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1 Chronicles 25:8 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיַּפִּ֜ילוּ גּוֹרָל֣וֹת מִשְׁמֶ֗רֶת לְעֻמַּת֙ כַּקָּטֹ֣ן כַּגָּד֔וֹל מֵבִ֖ין עִם־ תַּלְמִֽיד׃ פ

BSAThey castnâphal lotsgôwrâl [by throwing small stones, to determine their duties] for their dutiesmishmereth [responsibilities, charges] youngqâṭân [the small, the least important] and old alikegâdôwl [the great, the most important] teacherbîyn [the learned, the intelligent] asʻim well as pupiltalmîyd [the scholar, the student]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 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 (tal.Mid) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Chronicles 25:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe duties of the singers were assigned by casting lots, ensuring fairness among all, regardless of age or status.
Who is speakingThe chronicler, detailing the organization of the temple musicians.
Where we areThis verse is part of a larger account of the divisions of temple service.
The hard wordגּוֹרָל
Take awayThe casting of lots reflects the communal and divinely guided nature of duty assignments.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectבִּין verbנָפַל The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 9 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 25:8

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Assignment of Duties in Temple Servicegenerated

7Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.
8They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.
9The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
10the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;

1 Chronicles 25:8 describes how the duties of the temple musicians were determined through the casting of lots. This method ensured that every individual, whether young or old, teacher or pupil, had an equal chance in their responsibilities. The context emphasizes the importance of order and fairness in worship, as seen in the preceding verses that detail the qualifications and numbers of the singers.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 24:5Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.
2Leviticus 16:8After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,
31 Samuel 14:41–42So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
4Proverbs 16:33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
5Acts 1:26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word גּוֹרָל, go.ra.Lotgenerated

The word גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to 'lots' or 'portions,' derived from a root meaning 'to be rough.' It signifies the practice of casting small stones to make decisions, a common method in ancient Israelite culture for determining roles or responsibilities.

In this verse, גּוֹרָל emphasizes the randomness and divine oversight in assigning duties, highlighting that both the insignificant and the significant were treated equally in their service to God.


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 is וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּ, and they cast, which governs the entire sentence. This verb is followed by a noun phrase indicating what was cast, גּוֹרָל֣וֹת, lots, and a series of prepositional phrases that describe the duties assigned to the young and old, teachers and pupils.

The structure reflects a clear and organized approach to the assignment of roles, with emphasis on the equal treatment of all participants in the temple service.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates גּוֹרָל as κλήρους, which also means 'lots' or 'portions.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning and reinforces the concept of divinely guided decision-making.

The use of κλήρους in the Septuagint highlights the continuity of this practice in both the Hebrew and Greek traditions, emphasizing its significance in the context of worship.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 25:8 explains that the temple musicians cast lots to decide their duties, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or status, had an equal role. This method reflects the importance of fairness and divine guidance in their service.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why did they cast lots for their duties?

Casting lots was a common practice in ancient Israel to ensure fairness and divine guidance in decision-making, as seen in other biblical contexts like Proverbs 16:33.

What does it mean that both young and old were included?

Including both young and old signifies the equal value of all individuals in the community of worship, emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in serving God.

How does this verse relate to the organization of temple service?

This verse illustrates the structured approach to temple service, where roles were assigned to ensure that all responsibilities were covered, reflecting the importance of order in worship.

What can we learn from the casting of lots?

The casting of lots teaches us about the importance of fairness and seeking God's guidance in our decisions, reminding us that all contributions are valuable in the community.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I ensure fairness in my own responsibilities at home or work?
  2. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's guidance, similar to casting lots?
  3. How can I recognize and appreciate the contributions of those who may seem less important?
  4. What steps can I take to create a more inclusive environment in my community?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 25:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And they cast lots, ward against ward,.... That is, which ward or course of the singers should answer to and attend on the first ward or course of the priests in their weekly service, and which the

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar. They cast lots, ward against ward. "Ward" is an old English word for division or company.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ward against ward, i.e. a ward, or rank, or course of Levites answerable to one of the priests, upon whom the Levites were to wait in their holy ministrations, . As well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar, without any respect to their different ages or abilities.

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against [ward], as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.Ver. 8. As well the small as the great.] Heb., Sicut parvus sicut magnus; doctor cum discipulo: there was no privilege of precedency.

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) And they cast lots, ward against ward.—Rather, And they cast lots of charge, that is, for determining the order in which each of the twenty-four guilds, or classes, should take charge of the services. (Comp, the LXX., κλήρουςἐφημερίων, “lots of courses;” and see Luke 1:6.) Some Hebrew MSS. and the Targum repeat the word “ward” (mishmθreth, “charge”), whence the reading of the Authorised Version. The ancient versions omit the word altogether. As well the small as the great.—Heb., exactly as the small (or, the younger), so the great (or, the elder). (Comp. the Vulg., “ex aequo tam major quam minor.”) But perhaps leummath is here used absolutely: “They cast lots in like manner” (1…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8–31. The Allotment of the Courses 8. ward against ward] R.V. (guessing the sense rightly) for their charges (i.e. duties), all alike. The Hebrew text however is faulty. the teacher as the scholar] LXX. τελείωνκαὶμανθανόντων (i.e. the initiated and the learners). For “the teacher” we should perhaps render “the skilful” as in 1 Chronicles 25:7, R.V.; the Heb. word is the same. It is to be noted that we have here twenty-four courses of singers corresponding with the twenty-four courses of the priests.

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As well the small as the great - Compare 1 Chronicles 24:31. The lot was not applied indiscriminately to all the 24 courses, but was only used to settle which course of Asaph, which of Jeduthun, and

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 25 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8. They cast lots, ward against ward — The word rendered ward means a charge, a guardianship or superintendency.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Chronicles 25 →

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

They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They cast lots to determine their responsibilities – oldest as well as youngest, teacher as well as student.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And they cast lots for their charges, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And they cast lots, ward against ward , as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And they cast lottes, charge against charge, aswel small as great, the cunning man as the scholer.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And they cast lots with one another over the charges, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And they cause to fall lots — charge over-against [charge], as well the small as the great, the intelligent with the learner.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And they cause lots to fall, charge next to [charge], the small as well as the great, the intelligent with the learner.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And they cast lots, division against [division], the small well as the great, the one acquainted with his business together with the scholar.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the same for the young as well as the old, the teacher as well as the student.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And they cast lots by their courses, the elder equally with the younger, the learned and the unlearned together.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They cast lots for whatever responsibility they had, the least important equal to the most important, the teacher to the student.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And selection was made of them for their special work, all having equal chances, small as well as great, the teacher as the learner.

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.

וַandclauseclauseverbיַּפִּ֜ילוּthey.castnoun phrase · objectגּוֹרָל֣וֹתlotsמִשְׁמֶ֗רֶתof.dutyprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְcorrespondinglyעֻמַּת֙just asprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseכַּasnoun phrasetheקָּטֹ֣ןsmallprepositional phraseכַּasnoun phrasetheגָּד֔וֹלgreatclausesubjectמֵבִ֖יןteacherprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithתַּלְמִֽידpupil

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 agree on the wording of this verse, with all nine words matched between the two texts. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the casting of lots for duties in the temple.

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

וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּ גּוֹרָל֣וֹת מִשְׁמֶ֗רֶת לְעֻמַּת֙ כַּקָּטֹ֣ן כַּגָּד֔וֹל מֵבִ֖ין עִם־ תַּלְמִֽיד׃ פ

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּἔβαλονגּוֹרָל֣וֹתκλήρουςמִשְׁמֶ֗רֶתἐφημεριῶνלְעֻמַּת֙κατὰכַּקָּטֹ֣ןμικρὸνכַּגָּד֔וֹלμέγανמֵבִ֖יןτελείωνעִם־καὶתַּלְמִֽיד׃ פμανθανόντων

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.

1 Chronicles 25:8נָפַלand they caand they castנָפַלגּוֹרָלlotslotsגּוֹרָלמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתdutydutyמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתעֻמָּהcorrespondicorrespondinglyעֻמָּהקָטָןas the smalas the smallקָטָןגָּדוֹלas the greaas the greatגָּדוֹלבִּיןteacherteacherבִּיןעִםwithwithעִםתַּלְמִידpupilpupilתַּלְמִידעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםמִשְׁמָרcustodycustodyמִשְׁמָרקוּטto loathto loathקוּטגָּדַלto magnifyto magnifyגָּדַללָמַדto learn: to learn: teachלָמַדפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלגּוֹרָלallottedallottedגּוֹרָלחָלָלslain: kilslain: killedחָלָלמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהשָׁמַרto keep: oto keep: obeyשָׁמַראוֹפַןwheelwheelאוֹפַןגָּדוֹלGreat (SeaGreat (Sea)גָּדוֹלאָחוֹתsistersisterאָחוֹתקָטָןsmallsmallקָטָןמְאֹדmuchmuchמְאֹדדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַב
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 25:8

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

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

and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּvai.ya.Pi.lu and they cast H5307 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
435× 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 fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Tyndale gloss
to fall: fall
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie

Qal 366

fall, by accident

Esp. of violent death

fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

fig. = experience calamity

fall, of a city

Fall prostrate

fall = prostrate oneself before

fall upon one's neck, in embrace

Fall upon = attack

desert or fall away to, go over to

Fig., of deep sleep

Other idiomatic uses

= lie; = lie prostrate

Hiph.

cause to fall

Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

Esp. of casting lot

Fig., let drop, cause to fail

cause deep sleep to fall

Other idioms

Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident

. . Esp. of violent death

. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.

. fig. = experience calamity

. fall, of a city

. . Fall prostrate

. fall = prostrate oneself before

. fall upon one's neck, in embrace

. . Fall upon = attack

. desert or fall away to, go over to

. Fig., of deep sleep

. Other idiomatic uses

. = lie; = lie prostrate

. . cause to fall

. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction

. Esp. of casting lot

. Fig., let drop, cause to fail

. cause deep sleep to fall

. Other idioms

. throw, or prostrate oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5307 naphal naw-fal'

a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications

(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be

accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide

(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall

(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have

(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay

(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,

lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make

to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW for 06419

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.

: fall/drop/fail

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before

1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of

1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result

1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to

1a7) to lie, lie prostrate

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate

1b2) to overthrow

1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot

1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)

1b5) to cause to fall

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon

1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself

1d) (Pilel) to fall

נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.

: deserting

1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to fall

1a2) to fall (of violent death)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vhw3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in "cast a net," "cast lots." When applied to molten metal, as in English, first, "to let run. into molds," with reference to their descent by gravity, and, then, "to form," as in Ex 25:12, etc. Usually in the New Testament for ballo, but not always. Thus, in Lu 1:29 "cast in her mind" means "considered" (dielogizeto); "cast reproach" for Greek oneidizon, "reproached" (Mt 27:44); "casting down" for kathaireo, "demolishing" (2Co 10:4); "casting all anxiety upon" (1Pe 5:7), a still stronger term, as in

and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
גּוֹרָל֣וֹתgo.ra.Lot lots H1486 Noun common · feminine plural construct
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a pebble or small stone used for making decisions by casting lots. It symbolizes a portion or destiny assigned by chance, like the drawing of lots to determine an outcome. This concept is central to ancient Israelite decision-making practices.
Amplified meaning
by throwing small stones, to determine their duties
Tyndale gloss
allotted
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to a 'lot' or 'portion,' often associated with decision-making through casting pebbles. It encompasses the idea of something assigned or apportioned, including land division and duties. The term can also imply recompense or retribution. The entries indicate that it is derived from a root meaning 'to be rough,' suggesting its connection to the physical stones used in the practice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹרָל 77 n.m. & f. lot

lot for dividing land

lot for assigning to service, duty or punishment

thing assigned, apportioned, allotted

portion = recompence, retribution

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1486 גּוֹרָל lot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1486 gowral go-rawl'

or (shortened) goral {go-ral'}; from an unused root meaning

to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small

stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion

or destiny (as if determined by lot):--lot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹרָל (go.ral) — allotted.

1) lot

1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions

2) portion

2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots)

2b) recompense, retribution

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See DIVINATION.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Were often cast by the Jews, as well as other ancient nations, with the expectation, when God was appealed to, that he would so control them as to give a right direction in doubtful cases, Ps 22:18 16:11 18:18. They were often used by the divine appointment. The portions of the twelve tribes were thus assigned to them; and hence each tribe’s portion was called "the lot of its inheritance," Nu 26:55,56 Ps 125:3 Ac 8:21. The scapegoat was to be selected, and the other of the priests’ service determined by lot, Le 16:8 1Ch 24:5 25:8. By the same means Achan, Jonathan…

and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
מִשְׁמֶ֗רֶתmish.Me.ret duty H4931 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Amplified meaning
responsibilities, charges
Tyndale gloss
charge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mishmereth) refers to a guard or watch, encompassing the concepts of duty, function, and preservation. It can denote a specific role, such as a sentry or an office, and implies the act of keeping or safeguarding. The term appears in contexts related to obligation and service, highlighting its multifaceted use in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת 78 n.f. guard, watch, also charge, function

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4931 מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת guard, watch, also charge, function

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4931 mishmereth mish-mer'-reth

fem. of 4929; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concr.) the

sentry, the post; obj. preservation, or (concr.) safe; fig.

observance, i.e. (abstr.) duty or (obj.) a usage or

party:--charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace,

safeguard, ward, watch.

see HEBREW for 04929

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret) — charge.

1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch

1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement

1b) keeping, preserving

1c) charge, injunction

1d) office, function (ceremonial)

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

du'-ti (dabhar; opheilo):

The word duty occurs only three times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament. In the Old Testament it is the translation of dabhar, which, meaning originally "speech," or "word," came to denote any particular "matter" that had to be attended to. In the two places where it is rendered "duty" (2Ch 8:14; Ezr 3:4) the reference is to the performance of the Temple services--praise and sacrifice--and it is probably from these passages that the phrase "taking duty" in church services is derived. In other passages we have different words employed to denote the priests' dues: the King James Version Le 10:13,14, hok ("statutory portion"); De 18:3

Nave's Topical Bible

→ OF MAN TO GOD De 6:5; 10:12,13; 11:1; 30:15-20; Jos 22:5; 23:11; Ps 31:23; Pr 23:26; Mt 4:10; 12:50; 22:21,36-40; Lu 17:10; 21:3,4; Joh 4:34; 6:38; 14:15,21; 15:14; Ac 4:19,20; 5:29; Jude 1:21

See COMMANDMENTS

See FAITHFULNESS

See OBEDIENCE

→ OF MAN TO MAN Le 19:18; Isa 58:6,7;

Reading of "The Word"

Ne 8:18

Performing of Vows

Ps 61:8

Prayer

Ps 88:9; 145:2

Watchfulness

Pr 8:34

Cross-bearing

Lu 9:23

Exhortation

and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
לְעֻמַּת֙le.'u.Mat correspondingly H5980 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to be close to something or someone, often describing a sense of proximity or nearness. It can also imply agreement or correspondence, as in being in harmony with someone or something. The word is used in various biblical contexts to describe relationships.
Tyndale gloss
close
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֻמָּה (ummah) refers to a concept of juxtaposition, primarily functioning as a preposition. It conveys meanings such as 'close by,' 'side by side,' and 'corresponding to.' The word is derived from a root meaning 'conjunction' and emphasizes proximity or agreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עֻמָּה] n.f. juxtaposition, but only in st. c. with force of prep. close by, side by side with, parallel to, agreeing with, corresponding to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5980 [עֻמָּה] juxtaposition, but only in st. c. with force of prep. close by, side by side with, parallel to, agreeing with, corresponding to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5980 `ummah oom-maw'

from 6004; conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or

preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along

with:--(over) against, at, beside, hard by, in points.

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֻמָּה (um.mah) — close.

1) juxtaposition

1a) used only as a prep

1a1) close by, side by side with, alongside of, parallel with

1a2) agreeing with, corresponding to, exactly as, close beside

1a3) correspondingly to

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfsc — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct
HR/Ncfsc
and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
כַּקָּטֹ֣ןka.ka.Ton as the small H6996 Preposition
101× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means something or someone small in size, amount, or importance. It can describe something as little or least, and is often used to convey a sense of youth or insignificance. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
the small, the least important
Tyndale gloss
small
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָטָן (qatan) means small, young, or unimportant. It can refer to size, quantity, or age, and is often used to describe something insignificant. The entries indicate that it is a diminutive form, with variations in spelling. The lexicons highlight its meanings consistently, without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָטָן adj. small, young, unimportant

base

קָטֹן 64 adj. small, insignificant

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6996a קָטָן small, young, unimportant H6996b קָטֹן small, insignificant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6996 qatan kaw-tawn'

or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from 6962; abbreviated, i.e.

diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or

figuratively (in age or importance):--least, less(-er),

little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing),

young(-er, -est).

see HEBREW for 06962

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָטָן (qa.tan) — small.

young, small, unimportant

Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)

קָטֹן (qa.ton) — small.

: small

small, insignificant

קָטֹן (qa.ton) — small: young.

: young

small, insignificant

A sub-meaning of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HRd/Aamsa
and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
כַּגָּד֔וֹלka.ga.Dol as the great H1419 Preposition
526× 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 something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Amplified meaning
the great, the most important
Tyndale gloss
Great (Sea)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גָּדוֹל (gadol) means 'great' and covers a wide range of meanings, including large in size, number, intensity, sound, age, and importance. It can also refer to notable individuals or even God. Additionally, it appears as a proper noun in reference to a person named in Nehemiah 11:14. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּדוֹל 622 adj. great

in magnitude and extent

in number

in intensity

in sound, loud

in age

in importance

in phrases

cstr.

as subst. concr. do great things

† as subst. neut. greatness of arm

base

הַגְּדוֹלִים n.pr.m. father of Zabdiel Ne 11:14 (RV & so most; but 𝔊 RVm al. the great).

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1419a גָּדוֹל great . in magnitude and extent

. in number

. in intensity

. in sound, loud

. in age

. in importance

. in phrases

. cstr.

. as subst. concr. do great things

. † as subst. neut. greatness of arm

H1419b הַגְּדוֹלִים father of Zabdiel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1419 gadowl gaw-dole'

or (shortened) gadol {gaw-dole'}; from 1431; great (in any

sense); hence, older; also insolent:--+ aloud, elder(-est), +

exceeding(-ly), + far, (man of) great (man, matter,

thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble,

proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.

see HEBREW for 01431

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: large.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

1e) older (in age)

1f) in importance

1f1) important things

1f2) great, distinguished (of men)

1f3) God Himself (of God)

subst

1g) great things

1h) haughty things

1i) greatness

Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K)

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Haggedolim.

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.11.14

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Great (Sea).

adj

great

Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: old.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HRd/Aamsa
and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
מֵבִ֖יןme.Vin teacher H995 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
the learned, the intelligent
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
עִם־'im- with H5973 Preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

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

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

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

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

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

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

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

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

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

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

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

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and they cast lots duty correspondingly as the small as the great teacher with pupil
תַּלְמִֽיד׃ פtal.Mid pupil H8527 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a pupil or scholar, someone who learns from a teacher. It describes a student or disciple.
Amplified meaning
the scholar, the student
Tyndale gloss
pupil
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּלְמִיד (talmiyd) means 'pupil' or 'scholar.' It is derived from the root meaning to learn, and is used in contexts related to education and learning. The term appears in 1 Chronicles 25:8, indicating its use in a scholarly or educational setting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּלְמִיד n.[m.] scholar (late; NH) 1 Ch 25:8.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8527 תַּלְמִיד

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8527 talmiyd tal-meed'

from 3925; a pupil:--scholar.

see HEBREW for 03925

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּלְמִיד (tal.mid) — pupil.

scholar

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
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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