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Psalms 119:152 — Word Study

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WLCקֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃

BSALong agoqedem [from the very beginning, of old] I learnedyâdaʻ [came to know, perceived] from Your testimoniesʻêdâh [divine witness, laws] thatkîy You have established themyâçad [founded, ordained, Your laws, decrees] foreverʻôwlâm [for all eternity, always]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 152 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 (ye.sad.Tam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
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Psalms 119:152quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist reflects on his early understanding of God's eternal laws.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing his personal journey of knowledge.
Where we areIn the context of affirming God's commandments and their permanence.
The hard wordיָדַע
Take awayGod's laws are established forever, and the psalmist has known this since ancient times.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָדַע 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 119:152

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 — Reflections on God's Testimoniesgenerated

151You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
152Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever.
153Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
154Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.

Psalm 119:152 expresses the psalmist's deep understanding of God's testimonies, highlighting that he learned long ago about their eternal nature. This verse fits within a larger meditation on the truth of God's commandments, as seen in the surrounding verses, where the psalmist acknowledges God's nearness and the truth of His laws. The psalmist's reflections remind us of the lasting importance of God's guidance, as echoed in other scriptures such as Psalm 111:7-8 and Ecclesiastes 3:14.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 119:144–160Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
2Psalm 89:34–37I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.
3Psalm 111:7–8The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are trustworthy.
4Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.
5Luke 21:33Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יָדַע, Ya.da'.tigenerated

The verb יָדַע (*yada`*) means 'to know' and encompasses a range of meanings from perception to intimate knowledge. In this verse, it indicates the psalmist's deep understanding gained over time, suggesting a process of learning and recognition.

This verb appears in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action in the past. The psalmist reflects on a knowledge that is not just intellectual but experiential, rooted in a long-standing relationship with God's testimonies.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

All translations agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the psalmist's long-standing knowledge of God's established laws.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb יָדַעְתִּי, I have known, governs the sentence, with a prepositional phrase indicating the source of knowledge and a clause explaining what has been established. The structure shows a clear progression from the psalmist's knowledge to the affirmation of God's eternal laws.

The sentence's flow emphasizes the relationship between the psalmist's learning and the permanence of God's testimonies, with the verb leading the thought.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָדַע as ἔγνων (*egnōn*), which also means 'I have known.' This choice maintains the personal aspect of the psalmist's knowledge while aligning with the Greek's emphasis on understanding.

The use of ἔγνων reflects a similar depth of knowledge as the Hebrew, suggesting a continuity in the understanding of God's testimonies across both languages.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:152 shows the psalmist reflecting on how he learned long ago about God's testimonies and their eternal nature. He emphasizes that these laws are established forever, highlighting the importance of God's guidance in his life.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'Your testimonies'?

The testimonies refer to God's laws and divine witness, which guide His people.

How does the psalmist's knowledge of God's laws affect him?

His knowledge provides assurance of the permanence and truth of God's commandments.

Why is the concept of eternity significant in this verse?

It emphasizes that God's laws are unchanging and reliable, offering a foundation for the psalmist's faith.

What can we learn from the psalmist's reflection?

We can recognize the importance of understanding and internalizing God's laws as a source of guidance and stability.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I deepen my understanding of God's testimonies in my life?
  2. What are some ways I can apply the eternal nature of God's laws to my daily decisions?
  3. In what areas do I need to trust in the permanence of God's guidance?
  4. How can I share the importance of God's laws with others around me?

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

The early church father Augustine of Hippo quotes this verse to illustrate the psalmist's understanding of God's eternal testimonies.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
"From the beginning I have known," he says, "as concerning Your testimonies, that You have grounded them for ever" [Psalms 119:152]...What are these testimonies,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:152 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old,.... Or, "from thy testimonies, I have known of old" (d): by carefully reading the Scriptures which testify of God, his mind an will, and frequently

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

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever - unchangeable and eternal (Luke 21:33).

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

Ver. 152. Known of old, by my own long experience, ever since I arrived at any knowledge in those matters. That thou hast founded them for ever; that thou hast established them upon sure and everlasting foundations.

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

Psalms 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.Ver. 152. Concerning thy testimonies, &c.] The sempiternity of God’ s word is an excellent prop to faith and help in prayer; to those especially who are of long experience, and have well laid up their experiments. David had learned this truth of a child little. See 2 Timothy 3:17.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(152) The more obvious rendering of this verse is, Of old I was instructed out of Thy testimonies, for—not for a brief time, but for ever—Thou didst found them, where for ever expresses indefinite past as well as indefinite future.

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

Verse 152. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old] קדם ידעתי kedem yedati, "Long ago I have known concerning thy testimonies." Thou hast designed that thy testimonies should bear reference to, and evidence of, those glorious things which thou hast provided for the salvation of men; and that this should be an everlasting testimony. They continue, and Christ is come. ANALYSIS OF LETTER KOPH. - Nineteenth Division I. The psalmist is earnest in his prayers for deliverance. II. He shows the end for which he desires it. III. The necessity of its being speedy, as his enemies were at hand. I. 1. His prayer was earnest; it was a cry, rather than a petition. 2. It was sincere: "I cried with…

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

152. Of old have I known from thy testimonies, that &c. (R.V.). Men may affirm or act as if they believed that God’s laws are obsolete: but from the study of those laws themselves the Psalmist has long ago learnt their eternal validity; and his deeply rooted convictions cannot be shaken by the contempt or the threats of his enemies.

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

Concerning thy testimonies - In regard to all that thou hast testified to as true and best.

Read Albert Barnes 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

Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I learned long ago that you ordained your rules to last.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever. ר RESH.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Of old have I known from thy testimonies, that thou hast founded them for ever.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I haue knowen long since by thy testimonies, that thou hast established them for euer.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

From thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Of old I have known Thy testimonies, That to the age Thou hast founded them!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have known Your testimonies of old, || That You have founded them for all time!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Of old already I knew of thy testimonies; because for eternity hast thou founded them.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Long ago I learned from your covenant decrees that you had set them in place forever.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Long ago I realized that your laws will last forever. Resh

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever. RESH

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.

clauseadverbialקֶ֣דֶםantiquityverbיָ֭דַעְתִּיI.have.knownprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfromnoun phraseעֵדֹתֶ֑יtestimoniesךָyourclause · objectכִּ֖י(dm).thatclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְforeverעוֹלָ֣םof.perpetuityverbיְסַדְתָּֽyouobjectםhave.established.them

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 their wording, with five of the six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the Masoretic Text, showing consistency in the preservation of this verse's meaning.

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

קֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יָ֭דַעְתִּיἔγνωνמֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָσουכִּ֖יὅτιלְעוֹלָ֣םαἰῶναיְסַדְתָּֽם׃αὐτά

5 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

קדם ידעתי מדעת׳כה כי לעולם יסדת׳ני

6 words on the leather.

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 119:152קֶ֫דֶםantiquityantiquityקֶ֫דֶםיָדַעI have knowI have knownיָדַעעֵדָהfrom testimfrom testimonieעֵדָהכִּיthatthatכִּיעוֹלָםfor everfor everעוֹלָםיָסַדyou have esyou have establיָסַדקָדַםto meetto meetקָדַםעָלַםto concealto concealעָלַםעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהמִזְרָחeasteastמִזְרָחפֵּאָהsidesideפֵּאָהאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןנָצַרto watchto watchנָצַרחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדדּוֹרgenerationgenerationדּוֹריָקָרpreciouspreciousיָקָרהֵיכָלtempletempleהֵיכָל
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 119:152

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.

antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
קֶ֣דֶםKe.dem antiquity H6924 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
87× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
from the very beginning, of old
Tyndale gloss
front: east
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime

loc.

front

East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward

temp., ancient time, aforetime:

הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.

בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days

מִקּ׳ from of old

ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old

beginning

base

[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front

. East

. temp. ancient time, aforetime

H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6924 qedem keh'-dem

or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place

(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time

(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,

eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,

part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,

past. Compare 6926.

see HEBREW for 06923

see HEBREW for 06926

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.

This name means east, antiquity, front

קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.

adv

eastward, to or toward the East

Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.

: east

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.

: old/ancient

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.

: forward

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
יָ֭דַעְתִּיYa.da'.ti I have known H3045 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
came to know, perceived
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָme.'e.do.Tei.kha from testimonies your H5713 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a divine testimony or witness, always in the plural form, and is used to describe God's laws. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy, emphasizing God's instructions. The word is about God's guidance.
Amplified meaning
divine witness, laws
Tyndale gloss
witness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵדָה (edah) refers to 'testimony' or 'witness' and is noted for being used only in the plural form in the context of divine testimonies. It is derived from the feminine form of another Hebrew word, עֵד (ed), which also relates to witness. The entries consistently emphasize its technical sense in legal and religious contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵדָה n.f. testimony, witness

base

[עֵדָה] n.f. only pl. MT testimonies

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5713a עֵדָה testimony, witness H5713b עֵדָה only pl. MT testimonies

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5713 `edah ay-daw'

feminine of 5707 in its techn. sense; testimony:--

testimony, witness. Compare 5712.

see HEBREW for 05707

see HEBREW for 05712

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵדָה (e.dah) — witness.

testimony, witness

עֵדָה (e.dah) — testimony.

always plural and always of laws as divine testimonies

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms
antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
כִּ֖יki that 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
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
לְעוֹלָ֣םle.'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
for all eternity, always
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
antiquity I have known from testimonies your that for ever you have established them
יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ye.sad.Tam you have established them H3245 Verb qal perfect second person masculine singular · suffix
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To found or establish something is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It also means to sit down together and consult, as in a meeting or council.
Amplified meaning
founded, ordained, Your laws, decrees
Tyndale gloss
to found
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָסַד (yacad) means to establish or found, with nuances of fixing and laying a foundation. It can refer to both literal and figurative settings, such as appointing or consulting. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to found), Niphal (to be founded), and Piel (to establish). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָסַד vb. establish, found, fix

Qal found, establish

Niph.

fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave

be founded

Pi.

found

establish

Pu. be founded, be laid, of a foundation

Hoph. be founded

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3245 יָסַד establish, found, fix

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3245 yacad yaw-sad'

a primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively);

intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e.

settle, consult:--appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the,

lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָסַד (ya.sad) — to found.

1) to found, fix, establish, lay foundation

1a) (Qal) to found, establish, begin

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave

1b2) to be founded

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to found

1c2) to establish, appoint, ordain

1d) (Pual) to be founded, be laid

1e) (Hophal) to be founded

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect second person masculine singular · suffix
HVqp2ms/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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