Psalms 119:85 — Word Study
WLCכָּֽרוּ־ לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
BSAThe arrogantzêd [proud, presumptuous] have dugkârâh■ [excavated, plotted against] pitsshîychâh [traps, deep holes] in violation oflôʼ [contrary to, against] Your lawtôwrâh [instruction, Torah, guiding principles]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כָּֽרוּ־ | they have dug | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| לִ֣י | for me | Preposition, suffix |
| זֵדִ֣ים | arrogant [people] | Adj |
| שִׁיח֑וֹת | pits | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר | which | Particle |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | [are] according to law your | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law. |
| KJV | The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. |
| ASV | The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law. |
| YLT | The proud have digged for me pits, That [are] not according to Thy law. |
| WEB | The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law. |
| BBE | The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me. |
Where they part company is זֵדִ֣ים — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause with additional phrases providing context about the subjects and the violation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכָּרָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:85
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 Persecution of the Righteousgenerated
Psalm 119:85 reflects the psalmist's experience of persecution by the arrogant, who have plotted against him. This verse highlights the contrast between the psalmist's adherence to God's law and the actions of those who violate it. The surrounding verses express a deep longing for divine justice and support amidst suffering, as seen in Psalm 119:84 and Psalm 119:86.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:78 | May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts. |
| 2 | Psalm 7:15 | He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. |
| 3 | Psalm 35:7 | For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. |
| 4 | Psalm 36:11 | Let not the foot of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. |
| 5 | Proverbs 16:27 | A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זֵדִ֣ים, ze.Dimgenerated
The Hebrew word זֵד (zed) describes individuals characterized by arrogance or pride. It conveys a sense of insolence and defiance against God’s commandments, often used in the context of those who act presumptuously.
This term can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to arrogant individuals collectively. The psalmist uses this word to highlight the nature of his adversaries, emphasizing their disregard for divine law.
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. The BSB has arrogant, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Where they part company is with זֵדִ֣ים — proud (ASV, KJV) versus presumptuous (ILT). The variations reflect different nuances of arrogance but maintain the core meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb כָּֽרוּ, they have dug, governs the sentence, with a subject noun phrase זֵדִ֣ים and a prepositional phrase לִ֣י indicating for whom the pits are dug. The structure emphasizes the action taken by the arrogant against the psalmist.
The order of the words places the subject first, highlighting the focus on the arrogant individuals who are the source of the psalmist's distress.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word זֵדִ֣ים is rendered as ἀδολεσξίας, which carries a sense of being without scruples or integrity. This choice indicates a broader interpretation of the arrogant as not just proud but also morally corrupt.
The translation reflects a shift from a specific focus on pride to a general moral failing, suggesting the translators viewed the actions of the arrogant as fundamentally unjust.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:85 tells us that the arrogant have set traps for the psalmist, acting against God's law. This verse shows the struggle between those who follow God's instructions and those who do not, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on divine justice.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that the proud are scheming against the psalmist, trying to cause him harm.
The pits dug by the arrogant are in violation of God's law, indicating their disregard for divine instruction.
We learn about the reality of persecution faced by those who uphold God's commandments and the importance of seeking justice from God.
He uses this term to describe their pride and insolence, which leads them to act against God's will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced opposition for my beliefs, similar to the psalmist?
- How can I better understand and uphold God's laws in my daily life?
- What steps can I take to support those who are being persecuted for their faith?
- How does recognizing the nature of the arrogant help me respond to their actions?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:85 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe proud have digged pits for me,.... Laid snares and temptations in his way, to draw him into sin, and so into mischief; they sought indeed to take away his life, and formed schemes for it.
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. The proud (Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:78, notes) have digged pits for me, which (who-namely, the proud, not the pits) are not after thy law.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHave digged pits for me; have sought to destroy me by deceit and treachery, as well as by violence. Which; either, 1. Which men have no respect to thy law, which forbids such things. Or rather, 2. Which thing, to wit, to dig pits for me, an innocent and just man, is not agreeable to thy law, but directly contrary to it.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which [are] not after thy law.Ver. 85. The proud have digged pits for me] The pride, cruelty, and craftiness of wicked persecutors are foretokens of their utter destruction. The Greek rendereth it, They have told me tales; Proverbs 16:27, "An ungodly man diggeth up evil." Which are not after thy law] Neither they nor their pits. But what care they for thee or thy law? and shall they thus escape by iniquity? Psalms 56:7.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(85) Which.—Better, who. Its antecedent, of course, the proud, not the pits.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 85. The proud have digged pits] The Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic, and Arabic, translate this verse thus: "They have recited to me unholy fables, which are not according to thy law." They wish us to receive their system of idolatry, and the tales concerning their gods; but these are not according to thy law. The Anglo-Saxon is the same: [A.S.]: They quothed me the unrightwise spells; but no so so law thine.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges85. pits] A metaphor from the pitfalls used by hunters. Cp. Psalms 57:6; and especially Jeremiah 18:20; Jeremiah 18:22. which] Rather, who. His enemies are presumptuous sinners, who despise and defy God’s law (Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:53). Godless Israelites are clearly meant.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe proud - Those in high life, or of exalted rank. See the notes at Psalms 119:51. Have digged pits for me - See the notes at Psalms 7:15. Compare Psalms 35:7; Psalms 57:6; Psalms 94:13.
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
The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
The arrogant dig pits to trap me, which violates your law.
Tyndale line
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law.
The proud have digged pits for me, who are not after thy law.
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not according to thy law.
The proude haue digged pittes for mee, which is not after thy Lawe.
Strictly literal
The proud have digged pits for me, which is not according to thy law.
The proud have digged for me pits, That [are] not according to Thy law.
The proud have dug pits for me, || That [are] not according to Your law.
The presumptuous have dug pits for me, which is not in accordance with thy law.
The proud have dug pits for me, defying your law.
Simplified
These arrogant people have dug pits to trap me, these people who don't care anything about your law.
The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording and meaning of this verse, with both acknowledging the plots of the arrogant against the psalmist. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of the verse.
כָּֽרוּ־ לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
7 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.
כרו ל׳י זידים שחת אשר לוא כתורת׳כה
7 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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:85
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.
כוּר (khur) and כָּרָה (ka.rah) are Hebrew roots primarily meaning to dig or excavate. They can also imply figurative actions like plotting. The entries note that כוּר appears in Psalm 22:17, while כָּרָה can refer to digging graves or pits, with a figurative sense related to judgment.
[כוּר] vb. mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew—only Qal ψ 22:17
ref
כָּרָה vb. dig
Qal dig a grave; a well; a pit
Niph. until the pit be digged of the wicked, fig. of judgment.
base
H3738a כוּר mng. dub., perh. bore, or dig, or hew H3738b כָּרָה dig
3738 karah kaw-raw'
a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot;
generally, to bore or open:--dig, X make (a banquet), open.
כוּר (khur) — to dig.
1) to dig, excavate, dig through, cut
1a) (Qal) to dig
כָּרָה (ka.rah) — to pierce.
1) to pierce, excavate, dig through
1a) (Qal) to dig
1b) (Niphal) to be dug
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
זֵד (zed) refers to a quality of arrogance or insolence, describing someone who is presumptuous or proud. The term can function as both an adjective and a noun, indicating arrogant individuals collectively. It is derived from a root meaning to be arrogant, and its usage is consistent across various lexicons.
זֵד adj. insolent, presumptious
base
H2086 זֵד insolent, presumptious
2086 zed zade'
from 2102; arrogant:--presumptuous, proud.
see HEBREW for 02102
זֵד (zed) — arrogant.
1) arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous
1a) the arrogant ones (as n coll pl)
1b) presumptuous (as adj)
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
The Hebrew word שִׁיחָה (*shiychah*) refers to a 'pit' or 'pit-fall.' It is noted in the lexicons as a noun and is derived from a related root. The entries are brief and consistent, providing a straightforward understanding of the term.
שִׁיחָה n.f. id. [v.br.ab]
base
H7882 שִׁיחָה
7882 shiychah shee-khaw'
for 7745; a pit-fall:--pit.
see HEBREW for 07745
שִׁיחָה (shi.chah) — pit.
pit
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms