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2 Kings 17:10 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיַּצִּ֧בוּ לָהֶ֛ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כָּל־ גִּבְעָ֣ה גְבֹהָ֔ה וְתַ֖חַת כָּל־ עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃

BSAThey set upnâtsab [sacred] pillarsmatstsêbâh [sacred monuments, images, memorials, standing-pillars] and Asherah polesʼăshêrâh [idols, shrines] onʻal everykôl [all, each] highgâbôahh [elevated, lofty] hillgibʻâh and undertachath everykôl [all, each] greenraʻănân [luxuriant, fresh] treeʻêts [wood, wooden plank]

Word
Listen & take away2 Kings 17
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 10 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 (ra.'a.Nan) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Kings 17:10quick helps
In a sentenceThe Israelites erected sacred pillars and Asherah poles as part of their idolatrous practices.
Who is speakingThe narrative is from the perspective of the author of 2 Kings, recounting Israel's actions.
Where we areThis verse describes the idolatrous actions of the Israelites during a time of disobedience.
The hard wordמַצֵּב֖וֹת
Take awayThe setting up of these idols signifies a departure from worshipping the LORD.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbנָצַב 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 Kings 17:10

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 Idolatry of Israelgenerated

9The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.
10They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
11They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.
12They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”

2 Kings 17:10 describes the Israelites' actions in erecting sacred pillars and Asherah poles, reflecting their abandonment of the covenant with the LORD. This practice was common among the nations surrounding them, as they sought to worship other gods. The surrounding verses highlight their secretive and rebellious actions against the LORD, which led to their eventual downfall.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Kings 16:4And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
2Exodus 34:13Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.
3Leviticus 26:1“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.
41 Kings 14:23They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
5Isaiah 57:5who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

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


The Key Word מַצֵּב֖וֹת, ma.tze.Votgenerated

The word מַצֵּבָה (maṣṣēbā) refers to a pillar or memorial stone, often associated with altars. It indicates something that is set up or established, serving as a physical representation of worship.

In this verse, the use of מַצֵּבָה signifies the Israelites' intention to create monuments for their idol worship, marking a significant departure from their devotion to the LORD.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ (vai.ya.Tzi.vu), meaning 'and they erected,' governs the entire verse, indicating the main action of the subject. The structure includes several phrases that describe what was erected and where.

The prepositional phrases עַל ('al) and וְתַ֖חַת (ve.Ta.chat) specify the locations of the sacred pillars and Asherah poles, emphasizing the extent of their idolatrous practices.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates מַצֵּב֖וֹת as στήλας (stēlas), indicating a direct correspondence to the concept of pillars or monuments. This choice reinforces the idea of physical representations of worship.

For אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים, the translation is ἄλση (alsē), which relates to groves or sacred trees, reflecting the nature of the worship practices associated with the Asherah goddess.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Kings 17:10 tells us that the Israelites set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. This action represents their turning away from the worship of the LORD and embracing the practices of the nations around them.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the term 'sacred pillars' refer to?

The term 'sacred pillars' refers to monuments or stones set up for worship, often associated with idol practices.

What is the significance of Asherah poles?

Asherah poles were used in the worship of the goddess Asherah, representing a form of idolatry that was condemned in the Bible.

Why did the Israelites set up these idols?

The Israelites set up these idols as part of their rebellion against the LORD, influenced by the practices of surrounding nations.

What does the phrase 'on every high hill and under every green tree' imply?

This phrase implies that idol worship was widespread among the Israelites, taking place in various locations, highlighting their complete departure from the worship of the LORD.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways might I be tempted to set up 'idols' in my own life?
  2. How can I ensure that my worship remains focused on the true God rather than being influenced by surrounding cultures?
  3. What are some practices I can adopt to deepen my relationship with God and avoid idolatry?
  4. How does understanding the context of Israel's idolatry help me recognize similar patterns in today's world?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Kings 17:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree.

Read John Gill on 2 Kings 17 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Kings 17 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Kings 17:10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:Ver. 10. In every high hill.] Where they "poured forth their whoredoms," and "this had been their custom from their youth."

Read John Trapp on 2 Kings 17 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Images and groves.—Pillars and Asheras—i.e., sacred trunks. The second degree of guilt: the setting up of idolatrous symbols.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Kings 17 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 10. Images and groves] Images of different idols, and places for the abominable rites of Ashtaroth or Venus.

Read AdamClarke on 2 Kings 17 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. images and groves …] R.V. pillars and Asherim upon. On the ‘pillars’ see note on 2 Kings 3:2, and on the Asherim, which were probably wooden images of a goddess Asherah, see on 2 Kings 13:6.

Read Cambridge on 2 Kings 17 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

10. Images… groves — See note on 1 Kings 14:15; 1 Kings 14:23.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Kings 17 →

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 set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

and they set up for themselves pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

NETBNew English Translation2006

They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree;

RVARevised Version, American1894

and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And they set up for themselves images and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And had made them images and groues vpon euery hie hill, and vnder euery greene tree,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And they set them up columns and Asherahs on every high hill and under every green tree;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and set up for them standing-pillars and shrines on every high height, and under every green tree,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and set up standing-pillars and Asherim for themselves on every high height, and under every green tree,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And had set themselves up statues and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

They also set up stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And they made them statues and groves on every high hill, and under every shady tree:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

They set up pagan stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

They put up pillars of stone and wood on every high hill and under every green tree:

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.

וַandclauseverbיַּצִּ֧בוּthey.erectedprepositional phrase · prepositionalלָforהֶ֛םthemselvesnoun phrase · objectמַצֵּב֖וֹתsacred.pillarsוַandאֲשֵׁרִ֑יםAsherah.polesprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseעַ֚לonnoun phraseכָּלeverynoun phraseגִּבְעָ֣הhillגְבֹהָ֔הhighוְandprepositional phraseתַ֖חַתundernoun phraseכָּלeverynoun phraseעֵ֥ץtreeרַעֲנָֽןluxuriant

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


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

The Masoretic Text states that the people set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. The Septuagint agrees with this content, matching 12 out of 12 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although its sentence structure and articles differ from the Hebrew. There are no significant variations between these witnesses for this verse.

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

וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ לָהֶ֛ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כָּל־ גִּבְעָ֣ה גְבֹהָ֔ה וְתַ֖חַת כָּל־ עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּצִּ֧בוּἐστήλωσανלָהֶ֛םἑαυτοῖςמַצֵּב֖וֹתστήλαςוַאֲשֵׁרִ֑יםἄλσηעַ֚לἐπὶכָּל־παντὶגִּבְעָ֣הβουνῷגְבֹהָ֔הὑψηλῷוְתַ֖חַתὑποκάτωכָּל־παντὸςעֵ֥ץχύλουרַעֲנָֽן׃ἀλσώδους

12 of the 12 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 Kings 17:10נָצַבand they erand they erecteנָצַבהֶםfor themselfor themselvesהֶםמַצֵּבָהsacred pillsacred pillarsמַצֵּבָהאֲשֵׁרָהand Asherahand Asherah polאֲשֵׁרָהעַלononעַלכֹּלeveryeveryכֹּלגִּבְעָהhillhillגִּבְעָהגָּבֹהַּhighhighגָּבֹהַּתַּחַתand underand underתַּחַתכֹּלeveryeveryכֹּלעֵץtreetreeעֵץרָעַןluxuriantluxuriantרָעַןכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלאָשַׁרto blessto blessאָשַׁרגָּבַהּto exultto exultגָּבַהּעָצָהto shutto shutעָצָהנָצַבto standto standנָצַבעַלheightheightעַלגֶּ֫בַעGebaGebaגֶּ֫בַעתּוֹחַתּוֹחַעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהפֶּ֫תַחentranceentranceפֶּ֫תַחקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאאֲשֵׁרָהAsherahAsherahאֲשֵׁרָהגָּדַעto cut dowto cut down/offגָּדַעמַצֵּבָהpillarpillarמַצֵּבָהפָּסִילidolidolפָּסִילכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּא
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 Kings 17:10

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 erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
וַיַּצִּ֧בוּvai.ya.Tzi.vu and they erected H5324 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
75× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Tyndale gloss
to stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָצַב (natsab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stand or take one's stand, with various applications including to be stationed, appointed, or established. It can refer to standing upright, setting up a pillar, or fixing a boundary. The entries highlight its use in different forms, such as Niphal and Hiphil, indicating both active and passive meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָצַב] vb. Niph. take one's stand, stand

Niph.

station oneself, take one's stand, for definite purpose

stand = be stationed (by appointment, or in fulfillment of duty)

take an upright position, stand

be stationed = appointed over

Pt. as subst. deputy = prefect (as appointed, deputed)

stand firm

Hiph.

station, set

set up, erect pillar

cause to stand erect, waters

fix, establish boundary

Hoph. fixed, determined

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5324 נָצַב Niph. take one's stand, stand . . . station oneself, take one's stand, for definite purpose

. stand = be stationed (by appointment, or in fulfillment of duty)

. take an upright position, stand

. be stationed = appointed over

. Pt. as subst. deputy = prefect (as appointed, deputed)

. stand firm

. . station, set

. set up, erect pillar

. cause to stand erect, waters

. fix, establish boundary

. fixed, determined

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5324 natsab naw-tsab'

a prim root; to station, in various applications (literally

or figuratively):--appointed, deputy, erect, establish, X

Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar,

present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish,

(make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָצַב (na.tsav) — to stand.

1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish

1a) (Niphal)

1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand

1a2) to stand, be stationed

1a3) to stand, take an upright position

1a4) to be stationed, be appointed

1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst)

1a6) to stand firm

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to station, set

1b2) to set up, erect

1b3) to cause to stand erect

1b4) to fix, establish

1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vhw3mp
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
לָהֶ֛םla.Hem for themselves H9038 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֶם (hem) — them.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3mp
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
מַצֵּב֖וֹתma.tze.Vot sacred pillars H4676 Noun common · feminine plural absolute
32× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Amplified meaning
sacred monuments, images, memorials, standing-pillars
Tyndale gloss
pillar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַצֵּבָה (maṣṣēbā) refers to a pillar or a memorial stone, often associated with altars. It can also denote a stump or a standing image, potentially an idol. The word is derived from a participle form indicating something that is stationed or set up.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַצֵּבָה, מַצֶּ֫בֶת n.f. pillar, maṣṣēbā, stump

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4676 מַצֵּבָה, מַצֶּ֫בֶת pillar, maṣṣēbā, stump

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4676 matstsebah mats-tsay-baw'

feminine (causatively) participle of 5324; something

stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an

idol:--garrison, (standing) image, pillar.

see HEBREW for 05324

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַצֵּבָה (mats.tse.vah) — pillar.

1) pillar, mastaba, stump

1a) pillar

1a1) as monument, personal memorial

1a2) with an altar

1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absolute
HNcfpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Torrey's New Topical Textbook

- The supports of a building

Jud 16:29

- Things raised up as memorials

Ge 31:51

- MADE OF

. Marble

Es 1:6

. Wood

1Ki 10:12

. Iron

Jer 1:18

. Brass

1Ki 7:15

. Silver

So 3:10

- The vail and hangings of the tabernacle supported by

Ex 26:32,37; 36:36,38

- Two, placed in the temple porch

1Ki 7:15-21

- OF MEMORIAL

. Sometimes of a single stone

Ge 28:18

and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑יםva.'a.she.Rim and Asherah poles H842 Conjunction · noun
40× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Asherah was a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, often represented by a tree or pole near an altar. The Bible warns against worshipping her, as in Deuteronomy and Judges. She was considered a consort of Baal.
Amplified meaning
idols, shrines
Tyndale gloss
Asherah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲשֵׁרָה (asherah) refers to a Phoenician goddess associated with happiness and fortune, as well as to the images or groves used for idol worship. It is linked to the goddess Astarte and is often represented by sacred trees or poles near altars. The term appears in contexts related to idol worship in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֵׁרָה, אֲשֵׁירָה n.pr.f. Ashera

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H842 אֲשֵׁרָה, אֲשֵׁירָה Ashera

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

842 'asherah ash-ay-raw'

or masheyrah {ash-ay-raw'}; from 833; happy; Asherah (or

Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same:--

grove. Compare 6253.

see HEBREW for 0833

see HEBREW for 06253

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֵׁרָה (a.she.rah) — Asherah.

§ Ashera(h) = "groves (for idol worship)"

a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images

her images

sacred trees or poles set up near an altar

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun
HC/Ntmpa
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
עַ֚ל'al on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

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Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
כָּל־kol- every H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
all, each
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
גִּבְעָ֣הgiv.'Ah hill H1389 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
68× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Tyndale gloss
Gibeat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבְעָה (gib'ah) means 'hill' and refers to a small elevation of land. It can denote a place of worship or be used in place names, often associated with illicit worship. The word is feminine and is derived from a related term for a hillock. It appears in various contexts, including poetic uses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבְעָה n.f. hill

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1389 גִּבְעָה hill

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1389 gib`ah ghib-aw'

feminine from the same as 1387; a hillock:--hill, little

hill.

see HEBREW for 01387

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeath-(elohim).

Gibeath - a place or worship

This name means hill

1a) hill

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeath-(haaraloth).

This name means hill

Another name of gil.gal (גִּלְגָּל "Gilgal" H1537G)

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — hill.

1) hill

1a) hill (lower than a mountain)

1b) as a place of illicit worship

1c) poetic for mountain

1d) used in place names

גִּבְעָה (giv.ah) — Gibeat.

This name means hill

Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hill

(1.) Heb. gib’eah, a curved or rounded hill, such as are common to Palestine (Ps. 65:12; 72:3; 114:4, 6).

(2.) Heb. har, properly a mountain range rather than an individual eminence (Ex. 24:4, 12, 13, 18; Num. 14:40, 44, 45). In Deut. 1:7, Josh. 9:1; 10:40; 11:16, it denotes the elevated district of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, which forms the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.

(3.) Heb. ma’aleh in 1 Sam. 9:11. Authorized Version “hill” is correctly rendered in the Revised Version “ascent.”

and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
גְבֹהָ֔הge.vo.Hah high H1364 Adj
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Amplified meaning
elevated, lofty
Tyndale gloss
high
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word גָּבֹהַּ (*gaboah*) means high or exalted, covering meanings such as tall, lofty, and haughty. It can also refer to loftiness as a noun. The word is derived from a root meaning to elevate or be elevated, and it appears in contexts that emphasize height or pride.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּבֹהַּ adj. high, exalted

high, lofty, tall

exalted in station

haughty

n.[m.] loftiness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1364 גָּבֹהַּ high, exalted . high, lofty, tall

. exalted in station

. haughty

. n. [m.] loftiness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1364 gaboahh gaw-bo'-ah

or (fully) gabowahh {gaw-bo'-ah}; from 1361; elevated (or

elated), powerful, arrogant:--haughty, height, high(-er),

lofty, proud, X exceeding proudly.

see HEBREW for 01361

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּבֹהַּ (ga.vo.ah) — high.

adj

1) high, exalted

1a) high, tall

1b) high (in position)

1c) proud, haughty

n m

2) loftiness

Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAafsa
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
וְתַ֖חַתve.Ta.chat and under H8478 Conjunction · 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.
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
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
כָּל־kol- every H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
all, each
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
עֵ֥ץ'etz tree H6086 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
330× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Amplified meaning
wood, wooden plank
Tyndale gloss
tree: wood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵץ (ets) refers to a tree or wood, encompassing various forms such as timber, sticks, and planks. It can denote both singular and plural trees, as well as specific uses like gallows and firewood. The word is derived from a root meaning firmness, indicating its solid nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵץ 329 n.m. tree, trees, wood

(c. 150 t.)

a standing tree

coll. trees

(c. 175 t.; c. 120 t. pl., to denote pieces [or articles] of wood)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6086 עֵץ tree, trees, wood . (c. 150 t.) . a standing tree

. coll. trees

. (c. 175 t.; c. 120 t. pl., to denote pieces [or articles] of wood)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6086 `ets ates

from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural

sticks):--+ carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff,

stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.

see HEBREW for 06095

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵץ (ets) — tree: wood.

: wood

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree.

: tree

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: stick.

: stick/log

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: stake.

: stake/shaft

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: carpenter.

: carpenter/wood(worker)

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tre.

See BOTANY.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of life Ge 2:9; 3:22,24; Re 22:14

→ Of knowledge Ge 2:9,17; 3:3-6,11,12,17

→ FIGURATIVE Ps 1:3; Jer 17:8

→ SYMBOLICAL Da 4:10-12

and they erected for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every hill high and under every tree luxuriant
רַעֲנָֽן׃ra.'a.Nan luxuriant H7488 Adj
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Amplified meaning
luxuriant, fresh
Tyndale gloss
be fresh
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word רָעַן (*ra`an*) is a verb meaning to be or grow luxuriant, fresh, or green, while רַעֲנָן (*ra`anan*) is an adjective describing something as luxuriant or fresh. It is derived from an unused root meaning to be green and can also imply prosperity. The verb appears in Job 15:32.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[רָעַן] vb. only Pa‛lel be or grow luxuriant, fresh, green;—Jb 15:32

ref

רַעֲנָן adj. luxuriant, fresh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7488a רָעַן only Pa‛lal be or grow luxuriant, fresh, green H7488b רַעֲנָן luxuriant, fresh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7488 ra`anan rah-an-awn'

from an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy,

new; figuratively, prosperous:--green, flourishing.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָעַן (ra.an) — be fresh.

v

(Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green

רַעֲנָן (ra.a.nan) — luxuriant.

adj

luxuriant, fresh

Aramaic equivalent: ra.a.nan (רַעֲנַן "luxuriant" H7487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
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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