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Amos 2:15 — Word Study

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WLCוְתֹפֵ֤שׂ הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙ לֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔ד וְקַ֥ל בְּרַגְלָ֖יו לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּ֑ט וְרֹכֵ֣ב הַסּ֔וּס לֹ֥א יְמַלֵּ֖ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

BSAThe archertâphas [handler of the bow, one who wields the weapon] will notlôʼ stand his groundʻâmad [remain firm, maintain position] the fleetqal [swift, quick] of footregel will notlôʼ escapemâlaṭ [deliver himself, slip away to safety] and the horsemanrâkab [rider of the horse, one who mounts a chariot] will notlôʼ savemâlaṭ [deliver, preserve] 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 15 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 2:15quick helps
In a sentenceAmos warns that no one will be able to escape the coming judgment.
Who is speakingThe prophet Amos, delivering a message from God.
Where we areA declaration of impending doom for those relying on their own strength.
The hard wordתֹפֵשׂ
Take awaySelf-reliance will fail; escape is impossible.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbעָמַד 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 2:15

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 of 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 2:15 describes the futility of relying on human strength during divine judgment. The prophet Amos conveys a stark message: no one, whether archer, swift runner, or horseman, can escape the consequences of their actions. This passage follows a series of warnings about Israel's impending doom, emphasizing that even the strongest will not be able to save themselves. The context reflects God's sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment on His people.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 33:16–17No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תֹפֵשׂ, to.Fesgenerated

The word תֹפֵשׂ (to.fes) is a participle form of the verb תָּפַשׂ (taphas), meaning to seize or capture. In this context, it refers to the archer, one who wields a bow, emphasizing the action of holding or maintaining a position during battle.

The parsing as a masculine singular participle indicates an active role, highlighting the archer's responsibility. This word carries the connotation of strength and readiness, yet in the face of divine judgment, even the skilled archer cannot stand firm.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

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


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is יַעֲמֹ֔ד, he will stand, which governs the structure. The sentence presents a series of phrases that illustrate different subjects: the archer, the fleet of foot, and the horseman, each followed by their respective actions.

The arrangement emphasizes the futility of reliance on physical strength or skill, with each phrase building on the previous one. The Hebrew word order places the subjects before their actions, creating a rhythm that underscores the certainty of their failure.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תֹפֵשׂ as ὑποστῇ, which conveys a sense of standing firm. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but also reflects a broader interpretation of maintaining one's position in the face of adversity.

The use of ὑποστῇ suggests a focus on the action of standing, reinforcing the idea that even those who are skilled will ultimately be unable to withstand divine judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Amos 2:15 tells us that during the coming judgment, no one will be able to stand their ground or escape. The archer, the swift runner, and the horseman will all fail to save themselves. This emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment and the futility of relying on human strength.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Amos mean by 'the archer will not stand his ground'?

Amos is indicating that even those who are skilled in battle, like archers, will find themselves powerless during God's judgment.

Why does Amos mention different types of people like the fleet of foot and the horseman?

These examples illustrate that no matter how fast or strong a person may be, they cannot escape God's judgment.

What is the significance of the phrase 'will not save his life'?

This phrase underscores the hopelessness of trying to rely on one's own abilities to avoid judgment; salvation comes only from God.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Amos?

The verse encapsulates the theme of impending judgment against Israel for their sins, highlighting the futility of human strength in the face of divine authority.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life am I relying on my own strength instead of trusting in God?
  2. How can I better prepare myself spiritually to stand firm in the face of challenges?
  3. What does this passage teach me about the nature of God's judgment?
  4. How can I encourage others who may feel overwhelmed by their circumstances?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Amos 2:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow,.... That is, at some distance, and can make use of his instruments of war afar off; yet will not think it safe to stand his ground, but will betake

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

Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. No JFB commentary on this verse.

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

Neither shall he stand; though at distance from the enemies, yet shall not dare to keep his place. That handleth the bow; much used in the wars of those times, and used by strong and valiant men, but now both strength and valour should fail Israel’ s bow-men. He that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: this is the same, and explains that in the 14th verse. Neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself: here the prophet foretells that the swiftness of the horse, which some will make use of, shall as little avail, nor his strength joined with his speed shall deliver the rider; neither the strength of the horse shall carry him through, nor his swiftness carry him away from the…

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

Amos 2:15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and [he that is] swift of foot shall not deliver [himself]: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.Ver. 15. Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow] Arcitenens, though he can do it never so dexterously, yet if he trust in his bow, Psalms 44:6, God will break it, Jeremiah 49:35, or otherwise render it unuseful; as it befell the army of Sennacherib in Egypt, of Maximus against Theodosius, and the French in the battle between our Edward III and their King Philip, who being enraged with a defeat, resolved presently to revenge it, being elevated with an assured hope of triumphant victory. But it happened otherwise; for…

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

(15) Is omitted in some of Kennicott’s and De Rossi’s MSS., but without authority.

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

Verse 15. Neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.] I believe all these sayings, Amos 2:13-16, are proverbs, to show the inutility of all attempts, even in the best circumstances, to escape the doom now decreed, because the cup of their iniquity was full.

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

15. stand] i.e. keep his place, or halt in the flight: so Nahum 2:8; Jeremiah 46:21. swift of foot] For this virtue of a warrior cf. 2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 2:18 (the same expression as here), 1 Chronicles 12:8. deliver himself] As the text stands, himself must be understood from the next clause: but it is better, with a change of vowel-points, to read yimmâlçṭ ?, which will itself mean ‘deliver himself.’

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

13-16. The punishment. Righteous retribution will overtake the sinful nation.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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

The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He who handles the bow won’t stand. He who is swift of foot won’t escape. He who rides the horse won’t deliver himself.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Archers will not hold their ground; fast runners will not save their lives, nor will those who ride horses.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself; neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself;

RVARevised Version, American1894

neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself : neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Nor he that handleth the bowe, shall stand, and he that is swift of foote, shall not escape, neyther shall he that rideth the horse, saue his life.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and the swift of foot shall not escape, and he that rideth the horse shall not deliver his soul;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the handler of the bow standeth not, And the swift with his feet delivereth not [himself], And the rider of the horse delivereth not his soul.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the handler of the bow does not stand, || And the swift does not deliver [himself] with his feet, || And the rider of the horse does not deliver his soul.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he that handleth the bow shall not be able to stand; and he that is swift of foot shall not escape: neither shall he that rideth the horse escape with his life.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The archer will not stand; the fast runner will not escape; the horseman will not save himself.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And he that holdeth the bow shall not stand, and the swift of foot shall not escape, neither shall the rider of the horse save his life.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The archer will not stand his ground. The quickest on his feet will not be able to get away, and even those on horseback will not save themselves.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the bowman will not keep his place; he who is quick-footed will not get away safely: and the horseman will not keep his life.

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.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectתֹפֵ֤שׂ[the.one.who].handlesnoun phraseהַ(of).theקֶּ֨שֶׁת֙bowadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיַעֲמֹ֔דhe.will.standוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectקַ֥לa.[person].swiftprepositional phraseבְּonnoun phraseרַגְלָ֖יfeetוhisadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיְמַלֵּ֑טhe.will.saveוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectרֹכֵ֣בthe.ridernoun phraseהַofסּ֔וּסthe.horseadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbיְמַלֵּ֖טhe.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 presents the verse as: 'The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life.' The Septuagint shows a close correspondence with 12 of the 13 words matching the Masoretic Text, though the word order and articles differ due to its own grammatical structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically 4Q78 and 4Q82, contain parts of the verse, with some words restored or supplied by editors, but they largely align with the Masoretic Text's meaning and structure, confirming its accuracy in this instance.

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

וְתֹפֵ֤שׂ הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙ לֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔ד וְקַ֥ל בְּרַגְלָ֖יו לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּ֑ט וְרֹכֵ֣ב הַסּ֔וּס לֹ֥א יְמַלֵּ֖ט נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְתֹפֵ֤שׂκαὶהַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙לֹ֣אοὐיַעֲמֹ֔דὑποστῇוְקַ֥לκαὶבְּרַגְלָ֖יוαὐτοῦלֹ֣אοὐיְמַלֵּ֑טδιασωθῇהַסּ֔וּסלֹ֥אοὐיְמַלֵּ֖טσώσῃנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

12 of the 13 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

[ותפש] [הקשת] [לא] [יעמד] [וקל] [ברגלי׳ו] [לוא] ימלט [ורוכב] [הסוס] [לוא] ימלט נפש׳ו

2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 10 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q82a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[וקל] [ברגלי׳ו] [לוא] ימלט [ורוכב] [הסוס] [לוא] [ימלט] [נפש׳ו]

9 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 8 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 2:15תָּפַשׂand [the] hand [the] handlתָּפַשׂקֶ֫שֶׁתthe bowthe bowקֶ֫שֶׁתלֹאnotnotלֹאעָמַדhe will stahe will standעָמַדקַלand a [persand a [person] קַלרֶ֫גֶלon feet hison feet hisרֶ֫גֶללֹאnotnotלֹאמָלַטhe will savhe will saveמָלַטרָכַבand [the] rand [the] riderרָכַבסוּסthe horsethe horseסוּסלֹאnotnotלֹאמָלַטhe will savhe will saveמָלַטנֶ֫פֶשׁlife hislife hisנֶ֫פֶשׁקָשָׁהto hardento hardenקָשָׁהקָלַלto lightento lightenקָלַלרָגַלto spyto spyרָגַלנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁפָּרָשׁhorsehorseפָּרָשׁיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסמָגֵןshieldshieldמָגֵןדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְחֵץarrowarrowחֵץאֵ֫צֶלbesidebesideאֵ֫צֶלעָנָןcloudcloudעָנָןמְהֵרָהhastehasteמְהֵרָהרָכַבto rideto rideרָכַבבֹּ֫הֶןthumb/big thumb/big toeבֹּ֫הֶןיְמָנִיrightrightיְמָנִיגָּאָהto rise upto rise upגָּאָה
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 2:15

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

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

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
וְתֹפֵ֤שׂve.to.Fes and [the] handler of H8610 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Amplified meaning
handler of the bow, one who wields the weapon
Tyndale gloss
to capture
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תָּפַשׂ (taphas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lay hold of or seize. It encompasses actions like capturing, wielding, and handling, with nuances in different forms such as being seized or caught. The entries suggest a range of physical and figurative uses, including the idea of manipulation or unwarranted use.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תָּפַשׂ vb. lay hold of, wield

Qal

lay hold of, seize

grasp in order to wield, wield, use skilfully

Niph. be seized, arrested, caught

Pi. a lizard thou mayest grasp with the hands

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8610 תָּפַשׂ lay hold of, wield

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8610 taphas taw-fas'

a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to

capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use

unwarrantably:--catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over),

stop, X surely, surprise, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תָּפַשׂ (ta.pha.s) — to capture.

1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch

1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully

1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured

1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
HC/Vqrmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙ha.Ke.shet the bow H7198 Particle · noun common feminine singular absolute
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for bow refers to a weapon used for hunting or battle, but also symbolizes strength and is used to describe a rainbow. In the Bible, it appears in Genesis and other books. It represents power and beauty.
Tyndale gloss
bow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֶ֫שֶׁת (qesheth) primarily means 'bow,' referring to a weapon for hunting or battle, and can also denote 'rainbow.' It is derived from a root meaning to bend, suggesting strength. The term encompasses both literal and figurative uses, including references to archers and might.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫שֶׁת n.f. bow

bow

rainbow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7198 קֶ֫שֶׁת bow . bow

. rainbow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7198 qesheth keh'-sheth

from 7185 in the original sense (of 6983) of bending: a bow,

for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris:--X

arch(-er), + arrow, bow((-man, -shot)).

see HEBREW for 07185

see HEBREW for 06983

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫שֶׁת (qe.shet) — bow.

1) bow

1a) bow (for hunting, battle)

1b) bowmen, archers

1c) bow (fig. of might)

1d) rainbow

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

bo.

See ARCHERY.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bow

The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Gen. 21:20; 27:3; 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1 Chr. 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chr. 14:8; 17:17); so also were the Elamites (Isa. 22:6) and the Lydians (Jer. 46:9). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1 Chr. 5:18; 8:40), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly “copper”) are mentioned (2 Sam. 22:35;

(Genesis 37:10) The eastern mode of salutation, by kneeling upon one knee and bending the head forward till it touched the ground.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A weapon much used in ancient times, both for hunting and for war. It was made of wood, horn, or steel, Ge 27:3 Ps 18:34; and the foot was sometimes used in bending it. It was carried in a case, when not used, Hab 3:19. The Benjamites were celebrated for their skill in the use of this weapon, 1Ch 12:2 2Ch 14:8 17:17. See ARMS. The phrase, "a deceitful bow," to which the people of Israel are compared, Ps 78:57 Ho 7:16, means an ill-made or twisted bow, which does not shoot the arrow as it is aimed. In

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
לֹ֣אlo' 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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
יַעֲמֹ֔דya.'a.Mod he will stand H5975 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
521× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Amplified meaning
remain firm, maintain position
Tyndale gloss
to stand: stand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָמַד (amad) means to stand and encompasses a variety of related actions such as remaining, enduring, and taking a stand. It can refer to both literal and figurative stances, including presenting oneself or being appointed. The word appears in various contexts, including standing still, ceasing movement, and even serving. There are different forms of the verb, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, each with specific nuances.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָמַד 620 take one's stand, stand

Qal 435

take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

stand forth

take a stand against, in opposition to

present oneself before

attend upon, be(come) servant of

stand afar

stand (silent)

stand (appealingly)

stand, subj. רֶגֶל

stand, of water

stand still, stop, cease moving

= be inactive

= be attentive

stop, cease doing a thing

tarry, delay

remain

continue, abide

endure

be steadfast

persist

make a stand, hold one's ground

stand upright

arise, appear, come on the scene

stand forth, appear = come into being

rise up as foe

rare usages

Hiph.

83station, set

cause to stand firm

cause to stand up, set up, erect

present one before king

appoint

other meanings

Hoph. be presented

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5975 עָמַד take one's stand, stand .. . take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude

. stand forth

. take a stand against, in opposition to

. present oneself before

. attend upon, be(come) servant of

. stand afar

. stand (silent)

. stand (appealingly)

. stand, subj. רֶגֶל

. stand, of water

. . stand still, stop, cease moving

. = be inactive

. = be attentive

. stop, cease doing a thing

. . tarry, delay

. remain

. continue, abide

. endure

. be steadfast

. persist

. make a stand, hold one's ground

. stand upright

. . arise, appear, come on the scene

. stand forth, appear = come into being

. rise up as foe

. rare usages

. . station, set

. cause to stand firm

. cause to stand up, set up, erect

. present one before king

. appoint

. other meanings

. be presented

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5975 `amad aw-mad'

a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and

figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind),

appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed,

endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be)

present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth,

over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by,

fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָמַד (a.mad) — to stand: stand.

: stand/stop/establish

1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of

1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease

1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast

1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground

1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright

1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against

1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to station, set

1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain

1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect

1b4) to present (one) before (king)

1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
וְקַ֥לve.Kal and a [person] swift H7031 Conjunction
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
swift, quick
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
Conj | Adj — Conjunction
HC/Aamsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See SWALLOW.

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
בְּרַגְלָ֖יוbe.rag.Lav on feet his H7272 Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
247× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Tyndale gloss
foot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot

foot

three times (feet, paces)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot

. three times (feet, paces)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7272 regel reh'-gel

from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a

step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X

according as, X after, X coming, X follow,

((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X

journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.

see HEBREW for 07270

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.

1) foot

1a) foot, leg

1b) of God (anthropomorphic)

1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table

1d) according to the pace of (with prep)

1e) three times (feet, paces)

Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HR/Ncfdc/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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
לֹ֣אlo' 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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
יְמַלֵּ֑טye.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 himself, slip away to safety
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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
וְרֹכֵ֣בve.ro.Khev and [the] rider of H7392 Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew verb means to ride an animal or vehicle, and can also mean to place someone or something on a horse or chariot. It is used to describe riding horses or chariots in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
rider of the horse, one who mounts a chariot
Tyndale gloss
to ride
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רָכַב (rakab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ride, mount, or sit upon something, typically an animal or vehicle. It can also imply causing someone or something to ride or draw, as in plowing. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including a participle for 'rider' and figurative expressions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רָכַב vb. mount and ride, ride

Qal

mount, mount and sit or ride

ride, be riding

pt., as subst., rider

Hiph.

cause to (mount and) ride

cause to draw (plough, etc.)

fig. cause hand to ride upon (grasp) bow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7392 רָכַב mount and ride, ride .. mount, mount and sit or ride

. ride, be riding

. pt., as subst., rider

. . cause to (mount and) ride

. cause to draw (plough, etc.)

. fig. cause hand to ride upon (grasp) bow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7392 rakab raw-kab'

a primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle);

causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to

despatch:--bring (on (horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up,

on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot,

on, -r), set.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רָכַב (ra.khav) — to ride.

1) to mount and ride, ride

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to mount, mount and sit or ride

1a2) to ride, be riding

1a3) rider (subst)

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to ride, cause to (mount and) ride

1b2) to cause to draw (plough, etc)

1b3) to cause to ride upon (fig)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common
HC/Vqrmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
הַסּ֔וּסha.Sus the horse H5483 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
140× 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 a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Tyndale gloss
swallow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סוּס (sus) refers to both a 'swallow' and a 'horse,' derived from a root meaning to skip or leap. The word captures the swift nature of both the bird and the animal, often associated with chariot horses in the context of the Old Testament. There is a note in the entries about a comparison with another Hebrew word, but no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

סוּס n.[m.] swallow or swift

base

סוּס 138 n.m. horse

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5483a סוּס swallow or swift H5483b סוּס horse

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5483 cuwc soos

or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly,

for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid

flight):--crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare 6571.

see HEBREW for 06571

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

סוּס (sus) — swallow.

swallow, swift

סוּס (sus) — Horse (Gate).

This name means horse

סוּס (sus) — horse.

1) horse

1a) chariot horses

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

hors:

1. Names:

The common names are (1) cuc, and

(2) hippos.

(3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Eze 27:14; Joe 2:4 the Revised Version, margin); also in 2Sa 16, where the "horsemen" of English Versions of the Bible is ba`ale ha-parashim, "owners of horses"; compare Arabic faris, "horseman," and faras, "horse".

(4) The feminine form cucah, occurs in So 1:9, and is rendered as follows: Septuagint he hippos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) equitatum; the King James Version "company of horses," the Revised Version (British and American) "steed." It is not clear why English Versions of the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Horse

Always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa. 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, Deut. 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2 Sam. 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26, 29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 3:7; 9:21, 33…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The most striking feature in the biblical notices of the horse is the exclusive application of it to warlike operations; in no instance is that useful animal employed for the purposes of ordinary locomotion or agriculture, if we except (Isaiah 28:28) The animated description of the horse in (Job 39:19-25) applies solely to the war-horse. The Hebrews in the patriarchal age, as a pastoral race, did not stand in need of the services Of the horse, and for a long period after their settlement in Canaan they dispensed with it, partly in consequence of the hilly nature of the country, which only admitted of the use of chariots in certain localities, (Judges 1:19) and partly in consequence to the prohibition in (17:16) which would be held to apply at all periods. David first established…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Description of

Great strength Job 39:19-25

Swifter than eagles Jer 4:13

Snorting and neighing of Isa 5:28; Jer 8:16

A vain thing for safety Ps 33:17; Pr 21:31

→ Used by the Egyptians in war Ex 14:9; 15:19

→ Used by the Israelites 1Ki 22:4

→ Used for cavalry 2Ki 18:23; Jer 47:3; 51:21

and [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
לֹ֥אlo' 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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse not he will save life his
יְמַלֵּ֖טye.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, preserve
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 [the] handler of the bow not he will stand and a [person] swift on feet his not he will save and [the] rider of the horse 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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