Psalms 30:9 — Word Study
WLCמַה־ בֶּ֥צַע בְּדָמִי֮ בְּרִדְתִּ֪י אֶ֫ל־ שָׁ֥חַת הֲיוֹדְךָ֥ עָפָ֑ר הֲיַגִּ֥יד אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃
BSAtoʼêl
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַה־ | what? | Pronoun |
| בֶּ֥צַע | [is the] profit | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בְּדָמִי֮ | in blood my | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּרִדְתִּ֪י | in going down my | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
| אֶ֫ל־ | to | Preposition |
| שָׁ֥חַת | [the] pit | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| הֲיוֹדְךָ֥ | ¿ will it give thanks to you | Particle, verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| עָפָ֑ר | dust | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| הֲיַגִּ֥יד | ¿ will it declare | Particle, verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ | faithfulness your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness? |
| KJV | What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? |
| ASV | What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? |
| YLT | 'What gain [is] in my blood? In my going down unto corruption? Doth dust thank Thee? doth it declare Thy truth? |
| WEB | “What profit is there in my destruction, if I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? Shall it declare your truth? |
| BBE | What profit is there in my blood if I go down into the underworld? will the dust give you praise, or be a witness to your help? |
All translations agree on the use of בֶּ֥צַע — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of one main clause followed by a series of rhetorical questions, emphasizing the psalmist's lament and despair.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
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 30:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Lament for Helpgenerated
Psalm 30:9 expresses the psalmist's despair as he questions the benefit of his impending death. He wonders if the grave can offer praise to God, highlighting the belief that the dead cannot worship. This verse is part of a larger lament where the psalmist calls upon God for mercy and help, reflecting a deep reliance on divine intervention in times of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 6:5 | For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol? |
| 2 | Psalm 88:10–12 | Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah |
| 3 | Psalm 115:17–18 | It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence. |
| 4 | Psalm 118:17 | I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 9:10 | Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בֶּ֥צַע, Be.tza'generated
The word בֶּ֥צַע (be.tza') refers to profit or gain, particularly in a context that implies unjust or unethical acquisition. It is derived from a root that suggests plunder and is often associated with dishonest means of obtaining wealth.
In this verse, the psalmist questions what profit can come from his bloodshed, implying that his death would yield no benefit to himself or to God. The use of this word emphasizes the futility he feels in the face of death and the desire for his life to have meaning.
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 הֲיוֹדְךָ֥ (ha.yod.Kha), meaning 'will it give thanks to you', governs the structure of the verse. The sentence begins with a rhetorical question about the value of the psalmist's bloodshed and descends into a series of questions about the dead's ability to praise God.
The structure emphasizes the weight of the psalmist's lament, with multiple clauses building upon the initial inquiry, creating a rhythm that reflects the depth of his despair.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the phrase with the Greek word σέ (se), indicating a direct address to God. This choice highlights the personal nature of the psalmist's plea, making it clear that he is speaking directly to the Lord about his concerns.
The LXX does not preserve the exact structure of the Hebrew but conveys the essence of the questions regarding praise and faithfulness, emphasizing the relationship between the speaker and God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 30:9 shows the psalmist questioning the value of his life as he faces death. He asks if the dead can praise God, indicating his belief that death brings an end to worship. This reflects his deep desire for his life to have meaning and purpose in relation to God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing despair about the value of his life, questioning how his death could benefit him or glorify God.
The dust symbolizes death and nothingness, highlighting the belief that the dead cannot engage in praise or worship.
The plea for mercy indicates the psalmist's reliance on God for help in his time of distress, emphasizing the relationship between human suffering and divine intervention.
This verse reflects the theme of lament and the desire for life and restoration, contrasting the despair of death with the hope of divine mercy.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the value of my life in relation to my faith?
- How can I express my dependence on God during difficult times?
- What does it mean to me that the dead cannot praise God?
- How can I find hope in the midst of despair, similar to the psalmist's plea for mercy?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the significance of Christ's death and resurrection, arguing from the text's implications about life and faith.
The Lord’s descent to earth was not useless, for it gained the whole world! Nevertheless, even after his coming in the flesh, sinners would rather be without his flesh than profit by it.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 30 →
It first predestined, then called; and those whom it called, it also justified; and those whom it justified, it also glorified.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 30:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhat profit [is there] in my blood?.... Should that be shed, and he die by the hands of his enemies, through divine permission: death is not profitable to a man's self by way of merit; it does not
Read John Gill on Psalms 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhat profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? What profit ... ? - (cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhat profit is there, to wit, unto thee? as the latter part of the verse explains it. What wilt thou gain by it? In my blood, i.e. in my violent death, as blood is frequently used, as ,33 Mt 27:6. When I go down to the pit; when I die. See Poole "". Shall they that are dead, or gone down into the dust, celebrate thy faithfulness and goodness in the land of the living? Or shall my dust or dead corpse praise thee? No, Lord, shouldst thou cut me off in the beginning of my reign, thy name would lose the praises which many will return to thee for my life, and be exposed to reproaches, as if thou hadst not kept thy word with me; and I should lose those opportunities of praising thy name, and…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 30:9 What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?Ver. 9. What profit is there in my blood, &c.] i.e. In my life, say some; q.d. To what purpose have I lived, since religion is not yet settled? In my death (say others, and better), violent death especially, and out of thy favour? Now, all believers have ever abhorred such a kind of death before they were reconciled to God, and had a true feeling of his grace (Diodati). Shall the dust praise thee? &c.] See Psalms 6:6.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 30 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) What profit . . .—i.e., to God. For the conception of death as breaking the covenant relation between Israel and Jehovah, and so causing loss to Him as well as to them (for Sheôl had its own king or shepherd, Death) by putting an end to all religious service, comp. Hezekiah’s song; Isaiah 38:18. Comp. also Psalms 6:5, and note Psalms 88:11.) Plainly as yet no hope, not even a dim one, had arisen of praising God beyond the grave. The vision of the New Jerusalem, with the countless throngs of redeemed with harps and palms, was yet for the future.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 30 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. What profit is there in my blood] My being cut off will not magnify thy mercy. Let not the sword, therefore, come against me. If spared and pardoned, I will declare thy truth; I will tell to all men what a merciful and gracious Lord I have found. Hear, therefore, O Lord; Psalms 30:10.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. What advantage would it be to Thee to slay me? Nay, Thou wouldest lose Thy servant’s praises. For the form of the question cp. Job 22:3. The same motive is appealed to in Hezekiah’s prayer, Isaiah 38:18-19. Cp. Psalms 6:5; Psalms 88:10 ff; Psalms 115:17. On this gloomy view of death as the interruption of communion with God, see Introd. p. xciii ff. the dust] Not the dust into which the body is dissolved, but the grave, as in Psalms 22:15; Psalms 22:29. thy truth] God’s faithfulness (Psalms 25:5), which is the object of the praises of the faithful.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 30 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhat proof is there in my blood - That is, What profit or advantage would there be to thee if I should die? What would be “gained” by it?
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 30 →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
“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
“What profit is there in my destruction, if I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? Shall it declare your truth?
“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
“What profit is there in taking my life, in my descending into the Pit? Can the dust of the grave praise you? Can it declare your loyalty?
Tyndale line
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
What profite is there in my blood, when I go downe to the pit? shall the dust giue thankes vnto thee? or shall it declare thy trueth?
Strictly literal
What profit is there in my blood, in my going down to the pit? shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
'What gain [is] in my blood? In my going down unto corruption? Doth dust thank Thee? doth it declare Thy truth?
“What gain [is] in my blood? In my going down to corruption? Does dust thank You? Does it declare Your truth?
(30:10) What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the grave? Shall the dust thank thee? shall it announce thy truth?
What advantage is there in my death, if I go down to the grave? Will the dust praise you? Will it declare your trustworthiness?
From the Latin
And thou hast not shut me up in the hands of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a spacious place.
Simplified
What would you gain if I die, if I go down into the pit of death? Would my dust praise you? Would it tell of your trustworthiness?
What profit is there in my blood if I go down into the underworld? will the dust give you praise, or be a witness to your help?
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 is preserved in its entirety. The Septuagint matches only five of the ten words, indicating a partial alignment with the Hebrew text. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains a few words from the verse but is not complete, suggesting some textual variation but not a significant divergence.
מַה־ בֶּ֥צַע בְּדָמִי֮ בְּרִדְתִּ֪י אֶ֫ל־ שָׁ֥חַת הֲיוֹדְךָ֥ עָפָ֑ר הֲיַגִּ֥יד אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃
5 of the 10 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.
ואל יהוה [אתחנן]
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 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.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 30:9
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.
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
HPi — PronounHPi
בֶ֫צַע (betsah) refers to gain that is typically acquired through violence or unjust means. The term encompasses notions of profit and covetousness, often implying dishonesty in the acquisition of wealth. It is derived from a root that suggests plunder, indicating a focus on unethical or violent means of obtaining gain.
בֶ֫צַע n.m. gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit
base
H1215 בֶ֫צַע gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit
1215 betsa` beh'-tsah
from 1214; plunder; by extension, gain (usually
unjust):--covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit.
see HEBREW for 01214
בֶּ֫צַע (be.tsa) — unjust-gain.
profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.
דָּם 300 n.m. blood
blood of man or animal
usually blood become visible
blood used with religious significance
fig. of wine
base
H1818 דָּם blood
1818 dam dawm
from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed
causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of
the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed
(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +
innocent.
see HEBREW for 01826
see HEBREW for 0119
דָּם (dam) — blood.
1) blood
1a) of wine (fig.)
HR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.
יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend
Qal 306
come or go down
go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle
go down to (acc.) threshing-floor
go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt
from Jerusalem
from altar
go down
= sink, in water
go down to She’ôl
fig. going down (dissolving) in tears
= be prostrated
of divine manifestations: descend
of inanimate things
Hiph.
cause to come or go down
bring down
send down rain = cause to flow down
= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor
bring down to She’ôl
take down (from cart)
let down
Hoph.
be brought down
be taken down
base
H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down
. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle
. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor
. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt
. from Jerusalem
. from altar
. go down
. = sink, in water
. go down to She’ôl
. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears
. = be prostrated
. of divine manifestations: descend
. of inanimate things
. . cause to come or go down . bring down
. send down rain = cause to flow down
. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor
. bring down to She’ôl
. take down (from cart)
. let down
. . be brought down
. be taken down
3381 yarad yaw-rad'
a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or
conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,
the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to
bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,
bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,
fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X
indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,
let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.
1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come down
1a2) to sink
1a3) to be prostrated
1a4) to come down (of revelation)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to bring down
1b2) to send down
1b3) to take down
1b4) to lay prostrate
1b5) to let down
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought down
1c2) to be taken down
HR/Vqcc/Sp1bs — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep | Suff — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word שַׁ֫חַת (shachath) means 'pit' and is derived from a root that suggests destruction or corruption. It covers a range of meanings including a physical pit, grave, and figuratively, hell or destruction. The entries note its use in contexts related to traps and Sheol, the grave.
שַׁ֫חַת n.f. pit
base
H7845 שַׁ֫חַת pit
7845 shachath shakh'-ath
from 7743; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively,
destruction:--corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit.
see HEBREW for 07743
שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — Pit: hell.
Pit, of hell
Another name of she.ol (שְׁאוֹל "Sheol" H7585)
This name means pit, grave
שַׁ֫חַת (sha.chat) — pit: grave.
1) pit, destruction, grave
1a) pit (for catching lions)
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
The word translates different Hebrew words of which the most important are:
(1) bor, "pit" or "cistern," made by digging, (Ge 37:20); hence, "dungeon" (Jer 38:6, margin "pit");
(2) be'er, "pit" or "well" made by digging (Ge 21:25);
(3) she'ol, generally rendered "hell" in the King James Version (see HELL);
Pit
A hole in the ground (Ex. 21:33, 34), a cistern for water (Gen. 37:24; Jer. 14:3), a vault (41:9), a grave (Ps. 30:3). It is used as a figure for mischief (Ps. 9:15), and is the name given to the unseen place of woe (Rev. 20:1, 3). The slime-pits in the vale of Siddim were wells which yielded asphalt (Gen. 14:10).
[HELL]
A reservoir, either natural or artificial, for water. Pits were sometimes used as dungeons, Ge 37:20; Jer 38:6; or being slightly covered, and baited, they served as traps to catch wild beasts, a device which illustrates the plots of designing men and women, Ps 119:85; Pr 22:14; 26:27; Eze 19:4. The word pit is also used to denote the grave, Ps 28:1; 30:3,9; and hell, Re 20:1.
יָדָה (yadah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast, particularly in the context of shooting arrows or stones. It also encompasses the meanings of giving thanks, praising, and confessing, especially in a ritual context. The word is built from a primitive root and has various forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of action.
[יָדָה] vb. throw, cast
Qal shoot (arrows) at
Pi. and they cast (stones) on me
Hiph.
give thanks, laud, praise
confess
Hithp.
confess
give thanks, in ritual worship
base
H3034 [יָדָה] throw, cast .shoot (arrows) at
. and they cast (stones) on me
. . give thanks, laud, praise
. confess
. . confess
. give thanks, in ritual worship
3034 yadah yaw-daw'
a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027;
literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to
throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or
worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by
wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion),
praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
see HEBREW for 03027
יָדָה (ya.dah) — to give thanks.
1) to throw, shoot, cast
1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)
1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise
1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to confess (sin)
1d2) to give thanks
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
HTi/Vhi3ms/Sp2ms — Particle · verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHTi/Vhi3ms/Sp2ms
עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.
עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust
base
H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust
6083 `aphar aw-fawr'
from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,
mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
see HEBREW for 06080
עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.
1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
1a) dry or loose earth
1b) debris
1c) mortar
1d) ore
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:
(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20…
Dust
Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24).
To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of…
[MOURNING]
Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29 Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19 Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave.…
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
HTi/Vhi3ms — Particle · verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singularHTi/Vhi3ms
אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.
אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness
reliability, sureness
stability, continuance
faithfulness, reliableness
truth
adv. in truth, truly
base
H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness
. stability, continuance
. faithfulness, reliableness
. truth
. adv. in truth, truly
571 'emeth eh'-meth
contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,
truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,
faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
see HEBREW for 0539
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.
: faithful
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.
: true
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.
: certain/fixed
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
