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Psalms 6:1 — Word Study

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WLCיְֽהוָ֗ה אַל־ בְּאַפְּךָ֥ תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי וְֽאַל־ בַּחֲמָתְךָ֥ תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃

BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach With stringed instrumentsnᵉgîynâh according toʻal Sheminithshᵉmîynîyth A Psalmmizmôwr of DavidDâvid

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 6
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 (te.ya.se.Re.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 6:1quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist pleads with the LORD not to rebuke or discipline him in anger.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing God directly.
Where we areA personal lament, seeking mercy amid distress.
The hard wordתוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי
Take awayThe plea for mercy is central to the psalm.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause 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 6:1

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 — A Lament for Mercygenerated

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
2Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.
3My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?
4Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.

Psalm 6:1 expresses a deep plea for mercy from the LORD, as the psalmist feels the weight of God's anger and seeks relief from suffering. This verse introduces a series of personal laments where the psalmist acknowledges his frailty and distress, asking for healing and deliverance in subsequent verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 4:1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.
2Psalm 12:1Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
31 Chronicles 15:21And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.
4Psalm 2:5Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
5Psalm 38:1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

A. M. 2970. B.C. 1034. NeginothPsalm 4:1

The Key Word תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי, to.khi.Che.nigenerated

The verb תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי (to.khi.Che.ni) is in the Hiphil form, indicating an action of rebuke or correction. It suggests not just a reprimand but a deeper engagement with the psalmist's faults, as it is directed at the second person, God.

This word encapsulates the tension between divine correction and the psalmist's desire for mercy. The psalmist's request highlights the fear of divine anger while simultaneously seeking a relationship with God that includes correction and guidance.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses rebuke and discipline for תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי and תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי, respectively.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of a main clause, יְֽהוָ֗ה (O LORD), followed by two subordinate clauses that express the psalmist's requests: one for rebuke and the other for discipline. This structure emphasizes the psalmist's direct appeal to God.

The Hebrew word order places the requests for mercy prominently, indicating the urgency and intensity of the psalmist's plea.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי as ἐλέγξῃς (you shall reprove), which carries a similar meaning of correction but may imply a more judicial aspect of reproof.

This choice indicates a nuanced understanding of God's corrective role, aligning with the broader themes of divine justice and mercy found in the LXX.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 6:1 is a plea to the LORD not to rebuke or discipline the psalmist in His anger. The psalmist expresses a deep need for mercy and healing, acknowledging his frailty and distress.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by asking not to be rebuked in anger?

The psalmist is expressing a fear of God's correction and seeks mercy instead of punishment.

Why does the psalmist refer to God's anger?

The reference to God's anger highlights the seriousness of the psalmist's situation and the need for divine mercy.

What is the significance of the psalmist's plea for discipline?

The plea for discipline indicates a desire for correction and guidance rather than outright punishment.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the psalm?

This verse sets the tone for the psalm, establishing the psalmist's vulnerability and need for God's mercy amid distress.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I seek God's mercy in my own life?
  2. How can I better understand the balance between God's correction and His love?
  3. What does it mean to me to ask for discipline rather than punishment from God?
  4. How can I express my own laments and pleas for mercy in prayer?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on the nature of God's anger and correction as seen in this verse, providing theological insights into divine discipline.

Origen of AlexandriaAGAINST CELSUS 4:72 c. 185–253
When we speak of God’s wrath, we do not hold that it is an emotional reaction on his part but something that he uses in order to correct by stern methods those who have committed many terrible sins.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 6 →
John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 6:1 c. 347–407
When you hear of anger and rage in God’s case, do not get the idea of anything typical of human beings; the words, you see, arise from considerateness. The divine nature, after all, is free of all these passions.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 6 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 6 354–430
In fear of which condemnation the Church prays in this Psalm, and says, "Reprove me not, O Lord, in Your anger" [Psalms 6:1].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 6 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 6:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, The Lord sometimes rebukes or reproves men by his spirit, and sometimes by his word and ministers, and sometimes by his providences, and that on account of sin;

Read John Gill on Psalms 6 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Title.-See the note on Title of Psa 4:1-8. Upon Sheminith - [feminine of Shªmiyniyt (H8067)], the eighth (Exodus 22:30).

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 6 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Psalms 6 Neginoth; of which See Poole "". Upon Sheminith; or, upon the eighth. It is thought to be the shrillest or loftiest note, as alamoth is the lowest; of which see ,21; and, as some add, Muth-labben, Psalms 9$, the mean. But all this is only conjecture; and the Jews themselves have no certain knowledge of their own ancient music, and of the signification of the terms belonging to it. A Psalm of David: the occasion of the Psalm seems plainly to have been some grievous distress or disease of the body then upon him, accompanied also with great trouble of conscience for his sins, whereby he had brought it upon himself. David, being very weak and feeble, presenteth his misery before God…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 6 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 6:1 « To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. » O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.To the chief Musician on Neginoth] Upon Sheminith] Or, upon the eight, i.e. Intentissimo sono et clarissima voce, to be sung aloud. An eight is the highest note in music. See 1 Chronicles 15:21. Others say, that hereby is meant the bass and tenor, as fittest for a mourner. Ver. 1. O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger] In this and some other psalms David begins so heavily, ends so merrily, that one might think they had been composed by two men of a contrary humour, as Merlin observeth. Every new man is two men, Romans 7:9-25 The…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 6 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) O Lord, rebuke me not.—Repeated with change of one word in Psalms 38:1. The sublime thought that pain and sorrow are a discipline of love might be found in these words (as in Psalms 94:12; Proverbs 3:11-12; Jeremiah 10:24; Hebrews 12:3; Hebrews 12:11; Revelation 3:19), did not the context show that the sufferer in this case is praying for the chastisement to be altogether removed.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 6 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

PSALM VI This Psalm contains a deprecation of eternal vengeance, 1; a petition to God for mercy, 2. This is enforced from a consideration of the psalmist's sufferings, 3; from that of the Divine mercy, 4; from that of the praise and glory which God would fail to receive if man were destroyed, 5; from that of his humiliation and contrition, 6, 7. Being successful in his supplication, he exults in God, 8, 9; and predicts the downfall of all his enemies, 10. NOTES ON PSALM VI This Psalm has the following inscription: To the chief Musician on Neginoth, upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David; which the Chaldee translates, "To be sung on neginoth, a harp of eight strings." The various interpretations…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–3. The Psalmist pleads for mercy, deprecating the severity of God’s visitation.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 6 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger - As if God was rebuking him by the affliction which he was bringing upon him. This is the point on which the attention of the psalmist is now fixed.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 6 →

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

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

O Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

RVARevised Version, American1894

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

To him that excelleth on Neginoth upon the eith tune. A Psalme of Dauid. O lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chastise me in thy wrath.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, and chasten me not in thy hot displeasure.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

To the Overseer with stringed instruments, on the octave. — A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, in Thine anger reprove me not, Nor in Thy fury chastise me.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

TO THE OVERSEER. WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, ON THE EIGHTH. A PSALM OF DAVID. O YHWH, do not reprove me in Your anger, || Nor discipline me in Your fury.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

“To the chief musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, a psalm of David.” (6:2) O Lord, correct me not in thy anger, and chastise me not in thy wrath.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Unto the end, in verses, a psalm for David, for the octave.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Lord, please don't condemn me because you're angry with me; please don't punish me because you're angry with me!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

O Lord, do not be bitter with me in your wrath; do not send punishment on me in the heat of your passion.

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.

clauseclauseיְֽהוָ֗הO.Yahwehclauseclauseadverbialאַלdo.notprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseאַפְּangerךָ֥yourverbתוֹכִיחֵ֑rebukeobjectנִיmeוְֽandclauseadverbialאַלdo.notprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phraseחֲמָתְwrathךָ֥yourverbתְיַסְּרֵֽdisciplineobjectנִיme

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads: יְֽהוָ֗ה אַל־ בְּאַפְּךָ֥ תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי וְֽאַל־ בַּחֲמָתְךָ֥ תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃. The Septuagint matches five of the seven words closely, while the Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that align with the MT but are incomplete.

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

יְֽהוָ֗ה אַל־ בְּאַפְּךָ֥ תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי וְֽאַל־ בַּחֲמָתְךָ֥ תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יְֽהוָ֗הεἰςבְּאַפְּךָ֥ὑπὲρתוֹכִיחֵ֑נִיὀγδόηςוְֽאַל־τῷבַּחֲמָתְךָ֥δαυιδ

5 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.

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

[למנצח] [בנגינות] [על] [השמינית] [מזמור] [לדוד]

6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 6 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q98ba copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[למנצח] בנגינות [על] [השמינית] [מזמור] [לדוד]

6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 5 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.

Psalms 6:1יהוהO YahwehO Yahwehיהוהאַלmay notmay notאַלאַףin anger yoin anger yourאַףיָכַחyou rebuke you rebuke meיָכַחאַלand may notand may notאַלחֵמָהin wrath yoin wrath yourחֵמָהיָסַרyou disciplyou discipline יָסַרהָיָהto beto beהָיָהלֹאnotnotלֹאאָנֵףbe angrybe angryאָנֵףיָחַםto conceivto conceiveיָחַםחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאאָרֵךְslowslowאָרֵךְחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןלִיץto mockto mockלִיץנָתַךְto pourto pourנָתַךְקִנְאָהjealousyjealousyקִנְאָהשׁוֹטwhipwhipשׁוֹט
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 6:1

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 Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
יְֽהוָ֗הYah.weh O Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
בְּאַפְּךָ֥be.'a.pe.Kha in anger your H639 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
276× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַף (aph) primarily means nostril or nose, but it also refers to the face and is often associated with anger. It can denote a person's countenance or expressions of ire. The entries highlight its connection to rapid breathing in passionate states, indicating its use in contexts of anger or wrath.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַף 277 n.m. nostril, nose, face, anger

nostril, as organ of breathing

Dn. face

mostly anger

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H639 אַף nostril, nose, face, anger

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

639 'aph af

from 599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and

occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in

passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, +

forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril,

snout, X worthy, wrath.

see HEBREW for 0599

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַף (aph) — face: anger.

: anger

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

אַף (aph) — face: nose.

: nose

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

אַף (aph) — face.

: face

1) nostril, nose, face

2) anger

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִיto.khi.Che.ni you rebuke me H3198 Verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
59× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to rebuke or correct, and is used in the Bible to describe arguing, judging, or convincing someone of their wrongdoings. It is seen in the KJV translation as rebuke or reprove. The word is used in various forms, including to describe God's correction of his people.
Tyndale gloss
to rebuke
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָכַח (yakach) is a primitive root that encompasses a range of meanings related to judgment and correction, including to decide, prove, and rebuke. It appears in various forms, such as Hiphil for active judgment and Niphal for reasoning together. Notably, it conveys ideas of justification and argumentation, with some entries referencing the concept of being chastened.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָכַח] vb. Hiph. decide, adjudge, prove

Hiph.

decide, judge

adjudge, appoint

shew to be right, prove

convince, convict

reprove, chide

correct, rebuke

Hoph. he is chastened also with pain

Niph. come now and let us reason together; there an upright man might reason with him; and thou art set right, righted, justified

Hithp. with Israel he will argue

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3198 יָכַח Hiph. decide, adjudge, prove . . decide, judge

. adjudge, appoint

. shew to be right, prove

. convince, convict

. reprove, chide

. correct, rebuke

. he is chastened also with pain

. come now and let us reason together; there an upright man might reason with him; and thou art set right, righted, justified

. with Israel he will argue

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3198 yakach yaw-kahh'

a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to

argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict:--appoint,

argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute,

judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke,

reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָכַח (ya.khach) — to rebuke.

1) to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to decide, judge

1a2) to adjudge, appoint

1a3) to show to be right, prove

1a4) to convince, convict

1a5) to reprove, chide

1a6) to correct, rebuke

1b) (Hophal) to be chastened

1c) (Niphal) to reason, reason together

1d) (Hithp) to argue

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhi2ms/Sp1bs — Verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singular · suffix
HVhi2ms/Sp1bs
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
וְֽאַל־ve.'al- and may not H408 Conjunction · particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Tn — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
בַּחֲמָתְךָ֥ba.cha.ma.te.Kha in wrath your H2534 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
125× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Tyndale gloss
rage
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֵמָה (*chemah*) primarily means heat and rage, encompassing concepts like fever, poison, and burning anger. It can refer to human anger as well as divine wrath, and is noted in Daniel's vision. The entries highlight its figurative use related to intense emotions and reactions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵמָה, (once חֵמָא) 121 n.f. heat, rage

heat:

fever

venom, poison

burning anger, rage:

of man

of the he-goat in Daniel's vision

of God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2534 חֵמָה, (once חֵמָא) heat, rage . heat: . fever

. venom, poison

. burning anger, rage: . of man

. of the he-goat in Daniel's vision

. of God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2534 chemah khay-maw'

or (Dan. 11:44) chemaC {khay-maw'}; from 3179; heat;

figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever):--anger, bottles,

hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison,

rage, wrath(- ful). See 2529.

see HEBREW for 03179

see HEBREW for 02529

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵמָה (che.mah) — rage.

1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles

1a) heat

1a1) fever

1a2) venom, poison (fig.)

1b) burning anger, rage

Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
O Yahweh may not in anger your you rebuke me and may not in wrath your you discipline me
תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃te.ya.se.Re.ni you discipline me H3256 Verb piel jussive second person masculine singular · suffix
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To discipline or correct someone, often by teaching or punishing them, as seen in Proverbs where parents are told to instruct their children. This word is used to describe God's correction of his people.
Tyndale gloss
to discipline
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָסַר (yacar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discipline or chasten. It encompasses a range of actions including instructing, correcting, and admonishing, with nuances depending on the grammatical form used. The entries indicate that it can involve both physical punishment and verbal instruction, with various forms expressing different aspects of correction and teaching.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָסַר] vb. discipline, chasten, admonish

Qal

admonish

instruct

discipline

Niph. let oneself be corrected, admonished

Pi.

discipline, correct (the moral nature, with more or less severity acc. to circumstances)

more severely, chasten, chastise

Nithp. pass. be disciplined, corrected

Hiph. chasten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3256 [יָסַר] discipline, chasten, admonish

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3256 yacar yaw-sar'

a primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or

figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct:--bind, chasten,

chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore,

teach.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָסַר (ya.sar) — to discipline.

1) to chasten, discipline, instruct, admonish

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to chasten, admonish

1a2) to instruct

1a3) to discipline

1b) (Niphal) to let oneself be chastened or corrected or admonished

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to discipline, correct

1c2) to chasten, chastise

1d) (Hiphil) to chasten

1e) (Nithpael) to teach

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVpj2ms/Sp1bs — Verb piel jussive second person masculine singular · suffix
HVpj2ms/Sp1bs
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.

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