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Psalms 7:3 — Word Study

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WLCיְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי אִם־ עָשִׂ֣יתִי זֹ֑את אִֽם־ יֶשׁ־ עָ֥וֶל בְּכַפָּֽי׃

BSAlestpên to tearṭâraph lionʼărîy soulnephesh to tearpâraq nothingʼayin to rescuenâtsal

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 7
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (be.kha.Pai) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 7:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist appeals to the LORD, questioning his own innocence in the face of potential injustice.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a personal plea to God.
Where we areA moment of introspection and self-examination in the midst of distress.
The hard wordעָ֥וֶל
Take awayThe psalmist seeks to affirm his integrity before God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאַיִן verbנֶפֶשׁ 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 7:3

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Plea for Justicegenerated

2or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
4if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,
5then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

Psalm 7:3 presents a heartfelt appeal from the psalmist to the LORD, questioning his own actions and seeking divine justice. This verse is part of a larger context where the psalmist is expressing concern over potential false accusations and the moral implications of his actions. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the psalmist's desire for vindication and protection from his enemies, as seen in verses 4 and 5.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 59:3See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
2Joshua 22:22“The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
31 Samuel 20:8Therefore deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”
41 Samuel 22:8–13Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”
51 Samuel 24:9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

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


The Key Word יְהוָ֣ה, Yah.wehgenerated

The name יְהוָ֣ה (Yahweh) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as 'the LORD'. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. This name is used throughout the Old Testament and is closely associated with God's covenant relationship with His people.

In this verse, the psalmist directly addresses Yahweh, emphasizing a personal relationship and reliance on God as he reflects on his actions and their consequences.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses O LORD my God for יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main finite verb in this verse is עָשִׂ֣יתִי, I have done, which governs the conditional phrases that follow. The structure presents a series of conditional clauses, emphasizing the psalmist's introspection and concern over his innocence.

The sentence is built around the psalmist's self-examination, with the key elements being the conditions set by the repeated אִם־ (if) that introduce the clauses regarding his actions and their implications.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יְהוָ֣ה as κύριε, reflecting the Greek term for 'Lord'. This choice aligns with the traditional use of the term in Greek translations of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The LXX does not provide a direct translation for all Hebrew words in this verse, indicating a possible interpretive approach rather than a strict word-for-word correspondence.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 7:3 shows the psalmist calling on the LORD to examine his actions. He questions whether he has committed injustice, indicating a deep concern for his integrity. This verse is part of a larger plea for justice and protection from enemies.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'if injustice is on my hands'?

The psalmist is expressing concern that he may have committed wrongdoing, and he is asking God to examine his heart and actions.

Why does the psalmist address God as 'my God'?

This personal address signifies a close relationship and dependence on God for guidance and justice.

What is the significance of the repeated 'if' in this verse?

The repetition of 'if' emphasizes the psalmist's uncertainty about his actions and his desire for self-examination in light of God's standards.

How does this verse relate to the themes of justice and integrity?

The verse highlights the psalmist's plea for justice while affirming his integrity, showing a deep concern for moral righteousness.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what situations have I felt the need to examine my own actions before God?
  2. How can I ensure that I maintain integrity in my dealings with others?
  3. What role does prayer play in seeking justice and understanding my own heart?
  4. How can I apply the psalmist's approach of self-examination in my daily life?

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

Early Church Fathers comment on this verse to highlight the importance of sincere prayer and moral vigilance. Their insights are presented here from their respective works.

John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 7:3 c. 347–407
This must everywhere be our concern, not simply to pray but to pray in such a way as to be heard. It is not sufficient that prayer effects what is intended, unless we so direct it as to appeal to God.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 7 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 7 354–430
And that it might be clear that the already perfect soul, which is to be on her guard against the most insidious snares of the devil only, says this, see what follows.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 7 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 7:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

O Lord my God, if I have done this. The crime which Saul and his courtiers charged him with, and which was made so public that every body knew it; and therefore it was needless particularly to

Read John Gill on Psalms 7 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have done this - namely, that which my calumniators lay to my charge (Psalms 7:4; cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 7 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

If I have done this, i.e. that which Cush and others falsely lay to my charge. If I design or have endeavoured to take away Saul’ s crown and life by violence, as Saul’ s courtiers maliciously reported, ,10 26:19. In my hands, i.e. in my actions or carriage towards Saul. The hand is oft put for actions, whereof the hand is a great and common instrument, as 109:27 . If I design or have attempted to lay violent hands upon Saul.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 7 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;Ver. 3. O Lord my God] If I have done this] i.e. This treachery and treason, whereof Saul doth causelessly suspect me, and wherewith his pick thank partisans unjustly charge me. As for sedition, saith Latimer, for aught that I know, methinks I should not need Christ, if I might so say. But where malice beareth mastery the doing of anything or of nothing is alike dangerous (Serm. 3, before K. Ed. VI). If there be iniquity in my hands] Heb. in the palms of my hands, where it may be concealed. If I have secretly acted against my sovereign.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 7 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) This—i.e., this with which I am charged—the Benjamite’s slander. If there be iniquity.—A comparison with 1 Samuel 24:12-13, and still more 1 Samuel 26:18, shows how closely this psalm is connected with the two notorious instances of David’s magnanimous and generous conduct towards Saul.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 7 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. If I have done this] David was accused by Saul of affecting the kingdom; and of waiting for an opportunity to take away the life of his king, his patron, and his friend. In his application to God he refers to these charges; meets them with indignation; and clears himself of them by a strong appeal to his Judge; and an imprecation that, if he had meditated or designed any such thing, he might meet with nothing but curse and calamity either from God or man.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 7 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3–5. The appeal for help is supported by a solemn protestation of innocence. If he is guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, may he be surrendered to the utmost fury of his enemies.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 7 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

O Lord my God - A solemn appeal to God as to the sincerity and truth of what he was about to say.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 7 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,

NETBNew English Translation2006

O Lord my God, if I have done what they say, or am guilty of unjust actions,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

O Jehovah my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;

RVARevised Version, American1894

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

O Lord my God, if I haue done this thing, if there be any wickednes in mine handes,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Jehovah my God, if I have done this, if there be iniquity in my hands;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O Jehovah, my God, if I have done this, If there is iniquity in my hands,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O YHWH, my God, if I have done this, || If there is iniquity in my hands,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(7:4) O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be injustice in my hands;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Yahweh my God, if I have done this, and there is guilt on my hands—

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

If I have done what I'm accused of, if my hands are guilty,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

O Lord my God, if I have done this; if my hands have done any wrong;

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.

clausenoun phraseיְהוָ֣הO.Yahwehnoun phraseאֱ֭לֹהַGodיmyclauseאִםifclauseverbעָשִׂ֣יתִיI.have.doneobjectזֹ֑אתthisclauseאִֽםifclausepredicateיֶשׁthere.[is]subjectעָ֥וֶלunrighteousnessprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseכַפָּֽpalmsיmy

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


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

The Masoretic Text reads יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי אִם־ עָשִׂ֣יתִי זֹ֑את אִֽם־ יֶשׁ־ עָ֥וֶל בְּכַפָּֽי׃. The Septuagint matches 8 of the 9 words, showing a high degree of agreement between the two texts, though the Septuagint's structure is different.

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

יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי אִם־ עָשִׂ֣יתִי זֹ֑את אִֽם־ יֶשׁ־ עָ֥וֶל בְּכַפָּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יְהוָ֣הμήποτεאֱ֭לֹהַיὡςאִם־λέωνעָשִׂ֣יתִיψυξήνזֹ֑אתμουאִֽם־λυτρουμένουעָ֥וֶלμηδὲבְּכַפָּֽי׃σῴζοντος

8 of the 9 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 7:3יהוהO YahwehO YahwehיהוהאֱלֹהִיםGod myGod myאֱלֹהִיםאִםififאִםעָשָׂהI have doneI have doneעָשָׂהזֶהthisthisזֶהאִםififאִםיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁעָ֫וֶל[is] unrigh[is] unrighteouעָ֫וֶלכַּףin hands myin hands myכַּףהָיָהto beto beהָיָהעָוַלto act unjto act unjustlyעָוַלכָּפַףto bendto bendכָּפַףאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּשֶׂהשֶׂהחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹןמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהתּוֹעֵבַהabominatioabominationתּוֹעֵבַהתּוֹרָהinstructioinstructionתּוֹרָהשִׁירsongsongשִׁירתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהשָׂכָרwageswagesשָׂכָרצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָה
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 7:3

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
יְהוָ֣הYah.weh O Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

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

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

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

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

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

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

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

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

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

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
אֱ֭לֹהַי'E.lo.hai God my H430 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
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
HNcmpc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
אִם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
עָשִׂ֣יתִי'a.Si.ti I have done H6213 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
זֹ֑אתZot this H2063 Particle
604× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2063 zo'th zothe'

irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--

hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,

so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),

thus.

see HEBREW for 02089

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֹאת (zot) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTm — Particle
HTm
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
אִֽם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
יֶשׁ־yesh- there H3426
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Tyndale gloss
there
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֵשׁ (yesh) refers to being, substance, or existence. It is used to assert existence, functioning as a copula for the verb 'to be' in various forms. The word can mean 'there is' or 'there are,' and its Aramaic equivalent is אִיתַי (itay).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֵשׁ 137 subst. being, substance, existence

substance

elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3426 יֵשׁ subst. being, substance, existence . substance

. elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3426 yesh yaysh

perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist;

entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive

verb (1961); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to

be, as may suit the connection):--(there) are, (he, it, shall,

there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had,

hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is,

substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt,

wouldest.

see HEBREW for 01961

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֵשׁ (yesh) — there.

1) being, existence, substance, there is or are

1a) substance

1b) existence

1c) there is or are

Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HAcbsa
HAcbsa
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
עָ֥וֶל'A.vel [is] unrighteousness H5766 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Injustice or moral evil is what this word represents, covering violent deeds, unfair speech, and general wrongdoing. It is used to describe actions that go against God's standards of righteousness.
Tyndale gloss
injustice
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָ֫וֶל (*evel*) and its variant עַוְלָה (*avlah*) both denote concepts of injustice and unrighteousness. They encompass moral evil, including violent deeds and wrongful speech. The entries highlight their usage as nouns, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָ֫וֶל n.m. injustice, unrighteousness

base

עַוְלָה n.f. injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5766a עָ֫וֶל injustice, unrighteousness H5766b עַוְלָה injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5766 `evel eh'-vel

or lavel {aw'-vel}; and (feminine) lavlah {av-law'}; or owlah

{o-law'}; or .olah {o-law'}; from 5765; (moral)

evil:--iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly),

unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).

see HEBREW for 05765

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָ֫וֶל (e.vel) — injustice.

injustice, unrighteousness

Another spelling of av.lah (עַוְלָה "injustice" H5766B)

עַוְלָה (av.lah) — injustice.

1) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong

1a) violent deeds of injustice

1b) injustice (of speech)

1c) injustice (generally)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
O Yahweh God my if I have done this if there [is] unrighteousness in hands my
בְּכַפָּֽי׃be.kha.Pai in hands my H3709 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
193× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to the palm of the hand, like in Exodus 29 where it describes the priest's hands being filled with offerings. It can also symbolize power or strength, like in Psalm 16. It's about the hand or its shape.
Tyndale gloss
palm
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3709 kaph kaf

from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an

animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,

the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);

figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,

(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.

see HEBREW for 03721

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כַּף (kaph) — palm.

: palm/hand

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

1c) sole (of the foot)

1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects

1d1) of thigh-joint

1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)

1d3) hollow (of sling)

1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)

1d5) handles (as bent)

כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.

: sole/paw

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

1c) sole (of the foot)

1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects

1d1) of thigh-joint

1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)

1d3) hollow (of sling)

1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)

1d5) handles (as bent)

כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.

: dish/socket

1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand

1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand

1b) power

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfdc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HR/Ncfdc/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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