Proverbs 8:23 — Word Study
WLCמֵ֭עוֹלָם נִסַּ֥כְתִּי מֵרֹ֗אשׁ מִקַּדְמֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
BSAFrom everlastingʻôwlâm [before all time, eternal days] I was establishednâçak■ [set up, anointed, appointed] from the beginningrôʼsh [the first, the birth of time] before the earthʼerets [the land, the world] beganqedem [existed, was]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מֵ֭עוֹלָם | from long ago | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נִסַּ֥כְתִּי | I was installed | Verb, Niphal, perfect first person common singular |
| מֵרֹ֗אשׁ | from [the] beginning | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| מִקַּדְמֵי־ | from [the] beginnings of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| אָֽרֶץ׃ | [the] earth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. |
| KJV | I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. |
| ASV | I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. |
| YLT | From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth. |
| WEB | I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. |
| BBE | From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before the earth was. |
The translations agree on the meaning of wisdom's establishment, with no significant variations.
The sentence has a main clause with supporting phrases that clarify the timing and context of wisdom's establishment.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָסַךְ
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 8:23
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 Praise of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 8:23 reflects on the eternal nature of wisdom, emphasizing that it was established before the beginning of time and creation. This passage is part of a larger discourse on wisdom's role in creation, as seen in the preceding and following verses, where wisdom is portrayed as a foundational aspect of God's creative work.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 1:26 | Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” |
| 2 | Psalm 2:6 | “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” |
| 3 | Micah 5:2 | But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. |
| 4 | John 17:24 | Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. |
| 5 | Ephesians 1:10–11 | as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נִסַּ֥כְתִּי, ni.Sakh.tigenerated
The verb נִסַּךְ (nacak) is in the Niphal form, indicating a passive action, meaning 'I was installed' or 'I was poured out.' This usage suggests a deliberate act of establishment or anointing, highlighting the significance of wisdom's role in creation.
The perfect tense indicates a completed action, emphasizing that wisdom has been in place since before time began. This word is often associated with rituals, such as anointing kings, which adds to the weight of wisdom's authority and its foundational role in the universe.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the word is rendered as established, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains multiple clauses, with the main verb נִסַּ֥כְתִּי, I was installed, at its center. The structure includes prepositional phrases that provide context regarding the timing and nature of this installation.
The flow of the sentence reflects a sequence: from eternity to the beginning of time and then to the creation of the earth, illustrating the chronological order of wisdom's existence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נִסַּכְתִּי with the Greek word ἐθεμελίωσα, meaning 'I laid the foundation.' This choice emphasizes the foundational aspect of wisdom in creation, suggesting a role that is both pre-existing and essential.
This translation highlights a slight interpretative shift, focusing on wisdom as a foundational element rather than merely an established entity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 8:23 states that wisdom was established from everlasting, before the earth was created. This highlights wisdom's eternal nature and its role in the order of creation, emphasizing that it existed before all things.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that wisdom has existed eternally, before time and creation, indicating its foundational role in the universe.
The term indicates a deliberate act of setting wisdom in place, akin to anointing, suggesting its authority and importance in creation.
The reference to beginnings emphasizes that wisdom predates creation, underscoring its integral role in the order of existence.
This passage connects to themes of creation and divine wisdom, paralleling ideas found in Genesis and other wisdom literature.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see wisdom influencing decisions in my life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of wisdom as described in this verse?
- What does it mean for me to recognize the eternal nature of wisdom in my daily choices?
- How can I apply the principles of wisdom established in this verse to my relationships and responsibilities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and its role in creation, arguing its significance in understanding the divine order.
Since the heretics, reading the next verse, take a perverse view of that also, because it is written, “He founded me before the world,” namely, that this is said of the Godhead of the Word and not of his incarnate presence,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →
[Solomon] says, “He laid down both the cause and foundation of creation.” Also it is written, “He created all things in himself, and he is before all things.” And the Lord says as well, “I am the beginning of the creation of God.” Indeed,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 8:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI was set up from everlasting,.... I, a person, and not a quality; a person, and not a nature; the person of Christ as the Son of God, and not the human nature of Christ, which then did not exist;
Read John Gill on Proverbs 8 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. I was set up - literally, 'anointed;' i:e., set apart, in the purposes of God, to be Lord and King of the world.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 8 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSet up, Heb. anointed; ordained or constituted to be the person by whom the Father resolved to do all his works, first to create, and then to uphold, and govern, and judge, and afterwards to redeem and save the world; all which works are particularly ascribed to the Son of God, as is manifest from , &c.; ,17 Hebrews 1:3, and many other places, as we may see hereafter in their several places. From the beginning; before which there was nothing but a vast eternity. Or ever the earth was; which he mentions, because this, together with the heaven, was the first of God’ s visible works.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 8 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.Ver. 23. I was set up.] Coronata sum; I was crowned; so some render it. Inuncta fui, I was anointed - so others - for king, priest, and prophet of my Church. And to this high honour I grew not up by degrees, but had it presently from before all beginnings.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 8 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) I was set up.—An unusual word; also applied to our Lord in Psalms 2:6 when “set” as King on Zion.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 8 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 23. I was set up from everlasting] נסכתי nissachti, "I was diffused or poured out," from נסך nasach, "to diffuse, pour abroad, as a spirit or disposition," Isaiah 29:10. See Parkhurst. Or from סך sach, "to cover, overspread, smear over, as with oil;" to be anointed king. Hence some have translated it, principatum habui, I had the principality, or was a ruler, governor, and director, from eternity. All the schemes, plans, and circumstances, relative to creation, government, providence, and to all being, material, animal, and intellectual, were conceived in the Divine mind, by the Divine wisdom, from eternity, or ever the earth was. There was no fortuitous creation, no jumbling…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 8 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. set up] Gesenius renders anointed here and in Psalms 2:6, where the same word occurs. But “the verb means ‘to pour out,’ and then ‘to pour metals in a state of fusion into a mould’: hence it passes over into the meaning of setting fast, establishing, &c. So the Niph, Proverbs 8:23, and hence πָ ?ρִ ?ικְ means, not ‘one anointed,’ but ‘one appointed’ to his office.” Bp. Perowne, Crit. Note on Psalms 2:6. See also note there in this Series. ἐθεμελίωσέμε, LXX., ordinata sum, Vulg.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 8 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI was set up - Rather, “I was anointed” (compare Psalms 2:6 margin: 2 Chronicles 28:15).
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 8 →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
From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before the world existed.
Tyndale line
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
I was set vp from euerlasting, from the beginning and before the earth.
Strictly literal
I was set up from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was.
From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth.
I was anointed from the age, from the first, || From former states of the earth.
From eternity was I appointed chief, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
In ages long ago I was made—from the first, from the beginnings of the earth.
From the Latin
I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made.
Simplified
I was formed a long time ago, at the first, before the world began.
From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before the earth was.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with four out of five words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, reflecting its own syntactical structure.
מֵ֭עוֹלָם נִסַּ֥כְתִּי מֵרֹ֗אשׁ מִקַּדְמֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
4 of the 5 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 8:23
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.
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
נָסַךְ (nacak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pour out, particularly in the context of libations, or to set and install. It encompasses actions such as pouring, casting metal images, and anointing a king. The word appears in various forms, indicating different nuances, such as being poured out or installed, with references in the Old Testament including Psalm 2:6.
נָסַךְ vb. pour out
Qal
pour out
pour out libations
cast metal images
Piel pour out as libation
Hiph. pour out libations
Hoph. be poured out
base
[נָסַךְ] vb. set, install
H5258a נָסַךְ pour out H5258b נָסַךְ set, install
5258 nacak naw-sak'
a primitive root; to pour out, especially a libation, or to
cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king:--cover, melt,
offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
נָסַךְ (na.sakh) — to pour.
1) to pour out, pour, offer, cast
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour out
1a2) to cast metal images
1a3) to anoint (a king)
1b) (Niphal) to be anointed
1c) (Piel) to pour out (as a libation)
1d) (Hiphil) to pour out libations
1e) (Hophal) to be poured out
Aramaic equivalent: ne.sakh (נְסַךְ "to pour" H5260)
נָסַךְ (na.sakh) — to install.
1) to set, install
1a) (Qal) to install
1b) (Niphal) to be installed
V-Niphal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Niphal · perfect first person common singularHVNp1cs
רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.
רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.
(c. 230 t.) head, of human being
head, of animals
top (88 t.)
height, of stars
head = chief (man)
= chief (city)
chief nation
= chief (place, position)
= chief priest
= head of a family
head = front, leader's place
of time, beginning, of night watch
of things, river-heads
chief, choicest, best, of spices
head = division of army, company, band
= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
other phr.
base
רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh
base
H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being
. head, of animals
. . top (88 t.)
. height, of stars
. . head = chief (man)
. = chief (city)
. chief nation
. = chief (place, position)
. = chief priest
. = head of a family
. . head = front, leader's place
. of time, beginning, of night watch
. of things, river-heads
. chief, choicest, best, of spices
. head = division of army, company, band
. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
. other phr.
H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh
7218 ro'sh roshe
from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as
most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many
applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,
captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,
end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,
height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,
principal, ruler, sum, top.
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.
: head
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.
Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.
: leader
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.
: top/best
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
be-gin'-ing (re'-shith; arche): The natural meaning of the word is with reference to time. The primitive Greek root means "to be long," "to draw out." Thus, it is used to refer to some point of time long drawn out, or long past (Ge 1:1). It is used also to express the inauguration of a particular event (Ex 12:2). The principal interest in the word centers in the use of it in Joh 1:1. It must be interpreted here by that which follows in the statement as to the relation of the Logos to the Eternal God and the use of the word "was." It is true that the word arche cannot be separated from the idea of time, but when time began He already was, and therefore He was from eternity.
See TIME; ETERNITY.
The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime
loc.
front
East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward
temp., ancient time, aforetime:
הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.
בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days
מִקּ׳ from of old
ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old
beginning
base
[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.
base
H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front
. East
. temp. ancient time, aforetime
H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.
6924 qedem keh'-dem
or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place
(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time
(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,
eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,
part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,
past. Compare 6926.
see HEBREW for 06923
see HEBREW for 06926
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.
This name means east, antiquity, front
קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.
adv
eastward, to or toward the East
Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.
: east
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.
: old/ancient
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.
: forward
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
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
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2