Psalms 48:5 — Word Study
WLCהֵ֣מָּה רָ֭אוּ כֵּ֣ן תָּמָ֑הוּ נִבְהֲל֥וּ נֶחְפָּֽזוּ׃
BSAforkîy beholdhinnêh King'smelek to appointyâʻad to passʻâbar unitednessyachad
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֵ֣מָּה | they | Pronoun |
| רָ֭אוּ | they saw | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| כֵּ֣ן | thus | Adverb |
| תָּמָ֑הוּ | they were astonished | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| נִבְהֲל֥וּ | they were terrified | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person common plural |
| נֶחְפָּֽזוּ׃ | they hurried away | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person common plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror. |
| KJV | They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. |
| ASV | They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away. |
| YLT | They have seen — so they have marvelled, They have been troubled, they were hastened away. |
| WEB | They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away. |
| BBE | They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear. |
Where they part company is תָּמָהוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse features a main action followed by an adverbial phrase and a concluding verb phrase, emphasizing the sequence of seeing, reacting, and fleeing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectכִּי
verbהִנֵּה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 48:5
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 Response of Kings to God's Powergenerated
Psalms 48:5 describes the reaction of kings when they witness God's might. They are astonished and terrified, prompting them to flee. This verse is part of a larger passage that highlights God's protection over Zion and the awe He inspires in the nations. The psalmist emphasizes the contrast between God's strength and human frailty, as seen in the surrounding verses that depict the kings gathering and then succumbing to fear.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 14:25 | He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” |
| 2 | 2 Kings 7:6–7 | For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” |
| 3 | 2 Kings 19:35–37 | And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תָּמָהוּ, ta.Ma.hugenerated
The verb תָּמָהוּ (ta.Ma.hu) means 'to be astonished' or 'amazed.' It conveys a strong emotional response to something extraordinary, often associated with divine acts. The parsing indicates it is a perfect tense verb in the Qal stem, meaning it describes a completed action in the past.
In this context, it captures the kings' reaction to witnessing God's power, emphasizing their astonishment at His might. The emotional weight of this word reflects the profound impact of divine intervention on human observers.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of multiple clauses, with the main action centered around the finite verb רָאוּ, they saw. The structure unfolds as follows: first, the subject הֵ֣מָּה (they) performs the action of seeing, followed by their reaction of astonishment and subsequent flight in terror.
The use of adverbial phrases like כֵּן (thus) adds emphasis to their reaction, linking the sight of God's power directly to their emotional response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תָּמָהוּ as συνήξθησαν (synēchthēsan), which means 'they were gathered together.' This choice indicates a focus on the collective response of the kings rather than the individual emotional state of astonishment.
This translation reflects a broader interpretation of the kings' reaction, emphasizing their unity in fear rather than the personal astonishment highlighted in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 48:5 describes how the kings saw God's power and were amazed, leading them to flee in fear. This reaction highlights the awe that God's might inspires in those who witness it.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means they were deeply amazed and overwhelmed by the display of God's power, leading to a strong emotional response.
Their fear was a reaction to the realization of God's might and the potential consequences of opposing Him.
It illustrates how God's power is a source of strength for His people, causing fear in their adversaries.
We can learn the importance of recognizing God's power and the appropriate response of reverence and awe.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond to the displays of God's power in my own life?
- What does it mean to be astonished by God's actions today?
- In what ways can I encourage others to recognize God's might?
- How can I cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, noting the kings' reaction to God's power as a reflection of human fear in the face of divine might.
This, I say, is man’s real death, when souls that know not God shall be consumed in long-protracted torment with raging fire, into which certain fiercely cruel beings shall cast them,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 48 →
"They saw it, and so they marvelled" [Psalms 48:4]. After their marvelling at the miracles and glory of Christ, what followed? "They were troubled,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 48 →
As he is recognized, the kings of the earth are disturbed.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 48 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 48:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey saw [it],.... Either the city or the power of God, as Aben Ezra; or, as Jarchi, God himself going forth to fight against the nations.
Read John Gill on Psalms 48 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. No sooner had they come within sight of the city than they were panic-stricken.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 48 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey saw it; they did only look upon it, but not come into it, nor shoot an arrow there, — nor cast a bank against it, as is said upon this or the like occasion, . So they marvelled, not so much at the structure or strength of the city, as at the wonderful works wrought by God on their behalf. They were troubled and hasted away: see .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 48 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 48:5 They saw [it, and] so they marvelled; they were troubled, [and] hasted away.Ver. 5. They saw it, and so they marvelled] None of them could say, as Caesar, Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquored, but the contrary; they no sooner saw this heaven guarded city, but their hearts misgave them; and they were ready to say, as that duke of Saxony did, who intending to make war upon the bishop of Magdeburg, and understanding that he made no great preparation for defence of himself and his territories, but sought help from heaven by fasting and prayer, Insaniat alius, said he, God bless me from such a madness as to meddle with a man who confideth in God, and committeth himself wholly…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 48 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) They saw.—A verse like Psalms 46:6, vivid from the omission of the conjunctions, wrongly supplied by the Authorised Version. It has reminded commentators of Caesar’s Veni, vidi, vici.They looked, even so were terrified, bewildered, panic-struck.Hasted away.—Or, sprung up in alarm.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 48 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. They saw; forthwith they were amazed: They were dismayed, they made haste to flee. Caesar’s boast, Veni, vidi, vici, was reversed. They came to Zion, they saw it, they were smitten with panic terror. Cp. Isaiah 33:3.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 48 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey saw it - That is, they looked on it; they contemplated it; they were struck with its beauty and strength, and fled.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 48 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4-8. In this division is noted the destruction of the people’s enemies. The kings were assembled—Pointing to a confederate army and a war council of the chiefs.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 48 →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
They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror.
They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.
They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror.
As soon as they see, they are shocked; they are terrified, they quickly retreat.
Tyndale line
They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away.
They saw it, then were they amazed; they were dismayed, they hasted away.
They saw it , and so they wondered; they were troubled, and hasted away.
When they sawe it, they marueiled: they were astonied, and suddenly driuen backe.
Strictly literal
They saw, — so they marvelled; they were troubled, they fled in consternation:
They have seen — so they have marvelled, They have been troubled, they were hastened away.
They have seen—so they have marveled, || They have been troubled, they were hurried away.
(48:6) They indeed saw—[and] so they were astonished; they were terrified, they were confounded.
They saw it, then they were amazed; they were dismayed, and they hurried away.
From the Latin
I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my proposition on the psaltery.
Simplified
As soon as they saw it they were astonished and ran away terrified.
They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording for this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some variation, with one word on the leather and others restored or supplied by an editor, indicating some textual differences in preservation.
הֵ֣מָּה רָ֭אוּ כֵּ֣ן תָּמָ֑הוּ נִבְהֲל֥וּ נֶחְפָּֽזוּ׃
6 of the 6 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.
[כי] הנה מלכים [נועדו] [עברו] [יחדו]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 48:5
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.
הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.
הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they
base
H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they
1992 hem haym
or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from
1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)
many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,
their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.
see HEBREW for 01981
הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).
they, these, the same, who
HPp3mp — PronounHPp3mp
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
so.
See TOOLS.
Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.
The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'
כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest
right
veritable, true
pl. concr. honest (men)
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
כֵּן adv. so
base
H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so
3651 ken kane
from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as
adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)
rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and
relation; often with other particles):--+ after that
(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be
(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like
(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,
straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,
thus, true, well, X you.
see HEBREW for 03559
כֵּן (ken) — right.
adv
adj
1) right, just, honest, true, veritable
1a) right, just, honest
1b) correct
1c) true, veritable
[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.
adv
forasmuch as, since
כֵּן (ken) — so.
adv
1) so, therefore, thus
1a) thus, so
1b) just so
1c) therefore
1d) so...as (paired with adv)
1e) then
1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)
1g) (with prep)
1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)
1g2) hitherto
1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)
1g4) afterwards
1g5) in such case
Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)
HD — AdverbHD
תָּמַהּ (tamah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be astounded or dumbfounded. It has a primitive root form and encompasses the idea of being amazed or astonished, with a specific usage in the Hithpael form indicating mutual astonishment. The entries consistently highlight its emotional impact, emphasizing a sense of wonder or consternation.
[תָּמַהּ] vb. be astounded, dumbfounded
Qal be astounded
Hithp. + Qal lit. astonish yourselves, be astounded
base
H8539 [תָּמַהּ] be astounded, dumbfounded
8539 tamahh taw-mah'
a primitive root; to be in consternation:--be amazed, be
astonished, marvel(-lously), wonder.
תָּמַהּ (ta.mah) — to astounded.
1) to be astounded, be stunned, be amazed, be dumbfounded
1a) (Qal) to be astounded
1b)(Hithpael) to astonish yourself, be astounded, be astonished at one another
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
בָּהַל (bahal) is a Hebrew verb that conveys a range of meanings related to disturbance and haste. It can mean to be disturbed, terrified, or anxious, as well as to act hastily or make haste. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Niph, Pi, Pu, and Hiph, which reflect different nuances of dismay and urgency.
[בָּהַל] vb.
Niph.
be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
be in haste, hasty
Pi.
dismay, terrify
hasten, make haste, act hastily
Pu. hastened; hastily gained
Hiph.
dismay, terrify
(late) hasten, hurry
base
H926 בָּהַל . . be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
. be in haste, hasty
. . dismay, terrify
. hasten, make haste, act hastily
. hastened; hastily gained
. . dismay, terrify
. (late) hasten, hurry
926 bahal baw-hal'
a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e.
(figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or
agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously:--be (make)
affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make)
haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble,
vex.
בָּהַל (ba.hal) — to dismay.
1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious
1a2) to be in haste, be hasty
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened
1b2) to dismay, terrify
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to hasten
1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.)
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste
1d2) to dismay, terrify
HVNp3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common pluralHVNp3cp
חָפַז (chaphaz) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of hurrying or being in a state of alarm. It can denote a sudden startle or fear, leading to hasty actions, such as fleeing. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating various nuances of urgency and trepidation.
[חָפַז] vb. be in trepidation, hurry, or alarm
Qal be in a hurry or alarm, of hurried flight
Niph. hurry away in alarm
base
H2648 [חָפַז] be in trepidation, hurry, or alarm
2648 chaphaz khaw-faz'
a primitive root; properly, to start up suddenly, i.e. (by
implication) to hasten away, to fear:--(make) haste (away),
tremble.
חָפַז (cha.phaz) — to hurry.
1) to hurry, flee, hasten, fear, be terrified
1a) (Qal) to be in a hurry, be alarmed
1b) (Niphal) to be in a hurry
HVNp3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common pluralHVNp3cp