Menu

Psalms 78:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־ קֶֽדֶם׃

BSAI will openpâthach [to utter, to declare] my mouthpeh [lips, edge of expression] in parablesmâshâl [proverbs, dark sayings] I will utternâbaʻ [to bubble, to gush forth] things hiddenchîydâh [mysteries, riddles, difficult to understand, perplexing] frommin the beginningqedem [from old, from the front]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 78
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (Ke.dem) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 78:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist declares his intention to speak in parables and reveal mysteries that have been hidden since ancient times.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing the people of Israel.
Where we areIn a didactic context, teaching the people through wisdom literature.
The hard wordחִידָה
Take awayThe mysteries of God are shared through parables.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbפָּתַח 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 78:2

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 — The Teaching of the Psalmistgenerated

1Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
2I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
3that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.
4We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.

Psalm 78:2 presents the psalmist's commitment to convey profound truths through parables. This verse is part of a larger section where the psalmist instructs the people to listen and learn from the wisdom passed down through generations, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge and understanding God's works as seen in Psalm 78:1.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 49:4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
2Matthew 13:13–34This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’
3Proverbs 1:6by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
4Matthew 13:11–13He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
5Mark 4:34He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אֶפְתְּחָה, 'ef.te.Chahgenerated

The verb פָּתַח (pathach) means 'to open' and is used here in the first person singular future tense, indicating the psalmist's intention to speak. It carries a sense of revealing or declaring, as in opening one's mouth to share wisdom.

This word can also imply engraving or carving, suggesting that the teachings being shared are meant to leave a lasting impression. The use of this verb highlights the active role of the speaker in communicating important truths.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which has I will open for אֶפְתְּחָה, and this is consistent across the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb אֶפְתְּחָה (ef.te.Chah) governs the structure of the verse, indicating the action of opening the mouth. It is followed by a prepositional phrase describing the manner of speaking and a second clause that details what will be uttered.

The syntax emphasizes the act of speaking as central to the psalmist's message, with the parables and hidden things serving as the objects of this declaration.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אֶפְתְּחָה as ἀνοίχω (anoichō), which also means 'to open.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on the act of revealing.

The Greek term used for 'hidden things' is ἀρξῆς (archēs), which suggests a beginning or origin, complementing the Hebrew notion of ancient mysteries.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 78:2 expresses the psalmist's intention to speak in parables and reveal hidden truths. This verse emphasizes the importance of teaching and sharing wisdom, as the psalmist aims to convey profound messages that have been kept secret since ancient times.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by 'opening my mouth in parables'?

The psalmist is indicating that he will use parables to convey deeper truths and insights, making complex ideas more accessible.

Why does the psalmist mention 'things hidden from the beginning'?

This refers to profound truths and mysteries that have been concealed throughout history, now being revealed to the people.

How does this verse connect to the rest of Psalm 78?

This verse sets the stage for the psalmist's teaching, emphasizing the importance of passing down knowledge and the history of God's deeds.

What is the significance of using parables in teaching?

Parables engage the listener's imagination and encourage deeper reflection, allowing complex ideas to be understood through relatable stories.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some parables or stories that have helped you understand deeper truths in your life?
  2. How can you share wisdom with others using relatable examples or stories?
  3. In what ways do you see hidden truths being revealed in your own experiences?
  4. How does the practice of teaching through parables enhance the learning process?

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

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the significance of the psalmist's declaration to open his mouth in parables.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 78 354–430
"I will open," he says, "in parables My mouth, I will declare propositions from the beginning" [Psalms 78:2]. From what beginning he means, is very evident in the words following.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 78 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

I will open my mouth,.... Speak freely, boldly, and without reserve, Ephesians 6:19, so Christ opened his mouth, Matthew 5:2, in a parable; not that what follows in this psalm was such, but what were

Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: I will open my mouth in a parable ( maashaal (H4912)) - a similitude (see note, Psalms 49:4). I will utter - literally, sputter out (cf.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Open my mouth, speak to you with all freedom and plainness, in a parable; uttering divers and weighty sentences (for such are oft called parables in Scripture) or passages of great moment for your instruction and advantage. Dark sayings; so he calls the following passages, not because the words and sentences are in themselves hard to be understood, for they are generally historical and easy, but because the things contained in them, concerning God’ s transcendent goodness to an unworthy people, and their unparalleled ingratitude for and abuse of such eminent favours, and their stupid ignorance and insensibleness under such excellent and constant teachings of God’ s word and works, are…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:Ver. 2. I will open my mouth in a parable] I will speak freely and plainly (I will open my mouth, Matthew 5:2 Acts 10:34), and yet acutely and accurately. See Psalms 49:4, I will utter dark sayings of old] Heb. I will well out (as from a spring or fountain) dark or sharp sayings, transacted and recorded of old, but of good use for ever. Difficulty doth not discourage, but rather whet on heroic spirits to a more diligent inquiry. Aben Ezra noteth here, that Psalms 78:9, "The children of Ephraim," &c., is a parable, and Psalms 78:25, "Man did eat angels’ food," is a riddle, or dark saying.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2, 3) I will open.—A difficulty is started by the fact that the psalm deals with history, and is neither a proverb (mâshal) nor riddle (chîdah). But the Divine rejection of the northern tribes may be the covert meaning which the poet sees to have been wrapped up in all the ancient history. The word mâshal is also sometimes used in a wide, vague sense, embracing prophetic as well as proverbial poetry. (See Numbers 21:27.) For “dark sayings,” literally, knotty points, see Numbers 12:8. In Habakkuk 2:6 the word seems to mean a sarcasm.For the use of this passage in Matthew 13:35, see Note, New Testament Commentary.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 78 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. In a parable] Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psalms 49:1-4, which bears a great similarity to this; and see the notes there. The term parable, in its various acceptations, has already been sufficiently explained; but משל mashal may here mean example, as opposed to תורה torah, law or precept, Psalms 78:1.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. On the words parable and dark sayings or enigmas see note on Psalms 49:4. The Psalmist has no mere narrative of facts to recount, but a history full of significance for those who can penetrate its hidden meaning. It is a ‘parable’ not for Israel only, but for every individual in the Christian Church. dark sayings of old] Lessons drawn from the history of ancient times, from the Exodus, when Israel was ‘born’ as a nation, onward. Cp. Psalms 77:5. This verse is freely quoted by St Matthew (Matthew 13:34-35), in a form which does not agree exactly either with the Heb. or with the LXX, with reference to our Lord’s teaching in parables. “All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psalms 49:4.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →

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

I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

NETBNew English Translation2006

I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,

RVARevised Version, American1894

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will declare high sentences of olde.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter riddles from of old,

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I open my mouth with an allegory, || I bring forth hidden things of old,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I will open with a parable my mouth: I will utter riddles out of ancient times;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I will open my mouth in parables; I will sing about hidden things about the past.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

I will tell you wise sayings; I will explain mysteries from the past

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Opening my mouth I will give out a story, even the dark sayings of old times;

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.

clauseverbאֶפְתְּחָ֣הI.will.openprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinמָשָׁ֣לa.parablenoun phrase · objectפִּ֑mouthיmyclauseverbאַבִּ֥יעָהI.will.pour.forthnoun phrase · objectחִ֝יד֗וֹתriddlesprepositional phraseמִנִּיfromקֶֽדֶםantiquity

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched. This shows a consistent transmission of the text across these ancient witnesses.

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

אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־ קֶֽדֶם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אֶפְתְּחָ֣הἀνοίχωבְמָשָׁ֣לπαραβολαῖςפִּ֑יμουאַבִּ֥יעָהφθέγχομαιחִ֝יד֗וֹתπροβλήματαמִנִּי־ἀπ’קֶֽדֶם׃ἀρξῆς

7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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 78:2פָּתַחI will openI will openפָּתַחמָשָׁלin a parablin a parableמָשָׁלפֶּהmouth mymouth myפֶּהנָבַעI will pourI will pour forנָבַעחִידָהriddlesriddlesחִידָהמִן־fromfromמִן־קֶ֫דֶםantiquityantiquityקֶ֫דֶםחוּדto riddleto riddleחוּדמָשַׁלto ruleto ruleמָשַׁלפָּאָהto cleaveto cleaveפָּאָהקָדַםto meetto meetקָדַםמֵןstringstringמֵןמְלִיצָהmockerymockeryמְלִיצָהפִּתּוּחַengravingengravingפִּתּוּחַדָּלdoordoorדָּלשְׁנִינָהtaunttauntשְׁנִינָהאֹמֶרwordwordאֹמֶרפָּתַחto opento openפָּתַחשָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָהפֶּהliplipפֶּהרָחַקto removeto removeרָחַקיָתַרto remainto remainיָתַרמִזְרָחeasteastמִזְרָחפֵּאָהsidesideפֵּאָה
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 78:2

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.

I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה'ef.te.Chah I will open H6605 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singular
144× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.
Amplified meaning
to utter, to declare
Tyndale gloss
to open
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּתַח vb. open

Qal open sack

Niph. be opened

Pi. be opened

free, i.e. ungird, camels

loosen (and remove) sack-cloth

open gates, doors

Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck

base

[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave

Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack

. be opened

. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels

. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth

. open gates, doors

. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck

H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6605 pathach paw-thakh'

a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);

specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break

forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),

(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.

1) to open

1a) (Qal) to open

1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to free

1c2) to loosen

1c3) to open, open oneself

1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself

Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)

פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.

1) to carve, engrave

1a) (Piel) to engrave

1b) (Pual) to be engraved

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-1cs — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singular
HVqc1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

o'-p'-n: In the Old Testament represents chiefly pathach, but also other words, as galah, "to uncover"; of the opening of the eyes in vision, etc. (thus Balaam, Nu 22:31; 24:4; compare Job 33:16; 36:10; Ps 119:18; Jer 32:11,14). In the New Testament the usual word is anoigo (of opening of mouth, eyes, heavens, doors, etc.). A peculiar word, trachelizomai (literally, to have the neck bent back, to be laid bare), is used for "laid open" before God in Heb 4:13.

I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
בְמָשָׁ֣לve.ma.Shal in a parable H4912 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A proverb is a short saying that teaches a lesson, often using comparisons or metaphors, like those found in the book of Proverbs. It's a way of sharing wisdom and insight. Proverbs are used by Solomon and other biblical writers.
Amplified meaning
proverbs, dark sayings
Tyndale gloss
proverb
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָשָׁל (mashal) refers to a proverb or parable, often characterized by parallelism and typically found in Hebrew Wisdom literature. It encompasses various forms such as aphorisms, bywords, and ethical maxims. The word is derived from a root suggesting superiority in mental action, indicating its metaphorical nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָשָׁל n.m. proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4912 מָשָׁל proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usu. of Hebrew Wisdom, but occas. of other types)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4912 mashal maw-shawl'

apparently from 4910 in some original sense of superiority in

mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of

metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem,

discourse):--byword, like, parable, proverb.

see HEBREW for 04910

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָשָׁל (ma.shal) — proverb.

1) proverb, parable

1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism

1b) byword

1c) similitude, parable

1d) poem

1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

par'-a-b'-l:

1. Name

2. Historical Data

3. Christ's Use of Parables.

4. Purpose of Christ in Using Parables

5. Interpretation of the Parables

6. Doctrinal Value of the Parables

1. Name:

Etymologically the word "parable" (paraballo) signifies a placing of two or more objects together, usually for the purpose of a comparison. In this widest sense of the term there is practically no difference between parable and simile (see Thayer, Dictionary of New Testament Greek, under the word). This is also what substantially some of Christ's parables amount to, which consist of only one comparison and in a single verse (compare Mt 13:33,44-46). In the more usual and technical sense of the word, "parable" ordinarily signifies an imaginary story, yet one that in its details could have actually transpired, the purpose of the story being to illustrate and…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Parable

(Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another. --McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expanded into a…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Derived from a Greek word, which signifies, to compare things together, to form a parallel or similitude of them with other things.

What we call the Proverbs of Solomon, which are moral maxims and sentences, the Greeks call the Parables of Solomon. In like manner, when Job answers his friends, it is said he took up his "parable," Job 27:1 29:1. In the New Testament the word parable denotes sometimes a true history, or an illustrative sketch from nature; sometimes a proverb or adage, Lu 4:23; a truth darkly or figuratively expressed, Mt 15:15; a type, Heb 9:9; or a similitude, Mt 24:32. The parabolical, enigmatical…

I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
פִּ֑יPi mouth my H6310 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Amplified meaning
lips, edge of expression
Tyndale gloss
lip
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth

mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

external organ

much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

as laughing; panting

of God

of idols

of musical instr. = sound

of animals; hence of edge of sword

mouth = opening, orifice

extremity, end

= portion

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking

. external organ

. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man

. as laughing; panting

. of God

. of idols

. of musical instr. = sound

. of animals

. mouth = opening, orifice

. . extremity, end

. = portion

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6310 peh peh

from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether

literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically

edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)

according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,

assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +

file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)

say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,

tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.

see HEBREW for 06284

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּה (peh) — lip.

: lip/mouth

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.

: edge

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.

: word/command

peh

1) mouth

1a) mouth (of man)

1b) mouth (as organ of speech)

1c) mouth (of animals)

1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

1e) extremity, end pim

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
אַבִּ֥יעָה'a.Bi.'ah I will pour forth H5042 Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct first person common singular
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To bubble means to gush forth, like water or words, and can also mean to utter good or bad things, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
to bubble, to gush forth
Tyndale gloss
to bubble
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָבַע (naba`) is a primitive root meaning to gush forth or bubble up. It encompasses actions like flowing, pouring out, and emitting, with uses in both literal and figurative contexts, including the utterance of words. The entries indicate that it can also refer to producing a foul odor, as in belching forth.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָבַע] vb. flow, spring, bubble up, poet. and late

Qal a flowing wady

Hiph. pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5042 נָבַע

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5042 naba` naw-bah'

a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good

or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor):--belch

out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָבַע (na.va) — to bubble.

1) to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment

1a) (Qal) to flow

1b)(Hiphil) to pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth

1b1) to pour out

1b2) to cause to bubble, ferment

1b3) to pour forth, emit, belch forth

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · infinitive construct first person common singular
HVhc1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement

(1) forward,

(2) out of,

(3) beyond a certain boundary.

In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
חִ֝יד֗וֹתchi.Dot riddles H2420 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A riddle or puzzle is what this Hebrew word represents, often used to describe difficult questions or perplexing sayings. It appears in the Bible as a way to convey complex ideas or challenge people's thinking, such as in the story of Samson and Delilah.
Amplified meaning
mysteries, riddles, difficult to understand, perplexing
Tyndale gloss
riddle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חִידָה (chiydah) means 'riddle' or 'perplexing question.' It can refer to enigmatic sayings, dark utterances, or difficult questions, often used in a context of testing someone's wisdom, as seen in the story of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to puzzle' and can also imply trickery or double-dealing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חִידָה n.f. riddle, enigmatic, perplexing saying or question

riddle = dark, obscure utterance

riddle, enigma, to be guessed

perplexing questions by which queen of Sheba put Sol. to the test

skilled in double-dealing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2420 חִידָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2420 chiydah khee-daw'

from 2330; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious

maxim:--dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question,

proverb, riddle.

see HEBREW for 02330

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חִידָה (chi.dah) — riddle.

1) riddle, difficult question, parable, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question

1a) riddle (dark obscure utterance)

1b) riddle, enigma (to be guessed)

1c) perplexing questions (difficult)

1d) double dealing (with 'havin')

Aramaic equivalent: a.chi.dah (אֲחִידָה "riddle" H0280)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
מִנִּי־mi.ni- from H4480 Preposition
1,189× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Tyndale gloss
from
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal

from, against

מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

of position, off, on the side of, on

Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

Partitively

Of time—

as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

towards, to

(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

In comparisons, beyond, above

מן is prefixed to an infin.:

with causal force, from, on account of, through

after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

with a temporal force, since, after

Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

In compounds:

base

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against

. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from

. of position, off, on the side of, on

. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex

. Partitively

. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since

. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after

. towards, to

. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to

. In comparisons, beyond, above

. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through

. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.

. with a temporal force, since, after

. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4480 min min

or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)

{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;

hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as

follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason

of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,

since, X then, through, X whether, with.

see HEBREW for 04482

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִן־ (min) — from.

prep

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

conj

2) that

Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

מֵן (men) — portion.

n.m.

portion

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
I will open in a parable mouth my I will pour forth riddles from antiquity
קֶֽדֶם׃Ke.dem antiquity H6924 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
87× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
from old, from the front
Tyndale gloss
front: east
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime

loc.

front

East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward

temp., ancient time, aforetime:

הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.

בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days

מִקּ׳ from of old

ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old

beginning

base

[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front

. East

. temp. ancient time, aforetime

H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6924 qedem keh'-dem

or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place

(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time

(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,

eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,

part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,

past. Compare 6926.

see HEBREW for 06923

see HEBREW for 06926

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.

This name means east, antiquity, front

קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.

adv

eastward, to or toward the East

Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.

: east

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.

: old/ancient

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East

1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time

1c) anciently, of old (adverb)

1d) beginning

1e) east

קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.

: forward

1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — 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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate