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Psalms 62:9 — Word Study

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WLCאַ֤ךְ׀ הֶ֥בֶל בְּנֵֽי־ אָדָם֮ כָּזָ֪ב בְּנֵ֫י אִ֥ישׁ בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִם לַעֲל֑וֹת הֵ֝֗מָּה מֵהֶ֥בֶל יָֽחַד׃

BSAto trustbâṭach allkôl timeʻêth Amawʻam to pourshâphak facepânîym heartlêbâb Godʼĕlôhîym refugemachăçeh Selahçelâh

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 62
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 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 (Ya.chad) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 62:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist reflects on the fleeting nature of human status, comparing lowborn men to vapor and the exalted to lies.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing the people with a message about trust and the nature of humanity.
Where we areIn the context of a meditation on trust in God, contrasting human frailty with divine strength.
The hard wordהֶ֥בֶל
Take awayHuman status is transient; only trust in God remains.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectלֵבָב 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 62:9

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 Amidst Human Frailtygenerated

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.
10Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
11God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God,

Psalm 62:9 emphasizes the transitory nature of human existence and status, illustrating that both lowborn men and the exalted are ultimately insubstantial. The psalmist encourages the people to trust in God, who is a refuge, contrasting the fleeting nature of human life with the eternal nature of divine strength. This theme of reliance on God resonates throughout the psalm, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 39:5–11You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah
21 Samuel 18:5–7So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.
31 Samuel 23:12–19So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.
42 Samuel 15:6Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
5Matthew 21:9The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

The Key Word הֶ֥בֶל, He.velgenerated

The word הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) means 'vapor' or 'breath', conveying the idea of something that is fleeting and insubstantial. It is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating that human life and status are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying.

This noun is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to describe the ephemeral nature of existence, as seen in Ecclesiastes. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, emphasizing its role in the verse as a descriptor of lowborn men.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb governing the verse is עֲל֑וֹת, to go up, which connects the subjects of lowborn men and the exalted, both described in the predicates. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the subjects and their ultimate insignificance.

The verse is structured with two main subjects, בְּנֵי־אָדָם and בְּנֵי אִישׁ, each followed by their respective predicates, illustrating the comparison of human status to vapor and lies.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, הֶ֫בֶל is rendered as ἐπ’, indicating a focus on the fleeting nature of human existence. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the transitory quality of life.

The word כָּזָ֪ב is translated as πᾶσα, which broadens the scope of falsehood, suggesting a more encompassing view of deceit in human nature.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 62:9 compares lowborn men to vapor and the exalted to lies, emphasizing that both are ultimately insubstantial. The psalmist urges the people to trust in God, who is a refuge, contrasting human frailty with divine strength.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by comparing lowborn men to vapor?

The psalmist suggests that lowborn men, like vapor, are fleeting and lack lasting substance, highlighting the transient nature of human existence.

Why are the exalted described as a lie?

The exalted are described as a lie to indicate that their status is often deceptive and unreliable, emphasizing the emptiness of human pride.

What is the significance of weighing on scales in this verse?

Weighing on scales symbolizes the evaluation of human worth, showing that when measured, both lowborn and exalted individuals are ultimately insubstantial.

How does this verse relate to trust in God?

The verse encourages the reader to place trust in God rather than in the fleeting nature of human status, reinforcing the idea that only God is a true refuge.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see the fleeting nature of human status in my own life?
  2. How can I remind myself to place my trust in God rather than in the things of this world?
  3. What does it mean to me that both the lowborn and the exalted are ultimately insubstantial?
  4. How can I encourage others to seek refuge in God amidst the pressures of societal status?

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

The early church fathers often referenced this psalm to discuss the nature of human pride and reliance on God, illustrating the contrast between earthly status and divine truth.

Basil of CaesareaHOMILIES ON THE Psalms 21:4 c. 330–379
“But foolish are the sons of people.” The psalmist knew that not all follow his instruction or permit themselves to hope in God, but that they have their hope in the follies of life.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 62 →
Basil of CaesareaHOMILY ON DETACHMENT 21 c. 330–379
Thus, no one is able to see the perilous traps before he falls into them. In the same way, Satan, hostile to us from the beginning,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 62 →
Basil of CaesareaHOMILIES ON THE Psalms 21:5 c. 330–379
Then he brings up a decision for all that was said, not now from his own words but one that he heard from God. “God has spoken once, these two things have I heard,” he says.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 62 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 62:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Surely men of low degree [are] vanity,.... Or "sons of Adam" (i); of the earthly man; of fallen Adam; one of his immediate sons was called Hebel, "vanity"; and it is true of all his sons; but here it

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

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

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

Vanity, i.e. most vain, impotent, and helpless creatures in themselves. This he delivers as a reason or argument to enforce his foregoing exhortation; trust in God, because there is no other person or thing to which you can safely trust. A lie, because they promise much, and raise men’ s expectations upon consideration of their great power and dignity, but are not able to perform, and generally deceive those who trust in them; in which respect lying is ascribed to a fountain, , to wine, , to the olive, , when they do not give what they promise.

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

Psalms 62:9 Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.Ver. 9. Surely men of low degree are vanity] Man is a depending creature, and, like the vine, must have somewhat to lean upon; apt he is to leave God, and cleave to the creature, to make either men or means his refuge; David therefore dehorteth from both, in this and the next verse showing that men of what degree soever are in nowise to be confided in. The word rendered vanity denoteth a vain light thing, such as is the breath of one’ s mouth or a bubble on the water Men of high degree are a lie] There is no more truth nor assurance…

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

(9) Are vanity.—Or, mere breath.To be laid in the balance.—Literally, in the balances to go up, which may mean in the scales they must go up, i.e., kick the beam. But a slight change in one letter gives the more probable, when weighed in the scales.

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

Verse 9. Men of low degree are vanity] בני אדם beney Adam, which we here translate men of low degree, literally, sons of Adam, are put in opposition to בני איש beney ish, men of high degree, literally, the sons of substance, or children of substantial men. Adam was the name of the first man when formed out of the earth; Ish was his name when united to his wife, and they became one flesh. Before, he was the incomplete man; after, he was the complete man; for it seems, in the sight of God, it requires the male and female to make one complete human being. אנוש enosh is another name given to man, but this concerns him in his low, fallen, wretched estate: it properly signifies weak, poor…

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

9–12. Trust in God, I say, and not in man or in material force. God’s strength and love are the guarantee for the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous.

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

Surely men of low degree are vanity - literally, “vanity are the sons of Adam,” but the word Adam here is used evidently to represent men, or the race.

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

Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Men are nothing but a mere breath; human beings are unreliable. When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: In the balances they will go up; They are together lighter than vanity.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: in the balances they will go up; they are together lighter than vanity.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Yet the children of men are vanitie, the chiefe men are lies: to lay them vpon a balance they are altogether lighter then vanitie.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together [lighter] than vanity.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Only — vanity [are] the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up they than vanity [are] lighter.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Surely vanity the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up || They [are] lighter than a breath.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(62:10) Verily nought are the sons of common men, a lie the sons of the great; they must rise in the balance; they are altogether [lighter] than nought.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Surely men of low standing are vanity, and men of high standing are a lie; they will weigh lightly in the scales; weighed together, they are lighter than nothing.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

My soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Ordinary people are mere breaths, while leaders are just fakes. Put them all together and weigh them on scales and they wouldn't weigh more than air!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Truly men of low birth are nothing, and men of high position are not what they seem; if they are put in the scales together they are less than a breath.

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.

clauseadverbialאַ֤ךְonlypredicateהֶ֥בֶל[are].a.breathnoun phrase · subjectבְּנֵֽי[the].childrenאָדָם֮of.humankindclausepredicateכָּזָ֪ב[are].falsehoodnoun phrase · subjectבְּנֵ֫י[the].childrenאִ֥ישׁof.everyoneclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּin.[the]מֹאזְנַ֥יִםbalancesprepositional phrase · predicateלַtoclauseverbעֲל֑וֹתgo.upclausesubjectהֵ֝֗מָּהtheyprepositional phrase · predicateמֵ[are].moreהֶ֥בֶלthan.a.breathadverbialיָֽחַדtogether

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Psalms 62:9 states that lowborn men are like a vapor and exalted men are a lie, emphasizing their insubstantiality when weighed on scales. The Septuagint, while it matches 11 of the 12 words from the Masoretic Text, presents the text with different word order and articles, indicating a slight variation in interpretation but overall agreement in meaning. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional evidence for this specific verse, so their witness is not applicable here. Overall, the core message remains consistent across these texts, highlighting the transient nature of human status.

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

אַ֤ךְ׀ הֶ֥בֶל בְּנֵֽי־ אָדָם֮ כָּזָ֪ב בְּנֵ֫י אִ֥ישׁ בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִם לַעֲל֑וֹת הֵ֝֗מָּה מֵהֶ֥בֶל יָֽחַד׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַ֤ךְ׀ἐλπίσατεהֶ֥בֶלἐπ’בְּנֵֽי־αὐτόνכָּזָ֪בπᾶσαבְּנֵ֫יσυναγωγὴאִ֥ישׁλαοῦבְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִםἐκξέετεלַעֲל֑וֹתαὐτοῦהֵ֝֗מָּהκαρδίαςמֵהֶ֥בֶלθεὸςיָֽחַד׃βοηθὸς

11 of the 12 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 62:9אַךְonlyonlyאַךְהֶ֫בֶל[are] a bre[are] a breathהֶ֫בֶלבֵּן[the] child[the] children בֵּןאָדָםhumankindhumankindאָדָםכָּזָב[are] false[are] falsehoodכָּזָבבֵּן[the] child[the] children בֵּןאִישׁeveryoneeveryoneאִישׁמאזןin [the] bain [the] balancמאזןעָלָהto go upto go upעָלָההֵ֫מָּהtheytheyהֵ֫מָּההֶ֫בֶל[are] more [are] more thanהֶ֫בֶליַ֫חַדtogethertogetherיַ֫חַדהָבַלto become to become vainהָבַלבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםכָּזַבto lieto lieכָּזַבאָזַןto ponderto ponderאָזַןהֲלַךְto goto goהֲלַךְיָחַדbe joinedbe joinedיָחַדאָכֵןsurelysurelyאָכֵןאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהקֹהֶ֫לֶתpreacherpreacherקֹהֶ֫לֶתרְעוּתlonginglongingרְעוּתעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןרְאוּבֵןReubenReubenרְאוּבֵןמַחְסוֹרneedneedמַחְסוֹרהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלדְּמוּתlikenesslikenessדְּמוּתבְּהֵמָהanimalanimalבְּהֵמָה
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 62:9

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.

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
אַ֤ךְ׀'akh only H389 Adverb
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Tyndale gloss
surely
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

389 'ak ak

akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by

limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,

certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,

save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet

(but).

see HEBREW for 0403

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַךְ (akh) — surely.

1) indeed, surely (emphatic)

2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HD — Adverb
HD
only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
הֶ֥בֶלHe.vel [are] a breath H1892 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Tyndale gloss
vanity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) refers to vapour or breath, and is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word can function as an adverb meaning 'vainly.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' and appears in contexts discussing the fleeting nature of life.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֶ֫בֶל 73 n.m. vapour, breath

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1892 הֶ֫בֶל vapour, breath

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1892 hebel heh'bel

or (rarely in the abs.) habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891;

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and

unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain,

vanity.

see HEBREW for 01891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) — vanity.

1) vapour, breath

1a) breath, vapour

1b) vanity (fig.)

adv

2) vainly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of life Ge 2:7; 7:22; Ac 17:25

→ Of God 2Sa 22:16; Job 4:9; 15:30; 33:4; 37:10; Ps 18:15; 33:6; Isa 30:33

→ FIGURATIVE Eze 37:9

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
בְּנֵֽי־be.nei- [the] children of H1121 Noun common · masculine plural construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
אָדָם֮'a.Dam humankind H120 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
551× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Tyndale gloss
the man (Adam)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind

a man = human being

coll. man, mankind

n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)

n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being

. coll. man, mankind

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

120 'adam aw-dawm'

from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the

species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common

sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָדָם (a.dam) — man.

1) man, mankind

1a) man, human being

1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)

1c) Adam, first man

1d) city in Jordan valley

אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).

The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;

married to Eve (H2332);

father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;

Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)

man, human being

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
כָּזָ֪בka.Zav [are] falsehood H3577 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A lie or falsehood is what this word represents, whether it is a literal untruth or a figurative idol, and is often used to describe the deceitful nature of humanity.
Tyndale gloss
lie
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כָּזָב (kazab) refers to a lie or falsehood, encompassing meanings like deceit and untruth. It is derived from a root that suggests the concept of deception. The entries consistently describe it as a term for falsehood without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּזָב n.m. lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3577 כָּזָב lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3577 kazab kaw-zawb'

from 3576; falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively

(idol):--deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying.

see HEBREW for 03576

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּזָב (ka.zav) — lie.

a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing

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

fols'-hood.

See LYING.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
בְּנֵ֫יbe.Nei [the] children of H1121 Noun common · masculine plural construct
4,943× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Tyndale gloss
son: child
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֵּן 4870 n.m. son

son, male child, born of a woman

children (male and female)

youth, young men

the young of animals

of plant shoots

fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

member of a guild, order or class

of animals son of (the) herd

ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

n. relat. of age

base

בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman

. children (male and female)

. youth, young men

. the young of animals

. of plant shoots

. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows

. . member of a guild, order or class

. of animals son of (the) herd

. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.

. n. relat. of age

H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1121 ben bane

from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the

widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,

including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,

etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)

(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,

(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,

bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X

came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of

first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +

kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)

people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +

spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous

one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 0251

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֵּן (ben) — son: child.

: child/son

בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;

son of: Jaaziah (H3269);

brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)

§ Beno = "his son"

the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)

בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.

: descendant, people, tribe, nation

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : child/son

בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.

: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : descendant

בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.

: rebel/son(Belial)

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

§ : people/men/nation/tribe

בֵּן (ben) — son.

: [inheriting]son/heir

A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.

: warrior/son(strong)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
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…

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
אִ֥ישׁ'ish everyone H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִםbe.mo.ze.Na.yim in [the] balances H3976 Preposition · noun common masculine dual absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a pair of scales used for weighing, like the ones in the book of Leviticus. It symbolizes fairness and justice. The prophet Daniel also used scales in his visions.
Tyndale gloss
balance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מֹאזֵן (mo'zen) refers to balances or scales, specifically in the dual form, indicating a pair. The term is linked to the root word for 'to weigh' and has an Aramaic equivalent. Its usage is consistent across the entries, focusing on the concept of weighing or measuring.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מאזן] n.[m.]du. balances, scales

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3976 [מאזן] balances, scales

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3976 mo'zen mo-zane'

from 239; (only in the dual) a pair of scales: -balances.

see HEBREW for 0239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֹאזֵן (mo.zen) — balance.

scales, balances

Aramaic equivalent: mo.zen (מֹאזֵנְיָא "scale" H3977)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmda — Preposition · noun common masculine dual absolute
HR/Ncmda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

Reference to balances is found in (Leviticus 19:36) They were in common use, gold and silver being paid out and received by weight. Reference is also made in (Micah 6:11; Hosea 12:7) to the dishonest practice of buying by heavier and selling by lighter weights.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Used for weighing Job 31:6; Isa 40:12,15; Eze 5:1

→ Money weighed with Isa 46:6; Jer 32:10

→ Must be just Le 19:36; Pr 16:11

→ False balance used Ho 12:7; Am 8:5; Mic 6:11

→ An abomination Pr 11:1; 20:23

→ FIGURATIVE

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
לַעֲל֑וֹתla.'a.Lot to go up H5927 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
890× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Tyndale gloss
to ascend: rise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָלָה (alah) means 'to ascend' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including going up, climbing, and rising in various contexts such as personal, natural, and spiritual. It can refer to actions involving people, animals, vegetation, and even thoughts, and includes nuances of being exalted or offering sacrifices. The word is built from a primitive root and appears in various grammatical forms, indicating different aspects of ascent or elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָלָה 890 vb. go up, ascend, climb

Qal

of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

go up, in personal relations

of animals, go or come up

of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

of natural phenom., go up, rise

of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

of thoughts

come up before God, arrogance

go up, extend, of boundary

excel

Niph.

be brought up

be taken up

pass., be taken up, away

reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

reflex.: take oneself away

be exalted, of God

Hiph.

bring up persons

in personal relations

bring up animals

cause to ascend

mentally

offer a present; bring up tithe to

exalt

cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

Hoph.

be carried away

be taken up into, inserted in

be offered

Hithp. lift oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5927 עָלָה go up, ascend, climb .. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

. go up, in personal relations

. of animals, go or come up

. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

. of natural phenom., go up, rise

. of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

. of thoughts

. come up before God, arrogance

. go up, extend, of boundary

. excel

. . . be brought up

. be taken up

. . pass., be taken up, away

. reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

. reflex.: take oneself away

. be exalted, of God

. . bring up persons

. in personal relations

. bring up animals

. cause to ascend

. mentally

. offer a present; bring up tithe to

. exalt

. cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

. . be carried away

. be taken up into, inserted in

. be offered

. lift oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5927 `alah aw-law'

a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or

actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary

and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow):--arise

(up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up),

bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb

(up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart,

exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up);

grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light,

(make) up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect,

prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise

(up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring

(up), stir up, take away (up), work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלָה (a.lah) — to ascend: rise.

: rise/go

1) to go up, ascend, climb

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go up, ascend

1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat

1a3) to go up, come up (of animals)

1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)

1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)

1a6) to come up (before God)

1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)

1a8) to excel, be superior to

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away

1b2) to take oneself away

1b3) to be exalted

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up

1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away

1c3) to bring up, draw up, train

1c4) to cause to ascend

1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally)

1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts)

1c7) to exalt

1c8) to cause to ascend, offer

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be carried away, be led up

1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in

1d3) to be offered

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
הֵ֝֗מָּהHe.mah they H1992 Pronoun
553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
they(masc.)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp3mp — Pronoun
HPp3mp
only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
מֵהֶ֥בֶלme.He.vel [are] more than a breath H1892 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
73× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Tyndale gloss
vanity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֶ֫בֶל (hevel) refers to vapour or breath, and is often associated with concepts of emptiness or vanity, indicating something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word can function as an adverb meaning 'vainly.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' and appears in contexts discussing the fleeting nature of life.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֶ֫בֶל 73 n.m. vapour, breath

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1892 הֶ֫בֶל vapour, breath

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1892 hebel heh'bel

or (rarely in the abs.) habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891;

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and

unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain,

vanity.

see HEBREW for 01891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) — vanity.

1) vapour, breath

1a) breath, vapour

1b) vanity (fig.)

adv

2) vainly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of life Ge 2:7; 7:22; Ac 17:25

→ Of God 2Sa 22:16; Job 4:9; 15:30; 33:4; 37:10; Ps 18:15; 33:6; Isa 30:33

→ FIGURATIVE Eze 37:9

only [are] a breath [the] children of humankind [are] falsehood [the] children of everyone in [the] balances to go up they [are] more than a breath together
יָֽחַד׃Ya.chad together H3162 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Tyndale gloss
unitedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַ֫חַד (yachad) refers to the concept of unitedness or being together. It can function as a noun meaning 'unitedness' and as an adverb meaning 'together.' The word is built from a root that emphasizes unity and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַ֫חַד 45 n.[m.] unitedness

as subst.

elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

base

יָחְדָּו 92 adv. together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3162a יַ֫חַד unitedness . as subst.

. elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together

H3162b יָחְדָּו adv. together

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3162 yachad yakh'-ad

from 3161; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly:--alike,

at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together, withal.

see HEBREW for 03161

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַ֫חַד (ya.chad) — unitedness.

1) union, unitedness

יָחְדָּו (yach.dav) — together.

adv

together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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