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Psalms 132:10 — Word Study

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WLCבַּ֭עֲבוּר דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ אַל־ תָּ֝שֵׁ֗ב פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃

BSAFor the sakeʻâbûwr [because of, on account of] of Your servantʻebed [slave, bondservant] DavidDâvid do notʼal [refuse] rejectshûwb [turn away, abandon] Your anointed onemâshîyach [Messiah, chosen king, the Lord's appointed]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 132
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (me.shi.Che.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 132:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist appeals to God, asking Him to remember David and not to reject His anointed one.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, speaking to God.
Where we areIn a prayerful context, reflecting on God's covenant with David.
The hard wordמְשִׁיחֶךָ
Take awayThe plea is rooted in David's legacy and God's promises.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbשׁוּב 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 132:10

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 — A Prayer for the Anointed Onegenerated

9May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy.
10For the sake of Your servant David, do not reject Your anointed one.
11The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.
12If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.”

Psalm 132:10 is a prayer that emphasizes the significance of David's legacy and God's covenant. The psalmist implores God to remember His servant David and not to turn away from His anointed one, reflecting a deep concern for the continuity of God's promises. This verse is part of a larger passage that celebrates God's faithfulness and the importance of the Davidic line, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 11:12–13Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
21 Kings 15:4–5Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.
32 Kings 19:34‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
4Hosea 3:5Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
5Psalm 84:9Take notice of our shield, O God, and look with favor on the face of Your anointed.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word בַּ֭עֲבוּר, Ba.'a.vurgenerated

The Hebrew word עָבוּר (*'abuwr*) serves as a preposition meaning 'for the sake of' or 'because of.' It indicates a reason or purpose for an action, often used in contexts where God acts on behalf of His people. The parsing shows it functions as a preposition in a construct state, linking it directly to the noun that follows, which is דָּוִד (*David*).

This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, suggesting a strong emphasis on the motivations behind divine actions, particularly in relation to significant figures like David.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses for the sake of for בַּ֭עֲבוּר.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause of the verse is driven by the imperative verb תָּ֝שֵׁ֗ב, you turn away, which governs the plea made by the psalmist. The structure highlights the urgency of the request, with the prepositional phrase בַּ֭עֲבוּר setting the reason for this plea.

The sentence's arrangement places emphasis on the relationship between David and the anointed one, with the prepositional phrase leading into the subject, creating a clear connection between the two.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates בַּ֭עֲבוּר as ἕνεκεν, which also means 'for the sake of.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the reason behind the plea.

The Greek word ἀποστρέψῃς for תָּ֝שֵׁ֗ב suggests a similar imperative, reinforcing the urgency of not turning away from the anointed one.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 132:10 is a prayer asking God to remember David and not to reject His anointed one. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of David in God's plan and pleads for God's continued favor on His chosen leader.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'Your servant David'?

The psalmist refers to David, the second king of Israel, known for his faithfulness to God and significant role in Israel's history.

Why does the psalmist ask God not to reject His anointed one?

This plea reflects the psalmist's concern for the continuation of God's promises to David and the Davidic line, which is crucial for Israel's future.

What is the significance of the term 'anointed one'?

The term 'anointed one' refers to a chosen leader, often a king or messiah, set apart for God's purposes.

How does this verse relate to God's covenant with David?

This verse underscores the importance of God's covenant with David, highlighting the expectation that God will honor His promises to David's descendants.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see God's faithfulness in my life, similar to how He was faithful to David?
  2. How can I better understand the significance of being a servant of God in my own life?
  3. What does it mean to me that God does not reject His anointed ones?
  4. How can I apply the lessons from David's life to my own journey of faith?

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

Early interpretations of this verse, such as those by Augustine of Hippo, highlight its theological implications and the connection to God's promises.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 132 354–430
"For Your servant David's sake, turn not away the face of Your Anointed" [Psalms 132:10]. These words are addressed unto God the Father.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 132 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 132:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

For thy servant David's sake,.... Not for any virtues, or excellencies or merits, of David, literally understood; rather for the sake of the covenant and promises made with him: but for the sake of

Read John Gill on Psalms 132 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed - (cf. Psalms 132:1 above; 2 Chronicles 6:42).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 132 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For thy servant David’ s sake; in regard of thy singular kindness and promises vouchsafed to David, as this is explained in the following verses. And this verse makes it more than probable that David was not the penman of this Psalm, who never used to beg mercies from God for his own sake, but constantly for his name’ s sake, and for the sake of his truth, mercy, goodness, or righteousness, as will be evident to any one that reads this book. Turn not away the face; cast me not out of thy presence, do not reject or deny my request, as this phrase is expounded, . Of thine anointed; of me, whom thou hast anointed to be king over thy people. He speaks of himself in the third person, as is usual.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 132 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 132:10 For thy servant David’ s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. Ver. 10. For thy servant David’ s sake] For thy covenant’ s sake made with him, and for thy Christ’ s sake, who is oft called David, as Hosea 3:5, so for the Lord’ s sake, Daniel 9:17. Turn not away the face of thine anointed] Of thy Christ; defer not his coming, or deny not my request, as 1 Kings 2:16-17; 1 Kings 2:20.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 132 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) The most obvious construction of this verse is that which makes it an intercession, on the ground of the Divine partiality for David, in behalf of another prince—one of his successors—by the people at large. In the original (2 Chronicles 6:42) it is of course Solomon who prays for himself; here (see Introduction) we must naturally think of one of the Asmonean princes. The expression “to turn away the face,” of a suppliant, instead of “turning from him,” is borrowed from court etiquette. (Comp. 1 Kings 2:16, margin.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 132 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. The face of thine anointed.] David. Remember thy promises to him, that he may be restored to thee and to thy worship.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 132 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. This verse is still part of the people’s prayer, though its language is coloured by the feeling of the Psalmist’s own age, and expresses the perplexity of a time in which Jehovah seemed to have disowned His anointed. The people pray for a blessing on each successive king for David’s sake. Thine anointed is not David only, but David and his successors, Jehovah’s anointed king for the time being. For him the people pray that Jehovah will not ‘turn away his face,’ i.e. repulse his requests or banish him from His favour and presence. For the phrase cp. 1 Kings 2:16; 2 Kings 18:24; Psalms 84:9. The thought corresponds to the promise so prominent in 2 Samuel 7, that David’s house should be…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 132 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For thy servant David’s sake - Because of the promise made to him; because of the zeal which he has shown in securing a place for the ark.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 132 →

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

For the sake of Your servant David, do not reject Your anointed one.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the sake of Your servant David, do not reject Your anointed one.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For the sake of David, your servant, do not reject your chosen king!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For thy servant David’s sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thy anointed.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For thy seruant Dauids sake refuse not the face of thine Anointed.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thine anointed.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For the sake of David Thy servant, Turn not back the face of Thine anointed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For the sake of Your servant David, || Do not turn back the face of Your anointed.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For the sake of David thy servant turn not away the face of thy anointed.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For your servant David's sake, do not turn away from your anointed king.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For the sake of your servant David, don't reject the king you have chosen.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Because of your servant David, do not give up your king.

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 · prepositionalבַּ֭becausenoun phraseעֲבוּרofnoun phraseדָּוִ֣דDavidnoun phraseעַבְדֶּ֑servantךָyouradverbialאַלdo.notverbתָּ֝שֵׁ֗בturn.awaynoun phrase · objectפְּנֵ֣יthe.facenoun phraseמְשִׁיחֶֽofךָyour.anointed.[one]

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 align closely, with all seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of the verse across these ancient witnesses.

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

בַּ֭עֲבוּר דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ אַל־ תָּ֝שֵׁ֗ב פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בַּ֭עֲבוּרἕνεκενדָּוִ֣דδαυιδעַבְדֶּ֑ךָσουאַל־μὴתָּ֝שֵׁ֗בἀποστρέψῃςפְּנֵ֣יπρόσωπονמְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃σου

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

בעבור דויד עבד׳כה אל תשב פני משיח׳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.

Psalms 132:10עָבוּרfor sake offor sake ofעָבוּרדָּוִדDavidDavidדָּוִדעֶ֫בֶדservant youservant yourעֶ֫בֶדאַלmay notmay notאַלשׁוּבyou turn awyou turn awayשׁוּבפָּנֶה[the] face [the] face ofפָּנֶהמָשִׁיחַanointed yoanointed yourמָשִׁיחַעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהמָשַׁחto anointto anointמָשַׁחעָבַרto passto passעָבַרדּוֹדbelovedbelovedדּוֹדלֹאnotnotלֹאאֲדָמָהland: soilland: soilאֲדָמָהבָּרַךְto blessto blessבָּרַךְמִזְמוֹרmelodymelodyמִזְמוֹרנָצַחto conductto conductנָצַחאָמָהmaidservanmaidservantאָמָהשִׁפְחָהmaidservanmaidservantשִׁפְחָהחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאשְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּס
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 132:10

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.

for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
בַּ֭עֲבוּרBa.'a.vur for sake of H5668 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means for the sake of or because of something, like in Genesis when God acts on account of his people's needs. It shows a reason or purpose behind an action. The KJV often translates it as because of or for someone's sake.
Amplified meaning
because of, on account of
Tyndale gloss
for the sake of
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָבוּר (*'abuwr*) is used only in the forms בַּעֲבוּר and בַּעֲבֻר, functioning as a preposition and conjunction. It conveys meanings such as 'for the sake of,' 'on account of,' and 'in order that.' The entries indicate it derives from the root related to crossing or transit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָבוּר] n. only in בַּעֲבוּר 47, בַּעֲבֻר, prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, in order that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5668 עָבוּר only in בַּעֲבוּר, בַּעֲבֻר, prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, in order that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5668 `abuwr aw-boor'

or rabur {aw-boor'}; passive participle of 5674; properly,

crossed, i.e. (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on

account of, in order that:--because of, for (...'s sake),

(intent) that, to.

see HEBREW for 05674

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָבוּר (a.vur) — for the sake of.

prep

1) for the sake of, on account of, because of, in order to

conj

2) in order that

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

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
דָּוִ֣דda.Vid David H1732 Noun proper masculine
1,075× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Tyndale gloss
David
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1732 David daw-veed'

rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;

loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.

see HEBREW for 01730

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;

son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);

brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);

father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):

I. NAME AND GENEALOGY

II. EARLY YEARS

1. Shepherd

2. Slinger

3. Harpist

4. Poet

5. Psalmist

6. Tribesman

III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL

1. David First Meets Saul

2. His First Exploit

3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David

4. Jonathan and David

IV. DAVID IN EXILE

1. David as Outlaw

2. David Joins the Philistines

V. DAVID AS KING

1. Civil War

2. Conquests Abroad

3. Political Situation

4. The Ark

VI. DOMESTIC LIFE

1. His Wives and Children

2. Domestic Troubles

VII. HIS OFFICIALS

1. Prophets

2. Priests

3. Military Officers

4. Other Officials

5. Mutual Rivalry

VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID

1. Chronicles

2. Psalms

3. Complex Character

4. Physical Courage

5. Moral Courage

6. Prudence

7. Strategy

8. Nobility

9. David in Relation to His Family

10. David in Relation to His Friends

11. His Success

12. His Foreign Friends

13. Nemesis

Easton's Bible Dictionary

David

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).

His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…

for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ'av.De.kha servant your H5650 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
slave, bondservant
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
refuse
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
תָּ֝שֵׁ֗בta.Shev you turn away H7725 Verb · Hiphil · jussive second person masculine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Amplified meaning
turn away, abandon
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · jussive second person masculine singular
HVhj2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
פְּנֵ֣יpe.Nei [the] face of H6440 Noun common · masculine plural construct
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for sake of David servant your may not you turn away [the] face of anointed your
מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃me.shi.Che.kha anointed your H4899 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Messiah means anointed one, referring to a king, priest, or the Messiah in the Bible. It describes someone set apart for a special purpose. The term is used in the Old Testament to describe kings and priests, and in the New Testament to describe Jesus.
Amplified meaning
Messiah, chosen king, the Lord's appointed
Tyndale gloss
anointed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָשִׁיחַ (mashiyach) means 'anointed' and refers to a consecrated person, such as a king, priest, or saint. It specifically denotes the Messiah and includes figures like the king of Israel, the high priest, and even Cyrus. The term encompasses various anointed roles in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָשִׁיחַ n.m. anointed

king of Israel anointed by divine command

high priest of Israel

Cyrus as commissioned by י׳

Messianic prince

patriarchs, regarded as anointed kings

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4899 מָשִׁיחַ anointed

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4899 mashiyach maw-shee'-akh

from 4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king,

priest, or saint); specifically, the Messiah:--anointed,

Messiah.

see HEBREW for 04886

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָשִׁיחַ (ma.shi.ach) — anointed.

1) anointed, anointed one

1a) of the Messiah, Messianic prince

1b) of the king of Israel

1c) of the high priest of Israel

1d) of Cyrus

1e) of the patriarchs as anointed kings

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
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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