Menu

Zechariah 9:2 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוְגַם־ חֲמָ֖ת תִּגְבָּל־ בָּ֑הּ צֹ֣ר וְצִיד֔וֹן כִּ֥י חָֽכְמָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃

BSAand alsogam [even, too] [against] HamathChămâth [an ancient city in Syria] which bordersgâbal [sets a boundary, marks a limit] as well as TyreTsôr [a major Phoenician city] and SidonTsîydôwn [a city on the Mediterranean coast] thoughkîy they are verymᵉʼôd [considered to be, thought of as, exceedingly, greatly] shrewdchâkam

Word
Listen & take awayZechariah 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 2 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 (me.'Od) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Zechariah 9:2quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse addresses God's judgment against various cities, highlighting their shrewdness.
Who is speakingThe prophet Zechariah, delivering a message from the LORD.
Where we areThis passage is part of a prophetic oracle concerning the fate of several cities.
The hard wordחָֽכְמָ֖ה
Take awayEven shrewd cities are not beyond God's reach.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbגָּבַל 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 — Zechariah 9:2

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 Burden Against Citiesgenerated

1This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place— for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD —
2and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
3Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

Zechariah 9:2 is part of a prophecy that outlines the LORD's judgment against several cities, including Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon. These cities are noted for their cunning and strategic importance, yet they are not exempt from divine scrutiny. The surrounding verses provide a broader context of God's sovereignty over nations and cities, emphasizing His authority over human wisdom and strength.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 13:21So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath.
22 Kings 23:33And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
32 Kings 25:21There at Riblah in the land of Hamath, the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death. So Judah was taken into exile, away from its own land.
4Jeremiah 49:23Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed.
5Amos 6:14For behold, I will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD, the God of Hosts, “and they will oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חָֽכְמָ֖ה, chokh.mahgenerated

The word חָכַם (chakam) is a verb that means to be wise or to act wisely. It encompasses the idea of possessing good judgment and making intelligent decisions, often highlighted in the context of biblical teachings on wisdom.

In this verse, it describes the cities of Tyre and Sidon as being very wise or shrewd, indicating their cunning nature in trade and politics. The perfect tense indicates a completed action, suggesting that their reputation for wisdom is well-established.


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 main verb of the verse is תִּגְבָּל (tigbal), which governs the clause about Hamath. The structure includes a conjunction phrase introducing the cities and a series of noun phrases that detail their characteristics.

The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the cities being listed as a collective subject, with the verbs describing their attributes following, which is typical in Hebrew syntax.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חֲמָת as εμαθ, indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew name for the city. This choice shows a consistent understanding of Hamath's identity.

The Greek word for wise, ἐφρόνησαν, suggests a similar meaning to the Hebrew, but it may carry additional connotations of practical wisdom or shrewdness in the context of the cities' dealings.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Zechariah 9:2 speaks of God's judgment against the cities of Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon, describing them as very wise or shrewd. This highlights their strategic importance and cunning, yet they are still subject to God's authority.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of mentioning Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon?

These cities were known for their wealth and strategic importance in the ancient world. Their mention indicates God's judgment over powerful and cunning nations.

How does the term 'shrewd' apply to these cities?

The term 'shrewd' suggests that these cities were not only wise but also cunning in their dealings, which is often viewed positively in trade but can imply deceitfulness.

What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty?

It shows that even the most strategic and wise cities are not beyond God's reach and that He has authority over all nations.

How does this verse connect to the broader themes in Zechariah?

It reflects the theme of God's judgment against nations and His ultimate control over history, emphasizing that human wisdom cannot escape divine oversight.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I see human wisdom and cunning in today's world, and how does it compare to divine wisdom?
  2. How can I apply the lessons of this verse about the limits of human shrewdness in my own life?
  3. What are some examples of cities or nations today that might be considered wise or shrewd?
  4. How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations affect my view of current events?

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

The early church father Jerome comments on this verse, noting the wisdom attributed to these cities and their eventual downfall.

JeromeVers. 2 seqq. c. 347–420
Emath quoque in terminis ejus, et Tyrus et Sidon: assumpserunt quippe sibi sapientiam valde. Et aedificavit Tyrus munitionem suam, et coacervavit argentum quasi humum, et aurum ut lutum platearum.
Early Church Fathers on Zechariah 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Zechariah 9:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And Hamath also shall border thereby,.... By the land of Hadrach, or by Damascus; and that it was near Damascus is clear from Isaiah 10:9 it is called Hamath the great in Amos 6:2 and according to

Read John Gill on Zechariah 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. And Hamath also - a Syrian kingdom, with a capital of the same name, north of Damascus.

Read Robert Jamieson on Zechariah 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Hamath; a principal noted town of Syria, once called Epiphania; it was near neighbour to the Jews, for it was a boundary of the Land of Promise. Shall border thereby; shall be so near to this storm which cometh, that they shall be the. worse for it. The country called by this name, in which Riblah was, and where the barbarous murder of many nobles of the Jews, the murder of Zedekiah’ s children, and his eyes were put out; all which cruelty and such-like Hamath must suffer, for now God rides his circuit, and judgeth. Tyrus; a famous mart as ever the world had, on which Ezekiel bestows his 26th, 27th, and 28th chapters, which see. Zidon; another mart, and on the same sea, more ancient than…

Read Matthew Poole on Zechariah 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Zechariah 9:2 And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.Ver. 2. And Hamath also shall border thereby] i.e. Shall share in the same punishment with Damascus, and fare the worse for its neighbourhood. Though it be very wise] And think to outwit the enemy, to be too hard for him that way, as Midian was for Israel, by his wiles rather than by his wars, Numbers 25:18. God taketh these wizards in their own craft, δρασσομενος, 1 Corinthians 3:19, πανουργια, as beasts in a toil, and makes very fools of them, notwithstanding their many fetches; specially when they boast of their wit, as Tyre did, Ezekiel 28:3-4, &c., and trust in it, Proverbs 3:5. The Phoenicians…

Read John Trapp on Zechariah 9 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) And Hamath . . . thereby.—Better, And even upon Hamath, [which] borders on it: viz., on Damascus. Thus far concerning Syria; now he speaks of Phœnicia. The terms of the denunciation of Syria are so general, that if they stood alone we should be at a loss to fix the era of their fulfilment. But the case is different with Tyre (Zechariah 9:2-4); for, though Tyre was besieged by Shalmanezer, and perhaps even taken by Nebuchadnezzar, it was certainly never “devoured with fire” until (B.C. 333) Alexander, “having slain all save those who fled to the temples, ordered the houses to be set on fire” (Q. Curtius). At the same time, though he attacked Phœnicia with the main body of his army, he…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Zechariah 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. And Hamath also shall border thereby] Hamath on the river Orontes; and Tyre and Sidon, notwithstanding their political wisdom, address, and cunning, shall have a part in the punishment. These prophecies are more suitable to the days of Jeremiah than to those of Zechariah; for there is no evidence - although Alexander did take Damascus, but without bloodshed - that it was destroyed from the times of Zechariah to the advent of our Lord. And as Tyre and Sidon were lately destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, it is not likely that they could soon undergo another devastation.

Read AdamClarke on Zechariah 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. shall border thereby] i.e. as it is near Damascus in situation and like it in character, so shall it be the neighbour or companion of Damascus in the calamities which shall come upon it. The clause may, however, be rendered, And also Hamath, which borders by it (Damascus), shall be its rest, i.e. the rest of the burden of the Lord, as Damascus was said to be in the former verse. Which bordereth thereon, R. V. though it be very wise] Or, because she is, R. V. This is best referred to Tyre, the words, “and Zidon,” being almost parenthetical, “Tyre with Zidon.” Though Sidon was the mother city it had long been eclipsed by Tyre, to which in the predictions of other prophets (Isaiah 23…

Read Cambridge on Zechariah 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And Hamath also shall border thereby - o. Near to it in place and character, it shall share its subdual. After the betrayal of Damascus, Parmenio was set over all Syria.

Read Albert Barnes on Zechariah 9 →

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

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

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

and Hamath, also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

NETBNew English Translation2006

as are those of Hamath also, which adjoins Damascus, and Tyre though they consider themselves to be very wise.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

RVARevised Version, American1894

and Hamath also which bordereth thereon: Tyre and Zidon, because she is very wise.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Hamath also shall border by it; Tyre and Zidon, though it be very wise.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Hamath also shall border thereby: Tyrus also and Zidon, though they be very wise.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and also [on] Hamath [which] bordereth thereon; on Tyre and Zidon, though she be very wise.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And also Hamath doth border thereon, Tyre and Zidon, for — very wise!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And also Hamath borders thereon, || Tyre and Sidon, for—very wise!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And also concerning Chamath that is bordering thereon, Tyre, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

This declaration also concerns Hamath, which borders on Damascus, and it concerns Tyre and Sidon, for they are very wise.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Emath also in the borders thereof, and Tyre, and Sidon: for they have taken to themselves to be exceeding wise.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

and Hamath too since it is close by. Also Tyre and Sidon for they are very wise.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

As well as Hamath, which is by its limit, and Tyre and Zidon, because they are very wise.

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.

conjunction phraseוְandגַםalsoclausenoun phrase · subjectחֲמָ֖תHamathclauseverbתִּגְבָּל[which].it.bordersprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּ֑onהּitclausenoun phrase · subjectצֹ֣רTyreוְandצִיד֔וֹןSidonכִּ֥י(dm)clauseverbחָֽכְמָ֖הit.is.wiseadverbialמְאֹֽדexceedingly

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 their wording for Zechariah 9:2. Both texts identify Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon, with the Septuagint providing a direct translation of the Hebrew terms.

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

וְגַם־ חֲמָ֖ת תִּגְבָּל־ בָּ֑הּ צֹ֣ר וְצִיד֔וֹן כִּ֥י חָֽכְמָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְגַם־καὶחֲמָ֖תεμαθתִּגְבָּל־ὁρίοιςבָּ֑הּαὐτῆςצֹ֣רτύροςוְצִיד֔וֹןσιδώνכִּ֥יδιότιחָֽכְמָ֖הἐφρόνησανמְאֹֽד׃σφόδρα

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

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


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

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

Zechariah 9:2גַּםand alsoand alsoגַּםחֲמָתHamathHamathחֲמָתגָּבַל[which] it [which] it bordגָּבַלהָititהָצֹרTyreTyreצֹרצִידוֹןand Sidonand Sidonצִידוֹןכִּיforforכִּיחָכַםit is wiseit is wiseחָכַםמְאֹדexceedinglyexceedinglyמְאֹדגְּבוּלborder: boborder: boundarגְּבוּלצוּדto huntto huntצוּדחוֹמָהwallwallחוֹמָהצֹרflintflintצֹראוּדfirebrandfirebrandאוּדתְּמוֹלyesterdayyesterdayתְּמוֹלשִׁלְשֹׁםthree daysthree days agoשִׁלְשֹׁםאַרְפַּדArpadArpadאַרְפַּדרִבְלָהRiblahRiblahרִבְלָהחִירָםHiramHiramחִירָםחִירָםHiramHiramחִירָםצֹרTyreTyreצֹראִיcoastlandcoastlandאִייָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעלִיץto mockto mockלִיץכָּבֵדheavyheavyכָּבֵדרָבָהto multiplto multiplyרָבָה
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 Zechariah 9:2

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
וְגַם־ve.gam- and also H1571 Conjunction · adverb
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Amplified meaning
even, too
Tyndale gloss
also
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1571 gam gam

by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,

though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,

also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,

even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,

nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּם (gam) — also.

1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea

1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)

1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)

1c) even (for stress)

1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)

1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)

1f) but, yet, though (adversative)

1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)

2) (TWOT) again, alike

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | DirObjM — Conjunction · adverb
HC/D
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'

and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
חֲמָ֖תcha.Mat Hamath H2574 Noun proper
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hamath is an ancient city in Syria, mentioned in 2 Kings as a key location. It was a major city in the region, known for its fortress.
Amplified meaning
an ancient city in Syria
Tyndale gloss
Hamath
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֲמָת (*Chamath*) refers to a location, specifically a city in upper Syria known as Hamath, which means 'fortress.' It is noted in the context of being a significant city in the valley of the Orontes. The term is associated with the root meaning of 'walled' and is mentioned in Amos 6:2 as 'great Hamath.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֲמָת, חֲמַת n.pr.loc. (√ dub.; fortress). It is called great Hamath by Am 6:2 (חֲמַת רַבָּה)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2574 חֲמָת, חֲמַת (√ dub.; fortress)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2574 Chamath kham-awth'

from the same as 2346; walled; Chamath, a place in

Syria:--Hamath, Hemath.

see HEBREW for 02346

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמָת (cha.mat) — Hamath.

§ Hamath = "fortress"

the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes

חֲמָת (cha.mat) — (Zobah)-Hamath.

Hamath = "fortress"

the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes

Combined with tso.va (צוֹבָא "Zobah" H6678)

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

ha'-math (chamath; Hemath, Haimath; Swete also has Hemath): The word signifies a defense or citadel, and such designation was very suitable for this chief royal city of the Hittites, situated between their northern and southern capitals, Carchemish and Kadesh, on a gigantic mound beside the Orontes. In Am 6:2 it is named Great Hamath, but not necessarily to distinguish it from other places of the same name.

1. Early History:

The Hamathite is mentioned in Ge 10:18 among the sons of Canaan, but in historic times the population, as the personal names testify, seems to have been for the most part Semitic. The ideal boundary of Israel reached the territory, but not the city of Hamath (Nu 34:8;

Hamath

Fortress, the capital of one of the kingdoms of Upper Syria of the same name, on the Orontes, in the valley of Lebanon, at the northern boundary of Palestine (Num. 13:21; 34:8), at the foot of Hermon (Josh. 13:5) towards Damascus (Zech. 9:2; Jer. 49:23). It is called “Hamath the great” in Amos 6:2, and “Hamath-zobah” in 2 Chr. 8:3.

Hamath, now Hamah, had an Aramaean population, but Hittite monuments discovered there show that it must have been at one time occupied by the Hittites. It was among the conquests of the Pharaoh Thothmes III. Its king, Tou or Toi…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(fortress), the principal city of upper Syria, was situated in the valley of the Orontes, which it commanded from the low screen of hills which forms the water-shed between the source of the Orontes and Antioch. The Hamathites were a Hamitic race, and are included among the descendants of Canaan. (Genesis 10:18) Nothing appears of the power of Hamath until the time of David. (2 Samuel 8:9) Hamath seems clearly to have been included in the dominions of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:21-24) The "store-cities" which Solomon "built in Hamath," (2 Chronicles 8:4) were perhaps staples for trade. In the Assyrian inscriptions of the time of Ahab (B.C. 900) Hamath appears as a separate power, in…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A celebrated city of Syria. Hamath, like Jerusalem and Damascus, is one of the few places in Syria and Palestine which have retained a certain degree of importance from the very earliest ages to the present time. The name occurs in Ge 10:18, as the seat of a Canaanitish tribe; and it is often mentioned as the northern limits of Canaan in its widest extent, Nu 13:21; Jos 13:5; Jud 3:3. In David’s time, Toi king of Hamath was his ally, 2Sa 8:9,10.

Burckhardt describes Hamath as "situated on both sides of the Orontes; a part of it is built on the declivity of a hill, and a part in the plain. The town is of considerable…

and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
תִּגְבָּל־tig.bol- [which] it borders H1379 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to set a border or boundary, like a rope marking a limit. It appears in various forms, including setting bounds for a territory. In the Bible, it is used to describe marking out areas of land.
Amplified meaning
sets a boundary, marks a limit
Tyndale gloss
to border
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּבַל (gabal) is a verb that means to bound or border. It can refer to setting boundaries or limits, with its Qal form indicating the act of bounding and the Hiphil form indicating the act of setting bounds. The word is derived from a primitive root that suggests twisting, akin to twisting a rope.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּבַל vb. denom. bound, border

Qal bound, border

Hiph. set bounds for

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1379 גָּבַל vb. denom. bound, border .bound, border

.set bounds for

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1379 gabal gaw-bal'

a primitive root; properly, to twist as a rope; only (as a

denominative from 1366) to bound (as by a line):--be border,

set (bounds about).

see HEBREW for 01366

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבַל (ga.val) — to border.

1) to bound, border

1a) (Qal) to bound, border

1b) (Hiphil) to set bounds, set bounds for

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
בָּ֑הּBah it H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
צֹ֣רtzor Tyre H6865 Noun proper
42× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tyre refers to a city on the Mediterranean coast, mentioned in the Bible as a major Phoenician city, translated as Tyre or Tyrus, meaning a rock. It appears in books like Matthew and Acts. The city was an important trade center.
Amplified meaning
a major Phoenician city
Tyndale gloss
Tyre
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צֹר (tsor) refers to Tyre, a well-known Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast. The word is associated with the meaning of 'rock' and is linked to the Hebrew word for rock, צור (tsur). The entries consistently identify it as a proper noun and a significant location in ancient Palestine.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צֹר, צוֹר n.pr.loc. Tyre, famous Phoenician city

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6865 צֹר, צוֹר Tyre, famous Phoenician city

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6865 Tsor tsore

or Tsowr {tsore}; the same as 6864; a rock; Tsor, a place in

Palestine:--Tyre, Tyrus.

see HEBREW for 06864

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צֹר (tsor) — Tyre.

§ Tyre or Tyrus = "a rock"

the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast

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

tir (tsowr. tsor, "rock"' Turos, "Tyrus"; modern Sur):

1. Physical Features:

The most noted of the Phoenician cities situated on the coast, lat. 33ø 17 minutes, about 20 miles South of Sidon and about 35 North of Carmel. The date of its foundation is uncertain, but it was later than that of Sidon. It is mentioned in the travels of the Egyptian Mohar, dating probably from the 14th century BC, and in the Tell el-Amarna Letters of about the same period. Herodotus describes the temple of Hercules at Tyre and says it was built 2,300 years before his time, which would carry back the beginning of the city to more than 2700 BC. It was a double city, one part on an island, a short distance from the shore, and the other on the mainland opposite. The island city had two harbors, connected by a canal, one looking North and the other South. The island was rocky and the city was fortitled on the land…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Tyre

A rock, now es-Sur; an ancient Phoenician city, about 23 miles, in a direct line, north of Acre, and 20 south of Sidon. Sidon was the oldest Phoenician city, but Tyre had a longer and more illustrious history. The commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre. “Tyrian merchants were the first who ventured to navigate the Mediterranean waters; and they founded their colonies on the coasts and neighbouring islands of the AEgean Sea, in Greece, on the northern coast of Africa, at Carthage and other places, in Sicily and Corsica, in Spain at Tartessus, and even beyond the pillars of Hercules at Gadeira (Cadiz)” (Driver’s Isaiah). In the time of David a friendly alliance was entered into between the Hebrews and the Tyrians, who were long ruled over by their native kings (2 Sam. 5:11;

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Tyrus, strength; rock; sharp

and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
וְצִיד֔וֹןve.tzi.Don and Sidon H6721 Conjunction · noun proper
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sidon was an ancient city on the Mediterranean coast, named after a son of Canaan, and is mentioned in the Bible as a major Phoenician city.
Amplified meaning
a city on the Mediterranean coast
Tyndale gloss
Sidon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צִידוֹן (Tsiydon) refers to Sidon, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre. The name is associated with fishing or hunting, derived from the root meaning 'to catch fish.' Sidon is mentioned as a son of Canaan and is first noted in Genesis 10:15.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צִידוֹן and צִידֹן n.pr.loc. Sidôn, ancient Phoenician city, on coast N. of Tyre;—‘first-born’ of Canaan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6721 צִידוֹן, צִידֹן Sidon, ancient Phoenician city, on coast N. of Tyre

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6721 Tsiydown tsee-done'

or Tsiydon {tsee-done'}; from 6679 in the sense of catching

fish; fishery; Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a

place in Palestine:--Sidon, Zidon.

see HEBREW for 06679

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צִידוֹן (tsi.don) — Sidon.

A man of the Canaanites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.15;

son of: Canaan (H3667);

brother of: Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577)

§ Sidon = "hunting"

ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre

צִידוֹן (tsi.don) — Sidon.

§ Sidon = "hunting"

ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre

צִידוֹן (tsi.don) — Sidon.

Sidon = "hunting"

ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre

Another name of tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper
HC/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sidon

Fishing; fishery, Gen. 10:15, 19 (A.V. marg., Tzidon; R.V., Zidon); Matt. 11:21, 22; Luke 6:17. (See ZIDON.)

Smith's Bible Dictionary

the Greek form of the Phoenician name Zidon. [ZIDON, OR SIDON]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In the Old Testament ZIDON, now called Saida, was celebrated city of Phoenicia, on the Mediterranean Sea, twenty miles north of Tyre and as many south of Beyroot. It is one of the most ancient cities in the world, Ge 49:13, and is believed to have been founded by Zidon, the eldest son of Canaan, Ge 10:15 49:13. In the time of Homer, the Zidonians were eminent for their trade and commerce, their wealth and prosperity, their skill in navigation, astronomy, architecture, and for their manufactures of glass, etc. They had then a commodious harbor, now choked with sand and inaccessible to any but the smallest vessels. Upon the division of Canaan among the tribes by Joshua, Great Zidon fell to the lot of Asher, Jos 11:8 19:28; but…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

hunting; fishing; venison

and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

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

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b 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

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
חָֽכְמָ֖הchokh.mah it is wise H2449 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
27× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be wise means to have good judgment and act intelligently, as described in the Bible. This word is used in Proverbs and other books to encourage people to seek wisdom and make wise decisions, like King Solomon.
Tyndale gloss
be wise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכַם (chakam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be wise or to act wisely. It encompasses various forms, including teaching wisdom and showing oneself wise. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, such as making others wise or dealing shrewdly. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכַם vb. be wise

Qal be or become wise, act wisely

Pi. make wise, teach wisdom

Pu. made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom

Hiph. making wise the simple

Hithp. let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); make or shew thyself wise

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2449 חָכַם be wise .be or become wise, act wisely

. make wise, teach wisdom

. made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom

. making wise the simple

. let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); make or shew thyself wise

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2449 chakam khaw-kam'

a primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act):--X

exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal

(never so) wisely, make wiser.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָכַם (cha.kham) — be wise.

1) to be wise

1a) (Qal) to be or become wise, act wisely

1b) (Piel) to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct

1c) (Pual) to be made wise

1d) (Hiphil) to make wise

1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself wise, deceive, show one's wisdom

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
and also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly
מְאֹֽד׃me.'Od exceedingly H3966 Adv
300× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Amplified meaning
considered to be, thought of as, exceedingly, greatly
Tyndale gloss
much
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

force, might

in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might

. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3966 m`od meh-ode'

from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or

without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,

speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,

especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X

louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)

sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

see HEBREW for 0181

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְאֹד (me.od) — much.

adv

1) exceedingly, much

subst

2) might, force, abundance

n m

3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly

3a) force, might

3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)

3b1) exceedingly

3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly

3b3) with muchness, muchness

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adv
HAcmsa
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.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate