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Psalms 62:7 — Word Study

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WLCעַל־ אֱ֭לֹהִים יִשְׁעִ֣י וּכְבוֹדִ֑י צוּר־ עֻזִּ֥י מַ֝חְסִ֗י בֵּֽאלֹהִֽים׃

BSArocktsûwr [foundation, refuge]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 62
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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 (Be.lo.Him) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 62:7quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares that his salvation and honor are firmly placed on God, who is his strength and refuge.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing personal trust in God.
Where we areIn a declaration of faith, the psalmist emphasizes reliance on God amidst challenges.
The hard wordעַל־
Take awayGod is both a strong foundation and a place of safety.
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 62:7

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 — Trusting in God as Refugegenerated

6He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
7My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.
8Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
9Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.

Psalms 62:7 expresses the psalmist's deep trust in God as his source of salvation and honor. The surrounding verses reinforce this theme, highlighting God's role as a rock and fortress, and encouraging the people to trust in Him at all times. This psalm reflects a common biblical motif of God as a refuge in times of trouble, as seen in other passages such as Psalm 18:2 and Isaiah 26:4.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 45:25In the LORD all descendants of Israel will be justified and will exult.
2Jeremiah 3:23Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God.
3Jeremiah 9:23–24This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
41 Corinthians 1:30–31It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
5Galatians 6:14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עַל־, 'al-generated

The preposition עַל (*'al*) means 'on' or 'upon', indicating a position of reliance or responsibility. It implies a strong connection between the subject and the object, suggesting that the psalmist's salvation and honor are firmly anchored in God.

This word is used extensively in Hebrew, and its meanings can extend to include accountability and support. In this context, it emphasizes that the psalmist's confidence in his salvation and honor is not self-derived but is placed squarely upon God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is translated in the Berean Standard Bible as well as the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE, all agreeing on the essential meaning of the psalmist's reliance on God for salvation and honor.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause centers on the finite verb 'rest', which governs the phrases that describe the psalmist's salvation and honor. The structure emphasizes the relationship between the psalmist and God, with the prepositional phrases indicating the source of his strength and refuge.

The syntax highlights the psalmist's declaration of faith, with the noun phrases detailing what rests on God: salvation and honor, both of which are foundational to his identity and security.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word עַל is translated as ὅτι (*hoti*), which conveys a sense of cause or reason. This choice suggests a slight shift in focus from mere placement to the rationale behind the psalmist's trust in God.

The translation reflects a broader interpretation of the psalmist's reliance, emphasizing the underlying reasons for his faith in God as his rock and refuge.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 62:7 tells us that the psalmist places his salvation and honor on God, whom he describes as his strong rock and refuge. This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God for safety and strength in difficult times.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that my salvation rests on God?

It means that the psalmist recognizes God as the source of his deliverance and victory, trusting Him completely for safety and honor.

How does God serve as a refuge?

God is portrayed as a place of safety and protection, where one can find shelter from life's dangers and challenges.

Why is the imagery of a rock significant?

The imagery of a rock conveys strength, stability, and reliability, indicating that God is a firm foundation for the psalmist's faith.

What can we learn from this verse about trust in God?

This verse teaches that placing our trust in God as our source of strength and refuge is essential for spiritual security and peace.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to trust God more fully for my salvation and honor?
  2. How can I remind myself daily that God is my refuge and strength?
  3. What does it mean to me personally that God is described as a rock?
  4. How can I encourage others to find their refuge in God?

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

The early church father Augustine of Hippo quotes this verse to emphasize the dual aspects of salvation and glory found in God.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 62 354–430
"In God is my salvation and my glory" [Psalms 62:7]. Saved I shall be in God, glorious I shall be in God: for not only saved, but also glorious, saved,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 62 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 62:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

In God [is] my salvation,.... Or "upon God" (h); he that is God over all has took it upon him to save me; he is the author of salvation to me; and it is in him safe and secure, and I shall be saved

Read John Gill on Psalms 62 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. -From the enemy he turns to God, urging his own soul, as well as others, to wait only upon him. Verse 5,6.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 62 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In God, Heb. upon or with God. It depends upon him and his favour and help. My glory; either, 1. The manner of my glorying. Or, 2. That honour which I either have or hope for.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 62 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 62:7 In God [is] my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God.Ver. 7. In God is my salvation and my glory, &c.] By these many adjuncts and attributions David helpeth his faith, and quelleth the commotions of his headstrong affections. See Psalms 18:2.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 62 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) In God.—Literally, upon God, as in Psalms 7:10.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 62 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. In God is my salvation] עי אלהים al Elohim, "Upon God is my salvation;" he has taken it upon himself. And my glory - the preservation of my state, and the safety of my kingdom.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 62 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. In God] R.V., With God, lit, upon God (cp. Psalms 7:10, note). It rests with God to deliver him and defend his honour;—his personal reputation and (if the speaker is David) his royal dignity. See Psalms 4:2, note. is in God] Or, consists in God, is God (Psalms 62:6; Psalms 62:8). Cp. Isaiah 26:4.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 62 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In God is my salvation - See Psalms 62:1. That is, his salvation, his safety, his anticipated deliverance, was to come only from God.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 62 →

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

My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.

NETBNew English Translation2006

God delivers me and exalts me; God is my strong protector and my shelter.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

With God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

RVARevised Version, American1894

With God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

In God is my saluation and my glory, the rocke of my strength: in God is my trust.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

With God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

On God [is] my salvation, and my honour, The rock of my strength, my refuge [is] in God.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

On God [is] my salvation, and my glory, || The rock of my strength, my refuge [is] in God.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(62:8) With God are my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength [and] my protection are in God.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

With God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength and my refuge are in God.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

My salvation and my success come from God alone; God is my security and my protection.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

In God is my salvation, and my glory; the Rock of my strength, and my safe place.

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · predicateעַל[is].onאֱ֭לֹהִיםGodnoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseיִשְׁעִ֣salvationיmyוּandnoun phraseכְבוֹדִ֑honorיmyclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseצוּרthe.rocknoun phraseעֻזִּ֥my.strengthיmynoun phraseמַ֝חְסִ֗refugeיmyprepositional phrase · predicateבֵּֽ[is].inאלֹהִֽיםGod

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 largely agree in their wording of עַל־ אֱ֭לֹהִים יִשְׁעִ֣י וּכְבוֹדִ֑י צוּר־ עֻזִּ֥י מַ֝חְסִ֗י בֵּֽאלֹהִֽים׃, with only minor differences in word order and articles that do not affect the overall meaning.

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

עַל־ אֱ֭לֹהִים יִשְׁעִ֣י וּכְבוֹדִ֑י צוּר־ עֻזִּ֥י מַ֝חְסִ֗י בֵּֽאלֹהִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
עַל־ὅτιאֱ֭לֹהִיםαὐτὸςיִשְׁעִ֣יμουוּכְבוֹדִ֑יμουצוּר־ἀντιλήμπτωρעֻזִּ֥יοὐמַ֝חְסִ֗יμεταναστεύσω

7 of the 8 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 62:7עַל[is] on[is] onעַלאֱלֹהִיםGodGodאֱלֹהִיםיֵ֫שַׁעsalvation msalvation myיֵ֫שַׁעכָּבוֹדand honor mand honor myכָּבוֹדצוּר[the] rock [the] rock ofצוּרעֹזstrength mystrength myעֹזמַחְסֶּהrefuge myrefuge myמַחְסֶּהאֱלֹהִים[is] in God[is] in Godאֱלֹהִיםאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּיָשַׁעto saveto saveיָשַׁעכָּבֵדto honor: to honor: honouכָּבֵדצוּרto confineto confineצוּרעָזַזbe strongbe strongעָזַזחָסָהto seek reto seek refugeחָסָהעַלheightheightעַלאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹןכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאצוּרrockrockצוּרמָגֵןshieldshieldמָגֵןעֹ֫שֶׁרrichesrichesעֹ֫שֶׁרהָדָרglorygloryהָדָרעֹרֵבOrebOrebעֹרֵבבִּלְעֲדֵיbesidebesideבִּלְעֲדֵימַחְסֶּהrefugerefugeמַחְסֶּה
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 62:7

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.

[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
עַל־'al- [is] 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
HR — 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
[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
אֱ֭לֹהִים'E.lo.Him God H430 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

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

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

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

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

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

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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

[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
יִשְׁעִ֣יyish.'I salvation my H3468 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to salvation or deliverance, like in Psalm 119:123 where the writer asks for salvation from God, and can also mean prosperity or victory.
Tyndale gloss
salvation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֵ֫שַׁע (yesha`) refers to concepts of deliverance, rescue, and salvation, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. It also includes ideas of safety, welfare, and prosperity. The entries consistently emphasize its use in contexts of divine rescue and victory.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֵ֫שַׁע n.m. deliverance, rescue, salvation, also safety, welfare

safety, welfare, prosperity

salvation, i.e. primarily physical rescue, by God, oft. with added spiritual idea

victory

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3468 יֵ֫שַׁע deliverance, rescue, salvation, also safety, welfare . safety, welfare, prosperity

. salvation, i.e. primarily physical rescue, by God, oft. with added spiritual idea

. victory

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3468 yesha` yeh'-shah

or yeshai {yay'-shah}; from 3467; liberty, deliverance,

prosperity:--safety, salvation, saving.

see HEBREW for 03467

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֵ֫שַׁע (ye.sah) — salvation.

1) deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare

1a) safety, welfare, prosperity

1b) salvation

1c) victory

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
וּכְבוֹדִ֑יu.khe.vo.Di and honor my H3519 Conjunction · noun common both singular construct · suffix
200× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.
Tyndale gloss
glory
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory

abundance, riches

honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

honour, dignity of position

honour, reputation, of character

my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man

honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one

glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches

. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

. honour, dignity of position

. honour, reputation, of character

. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man

. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one

. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3519 kabowd kaw-bode'

rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but

only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or

copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).

see HEBREW for 03513

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.

1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance

1a) abundance, riches

1b) honour, splendour, glory

1c) honour, dignity

1d) honour, reputation

1e) honour, reverence, glory

1f) glory

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncbsc/Sp1ms — Conjunction · noun common both singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncbsc/Sp1ms
[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
צוּר־tzur- [the] rock of H6697 Noun common · masculine singular construct
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A rock or boulder, often used to describe God as a refuge, like in Psalm 18:2.
Amplified meaning
foundation, refuge
Tyndale gloss
rock
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צוּר (tsur) means rock or cliff, often referring to a sharp rock or boulder. It can also signify a refuge or an edge, and is used in various contexts, including references to God as a rock. The word is built from the root associated with strong, compressed formations, and it appears in different forms, such as in the phrase 'rock of God.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צוּר n.m. rock, cliff

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6697 צוּר rock, cliff

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6697 tsuwr tsoor

or tsur {tsoor}; from 6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock,

as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a

refuge; also an edge (as precipitous):--edge, X (mighty) God

(one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong. See also

1049.

see HEBREW for 06696

see HEBREW for 01049

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צוּר (tsur) — Rocks (of Goats).

Combined with ya.el (יָעֵל "Wildgoats'" H3277)

This name means rock, cliff

צוּר (tsur) — rock.

1) rock, cliff

1a) rocky wall, cliff

1b) rock (with flat surface)

1c) block of stone, boulder

1d) rock (specific)

1e) rock (of God)

1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei

1g) Rock

Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
עֻזִּ֥י'u.Zi strength my H5797 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
92× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes strength or might, including physical power, social status, or boldness, like the strength of God or a strong leader.
Tyndale gloss
strength
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might

material and physical

personal, social, and political

might of י׳

= boldness, impudence

= stronghold

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical

. personal, social, and political

. might of י׳

. = boldness, impudence

. = stronghold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5797 `oz oze

or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various

applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,

loud, might, power, strength, strong.

see HEBREW for 05810

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹז (oz) — strength.

1) might, strength

1a) material or physical

1b) personal or social or political

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
מַ֝חְסִ֗יmach.Si refuge my H4268 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a safe place to go, like a shelter from a storm. It appears in the Bible as a place of hope and trust, where people can find refuge from danger. In Psalm 71:3, God is called a rock of refuge.
Tyndale gloss
refuge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַחְסֶּה (machaceh) refers to a refuge or shelter, both literally and figuratively. It conveys meanings of protection from danger or storms, and can also imply a place of trust or hope. The word is derived from a root meaning to cover or protect, and is used in contexts that emphasize safety.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַחְסֶּה n.m. refuge, shelter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4268 מַחְסֶּה refuge, shelter

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4268 machaceh makh-as-eh'

or machceh {makh-seh'}; from 2620; a shelter (literally or

figuratively):--hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.

see HEBREW for 02620

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַחְסֶּה (ma.cha.seh) — refuge.

1) refuge, shelter

1a) from rain or storm, from danger

1b) of falsehood

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
[is] on God salvation my and honor my [the] rock of strength my refuge my [is] in God
בֵּֽאלֹהִֽים׃Be.lo.Him [is] in God H430 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
2,603× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
God
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.

pl. in number.

rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

angels

gods

pl. intensive

god or goddess

godlike one

works of God, or things belongng to him

God

הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

אֱלֹהִים = God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels

. angels

. gods

. pl. intensive . god or goddess

. godlike one

. works of God, or things belongng to him

. God

. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God

. אֱלֹהִים = God

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

430 'elohiym el-o-heem'

plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically

used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the

supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to

magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X

exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X

mighty.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.

This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.

Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

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

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

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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

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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