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Song of Solomon 5:8 — Word Study

Depth

WLCהִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אִֽם־ תִּמְצְאוּ֙ אֶת־ דּוֹדִ֔י מַה־ תַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ שֶׁחוֹלַ֥ת אַהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי׃

BSAO daughtersbath [female children, women] of JerusalemYᵉrûwshâlaim [the city of peace] I adjureshâbaʻ [swear an oath, solemnly charge] youʼêth ifʼim [in the event that, whether] you findmâtsâʼ [discover, attain] my beloveddôwd [loved one, dear one] tellnâgad [declare openly, inform] Iʼănîy [am] sickchâlâh [experiencing, feeling, weak, faint] with loveʼahăbâh [overcome by, filled with, affection, strong devotion]

Word
Listen & take awaySong of Solomon 5
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.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Song of Solomon 5:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe speaker urgently calls upon the daughters of Jerusalem to help convey her deep feelings of love.
Who is speakingA woman expressing her longing for her beloved.
Where we areIn a poetic dialogue that reflects the themes of love and desire.
The hard wordהִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי
Take awayThe speaker's love is overwhelming, leaving her in a state of longing.
clause subjectאֲנִי verbבַּת 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 — Song of Solomon 5:8

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 Song of Songs: A Poetic Expression of Lovegenerated

7I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city. They beat me and bruised me; they took away my cloak, those guardians of the walls.
8O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.
9How is your beloved better than others, O most beautiful among women? How is your beloved better than another, that you charge us so?
10My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.

Song of Solomon 5:8 captures a moment of yearning as the speaker addresses the daughters of Jerusalem, imploring them to help her reach her beloved. This verse is part of a larger poetic dialogue that explores themes of love, desire, and longing, reflecting the complexity of romantic relationships. The speaker's emotional state is vividly expressed, emphasizing the depth of her feelings.


The Key Word הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי, hish.Ba'.tigenerated

The verb שָׁבַע (shaba`) means to swear an oath or make a solemn promise. In this verse, it is in the Hiphil stem, indicating that the speaker is actively causing the daughters to take notice of her urgent request.

The use of this verb highlights the seriousness of the speaker's plea. She is not merely asking but is binding her request with an oath, emphasizing her desperation and the weight of her feelings.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, where the verb is rendered as adjure, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse is structured around the finite verb הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי, I adjure, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a noun phrase addressing the daughters of Jerusalem and a conditional clause that introduces the speaker's plea.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the speaker's direct address to the daughters, placing her urgent request at the forefront of the sentence.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי as ὥρκισα (hōrkisa), which also carries the meaning of swearing an oath. This choice maintains the weight of the speaker's request, indicating a serious commitment to her words.

The translation choice reflects a consistent understanding of the speaker's urgency and the importance of her feelings in the context of love.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Song of Solomon 5:8 shows a woman calling on the daughters of Jerusalem to help her convey her feelings to her beloved. She is deeply in love and feels weak from her emotions, asking them to tell him how she feels.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to adjure someone?

To adjure means to solemnly charge or urge someone to do something, often with a sense of urgency or seriousness.

Why does the speaker address the daughters of Jerusalem?

The speaker addresses them to enlist their help in conveying her feelings to her beloved, highlighting her sense of urgency.

What does the phrase 'sick with love' imply?

It implies a deep emotional state where love overwhelms the speaker, causing feelings of weakness or longing.

How does this verse reflect the themes of the Song of Solomon?

This verse encapsulates the themes of love, desire, and longing that permeate the Song of Solomon, showcasing the intensity of romantic feelings.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean to you to adjure someone in a moment of need?
  2. How can you relate to the feelings of longing expressed in this verse?
  3. In what ways do you express your feelings to those you love?
  4. How does this verse inspire you to understand the depth of love?

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.

NETBNew English Translation2006

O maidens of Jerusalem, I command you – If you find my beloved, what will you tell him? Tell him that I am lovesick!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, That ye tell him, that I am sick from love.

RVARevised Version, American1894

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick with love.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, if you finde my welbeloued, that you tell him that I am sicke of loue.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, ...What will ye tell him? — That I am sick of love.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved — What do ye tell him? that I [am] sick with love!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, || If you find my beloved—What do you tell him? That I [am] sick with love!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, what will ye tell him? that I am sick of love.—

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that if you find my beloved— What will you make known to him?— that I am sick from love.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I languish with love.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Women of Jerusalem, promise me if you find my love and wonder what you should tell him, tell him I am weak with love.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you see my loved one, what will you say to him? That I am overcome with love.

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.

clauseclausenoun phraseבְּנ֣וֹתO.daughtersיְרוּשָׁלִָ֑םof.Jerusalemclauseverbהִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּיI.adjurenoun phrase · objectאֶתְכֶ֖םyouclause · second objectclauseאִֽםifclauseverbתִּמְצְאוּ֙you.will.findnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseדּוֹדִ֔loverיmyclauseobjectמַהwhat?verbתַּגִּ֣ידוּwill.you.tellprepositional phrase · prepositionalל֔toוֹhimclausenoun phrase · objectrelpשֶׁ(cmp).[am]clausenoun phrase · predicateחוֹלַ֥תweakאַהֲבָ֖הof.lovesubjectאָֽנִיI

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 largely agree in content, with 12 of the 14 words matched. The differences in word order and articles reflect the distinct linguistic styles of Hebrew and Greek, but the essential meaning remains intact.

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

הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אִֽם־ תִּמְצְאוּ֙ אֶת־ דּוֹדִ֔י מַה־ תַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ שֶׁחוֹלַ֥ת אַהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּיθυγατέρεςאֶתְכֶ֖םὥρκισαיְרוּשָׁלִָ֑םὑμᾶςאִֽם־ἐὰνתִּמְצְאוּ֙εὕρητεדּוֹדִ֔יμουמַה־τίתַּגִּ֣ידוּἀπαγγείλητεל֔וֹαὐτῷשֶׁחוֹלַ֥תτετρωμένηאַהֲבָ֖הἀγάπηςאָֽנִי׃ἐγώ

12 of the 14 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.

Song of Solomon 5:8שָׁבַעI adjureI adjureשָׁבַעאֵתthe object the object markאֵתבַּתO daughtersO daughters ofבַּתיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫JerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫אִםififאִםמָצָאyou will fiyou will findמָצָאאֵתthe object the object markאֵתדּוֹדlover mylover myדּוֹדמָהwhat?what?מָהנָגַדwill you tewill you tellנָגַדוֹto himto himוֹחָלָהthat [am] wthat [am] weak חָלָהאַהֲבָהloveloveאַהֲבָהאֲנִיIIאֲנִיאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתשֶׁ֫בַעsevensevenשֶׁ֫בַעבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫ייְרוּשְׁלֵםJerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשְׁלֵםיָרָאto shootto shootיָרָאחוּלto twist: to twist: trembחוּלאַ֫הַבloverloverאַ֫הַבמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁחֵןfavorfavorחֵןשְׁבוּעָהoathoathשְׁבוּעָהאַבְרָםAbrahamAbrahamאַבְרָםצִיּוֹןZionZionצִיּוֹןאֵםmothermotherאֵםמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְחוֹמָהwallwallחוֹמָהיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁ
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 Song of Solomon 5:8

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.

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּיhish.Ba'.ti I adjure H7650 Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
186× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.
Amplified meaning
swear an oath, solemnly charge
Tyndale gloss
to swear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁבַע (shaba`) primarily means to swear or take an oath, possibly derived from the idea of binding oneself by seven things. It can also mean to adjure or to cause someone to take an oath. The word appears in various forms, including participles and different verb stems, indicating actions related to swearing and oaths.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁבַע] 186 vb. swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things)

Qal Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths

Niph.;—swear, take an oath

Hiph.

cause take an oath, subj. always man

adjure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7650 שָׁבַע swear (prob. so to say, seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things) .Pt. pass. those sworn with (= who have sworn) oaths

.;—swear, take an oath

. . cause take an oath, subj. always man

. adjure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7650 shaba` shaw-bah'

a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a

denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by

repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an

oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646),

take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.

see HEBREW for 07651

see HEBREW for 07646

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁבַע (sha.va) — to swear.

1) to swear, adjure

1a) (Qal) sworn (participle)

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to swear, take an oath

1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself)

1b3) to curse

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to take an oath

1c2) to adjure

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · perfect first person common singular
HVhp1cs
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
אֶתְכֶ֖ם'et.Khem the object marker you H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM | Suff — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp2mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
בְּנ֣וֹתbe.Not O daughters of H1323 Noun common · feminine plural construct
588× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Amplified meaning
female children, women
Tyndale gloss
Bath (Shua)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּת (bat) means 'daughter' and encompasses a range of meanings including female child, young women, and even personifications of cities or inhabitants. It can also refer to villages in certain contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and is used in various figurative senses, such as 'branch' or 'apple of the eye.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּת 587 n.f. daughter

daughter, female child

young women, women

with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

pl. = villages, after name of city

in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

ostrich

fig.

of vine = branch

as n. relat.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1323 בַּת daughter . daughter, female child

. young women, women

. with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

. pl. = villages, after name of city

. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

. ostrich

. fig.

. of vine = branch

. as n. relat.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1323 bath bath

from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same

wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and

figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter,

X first, X old, + owl, town, village.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01121

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּת (bat) — daughter.

: daughter

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

Also means: bat (בַּת ": village" H1323H)

בַּת (bat) — daughter: village.

: village

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

בַּת (bat) — Bath (Shua).

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2;

daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063);

mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑םye.ru.sha.Lim Jerusalem H3389 Noun proper
643× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Amplified meaning
the city of peace
Tyndale gloss
Jerusalem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם (Yruwshalaim) refers to Jerusalem, the capital city of Palestine. The name is thought to derive from terms meaning 'founded peaceful' and is linked to its two main hills. It is described as the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם 644 n.pr.loc. Jerusalem

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3389 יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם Jerusalem

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3389 Yruwshalaim yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im

rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in

allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of

the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from

(the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful;

Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of

Palestine:--Jerusalem.

see HEBREW for 03390

see HEBREW for 03384

see HEBREW for 07999

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.laim) — Jerusalem.

§ Jerusalem = "teaching of peace"

the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

je-roo'-sa-lem:

I. THE NAME

1. In Cuneiform

2. In Hebrew

3. In Greek and Latin

4. The Meaning of Jerusalem

5. Other Names

II. GEOLOGY, CLIMATE AND SPRINGS

1. Geology

2. Climate and Rainfall

3. The Natural Springs

III. THE NATURAL SITE

1. The Mountains Around

2. The Valleys

3. The Hills

IV. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF JERUSALEM

1. Description of Josephus

2. Summary of the Names of the Five Hills

3. The Akra

4. The Lower City

5. City of David and Zion

V. EXCAVATIONS AND ANTIQUITIES

1. Robinson

2. Wilson, and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1865)

3. Warren and Conder

4. Maudslay

5. Schick

6. Clermont-Ganneau

7. Bliss and Dickie

8. Jerusalem Archaeological Societies

VI. THE CITY'S WALLS AND GATES

1. The Existing Walls

2. Wilson's Theory

3. The Existing Gates

4. Buried Remains of Earlier Walls

5. The Great Dam of the Tyropoeon

6. Ruins of Ancient Gates

7. Josephus' Description of the Walls

8. First Wall

9. Second Wall

10. Third Wall

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jerusalem

Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the “city of God,” the “holy city;” by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning “the holy;” once “the city of Judah” (2 Chr. 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means “possession of peace,” or “foundation of peace.” The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the “upper” and the “lower city.” Jerusalem is a “mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness” (comp. Ps. 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(the habitation of peace), Jerusalem stands in latitude 31 degrees 46’ 35" north and longitude 35 degrees 18’ 30" east of Greenwich. It is 32 miles distant from the sea and 18 from the Jordan, 20 from Hebron and 36 from Samaria. "In several respects," says Dean Stanley, "its situation is singular among the cities of Palestine. Its elevation is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of the highest table-lands of the country. Hebron indeed is higher still by some hundred feet, and from the south, accordingly (even from Bethlehem), the approach to Jerusalem is by a slight descent. But from any other side the ascent is perpetual; and to the traveller approaching the city from the east or west it must always have presented the appearance beyond any other capital…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The chief city of the Holy Land, and to the Christian the most illustrious in the world. It is situated in 31 degrees 46’43" N. lat., and 35 degrees 13’ E. long. on elevated ground south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles from the Mediterranean, and about twenty-four from the Jordan. Its site was early hallowed by God’s trial of Abraham’s faith, Ge 22:1-24 2Ch 3:1. It was on the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, mostly within the limits of the former, but reckoned as belonging to the latter, because conquered by it, Jos 15:8 18:16,28 Jud 1:18. The most ancient name of the city was Salem, Ge…

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
אִֽם־'im- if H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Amplified meaning
in the event that, whether
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
תִּמְצְאוּ֙tim.tze.'U you will find H4672 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine plural
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
discover, attain
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or

exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;

figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVqi2mp
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
דּוֹדִ֔יdo.Di lover my H1730 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
61× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means 'beloved' or 'love', implying a strong affection, and can also refer to an uncle or close relative.
Amplified meaning
loved one, dear one
Tyndale gloss
beloved
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דּוֹד (dod) means 'beloved' and can refer to love in a general sense, as well as specifically to an uncle. It is derived from a root meaning 'to boil,' figuratively relating to love. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to affection and familial ties.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דּוֹד n.m. beloved, love (pl.), uncle

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1730 דּוֹד beloved, love (pl.), uncle

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1730 dowd dode

or (shortened) dod {dode}; from an unused root meaning

properly, to boil, i.e. (figuratively) to love; by

implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an

uncle:--(well-)beloved, father's brother, love, uncle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דּוֹד (dod) — beloved.

: beloved

1) beloved, love, uncle

1a) loved one, beloved

1b) uncle

1c) love (pl. abstract)

דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: love.

: love

1) beloved, love, uncle

1a) loved one, beloved

1b) uncle

1c) love (pl. abstract)

דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: male relative.

: male_relative

1) beloved, love, uncle

1a) loved one, beloved

1b) uncle

1c) love (pl. abstract)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp1bs
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

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

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

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

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

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

1c3b) for how long?

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

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

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPi — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
תַּגִּ֣ידוּta.Gi.du will you tell H5046 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
371× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Amplified meaning
declare openly, inform
Tyndale gloss
to tell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous

Hiph. declare, tell

Hoph. be told, announced, reported

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell

. be told, announced, reported

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5046 nagad naw-gad'

a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out

opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;

figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one

present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,

praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),

denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,

rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.

1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known

1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare

1a1) to tell, announce, report

1a2) to declare, make known, expound

1a3) to inform of

1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim

1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess

1a5a) messenger (participle)

1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVhi2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TALE.

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
ל֔וֹlo to him H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3ms
I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
שֶׁחוֹלַ֥תshe.cho.Lat that [am] weak of H2470 Particle · verb qal participle (active) feminine singular common
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To beg or entreat means to ask or pray for something, often with a sense of weakness or sickness, like when someone is grieving or in pain.
Amplified meaning
experiencing, feeling, weak, faint
Tyndale gloss
be weak: weak
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָלָה (*chalah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to be rubbed or worn, covering a range of meanings related to weakness, sickness, and grief. It can refer to becoming weak or ill, making oneself sick, or even entreating favor. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of these concepts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלָה vb. be weak, sick

Qal

be or become weak

become sick, ill

Niph.

make oneself sick, fig. for strain oneself

be made sick

Pi. make sick

Pu. be made weak

Hithp. make oneself sick

Hiph.

make (sick, i.e.) sore thy smiting

make sick

shew (signs of) sickness, become sick

Hoph. make sick = wounded

base

[חָלָה] vb. only Pi. mollify, appease, entreat the favour of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2470a חָלָה be weak, sick .. be or become weak

. become sick, ill

. . make oneself sick, fig. for strain oneself

. be made sick

. make sick

. be made weak

. make oneself sick

. . make (sick, i.e.) sore thy smiting

. make sick

. shew (signs of) sickness, become sick

. make sick = wounded

H2470b חָלָה only Pi. mollify, appease, entreat the favour of

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2470 chalah khaw-law'

a primitive root (compare 2342, 2470, 2490); properly, to be

rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick,

afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to

stroke (in flattering), entreat:--beseech, (be) diseased, (put

to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay

to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick,

sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail,

be (become) weak, be wounded.

see HEBREW for 02342

see HEBREW for 02470

see HEBREW for 02490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלָה (cha.lah) — be weak: weak.

: weak/disabled

1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry

1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak

1b2) to become sick, become ill

1c) (Niphal)

1c1) to make oneself sick

1c2) to be made sick

1c3) to be tired

1d) (Pual) to be made weak, become weak

1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself sick

1f) (Hiphil)

1f1) to make sore

1f2) to make sick

1f3) to show signs of sickness, become sick

1f4) to grieve

1g) (Hophal)

1g1) to be made sick

1g2) to be wounded

חָלָה (cha.lah) — to beg.

1) (Piel)

1a) (CLBL) to mollify, entreat, pray, beg

חָלָה (cha.lah) — be weak: ill.

: ill/injured

1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry

1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) feminine singular common
HTr/Vqrfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
אַהֲבָ֖ה'a.ha.Vah love H160 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means love or affection, describing human love for others or God's love for His people. It is used in many contexts, including romantic love and friendship. The Bible often talks about God's love.
Amplified meaning
overcome by, filled with, affection, strong devotion
Tyndale gloss
love
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אַהֲבָה (*'ahabah*) means 'love' and is a feminine noun derived from the root meaning the same. It encompasses various forms of love, including human affection between individuals, self-love, romantic love, and God's love for His people.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַהֲבָה n.f. love

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H160 אַהֲבָה love

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

160 'ahabah a-hab-aw

feminine of 158 and meaning the same:--love.

see HEBREW for 0158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַהֲבָה (a.ha.vah) — love.

1) love

1a) human love for human object

1a1) of man toward man

1a2) of man toward himself

1a3) between man and woman

1a4) sexual desire

2) God's love to His people

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

luv ('ahebh, 'ahabhah, noun; phileo, agapao, verb; agape, noun): Love to both God and man is fundamental to true religion, whether as expressed in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Jesus Himself declared that all the law and the prophets hang upon love (Mt 22:40; Mr 12:28-34). Paul, in his matchless ode on love (1Co 13), makes it the greatest of the graces of the Christian life--greater than speaking with tongues, or the gift of prophecy, or the possession of a faith of superior excellence; for without love all these gifts and graces, desirable and useful as they are in themselves, are as nothing, certainly of no permanent value in the sight of God. Not that either Jesus or Paul underestimates the faith from which all the graces proceed, for this grace is recognized as…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Love

This word seems to require explanation only in the case of its use by our Lord in his interview with “Simon, the son of Jonas,” after his resurrection (John 21:16, 17). When our Lord says, “Lovest thou me?” he uses the Greek word agapas; and when Simon answers, he uses the Greek word philo, i.e., “I love.” This is the usage in the first and second questions put by our Lord; but in the third our Lord uses Simon’s word. The distinction between these two Greek words is thus fitly described by Trench:, ”Agapan has more of judgment and deliberate choice; philein has more of attachment and peculiar personal affection. Thus the ‘Lovest thou’ (Gr. agapas) on the lips of the Lord seems to Peter at this moment too cold a word, as though his Lord were keeping him at a distance, or at least not inviting him to draw near, as in the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

GOD IS LOVE; AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM, 1Jo 4:16. Love is a chief attribute of Jehovah, the length and breadth and height and depth of which are beyond comprehension, for they are infinite, Eph 3:18,19. Between the three Persons of the Godhead, love is unutterable full, perfect, and blissful; towards holy angels and Christians, God’s love is an infinite fatherly complacency and affection; towards sinners, it is immeasurable compassion. It is shown in all his works and ways, and dictated his holy law, but is most signally displayed in the gospel, Joh 3:16. "Herein is love."

Holy love in man would make the whole heart and soul supremely delight in and obey God, and cordially and practically love all beings according to their character-the good…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ OF CHILDREN FOR PARENTS

See CHILDREN

→ OF GOD, LOVE OF

→ OF MAN FOR GOD Ex 20:6; De 5:10; 6:5; 7:9; 10:12; 11:1,13,22; 13:3; 30:6,16,20; Jos 22:5; 23:11; Ps 18:1; 31:23; 37:4; 45:10,11; 63:5,6; 69:35,36; 73:25,26; 91:14; 97:10; 116:1; 145:20; Pr 8:17; 23:26; Isa 56:6,7; Jer 2:2,3; Mt 22:37,38; Mr 12:29,30,32,33; Lu 11:42;

I adjure the object marker you O daughters of Jerusalem if you will find the object marker lover my what? will you tell to him that [am] weak of love I
אָֽנִי׃'A.ni I H589 Pronoun
874× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

589 'aniy an-ee'

contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X

which, X who.

see HEBREW for 0595

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.

I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
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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