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Psalms 129:2 — Word Study

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WLCרַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֝ם לֹא־ יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃

BSAmany a timerab [often, frequently] they have persecuted metsârar [afflicted, distressed] from my youthnâʻûwr [from the time I was young, since my early days] butgam they have notlôʼ [never] prevailedyâkôl [been able, overcome]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 129
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (Li) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 129:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist speaks of the frequent persecution faced since youth, yet asserts that the oppressors have not succeeded.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, representing the voice of Israel.
Where we areThis verse is part of a psalm reflecting on the enduring struggles and faithfulness of Israel.
The hard wordצְרָר֣וּנִי, tze.ra.Ru.ni
Take awayDespite repeated afflictions, the psalmist remains unyielded.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them › clause verbיָכֹל 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 129:2

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 Struggles of Israelgenerated

1Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—
2many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.
3The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
4The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129:2 reflects the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Israel, emphasizing the resilience of the people despite frequent persecution. The psalmist recalls these trials, indicating that they have been a part of their identity since youth. This verse serves as a reminder of the challenges faced, yet highlights the unwavering nature of God's support and the ultimate failure of their adversaries.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 34:19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
2Psalm 118:13I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
3Psalm 125:1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
4Job 5:19He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
5Matthew 16:18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word רַבַּת, Ra.batgenerated

The word רַבַּת (rab) is an adjective meaning 'many' or 'much'. It conveys a sense of abundance and is often used to describe something in contrast to its opposite, מְעַט (me'at). In this verse, it emphasizes the numerous times the psalmist has faced persecution.

This word is frequently used in various contexts to indicate a large quantity or degree, and it can also function as a noun meaning 'chief' or 'captain'. Here, it underscores the persistent nature of the afflictions faced.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses many a time to reflect the frequent nature of persecution.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is יָ֥כְלוּ, they have prevailed, which governs the entire clause. The structure highlights the contrast between the repeated persecution and the failure of the oppressors.

The sentence is built around this main verb, with the adverbial phrases indicating the frequency of persecution and the object pronoun specifying who is affected.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses πλεονάκις to translate רַבַּת, indicating a similar emphasis on frequency. This choice aligns well with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the repeated nature of the afflictions.

The Greek rendering captures the essence of the Hebrew text, reinforcing the theme of persistent struggle.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 129:2 speaks of how Israel has faced persecution many times since their youth, yet their enemies have not succeeded against them. This verse highlights the resilience of the people and God's protection.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that they have persecuted me from my youth?

It indicates that the struggles and afflictions faced by the psalmist have been ongoing since early life, highlighting a long history of oppression.

How does this verse reflect the experience of Israel?

This verse encapsulates the collective memory of Israel's suffering and resilience, affirming that despite many trials, they have not been overcome.

What is the significance of the phrase 'they have not prevailed against me'?

This phrase emphasizes the ultimate failure of oppressors and serves as a declaration of faith in God's protection and support.

How does this verse connect with other scriptures?

It resonates with themes found in other psalms and scriptures that discuss suffering and divine deliverance, such as Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 118:13.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I experienced challenges or persecution in my own life, and how have I seen God's support?
  2. How can I draw strength from the resilience shown in this psalm when facing difficulties?
  3. What does it mean for me to declare that my struggles will not prevail against me?
  4. How can I support others who are facing persecution or hardship, reflecting the message of this psalm?

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

Early commentary on this psalm highlights its themes of struggle and resilience, as seen in Augustine's exposition.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 129 354–430
"Now may Israel say." She now seems to be speaking of herself: for she seemed not to have commenced herself, but to have answered.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 129 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 129:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth,.... This is repeated for the confirmation of it, to excite attention to it, and to express the vehement affection of the speaker; yet they have not

Read John Gill on Psalms 129 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 129 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 129:2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.Ver. 2. Many a time, &c.] Anadiplosis ad exaggerationem, q.d. They have done it and done it again, but could never achieve their design, viz. to supplant and eradicate me; which might not be. Oppugnarunt (non expugnarunt, however the Vulgate so rendereth here). The Church is invincible. Athens took upon her of old to be so; and Venice alate boasteth the like; but time hath confuted the one, and may soon do the other; when the Church shall stand firm, because founded on a rock. More truly may it be said of it than it was once of Troy, Victa tamen vinces, eversaque Troia resurges: Obruet…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 129 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Yet they have not prevailed] They endeavoured to annihilate us as a people; but God still preserves us as his own nation.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 129 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. yet they have not prevailed against me] Cp. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 129 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Many a time ... - This repetition is designed to fix the thoughts on the fact, and to impress it on the mind. The mind dwells on the fact as important in its bearing on the present occasion or emergency.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 129 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2. Not prevailed—Because God was on their side. See Psalms 124:1, etc.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 129 →

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

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

“Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not defeated me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: yet they have not prevailed against me.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They haue often times afflicted me from my youth: but they could not preuaile against me.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Often they distressed me from my youth, || Yet they have not prevailed over me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Many a time have they assailed me from my youth: yet have they not prevailed against me.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

“Often since my youth they have attacked me, yet they have not defeated me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young, but they never defeated me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.

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.

clauseadverbialרַ֭בַּתmuchverbצְרָר֣וּpeopleobjectנִיhave.harassed.meprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִsincenoun phraseנְּעוּרָ֑youth(s)יmyגַּ֝םalsoclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbיָ֥כְלוּthey.have.prevailedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִֽtoיme

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 closely, with all words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core message remains consistent across these witnesses.

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

רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֝ם לֹא־ יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
רַ֭בַּתπλεονάκιςצְרָר֣וּנִיμεמִנְּעוּרָ֑יμουגַּ֝םκαὶלֹא־οὐκיָ֥כְלוּἠδυνήθησάνלִֽי׃μοι

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

רבות [צררו׳ני] [מנעור׳י] [גם] לוא יכולו ל׳י

3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 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 129:2רַבmuchmuchרַבצוּרpeople havepeople have oppצוּרנְעוּרִיםsince youthsince youth myנְעוּרִיםגַּםalsoalsoגַּםלֹאnotnotלֹאיָכֹלthey have pthey have prevaיָכֹלנִיto meto meנִירָבַבto multiplto multiplyרָבַבנַ֫עַרyouthyouthנַ֫עַרנְבוּזַרְאֲדָןNebuzaradaNebuzaradanנְבוּזַרְאֲדָןטַבָּחguardguardטַבָּחהַמְּדָתָאHammedathaHammedathaהַמְּדָתָאיְהוּדִיof Judahof Judahיְהוּדִידַּדbreastbreastדַּדזָנָהto fornicato fornicateזָנָהתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדפָּתָהto open wito open wideפָּתָהאוּלַיperhapsperhapsאוּלַי
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 129:2

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.

much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
רַ֭בַּתRa.bat much H7227 Adj
454× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Amplified meaning
often, frequently
Tyndale gloss
many
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רַב 429 adj. much, many, great

(oft. opp. מְעַט)

much: of substances

esp. of collectives, numerous

pl. many

רַב as subst. coll. pers.

cstr. = abounding in

מִן comp. = more numerous than

רַב = abundant, enough

as adv. much, exceedingly

less oft. great

base

רַב 49 n.m. chief

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances

. esp. of collectives, numerous

. pl. many

. רַב as subst. coll. pers.

. cstr. = abounding in

. + מִן comp. = more numerous than

. רַב = abundant, enough

. as adv. much, exceedingly

. less oft. great

H7227b רַב chief

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7227 rab rab

by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,

number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),

captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,

one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,

things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)

much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,

populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).

see HEBREW for 07231

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רַב (rav) — many.

adj

1) much, many, great

1a) much

1b) many

1c) abounding in

1d) more numerous than

1e) abundant, enough

1f) great

1g) strong

1h) greater than

adv

1i) much, exceedingly

רַב (rav) — chief.

captain, chief

Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)

רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.

Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)

§ captain, chief

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAafsc
much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
צְרָר֣וּנִיtze.ra.Ru.ni people have opposed me H6887 Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rival means to oppose or afflict someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe the struggles of the Israelites, such as when they were oppressed by their enemies or faced internal conflicts and afflictions.
Amplified meaning
afflicted, distressed
Tyndale gloss
to confine
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word צָרַר (tsarar) is built from a primitive root meaning to bind or confine. It covers a range of meanings including to besiege, cause distress, and show hostility. The word can also denote making a rival-wife. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 18:18.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צוּר vb. confine, bind, besiege

base

צָרַר vb. bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped

trans.

Qal bind or tie up

Pu. tied up (mended by tying)

intrans.

Qal be scant, cramped, in straits

Hiph. make narrow for, press hard upon, cause distress to

base

[צָרַר] vb. denom. Hiph. suffer distress

base

צָרַר vb. shew hostility toward, vex

base

[צָרַר] vb. denom. make a rival-wife;—Qal Lv 18:18

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6887a צוּר confine, bind, besiege H6887b צָרַר bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped H6887c צָרַר vb. denom. Hiph. suffer distress H6887d צָרַר shew hostility toward, vex H6887e צָרַר vb. denom. make a rival-wife

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6887 tsarar tsaw-rar'

a primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively,

transitive or intransitive (as follows):--adversary, (be in)

afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress,

enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait

(trouble), vex.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to confine.

to confine, besiege

Another spelling of tsur (צוּר "to confine" H6696A)

צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to constrain.

1) to bind, be narrow, be in distress, make narrow, cause distress, besiege, be straitened, be bound

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bind, tie up, shut up

1a2) to be scant, be cramped, be in straits

1b) (Pual) to be bound, be tied up

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make narrow for, cause distress to, press hard upon

צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to distress.

to suffer distress

צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to vex.

to show hostility toward, vex

צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to rival.

to make a rival-wife

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffix
HVqp3cp/Sp1bs
much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
מִנְּעוּרָ֑יmi.ne.'u.Rai since youth my H5271 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Amplified meaning
from the time I was young, since my early days
Tyndale gloss
youth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְעוּרִים (na`uwr) refers to youth or early life, encompassing both the state of juvenility and young people collectively. It appears in the plural form and has a feminine counterpart, נְעוּרוֹת (na`ur), which carries the same meaning. The term is notably used in Jeremiah 32:30.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְעוּרִים n.[m.]pl. youth, early life

base

[נְעוּרוֹת] n.[f.]pl. id. [n.ei.ae];—only Je 32:30 (fig. of nation).

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5271a נְעוּרִים youth, early life H5271b נְעוּרוֹת id. [5271a]

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5271 na`uwr naw-oor'

or naur {naw-oor'}; and (feminine) nturah {neh- oo-raw'};

properly, passive participle from 5288 as denominative; (only

in plural collectively or emphatic form) youth, the state

(juvenility) or the persons (young people):--childhood,

youth.

see HEBREW for 05288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְעוּרִים (na.ur) — youth.

youth, early life

Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)

נְעוּרוֹת (na.ur) — youth.

youth, early life

Another spelling of na.ur (נְעוּרִים "youth" H5271A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
גַּ֝םgam also H1571 Adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
never
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
יָ֥כְלוּYa.khe.lu they have prevailed H3201 Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
194× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
been able, overcome
Tyndale gloss
be able
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָכֹל (yakol) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to be able' or 'to have power.' It encompasses a range of abilities, including physical, moral, and constitutional strength, as well as the capacity to endure or prevail. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָכֹל, יָכוֹל 193 vb. be able, have power, prevail, endure

Qal

be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

prevail

abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3201 יָכֹל, יָכוֹל be able, have power, prevail, endure .. be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority

. prevail

. abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3201 yakol yaw-kole'

or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}; a primitive root; to be able,

literally (can, could) or morally (may, might):--be able, any

at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure,

might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכֹל (ya.khol) — be able.

1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach

1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor

1a3) to have ability, have strength

Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common plural
HVqp3cp
much people have opposed me since youth my also not they have prevailed to me
לִֽי׃Li to 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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