Menu

Psalms 44:1 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאֱלֹהִ֤ים׀ בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּ שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־ לָ֑נוּ פֹּ֥עַל פָּעַ֥לְתָּ בִֽ֝ימֵיהֶ֗ם בִּ֣ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃

BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach A Maskilmaskîyl of the sonsbên of KorahQôrach

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 44
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the 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 (Ke.dem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 44:1quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist recalls how their ancestors shared the mighty deeds of God.
Who is speakingThe psalmist addresses God, reflecting on the teachings of their forefathers.
Where we areThis verse opens a psalm that recounts Israel's history and God's actions.
The hard wordפֹּ֥עַל
Take awayThe community remembers God's past works as a foundation for faith.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbקֹרַח 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 44:1

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 Psalmist's Reflection on God's Deedsgenerated

1We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.
2With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out.
3For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.
4You are my King, O God, who ordains victories for Jacob.

Psalm 44:1 expresses a communal memory of God's mighty works as recounted by the ancestors. This verse sets the stage for a reflection on Israel's history, emphasizing the importance of remembering divine actions in shaping faith and identity. The psalmist invokes God's name, acknowledging His role in their past and present.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 42:1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
2Psalm 22:31They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn— all that He has done.
3Psalm 71:18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
4Psalm 78:3–6that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.
5Psalm 105:1–2Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

A. M. 3294. B.C. 710. for the sonsPsalm 42:1

The Key Word אֱלֹהִ֤ים, 'E.lo.Himgenerated

The word אֱלֹהִים ('E.lo.Him) is a plural noun that often refers to the supreme God in the Old Testament. It denotes divine majesty and power, encompassing not just God but also rulers and judges in a broader sense.

In this verse, it highlights the relationship between God and the community, as they recall the deeds He performed. The use of this term underscores the reverence the psalmist holds for God while also acknowledging His authority.


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 שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ, we have heard, governs the entire verse, with several phrases expanding on the subject. The structure emphasizes the communal aspect of hearing and recounting God's deeds.

The order of the Hebrew words places importance on the act of hearing, followed by the recounting of the ancestors, which builds a narrative of collective memory.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֱלֹהִ֤ים as εἰς, which suggests a focus on the divine nature of God. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of God's role in the history of Israel.

The limited correspondence between the Hebrew and the Septuagint indicates a different approach to the text, with the Greek version emphasizing different aspects of the narrative.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 44:1 tells us that the people have heard about God's mighty deeds from their ancestors. They remember the work He did in ancient times, which shapes their faith and identity as a community.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that our fathers have told us?

It signifies the importance of passing down stories of God's deeds through generations, reinforcing faith and communal identity.

Why does the psalmist address God as 'O God'?

This address shows reverence and acknowledges God's authority and power over the history of Israel.

How do the deeds of God affect the community's faith?

By recalling God's past actions, the community draws strength and assurance for their present and future challenges.

What is the significance of remembering the days of old?

Remembering the days of old serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the historical context of His relationship with His people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I remember and share the stories of God's deeds in my life?
  2. What role do community memories play in shaping my faith?
  3. In what ways can I honor the teachings of my ancestors?
  4. How does reflecting on God's past actions help me trust Him in the present?

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

Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, emphasizing its significance in understanding God's deeds and the importance of passing down these stories.

John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 44:2 c. 347–407
Listen to this, all you who are heedless of your children, who ignore their singing diabolical songs, while you pay no attention to the divine stories.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
PrudentiusTHE DIVINITY OF CHRIST 90-93 348–413
The majesty that with the Father dwelled, His spirit and thought, the way of his designs, Which made not by his hand or spoken word, Breathed from the Father’s heart, declared his will.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 44 354–430
"O God, we have heard with our ears; our fathers have told us the work that You did in their days, and in the days of old" [Psalms 44:1].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 44:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

We have heard with our ears, O God,.... The church being in distress calls to mind the past favours of God to his people, in order to encourage her faith and hope; and this expression, delivered in

Read John Gill on Psalms 44 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. Psalms 44:1-26.-The Church's prayer for help against pagan foes.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 44 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Psalms 44 THE There is no certainty, either concerning the author or the particular occasion of this Psalm. This is evident, that it was composed with respect unto the calamitous condition of the church and people of Israel, whom it supposeth to be in a state of captivity and persecution. But whether it was made by David, who foresaw and foretold by the Spirit of God their future captivity, and framed this for their use in that estate, or by some other holy man of God, when they were actually in this condition, is not determined, nor necessary to know for the understanding of it. The church commemorates past mercies, ,2. The arm of God, not the sword of Israel, put them in possession of the…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 44 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 44:1 « To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. » We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.Maschil] i.e. Making wise, or giving instruction; for which purpose this psalm was composed by David (as it is most probable), or some other excellent prophet, for the use of the Church, which is haeres crucis, the heir of the cross, as Luther speaketh; and is here instructed how to carry herself under it, and to get benefit by it. Ver. 1. We have heard with our ears] i.e. We have both heard and heeded it, with utmost attention and affection. It is not a redundancy, but an emphasis that is here used. Our…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 44 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) We have heard.—The glorious traditions of ancient deliverances wrought by Jehovah for His people were a sacred heritage of every Hebrew. (See Exodus 10:2; Exodus 12:26, seq.; Deuteronomy 6:20, etc.) This, and all the historical psalms, show how closely interwoven for the Jew were patriotism and religion.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 44 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

PSALM XLIV The psalmist recounts the mercies of God; shows to his people how God in ancient times gave them the victory over all their enemies, 1-8; points out their present miserable state, 9-16; asserts that thy have not apostatized, and appeals to God for the truth of his assertion, 17-22; and calls upon the Lord for deliverance from their enemies, 23-26. NOTES ON PSALM XLIV The title here is the same as that in Psalms 42:1; which see. The Syriac says it was "A Psalm of the sons of Korah, which the people and Moses sung at Horeb." Such titles are fancies to which no credit should be attached. Like the preceding, it appears to belong to the time of the captivity. Verse 1. We have heard…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 44 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3. A retrospect. Not their own valour but God’s help and favour gave Israel possession of the land of Canaan.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 44 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

We have heard with our ears - That is, it has been handed down by tradition. Our fathers have told us - Our ancestors. They have delivered it down from generation to generation.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 44 →

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

We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

NETBNew English Translation2006

O God, we have clearly heard; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in ancient times.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, What work thou didst in their days, In the days of old.

RVARevised Version, American1894

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the days of old.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To him that excelleth. A Psalme to give instruction, committed to the sonnes of Korah. We haue heard with our eares, O God: our fathers haue tolde vs the workes, that thou hast done in their dayes, in the olde time:

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

O God, with our ears have we heard, our fathers have told us, the work thou wroughtest in their days, in the days of old:

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

To the Overseer. — By sons of Korah. An Instruction. O God, with our ears we have heard, Our fathers have recounted to us, The work Thou didst work in their days, In the days of old.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

TO THE OVERSEER. AN INSTRUCTION OF THE SONS OF KORAH. O God, we have heard with our ears, || Our fathers have recounted to us, || The work You worked in their days, || In the days of old.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

“To the chief musician, for the sons of Korach, a Maskil.” (44:2) O God, with our ears have we heard, our fathers have told us, deeds which thou hadst done in their days, in times of old.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

We have heard with our ears, God, our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the sons of Core, for understanding. A canticle for the Beloved.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

God, we have heard with our own ears—our forefathers have told us—all you did in their times, long ago.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

It has come to our ears, O God, our fathers have given us the story, of the works which you did in their days, in the old times,

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.

clauseclauseאֱלֹהִ֤יםO.Godclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּwithnoun phraseאָזְנֵ֬יearsנוּourverbשָׁמַ֗עְנוּwe.have.heardclausenoun phrase · subjectאֲבוֹתֵ֥יancestorsנוּourverbסִפְּרוּthey.have.recountedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֑toנוּusnoun phrase · objectפֹּ֥עַל[the].deed[s]clauseverbפָּעַ֥לְתָּ[which].you.didprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseבִֽ֝innoun phraseימֵיdaysהֶ֗םtheirprepositional phraseבִּ֣innoun phraseימֵיdaysקֶֽדֶםof.antiquity

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Psalms 44:1 reads: "אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀ בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּ שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־ לָ֑נוּ פֹּ֥עַל פָּעַ֥לְתָּ בִֽ֝ימֵיהֶ֗ם בִּ֣ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃" The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation, shows that it only matches three of the eleven words from the Masoretic Text, indicating a significant divergence in wording and structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional textual evidence for this specific verse, so we cannot determine their stance on this passage. Overall, the primary agreement is between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint in the general theme of the verse, but they differ in the specific wording and order.

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

אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀ בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּ שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־ לָ֑נוּ פֹּ֥עַל פָּעַ֥לְתָּ בִֽ֝ימֵיהֶ֗ם בִּ֣ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀εἰςבְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּυἱοῖςשָׁמַ֗עְנוּκορε

3 of the 11 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.

Psalms 44:1אֱלֹהִיםO GodO Godאֱלֹהִיםאֹ֫זֶןwith ears owith ears ourאֹ֫זֶןשָׁמַעwe have heawe have heardשָׁמַעאָבancestors oancestors ourאָבסָפַרthey have rthey have recouסָפַרנוּto usto usנוּפֹּ֫עַל[the] deed[[the] deed[s]פֹּ֫עַלפָּעַל[which] you[which] you didפָּעַליוֹםin days thein days theirיוֹםיוֹםin days ofin days ofיוֹםקֶ֫דֶםantiquityantiquityקֶ֫דֶםאָזַןto listento listenאָזַןפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלקָדַםto meetto meetקָדַםאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּשְׁבִיעִיseventhseventhשְׁבִיעִישַׁבָּתSabbathSabbathשַׁבָּתאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹןתְּנוּךְlobelobeתְּנוּךְנָטָהto stretchto stretchנָטָהקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַראֵםmothermotherאֵםעֶזְרָאEzraEzraעֶזְרָאשָׁפָןrock badgerock badgerשָׁפָןזַךְpurepureזַךְשָׁלֵםto completto completeשָׁלֵם
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 44:1

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.

O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀'E.lo.Him O God H430 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
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.
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
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּbe.'a.ze.Nei.nu with ears our H241 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
187× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Tyndale gloss
ear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֹ֫זֶן (*ozen*) means 'ear' and is derived from a root that suggests broadness. It refers to the physical ear as well as the organ of hearing, and can also imply the act of revealing or receiving divine revelation. The term appears in contexts such as Exodus 29:20.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֹ֫זֶן 188 n.f. Ex 29:20 ear

ear, as part of body

especially as organ of hearing

open ears of, reveal to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H241 אֹ֫זֶן ear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

241 'ozen o'-zen

from 238; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form

in man):--+ advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, +

show.

see HEBREW for 0238

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear.

: ear

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: hearing.

: hearing

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

אֹ֫זֶן (o.zen) — ear: to ears.

: to[ears_of](PERSON)

1) ear, as part of the body

2) ear, as organ of hearing

3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfdc/Sp1bp — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HR/Ncfdc/Sp1bp
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
שָׁמַ֗עְנוּsha.Ma'.nu we have heard H8085 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common plural
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp1cp — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common plural
HVqp1cp
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ'a.vo.Tei.nu ancestors our H1 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
1,213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Tyndale gloss
father
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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-".

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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);

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfpc/Sp1bp — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp1bp
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
סִפְּרוּ־si.pe.ru- they have recounted H5608 Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Tyndale gloss
to recount
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָפַר (safar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count or recount, with various forms indicating actions like declaring or rehearsing. The noun form סֹפֵר (sofer) refers to a scribe or secretary. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enumeration and record-keeping, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָפַר 107 vb. count, Pi. recount, relate

Qal 27

count things, to learn their number

number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon

Niph. be counted, numbered

Pi. 67 recount, rehearse, declare

Pu. be recounted, related, rehearsed

base

סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר n.m. enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5608a סָפַר count, Pi. recount, relate .. count things, to learn their number

. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon

. be counted, numbered

. recount, rehearse, declare

. be recounted, related, rehearsed

H5608b סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5608 caphar saw-far'

a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally

or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to

enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:--commune,

(ac-)count; declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew

forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָפַר (sa.phar) — to recount.

v

1) to count, recount, relate

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to count (things)

1a2) to number, take account of, reckon

1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered

1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare

1c1) to recount (something), rehearse

1c2) to talk

1c3) to count exactly or accurately

1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related

סֹפֵר (so.pher) — secretary.

1) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe

1a) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary

1b) learned man, scribe

Aramaic equivalent: sa.pher (סָפִר "scribe" H5613)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVpp3cp — Verb · Piel · perfect third person common plural
HVpp3cp
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
לָ֑נוּLa.nu to us H9035 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נוּ (nu) — us.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person plural

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bp
English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

US, pronoun objective case of we.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.

Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.

Us, pron. oblique case of we

O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
פֹּ֥עַלPo.'al [the] deed[s] H6467 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Tyndale gloss
work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֹּ֫עַל (po'al) refers to an act or work, encompassing meanings like deed, thing done, and wages of work. It is noted as poetic and late in usage. The word is built from the root associated with action, and it can also imply acquisition, particularly of treasures.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֹּ֫עַל 37 n.m. doing, deed, work (poet. and late)

deed, thing done

work, thing made

wages of work

acquisition of treasures

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6467 פֹּ֫עַל doing, deed, work (poet. and late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6467 po`al po'-al

from 6466; an act or work (concretely):--act, deed, do,

getting, maker, work.

see HEBREW for 06466

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) — work.

1) work, deed, doing

1a) deed, thing done

1b) work, thing made

1c) wages of work

1d) acquisition (of treasure)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
פָּעַ֥לְתָּpa.'Al.ta [which] you did H6466 Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singular
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To work or do something is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, often used to describe habitual or systematic actions. It can also mean to make or practise something.
Tyndale gloss
to work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּעַל (pa'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, often used in a systematic or habitual sense. It encompasses actions like committing, ordaining, and working, with a poetic nuance compared to the more common verb for 'to do' (עָשָׂה). The entries consistently highlight its usage in the Qal stem, emphasizing its foundational role in expressing action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּעַל 67 vb. do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Qal

do

make

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6466 פָּעַל do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6466 pa`al paw-al'

a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and

habitually), especially to practise:--commit, (evil-)

do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּעַל (pa.al) — to work.

1) to do, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do

1a2) to make

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singular
HVqp2ms
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
בִֽ֝ימֵיהֶ֗םvi.mei.Hem in days their H3117 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
בִּ֣ימֵיBi.mei in days of H3117 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
2,306× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
day
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹם 2285 n.m. day

day, opp. night

Day as division of time

יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

Pl. days of anyone

Days

יוֹם = time

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night

. Day as division of time

. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous

. Pl. days of anyone

. Days

. יוֹם = time

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3117 yowm yome

from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm

hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one

sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by

an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +

chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)

day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +

(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as

(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,

presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,

then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,

weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole

(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹם (yom) — day.

: day/when/time/period

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: old.

: old/(full/many)[days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day's journey

1c) days, lifetime (pl.)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

יוֹם (yom) — day: year.

: year[of_days]

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmpc — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HR/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

O God with ears our we have heard ancestors our they have recounted to us [the] deed[s] [which] you did in days their in days of antiquity
קֶֽדֶם׃Ke.dem antiquity H6924 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
87× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.
Tyndale gloss
front: east
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime

loc.

front

East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward

temp., ancient time, aforetime:

הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.

בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days

מִקּ׳ from of old

ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old

beginning

base

[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front

. East

. temp. ancient time, aforetime

H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6924 qedem keh'-dem

or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place

(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time

(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,

eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,

part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,

past. Compare 6926.

see HEBREW for 06923

see HEBREW for 06926

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.

This name means east, antiquity, front

קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.

adv

eastward, to or toward the East

Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.

: east

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.

: old/ancient

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.

: forward

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate