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1 Chronicles 18:2 — Word Study

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WLCוַיַּ֖ךְ אֶת־ מוֹאָ֑ב וַיִּהְי֤וּ מוֹאָב֙ עֲבָדִ֣ים לְדָוִ֔יד נֹשְׂאֵ֖י מִנְחָֽה׃

BSA[David] also defeatednâkâh [overcame, smote] the MoabitesMôwʼâb [the people of Moab, descendants of Lot] and theyMôwʼâb becamehâyâh [were made, came to be] subjectʻebed [servants, slaves] to DavidDâvid [the king of Israel, a servant of God] and brought himnâsâʼ [lifted, offered] tributeminchâh [gifts, offerings, taxes]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 18
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 (min.Chah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Chronicles 18:2quick helps
In a sentenceDavid defeats the Moabites, making them his subjects who bring him tribute.
Who is speakingThe narrator recounts David's military successes.
Where we areThis verse is part of a narrative detailing David's conquests.
The hard wordעֲבָדִ֣ים
Take awayDavid's victories establish his authority over the Moabites.
4 commentators on this verse Jamieson, Ellicott, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectמוֹאָב verbנָכָה 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 — 1 Chronicles 18:2

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 — David's Military Conquestsgenerated

1Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines.
2David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.
3As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River.
4David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

1 Chronicles 18:2 describes how David defeated the Moabites, asserting his dominance over them. This victory is part of a broader narrative of David's military campaigns, which included victories over the Philistines and other neighboring nations, as seen in the surrounding verses. David's actions not only expanded his kingdom but also established his reputation as a powerful king.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 24:17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
2Judges 3:29–30At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and valiant men. Not one of them escaped.
32 Samuel 8:2David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
4Psalm 60:8Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
5Isaiah 11:14They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word עֲבָדִ֣ים, 'a.va.Dimgenerated

The word עֶבֶד (ebed) means 'servant' or 'slave', and in this context, it refers to the Moabites becoming subjects to David. The parsing shows it as a masculine plural noun, indicating a collective group of people serving under David's rule.

This term carries implications of subjugation and servitude, reflecting the power dynamics at play after David's military victory. The use of this word emphasizes the transition of the Moabites from independent people to subjects under David's authority.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verbs in this verse are וַיַּ֖ךְ (he struck down) and וַיִּהְי֤וּ (they became), which govern the overall structure. The first clause describes David's action against the Moabites, while the second clause describes the resulting state of the Moabites as subjects.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on David's victory first, followed by the consequence of that victory, which is the Moabites becoming his subjects.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיַּ֖ךְ as ἐπάταχεν (he struck), indicating a direct correspondence in meaning. This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of David's action.

The translation of עֲבָדִ֣ים is not directly represented in the Greek, but the overall context remains consistent with the idea of subjugation and servitude.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 18:2 tells us that David defeated the Moabites, making them his subjects who brought him tribute. This shows David's strength as a king and his ability to expand his kingdom through military victories.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the Moabites became subjects to David?

It means that after David's victory, the Moabites were forced to serve David and pay him tribute, indicating their subjugation.

Why did David fight against the Moabites?

David fought against the Moabites as part of his campaign to expand Israel's territory and assert his dominance over neighboring nations.

What is the significance of tribute in this context?

Tribute signifies the Moabites' recognition of David's authority and their obligation to provide gifts or taxes as a form of submission.

How does this verse relate to David's overall reign?

This verse highlights David's military prowess and his role in establishing Israel as a powerful nation during his reign.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What qualities do you think made David a successful military leader?
  2. How can we understand the concept of servitude in a modern context?
  3. In what ways can we recognize and respond to authority in our own lives?
  4. How does this passage inform our understanding of leadership and power?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 18:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. He smote Moab.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Much abridged, as compared with Samuel. After the words “he smote Moab,” we read there of a partial massacre of the conquered. The emission is scarcely due to any unfair bias on the part of the chronicler. Indeed, as a Jew, possessed with all the national exclusiveness and hatred of the aliens who always misunderstood and sometimes cruelly oppressed his people, he was not likely to regard the slaughter of captive Moabites from a modern point of view. (Comp. Ezra 6:21; Ezra 6:9-10; Nehemiah 2:19; Nehemiah 2:4; Nehemiah 2:6; Nehemiah 2:13) Besides, he has related the cruel treatment of the Ammonite prisoners (1 Chronicles 20:3). (See the prophecy, Numbers 24:17.) And the Moabites…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 2. Brought gifts] Were laid under tribute.

Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. smote Moab] The Chronicler at this point omits, as he often omits, some obscure words of Samuel. 2 Samuel 8:2 seems to say that David put two thirds of the Moabites (presumably the warriors) to death, but the meaning of the verse is uncertain. brought gifts] R.V. brought presents, i.e. tribute. It is the action of an inferior acknowledging the superiority of another. The same Heb. phrase (translated “bring an offering”) is used Psalms 96:8 of sacrificing to Jehovah.

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 18 →

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

David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He defeated Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He defeated the Moabites; the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought presents.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And he smote Moab, and the Moabites became Dauids seruants, and brought giftes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he smote the Moabites; and the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he smiteth Moab, and the Moabites are servants to David, bringing a present.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and he strikes Moab, and the Moabites are servants to David, bringing a present.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he smote Moab, and the Moabites became David's servants, bringing presents.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and paid him tribute.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites were made David’s servants, and brought him gifts.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

David also defeated the Moabites, making them subject to him and requiring them to pay taxes.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he overcame Moab, and the Moabites became his servants and gave him offerings.

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.

וַandclauseverbיַּ֖ךְhe.defeatednoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)מוֹאָ֑בMoabוַandclauseverbיִּהְי֤וּthey.becamesubjectמוֹאָב֙Moabnoun phrase · objectnoun phraseעֲבָדִ֣יםsubjectsprepositional phraseלְofדָוִ֔ידDavidnoun phraseנֹשְׂאֵ֖י[who].broughtמִנְחָֽה(of).tribute

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 this verse, with the Septuagint providing a close word-for-word correspondence. However, the Septuagint's word order differs from the Hebrew, reflecting its own syntactical structure.

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

וַיַּ֖ךְ אֶת־ מוֹאָ֑ב וַיִּהְי֤וּ מוֹאָב֙ עֲבָדִ֣ים לְדָוִ֔יד נֹשְׂאֵ֖י מִנְחָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּ֖ךְἐπάταχενמוֹאָ֑בμωαβוַיִּהְי֤וּἦσανמוֹאָב֙μωαβעֲבָדִ֣יםπαῖδεςלְדָוִ֔ידδαυιδנֹשְׂאֵ֖יφέροντεςמִנְחָֽה׃δῶρα

8 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.

1 Chronicles 18:2נָכָהand he struand he struck dנָכָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתמוֹאָבMoabMoabמוֹאָבהָיָהand they beand they becameהָיָהמוֹאָבMoabMoabמוֹאָבעֶ֫בֶדsubjectssubjectsעֶ֫בֶדדָּוִדof Davidof Davidדָּוִדנָשָׂאbearers ofbearers ofנָשָׂאמִנְחָהtributetributeמִנְחָהאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתאָבfatherfatherאָבעָבַדto serveto serveעָבַדהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאדּוֹדbelovedbelovedדּוֹדאֵבfruitfruitאֵבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדעֲרָבָהplainplainעֲרָבָהעַמּוֹןAmmonAmmonעַמּוֹןמַכָּהwoundwoundמַכָּהפְּלִשְׁתִּי(Sea of th(Sea of the) Phפְּלִשְׁתִּימִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁאָמָהmaidservanmaidservantאָמָהשִׁפְחָהmaidservanmaidservantשִׁפְחָהמִזְמוֹרmelodymelodyמִזְמוֹרנָצַחto conductto conductנָצַחכְּלִמָּהshameshameכְּלִמָּהמָשָׁלproverbproverbמָשָׁל
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 1 Chronicles 18:2

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 he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
וַיַּ֖ךְvai.Yakh and he struck down H5221 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Amplified meaning
overcame, smote
Tyndale gloss
to smite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָכָה (nakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to strike or smite, encompassing a range of actions from lightly hitting to fatal blows. It appears in various forms, indicating actions like attacking, punishing, or causing disease. The entries suggest its use in both literal and figurative contexts, including divine judgment and applause. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכָה] 501 vb. smite (not in Qal)

Niph. and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

Pu. both be smitten down by the hail

Hiph.

lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

smite repeatedly, beat a man

and they clapped hands (in applause)

give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

smite, of sun

Smite fatally

Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

Of God

smite with a plague, disease, etc.

smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

of God’s destroying palaces

Hoph. be smitten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5221 נָכָה smite (not in Qal) . and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die

. both be smitten down by the hail

. . . lit., smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike

. smite repeatedly, beat a man

. and they clapped hands (in applause)

. give a thrust (with fork) into pot; strike roots

. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound

. smite, of sun

. Smite fatally

. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

. Of God . smite with a plague, disease, etc.

. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

. of God’s destroying palaces

. be smitten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5221 nakah naw-kaw'

a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally

or figuratively):--beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), X

go forward, X indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer,

punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike,

be stricken, (give) stripes, X surely, wound.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכָה (na.khah) — to smite.

1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill

1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust

1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast)

1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage

1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy

1d) (Hophal) to be smitten

1d1) to receive a blow

1d2) to be wounded

1d3) to be beaten

1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain

1d5) to be attacked and captured

1d6) to be smitten (with disease)

1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
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
and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
מוֹאָ֑בmo.'Av Moab H4124 Noun proper
181× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Amplified meaning
the people of Moab, descendants of Lot
Tyndale gloss
(Plains of) Moab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוֹאָב (Moab) refers to both a person and a territory. It denotes Moab, the son of Lot by his eldest daughter, and the nation and land descended from him. The name means 'of his father,' highlighting the incestuous origins of Moab. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, including references to the Moabites and their territory.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוֹאָב, מֹאָב 180 n.pr.gent. et terr. Moab

Moab as son of Lot by his elder daughter

Moab:

= nation of which Lot’s son is represented as ancestor

= territory of Moab

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4124 מוֹאָב, מֹאָב Moab

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4124 Mow'ab mo-awb

from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m- and 1;

from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of

Lot; also his territory and descendants:--Moab.

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.

Moab = "of his father"

the nation descended from the son of Lot

Also named: mo.a.vi (מוֹאָבִי "Moab" H4125)

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.19.37;

son of: Lot (H3876) and his first daughter (H3876H);

half-brother of Ben-ammi (H1151);

§ Moab = "of his father"

1) a son of Lot by his eldest daughter

2) the nation descended from the son of Lot

3) the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — (Plains of) Moab.

Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I)

§ Moab = "of his father"

the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Moab

The seed of the father, or, according to others, the desirable land, the eldest son of Lot (Gen. 19:37), of incestuous birth.

(2.) Used to denote the people of Moab (Num. 22:3-14; Judg. 3:30; 2 Sam. 8:2; Jer. 48:11, 13).

(3.) The land of Moab (Jer. 48:24), called also the “country of Moab” (Ruth 1:2, 6; 2:6), on the east of Jordan and the Dead Sea, and south of the Arnon (Num. 21:13, 26). In a wider sense it included the whole region that had been occupied by…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(of his father), Mo’abites. Moab was the son of the Lot’s eldest daughter, the progenitor of the Moabites. Zoar was the cradle of the race of Lot. From this centre the brother tribes spread themselves. The Moabites first inhabited the rich highlands which crown the eastern side of the chasm of the Dead Sea, extending as far north as the mountain of Gilead, from which country they expelled the Emims, the original inhabitants, (2:11) but they themselves were afterward driven southward by the warlike Amorites, who had crossed the Jordan, and were confined to the country south of the river Arnon, which formed their northern boundary. (Numbers 21:13; Judges 11:18) The territory occupied by Moab at the period of its greatest extent, before the invasion of the Amorites, divided itself…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

of his father

Nave's Topical Bible

1. Son of Lot Ge 19:37

2. Plains of

Israelites come in De 2:17,18

Military forces numbered in Nu 26:3,63

The law rehearsed in, by Moses Nu 35; 36; De 29; 30; 31; 32; 33

The Israelites renew their covenant in De 29:1

The land of promise allotted in Jos 13:32

and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
וַיִּהְי֤וּvai.yih.Yu and they became H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Amplified meaning
were made, came to be
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
מוֹאָב֙mo.'Av Moab H4124 Noun proper
181× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Tyndale gloss
(Plains of) Moab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוֹאָב (Moab) refers to both a person and a territory. It denotes Moab, the son of Lot by his eldest daughter, and the nation and land descended from him. The name means 'of his father,' highlighting the incestuous origins of Moab. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, including references to the Moabites and their territory.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוֹאָב, מֹאָב 180 n.pr.gent. et terr. Moab

Moab as son of Lot by his elder daughter

Moab:

= nation of which Lot’s son is represented as ancestor

= territory of Moab

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4124 מוֹאָב, מֹאָב Moab

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4124 Mow'ab mo-awb

from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m- and 1;

from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of

Lot; also his territory and descendants:--Moab.

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.

Moab = "of his father"

the nation descended from the son of Lot

Also named: mo.a.vi (מוֹאָבִי "Moab" H4125)

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.19.37;

son of: Lot (H3876) and his first daughter (H3876H);

half-brother of Ben-ammi (H1151);

§ Moab = "of his father"

1) a son of Lot by his eldest daughter

2) the nation descended from the son of Lot

3) the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot

מוֹאָב (mo.av) — (Plains of) Moab.

Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I)

§ Moab = "of his father"

the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Moab

The seed of the father, or, according to others, the desirable land, the eldest son of Lot (Gen. 19:37), of incestuous birth.

(2.) Used to denote the people of Moab (Num. 22:3-14; Judg. 3:30; 2 Sam. 8:2; Jer. 48:11, 13).

(3.) The land of Moab (Jer. 48:24), called also the “country of Moab” (Ruth 1:2, 6; 2:6), on the east of Jordan and the Dead Sea, and south of the Arnon (Num. 21:13, 26). In a wider sense it included the whole region that had been occupied by…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(of his father), Mo’abites. Moab was the son of the Lot’s eldest daughter, the progenitor of the Moabites. Zoar was the cradle of the race of Lot. From this centre the brother tribes spread themselves. The Moabites first inhabited the rich highlands which crown the eastern side of the chasm of the Dead Sea, extending as far north as the mountain of Gilead, from which country they expelled the Emims, the original inhabitants, (2:11) but they themselves were afterward driven southward by the warlike Amorites, who had crossed the Jordan, and were confined to the country south of the river Arnon, which formed their northern boundary. (Numbers 21:13; Judges 11:18) The territory occupied by Moab at the period of its greatest extent, before the invasion of the Amorites, divided itself…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

of his father

Nave's Topical Bible

1. Son of Lot Ge 19:37

2. Plains of

Israelites come in De 2:17,18

Military forces numbered in Nu 26:3,63

The law rehearsed in, by Moses Nu 35; 36; De 29; 30; 31; 32; 33

The Israelites renew their covenant in De 29:1

The land of promise allotted in Jos 13:32

and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
עֲבָדִ֣ים'a.va.Dim subjects H5650 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
801× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Amplified meaning
servants, slaves
Tyndale gloss
servant/slave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant

slave, servant of household

Subjects, of chief

Servants, worshippers of God

Servant of י׳, in a special sense

Israel as a people is servant of י׳

In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

Phrases

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household

. Subjects, of chief

. Servants, worshippers of God

. Servant of י׳, in a special sense

. Israel as a people is servant of י׳

. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I

. Phrases

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5650 `ebed eh'-bed

from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,

(man-)servant.

see HEBREW for 05647

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.

1) slave, servant

1a) slave, servant, man-servant

1b) subjects

1c) servants, worshippers (of God)

1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)

1e) servant (of Israel)

1f) servant (as form of address between equals)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See CITIZEN

→ See GOVERNMENT

→ See PATRIOTISM

→ See RULERS

and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
לְדָוִ֔ידle.da.Vid of David H1732 Preposition · noun proper masculine
1,075× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Amplified meaning
the king of Israel, a servant of God
Tyndale gloss
David
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1732 David daw-veed'

rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;

loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.

see HEBREW for 01730

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;

son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);

brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);

father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
HR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):

I. NAME AND GENEALOGY

II. EARLY YEARS

1. Shepherd

2. Slinger

3. Harpist

4. Poet

5. Psalmist

6. Tribesman

III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL

1. David First Meets Saul

2. His First Exploit

3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David

4. Jonathan and David

IV. DAVID IN EXILE

1. David as Outlaw

2. David Joins the Philistines

V. DAVID AS KING

1. Civil War

2. Conquests Abroad

3. Political Situation

4. The Ark

VI. DOMESTIC LIFE

1. His Wives and Children

2. Domestic Troubles

VII. HIS OFFICIALS

1. Prophets

2. Priests

3. Military Officers

4. Other Officials

5. Mutual Rivalry

VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID

1. Chronicles

2. Psalms

3. Complex Character

4. Physical Courage

5. Moral Courage

6. Prudence

7. Strategy

8. Nobility

9. David in Relation to His Family

10. David in Relation to His Friends

11. His Success

12. His Foreign Friends

13. Nemesis

Easton's Bible Dictionary

David

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).

His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…

and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
נֹשְׂאֵ֖יno.se.'Ei bearers of H5375 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
656× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Amplified meaning
lifted, offered
Tyndale gloss
to lift: raise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take

Qal

lift, lift up

Bear, carry

Take, take away

Niph.

be lifted up

refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

be borne, carried

be taken away, carried off

Pi.

lift up = exalt

fig. = desire, long

carry, bear continuously

take, take away

Hithp. lift oneself up

Hiph.

cause one to bear iniquity

appar. cause to bring, have brought

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up

. Bear, carry

. Take, take away

. . be lifted up

. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment

. be borne, carried

. be taken away, carried off

. . lift up = exalt

. fig. = desire, long

. carry, bear continuously

. take, take away

. lift oneself up

. . cause one to bear iniquity

. appar. cause to bring, have brought

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5375 nasa' naw-saw'

or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to

lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and

figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,

arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring

(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,

exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,

give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,

lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,

pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,

stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.

see HEBREW for 04

see HEBREW for 06

see HEBREW for 07

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.

: raise/take_up

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up

1b3) to be borne, be carried

1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist

1c2) to desire, long (fig.)

1c3) to carry, bear continuously

1c4) to take, take away

1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)

1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.

: look/lift(eyes)

1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lift, lift up

1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure

1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural common
HVqrmpc
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…

and he struck down the object marker Moab and they became Moab subjects of David bearers of tribute
מִנְחָֽה׃min.Chah tribute H4503 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
211× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for offering refers to a gift or donation, often given to God as a sacrifice. In Leviticus 2:1, it describes a grain offering. It can also mean tribute or present.
Amplified meaning
gifts, offerings, taxes
Tyndale gloss
offering
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִנְחָה (minchah) refers to a gift or offering, particularly in a religious context. It encompasses a range of meanings including tribute, voluntary offerings, and specifically bloodless sacrifices, often grain offerings. The term is derived from a root meaning to apportion or bestow, indicating a donation or present, especially to God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִנְחָה 153 n.f. gift, tribute, offering

gift, present

tribute

offering made to God, of any kind, whether grain or animals

grain offering

grain-offering, always with this meaning in P

vbs. of offering are

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4503 מִנְחָה gift, tribute, offering

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4503 minchah min-khaw'

from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a

donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial

offering (usually bloodless and voluntary):--gift, oblation,

(meat) offering, present, sacrifice.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering.

: offering/sacrifice

1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering

1a) gift, present

1b) tribute

1c) offering (to God)

1d) grain offering

מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering: gift.

: gift

1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering

1a) gift, present

1b) tribute

1c) offering (to God)

1d) grain offering

מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering: tribute.

: tribute

1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering

1a) gift, present

1b) tribute

1c) offering (to God)

1d) grain offering

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

trib'-ut (mac, "tribute," really meaning "forced laborers," "labor gang" (1Ki 4:6; 9:15,21); also "forced service," "serfdom"; possibly "forced payment" is meant in Es 10:1; the idea contained in the modern word is better given by middah (Ezr 6:8; Ne 5:4)): Words used only of the duty levied for Yahweh on acquired spoils are mekhec, "assessment" (Nu 31:28,37,38,39,40,41), belo, "excise" (Ezr 4:13,10; Ne 7:24), massa', "burden" (2Ch 17:11), and `onesh, "fine" or…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Tribute

A tax imposed by a king on his subjects (2 Sam. 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; Rom. 13:6). In Matt. 17:24-27 the word denotes the temple rate (the “didrachma,” the “half-shekel,” as rendered by the R.V.) which was required to be paid for the support of the temple by every Jew above twenty years of age (Ex. 30:12; 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Chr. 24:6, 9). It was not a civil but a religious tax.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The chief biblical facts connected with the payment of tribute have been already given under TAXES. The tribute (money) mentioned in (Matthew 17:24,25) was the half shekel (worth from 25 to 27 cents) applied to defray the general expenses of the temple. After the destruction of the temple this was sequestrated by Vespasian and his successors and transferred to the temple of the Capitoline Jupiter. This "tribute" of (Matthew 17:24) must not be confounded with the tribute paid to the Roman emperor. (Matthew 22:17) The temple rate, though resting on an ancient precedent-- (Exodus 30:13) --was as above a fixed annual tribute of comparatively late origin.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Every Jew throughout the world was required to pay an annual tribute or capitation-tax of half a shekel, about twenty-five cents, in acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and for the maintenance of the temple service, Ex 30:12-15. It was with reference to this that Christ says, in effect, Mt 17:25,26, "If this tribute be levied in the name of The Father, then I, The Son, am free."

In other New Testament passages, tribute means the tax levied by the Romans. On the question of paying tribute to foreigners and idolaters, Mt 22:16-22, Christ gave a reply which neither party could stigmatize as rebellious, or as unpatriotic and irreligious. By themselves using Caesar’s currency, both parties acknowledged the fact of his supremacy.…

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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