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2 Samuel 23:12 — Word Study

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WLCוַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב בְּתוֹךְ־ הַֽחֶלְקָה֙ וַיַּצִּילֶ֔הָ וַיַּ֖ךְ אֶת־ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ יְהוָ֖ה תְּשׁוּעָ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה׃ ס

BSABut [Shammah] took his standyâtsab [in a strong position, firmly] in the middletâvek [center, midst] of the fieldchelqâh [plot, portion] defended itnâtsal [protected, rescued] and struck downnâkâh [slew, smote] the PhilistinesPᵉlishtîy [enemies, non-Hebrew people] So the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, God] brought aboutʻâsâh [worked, made] a greatgâdôwl [large, significant] victorytᵉshûwʻâh [deliverance, salvation]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 23
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 12 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 (ge.do.Lah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 23:12quick helps
In a sentenceShammah stood firm in the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines, leading to a significant victory from the LORD.
Who is speakingThe narrative recounts the actions of Shammah during a battle against the Philistines.
Where we areThis verse is part of a passage detailing the exploits of David's mighty men.
The hard wordתְּשׁוּעָה
Take awayThe LORD's intervention brought about a great deliverance.
5 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיהוה verbיָצַב 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 Samuel 23:12

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 Exploits of David's Mighty Mengenerated

11And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines had banded together near a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them.
12But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.
13At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.

2 Samuel 23:12 describes the courageous actions of Shammah, who defended a field against the Philistines when the Israelites fled. His bravery led to a significant victory, showcasing the theme of divine assistance in battle, as also seen in 2 Samuel 23:10 and echoed in various Psalms such as Psalm 3:8 and Psalm 44:2.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Samuel 23:10but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.
2Psalm 3:8Salvation belongs to the LORD; may Your blessing be on Your people. Selah
3Psalm 44:2With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out.
4Proverbs 21:31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תְּשׁוּעָה, te.shu.'Ahgenerated

The Hebrew word תְּשׁוּעָה (tshuw'ah) refers to deliverance or salvation and is used to describe God's rescue of His people in various contexts. It emphasizes the idea of help and safety, often associated with divine intervention in times of trouble.

This word appears in numerous passages, highlighting its significance in the biblical narrative of God's saving actions. In this verse, it indicates the great victory that the LORD worked through Shammah's courageous stand.


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 וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב, and he took his stand, governs the whole verse, with several phrases hanging off it: a prepositional phrase indicating location, a clause describing his actions, and another clause explaining the LORD's response.

The structure emphasizes Shammah's active role in the battle, with the verbs highlighting his decisive actions against the Philistines and the subsequent divine intervention.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the verb וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב is rendered as ἐστηλώθη, indicating a firm standing or positioning. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the act of standing firm in the face of opposition.

The translation of תְּשׁוּעָה as σωτηρίαν aligns with the concept of salvation, reinforcing the idea of divine deliverance in the context of battle.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 23:12 tells us that Shammah stood firm in the middle of a field and defended it against the Philistines. His bravery led to a great victory that the LORD provided, emphasizing the theme of divine assistance in battle.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Shammah took his stand?

It means that Shammah firmly positioned himself in the field to defend it against the Philistines, demonstrating courage and commitment.

How does this verse illustrate God's involvement in battles?

The verse shows that despite the fear of the Israelites, God empowered Shammah to achieve a significant victory, highlighting His role in delivering His people.

What can we learn from Shammah's actions?

Shammah's actions teach us the importance of standing firm in our convictions, even in the face of overwhelming odds, trusting that God can bring about victory.

How does this verse connect to other biblical themes?

This verse connects to themes of divine deliverance and victory found throughout the Bible, such as in Psalms, where God is often depicted as a protector and savior.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to stand firm like Shammah?
  2. How can I rely on God's help in my own battles?
  3. What does this passage teach me about courage in difficult situations?
  4. How can I encourage others to trust in God's deliverance?

Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 23:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

But he stood in the midst of the ground,.... The field of lentiles: and defended it; the field, so that the Philistines could not ravage it, and get food and forage from it: and slew the Philistines;

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 23 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 23 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Defended it; that the Philistines could neither burn, nor tread it down and spoil it or carry it away.

Read Matthew Poole on 2 Samuel 23 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.Ver. 12. In the midst of the ground, and defended it,] i.e., That part of the ground that had the lentiles; as Eleazar had done that part that had the barley. It was for provender, and about harvest, that they skirmished mostly.

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 23 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8–39. David’s Heroes and their exploits = 1 Chronicles 11:11-41 This section is placed in Chronicles after the account of David’s election as King of Israel and his capture of Zion, and is prefaced by the heading: “These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who shewed themselves strong with him in his kingdom with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” The list therefore belongs, at any rate in substance, to the earlier part of David’s reign.

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 23 →

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

But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But he made a stand in the middle of that area. He defended it and defeated the Philistines; the Lord gave them a great victory.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and Jehovah wrought a great victory.

RVARevised Version, American1894

But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But he stoode in the middes of the fielde, and defended it, and slewe the Philistims: so the Lord gaue great victorie.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and he stood in the midst of the plot and delivered it, and smote the Philistines, and Jehovah wrought a great deliverance.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and he stationeth himself in the midst of the portion, and delivereth it, and smiteth the Philistines, and Jehovah worketh a great salvation.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and he stations himself in the midst of the portion, and delivers it, and strikes the Philistines, and YHWH works a great salvation.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

But he placed himself in the midst of the ground, and delivered it, and smote the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He killed the Philistines, and Yahweh brought about a great victory.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He stood in the midst of the field, and defended it, and defeated the Philistines: and the Lord gave a great victory.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defending it and killing the Philistines. The Lord gave them a great victory.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But he kept his place in the middle of the bit of land, and kept back their attack and overcame the Philistines: and the Lord gave a great salvation.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּתְיַצֵּ֤בhe.took.his.standprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseתוֹךְthe.middlenoun phraseהַֽofחֶלְקָה֙the.portionוַandclauseverbיַּצִּילֶ֔heobjectהָdelivered.itוַandclauseverbיַּ֖ךְhe.struck.downnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים[the].Philistinesוַandclauseverbיַּ֥עַשׂhe.didsubjectיְהוָ֖הYahwehnoun phrase · objectתְּשׁוּעָ֥הa.victoryגְדוֹלָֽהgreat

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 Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines, leading to a great victory from the LORD. The Septuagint largely agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching 9 of the 11 words, though it presents them in a different order and structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment (1Q7) contains parts of the verse but is not complete; it includes seven words, with three being partially restored and three supplied by an editor. This indicates that while there are some textual variations, the core elements of the story remain consistent across these witnesses.

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

וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב בְּתוֹךְ־ הַֽחֶלְקָה֙ וַיַּצִּילֶ֔הָ וַיַּ֖ךְ אֶת־ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ יְהוָ֖ה תְּשׁוּעָ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה׃ ס

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤בἐστηλώθηבְּתוֹךְ־μέσῳהַֽחֶלְקָה֙μερίδοςוַיַּצִּילֶ֔הָαὐτὴνוַיַּ֖ךְἐπάταχενוַיַּ֥עַשׂἐποίησενיְהוָ֖הκύριοςתְּשׁוּעָ֥הσωτηρίανגְדוֹלָֽה׃ סμεγάλην

9 of the 11 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 1Q7a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ויתיצב [בתוך] החלקה [ויציל׳ה] ויכה [את] פלשתים

7 words of the verse are on this fragment — 3 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.

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 Samuel 23:12יָצַבand he tookand he took hisיָצַבתָּ֫וֶךְin [the] miin [the] middleתָּ֫וֶךְחֶלְקָהthe portionthe portionחֶלְקָהנָצַלand he deliand he delivereנָצַלנָכָהand he struand he struck dנָכָהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתפְּלִשְׁתִּי[the] Phili[the] Philistinפְּלִשְׁתִּיעָשָׂהand he didand he didעָשָׂהיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהתְּשׁוּעָהa deliverana deliveranceתְּשׁוּעָהגָּדוֹלgreatgreatגָּדוֹלאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתPhilistiaPhilistiaפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתהָיָהto beto beהָיָהשָׁוַעto cryto cryשָׁוַעגָּדַלto magnifyto magnifyגָּדַלחֵ֫לֶקportionportionחֵ֫לֶקמוֹעֵדmeetingmeetingמוֹעֵדתָּ֫וֶךְmidstmidstתָּ֫וֶךְגֵּרsojournersojournerגֵּרגּוּרto sojournto sojournגּוּרמָטַרto rainto rainמָטַרצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָהמַכָּהwoundwoundמַכָּהפְּלִשְׁתִּי(Sea of th(Sea of the) Phפְּלִשְׁתִּימִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁסֶ֫רֶןlordlordסֶ֫רֶןנָכָהto smiteto smiteנָכָהמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָה
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 Samuel 23:12

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

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

and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤בvai.yit.ya.Tzev and he took his stand H3320 Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
48× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To stand or place something firmly is what this word means, and it's used in the Bible to describe presenting oneself or standing firm in faith, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Amplified meaning
in a strong position, firmly
Tyndale gloss
to stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָצַב (yatsab) primarily means to stand or to station oneself, particularly in the Hithpael form, which indicates a reflexive action. It encompasses the ideas of placing, setting, or presenting oneself. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָצַב] vb. only Hithp. set or station oneself, take one's stand

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3320 יָצַב only Hithp. set or station oneself, take one's stand

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3320 yatsab yaw-tsab'

a primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay);

reflexively, to station, offer, continue:--present selves,

remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-)

stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָצַב (ya.tsav) — to stand.

1) to place, set, stand, set or station oneself, present oneself

1a) (Hithpael) to station oneself, take one's stand, stand, present oneself, stand with someone

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tsav (יְצַב "to know" H3321)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vtw3ms
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
בְּתוֹךְ־be.tokh- in [the] middle of H8432 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
418× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Amplified meaning
center, midst
Tyndale gloss
midst
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּ֫וֶךְ (tavek) means 'midst' or 'middle,' indicating a central position or location. It can also imply being 'among' or 'between' things, particularly in contexts involving separation or division. The term appears in various forms, such as 'into' or 'through,' especially after verbs of motion.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּ֫וֶךְ 416 subst. midst

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8432 תָּ֫וֶךְ subst. midst

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8432 tavek taw'-vek

from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by

implication) the centre:--among(-st), X between, half, X

(there- ,where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among),

X out (of), X through, X with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּ֫וֶךְ (ta.vekh) — midst.

1) midst, middle

1a) midst, middle

1b) into, through (after verbs of motion)

1c) among (of a number of persons)

1d) between (of things arranged by twos)

1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
הַֽחֶלְקָה֙ha.chel.Kah the portion H2513 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
29× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to smoothness, but can also imply flattery or slippery behavior. In some cases, it describes a plot of land or a portion of ground. The Bible uses this word to warn against smooth talk and deceitful actions.
Amplified meaning
plot, portion
Tyndale gloss
portion
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶלְקָה (chelqah) primarily means a portion or parcel of ground, but it also refers to smoothness and can imply flattery. The word is built from the concept of smoothness, which can extend to slippery places. It encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, highlighting its versatility in describing land and characteristics like flattery.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶלְקָה n.f. portion of ground

base

[חֶלְקָה] n.f. smooth part, smoothness, flattery

smoothness, smooth part

pl. slippery places

smoothness = flattery

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2513a חֶלְקָה portion of ground H2513b חֶלְקָה smooth part, smoothness, flattery

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2513 chelqah khel-kaw'

feminine of 2506; properly, smoothness; figuratively,

flattery; also an allotment:--field, flattering(-ry), ground,

parcel, part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery

place, smooth (thing).

see HEBREW for 02506

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶלְקָה (chel.qah) — portion.

1) portion, parcel

1a) of ground

חֶלְקָה (chel.qah) — smoothness.

1) smooth part, smoothness, flattery

1a) smoothness, smooth part

1b) slippery places

1c) smoothness, flattery

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
HTd/Ncfsa
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
וַיַּצִּילֶ֔הָvai.ya.tzi.Le.ha and he delivered it H5337 Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
213× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To rescue means to snatch away or deliver from danger. It can also mean to strip or plunder, depending on the context, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
protected, rescued
Tyndale gloss
to rescue
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is built from a primitive root meaning to snatch away, with various usages across different stems. It covers a range of meanings including to rescue, deliver, plunder, and strip. The word appears in contexts of delivering oneself or being delivered, as well as rescuing from enemies or sin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָצַל] 212 vb. not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver

Niph.

reflex. tear oneself away, deliver oneself

passive, be torn out or away

Pi.

strip off, spoil

deliver

Hiph.

take away, snatch away

rescue, recover

deliver from

deliver from sin and guilt

Hoph. as a brand plucked out of the burning

Hithp. and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5337 נָצַל not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5337 natsal naw-tsal'

a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad

sense:- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without

fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save,

spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָצַל (na.tsal) — to rescue.

1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder

1a)(Niphal)

1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself

1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to strip off, spoil

1b2) to deliver

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to take away, snatch away

1c2) to rescue, recover

1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)

1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt

1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out

1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself

Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffix
Hc/Vhw3ms/Sp3fs
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
וַיַּ֖ךְvai.Yakh and he struck down H5221 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Amplified meaning
slew, smote
Tyndale gloss
to smite
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכָה] 501 vb. smite (not in Qal)

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

Pu. both be smitten down by the hail

Hiph.

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

smite repeatedly, beat a man

and they clapped hands (in applause)

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

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

smite, of sun

Smite fatally

Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

Of God

smite with a plague, disease, etc.

smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

of God’s destroying palaces

Hoph. be smitten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

. both be smitten down by the hail

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

. smite repeatedly, beat a man

. and they clapped hands (in applause)

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

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

. smite, of sun

. Smite fatally

. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company

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

. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon

. of God’s destroying palaces

. be smitten

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5221 nakah naw-kaw'

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

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

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

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

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכָה (na.khah) — to smite.

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

1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten

1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten

1c) (Hiphil)

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

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

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

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

1d) (Hophal) to be smitten

1d1) to receive a blow

1d2) to be wounded

1d3) to be beaten

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

1d5) to be attacked and captured

1d6) to be smitten (with disease)

1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vhw3ms
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

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

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

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

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

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

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpe.lish.Tim [the] Philistines H6430 Noun gentilic · masculine plural absolute
288× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Amplified meaning
enemies, non-Hebrew people
Tyndale gloss
(Sea of the) Philistines
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פְּלִשְׁתִּי (*pelishtiy*) means 'Philistine' and refers to an inhabitant of Philistia, with roots indicating they are descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor. It is derived from the lemma for Philistia, פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת (*peleshet*), and is first mentioned in Genesis 10:14.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּלִשְׁתִּי 288 adj.gent. Philistine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי Philistine

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6430 Plishtiy pel-ish-tee'

patrial from 6429; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of

Pelesheth:--Philistine.

see HEBREW for 06429

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.

Philistine = "immigrants"

an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan

Another spelling of pe.le.shet (פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת "Philistia" H6429)

פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.

A Philistine living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.14;

son of: Casluhim (H3695)

§ Philistine = "immigrants"

an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan

פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — (Sea of the) Philistines.

Philistine = "immigrants"

an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan

Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Ngmpa — Noun gentilic · masculine plural absolute
HNgmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fi-lis'-tinz, fil'-is-tinz, fil'-is-tinz (pelishtim; Phulistieim, allophuloi):

I. OLD TESTAMENT NOTICES

1. Race and Origin

2. Religion

3. Individual Philistines Mentioned

4. Title of Ruler and Circumcision

5. History in the Old Testament to Death of Saul

6. History Continued to Time of Ahaz

7. Later Notices

II. MONUMENTAL NOTICES

1. Palestinian Excavations

2. Egyptian Monuments

3. Assyrian Texts

III. THE CRETAN THEORY

1. Cherethim and Kretes

2. Caphtor and Keft

IV. DAVID'S GUARDS

1. The "Cherethi" and the "Pelethi" Not Mercenaries

2. Meaning of These Terms

3. Native Hebrews

4. Review

LITERATURE

I. Old Testament Notices.

1. Race and Origin:

The Philistines were an uncircumcised people inhabiting the shore plain between Gezer and Gaza in Southwestern Palestine (see PHILISTIA). The name Palestine itself (Hebrew pelesheth) refers to their country. The word means "migrants," and they came from another country. They…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Philistines

(Gen. 10:14, R.V.; but in A.V., “Philistim”), a tribe allied to the Phoenicians. They were a branch of the primitive race which spread over the whole district of the Lebanon and the valley of the Jordan, and Crete and other Mediterranean islands. Some suppose them to have been a branch of the Rephaim (2 Sam. 21:16-22). In the time of Abraham they inhabited the south-west of Judea, Abimelech of Gerar being their king (Gen. 21:32, 34; 26:1). They are, however, not noticed among the Canaanitish tribes mentioned in the Pentateuch. They are spoken of by Amos (9:7) and Jeremiah (47:4) as from Caphtor, i.e., probably Crete, or, as some think, the Delta of Egypt. In the whole record from Exodus to Samuel they are…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(immigrants), The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible; but as the prophets describe them as "the Philistines-from Caphtor," (Amos 9:7) and "the remnant of the maritime district of Caphtor" (Jeremiah 47:4) it is prima facie probable that they were the Caphtorim which came out of Caphtor" who expelled the Avim from their territory and occupied it; in their place, (2:23) and that these again were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table among the descendants of Mizraim. (Genesis 10:14) It has been generally assumed that Caphtor represents Crete, and that the Philistines migrated from that island, either directly or through Egypt, into Palestine. But the name Caphtor is more probably…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A celebrated people, who inhabited the southern seacoast of Canaan, which from them took the name of Philistia, Ps 60:8 108:9, or Palestine. They seem originally to have migrated form Egypt to Caphtor, by which some understand Crete, and others with the ancients Cappadocia, Ge 10:14, and thence to have passed over to Palestine under the name of Caphtorim, where they drove out the Avim, who dwelt from Hazerim to Azzah, that is, Gaza, and swelt in their stead, De 2:23. The country they inhabited lay between the higher land of Judea and the Mediterranean, and was in the main a level and fertile territory. It resembles our own western prairies; and bears splendid crops year after year, though miserably cultivated and never manured.

and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
וַיַּ֥עַשׂvai.Ya.'as and he did H6213 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Amplified meaning
worked, made
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
יְהוָ֖הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
תְּשׁוּעָ֥הte.shu.'Ah a deliverance H8668 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means salvation or deliverance, often describing God's rescue of his people. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, where God promises to save and deliver his people.
Amplified meaning
deliverance, salvation
Tyndale gloss
deliverance: salvation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תְּשׁוּעָה (tshuw`ah) refers to concepts of rescue, deliverance, and salvation, both in a personal and national context. It emphasizes help and safety, often associated with divine intervention. The term is linked to victory as well, indicating a broader range of meanings related to overcoming challenges or enemies.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תְּשׁוּעָה († תְּשֻׁעָה 2 S 19:3) n.f. deliverance, salvation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8668 תְּשׁוּעָה, תְּשֻׁעָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8668 tshuw`ah tesh-oo-aw'

or tshuah {tesh-oo-aw'}; from 7768 in the sense of 3467;

rescue (literal or figurative, pers., national or spir.):--

deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory.

see HEBREW for 07768

see HEBREW for 03467

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תְּשׁוּעָה (te.shu.ah) — deliverance: salvation.

: salvation

1) salvation, deliverance

1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency)

1b) salvation (spiritual in sense)

Also means: te.shu.ah (תְּשׁוּעָה ": victory" H8668H)

תְּשׁוּעָה (te.shu.ah) — deliverance: victory.

: victory

1) salvation, deliverance

1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency)

1b) salvation (spiritual in sense)

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

→ See AFFLICTION

→ See GOD, PROVIDENCE OF

→ See PRAYER, ANSWERED

Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) Of Israel

Ex 14:30; 1Sa 14:15; 2Ch 14:12; 20:22; 32:21

--SEE God of Battles, BATTLE OF LIFE

Divine Defence, BATTLE OF LIFE

(2) Divine, Examples of

Lot

Ge 19:16

David

1Sa 17:37

The Hebrew Children

Da 3:27

Daniel

Da 6:22

Jonah

Jon 1:17

The Apostles

Ac 5:18,19

Peter

Ac 12:7

Paul and Silas

Ac 16:26

and he took his stand in [the] middle of the portion and he delivered it and he struck down the object marker [the] Philistines and he did Yahweh a deliverance great
גְדוֹלָֽה׃ סge.do.Lah great H1419 Adj
526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Amplified meaning
large, significant
Tyndale gloss
Great (Sea)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גָּדוֹל 622 adj. great

in magnitude and extent

in number

in intensity

in sound, loud

in age

in importance

in phrases

cstr.

as subst. concr. do great things

† as subst. neut. greatness of arm

base

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

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1419a גָּדוֹל great . in magnitude and extent

. in number

. in intensity

. in sound, loud

. in age

. in importance

. in phrases

. cstr.

. as subst. concr. do great things

. † as subst. neut. greatness of arm

H1419b הַגְּדוֹלִים father of Zabdiel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1419 gadowl gaw-dole'

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

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

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

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

proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.

see HEBREW for 01431

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: large.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

1e) older (in age)

1f) in importance

1f1) important things

1f2) great, distinguished (of men)

1f3) God Himself (of God)

subst

1g) great things

1h) haughty things

1i) greatness

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

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

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

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Haggedolim.

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

§ Haggedolim = "the great one"

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

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Great (Sea).

adj

great

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

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: old.

adj

1) great

1a) large (in magnitude and extent)

1b) in number

1c) in intensity

1d) loud (in sound)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAafsa
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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