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Amos 2:14 — Word Study

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WLCוְאָבַ֤ד מָנוֹס֙ מִקָּ֔ל וְחָזָ֖ק לֹא־ יְאַמֵּ֣ץ כֹּח֑וֹ וְגִבּ֖וֹר לֹא־ יְמַלֵּ֥ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

BSAEscapemânôwç [will perish, fail to save] will failʼâbad the swiftqal [quick-footed, fast runners] the strongchâzâq [powerful, valiant] will notlôʼ prevailʼâmats by his strengthkôach [power, might] and the mightygibbôwr [mighty man, warrior] will notlôʼ savemâlaṭ [deliver, escape] his lifenephesh [soul, living being]

Word
Listen & take awayAmos 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 14 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 (naf.Sho) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Amos 2:14quick helps
In a sentenceAmos warns that no one will escape judgment, regardless of their speed, strength, or might.
Who is speakingThe prophet Amos, delivering a message from the LORD.
Where we areA declaration of impending judgment against Israel.
The hard wordוְאָבַ֤ד
Take awayNo escape will be found.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectמָנוֹס verbאָבַד 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 — Amos 2:14

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 Judgment Against Israelgenerated

13Behold, I am about to crush you in your place as with a cart full of grain.
14Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.
15The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life.
16Even the bravest of mighty men will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.

Amos 2:14 speaks of the futility of escape from divine judgment. The swift, strong, and mighty will find that their abilities cannot save them from the consequences of their actions. This passage emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment and the inability of human strength to avert it, paralleling themes found in other prophetic texts like Jeremiah 9:23 and Isaiah 30:16.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Amos 9:1–3I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape.
2Job 11:20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
3Ecclesiastes 9:11I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.
4Isaiah 30:16“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.
5Jeremiah 9:23This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

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


The Key Word וְאָבַ֤ד, ve.'a.Vadgenerated

The verb אָבַד (abad) means to perish or be lost. It covers a range of meanings, including destruction and moral judgment. In this context, it signifies the inevitable loss that awaits those who rely on their own abilities rather than seeking refuge in God.

The parsing indicates it is a perfect verb in the Qal stem, suggesting a completed action. This emphasizes that escape will have already failed by the time judgment arrives.


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 וְאָבַ֤ד governs the whole verse, with three phrases hanging off it: a noun phrase indicating the subject, a prepositional phrase describing the source of the escape, and another noun phrase for the subjects who will not prevail. This structure shows a clear progression from the general statement of loss to specific groups affected by it.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the verb, highlighting the certainty of the outcome.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וְאָבַ֤ד as ἀπολεῖται, meaning 'will perish.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the finality of destruction in a more definitive manner.

The use of φυγὴ for מָנוֹס indicates a focus on the concept of flight or escape, similar to the Hebrew, but with a slight nuance towards the act of fleeing rather than the place of refuge.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Amos 2:14 warns that no one will escape God's judgment. The swift, strong, and mighty cannot rely on their abilities to save themselves. This verse emphasizes the certainty of divine judgment and the futility of human strength.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that escape will fail?

It means that no matter how fast or strong someone is, they cannot avoid the consequences of their actions when God's judgment comes.

Why does Amos mention the swift, strong, and mighty?

These terms represent those who might typically rely on their physical abilities to escape danger, illustrating that even they are powerless against divine judgment.

How does this relate to other biblical themes?

This theme parallels other scriptures that emphasize God's sovereignty and the futility of human strength in the face of His judgment, seen in texts like Isaiah 30:16.

What can we learn from this verse?

We learn that true safety and refuge come from God, not from our own abilities or resources.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I rely on my own strength instead of seeking God's help?
  2. How can I encourage others to find refuge in God during difficult times?
  3. What does it mean to me that even the strongest cannot escape God's judgment?
  4. How can I apply the lesson of this verse in my daily decisions and actions?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Basil of Caesarea comments on the swift, relating it to Jeroboam I and other kings, using this verse to illustrate the futility of human strength against divine judgment.

Basil of Caesarea c. 330–379
swift: Jeroboam I. Other kings are described afterwards.
Early Church Fathers on Amos 2 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Amos 2:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift,.... They should be so straitened and cooped up, and be so loaded with pressures, that those, as swift of foot as Asahel, should not be able to make

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

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift - even the

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

Therefore; because they first loaded God with their sins, and now he loads them with punishments, no way of escape shall be left. The flight shall perish from the swift; not by swiftness of foot fleeing from the judgments, for their enemies shall be swifter than they, . The strong shall not strengthen his force; natural strength of body shall not deliver; such, though they might do more than weaker men, yet shall not save themselves, for they shall not know how to use their strength they shall want courage to do it. The mighty, the valiant, and man of greatest courage, shall not be able to deliver himself, his courage shall fail.

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

Amos 2:14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:Ver. 14. Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift] Men are apt to bless themselves when God curseth, Deuteronomy 29:19, and to bind upon impurity in a common calamity, to make fair weather, when such a tempest is up as shall never be blown over. Or, if worse come, then, as all creatures run to their refuges, Proverbs 30:25 Psalms 104:18 Proverbs 18:11 Daniel 4:12; Daniel 4:14 Judges 9:50-51 (the hunted hare runs to the form, to the bushes that she formerly haunted, but now these cannot save her), so men in misery bethink themselves of…

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

(14) This doom Amos darkly foreshadows to be invasion and military overthrow, with all its attendant calamities.

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

Verse 14. The flight shall perish from the swift] The swiftest shall not be able to save himself from a swifter destruction. None, by might, by counsel, or by fleetness, shall be able to escape from the impending ruin. In a word, God has so fully determined to avenge the quarrel of his broken covenant, that all attempts to escape from his judgments shall be useless.

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

Amos 2:6-16. The sin of Israel, and its punishment 6–16. At last Amos comes to Israel. The Israelites might listen with equanimity, or even with satisfaction, whilst their neighbours’ faults were being exposed: but they now find that precisely the same standard is to be applied to themselves. The stereotyped form is not preserved after the first verse; both the indictment and the punishment being developed at much greater length than in the case of any of the previous nations. The indictment (Amos 2:6-8) consists of four counts: 1. maladministration of justice; 2. oppression of the poor; 3. immorality; 4. inordinate self-indulgence, practised in the name of religion—all, in view of the…

Read Cambridge on Amos 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Israel relied, against God, on his own strength. “Have we not,” they said, “taken to us horns by our own strength?” Amos 6:13.

Read Albert Barnes on Amos 2 →

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

Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Flight will perish from the swift. The strong won’t strengthen his force. The mighty won’t deliver himself.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Fast runners will find no place to hide; strong men will have no strength left; warriors will not be able to save their lives.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And flight shall perish from the swift; and the strong shall not strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself;

RVARevised Version, American1894

And flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mightie saue his life.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver his soul.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And perished hath refuge from the swift, And the strong strengtheneth not his power, And the mighty delivereth not his soul.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And refuge has perished from the swift, || And the strong does not strengthens his power, || And the mighty does not deliver his soul.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And refuge shall vanish from the swift, and the strong shall not make use of his force, neither shall the mighty man escape with his life.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The swift will find no escape; the strong will not add to his own strength; neither will the mighty save himself.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And flight shall perish from the swift, and the valiant shall not possess his strength, neither shall the strong save his life.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Not even your fastest runners will escape; strong men will lose their strength. Even the greatest warrior will not be able to save his life.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And flight will be impossible for the quick-footed, and the force of the strong will become feeble, and the man of war will not get away safely:

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.

וְandclauseverbאָבַ֤דit.will.be.lostsubjectמָנוֹס֙a.place.of.escapeprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromקָּ֔לa.swift.[person]וְandclausesubjectחָזָ֖קa.strong.[person]adverbialלֹאnotverbיְאַמֵּ֣ץhe.will.make.firmnoun phrase · objectכֹּח֑powerוֹhisוְandclausesubjectגִבּ֖וֹרa.mighty.[person]adverbialלֹאnotverbיְמַלֵּ֥טhe.will.savenoun phrase · objectנַפְשֽׁlifeוֹhis

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all 11 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some restoration, indicating partial loss of text but aligning with the Masoretic Text in meaning.

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

וְאָבַ֤ד מָנוֹס֙ מִקָּ֔ל וְחָזָ֖ק לֹא־ יְאַמֵּ֣ץ כֹּח֑וֹ וְגִבּ֖וֹר לֹא־ יְמַלֵּ֥ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְאָבַ֤דἀπολεῖταιמָנוֹס֙φυγὴמִקָּ֔לδρομέωςוְחָזָ֖קκαὶלֹא־οὐיְאַמֵּ֣ץκρατήσῃכֹּח֑וֹαὐτοῦוְגִבּ֖וֹרκαὶלֹא־οὐיְמַלֵּ֥טσώσῃנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

11 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 — 4Q78a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

ואבד [מנוס] [מקל] [וחזק] לוא יאמץ כוח׳ו וגבור לוא ימלט נפש׳ו

6 words on the leather — 2 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.

Amos 2:14אָבַדand it willand it will be אָבַדמָנוֹסa place of a place of escaמָנוֹסקַלfrom a swiffrom a swift [pקַלחָזָקand a stronand a strong [pחָזָקלֹאnotnotלֹאאָמֵץhe will makhe will make fiאָמֵץכֹּחַpower hispower hisכֹּחַגִּבּוֹרand a mightand a mighty [pגִּבּוֹרלֹאnotnotלֹאמָלַטhe will savhe will saveמָלַטנֶ֫פֶשׁlife hislife hisנֶ֫פֶשׁנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסחָזַקto strengtto strengthen: חָזַקקָלַלto lightento lightenקָלַלנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁגֶּ֫בֶרgreat mangreat manגֶּ֫בֶריָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהשָׁמַדto destroyto destroyשָׁמַדמִשְׂגָּבhigh refughigh refugeמִשְׂגָּבאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדמְהֵרָהhastehasteמְהֵרָהרָכַבto rideto rideרָכַבמוֹרָאfearfearמוֹרָאמֵ֫צַחforeheadforeheadמֵ֫צַחרְחַבְעָםRehoboamRehoboamרְחַבְעָםעָצַרto restraito restrainעָצַרזְרוֹעַarmarmזְרוֹעַ
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 Amos 2:14

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 it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
וְאָבַ֤דve.'a.Vad and it will be lost H6 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
184× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Tyndale gloss
to perish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to perish or be lost. It encompasses a range of meanings, including dying, vanishing, and destruction, often in a moral or judgment context. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, with uses related to individuals, nations, and inanimate objects. The lexicons indicate that it can also imply causing something to perish or stray.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָבַד vb. perish (M I אבד, As. abâtu Dl W 184 Aram אֲבַד, Syriac).—

Qal Pf. א׳ Nu 21:30 +; אָבְדוּ ψ 10:16 + (+ Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co) etc.; Impf. יֹאבַד Jb 3:3 Je 4:9; יֹאבֵ֑ד Jb 20:7 + 2t.; 3fs. תֹּאבַד Dt 22:3 + 4t.; תֹּאבֵ֑ד Jb 8:13 + 3t.; יֹאבְדוּ Ju 5:31 + 3t.; יֹאבֵ֑דוּ Jb 4:9 +; 3fpl. וַתֹּאבַדְנָה֙ I S 9:3; תֹּאבֵדוּן Dt 4:26 +; נֹאבֵ֑ד Jon 1:6

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6 אָבַד perish .. perish, die, of individuals

. fig. perish, vanish, subj. memory

. be lost, strayed

. . cause to perish, destroy, kill

. fig. cause to vanish, blot out, do away with

. cause to stray, lose

. . destroy, put to death, in judgment

. fig. obj. name of kings; hope; voice of mirth etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6 'abad aw-bad'

a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose

oneself; by implication to perish (causative,

destroy):--break, destroy(- uction), + not escape, fail,

lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be

undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָבַד (a.vad) — to perish.

1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) perish, die, be exterminated

1a2) perish, vanish (fig.)

1a3) be lost, strayed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate

1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.)

1b3) cause to stray, lose

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to destroy, put to death

1c1a) of divine judgment

1c2) object name of kings (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqq3ms
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
מָנוֹס֙ma.nOs a place of escape H4498 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means a place to escape or flee to, like a refuge. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe a safe haven. In the KJV, it is translated as refuge or flight.
Amplified meaning
will perish, fail to save
Tyndale gloss
refuge
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָנוֹס (manowc) refers to a retreat or a place of escape, emphasizing concepts of flight and refuge. It is built from the root meaning to flee, covering both literal and figurative senses. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts relating to safety and escape.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָנוֹס n.m. 1. flight. 2. place of escape, refuge

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4498 מָנוֹס

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4498 manowc maw-noce'

from 5127; a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly,

a fleeing:--X apace, escape, way to flee, flight, refuge.

see HEBREW for 05127

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָנוֹס (ma.nos) — refuge.

1) flight, refuge, place of escape

1a) flight

1b) refuge, place of escape

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ NONE, FROM THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD Ge 3:7-11; 4:9-11; Job 34:21,22; Isa 10:3; Mt 23:33; Ro 2:3; 1Th 5:2,3; Heb 2:2,3; 12:25,26; Re 6:15-17

See SIN, FRUITS OF

See SIN, PUNISHMENT OF

See JUDGMENTS, NO ESCAPE FROM

and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
מִקָּ֔לmi.Kal from a swift [person] H7031 Preposition
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means swift or light, describing something or someone that moves quickly, like the swift horses in Solomon's chariots in 1 Kings 4:26.
Amplified meaning
quick-footed, fast runners
Tyndale gloss
swift
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קַל (qal) means light or swift, often referring to speed or lightness. It is derived from a root that implies rapidity. The entries consistently describe it as relating to being fleet or quick, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קַל adj. light, swift fleet

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7031 קַל light, swift fleet

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7031 qal kal

contracted from 7043; light; (by implication) rapid (also

adverbial):--light, swift(-ly).

see HEBREW for 07043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קַל (qal) — swift.

1) swift, light, fleet

1a) swift

1b) one who is swift

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | Adj — Preposition
HR/Aamsa
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
וְחָזָ֖קve.cha.Zak and a strong [person] H2389 Conjunction
56× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Strong refers to something or someone powerful, but often in a bad sense, like being severe or hard, as translated in the KJV.
Amplified meaning
powerful, valiant
Tyndale gloss
strong
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָזָק (chazaq) means strong, stout, or mighty, often with a connotation of severity or hardness. It can also refer to a strong person as a noun. The word is built from a root that suggests strength in various contexts, including boldness and violence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָזָק adj. strong, stout, mighty

strong

as subst., a strong one

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2389 חָזָק strong, stout, mighty . strong

. as subst., a strong one

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2389 chazaq khaw-zawk'

from 2388; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold,

violent):--harder, hottest, + impudent, loud, mighty, sore,

stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).

see HEBREW for 02388

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָזָק (cha.zaq) — strong.

1) strong, stout, mighty

1a) strong

1a1) severe, sharp, hot

1a2) firm, hard

1b) a strong one (subst)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
יְאַמֵּ֣ץye.'a.Metz he will make firm H553 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to be strong or courageous, like in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses tells the Israelites to be brave. It can also mean to strengthen or secure something. English Bibles often translate it as 'be courageous' or 'strengthen'.
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert

Qal

be strong

Imv. be bold

Pi.

make firm, strengthen

assure, secure for oneself

harden, make obstinate

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

make oneself alert, make haste

Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong

. Imv. be bold

. . make firm, strengthen

. assure, secure for oneself

. harden, make obstinate

. . strengthen oneself

. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

. make oneself alert, make haste

. exhibit strength, be strong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

553 'amats aw-mats'

a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or

mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good

courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,

fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make

strong (obstinate, speed).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.

1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard

1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold

1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure

1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to

1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
כֹּח֑וֹko.Cho power his H3581 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
126× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Amplified meaning
power, might
Tyndale gloss
reptile
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon

ref

כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3581 koach ko'-akh

or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning

to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)

or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its

hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,

fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.

1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean

1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown

כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.

1) strength, power, might

1a) human strength

1b) strength (of angels)

1c) power (of God)

1d) strength (of animals)

1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
וְגִבּ֖וֹרve.gi.Bor and a mighty [person] H1368 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Amplified meaning
mighty man, warrior
Tyndale gloss
mighty man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'

or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same

as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--

champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),

strong (man), valiant man.

see HEBREW for 01397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.

adj

1) strong, mighty

n m

2) strong man, brave man, mighty man

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Adj — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Ncmsa
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
לֹא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
יְמַלֵּ֥טye.ma.Let he will save H4422 Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Amplified meaning
deliver, escape
Tyndale gloss
to escape
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָלַט (malat) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to escape or slip away. It encompasses various nuances such as delivering, saving, and even giving birth in specific contexts. The entries indicate that it can refer to both physical escape and the act of laying eggs. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מָלַט] vb. slip away (not in Qal)

Niph.

slip away

escape

pass. be delivered

Pi.

lay (eggs)

let escape

deliver

Hiph.

give birth to a male child

deliver

Hithp.

slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

escape

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4422 מָלַט slip away . . slip away

. escape

. pass. be delivered

. . lay (eggs)

. let escape

. deliver

. . give birth to a male child

. deliver

. . slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)

. escape

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4422 malat maw-lat'

a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by

implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively,

to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit

sparks:--deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone,

let go, preserve, save, X speedily, X surely.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָלַט (ma.lat) — to escape.

1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered

1a)(Niphal)

1a1) to slip away

1a2) to escape

1a3) to be delivered

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs)

1b2) to let escape

1b3) to deliver, save (life)

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to give birth to

1c2) to deliver

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape

1d2) to escape

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVpi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sav: In the sense "except," the word came into English through the French (sauf) and is fairly common (38 times, in addition to "saving," the King James Version Ec 5:11; Am 9:8; Mt 5:32; Lu 4:27; Re 2:17). It represents no particular Hebrew or Greek terms but is employed wherever it seems useful. It is still in good (slightly archaic) use, and the Revised Version (British and American) has few modifications (De 15:4 the King James Version; Ps 18:31, etc.), but the English Revised Version has dropped "saving" in

and it will be lost a place of escape from a swift [person] and a strong [person] not he will make firm power his and a mighty [person] not he will save life his
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃naf.Sho life his H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
soul, living being
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

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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