BSBKJVWEBYLTASVBBEWMBT4TDBY|HymnsMusicDonate
Menu
Home › Berean Standard Amplified › Psalms 45  › Psalms 45:3 — word study

Psalms 45:3 — Word Study

Depth

WLCחֲגֽוֹר־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־ יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃

BSAatʻal

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 45
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (va.ha.da.Re.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Go deeper All lexicon entries Interlinear Parallel verse page
Psalms 45:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist calls a mighty warrior to prepare for battle and to display his glory.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing a powerful figure, likely a king or divine warrior.
Where we areThis verse is part of a royal psalm celebrating the king's attributes and his role in battle.
The hard wordחֲגֽוֹר־
Take awayThe call to action is clear: prepare for battle and reveal your majesty.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָפָה 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 45:3

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 Royal Psalm of Victorygenerated

2You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.
3Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.
4In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.
5Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Psalm 45:3 is a call to a mighty warrior to gird his sword and appear in glory. This psalm celebrates the king's strength and majesty, emphasizing his readiness for battle and his divine appointment. The imagery of the sword and the call to appear in splendor reflects the themes of power and authority found throughout the psalm, as the king is depicted as a champion of truth and justice.

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 49:2He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.
2Isaiah 63:1–6Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”
3Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
4Revelation 1:16He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
5Revelation 19:15–21And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

GirdIsaiah 49:2 Isaiah 63:1–6 Hebrews 4:12 Revelation 1:16 Revelation 19:15–21
O mostIsaiah 9:6–7 Acts 10:36 Romans 14:9
gloryPsalm 21:5 Psalm 96:6 Psalm 104:1 Psalm 145:5–12 Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 8:1 Jude 1:25

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

Korah4. Son of Kohath, and head of the family of sacred musicians among the LevitesFrogsPlague ofSolomonA "type" of ChristJesus, The ChristOmnipotence OfJesus, The ChristKingJesus, The ChristNames, Appellations, And Titles OfPsalmsPropheticShoshannimA wind instrument, mentioned in the titles ofWomenFigurative

The Key Word — חֲגֽוֹר־, cha.goyr-generated

The word חָגַר (chagar) is a verb meaning to gird or put on a belt. It conveys the action of preparing for action, often in a military context. The imperative form here indicates urgency and command, emphasizing the need for readiness in battle.

This word is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, typically associated with donning armor or preparing for significant tasks, underscoring the warrior's role in the psalm.

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.

Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is חֲגֽוֹר־, strap, which governs the action of the subject, the mighty warrior. The structure of the verse emphasizes the command to prepare for battle, followed by the call to appear in glory.

The syntax reveals a direct address to the warrior, with the imperative verb at the beginning, setting a tone of urgency and authority.

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חֲגֽוֹר־ as υἱοὺς, which can imply a broader interpretation of the warrior's role. This choice may suggest a more familial or relational aspect to the warrior's identity, emphasizing connection to a lineage or heritage.

The LXX's translation choices reflect a different emphasis, possibly aligning the warrior's actions with divine purpose or calling.

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 45:3 calls a mighty warrior to strap on his sword and to appear in his glory. This verse emphasizes the readiness for battle and the display of majesty, reflecting the king's role as a champion of justice and truth.

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to strap on a sword?

Strapping on a sword signifies preparation for battle, indicating readiness to engage in conflict or defend one's position.

Who is the mighty warrior referred to in this verse?

The mighty warrior likely refers to the king or a divine figure, symbolizing strength and authority in battle.

What is the significance of appearing in majesty and splendor?

Appearing in majesty and splendor highlights the warrior's power and glory, showcasing the divine favor and strength bestowed upon him.

How does this verse connect to themes of justice and truth?

The call to appear in glory and splendor emphasizes the warrior's role in upholding justice and truth, as he is depicted as a champion for righteousness.

Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to prepare myself for action, like the warrior in this psalm?
  2. How can I reflect the majesty and splendor of God in my daily actions?
  3. What does it mean for me to embody strength and courage in my own battles?
  4. How can I support others in their struggles, as a warrior would in battle?

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

Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss themes of strength and divine purpose, using it to illustrate the warrior's role in spiritual battles.

TertullianAgainst Marcion, Book V, Chapter 18 c. 155–220
I, on my part, now wish to engage with you in a discussion on the allegorical expressions of the apostle. What figures of speech could the novel god have found in the prophets (fit for himself)? "He led captivity captive," [Early Church Fathers on Psalms 45 →
Evagrius PonticusNOTES ON THE Psalms 44[45].4 345–399
The sword separates the spirit from evil and the mind from ignorance, destroying the old man and making him new in Christ.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 45 →
John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 45:5 c. 347–407
These terms, you see, signify his operations.… I mean, just as Scripture says God gets angry, not to attribute passion to him but to indicate through this expression his action of punishing and thus make an impression on more materialistic…
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 45 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 45:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty,.... As Christ is, the mighty God, even the Almighty, and which appears by his works of creation and providence; by the redemption of his people; by

Read John Gill on Psalms 45 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O (Most) Mighty - in order that thou mayest, by destroying thine enemies (cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 45 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh; either, 1. As an ensign of royal majesty. But that is usually and much better expressed in Scripture by putting a crown upon his head. Or rather, 2. As an instrument for war and battle, to smite his enemies, as it is declared, ,5. And the sword is here put synecdochically for all his arms, as it is in many other places, as appears from , where we read also of his arrows. And this sword of the Messias is nothing else but the word of God coming out of his mouth; which is fitly compared to a sword, as may appear from , which is elsewhere called the rod of his mouth, , and the rod of his power, . With thy glory and thy majesty; or, which is thy glory and thy…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 45 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 45:3 Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. Ver. 3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty (O Heros).] This is one of Christ’ s titles, Isaiah 9:6, the giant, or the mighty strong God, the valiant champion of his Church. And his sword is the word of his mouth, Revelation 1:16 Hebrews 4:12 Isaiah 49:2. All the wars in the conquest of Canaan were types of the spiritual wars under the gospel, whereby the nations were subdued to the obedience of the faith, 2 Corinthians 10:4 Ephesians 6:11. Christ hath his sword then, a two-edged sword; and he is here called upon to gird it to his thigh (after the manner of those easterns, as we do our…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 45 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Gird thy sword . . . O most mighty.—Or, perhaps, Gird on thy sword in hero guise; or, Gird on thy hero’s sword. The object of the poet’s praise is as heroic in war as he is beautiful in person. With thy glory and thy majesty.—This adverbial use of the accusatives may be right, but it seems better to take them in apposition with sword. His weapon was the monarch’s glory and pride. Some commentators see here a reference to the custom of girding on the sword said to be still observed at the elevation to the throne of a Persian or Ottoman prince. But the next verse shows that we have rather an ideal picture of the royal bridegroom’s prowess in war.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 45 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty] This clause should be translated, O hero, gird thy sword upon thy thigh! This, I think, cannot be spoken of Solomon. He was not a warlike prince: he never did any feats of arms. It has been said he would have been a warrior, if he had had enemies; it might have been so: but the words more properly apply to Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords; whose sword with two edges, proceeding from his mouth, cuts all his adversaries to pieces. With thy glory and thy majesty.] Be as war-like as thou art glorious and majestic. Solomon's court was splendid, and his person was majestic. These words may be well said of him. But the majesty…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 45 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. Instead of praising the king’s strength and courage in the abstract, the Psalmist bids him use them in the cause of truth and right. O most mighty] O mighty hero. with thy glory and thy majesty] It is better to repeat the verb: (gird on) thy honour and thy majesty. Honour and majesty are Divine attributes, reflected in the person of the victorious King who is Jehovah’s representative. Cp. Psalms 96:6; Psalms 104:1; Psalms 145:5; with Psalms 21:5.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 45 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh - That is, Arm or prepare thyself for battle and conquest.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 45 →

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

Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Strap your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and your majesty.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Strap your sword to your thigh, O warrior! Appear in your majestic splendor!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, thy glory and thy majesty.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Gird thy sword vpon thy thigh, O most mightie, to wit, thy worship and thy glory,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O mighty one, [in] thy majesty and thy splendour;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty, Thy glory and Thy majesty!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Gird Your sword on the thigh, O Mighty [One], || Your splendor and Your majesty!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(45:4) Gird thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty one, [it is] thy glory and thy majesty;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Put your sword on your side, mighty one, in your glory and your majesty.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Strap on your sword, mighty warrior, stride out in glory and majesty!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Put on your sword, make it ready at your side, O strong chief, with your glory and power.

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.

clauseclauseverbחֲגֽוֹרgirdnoun phrase · objectחַרְבְּswordךָ֣yourprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonיָרֵ֣ךְa.thighclauseגִּבּ֑וֹרO.mighty.[one]clausenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseה֝וֹדְsplendorךָ֗yourוַandnoun phraseהֲדָרֶֽmajestyךָyour

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

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

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as חֲגֽוֹר־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־ יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃. The Septuagint agrees with 6 of the 7 words, maintaining a close correspondence to the Hebrew text, though the order and phrasing differ.

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

חֲגֽוֹר־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־ יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
חַרְבְּךָ֣υἱοὺςעַל־ἀνθρώπωνיָרֵ֣ךְἐχεξύθηגִּבּ֑וֹרξάριςה֝וֹדְךָ֗ξείλεσίνוַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃τοῦτο

6 of the 7 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 45:3חָגַרgirdgirdחָגַרחֶ֫רֶבsword yoursword yourחֶ֫רֶבעַלononעַליָרֵךְa thigha thighיָרֵךְגִּבּוֹרO mighty [oO mighty [one]גִּבּוֹרהוֹדsplendor yosplendor yourהוֹדהָדָרand majestyand majesty youהָדָרחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵבהָדַרto honorto honorהָדַרעַלheightheightעַלגֶּ֫בֶרgreat mangreat manגֶּ֫בֶראַבְנֵטgirdlegirdleאַבְנֵטשַׂקsackclothsackclothשַׂקרָעָבfaminefamineרָעָבחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאבֶּ֫טֶןbelly: abdbelly: abdomenבֶּ֫טֶןמִשְׁכָּןtabernacletabernacleמִשְׁכָּןחַ֫יִלHelechHelechחַ֫יִלמִלְחָמָהbattlebattleמִלְחָמָההָדָרglorygloryהָדָרהוֹיwoe!woe!הוֹיהוֹדsplendorsplendorהוֹדגָּאוֹןprideprideגָּאוֹן
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 45:3

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.

חֲגֽוֹר־ girdחַרְבְּךָ֣ sword yourעַל־ onיָרֵ֣ךְ a thighגִּבּ֑וֹר O mighty [one]ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ splendor yourוַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃ and majesty your
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
חֲגֽוֹר־cha.goyr- gird H2296 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
44× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word chagar means to gird or put on a belt, and is used to describe preparing for battle or work, as seen in various KJV translations.
Tyndale gloss
to gird
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָגַר (chagar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gird or to put on a belt. It is a primitive root that conveys the action of binding or restraining oneself, often in preparation for action. The entries consistently emphasize its use in the context of girding on clothing or armor.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חָגַר] vb. gird, gird on, gird oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2296 [חָגַר] gird, gird on, gird oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2296 chagar khaw-gar'

a primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.):--be

able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, X on

every side.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָגַר (cha.gar) — to gird.

1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to gird

1a2) to gird on, bind on

1a3) to gird oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqv2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
שַׂקsackcloth×אִישׁman×מַתְנַ֫יִםloin×חֶ֫רֶבsword×בַּדlinen×סָפַדto mourn×אַבְנֵטgirdle×אֵפוֹדephod×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
חַרְבְּךָ֣char.be.Kha sword your H2719 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
413× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Tyndale gloss
sword
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2719 chereb kheh'-reb

from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its

destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp

implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.

see HEBREW for 02717

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.

1) sword, knife

1a) sword

1b) knife

1c) tools for cutting stone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
נָפַלto fall: fall×פֶּהlip×רָעָבfamine×מוּתto die×נָכָהto smite×חָלָלslain: killed×חֶ֫רֶבsword×הָרַגto kill×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

—

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
אֲדָמָהland: soil×כִּסֵּאthrone×כִּפֶּרto atone×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
יָרֵ֣ךְya.Rekh a thigh H3409 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to the thigh or the side of something, and can also symbolize strength or power. It is used to describe where a sword is worn, and also represents the loins as the seat of procreative power.
Tyndale gloss
thigh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָרֵךְ (yarek) refers to the thigh, loin, side, or base of an object. It is derived from a root meaning to be soft, highlighting the fleshy nature of the thigh. The term can also euphemistically refer to generative parts and is used in various contexts, including the outside of the thigh where a sword is worn.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָרֵךְ n.f. thigh, loin, side, base

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3409 יָרֵךְ thigh, loin, side, base

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3409 yarek yaw-rake'

from an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh (from its

fleshy softness); by euphem. the generative parts;

figuratively, a shank, flank, side:--X body, loins, shaft,

side, thigh.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָרֵךְ (ya.rekh) — thigh.

1) thigh, side, loin, base

1a) thigh

1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn)

1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power)

1b) side (flank) (of object)

1c) base

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

thi (yarekh; Aramaic yarekhah (Da 2:32); meros (Judith 9:2; Sirach 19:12; Re 19:16); as part of a sacrificial animal (Ex 29:22, etc.) shoq, the King James Version, the Revised Version margin "shoulder"; in addition the King James Version has "thigh" for shoq in Isa 47:2 (the Revised Version (British and American) "leg")): The portion of the leg from the knee to the hip, against which a weapon hangs when suspended from the waist (Ex 32:27; Jud 3:16,21; Ps 45:3, etc.). So the thigh of a rider on horseback would be…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The mode of taking an oath, alluded to in Ge 24:2-9 47:29-31, was significant of the swearer’s obligation to obedience. Jacob’s thigh was disabled by the Angel, to show the patriarch that his prevalence was through his faith and prayer, not through force, Ge 32:25-31. Smiting the thigh was a gesture of self-condemnation and grief, Jer 31:19 Eze 21:12. Warriors wore their swords upon the left thigh, unless left-handed in readiness for use, Jud 3:15-21 Ps 45:3 So 3:8; so too they may have borne their names and…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
כַּףpalm×חֶ֫רֶבsword×צָפוֹןZaphon×עַדtill×יַעֲקֹבJacob×מִשְׁכָּןtabernacle×בֶּ֫טֶןbelly: abdomen×אִשָּׁהwoman×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
גִּבּ֑וֹרgi.Bor O mighty [one] H1368 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Tyndale gloss
mighty man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'

or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same

as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--

champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),

strong (man), valiant man.

see HEBREW for 01397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.

adj

1) strong, mighty

n m

2) strong man, brave man, mighty man

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

wun.

See NUMBER.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
חַ֫יִלHelech×מִלְחָמָהbattle×אֱנוֹשׁhuman×אֶ֫לֶףthousand×שַׂרruler×מֵאָהhundred×שָׁלֹשׁthree×גִּבּוֹרmighty man×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
ה֝וֹדְךָ֗hod.kha splendor your H1935 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something as glorious or majestic, like God's splendor in Psalm 138:5. It's about an impressive appearance or grandeur.
Tyndale gloss
splendor
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הוֹד (*hod*) encompasses meanings related to splendour, majesty, and vigour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from an unused root and conveys concepts of grandeur and beauty, as noted in various lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוֹד n.m. splendour, majesty, vigour (chiefly poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1935 הוֹד splendour, majesty, vigour (chiefly poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1935 howd hode

from an unused root; grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and

appearance):--beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory,

goodly, honour, majesty.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוֹד (hod) — splendor.

splendour, majesty, vigour

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
הָדָרglory×נָתַןto give: give×שָׁמַיheaven×הוֹיwoe!×מַלְכוּתroyalty×עֹזstrength×לָבֵשׁto clothe×כָּבוֹדglory×
“gird sword your on a thigh O mighty [one] splendor your and majesty your”
וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃va.ha.da.Re.kha and majesty your H1926 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word means glory, beauty, or majesty, and is used to describe God's splendor and excellence. It appears in descriptions of God's power and glory in the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
glory
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָדָר (hadar) refers to concepts of ornament, splendour, and honour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning magnificence and encompasses beauty, glory, and majesty. The term captures a range of meanings related to excellence and goodliness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָדָר n.m. ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1926 הָדָר ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1926 hadar haw-dawr'

from 1921; magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor:--beauty,

comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour,

majesty.

see HEBREW for 01921

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָדָר (ha.dar) — glory.

1) ornament, splendour, honour

1a) ornament

1b) splendour, majesty

1c) honour, glory

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
הוֹדsplendor×כָּבוֹדglory×גָּאוֹןpride×עֹזstrength×פַּ֫חַדdread×תִּפְאָרָהbeauty×כֹּחַreptile×הֵ֫מָּהthey(masc.)×
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