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2 Chronicles 4:3 — Word Study

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WLCוּדְמ֣וּת בְּקָרִים֩ תַּ֨חַת ל֜וֹ סָבִ֤יב׀ סָבִיב֙ סוֹבְבִ֣ים אֹת֔וֹ עֶ֚שֶׂר בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה מַקִּיפִ֥ים אֶת־ הַיָּ֖ם סָבִ֑יב שְׁנַ֤יִם טוּרִים֙ הַבָּקָ֔ר יְצוּקִ֖ים בְּמֻֽצַקְתּֽוֹ׃

BSABelow [the rim]tachath [underneath, beneath] figuresdᵉmûwth of oxenbâqâr [cattle, domesticated animals] encircledçâbîyb itʼêth tenʻeser [a decade, a multitude] per cubitʼammâh [a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm] all the waynâqaph aroundçâbîyb the Seayâm [a large body of water] castyâtsaq [poured, molded] in twoshᵉnayim [a pair, a dual] rowsṭûwr [a line, a sequence] as a part of [the Sea]mûwtsâqâh [an integral component, a unified whole]

Word
Listen & take away2 Chronicles 4
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 3 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 (be.Mu.tzak.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Chronicles 4:3quick helps
In a sentenceThe passage describes a large basin known as the Sea, adorned with figures of oxen encircling it.
Who is speakingThe narrator of the account, detailing the construction of the Sea in the temple.
Where we areThis verse is part of a description of the temple's furnishings and their intricate details.
The hard wordדְּמוּת
Take awayThe figures of oxen symbolize strength and service, framing the Sea in a majestic manner.
6 commentators on this verse Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott, AdamClarke & more — read them › clause verbסָבַב 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 — 2 Chronicles 4:3

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 Construction of the Seagenerated

2He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference.
3Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea.
4The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center.
5It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold three thousand baths.

2 Chronicles 4:3 describes the Sea, a large bronze basin used in the temple, which was encircled by figures of oxen. This artistic detail emphasizes the grandeur of the temple's furnishings. The Sea served both a practical purpose for ritual washing and a symbolic one, representing God's provision and cleansing. The description here connects to other temple elements found in 1 Kings 7:23-26, where the Sea's dimensions and features are elaborated upon.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 7:24–26Below the rim, ornamental buds encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea.
2Ezekiel 1:10The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.
3Ezekiel 10:14Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle.
41 Corinthians 9:9–10For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
5Revelation 4:7The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word דְּמוּת, u.de.Mutgenerated

The word דְּמוּת (dmuwth) refers to a likeness or resemblance, particularly in terms of appearance. It conveys the idea of something that is similar to another, which is crucial in this context as it describes the figures of oxen that encircle the Sea.

This noun is in the construct state, indicating a relationship with the noun that follows it. Here, it signifies the likeness of the oxen, emphasizing their role as decorative elements that enhance the overall design of the Sea.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible, which translates the key word as likeness.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb סוֹבְבִ֣ים governs the sentence, indicating the action of encircling. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, followed by several prepositional phrases and additional clauses that provide detail about the figures and their arrangement.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the figures of oxen as central to the description, with the action of encircling framing the Sea, thus highlighting both the artistic and functional aspects of the temple's design.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates דְּמוּת as ὁμοίωμα, which means likeness or image. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on resemblance, aligning with the Hebrew's focus on the figures that surround the Sea.

This translation choice shows a continuity of meaning, as both the Hebrew and Greek texts highlight the decorative and symbolic nature of the oxen.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Chronicles 4:3 describes the Sea, a large basin in the temple, surrounded by figures of oxen. These oxen represent strength and service, enhancing the Sea's significance in temple worship. The passage emphasizes the intricate design and purpose of the temple's furnishings.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the figures of oxen?

The figures of oxen symbolize strength and service, enhancing the visual impact of the Sea and its role in the temple.

Why is the Sea described as being cast in two rows?

The two rows of oxen provide a balanced and symmetrical design, reflecting the careful craftsmanship involved in the temple's construction.

How does this description connect to other temple elements?

The description of the Sea and its oxen relates to other temple furnishings, such as the altar and the lampstands, which also have rich symbolic meanings.

What does the term 'cubit' refer to in this context?

A cubit is a unit of measurement, approximately the length of a forearm, used to describe the dimensions of the Sea and other temple structures.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does the imagery of the oxen enhance your understanding of the temple's significance?
  2. What does the design of the Sea tell us about the values and priorities of the temple's builders?
  3. In what ways can we see the importance of craftsmanship and beauty in our own lives?
  4. How does this passage invite us to reflect on the relationship between form and function in worship?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 4:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 4 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it [was] the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen [were] cast, when it was cast.Ver. 3. The similitude of oxen.] Haply called knops.

Read John Trapp on 2 Chronicles 4 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) And under it was the similitude of oxen.—Literally, And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it, ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around: two rows were the oxen, smelted in the smelting of it. In the parallel passage (1 Kings 7:24) we read: And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding it,” &c., as here; two of rows were the gourds, smelted in the smelting thereof. The Hebrew words for “oxen” and “gourds” might easily be confused by a transcriber, and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption, and should be restored from that of Kings. But there seems no reason—unless we suppose that each…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 4 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 3. Under it was the similitude of oxen] In 1Kg 7:24, instead of oxen, בקרים bekarim, we have knops, פקעים pekaim; and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here. What we call knops may signify grapes, mushrooms, apples, or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron. It is possible that בקרים bekarim, oxen, may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim, grapes, as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth, to which in ancient MSS. it has often a great resemblance, the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct; and the ע ain, on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh. Thus grapes might be…

Read AdamClarke on 2 Chronicles 4 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. under it was the similitude of oxen] This reading has the support of the LXX., but can hardly be correct. Read (cp. 1 Kings 7:24), under it there were knops, “knops” being embossed ornaments of some kind. ten in a cubit] R.V. for ten cubits. According to the A.V. there would be ten “knops” in every eighteen inches of the circumference, but the Hebrew is more correctly represented by the R.V. Probably there is some corruption of the text here (and in 1 Kings 7:24). Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast] Correct the reading as before and render, The knops were in two rows, cast when it was cast. It is mentioned as a triumph of the founder’s art that the laver was cast complete, with…

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Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For “oxen” we find in 1 Kings 7:24, “knops” or “gourds.” An early copyist, not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for “gourd,” and expecting to hear of oxen, as soon as the molten

Read Albert Barnes on 2 Chronicles 4 →

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

Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Images of bulls were under it all the way around, ten every eighteen inches all the way around. The bulls were in two rows and had been cast with “The Sea.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And under it was the likeness of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And under it was the similitude of oxen, which encompassed it: ten in a cubit, encompassing the sea. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And vnder it was ye facion of oxen, which did compasse it rounde about, tenne in a cubite compassing the Sea about: two rowes of oxen were cast when it was molten.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And under it was the similitude of oxen, encompassing it round about, ten in a cubit enclosing the sea round about, two rows of oxen, cast when it was cast.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the likeness of oxen [is] under it, all round about encompassing it, ten in the cubit, compassing the sea round about; two rows of oxen are cast in its being cast.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the likeness of oxen [is] under it, encompassing it all around, ten to the cubit, surrounding the sea around; two rows of oxen are cast in its being cast.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And likenesses of oxen were under it, encompassing it all round about, ten in a cubit, encircling the sea round about: the oxen were in two rows [and were] cast [with it], when it was cast.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Under the brim encircling the sea were bulls, ten to each cubit, cast in one piece with the sea when the sea itself was cast.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And under it there was the likeness of oxen, and certain engravings on the outside of ten cubits compassed the belly of the sea, as it were with two rows.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Below it were ornamental bulls all around it, ten per cubit. They were in two rows when it was all cast.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And under it was a design of flowers all round it, ten to a cubit, circling the water-vessel in two lines; they were made from liquid metal at the same time as the water-vessel.

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.

וּand.[the]clausenoun phrase · subjectדְמ֣וּתlikenessבְּקָרִים֩of.oxenprepositional phrase · predicateprepositional phraseתַּ֨חַת[was].underל֜(to)וֹitclauseadverb phrase · adverbialסָבִ֤יבall.aroundסָבִיב֙all.aroundverbסוֹבְבִ֣ים[they.were].going.roundnoun phrase · objectאֹת֔וֹitclausepredicateעֶ֚שֶׂרtenprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָּֽbynoun phrasetheאַמָּ֔הcubitclauseverbמַקִּיפִ֥ים[they.were].encirclingnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseהַtheיָּ֖םseaadverbialסָבִ֑יבall.aroundclausenoun phrase · adverbialשְׁנַ֤יִם[was].twoטוּרִים֙rowsnoun phrase · subjectהַtheבָּקָ֔רox[en]verbיְצוּקִ֖ים[they.were].castprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseמֻֽצַקְתּֽcastingוֹits

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 14 of the 19 words matched. The differences in word order and articles reflect the distinct linguistic structures of Hebrew and Greek, but the core imagery and details remain consistent.

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

וּדְמ֣וּת בְּקָרִים֩ תַּ֨חַת ל֜וֹ סָבִ֤יב׀ סָבִיב֙ סוֹבְבִ֣ים אֹת֔וֹ עֶ֚שֶׂר בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה מַקִּיפִ֥ים אֶת־ הַיָּ֖ם סָבִ֑יב שְׁנַ֤יִם טוּרִים֙ הַבָּקָ֔ר יְצוּקִ֖ים בְּמֻֽצַקְתּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּדְמ֣וּתὁμοίωμαבְּקָרִים֩μόσξωνתַּ֨חַתὑποκάτωθενסָבִ֤יב׀κύκλῳסוֹבְבִ֣יםκυκλοῦσινאֹת֔וֹαὐτήνעֶ֚שֶׂרδέκαמַקִּיפִ֥יםπεριέξουσινהַיָּ֖םλουτῆραסָבִ֑יבκυκλόθενשְׁנַ֤יִםδύοטוּרִים֙γένηהַבָּקָ֔רἐξώνευσανבְּמֻֽצַקְתּֽוֹ׃ἐν

14 of the 19 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.

2 Chronicles 4:3דְּמוּתand [the] land [the] likenדְּמוּתבָּקַרoxenoxenבָּקַרתַּחַת[was] under[was] underתַּחַתוֹititוֹסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבסָבַבgoing roundgoing roundסָבַבאֵתthe object the object markאֵתעֶשֶׂרtentenעֶשֶׂראַמָּהby the cubiby the cubitאַמָּהנָקַףsurroundingsurroundingנָקַףאֵתthe object the object markאֵתיָםthe seathe seaיָםסָבִיבall aroundall aroundסָבִיבשְׁנַ֫יִם[were] two[were] twoשְׁנַ֫יִםטוּרrowsrowsטוּרבָּקַרthe cattlethe cattleבָּקַריָצַקcastcastיָצַקמוּצֶ֫קֶתin casting in casting itsמוּצֶ֫קֶתסָבַבto turn: tto turn: turnסָבַבבָּקַרto enquireto enquireבָּקַראוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתדָּמָהto resemblto resembleדָּמָהעָשַׂרto titheto titheעָשַׂראֵםmothermotherאֵםיָצַקto pour: pto pour: pourיָצַקתּוֹחַתּוֹחַשֵׁנִיsecondsecondשֵׁנִיאֵילָםarchesarchesאֵילָםחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןצֹאןSheep (GatSheep (Gate)צֹאןפַּרbullockbullockפַּרמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁרֹ֫חַבwidthwidthרֹ֫חַבמַרְאֶהappearanceappearanceמַרְאֶהאֶ֫דֶןsocketsocketאֶ֫דֶןשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁ
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 2 Chronicles 4:3

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 [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
וּדְמ֣וּתu.de.Mut and [the] likeness of H1823 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a likeness or resemblance, often used to describe something that is similar to something else. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, describing creation and God's relationship with humanity. It helps us understand how things are connected.
Tyndale gloss
likeness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דְּמוּת (dmuwth) means likeness or similitude, particularly in terms of external appearance. It can also function adverbially to mean 'in the likeness of' or 'like as.' The word is derived from a root that conveys the idea of resemblance, and it encompasses both the concept of a model or shape.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דְּמוּת n.f. likeness, similitude

likeness, similitude, of external appearance

adverbially,in likeness of, like as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1823 דְּמוּת likeness, similitude . likeness, similitude, of external appearance

. adverbially,in likeness of, like as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1823 dmuwth dem-ooth'

from 1819; resemblance; concretely, model, shape;

adverbially, like:--fashion, like (-ness, as), manner,

similitude.

see HEBREW for 01819

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דְּמוּת (de.mut) — likeness.

1) likeness, similitude

adv

2) in the likeness of, like as

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc
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 [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
בְּקָרִים֩be.ka.Rim oxen H1241 Noun common · both plural absolute
183× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.
Amplified meaning
cattle, domesticated animals
Tyndale gloss
cattle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּקַר (baqar) refers to cattle, specifically oxen and herds, and can denote individual animals or a collective group. It is derived from a root meaning related to cattle and encompasses various forms such as beef cattle and oxen used for plowing. The term appears in contexts discussing livestock in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּקַר 182 n.m. cattle, herd, ox

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1241 בָּקַר cattle, herd, ox

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1241 baqar baw-kawr'

from 1239; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of

either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd:--

beeve, bull (+ -ock), + calf, + cow, great (cattle), + heifer,

herd, kine, ox.

see HEBREW for 01239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּקָר (ba.qar) — cattle.

1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox

1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll)

1b) herd (particular one)

1c) head of cattle (individually)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cp — Noun common · both plural absolute
HNcbpa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
תַּ֨חַתTa.chat [was] under H8478 Noun common · masculine singular construct
505× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Amplified meaning
underneath, beneath
Tyndale gloss
underneath: under
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּחַת (tachath) refers to the concept of being underneath or below. It can function as a noun meaning 'the under part,' or as an adverb and preposition indicating position or substitution, such as 'instead of' or 'for the sake of.' The word encompasses various uses, including physical placement and metaphorical meanings related to subjection or exchange.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּחַת n.[m.] the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8478 תַּחַת the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8478 tachath takh'-ath

from the same as 8430; the bottom (as depressed); only

adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix

underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat,

in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead

of, under, X unto, X when...was mine, whereas, (where-)fore,

with.

see HEBREW for 08430

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: under.

: under/below

1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m

1a) the under part adv accus

1b) beneath prep

1c) under, beneath

1c1) at the foot of (idiom)

1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig)

1c3) of subjection or conquest

1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands

1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)

1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense)

1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged)

conj

1e) instead of, instead of that

1f) in return for that, because that in compounds

1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion)

1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath

תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: instead.

: instead/in_place/exchange

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
ל֜וֹlo it H9033 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

וֹ (o) — him.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
סָבִ֤יב׀sa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
סָבִיב֙sa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
סוֹבְבִ֣יםso.Vim going round H5437 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Tyndale gloss
to turn: turn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word סָבַב (savav) means to turn or go around, encompassing a range of actions such as surrounding, marching, and changing direction. It is built from a primitive root and has various applications, both literal and figurative, including transforming or enclosing. The entries detail its uses in different verbal forms, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבַב vb. turn about, go around, surround

Qal

turn, intrans.

march, or walk, around

go partly round, circle, skirt

make a round, or circuit, go about to

surround, encompass

Niph.

turn oneself against, close round upon

turn round (from a direct course)

esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

pass. be turned over to, into the power of

Pi. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

Po‛.

encompass (with protection)

come about, assemble round

march or go about

enclose, envelop

Hiph.

turn (trans.), cause to turn

bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

turn into, of changing name

= bring round, of changing name

cause to go around

surround with (acc.) wall

perh. also encompass (as foe)

Hoph.

be turned, of cart wheel

surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5437 סָבַב turn about, go around, surround .. turn, intrans.

. . march, or walk, around

. go partly round, circle, skirt

. make a round, or circuit, go about to

. surround, encompass

. . . turn oneself against, close round upon

. turn round (from a direct course)

. esp. of boundary: turn round from, toward

. pass. be turned over to, into the power of

. to change, transform, the aspect of the matter

. . encompass (with protection)

. come about, assemble round

. march or go about

. enclose, envelop

. . . turn (trans.), cause to turn

. bring over (i.e. to allegiance)

. turn into, of changing name

. = bring round, of changing name

. . cause to go around

. surround with (acc.) wall

. perh. also encompass (as foe)

. . be turned, of cart wheel

. surrounded, i.e. set, of jewels

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5437 cabab saw-bab'

a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in

various applications, literally and figuratively (as

follows):--bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, X whirl, X

round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset

(about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to

come about, X circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round),

drive, environ, X on every side, beset (close, come, compass,

go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit

down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: turn.

: turn/bring_around

1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change

1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round

1b2) to be turned over to

1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform

1d) (Poel)

1d1) to encompass, surround

1d2) to come about, assemble round

1d3) to march, go about

1d4) to enclose, envelop

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round

1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass

1f) (Hophal)

1f1) to be turned

1f2) to be surrounded

סָבַב (sa.vav) — to turn: surround.

: surround/go_round

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqrmpa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural
HVqrmpa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
אֹת֔וֹ'o.To the object marker it H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

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

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

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

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

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

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM | Suff — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
עֶ֚שֶׂר'E.ser ten H6235 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
a decade, a multitude
Tyndale gloss
ten
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֶשֶׂר (eser) means 'ten' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root related to counting, specifically indicating the number ten and its use in combination with other numbers. The Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂר (asar), also meaning 'ten.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6235 עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה ten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6235 `eser eh'ser

masculine of term aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from 6237; ten (as an

accumulation to the extent of the digits):--ten, (fif-,

seven-)teen.

see HEBREW for 06237

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) — ten.

1) ten

1a) ten

1b) with other numbers

Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(`eser; deka).

See NUMBER.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (Used for an indefinite number) Ge 31:7; Le 26:26; Nu 14:22; Zec 8:23

and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
בָּֽאַמָּ֔הba.'a.Mah by the cubit H520 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
247× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Amplified meaning
a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm
Tyndale gloss
cubit
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַמָּה (ammah) primarily means 'cubit,' a unit of measure roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 0.5 meters, derived from the word for 'mother' or 'forearm.' It can also refer to a foundation or base, as noted in Isaiah 6:4. The lexicons mention different types of cubits used in the Old Testament, including the common cubit and the legal cubit.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַמָּה 246 n.f. ell, cubit

cubit

† measure, full measure, limit

base

[אַמָּה] n.f. (etym. & mng. dub.; Thes foundation) only Is 6:4.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H520a אַמָּה ell, cubit H520b אַמָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

520 'ammah am-maw'

prolonged from 517; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure,

or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a

door-base (as a bond of the entrance):--cubit, + hundred (by

exchange for 3967), measure, post.

see HEBREW for 0517

see HEBREW for 03967

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַמָּה (am.mah) — cubit.

cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment.

Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)

אַמָּה (am.mah) — foundation.

foundation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HRd/Ncfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ku'-bit ('ammah; pechus): The standard for measures of length among the Hebrews. They derived it from the Babylonians, but a similar measure was used in Egypt with which they must have been familiar. The length of the cubit is variously estimated, since there seems to have been a double standard in both countries, and because we have no undisputed example of the cubit remaining to the present time. The original cubit was the length of the forearm, from the elbow to the end of the middle finger, as is implied from the derivation of the word in Hebrew and in Latin (cubitum). It seems to be referred to also in De 3:11: "after the cubit of a man." But this was too indefinite for a scientific standard, and the Babylonians early adopted a more accurate method of measurement which passed to the nations of the West. They had a double…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cubit

Heb. ‘ammah; i.e., “mother of the arm,” the fore-arm, is a word derived from the Latin cubitus, the lower arm. It is difficult to determine the exact length of this measure, from the uncertainty whether it included the entire length from the elbow to the tip of the longest finger, or only from the elbow to the root of the hand at the wrist. The probability is that the longer was the original cubit. The common computation as to the length of the cubit makes it 20.24 inches for the ordinary cubit, and 21.888 inches for the sacred one. This is the same as the Egyptian measurements.

A rod or staff the measure of a cubit is called in Judg. 3:16 gomed, which literally means a “cut,” something “cut off.” The LXX. and Vulgate render it “span.”

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND MEASURES]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A measure used among the ancients. A cubit was originally the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, which is the fourth part of a well-proportioned man’s stature. The Hebrew cubit, according to some, is twenty-one inches; but others fix it at eighteen. The Talmudists observe that the Hebrew cubit was larger by one quarter than the Roman.

and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
מַקִּיפִ֥יםma.ki.Fim surrounding H5362 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine plural
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to surround or go around something, like making a circle or enclosing an area. It can also imply a sense of violence or attack, like beating or knocking something down. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's presence surrounding his people.
Tyndale gloss
to strike
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָקַף (naqaph) is a Hebrew verb with meanings related to striking and surrounding. It can denote striking off or going around, encompassing, or completing a circuit. The entries suggest it covers both violent actions, like cutting down, and more passive ones, like surrounding or encompassing. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָקַף] vb. strike off

Niph. and the thickets of the forest shall be struck away

Pi. after my skin, which they have struck off

base

[נָקַף] vb. go around (intrans.)

Qal let feasts go around

Hiph.

go around, surround, encompass

make the round, i.e. complete the circuit

make round, round off (lit.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5362a נָקַף strike off H5362b נָקַף go around (intrans.) .let feasts go around

. . go around, surround, encompass

. make the round, i.e. complete the circuit

. make round, round off (lit.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5362 naqaph naw-kaf'

a primitive root; to strike with more or less violence (beat,

fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together,

i.e. surround or circulate:--compass (about, -ing), cut down,

destroy, go round (about), inclose, round.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָקַף (na.qaph) — to strike.

1) to strike, strike off

1a) (Piel) to strike off skin

Aramaic equivalent: ne.qash (נְקַשׁ "to knock" H5368)

נָקַף (na.qaph) — to surround.

1) to go around, compass, round

1a) (Qal) to go around

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to go around, surround, encompass, enclose

1b2) to make the round, complete the circuit

1b3) to make round, round off

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine plural
HVhrmpa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
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 [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
הַיָּ֖םhai.Yam the sea H3220 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
396× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Amplified meaning
a large body of water
Tyndale gloss
(Mt. Ephron in the) West
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָם (yam) means 'sea' and refers to various large bodies of water, including the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas, as well as the Sea of Galilee. It can also denote a mighty river like the Nile and has geographical implications, indicating directions such as west or south. The term is derived from a root meaning to roar, suggesting the noise of breaking surf.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָם 390 n.m. sea

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3220 יָם sea

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3220 yam yawm

from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in

noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the

article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or

an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the

south:--sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern,

side, -ward).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָם (yam) — sea.

: sea

1) sea

1a) Mediterranean Sea

1b) Red Sea

1c) Dead Sea

1d) Sea of Galilee

1e) sea (general)

1f) mighty river (Nile)

1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)

1h) seaward, west, westward

יָם (yam) — sea: west.

: west

1) sea

1a) Mediterranean Sea

1b) Red Sea

1c) Dead Sea

1d) Sea of Galilee

1e) sea (general)

1f) mighty river (Nile)

1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)

1h) seaward, west, westward

יָם (yam) — (Mt. Ephron in the) West.

This name means sea, seaward, westward

Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

se (yam; thalassa; in Ac 27:5 pelagos): The Mediterranean is called ha-yam ha-gadhol, "the great sea" (Nu 34:6; Jos 1:4; Eze 47:10, etc.); ha-yam ha-'acharon, "the hinder," or "western sea" (De 11:24; 34:2; Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8); yam pelishtim, "the sea of the Philis" (Ex 23:31); the King James Version translates yam yapho' in Ezr 3:7 by "sea of Joppa," perhaps rightly.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The sea, yam , is used in Scripture to denote-- "The gathering of the waters," "the Ocean." (Genesis 1:2,10; 30:13) etc. Some portion of this, as the Mediterranean Sea, called the "hinder," the "western" and the "utmost" sea, (11:24; 34:2; Joel 2:20) "sea of the Philistines," (Exodus 23:31) "the great sea," (Numbers 36:6,7; Joshua 15:47) "the sea." Genesis49:13; Psal 80:11 Also frequently of the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:4) [RED SEA SEA] Inland lakes termed seas, as the Salt or Dead Sea. [See the special article] Any…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The Hebrews give the name of sea to any large collection of water, Job 14:11; as to the lakes of Tiberias and Asphaltites, and also to the rivers Nile and Euphrates, Isa 11:15 18:2 21:1 Jer 51:36,42. The principal seas mentioned in Scripture are the following:

1. The GREAT SEA, the Mediterranean, called also the Hinder or Western Sea. Indeed, the Hebrew word for sea, meaning the Mediterranean, is often put for the west. The Great Sea is 2,200 miles long, and in the widest part 1,200 miles in width. In many places it is so deep as to give no soundings. It is little affected by tides, but is often agitated by violent winds. The prevailing direction of the wind in spring is from the southeast and southwest and from the northeast…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Creation of Ge 1:9,10; Ps 95:5; 148:4,5

→ Lake Galilee calmed by Jesus Mt 8:24-26; Mr 4:37-39

→ Jesus walked upon Lake Galilee Mt 14:25-31

→ The Dead, to be given up by the, at the resurrection Re 20:13

→ SYMBOLICAL

In Daniel' s vision Da 7:2,3

In John' s apocalyptic vision Re 4:6; 8:8,9; 10:2,5,6,8; 13:1; 15:2; 16:3; 21:1

and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
סָבִ֑יבsa.Viv all around H5439 Noun common · both singular absolute
336× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Tyndale gloss
around
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'

or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a

circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with

or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,

circuit, compass, on every side.

see HEBREW for 05437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.

: around/border

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.

: side

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.

: whole

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.

: neighours

subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about

adv

2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about

prep

3) in the circuit, from every side

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
שְׁנַ֤יִםshe.Na.yim [were] two H8147 Noun common · both dual absolute
769× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Amplified meaning
a pair, a dual
Tyndale gloss
two
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim

dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also

(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +

twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW for 08145

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.

1) two

1a) two (the cardinal number)

1a1) two, both, double, twice

1b) second (the ordinal number)

1c) in combination with other numbers

1d) both (a dual number)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both dual absolute
HNcbda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

too.

See NUMBER.

and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
טוּרִים֙tu.Rim rows H2905 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
26× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a row of things, like a row of bricks in a wall or a row of jewels on a necklace. It is used to describe something that is arranged in a line or sequence.
Amplified meaning
a line, a sequence
Tyndale gloss
row
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוּר (tuhr) refers to a 'row' or 'course,' specifically in contexts like building stones in the temple or jewels on the high priest's breast-piece, as noted in Exodus 28:17. It is derived from an unused root meaning to arrange in a regular manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוּר n.m. Ex 28:17 row

row, course of building-stones, in temple and in Solomon’s house

row of jewels, on high priest’s breast-piece

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2905 טוּר n.m. Ex 28:17 row . row, course of building-stones, in temple and in Solomon’s house

. row of jewels, on high priest’s breast-piece

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2905 tuwr toor

from an unused root meaning to range in a regular manner; a

row; hence, a wall:--row.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוּר (tur) — row.

1) row

1a) row, course (of building)

1b) row (of jewels)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
הַבָּקָ֔רha.ba.Kar the cattle H1241 Particle · noun common both singular absolute
183× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.
Tyndale gloss
cattle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּקַר (baqar) refers to cattle, specifically oxen and herds, and can denote individual animals or a collective group. It is derived from a root meaning related to cattle and encompasses various forms such as beef cattle and oxen used for plowing. The term appears in contexts discussing livestock in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּקַר 182 n.m. cattle, herd, ox

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1241 בָּקַר cattle, herd, ox

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1241 baqar baw-kawr'

from 1239; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of

either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd:--

beeve, bull (+ -ock), + calf, + cow, great (cattle), + heifer,

herd, kine, ox.

see HEBREW for 01239

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּקָר (ba.qar) — cattle.

1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox

1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll)

1b) herd (particular one)

1c) head of cattle (individually)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncbsa — Particle · noun common both singular absolute
HTd/Ncbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kat'-'-l (behemah, "a dumb beast"; miqneh, "a possession" from qanah, "to acquire" (compare Arabic qana', "to acquire," and Greek kienos, "beast," and plural ktenea, "flocks," from ktaomai, "to acquire," flocks being both with the Homeric peoples and with the patriarchs an important form of property; compare English "fee"); tso'n "small cattle," "sheep" or goats (compare Arabic da'n, "sheep"); seh, a single sheep or goat (compare Arabic shah); mela'khah, "property," from la'akh, "to minister" (compare Arabic malakah and mulk, "property," from malak, "to possess"); meri' "fatling" (1Ki 19); thremma (Joh 4:12), "cattle," i.e. "that which is nourished," from trepho, "to nourish"; baqar, "kine," "oxen" (compare Arabic baqar, "cattle"); shor, tor (Da 4:25), tauros (

Cattle

Abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves (Deut. 8:13; 12:21; 1 Sam. 11:5; 12:3; Ps. 144:14; Jer. 3:24). They may be classified as,

(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in Bashan, beyond Jordan (Num. 32:4). Large herds also pastured on the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (1 Kings 19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens (1 Chr.…

→ (Of the bovine species)

→ Used for sacrifice 1Ki 8:63

→ See HEIFER

→ See OFFERINGS

→ Sheltered Ge 33:17

→ Stall-fed Pr 15:17

→ Gilead adapted to the raising of Nu 32:1-4

→ Bashan suitable to the raising of Ps 22:12; Eze 39:18; Am 4:1

→ See ANIMALS

→ See BULL

→ See BULLOCK

→ See COW

→ See HEIFER

→ See KINE

→ See OFFERING

and [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
יְצוּקִ֖יםye.tzu.Kim cast H3332 Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine plural
50× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to pour something out, like liquid or metal, and can also imply making something firm or hard. It's used in books like Isaiah 44:3 and Jeremiah 10:14.
Amplified meaning
poured, molded
Tyndale gloss
to pour: pour
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַק (*yatsaq*) means to pour, cast, or flow. It is a primitive root that encompasses actions like pouring out, melting, and establishing something firmly. The entries detail its uses in different forms, including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating various aspects of pouring and casting, as well as being firmly established.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָצַק vb. pour, cast, flow

Qal

pour, pour out

cast (objects of metal)

Pt.pass. as adj. fig. cast, hard, of crocodile’s scales

intrans. flow, pour

Hiph. pour (oil)

Hoph.

be poured

Pt. = cast, molten

Pt., fig. firmly established

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3332 יָצַק pour, cast, flow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3332 yatsaq yaw-tsak'

a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or

intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by

extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard:--cast,

cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten,

overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: pour.

: pour

1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to cast

1a3) to flow

1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be poured

1c2) cast, molten (participle)

1c3) being firmly established (participle)

יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: cast metal.

: cast_metal

1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to cast

1a3) to flow

1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be poured

1c2) cast, molten (participle)

1c3) being firmly established (participle)

יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: set down.

: set_down

1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pour, pour out

1a2) to cast

1a3) to flow

1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be poured

1c2) cast, molten (participle)

1c3) being firmly established (participle)

יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: firm.

: firm

1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out

1a) (Qal)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine plural
HVqsmpa
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 [the] likeness of oxen [was] under it all around all around going round the object marker it ten by the cubit surrounding the object marker the sea all around [were] two rows the cattle cast in casting its
בְּמֻֽצַקְתּֽוֹ׃be.Mu.tzak.To in casting its H4166 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is about making something by pouring molten metal into a mold. It can also refer to a pipe or tube made this way.
Amplified meaning
an integral component, a unified whole
Tyndale gloss
casting
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּצֶ֫קֶת (muwtsaqah) refers to a pipe used for pouring oil or a casting, particularly in metalwork. It is derived from the root meaning 'to pour out.' The entries consistently describe it as related to both a physical pipe and the process of casting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מוּצֶ֫קֶת] n.f.

pipe (through which oil is poured).

a casting

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4166 [מוּצֶ֫קֶת] 1. pipe (through which oil is poured). 2. a casting

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4166 muwtsaqah moo-tsaw-kaw'

or mutsaqah {moo-tsaw-kaw'}; from 3332; properly, something

poured out, i.e. a casting (of metal); by implication, a tube

(as cast):--when it was cast, pipe.

see HEBREW for 03332

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּצֶ֫קֶת (mu.tsa.qah) — casting.

1) pipe

2) a casting

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
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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