Psalms 97:4 — Word Study
WLCהֵאִ֣ירוּ בְרָקָ֣יו תֵּבֵ֑ל רָאֲתָ֖ה וַתָּחֵ֣ל הָאָֽרֶץ׃
BSAHis lightningbârâq [flashes of light, bright flames] illuminatesʼôwr■ [gives light to, lightened] the worldtêbêl [the earth and its inhabitants] the earthʼerets [land, ground] seesrâʼâh■ [looks after, perceives] and trembleschûwl▸ [twists in fear, is pained]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֵאִ֣ירוּ | they light up | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person common plural |
| בְרָקָ֣יו | lightning flashes his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| תֵּבֵ֑ל | [the] world | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| רָאֲתָ֖ה | it sees | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| וַתָּחֵ֣ל | and it trembled | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| הָאָֽרֶץ׃ | the earth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. |
| KJV | His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. |
| ASV | His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled. |
| YLT | Lightened have His lightnings the world, The earth hath seen, and is pained. |
| WEB | His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles. |
| BBE | His bright flames give light to the world; the earth saw it with fear. |
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, all conveying the idea of God's lightning illuminating the world.
The structure features a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses, illustrating the sequence of actions and responses.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאוֹר
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 97:4
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 Majesty of Godgenerated
Psalms 97:4 describes the awe-inspiring power of God through His lightning, which lights up the world and causes the earth to tremble in response. This verse emphasizes God's control over nature and His ability to instill fear and reverence among His creation. The surrounding verses further illustrate God's might, as fire consumes His enemies and the mountains melt before Him, highlighting His sovereignty over all the earth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 77:18 | Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. |
| 2 | Psalm 144:5–6 | Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke. |
| 3 | Exodus 19:16–18 | On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. |
| 4 | Psalm 104:32 | He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder. |
| 5 | Psalm 114:7 | Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הֵאִ֣ירוּ, he.'I.rugenerated
The verb אוֹר (or) means 'to light' and is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action — here, it means 'they light up.' The parsing shows it is a perfect tense, third person plural, which aligns with the subject 'lightning'. This word encompasses both physical illumination and spiritual enlightenment, as seen in contexts like Psalm 119:105, where God's word is described as a light.
The choice of the Hiphil stem implies an active role in bringing light, suggesting that God's lightning actively illuminates the world. The Septuagint translates this as ἔφαναν, which also conveys the idea of revealing or making visible, aligning with the theme of divine revelation.
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 verse is structured around a series of clauses, with the main action being expressed through the verb הֵאִ֣ירוּ (they light up). The subject is the plural noun 'lightning', which is followed by the object 'world'. The next clause introduces the verb רָאֲתָ֖ה (it sees), indicating the earth's response to the illumination, followed by the sequential verb וַתָּחֵ֣ל (and it trembled). This structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between God's action and the earth's reaction.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject 'lightning' at the beginning, highlighting its significance in the verse. The subsequent clauses build upon this initial action, illustrating the immediate impact of God's presence on the earth.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הֵאִ֣ירוּ as ἔφαναν, which means 'they shone' or 'they revealed.' This choice indicates a focus on the act of revealing or making known, aligning with the Hebrew meaning of bringing light.
The Greek word αὐτοῦ for 'his' in reference to lightning suggests a personal connection to God's power, reinforcing the idea that these flashes are manifestations of His divine presence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 97:4 describes how God's lightning lights up the world, causing the earth to see and tremble. This verse emphasizes God's power and the awe it inspires in creation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's powerful presence and revelation, bringing light to the earth and its inhabitants, showing His majesty.
The trembling of the earth illustrates the fear and reverence that creation has in response to God's overwhelming power.
This verse connects to themes in other psalms and scriptures that describe God's sovereignty and power over nature, such as in Exodus 19:16-18.
We learn that God is powerful and majestic, capable of instilling awe and fear in His creation through His actions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I see God's light illuminating my life today?
- In what ways can I respond to God's power with reverence and awe?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God's presence in the world around me?
- How can I share the truth of God's majesty with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early interpretations of this verse, such as from Augustine of Hippo, highlight the joy found in God's illuminating presence, as seen in his exposition.
"His lightnings gave shine unto the world" [Psalms 97:4]. This is great joy.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 97 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 97:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHis lightnings enlightened the world,.... Either the doctrines of the Gospel, compared thereunto, because of the swift progress they made, and the large extent of them in the world, in a very little
Read John Gill on Psalms 97 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHis lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled - drawn from Psalms 77:18. The bare sight of thee caused the earth to tremble (Psalms 77:16).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 97 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis lightnings enlightened the world: this phrase signifies not so much illumination as terror and judgments, as appears both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense, as 144:6, &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 97 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 97:4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.Ver. 4. His lightnings enlightened the world] His apostles, those fulmiua Ecclesiastica, shall spread gospel light, and amaze people; the Lord working with them, and confirming their word with signs following, Mark 16:20
Read John Trapp on Psalms 97 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) See Psalms 77:17-18, from which this is taken.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 97 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. His lightnings enlightened the world] Though this be no more than a majestic description of the coming of the Lord, to confound his enemies and succour his followers, yet some spiritualize the passage, and say, the lightnings signify the apostles, who enlightened the world by their heavenly doctrine. The earth saw, and trembled.] The earth is represented as a sentient being. It saw the terrible majesty of God; and trembled through terror, fearing it should be destroyed on account of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 97 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4–6. The recent manifestation of Jehovah’s power, described in terms of the great Theophanies of old.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 97 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHis lightnings enlightened the world ... - See the notes at Psalms 77:18. Compare Psalms 104:32; Habakkuk 3:6-10.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 97 →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
His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.
His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.
His lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
Tyndale line
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled.
His lightnings lightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
His lightnings gaue light vnto the worlde: the earth sawe it and was afraide.
Strictly literal
His lightnings lightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
Lightened have His lightnings the world, The earth hath seen, and is pained.
His lightnings have lightened the world, || The earth has seen, and is pained.
His lightnings give light to the world: the earth seeth it, and trembleth.
His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
From the Latin
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
Simplified
His flashes of lightning light up the world; the earth watches and trembles.
His bright flames give light to the world; the earth saw it with fear.
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 (MT) of Psalms 97:4 reads, "הֵאִ֣ירוּ בְרָקָ֣יו תֵּבֵ֑ל רָאֲתָ֖ה וַתָּחֵ֣ל הָאָֽרֶץ׃" which translates to, "His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles." The Septuagint (LXX) aligns with the MT in meaning, as all six words correspond directly, though the order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, thus confirming the agreement with the MT and LXX in this instance.
הֵאִ֣ירוּ בְרָקָ֣יו תֵּבֵ֑ל רָאֲתָ֖ה וַתָּחֵ֣ל הָאָֽרֶץ׃
6 of the 6 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 97:4
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.
אוֹר (or) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become light, covering various contexts such as shining of the sun, illumination by celestial bodies, and lighting lamps. It has different forms: Qal (to shine), Niphal (to be illuminated), and Hiphil (to give light). The entries emphasize both literal and metaphorical uses, including making one's face shine and enlightening the eyes.
[אוֹר] 43 vb. be or become light
Qal;—become light, shine of sun (esp. in early morn.)
Niph.—become lighted up of day-break
Hiph.—
give light, of sun, moon & stars
light up, cause to shine, shine
light a lamp
lighten, of the eyes
make shine, of face of God
base
H215 אוֹר be or become light .—become light, shine of sun (esp. in early morn.)
.—become lighted up of day-break
.— . give light, of sun, moon & stars
. light up, cause to shine, shine
. light a lamp
. lighten, of the eyes
. make shine, of face of God
215 'owr ore
a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally
and metaphorically):--X break of day, glorious, kindle, (be,
en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.
אוֹר (or) — to light.
1) to be or become light, shine
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become light (day)
1a2) to shine (of the sun)
1a3) to become bright
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be illuminated
1b2) to become lighted up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give light, shine (of sun, moon, and stars)
1c2) to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine
1c3) to kindle, light (candle, wood)
1c4) lighten (of the eyes, his law, etc)
1c5) to make shine (of the face)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common pluralHVhp3cp
בָּרַק (baraq) refers to lightning and its associated phenomena, such as flashes of light or gleams. It can also describe a bright or glittering object, like a sword or an arrowhead. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to the natural phenomenon of lightning, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
בָּרַק vb. flash, of lightning
base
בָּרָק n.m. lightning
lit. mostly pl. = lightnings, lightning flashes
fig. (always sing.) of flashing arrow-head
base
H1300a בָּרַק flash of lightning H1300b בָּרָק lightning
1300 baraq baw-rawk'
from 1299; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a
flashing sword:--bright, glitter(-ing sword), lightning.
see HEBREW for 01299
בָּרַק (ba.raq) — to use lightning.
to flash (with lightning)
בָּרָק (ba.raq) — lightning.
1) lightning
1a) lightnings, lightning flashes
1b) of flashing arrow-head (fig.)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
תֵּבֵל (tebel) means 'world' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be moist.' It refers to the earth as a habitable place, encompassing both the globe and its inhabitants, and can specifically denote regions like Babylonia and Palestine. The entries consistently highlight its connection to the concept of a productive, inhabited land.
תֵּבֵל n.f. world (perh. orig. as productive)
base
H8398 תֵּבֵל world
8398 tebel tay-bale'
from 2986; the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by
extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants;
specifically, a partic. land, as Babylonia,
Palestine:--habitable part, world.
see HEBREW for 02986
תֵּבֵל (te.vel) — world.
world
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
The earth on which we dwell, 1Sa 2:8; its inhabitants, Joh 3:16, or a large number of them, Joh 12:19. In several places it is equivalent to "land," meaning the Roman Empire, or Judea and its vicinity, Lu 2:1 4:3 Ac 11:28. It also denotes the objects and interests of time and sense, Ga 6:14 1Jo 2:15.
→ See EARTH
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word חוּל (chuwl) is built from a primitive root meaning to twist or whirl. It covers a range of meanings, including to dance, writhe in pain, bear children, and wait anxiously. The word can also imply strength or firmness, as noted in some entries. Various forms indicate different nuances, such as being made to writhe or suffering anguish.
חוּל [חִיל] vb. whirl, dance, writhe
Qal
dance
twist, writhe
whirl, whirl about
Po‛lel
dance
writhe in travail with, bear, bring forth (poet.)
wait anxiously
Po‛lal
be made to writhe
be brought forth
Hiph. cause to be in anguish
Hoph. be born
Hithpol.
whirling
writhing, suffering torture
wait longingly
Hithpalp. and she writhed in anxiety
base
[חול, חִיל] vb. be firm, strong
base
H2342a חוּל [חִיל] whirl, dance, writhe .. dance
. twist, writhe
. whirl, whirl about
.. dance
. writhe in travail with, bear, bring forth (poet.)
. wait anxiously
.. be made to writhe
. be brought forth
. cause to be in anguish
. be born
. . whirling
. writhing, suffering torture
. wait longingly
. and she writhed in anxiety
H2342b חול, חִיל br firm, strong
2342 chuwl khool
or chiyl {kheel}; a primitive root; properly, to twist or
whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to
dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear;
figuratively, to wait, to pervert:--bear, (make to) bring
forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously
(with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope,
look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake,
shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain),
tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded.
חוּל (chul) — to twist: tremble.
: tremble/fear
1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to dance
1a2) to twist, writhe
1a3) to whirl, whirl about
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to dance
1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth
1b3) to wait anxiously
1c) (Pulal)
1c1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear
1c2) to be brought forth
1d) (Hophal) to be born
1e) (Hithpolel)
1e1) whirling (participle)
1e2) writhing, suffering torture (participle)
1e3) to wait longingly
1f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed
חִיל (chil) — be firm.
to be firm, strong
חוּל (chul) — to twist: give birth.
: give_birth
1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to dance
1a2) to twist, writhe
1a3) to whirl, whirl about
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to dance
1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth
1b3) to wait anxiously
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
urth ('adhamah, 'erets, 'aphar; ge, oikoumene):
In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color to the soil. This is especially the case on relatively barren hills where there is little organic matter present to prevent reddening and give a more blackish tinge.
'Adhamah (compare 'adham, "a man," and Adam) is from 'adham, "to be red," and is used in the senses: "earth" (Ex 20:24), "land" (Ps 105:35), a "land" or country (Isa 14:2), "ground" (Ge 4:11), "the earth" (Ge 7:4).
Earth
(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah’. In Gen. 9:20 “husbandman” is literally “man of the ground or earth.” Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules’ burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil.
(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (
The term is used in two widely-different senses: (1) for the material of which the earth’s surface is composed; (2) as the name of the planet on which man dwells. The Hebrew language discriminates between these two by the use of separate terms, adamah for the former, erets for the latter. Adamah is the earth in the sense of soil or ground, particularly as being susceptible of cultivation. (Genesis 2:7) Erets is applied in a more or less extended sense-- (1) to the whole world, (Genesis 1:1) (2) to land as opposed to sea, (Genesis 1:10) (3) to a country, (Genesis 21:32) (4) to a plot of ground, (Genesis 23:15) and (5) to…
In both Hebrew and Greek the same word is used to denote the earth as a whole, and a particular land. Only the context can enable us to decide in which of these senses it is to be taken in a given passage.
Thus in Mt 27:45 we might, so far as the original word is concerned, render either "there was darkness over all the land," or over all the earth. The expression "all the earth" is sometimes used hyperbolically for a large portion of it, Ezr 1:2. The word is used of the whole world, etc. In a moral sense, earthly is opposed to what is heavenly, spiritual and holy, Joh 3:31 1Co 15:47 Col 3:2