Psalms 76:12 — Word Study
WLCיִ֭בְצֹר ר֣וּחַ נְגִידִ֑ים נ֝וֹרָ֗א לְמַלְכֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
BSAto vownâdar to completeshâlam The LordYᵉhôvâh Godʼĕlôhîym allkôl aroundçâbîyb to conductyâbal giftshay fearmôwrâʼ
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִ֭בְצֹר | he humbles | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| ר֣וּחַ | [the] spirit of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| נְגִידִ֑ים | rulers | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| נ֝וֹרָ֗א | [he is] to be feared | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| לְמַלְכֵי־ | by [the] kings of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| אָֽרֶץ׃ | [the] earth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth. |
| KJV | He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth. |
| ASV | He will cut off the spirit of princes: He is terrible to the kings of the earth. |
| YLT | He doth gather the spirit of leaders, Fearful to the kings of earth! |
| WEB | He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth. |
| BBE | He puts an end to the wrath of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth. |
The translations agree on the key actions of God in this verse.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase, clearly showing God's actions and their impact on rulers.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָדַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 76:12
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 — God's Sovereignty and Judgmentgenerated
Psalm 76:12 emphasizes God's power over earthly rulers, illustrating how He humbles the proud and commands reverence from kings. This psalm reflects a broader theme of divine authority seen throughout the Scriptures, where God is depicted as the ultimate judge who exercises control over nations and their leaders. It serves as a reminder of His unmatched power and the reverence He inspires among those in positions of authority.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 2:5–10 | Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury: |
| 2 | Psalm 48:4–6 | For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. |
| 3 | Psalm 68:12–35 | “Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder. |
| 4 | Joshua 5:1 | Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 32:21 | and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִ֭בְצֹר, Yiv.tzorgenerated
The verb יִ֭בְצֹר (Yiv.tzor) is from the root נָדַר (nadar), meaning to gather, restrain, or fortify. In this context, it conveys the idea of God humbling or restraining the spirits of rulers, indicating His authority over them.
This verb appears in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing action. It highlights God's active role in shaping the hearts and minds of leaders, demonstrating that their power is ultimately subject to His will.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.' This is consistent across the KJV and ASV, which also use 'breaks' and 'feared.'
Other translations, such as the YLT and WEB, maintain similar wording, emphasizing the same actions of God towards rulers and kings without significant variation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs in this verse are יִ֭בְצֹר (he breaks) and נ֝וֹרָ֗א (he is feared), with the first governing the spirits of princes and the second relating to the kings of the earth. The structure underscores God's sovereignty and the relationship between His actions and the responses of earthly rulers.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the actions of God first, followed by the subjects affected, which serves to highlight His authority over both princes and kings.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יִ֭בְצֹר is rendered as εὔχασθε (euchasthē), which suggests a sense of being made low or humbled. This choice reflects a narrowing of the original meaning, focusing on the aspect of humility rather than the broader implications of gathering or fortifying.
The translation of נ֝וֹרָ֗א as part of the phrase indicates reverence, aligning with the idea of fear and awe that God inspires among rulers.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 76:12 tells us that God humbles the spirits of rulers and is feared by the kings of the earth. This verse highlights God's power over leaders and emphasizes that no one holds authority without His permission.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God humbles or restrains the proud and powerful, showing that their authority is under His control.
God is feared because of His supreme power and authority, which can bring judgment and humbling to even the mightiest rulers.
This verse illustrates God's sovereignty by demonstrating that He has the ultimate authority over all leaders and nations, and they must recognize His power.
It refers to the inner beings or hearts of rulers, suggesting that God has the power to influence their thoughts, emotions, and decisions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's authority over leaders in my own life or community?
- How can I cultivate a sense of reverence for God's power in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God's sovereignty over my own life?
- How can I respond to the authority of leaders in a way that honors God's ultimate authority?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers, like Augustine, referenced this verse to discuss God's authority over proud rulers and the need for humility.
To whom shall they offer gifts? "To Him terrible, and to Him that takes away the spirit of princes" [Psalms 76:12]. For the spirits of princes are proud spirits.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 76 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 76:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe shall cut off the spirit of princes,.... The pride of their spirits, as the Targum, humble their proud spirits, and bring them down; or dispirit them, take away their courage from them, upon which
Read John Gill on Psalms 76 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryVow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 76 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCut off; as men do their grapes in time of vintage, as the Hebrew verb implies, to wit, suddenly, violently, and irresistibly. This is all which they shall get by opposing him, and therefore it is their wisdom to bring presents to him. The spirit of princes; either, 1 Their courage. Or rather, 2. Their breath and life, as he did in the Assyrian army.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 76 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 76:12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: [he is] terrible to the kings of the earth.Ver. 12. He shall cut off the spirit of princes] Vindemiabit, he shall slip them off as one would do a bunch of grapes, or a flower between one’ s fingers; easily, suddenly, as he dealt by Sennacherib’ s princes, Auferet de vita, ut de vite botros. He is terrible to kings] Enemies to his Church, as most kings are.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 76 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) He shall cut off . . .—Literally, lop off, as a vinedresser prunes a vine. For the image see Joe 3:13; Isaiah 18:5; Revelation 14:17 seq.Spirit—i.e., the life.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 76 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. He shall cut off the spirit of princes] Even in the midst of their conquests, he can fill them with terror and dismay, or cut them off in their career of victory. He is terrible to the kings of the earth.] "He is the only Ruler of princes;" to him they must account. And a terrible account most of them will have to give to the great God; especially those who, instigated by the desire of dominion, have, in the lust of conquest which it generates, laid countries waste by fire and sword, making widows and orphans without number, and extending the empire of desolation and death. Thus all are under his dominion, and are accountable to him. Even those whom man cannot bring to justice…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 76 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. He shall cut off] Cp. the simile in Isaiah 18:4-5, describing how Jehovah will destroy the plans of the Assyrians just as they are coming to maturity: and Revelation 14:18-19. the spirit of princes] Their pride and fury. Cp. Isaiah 33:11. the kings of the earth] Cp. Psalms 48:4.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 76 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe shall cut off the spirit of princes - That is, He will cut down their pride; he will break them down.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 76 →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
He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.
He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.
He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.
He humbles princes; the kings of the earth regard him as awesome.
Tyndale line
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He will cut off the spirit of princes: He is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the Kings of the earth.
Strictly literal
He cutteth off the spirit of princes; [he] is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He doth gather the spirit of leaders, Fearful to the kings of earth!
He gathers the spirit of leaders, || Fearful to the kings of earth!
(76:13) He will cut down the spirit of the powerful: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
He cuts off the spirit of the princes; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
From the Latin
I remembered the works of the Lord: for I will be mindful of thy wonders from the beginning.
Simplified
For he humbles proud leaders; he terrifies the kings of the earth.
He puts an end to the wrath of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth." The Septuagint largely agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching five of the six words, although it presents them in a different order and structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q87) contain only fragments of the verse, with one word partially restored and several others supplied by an editor, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons. Overall, the Septuagint and Masoretic Text align closely, while the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a complete version of the verse.
יִ֭בְצֹר ר֣וּחַ נְגִידִ֑ים נ֝וֹרָ֗א לְמַלְכֵי־ אָֽרֶץ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[נדרו] [ושלמו] [ליהוה] [אלוהי׳כם] [כול] סביבי׳ו יבילו [שי] [למורא]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 76:12
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.
בָּצַר (batsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cut off or make inaccessible, often through fortification. It can refer to gathering grapes, as well as to restraining or enclosing something. The word encompasses various forms, including being withheld or fortified, and is associated with secrets or inaccessible things.
[בָּצַר] vb. cut off, make inaccessible (esp. by fortifying), enclose
Qal cut off, grape-clusters; hence grape-gathering, -gatherer; fig. cut off (= take away)
Niph. be withheld
Pi. fortify
base
H1219 [בָּצַר] cut off, make inaccessible (esp. by fortifying), enclose .cut off, grape-clusters; hence grape-gathering, -gatherer; fig. cut off (= take away)
. be withheld
. fortify
1219 batsar baw-tsar'
a primitive root; to clip off; specifically (as denominative
from 1210) to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e.
inaccessible by height or fortification):--cut off,
(de-)fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things,
restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold.
see HEBREW for 01210
בָּצַר (ba.tsar) — to gather/restrain/fortify.
1) to gather, restrain, fence, fortify, make inaccessible, enclose
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut off
1a2) fortified, cut off, made inaccessible (pass participle)
1a3) secrets, mysteries, inaccessible things (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be withheld
1c) (Piel) to fortify
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.
רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit
breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
wind (117 t.)
spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
spirit of the living, breathing being
spirit as seat of emotion
occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
rarely of the will
רוּחַ esp. of moral character
spirit of God (94 t.)
base
H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
. wind (117 t.)
. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
. spirit of the living, breathing being
. spirit as seat of emotion
. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
. rarely of the will
. רוּחַ esp. of moral character
. spirit of God (94 t.)
7307 ruwach roo'-akh
from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or
even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,
unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by
resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including
its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X
cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),
tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).
see HEBREW for 07306
רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.
: spirit
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
1a) breath
1b) wind
1b1) of heaven
1b2) quarter (of wind), side
1b3) breath of air
1b4) air, gas
1b5) vain, empty thing
1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
1c2) courage
1c3) temper, anger
1c4) impatience, patience
1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
1c7) prophetic spirit
1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1e1) desire
1e2) sorrow, trouble
1f) spirit
1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts
1f2) rarely of the will
1f3) as seat especially of moral character
HNcfsc — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
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.
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…
נָגִיד (nagiyd) refers to a leader or ruler, often implying someone in a prominent position, such as a prince or captain. The word encompasses various types of leadership, including civil, military, and religious roles, and can also denote honorable themes or princely matters. It is derived from a root meaning to be in front, suggesting a position of command.
נָגִיד n.m. leader (lit. prob. one in front), ruler, prince
base
H5057 נָגִיד leader (lit. prob. one in front), ruler, prince
5057 nagiyd naw-gheed'
or nagid {naw-gheed'}; from 5046; a commander (as occupying
the front), civil, military or religious; generally
(abstractly, plural), honorable themes:--captain, chief,
excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince,
(chief) ruler.
see HEBREW for 05046
נָגִיד (na.gid) — leader.
1) leader, ruler, captain, prince
1a) ruler, prince
1b) prince-overseer
1c) ruler (in other capacities)
1d) princely things
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
→ (Appointed and removed by God)
→ See GOVERNMENT, GOD IN
→ Chastised Da 4
→ See NATION
→ Monarchical
See KINGS
→ Patriarchal Ge 27:29,37
→ INSTANCES OF
Nimrod Ge 10:8-10
Abraham Ge 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:21-32
Melchizedek Ge 14:18
Isaac Ge 26:26-31
Judah Ge 38:24
Heads of families Ex 6:14
Ishmael Ge 17:20
Esau, and the dukes of Edom Ge 36
Theocratic
See GOVERNMENT
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
HVNrmsa — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singularHVNrmsa
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
HR/Ncmpc — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
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.
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…
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2