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Psalms 147:10 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלֹ֤א בִגְבוּרַ֣ת הַסּ֣וּס יֶחְפָּ֑ץ לֹֽא־ בְשׁוֹקֵ֖י הָאִ֣ישׁ יִרְצֶֽה׃

BSAHe does notlôʼ [in no way] delightchâphêts [take pleasure, find joy] in the strengthgᵉbûwrâh [might, power] of the horseçûwç [chariot horse, swift steed] He takes nolôʼ pleasurerâtsâh [does not accept, finds no joy] in the legsshôwq of a manʼîysh [human, mortal]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 147
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 (yir.Tzeh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 147:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares that God does not find joy in human strength or power.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on God's preferences.
Where we areA reflection on God's relationship with creation, emphasizing His values.
The hard wordיֶחְפָּ֑ץ
Take awayGod values reverence and hope over human might.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחָפֵץ 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 147:10

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 — God's Care for Creationgenerated

9He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.
10He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
11The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
12Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion!

Psalm 147:10 reflects on God's perspective regarding strength and power. The psalmist contrasts the might of horses and men with what truly pleases God, emphasizing that it is not human strength that captures His delight. Instead, God is drawn to those who fear Him and trust in His steadfast love, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
2Psalm 33:16–18No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
3Job 39:19–25Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?
4Proverbs 21:31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
5Isaiah 31:1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יֶחְפָּ֑ץ, yech.Patzgenerated

The verb חָפֵץ (chaphets) means to delight in or take pleasure in something. It conveys a sense of favor or inclination towards an object or action, indicating what brings joy to God.

In this context, the psalmist uses it to highlight that God does not delight in the strength of horses, suggesting that divine pleasure is not found in human power or capabilities.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree that God does not take pleasure in the strength of the horse or the legpower of man.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse contains two main clauses connected by a semicolon. The first clause, יֶחְפָּ֑ץ, he delights, is negated by לֹ֤א, not, indicating what God does not delight in. The second clause follows the same structure with a negation of יִרְצֶֽה, he takes pleasure.

The structure emphasizes the dual negation of both the horse's strength and the man's legpower, highlighting God's values.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יֶחְפָּ֑ץ as θελήσει, indicating a choice to express God's will or desire. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of God's pleasure, emphasizing His sovereign will over human strength.

The corresponding Greek word for יִרְצֶֽה is εὐδοκεῖ, which also implies a sense of favor or acceptance, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 147:10 tells us that God does not find joy in the strength of horses or in the power of men. Instead, He values those who fear Him and trust in His love, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God does not delight in the strength of the horse?

It means that God does not value human power or military strength, as horses were often symbols of might in ancient times.

Why does God take no pleasure in the legpower of man?

This indicates that human abilities and physical strength are not what God looks for; rather, He desires reverence and trust in Him.

What does the psalmist suggest instead of strength?

The psalmist suggests that God is pleased with those who fear Him and hope in His loving devotion.

How does this verse relate to other scriptures?

This verse connects with other scriptures that emphasize God's preference for humility and faith over human strength, such as in Psalm 20:7.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I rely on my own strength instead of trusting in God?
  2. How can I cultivate a heart that fears the Lord and seeks His pleasure?
  3. What are some examples of how God has shown His strength in my weakness?
  4. How can I encourage others to place their hope in God's loving devotion?

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

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting that God's lack of pleasure in the horse's strength signifies pride.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 147 354–430
"In the power of an horse He will not take pleasure" [Psalms 147:10]. The power "of an horse" is pride.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 147 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 147:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse,.... It has been his will and pleasure to give the horse strength for the use and service of men, both for labour and war; and as this is a creature of

Read John Gill on Psalms 147 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse; he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 147 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

As if he needed either the one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 147 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 147:10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.Ver. 10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse] Plutarch in Numa saith the same, Yεοςουκεστιφιλιππος, God careth not for horses, or any such helps as wherein carnal people confide, as if they had no need of God. Origen observeth that in the conquest of Canaan, the enemies had horses and chariots, but Israel had none. And it is expressly cautioned that the king of Israel "shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses," Deuteronomy 17:16, lest they should occasion him or his people to trade with that…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 147 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Strength of the horse . . . legs of a man.—This somewhat strange antithesis has been explained to refer to cavalry and infantry, but the much more expressive passage, Psalms 33:16-17, which was plainly before this poet, would hardly have been altered so strangely. The horse as a type of strength and endurance was of course common. (Comp. especially Job 39:19-25.) And we have before seen that Eastern nations naturally select fleetness of foot as the typical quality in a vigorous warrior. (See Psalms 18:33.) The constant epithet “swift-footed Achilles,” suggests the best explanation of the second clause of the verse. (Comp. 2 Samuel 2:18).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 147 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. He delighteth not] The horse, among all animals, is most delighted in by man for beauty, strength, and fleetness. And a man's legs, if well proportioned, are more admired than even the finest features of his face. Though God has made these, yet they are not his peculiar delight.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 147 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. 11. Based upon Psalms 33:16-18. Jehovah’s delight is not in physical strength, but in reverent trustfulness;—a thought of consolation, parallel to Psalms 147:6. Israel might look regretfully back to its ancient military power, or envy the forces of neighbouring nations; but it is by spiritual strength that its victories are to be won. The horse is the warhorse (Job 39:19): the man is the warrior, for whom strength and swiftness of foot were indispensable qualifications. Cp. Psalms 20:7; Psalms 18:33; Amos 2:14-15 : and the standing epithet in Homer for Achilles, “swift of foot.”

Read Cambridge on Psalms 147 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse - The horse is among the noblest works of God - perhaps the noblest of all the animals that he has made. See the notes at Job 39:19-25.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 147 →

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

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He is not enamored with the strength of a horse, nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

He hath not pleasure in the strength of an horse, neither delighteth he in the legs of man.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse, he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Not in the might of the horse doth He delight, Not in the legs of a man is He pleased.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

He does not delight in the might of the horse, || He is not pleased in the legs of a man.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Not in the strength of the horse hath he delight: nor in the [swiftness of the] legs of man taketh he pleasure.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He finds no delight in the strength of a horse, he takes no pleasure in the strong legs of a man.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The Lord doesn't appreciate the strength of war-horses or value human power.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He has no delight in the strength of a horse; he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

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.

clauseadverbialלֹ֤אnotprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִinnoun phraseגְבוּרַ֣תthe.strengthnoun phraseהַof.(the)סּ֣וּסhorseverbיֶחְפָּ֑ץhe.delightsclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseשׁוֹקֵ֖יthe.legsnoun phraseהָof.(the)אִ֣ישׁmanverbיִרְצֶֽהhe.takes.pleasure

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 in their wording for this verse, with all eight words matched in the Hebrew text. This consistency across ancient witnesses reinforces the understanding of God's perspective on strength and power.

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

לֹ֤א בִגְבוּרַ֣ת הַסּ֣וּס יֶחְפָּ֑ץ לֹֽא־ בְשׁוֹקֵ֖י הָאִ֣ישׁ יִרְצֶֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לֹ֤אοὐκבִגְבוּרַ֣תἐνהַסּ֣וּסἵππουיֶחְפָּ֑ץθελήσειלֹֽא־οὐδὲבְשׁוֹקֵ֖יἐνהָאִ֣ישׁἀνδρὸςיִרְצֶֽה׃εὐδοκεῖ

8 of the 8 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.

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 147:10לֹאnotnotלֹאגְּבוּרָהin [the] stin [the] strengגְּבוּרָהסוּסhorsehorseסוּסחָפֵץhe delightshe delightsחָפֵץלֹאnotnotלֹאשׁוֹקin [the] lein [the] legs oשׁוֹקאִישׁmanmanאִישׁרָצָהhe takes plhe takes pleasuרָצָהשׁוּקto overfloto overflowשׁוּקגִּבּוֹרmighty manmighty manגִּבּוֹרפָּרָשׁhorsehorseפָּרָשׁאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדעֵצָהcounselcounselעֵצָההָלַלto shineto shineהָלַלפֶּ֫רֶדmulemuleפֶּ֫רֶדמֶרְכָּבָהchariotchariotמֶרְכָּבָהיְקָרpreciousnepreciousnessיְקָרדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָזֶהbreastbreastחָזֶהתְּנוּפָהwave offerwave offeringתְּנוּפָהרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַשַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּתשֶׁ֫לֶםpeace offepeace offeringשֶׁ֫לֶם
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 147:10

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.

not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
לֹ֤אlo' 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
in no way
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
not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
בִגְבוּרַ֣תvig.vu.Rat in [the] strength of H1369 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means strength, might, or power, like God's mighty power in Psalm 111:6. It can describe a person's bravery or the strength of an action, as in the mighty deeds of God in Psalm 145:11.
Amplified meaning
might, power
Tyndale gloss
might
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גְּבוּרָה (gbuwrah) refers to strength or might, encompassing concepts of valor and bravery. It is derived from a root related to force and power, often used in a figurative sense. The term can denote not only human strength but also the might of God, highlighting its significance in both personal and divine contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גְּבוּרָה 61 n.f. strength, might

strength

might, valour

might of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1369 גְּבוּרָה strength, might

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1369 gbuwrah gheb-oo-raw'

feminine passive participle from the same as 1368; force

(literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory:--

force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.

see HEBREW for 01368

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) — might.

1) strength, might

1a) strength

1b) might, valour, bravery

1c) might, mighty deeds (of God)

Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
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…

not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
הַסּ֣וּסha.Sus horse H5483 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Amplified meaning
chariot horse, swift steed
Tyndale gloss
swallow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סוּס (sus) refers to both a 'swallow' and a 'horse,' derived from a root meaning to skip or leap. The word captures the swift nature of both the bird and the animal, often associated with chariot horses in the context of the Old Testament. There is a note in the entries about a comparison with another Hebrew word, but no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סוּס n.[m.] swallow or swift

base

סוּס 138 n.m. horse

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5483a סוּס swallow or swift H5483b סוּס horse

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5483 cuwc soos

or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly,

for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid

flight):--crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare 6571.

see HEBREW for 06571

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סוּס (sus) — swallow.

swallow, swift

סוּס (sus) — Horse (Gate).

This name means horse

סוּס (sus) — horse.

1) horse

1a) chariot horses

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hors:

1. Names:

The common names are (1) cuc, and

(2) hippos.

(3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Eze 27:14; Joe 2:4 the Revised Version, margin); also in 2Sa 16, where the "horsemen" of English Versions of the Bible is ba`ale ha-parashim, "owners of horses"; compare Arabic faris, "horseman," and faras, "horse".

(4) The feminine form cucah, occurs in So 1:9, and is rendered as follows: Septuagint he hippos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) equitatum; the King James Version "company of horses," the Revised Version (British and American) "steed." It is not clear why English Versions of the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Horse

Always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa. 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, Deut. 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2 Sam. 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26, 29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 3:7; 9:21, 33…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The most striking feature in the biblical notices of the horse is the exclusive application of it to warlike operations; in no instance is that useful animal employed for the purposes of ordinary locomotion or agriculture, if we except (Isaiah 28:28) The animated description of the horse in (Job 39:19-25) applies solely to the war-horse. The Hebrews in the patriarchal age, as a pastoral race, did not stand in need of the services Of the horse, and for a long period after their settlement in Canaan they dispensed with it, partly in consequence of the hilly nature of the country, which only admitted of the use of chariots in certain localities, (Judges 1:19) and partly in consequence to the prohibition in (17:16) which would be held to apply at all periods. David first established…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Description of

Great strength Job 39:19-25

Swifter than eagles Jer 4:13

Snorting and neighing of Isa 5:28; Jer 8:16

A vain thing for safety Ps 33:17; Pr 21:31

→ Used by the Egyptians in war Ex 14:9; 15:19

→ Used by the Israelites 1Ki 22:4

→ Used for cavalry 2Ki 18:23; Jer 47:3; 51:21

not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
יֶחְפָּ֑ץyech.Patz he delights H2654 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
74× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Amplified meaning
take pleasure, find joy
Tyndale gloss
to delight in
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָפֵץ (chaphets) is a Hebrew verb meaning to delight in or take pleasure in something. It can refer to both human desire and divine pleasure, indicating a sense of inclination or favor. The word is also noted to mean to bend down, though this usage is rare. The entries suggest a range of meanings focused on desire and pleasure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָפֵץ vb. delight in

base

[חָפַץ] vb. bend down—only Qal Jb 40:17

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2654a חָפֵץ delight in H2654b חָפֵץ bend down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2654 chaphets khaw-fates'

a primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication

(literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased

with, desire:--X any at all, (have, take) delight, desire,

favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will,

would.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָפֵץ (cha.phets) — to delight in.

1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with

1a) (Qal)

1a1) of men

1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in

1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do

1a2) of God

1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in

1a2b) to be pleased to do

חָפַץ (ch.ph) — to sway.

1) to move, bend down

1a) (Qal) to bend down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
לֹֽא־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.
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
not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
בְשׁוֹקֵ֖יve.sho.Kei in [the] legs of H7785 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word describes the leg or thigh of a person or animal, often in reference to the lower leg or calf. It is sometimes translated as 'hip', 'leg', 'shoulder', or 'thigh'.
Tyndale gloss
leg
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוֹק (showq) refers to the leg, specifically the lower leg or calf in humans, and the thigh or upper leg in sacrificial animals. It is derived from a root meaning to run and appears in contexts related to both human anatomy and sacrificial practices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוֹק 19 n.[f.] leg

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7785 שׁוֹק leg

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7785 showq shoke

from 7783; the (lower) leg (as a runner):--hip, leg,

shoulder, thigh.

see HEBREW for 07783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוֹק (shoq) — leg.

1) leg, thigh

1a) of man; specifically the lower leg (calf) as opposed to the thigh

1b) of sacrificial animal; specifically the thigh, upper leg, hind leg, as the portion eaten

Aramaic equivalent: shaq (שָׁק "leg" H8243)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fd — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct
HR/Ncfdc
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…

not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
הָאִ֣ישׁha.'Ish man H376 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
human, mortal
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See ANTHROPOLOGY.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Man

(1.) Heb. ‘Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning “to be red,” and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10).

(2.) Heb. ‘ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33;

→ CREATED Ge 1:26,27; 2:7; 5:1,2; De 4:32; Job 4:17; 10:2,3,8,9; 31:15; 33:4; 35:10; Ps 8:5; 100:3; 119:73; 138:8; 139:14; Ec 7:29; Isa 17:7; 42:5; 43:7; 45:12; 64:8; Jer 27:5; Zec 12:1; Mal 2:10; Mr 10:6; Heb 2:7

See CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, below

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
not in [the] strength of horse he delights not in [the] legs of man he takes pleasure
יִרְצֶֽה׃yir.Tzeh he takes pleasure H7521 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to accept or be pleased with something, like God accepting our prayers. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, showing God's favor towards us. This word is about being satisfied or delighted.
Amplified meaning
does not accept, finds no joy
Tyndale gloss
to accept
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָצָה (ratsah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be pleased with or to accept favorably. It encompasses a range of meanings including satisfying a debt, making something acceptable, and seeking favor. The verb appears in various forms, such as being accepted or pleasing others. Notably, it can refer to both personal acceptance and the acceptance of sacrifices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָצָה vb. be pleased with, accept favourably

Qal

be pleased with, favourable to

accept

be pleased

make acceptable, satisfy (by paying off debt)

Niph.

pass. of Qal 2, be accepted, of sacrifices

pass. of Qal 4: her punishment is accepted (as satisfactory)

Pi. seek the favour of the poor

Hiph. the land shall pay off her sabbaths

Hithp. with what shall he make himself acceptable unto his lord ?

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7521 רָצָה be pleased with, accept favourably .. be pleased with, favourable to

. accept

. be pleased

. make acceptable, satisfy (by paying off debt)

. . pass. of Qal 2, be accepted, of sacrifices

. pass. of Qal 4: her punishment is accepted (as satisfactory)

. seek the favour of the poor

. the land shall pay off her sabbaths

. with what shall he make himself acceptable unto his lord ?

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7521 ratsah raw-tsaw'

a primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to

satisfy a debt:--(be) accept(-able), accomplish, set

affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be,

have a) favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take)

please(-ure), reconcile self.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָצָה (ra.tsah) — to accept.

1) to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favourably

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be pleased with, be favourable to

1a2) to accept

1a3) to be pleased, be determined

1a4) to make acceptable, satisfy

1a5) to please

1b) (Niphal) to be accepted, be pleased with

1c) (Piel) to seek favour of

1d) (Hiphil) to please, pay off

1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself acceptable or pleasing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

plezh'-ur (chephets, ratson; eudokia, hedone: "Pleasure" is the translation of various Hebrew words, chiefly of chephets, "inclination," hence, "pleasure," "delight" (Job 21:21, "What pleasure hath he in his house?" the American Standard Revised Version "what careth he for"; Job 22:3, "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty?"; Ps 111:2; Ec 5:4; 12:1; in Isa 44:28; 46:10; 48:14; 53:10, it has the sense of will or purpose, "He shall perform all my pleasure," etc.); of ratson, "delight," "acceptance," "good will" (Ezr 10:11;

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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