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Psalms 31:6 — Word Study

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WLCשָׂנֵ֗אתִי הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים הַבְלֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וַ֝אֲנִ֗י אֶל־ יְהוָ֥ה בָּטָֽחְתִּי׃

BSAthe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the covenant God]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 31
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 6 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 (ba.Ta.che.ti) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 31:6quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses hatred for those who cling to worthless idols while affirming his trust in the LORD.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, likely David, who contrasts his feelings toward idolaters with his faith in God.
Where we areThis verse is part of a prayer expressing trust in God amidst distress.
The hard wordשָׂנֵ֗אתִי
Take awayThe psalmist's loyalty lies with God, rejecting falsehood.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectפָּדָה verbבְּ 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 31:6

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 Prayer of Trust in Godgenerated

5Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.
6I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.
7I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.
8You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.

Psalm 31:6 expresses a strong emotional response to idol worship, contrasting the psalmist's hatred for those who cling to false idols with his unwavering trust in Yahweh. This psalm reflects a deep commitment to God and a rejection of anything that distracts from true worship, setting the tone for the psalmist's plea for deliverance and faith in God's protection.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 26:5I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.
2Psalm 139:2You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.
3Psalm 24:4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
4Psalm 96:7–9Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
51 Chronicles 16:28–29Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

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


The Key Word שָׂנֵ֗אתִי, sa.Ne.tigenerated

The verb שָׂנֵא (sane') means 'to hate' and conveys a strong emotional aversion. It indicates intense dislike or hostility, which can be directed toward people or actions. The psalmist uses this word to express his feelings toward those who devote themselves to worthless idols, emphasizing a moral stance against idolatry.

This word appears in the Qal perfect form, indicating a completed action or state of being. The psalmist's hatred is not fleeting; it is a settled conviction against the practices of those who worship false gods.


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 main verb שָׂנֵ֗אתִי governs the entire verse, indicating the psalmist's strong emotional response. The structure features two clauses: the first expresses hatred toward idolaters, while the second affirms trust in Yahweh.

The contrast between the two clauses is significant, highlighting the psalmist's rejection of falsehood and his commitment to God. The Hebrew word order emphasizes the psalmist's feelings first, drawing attention to his hatred before stating his trust.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שָׂנֵ֗אתִי as ἐμίσησα, which carries a similar meaning of hatred. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the psalmist's strong emotional stance against idolatry.

The translation of יְהוָ֥ה as κύριος aligns with the common rendering of God's name in the Greek, maintaining the covenantal relationship emphasized in the Hebrew text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 31:6 shows the psalmist's strong feelings against those who worship worthless idols. He expresses his hatred for them while confidently stating that he trusts in the LORD. This reflects a clear distinction between false worship and true faith.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'worthless idols'?

The psalmist refers to false gods or objects of worship that have no real value or power, contrasting them with the true God, Yahweh.

Why does the psalmist express hatred?

The hatred expressed is a strong moral stance against idolatry, which is seen as a betrayal of the covenant with God.

How does this verse reflect the psalmist's relationship with God?

It shows a deep commitment to God, highlighting the psalmist's trust in Yahweh as opposed to the emptiness of idol worship.

What can we learn from the psalmist's trust in God?

The psalmist's trust encourages believers to rely on God for support and deliverance, especially in times of distress.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some modern-day idols that distract people from true worship of God?
  2. How can I express my trust in God amidst challenges in my life?
  3. In what ways can I reject falsehood and embrace the truth of God's word?
  4. How does understanding the psalmist's hatred for idols shape my view of idolatry today?

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

Early church fathers comment on this verse, discussing the psalmist's rejection of falsehood and the importance of trusting in God.

Theodore of MopsuestiaCOMMENTARY ON Psalms 31:7 c. 350–428
You hated them and rebuffed those paying constant attention to doing wrong; far from doing evil in the heat of passion, they involve themselves in the practice of evil as though an obligation (the sense of “paid constant attention”).
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 31 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 31 354–430
"Thou hatest them that hold to vanity uselessly" [Psalms 31:6]. Thou hatest them that hold to the false happiness of the world. "But I have trusted in the Lord."
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 31 →
CassiodorusEXPLANATION OF THE Psalms 31:7 c. 485–585
“I will hope in the Lord,” in whom there is nothing empty, … but everything remains fixed and whole.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 31 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 31:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I have hated them that regard lying vanities,.... Soothsaying and divination, as Aben Ezra and others think; made use of by kings, and generals of armies, to know when it was proper to go out to war,

Read John Gill on Psalms 31 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 31 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I have hated them; their very persons, not simply, but for their wickedness. Compare ,22. That regard, Heb. that observe, to wit, with respect to them, dependence upon them, or expectation of any good from them. Lying vanities; or, most vain vanities; such as are foolish, and deceitful, and fruitless. By which he understands, either, 1. All human or carnal helps, any arm of flesh; for he that trusteth therein is pronounced cursed, , and therefore is hateful. Or, 2. Idols, which are oft called vanities, as 8:19, &c. Or, 3. Curious arts, and all sorts of divinations by stars, or the notions or inwards of living creatures, or by the dead; which practices were common and prevalent among those…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 31 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.Ver. 6. I have hated them that regard lying vanities] i.e. Idols, or aught else besides the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy, 1 Timothy 6:17 Jonah 2:8. Vanitates vanitatis, Vatablus rendereth it, and telleth us that some understand it of astrology. R. David doth so in this note of his upon the text, Astrologos et incantatores in fuga mea non consului, sed in Domino et prophetis eius confisus sum; I have not consulted astrologers and soothsayers in my trouble, but have trusted to the Lord and his prophets.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 31 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) Lying vanities.—Literally, breath of lies (Jonah 2:8), undoubtedly idols, as the parallelism in Jeremiah 8:19 shows. It was the term adopted by the Deuteronomist (Deuteronomy 32:21) and apparently brought into use by him.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 31 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 6. I have hated them] That is, I have abominated their ways. Idolaters are the persons of whom David speaks. I trust in the Lord.] While they trust in vanities vain things; (for an idol is nothing in the world;) and in lying vanities; (for much is promised and nothing given;) I trust in Jehovah, who is God all-sufficient, and is my Shepherd, and therefore I shall lack no good thing.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 31 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. I have hated] Better, as R.V., I hate. He disclaims all sympathy and fellowship with the worshippers of false gods. But the LXX, Vulg., Syr., Jer. read, thou hatest (cp. Psalms 5:5). This reading gives the contrast required by the next line, which must be rendered, but as for me, I trust in Jehovah. that regard lying vanities] Cp. Jonah 2:8. False gods are vanities of nothingness, having no real existence, and deluding their worshippers; the exact opposite of the God of truth, Who IS, and constantly proves His faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:4; Deuteronomy 32:21). Vanity is a common expression for false gods in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:19; &c.). For regard = pay respect to, worship, see Psalms…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 31 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I have hated them that regard lying vanities - This is evidently stated as a reason for the prayer offered in the previous verses. It is a reference by the psalmist to his own past life; to his general aim and conduct.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 31 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

NETBNew English Translation2006

I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in Jehovah.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I hate them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I haue hated them that giue them selues to deceitfull vanities: for I trust in the Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I have hated them that observe lying vanities; and as for me, I have confided in Jehovah.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I have hated the observers of lying vanities, And I toward Jehovah have been confident.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have hated the observers of lying vanities, || And I have been confident toward YHWH.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(31:7) I hate those that depend on lying vanities; but I trust indeed in the Lord.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in Yahweh.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I am full of hate for those who go after false gods; but my hope is in the Lord.

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.

clauseverbשָׂנֵ֗אתִיI.hatenoun phrase · objectהַ[thosenoun phraseclauseverbשֹּׁמְרִ֥יםwho].keepnoun phrase · objectהַבְלֵיvanitiesשָׁ֑וְאof.falsehoodוַ֝andclausesubjectאֲנִ֗יIprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoיְהוָ֥הYahwehverbבָּטָֽחְתִּיI.trust

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust." The Septuagint closely aligns with the Masoretic Text, matching 7 of the 8 words, though it presents them in a different order and with its own articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide a fragmentary text that does not directly correspond to the Masoretic Text's wording, as it includes additional supplied words and focuses on themes of trust and deliverance, but lacks the specific mention of idols found in the Masoretic Text.

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

שָׂנֵ֗אתִי הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים הַבְלֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וַ֝אֲנִ֗י אֶל־ יְהוָ֥ה בָּטָֽחְתִּי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שָׂנֵ֗אתִיεἰςהַשֹּׁמְרִ֥יםσουהַבְלֵי־παραθήσομαιשָׁ֑וְאπνεῦμάוַ֝אֲנִ֗יἐλυτρώσωיְהוָ֥הμεבָּטָֽחְתִּי׃κύριε

7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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

[ביד׳ך] [אפקיד] [רוח׳י] פדית אות׳י יהוה אל אמת

5 words on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 31:6שָׂנֵאI hateI hateשָׂנֵאשָׁמַרthose [who]those [who] keeשָׁמַרהֶ֫בֶלvanities ofvanities ofהֶ֫בֶלשָׁוְאfalsehoodfalsehoodשָׁוְאאֲנִיand Iand IאֲנִיאֶלtotoאֶליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהבָּטַחI trustI trustבָּטַחהָבַלto become to become vainהָבַלאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יהָיָהto beto beהָיָהשׁוֹאravageravageשׁוֹאחָסָהto seek reto seek refugeחָסָהשֶׁ֫קֶרdeceptiondeceptionשֶׁ֫קֶרנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםאָהֵבto love: lto love: loverאָהֵבמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתchargechargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתמִצְוָהcommandmencommandmentמִצְוָהקֹהֶ֫לֶתpreacherpreacherקֹהֶ֫לֶתרְעוּתlonginglongingרְעוּתכָּזָבlielieכָּזָבקָסַםto divineto divineקָסַםיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָא
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 31:6

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 hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
שָׂנֵ֗אתִיsa.Ne.ti I hate H8130 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
146× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hate means to feel intense dislike or hostility, as seen in the actions of enemies or foes in the Bible. It can also describe God's hatred of sin.
Tyndale gloss
to hate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate

Qal 128 hate

Niph. is hated

Pi. enemy

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8130 שָׂנֵא hate

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8130 sane' saw-nay'

a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)

hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.

1) to hate, be hateful

1a) (Qal) to hate

1a1) of man

1a2) of God

1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)

1b) (Niphal) to be hated

1c) (Piel) hater (participle)

1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom

Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Often denotes in Scripture only a less degree of love, Ge 29:30,31 De 21:15 Pr 13:24 Mal 1:2,3 Lu 14:26 Ro 9:13. God has a just and perfect abhorrence of sin and sinners, Ps 5:5. But hatred in general is a malevolent passion, Ga 5:20, and no one who is not perfect in love, can hate without sin.

I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥יםha.sho.me.Rim those [who] keep H8104 Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural
469× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Tyndale gloss
to keep: obey
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve

Qal 425

keep, have charge of

keep, guard, captives

hence, watch for, wait for

watch, observe

keep, retain, of storing up (food)

keep within bounds, restrain

observe, celebrate

keep sabbath

of other obligations

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

sts. י׳ subj.

keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

Niph.

36be on one's guard

keep oneself, refrain, abstain

be kept, guarded

Pi. those paying regard to false vanities

Hithp. I kept myself from

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. keep, guard, captives

. hence, watch for, wait for

. watch, observe

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

. keep within bounds, restrain

. . observe, celebrate

. keep sabbath

. of other obligations

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

. sts. י׳ subj.

. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest

. . be on one's guard

. keep oneself, refrain, abstain

. be kept, guarded

. those paying regard to false vanities

. I kept myself from

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8104 shamar shaw-mar'

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.

: obey/observe

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

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

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

1a3) to watch for, wait for

1a4) to watch, observe

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

1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

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

1a8) to keep, preserve, protect

1a9) to keep, reserve

1b) (Niphal)

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

1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

1b3) to be kept, be guarded

1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.

: guard

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to keep, have charge of

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

1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Vqrmpa — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural
HTd/Vqrmpa
I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
הַבְלֵי־hav.lei- vanities of H1892 Noun common · masculine plural construct
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Tyndale gloss
vanity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) refers to vapour or breath, and is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word can function as an adverb meaning 'vainly.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' and appears in contexts discussing the fleeting nature of life.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֶ֫בֶל 73 n.m. vapour, breath

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1892 הֶ֫בֶל vapour, breath

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1892 hebel heh'bel

or (rarely in the abs.) habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891;

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and

unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain,

vanity.

see HEBREW for 01891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) — vanity.

1) vapour, breath

1a) breath, vapour

1b) vanity (fig.)

adv

2) vainly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
שָׁ֑וְאShav' falsehood H7723 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
53× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Tyndale gloss
vanity: false
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁוְא n.[m.] emptiness, vanity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7723 שָׁוְא emptiness, vanity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fols'-hood.

See LYING.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ 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;

I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
וַ֝אֲנִ֗יva.'a.Ni and I H589 Conjunction · pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Pp1bs — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pp1bs
I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
יְהוָ֥הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the covenant God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I hate those [who] keep vanities of falsehood and I to Yahweh I trust
בָּטָֽחְתִּי׃ba.Ta.che.ti I trust H982 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
120× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Tyndale gloss
to trust
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּטַח (batach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to trust or have confidence. It conveys a sense of security and boldness, both in a personal sense and when causing others to feel secure. The entries indicate its use in different forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, covering aspects of trust and confidence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּטַח vb. trust

Qal

trust

be confident

Hiph. cause to trust, make secure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H982 בָּטַח trust . trust

. be confident

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

982 batach baw-takh'

a primitive root; properly, to hie for refuge (but not so

precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident

or sure:--be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one,

woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust.

see HEBREW for 02620

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּטַח (ba.tach) — to trust.

1) to trust

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to trust, trust in

1a2) to have confidence, be confident

1a3) to be bold

1a4) to be secure

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to trust, make secure

2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See FAITH

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- God is the true object of

Ps 65:5

- The fear of God leads to

Pr 14:26

- ENCOURAGEMENTS TO

. The everlasting strength of God

Isa 26:4

. The goodness of God

Na 1:7

. The loving-kindness of God

Ps 36:7

. The rich bounty of God

1Ti 6:17

. The care of God for us

1Pe 5:7

. Former deliverances

Ps 9:10; 2Co 1:10

- Should be with the whole heart

Pr 3:5

- Should be from youth up

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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