Psalms 109:8 — Word Study
WLCיִֽהְיֽוּ־ יָמָ֥יו מְעַטִּ֑ים פְּ֝קֻדָּת֗וֹ יִקַּ֥ח אַחֵֽר׃
BSAMay his daysyôwm [limited in number] behâyâh▸ fewmᵉʻaṭ may anotherʼachêr [someone else, a different person] takelâqach▸ his positionpᵉquddâh [of authority, oversight, or office]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִֽהְיֽוּ־ | may they be | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| יָמָ֥יו | days his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מְעַטִּ֑ים | few | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| פְּ֝קֻדָּת֗וֹ | office his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| יִקַּ֥ח | may he take | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אַחֵֽר׃ | another | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May his days be few; may another take his position. |
| KJV | Let his days be few; and let another take his office. |
| ASV | Let his days be few; And let another take his office. |
| YLT | His days are few, his oversight another taketh, |
| WEB | Let his days be few. Let another take his office. |
| BBE | Let his life be short; let another take his position of authority. |
Where they part company is אַחֵֽר׃ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate verb phrase, clearly expressing the psalmist's wishes.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַחֵר
verbהָיָה
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 109:8
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 — A Lament Against an Enemygenerated
Psalm 109:8 expresses a desire for the days of a wicked person to be cut short and for another to assume their position. This verse is part of a larger context where the psalmist is calling for divine justice against adversaries, similar to the themes found in Psalm 55:23 and Acts 1:16–26, where the fate of Judas Iscariot is addressed.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 55:23 | But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. |
| 2 | Matthew 27:5 | So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. |
| 3 | Acts 1:16–26 | “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִֽהְיֽוּ־, yih.yu-generated
The verb הָיָה (hayah) means 'to be' and is used here in the imperfect tense, indicating a wish or desire for the future. It conveys the idea of existence or coming into being, suggesting that the psalmist is calling for a specific outcome regarding the days of the wicked.
In this context, the phrase may they be reflects a desire for the subject's life to be limited, emphasizing the urgency of the psalmist's plea for justice.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase may his days be few. The KJV and ASV also maintain this wording.
Where the translations differ is in the rendering of אַחֵֽר׃ — another is used by the BSB, KJV, and ASV, while someone else is chosen by the FBV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs יִֽהְיֽוּ and יִקַּ֥ח govern the two main clauses of the verse, with the subjects and objects clearly defined. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's wishes for both the end of the wicked person's days and the taking of their position by another.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the verbs, highlighting the psalmist's direct appeal for action regarding the fate of the wicked.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִֽהְיֽוּ as γενηθήτωσαν, which carries a similar meaning of 'may they become' or 'may they be.' This choice reflects a direct connection to the Hebrew intent of wishing for a change in the current state of the wicked.
The Greek word ἕτερος for אַחֵֽר emphasizes the idea of another person taking the position, aligning with the Hebrew context of replacement.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 109:8 expresses a desire for the days of a wicked person to be cut short and for someone else to take their place. This verse is part of a larger lament against enemies, calling for justice and divine intervention.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing a wish for the wicked person's life to be shortened as a form of divine justice.
The term 'another' refers to a different person who would take the place of the wicked individual, implying a change in leadership or authority.
The psalmist seeks justice against those who have wronged him, reflecting a common theme in the Psalms of invoking God's judgment on enemies.
This verse is referenced in the New Testament in relation to Judas Iscariot, highlighting the fulfillment of this lament in the context of betrayal.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to desire justice for those who do wrong?
- In what ways can we see the consequences of wickedness in our world today?
- How can we respond to those who have wronged us, in light of this psalm?
- What does it mean to trust God for justice in our lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of justice and prophecy, arguing from the text to illustrate their points.
And if we must make a statement regarding Judas that may overwhelm our opponents with shame, we would say that, in the book of Psalms, the whole of Psalm 108 [LXX] contains a prophecy about Judas, the beginning of which is this: "O God,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 109 →
"Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow" [Psalms 109:8]. After his death, both his children were fatherless, and his wife a widow.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 109 →
Petilianus said, "We must consider, I say, and declare how far the treacherous traditor is to be considered dead while he was still living.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 109 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 109:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet his days be few,.... The days of men in common are but few at most: length of days, either beyond or according to the usual term of life, is reckoned a blessing; and to be cut off in the midst of
Read John Gill on Psalms 109 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his days be few - even as he plotted to shorten my days; literally, 'be fewnesses.' The wish accords with the divinely-appointed fact (Psalms 55:23).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 109 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLet his days be few; the days of his life. Let him die an untimely death. His office, made void by his death. He also implies that his enemy was a man of power and reputation.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 109 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 109:8 Let his days be few; [and] let another take his office.Ver. 8. Let his days be few] Let his execution be hastened, as Haman’ s was. Ahithophel and Judas were their own deathsmen. Doeg, doubtless, came to an ill end; and so did other persecutors. See the Book of Martyrs. And let another take his office] Praefecturam. Officers are ofttimes the Church’ s chief enemies; Popish bishops especially, as here in Queen Mary’ s days. Judas was guide to those that took Jesus, Acts 1:16; Acts 1:20.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 109 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) Office.—See Note, Psalms 109:6. Evidently some post of power and influence.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 109 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Let another take his office.] The original is פקדתו pekuddatho, which the margin translates charge, and which literally means superintendence, oversight, inspection from actual visitations. The translation in our common Version is too technical. His bishopric, following the Septuagint, επισκοπην, and Vulgate, episcopatum, and has given cause to some light people to be witty, who have said, "The first bishop we read of was bishop Judas." But it would be easy to convict this witticism of blasphemy, as the word is used in many parts of the sacred writings, from Genesis downward, to signify offices and officers, appointed either by God immediately, or in the course of his providence…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 109 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. Let his life come prematurely to an end (Psalms 37:35-36; Psalms 55:23), and let another man succeed him in his post of authority: or perhaps, let his life be short and withal dishonoured by degradation from his office. Cp. Isaiah 22:19 ff. The rendering let another take his store is less probable. The second clause is quoted together with Psalms 69:25 in Acts 1:20. Judas was the antitype of the man who requited love with treachery, and the words of Scripture are appealed to as a solemn sanction for filling up his office by the election of another Apostle.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 109 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet his days be few - Let him be soon cut off; let his life be shortened. It cannot be wrong for an officer of justice to aim at this; to desire it; to pray for it.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 109 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
May his days be few; may another take his position.
Let his days be few. Let another take his office.
May his days be few; may another take his position.
May his days be few! May another take his job!
Tyndale line
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his days be few; And let another take his office.
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his daies be fewe, and let another take his charge.
Strictly literal
Let his days be few, let another take his office;
His days are few, his oversight another taketh,
His days are few, another takes his oversight,
Let his days be few, and let another take his office.
May his days be few; may another take his office.
Simplified
May his life be short; let someone else take over his position.
Let his life be short; let another take his position of authority.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 agree closely in wording, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain one word on the leather, with five words supplied by an editor, indicating some damage but no significant variation in meaning.
יִֽהְיֽוּ־ יָמָ֥יו מְעַטִּ֑ים פְּ֝קֻדָּת֗וֹ יִקַּ֥ח אַחֵֽר׃
6 of the 6 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.
[יהיו] [ימי׳ו] [מעטים] [פקדת׳ו] יקח [אחר]
1 word on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
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 109:8
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 הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
מְעַט (m`at) refers to something that is small in quantity or degree, encompassing meanings like 'a little' or 'few.' It can be used adverbially to indicate a small amount or to describe something as almost or hardly. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to be small' and is associated with concepts of littleness and fewness.
מְעַט 101 subst. a little, fewness, a few
base
H4592 מְעַט a little, fewness, a few
4592 m`at meh-at'
or miat {meh-awt'}; from 4591; a little or few (often
adverbial or compar.):--almost (some, very) few(-er, -est),
lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some,
soon, X very.
see HEBREW for 04591
מְעַט (me.at) — little.
1) littleness, few, a little, fewness
1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little
1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
פְּקֻדָּה (pquddah) refers to concepts of oversight, mustering, and visitation, often in an official capacity. It can denote custody, charge, or a store of items, and is linked to punishment in some contexts. The term is derived from a related root and is noted in various lexicons for its range of meanings.
פְּקֻדָּה 32 n.f. oversight, mustering, visitation, store
base
H6486 פְּקֻדָּה oversight, mustering, visitation, store
6486 pquddah pek-ood-daw'
feminine passive participle of 6485; visitation (in many
senses, chiefly official):--account, (that have the) charge,
custody, that which...laid up, numbers, office(-r), ordering,
oversight, + prison, reckoning, visitation.
see HEBREW for 06485
פְּקֻדָּה (pe.qud.dah) — punishment.
1) oversight, care, custody, mustering, visitation, store
1a) visitation, punishment
1b) oversight, charge, office, overseer, class of officers
1c) mustering
1d) store
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
tak: Most of the very numerous examples of this word are still in good use and only a few call for special attention. "To take" in the sense of "capture" is still common, but when a person or living animal is in point, modern English usually adds "prisoner" or "captive." English Versions of the Bible not infrequently has this addition (Ge 14:14, etc.), but more commonly "take" is used without it (Jos 10:39; Job 5:13; Sirach 23:21; Joh 7:30, etc.). An occasional obscurity is thus caused, as in Ge 27:3, "take me venison" for "hunt venison for me." "To take advice" (2Ch…
אַחֵר (acher) means 'another' or 'other' and can imply something that follows or is different. It is derived from a root that suggests hindrance or being next to something else. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, often referring to another person or thing.
אַחֵר adj. another
base
H312 אַחֵר another
312 'acher akh-air'
from 309; properly, hinder; generally, next, other,
etc.:--(an-)other man, following, next, strange.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחֵר (a.cher) — another.
1) another, other, following
1a) following, further
1b) other, different
Adj — AdjHAamsa