Menu

Psalms 119:144 — Word Study

Depth

WLCצֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃

BSAYour testimoniesʻêdûwth [righteous instructions, divine laws] are righteoustsedeq [just, morally upright] foreverʻôwlâm [always, throughout eternity] Give me understandingbîyn [discernment, spiritual insight] that I may livechâyâh [have life, be revived]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 144 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 (ve.'ech.Yeh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:144quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares God's testimonies as eternally righteous and seeks understanding to truly live.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal plea to God.
Where we areIn the midst of a reflection on God's laws and their importance.
The hard wordצֶ֖דֶק
Take awayGod's righteous instructions guide us toward life.
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 119:144

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 Righteousness of God's Testimoniesgenerated

143Trouble and distress have found me, but Your commandments are my delight.
144Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will obey Your statutes.
146I call to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies.

Psalm 119:144 emphasizes the eternal righteousness of God's testimonies and the psalmist's desire for understanding. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the significance of God's laws, as seen in the surrounding verses that express both distress and delight in His commandments. The psalmist acknowledges the need for divine insight to truly live according to God's ways, reflecting a deep relationship with the divine.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:138–152The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.
2Matthew 5:18For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
31 Peter 1:23–25For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
4Psalm 119:34–66Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
52 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word צֶ֖דֶק, Tze.dekgenerated

The noun צֶ֫דֶק (Tze.dek) signifies righteousness and justice, embodying the moral standards set by God. It is often associated with the ideal conduct expected from humanity, emphasizing ethical correctness in both personal and societal contexts.

This term appears frequently in scripture, highlighting its importance in discussions of morality and justice. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun in the construct state, suggesting a close connection to what it describes — God's character and the moral framework for human behavior.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the rendering of צֶ֖דֶק as righteous, emphasizing its moral and ethical dimensions.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb הֲבִינֵ֥נִי, give me understanding, governs the main action of the verse. The subject is the psalmist's plea, while the noun phrase עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָ, your testimonies, serves as the subject of the first clause, emphasizing the focus on God's laws.

The structure highlights a cause-and-effect relationship, where the recognition of God's righteousness leads to the request for understanding, ultimately linking divine instruction with the psalmist's desire for life.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, צֶ֖דֶק is rendered as δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē), which carries a similar meaning of righteousness and justice. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of God's moral standards across both Hebrew and Greek texts.

The translation emphasizes the enduring nature of God's righteousness, paralleling the original Hebrew's intent and reinforcing the theme of divine justice.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:144 expresses the psalmist's recognition of God's testimonies as eternally righteous. The psalmist seeks understanding to truly live according to these divine laws, emphasizing the connection between insight and life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God's testimonies are righteous forever?

It indicates that God's laws and instructions are eternally just and morally upright, serving as a standard for human conduct.

Why does the psalmist ask for understanding?

The psalmist desires discernment and insight to live according to God's righteous instructions, highlighting the importance of understanding in spiritual life.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Psalm 119?

This verse reflects the psalmist's deep appreciation for God's laws, emphasizing their eternal nature and the necessity of understanding them for a fulfilling life.

What is the significance of the phrase 'that I may live'?

This phrase underscores the connection between understanding God's laws and experiencing true life, suggesting that spiritual insight leads to vitality and fulfillment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I seek understanding of God's laws in my own life?
  2. What are some ways I can apply the righteousness of God's testimonies in my daily conduct?
  3. In what areas do I need discernment to align my life more closely with God's instructions?
  4. How does recognizing the eternal nature of God's testimonies impact my faith and actions?

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

Augustine of Hippo references this verse to illustrate the connection between God's righteousness and understanding, arguing that divine insight leads to life.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
"Your testimonies are righteousness unto everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live" [Psalms 119:144].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:144 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting,.... Or, "for ever" (b).

Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 144. I shall be kept from those sins which deserve and bring death.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.Ver. 144. The righteousness of thy testimonies, &c.] This is the same with Psalms 119:142. Give me understanding] An ignorant life is a lifeless life. Fuit non vixit. The life of God is the only life. But from this men are alienated by the ignorance that is in them, Ephesians 4:18.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting] Thy moral law was not made for one people, or for one particular time; it is as imperishable as thy nature, and of endless obligation. It is that law by which all the children of Adam shall be judged. Give me understanding] To know and practise it. And I shall live.] Shall glorify thee, and live eternally; not for the merit of having done it, but because thou didst fulfil the work of the law in my heart, having saved me from condemnation by it. ANALYSIS OF LETTER TSADDI. - Eighteenth Division In this division the psalmist - I. Commends the law of God, from its Author, its equity, its purity, and its perpetuity. II. A…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting] Righteous (lit. righteousness) are thy testimonies for ever, reflecting Thine own eternal righteousness. They are neither imperfect nor temporary. Cp. Matthew 5:17 ff. give me understanding &c.] He ends this contemplation of the character of God’s law with a prayer for fuller understanding of it, for through knowledge of it and obedience to it man really lives, truly realises the purpose of his being. Cp. Psalms 119:17; Psalms 119:77; Psalms 119:116; Proverbs 4:4; Proverbs 4:13; Deuteronomy 32:47.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The righteousness of thy testimonies - The principles of righteousness on which they are founded. Those testimonies - those laws - are not arbitrary, or the mere expressions of will.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

ö, Tsade.137-144. Thy law is the truth—This division, more than any other, tells us of a heart to which the eternal God was a living power.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. QOPH

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Your rules remain just. Give me insight so that I can live.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live. ק QOPH.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting: graunt me vnderstanding, and I shall liue.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The righteousness of thy testimonies is for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

The righteousness of Thy testimonies [is] to Cause me to understand, and I live!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The righteousness of Your testimonies || [Is] to cause me to understand, and I live!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Righteous are thy testimonies for everlasting: give me understanding, that I may live.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Your covenant decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Your laws are always right; help me to understand what they mean so I can live. Qoph

BBEBible in Basic English1949

The righteousness of your unchanging word is eternal; give me wisdom so that I may have life. KOPH

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.

clausepredicateצֶ֖דֶק[are].righteousnessnoun phrase · subjectעֵדְוֺתֶ֥יtestimoniesךָyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְforeverעוֹלָ֗םof.perpetuityclauseverbהֲבִינֵ֥giveobjectנִיme.understandingוְsoclauseverbאֶחְיֶֽהthat.I.may.live

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 on the wording of Psalm 119:144, with all five words matched. This consistency highlights the shared understanding of the verse's message across different textual traditions.

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

צֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
צֶ֖דֶקδικαιοσύνηעֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָσουלְעוֹלָ֗םαἰῶναהֲבִינֵ֥נִיμεוְאֶחְיֶֽה׃ζήσομαι

5 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.

Psalms 119:144צֶ֫דֶק[are] right[are] righteousצֶ֫דֶקעֵדוּתtestimoniestestimonies youעֵדוּתעוֹלָםfor everfor everעוֹלָםבִּיןgive undersgive understandבִּיןחָיָהso I may liso I may liveחָיָהצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקעָלַםto concealto concealעָלַםעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדחָוָהto explainto explainחָוָהמֵישָׁרuprightnesuprightnessמֵישָׁראֵיפָהephahephahאֵיפָהכַּפֹּרֶתmercy seatmercy seatכַּפֹּרֶתלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדדּוֹרgenerationgenerationדּוֹרדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָה
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 119:144

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.

[are] righteousness testimonies your for ever give understanding me so I may live
צֶ֖דֶקTze.dek [are] righteousness H6664 Noun common · masculine singular construct
119× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Amplified meaning
just, morally upright
Tyndale gloss
Righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness

what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

righteousness, in government

righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

rightness, in speech

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures

. righteousness, in government

. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause

. rightness, in speech

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek

from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also

(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X

that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)

(cause, -ly, - ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.

1) justice, rightness, righteousness

1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)

1b) righteousness (in government)

1b1) of judges, rulers, kings

1b2) of law

1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah

1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government

1b5) of God's attribute

1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)

1d) rightness (in speech)

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity

1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption

1f2) in name of Messianic king

1f3) of people enjoying salvation

1f4) of Cyrus

צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.

This name means justice, righteousness

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

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

ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent

2. Social Customs and Righteousness

3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power

4. Righteousness as Inner

5. Righteousness as Social

6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth

LITERATURE

1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:

In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Righteousness

See JUSTIFICATION.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,

→ By faith Ge 15:6; Ro 4:3,5,9,11,13,20,22,24

→ Garment of Job 29:14; Mt 22:11-14

→ Counted (regarded) for the sake of obedience De 6:25; Job 33:26

→ FRUITS OF De 6:25; Jos 22:31; Ps 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; 101:3,4; 106:3; 112:4-8; Pr 2:5-20; 10:2,16; 11:5,6,18,19,30; 12:28; 13:6; 14:34; 21:3; 29:7; Isa…

[are] righteousness testimonies your for ever give understanding me so I may live
עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָ'e.de.vo.Tei.kha testimonies your H5715 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Amplified meaning
righteous instructions, divine laws
Tyndale gloss
testimony
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'

feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.

see HEBREW for 05707

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.

testimony

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp2ms
[are] righteousness testimonies your for ever give understanding me so I may live
לְעוֹלָ֗םle.'o.Lam for ever H5769 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
438× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Amplified meaning
always, throughout eternity
Tyndale gloss
forever: antiquity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
[are] righteousness testimonies your for ever give understanding me so I may live
הֲבִינֵ֥נִיha.vi.Ne.ni give understanding me H995 Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
discernment, spiritual insight
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVhv2ms/Sp1bs
[are] righteousness testimonies your for ever give understanding me so I may live
וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃ve.'ech.Yeh so I may live H2421 Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular
282× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Amplified meaning
have life, be revived
Tyndale gloss
to live
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָיָה (chayah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to live or have life, encompassing both literal and figurative senses. It includes various nuances such as reviving, preserving life, and restoring health. The entries detail its use in different stems, with Qal focusing on living and being quickened, while Piel and Hiphil emphasize giving life and reviving. No specific verse references are provided.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָיָה 283 vb. live

Qal 203

live

be quickened, revive

Pi.

preserve alive, let live

give life

quicken, revive, refresh

Hiph.

preserve alive, let live

quicken, revive

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2421 חָיָה live .. live

. be quickened, revive

. . preserve alive, let live

. give life

. quicken, revive, refresh

. . preserve alive, let live

. quicken, revive

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2421 chayah khaw-yaw'

a primitive root (compare 2331, 2421); to live, whether

literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:--keep

(leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let,

suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken,

recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save

(alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.

see HEBREW for 02331

see HEBREW for 02421

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָיָה (cha.yah) — to live.

1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to live

1a1a) to have life

1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive

1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon

1a1d) to live (prosperously)

1a2) to revive, be quickened

1a2a) from sickness

1a2b) from discouragement

1a2c) from faintness

1a2d) from death

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to preserve alive, let live

1b2) to give life

1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh

1b3a) to restore to life

1b3b) to cause to grow

1b3c) to restore

1b3d) to revive

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to preserve alive, let live

1c2) to quicken, revive

1c2a) to restore (to health)

1c2b) to revive

1c2c) to restore to life

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Conjunction · verb qal first person common singular
HC/Vqu1cs
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate