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Nehemiah 6:15 — Word Study

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WLCוַתִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם׃ פ

BSASo the wallchôwmâh [of protection, a barrier] was completedshâlam [finished] in fifty-twochămishshîym daysyôwm [a relatively short period] on the twenty-fifthʻesrîym of ElulʼĔlûwl [the sixth month, a time of preparation]

Word
Listen & take awayNehemiah 6
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 15 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 (Yom) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Nehemiah 6:15quick helps
In a sentenceNehemiah reports the successful completion of the wall in a remarkably short time.
Who is speakingNehemiah, recounting the events to emphasize God's help.
Where we areThe conclusion of the wall-building project, a significant achievement for the people.
The hard wordשָׁלֵם
Take awayThe wall was completed swiftly, marking a moment of divine accomplishment.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbשָׁלֵם The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 8 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 6:15

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 Completion of the Wallgenerated

14O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me.
15So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.
16When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and disheartened, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.
17Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came back to them.

Nehemiah 6:15 describes the moment when the wall around Jerusalem was completed in just fifty-two days. This achievement was a source of pride and relief for the Israelites, who faced opposition and challenges throughout the rebuilding process. The successful completion of the wall not only provided physical protection but also restored hope and unity among the people, as seen in the surrounding verses that reflect on their enemies' fear upon hearing the news.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Ezra 6:15And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
2Psalm 1:3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
3Daniel 9:25Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
4Nehemiah 4:1–2Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שָׁלֵם, va.tish.Lamgenerated

The verb שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Qal sequential imperfect form, indicating an action that has been completed. Its root meaning encompasses the ideas of being whole, complete, or at peace. In this context, it signifies the successful finishing of the wall, a task that required effort and determination.

In biblical usage, שָׁלֵם can also imply a sense of safety and harmony, suggesting that the completion of the wall brought a new era of security for the people of Jerusalem. The verb emphasizes not just the act of finishing, but the restoration of peace and protection for the community.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study uses the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which translates the key verb as completed.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ (va.tishlam) governs the sentence, indicating the action of completion. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, a prepositional phrase indicating the time, and numeral phrases detailing the duration and date of completion.

The sentence's structure highlights the swift accomplishment of the task, with a clear focus on the wall as the subject and the time frame emphasized by the numeral phrases.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שָׁלֵם with the Greek word ἐτελέσθη (etelesthē), which means 'was completed.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning of completion, emphasizing the successful conclusion of the wall's construction.

The use of ἐτελέσθη suggests a focus on the finality of the action, aligning with the Hebrew sense of achieving peace and safety through the completed structure.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Nehemiah 6:15 tells us that the wall around Jerusalem was completed in just fifty-two days, specifically on the twenty-fifth of Elul. This achievement was significant for the people, providing them with protection and a renewed sense of security.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the completion of the wall signify?

The completion represents not only a physical barrier for protection but also a restoration of hope and unity among the Israelites.

Why was the time frame of fifty-two days important?

The quick completion of the wall in fifty-two days demonstrated God's assistance and the determination of the people despite opposition.

What is the significance of the month Elul?

Elul is the sixth month of the Jewish calendar, often associated with preparation and reflection before the high holy days.

How did the surrounding nations react to the news of the wall's completion?

The surrounding nations were afraid and disheartened, realizing that the task had been accomplished by God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the completion of the wall teach us about perseverance in the face of challenges?
  2. How can we apply the lessons of unity and protection from this event to our own communities?
  3. In what ways can we prepare ourselves spiritually, similar to the significance of the month Elul?
  4. How do we recognize and respond to God's help in our own lives, as seen in Nehemiah's experience?

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

Bede comments on the completion of the wall, noting its significance in the context of the Jewish calendar.

BedeCommentary on Ezra and Nehemiah c. 673–735
Now the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, etc. The month Elul, according to the Hebrews, is the sixth month of the year, which the Romans call September.
Early Church Fathers on Nehemiah 6 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Nehemiah 6:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

So the wall was finished in the twenty fifth day of the month Elul,.... The sixth month, answering to part of August and part of September: in fifty and two days; which Aben Ezra reckons from the

Read John Gill on Nehemiah 6 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The month Elul; answering part to our August and part to September. In fifty and two days; to be computed, either, 1. From the time of Sanballat’ s sending this letter to him; or, 2. As most judge, from the beginning of the work; which though a great thing, yet it is not at all incredible, considering, 1. That the walls and gates were not wholly pulled down by the Chaldeans; for to what purpose should they make that waste of time and labour? 2. That where the walls were thrown down, yet the materials remained, which they now used. 3. That in the building of the walls they minded not curiosity, but only strength and safety. 4. The great numbers of the builders, and the prudent distribution…

Read Matthew Poole on Nehemiah 6 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty and two days.Ver. 15. So the wall was finished] Though with much ado, and maugre the malice of all foreign and internal enemies. So shall the work of grace in men’ s hearts: it is perfected there by opposition, and grows gradually, but constantly and infallibly. In the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul] Which was their sixth month, answering, mostly, to our August. This (saith Beda) answered both unto the six days of God’ s working to make the world, after which a rest followed, and to the everlasting rest in heaven after six ages of the world, spent in toil and labour! In fifty and two…

Read John Trapp on Nehemiah 6 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15, 16) The finishing of the wall is recorded in the implest manner: first, with a formal specification of the date and time; then in its effect upon the enemies, and as redounding to the glory of God.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Nehemiah 6 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 15. The twenty and fifth - of - Elul] This Jewish month answers to a part of our August and September. Fifty and two days.] I see no difficulty in supposing that several thousand workmen, each of whom was working as for God, should be able to complete this wall in fifty-two days. There is little doubt that several parts of the old wall were entire; in many places the foundations still remained; there were all the materials of the old wall still at hand; and though they had to clear and carry away much rubbish, yet they do not appear to have had any stones to quarry. The work mentioned here was little when compared to what Caesar did in Gaul and other places; and to what Titus did at…

Read AdamClarke on Nehemiah 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15–19. The Completion of the Wall (Nehemiah 6:15); and the impression produced (Nehemiah 6:16): treasonable correspondence (Nehemiah 6:17-19)15. Elul] This month, which is the same as the Assyrian U-lu-lu, corresponds to the end of August and beginning of September. It is mentioned in 1Ma 14:27. The 25th of Elul would be September 444. Elul, the 6th of the sacred year, was the last month of the civil year. in fifty and two days] Nehemiah is evidently calling attention to the remarkable rapidity with which the wall was built. But though a remarkable performance, there is nothing incredible in it; and the suggestion to append to the text ‘and two years’ (so Ewald) would give a period of time…

Read Cambridge on Nehemiah 6 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Elul - The sixth month, corresponding to the latter part of August and the beginning of September. In fifty and two days - Josephus states that the repairs of the wall occupied two years and four months.

Read Albert Barnes on Nehemiah 6 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

15. Elul — The sixth month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our September. Fifty and two days back from the twenty-fifth of Elul would bring us to the third of the preceding month, Ab.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Nehemiah 6 →

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

So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.

NETBNew English Translation2006

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in just fifty-two days.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

RVARevised Version, American1894

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Notwithstanding the wall was finished on the fiue and twentieth day of Elul, in two and fiftie dayes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the wall is completed in the twenty and fifth of Elul, on the fifty and second day;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the wall is completed in the twenty-fifth of Elul, on the fifty-second day;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And so was the wall finished on the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul, after fifty-two days.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But the wall was finished the five and twentieth day of the month of Elul, in two and fifty days.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. It took fifty-two days.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So the wall was complete on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.

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.

וַandclauseverbתִּשְׁלַם֙it.was.completenoun phrase · subjectהַֽtheחוֹמָ֔הwallprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּon.[day]numeral phrasenumeral phraseעֶשְׂרִ֥יםtwentyוַandחֲמִשָּׁ֖הfiveprepositional phraseלֶofאֱל֑וּלElulprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtonoun phrasenumeral phraseחֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftyוּandשְׁנַ֖יִםtwoיֽוֹםday[s]

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with seven of the eight words matching. The Septuagint's phrasing may vary, but the core meaning remains consistent with the Hebrew text.

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

וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ἐτελέσθηהַֽחוֹמָ֔הτεῖξοςוַחֲמִשָּׁ֖הκαὶלֶאֱל֑וּלελουλלַחֲמִשִּׁ֥יםπεντήκονταוּשְׁנַ֖יִםδύοיֽוֹם׃ פἡμέρας

7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 6:15שָׁלֵםand it was and it was compשָׁלֵםחוֹמָהthe wallthe wallחוֹמָהעֶשְׂרִיםon [day] twon [day] twentyעֶשְׂרִיםחָמֵשׁand fiveand fiveחָמֵשׁאֱלוּלof Elulof Elulאֱלוּלחֲמִשִּׁיםto fiftyto fiftyחֲמִשִּׁיםשְׁנַ֫יִםand twoand twoשְׁנַ֫יִםיוֹםday[s]day[s]יוֹםעֶשֶׂרtentenעֶשֶׂרחָמֵשׁfivefiveחָמֵשׁשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִיאַמָּהcubitcubitאַמָּהנֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶרמִגְדָּלtowertowerמִגְדָּלרֹ֫חַבwidthwidthרֹ֫חַבכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂמֵאָהhundredhundredמֵאָהעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִישַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּת
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 6:15

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.

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
וַתִּשְׁלַם֙va.tish.Lam and it was complete H7999 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
116× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Amplified meaning
finished
Tyndale gloss
to complete
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Hebrew root meaning to be complete or sound, covering a range of meanings from finishing or restoring to making peace. It can refer to being uninjured, completing a task, or making recompense. The verb also has a denominative form indicating a covenant of peace, suggesting relationships of harmony and safety.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁלֵם] 103 vb. be complete, sound

Qal

be complete, finished, ended

be sound, uninjured

Pi.

complete, finish, temple

make safe

make whole or good, restore

make good, i.e. pay, vows

requite, recompense, reward

Pu.

be performed, of vow

be repaid, requited

Hiph.

complete, perform

make an end of

base

[שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace

Qal be at peace

Pu. Pt. one in covt. of peace

Hiph.

make peace with

cause to be at peace

Hoph. live at peace with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7999a שָׁלֵם be complete, sound .. be complete, finished, ended

. be sound, uninjured

. . complete, finish, temple

. make safe

. make whole or good, restore

. make good, i.e. pay, vows

. requite, recompense, reward

. . be performed, of vow

. be repaid, requited

. . complete, perform

. make an end of

H7999b [שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace .be at peace

. Pt. one in covt. of peace

. . make peace with

. cause to be at peace

. live at peace with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7999 shalam shaw-lam'

a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate);

figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by

implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in

various applications):--make amends, (make an) end, finish,

full, give again, make good, (re-)pay (again), (make) (to) (be

at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make)

prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution,

restore, reward, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) — to complete.

1) to be complete, be sound

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended

1a2) to be sound, be uninjured

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to complete, finish

1b2) to make safe

1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation

1b4) to make good, pay

1b5) to requite, recompense, reward

1c) (Pual)

1c1) to be performed

1c2) to be repaid, be requited

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to complete, perform

1d2) to make an end of

Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)

שָׁלַם (sha.lam) — to ally.

1) to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be at peace

1a2) peaceful one (participle)

1b) (Pual) one in covenant of peace (participle)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make peace with

1c2) to cause to be at peace

1d) (Hophal) to live in peace

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kom-plet': In the King James Version for pleroo, the verb ordinarily used for the coming to pass of what had been predicted. the King James Version translates this "complete" in Col 2:10; 4:12 to express the final and entire attainment of what is treated, leaving nothing beyond to be desired or hoped for; otherwise rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) ("made full"). In the Revised Version (British and American), c. appears once for Greek artios, from aro, "to join," in 2Ti 3:17, in sense of "accurately fitted for," where the King James Version has "perfect."

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
הַֽחוֹמָ֔הha.cho.Mah the wall H2346 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Amplified meaning
of protection, a barrier
Tyndale gloss
wall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חוֹמָה (chowmah) refers to a wall, typically understood as a protective barrier. It is derived from a root meaning to join, and is often used to describe city walls or the walls of buildings. The term can also be applied figuratively, such as in reference to the waters of the Red Sea.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חוֹמָה 133 n.f. wall (as protection)

usu. term for wall of city

wall of a building

fig. of waters of Red Sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2346 חוֹמָה wall (as protection)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2346 chowmah kho-maw'

feminine active participle of an unused root apparently

meaning to join; a wall of protection:--wall, walled.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — wall.

wall

חוֹמָה (cho.mah) — (Broad) Wall.

wall

Combined with ra.chav (רָחָב "Broad" H7342)

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

wol.

See ARCHITECTURE; CITY; FORTIFICATION; HOUSE; JERUSALEM; VILLAGE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wall

Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from “unwalled villages” (Ezek. 38:11; Lev. 25:29-34). They were made thick and strong (Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5). Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size (1 Kings 6:7; 7:9-12; 20:30; Mark 13:1, 2). The term is used metaphorically of security and safety (Isa. 26:1; 60:18; Rev. 21:12-20). (See FENCE.)

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥יםbe.'es.Rim on [day] twenty H6242 Preposition
315× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Tyndale gloss
twenty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶשְׂרִים (esriym) means 'twenty' and can also refer to the ordinal 'twentieth.' It is derived from the root word for 'ten' and has an Aramaic equivalent, עֶשְׂרִין (es.rin). The entries consistently define the term without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶשְׂרִים (a) twenty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6242 עֶשְׂרִים (a) twenty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6242 `esriym es-reem'

from 6235; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth:--(six-)score,

twenty(-ieth).

see HEBREW for 06235

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶשְׂרִים (es.rim) — twenty.

twenty, twentieth

Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Acmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

twen'-ti.

See NUMBER.

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖הva.cha.mi.Shah and five H2568 Conjunction
343× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Tyndale gloss
five
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָמֵשׁ (chamesh) means 'five' in Hebrew. It serves as both a cardinal number and can indicate a multiple of five when combined with another number. The word also has an ordinal form, 'fifth.' The entries consistently define this numeral without any noted disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָמֵשׁ, חֲמִשָּׁה 342 n.m. and f. five

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2568 חָמֵשׁ, חֲמִשָּׁה five

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2568 chamesh khaw-maysh'

masculine chamishshah {kham-ish-shaw}; a primitive numeral;

five:--fif(-teen), fifth, five (X apiece).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָמֵשׁ (cha.mesh) — five.

1) five

1a) five (cardinal number)

1b) a multiple of five (with another number)

1c) fifth (ordinal number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Acbsa — Conjunction
HC/Acbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fiv (chamesh; pente).

See NUMBER.

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
לֶאֱל֑וּלle.'e.Lul of Elul H435 Preposition · noun proper
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Elul is the sixth month of the Jewish calendar, which usually falls in August or September. This month is significant in Jewish history and is mentioned in the Bible as a time of preparation for the high holy days. It is a period of reflection and repentance.
Amplified meaning
the sixth month, a time of preparation
Tyndale gloss
Elul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלוּל (Eluwl) refers to the sixth month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to August or September. It is noted in Nehemiah 6:15. The word is likely of foreign origin, and some sources suggest it means 'nothingness.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלוּל n.pr. of 6th month, Aug.-Sept. Ne 6:15

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H435 אֱלוּל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

435 'Eluwl el-ool'

probably of foreign derivation; Elul, the sixth Jewish

month:--Elul.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלוּל (e.lul) — Elul.

§ Elul = "nothingness"

sixth Jewish month corresponding to modern Aug. or Sep.

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

e'-lul, e-lool' ('elul, Ne 6:15; Eloul, /APC 1Macc 14:27):

The 6th month of the Hebrew year, corresponding to August-September. The derivation is uncertain.

See TIME.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Elul

(Neh. 6:15), the name of the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year, and the twelfth of the civil year. It began with the new moon of our August and September, and consisted of twenty-nine days.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(vine; gleaning). (Nehemiah 6:15) 1Macc 14:27. [MONTH]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Hebrew month, the twelfth of the civil year, and sixth of the ecclesiastical, Ne 6:15. It included the time from the new moon of September to that of October.

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥יםla.cha.mi.Shim to fifty H2572 Preposition
163× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Tyndale gloss
fifty
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲמִשִּׁים (chamishshiym) means 'fifty' and is a cardinal number. It can also refer to a multiple of fifty or the ordinal number 'fiftieth.' The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant variation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲמִשִּׁים 164 n.pl. (a) fifty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2572 חֲמִשִּׁים (a) fifty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2572 chamishshiym kham-ish-sheem'

multiple of 2568; fifty:--fifty.

see HEBREW for 02568

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמִשִּׁים (cha.mish.shim) — fifty.

1) fifty

1a) fifty (cardinal number)

1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers)

1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Acmpa
and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
וּשְׁנַ֖יִםu.she.Na.yim and two H8147 Conjunction
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Acbda — Conjunction
HC/Acbda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

and it was complete the wall on [day] twenty and five of Elul to fifty and two day[s]
יֽוֹם׃ פYom day[s] H3117 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
a relatively short period
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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