Numbers 23:28 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּקַּ֥ח בָּלָ֖ק אֶת־ בִּלְעָ֑ם רֹ֣אשׁ הַפְּע֔וֹר הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף עַל־ פְּנֵ֥י הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃
BSAAnd BalakBâlâq [the king of Moab] tooklâqach▸ [got, brought] BalaamBilʻâm [a prophet from Mesopotamia] to the toprôʼsh [head, summit] of PeorPᵉʻôwr [a mountain east of the Jordan River] which overlooksshâqaph [gazes down, looks down upon] the wastelandyᵉshîymôwn [wilderness, desert, a desolate place]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּקַּ֥ח | and he took | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בָּלָ֖ק | Balak | Noun proper masculine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| בִּלְעָ֑ם | Balaam | Noun proper masculine |
| רֹ֣אשׁ | [the] top of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַפְּע֔וֹר | Peor | Particle, noun proper |
| הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף | which looks down | Particle, verb niphal participle (active) masculine singular |
| עַל־ | over | Preposition |
| פְּנֵ֥י | [the] face of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃ | the desolate place | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. |
| KJV | And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. |
| ASV | And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert. |
| YLT | And Balak taketh Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness, |
| WEB | Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert. |
| BBE | So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, looking down over the waste land. |
Where they part company is יְשִׁימֹן — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main action followed by a series of descriptors that clarify the subject and the location, emphasizing the significance of Peor.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectבָּלָק
verbלָקַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 — Numbers 23:28
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 Journey of Balak and Balaamgenerated
Numbers 23:28 describes Balak's actions as he leads Balaam to a vantage point on the mountain Peor, intending to see the Israelites from a distance. This moment highlights the tension between the Moabite king and the Israelites, emphasizing Balak's desire to manipulate Balaam's prophetic abilities for his own ends. The surrounding context includes Balak's attempts to persuade Balaam to curse the Israelites, showcasing the conflict between divine intention and human schemes.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 21:20 | and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְשִׁימֹן, hay.shi.Mongenerated
The word יְשִׁימֹן (*yeshimon*) refers to a desolate or wilderness area. It is derived from a root meaning 'to be desolate' and signifies a place that is empty or uninhabited.
In this verse, it describes the wasteland that Peor overlooks, emphasizing the starkness of the landscape and perhaps the futility of Balak's plans against the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is וַיִּקַּ֥ח, and he took, which governs the action of Balak leading Balaam. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, Balak, and several noun phrases that describe the object and location.
The sentence flows from the action of taking to the specific location, with the prepositional phrase עַל־ indicating the position of the top of Peor in relation to the wasteland.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word παρέλαβεν (*parelaben*) for וַיִּקַּ֥ח, indicating a similar meaning of taking or receiving. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew intent but may carry a slightly different nuance in the Greek context.
The term ἔρημον (*erēmon*) is used for יְשִׁימֹן, which translates to 'desolate' or 'wilderness', emphasizing the barrenness of the area that Balak and Balaam are observing.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 23:28 tells us that Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, a mountain that overlooks a desolate area. This action is part of Balak's attempt to have Balaam curse the Israelites, showing the tension between the Moabite king and God's people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Balak's action signifies his desperation and determination to find a way to defeat the Israelites by seeking the help of Balaam, a prophet.
Peor represents a strategic location for Balak's plans, as it provides a vantage point to observe the Israelites and attempt to curse them.
The wasteland highlights the desolation and emptiness, contrasting with the thriving community of Israelites, and symbolizes the futility of Balak's intentions.
This verse is part of the larger narrative where Balak seeks to use Balaam's prophetic power to curse the Israelites, which ultimately leads to unexpected blessings instead.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this scene reveal about Balak's character and intentions?
- How does the setting of Peor influence the events that unfold in the narrative?
- In what ways can we see parallels between Balak's attempts and our own struggles against challenges?
- What lessons can we learn from Balaam's response to Balak's requests?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 23:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor,.... The name of an high mountain in Moab, so called from a gap or opening in it; here the idol Baal was worshipped, and from hence had the name of
Read John Gill on Numbers 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 23 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePeor, a high place called Beth-peor, , i.e. the house or temple of Peer, because there they worshipped Baal-peor.
Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 23 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsNumbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.Ver. 28. Unto the top of Peor.] An idolatrous and therefore most unlikely place.
Read John Trapp on Numbers 23 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) Unto the top of Peor.—Mount Peor was one peak of the northern part of the mountains of Abarim. It was nearer than the other heights to the camp of the Israelites. It looked toward, or over the face of Jeshimon, i.e., the waste (or, desert). See Numbers 21:20.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Numbers 23 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. Unto the top of Peor] Probably the place where the famous Baal-peor had his chief temple. He appears to have been the Priapus of the Moabites, and to have been worshipped with the same obscene and abominable rites.
Read AdamClarke on Numbers 23 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. the top of the Peor &c.] An expression exactly parallel to that in Numbers 21:20 (see note). The site of ‘the Peor’ is unknown, but it was evidently in the neighbourhood of the Pisgah. And Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29; Deuteronomy 4:46; Deuteronomy 34:6, Joshua 13:20) cannot have been far distant, since it was evidently a sanctuary where the Baal or Lord of Peor (Numbers 25:3; Numbers 25:5) was worshipped. The LXX. equivalent for Peor is Phogôr; and Eusebius speaks of a mountain of that name opposite Jericho, and says that part of it was 7 miles from Heshbon. It should probably, therefore, be placed quite close to the Wady Ḥ ?eshbân .
Read Cambridge on Numbers 23 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe position of Peor northward from Pisgah, along the Abarim heights, is approximately determined by the extant notices of Beth-peor.
Read Albert Barnes on Numbers 23 →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
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness.
Tyndale line
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, that looketh towards Jeshimon.
So Balak brought Balaam vnto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Ieshmon.
Strictly literal
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, which looks over the surface of the waste.
And Balak taketh Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness,
And Balak takes Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness,
And Balak took Bil'am unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward the desert.
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wilderness.
From the Latin
And when he had brought him upon the top of mount Phogor, which looketh towards the wilderness,
Simplified
Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wastelands.
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, looking down over the waste land.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, 'And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.' The Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, matching 8 of the 10 words, although its specific wording and structure differ due to translation choices. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using the term 'ישׁמון' (Jeshimon) instead of 'הישימון' (the wasteland), indicating a variation in the name of the location. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q27) also reflect the Masoretic Text closely but include five words that are supplied by an editor, indicating some restoration work was done to complete the text. Overall, while there are minor differences, the core message remains consistent across these ancient witnesses.
וַיִּקַּ֥ח בָּלָ֖ק אֶת־ בִּלְעָ֑ם רֹ֣אשׁ הַפְּע֔וֹר הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף עַל־ פְּנֵ֥י הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃
8 of the 10 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.
ויקח בלק את בלעם ראשׁ הפעור הנשׁקף על פני הישׁמון
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: ישׁמון (Jeshimon)
[ויקח] [בלק] [את] [בלעם] [רואש] הפעור הנשקף על פני הישימון
5 words on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 23:28
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.
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
בָּלָק (Balaq) refers to Balak, a Moabite king known for hiring Balaam to curse Israel. The name is derived from a root meaning 'waster' or 'devastator.' He is first mentioned in Numbers 22:2, and his lineage is noted as the son of Zippor.
בָּלָק n.pr.m. (devastator) king of Moab
base
H1111 בָּלָק
1111 Balaq baw-lawk'
from 1110; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king:--Balak.
see HEBREW for 01110
בָּלָק (ba.laq) — Balak.
A man of the Moabites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.2;
son of: Zippor (H6834)
Also named: Balak (Βαλάκ "Balak" G0904)
§ Balak = "devastator"
a king of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Balak
Empty; spoiler, a son of Zippor, and king of the Moabites (Num. 22:2, 4). From fear of the Israelites, who were encamped near the confines of his territory, he applied to Balaam (q.v.) to curse them; but in vain (Josh. 24:9).
(spoiler), son of Zippor, king of the Moabites, who hired Balaam to curse the Israelites; but his designs were frustrated int he manner recorded in (Numbers 22:24) (B.C. 1451.)
King of Moab, when the Israelites were drawing near the promised land. He was filled with terror lest they should attack and destroy him, as they had Sihon and Og, and implored the soothsayer Balaam to come and curse them. His fears and his devices were both in vain, De 2:9. See BALAAM. He found he had nothing to fear from Israel if at peace with them, and nothing to hope if at war with them.
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).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
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
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)
HTo — ParticleHTo
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.
base
H1109a בִּלְעָם Balaam H1109b בִּלְעָם town in Manasseh
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
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)
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
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…
(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…
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…
רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.
רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.
(c. 230 t.) head, of human being
head, of animals
top (88 t.)
height, of stars
head = chief (man)
= chief (city)
chief nation
= chief (place, position)
= chief priest
= head of a family
head = front, leader's place
of time, beginning, of night watch
of things, river-heads
chief, choicest, best, of spices
head = division of army, company, band
= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
other phr.
base
רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh
base
H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being
. head, of animals
. . top (88 t.)
. height, of stars
. . head = chief (man)
. = chief (city)
. chief nation
. = chief (place, position)
. = chief priest
. = head of a family
. . head = front, leader's place
. of time, beginning, of night watch
. of things, river-heads
. chief, choicest, best, of spices
. head = division of army, company, band
. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
. other phr.
H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh
7218 ro'sh roshe
from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as
most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many
applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,
captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,
end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,
height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,
principal, ruler, sum, top.
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.
: head
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.
Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.
: leader
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.
: top/best
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
פְּעוֹר (Peor) refers to a mountain in Moab, part of the Abarim range, and is associated with a deity worshipped there. The name is derived from a root meaning 'gap' or 'cleft.' The entries consistently identify Peor as a geographical location and a deity, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
פְּעוֹר n.pr.
mont. in Moab
dei (appar.)
base
H6465 פְּעוֹר
6465 P`owr peh-ore'
from 6473; a gap; Peor, a mountain East of Jordan; also (for
1187) a deity worshipped there:--Peor. See also 1047.
see HEBREW for 06473
see HEBREW for 01187
see HEBREW for 01047
פְּעוֹר (pe.or) — Peor.
§ Peor = "cleft"
a mountain peak in Moab belonging to the Abarim range and near Pisgah
Art | N-proper — Particle · noun properHTd/Npl
pe'-or (ha-pe`or; Phogor):
(1) A mountain in the land of Moab, the last of the three heights to which Balaam was guided by Balak in order that he might curse Israel (Nu 23:28). It is placed by Eusebius, Onomasticon on the way between Livias and Heshbon, 7 Roman miles from the latter. Buhl would identify it with Jebel el-Mashaqqar, on which are the ruins of an old town, between Wady A`yun Musa and Wady Chesban.
Peor
Opening. (1.) A mountain peak (Num. 23:28) to which Balak led Balaam as a last effort to induce him to pronounce a curse upon Israel. When he looked on the tribes encamped in the acacia groves below him, he could not refrain from giving utterance to a remarkable benediction (24:1-9). Balak was more than ever enraged at Balaam, and bade him flee for his life. But before he went he gave expression to that wonderful prediction regarding the future of this mysterious people, whose “goodly tents” were spread out before him, and the coming of a “Star” out of Jacob and a “Sceptre” out of Israel (24:14-17).
(2.) A Moabite divinity, called also “Baal-peor” (Num. 25:3, 5, 18; comp. Deut. 3:29).
(cleft), a mountain peak in Moab belonging to the Abarim range, and near Pisgah, to which, after having ascended Pisgah, the prophet Balaam was conducted by Balak that he might look upon the whole host of Israel and curse them. (Numbers 23:14,28) In four passages -- (Numbers 25:18) twice; Numb 31:16; Josh 22:17 --Peor occurs as a contraction for Baal-peor. [BAAL.)
שָׁקַף (sha.qaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look down or out, often implying an action of leaning over to gaze. It encompasses the ideas of overhanging and peeping, with forms indicating both passive and active looking. The entries suggest its use in contexts where one overlooks or observes from a height.
[שָׁקַף] vb. Niph. Hiph. overhang, look out and down
Niph. lean over (and look), look down
Hiph. look down
base
H8259 שָׁקַף overhang, look out and down . lean over (and look), look down
. look down
8259 shaqaph shaw-kaf'
a primitive root; properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e.
(by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle):--
appear, look (down, forth, out).
שָׁקַף (sha.qaph) — to look.
1) to overlook, look down or out, overhang, look out and down
1a) (Niphal) to lean over (and look), look down
1b) (Hiphil) to look down, look down upon
Art | V-Niphal — Particle · verb niphal participle (active) masculine singularHTd/VNrmsa
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.
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)
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)
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
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
HR — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יְשִׁימוֹן (yshiymown) refers to a desolate or waste area, often translated as wilderness or desert. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be desolate' and encompasses the idea of a solitary, uninhabited place. It is notably used in the context of desolate regions in the Old Testament.
יְשִׁימוֹן n.m. waste, wilderness
base
H3452 יְשִׁימוֹן waste, wilderness
3452 yshiymown yesh-ee-mone'
from 3456; a desolation:--desert, Jeshimon, solitary,
wilderness.
see HEBREW for 03456
יְשִׁימוֹן (ye.shi.mon) — Jeshimon.
§ waste, wilderness, desert, desolate place
יְשִׁימוֹן (ye.shi.mon) — wilderness.
waste, wilderness, desert, desolate place
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
plas: Normally for maqom, Old Testament, and topos, New Testament, but in the King James Version "place" represents a great number of Hebrew and Greek words, often used with no difference in force (e.g. 2Ch 35:10,15). the Revised Version (British and American) has made few changes, but occasionally has attempted to specialize the meaning (Ge 40:13; Job 37:8; Ac 8:32; Jas 3:11, etc.).