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Psalms 94:16 — Word Study

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WLCמִֽי־ יָק֣וּם לִ֭י עִם־ מְרֵעִ֑ים מִֽי־ יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב לִ֝י עִם־ פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

BSAWhomîy [what person, which one] will rise upqûwm [stand against, take a stand] againstʻim the wickedrâʻaʻ [evil-doers, those who do evil] Whomîy [what person, which one] will standyâtsab [take a position, be established] againstʻim the workerspâʻal [those who practice, do] of iniquityʼâven [evil, wickedness, unrighteousness]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 94
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 16 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 ('A.ven) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 94:16quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist calls for someone to stand against wickedness and iniquity.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, expressing a plea for support.
Where we areIn a lament, questioning who will defend against evil.
The hard wordיָק֣וּם
Take awayThe need for allies in the fight against evil is clear.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectמִי verbקוּם 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 94:16

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 Call for Support Against Evilgenerated

15Surely judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?
17Unless the LORD had been my helper, I would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.

Psalms 94:16 reflects the psalmist's deep concern about the presence of wickedness and the need for someone to rise up against it. This plea highlights the struggle between good and evil, emphasizing the importance of standing firm against those who commit iniquity. The surrounding verses, such as Psalms 94:15 and Psalms 94:17, provide context for this urgent call for action.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 32:26–29So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
2Numbers 25:6–13Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
3Judges 5:23‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of the LORD. ‘Bitterly curse her inhabitants; for they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’
41 Kings 18:39–40When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”
52 Kings 9:32He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him.

The Key Word יָק֣וּם, ya.Kumgenerated

The verb קוּם (qum) means to rise or stand up. It is used here in the imperfect tense, indicating an action that is expected to occur, specifically in the third person masculine singular form. This construction suggests a call for someone to take a stand, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

In this context, the psalmist is asking who will rise up for him, indicating a need for support against wickedness. The verb carries connotations of establishing oneself in a position of authority or defense, which aligns with the psalmist's plea for help.


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

There are two main clauses in this verse, both beginning with the interrogative pronoun מִי (mi), meaning 'who?'. Each clause presents a question about who will take action, with the verbs יָק֣וּם (ya.Kum) and יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב (yit.ya.Tzev) indicating the actions of rising up and standing firm.

The structure emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's request, as both questions are directed towards finding a person willing to act against evil.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates יָק֣וּם as ἀναστήσεταί (anastēsetai), which carries a similar meaning of rising up or standing. This choice reflects the translators' intent to convey the same sense of urgency and action present in the Hebrew.

The use of συμπαραστήσεταί (sumparestēsetai) for יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב emphasizes the idea of standing together, reinforcing the communal aspect of the psalmist's plea.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 94:16 asks who will stand up against the wicked and those who do evil. The psalmist is looking for support in the fight against wrongdoing, expressing a need for someone to take a stand alongside him.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to rise up against the wicked?

To rise up against the wicked means to take a stand or defend against those who commit evil acts, as the psalmist is calling for support in this struggle.

Why does the psalmist ask who will stand for him?

The psalmist is expressing a sense of urgency and need for allies in the fight against wickedness, emphasizing the importance of having support in times of moral struggle.

What kind of evil is being referred to?

The evil referred to includes various forms of wrongdoing and iniquity, indicating a broad range of moral failings and injustices that the psalmist is concerned about.

How can we apply this verse today?

This verse encourages individuals to consider who will stand against injustice and evil in their own lives and communities, prompting reflection on the importance of support and action in the face of wrongdoing.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. Who in my life can I stand alongside to fight against injustice?
  2. How can I be a voice for those who are oppressed or wronged?
  3. What actions can I take to support those who are standing against evil?
  4. In what ways can I strengthen my resolve to stand firm in my beliefs?

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

Augustine of Hippo references this verse in his exposition, highlighting the call for support against wickedness.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 94 354–430
"Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Or who will take my part against the evil doers?" [Psalms 94:16].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 94:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?.... These are the words of the psalmist, representing the church of God, under sore persecutions from the antichristian party; called "evildoers",

Read John Gill on Psalms 94 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Who will rise up for me against the evil doers? The answer is contained in Psalms 94:17. Who else except Yahweh?

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 94 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To defend and help me. I looked hither and thither, and called to my friends for their help, saying, Who will, & c.? but none of them appeared, but God alone helped me, as he saith in the next verse.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 94 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? [or] who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?Ver. 16. Who will rise up for me] q.d. But a very few fast friends find I at court, Jonathan excepted. Some there are that will sprinkle me with court holy water, as they say, give glossing speeches; but it is little that they will do, and yet less that they will suffer for me. Faithful friends, saith one, are gone on pilgrimage, and their return is uncertain.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 94 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Rise up.—Stand up—i.e., as champion. (Comp. 2 Samuel 23:11, of the exploit of Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite; comp. Psalms 2:2.)

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 94 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 16. Who will rise up for me] Who is he that shall be the deliverer of thy people? Who will come to our assistance against these wicked Babylonians?

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 94 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16–19. Israel has no champion but Jehovah. Experience has proved His goodness. The Psalmist is partly speaking in the name of the people even when he uses the singular (Psalms 94:16-18; Psalms 94:23, our God), partly expressing his own personal feelings (Psalms 94:19).

Read Cambridge on Psalms 94 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers?... - This is the language of the psalmist.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 94 →

The verse in English, compared — 16 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

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand up for me against the evildoers?

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?

NETBNew English Translation2006

Who will rise up to defend me against the wicked? Who will stand up for me against the evildoers?

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

RVARevised Version, American1894

Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Who will rise vp with me against the wicked? or who will take my part against the workers of iniquitie?

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Who riseth up for me with evil doers? Who stationeth himself for me with workers of iniquity?

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Who rises up for me with evildoers? Who stations himself for me with workers of iniquity?

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Who will rise up for me against evil-doers? or who will stand forward for me against the workers of wickedness?

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Who will rise up to defend me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the wicked?

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Who came to my defense against the wicked; who stood up for me against those who do evil?

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Who will give me help against the sinners? and who will be my support against the workers of evil?

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.

clausesubjectמִֽיwho?verbיָק֣וּםwill.he.rise.upprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִ֭forיmeprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithמְרֵעִ֑יםevil-doersclausesubjectמִֽיwho?verbיִתְיַצֵּ֥בwill.he.take.his.standprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִ֝forיmeprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithnoun phraseפֹּ֥עֲלֵי[those.who].doאָֽוֶן(of).wickedness

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


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

The Masoretic Text of Psalms 94:16 reads, "Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?" The Septuagint agrees with this text, matching all 11 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although its word order and articles differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly 1Q10 and 4Q84, contain fragments that partially preserve the verse, with some words restored and others supplied by an editor, but they also align with the Masoretic Text's overall meaning and structure. Thus, the primary witnesses agree on the core content of the verse, with minor variations in preservation and wording.

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

מִֽי־ יָק֣וּם לִ֭י עִם־ מְרֵעִ֑ים מִֽי־ יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב לִ֝י עִם־ פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִֽי־τίςיָק֣וּםἀναστήσεταίלִ֭יμοιעִם־ἐπὶמְרֵעִ֑יםπονηρευομένουςמִֽי־τίςיִתְיַצֵּ֥בσυμπαραστήσεταίלִ֝יμοιעִם־ἐπὶפֹּ֥עֲלֵיἐργαζομένουςאָֽוֶן׃ἀνομίαν

11 of the 11 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Q10a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[מי] [יקום] [ל׳י] [עם] [מרעים] מי יתיצב [ל׳י] [עם] פעלי און

1 word on the leather — 3 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q84a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[מי] [יקום] [ל׳י] [עם] [מרעים] [מי] [יתיצב] [ל׳י] [עם] פעלי [און]

nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 10 supplied entire by an editor.

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


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

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

Psalms 94:16מִיwho?who?מִילֵבwill he riswill he rise upלֵבנִיfor mefor meנִיעִםwithwithעִםרָעַעevil-doersevil-doersרָעַעמִיwho?who?מִייָצַבwill he takwill he take hiיָצַבנִיfor mefor meנִיעִםwithwithעִםפָּעַל[those who][those who] doפָּעַלאָ֫וֶןwickednesswickednessאָ֫וֶןעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםמָהwhat?what?מָהבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדHouse of SHouse of Shepheבֵּית־עֵ֫קֶדאַ֫יִןnothingnothingאַ֫יִןיָעַדto appointto appointיָעַדכְּמוֹlikelikeכְּמוֹשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרנֶ֫דֶרvowvowנֶ֫דֶרעֵדwitnesswitnessעֵדיָטַבbe goodbe goodיָטַבמוֹעֵדmeetingmeetingמוֹעֵדתָּ֫וֶךְmidstmidstתָּ֫וֶךְאָ֫וֶןevil: wickevil: wickednesאָ֫וֶןעָ֫וֶלinjusticeinjusticeעָ֫וֶלפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַלעָמָלtroubletroubleעָמָל
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 94:16

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.

who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
מִֽי־mi- who? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Amplified meaning
what person, which one
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
יָק֣וּםya.Kum will he rise up H6965 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
628× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Amplified meaning
stand against, take a stand
Tyndale gloss
(Leb)-kamai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand

Qal 460

arise

arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

arise, abs., = become powerful

arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

arise for, i.e. to become

arise for action

arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

stand

Pi.

fulfil

confirm, ratify

confirm, establish

impose, an obligation

Pō‛l. raise up

Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up

Hiph.

146cause to arise, raise

raise, set up, stones

erect, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = bring on the scene

raise up = rouse, stir up

instigate, build

fig, of setting up law

raise up = constitute

cause to stand

Hoph. be raised up

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise

. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)

. arise, abs., = become powerful

. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet

. arise for, i.e. to become

. . arise for action

. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed

. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere

. stand

. . fulfil

. . confirm, ratify

. confirm, establish

. impose, an obligation

. raise up

. raise oneself, = rise up

. . cause to arise, raise

. . raise, set up, stones

. erect, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = bring on the scene

. . raise up = rouse, stir up

. instigate, build

. fig, of setting up law

. raise up = constitute

. cause to stand

. be raised up

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6965 quwm koom

a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,

figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X

be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X

enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift

up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise

(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse

up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,

strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -

rising).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.

Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)

§ -Kamai = "my adversary"

Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.

: rise/get_going

1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to arise

1a2) to arise (hostile sense)

1a3) to arise, become powerful

1a4) to arise, come on the scene

1a5) to stand

1a5a) to maintain oneself

1a5b) to be established, be confirmed

1a5c) to stand, endure

1a5d) to be fixed

1a5e) to be valid

1a5f) to be proven

1a5g) to be fulfilled

1a5h) to persist

1a5i) to be set, be fixed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to fulfil

1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose

1c) (Polel) to raise up

1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause to arise, raise

1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build

1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene

1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate

1e5) to raise up, constitute

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
לִ֭יli for me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
עִם־'im- with H5973 Preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
מְרֵעִ֑יםme.re.'Im evil-doers H7489 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine plural
107× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Amplified meaning
evil-doers, those who do evil
Tyndale gloss
be evil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָעַע (ra`a`) is a Hebrew verb with meanings related to being evil or breaking. It encompasses a range of concepts from moral wickedness to physical shattering. The entries indicate that it can refer to causing harm or injury, as well as being displeasing or sad. There is a notable distinction in the lexicons regarding its use in ethical contexts versus physical breaking.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָעַע] 98 vb. denom. be evil, bad

Qal

be displeasing

be sad

be injurious, evil

be evil, wicked, ethically

Niph. suffer hurt

Hiph. 70

do an injury, hurt

do evil, wickedly

base

[רָעַע] vb. break

Qal

trans. can one break iron, iron out of the north ?

intrans. break = be broken

Hithpō‛. the earth is broken asunder

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7489a רָעַע vb. denom. be evil, bad H7489b רָעַע break

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7489 ra`a` raw-ah'

a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking

to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing,

i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally):--afflict,

associate selves (by mistake for 7462), break (down, in

pieces), + displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat,

man), show self friendly (by mistake for 7462), do harm, (do)

hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, X indeed, do mischief, punish,

still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse.

see HEBREW for 07462

see HEBREW for 07462

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָעַע (ra.a) — be evil.

1) to be bad, be evil

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to be displeasing

1a2) to be sad

1a3) to be injurious, be evil

1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to do an injury or hurt

1b2) to do evil or wickedly

1b3) mischief (participle)

רָעַע (ra.a) — to shatter.

1) to break, shatter

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to break

1a2) broken (participle)

1a3) to be broken

1b) (Hithpolel) to be broken, be broken in pieces, be broken asunder

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine plural
HVhrmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

e-v'-l-doo'-erz mere`im; from ra`-a`; kakopoios, always plural:

Malefactors or offenders of God's law. Used generally of the ungodly, as, "Fret not thyself because of evil-doers." (Ps 37:1). Sometimes also of personal offenders: "He hath delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evil-doers." (Jer 20:13).

who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
מִֽי־mi- who? H4310 Pronoun
423× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Amplified meaning
what person, which one
Tyndale gloss
who?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִי (mi) is an interrogative pronoun primarily used to ask about persons, meaning 'who?' or 'whose?'. It can also appear in rhetorical questions and has some idiomatic uses, such as 'who among...?' or 'whosoever'. The word is rarely applied to things, and its forms can vary in emphasis.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons

מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

in the gen. whose

in an indirect qu.

מִי ב׳ who among … ?

strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

various rhetorical uses whose

מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

once, following a verb, any one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4310 מִי who? of persons . מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied

. in the gen. whose

. in an indirect qu.

. מִי ב׳ who among … ?

. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.

. various rhetorical uses whose

. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it

. once, following a verb, any one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4310 miy me

an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also

(indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction

with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that!

what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

see HEBREW for 04100

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִי (mi) — who?.

who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Pronoun
HPi
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
יִתְיַצֵּ֥בyit.ya.Tzev will he take his stand H3320 Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine singular
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To stand or place something firmly is what this word means, and it's used in the Bible to describe presenting oneself or standing firm in faith, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Amplified meaning
take a position, be established
Tyndale gloss
to stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַב (yatsab) primarily means to stand or to station oneself, particularly in the Hithpael form, which indicates a reflexive action. It encompasses the ideas of placing, setting, or presenting oneself. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָצַב] vb. only Hithp. set or station oneself, take one's stand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3320 יָצַב only Hithp. set or station oneself, take one's stand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3320 yatsab yaw-tsab'

a primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay);

reflexively, to station, offer, continue:--present selves,

remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-)

stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַב (ya.tsav) — to stand.

1) to place, set, stand, set or station oneself, present oneself

1a) (Hithpael) to station oneself, take one's stand, stand, present oneself, stand with someone

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tsav (יְצַב "to know" H3321)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVti3ms
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
לִ֝יli for me H9030 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נִי (ni) — me.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp1bs
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
עִם־'im- with H5973 Preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
פֹּ֥עֲלֵיPo.'a.lei [those who] do H6466 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To work or do something is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, often used to describe habitual or systematic actions. It can also mean to make or practise something.
Amplified meaning
those who practice, do
Tyndale gloss
to work
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פָּעַל (pa'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, often used in a systematic or habitual sense. It encompasses actions like committing, ordaining, and working, with a poetic nuance compared to the more common verb for 'to do' (עָשָׂה). The entries consistently highlight its usage in the Qal stem, emphasizing its foundational role in expressing action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פָּעַל 67 vb. do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Qal

do

make

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6466 פָּעַל do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6466 pa`al paw-al'

a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and

habitually), especially to practise:--commit, (evil-)

do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּעַל (pa.al) — to work.

1) to do, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do

1a2) to make

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVqrmpc
who? will he rise up for me with evil-doers who? will he take his stand for me with [those who] do wickedness
אָֽוֶן׃'A.ven wickedness H205 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
77× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Amplified meaning
evil, wickedness, unrighteousness
Tyndale gloss
evil: wickedness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness

trouble, sorrow

idolatry

trouble of iniquity, wickedness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

205 'aven aw-ven'

from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,

to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);

strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;

specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,

iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,

unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.

see HEBREW for 0369

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.

1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow

1a) trouble, sorrow

1b) idolatry

1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness

Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)

אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.

1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow

1a) trouble, sorrow

1b) idolatry

1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness

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

wik'-ed-nes:

1. In the Old Testament:

The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…

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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