, grapes, together with olive oil, honey, and the milk of goats and cows were the ordinary fare. The wandering Arabs live much upon a coarse black bread. A very common dish in Syria is rice, with shreds of meat, vegetables, olive oil, etc., intermixed. A similar dish, made with beans, lentils, and various kinds of pulse, was in frequent use at an earlier age, Ge 25:29-34 2Ki 4:38-1.

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
וּבַמָּ֑יִםu.va.Ma.yim and with water H4325 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
581× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
refreshment, spiritual nourishment
Tyndale gloss
Water (Gate)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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)).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HC/Rd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):

(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.

(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.

(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See CISTERN and WELLS.

In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5

→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9

→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11

→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20

→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5

→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22

→ Libation of 1Sa 7:6

→ Irrigation with

See IRRIGATION

→ Miraculously supplied

To the Israelites Ex 17:1,6; Nu 20:11

To Samson Jud 15:19

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- One of the elements of the world

Ge 1:2

- GOD ORIGINALLY

. Created the firmament to divide

Ge 1:6,7

. Collected into one place

Ge 1:9

. Created fowls and fishes, &c from

Ge 1:20,21

- Necessary to vegetation

Ge 2:5,6; Job 14:9; Isa 1:30

- Some plants particularly require

Job 8:11

- Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man

Isa 41:17; Zec 9:11

- COLLECTED IN

. Springs

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨רvai.yis.Kor and he had hired H7936 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hire someone or be hired, as seen in the story of Jacob hiring himself out to Laban in Genesis 29. This word is about working for pay. It appears in various forms, such as earning wages or rewarding someone.
Amplified meaning
paid, employed
Tyndale gloss
to hire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָכַר (sakar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to hire.' It can refer to hiring someone, hiring oneself out, or earning wages. The entries indicate its use primarily in the Qal stem, with a reference to Ezra 4:5. The word is built from a primitive root related to the concept of temporary purchase.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[סָכַר] vb. hire;—only Qal Ezr 4:5

ref

שָׂכַר vb. hire

Qal hire

Niph. hire oneself out

Hithp. earn wages

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7936a סָכַר hire H7936b שָׂכַר hire .hire

. hire oneself out

. earn wages

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7936 sakar saw-kar'

or (by permutation) cakar (Ezra 4:5) {saw-kar'}; a primitive

root (apparently akin (by prosthesis) to 3739 through the idea

of temporary purchase; compare 7937); to hire:--earn wages,

hire (out self), reward, X surely.

see HEBREW for 03739

see HEBREW for 07937

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָכַר (sa.khar) — to hire.

1) to hire

1a) (Qal) to hire

שָׂכַר (sa.khar) — to hire.

1) to hire

1a) (Qal) to hire

1b) (Niphal) to hire oneself out

1c) (Hithpael) to earn wages

Also means: sa.khar (סָכַר "to hire" H7936A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
עָלָ֤יו'a.Lav on it H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
to harm, destroy
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
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
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
בִּלְעָם֙bil.'Am Balaam H1109 Noun proper masculine
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Balaam was a prophet from Mesopotamia, also the name of a place in Palestine. He is known for trying to curse the Israelites in the book of Numbers.
Amplified meaning
a prophet, diviner
Tyndale gloss
Balaam
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּלְעָם (Bil`am) refers to both a Mesopotamian prophet known for his prophetic abilities and a town in Manasseh. The name is interpreted as meaning 'not of the people.' The entries indicate that it is derived from two Hebrew roots, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּלְעָם n.pr.m. Balaam

base

בִּלְעָם n.pr.loc. town in Manasseh 1 Ch 6:55

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1109a בִּלְעָם Balaam H1109b בִּלְעָם town in Manasseh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1109 Bil`am bil-awm'

probably from 1077 and 5971; not (of the) people, i.e.

foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in

Palestine:--Balaam, Bileam.

see HEBREW for 01077

see HEBREW for 05971

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּלְעָם (bil.am) — Balaam.

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5;

son of: Beor (H1160H)

Also named: Balaam (Βαλαάμ "Balaam" G0903)

§ Balaam = "not of the people"

the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy

בִּלְעָם (bil.am) — Bileam.

Balaam = "not of the people"

a town in Manasseh

Another name of yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)

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

ba'-lam bil`am, ("devourer"): The son of Beor, from a city in Mesopotamia called Pethor, a man possessing the gift of prophecy, whose remarkable history may be found in Nu 22:2-24:25; compare Num 31:8,16; De 23:4; Jos 13:22; 24:9; Ne 13:2; Mic 6:5; 2Pe 2:15; Jude 1:11; Re 2:14.

1. History:

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Balaam

Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam “from Aram, out of the mountains of the east,” to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil Balak’s wish, however desirous he was to do so. The…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(B.C. 1451), the son of beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy. (Numbers 22:5) He is mentioned in conjunction with the five kings of Midian, apparently as a person of the same rank. (Numbers 31:8) cf. Numb 31:16 He seems to have lived at Pethor, (23:4; Numbers 22:5) on the river Euphrates, in Mesopotamia. Such was his reputation that when the Israelites were encamped in the plains of Moab, Balak, the king of Moab, sent for Balaam to curse them. Balaam at first was prohibited by God from going. He was again sent for by the king and again refused, but was at length allowed to go. He yielded to the temptations of riches and honor which Balak set before him; but God’s anger was kindled at this manifestation of determined…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A celebrated diviner, of the city Pethor, on the Euphrates, Nu 22:5. Balak, king of Moab, having seen the multitudes of Israel, and fearing they would attack his country, sent for Balaam, who was famous for his supposed supernatural powers, to come and curse them. Balaam, though eager for gain, was led to ask counsel of God, who forbade his going. Balak afterwards sent other deputies, whom Balaam finally accompanied without the approval of God, who sent an angel to meet and warn him in the way. Here occurred the miracle of Balaam’s ass, Nu 22:22,35. But instead of cursing, he was constrained by the Spirit of God to bless the children of Israel. This he did a second and a third time, to the extreme mortification of Balak, who dismissed him in great anger. Balaam subsequently…

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
לְקַֽלְל֔וֹle.ka.Lo to curse it H7043 Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common · suffix
82× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word qalal means to make something light or easy, but it can also mean to curse or bring into contempt. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Exodus and Psalms.
Amplified meaning
invoke, pronounce, condemnation, evil
Tyndale gloss
to lighten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָלַל (qalal) is a primitive root meaning to be light or trifling, covering a range of senses from being swift to being of little account. It can also mean to curse or treat with contempt. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances such as making light or being lightly esteemed.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָלַל] 82 vb. be slight, swift, trifling

Qal

be slight, of water, be abated

be swift

trifling, i.e. of little account

Niph.

shew oneself swift

appear trifling

be lightly esteemed

Pi. curse (prop. make contemptible)

Pu. be cursed

Hiph.

make light, lighten

treat with contempt

Pilp.

shake

(peculiarly) whet

Hithpalp. reflex. of 1: hills shook themselves

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7043 קָלַל be slight, swift, trifling .. be slight, of water, be abated

. be swift

. trifling, i.e. of little account

. . shew oneself swift

. appear trifling

. be lightly esteemed

. curse (prop. make contemptible)

. be cursed

. . make light, lighten

. treat with contempt

. . shake

. (peculiarly) whet

. reflex. of 1: hills shook themselves

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7043 qalal kaw-lal'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally

(swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling,

vile, etc.):--abate, make bright, bring into contempt,

(ac-)curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make

somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly

afflict, -ly esteem, thing), X slight(-ly), be swift(-er),

(be, be more, make, re-)vile, whet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָלַל (qa.lal) — to lighten.

1) to be slight, be swift, be trifling, be of little account, be light

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be slight, be abated (of water)

1a2) to be swift

1a3) to be trifling, be of little account

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be swift, show oneself swift

1b2) to appear trifling, be too trifling, be insignificant

1b3) to be lightly esteemed

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to make despicable

1c2) to curse

1d) (Pual) to be cursed

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to make light, lighten

1e2) to treat with contempt, bring contempt or dishonour

1f) (Pilpel)

1f1) to shake

1f2) to whet

1g) (Hithpalpel) to shake oneself, be moved to and fro

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vpcc/Sp3ms
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְvai.ya.ha.Fokh and he turned H2015 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To overturn means to turn something around or change it completely, often implying a reversal or transformation. This can be seen in the Bible when something is turned upside down or changed radically.
Amplified meaning
overturned, transformed
Tyndale gloss
to overturn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָפַךְ (haphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn or overturn, with implications of change and transformation. It can describe actions like turning back, being reversed, or even being perverse. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, including reflexive and passive uses, indicating a wide range of applications in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָפַךְ vb. turn, overturn

Qal

trans.

turn, turn about, turn over

overturn, overthrow

turn = change, transform

intrans.

turn, turn back

turn = change, change into

Niph.

reflex. & intrans.

turn oneself, turn, turn back

turn = change (oneself)

be perverse

pass.

be turned, turn over to

be reversed

be turned, changed

be overturned, overthrown

be upturned, of subterran. work of miners

Hithp.

turn this way & that, every way

transform oneself

Hoph. there have been turned upon me terrors

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2015 הָפַךְ turn, overturn .. trans. . turn, turn about, turn over

. overturn, overthrow

. turn = change, transform

. intrans. . turn, turn back

. turn = change, change into

. . reflex. & intrans. . turn oneself, turn, turn back

. turn = change (oneself)

. be perverse

. pass. . be turned, turn over to

. be reversed

. be turned, changed

. be overturned, overthrown

. be upturned, of subterran. work of miners

. . turn this way & that, every way

. transform oneself

. there have been turned upon me terrors

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2015 haphak haw-fak'

a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to

change, overturn, return, pervert:--X become, change, come, be

converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse,

retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary,

every way).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָפַךְ (ha.phakh) — to overturn.

1) to turn, overthrow, overturn

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to overturn, overthrow

1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around

1a3) to change, transform

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back

1b2) to change oneself

1b3) to be perverse

1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against

1b5) to be reversed

1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown

1b7) to be upturned

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to transform oneself

1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way

1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ'e.lo.Hei.nu God our H430 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the supreme Creator
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bp
for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
הַקְּלָלָ֖הha.ke.la.Lah the curse H7045 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a curse, which is a wish for harm or evil to come to someone. It is used in many places, including the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy. Curses were taken seriously in biblical times.
Amplified meaning
evil, harm
Tyndale gloss
curse
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קְלָלָה (qlalah) means 'curse' and is derived from the root word for vilification. It encompasses meanings related to cursing, vilification, and execration. The term appears in contexts of condemnation and negative speech.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קְלָלָה 33 n.f. curse

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7045 קְלָלָה curse

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7045 qlalah kel-aw-law'

from 7043; vilification:--(ac-)curse(-d, - ing).

see HEBREW for 07043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קְלָלָה (qe.la.lah) — curse.

curse, vilification, execration

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

kurs ('alah (Nu 5:21,23,17, etc.), me'erah (Pr 3:33; Mal 2:2, etc.), klalah (Ge 27:12,13); katara (Ga 3:10,13)): This word as noun and verb renders different Hebrew words, some of them being more or less synonymous, differing only in degree of strength. It is often used in contrast with "bless" or "blessing" (De 11:29). When a curse is pronounced against any person, we are not to understand this as a mere wish, however violent, that disaster should overtake the person in question, any more than we are to understand that a corresponding "blessing" conveys simply a wish…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Curse

Denounced by God against the serpent (Gen. 3:14), and against Cain (4:11). These divine maledictions carried their effect with them. Prophetical curses were sometimes pronounced by holy men (Gen. 9:25; 49:7; Deut. 27:15; Josh. 6:26). Such curses are not the consequence of passion or revenge, they are predictions.

No one on pain of death shall curse father or mother (Ex. 21:17), nor the prince of his people (22:28), nor the deaf (Lev. 19:14). Cursing God or blaspheming was punishable by death (Lev. 24:10-16).…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Denounced

Against the serpent Ge 3:14,15

Against Adam and Eve Ge 3:15-19

Against the ground Ge 3:17,18

Against Cain Ge 4:11-16

Against Canaan, Noah's son Ge 9:24-27

Against Meroz Jud 5:23

Against Gehazi 2Ki 5:27

→ Barak commands Balaam to curse Israel Nu 22:6; 23:11

→ See BENEDICTIONS

→ CURSES OF THE MOSAIC LAW De 27:1-26; Jos 8:30-34

See BLESSINGS

for not they had met the object marker [the] people of Israel with food and with water and he had hired on it the object marker Balaam to curse it and he turned God our the curse into blessing
לִבְרָכָֽה׃liv.ra.Khah into blessing H1293 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
69× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a blessing is a gift from God, bringing prosperity and praise. It appears in Genesis and Psalms, where people bless God and each other. This concept is central to Jewish and Christian traditions.
Amplified meaning
prosperity, divine favor
Tyndale gloss
blessing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּרָכָה (berakah) means 'blessing' and encompasses a range of meanings including prosperity, praise of God, gifts, and treaties of peace. It is derived from the root word for 'to bless.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּרָכָה n.f. blessing

blessing

source of blessing

blessing, prosperity

blessing, praise of God

a gift, present

treaty of peace

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1293 בְּרָכָה blessing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1293 Brakah ber-aw-kaw'

from 1288; benediction; by implication prosperity:--blessing,

liberal, pool, present.

see HEBREW for 01288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּרָכָה (be.ra.khah) — blessing.

1) blessing

2) (source of) blessing

3) blessing, prosperity

4) blessing, praise of God

5) a gift, present

6) treaty of peace

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(berakhah; eulogia): Sometimes means the form of words used in invoking the bestowal of good, as in De 33:1; Jos 8:34; and Jas 3:10. Sometimes it means the good or the benefit itself which has been conferred, as in Ge 27:36, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" and Pr 10:22, "The blessing of Yahweh, it maketh rich." "The cup of blessing" (to poterion tes eulogias, a special use of the word in 1Co 10:16), means the cup for which we bless God, or which represents to us so much blessin g from God.

James M. Gray

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Referring both to God and to man. When God blesses, he bestows that efficacy which renders his blessing effectual. His blessings are either temporal or spiritual, bodily or mental; but in every thing they really convey the good which they import, Nu 6:23-27. The blessings of men to other men, unless they be inspired prophecies, as in Ge 32:32 De 33:1 1:1-29, are only good wishes, personal or official, and as it were a peculiar kind of prayer to the Author of all good for the welfare of the subject of them. Blessing, on the part of man towards God, is an act of thanks-giving for his mercies, Ps 103:1; or rather, for that special mercy which at the time occasions the act of…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ For blessing before eating, see PRAYER

→ See THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER BEFORE TAKING FOOD

→ See also BENEDICTIONS

→ RESPONSIVE BLESSINGS OF THE LAW De 28:1-14

For the responsive curses of the law, see CURSE

→ CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE Ex 15:26; 19:5; 20:6; 23:22; Le 26:3-43; De 4:1,40; 5:10,29; 7:9,12-15; 11:26-28; 12:28; 15:4,5; 28:1-14; 29:9; 30:1-10,15-20; Jos 1:8; 1Ki 2:3,4; 3:14; 8:23; 9:3-9; 1Ch 22:13; 28:7,8; 2Ch 7:17-22; 26:5; 27:6; 30:9; 31:10;

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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