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Psalms 18:23 — Word Study

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WLCוָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃

BSAforkîy allkôl justicemishpâṭ beforeneged [in the presence of, standing before] statutechuqqâh notlôʼ to turn asideçûwr frommin [free from, apart from]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 18
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 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.'a.vo.Ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 18:23quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares his integrity and commitment to remain free from sin in the presence of God.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on his relationship with God.
Where we areIn a section where the psalmist recounts his righteousness and God's response.
The hard wordתָמִ֣ים
Take awayThe psalmist emphasizes his moral uprightness and vigilance against sin.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbכֹּל 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 18:23

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 Righteousness of the Psalmistgenerated

22For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes.
23And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.
24So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
25To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

Psalms 18:23 is part of a passage where the psalmist reflects on his faithfulness to God and the resultant blessings. He asserts his blamelessness and commitment to avoiding sin, which leads to God's favor. This theme of integrity is echoed throughout the psalm, illustrating the relationship between righteousness and divine response.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 7:1–8O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
2Psalm 11:7For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.
3Psalm 17:3You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
4Psalm 37:27Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.
51 Samuel 26:23May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

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


The Key Word תָמִ֣ים, ta.Mimgenerated

The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) conveys the idea of being complete, sound, or whole. It is often used to describe moral integrity and innocence, much like the unblemished sacrifices described in Leviticus. The word reflects a state of being that is in accord with truth and righteousness.

In this verse, the psalmist uses תָמִים to describe his own moral state before God, indicating that he is blameless and without defect in his conduct. This assertion of integrity serves to highlight the psalmist's commitment to living in accordance with God's standards.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses blameless for תָמִ֣ים.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is אֱהִ֣י, and I have been, which governs the phrase that follows, describing the psalmist's state of being. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's relationship with God and his moral standing.

The phrase תָמִ֣ים serves as the object of the verb, indicating what the psalmist claims to be in the presence of God. The subsequent clause וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר introduces another action, showing the psalmist's active role in guarding himself against iniquity.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תָמִ֣ים as κρίματα, which means judgments or ordinances. This choice reflects a shift from personal integrity to an emphasis on God's laws or decrees.

This translation indicates that the Septuagint interpreters may have understood the psalmist's blamelessness in relation to adherence to divine statutes rather than solely as a personal moral claim.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 18:23 expresses the psalmist's claim of being blameless before God and his dedication to avoiding sin. He emphasizes his integrity and the importance of maintaining a pure relationship with God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be blameless before God?

To be blameless means to live with integrity and to avoid wrongdoing, reflecting a commitment to God's standards.

How does the psalmist keep himself from iniquity?

The psalmist actively guards his actions and thoughts, ensuring they align with God's commands.

Why is the concept of being blameless important in the Psalms?

Being blameless is linked to receiving God's favor and blessings, as seen throughout the psalms.

How can we apply the psalmist's commitment to integrity in our lives?

We can strive to live with honesty and moral uprightness, seeking to align our actions with God's will.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to strive for greater integrity?
  2. How can I actively guard myself against moral failures?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure my actions align with my faith?
  4. How does my relationship with God influence my moral choices?

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

Early commentators reference this verse to highlight the psalmist's integrity and the importance of being blameless before God.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 18 354–430
"And I shall be undefiled with Him, and I shall keep Myself from Mine iniquity" [Psalms 18:23].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Arnobius the YoungerCOMMENTARY ON Psalms 18 5th c.
I will be blameless with him, with that very one who, himself blameless, suffered on the cross for our iniquities.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I was also upright before him,.... In heart and conversation, being sincere and faithful; so David was in the sight of God; but this is much more true of Christ, in whom there was no unrighteousness

Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. I was also upright before him - literally, with Him (Genesis 17:1; Deuteronomy 18:13).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I did not pretend religion before men for my own ends, but did approve my heart and ways to the all-seeing God. And I kept myself from mine iniquity, i e. from that sin which I was most inclined or tempted to; either, 1. From my hereditary and natural corruption, so far that it should not have dominion over me, nor break forth into any presumptuous or scandalous sins. Or rather, 2. From the sin of killing Saul, which might be called his sin, because this might seem most agreeable and desirable to him, both as a man and as a soldier, and as anointed to be king, as being a likely way both to revenge, and to preserve, and to advance himself; to which also he might seem to be both invited by…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.Ver. 23. I was also upright before him] This he had because he kept God’ s commandments, as Psalms 18:22, had respect to them all, Psalms 119:6, both to the magnalia and minutula legis, which he kept as the apple of his eye, Proverbs 7:2, even all God’ s wills, Acts 13:22, and was therefore approved in Christ, as Apelles, Romans 16:10, and passed for an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile, as Nathanael, John 1:47. And I kept myself from mine iniquity] i.e. From my peccatum in deliciis, my darling sin, whereto I am either by nature or custom most inclined and addicted; from the iniquity of my heart and secret…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20-23) for this protestation of innocence comp. Psalms 7, 17 and Job, passim. Self-righteous pride and vindication of one’s character under calumny are very different things. If taken of the nation at large, comp. Numbers 23:21. Here, also, the text in Samuel offers one or two trifling variations from ours.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. I was also upright] The times in which David was most afflicted were the times of his greatest uprightness. Adversity was always to him a time of spiritual prosperity. Mine iniquity.] Probably meaning what is generally termed the easily-besetting sin; the sin of his constitution, or that to which the temperament of his body most powerfully disposed him. What this was, is a subject of useless conjecture.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. upright before him] R.V., perfect with him, living in the fellowship of a sincere devotion. See note on Psalms 15:2. I kept myself from mine iniquity] I have watched over myself that I might not transgress, lest I should cherish any sin till it became a part of me. There is no reference to indwelling corruption or a besetting sin.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I was also upright before him - Margin, with. The meaning is that he was upright in his sight. The word rendered upright is the same which in Job 1:1 is rendered perfect. See the note at that passage.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →

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

And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I was also perfect with him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I was vpright also with him, and haue kept me from my wickednes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And I was upright with him, and kept myself from mine iniquity.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And I am perfect with him, And I keep myself from mine iniquity.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And I am perfect with Him, || And I keep myself from my iniquity.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(18:24) I was also upright with him, and I guarded myself against my iniquity.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I have also been innocent before him, and I have kept myself from sin.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I am blameless in his sight; I keep myself from sinning.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And I was upright before him, and I kept myself from sin.

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.

וָandclauseverbאֱהִ֣יI.have.beenobjectתָמִ֣יםblamelessprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִמּ֑withוֹhimוָ֝andclauseverbאֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗רI.have.kept.myselfprepositional phrase · prepositionalמֵfromnoun phraseעֲוֺנִֽiniquityיmy

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 in their wording, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some variations, with three words partially restored, indicating possible textual damage.

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

וָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וָאֱהִ֣יπάνταתָמִ֣יםκρίματαעִמּ֑וֹαὐτοῦוָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗רμουמֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃αὐτοῦ

5 of the 5 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 — 5/6hev1ba copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

כי כל משפטי׳ו לנגד׳י [וחקתי׳ו] [לא] [אסיר] מנ׳י

3 words on the leather — 2 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 18:23הָיָהand I have and I have beenהָיָהתָּמִיםblamelessblamelessתָּמִיםעִםwith himwith himעִםשָׁמַרand I have and I have keptשָׁמַרעָוֹןfrom iniquifrom iniquity mעָוֹןתָּמַםto finishto finishתָּמַםעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאעָוָהto twistto twistעָוָהאֲבַדto destroyto destroyאֲבַדכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂאַ֫יִלramramאַ֫יִלשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתchargechargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתמִצְוָהcommandmencommandmentמִצְוָהפֶּ֫שַׁעtransgresstransgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעחַטָּאָהsinsinחַטָּאָה
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 18:23

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.

and I have been blameless with him and I have kept myself from iniquity my
וָאֱהִ֣יva.'e.Hi and I have been H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqw1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singular
Hc/Vqw1cs
and I have been blameless with him and I have kept myself from iniquity my
תָמִ֣יםta.Mim blameless H8549
91× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means unblemished or perfect, like an animal without defects. It describes something or someone that is whole and complete, like the sacrifices in Leviticus. It is used to describe integrity and truth.
Tyndale gloss
unblemished
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) means complete, sound, or whole. It encompasses notions of integrity, truth, and being unblemished or innocent. The word can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is entire or in accord with truth. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being entire or perfect.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּמִים 91 adj. complete, sound

complete, whole, entire

whole, sound, healthful

complete, entire, of time

sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8549 תָּמִים complete, sound . complete, whole, entire

. whole, sound, healthful

. complete, entire, of time

. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

. as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8549 tamiym taw-meem'

from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also

(as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full,

perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled,

upright(-ly), whole.

see HEBREW for 08552

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished.

: unblemished/perfect

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: blameless.

: blameless

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: complete.

: complete

1) complete, whole, entire, sound

1a) complete, whole, entire

1b) whole, sound, healthful

1c) complete, entire (of time)

1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAamsa
HAamsa
and I have been blameless with him and I have kept myself from iniquity my
עִמּ֑וֹi.Mo with him H5973 Preposition · suffix
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
and I have been blameless with him and I have kept myself from iniquity my
וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗רva.'esh.ta.Mer and I have kept myself H8104 Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect first person common singular
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Tyndale gloss
to keep: obey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve

Qal 425

keep, have charge of

keep, guard, captives

hence, watch for, wait for

watch, observe

keep, retain, of storing up (food)

keep within bounds, restrain

observe, celebrate

keep sabbath

of other obligations

observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

sts. י׳ subj.

keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

Niph.

36be on one's guard

keep oneself, refrain, abstain

be kept, guarded

Pi. those paying regard to false vanities

Hithp. I kept myself from

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of

. keep, guard, captives

. hence, watch for, wait for

. watch, observe

. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)

. keep within bounds, restrain

. . observe, celebrate

. keep sabbath

. of other obligations

. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)

. sts. י׳ subj.

. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

. . be on one's guard

. keep oneself, refrain, abstain

. be kept, guarded

. those paying regard to false vanities

. I kept myself from

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8104 shamar shaw-mar'

a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),

i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,

be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,

look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save

(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.

: obey/observe

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

1a3) to watch for, wait for

1a4) to watch, observe

1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

1a8) to keep, preserve, protect

1a9) to keep, reserve

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

1b3) to be kept, be guarded

1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.

: guard

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vtw1cs — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect first person common singular
Hc/Vtw1cs
and I have been blameless with him and I have kept myself from iniquity my
מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃me.'a.vo.Ni from iniquity my H5771 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
233× 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 moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Tyndale gloss
iniquity: crime
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5771 `avon aw-vone'

or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from

5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,

mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

see HEBREW for 07

see HEBREW for 05753

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.

: crime

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.

: guilt

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.

: punishment

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

1a) iniquity

1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/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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