Menu

Psalms 18:38 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאֶ֭מְחָצֵם וְלֹא־ יֻ֣כְלוּ ק֑וּם יִ֝פְּל֗וּ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽי׃

BSAso they could notlôʼ

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 18
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 38 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 (rag.Lai) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 18:38quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares his victory over enemies, stating they have been crushed and cannot rise again.
Who is speakingDavid, reflecting on his triumphs in battle.
Where we areThis verse is part of a psalm celebrating God's deliverance and strength in overcoming adversaries.
The hard wordאֶ֭מְחָצֵם
Take awayThe enemies are decisively defeated and placed beneath the psalmist's authority.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָשַׂג 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 18:38

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 — David's Victory over His Enemiesgenerated

37I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.
38I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.
39You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.
40You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me.

Psalms 18:38 is part of a psalm where David recounts his victories over enemies, illustrating God's support in battle. He emphasizes that his foes have been crushed and cannot rise again, highlighting the complete defeat they have suffered. This reflects the broader theme of divine assistance in overcoming adversaries, as seen throughout the psalm.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 17:49–51Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
21 Samuel 23:5Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.
31 Samuel 30:17And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.
42 Samuel 5:1–25Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
52 Samuel 8:1–18Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֶ֭מְחָצֵם, 'Em.cha.tzemgenerated

The verb אֶ֭מְחָצֵם ('Em.cha.tzem) is a form of מָחַץ (machats), meaning to shatter or wound severely. It conveys a sense of violent action, indicating that the enemies are not just defeated but utterly crushed, unable to recover.

This word is in the imperfect tense, showing an ongoing action in the past, suggesting that the act of crushing was decisive and complete. The suffix indicates that the action is directed towards the enemies, emphasizing David's role in their defeat.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses crushed to convey the forceful action of the Hebrew.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of one main clause with a finite verb, אֶ֭מְחָצֵם ('Em.cha.tzem), meaning 'I crushed,' followed by a subordinate clause indicating the inability of the enemies to rise.

The structure emphasizes the action of crushing as the focal point, with subsequent phrases detailing the consequences of that action, namely the enemies' defeat and their position under the speaker's feet.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, אֶ֭מְחָצֵם is rendered as ἐξθρούς (exthrous), which conveys a similar sense of being crushed or shattered. This choice reinforces the violent nature of the action described, aligning closely with the original Hebrew meaning.

The use of ἐξθρούς shows a consistent interpretation of the Hebrew text, focusing on the decisive defeat of the enemies.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 18:38 states that David crushed his enemies so they could not rise again, emphasizing their defeat. This verse highlights God's support in battle and David's authority over those who opposed him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that David crushed his enemies?

David is expressing a complete victory over his foes, indicating that they have been decisively defeated and cannot recover.

Why does David emphasize that they could not rise?

The inability to rise signifies total defeat and subjugation, illustrating David's triumph and authority.

How does this verse reflect David's relationship with God?

This verse shows that David attributes his success in battle to God's support, emphasizing the divine assistance he received.

What is the significance of the enemies falling under David's feet?

Falling under his feet symbolizes their defeat and subjection, indicating that David has complete control over them.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of your life do you feel you need God's strength to overcome challenges?
  2. How can you recognize and celebrate victories in your life, similar to David's acknowledgment of God's help?
  3. What does it mean to you to have authority over your challenges, as David had over his enemies?
  4. How can you apply the principle of relying on God for strength in your daily battles?

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

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, interpreting it as a declaration of God's power in defeating enemies and ensuring their inability to stand against Him.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 18 354–430
"I will break them, and they shall not be able to stand" [Psalms 18:38]: and they shall not hold out against me.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:38 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I have wounded them, that they were not able to rise,.... Which was not only true of the Amalekites, but of all with whom David engaged in war; they are fallen under my feet; either dead, or become

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

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Here follows the fourth section of the psalm.

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

i.e. Cast down to the ground, so as I may tread upon their necks, after the manner of conquerors, .

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

Psalms 18:38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.Ver. 38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise] Much less to resist. And herein he was a type of Christ; all whose foes shall be his footstool, Psalms 110:1.

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

(37-40) Another retrospective glance of the poet over his past wars. Notice slight variations in Samuel.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

38. I have wounded them] Rather, I have smitten them through (Deuteronomy 33:11; Job 26:12). 2 Sam. has “Yea I consumed them, and smote them through,” the first verb being probably a gloss. The R.V. renders the verbs in Psalms 18:37-38 as futures (I will pursue, &c.), but it is best to regard these verses, like those which precede and those which follow, as a retrospect. See Appendix, Note IV.

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

I have wounded them ... - I have so weakened them - so entirely prostrated them - that they were not able to rally again.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

38. Under… my feet—Emblematic of complete subjugation. See on Psalms 110:1

Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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

I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I beat them to death; they fall at my feet.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I will smite them through that they shall not be able to rise: they shall fall under my feet.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they have fallen under my feet.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I haue wounded them, that they were not able to rise: they are fallen vnder my feete.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I crushed them, and they were not able to rise: they fell under my feet.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I smite them, and they are not able to rise, They fall under my feet,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I strike them, and they are not able to rise, || They fall under my feet,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(18:39) I crush them that they are not able to rise: they fall under my feet.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I smashed them so that they were unable to rise; they have fallen under my feet.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I struck them down—they couldn't get up. They fell at my feet.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I will give them wounds, so that they are not able to get up: they are stretched under my feet.

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.

clauseverbאֶ֭מְחָצֵIobjectםsmashed.themוְandclauseadverbialלֹאnotverbיֻ֣כְלוּthey.were.ableobjectק֑וּםto.riseclauseverbיִ֝פְּל֗וּthey.fellprepositional phrase · prepositionalתַּ֣חַתundernoun phraseרַגְלָֽfeetיmy

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads אֶ֭מְחָצֵם וְלֹא־ יֻ֣כְלוּ ק֑וּם יִ֝פְּל֗וּ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽי׃, and this is matched by the Septuagint. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with several words being restored by editors, but the essential meaning aligns with the Masoretic Text.

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

אֶ֭מְחָצֵם וְלֹא־ יֻ֣כְלוּ ק֑וּם יִ֝פְּל֗וּ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֶ֭מְחָצֵםἐξθρούςוְלֹא־καὶיֻ֣כְלוּκαταλήμψομαιק֑וּםαὐτοὺςיִ֝פְּל֗וּκαὶתַּ֣חַתοὐκרַגְלָֽי׃ἕως

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 — 4Q85a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ארדוף] [אויב׳י] [ואשיג׳ם] [ולא] [אשוב] [עד] [כלות׳ם]

nothing on the leather here — 7 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 5/6hev1ba copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ארדוף אויב׳י ואשיג׳ם [ולא] אשוב עד כלות׳ם

4 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 1 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 18:38מָחַץI shatteredI shattered theמָחַץלֹאand notand notלֹאיָכֹלthey were athey were ableיָכֹללֵב[surely] to[surely] to risלֵבנָפַלthey fellthey fellנָפַלתַּחַתunderunderתַּחַתרֶ֫גֶלfeet myfeet myרֶ֫גֶלרָגַלto spyto spyרָגַלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלתּוֹחַתּוֹחַרָפָאto healto healרָפָארֹאשׁheadheadרֹאשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדפָּתָהto open wito open wideפָּתָהאוּלַיperhapsperhapsאוּלַינֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶרעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלאֶ֫דֶןsocketsocketאֶ֫דֶןשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁבֹּ֫הֶןthumb/big thumb/big toeבֹּ֫הֶןיְמָנִיrightrightיְמָנִי
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 18:38

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.

I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
אֶ֭מְחָצֵם'Em.cha.tzem I shattered them H4272 Verb qal imperfect first person common singular · suffix
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to severely wound or shatter something, like in Psalm 38:5 where David describes his emotional pain. It implies a violent or forceful action, causing harm or destruction. In the Bible, it is often used to describe physical harm.
Tyndale gloss
to wound
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָחַץ (machats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to smite through, wound severely, or shatter. It is built from a primitive root and encompasses actions like crushing, smashing, or violently plunging. The entries indicate a range of meanings that include both literal and figurative uses, such as to subdue or destroy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָחַץ vb. smite through, wound severely, shatter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4272 מָחַץ smite through, wound severely, shatter

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4272 machats maw-khats'

a primitive root; to dash asunder; by implication, to crush,

smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or

destroy:--dip, pierce (through), smite (through), strike

through, wound.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָחַץ (ma.chats) — to wound.

1) to smite through, shatter, wound severely

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to shatter

1a2) shattering (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi1cs/Sp3mp — Verb qal imperfect first person common singular · suffix
HVqi1cs/Sp3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
וְלֹא־ve.lo'- and not H3808 Conjunction · 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
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
יֻ֣כְלוּYukh.lu they were able H3201 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
194× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
be able
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Qal

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

prevail

abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. prevail

. abs. have ability, strength, only neg.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3201 yakol yaw-kole'

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכֹל (ya.khol) — be able.

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

1a) (Qal)

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

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

1a3) to have ability, have strength

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a'-b'-l: The Greek dunamai, "to have power," may refer either to inherent strength, or to the absence of in external obstacles, or to what may be allowable or permitted. The Greek ischuo, as in Lu 13:24; Joh 21:6, refers always to the first of the above meanings. The use of the word as an adjective the King James Version of 2Co 3:6, is misleading, and has been properly changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into "sufficient as ministers," i.e. "hath fitted us to be ministers."

I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
ק֑וּםKum [surely] to rise H6965 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
628× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Tyndale gloss
(Leb)-kamai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand

Qal 460

arise

arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

arise, abs., = become powerful

arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

arise for, i.e. to become

arise for action

arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

stand

Pi.

fulfil

confirm, ratify

confirm, establish

impose, an obligation

Pō‛l. raise up

Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up

Hiph.

146cause to arise, raise

raise, set up, stones

erect, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = bring on the scene

raise up = rouse, stir up

instigate, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = constitute

cause to stand

Hoph. be raised up

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise

. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

. arise, abs., = become powerful

. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

. arise for, i.e. to become

. . arise for action

. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

. stand

. . fulfil

. . confirm, ratify

. confirm, establish

. impose, an obligation

. raise up

. raise oneself, = rise up

. . cause to arise, raise

. . raise, set up, stones

. erect, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = bring on the scene

. . raise up = rouse, stir up

. instigate, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = constitute

. cause to stand

. be raised up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6965 quwm koom

a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,

figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X

be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X

enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift

up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise

(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse

up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,

strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -

rising).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.

Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)

§ -Kamai = "my adversary"

Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.

: rise/get_going

1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arise

1a2) to arise (hostile sense)

1a3) to arise, become powerful

1a4) to arise, come on the scene

1a5) to stand

1a5a) to maintain oneself

1a5b) to be established, be confirmed

1a5c) to stand, endure

1a5d) to be fixed

1a5e) to be valid

1a5f) to be proven

1a5g) to be fulfilled

1a5h) to persist

1a5i) to be set, be fixed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to fulfil

1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose

1c) (Polel) to raise up

1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause to arise, raise

1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build

1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene

1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate

1e5) to raise up, constitute

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqcc — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
יִ֝פְּל֗וּyi.pe.Lu they fell H5307 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
435× 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 fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
תַּ֣חַתTa.chat under H8478 Noun common · masculine singular construct
505× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Tyndale gloss
underneath: under
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּחַת (tachath) refers to the concept of being underneath or below. It can function as a noun meaning 'the under part,' or as an adverb and preposition indicating position or substitution, such as 'instead of' or 'for the sake of.' The word encompasses various uses, including physical placement and metaphorical meanings related to subjection or exchange.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּחַת n.[m.] the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8478 תַּחַת the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8478 tachath takh'-ath

from the same as 8430; the bottom (as depressed); only

adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix

underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat,

in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead

of, under, X unto, X when...was mine, whereas, (where-)fore,

with.

see HEBREW for 08430

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: under.

: under/below

1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m

1a) the under part adv accus

1b) beneath prep

1c) under, beneath

1c1) at the foot of (idiom)

1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig)

1c3) of subjection or conquest

1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands

1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)

1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense)

1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged)

conj

1e) instead of, instead of that

1f) in return for that, because that in compounds

1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion)

1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath

תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: instead.

: instead/in_place/exchange

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
I shattered them and not they were able [surely] to rise they fell under feet my
רַגְלָֽי׃rag.Lai feet my H7272 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
247× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Tyndale gloss
foot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot

foot

three times (feet, paces)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot

. three times (feet, paces)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7272 regel reh'-gel

from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a

step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X

according as, X after, X coming, X follow,

((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X

journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.

see HEBREW for 07270

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.

1) foot

1a) foot, leg

1b) of God (anthropomorphic)

1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table

1d) according to the pace of (with prep)

1e) three times (feet, paces)

Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfdc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate