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Psalms 79:10 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלָ֤מָּה׀ יֹאמְר֣וּ הַגּוֹיִם֮ אַיֵּ֪ה אֱֽלֹהֵ֫יהֶ֥ם יִוָּדַ֣ע בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם לְעֵינֵ֑ינוּ נִ֝קְמַ֗ת דַּֽם־ עֲבָדֶ֥יךָ הַשָּׁפֽוּךְ׃

BSAWhymâh should the nationsgôwy [heathen, Gentile] askʼâmar Whereʼayêh [in what place] is their Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the one supreme God] Before our eyesʻayin [in our sight, visibly] make knownyâdaʻ [let it be known, reveal] among the nationsgôwy [Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples] Your vengeancenᵉqâmâh [avenging, punishment] for the bloodsheddâm [shedding of blood, slaughter] of Your servantsʻebed [slaves, devoted ones]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 79
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (ha.sha.Fukh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 79:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist questions why the nations mock God's absence and pleads for divine retribution.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing God directly.
Where we areA lamentation for Israel's plight, seeking God's intervention.
The hard wordנִ֝קְמַ֗ת
Take awayThe call for God's vengeance highlights the seriousness of the bloodshed.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָמַר 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 79:10

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 Divine Justicegenerated

9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.
10Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.
11May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.
12Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

Psalm 79:10 expresses a deep anguish over the taunts of the nations regarding God's perceived absence. The psalmist implores God to reveal His vengeance against those who have shed the blood of His servants. This plea reflects a broader theme in the psalm, where the speaker seeks restoration and justice for the suffering endured by Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 42:3–10My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”
2Psalm 115:2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3Joel 2:17Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
4Micah 7:10Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame— she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.
5Psalm 9:16The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

revengingRomans 12:19

The Key Word נִ֝קְמַ֗ת, nik.Matgenerated

The noun נְקָמָה (nikmah) means vengeance or avengement, indicating a desire for retribution against wrongdoing. It is often associated with God's judgment and punishment of the wicked, emphasizing the seriousness of the bloodshed mentioned in this verse.

This word appears in contexts where justice is sought, highlighting the psalmist's call for God to act decisively against those who have harmed His people. The parsing as a feminine singular construct suggests a specific focus on the act of vengeance itself.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִוָּדַ֣ע (let it be known) governs the sentence, with a series of phrases providing context. The main clause is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the audience (among the nations) and another prepositional phrase describing the visibility of the action (before our eyes).

The structure emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's plea, with the verb positioned to highlight the request for God to act in a visible manner.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the translators chose ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis) to render נְקָמָה. This choice reflects a focus on the concept of retribution, aligning with the psalmist's call for justice.

The use of this term in the Septuagint suggests a broader understanding of divine justice, emphasizing not only vengeance but also the restoration of order.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 79:10 asks why the nations mock God, questioning His presence. The psalmist calls for God to reveal His vengeance for the bloodshed of His servants, seeking justice and restoration.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by asking, 'Where is their God'?

The psalmist highlights the mockery of the nations, questioning God's presence and power in light of Israel's suffering.

Why is vengeance a significant theme in this verse?

Vengeance signifies God's justice and retribution against those who harm His people, emphasizing the seriousness of the bloodshed.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of the psalm?

This verse encapsulates the psalmist's plea for divine intervention and justice amidst the suffering of Israel.

What can we learn from the psalmist's approach to God in this verse?

The psalmist demonstrates a raw honesty in expressing anguish and a direct appeal for God's action, encouraging believers to bring their struggles before God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do I understand the concept of divine vengeance in light of God's character?
  2. In what ways have I seen God bring justice in my own life or community?
  3. What does it mean to me personally when I cry out to God for help?
  4. How can I support those who feel abandoned or mocked in their faith?

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

Early interpretations of this verse by Augustine of Hippo highlight the significance of God's presence and justice in the face of mockery from the nations.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 79 354–430
But that which he adds, "lest at any time they should say among the Gentiles, Where is their God?" [Psalms 79:10] must be taken as rather for the Gentiles themselves.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 79 →
Augustine of HippoCity of God 1.29 354–430
As for those who insult over them in their trials, and when ills befall them say, "Where is thy God?" we may ask them where their gods are when they suffer the very calamities for the sake of avoiding which they worship their gods,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 79 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 79:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Wherefore should the Heathen say, where is their God?.... They boast of, and put their confidence in, and expect salvation from?

Read John Gill on Psalms 79 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God?

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 79 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Their God; he whom they served, and of whom they boasted. He is lost and gone, or grown impotent or idle. Let him be known among the heathen, by the execution of his judgments upon them, according to . In our sight; that we may live to see it, and praise thy name for it.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 79 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 79:10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed.Ver. 10. Where is their God?] See Psalms 43:3. So Turks at this day (when they have the better of Christians) cry, Where is the Christian’ s God? We are the right Mussulmans, &c. By the revenging of the blood of thy servants, &c.] For the which make thou inquisition, and do justice.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 79 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Wherefore.—Taken from Joe 2:17. Let him be known.—Better, Let it be known, i.e., where God is. Let the answer to the question be given in vengeance, and let us see it.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 79 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. Where is their God?] Show where thou art by rising up for our redemption, and the infliction of deserved punishment upon our enemies.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 79 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. Wherefore &c.] The same plea in Psalms 115:2 (cp. also Psalms 115:1 with Psalms 79:9); Joe 2:17. Cp. Exodus 32:12; Psalms 42:3; Micah 7:10. let him be known] Better: Let vengeance for thy servants’ blood that is shed Be made known among the heathen in our sight. Defer not vengeance to some future generation: let us see with our own eyes the fitting punishment of the enemies of Israel. This verse and Psalms 79:9 are based upon Deuteronomy 32:43. Note how the thought of vengeance goes side by side with that of deliverance in Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 47:3; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:2; Isaiah 63:4; and in Jeremiah 50:15; Jeremiah 50:28; Jeremiah 51:6; Jeremiah 51:11; Jeremiah 51:36, chapters which…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 79 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore should the heathen say Where is their God? - The nations.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 79 →

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

Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured out.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants be avenged among the nations!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed Be known among the nations in our sight.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed be known among the heathen in our sight.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Why should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by avenging the blood of thy servants which is shed.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be knowen among the heathen in our sight by the vengeance of the blood of thy seruants that is shed.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants that is shed be known among the nations in our sight.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Why do the nations say, 'Where [is] their God?' Let be known among the nations before our eyes, The vengeance of the blood of Thy servants that is shed.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Why do the nations say, “Where [is] their God?” Let [it] be known among the nations before our eyes, || The vengeance of the blood of Your servants that is shed.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Wherefore shall the nations say, Where is their God? let there be made known among the nations before our eyes, the vengeance for the blood of thy servants which hath been shed.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” May the blood of your servants that was shed be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Why should the heathen nations be able to say, “Where is their God?” May they experience your punishment for shedding the blood of your servants, and may we see it.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Why may the nations say, Where is their God? Let payment for the blood of your servants be made openly among the nations before our eyes.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָ֤מָּהwhy?verbיֹאמְר֣וּwill.they.saynoun phrase · subjectהַtheגּוֹיִם֮nationsclause · objectpredicateאַיֵּ֪הwhere?noun phrase · subjectאֱֽלֹהֵ֫יGodהֶ֥ם[is].theirclauseverbיִוָּדַ֣עlet.it.be.knownprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּamongnoun phrasetheגּוֹיִ֣םnationsprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtonoun phraseעֵינֵ֑יeyesנוּournoun phrase · subjectנִ֝קְמַ֗תthe.vengeancenoun phrasenoun phraseדַּֽםof.the.bloodnoun phraseעֲבָדֶ֥יyour.servantsךָyournoun phraseהַ(the).pouredשָּׁפֽוּךְout

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, with all twelve words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the psalmist's plea across both traditions.

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

לָ֤מָּה׀ יֹאמְר֣וּ הַגּוֹיִם֮ אַיֵּ֪ה אֱֽלֹהֵ֫יהֶ֥ם יִוָּדַ֣ע בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם לְעֵינֵ֑ינוּ נִ֝קְמַ֗ת דַּֽם־ עֲבָדֶ֥יךָ הַשָּׁפֽוּךְ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
לָ֤מָּה׀μήποτεיֹאמְר֣וּεἴπωσινהַגּוֹיִם֮ἔθνηאַיֵּ֪הποῦאֱֽלֹהֵ֫יהֶ֥םθεὸςיִוָּדַ֣עγνωσθήτωבַּגּוֹיִ֣םἔθνεσινלְעֵינֵ֑ינוּἡμῶνנִ֝קְמַ֗תἐκδίκησιςדַּֽם־αἵματοςעֲבָדֶ֥יךָσουהַשָּׁפֽוּךְ׃ἐκκεξυμένου

12 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 79:10מָהwhy?why?מָהאָמַרwill they swill they sayאָמַרגּוֹיthe nationsthe nationsגּוֹיאַיֵּהwhere?where?אַיֵּהאֱלֹהִים[is] God th[is] God theirאֱלֹהִיםיָדַעlet it be klet it be knownיָדַעגּוֹיamong the namong the natioגּוֹיעַ֫יִןto eyes ourto eyes ourעַ֫יִןנְקָמָה[the] venge[the] vengeanceנְקָמָהדָּם[the] blood[the] blood ofדָּםעֶ֫בֶדservants yoservants yourעֶ֫בֶדשָׁפַךְpoured outpoured outשָׁפַךְגֵּוָהbackbackגֵּוָהאַיwhere?where?אַידָּמַםto silenceto silence: staדָּמַםעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּנָקָםvengeancevengeanceנָקָםעָצוּםmightymightyעָצוּםמַמְלָכָהkingdomkingdomמַמְלָכָהכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאַרְפַּדArpadArpadאַרְפַּדחֲמָתHamathHamathחֲמָתאַחֵרanotheranotherאַחֵראֲרוֹןarkarkאֲרוֹןאֲנִיIIאֲנִיבִּיןto understto understandבִּין
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 79:10

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.

why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
לָ֤מָּה׀La.mah why? H4100 Preposition · pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Part — Preposition · pronoun
HR/Pi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
יֹאמְר֣וּyo.me.Ru will they say H559 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
הַגּוֹיִם֮ha.go.Yim the nations H1471 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
heathen, Gentile
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
אַיֵּ֪ה'ai.Yeh where? H346 Particle
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for where, used to ask for the location of someone or something. It appears in various biblical contexts, including rhetorical questions.
Amplified meaning
in what place
Tyndale gloss
where?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַיֵּה (*'ayeh*) means "where?" and is used as an interrogative adverb. It can refer to the location of persons or things and may also be used rhetorically. The word is derived from a prolonged form of another root, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage in specific verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַיֵּה 46 interr.adv. Where?

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H346 אַיֵּה Where?

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

346 'ayeh ah-yay'

prolonged from 335; where?:--where.

see HEBREW for 0335

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַיֵּה (ay.yeh) — where?.

1) where?

1a) of persons, things

1b) rhetorical

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTi
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
אֱֽלֹהֵ֫יהֶ֥ם'elo.Hei.Hem [is] God their 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.
Amplified meaning
Elohim, the one supreme God
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
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp3mp
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
יִוָּדַ֣עyi.va.Da' let it be known H3045 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
945× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
let it be known, reveal
Tyndale gloss
to know
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָדַע 943 vb. know

Qal

know, learn to know

perceive

perceive and see; find out and discern

discriminate, distinguish

know by experience

recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

consider

not know = not expect

know a person, be acquainted with

know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

be skilful in

abs. have knowledge, be wise

Niph.

be made known, be or become known, of things

make oneself known of pers.

be perceived

be instructed

Pi. cause to know

Pu. known

Hiph. make known, declare

Hoph. made known

Hithp. make oneself known

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know

. perceive

. perceive and see; find out and discern

. discriminate, distinguish

. know by experience

. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

. consider

. not know = not expect

. know a person, be acquainted with

. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse

. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it

. be skilful in

. abs. have knowledge, be wise

. . be made known, be or become known, of things

. make oneself known of pers.

. be perceived

. be instructed

. cause to know

. known

. make known, declare

. made known

. make oneself known

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3045 yada` yaw-dah'

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);

used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,

euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,

care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,

punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted

with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,

(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X

could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)

discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,

can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause

to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have

(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be

learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X

prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man

of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.

1) to know

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to know

1a1a) to know, learn to know

1a1b) to perceive

1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern

1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish

1a1e) to know by experience

1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess

1a1g) to consider

1a2) to know, be acquainted with

1a3) to know (a person carnally)

1a4) to know how, be skilful in

1a5) to have knowledge, be wise

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

1b2) to make oneself known

1b3) to be perceived

1b4) to be instructed

1c) (Piel) to cause to know

1d) (Poal) to cause to know

1e) (Pual)

1e1) to be known

1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)

1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare

1g) (Hophal) to be made known

1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Juss-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
בַּגּוֹיִ֣םba.go.Yim among the nations H1471 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
561× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Amplified meaning
Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples
Tyndale gloss
Gentile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people

base

גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1471 gowy go'-ee

rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same

root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;

hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a

flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

see HEBREW for 01465

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹי (goy) — nation.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.

People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1

§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.

1) nation, people

1a) nation, people

1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people

1a2) of descendants of Abraham

1a3) of Israel

1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)

1c) Goyim? = "nations"

Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.

Goyim (Tidgal, king of)

Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HRd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-shunz.

See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.

why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
לְעֵינֵ֑ינוּle.'ei.Nei.nu to eyes our H5869 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
in our sight, visibly
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HR/Ncfdc/Sp1bp
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
נִ֝קְמַ֗תnik.Mat [the] vengeance of H5360 Noun common · feminine singular construct
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This noun means avengement or vengeance, often used to describe God's punishment of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 99:8 where God avenges His people.
Amplified meaning
avenging, punishment
Tyndale gloss
vengeance
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְקָמָה (nqamah) refers to vengeance or avengement, stemming from the related word נָקָם (naqam). It encompasses the act of seeking revenge, whether by God, Israel, or their enemies. The term appears in contexts involving divine or national retribution.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְקָמָה n.f. vengeance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5360 נְקָמָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5360 nqamah nek-aw-maw'

feminine of 5359; avengement, whether the act of the

passion:--+ avenge, revenge(-ing), vengeance.

see HEBREW for 05359

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְקָמָה (ne.qa.mah) — vengeance.

1) vengeance

1a) vengeance (by God, by Israel, by enemies of Israel)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
דַּֽם־dam- [the] blood of H1818 Noun common · masculine singular construct
360× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Amplified meaning
shedding of blood, slaughter
Tyndale gloss
blood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּם 300 n.m. blood

blood of man or animal

usually blood become visible

blood used with religious significance

fig. of wine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1818 דָּם blood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1818 dam dawm

from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed

causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of

the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed

(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +

innocent.

see HEBREW for 01826

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּם (dam) — blood.

1) blood

1a) of wine (fig.)

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

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
עֲבָדֶ֥יךָ'a.va.Dei.kha servants your H5650 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
slaves, devoted ones
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp2ms
why? will they say the nations where? [is] God their let it be known among the nations to eyes our [the] vengeance of [the] blood of servants your poured out
הַשָּׁפֽוּךְ׃ha.sha.Fukh poured out H8210 Particle · verb qal participle (passive) masculine singular
115× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To pour or spill something out, like blood or a liquid. In the Bible, it can mean to shed blood or to pour out one's heart in prayer or complaint. For example, in Psalm 42:4, the writer pours out his soul to God.
Tyndale gloss
to pour: pour
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁפַךְ (shaphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pour out or spill. It encompasses a range of actions, including pouring liquids, shedding blood, and even expressing emotions like anger. The word can also imply figurative uses, such as expending life or resources. Various forms of the verb exist, indicating different nuances, such as being poured out or pouring oneself out.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁפַךְ 113 vb. pour out, pour

Qal

lit.

fig.

Niph. be poured out

Pu. be poured out

Hithp. my soul pours itself out upon me

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8210 שָׁפַךְ pour out, pour

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8210 shaphak shaw-fak'

a primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid

metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively)

to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensively,

to sprawl out:--cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der,

out), slip.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: pour.

: pour

1) to pour, pour out, spill

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to shed (blood)

1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed

1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to be poured out

1d2) to pour out oneself

שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: kill.

: kill/shed(blood/life)

1) to pour, pour out, spill

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to shed (blood)

1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed

1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to be poured out

1d2) to pour out oneself

שָׁפַךְ (sha.phakh) — to pour: build siege mound.

: build_siege_mound

1) to pour, pour out, spill

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to shed (blood)

1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig)

1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed

1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Vqsmsa — Particle · verb qal participle (passive) masculine singular
HTd/Vqsmsa
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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