Psalms 39:12 — Word Study
WLCשִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ תְפִלָּתִ֨י׀ יְהוָ֡ה וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י׀ הַאֲזִינָה֮ אֶֽל־ דִּמְעָתִ֗י אַֽל־ תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ כִּ֤י גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב כְּכָל־ אֲבוֹתָֽי׃
BSAlike allkôl
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ | hear ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| תְפִלָּתִ֨י׀ | prayer my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| יְהוָ֡ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י׀ | and cry for help my | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| הַאֲזִינָה֮ | give ear to ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| אֶֽל־ | to | Preposition |
| דִּמְעָתִ֗י | tear[s] my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אַֽל־ | may not | Particle |
| תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ | you be silent | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine singular |
| כִּ֤י | for | Particle |
| גֵ֣ר | [am] a sojourner | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אָנֹכִ֣י | I | Pronoun |
| עִמָּ֑ךְ | with you | Preposition, suffix |
| תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב | a resident alien | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כְּכָל־ | like all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אֲבוֹתָֽי׃ | ancestors my | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. |
| KJV | Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. |
| ASV | Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. |
| YLT | Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And [to] my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I [am] with Thee, A settler like all my fathers. |
| WEB | “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. |
| BBE | Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main plea followed by supporting clauses that elaborate on the psalmist's condition and relationship with God.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectH595
verbכֹּל
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 39:12
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 — A Cry for Helpgenerated
Psalm 39:12 expresses the psalmist's urgent plea to God for attention and mercy. He acknowledges his vulnerability as a foreigner, reflecting a sense of isolation and dependence on God's grace. This verse captures the essence of human frailty and the need for divine intervention in times of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 56:8 | You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book? |
| 2 | Psalm 116:3 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 16:12 | Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” |
| 4 | 2 Kings 20:5 | “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. |
| 5 | Job 16:20 | My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־, shim.'Ah-generated
The verb שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses not just the act of hearing but also listening attentively and responding. It is a call for God to pay attention to the psalmist's prayer and cries for help, indicating a deep yearning for connection and understanding.
In the imperative form, it emphasizes urgency and necessity. The psalmist implores God not merely to hear but to engage with his plea, highlighting the importance of divine responsiveness in moments of sorrow.
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 verse contains multiple clauses, with the finite verb שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ (hear) leading the main plea. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's desperate call to God, with various phrases elaborating on his condition and request.
The clauses are interwoven, with the psalmist's identity as a foreigner and his emotional state highlighted, creating a poignant appeal for divine attention amidst his sorrow.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ is rendered as ἐλεγμοῖς, which suggests a focus on the act of listening with care. This choice may imply a deeper interpretation of the psalmist's request, emphasizing not just hearing but also understanding.
This translation reflects a broader understanding of the psalmist's plea, suggesting that the act of listening involves an element of compassion and responsiveness from God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 39:12 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist to God, asking Him to listen to his prayer and cries for help. The psalmist feels like a foreigner and stranger, emphasizing his vulnerability and need for God's attention and mercy.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist identifies as a foreigner to express his temporary status and lack of belonging, highlighting his dependence on God for support and understanding.
This plea indicates the psalmist's deep emotional pain and desire for God to acknowledge his suffering, reflecting the human need for divine compassion in times of distress.
This verse exemplifies the Psalms' emphasis on prayer as a means of expressing vulnerability and seeking God's intervention, showcasing the intimate relationship between the psalmist and God.
The psalmist's plea teaches us the importance of bringing our struggles and sorrows to God, trusting in His willingness to listen and respond to our needs.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel like a foreigner or stranger, and how can I seek God's help in those situations?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence when I feel isolated or vulnerable?
- What does it mean for me to cry out to God in prayer, and how can I be more intentional in my communication with Him?
- How can I support others who are feeling like strangers in their circumstances, reflecting God's love and compassion?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, reflecting on the psalmist's expression of human frailty and the longing for divine mercy.
What the psalmist means is: As long as I am in this body, I am unhappy. Who of us could say that? If we are octogenarians, we are afraid to die; if we are centenarians and sick besides, still we cling to life and beg for respite.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 39 →
"Hear my prayer, O Lord" [Psalms 39:12]. Whereof shall I rejoice? Whereof should I groan? I rejoice on account of what is past, I groan longing for these which are not yet come.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 39:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHear my prayer, O Lord,.... Which was, that he would remove the affliction from him that lay so hard and heavy upon him; and give ear unto my cry; which shows the distress he was in, and the
Read John Gill on Psalms 39 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Hear my prayer, O Lord ... hold not thy peace at my tears - the petition.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 39 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAt my tears, joined with my prayers, . I am a stranger: though I be not only a native, but either anointed or actually king of this land; yet in truth I am but a stranger, both in regard of my very uncertain and short continuance here, where I am only in my journey or passage to my real and long home, which is in the other world; and in respect of the many wants, and hardships, and contempts, and injuries to which I am exposed, as men usually are in strange lands. And therefore I greatly need and desire thy pity and help, O thou who art the patron of strangers, whom thou hast commended to our care and kindness, 25:35, &c. With thee; either, 1. In thy sight or judgment, and therefore truly.…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 39 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].Ver. 12. Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear, &c.] My prayer, my cry, my tears. See how his ardency in prayer grew by degrees, and so availed much, James 5:16. We must rise in our requests, pray, cry, weep, ask, seek, knock, let the Lord see that we are in good earnest; and then we may have anything. Tears have a voice, and are very effectual orators. For I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner] And in that respect subject to many miseries and molestations, Satanical and secular, till I shall repatriasse, get home (as…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 39 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) For I am a stranger.—A reminiscence of Gen 23:4, and adopted 1 Peter 2:11 from the LXX. (See New Testament Commentary, and comp. Hebrews 11:13.) The psalmist, like the Apostle, applies Abraham’s words metaphorically to this earthly pilgrim age (comp. 1 Chronicles 29:15), and pathetically asks why, when the tenure of life is so uncertain, God looks angrily on him? (For the passionate appeal for a respite, comp. Job 10:20-21, and for the Hebrew conception of the under world, Psalms 6:5, Note.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 39 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. Hear my prayer] Therefore, O Lord, show that mercy upon me which I so much need, and without which I must perish everlastingly. I am a stranger with thee] I have not made this earth my home; I have not trusted in any arm but thine. Though I have sinned, I have never denied thee, and never cast thy words behind my back. I knew that here I had no continuing city. Like my fathers, I looked for a city that has permanent foundations, in a better state of being.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 39 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. hold not thy peace] Restoration to health will be an answer. But the word may be rendered, as in R.V. of Psalms 28:1, be not deaf. So Jerome, ne obsurdescas. It is a Rabbinic saying that there are three kinds of supplication, each superior to the other; prayer, crying, and tears. Prayer is made in silence, crying with a loud voice, but tears surpass all. “There is no door, through which tears do not pass,” and, “The gates of tears are never locked.” Cp. Hebrews 5:7. a stranger with thee, and a sojourner] Omit and. ‘Stranger’ and ‘sojourner’ were the technical terms for aliens residing in a country to which they did not belong, and where they had no natural rights of citizenship (Genesis…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 39 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry - That is, in view of my affliction and my sins; in view, also, of the perplexing questions which have agitated my bosom; the troublous thoughts which
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 39 →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
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.
“Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.
Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.
Tyndale line
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were .
Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my cry: keepe not silence at my teares, for I am a strager with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers.
Strictly literal
Hear my prayer, Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; be not silent at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, like all my fathers.
Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And [to] my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I [am] with Thee, A settler like all my fathers.
Hear my prayer, O YHWH, || And give ear [to] my cry, || Do not be silent to my tear, || For I [am] a sojourner with You, || A settler like all my fathers.
(39:13) Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; be not silent at my tears; for a stranger am I with thee, a sojourner, like all my fathers.
Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and listen to me; listen to my weeping! Do not be deaf to me, for I am like a foreigner with you, a refugee like all my ancestors were.
From the Latin
Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.
Simplified
Please hear my prayer, Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Don't be deaf to my weeping. Please treat me as your guest, passing through, just like my forefathers.
Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.
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 and the Septuagint show significant agreement in the wording of Psalm 39:12, with a close correspondence in key terms. However, the Septuagint's word order and specific translations indicate a slightly different interpretative approach.
שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ תְפִלָּתִ֨י׀ יְהוָ֡ה וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י׀ הַאֲזִינָה֮ אֶֽל־ דִּמְעָתִ֗י אַֽל־ תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ כִּ֤י גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב כְּכָל־ אֲבוֹתָֽי׃
10 of the 16 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 39:12
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.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
תְּפִלָּה (tefillah) means 'prayer' and is derived from the root meaning intercession or supplication. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including hymns and requests for divine attention. The term appears in contexts such as the titles of Psalms, emphasizing its liturgical significance.
תְּפִלָּה 77 n.f. prayer
base
H8605 תְּפִלָּה prayer
8605 tphillah tef-il-law'
from 6419; intercession, supplication; by implication, a
hymn:--prayer.
see HEBREW for 06419
תְּפִלָּה (te.phil.lah) — prayer.
1) prayer
1a) prayer
1b) pray a prayer
1c) house of prayer
1d) hear prayer
1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
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.'
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
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
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
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)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
שַׁוְעָה (shav'ah) refers to a cry for help or a hallooing. It is a feminine noun derived from another Hebrew word, שָׁוַע (shav'ah), which also relates to crying. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a call for assistance.
[שַׁוְעָה] n.f. cry for help
base
H7775 [שַׁוְעָה] cry for help
7775 shav`ah shav-aw'
feminine of 7773; a hallooing:--crying.
see HEBREW for 07773
שַׁוְעָה (shav.ah) — cry.
cry for help
HC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
hear, perceive by the ear
of God, listening (with favour) to prayer
base
H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
238 'azan aw-zan'
a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a
denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),
i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,
hear(-ken). See 239.
see HEBREW for 0241
see HEBREW for 0239
אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.
1) to hear, listen
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to hear, listen, give ear
1a2) to be obedient, harken
1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)
HVhv2ms/Sh — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sh
er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):
(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…
Ear
Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).
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)
HR — PrepositionHR
דִּמְעָה (dim`ah) refers to 'tears' and is primarily used in a poetic context, with frequent occurrences in the book of Jeremiah and contemporary literature. It is a feminine noun derived from the root word for 'weeping' (דִּמְעָה is noted as a collective term for tears). The entries consistently emphasize its poetic nature.
דִּמְעָה n.f. coll. tears (chiefly poet. and late; freq. in Je. and contemp.)
base
H1832 דִּמְעָה coll. tears (chiefly poet. and late; freq. in Je. and contemp.)
1832 dim`ah dim-aw'
feminine of 1831; weeping:--tears.
see HEBREW for 01831
דִּמְעָה (dim.ah) — tears.
tears
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
HTn — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word חָרַשׁ (*charash*) encompasses meanings related to cutting, engraving, and plowing, as well as devising, often with a negative connotation. It also has a related form, חָרֵשׁ (*charesh*), which means to be silent or deaf. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to metaphorical implications of secrecy and silence.
[חָרַשׁ] vb. cut in, engrave, plough, devise
Qal
cut in, engrave
plough
devise
Niph. Zion, as a field she shall be ploughed
Hiph. fabricating mischief against
base
[חָרֵשׁ] vb. 1. be silent, dumb, speechless; 2. be deaf; chiefly poet.
Qal
be silent, alw. of God’s keeping silence when men pray
be deaf
Hiph.
be silent (= exhibit silence)
once causat. make silent
be deaf, shew deafness
base
H2790a חָרַשׁ cut in, engrave, plough, devise H2790b חָרֵשׁ . be silent, dumb, speechless
. be deaf; chiefly poet.
2790 charash khaw-rash'
a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to
engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate
(of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense);
hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone;
hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of
dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise,
ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace,
plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep
silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue,
worker.
חָרַשׁ (cha.rash) — to plow/plot.
1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut in, engrave
1a2) to plough
1a3) to devise
1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed
1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil
חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) — be quiet.
1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be silent
1a2) to be deaf
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to be silent, keep quiet
1b2) to make silent
1b3) to be deaf, show deafness
1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent
HVqj2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singularHVqj2ms
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
גֵּר (ger) refers to a sojourner or foreigner, indicating someone who temporarily resides in a place without inherited rights. It encompasses the idea of a guest or stranger, particularly in the context of foreigners living in Israel who are granted certain rights. The term is derived from the root meaning 'to dwell'.
גֵּר 92 n.m. sojourner
base
H1616 גֵּר sojourner
1616 ger gare
or (fully) geyr (gare); from 1481; properly, a guest; by
implication, a foreigner:--alien, sojourner, stranger.
see HEBREW for 01481
גֵּר (ger) — sojourner.
1) sojourner
1a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights
1b) of foreigners in Israel, though conceded rights
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
soj'-er-ner, so'-jur-ner, suj'-er-ner.
See STRANGER AND SOJOURNER.
The Hebrew word אָֽנֹכִ֫י (*anokiy*) is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is a variant spelling of אֲנִי (*ani*), which also means 'I.' The entries confirm its use as a personal pronoun without significant disagreement among lexicons.
אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H595 אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי I
595 'anokiy aw-no-kee'
sometimes {aw-no'-kee}; a primitive pro.; I:--I, me, X
which.
אָֽנֹכִ֫י (a.no.khi) — I.
I (first pers. sing.)
Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
HPp1bs — PronounHPp1bs
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
תּוֹשָׁב (towshab) primarily means 'sojourner' or 'dweller,' indicating a resident alien or stranger, distinct from a native citizen. It is mentioned in 1 Kings 17:1 as the home of Elijah, תִּשְׁבֶּה (Tishbe), which also refers to a place associated with the term.
תּוֹשָׁב n.m. sojourner
base
[תִּשְׁבֶּה] n.pr.loc. 1 K 17:1 home of Elijah
ref
H8453a תּוֹשָׁב sojourner H8453b תִּשְׁבֶּה home of Elijah
8453 towshab to-shawb'
or toshab (1 Kings 17:1) {to-shawb'}; from 3427; a dweller
(but not outlandish (5237)); especially (as distinguished from
a native citizen (active participle of 3427) and a temporary
inmate (1616) or mere lodger (3885)) resident
alien:--foreigner, inhabitant, sojourner, stranger.
see HEBREW for 03427
see HEBREW for 05237
see HEBREW for 03427
see HEBREW for 01616
see HEBREW for 03885
תּוֹשָׁב (to.shav) — sojourner.
sojourner, stranger
תִּשְׁבֶּה (tish.beh) — Tishbe.
Tishbe = "foreigner"
the home of Elijah
Also named: tish.bi (תִּשְׁבִּי "Tishbite" H8664)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
al'-yen: Found in the King James Version for ger, (Ex 18:3) = "guest," hence: "foreigner," "sojourner" the Revised Version (British and American); also for nekhar (Isa 61:5) = "foreign," "a foreigner" the Revised Version (British and American) (concrete), "heathendom" (abstract), "alien," "strange" (-er), and for nokhri (De 14:21 the Revised Version (British and American) "foreigner"; compare Job 19:15; Ps 69:8; La 5:2)--"strange," in a variety of degrees and meanings: "foreign," "non-relative," "adulterous," "different," "wonderful," "alien," "outlandish," "strange."…
Alien
A foreigner, or person born in another country, and therefore not entitled to the rights and privileges of the country where he resides. Among the Hebrews there were two classes of aliens.
(1.) Those who were strangers generally, and who owned no landed property.
(2.) Strangers dwelling in another country without being naturalized (Lev. 22:10; Ps. 39:12).
Both of these classes were to enjoy, under certain conditions, the same rights as other citizens (Lev. 19:33, 34; Deut. 10:19). They might be naturalized and permitted to enter into the congregation of the Lord by submitting to circumcision and abandoning idolatry (
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.
אָב 1101 n.m. father
father of individual
of God as father of his people
head of household, family or clan
ancestor
originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
fig. of producer, generator
fig. of benevolence & protection
term of respect & honor
specif., ruler, chief (late)
base
H1 אָב father . father of individual
. of God as father of his people
. head of household, family or clan
. ancestor
. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
. fig. of producer, generator
. fig. of benevolence & protection
. term of respect & honor
. specif., ruler, chief (late)
1 'ab awb
a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or
figurative and remote application):--chief,
(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names
in "Abi-".
אָב (av) — father.
1) father of an individual
2) of God as father of his people
3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan
4) ancestor
4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person
4b) of people
5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
6) of producer, generator (fig.)
7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)
8) term of respect and honour
9) ruler or chief (spec.)
Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;
Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)
אָב (av) — father of.
The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
HNcfpc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp1bs
