Psalms 106:35 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּ בַגּוֹיִ֑ם וַֽ֝יִּלְמְד֗וּ מַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃
BSAbut they mingledʻârab▸ [joined, mixed themselves] with the nationsgôwy [Gentiles, heathen] and adoptedlâmad▸ [learned, took on] their customsmaʻăseh [works, way of life, deeds]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּ | and they mixed themselves | Verb, Hithpael, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בַגּוֹיִ֑ם | with the nations | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וַֽ֝יִּלְמְד֗וּ | and they learned | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ | deeds their | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. |
| KJV | But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. |
| ASV | But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works, |
| YLT | And mix themselves among nations, and learn their works, |
| WEB | but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works. |
| BBE | But they were joined to the nations, learning their works. |
Translations agree on the meaning of the verse, using similar terms for mingling and adopting customs.
The sentence has one main verb with two phrases that elaborate on the actions taken, showing a clear sequence of mingling and adopting.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָרַב
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 — Psalms 106:35
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 Consequences of Israel's Disobediencegenerated
Psalms 106:35 reflects on how Israel failed to follow God's commands by mingling with the nations around them. This mingling led to the adoption of foreign customs and practices, which ultimately caused them to stray from their covenant with God. The preceding verses highlight Israel's disobedience in failing to destroy the peoples as commanded, setting the stage for the consequences that follow in this verse.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 15:63 | But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah. |
| 2 | Judges 1:27–36 | At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. |
| 3 | Judges 2:2–3 | and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? |
| 4 | Isaiah 2:6 | For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines; they strike hands with the children of foreigners. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 5:6 | Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָרַב, vai.yit.'a.re.Vugenerated
The verb עָרַב (arab) is a Hithpael form, indicating a reflexive action where the subject engages in mixing or mingling. This word conveys the idea of pledging or exchanging, suggesting a deeper involvement with the nations rather than mere coexistence.
In this context, it emphasizes how Israel did not merely live alongside the Gentiles but actively engaged with them, leading to a blending of cultures and practices that were contrary to their identity as God's chosen people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations agree on the meaning of the verse, with all versions reflecting the idea that Israel mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִּתְעָרְב֥וּ (they mixed themselves) governs the sentence, with two additional phrases describing the actions taken: a prepositional phrase indicating with whom they mingled and a second verb phrase indicating what they learned.
The structure highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between mingling with the nations and adopting their customs, emphasizing the consequences of their actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָרַב as ἐμίγησαν, which means 'they mixed'. This choice reflects a similar meaning to the Hebrew, indicating a blending or mingling.
The Greek word ἔμαθον for 'learned' aligns with the Hebrew יִּלְמְד֗וּ, suggesting a direct engagement with the customs of the nations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 106:35 describes how the people of Israel mixed with other nations and began to adopt their customs. This mingling led them away from their own traditions and practices, which was against God's commands.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the Israelites engaged closely with other peoples, adopting their ways and customs, which led them away from their covenant with God.
This mingling is significant because it represents a failure to uphold their identity as God's chosen people, leading to spiritual and moral decline.
The customs included idol worship and practices that were contrary to the laws given to them by God.
This verse reflects a recurring theme in the Psalms where Israel's disobedience leads to consequences, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I ensure that I maintain my own values and beliefs in a diverse environment?
- How can I recognize when I am adopting customs or practices that conflict with my faith?
- What steps can I take to engage with others while remaining true to my beliefs?
- How does this passage challenge me to reflect on my interactions with different cultures?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 106:35 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut were mingled among the Heathen,.... Not only dwelt among them, but made covenants and contracts, carried on trade and commerce, and intermarried with them, contrary to the express law of God, Deuteronomy 7:2.
Read John Gill on Psalms 106 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: -From the fathers in the wilderness the Psalmist turns to the sons in Canaan.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 106 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMingled in their habits and negotiations, as also in marriages.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 106 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 106:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.Ver. 35. But were mingled among the heathen] With whom they made leagues and marriages, Judges 1:3, and so were soon corrupted by them. It is dangerous to converse with graceless people, their very example is a compulsion; see Galatians 2:14; how much more their evil counsel!
Read John Trapp on Psalms 106 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(34-39) The national sin after the settlement in Canaan.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 106 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges35. But mingled themselves with the nations (R.V.), by matrimonial alliances (Ezra 9:2) and intercourse generally (Judges 3:5-6).
Read Cambridge on Psalms 106 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut were mingled among the heathen - Among the nations; by intermarriage, and by commerce.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 106 →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
but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works.
but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
They mixed in with the nations and learned their ways.
Tyndale line
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works,
But mingled themselves with the nations, and learned their works:
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their workes,
Strictly literal
But they mingled with the nations, and learned their works;
And mix themselves among nations, and learn their works,
And mix themselves among nations, and learn their works,
But they mingled themselves among the nations, and learned their doings.
but they mingled with the nations and learned their ways
From the Latin
He hath turned a wilderness into pools of water, and a dry land into water springs.
Simplified
but instead they joined in with them and adopted their way of life.
But they were joined to the nations, learning their works.
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 align closely in this verse, with both versions conveying the same actions of mingling and learning the deeds of the nations. The Septuagint's translation matches each Hebrew word, confirming the integrity of the text.
וַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּ בַגּוֹיִ֑ם וַֽ֝יִּלְמְד֗וּ מַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃
4 of the 4 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 Psalms 106:35
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.
The Hebrew word עָרַב (arab) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to pledging, exchanging, and engaging in trade. It can refer to taking on a pledge, giving a pledge, or exchanging items, as well as having fellowship or sharing. The entries indicate various usages, including going surety for someone or making a bargain.
עָרַב vb. take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
Qal
c. acc. pers. take on pledge, i.e. go surety for
give in pledge
exchange (in trade)
Hithp.
recipr. exchange pledges (make a bargain) with my lord
have fellowship with
share in
base
H6148 עָרַב take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange .. c. acc. pers. take on pledge, i.e. go surety for
. give in pledge
. exchange (in trade)
. . recipr. exchange pledges (make a bargain) with my lord
. . have fellowship with
. share in
6148 `arab aw-rab'
a primitive root; to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to
traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a
kind of exchange):--engage, (inter-)meddle (with), mingle
(self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be(-come, put in)
surety, undertake.
עָרַב (a.rav) — to pledge.
1) to pledge, exchange, mortgage, engage, occupy, undertake for, give pledges, be or become surety, take on pledge, give in pledge
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take on pledge, go surety for
1a2) to give in pledge
1a3) to exchange
1a4) to pledge
1b) (Hithpael)
1b1) to exchange pledges
1b2) to have fellowship with, share
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vtw3mp
גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.
גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people
base
גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
base
H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
1471 gowy go'-ee
rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same
root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;
hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a
flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
see HEBREW for 01465
גּוֹי (goy) — nation.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.
People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1
§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
1c) Goyim? = "nations"
Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.
Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
na'-shunz.
See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.
לָמַד (lamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to learn or teach. It encompasses the ideas of exercising in a skill, being trained, and instructing others. The root suggests a connection to motivation or incentive, as seen in the context of teaching with a rod. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to learn), Piel (to teach), and Pual (to be taught).
לָמַד vb. exercise in, learn
Qal learn something
Piel teach
Pual trained; taught
base
H3925 לָמַד exercise in, learn .learn something
.teach
.trained; taught
3925 lamad law-mad'
a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to
teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive):(un-) accustomed,
X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -
ing).
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: teach.
: teach
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: learn.
: learn
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3mp