Psalms 33:12 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאַשְׁרֵ֣י הַ֭גּוֹי אֲשֶׁר־ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו הָעָ֓ם׀ בָּחַ֖ר לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לֽוֹ׃

BSABlessedʼesher [happy, fortunate] [is] the nationgôwy [Gentile, large group] whoseʼăsher Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the supreme God] is the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] the peopleʻam [Amaw, a people or nation] He has chosenbâchar■ [to choose, select] as His inheritancenachălâh [something passed down, a family heirloom]

Word

Listen & take awayPsalms 33

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The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (lo) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.

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Psalms 33:12quick helps

In a sentenceThe psalm celebrates the happiness of a nation that recognizes the LORD as its God.

Who is speakingThe psalmist, reflecting on the relationship between God and His chosen people.

Where we areIn a psalm that extols the blessings of divine selection and guidance.

The hard wordאֱלֹהָ֑יו

Take awayBlessedness comes from being chosen by the LORD as His people.

Greek	English	Parsing
אַשְׁרֵ֣י	how blessed!	Noun common, masculine plural construct
הַ֭גּוֹי	[is] the nation	Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute
אֲשֶׁר־	which	Particle
יְהוָ֣ה	Yahweh	Noun proper
אֱלֹהָ֑יו	[is] God its	Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix
הָעָ֓ם׀	the people	Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute
בָּחַ֖ר	[which] he has chosen	Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular
לְנַחֲלָ֣ה	to an inheritance	Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute
לֽוֹ׃	for himself	Preposition, suffix

Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.

8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיהוה verbבָּחַר 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 33:12

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 Blessings of God’s Chosen Peoplegenerated

11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

13The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

14From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth.

Psalm 33:12 highlights the joy of being a nation under the sovereignty of the LORD, emphasizing the special status of those whom He has chosen. This psalm reflects on the enduring nature of God's counsel and His intimate relationship with His people, reminding them of their unique position in history as His inheritance.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalm 144:15	Blessed are the people of whom this is so; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.
2	Psalm 147:19–20	He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.
3	Exodus 19:5–6	Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
4	Deuteronomy 33:29	Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”
5	Psalm 65:4	Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

BlessedPsalm 144:15 Psalm 147:19–20 Exodus 19:5–6 Deuteronomy 33:29

peoplePsalm 65:4 Psalm 135:4 Deuteronomy 7:6–8 John 15:16 Ephesians 1:4 1 Peter 2:9

his ownPsalm 28:9 Jeremiah 10:16 Titus 2:14

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

PraiseFor God's attributesGodProvidence OfPsalmsPraiseNationPeace ofPredestination

The Key Word — אַשְׁרֵ֣י, 'ash.Reigenerated

The word אַשְׁרֵי ('ash.Rei) is a noun that expresses a state of happiness or blessedness. It is often used in a context that conveys joy and contentment, particularly in relation to divine favor. This word appears in a masculine plural construct, indicating a collective state of blessedness among a group.

In this verse, it emphasizes the happiness of the nation that recognizes the LORD as their God. The use of this term as an interjection underscores the psalmist's celebration of the blessed state of those chosen by God.

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 בָּחַ֖ר (ba.Char), meaning 'has chosen', governs the structure of the verse. The subject is the nation, and the predicate describes their relationship with the LORD as their God.

The phrase אֲשֶׁר־ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו (asher Yahweh Elohav) connects the nation to their divine identity, emphasizing the chosen status of the people.

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אַשְׁרֵי as μακάριον (makarion), which conveys a similar sense of blessedness. This choice reflects the Greek understanding of happiness as a state bestowed by divine favor.

The translation of יְהוָ֣ה as κύριος (kurios) maintains the sacredness of the name, emphasizing the authority and covenant relationship of God with His people.

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 33:12 expresses happiness for the nation that recognizes the LORD as their God. It highlights the blessedness of the people chosen by God as His inheritance, emphasizing their special relationship with Him.

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the nation is blessed?

The nation is blessed because it acknowledges the LORD as its God, which brings happiness and favor.

Who are considered God's chosen people?

God's chosen people refer to those who recognize Him as their God and follow His ways, as highlighted in this psalm.

How does this verse relate to the concept of inheritance?

The verse indicates that being chosen by God means receiving an inheritance, signifying a special status and belonging to Him.

What is the significance of the LORD being referred to as 'God'?

Referring to the LORD as 'God' emphasizes His supreme authority and the covenant relationship He has with His people.

Reflection Questionsgenerated

In what ways do I see God's blessings in my life and community?
How can I better recognize and acknowledge the LORD as my God?
What does it mean for me to be part of God's chosen people?
How can I share the message of God's blessings with others?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on the blessings of being chosen by God, emphasizing the unchanging kindness of the LORD toward His people.

Theodore of MopsuestiaCOMMENTARY ON Psalms 33:12 c. 350–428

You the people chosen by him are fortunate for the reason that the Lord’s kindness to you is unchanging.

Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 33 354–430

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:" one nation is blessed, belonging to the heavenly city, which has not chosen save the Lord for their God: "And the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance" [Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →

Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 33:6 c. 393–460

One should declare blessed, he is saying, not those priding themselves on their wealth but those trusting in God and enjoying aid from him.

Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 33:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the Lord,.... Who have an interest in such a wonder working God, both in creation and in providence, and especially in grace: which, though it may have a

Read John Gill on Psalms 33 →

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 33 →

Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Seeing the Lord is so great and glorious in wisdom, and power, and goodness, as hath been hitherto said, as they must needs be very miserable who are strangers or enemies to him; so thrice happy is that people of Israel, who, though they be despised by the Gentiles, are chosen by this Almighty God, to be his peculiar portion, and friends, and servants.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 33 →

John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 33:12 Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.Ver. 12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord] viz. By special favour and covenant. The preservation of the Church (which hath so few friends on earth, and so many enemies in earth and hell) is justly brought as an evident argument of the Divine providence. Christ standeth upon Mount Zion; and that mountain shall be exalted above all mountains. The Church, as it is highest in the favour of God, so it shall be set above all the world; and her enemies shall be in that place that is fittest for them, the lowest, the footstool of Christ. The people whom he hath…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 33 →

AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 12. Blessed is the nation] O how happy is that nation which has יהוה Jehovah for its אלהים Elohim; the self-existent and eternal Lord for its covenant God; one who should unite himself to it by connections and ties the most powerful and endearing! The word אלהים Elohim, which we translate GOD, refers to that economy in which God is manifested in the flesh. The people whom he hath chosen] The Jews, who were elected to be his heritage, whom he preserved as such for two thousand years, and whom he has reprobated because of their unbelief and rebellion, and elected the Gentiles in their place.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 33 →

CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12–19. From the nations the Psalmist turns to the chosen people. Jehovah’s care for Israel constitutes His special claim on their praise. Happy the nation which is the particular object of the choice and care of the omniscient observer of men.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 33 →

Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Blessed is the nation - For the meaning of the word “blessed,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. The idea here is, that the nation referred to is happy, or that its condition is desirable.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 33 →

Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12. Blessed is the nation—It is happy and safe surrounded by such power for defence, and wisdom to defeat the cunning of crafty men.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 33 →

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

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

NETBNew English Translation2006

How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Blessed is that nation, whose God is the Lord: euen the people that he hath chosen for his inheritance.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, the people that he hath chosen for his inheritance!

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O the happiness of the nation whose God [is] Jehovah, Of the people He did choose, For an inheritance to Him.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O the blessedness of the nation whose God [is] YHWH, || Of the people He chose, || For an inheritance to Him.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he hath chosen for himself as a heritage.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen as his own inheritance.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as specially belonging to him.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he has taken for his heritage.

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.

clauseclausepredicateאַשְׁרֵ֣יhow.blessed!noun phrase · subjectהַ֭[is].thenoun phraseגּוֹיnationrelpאֲשֶׁרwhichclausesubjectיְהוָ֣הYahwehnoun phrase · predicateאֱלֹהָ֑יGodו[is].itsclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseהָtheעָ֓םpeopleclauseverbבָּחַ֖ר[which].he.has.chosenprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseנַחֲלָ֣הan.inheritanceprepositional phraseלֽforוֹhimself

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

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

The Masoretic Text aligns closely with the Septuagint, with 9 out of 9 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial agreements, with some words restored by editors, indicating a strong textual tradition.

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

אַשְׁרֵ֣י הַ֭גּוֹי אֲשֶׁר־ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו הָעָ֓ם׀ בָּחַ֖ר לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word

אַשְׁרֵ֣יμακάριονהַ֭גּוֹיἔθνοςאֲשֶׁר־οὗיְהוָ֣הκύριοςאֱלֹהָ֑יוαὐτοῦהָעָ֓ם׀λαόςבָּחַ֖רἐχελέχατοלְנַחֲלָ֣הκληρονομίανלֽוֹ׃ἑαυτῷ

9 of the 9 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 — 4Q98a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

אשרי הגי אשר והיה אלוה׳ו העם בחר [לנחלה] [ל׳ו]

7 words on the leather — 2 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q83a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[אשרי] הגוי [אשר]

3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 2 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.

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 33:12

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.

אַשְׁרֵ֣י how blessed!הַ֭גּוֹי [is] the nation אֲשֶׁר־ which יְהוָ֣ה Yahweh אֱלֹהָ֑יו [is] God its הָעָ֓ם׀ the people בָּחַ֖ר [which] he has chosen לְנַחֲלָ֣ה to an inheritance לֽוֹ׃ for himself

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

אַשְׁרֵ֣י'ash.Rei how blessed! H835 Noun common · masculine plural construct ¶

45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This Hebrew word means happiness or blessedness, often used to express how happy someone is. It appears in the Bible as an interjection, similar to 'how happy!' In the KJV, it is translated as 'blessed' or 'happy'.

Amplified meaning

happy, fortunate

Tyndale gloss

blessed

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֶ֫שֶׁר (esher) refers to happiness or blessedness, often used as an interjection to express joy. It is derived from a related root and appears primarily in a masculine plural form. The entries consistently highlight its meaning related to happiness and blessing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] n.[m.] happiness, blessedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H835 [אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] happiness, blessedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

835 'esher eh'-sher

from 833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as

interjection, how happy!:--blessed, happy.

see HEBREW for 0833

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫שֶׁר (e.sher) — blessed.

1) happiness, blessedness

1a) often used as interjection

1b) blessed are

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bles'-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of "praise," as in 1Sa 25:32, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel." But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Lu 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3).

See BEATITUDES.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

אֱנוֹשׁhuman×אֶ֫שֶׁרblessed×אָדָםthe man (Adam)×עֶ֫בֶדservant/slave×גֶּ֫בֶרgreat man×שָׁמַרto keep: obey×עָמַדto stand: stand×בָּטַחto trust×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

הַ֭גּוֹיHa.goy [is] the nation H1471 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute ¶

561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Amplified meaning

Gentile, large group

Tyndale gloss

Gentile

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Sins of Isa 30:1,2

→ Chastised Isa 14:26,27; Jer 5:29; 18:6-10; 25:12-33; Eze 2:3-5; 39:23,24; Da 7:9-12; 9:3-16; Ho 7:12; Joe 1:1-20; Am 9:9; Zep 3:6,8

→ Perish Ps 9:17; Isa 60:12

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

גּוֹיGentile×רַבmany×גָּדוֹלGreat (Sea)×יָרַשׁto possess: possess×מַמְלָכָהkingdom×סָבִיבaround×עָצוּםmighty×עָבַדto serve×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher- which H834 Particle ¶

5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Tyndale gloss

which

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

Read the full entry →

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Rel — Particle
HTr

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

צָוָהto command×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

יְהוָ֣הYah.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 Name of 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

כֹּהthus×נְאֻםutterance×צָבָאarmy×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

אֱלֹהָ֑יו'e.lo.Hav [is] God its H430 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix ¶

2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Amplified meaning

Elohim, the supreme God

Tyndale gloss

God

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3ms

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

עָבַדto serve×אַחֵרanother×אֲרוֹןark×אַבְרָםAbraham×דָּרַשׁto seek×שָׁחָהto bow×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

הָעָ֓ם׀ha.'Am the people H5971 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute ¶

1,873× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Amplified meaning

Amaw, a people or nation

Tyndale gloss

Amaw

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people

a people, nation

= smaller units

= common people

people in gen., persons

phrases

base

[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5971 `am am

from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a

tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or

attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,

people.

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַם (am) — people.

: people/nation

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — kinsman.

kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Ammi.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — People's (Gate).

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.

Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)

§ kinsman, kindred

עַם (am) — Amaw.

This name means nation, people

עַם (am) — people: soldiers.

: soldiers/army

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

עַם (am) — people: creatures.

: creatures

1) nation, people

1a) people, nation

1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

בָּחַ֖רba.Char [which] he has chosen H977 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular ¶

171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.

Amplified meaning

to choose, select

Tyndale gloss

to choose

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּחַר vb. choose

Qal

with בְּ,

divine choice

man’s choice

with אֲשֶׁר:

divine choice

man’s choice

with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for

with acc. and מִן, choose, select from

acc.

divine choice

man’s choice

with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction

with לְ of acc. chosen

test, try

Niph. to be chosen

Pu. chosen, selected

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try

. prove, test, try

. to be tried, proved

. the trial has been made

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

977 bachar baw-khar'

a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)

select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,

join, be rather, require.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.

1) to choose, elect, decide for

1a) (Qal) to choose

1b) (Niphal) to be chosen

1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

cho'-z'-n.

See CHOOSE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Chosen

Spoken of warriors (Ex. 15:4; Judg. 20:16), of the Hebrew nation (Ps. 105:43; Deut. 7:7), of Jerusalem as the seat of the temple (1 Kings 11:13). Christ is the “chosen” of God (Isa. 42:1); and the apostles are “chosen” for their work (Acts 10:41). It is said with regard to those who do not profit by their opportunities that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 20:16). (See ELECTION.)

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מָקוֹםplace×אֶ֫לֶףthousand×יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫Jerusalem×שֵׁ֫בֶטtribe×מֵאָהhundred×שָׁכַןto dwell×מִלְחָמָהbattle×מָאַסto reject×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

לְנַחֲלָ֣הle.na.cha.Lah to an inheritance H5159 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute ¶

222× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.

Amplified meaning

something passed down, a family heirloom

Tyndale gloss

inheritance

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance

property

portion, share

inheritance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property

. portion, share

. inheritance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'

from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something

inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an

heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or

portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.

Compare 5158.

see HEBREW for 05157

see HEBREW for 05158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.

1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage

1a) property

1b) portion, share

1c) inheritance, portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in-her'-i-tans (nahalah, "something inherited," "occupancy," "heirloom," "estate," "portion"): The word is used in its widest application in the Old Testament Scriptures, referring not only to an estate received by a child from its parents, but also to the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Yahweh. And in the figurative and poetical sense, the expression is applied to the kingdom of God as represented in the consecrated lives of His followers. In a similar sense, the Psalmist is represented as speaking of the Lord as the portion of his inheritance. In addition to the above word, the King James Version translations as inheritance, morashah, "a possession," "heritage" (De 33:4; Eze 33:24); yerushshah, "something occupied," "a patrimony," "possession" (

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[HEIR]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The laws of inheritance among the Hebrews were very simple. Land might be mortgaged, but could not be alienated, Nu 36:6-9. See JUBILEE. The only permanent right to property was by heritage, or lineal succession. The eldest son had a double portion. Females had no territorial possession; but if a man left no sons, his daughters inherited-on condition of their marrying into a family within the tribe to which their father belonged. If a man had no children, his land passed to distant relatives, according to a law laid down in Nu 27:8-11. The Law of Moses rendered wills unnecessary; they were introduced, however, at a later period, Ga 3:15 Heb 9:17. Property was sometimes…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Provisions for inheritance under Levirate marriages Ge 38:7-11; Nu 36:6-9; De 25:5-10; Ru 3:1-8; 4:7-17

→ UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Ge 15:3; 21:9-11; 24:36; 25:5,6; 48:21,22; Nu 27:6-11; De 21:15-17; 1Ki 21:3; 2Ch 21:3; Job 42:15; Pr 17:2; 20:21;

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

נָתַןto give: give×מַטֶּהtribe×תָּ֫וֶךְmidst×שֵׁ֫בֶטtribe×זֶהthis×אָחbrother: male-sibling×נַחֲלָהinheritance×חֵ֫לֶקportion×

“how blessed! [is] the nation which Yahweh [is] God its the people [which] he has chosen to an inheritance for himself”

לֽוֹ׃lo for himself H9033 Preposition · suffix ¶

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms

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.

Psalms 33:12 — Word Study

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Deep Study — Psalms 33:12

Context — The Blessings of God’s Chosen Peoplegenerated

Cross References

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

The Key Word — אַשְׁרֵ֣י, 'ash.Reigenerated

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Sentence Structuregenerated

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

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

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Modern formal

Tyndale line

Strictly literal

From the Latin

Simplified

The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

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

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

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 33:12