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Numbers 7:9 — Word Study

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WLCוְלִבְנֵ֥י קְהָ֖ת לֹ֣א נָתָ֑ן כִּֽי־ עֲבֹדַ֤ת הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ עֲלֵהֶ֔ם בַּכָּתֵ֖ף יִשָּֽׂאוּ׃

BSABut he did notlôʼ give [any]nâthan [bestow or grant] to the Kohathitesbên [descendants of Kohath] sincekîy they were to carrynâsâʼ [lift and bear] on theirʻal shoulderskâthêph [the upper end of the arm, a place of strength] the holy objectsqôdesh [set apart, sacred, sacred items, vessels] for which they were responsibleʻăbôdâh [assigned to their care, in charge of]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 7
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (yi.Sa.'u) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 7:9quick helps
In a sentenceGod did not give carts to the Kohathites because they were responsible for carrying the holy objects on their shoulders.
Who is speakingGod, through Moses, is outlining the responsibilities of the Kohathites.
Where we areThis verse is part of the instructions regarding the transport of the tabernacle's furnishings.
The hard wordעֲבֹדַ֤ת, ‘avodah
Take awayThe Kohathites had a special role in transporting sacred items, emphasizing their importance in the service of God.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָתַן 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 7:9

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 — Instructions for the Levitesgenerated

8and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.
10When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar.
11And the LORD said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the altar.”

Numbers 7:9 describes the allocation of resources for the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, who were tasked with carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle. This follows a pattern established in earlier chapters, where specific duties and responsibilities were assigned to different families within the tribe of Levi, highlighting the structured approach to worship and service in ancient Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 3:31Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.
2Numbers 4:4–16This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.
32 Samuel 6:6–13When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.
41 Chronicles 15:3–13And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
51 Chronicles 23:26So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עֲבֹדַ֤ת, 'a.vo.Datgenerated

The word עֲבֹדַ֤ת (‘avodah) means 'service' or 'work' and encompasses various forms of labor, especially in a religious context. It is derived from a root that implies work or labor, often associated with serving God or others.

In this verse, it refers specifically to the service of carrying the holy objects, indicating the importance of the Kohathites' role in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle's furnishings.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, where the term service is used, consistent with the KJV and ASV, both of which also emphasize the Kohathites' responsibility in their service.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb נָתָ֑ן, he gave, governs the sentence, with a subordinate clause explaining why the Kohathites did not receive carts. The structure emphasizes the reason behind the action.

The phrase עֲבֹדַ֤ת הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ (the service of the holy) acts as a noun phrase that clarifies the nature of the Kohathites' responsibilities, linking their service directly to the sacred items they were to carry.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word for עֲבֹדַ֤ת is rendered as λειτουργία (leitourgia), which means 'service' or 'ministry.' This choice indicates a broader understanding of their role as not just physical labor but as a sacred duty.

This reflects a theological interpretation of their responsibilities, emphasizing the Kohathites' service as integral to the worship of God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 7:9 explains that God did not provide carts to the Kohathites because they were responsible for carrying the holy objects on their shoulders. This highlights the special role they played in transporting sacred items, which were crucial for worship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What was the role of the Kohathites?

The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle, emphasizing their importance in the worship and service of God.

Why didn't the Kohathites receive carts?

They did not receive carts because their duty was to carry the holy objects on their shoulders, which was seen as a sacred responsibility.

What does 'service of the holy' mean?

'Service of the holy' refers to the specific duties assigned to the Kohathites regarding the handling and transportation of sacred items in the tabernacle.

How does this verse relate to the overall structure of the Israelite camp?

This verse illustrates the organized structure of the Israelite camp, where different families of the Levites had distinct roles, contributing to the overall function of worship.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean to carry responsibilities in my life, similar to the Kohathites' role?
  2. How can I serve in my community or church in a way that honors the sacred?
  3. What are some ways I can better understand the importance of the tasks I am assigned?
  4. In what areas of my life do I need to take on responsibilities more seriously?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 7:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none,.... Being all disposed of to the sons of Gershon and Merari: the reason of which follows, because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that]

Read John Gill on Numbers 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. Moses took the wagons and the oxen.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Because of the greater worth and holiness of the things which they carried. See ,8,10,12,14 ,13.

Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Numbers 7:9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that] they should bear upon their shoulders.Ver. 9. Bear upon their shoulders.] Therefore when David carted the ark, as the Philistines had done before, God was angry, and made a breach upon Uzza, because they sought him not in due order.

Read John Trapp on Numbers 7 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Unto the sons of Kohath he gave none] Because they had the charge of the ark, table, candlestick, altars, c., Numbers 4:5-15, which were to be carried upon their shoulders for those sacred things must not be drawn by beasts.

Read AdamClarke on Numbers 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. the sanctuary] the holy things. See on Numbers 4:15. upon their shoulders] In early days this form of honour was not always paid to the ark; see 2 Samuel 6:3.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 7 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9. The sons of Kohath received no vehicles, because the sacred furniture might not be drawn by beasts. Only with the greatest precaution could it be approached and borne by its appointed Levitical guardians. Numbers 4:4-20, notes.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 7 →

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 he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them; they carried it on their shoulders.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But to the Kohathites he gave none, because the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders, was their responsibility.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders.

RVARevised Version, American1894

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But to the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging to them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But to the sonnes of Kohath he gaue none, because the charge of the Sanctuarie belonged to them, which they did beare vpon their shoulders.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, for the service of the sanctuary was upon them: they bore [what they carried] upon the shoulder.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and to the sons of Kohath he hath not given, for the service of the sanctuary [is] on them: on the shoulder they bear.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

but he has not given [any] to the sons of Kohath, for the service of the holy place [is] on them, [which] they carry on the shoulder.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

But unto the sons of Kehath he gave none; because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them, they were to bear upon their shoulders.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But he gave none of those things to the descendants of Kohath, because theirs would be the work related to the things that belong to Yahweh that they would carry on their own shoulders.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But to the sons of Caath he gave no wagons or oxen: because they serve in the sanctuary and carry their burdens upon their own shoulders.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He didn't give any wagons or oxen to the Kohathites because their responsibility was to carry on their shoulders the holy objects assigned to their care.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But to the sons of Kohath he gave nothing; because they had the care of the holy place, taking it about on their backs.

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.

וְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִtonoun phraseבְנֵ֥יthe.descendantsקְהָ֖תof.Kohathadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbנָתָ֑ןhe.gaveכִּֽי(dm)clausenoun phrase · subjectעֲבֹדַ֤תthe.servicenoun phraseהַofקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙the.holy.thing[s]prepositional phrase · predicateעֲלֵ[was].onהֶ֔םthemclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּonnoun phrasetheכָּתֵ֖ףshoulderverbיִשָּֽׂאוּthey.carried

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 Samaritan Pentateuch agree closely, with only one word differing: the Samaritan uses עליהם (upon them) instead of the Masoretic עֲלֵהֶ֔ם (on them). This difference does not change the overall meaning of the verse.

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

וְלִבְנֵ֥י קְהָ֖ת לֹ֣א נָתָ֑ן כִּֽי־ עֲבֹדַ֤ת הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ עֲלֵהֶ֔ם בַּכָּתֵ֖ף יִשָּֽׂאוּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְלִבְנֵ֥יυἱοῖςקְהָ֖תκααθלֹ֣אοὐκנָתָ֑ןἔδωκενכִּֽי־ὅτιהַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ἁγίουעֲלֵהֶ֔םἔξουσινבַּכָּתֵ֖ףὤμωνיִשָּֽׂאוּ׃ἀροῦσιν

9 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ולבני קהת לא נתן כי עבדת הקדשׁ עליהם בכתף ישׂאו

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: עליהם (upon)

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 7:9בֵּןand to [theand to [the] deבֵּןקְהָתKohathKohathקְהָתלֹאnotnotלֹאנָתַןhe gavehe gaveנָתַןכִּיforforכִּיעֲבֹדָה[the] servi[the] service oעֲבֹדָהקֹ֫דֶשׁthe holy ththe holy thing[קֹ֫דֶשׁעַל[was] on th[was] on themעַלכָּתֵףon the shouon the shoulderכָּתֵףנָשָׂאthey carriethey carriedנָשָׂאבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדקָדַשׁto consecrto consecrate: קָדַשׁעַלheightheightעַלאֵבfruitfruitאֵבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵןיִצְהָרIzharIzharיִצְהָרעַמְרָםAmramAmramעַמְרָםיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדנַחֲלָהinheritancinheritanceנַחֲלָהזֶ֫רַעseedseedזֶ֫רַעיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהמִקְרָאassemblyassemblyמִקְרָאשֶׁ֫קֶלshekelshekelשֶׁ֫קֶל
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 7:9

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 to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
וְלִבְנֵ֥יve.liv.Nei and to [the] descendants of H1121 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Amplified meaning
descendants of Kohath
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

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

n. relat. of age

base

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

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

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

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

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

. n. relat. of age

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

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

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

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

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

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

§ Beno = "his son"

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

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

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

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

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

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

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

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

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HC/R/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
קְהָ֖תke.Hat Kohath H6955 Noun proper masculine
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Kohath was a man from the tribe of Levi, son of Levi and brother of Gershon and Merari, first mentioned in Genesis 46:11. He was the father of Amram and others. His name means assembly.
Tyndale gloss
Kohath
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קְהָת (Qhath) refers to Kohath, a son of Levi and an important figure in the Israelite lineage. He is noted as the progenitor of a family within the tribe of Levi, with connections to other significant figures such as Gershon and Merari. The name is associated with the concept of assembly.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קְהָת 30 n.pr.m. son of Levi

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6955 קְהָת son of Levi

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6955 Qhath keh-hawth'

from an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath,

an Israelite:--Kohath.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קְהָת (qe.hat) — Kohath.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;

son of: Levi (H3878);

brother of: Gershon (H1648), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115);

father of: Amram (H6019), Izhar (H3324), Hebron (H2275B) and Uzziel (H5816)

Also named: qo.ha.ti (קְהָתִי "Kohathite" H6956)

§ Kohath = "assembly"

the 2nd of the 3 sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpm — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Kohath

Assembly, the second son of Levi, and father of Amram (Gen. 46:11). He came down to Egypt with Jacob, and lived to the age of one hundred and thirty-three years (Ex. 6:18).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(assembly), second of the three sons of Levi, from whom the three principal divisions of the Levites derived their origin and their name. (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16) In the journeyings of the tabernacle of the sons of Kohath (Kohathites) had charge of the most holy portions of the vessels. (Numbers 4:1) ... Of the personal history of Kohath we know nothing, except that he came down to Egypt with Levi and Jacob, (Genesis 46:11) that his sister was Jochebed, (Exodus 6:20) and that he lived to the age of 133 years. (Exodus 6:18) (B.C. about 1491.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Levi, Ge 46:11, and father of the Kohathites, who were appointed to carry the ark and sacred utensils of the tabernacle during the journeyings of the Israelites in the desert, Ex 6:16- 24; Nu 4:4-15.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

congregation; wrinkle; bluntness

and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
נָתָ֑ןna.Tan he gave H5414 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
2,011× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Amplified meaning
bestow or grant
Tyndale gloss
to give: give
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set

Qal 1917

give

Put, set

Make, constitute

Niph.

82be given

Be put, set

Hoph.

be given, bestowed

= be given to one for wife

be put upon

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give

. Put, set

. Make, constitute

. . be given

. Be put, set

. . . be given, bestowed

. = be given to one for wife

. be put upon

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5414 nathan naw-than'

a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of

application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,

assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,

hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +

cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X

without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),

grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),

(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,

occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X

pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send

(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,

strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,

turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)

God, yield.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.

: give/deliver/send/produce

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend

1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate

1a3) to make, constitute

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned

1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up

1c2) to be put upon

נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.

: put/set/apppoint

1) to give, put, set

1a) (Qal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
עֲבֹדַ֤ת'a.vo.Dat [the] service of H5656 Noun common · feminine singular construct
145× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Amplified meaning
assigned to their care, in charge of
Tyndale gloss
service
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲבֹדָה (abodah) refers to various forms of labor or service, including the work of a servant or slave, the service of captives or subjects, and the service of God. It is built from the root word for work and encompasses a range of meanings related to labor and ministry.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲבֹדָה, and (Chr) עֲבוֹדָה 146 n.f. labour, servicelabour, work

labour of servant or slave

labour, service of captives or subjects

service of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5656 עֲבֹדָה, and עֲבוֹדָה labour . labour, work

. labour of servant or slave

. labour, service of captives or subjects

. service of God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5656 `abodah ab-o-daw'

or mabowdah {ab-o-daw'}; from 5647; work of any kind:--act,

bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try),

office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, X wrought.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service.

: service[as_servant/slave]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: ministry.

: ministry[for_God]/tabernacle]

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

עֲבֹדָה (a.vo.dah) — service: work.

: work/labour

1) labour, service

1a) labour, work

1b) labour (of servant or slave)

1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects)

1d) service (of God)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ha.Ko.desh the holy thing[s] H6944 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Amplified meaning
set apart, sacred, sacred items, vessels
Tyndale gloss
Holy Place
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) refers to the concepts of apartness, sacredness, and holiness. It can denote a sacred place or thing, such as the Most Holy Place or a sanctuary. The term emphasizes the idea of being set apart, whether in relation to God, places, or objects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6944 קֹ֫דֶשׁ apartness, sacredness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6944 qodesh ko'-desh

from 6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract,

sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed

(thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing),

saint, sanctuary.

see HEBREW for 06942

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — holiness.

1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness

1a1) of God

1a2) of places

1a3) of things

1b) set-apartness, separateness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Most Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Most Holy Place" G0039H)

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — (Way of) Holiness.

Combined with de.rekh (דֶּ֫רֶךְ "Way" H1870H)

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Holy Place.

This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness

Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
עֲלֵהֶ֔ם'a.le.Hem [was] on them H5921 Preposition · suffix
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

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

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

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

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

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

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

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

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

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

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

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

1h) to (as a dative)

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

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
בַּכָּתֵ֖ףba.ka.Tef on the shoulder H3802 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
67× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for shoulder describes the upper end of the arm, where garments hang, and is used in Exodus 28:7 to describe the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Amplified meaning
the upper end of the arm, a place of strength
Tyndale gloss
shoulder
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּתֵף (katheph) means 'shoulder' and can refer to the shoulder-blade, side, or slope of a mountain. It is derived from a root meaning to clothe, indicating the shoulder as the place where garments hang. The term can also describe shoulder-pieces of animals and supports, as well as lateral projections.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּתֵף n.f. shoulder, shoulder-blade, side

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3802 כָּתֵף shoulder, shoulder-blade, side

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3802 katheph kaw-thafe'

from an unused root meaning to clothe; the shoulder (proper,

i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the

garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection

of anything:--arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side,

undersetter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּתֵף (ka.teph) — shoulder.

1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope

1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man)

1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals)

1c) side, slope (of mountain)

1d) supports (of laver)

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

shol'-der (shekhem, katheph, zeroa` or zerowa`, or zero`ah, shoq; omos, brachion (Sirach 7:31 only)): The meanings of the Hebrew words are rather varied. The first (shekhem) has perhaps the widest application. It is used for the part of the body on which heavy loads are carried (Ge 21:14; 24:15,45; Ex 12:34; Jos 4:5; Jud 9:48). King Saul's impressive personality is thus described: "There was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people" (1Sa 9:2; 10:23). To carry loads on the shoulder or to have "a staff on the shoulder" is expressive of…

and to [the] descendants of Kohath not he gave for [the] service of the holy thing[s] [was] on them on the shoulder they carried
יִשָּֽׂאוּ׃yi.Sa.'u they carried H5375 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
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.
Amplified meaning
lift and bear
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
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
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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