Psalms 24:4 — Word Study
WLCנְקִ֥י כַפַּ֗יִם וּֽבַר־ לֵ֫בָ֥ב אֲשֶׁ֤ר׀ לֹא־ נָשָׂ֣א לַשָּׁ֣וְא נַפְשִׁ֑י וְלֹ֖א נִשְׁבַּ֣ע לְמִרְמָֽה׃
BSAHe who has cleannâqîy [morally] handskaph and a purebar [sincere] heartlêbâb whoʼăsher does notlôʼ [utterly, completely] lift upnâsâʼ■ his soulnephesh [living being, essence] to an idolshâvᵉʼ [vanity, falsehood] orlôʼ swearshâbaʻ■ [make an oath, vow] deceitfullymirmâh [with cheating, lying]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נְקִ֥י | a [person] innocent of | Adj |
| כַפַּ֗יִם | hands | Noun common, feminine dual absolute |
| וּֽבַר־ | and a [person] pure of | Conjunction |
| לֵ֫בָ֥ב | heart | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֲשֶׁ֤ר׀ | who | Particle |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| נָשָׂ֣א | he has lifted up | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לַשָּׁ֣וְא | to falsehood | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נַפְשִׁ֑י | desire my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְלֹ֖א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| נִשְׁבַּ֣ע | he has sworn an oath | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לְמִרְמָֽה׃ | to deceit | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. |
| KJV | He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. |
| ASV | He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully. |
| YLT | The clean of hands, and pure of heart, Who hath not lifted up to vanity his soul, Nor hath sworn to deceit. |
| WEB | He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. |
| BBE | He who has clean hands and a true heart; whose desire has not gone out to foolish things, who has not taken a false oath. |
The translations agree on the essential meanings of the key terms.
The main clause outlines the qualifications for approaching God, followed by two relative clauses that specify what disqualifies a person.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָשָׂא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 24:4
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 Conditions for Approaching Godgenerated
Psalms 24:4 outlines the characteristics of those who may ascend to the Lord's holy place. The psalm emphasizes moral purity and sincerity, contrasting the righteous with those who engage in idolatry or deceit. This theme resonates throughout the Psalms, where the pursuit of holiness is paramount for fellowship with God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:20 | The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. |
| 2 | Psalm 26:6 | I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, |
| 3 | Job 9:30 | If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, |
| 4 | Job 17:9 | Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger. |
| 5 | Isaiah 1:15–16 | When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 29 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְקִי, ne.Kigenerated
The word נָקִי (naqiy) is an adjective that conveys the idea of being innocent or guiltless. It describes a person who is free from blame and morally clean, emphasizing integrity and moral purity. This word is often used in contexts that highlight the importance of righteousness, such as in the description of Noah in Genesis 6:9.
In this verse, it underscores the necessity of having clean hands, which symbolizes actions that are free from wrongdoing, as a prerequisite for standing in God's presence.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb נָשָׂא, he has lifted up, governs the main clause, with additional phrases describing the subject's qualities. The structure emphasizes the conditions for approaching God, placing moral purity at the forefront.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the qualities of the individual, highlighting the importance of both clean hands and a pure heart as prerequisites for standing before the Lord.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, נְקִי is rendered as ἀθῷος, which also means innocent or blameless. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on moral purity.
The Greek term נָשָׂא is translated as ἔλαβεν, indicating a direct action of lifting, which aligns closely with the original Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 24:4 states that to ascend the hill of the Lord, one must have clean hands and a pure heart. This means being morally upright and sincere, avoiding idolatry and deceit. The verse emphasizes the importance of integrity when approaching God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Having clean hands symbolizes moral integrity and actions free from wrongdoing.
A pure heart reflects sincerity and truthfulness, essential for a genuine relationship with God.
Lifting up one's soul to an idol refers to the act of worshiping false gods or placing trust in vanity.
Swearing deceitfully involves making false promises or oaths, which undermines trust and integrity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I ensure my actions reflect moral integrity?
- How can I cultivate a pure heart in my daily life?
- What are some modern idols that I need to be aware of?
- How can I be more truthful in my commitments and promises?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church writers reference this verse to discuss the moral character required to approach God. Their insights highlight the importance of integrity and sincerity.
Let no one speak deceitfully to his neighbor. The mouth of the malevolent is a deep pit. The innocent person, while he believes easily, falls readily; but though he falls, he rises;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 24 →
Truly Judas ascended onto the mountain of the Lord, but he did not stand in his holy place. He was not innocent in hands or pure in heart, but a thief who was taking the money.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 24 →
"The innocent of hand, and the pure in heart" [Psalms 24:4]. Who then shall ascend there, and abide there, but the guiltless in deed,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 24 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 24:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe that hath clean hands, and a pure heart,.... Though "clean hands" are mentioned first, as being more obvious to view, and better known, and more subject to the cognizance and observation of
Read John Gill on Psalms 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Clean hands, and a pure heart.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhose actions and conversations are holy and unblamable. It is here very observable, that the character of a right and acceptable worshipper of God is not taken from his nation and relation to Abraham, nor from all those costly and laborious rites and ceremonies of the law, in which the generality of the Israelites pleased themselves, but in moral and spiritual duties, which most of them grossly neglected. A pure heart; purged from hypocrisy and inward filthiness, and careful to approve itself to God as well as to men, ordering a man’ s very thoughts and affections according to God’ s word. This is fitly added, because a man may keep his hands clean in good measure upon mere worldly…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.Ver. 4. He that hath clean hands] The clean in hands, that is, of innocent and unblamable conversation; debet esse purus corde, ore, opere, saith Kimchi; he must not touch that unclean thing, 2 Corinthians 6:17. Non magna munera, sed immunis manus mensque sincera Deo placent. Men must lift up pure hands in prayer, 1 Timothy 2:8, or else their incense will stink of the hand that offereth it, Isaiah 1:13. Immunis aram si tetigit manus (Horat.). Those that draw near to God must not only have their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, but their bodies also washed with…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 24 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) His soul.—The Hebrew margin is “my soul,” a reading confirmed by the Alexandrian Codex of the LXX. The Rabbis defend it by saying soul here = name (comp. Amos 6:8; Jeremiah 51:14), and to lift up to vanity = to take in vain.Vanity.—Evidently, from the parallelism, in the sense of falsehood, as in Job 31:5. Deceitfully.—Literally, to fraud, from a root meaning to trip up. The LXX. and Vulg. add (from Psalms 15) “to his neighbour.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. He that hath clean hands] He whose conscience is irreproachable; whose heart is without deceit and uninfluenced by unholy passions. Who hath not lifted up his soul] Who has no idolatrous inclination; whose faith is pure, and who conscientiously fulfils his promises and engagements.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart] He who is innocent of violence and wrong-doing (Psalms 18:20; Psalms 18:24); nay, innocent even in thought and purpose as well as in deed. Cp. Psalms 73:1; Matthew 5:8. Who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity] i.e. who is true and faithful to Jehovah. ‘To lift up the soul’ means to direct the mind towards (Psalms 25:1), to set the heart upon (Deuteronomy 24:15), to desire (Hosea 4:8). ‘Vanity’ denotes what is transitory (Job 15:31), false and unreal (Psalms 12:2), or sinful (Isaiah 5:18), and may even designate false gods (Psalms 31:6). It includes all that is unlike or opposed to the nature of God. The traditional reading (Qrç) however is…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe that hath clean hands - In the parallel passage in Psalms 15:2, the answer to the question is, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness.” The sentiment is substantially the same there as in the passage before us.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.
Tyndale line
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, and hath not sworn deceitfully.
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Euen he that hath innocent handes, and a pure heart: which hath not lift vp his minde vnto vanitie, nor sworne deceitfully.
Strictly literal
He that hath blameless hands and a pure heart; who lifteth not up his soul unto vanity, nor sweareth deceitfully:
The clean of hands, and pure of heart, Who hath not lifted up to vanity his soul, Nor hath sworn to deceit.
The clean of hands, and pure of heart, || Who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, || Nor has sworn to deceit.
He that is of clean hands, and pure of heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, and hath not sworn deceitfully:
He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up a falsehood, and has not sworn an oath in order to deceive.
From the Latin
Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.
Simplified
Those who have clean hands and pure minds, who don't worship idols, and who don't lie under oath.
He who has clean hands and a true heart; whose desire has not gone out to foolish things, who has not taken a false oath.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 24:4 presents the phrase as 'clean hands and a pure heart,' which is mirrored in the Septuagint, where all twelve words correspond to the Hebrew text, though the word order and articles differ due to Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a variant reading for this verse, indicating agreement with the Masoretic Text. This consistency across witnesses highlights the stability of this particular verse in the biblical tradition.
נְקִ֥י כַפַּ֗יִם וּֽבַר־ לֵ֫בָ֥ב אֲשֶׁ֤ר׀ לֹא־ נָשָׂ֣א לַשָּׁ֣וְא נַפְשִׁ֑י וְלֹ֖א נִשְׁבַּ֣ע לְמִרְמָֽה׃
12 of the 12 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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 24:4
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.
נָקִי (naqiy) is an adjective meaning clean, free from, or exempt. It also conveys innocence, being blameless or guiltless. The word has variations, including נָקִיא (naqiyi), which also means innocent. It appears in contexts related to purity and freedom from obligations or guilt.
נָקִי adj. clean, free from, exempt
base
נָקִיא adj. innocent
base
H5355a נָקִי clean, free from, exempt H5355b נָקִיא innocent
5355 naqiy naw-kee'
or naqiyi (Joel 4 : 19; Jonah 1 : 14), {naw-kee'}; from 5352;
innocent:--blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free,
guiltless, innocent, quit.
see HEBREW for 04
see HEBREW for 019
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 014
see HEBREW for 05352
נָקִי (na.qi) — innocent.
1) clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent
1a) free from guilt, clean, innocent
1b) free from punishment
1c) free or exempt from obligations
Also means: na.qi (נָקִיא "innocent" H5355B)
נָקִיא (na.qi) — innocent.
innocent
Another spelling of na.qi (נָקִי "innocent" H5355A)
Adj — AdjHAamsc
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.
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…
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
N-fd — Noun common · feminine dual absoluteHNcfda
בַּר (bar) means pure or clean, and can also imply clarity or emptiness. It is an adjective that describes something as sincere or untainted. The word is derived from a root that suggests beloved or choice qualities, indicating a range of meanings from purity to clarity.
בַּר adj. pure, clean
pure, clear
clean
perh. adv. kiss purely, of sincere homage
base
H1249 בַּר pure, clean
1249 bar bar
from 1305 (in its various senses); beloved; also pure,
empty:--choice, clean, clear, pure.
see HEBREW for 01305
בַּר (bar) — pure.
adj
1) pure, clear, sincere
2) clean, empty
adv
3) purely
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsc
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.
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…
לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.
לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the seas
usu. of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific ref. to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
spec. ref. to moral character
= the man himself
spec. as seat of appetites
spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas
. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific ref. to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. spec. ref. to moral character
. = the man himself
. spec. as seat of appetites
. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
. seat of courage
3824 lebab lay-bawb'
from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also
like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,
courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X
unawares, understanding.
see HEBREW for 03823
see HEBREW for 03820
לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads:
1. Various Meanings:
It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body. Fear, love, courage, anger, Joy, sorrow, hatred are always ascribed to the heart--especially in the Old Testament; thus courage for which usually ruach is used (Ps 27:14); joy (Ps 4:7); anger (De 19:6, "while his heart is hot," lebhabh); fear (1Sa 25:37); sorrow (Ps 13:2), etc.
Heart
According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. “Heart” and “soul” are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.
The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6;
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Rel — ParticleHTr
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take
Qal
lift, lift up
Bear, carry
Take, take away
Niph.
be lifted up
refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
be borne, carried
be taken away, carried off
Pi.
lift up = exalt
fig. = desire, long
carry, bear continuously
take, take away
Hithp. lift oneself up
Hiph.
cause one to bear iniquity
appar. cause to bring, have brought
base
H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up
. Bear, carry
. Take, take away
. . be lifted up
. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
. be borne, carried
. be taken away, carried off
. . lift up = exalt
. fig. = desire, long
. carry, bear continuously
. take, take away
. lift oneself up
. . cause one to bear iniquity
. appar. cause to bring, have brought
5375 nasa' naw-saw'
or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to
lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and
figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,
arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring
(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,
exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,
give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,
lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,
pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,
stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.
see HEBREW for 04
see HEBREW for 06
see HEBREW for 07
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.
: raise/take_up
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up
1b3) to be borne, be carried
1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
1c2) to desire, long (fig.)
1c3) to carry, bear continuously
1c4) to take, take away
1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)
1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.
: look/lift(eyes)
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
The Hebrew word שָׁוְא (*shav*) means emptiness or vanity. It conveys ideas of falsehood, worthlessness, and deception, both in a literal sense and in terms of moral or spiritual emptiness. The lexicons highlight its use in describing empty speech or conduct that is devoid of value.
שָׁוְא n.[m.] emptiness, vanity
base
H7723 שָׁוְא emptiness, vanity
7723 shav' shawv
or shav {shav}; from the same as 7722 in the sense of
desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally
(especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false,
subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also
adverbially, in vain):--false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
see HEBREW for 07722
שָׁוְא (shav) — vanity: false.
: false
1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood
1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity
1b) emptiness of speech, lying
1c) worthlessness (of conduct)
Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
שָׁוְא (shav) — vanity: vain.
: vain/empty/worthless
1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood
1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity
1b) emptiness of speech, lying
1c) worthlessness (of conduct)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
fols'-hood.
See LYING.
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
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.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
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.
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)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
שָׁבַע (shaba`) primarily means to swear or take an oath, possibly derived from the idea of binding oneself by seven things. It can also mean to adjure or to cause someone to take an oath. The word appears in various forms, including participles and different verb stems, indicating actions related to swearing and oaths.
[שָׁבַע] 186 vb. swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things)
Qal Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths
Niph.;—swear, take an oath
Hiph.
cause take an oath, subj. always man
adjure
base
H7650 שָׁבַע swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things) .Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths
.;—swear, take an oath
. . cause take an oath, subj. always man
. adjure
7650 shaba` shaw-bah'
a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a
denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by
repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an
oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646),
take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.
see HEBREW for 07651
see HEBREW for 07646
שָׁבַע (sha.va) — to swear.
1) to swear, adjure
1a) (Qal) sworn (participle)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to swear, take an oath
1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself)
1b3) to curse
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to take an oath
1c2) to adjure
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singularHVNp3ms
oth (shebhu`ah, probably from shebha`, "seven," the sacred number, which occurs frequently in the ritual of an oath; horkos; and the stronger word 'alah, by which a curse is actually invoked upon the oath-breaker Septuagint ara)): In Mt 26:70-74 Peter first denies his Lord simply, then with an oath (shebhu`ah), then invokes a curse ('alah), thus passing through every stage of asseveration.
1. Law Regarding Oaths:
The oath is the invoking of a curse upon one's self if one has not spoken the truth (Mt 26:74), or if one fails to keep a promise (1Sa 19:6; 20:17; 2Sa 15:21; 19:23). It played a very important part, not only in lawsuits (
Oath
A solemn appeal to God, permitted on fitting occasions (Deut. 6:13; Jer. 4:2), in various forms (Gen. 16:5; 2 Sam. 12:5; Ruth 1:17; Hos. 4:15; Rom. 1:9), and taken in different ways (Gen. 14:22; 24:2; 2 Chr. 6:22). God is represented as taking an oath (Heb. 6:16-18), so also Christ (Matt. 26:64), and…
The principle on which an oath is held to be binding is incidentally laid down in (Hebrews 6:16) viz. as an ultimate appeal to divine authority to ratify an assertion. On the same principle, that oath has always been held most binding which appealed to the highest authority, as regards both individuals and communities. As a consequence of this principle, appeals to God’s name on the one hand, and to heathen deities on the other, are treated in scripture as tests of allegiance. (Exodus 23:13; 34:6; 29:12) etc. So also the sovereign’s name is sometimes used as a form of obligation. (Genesis 42:15; 2 Samuel 11:11; 14:19) Other forms of oath, serious or frivolous, are…
A solemn affirmation accompanied by an appeal to the Supreme Being. God has prohibited all false oaths, and all useless and customary swearing in ordinary discourse; but when the necessity or importance of a matter requires an oath, he allows men to swear by his name, Ex 22:11 Le 5:1. To swear by a false god was an act of idolatry, Jer 5:7 12:16.
Among the Hebrews an oath was administered by the judge, who stood up, and adjured the party who was to be sworn. In this manner our Lord was adjured by Caiaphas, Mt 26:63. Jesus had remained silent under long examination, when the high priest, rising up, knowing he had a sure mode of obtaining an answer said, "I adjure thee by the…
מִרְמָה (mirmah) refers to deceit or treachery. It is derived from the root word meaning to deceive and encompasses concepts like fraud, guile, and craftiness. The term appears in contexts that highlight dishonesty and trickery.
מִרְמָה n.f. deceit, treachery
base
H4820 מִרְמָה deceit, treachery
4820 mirmah meer-maw'
from 7411 in the sense of deceiving; fraud:--craft,
deceit(-ful, -fully), false, feigned, guile, subtilly,
treachery.
see HEBREW for 07411
מִרְמָה (mir.mah) — deceit.
deceit, treachery
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
de-set' (mirmah; (dolos)): The intentional misleading or beguiling of another; in Scripture represented as a companion of many other forms of wickedness, as cursing (Ps 10:7), hatred (Pr 26:24), theft, covetousness, adultery, murder (Mr 7:22; Ro 1:29). The Revised Version (British and American) introduces the word in Pr 14:25; 2Th 2:10; but in such passages as Ps 55:11; Pr 20:17; 26:26; 1Th 2:3, renders a…
