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Numbers 30:15 — Word Study

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WLCוְאִם־ הָפֵ֥ר יָפֵ֛ר אֹתָ֖ם אַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁמְע֑וֹ וְנָשָׂ֖א אֶת־ עֲוֹנָֽהּ׃

BSABut ifʼim [in the event that, when] themʼêth [her vows, obligations] he hears of themshâmaʻ [listens to, is informed of] herʼêth

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 30
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 ('a.vo.Nah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 30:15quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse outlines the consequences if a husband nullifies his wife's vows after hearing of them.
Who is speakingThe speaker is addressing the laws regarding vows and obligations within a marriage.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger discussion on the authority of a husband over his wife's vows.
The hard wordיָפֵ֛ר
Take awayThe husband bears responsibility for his wife's iniquity if he nullifies her vows after hearing them.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Poole, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them › clause verbחָרֵשׁ 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 — Numbers 30:15

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 — Laws Concerning Vowsgenerated

13Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow or any sworn pledge to deny herself.
14But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he confirms all the vows and pledges that bind her. He has confirmed them, because he said nothing to her on the day he heard about them.
15But if he nullifies them after he hears of them, then he will bear her iniquity.”
16These are the statutes that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the relationship between a man and his wife, and between a father and a young daughter still in his home.

Numbers 30:15 discusses the authority a husband has over his wife's vows, emphasizing that he can confirm or nullify them. If he chooses to nullify them after becoming aware of them, he becomes responsible for her iniquity. This reflects the seriousness of vows in the community and the implications of marital authority, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 30:5–8But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her.
2Leviticus 5:1“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.
3Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָפֵ֛ר, ya.Fergenerated

The verb יָפֵ֛ר (ya.Fer) is in the Hiphil form, indicating causative action. It means 'to break' or 'to nullify', often in a legal or moral sense. Here, it signifies the act of a husband making void his wife's vows.

This term is significant in the context of marital relationships, as it highlights the responsibilities and consequences tied to the authority of a husband over his wife's commitments.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of יָפֵ֛ר, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all using 'nullifies' or 'breaks'.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is יָפֵ֛ר, he will break, which governs the entire clause. The structure includes a conditional clause introduced by וְאִם־, but if, indicating the condition under which the action takes place.

The sentence is complex, with multiple clauses detailing the conditions and consequences of the husband's actions regarding his wife's vows.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses the Greek word παρασιωπήσῃ to translate יָפֵ֛ר, indicating a similar meaning of nullifying or breaking. This choice reflects an interpretation that emphasizes the act of silence or inaction in relation to the vows.

This translation choice highlights the importance of communication and acknowledgment in the context of marital vows.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 30:15 explains that if a husband nullifies his wife's vows after hearing about them, he takes on her guilt. This underscores the seriousness of vows and the husband's role in the marital relationship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for a husband to nullify his wife's vows?

It means that the husband has the authority to cancel or make void the commitments his wife has made, which can have moral and legal implications.

Why is the husband's responsibility emphasized in this verse?

The verse emphasizes that the husband bears the consequences of his wife's vows if he nullifies them after becoming aware of them, highlighting the seriousness of his role.

How does this verse relate to the concept of iniquity?

Iniquity refers to moral wrongdoing, and the husband is held accountable for his wife's iniquity if he nullifies her vows, indicating the weight of marital obligations.

What are the implications of this law in a marital context?

This law illustrates the dynamics of authority and responsibility within a marriage, showing how vows impact both partners and the consequences of their actions.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I understand the responsibilities I have in my commitments, similar to the vows discussed in this verse?
  2. In what ways can I ensure that I communicate effectively with those I am in relationship with, especially regarding promises?
  3. What does this verse teach about accountability in relationships?
  4. How can I apply the principles of this verse to my own life and relationships?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 30:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But if he shall any ways make them void, after that he hath heard them,.... Some way or other expressing his dislike of them; not at the time he heard them, but some time afterwards; one day after,

Read John Gill on Numbers 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

After that he hath heard them, and approved them by his silence from day to day; if now after that time spent, he shall upon further thoughts dislike and hinder it, which he ought not to do, her iniquity, her nonperformance of her vow, shall be imputed to him, not to her.

Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. If, after tacitly consenting at the time that he heard of the vow, he compels her at a later time to break it, then Jehovah will not (as in the foregoing cases) forgive, but the iniquity will rest upon the husband and not upon the woman.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 30 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

THE VOW OF THE WIFE, Numbers 30:10-16.In this case the silence of the husband cognizant of the vow gives consent, but his immediate protest annuls the obligation. 13. To afflict the soul — This was usually done by fasting.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 30 →

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

But if he nullifies them after he hears of them, then he will bear her iniquity.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

But if he makes them null and void after he has heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But if he nullifies them after he hears of them, then he will bear her iniquity.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

But if he should nullify them after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

But if he shall make them null and void after that he hath heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.

RVARevised Version, American1894

But if he shall make them null and void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But if he shall any way make them void after that he hath heard them ; then he shall bear her iniquity.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But if her husband holde his peace concerning her from day to day, then he stablisheth al her vowes and all her bondes which shee hath made: hee hath confirmed them because he held his peace concerning her the same day that hee hearde them.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

But if he in any way annul them after he hath heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and if he doth at all break them after his hearing, then he hath borne her iniquity.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and if he indeed breaks them after his hearing, then he has borne her iniquity.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(30:16) But if he should annul them after [the day] that he hath heard them: then shall he bear her iniquity.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

If her husband tries to cancel his wife's vow a long time after he has heard about it, then he will be responsible for her sin.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But if the husband hearing it hold his peace, and defer the declaring his mind till another day: whatsoever she had vowed and promised, she shall fulfill: because immediately as he heard it, he held his peace.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

However, if he disallows them some time later after finding out about them, then he will bear the responsibility for her breaking them.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But if at some time after hearing of them, he makes them without force, then he is responsible for her wrongdoing.

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.

וְandclauseclauseאִםifclauseadverbialהָפֵ֥רactually.(break)verbיָפֵ֛רhe.will.breaknoun phrase · objectאֹתָ֖םthemprepositional phrase · prepositionalאַחֲרֵ֣יafterclauseverbשָׁמְע֑hesubjectוֹhas.heardוְandclauseverbנָשָׂ֖אhe.will.bearnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseעֲוֺנָֽguiltהּher

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads וְאִם־ הָפֵ֥ר יָפֵ֛ר אֹתָ֖ם אַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁמְע֑וֹ וְנָשָׂ֖א אֶת־ עֲוֹנָֽהּ׃. The Septuagint largely agrees, though it presents the text with different word order.

The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in three words, indicating variations in the understanding of the text's meaning, while the Dead Sea Scrolls contain significant restorations, showing gaps in the text.

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

וְאִם־ הָפֵ֥ר יָפֵ֛ר אֹתָ֖ם אַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁמְע֑וֹ וְנָשָׂ֖א אֶת־ עֲוֹנָֽהּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאִם־ἐὰνהָפֵ֥רσιωπῶνיָפֵ֛רπαρασιωπήσῃאֹתָ֖םαὐτῇוְנָשָׂ֖אἐχאֶת־ἡμέραςעֲוֹנָֽהּ׃στήσει

7 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ואם החרישׁ יחרישׁ לה אישׁה מיום אל יום והקם את כל נדריה או את כל אסריה אשׁר עליה הקים אתם כי חרישׁ לה ביום שׁמעו

3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: החרישׁ (be deaf), הקם (arise), חרישׁ (ploughing)

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q27a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[והקים] [את] [כול] [נדרי׳ה] [או] [את] [כול] [אסרי׳ה] [אשר] [עלי׳ה] [הקים] אות׳מה [כיא] [החריש] [ל׳ה] [ביום] [שומע׳ו]

nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 16 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.

Numbers 30:15אִםand ifand ifאִםפָּרַרactuallyactuallyפָּרַרפָּרַרhe will brehe will breakפָּרַראֵתthe object the object markאֵתאַחַרafterafterאַחַרשָׁמַעhas heard hhas heard heשָׁמַענָשָׂאand he willand he will beaנָשָׂאאֵתthe object the object markאֵתעָוֹןguilt herguilt herעָוֹןאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתאָחַרto delayto delayאָחַראֵבfruitfruitאֵבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדעָוָהto twistto twistעָוָהאֲבַדto destroyto destroyאֲבַדמוֹטto shaketo shakeמוֹטמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁרָדַףto pursueto pursueרָדַףזָנָהto fornicato fornicateזָנָהקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבכְּלִמָּהshameshameכְּלִמָּהמָשָׁלproverbproverbמָשָׁלפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgresstransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָה
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 Numbers 30:15

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 if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
וְאִם־ve.'im- and if H518 Conjunction · particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
in the event that, when
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b 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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Conj — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
הָפֵ֥רha.Fer actually H6565 Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct common
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To split or break something apart is the meaning of this word, often used figuratively to mean frustrate or violate. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to break
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרַר (pa.rar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to break or frustrate, with various forms indicating actions like splitting or dividing. It can refer to both literal and figurative breaking, such as violating or making something ineffective. The entries highlight different grammatical forms, including Hiphil and Qal, with uses in contexts like division or frustration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּרַר] vb. Hiph. break, frustrate

Hoph.

be frustrated

be broken

Pilp. he hath shattered me.

base

[פָּרַר] vb. split, divide

Qal Hithpō‛. split or cracked through in the earth

Pō‛êl thou didst divide the sea.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6565a פָּרַר Hiph. break, frustrate H6565b פָּרַר split, divide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6565 parar paw-rar'

a primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively, i.e. to

violate, frustrate:--X any ways, break (asunder), cast off,

cause to cease, X clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint,

dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring

(come) to nought, X utterly, make void.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרַר (pa.rar) — to break.

1) to break, frustrate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to break, violate

1a2) to frustrate, make ineffectual

1b) (Hophal)

1b1) to be frustrated

1b2) to be broken

1b3) to break

1c) (Pilpel) to break to bits, shatter

Also means: pur (פּוּר "to break" H6331)

פָּרַר (pa.rar) — to split.

1) to split, divide

1a) (Qal) to split, crack through

1b) (Poel) to break apart

1c) (Hithpoel) to be split, be cracked through

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhcc — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct common
HVhcc
and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
יָפֵ֛רya.Fer he will break H6565 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To split or break something apart is the meaning of this word, often used figuratively to mean frustrate or violate. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to break
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּרַר (pa.rar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to break or frustrate, with various forms indicating actions like splitting or dividing. It can refer to both literal and figurative breaking, such as violating or making something ineffective. The entries highlight different grammatical forms, including Hiphil and Qal, with uses in contexts like division or frustration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּרַר] vb. Hiph. break, frustrate

Hoph.

be frustrated

be broken

Pilp. he hath shattered me.

base

[פָּרַר] vb. split, divide

Qal Hithpō‛. split or cracked through in the earth

Pō‛êl thou didst divide the sea.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6565a פָּרַר Hiph. break, frustrate H6565b פָּרַר split, divide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6565 parar paw-rar'

a primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively, i.e. to

violate, frustrate:--X any ways, break (asunder), cast off,

cause to cease, X clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint,

dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring

(come) to nought, X utterly, make void.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּרַר (pa.rar) — to break.

1) to break, frustrate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to break, violate

1a2) to frustrate, make ineffectual

1b) (Hophal)

1b1) to be frustrated

1b2) to be broken

1b3) to break

1c) (Pilpel) to break to bits, shatter

Also means: pur (פּוּר "to break" H6331)

פָּרַר (pa.rar) — to split.

1) to split, divide

1a) (Qal) to split, crack through

1b) (Poel) to break apart

1c) (Hithpoel) to be split, be cracked through

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhi3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

brak: shabhar = "break" (down, off, in pieces, up), "destroy," "quench" (Isa 14:25; Jer 19:10,11; Eze 4:16; Am 1:5); paraq = "to break off" or "craunch"; figuratively "to deliver" (Ge 27:40 the King James Version); `araph = "to break the neck," hence, "to destroy" (Ex 13:13); harac = "to break through" (Ex 19:21,24); parats = "to break" (forth, away), occurs in Ex 19:22,24; 1Sa 25:10; "breaking faith,"…

and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
אֹתָ֖ם'o.Tam the object marker them H853 Particle · suffix
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.
Amplified meaning
her vows, obligations
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
DirObjM — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
אַחֲרֵ֣י'a.cha.Rei after H310
716× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Tyndale gloss
after
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part

adv.

of place, behind

of time, afterwards

prep.

of place, behind, after

of time, after

conj. after that.

base

אַחֲרַי adj. Pr 28:23 a man that turneth backwards.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind

. of time, afterwards

. prep. . of place, behind, after

. of time, after

. conj. after that.

H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

310 'achar akh-ar'

from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an

adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after

(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),

behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,

hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,

posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),

when, with.

see HEBREW for 0309

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַחַר (a.char) — after.

1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)

1a) as an adverb

1a1) behind (of place)

1a2) afterwards (of time)

1b) as a preposition

1b1) behind, after (of place)

1b2) after (of time)

1b3) besides

1c) as a conjunction

1c) after that

1d) as a substantive

1d1) hinder part

1e) with other prepositions

1e1) from behind

1e2) from following after

אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.

backwards (of a man that turns backwards)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcmpc
HAcmpc
and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
שָׁמְע֑וֹsha.me.'O has heard he H8085 Verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
listens to, is informed of
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Verb qal infinitive construct common · suffix
HVqcc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
וְנָשָׂ֖אve.na.Sa' and he will bear H5375 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
656× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Tyndale gloss
to lift: raise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take

Qal

lift, lift up

Bear, carry

Take, take away

Niph.

be lifted up

refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

be borne, carried

be taken away, carried off

Pi.

lift up = exalt

fig. = desire, long

carry, bear continuously

take, take away

Hithp. lift oneself up

Hiph.

cause one to bear iniquity

appar. cause to bring, have brought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up

. Bear, carry

. Take, take away

. . be lifted up

. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

. be borne, carried

. be taken away, carried off

. . lift up = exalt

. fig. = desire, long

. carry, bear continuously

. take, take away

. lift oneself up

. . cause one to bear iniquity

. appar. cause to bring, have brought

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5375 nasa' naw-saw'

or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to

lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and

figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,

arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring

(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,

exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,

give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,

lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,

pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,

stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.

see HEBREW for 04

see HEBREW for 06

see HEBREW for 07

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.

: raise/take_up

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up

1b3) to be borne, be carried

1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist

1c2) to desire, long (fig.)

1c3) to carry, bear continuously

1c4) to take, take away

1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)

1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.

: look/lift(eyes)

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqq3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqq3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bar (dobh; compare Arabic dubb): In 1Sa 17:34-37, David tells Saul how as a shepherd boy he had overcome a lion and a bear. In 2Ki 2:24 it is related that two she bears came out of the wood and tore forty-two of the children who had been mocking Elisha. All the other references to bears are figurative; compare 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; 28:15; Isa 11:7; 59:11; La 3:10; Da 7:5; Ho 13:8; Am 5:19;

Bear

A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10. The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8). In Daniel’s vision of the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 17:8) The Syrian bear, Ursus syriacus, which is without doubt the animal mentioned in the Bible, is still found on the higher mountains of Palestine. During the summer months these bears keep to the snowy parts of Lebanon, but descend in winter to the villages and Gardens. It is probable also that at this period in former days they extended their visits to other parts of Palestine.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

That bears were common in Palestine appears from several passages in the Old Testament, 1Sa 17:34,36,37; 2Sa 17:8; 2Ki 2:24. The species known in Syria resembles the common brown bear; it is sill met in the recesses of Lebanon. To a sullen and ferocious disposition, the bear joins immense strength, considerable sagacity, and the power of climbing trees. Her ferocity, especially when her young are injured, is proverbial. See 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; Isa 11:7; Ho 13:8.

and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
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
DirObjM — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and if actually he will break the object marker them after has heard he and he will bear the object marker guilt her
עֲוֹנָֽהּ׃'a.vo.Nah guilt her H5771 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
233× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Tyndale gloss
iniquity: crime
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5771 `avon aw-vone'

or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from

5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,

mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

see HEBREW for 07

see HEBREW for 05753

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.

: crime

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.

: guilt

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.

: punishment

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp3fs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3fs
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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