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Psalms 118:10 — Word Study

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WLCכָּל־ גּוֹיִ֥ם סְבָב֑וּנִי בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֲמִילַֽם׃

BSAAllkôl [every single one, the entirety of] the nationsgôwy [Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples] surrounded meçâbab [encircled, turned against] but in the nameshêm [identity, character, and honor] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the self-existent God] I cut them offmûwl [destroyed, circumcised, removed them]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 118
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('a.mi.Lam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 118:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist describes being surrounded by nations but asserts victory through the name of the LORD.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal experience of conflict.
Where we areIn a context of distress, where the psalmist calls upon the LORD.
The hard wordאֲמִילַֽם
Take awayThe psalmist finds strength and deliverance in the name of the LORD.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Psalms 118:10

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 Psalm of Victorygenerated

9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

Psalm 118:10 reflects a moment of distress where the psalmist acknowledges being surrounded by nations, yet confidently declares that he will overcome them through the name of the LORD. This verse is part of a larger psalm that emphasizes trust in God amid adversity, highlighting a theme of divine deliverance and protection.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Samuel 5:1–25Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
22 Samuel 8:1–18Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
32 Samuel 10:1–19Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun.
4Zechariah 12:3On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.
5Zechariah 14:1–3Behold, a day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֲמִילַֽם, 'a.mi.Lamgenerated

The verb מוּל (muwl) means 'to circumcise' but also carries the connotation of cutting off or destroying. It is a hiphil imperfect form, indicating the psalmist is actively engaging in this action against his enemies.

The use of this verb in this context suggests a decisive and forceful action taken by the psalmist against those who oppose him, symbolizing a spiritual and physical separation from the nations surrounding him.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is אֲמִילַֽם, I cut them off, which governs the entire clause. The structure shows that the psalmist is asserting his action in response to the surrounding nations.

The sentence is built around the action of cutting off, with the subject being the psalmist and the surrounding nations as the object of his action.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֲמִילַֽם as αὐτοὺς, meaning 'them.' This choice maintains the focus on the enemies being addressed, emphasizing the psalmist's intent to remove or destroy them.

This rendering aligns with the overall theme of deliverance, showing that the psalmist's action is significant in the context of divine intervention.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 118:10 describes how the psalmist feels surrounded by nations but confidently declares that he will cut them off in the name of the LORD. This verse emphasizes the power of God's name in delivering the psalmist from his enemies.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to cut off the nations?

To cut off the nations means to defeat or destroy them, signifying a decisive victory over those who oppose.

How does the name of the LORD provide strength?

The name of the LORD represents His character, authority, and power, which the psalmist relies on for deliverance.

Why are the nations significant in this verse?

The nations symbolize opposition and adversity, highlighting the psalmist's struggle and the need for divine assistance.

What is the overall message of Psalm 118?

The overall message is one of trust in God's deliverance, emphasizing that despite overwhelming odds, faith in the LORD brings victory.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I feel surrounded by opposition, and how can I call upon the name of the LORD for strength?
  2. How can I apply the concept of cutting off negativity or harmful influences in my life?
  3. What does it mean to me personally to trust in the name of the LORD during difficult times?
  4. How can I encourage others to find strength in their faith when facing challenges?

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

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting the psalmist's declaration of victory over the nations through the name of the LORD.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 118 354–430
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

All nations compassed me about,.... Not all the nations of the world, but all the neighbouring nations about Judea; as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Syrians; and these not all

Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. -At the beginning (Psalms 118:5) and at the close of this division (Psalms 118:13-14) the salvation already received is described.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

All nations compassed me about; the neighbouring and heathen nations, Philistines, Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, &c., who were stirred up, partly, by the overthrows which David had given some of them; partly, by their jealousy at David’ s growing greatness and fear for themselves; and partly, by their hatred against the true religion.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 118:10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.Ver. 10. All nations compassed me about] This is still the condition of Christ’ s Church in this evil world, to be hated of all, and set against with utmost might and malice. Haud perinde crimine incendiiquam odio humani generis convicti sunt, saith Tacitus, of those Christians at Rome put to cruel deaths by Nero, who, having for his pleasure fired the city, fathered it upon them, as people hated of all men. But in the name of the Lord] i.e. By faith in God’ s power and promises. We might also do great exploits against our spiritual enemies, did we but set upon them with God’ s arms, and with his…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. All nations compassed me about] This is by some supposed to relate to David, at the commencement of his reign, when all the neighbouring Philistine nations endeavoured to prevent him from establishing himself in the kingdom. Others suppose it may refer to the Samaritans, Idumeans, Ammonites, and others, who endeavoured to prevent the Jews from rebuilding their city and their temple after their return from captivity in Babylon. But in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.] Dr. Kennicott renders אמילם amilam, "I shall disappoint them;" Bishop Horsley, "I cut them to pieces;" Mr. N. Berlin, repuli eas, "I have repelled them." "I will cut them off;" Chaldee. Ultus sum in eos, "I…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 118 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10–14. It was in the strength of Jehovah that Israel was enabled to repel the persistent attacks of its enemies.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

All nations compassed me about - They surrounded me; they hemmed me in on every side, so that I seemed to have no chance to escape.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 118 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

10. All nations—All heathen “nations.” The whole world is arrayed against the Church, because the true Church testifies against “all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men.” See John 7:7; John 15:19

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 118 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name I cut them off.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

NETBNew English Translation2006

All the nations surrounded me. Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

RVARevised Version, American1894

All nations compassed me about: in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

All nations encompassed me: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

All nations haue compassed me: but in the Name of the Lord shall I destroy them.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

All nations encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

All nations have compassed me about, In the name of Jehovah I surely cut them off.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

All nations have surrounded me, || In the Name of YHWH I surely cut them off.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

All nations encompassed me about; but in the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

All the nations surrounded me; in Yahweh's name I cut them off.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Even though all the heathen nations surrounded me, I defeated them with the help of the Lord.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

All the nations have come round me; but in the name of the Lord I will have them cut down.

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.

clausenoun phrase · subjectכָּלallגּוֹיִ֥םnationsverbסְבָב֑וּtheyobjectנִיsurrounded.meclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseשֵׁ֥םthe.nameיְ֝הוָ֗הof.Yahwehadverbialכִּ֣י(dm)verbאֲמִילַֽIobjectםfended.them.off

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 in this verse, with the Septuagint maintaining the same essential meaning but differing in word order. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration, indicating some textual consistency despite the damage.

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

כָּל־ גּוֹיִ֥ם סְבָב֑וּנִי בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֲמִילַֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
כָּל־πάνταגּוֹיִ֥םἔθνηסְבָב֑וּנִיμεבְּשֵׁ֥םὀνόματιיְ֝הוָ֗הκυρίουאֲמִילַֽם׃αὐτούς

6 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q84a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

כל גוים סבב׳ני בשם יהוה [כי] [אמיל׳ם]

4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 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.

Psalms 118:10כֹּלallallכֹּלגּוֹיnationsnationsגּוֹיסָבַבthey surrouthey surroundedסָבַבשֵׁםin [the] nain [the] name oשֵׁםיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהכִּיforforכִּימוּלI fended ofI fended off thמוּלכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלשׂוּםto set: mato set: makeשׂוּםהָיָהto beto beהָיָהגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהדָּלdoordoorדָּלקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָאיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעָרְלָהforeskinforeskinעָרְלָהזָכָרmalemaleזָכָר
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 118:10

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.

all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every single one, the entirety of
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
גּוֹיִ֥םgo.Yim nations H1471 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
סְבָב֑וּנִיse.va.Vu.ni they surrounded me H5437 Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Amplified meaning
encircled, turned against
Tyndale gloss
to turn: turn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָבַב (savav) means to turn or go around, encompassing a range of actions such as surrounding, marching, and changing direction. It is built from a primitive root and has various applications, both literal and figurative, including transforming or enclosing. The entries detail its uses in different verbal forms, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבַב vb. turn about, go around, surround

Qal

turn, intrans.

march, or walk, around

go partly round, circle, skirt

make a round, or circuit, go about to

surround, encompass

Niph.

turn oneself against, close round upon

turn round (from a direct course)

esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

pass. be turned over to, into the power of

Pi. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

Po‛.

encompass (with protection)

come about, assemble round

march or go about

enclose, envelop

Hiph.

turn (trans.), cause to turn

bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

turn into, of changing name

= bring round, of changing name

cause to go around

surround with (acc.) wall

perh. also encompass (as foe)

Hoph.

be turned, of cart wheel

surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5437 סָבַב turn about, go around, surround .. turn, intrans.

. . march, or walk, around

. go partly round, circle, skirt

. make a round, or circuit, go about to

. surround, encompass

. . . turn oneself against, close round upon

. turn round (from a direct course)

. esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

. pass. be turned over to, into the power of

. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

. . encompass (with protection)

. come about, assemble round

. march or go about

. enclose, envelop

. . . turn (trans.), cause to turn

. bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

. turn into, of changing name

. = bring round, of changing name

. . cause to go around

. surround with (acc.) wall

. perh. also encompass (as foe)

. . be turned, of cart wheel

. surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5437 cabab saw-bab'

a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in

various applications, literally and figuratively (as

follows):--bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, X whirl, X

round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset

(about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to

come about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round),

drive, environ, X on every side, beset (close, come, compass,

go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit

down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: turn.

: turn/bring_around

1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change

1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round

1b2) to be turned over to

1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform

1d) (Poel)

1d1) to encompass, surround

1d2) to come about, assemble round

1d3) to march, go about

1d4) to enclose, envelop

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round

1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass

1f) (Hophal)

1f1) to be turned

1f2) to be surrounded

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: surround.

: surround/go_round

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVqp3cp/Sp1bs
all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
בְּשֵׁ֥םbe.Shem in [the] name of H8034 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Amplified meaning
identity, character, and honor
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

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…

all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
יְ֝הוָ֗הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the self-existent God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
כִּ֣יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
all nations they surrounded me in [the] name of Yahweh for I fended off them
אֲמִילַֽם׃'a.mi.Lam I fended off them H4135 Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Circumcision is the literal meaning of this word, but it can also imply destruction or cutting off. In Genesis 17:10, God commands Abraham to circumcise all males as a sign of covenant. It represents a physical and spiritual separation.
Amplified meaning
destroyed, circumcised, removed them
Tyndale gloss
to circumcise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּל (muwl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to circumcise, with various forms indicating different grammatical aspects, such as being circumcised or causing circumcision. It also carries connotations of cutting off or destruction. The entries note its use in contexts like Joshua 5:2 and Genesis 17:11, where it specifically refers to the act of circumcision.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מוּל] vb. circumcise

Qal circumcise

Niph. be circumcised

Hiph. in the name of י׳, yea I will make them to be circumcised

Hithp. be cut off, of arrows, i.e. made blunt.

base

[מָלַל] vb. circumcise

Qal Jos 5:2.

Niph. Gn 17:11

Hithpo. be cut off: ψ 58:8.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4135a מוּל circumcise H4135b מָלַל circumcise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4135 muwl mool

a primitive root; to cut short, i.e. curtail (specifically

the prepuce, i.e. to circumcise); by implication, to blunt;

figuratively, to destroy:--circumcise(-ing), selves), cut

down (in pieces), destroy, X must needs.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּל (mul) — to circumcise.

1) to circumcise, let oneself be circumcised, cut, be cut off

1a) (Qal) to circumcise

1b) (Niphal) to be circumcised, circumcise oneself

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to be circumcised

1c1) of destruction (fig.)

1d) (Hithpolel) to be cut off

1e) (Polel) cut down

מָלַל (ma.lal) — to circumcise.

1) to circumcise

1a) (Qal)

1b) (Niphal)

2) (Hithpolel) to be cut off

Also means: mul (מוּל "to circumcise" H4135A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffix
HVhi1cs/Sp3mp
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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