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Psalms 119:99 — Word Study

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WLCמִכָּל־ מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֥י עֵ֝דְוֹתֶ֗יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִֽֿי׃

BSAI have more insightsâkal [deeper, spiritual, understanding, wisdom] than allkôl my teacherslâmad [guides, instructors] forkîy Your testimoniesʻêdûwth [God's, divine, laws, instructions, witness] are my meditationsîychâh [constant, devoted, reflection, prayer, devotion]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 119
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 99 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 (lyi) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 119:99quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses that his understanding surpasses that of his teachers because he meditates on God's testimonies.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on his relationship with God and His teachings.
Where we areIn the context of Psalm 119, which focuses on the value of God's law and instruction.
The hard wordהִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי
Take awayTrue wisdom comes from engaging deeply with God's word.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשָׂכַל 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 119:99

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 Value of God's Testimoniesgenerated

98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.
99I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
100I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
101I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.

Psalm 119:99 reveals the psalmist's deep appreciation for God's testimonies, which he considers more valuable than the teachings of his educators. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the importance of God's laws and how they provide wisdom and guidance, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist emphasizes that his insight comes from a personal, devoted engagement with God's word, highlighting the transformative power of scripture.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 4:6–8Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
22 Samuel 15:24–26Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had passed out of the city.
31 Chronicles 15:11–13David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
42 Chronicles 29:15–36When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the LORD, according to the command of the king by the words of the LORD.
52 Chronicles 30:22And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing fellowship offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

The Key Word הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי, his.Kal.tigenerated

The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (sakal) means to be prudent or to have insight. It suggests a depth of understanding that goes beyond mere knowledge, indicating a thoughtful and wise approach to life. The parsing as a perfect first person common singular verb indicates that this insight is a personal experience of the speaker.

This verb encompasses the idea of being circumspect and discerning, as seen in contexts where wisdom is sought. The psalmist claims a level of understanding that surpasses that of his teachers, which he attributes to his meditation on God's testimonies.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the psalmist's insight gained through meditation on God's testimonies.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the sentence is הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי, I have insight, which governs the entire clause. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the source of comparison, מִכָּל־ מְלַמְּדַי (than all my teachers), and a causal clause introduced by כִּי (for), explaining the reason for this insight.

The structure highlights the psalmist's assertion of wisdom derived from God's testimonies, with the verb at the center of the thought, emphasizing the relationship between his understanding and God's law.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי as συνῆκα, which means 'I understood.' This choice indicates a focus on comprehension and insight, aligning with the psalmist's claim of deeper understanding.

The Greek term suggests a broader understanding that encompasses not just knowledge but also the application of wisdom, reflecting the psalmist's meditation on divine testimonies.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 119:99 expresses that the psalmist has gained greater insight than his teachers because he reflects on God's testimonies. This highlights the importance of personal meditation on scripture for understanding and wisdom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to have more insight than my teachers?

It suggests that the psalmist's understanding is deeper due to his personal engagement with God's word, which provides wisdom beyond traditional teaching.

How can meditation on God's testimonies lead to greater insight?

Meditation allows for deeper reflection and understanding of God's laws, leading to practical wisdom and discernment in life.

What are God's testimonies?

God's testimonies refer to His laws and instructions, which guide believers in their daily lives and spiritual journeys.

Why is the psalmist comparing himself to his teachers?

The comparison emphasizes the transformative power of God's word in the psalmist's life, showing that spiritual insight can surpass formal education.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced greater understanding through my own study of God's word?
  2. How can I incorporate meditation on scripture into my daily routine?
  3. What role do teachers and mentors play in my spiritual growth compared to my personal relationship with God?
  4. How can I apply the wisdom gained from God's testimonies in my everyday life?

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

The verse has been referenced by early church fathers, including Augustine of Hippo, who discusses its implications in understanding wisdom and teaching.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 119 354–430
But what means the following verse, "I have more understanding than my teachers"? [Psalms 119:99].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:99 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I have more understanding than all my teachers,.... Such as had been or would have been his teachers, who were bad ones in religious matters; especially such might be the religious teachers in Saul's

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

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

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

Understanding: he speaks not here of notional, but of spiritual, and practical, and experimental knowledge. Than all my teachers; than all or most (for that general word is oft so understood) of those who taught me formerly, or of the public teachers in Saul’ s time; which probably were for the generality of them neither so knowing nor so good as they should have been. My meditations; the matter of my constant and most diligent study.

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

Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation.Ver. 99. I have more understanding than all my teachers] i.e. I have understood by much reading more than they ever taught me, while I referred all to practice; and so came to know more of God’ s mind than they did. A friend, saith Chrysostom, that is acquainted with his friend, will get out the meaning of a letter or phrase which another could not that is a stranger; so it is in the Scripture. And here, Indocti rapiunt coelum, a pious swain is better learned than a proud philosopher, saith a certain devout Dominican. Our King Alfred was held the best in all his kingdom, both for…

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

(99) More understanding . . .—The Rabbinical writers disliked the idea of a scholar professing wisdom above his teachers, and rendered, “from all my teachers I got wisdom,” which was certainly far more in keeping with the process by which the Talmud grew into existence.

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

Verse 99. I have more understanding than all my teachers] As he had entered into the spiritual nature of the law of God, and saw into the exceeding breadth of the commandment, he soon became wiser than any of the priests or even prophets who instructed him.

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

99. than all my teachers] Who derive their learning from other sources. Delitzsch thinks that Psalms 119:98-100 refer to teachers and elders who, like the Hellenizing Sadducees, were in danger of apostasy through their laxity, and persecuted the strict young zealot for God’s law. But clearly the Psalmist’s point is not the superiority of his own stricter interpretation of the law to the laxer interpretation of his teachers, but the superiority of the law to all other sources of instruction as a fountain of wisdom and prudence and discernment.

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

I have more understanding than all my teachers - Referring perhaps to those who had given him instruction in early life.

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

I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I haue had more vnderstading then all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Above all my teachers I have acted wisely. For Thy testimonies [are] my meditation.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have acted wisely above all my teachers. For Your testimonies [are] my meditation.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Above all my teachers have I obtained intelligence; for thy testimonies are my meditation.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for I meditate on your covenant decrees.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

In fact I have a better insight than all of my teachers because I spend time concentrating on what you say.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I have more knowledge than all my teachers, because I give thought to your unchanging word.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִmorenoun phraseכָּלthan.allnoun phraseמְלַמְּדַ֥teachersיmyverbהִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּיI.have.insightכִּ֥י(dm)clausenoun phrase · subjectעֵ֝דְוֺתֶ֗יtestimoniesךָyourpredicateשִׂ֣יחָה[are].a.meditationprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִֽֿofיmy

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches the Hebrew words closely, indicating a strong agreement in the translation of this verse. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, though some words were partly restored, showing consistency in the core message.

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

מִכָּל־ מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֥י עֵ֝דְוֹתֶ֗יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִֽֿי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִכָּל־πάνταςמְלַמְּדַ֥יμεהִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּיσυνῆκαכִּ֥יὅτιעֵ֝דְוֹתֶ֗יךָσουשִׂ֣יחָהμελέτηלִֽֿי׃ἐστιν

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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 5Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[מכל] [מלמד׳י] [השכלתי] [כי] [עדותי׳ך] [שיחה] ל׳י

nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 119:99כֹּלmore than amore than allכֹּללָמַדteachers myteachers myלָמַדשָׂכַלI have insiI have insightשָׂכַלכִּיforforכִּיעֵדוּתtestimoniestestimonies youעֵדוּתשִׂיחָה[are] a med[are] a meditatשִׂיחָהנִיof meof meנִיכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדשִׂיחַcomplaintcomplaintשִׂיחַעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹקבִּיןto understto understandבִּיןמַ֫עַןbecausebecauseמַ֫עַןיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעכַּפֹּרֶתmercy seatmercy seatכַּפֹּרֶתלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַ
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 119:99

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.

more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
מִכָּל־mi.kol more than all H3605 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

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

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

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

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

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

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

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

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

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

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

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

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

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
מְלַמְּדַ֥יme.la.me.Dai teachers my H3925 Verb piel participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
86× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To learn or teach in the Bible means to guide someone, like using a rod to direct an animal. It is about instructing or training someone, as seen in Proverbs and Psalms. Teaching is an important theme in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
guides, instructors
Tyndale gloss
to learn: teach
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָמַד (lamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to learn or teach. It encompasses the ideas of exercising in a skill, being trained, and instructing others. The root suggests a connection to motivation or incentive, as seen in the context of teaching with a rod. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to learn), Piel (to teach), and Pual (to be taught).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לָמַד vb. exercise in, learn

Qal learn something

Piel teach

Pual trained; taught

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3925 לָמַד exercise in, learn .learn something

.teach

.trained; taught

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3925 lamad law-mad'

a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to

teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive):(un-) accustomed,

X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -

ing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: teach.

: teach

1) to learn. teach, exercise in

1a) (Qal) to learn

1b) (Piel) to teach

1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained

Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)

לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: learn.

: learn

1) to learn. teach, exercise in

1a) (Qal) to learn

1b) (Piel) to teach

1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel | Suff — Verb piel participle (active) masculine plural common · suffix
HVprmpc/Sp1bs
more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּיhis.Kal.ti I have insight H7919 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
62× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Amplified meaning
deeper, spiritual, understanding, wisdom
Tyndale gloss
be prudent
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂכַל vb. be prudent

Qal be prudent, circumspect

Hiph.

look at

give attention to, consider, ponder

have insight, comprehension

cause to consider, give insight, teach

act circumspectly, prudently

prosper, have success

cause to prosper

base

[שָׂכַל] vb. Pi. lay crosswise;—Gn 48:14 (J)

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect

. . look at

. give attention to, consider, ponder

. have insight, comprehension

. cause to consider, give insight, teach

. act circumspectly, prudently

. prosper, have success

. cause to prosper

H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7919 sakal saw-kal'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)

circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,

instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),

have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),

wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide

wittingly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.

1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to look at or upon, have insight

1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

1b3) to have insight, have comprehension

1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)

1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach

1b4a) the teachers, the wise

1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

1b6) to prosper, have success

1b7) to cause to prosper

Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.

(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

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

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

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

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

that if

for if

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

limiting the prec. clause, except

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

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

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

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

. Because, since

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

. for if

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

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

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

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

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

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

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

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

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

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

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

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
עֵ֝דְוֹתֶ֗יךָ'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
God's, divine, laws, instructions, witness
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
more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
שִׂ֣יחָהSi.chah [are] a meditation H7881 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to reflect or think deeply about something, like a prayer or a devotion, as seen in the book of Psalms where the writers meditate on God's word.
Amplified meaning
constant, devoted, reflection, prayer, devotion
Tyndale gloss
meditation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׂיחָה (siychah) is a feminine noun derived from שִׂיחַ (H7879), encompassing meanings related to meditation, prayer, and reflection. It can also refer to complaint or musing. The entries highlight its use in contexts of devotion and study.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׂיחָה n.f. id. [u.bb.ab]

complaint

(obj. of) musing, study

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7881 שִׂיחָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7881 siychah see-khaw'

feminine of 7879; reflection; be extension,

devotion:--meditation, prayer.

see HEBREW for 07879

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׂיחָה (si.chah) — meditation.

1) meditation, reflection, prayer, devotion, complaint, musing

1a) complaint

1b) musing, study (of object)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

med-i-ta'-shun (haghuth, sichah): "Meditation" is the translation of haghuth, from haghah, "to murmur," "to have a deep tone," hence, "to meditate" (Ps 49:3); of haghigh, "sighing," "moaning" (Ps 5:1; see Ps 5:2); of higgayon, "the murmur" or dull sound of the harp, hence, meditation (Ps 19:14, "Let .... the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight"); of siach, "speech," "meditation" (Ps 104:34, "Let my meditation be sweet unto him"); of sichah, a "bowing down," "musing" (Ps 119:97,99; /RAPC 2Es 10:5).…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2; 4:4; 19:14; 39:3; 49:3; 63:5,6; 73:12-22; 77:10-12; 104:34; 119:11,15,16,23,48,55,59,78,97-99,148; 139:17,18; 143:5; 1Ti 4:13-15

→ INSTANCE OF

Isaac Ge 24:63

more than all teachers my I have insight for testimonies your [are] a meditation of me
לִֽֿי׃lyi of me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
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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