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Psalms 87:5 — Word Study

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WLCוּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן׀ יֵאָמַ֗ר אִ֣ישׁ וְ֭אִישׁ יֻלַּד־ בָּ֑הּ וְה֖וּא יְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃

BSAAnd it will be saidʼâmar of ZionTsîyôwn [the city of] This oneʼîysh [every individual, each person] and that oneʼîysh [many people, all mankind] were bornyâlad [brought forth, given life] and the Most Highʻelyôwn [the Supreme God, Almighty] Himselfhûwʼ [the self-existent One] will establish herkûwn [set up, make secure, the city, the people]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 87
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 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 (el.Yon) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 87:5quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse declares that individuals will be recognized as born in Zion, and that God will establish Zion.
Who is speakingThe speaker is not explicitly named, but the statement reflects a collective acknowledgment about Zion.
Where we areThis verse is part of a psalm celebrating Zion's significance and God's promises.
The hard wordיְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָ
Take awayZion is affirmed as a birthplace for many, with God ensuring its establishment.
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 87:5

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 Celebration of Ziongenerated

4“I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me— along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush — when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
5And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”
6The LORD will record in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” Selah
7Singers and pipers will proclaim, “All my springs of joy are in You.”

Psalm 87:5 emphasizes the importance of Zion as a birthplace for many people, highlighting its spiritual significance. The psalmist expresses that not only will individuals be recognized as born in Zion, but also that the Most High will ensure the city's establishment. This reflects a broader theme found in the scriptures where Zion symbolizes God's chosen place and His presence among His people, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 60:1-9.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 44:4–5They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
2Isaiah 60:1–9Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
3John 1:12–14But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
4John 3:3–5Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ”
5Galatians 3:26–28You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

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


The Key Word צִיּוֹן, u.la.tzi.Yongenerated

The word צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyôn) is a proper noun referring to Zion, often symbolizing Jerusalem. It is derived from a root meaning 'parched place,' yet in this context, it represents a spiritual and communal identity for the people of Israel.

Zion is not just a geographical location; it embodies the essence of God's covenant with His people. The psalmist uses this term to invoke a sense of belonging and divine favor, indicating that many will be recognized as part of this sacred community.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations generally agree on the meaning of Zion and the actions described in this verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יֵאָמַ֗ר (it will be said) governs the main clause, with two additional clauses describing the subjects and actions. The structure emphasizes the declaration about Zion and its inhabitants.

The sentence is constructed with a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses: the first describes the individuals born in Zion, and the second states the action of God establishing her. This arrangement highlights the significance of both the people and the divine promise.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term צִיּוֹן is rendered as σιων (Sion), which maintains the geographical and spiritual connotation of the original Hebrew. This choice reflects the translators' intent to preserve the significance of Zion as a place of divine presence.

The Greek verb used for 'will establish' is ἐθεμελίωσεν, suggesting a firm foundation, aligning with the Hebrew meaning of establishing or securing. This indicates a strong commitment to the permanence of Zion.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 87:5 states that people will be recognized as born in Zion, and that God Himself will ensure the establishment of Zion. This highlights the importance of Zion as a spiritual center and a place of belonging for many.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to be born in Zion?

Being born in Zion signifies belonging to a community that is favored by God, emphasizing spiritual identity and connection.

Why is Zion significant in the Bible?

Zion represents God's chosen place, symbolizing His presence and the covenant relationship with His people.

What does it mean that the Most High will establish Zion?

This indicates that God will ensure the security and permanence of Zion, affirming its importance in His divine plan.

How does this verse relate to other scriptures?

This verse connects with themes in other passages, such as Isaiah 44:5, where the identity and significance of Zion are celebrated.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does being part of the community of Zion mean to me personally?
  2. How can I recognize and celebrate the spiritual heritage of my community?
  3. In what ways do I see God's hand establishing and securing my own 'Zion'?
  4. How can I share the significance of Zion with others in my life?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 87:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And of Zion it shall be said,.... The same with the city of God, the church before commended: this and that man was born in her; this and that great man, in opposition to a mean person, in the

Read John Gill on Psalms 87 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest himself shall establish her.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 87 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Of Zion, i.e. of Jerusalem, or the church of God. It shall be said; it shall be mentioned by God, as was said, , and it shall be observed and acknowledged by men, as a great and wonderful work of God. This and that man, i.e. men of this and that nation, i.e. of every nation, indifferently, Jews or Gentiles, according to that prediction, that Egypt, and Assyria, and Israel should be all joined together, and blessed and owned by God for his people, ,25. Heb. Man and man, i.e. every man, or all sorts of men, without difference of nations; as this very phrase man and man, ,13, is rendered every or whatsoever man; and as by day and day is meant every day, or from day to day, ,4 Psalms 61:8. And…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 87 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.Ver. 5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her] i.e. Converted; and so a daily accession made to the Church of Christ, as it was by Peter’ s sermon, &c., and now so many nations: Behold, the world is gone after him, said these envious Pharisees, John 12:19; and the Papists grudge as much at the late glorious Reformation, begun by Luther, wherein so many rejoice, and shall do to all eternity. Bucholcerus blesseth God that he was born in the days and was bred under the discipline of holy Malancthon, Luther’ s colleague: Divisae his operae, sed mens…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 87 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) And of Zion . . .—This verse must be taken as antithetical to the preceding. The poet claims a prouder boast for natives of Jerusalem, because it was established by the Most High. Render, But of Zion it is said, “This man and that (literally, man and man) was born in her, and her the Most High established.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 87 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. This and that man was born in her] It will be an honour to any person to have been born in Zion. But how great is the honour to be born from above, and be a citizen of the Jerusalem that is from above! To be children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus! The Targum has, "David the king, and Solomon his son, were brought up here." The Highest himself shall establish her.] The Christian Church is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles; Jesus Christ himself being the Cornerstone.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 87 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. The Psalmist speaks, echoing the divine decree from Zion’s point of view, dwelling upon the honour which will accrue to Zion by this accession of citizens. Yea, of Zion it shall be said, Each and every one was born in her; And the Most High himself shall establish her. Not merely certain specified nations but all the nations shall call Zion their mother-city. One after another comes to be reckoned among her children[49]. Grammatically it is possible to understand each and every one of individuals, but the context is decisive in favour of taking this verse to refer to nations, as Psalms 87:4; Psalms 87:6 do. Each nation, reckoned as a whole, receives the right of citizenship. Individuals…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 87 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And of Zion it shall be said - In respect to Zion; or, in honor of Zion. People shall regard it as a privilege to have been born in Zion. They shall speak of such a birth as a marked and honored distinction.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 87 →

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

And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her;” the Most High himself will establish her.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

But it is said of Zion’s residents, “Each one of these was born in her, and the sovereign One makes her secure.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; and the Most High himself shall establish her.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest himself shall establish her.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And of Zion it shall be sayde, Many are borne in her: and he, euen the most High shall stablish her.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; and the Most High himself shall establish her.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And of Zion it is said: Each one was born in her, And He, the Most High, doth establish her.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And of Zion it is said: Each one was born in her, || And He, the Most High, establishes her.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

But of Zion will it be said, “This and that man were born in her:” and the Most High himself doth establish her.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Of Zion it will be said, “Each of these was born in her; and the Most High himself will establish her.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I am counted among them that go down to the pit: I am become as a man without help,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

It will be said concerning Jerusalem, “Everyone was born there,” and the Most High will make it secure.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And of Zion it will be said, This or that man had his birth there; and the Most High will make her strong.

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.

וּֽandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֲofצִיּ֨וֹןZionverbיֵאָמַ֗רit.will.be.saidclausenoun phrase · subjectאִ֣ישׁa.personוְ֭andאִישׁa.personverbיֻלַּדhe.was.bornprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּ֑inהּitוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectה֖וּאheעֶלְיֽוֹןthe.Most.Highverbיְכוֹנְנֶ֣heobjectהָwill.establish.it

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


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

The Masoretic Text states, "וּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן׀ יֵאָמַ֗ר אִ֣ישׁ וְ֭אִישׁ יֻלַּד־ בָּ֑הּ וְה֖וּא יְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃" which translates to, "And it will be said of Zion: 'This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.'" The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning and content, with all nine words matched in a word-by-word correspondence, though the order and articles may differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a strong consistency among the ancient witnesses regarding this text.

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

וּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן׀ יֵאָמַ֗ר אִ֣ישׁ וְ֭אִישׁ יֻלַּד־ בָּ֑הּ וְה֖וּא יְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן׀σιωνיֵאָמַ֗רἐρεῖאִ֣ישׁἄνθρωποςוְ֭אִישׁἄνθρωποςיֻלַּד־ἐγενήθηבָּ֑הּαὐτῇוְה֖וּאαὐτὸςיְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָἐθεμελίωσενעֶלְיֽוֹן׃αὐτὴν

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

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


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

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

Psalms 87:5צִיּוֹןand of Zionand of Zionצִיּוֹןאָמַרit will be it will be saidאָמַראִישׁa persona personאִישׁאִישׁand a persoand a personאִישׁיָלַדhe was bornhe was bornיָלַדהָin itin itהָהוּאand heand heהוּאכּוּןhe will esthe will establiכּוּןעֶלְיוֹן[the] Most [the] Most Highעֶלְיוֹןאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהעָלָהto ascend:to ascend: riseעָלָהצִיוּןsignpostsignpostצִיוּןרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַגִּילto rejoiceto rejoiceגִּילקִנְאָהjealousyjealousyקִנְאָהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהשֶׁ֫לַחShelahShelahשֶׁ֫לַחהָרָהto conceivto conceiveהָרָהטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵתתֵּבֵלworldworldתֵּבֵלכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאתְּעָלָהconduitconduitתְּעָלָהבֵּית(Lower) Be(Lower) Beth-hoבֵּית
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 87:5

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.

and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
וּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן׀u.la.tzi.Yon and of Zion H6726 Conjunction · preposition · noun proper
154× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Amplified meaning
the city of
Tyndale gloss
Zion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyôn) refers to Zion, often identified as a mountain in Jerusalem and a symbolic name for the city itself, particularly in prophetic contexts. The term is linked to the Hebrew word for Jerusalem and is noted for meaning 'parched place.' It is consistently recognized across lexicons as a proper noun.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צִיּוֹן 154 n.pr.loc. Ṣiyyôn, Zion

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6726 צִיּוֹן Ṣiyyôn, Zion

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6726 Tsiyown tsee-yone'

the same (regularly) as 6725; Tsijon (as a permanent

capital), a mountain of Jerusalem:--Zion.

see HEBREW for 06725

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon) — Zion.

Zion = "parched place"

another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-proper — Conjunction · preposition · noun proper
HC/R/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion):

1. Meaning of the Word

2. The Zion of the Jebusites

3. Zion of the Prophets

4. Zion in Later Poetical Writings and Apocrypha

5. Omission of Name by Some Writers

6. The Name "Zion" in Christian Times

LITERATURE

1. Meaning of the Word:

A name applied to Jerusalem, or to certain parts of it, at least since the time of David. Nothing certain is known of the meaning. Gesenius and others have derived it from a Hebrew root tsahah, "to be dry"; Delitzsch from tsiwwah, "to set up" and Wetzstein from tsin, "to protect." Gesenius finds a more hopeful suggestion in the Arabic equivalent cihw, the Arabic cahwat signifying "ridge of a mountain" or "citadel," which at any rate suitably applies to what we know to have been the original Zion (compare Smith, HGHL, under the word).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Zion

Sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built. It was surrounded on all sides, except the north, by deep valleys, that of the Tyropoeon (q.v.) separating it from Moriah (q.v.), which it surpasses in height by 105 feet. It was the south-eastern hill of Jerusalem.

When David took it from the Jebusites (Josh. 15:63; 2 Sam. 5:7) he built on it a citadel and a palace, and it became “the city of David” (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 19:21, 31; 1 Chr. 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps. 87:2; 149:2;

and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
יֵאָמַ֗רye.'a.Mar it will be said H559 Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
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-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVNi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
אִ֣ישׁ'ish a person H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
every individual, each person
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

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

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

in such cases frequently not expressed in

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

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

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

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

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

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
וְ֭אִישׁVe.'ish and a person H376 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
many people, all mankind
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

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

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

in such cases frequently not expressed in

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

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

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

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

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

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

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

1b) husband

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

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
יֻלַּד־yu.lad- he was born H3205 Verb · Pual · perfect third person masculine singular
496× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
brought forth, given life
Tyndale gloss
to beget
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget

Qal

bear, bring forth

less often beget

of both parents

Niph. be born

Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

Pu. be born

Hiph.

beget (a father a child)

bear

Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday

Hithp. declared their pedigree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth

. less often beget

. of both parents

. be born

. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

. be born

. . beget (a father a child)

. bear

. day of one's being born = birthday

. declared their pedigree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3205 yalad yaw-lad'

a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;

medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show

lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring

forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be

delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,

labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be

the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.

1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bear, bring forth

1a1a) of child birth

1a1b) of distress (simile)

1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)

1a2) to beget

1b) (Niphal) to be born

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cause or help to bring forth

1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife

1c3) midwife (participle)

1d) (Pual) to be born

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to beget (a child)

1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)

1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)

1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Perf-3ms — Verb · Pual · perfect third person masculine singular
HVPp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See BORN.

and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
בָּ֑הּBah in it H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
וְה֖וּאve.Hu' and he H1931 Conjunction · pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
the self-existent One
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronoun
HC/Pp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
יְכוֹנְנֶ֣הָye.kho.Ne.ha he will establish it H3559 Verb piel imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
217× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Amplified meaning
set up, make secure, the city, the people
Tyndale gloss
to establish: prepare
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.

Niph.

be set up, established, fixed

in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

prepare, be ready

pass. be prepared, of judgments

Hiph.

establish, set up

fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

provide for, provide, furnish

direct one's face toward

arrange, order

Hoph.

be established, of throne

be prepared for

Po‛lēl.

set up, establish

constitute, make, a man (in womb)

fix, so as to be ready

direct

Po‛lal. be established

Hithpo‛l. be established

base

נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed

. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways

. prepare, be ready

. pass. be prepared, of judgments

. . establish, set up

. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift

. provide for, provide, furnish

. direct one's face toward

. arrange, order

. . be established, of throne

. be prepared for

. . set up, establish

. constitute, make, a man (in womb)

. fix, so as to be ready

. direct

. be established

. be established

H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3559 kuwn koon

a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand

perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great

variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper

or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,

fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,

ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),

provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,

fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very

deed.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.

: prepare/direct

1) to be firm, be stable, be established

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed

1a1a) to be firmly established

1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring

1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined

1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)

1a3) to prepare, be ready

1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm

1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish

1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)

1b4) to arrange, order

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be established, be fastened

1c2) to be prepared, be ready

1d) (Polel)

1d1) to set up, establish

1d2) to constitute, make

1d3) to fix

1d4) to direct

1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared

1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored

נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-o-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb piel imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
HVpi3ms/Sp3fs
and of Zion it will be said a person and a person he was born in it and he he will establish it [the] Most High
עֶלְיֽוֹן׃el.Yon [the] Most High H5945 Adj
53× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Most High, a name for God emphasizing His supreme power and authority. It appears in Psalm 57:2, where David cries out to the Most High God for help, showing trust in God's power. This name highlights God's lofty position above all things.
Amplified meaning
the Supreme God, Almighty
Tyndale gloss
high
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶלְיוֹן (elyown) means 'high' or 'upper,' and is used to describe both physical elevations, such as the upper part of Bethhoron, and metaphorical heights, referring to God as the 'Most High.' It can also denote rulers, including monarchs and angelic beings. The term is derived from a root meaning elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶלְיוֹן 22 adj.

high

upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house

base

עֶלְיוֹן n.m. Highest, Most High

name of God

of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5945a עֶלְיוֹן . high

. upper Bethhoron, the upper (opp. lower) of house

H5945b עֶלְיוֹן Highest, Most High . name of God

. of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5945 'elyown el-yone'

from 5927; an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as

title, the Supreme:--(Most, on) high(-er, -est),

upper(-most).

see HEBREW for 05927

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — high.

adj

1) high, upper

1a) of Davidic king exalted above monarchs

עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Most High.

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — Upper (Beth Horon).

Combined with bet cho.ron (בֵּית חוֹרֹן " Beth-horon" H1032H)

§

עֶלְיוֹן (el.yon) — (LORD) Most High.

Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

a title given Jehovah

De 32:8; 2Sa 22:14; Ps 7:17; 47:2; 83:18; Da 4:17

--SEE Living God, LIVING GOD

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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