Psalms 9:9 — Word Study
WLCוִ֘יהִ֤י יְהוָ֣ה מִשְׂגָּ֣ב לַדָּ֑ךְ מִ֝שְׂגָּ֗ב לְעִתּ֥וֹת בַּצָּרָֽה׃
BSAhe/she/ithûwʼ to judgeshâphaṭ worldtêbêl Righteousnesstsedeq to judgedîyn peoplelᵉʼôm uprightnessmêyshâr
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וִ֘יהִ֤י | and he may be | Conjunction, verb qal jussive third person masculine singular |
| יְהוָ֣ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| מִשְׂגָּ֣ב | a refuge | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַדָּ֑ךְ | for the oppressed | Preposition |
| מִ֝שְׂגָּ֗ב | a refuge | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְעִתּ֥וֹת | to times of | Preposition, noun common both plural construct |
| בַּצָּרָֽה׃ | trouble | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. |
| KJV | The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. |
| ASV | Jehovah also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble; |
| YLT | And Jehovah is a tower for the bruised, A tower for times of adversity. |
| WEB | Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. |
| BBE | The Lord will be a high tower for those who are crushed down, a high tower in times of trouble; |
Where they part company is in the translation of מִשְׂגָּב — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a subordinate phrase describing the nature of God's refuge.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשָׁפַט
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 9:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God as a Refugegenerated
Psalm 9:9 emphasizes God's role as a protector for those who are oppressed, highlighting His justice and mercy. The psalmist contrasts God's refuge with the troubles faced by the afflicted, assuring them of divine support. This theme resonates throughout the psalm, as seen in the preceding and following verses, which affirm God's righteous judgment and care for those in need.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:2 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
| 2 | Psalm 32:7 | You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah |
| 3 | Psalm 37:39 | The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. |
| 4 | Psalm 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. |
| 5 | Psalm 48:3 | God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 21 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְהוָ֣ה, Yah.wehgenerated
The name יְהוָה (Yahweh) is the proper name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as 'the LORD'. It signifies the self-existent nature of God and is associated with His covenant relationship with Israel.
In this verse, יְהוָה serves as the subject, affirming that He is the source of refuge and strength for the oppressed. The use of this divine name emphasizes God's active role in providing safety and support during times of trouble.
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 יהִ֤י (he may be) governs the entire verse, establishing the subject יְהוָ֣ה (Yahweh) as the one providing refuge. The structure flows from the subject to the two object phrases describing the nature of the refuge.
The repetition of מִשְׂגָּב emphasizes the security God provides, while the prepositional phrases clarify the context — for the oppressed and in times of trouble. This arrangement highlights the assurance of God's protection.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְהוָה as κρινεῖ (He will judge), indicating a focus on God's role as a judge and protector. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of God's authority and justice.
The Greek word οἰκουμένην (inhabited world) for מִשְׂגָּב suggests a universal aspect of God's refuge, extending beyond just the oppressed to encompass all who seek safety.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 9:9 tells us that the LORD is a refuge for those who are oppressed, providing safety and strength in times of trouble. This verse reassures us that God cares for the afflicted and offers them protection during difficult periods.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God provides safety and protection for those who are suffering or in distress, acting as a stronghold against their troubles.
The oppressed refers to those who are crushed down or afflicted, often including the poor and vulnerable in society.
Finding refuge in the LORD involves trusting Him for protection and support, especially during difficult times, and seeking His guidance through prayer and scripture.
It refers to periods of adversity or distress, when individuals face challenges or hardships that cause suffering.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's refuge during difficult times?
- How can I support those who are oppressed in my community?
- What does it mean to trust in God as my stronghold?
- How can I remind myself of God's protection when I face troubles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, highlighting God's role as a refuge for the righteous and the oppressed.
The righteous who now seek you know that you are not going to abandon them in the time of judgment. Let them hope strongly in you, having patience in everything awaiting the prepared retribution.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
He did not say, note, “My armies have proved your refuge, or money or ramparts”; instead, “the Lord has proved a refuge for the poor.” He personally established me in safety, he is saying;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
"And the Lord has become a refuge to the poor" [Psalms 9:9]. Whatsoever be the persecutions of that enemy, who has been turned behind,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 9:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,.... The poor and weak, such as have no might nor power, and are thrown down and trampled upon, as the word (i) signifies; and such are the people of God.
Read John Gill on Psalms 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleGod will not only judge the world at the last day, and then give sentence for his people against their enemies, but even at present he will give them his protection.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 9 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.Ver. 9. The Lord also will be a refuge, &c.] Heb. a high tower, edita, arx, wherein men are secured, and escape the impressions of an enemy. The very lame and blind, those most shiftless creatures, when they had gotten stronghold of Zion over their heads, thought that then they might securely scorn David and his host, 2 Samuel 5:6-7; yet their hold failed them. So did the tower of Shechem those that ran into it. Not so the Almighty his poor oppressed. Universal experience sealeth to this truth; neither can one instance be given of the contrary. Higgaion. Selah. It is reported of the Egyptians, that…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 9 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) The Lord also.—Better, but let Jehovah. Refuge.—Properly, a stronghold: a citadel into which the persecuted would retreat. Oppressed.—Properly, crushed.Trouble.—From root meaning “to cut off from.” Sc., “provisions,” “water,” and the like. Its cognate in Jeremiah 14:1; Jeremiah 17:8, means “drought.” The phrase “in times of trouble” recurs in Psalms 10:1.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 9 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. A refuge] משגב misgab, a high place, where their enemies can neither reach nor see them. He who has God for his portion has all safety in him.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7–10. A stanza of four verses, each (as the text stands) beginning with the letter Vâv. But Psalms 9:7 may originally have begun with Hç. [In Dr Scrivener’s text Hç is prefixed to Psalms 9:6; but this verse should belong to the stanza of Gimel). The eternity of Jehovah’s sovereignty is contrasted with the annihilation of His enemies: the righteousness of His rule with the injustice of the wicked.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 9 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Lord also will be a refuge - Margin, an high place. The margin expresses the more exact sense of the, Hebrew word - משׂגב miśgâb.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 9 →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
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed; he provides safety in times of trouble.
Tyndale line
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Jehovah also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble;
The LORD also will be a high tower for the oppressed, a high tower in times of trouble;
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
The Lord also wil be a refuge for the poore, a refuge in due time, euen in affliction.
Strictly literal
And Jehovah will be a refuge to the oppressed one, a refuge in times of distress.
And Jehovah is a tower for the bruised, A tower for times of adversity.
And YHWH is a tower for the bruised, || A tower for times of adversity.
(9:10) The Lord also will be a strong-hold for the oppressed, a strong-hold in times of distress.
Yahweh also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
From the Latin
And he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in justice.
Simplified
The Lord is a place of safety for those who are oppressed, a fortress in times of trouble.
The Lord will be a high tower for those who are crushed down, a high tower in times of trouble;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all seven words matched. The Septuagint's rendering reflects its own syntax while maintaining the core message of God's protection.
וִ֘יהִ֤י יְהוָ֣ה מִשְׂגָּ֣ב לַדָּ֑ךְ מִ֝שְׂגָּ֗ב לְעִתּ֥וֹת בַּצָּרָֽה׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 9:9
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.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
HC/Vqj3ms — Conjunction · verb qal jussive third person masculine singularHC/Vqj3ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
מִשְׂגָּב (misgab) refers to a secure height or retreat, often understood as a refuge or stronghold. It can denote a lofty or inaccessible place, and is specifically mentioned as a location in Moab in Jeremiah 48:1. The term emphasizes both physical elevation and the concept of safety.
ref
H4869a מִשְׂגָּב secure height, retreat H4869b מִשְׂגָּב in Moab
4869 misgab mis-gawb'
from 7682; properly, a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible
place); abstractly, altitude; figuratively, a refuge:--
defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in
Moab:--Misgab.
see HEBREW for 07682
מִשְׂגָּב (mis.gav) — high refuge.
1) high place, refuge, secure height, retreat
1a) stronghold
1b) refuge (of God)
מִשְׂגָּב (mis.gav) — Misgab.
Word sometimes translated as a name, only mentioned at Jer.48.1
§ Misgab = "height"
a place in Moab
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ref'-uj: A place of resort and safety. The principal words in the Old Testament are machceh (Ps 14:6; 46:1; 62:7,8; Isa 4:6, etc.), and manoc (2Sa 22:3; Ps 59:16, etc.), both applied chiefly to God as a "refuge" for His people. For the King James Version "refuge" in De 33:27, the Revised Version (British and American) has "dwelling-place," and in Ps 9:9, "high tower." Conversely, the Revised Version (British and American) has "refuge" for the King James Version "shelter" in Ps 61:3, and "hope" in
→ CITIES OF
From the avenger of blood Ex 21:13,14; Nu 35:11-32; De 4:41-43; 19:2-13; Jos 20:1-6
דַּךְ (dakh) is an adjective meaning 'crushed' or 'oppressed.' It is derived from an unused root and is used figuratively to describe someone who is injured or afflicted. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to being crushed or oppressed.
דַּךְ adj. crushed, oppressed
base
H1790 דַּךְ
1790 dak dak
from an unused root (compare 1794); crushed, i.e. (fig.)
injured:--afflicted, oppressed.
see HEBREW for 01794
דַּךְ (dakh) — crushed.
crushed, oppressed
HRd/Aamsa — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
מִשְׂגָּב (misgab) refers to a secure height or retreat, often understood as a refuge or stronghold. It can denote a lofty or inaccessible place, and is specifically mentioned as a location in Moab in Jeremiah 48:1. The term emphasizes both physical elevation and the concept of safety.
ref
H4869a מִשְׂגָּב secure height, retreat H4869b מִשְׂגָּב in Moab
4869 misgab mis-gawb'
from 7682; properly, a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible
place); abstractly, altitude; figuratively, a refuge:--
defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in
Moab:--Misgab.
see HEBREW for 07682
מִשְׂגָּב (mis.gav) — high refuge.
1) high place, refuge, secure height, retreat
1a) stronghold
1b) refuge (of God)
מִשְׂגָּב (mis.gav) — Misgab.
Word sometimes translated as a name, only mentioned at Jer.48.1
§ Misgab = "height"
a place in Moab
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ref'-uj: A place of resort and safety. The principal words in the Old Testament are machceh (Ps 14:6; 46:1; 62:7,8; Isa 4:6, etc.), and manoc (2Sa 22:3; Ps 59:16, etc.), both applied chiefly to God as a "refuge" for His people. For the King James Version "refuge" in De 33:27, the Revised Version (British and American) has "dwelling-place," and in Ps 9:9, "high tower." Conversely, the Revised Version (British and American) has "refuge" for the King James Version "shelter" in Ps 61:3, and "hope" in
→ CITIES OF
From the avenger of blood Ex 21:13,14; Nu 35:11-32; De 4:41-43; 19:2-13; Jos 20:1-6
עֵת (eth) means 'time,' covering various aspects such as the time of an event, a usual time, or an appointed time. It can also refer to experiences or occurrences. The entries suggest it can denote both specific and uncertain times, but they do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עֵת 297 n.f. time
time of an event
= usual time
proper, suitable time
appointed time
as uncertain
= experience, fortunes
occurrence, occasion
base
H6256 עֵת time . time of an event
. . = usual time
. proper, suitable time
. appointed time
. as uncertain
. = experience, fortunes
. occurrence, occasion
6256 `eth ayth
from 5703; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now,
when, etc.:--+ after, (al-)ways, X certain, + continually, +
evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-,
noon-)tide, ((meal-)), what) time, when.
see HEBREW for 05703
עֵת (et) — time.
1) time
1a) time (of an event)
1b) time (usual)
1c) experiences, fortunes
1d) occurrence, occasion
HR/Ncbpc — Preposition · noun common both plural constructHR/Ncbpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word צָרָה (*tsarah*) is built from the root meaning tightness or trouble. It covers a range of meanings including dearth, distress, and adversary, as well as specifically referring to a rival wife. The entries note its use in contexts of adversity and anguish, with a specific reference to 1 Samuel 1:6.
בַּצָּרָה n.f. dearth, destitution
base
צָרָה 72 n.f. id. [r.dz.ac] straits, distress
base
[צָרָה] n.f. vexer, rival-wife;—sf. 1 S 1:6.
ref
H6869a בַּצָּרָה dearth, destitution H6869b צָרָה id. [6862b] H6869c צָרָה vexer, rival-wife
6869 tsarah tsaw-raw'
feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble);
transitively, a female rival:--adversary, adversity,
affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06862
בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah) — dearth.
death, destitution
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — distress.
straits, distress, trouble
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — vexer.
vexer, rival wife
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ BORROWING Mt 6:25-34; Mr 5:35,36; Joh 14:1; 16:6,7; Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7
See AFFLICTION
See SUFFERING
→ INSTANCES OF
Israelites at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-12
About water Ex 15:23-25; 17:2,3; Nu 20:1-13
Food Ex 16:2,3; Nu 11:4-33
When Moses waited upon the mountain Ex 32:1