Proverbs 31:23 — Word Study
WLCנוֹדָ֣ע בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים בַּעְלָ֑הּ בְּ֝שִׁבְתּ֗וֹ עִם־ זִקְנֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
BSAHer husbandbaʻal [master, leader] is knownyâdaʻ [respected, recognized] at the city gatesshaʻar where he sitsyâshab [dwells, remains] amongʻim the elderszâqên [old, wise men] of the landʼerets [country, territory]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נוֹדָ֣ע | [is] known | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים | in the gates | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| בַּעְלָ֑הּ | husband her | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּ֝שִׁבְתּ֗וֹ | when sits he | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| זִקְנֵי־ | [the] elders of | Adj |
| אָֽרֶץ׃ | [the] land | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. |
| KJV | Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
| ASV | Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
| YLT | Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land. |
| WEB | Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. |
| BBE | Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. |
The translations agree on the meaning of the key terms, particularly regarding the husband's reputation at the city gate.
The sentence has a main clause with several prepositional phrases that provide additional details about the husband's status and location.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָדַע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 31:23
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 Virtuous Womangenerated
Proverbs 31:23 describes the ideal wife, noting her husband's respected position at the city gate, a place of authority and decision-making. This verse highlights the connection between a virtuous woman and her husband's reputation, as he is recognized among the elders of the land. The surrounding verses further illustrate her industriousness and strength, painting a complete picture of her character and influence in the household and community.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:4 | A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. |
| 2 | Proverbs 24:7 | Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 16:18 | You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 21:19 | his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, |
| 5 | Ruth 4:1 | Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נוֹדָ֣ע, no.Da'generated
The word נוֹדָע (no.Da') is a Niphal participle meaning '[is] known.' It conveys the idea of being recognized or respected, indicating that the husband has a notable reputation in the community. The parsing as a masculine singular participle suggests that this recognition is ongoing.
This word is built from the root יָדַע (yada'), which means 'to know.' In this context, it implies not just knowledge but a recognition that comes from familiarity and respect within the community.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase is rendered as is known, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is נוֹדָע, is known, which governs the subject בַּעְלָ֑הּ, her husband, and is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating location: בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים, at the city gate.
The structure emphasizes the husband’s status by placing the verb first, highlighting his recognition in a significant public space.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים as πύλαις (pulais), which means 'gates.' This choice indicates a focus on the physical location as a place of authority and community interaction.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text, maintaining the significance of the city gate as a central place for social and legal matters.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 31:23 tells us that the husband of the virtuous woman is respected at the city gate, where he sits with the elders. This highlights his important role in the community and reflects positively on his wife.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means he is respected and recognized by the community, indicating his status and the honor he brings to his family.
The city gate was a central place for public meetings, legal matters, and community decisions, making it a symbol of authority and influence.
It shows that her virtue contributes to her husband's reputation, highlighting the impact of her character on their family's standing in society.
This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and honor in a marriage, as the wife's virtues enhance her husband's reputation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I cultivate respect and recognition in my own life, like the husband in this verse?
- In what ways do my actions reflect on those I am close to, such as family or friends?
- What qualities do I admire in others that contribute to their reputation?
- How can I support and uplift my spouse or loved ones in their community standing?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators have noted this verse's significance in discussing the virtuous woman and her husband's role in society, as seen in Bede's commentary.
Her husband is known in the gates, etc. The husband of the holy Church, the Lord, is the husband of every faithful soul. He who seemed ignoble when he stood before the governor's tribunal, when he accepted reproaches, scourges, spit,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 31:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHer husband is known in the gates,.... Of the city, where courts of justice were kept, and causes heard and tried by the judges, the elders of the land, later mentioned; among whom the husband of the
Read John Gill on Proverbs 31 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The praises of a virtuous woman; forming a Hebrew acrostic. The 22 years begin with the several 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively; M.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 31 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleKnown; observed and respected, not only for his own worth, but for his wife’ s sake; not only for those rich ornaments which by her care and diligence she provides for him, which others of his brethren, by reason of their wives’ sloth or luxury, are not able to procure, but also for his wisdom in choosing, and his happiness in enjoying, so excellent a wife, by whose prudent care, in the management of his domestic concerns, he hath perfect freedom wholly to attend upon public affairs. Sitteth among the elders of the land, in counsel or judgment.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.Ver. 23. Her husband is known in the gates.] Is renowned and noted for his wife’ s worth, besides that he is a ruler in Israel.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 31 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) Her husband is known in the gates.—See above on Proverbs 22:22. Instead of being a hindrance to her husband’s advancement, she furthers it. Her influence for good extends to him also. Having no domestic anxieties, he is set free to do his part in public life.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 31 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 23. Her husband is known in the gates] 14. She is a loving wife, and feels for the respectability and honour of her husband. He is an elder among his people, and he sits as a magistrate in the gate. He is respected not only on account of the neatness and cleanliness of his person and dress, but because he is the husband of a woman who is justly held in universal esteem. And her complete management of household affairs gives him full leisure to devote himself to the civil interests of the community.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. is known] both by the fitting attire and by the freedom from anxiety and distraction, which her care and industry secure to him. Dean Plumptre in Speaker’s Comm. quotes the words of Nausicaa to her father in Hom. Odyss. vi. 60: “’Tis meet for thee to sit among the princes, And hold thy council, with thy body clad In raiment fair and clean.”
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 31 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe industry of the wife leaves the husband free to take his place among the elders that sit in councils.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 31 →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
Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.
Tyndale line
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is knowen in the gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.
Strictly literal
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, || In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.
Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
From the Latin
Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
Simplified
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns closely with the Septuagint, with five of the seven words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential meaning remains consistent.
נוֹדָ֣ע בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים בַּעְלָ֑הּ בְּ֝שִׁבְתּ֗וֹ עִם־ זִקְנֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
5 of the 7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 31:23
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.
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singularHVNrmsa
שַׁ֫עַר (sha'ar) means 'gate' and is derived from a root that signifies an opening. It encompasses various types of gates, including those of cities, palaces, and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like 'gate of heaven.' The entries consistently highlight its role as an entrance or threshold.
שַׁ֫עַר 373 n.m. gate
base
H8179 שַׁ֫עַר gate
8179 sha`ar shah'-ar
from 8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or
gate:--city, door, gate, port (X -er).
see HEBREW for 08176
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate.
: gate
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate: town.
: town
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
בַּעַל (ba`al) means owner or lord, and can refer to a husband, citizens, or rulers. It is derived from a root meaning 'to own' and is used in various contexts, including relationships and leadership. The term also appears as a divine name, Baal, in the Old Testament.
בַּעַל 166 n.m. owner, lord
owner
husband
citizens, inhabitants
rulers, lords
n. of relation
Esp. lord, specif. as divine name, Baal.
base
H1167 בַּעַל owner, lord . owner
. husband
. citizens, inhabitants
. rulers, lords
. n. of relation
1167 ba`al bah'-al
from 1166; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively)
owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this
latter sense):--+ archer, + babbler, + bird, captain, chief
man, + confederate, + have to do, + dreamer, those to whom it
is due, + furious, those that are given to it, great, + hairy,
he that hath it, have, + horseman, husband, lord, man, +
married, master, person, + sworn, they of.
see HEBREW for 01166
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master.
: master/leader
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: husband.
: husband/groom
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: men.
: men/comrades
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: owning.
: owning/having
1) owner, husband, lord
1a) owner
1b) a husband
1c) citizens, inhabitants
1d) rulers, lords
1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
בַּעַל (ba.al) — master: [master of].
: [master_of](DESCRIPTOR)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3fs
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' and is used to refer to human beings, often as a noun for 'old man' or 'elder.' It encompasses meanings related to age and authority, indicating both age and leadership roles. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be old,' and it is consistently associated with the concept of elders in various contexts.
זָקֵן adj. old
old, of human beings
usu. as subst.
old man (or woman)
elder
base
H2205 זָקֵן old . old, of human beings
. usu. as subst. . old man (or woman)
. elder
2205 zaqen zaw-kane'
from 2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man,
men and...women), senator.
see HEBREW for 02204
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old: elder.
: elder/leader
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old.
: old
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Adj — AdjHAampc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
((1) 'erets;
(2) 'adhamah;
(3) sadheh,
"a piece of land";
(4) ge, "earth";
(5) agros, "field";
(6) chora, "region";
(7) chorion, diminutive of chora;
(8) xeros, "dry land";
(9) 'ezrach, "native" the King James Version "born in the land," "born among you," the Revised Version (British and American) "home-born" (Le 19:34; 14:16; Nu 15:30); "like a green tree in its native soil" (Ps 37:35)):
→ Appeared on the third creative day Ge 1:9
→ Original title to, from God Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Ex 23:31; Le 25:23
→ Bought and sold Ge 23:3-18; 33:19; Ac 4:34; 5:1-8
→ Sale and redemption of, laws concerning Le 25:15,16,23-33; 27:17-24; Nu 36:4; Jer 32:7-16,25,44; Eze 46:18