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Proverbs 30:7 — Word Study

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WLCשְׁ֭תַּיִם שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵאִתָּ֑ךְ אַל־ תִּמְנַ֥ע מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי בְּטֶ֣רֶם אָמֽוּת׃

BSATwoshᵉnayim [a pair, doubleness] things I askshâʼal [request, seek] of Youmin [with You, near You] do notʼal [let not, withhold not] refuse memânaʻ [deny, withhold] beforeṭerem [prior to, preceding] I diemûwth [cease to exist, pass away]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 30
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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.Mut) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 30:7quick helps
In a sentenceThe speaker requests two things from God, asking not to be denied before death.
Who is speakingThe speaker is an individual addressing God directly.
Where we areThe context is a prayerful request within the wisdom literature of Proverbs.
The hard wordשָׁאַ֣לְתִּי
Take awayThe request emphasizes the urgency of the speaker's needs.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׁאַל 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 — Proverbs 30:7

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Wisdom of Agurgenerated

6Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7Two things I ask of You— do not refuse me before I die:
8Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
9Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:7 presents a prayer where the speaker asks God for two specific requests, emphasizing the importance of these needs before his life comes to an end. This plea for divine assistance reflects a deep reliance on God, which is a common theme in wisdom literature, where human limitations are acknowledged alongside the greatness of God.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 3:5–9One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
22 Kings 2:9After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
3Psalm 27:4One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
4Luke 10:42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
5Psalm 21:2You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

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

deny me them notPsalm 21:2

The Key Word שְׁנַיִם, She.ta.yimgenerated

The word שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It indicates pairs or dualities, often used in contexts where two items or concepts are compared or contrasted.

In this verse, it highlights the specific nature of the request — the speaker is not asking for just anything, but for exactly two things, which underscores their significance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, consistently rendering the requests as a plea to God not to be denied.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי, I ask, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a direct object indicating the number of requests, and a jussive verb indicating the speaker's plea.

The structure of the sentence places emphasis on the requests and the urgency of the plea, with the finite verb leading the sentence and the subsequent clauses detailing the conditions surrounding the requests.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי is rendered as αἰτοῦμαι, which means 'to ask' or 'to request.' This choice maintains the original intent of seeking something from God.

The Greek translation captures the essence of the request, reinforcing the speaker's dependence on divine favor.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 30:7 shows a person asking God for two specific things, emphasizing the importance of these requests before they die. This reflects a deep trust in God and highlights the need for divine support.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What are the two things the speaker asks of God?

The verse does not specify the two requests, but it emphasizes the importance of asking for them before death.

Why is the timing of the request significant?

The urgency of the request before death highlights the seriousness of the speaker's needs and their reliance on God.

How does this verse reflect the themes of wisdom literature?

It shows a recognition of human limitations and the need for divine assistance, common themes in the wisdom literature of the Bible.

What can we learn from the speaker's approach to God?

The speaker's direct and humble request serves as a model for approaching God with our needs and desires.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What two things would you ask of God if you were in a similar situation?
  2. How can acknowledging our needs before God change our perspective on our circumstances?
  3. In what ways do you see the importance of prayer in your life?
  4. How can you apply the speaker's example of seeking help from God in your daily life?

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

Bede comments on this verse, noting the significance of the two requests made to God, emphasizing the sincerity of the speaker's plea.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
I have asked two things of you, do not deny them to me, etc. These things still a man with whom God is, his speech radiated by fire, addresses to the Lord himself with a converted voice,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Two [things] have I required of thee,.... Or, "have asked of thee (a), O God"; as may be supplied, for the words are addressed to him.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Two prayers, followed by single sentences, (Proverbs 30:10, etc.) One prayer concerns the soul, the other the body.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Have I required; I do earnestly and especially desire Deny me them not before I die, Heb. withhold them not from me before I die, i.e. whilst I live, as things of great and continual necessity for thy honour and service, and my own good.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 30:7 Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die:Ver. 7. Two things have I required of thee.] Two special requests he had among many, for our present condition is a condition of singular vanity and indigence. We get our living by begging, and are never without somewhat to be required of God; never without our wants and ailments and suits for supplies. Deny me them not.] See here both his familiarity with God in prayer and his importunity; for a lazy suitor begs a denial. Agur therefore re-enforceth his request: it was honest, else he would never have begun it; but being so, he is resolved to follow it. So doth David with his "one thing" which he did…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Two things have I required of thee.—The commencement of a series of numerical proverbs. (See above on Proverbs 6:16.) Before I die—i.e., while life lasts.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 30 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. Two things have I required of thee] These two petitions are mentioned in the next verse; and he wishes to have them answered before he should die. That is, he wishes the answer now, that he may live the rest of his life in the state he describes.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 30 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Two things - The limitation of man’s desires follows naturally upon his consciousness of the limits of his knowledge.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 30 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7, 8. These verses contain a direct address to God, although he is not named till towards the close of the prayer.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 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

Two things I ask of You— do not refuse me before I die:

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“Two things I have asked of you. Don’t deny me before I die.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die:

NETBNew English Translation2006

Two things I ask from you; do not refuse me before I die:

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me them not before I die:

RVARevised Version, American1894

Two things have I asked of thee; deny me them not before I die:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Two things have I required of thee; deny them not to me before I die:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Two things haue I required of thee: denie me them not before I die.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Two things do I ask of thee; deny me [them] not before I die:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Two things I have asked from Thee, Withhold not from me before I die.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Two things I have asked from You, || Do not withhold from me before I die.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Two things do I request of thee: deny them not to me before I die.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Two things I ask of you, do not withhold them from me before I die:

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Two things I have asked of thee, deny them not to me before I die.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

God, I want to request two things from you. Please don't refuse to let me have them before I come to die.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I have made request to you for two things; do not keep them from me before my death:

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.

clauseobjectשְׁ֭תַּיִםtwo.[things]verbשָׁאַ֣לְתִּיI.askprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמֵfromאִתָּ֑withךְyouclauseclauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתִּמְנַ֥עwithhold.[them]prepositional phrase · prepositionalמִ֝מֶּ֗fromנִּיmeclauseprepositional phraseבְּbeforeטֶ֣רֶםbeforeclauseverbאָמֽוּתI.will.die

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matching in both texts. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the original meaning across translations.

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

שְׁ֭תַּיִם שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵאִתָּ֑ךְ אַל־ תִּמְנַ֥ע מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי בְּטֶ֣רֶם אָמֽוּת׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שְׁ֭תַּיִםδύοשָׁאַ֣לְתִּיαἰτοῦμαιמֵאִתָּ֑ךְσοῦאַל־μὴתִּמְנַ֥עἀφέλῃςמִ֝מֶּ֗נִּיμουבְּטֶ֣רֶםπρὸאָמֽוּת׃ἀποθανεῖν

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

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 30:7שְׁנַ֫יִםtwo [thingstwo [things]שְׁנַ֫יִםשָׁאַלI askI askשָׁאַלאֵתfrom with yfrom with youאֵתאַלmay notmay notאַלמָנַעyou withholyou withhold [tמָנַעמִן־from mefrom meמִן־טֶ֫רֶםbeforebeforeטֶ֫רֶםמוּתI will dieI will dieמוּתאָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִילֹאnotnotלֹאמֵןstringstringמֵןעָשָׂרtentenעָשָׂראַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשְׁאֵלָהpetitionpetitionשְׁאֵלָהרִיבto contendto contendרִיבבְּרִיתcovenantcovenantבְּרִיתחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאכָּבֵדto honor: to honor: honouכָּבֵדרֶ֫גֶלfootfootרֶ֫גֶלרָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקיָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלרָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַר
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 Proverbs 30:7

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.

two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
שְׁ֭תַּיִםShe.ta.yim two [things] H8147 Adj
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, doubleness
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

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

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

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

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcfda
two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
שָׁאַ֣לְתִּיsha.'Al.ti I ask H7592 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Amplified meaning
request, seek
Tyndale gloss
to ask
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to ask or inquire, often in the context of requesting a favor or borrowing. It covers a range of uses, including seeking counsel, consulting deities, and even begging. The verb can appear in different forms, such as asking for oneself or granting requests. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, שְׁאֵל (she.el), meaning 'to ask'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁאַל 170 vb. ask, inquire

Qal

ask, ask for

specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow

in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

inquire of

inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.

in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

Niph. ask for oneself

Pi.

inquire carefully

beg, practise beggary

Hiph. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7592 שָׁאַל ask, inquire .. . ask, ask for

. specif. ask as a fovour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow

. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

. . inquire of

. inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc.

. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late)

. ask for oneself

. . inquire carefully

. beg, practise beggary

. (prop. let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7592 sha'al shaw-al'

or shael {shaw-ale'}; a primitive root; to inquire; by

implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask

(counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand,

desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend,

pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁאַל (sha.al) — to ask.

1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to ask, ask for

1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow

1a3) to enquire, enquire of

1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle)

1a5) to seek

1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully

1c2) to beg, practise beggary

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to be given on request

1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to

Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ask (sha'al "to inquire," "to seek for counsel," "to demand"): It is the word commonly used in the Old Testament and is equivalent to eperotao, "to request," used in the New Testament. It does not imply any inferiority on the part of the person asking (Ps 2:8). It is the Son who is bidden to ask, and therefore the word expresses the request of an equal. It has also the meaning "to inquire": "Wherefore .... ask after my name?" (Ge 32:29) signifying, "Surely you must know who I am." "Ye shall ask me no question" (Joh 16:23), i.e. "about the true meaning of My words, for all will then be clear to you" (Dummelow). aiteo, is the word commonly used with reference to prayer. It means "to ask," "to implore," and presents the…

two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
מֵאִתָּ֑ךְme.'i.Takh from with you H854 Preposition · preposition · suffix
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Rd/Sp2ms — Preposition · preposition · suffix
HR/Rd/Sp2ms
two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
let not, withhold not
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
תִּמְנַ֥עtim.Na' you withhold [them] H4513 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To withhold means to hold something back or keep it from someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe God withholding something from people, or people withholding things from each other.
Amplified meaning
deny, withhold
Tyndale gloss
to withhold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָנַע (mana) is a Hebrew verb meaning to withhold or hold back. It can refer to denying or restraining something, either positively or negatively. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal (to withhold) and Niphal (to be withheld). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָנַע vb. withhold, hold back

Qal withhold

Niph. be withholden

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4513 מָנַע withhold, hold back

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4513 mana` maw-nah'

a primitive root; to debar (negatively or positively) from

benefit or injury:--deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain,

withhold.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָנַע (ma.na) — to withhold.

1) to withhold, hold back, keep back, refrain, deny, keep restrain, hinder

1a) (Qal) to withhold

1b) (Niphal) to be withheld

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
HVqj2ms
two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּיmi.Me.ni from me H4480 Preposition · suffix
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Amplified meaning
with You, near You
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against

. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

. of position, off, on the side of, on

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through

. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

. with a temporal force, since, after

. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)

{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;

hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as

follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason

of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,

since, X then, through, X whether, with.

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

conj

2) that

Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
בְּטֶ֣רֶםbe.Te.rem before H2962 Preposition
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
prior to, preceding
Tyndale gloss
before
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טֶ֫רֶם (terem) is an adverb meaning 'not yet' or 'before.' It is derived from an unused root that suggests interruption or suspension. This word appears in the Old Testament only once, in Ruth 3:14, where it conveys a sense of time prior to an event.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טֶ֫רֶם 54, once (Ru 3:14 Kt) טְרוֹם, adv. of time not yet, ere, before that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2962 טֶ֫רֶם, once טְרוֹם adv. of time not yet, ere, before, that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2962 terem teh'-rem

from an unused root apparently meaning to interrupt or

suspend; properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet

or before:--before, ere, not yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טֶ֫רֶם (te.rem) — before.

before, not yet, before that

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

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

two [things] I ask from with you may not you withhold [them] from me before I will die
אָמֽוּת׃'a.Mut I will die H4191 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
840× 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 die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
cease to exist, pass away
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
HVqi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(muth, gawa`; apothnesko, teleutao): "To die," etc., is of very frequent occurrence, and in the Old Testament is generally the translation of muth, meaning perhaps originally, "to be stretched out" or "prostrate." "To die," should be the consequence of eating the forbidden fruit (Ge 2:17; compare Ge 20:7; 2Ki 1:4,6). "Die" is commonly used of natural death (Ge 5:8; 25:8). It is used also of violent death (Ge 26:9,11; Ex 21:20); punitive (Ex 19:12; 21:12,14; 28:43; Nu…

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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